One of the leading companies in automotive thermal management technologies, Sanden International, and Vitesco Technologies have partnered.
An Integrated Thermal Management System for Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) will be developed by the pair. At the ongoing 45th International Vienna Motor Symposium, the revolutionary idea of Integrated Thermal Management was first presented to a technical audience.
In the forward-thinking pre-development project, Vitesco Technologies is creating the heat energy distribution system, which is implemented through a water/glycol coolant distribution unit, while Sanden is creating the compact refrigerant unit using natural refrigerant propane (R290). The sensors, coolant pumps, and Coolant Flow Control Valves (CFCV) are the components that make up the coolant unit. The coolant valve can contain five to thirteen ports to connect heat sources and sinks, depending on the application.
The two assert that they can achieve a number of benefits by combining all thermal management features and functions into a single indirect system, including simplified adaptation, less complexity, less effort during the vehicle manufacturing process, lower system costs for the OEM, and compliance with laws, such as the impending European ban on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). In addition, the new technology will facilitate fast charging, boost driving range in cold weather, and improve cabin temperature.
The head of Vitesco Technologies’ innovations and electrification solutions, Gerd Rösel, states that the new thermal management system makes BEV heating and cooling more environmentally friendly. In cold weather, it also aids in maximizing the range of the vehicle. In order to improve thermal management’s economy, we also hope to realize sizable cost advantages.
Given that a large portion of the present heating and cooling complexity will be integrated into the preassembled module, the Integrated Thermal Management System promises to simplify assembly for car OEMs.
The more environmentally friendly strategy is holistic thermal management. For this reason, in collaboration with Sanden, we are preparing green technology for a system solution that will be suitable for propane, a natural refrigerant, Rösel continued.
