Press Release
The basis of the SELECT platform: Innovative components make ZF's e-drive portfolio powerful and variable
- Modular kits for e-machines, power electronics, reduction gears and software form the technological breadth of the ZF portfolio for e-drives
- Clearly defined interfaces between components and the overall system simplify integration and production
- ZF innovations will continue to be developed into the SELECT platform in the future
Friedrichshafen / Zweibrücken. Thanks to the SELECT e-drive platform, ZF has achieved a balancing act: the Group can offer a dynamic, volatile and technically highly differentiated market for purely electric drive technology an attractive and broadly diversified range without having to make compromises in terms of development times, pace of innovation or scalability. This successful concept is based on a range of components and subsystems: E-machines, power electronics, reduction gears and control software. ZF has decades of experience in all these areas of expertise and is one of the most important innovators in the industry. The modular construction kits of the SELECT platform are therefore designed in such a way that ZF can both develop highly attractive complete systems and play a leading role as a component supplier.
em:SELECT – E-machines
The modular ZF portfolio of electric machines includes both the proven PSM (Permanently Excited Synchronous Machines) and ASM (Asynchronous Machines) through to new SESM concepts (Separately Excited Synchronous Machines). Innovations still under development are planned as part of this modular system. These include the award-winning new development I2SM – a powerful electric machine that, as a separately excited synchronous machine, enables performance data comparable to that of a permanently excited synchronous machine by reducing the installation space and optimizing the rotor design and, as it does not require magnets, eliminates dependence on rare earths. Similarly, a carbon-taped rotor (rotor with carbon bandage) based on PSM: The concept allows the magnetic mass to be reduced, thus lowering the weight and complexity of a conventional PSM rotor without compromising on peak load and maximum speed.
The em:SELECT modular system enables ZF to efficiently adapt electric motors to the needs of customers. In addition to different rotor technologies ASM, PSM and SESM, ZF can handle different outer diameters, active lengths and wire geometries in its stator production system in a standardized global production concept and achieve short time-to-market.
rd:SELECT – Reduction gearbox
ZF offers reduction gears in parallel-axis and coaxial design. Both are essential for high torque density and thus for very efficient energy use when high-speed engine concepts are required. In the coaxial design, which also integrates the differential function, ZF makes use of its comprehensive planetary gearbox expertise, which originates from the development of automatic transmissions. A reduction of up to 70 mm in overall length in the Y-direction and weight savings of more than 5 kg can be achieved compared to axially parallel reduction gears.
in:SELECT – Inverter
The inverter platform developed by ZF is responsible for a high power density and enables scalable, sustainable and efficient solutions. in:SELECT is a flexible modular system for 400 V to 800 V in the 100 to 650 A range. The peak efficiency is 99.6 percent. Inverters based on the modular system in:SELECT can currently switch currents of up to 650 A – values of up to 900 A are planned for the near future. At the same time, they take up 30 percent less installation space. The concept with defined preassemblies allows modular and maximum flexible adaptation for a wide range of applications. The discrete design of the power switching modules allows multi-sourcing when selecting semiconductor suppliers, which reduces the risk of supply bottlenecks. Scaling is still possible without replacing the software.
co:SELECT – Converter
With its converter program, ZF has added a key component to its portfolio: Across all voltage classes, converters serve as a key element for e-mobility and as an important technology to enable cars for the energy transition. In the co:SELECT modular system, ZF has defined certain functionalities that can be expanded and scaled as required through the use of hardware or software.
The co:SELECT modular system includes bidirectional charging as well as V2L and V2G functionality (vehicle-to-load, vehicle-to-grid). Both make the vehicle's battery energy available for the power grid as well as for external power consumers – even simultaneously. These functions are important success factors for a sustainable energy transition based on e-mobility. ZF is also able to integrate these functions in just one housing – together with DC-DC conversion with galvanic isolation and on-board power supply for 12 or 48 V. The co:SELECT converter platform already has a very high level of integration – with the aim of expanding this to full functional integration soon. With its focus on system competence, ZF aims to cover as many functions as possible in a small installation space in the sense of an X-in-1 solution.
sw:SELECT – Software
Software is also the key to electric drives, both in terms of functionality and implementation. ZF has designed its software for the electric driveline on a modular basis to be able to serve customers flexibly, quickly and cost-effectively. ZF can integrate its own developments into the customer's hardware and software environment; ZF drive software is compatible with standardized safety requirements or software architectures. The Group optimizes its software for use in central or zone computers and also pays attention to factors such as CPU load, memory consumption, response time and communication latencies.
Software is also a key to individualizing the driving experience through attractive assistance systems such as driving dynamics control.
