Traction drive having a cooling system with two cooling circuits

A method for maintaining a specified temperature of one or more drive components of a traction drive, the method comprising:

• providing a traction drive for propelling a vehicle, the traction drive comprising:
• an inverter;
• an electric machine;
• a cooling system configured for tempering the inverter and the electric machine, wherein the cooling system comprises a first cooling circuit with a first coolant, a second cooling circuit with a second coolant, and a heat exchanger;
• wherein the heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat between the first and second cooling circuits;
• wherein the first cooling circuit passes through the inverter;
• wherein the second cooling circuit passes through the electric machine;
• and
• a valve arranged in the first cooling circuit for adjusting the first coolant passing from the first cooling circuit through the heat exchanger;
• and
• actuating the valve, based on a stored temperature model of the traction drive, to adjust the flow of coolant passing through the heat exchanger, thereby maintaining the specified temperature of the inverter and the electric machine.