New Heating Concept Increases Range and Enhances Comfort of Electric Vehicles
10.11.2020 – Berlin, Gmund am Tegernsee. The passenger compartment heating of electric vehicles requires additional energy and sometimes significantly reduces their cruising range. In a joint project, engineering specialist IAV and Louisenthal, technology leader in the production of security foils and papers for banknotes, have developed an energy-efficient heating concept that requires considerably less energy while increasing comfort for drivers and passengers. This increases cruising range by up to six percent.
At the heart of the heating concept is a thin, cost-effective and easy-to-process foil from Louisenthal. The SmartMesh foil, as it is known, has a mesh of conductive tracks in its surface. The foil is easily integrated into doors, the center console and roof lining. On applying the operating voltage, it warms up and radiates heat into the passenger compartment for vehicle occupants. The heating foil is transparent which means it can be combined with ambient lightning or LED design elements.
In the heating concept developed by IAV and Louisenthal, the foils are integrated into the vehicle alongside the standard heating system, making a key contribution to maintaining occupant comfort.
Dr. Daniel Lenssen, Director Business Development at Louisenthal: “We can produce the SmartMesh foils on an industrial scale in large quantities, providing an energy-saving and more convenient addition to conventional heating systems for future electric vehicle concepts. The foil is one example of how we are applying our technological expertise in banknote and security papers to new industries where we can provide innovative development services.”
IAV has simulated use of the foil in vehicle trims with 3D CFD software and, using a demonstrator, shown how it works on a car door interior trim. The result of the simulation: to begin with, a comfortable climate in the passenger compartment can be achieved for the driver and passengers in less time at low outside temperatures thanks to the additional integrated heating foils. After the heating-up phase, the total amount of energy required for heating the passenger compartment can be reduced by up to 20 percent as a result of the heat that is radiated. This increases the vehicle’s cruising range – in the best case by up to six percent.
Rico Baumgart, team manager in IAV’s Vehicle Dynamics division: “We are currently seeing huge technological advances in electric vehicles. One of the main challenges is to increase energy efficiency and extend the cruising range. With this heating concept, we can show that, besides the obvious approaches, there are other ways of achieving significant energy savings and, with this, potential for increasing traveling range.”
Further Reading
Salzgitter Zeitung
Zusammen mit dem Entwicklungsdienstleister haben wir ein Konzept mit Wärmestrahlung entwickelt. (only available in German)
Springer Professional
Die IAV und Louisenthal haben ein neues Konzept zur Innenraumbeheizung von Elektrofahrzeugen vorgestellt. Eine energieeffiziente Heizfolie steigert den Komfort und die Reichweite. (only avaible in German)
avem
La solution développée par Louisenthal et IAV n’a pas pour objectif de remplacer les actuels appareils devenus plus efficients dans les voitures électriques. Il s’agit d’un dispositif complémentaire qui permettra d’en diminuer l’usage. (only available in French)