Hutchinson develops integrated cooling module for electric vehicles

Paris - Hutchinson SA has developed an integrated cooling module for battery electric vehicles for a "major European OEM” aiming to improve overall vehicle efficiency.

The system integrates pump, valve, expansion tank and manifold to reduce power consumption, save space, cut pressure loss, improve range, and reduce charging times, said Hutchinson.

Group expertise in sealing, injection moulding and thermal management was applied to design 'multi-way' valves that lower power use and internal gaskets tailored to meet demanding specifications.

Hutchinson conducted testing and simulation at its own facilities to evaluate different designs for energy efficiency and range, towards delivering an “optimum combination of size, weight, efficiency, and power consumption.”

The integrated module uses fewer parts, cutting the number of connections and reducing leakage risk. It also lowers system volume and weight, supporting improved vehicle range.

According to Hutchinson, the module uses less power to run the cooling loop, drawing less energy from the battery: improving range by 8% in cold conditions and reducing charging time by 12%.