Continental develops solutions that increase the efficiency, and therefore the range and durability, of the batteries in electric vehicles. The latest development is hose lines that enable the temperature of batteries to be controlled using oil instead of the more common cooling water (water-glycol mixture).
The batteries in electric vehicles work most efficiently at temperatures of between 10°C and 30°C. This temperature range enables long ranges, extends battery life and allows the batteries to work more efficiently. For that reason, the batteries must either be cooled or heated, depending on the outside temperature. Some manufacturers are now increasingly relying on oil as the relevant medium or are immersing batteries directly in the oil. The manufacturers expect the range of their electric vehicles to increase significantly if an oil bath is used.
Until now, temperature control has largely been achieved by means of cooling water. Classic heating and cooling lines have carried the relevant media. However, this system also poses risks: In the event of a leak, the battery could come into contact with the water which, in the worst-case scenario, could cause a short-circuit, resulting in the total failure of the battery. Costly precautions still need to be taken to exclude this risk.
This is not the case with oil, which lacks electrical charge carriers and therefore does not conduct electricity. This even makes it possible to fully submerge the battery in oil. Thanks to its insulating effect, it reduces the impact of external temperature influences and therefore also reduces the need for temperature regulation.
Benefits
- New connector minimizes pressure losses
- The weight of the new hose generation has been reduced
- Smaller line cross-sections on the high-pressure side and in the battery cooling line help to ensure that as little refrigerant as possible is required
- An appropriate combination of rubber, plastic and aluminum materials and an ingenious line geometry serve to ensure that the inherent stability of the system is adequate
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