ZF’s Innovative Heated Seat Belt Increases Range of Electric Vehicles in Cold Conditions

ZF Heat Belt
Comfortable warmth close to the body through the belt: Drivers of e-vehicles will soon be able to benefit from comfortable climate control and possible improved range thanks to ZF’s heated seat belt. Photo: ZF

(PRESS RELEASE) ALFDORF, Germany, 5-Jan-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — ZF, a German car parts supplier and the world’s leading supplier of automotive cameras, has announced it developed a heated seat belt option for electric vehicles that aims to improve the energy efficiency of these vehicles in cold weather. The new seat belt is designed to provide a uniform feeling of warmth close to the body, enhancing comfort for the occupants without compromising performance. One of the key benefits of the ZF heated seat belt is that it may increase the range of an electric vehicle by up to 15% in cold weather by reducing the energy needed to heat the interior of the vehicle. This is achieved through the use of a special webbing with integrated heating conductors that minimally increase the thickness of the webbing. The heated seat belt is easy for vehicle manufacturers to integrate into their vehicles, offering occupants the same comfort as a normal seat belt webbing.

Special weaving technology: In ZF’s heated seat belt, heating conductors are woven into the textile belt structure. As a result, handling from the occupant’s point of view, as well as installation for car manufacturers, are identical to conventional belts. Photo: ZF

With this integrated heating function, ZF’s new heated seat belt can provide close-to-body warmth immediately after the driver starts driving, typically between 36 and 40 degrees Celsius. In combination with heated seats, the heated seat belt has the potential to provide occupant comfort quickly. In electric vehicles, the climate control system is powered by battery current, as there is no usable waste heat as with the combustion engine. Reducing the amount of battery current used to heat the interior of the vehicle may enable a range gain of up to 15 percent using contact heaters and reducing the usage of conventional climate control systems.

Other advantages of ZF’s heated seat belt are decisive for its broad acceptance among drivers and passengers: It behaves like a conventional seat belt, and its operation is also identical.

Comfortable warmth close to the body through the belt: Drivers of e-vehicles will soon be able to benefit from comfortable climate control and possible improved range thanks to ZF’s heated seat belt. Photo: ZF

Slim and safe

ZF used a special textile processing method for this innovation. The heating conductors are woven into the seat belt structure. The contact elements for the electrical heating circuits are positioned in such a way that they do not interfere with belt operation or retraction. Special belt retractors at other installation positions are not necessary. Since all relevant characteristics of the seat belt remain the same, there are not any added procedures or qualifications for the OEM. The heated seat belt is in no way inferior to its conventional counterparts in terms of occupant protection.

Important indirect safety

Occupant experience and safety potential are generally enhanced by reducing bulky clothing. This allows the belt to lie much closer to the body while continuing to restrain and protect the occupant in a crash.

Media contact:

Mirko Gutemann
Software-defined Vehicle, Integrated Safety
+49 7541 77-960136
mirko.gutemann@zf.com

SOURCE: ZF Friedrichshafen AG