Interfaceforce is helping drive the electric vehicle market forward
Every innovation that comes to market takes many years to develop and realize the technology's full potential. In today's automotive market, electric vehicles (EVs) are reaching a point where the technology and their capabilities are fully mature and ready for a mass outbreak. According to a recent IEA report, there will be more than 2020 million electric cars on the road in 10, accounting for an estimated 2% of the market.
There are currently 370 models of electric vehicles sold and the number continues to grow. To support the continued growth of the electric vehicle market, Interface continues to play a central role in providing force and torque testing and measurement systems that meet the demanding testing requirements of all components used in the manufacture of these vehicles. The automotive market, and especially electric vehicles, is subject to extremely strict regulations. Therefore, testing and measurements for each part are critical to the safety, reliability, durability and overall performance of the vehicle.
Interface recognized the rise of the electric vehicle market long before its exponential adoption and growth and invested early in the development of force measurement technologies specifically designed for electric vehicle testing. Our products are already well known in the automotive industry due to our ability to deliver high quality and high precision solutions that automobile manufacturers and testing laboratories rely on.
One of the key developments in our range of EV compatible test equipment was the introduction of the AxialTQ™ torque transducer system in 2018. The AxialTQ system was developed in direct collaboration with end users, reflecting on operational priorities, the user interface, the design, the features , problems in practice and more. The AxialTQ torque measurement system redefines the torque transducer category with a crashworthy design for maximum reliability, a versatile model for application flexibility, simultaneous analog and digital outputs, real-time control and data acquisition, and interchangeable stators and output modules that minimize parts inventory. You can see it in action in this video, AxialTQ Engine Dynamometer Application Note.
The rotor sensor element and electronics are the heart of the system, which is offered in 8 torque ranges in 5 DIN sizes. With the flexible ability to mount stator and output modules, the AxialTQ system offers extensive configuration options to meet any application need, especially for EV motor testing. Watch the recent webinar, The Latest Spin on AxialTQ, to learn more about this dynamic transducer for automotive testing.
Torque measurement for electric vehicles
When an electric vehicle manufacturer needed a torque measurement system for their electric vehicle, they contacted us to inquire about a solution designed to meet the unique needs of electric motors. These engines run at significantly higher speeds than their internal combustion engine (ICE) counterparts and have a much higher power density due to their small size and weight. The preferred system should be used to test the torque and speed of the electric motors to achieve and ensure optimal, instantaneous peak torque.
Interface provided its AxialTQ Wireless Rotary Torque Transducer to ensure the highest quality torque measurement. This product came with the AxialTQ output module and included AxialTQ wizard software that installs on a test stand. This allows the data results to be calculated and collected in real time. Using AxialTQ, the customer conducted tests to capture the electric vehicle's motor with high accuracy. The torque and speed (RPM) of the electric vehicle were measured and calculated while data was collected at the same time. The results can then be checked on the customer's PC or laptop using the included AxialTQ Assistant software. With this solution, the customer was able to achieve the desired peak torque immediately.
This is just one of the many test and measurement solutions Interface offers to automotive and electric vehicle component manufacturers. Interface will present additional automotive testing products at the next Automotive Test Expo. For an overview of some of these products, watch this video highlighting popular automotive testing interface products.