High-Efficiency HVAC System with Defog/Dehumidification Function for Electric Vehicles

Tong-Bou Chang, Jer-Jia Sheu and Jhong-Wei Huang
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Tong-Bou Chang: Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, National Chiayi University, Chiayi 60003, Taiwan
Jer-Jia Sheu: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan 71005, Taiwan
Jhong-Wei Huang: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology, Tainan 71005, Taiwan

Energies, 2020, vol. 14, issue 1, 1-12

Abstract: Electric vehicles (EVs) generally use an electric heating system to provide heat. However, the heating system consumes a large amount of energy, and therefore reduces the mileage of the vehicle. The energy consumption can be reduced by replacing the electric heating system with a heat pump air conditioning system. Such systems achieve an effective heating of the vehicle interior, but do not provide a defog or dehumidification function. Consequently, the inside surface of the windshield tends to fog in cold weather; leading to poor driver visibility and an impaired road safety. Accordingly, the present study proposes a novel high-efficiency heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system with both heating and defog/dehumidification functions for electric vehicles. The effectiveness of the proposed system is investigated experimentally using a simulated cabin placed in a temperature and humidity-controlled test chamber. The experimental results confirm that the HVAC system achieves the required cooling, heating and defog/dehumidification functions and meets the corresponding standards. Moreover, the application of HVAC in EVs could lead to significant electrical power saving effect.

Keywords: electric vehicle; HVAC; defog; thermal management; recovery technologies for cars; green cars; green car transition; sustainable cars (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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