Automotive Engineering - June 2021 - 12

TECHNOLOGY REPORT
A systems
engineering approach
is especially relevant
for battery-electric
vehicles, like the 2021
Mustang Mach-E.
of systems engineering at " The
Criticality of a System's Approach to
Today's Propulsion " session during
SAE's WCX 2021 virtual conference in
April. Consultant Anne O'Neil was the
session moderator. While systems engineering
isn't a new approach, it is getting
renewed attention from proponents.
" The systems approach, I see it as
an enabler for really highly capable systems, "
said Stefan Koidl, VP of engineering
for powertrain solutions at Bosch.
The ICE powertrain is still a complex
Being flexible and agile helps the
engineering team, including supplierpartners,
reach end goals, according to
Nuno-Whelan. " As things evolve, we
know how to evolve together. And without
that strong systems connection
across everything, it doesn't work, "
Nuno-Whelan said, adding, " We need to
develop a new mindset in how we set
up the entire system. "
An engineer's thought-process
system. " We applied system engineering,
of course, " said Mazen Hammoud,
director of global propulsion strategy
and planning for Ford Motor Co. He
added, " Now, with electric vehicles, it
is a rolling chassis in which you build
the topcoat and it becomes a full-vehicle
optimization. "
For battery electric vehicles (BEV),
there are multiple parameters that
must be considered, including the driving
range, time to charge, cost, and
safety. According to Denise Gray, president
of LG Energy Solution Michigan
Inc., " All of those parameters must be
thought of as we think about the solution
set that we create. It truly is a balance
of requirements, a balance of potential
solutions. "
For Gray, the answer is systems engi12
June 2021
Technology for electric vehicles, batteries and
connectivity has not reached the end point.
" Today's solution and tomorrow's solution
cannot be the same, " said LG Energy Solution
Michigan's Denise Gray.
neering. " In order to really push this systems
engineering approach from not just
an idea or not just something that a few
of us passionately agree with, what if we
had a role called the Chief Systems
Officer (CSO)? " Gray asked. In short, a
CSO would help workers recognize the
need for a balanced, flexible, agile approach
from a systems perspective.
needs to consider everything, even
down to the smallest components on
the vehicle, according to Stephan
Tarnutzer, president of AVL Powertrain
Engineering. " Understanding where a
component goes into a system and
what opportunities it has to enhance
and make the system even better, that's
a critical piece that we really stress at
AVL, " said Tarnutzer. He added, " We
cannot just be great at an overall system.
We also need to have an excellent
understanding of what each individual
component does, what it needs to contribute,
and what it can contribute. "
Communication should never be the
overlooked contributor. " We need to
keep talking with each other and working
across teams, so we can leverage
what they're learning in their various
areas, " Gray noted.
Kami Buchholz
AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING
FROM TOP: FORD; LG
Automotive Engineering - June 2021

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