International. MAHLE presented its new high-performance bionic fan that makes commercial vehicles significantly quieter.
The fan was developed for particularly demanding fuel cell and battery electric vehicles. To optimize their ventilation blades with the use of AI, MAHLE engineers were inspired by the wings of an owl: one of the quietest birds in the world, the owl's plumage has a noise-reducing effect.
Bionic fan blades can reduce truck fan noise by up to 4 dB(A), which is equivalent to more than halving sound emission. This significant reduction solves another challenge for e-mobility: loud fan noise, which can be annoying both when fully loaded and when charging the vehicle at night, whether in residential areas or during rest times at petrol stations.
The fan is also significantly more efficient than conventional designs, thanks to 10% better performance and a 10% lighter design. MAHLE also allows the use of its new bionic fan in passenger cars.
- Advertising -"With the help of AI, we analyzed the characteristics of bats, swordfish, and many other inspirations from nature. Finally, we chose the owl, the silent hunter, as the main model for our new fan," said Dr. Uli Christian Blessing, Head of Thermal Management Development at MAHLE.
The design of the fan blades was inspired by the wings and feathers of an owl, which minimizes noise turbulence and makes the fan much quieter and more efficient. "You can imagine that the sound-reducing power of our fan is similar to turning off one of the speakers in a stereo system," Blessing said.
The new high-performance bionic fan proves its effectiveness especially in noise-sensitive areas. For example, during fast vehicle charging, reduced noise levels increase comfort for both drivers and residents of the area. MAHLE offers the fan in a wide power range, from 300 watts to 35 kW. This allows it to be used in small electric passenger cars up to large fuel cell trucks, which are particularly sensitive to temperature. The first prototypes are already being tested in several manufacturers of passenger cars and commercial vehicles.
Electrification and thermal management, which encompasses both heating and cooling, are intimately connected. Efficiency in electrification is not possible without equally efficient thermal management. In this context, MAHLE stands out as one of the few global suppliers active in both fields. The company applies its outstanding expertise in developing advanced technical solutions for all types of propulsion systems.
