Electric heat pumps for agricultural machinery More efficiency for electric tractors

With the electrification of agricultural machinery, the requirements for heating, cooling, and thermal management systems are changing fundamentally. Since electric drives do not provide waste heat from the engine, every kilowatt-hour used for heating or cooling must be utilized efficiently. Comfort, battery temperature regulation, and range must therefore be optimally coordinated with one another

T h e c h a l l e n g e Intelligently combining range and comfort

Electric tractors require reliable air conditioning for the driver's cab as well as precise temperature management for the battery and power electronics. At the same time, energy consumption must remain as low as possible. For a leading manufacturer of electric agricultural machinery, Wölfle therefore developed a holistic thermal management system that intelligently links all heating and cooling flows. The goal was to make optimal use of available energy and thus maximize the operating range.

C a s e s t u d y High-voltage heat pump

The solution is centered around a specially developed high-voltage heat pump. Instead of providing heating and cooling in isolation, all thermal consumers and energy sources of the vehicle are considered within a single, integrated system.

A mathematical energy model continuously analyzes the available energy flows and distributes heat and cooling precisely where they are currently needed. This allows the battery, power electronics, and passenger cabin to be temperature-controlled according to demand, without wasting energy.

Technical Features

High-voltage heat pump for heating and cooling
Dual chiller for efficient temperature control of multiple cooling circuits
Hot and cold water circuits for different temperature ranges
Reversible water flow for maximum energy efficiency
Intelligent thermal management control for the entire vehicle
Model-based control for the optimal utilization of available thermal energy

A g r i c u l t u r a l m a c h i n e r y o v e r v i e w

Efficiency for electric agricultural vehicles

Intelligent thermal management is crucial for the performance of modern agricultural machinery. The interplay of heat pumps, cooling circuits, and model-based control results in energy-efficient solutions that optimally combine comfort and operating range. Wölfle develops tailor-made systems for this purpose – from concept development to series production.

air condition or heat pump

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