There are many macro-trends which impact the design priorities of automotive OEMs and their respective suppliers. One such trend, of course, is the importance placed on optimising a vehicle’s environmental performance whether that is measured by increased fuel efficiency of internal combustion engine (ICE) and hybrid-electric vehicles (HEV) or by extension of battery life in electric vehicles (EV).
Managing temperatures generated by combustion and electrical components in a vehicle is one way to address this trend. As an example, studies have shown that if temperatures can be managed effectively, OEMs can save approximately 3 per cent of fuel consumption in an internal combustion engine vehicle.
Bonded neo magnetic materials lend themselves to various applications in automotive thermal management systems, and Magnequench has worked with several companies on these solutions generally.
For powertrains that include an internal combustion engine, bonded neo (MQ1) magnets are often utilised in active grill shutter actuators. The superior magnetic properties of bonded neo magnets allow for smaller actuators, which provides additional options when mounting the actuator onto the grill.
Additionally, bonded neo is employed in electric cooling pumps not only for ICE but also for HEVs and EVs. Compared with sintered neo magnets, MQ1 magnets do not contain heavy rare earth elements or cobalt, which both have relatively volatile prices.
Moreover, near net shape manufacturing of a MQ1 magnet results in an improved effective material use because of inherently lower scrap rates. This is beneficial not only for cost control but also for environmental considerations. Finally, with isotropic bonded neo magnets, cooling pumps with brushless DC motors can be designed with a higher number of magnetic poles (>4) on the magnet and with tailored magnetisation profiles which enable lower body noise and vibration.
These various advantages are best leveraged by taking them into consideration at the earliest design concept phases. As Magnequench works with companies throughout these supply chains, their technical teams are able to hasten the time to market for optimised applications. Magnequench’s materials science teams can identify the best performing, lowest cost magnetic materials and then quickly relay the magnetic material characteristics to their motor design experts, who then optimise the magnet designs and magnetisation profiles for the applications.
Ultimately, these efforts play a key part in helping reduce fuel consumption and improve battery life.
For more details, contact at sales@magnequench.com
