In automotive manufacturing, thermal management has always been a sizeable consideration. Internal combustion engines meant that even before electronics became a factor, it could get pretty hot under the hood. So, manufacturers have always had to be conscious of ways to keep things cool and control temperatures to prevent overheating and reduce vehicle downtime.
However, in recent years, the need for thermal management systems in vehicles has grown significantly. As consumer demand for more functionality and industry demand for better safety come together, the complexity of vehicle manufacturing has increased.
Whether it’s engine control units, electronic control boxes or on-board entertainment and navigation systems, the presence of electronic devices means higher power and voltage are now a central factor in the design and manufacture of vehicles.
More functionality, increased power density, and electric batteries are being packed into cars with footprints that are roughly the same. This means more heat than ever being generated and transferred within car engines and vehicle components. The challenge for designers and engineers is to make sure heat is effectively controlled and dissipated, allowing car design to evolve without negatively impacting functionality, performance, reliability, cost, and a range of other factors.