OBJECTIVE

Electric vehicles (EV) are becoming increasingly popular due to their low to no emissions as well as their superior energy efficiency and driving performance. However, with electric vehicles we have to face special challenges in terms of thermal comfort in the passengers cabin. In conventional vehicles, the internal combustion engine (ICE) generates the dominant noise. In electric vehicles, the engine noise is eliminated and the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) unit noise becomes more prominent. This forces engineers to work quite a lot on HVAC unit noise reduction.

Energy management plays a central role in optimizing the driving range of EVs. Due to the large high-voltage storage in electric vehicles, more and more electric auxiliary drives are becoming part of the vehicle concept to improve efficiency, performance and comfort. HVAC systems are the largest auxiliary power consumers in electric vehicles.

The ICE in conventional vehicles also serves as a heat source to increase the temperature in the passenger cabin in cold weather. EV’s need a heater which place a further load on the HV battery as central energy unit. By using variable-speed drives for compressors or fans, energy efficiency can be improved without having to compromise on the thermal comfort in the passenger cabin. Further efficiency improvements can be achieved, for example, by implementing efficient heat pump systems in addition to air conditioning (A/C). All in all, the requirements are complex and engineers need smart development tools to meet the product requirements.

Different simulation methods like Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) can be used to efficiently and effectively achieve target comfort inside the cabin. Our simpulse day will give an overview of scientific approaches, latest methods and different software applications as well as best-practices and industry-driven use cases. According to the objectives of the asc(s association, representatives from science and industry are invited to participate in a software independent discussion forum for pre-competitive exchange and initiation of research projects.

TOPICS

Challenges, scientific approaches, best-practices and
industry-driven use cases for: