A new semiconductor technology that uses microchips to cut off power and prevent vehicle explosions

     At present, there have been many incidents of fire and explosion of electric vehicles, from Tesla to domestic Weilai, Weimar, etc., such accidents have occurred. Electric vehicles are becoming more and more popular at the same time, its safety has also caused concerns, of course, not to say that the accident rate of electric vehicles is necessarily higher than that of traditional fuel vehicles, but as an emerging thing will often receive more attention. In this context, Bosch introduced a new semiconductor technology, its microchip can make the battery circuit power down in less than a second, ensuring the safety of first responders and people in the car.

     In technical principle, when the vehicle's airbag sensor detects the impact force, the microchip will trigger the fuse system, and the on-board battery will be disconnected from the high-voltage cables of the electronic parts, thereby eliminating the risk of electric shock or fire in the electric vehicle. It is understood that the current development of this microchip is small in size and very light in weight, but the microchip integrates millions of crystals, can be customized design, activate security functions in 1 second, and has strong reliability.

     Better battery technology is not the only way to extend the range of electric vehicles, and the restructuring of chip materials could increase the range by 6%. Bosch plans to start producing silicon carbide semiconductors from 2020 to provide more efficient electrical conductivity to reduce the amount of electricity wasted on the road by power electronics in electric and hybrid vehicles.

     Bosch says it's easy for consumers to simplify the range of an electric car and think it all depends on how big the battery pack is. In the real world, however, cars with batteries of the same size may have very different driving distances. Power management is one of the most important factors affecting driving distance, especially how efficiently the electrical energy stored in the battery is transferred to the motor. One of the most wasteful side effects of this process is fever. The battery, the electronics responsible for power control and transmission, and the electric motor itself all convert some of that energy into heat rather than mileage.

     Bosch executives said the first samples from the company's 150mm wafer plant in Reutlingen, Germany, would be delivered to potential customers and that the chips could be used in mass production of electric cars in three years. It is reported that the chip will use a different semiconductor material silicon carbide, which can withstand the higher temperature and voltage in the electric drive system. The electric drive train is responsible for transferring power between the battery and the drive train.

     According to Bosch, the microchip is more complex to produce, but it can provide better electrical conductivity and reduce energy consumption by 50 percent. In an interview with reporters in Dresden, Harald Kroeger, a member of the board of directors of the company, said that silicon carbide semiconductors can provide greater power for the electric push in the automotive industry. In other words, for the driver, this means a 6% increase in range.

     Bosch believes that increased range should boost sales of electric vehicles, citing statistics that 42% of consumers won't consider an electric car because of its limited range, fearing the embarrassment of running out of battery while driving. In addition, car manufacturers can also take advantage of higher electrical efficiency to reduce the price of batteries and cars. The microchip's increased temperature resistance also means less need for integrated cooling circuits, which typically add weight and cost to the production process.