Hanon Systems has announced the development of the world’s first fourth-generation heat pump system, a key thermal management component for electric vehicles (EVs). The fourth-generation heat pump system has been commercially available since July.
This new heat pump system has first been used in the Kia EV3 in South Korea, and the company will expand production to the U.S. and Europe. Yoon Ho Wang, Vice-President of AP Innovation Center, Hanon Systems Research Institute, said, “We are happy to have helped our clients’ electric vehicle owners have a better driving experience by working closely with them to proactively develop the first innovative technology in the world.”
Hanon Systems’ latest heat pump system is the first to employ a parallel heat source recovery method, utilizing waste heat from the motor and battery as well as heat from external air. The recovered heat is used for both heating and cooling, as well as battery temperature management, significantly enhancing EV driving range.
This modular heat pump system incorporates multiple new features that represent patented or patent pending technologies, demonstrating the thermal management leadership of Hanon Systems. The system integrates the Refrigerant Control Module (RCM) and the Coolant Control Module (CCM) into a unified control unit, allowing comprehensive management of the entire thermal system.
Subu Nagasubramony, co-CEO of Hanon Systems, stated, “By continually refining our heat pump system design to improve efficiency and reduce power consumption requirements, Hanon Systems has contributed to extending EV driving range. As the world’s second-largest thermal management company, we will continue to strive for ‘lightweight’ and ‘high-efficiency’ components through continuous innovation.”
Hanon Systems pioneered the mass production of heat pump systems with waste heat recovery in 2015. The second-generation system, launched in 2018, added battery thermal management functions, making it the first integrated thermal management system to enhance EV driving range. The third generation, developed in 2021, was applied to Kia’s EV-dedicated platform and was the first to incorporate an 800V electric compressor, significantly reducing EV charging times.
Additionally, Hanon Systems has introduced Thin HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning). technology, a world first. Thin HVAC, as the name suggests, refers to a ‘reduced’ HVAC system. By reducing the overall HVAC system size by approximately 30%, it minimizes the exposure of the HVAC system area under the cockpit (dashboard component module), providing more legroom for passengers.
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