Tackling the challenges posed by an increase in HEVs and EVs, BorgWarner developed a leading high-voltage positive temperature coefficient (PTC) cabin heater as a waste heat independent heating solution. The advanced, lightweight solution provides rapid and silent warming of the cabin as well as quick defrosting of the windshield while delivering a smooth air stream for maximum comfort. Moreover, the component’s design includes several prominent safety features to ensure reliable operation under temperature conditions found in the vehicle.
“Heating up the cabin can be challenging if the waste heat available is limited. This is where our high-voltage cabin heater comes in. Specifically engineered to help automakers worldwide reach their objectives, our efficient heating technology provides them with an ideal solution for a safe, comfortable and odor-free cabin environment,” said Joe Fadool, president and general manager, BorgWarner Emissions & Thermal Systems. “At BorgWarner, we are constantly working on developing innovative solutions for all kinds of propulsion systems to help preserve the environment by increasing the efficiency of modern vehicles.”
As part of the HVAC system, and controlled through a high-speed CAN interface, BorgWarner’s high-voltage PTC cabin heater is engineered to increase the temperature of the air stream coming from the blower. It features ceramic PTC components that have very low electrical resistance at low temperatures, allowing full current flow and high heat delivery. At high temperatures, the effect is reversed and less heat is released by shutting down the electricity flow due to the increased resistance of the ceramic stones. This provides desirable control while also functioning as a basic safety feature that prevents overheating. Additional safety features include an enclosed heater rod for maximum protection against high voltages. Coupled with the enclosed heater rod, the air heater’s fin design facilitates a low pressure drop, enabling the blower to run at lower speeds, which reduces air velocity and noise for the occupants. Combined, the heater rod and fin designs provide the industry’s first dual-zone functionality in a PTC heater, allowing the precise and smooth delivery of individual temperatures for driver and passenger and eliminating the waste caused by single-zone heaters.
BorgWarner’s PTC cabin heater is part of the company’s broad range of products for electrically driven vehicles. Covering four of the five main technology segments for electric propulsion – electric motors, transmissions, power electronics and thermal management – BorgWarner already supports several leading automakers with products such as the electric drive module (eDM) and its high voltage hairpin (HVH) electric motors.