Electric Drive Systems

Electric drive systems are a fast-developing frontier for EV powertrains. Comprised of the electric motor, transmission, and drive housing, these technologies provide the superior speed and torque associated with today’s best electric vehicles. E-drive systems require very specific sealing and adhesive technologies designed to keep out dust, fluids, and other environmental factors that affect safe and efficient operation of the vehicle. 

As new e-drive systems are developed, sourcing efficient and high-reliable materials for these changing designs is a key concern for producers. Henkel’s cutting-edge technologies are designed to meet and exceed manufacturer’s needs for both fully electric and hybrid electric drive systems. From design to mass-production, Henkel supports EV manufacturers at every phase, optimizing materials to address the broad range of e-drive component requirements.

Thermal Management

The industry trends towards combining electric motors with power conversion systems and increasingly miniaturizing components allow manufacturers to save space and reduce weight. The result is both higher power density and a higher risk of motor failure. In order to reduce these hazards, electric motors require better thermal management materials, including potting materials with higher thermal conductivity.

Safety and Reliability

Lifetime performance of EV e-drives is a significant challenge for manufacturers. The constant motion and the trend towards improving power density require higher resistance materials. Thermal potting and gasketing technologies from Henkel can help increase the reliability of electric drive systems while making them easily serviceable — a concern for manufacturers.

Efficiency and Performance

The increasing power of EV motors is closely linked with higher energy density levels, requiring thermal management materials, especially thermal potting solutions, that ensure optimal efficiency and performance. Henkel’s adhesive technology portfolio offers manufacturers additional electric drive design benefits by removing the need for mechanical fixtures with bolts and springs. With design freedom comes space and weight-saving components that have the capacity to reduce energy consumption and increase e-drive and electric vehicle performance as a whole. Magnet bonding is one application where electric drive efficiency and performance can be significantly improved, and Henkel’s portfolio of advanced adhesive technologies ensure fast fixing times and superior adhesion.

System Costs

Henkel’s adhesive, sealing and gasketing portfolio has been developed for cost-efficient and automated production processes. This establishes many benefits on the assembly line, including reduced energy costs through room temperature curing capability, better process reliability, and consistently high-quality output. Henkel’s knowledge and experience are integral to EV manufacturers as they build innovative new cost-saving e-drive designs.