MAHLE announced the launch of a bionic radial blower for automotive air conditioning systems. The company said the blower improves efficiency while significantly reducing noise development. Engineers designed it specifically for vehicles with challenging installation space. MAHLE based the aerodynamic shape of the fan blades on penguin fins, which move swiftly and quietly through water. Thanks to this innovative design, the bionic fan is four decibels (dB) or 60 percent quieter than similar components. At the same time, it is around 15 percent more efficient. The optimized design helps the motor consume less energy.
Related Articles
- – Stellantis Opens New Mopar Parts Distribution Center in NY
- – Bosch and Horizon Partner on Assisted Driving Solutions
- – DENSO to Showcase Smart Mobility, V2X Connectivity Technology
“The development of the new bionic radial blower underscores our comprehensive systems expertise in thermal management and benefits from the use of artificial intelligence,” said Jumana Al-Sibai, member of the MAHLE Group Management Board and responsible for the Thermal and Fluid Systems business unit.
The blower fits all passenger car classes and both light and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. MAHLE is presenting the innovation to the public for the first time at the Auto Shanghai trade fair in China. The show runs from April 23 through May 2, 2025, at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC) in Shanghai.
Nature-Inspired Design and AI Optimization
“Evolution has equipped the penguin with fins that allow it to glide through the water with minimal resistance and, therefore, ultrahigh efficiency. The fin shape served as a model in the optimization process of the impeller of our radial blower,” said Dr. Uli Christian Blessing, vice president of R&D, Thermal and Fluid Systems at MAHLE.
MAHLE has used nature as a design guide in several past innovations. The company created a bionic cooling plate and bionic high-performance fan for electric vehicles to improve efficiency significantly.
MAHLE also emphasized the role of artificial intelligence in developing this blower.
“The application of artificial intelligence has been enormously useful in the optimization of the bionic radial blower. Our engineers guided the AI and provided it with data and information, enabling it to create more than 30 million virtual designs in a very short time,” explained Blessing. “Internally, we are referring to this as ‘superhuman engineering’.” The MAHLE engineers used this process to perfect the shape and position of the fan blades and to develop rapid prototypes.
Compact and Effective for EV Applications
MAHLE said the bionic radial blower sits in front of the evaporator and makes the air conditioning design symmetrical and narrow. This configuration frees up space for other vehicle components. That feature becomes especially important in battery electric vehicles where packaging is tight.
Showcasing Innovation at Auto Shanghai
Visitors to Auto Shanghai can see the bionic radial blower for the first time at the MAHLE stand in Hall 1.2 of the NECC in Shanghai. MAHLE will also present its bionic high-performance fan, designed for demanding fuel cell and battery electric vehicles. Additionally, the booth features the company’s bionic battery cooling plate for electrified vehicles.
