Hanon Systems has announced that it has developed the world’s first 4th generation heat pump system, a crucial component for electric vehicle thermal management. The system has been commercialized since July of this year.
The 4th generation heat pump system employs a parallel thermal source recovery method that simultaneously utilizes the heat from external air, as well as waste heat from motors and batteries, marking a first in the industry. The recovered heat is used for heating, cooling, and battery temperature management, significantly aiding in improving the driving range of electric vehicles.
Furthermore, this modular heat pump system secures a technological advantage with multiple new patents. The major components, the Refrigerant Control Module (RCM) and the Coolant Control Module (CCM) are managed by an integrated controller, allowing for comprehensive management of the entire thermal management system.
Na Ga Subramani Ramachandran, Co-CEO of Hanon Systems, stated, “We have contributed to improving driving range by developing the world’s first 4th generation heat pump system. As the second-largest global thermal management company, we will continue to develop new technologies with the goals of ‘lightweighting’ and ‘high efficiency’ in our components.”
Hanon Systems was the first to mass-produce a heat pump system with waste heat recovery technology in 2015, and its second generation, mass-produced in 2018, added battery thermal management functions, contributing to the first integrated thermal management system that increased the range of electric vehicles. The third generation developed in 2021 was applied to the first dedicated 800V system electric vehicle platform.
The 4th generation heat pump system was first applied to the Kia EV3, and production bases will expand from Korea to the United States and Europe.
Wang Yun-ho, Vice President of Hanon Systems’ AP Innovation Center, remarked, “I am pleased that we could proactively develop a world-first technology through close collaboration with our customers, thereby contributing to enhancing the driving experience for electric vehicle users.”
Meanwhile, Hanon Systems has also applied Thin HVAC technology, the first of its kind in the world. Thin HVAC refers to a reduced-size air conditioning system. By reducing the size of the entire air conditioning system by about 30%, it minimizes the space occupied by the HVAC system in the cockpit (dashboard component module), providing passengers with a spacious legroom and enabling lower power consumption and low-noise design for a comfortable driving experience.
Lee Sang-jin daedusj@autodiary.kr