MAHLE Unveils Bionic Fan Innovation at IAA 2024: A Quieter, More Efficient Solution for Electric and Fuel Cell Vehicles

MAHLE Unveils Bionic Fan Innovation at IAA 2024: A Quieter, More Efficient Solution for Electric and Fuel Cell Vehicles

(IN BRIEF) MAHLE is introducing a bionic high-performance fan at the IAA Transportation 2024, inspired by owl wings to reduce noise by up to 4 dB(A) in electric and fuel cell vehicles. The fan is 10% more efficient and 10% lighter than conventional designs, and its scalable design allows for use in both passenger cars and large trucks. This innovation is part of MAHLE’s broader strategy to make electric mobility more attractive and efficient, showcasing the company’s commitment to advancing technology in the automotive industry.

(PRESS RELEASE) STUTTGART, 13-Aug-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — MAHLE, a leading global supplier in the automotive industry, is set to unveil a groundbreaking innovation at the IAA Transportation 2024 in Hanover—a bionic high-performance fan specifically designed for fuel cell and electric vehicles. Drawing inspiration from the wings of an owl, known for its quiet flight, MAHLE’s engineers have developed a fan that significantly reduces noise by up to 4 dB(A), effectively halving the sound output compared to conventional fans. This development addresses a key challenge in electric mobility, where loud fan noise can be disruptive, particularly during vehicle charging in residential or noise-sensitive areas.

In addition to being quieter, the new fan offers 10% higher efficiency and is 10% lighter than traditional designs, making it an attractive option for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The fan’s design is scalable, supporting a wide range of applications from small electric cars to large fuel cell trucks. MAHLE’s bionic fan is part of the company’s broader strategy to enhance the attractiveness and efficiency of electric mobility.

Dr. Uli Christian Blessing, Head of Development Thermal Management at MAHLE, emphasized the importance of learning from nature, highlighting how the company used AI to analyze various natural models before settling on the owl as the ideal template. The fan will be one of the highlights at MAHLE’s exhibit at the IAA Transportation 2024, where the company will also showcase other innovations under the theme of technological diversity.

MAHLE’s exhibit will feature a complete system for a fuel cell truck, including the new bionic fan, thermal management solutions, and a heavy-duty electric axle. This demonstrates MAHLE’s commitment to advancing electrification and providing ready-for-production solutions that meet the needs of the evolving automotive industry.

MAHLE at the IAA Transportation 2024

Visitors to the IAA Transportation in Hanover this September can get a closer look at the fan. It is part of an exhibit ensemble representing the systemic MAHLE approach to a fuel cell truck. Together with a fully functional fuel cell, it consists of fuel cell peripherals, thermal management (fan and battery cooling) and a heavy-duty electric axle. The e-axle is a demonstrator within which MAHLE has compactly integrated two of its SCT electric motors (for a total output of 520 kW) as well as a complete liquid management system. All these products have been developed, tested, and are ready for serial production. With this exhibit, the technology firm is demonstrating both its systems expertise as well as the readiness of its innovations for volume production.

In another premiere, MAHLE is showcasing its new evaporative cooling system for fuel cell vehicles. This system generates up to 50 kW higher cooling capacity in the same amount of space. This makes it possible to decrease fan usage – and thereby reduce hydrogen consumption by up to 1.5 percent. For hydrogen engines, MAHLE has developed a Power Cell Unit (H2-PCU) to ensure the robust and problem-free operation of this climate-neutral drive.

This year, the theme of the MAHLE presence in Hall 12 of the Hanover Exhibition Center is technological diversity.

Media Contacts:

Kerstin Lau
Head of Media Relations
Phone:+49 711 501-13185

Manuela Höhne
Director MAHLE Communications
Phone:+49 711 501-12506

SOURCE: MAHLE GmbH