The Role of Connectors in Thermal Management in EVs

Electric vehicles (EVs) are the fastest-growing sector in the automotive industry, not just in the domestic car market but across a range of applications. From agricultural vehicles to buses and trucks, manufacturers are creating electric alternatives to conventional internal combustion engines.

While electric vehicles do not burn conventional fuel to create power, they do still generate heat. The latest generation of electric motors can deliver impressive efficiency, but even the most efficient device will produce unwanted heat. All conductive components possess electrical resistance, however small, and electric current flowing through them will result in some of the energy being lost as heat.

Heat is therefore a symptom of an inefficient system but also causes other problems. Electric vehicles depend heavily on copper, not only for cable harnesses but also in the construction of electric motors. The electrical properties of copper are affected by temperature, with elevated temperatures causing an increase in resistance. Therefore, unwanted heat will further reduce the efficiency of the electrical system. High temperatures also adversely affect reliability, as many materials deteriorate quickly at higher temperatures. The result can range from the unwanted oxidisation of metals to the softening and deforming of plastic.

Electrical efficiency therefore plays a role greater than simply improving the performance of EVs, and can improve their overall reliability and safety. Managing the thermal load and selecting components that minimise its effects are therefore vital in the world of automotive design.

Lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery technology is the most common choice for modern electric vehicles. Li-ion offers the best combination of capacity, long life and charging capabilities. The performance of Li-ion batteries is best at mild temperatures. Low temperatures reduce the capacity of a Li-ion battery, and will increase the time it takes to fully charge. In contrast, exposing a Li-ion battery to heat can result in long-term damage. Elevated temperatures accelerate the chemical reactions within the battery, reducing both capacity and efficiency.

Management of heat is of particular importance during the charging cycle. Li-ion batteries are made up of thousands of individual cells. If an individual cell is damaged, whether due to high temperatures, the ingress of water into the battery or by physical impact, its lower capacity complicates the charging process. With a lower capacity, the individual cell cannot be charged at the same rate as its neighbours.

Overcharging a battery has significant consequences including a dangerous situation known as thermal runaway. In this situation, the overcharge raises the temperature of the cell, creating an uncontrollable, self-heating state which, if unchecked, leads to a serious fire. To control this process and monitor the condition of the battery, the Battery Management System (BMS) is used to ensure its safety and reliability.

Connectors play several key roles in ensuring the safety and efficiency of EVs. It is vital that power is carried throughout the EV as efficiently as possible. Power loss within the cable harness is affected by the resistance of the conductors. Minimising the resistance will not only increase the efficiency of the EV, improving the overall performance and range, but lower resistance will result in a lower temperature rise. Connectors use contacts that are designed with the lowest possible contact resistance. Machined contacts are the best solution, providing excellent cross-sectional area for the low contact resistance.

Connectors are also important for the BMS that keeps the battery safe. The BMS receives data from a larger number of sensors arrayed within the battery, and connectors provide the vital link to ensure this information is transmitted quickly. The large number of channels associated with these sensors requires a connector that is small and provides high signal density. Connectors designed for BMS applications must be compact and offer high pin counts, while also delivering high data rates to transmit information with the lowest possible delay.

Alongside the electrical requirements of automotive connectors, they must be designed to withstand the harsh conditions in which vehicles are used. They must be protected against moisture, dust and dirt, even while exposed to shock and vibration. They require robust locking mechanisms to create a secure connection. These can take the form of screw locking or latch systems to prevent accidental disconnection. Connector reliability is vital due to their role in providing power, and the security of their connections is of paramount concern.

Both the Flecto and Kontrol connector series are ideal for the high-performance demands of modern electric vehicles (EVs). Part of our BBi range of board-to-board connectors, they offer robust solutions for power and signal. For signal connections, the Flecto floating connectors are available in different pitch options of 0.5mm, 0.635mm and 0.8mm, delivering data rates of 8Gb/s (Gigabits per second), 12Gb/s and 5Gb/s respectively.

Fine pitch connectors are often difficult to assemble due to the precision required to align the contacts, so the Flecto series features a floating mount that allows for misalignment during the assembly process. When power connections are required, the F11 series is available in mixed layout options, combining 0.5mm pitch signal contacts with larger power terminals capable of up to 3 Amps per circuit.

For applications that do not suit a mixed connector layout, the Kontrol series offers a range of 1.27mm pitch board-to-board connectors that combines high-reliability with current ratings of up to 1.2 Amps per contact. Featuring a robust latch for high-vibration environments, their compact size and ease of integration make them ideal for confined spaces, and their blind-mating capability allows for easy assembly applications.

This article was first published by Wevolver.