Page 19 - Industrial Technology April 2021 issue

DESIGN ENGINEERING

Innovation in the thermal

management of lithium batteries

COIL AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS COMBINE BENEATH THE BONNET OF HYBRID AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES

combined coil and connector The efficiency of the cooling devices possible by a latest generation test
has been developed according depends heavily on integrated functional laboratory, which allows it to simulate
to the strictest design criteria circuits regulated by coils and their combined use, in a wide range of
Ato work under the bonnet of connectors with specific technical conditions. This vast experience enables
hybrid and electric vehicles, regulating characteristics, which should also it to offer customers integrated
the cooling circuits of their lithium minimise space requirements. solutions, optimal in terms of reliability,
batteries. quality, space saving and convenience.
The ultra-compact solution Construction technique Atam is known for its custom-made
developed by Atam, guarantees cutting- Atam’s ultra-compact solution is offered products, which today represent 70% of
edge performance to the main devices with different electrical parameters and all its production, conceived from
responsible for under the bonnet thermal types of connection to satisfy all motor scratch or adapted to the specific needs
management such as the chiller, types. The 22 mm coil and the overall of the customer starting from standard
refrigerant pump and shut-off valves. dimensions of the winding are products.
The quest for improved hybrid and specifically designed to ensure all the In addition, the company offers the
electric vehicle performance inevitably force, linked to the number of turns, and market a wide and complete range of
includes the use of increasingly high- the tolerance necessary, to adjust the off-the shelf products intended for
performance batteries capable of quickly valve. Space optimisation also exploits the most varied applications.
and reliably providing the necessary the geometry of the connector with the MORE INFORMATION: www.atam.it
operating energy. Improper management terminals encapsulated in the coil to
of the main component on this type of form a single body. The mating between
vehicle would lead to high maintenance the connector and the coil can also be
costs and the risk of fire due to the considered a critical area, where
flammable elements contained in the humidity and dirt can create sealing
batteries. problems.
In fact, in order to function efficiently Atam offers an IP69K degree of ULTIMATE 25
over long periods, the batteries of hybrid protection thanks to the class H
and electric cars must be able to materials used for encapsulation, which BATTERY YEARS
OF MAKING
maintain an optimal temperature, as have demonstrated optimal resistance to TECHNOLOGY
SAFER
constant as possible in a range between cracking and material failure, that may PROTECTION
+20 °C and -40 °C, regardless of the otherwise lead to the damage of internal
outside temperature. Excessively high circuits. Providing safety
temperatures affect the useful life of the The choice of materials has for some
battery pack while excessively low time been the subject of careful studies through temperature control
temperatures lead to a drop in by the Atam testing laboratory which ATC SEMITEC stock a wide range of thermal devices
performance. The battery decay constantly works towards research and
process, measured in charge cycles and development of new, high performance, which provide valuable protection for rechargeable
residual capacity, can be improved with robust materials. This laboratory has batteries, Li-ion batteries and battery chargers.
optimal thermal management based on recently been equipped with a new Ultra-thin battery logic fuses, miniature snap action
increasingly sophisticated control logic double compartment climatic chamber thermostats and NTC thermistors, provide protection
and actions. allowing heat adjustment between against overcharge, overcurrent, short circuit
+50/+220°C and cold adjustment protection and abnormally high temperatures.
between -80°C and +100°C, which is
capable of subjecting the samples to
sudden thermal shocks in just 10
seconds, simulating the most severe
field operating conditions.
The new equipment, in addition to
testing and validating different types of Offering a choice of thermal
materials, is essential for collecting data devices, thermal response,
relating to the different production accuracies and operating
E-VEHICLE
stages based on the most rigid criteria or AUTOMOTIVE RECHARGEABLE CHARGING temperatures.
BATTERIES
specific customer requests.
Atam has been producing
encapsulated coils and connectors for NEED ADVICE?
50 years and it is the joint and Call us now on 01606 871680
continuous development of the two or email smart@atcsemitec.co.uk
complementary product lines, also made www.atcsemitec.co.uk for technical advice & samples

March/April 2021 • INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY

ATC Ultimate Battery Protection ad 105x140 - Indistrial Technology AW.indd 1 10/09/2020 11:31