Enhanced Drive Technology (EDT) from DG Innovate paves the way for electric vehicles that have greater range, lower manufacturing costs and increased reliability. While initially developed for land vehicles, with a particular focus on bus and HGV applications, DG Innovate’s Pareta® electric drive system is also suitable for applications in the marine, renewable energy, and aviation sectors, where it offers equally significant benefits.
Developed alongside the UK Ministry of Defence and Tier 1 manufacturer Meritor, the Pareta® drives system, which features numerous patent-pending innovations, comprises a novel motor with integrated high-power inverter and control electronics. The system’s unique architecture effectively divides the motor and inverter functionality between multiple segments, each of which can be powered and controlled individually. This ground-breaking design brings crucial advantages:
High power density means that Pareta® integrated inverter motors can be smaller than their conventional counterparts while delivering the same performance. Their unique design also makes the motors suitable for almost any mounting location: they can be used in wheel-hub drives, axle drives, or they can be centrally mounted.
High efficiency over almost the full speed range not only means that smaller battery systems can be used to achieve the same range but also that, in many applications, no gearbox is required. This reduces cost, weight and eliminates geartrain losses.
Because of their outstanding thermal performance, Pareta® drives can run continuously at maximum power, while built-in redundancy means that even if a motor or inverter segment fails, the drive continues to operate. This allows Pareta® drives to be used in safety-related applications, such as functioning as the primary brake on a vehicle, thereby eliminating the need for a conventional braking system.
Most electric vehicle drive systems require a high-voltage supply – typically 400 to 800 V. While Pareta® drives can operate at these voltages, they are equally suitable for operation at lower, safer voltages.
The unique architecture of the motors used in Pareta® drives means that they use less copper than conventional motors, which reduces manufacturing costs. The cost of the inverter electronics is also reduced because multiple small and inexpensive semiconductors are used rather than a few large and costly devices. The use of smaller devices results in more efficient switching with less EMI.
Successful development of an advanced prototype Pareta® system has already been completed and a final design prototype is undergoing tests. Pilot production is scheduled for 2024 with full-scale commercial sales targeted for Q1 2025.
DG Innovate’s Pareta® drive systems are an important step forward in electric drive technology and are setting new standards for performance, efficiency, reliability and value for money.
