Technology

The solution

To reduce heat generation and establish a longer lifetime, the Ultimate Rectifier distinguishes itself in the following three subjects: “Technology,” “Durability,” and “Temperature.

Technology

Older voltage regulators/rectifiers use outdated techniques that are less efficient in converting AC into DC and regulating the output voltage. The Ultimate Rectifier is equipped with MOSFET technology; MOSFET technology is a more efficient way to convert AC to DC in a voltage regulator/rectifier. Furthermore, the Ultimate Rectifier is controlled by digital technology by implementing a microcontroller. This microcontroller ensures faster and more accurate switching, resulting in better output voltage stability and efficiency of the voltage regulator/rectifier.

Durability

The goal was to develop a voltage regulator/rectifier that outlasts the vehicle’s expected lifetime. Therefore, The Ultimate Rectifier uses high-grade components that are designed and tested to operate in extreme low and high-temperature ranges and can resist higher vibrations.

Temperature

In most cases, a voltage regulator/rectifier fails because of overheating. The voltage regulator/rectifier is often installed on the motorcycle in less-than-ideal locations where there is little to no driving wind to benefit from. This prevents the voltage regulator/rectifier from losing its heat. To extend the lifetime of the voltage regulator/rectifier, the main goal is to reduce the overall temperature of the device. The Ultimate Rectifier is equipped with cutting-edge voltage regulation technology and the most efficient AC-DC conversion method. Therefore, the heat generation of the Ultimate Rectifier is minimised, and by optimising the housing design, the heat dissipation of the housing is maximised. With these two changes, we have tremendously reduced the overall operating temperature of the Ultimate Rectifier.

 

Built-in safeties

Sometimes unforeseen events happen, for example, a broken battery or a cooling fan that starts spinning. These are situations where the voltage regulator/rectifier is put under higher stress. The Ultimate Rectifier is equipped with built-in safety circuits to prevent damage to the vehicle or the Ultimate Rectifier. The Ultimate Rectifier is equipped with the following safety precautions:

Over-temperature control:

If a situation occurs when the Ultimate Rectifier is getting too hot, the over-temperature control will intervene and switches off the voltage regulator/rectifier. When this happens, the battery will stop charging. With the voltage regulator/ rectifier switched off, it will no longer generate any heat and will cool down. When the Ultimate Rectifier is switched off, your vehicle will be powered by the battery. Once, after a few minutes, the Ultimate Rectifier has reached a safe temperature, the voltage regulator/ rectifier will resume battery charging.

Overvoltage protection:

When the battery breaks down or the connector to the battery disconnects, the power generated by the dynamo can’t go anywhere. This results in high voltage spikes in a short time. When this situation occurs, the overvoltage protection ensures that the generated power will safely be shunted to the ground.

Undervoltage protection:

When there is a high energy consumption, most voltage regulators/rectifiers deliver a lower charging voltage to the battery—for example, when switching on the full-beam headlight or when the cooling fan kicks in. Because of our intelligent microcontroller-based control strategy, the charge voltage to the battery is kept higher than its competitors. This results in a more stable charging voltage and faster battery charging in high-power demanding situations.

R&D and production

Many hours have been spent in research and development (R&D) to create the Ultimate Rectifier. It started with studying other voltage regulators/rectifiers to determine what technology competitors use. With this information, we started designing the Ultimate Rectifier. First, starting with simulations, and when these were promising, we began with the realization. When realizing the prototype, we ran into practical problems that meant we had to go back to the drawing board. After several prototypes, we found the perfect technology that suits the goal of the Ultimate Rectifier!

The next step was the housing of the Ultimate Rectifier. The housing is responsible for heat dissipation and is therefore essential. We took the electric parameters from the simulations and did multiple finite element analysises (FEA) on the designed housings. After a number of prototypes, we have found the perfect balance between appearance and performance.

Furthermore, we built a test system for testing voltage regulator/ rectifier, so that we could undertake comparisons between our own prototypes, and also set them out against competitors. With the use of this test system, it is possible to test up to 300% of the nominal electrical power that a motorized vehicle uses. After testing competitors against the Ultimate Rectifier, only the Ultimate Rectifier could withstand the test at 300% of nominal electric power. Competitor voltage regulator/ rectifiers abruptly failed when the testbench reached +/-140%.

Making an outstanding product means more than only research, development, and making some prototypes. To make a sturdy product, you need precise production procedures to ensure that every product meets the same predefined standards. To establish this, early on in the design phase, we started thinking about the production process. How to easily manufacture the product, and which tooling is needed to quality each and every product.

It is crucial when producing technical products like our Ultimate Rectifier that each unit is tested individually. Therefore, the voltage regulator/rectifier test system has been modified for automatic testing. This automated test system ensures that every Ultimate Rectifier leaves our production facility to meet our high standards.