Infineon, Visteon and SHINRY are collaborating on a single-stage onboard charger for electric vehicles that replaces the separated conversion stages used in conventional designs. The partners say the architecture is intended to raise efficiency and reliability while cutting system size, complexity and cost.
The development is driven by Visteon-Shinry Power Electronics, the joint venture between Visteon Corporation and SHINRY Technologies. Its single-stage topology combines power-conversion functions that are typically implemented in multiple stages and removes the bulk capacitors commonly used in two-stage onboard chargers. That design choice is aimed at improving reliability, simplifying the power stage and enabling more compact packaging.
The charger supports 22 kW three-phase AC1. alternating currentElectric current that periodically reverses direction.2. activated carbonPorous carbon material that adsorbs impurities from gases and liquids. charging and 19.2 kW single-phase AC1. alternating currentElectric current that periodically reverses direction.2. activated carbonPorous carbon material that adsorbs impurities from gases and liquids. charging. It also provides full vehicle-to-everything bidirectional capability, allowing energy to flow between the vehicle and the grid or other external systems.
At the semiconductor level, the design uses Infineon’s gallium nitride monolithic bidirectional switches. These devices combine bidirectional voltage blocking and current conduction in a single component, which reduces the number of semiconductor parts needed for bidirectional switching. Their high-frequency switching capability also supports higher power density and smaller magnetic components.
Infineon positions the GaNgallium nitrideGaN is another material platform mentioned for use in different power delivery roles. BDS1. Brownian Dynamics SimulationComputational method or mathematical model for simulating, describing or optimizing technical systems.2. beam delivery system technology as a key enabler for this architecture because it matches the requirements of a single-stage charger with fewer parts and higher integration. The company says the approach opens the way to new power-conversion architectures for next-generation EVelectric vehicleEV means an electrically powered vehicle. platforms.
Visteon and SHINRY describe the project as an R&D effort focused on validating the architecture against automotive reliability requirements. The collaboration was announced during electronica in Munich.