Note: this function is available to work on full-time, as well as part-time.
General information
With this project, you will work on a Battery Management System (BMS) that uses active balancing to level the state of charge of cells at high rates, suiting our fast-charging battery pack.
At InMotion, we have a unique use-case in electric endurance racing that requires an active balancing design that is fast, efficient and small. Something that is not yet on the market but is actively being discussed in research papers. Therefore, this project requires us to delf deep into the fundamentals of electronics and converter design and work together with established companies to solve issues at the edge of our current capabilities. Instead of combining existing components, you will help create a system from the ground up that allow batteries to be used in a more sustainable way. With this project, you will directly contribute to the mission of InMotion by inspiring the automotive sector towards a greener future, while at the same time work in a motivated team of fellow engineering studies to push the boundaries in the field of Electrical Engineering.
Function description
An important aspect of the BMS is the balancing circuit that balances cells at high amperages. To do this, we need to design a converter that is fast, efficient, and small. In cooperation with a team of fellow engineering students and experts from external companies, you will be tasked to develop a converter schematic that reaches requirements on efficiency and speed.
To help you get started, there is already a preliminary design and converter layout that incorporates the desired functionalities and has been simulated in LTSpice. This design has an extensive report and explanation to help you get started and understand why certain choices were made. Next to this report, there will be experienced old team members available for any questions regarding this model.
You will begin by theoretically validating and substantiating the existing model, this process will involve performing analog electronic circuit simulations and calculations to get familiar with the design. After that, it is up to you to increase efficiency and work towards an optimal design. During this stage you will have the freedom to set up your own approach and request the guidance you feel is needed to make this work.
In later stages you will start translating your model to a real-life implementation and start testing your converter design, producing the necessary iterations and adjustment to get to the desired requirements, all in collaboration with companies and experts in the field.
What do you get back?
- The perfect opportunity to get practical experience in the field of electrical engineering
- The chance to innovate a new system that does not exist yet
- A unique time where you work with a group of ambitious students towards one goal
- A diverse team with whom you often do fun things
- The chance to build a network within the automotive world
- The perfect opportunity to complement your CV with this work experience
- The opportunity to follow different trainings offered by our partners
- Enough freedom, but also set goals to make your year together with your team a success
Interested in joining InMotion but still have some questions? Send an email to hr@inmotion.tue.nl to plan a coffee talk with one of our members! Or do you already know for sure you want to be an engineer for InMotion? Then fill in the vacancy form!
