State of the art of the electric vehicle′s power modules cooling technologies

Nowadays, the electric vehicle (EV) is the best positioned option to massively replace traditional combustion engine cars in the market for medium and long term. Nevertheless, and despite such optimistic forecasts, there are still many factors that limit the expansion of its use; the current global EV stock corresponds to only 0.2% of the total number of passenger vehicles in circulation. As far as strictly technological factors are concerned, the EV must improve its efficiency. The density of the power demanded by the inverter modules of EVs is high and therefore, cooling plays a very important role in optimizing the operation and in the life spam of the device. Thus, its study is essential for an optimal performance. In this article, solutions to this problem are proposed, by analyzing new thermal management strategies and advanced cooling technologies that allow power electronics to be closer to meeting the objectives set. Consequently, an exhaustive review of the state of the art, current technologies and future trends of cooling techniques that will make possible the next generation of EVs will be carried out. The design aspects of the power module encapsulation will also be analyzed, in order to reduce the thermal resistance and thus increase the maximum allowable current.