A Multiport Power Electronics Converter for Hybrid Traction Applications

Environmental concerns and energy efficiency have been driving the transportation innovation in the past decades. In this framework, hybrid city transport has been receiving the attention of the industry. The challenges for this application are the required high-power density, lower maintenance cost and the high-temperature environment due to the integration with the internal combustion engine. A multiport converter is proposed to realise the requirements of the automotive industry to achieve greater performance in driveline electrification. The platform suggests the combination of previously discrete power electronics converter modules into one physical package commonising parts such as the microcontroller, heatsink and busbars. This paper provides an overview of design considerations for engine start-stop within a series-parallel topology and how it is achieved using the multiport converter. Finally, a comparison between the multiport and discrete converter approach is made compared and findings presented, highlighting the advantages of the integrated solution.