Pulse Width Modulation

Electric Vehicle
DC Motor Controller

Eric Rodda – AEVA Adelaide - October 2010

 Pulse Width Modulation
Electric Vehicle
DC Motor Controller
For this example we will assume that
the Electric Vehicle has a total battery
voltage of 120 Volts and also that the
accelerator pedal mechanically
connects to a potbox which in turn
electrically connects to the controller.
 Pulse Width ModulationImage courtesy of
EV Works -
Electric Vehicle Western Australia

DC Motor Controller
For this example we will assume that
the Electric Vehicle has a total battery
voltage of 120 Volts and also that the
accelerator pedal
POTBOX mechanically
connects to a potbox which in turn
electrically connects to the controller.
DC MOTOR CONTROLLER
The controller uses sophisticated control
circuitry and power output stages
(MOSFET or IGBT) which takes the high
voltage from the traction battery pack and
converts it into variable width pulses,
controlled by the potbox, and then sends
these pulses to the drive motor.
PWM

Pulse-Width Modulation is a very

efficient way of providing
intermediate amounts of electrical
power between fully off and fully on.
DUTY CYCLE
The term duty cycle describes the
proportion of on time to the regular
interval or period of time; a low duty
cycle corresponds to low power,
because the power is off for most of the
time. Duty cycle is expressed in percent,
100% being fully on.
PWM Frequency
The frequency of operation of a DC Motor
Controller is generally above the audio
spectrum and often around 22Khz
(22,000 cycles per second) giving a period
of approx 45uS.
PWM in Action
The following slides show five progressing
stages of the accelerator position.
Of course, in real life, this process will be
continuous and smooth from one stage to
the next…
 Foot off accelerator pedal – Potbox at rest position
What the motor sees

120
VOLTS

TIME
 Foot on accelerator pedal – Potbox partly open
One Period with a Duty Cycle of What the motor sees
approx 15%

120
VOLTS

18

TIME
 Foot on accelerator pedal – Potbox half open
One Period with a Duty Cycle of What the motor sees
approx 50%

120
VOLTS

60

TIME
 Foot on accelerator pedal – Potbox open more
One Period with a Duty Cycle of What the motor sees
approx 75%

120

90
VOLTS

TIME
 Accelerator pedal to floor – Potbox fully open
One Period with a Duty Cycle of 100% What the motor sees

120
VOLTS

TIME
You are now all experts in this
subject…

Pulse Width Modulation

Electric Vehicle
DC Motor Controller
Eric Rodda - AEVA October 2010
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Pulse Width Modulation

Electric Vehicle
DC Motor Controller
Eric Rodda - AEVA October 2010