Marelli launches new smart actuators for transmission and thermal management in EVs

Global supplier Marelli has launched its new range of multipurpose smart actuators aimed at electric cars at the Battery Show North America 2023, held from September 12-14 in Novi, Michigan.

These smart actuators are designed to simplify actuation of complex vehicle functions. As future cars are expected to include more than 100 actuators with different missions and purposes, this solution will help carmakers to reduce complexity and ease the integration in vehicles’ mechanic and electronic environments.

Marelli’s new smart actuators include an electronic module that autonomously controls the actuator itself and connects it to the vehicle electronic network. The device has a flexible, modular and scalable mechanical design, to fit complex vehicle electronics and transmission configurations, and a software management designed for easy integration. The overall solution, as per Marelli, allows simple customisation and installation within the vehicle, has a super compact size and lightweight, features on board diagnostics and is cyber security ready.

The company offers multipurpose actuators for hybrid and full EV transmission control, which have applications in systems such as park lock, disconnect clutches, shift by wire and two-speeds actuators. It also develops actuators for battery EV thermal management, resulting from the combination of Marelli’s competences in both propulsion and thermal solutions areas. The focus is particularly on high-end actuators where challenging performances and features are required, such as high safety relevance and cyber security, precise and fast operations, use in severe environments. Based on Marelli’s system expertise and integration capabilities, these new solutions for EVs add to the significant production of actuators manufactured each year by the company to drive turbo chargers, manage engine intake and drive gearboxes in internal combustion engines.

The Battery Show 2023 is North America’s largest event on advanced batteries and vehicle electrification. Other top technologies displayed at the event include Marelli’s Vehicle Domain Control Module. This is a cross-domain controller for vehicles with different propulsions, that enhances the integration between propulsion and chassis functionalities, improving vehicle handling, comfort, and performance, while simplifying the electric and electronic architecture.

Marelli claims the integrated Thermal Management Module (iTMM) for electric vehicles improves efficiency, safety and driving range by up to 20 percent.  

At the event, Marelli also showcased its integrated Thermal Management Module (iTMM) for electric vehicles, which allows the efficient combination of the cabin, battery and e-powertrain thermal systems into one single component, to achieve a more efficient thermal management. The main advantages include reduced complexity, simpler assembly and competitive system costs.

The range of Marelli products includes the latest technologies for propulsion and thermal solutions, including centralised, distributed and wireless battery management systems and battery thermal plate.

With around 50,000 employees worldwide, the Marelli footprint includes 170 facilities and R&D centers acrossAsia, the Americas, Europe, and Africa.