Applications in the automotive sector
Heating wires thinner than hair
Heatable, flexible surfaces open up interesting possibilities for the industry. New Albea has launched an innovative heating module on the market that can not only heat parts of the vehicle body, for example, but also interior surfaces in conjunction with conductive paints.
This makes them predestined for applications in the automotive sector, especially with regard to current topics such as electromobility and autonomous driving. However, the conductive wires or printed tracks embedded in plastic can also be used in other fields of application.
3D geometries possible
One of the special features is the flexibility of the surface heating. Due to the extremely thin structure with a thickness of 0.250 to 0.375 mm - the embedded heating wires are thinner than human hair - the film can also be shaped into a 3D geometry. Conductive printed surfaces or webs are also possible instead of heating wires. This means that it can be adapted to the contour of the surface to be heated and can also be back-molded. To prevent moisture from penetrating the system, New Albea has developed a patented contacting solution in which the outside of the film remains closed. Different connector and contacting variants are available depending on customer requirements.
Versatile applications conceivable in the automotive sector
In order to ensure the functional safety of autonomous driving systems, surfaces behind which important sensors are installed must be kept free of ice during winter operation. The heating module can be used to heat three-dimensional contours or radomes without interfering with the radar signal. The technology can also help to keep the interior at a pleasant temperature. As there is no engine heat to heat the electric car, the heating foil can be used to heat interior surfaces such as armrests or door panels.
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