Hanon Systems announced the start of its latest climatic wind tunnel, which enhances the company's capabilities to test real-world simulation of air conditioning, heating and engine cooling performance.
Located at the company's technical center in Daejeon, Korea, the 1,740 square meter multi-story facility is equipped with sophisticated data acquisition equipment, a fan capable of generating wind speeds of up to 250 kilometer per hour, temperature and humidity controls, solar panels for sunrise and sunset simulations, and a four-wheel chassis dynamometer.
The climatic wind tunnel serves as a research center to support automakers in efforts to improve fuel efficiency and system functionality, and to evaluate newly developed thermal solutions to optimize durability and performance in various weather conditions.
The facility is capable of testing a broad range of vehicles including passenger cars, sport utility vehicles, vans, mini-buses and light trucks.
Specific tests include air conditioning and heating system performance and ventilation; engine cooling performance at top vehicle speeds and peak load during simulated mountain terrain or trailer-towing; window defrost and demist performance; thermal control algorithm optimization; and fuel consumption measurement.
To strengthen the company's research and development capabilities and services, the company invested 40 billion Korean Won in its testing facilities, which includes the new climatic wind tunnel.
Hanon Systems chief executive officer In-Young Lee said: "The company's new climatic wind tunnel and testing capabilities demonstrates our commitment to better serving customers.
"These enhanced capabilities enable Hanon Systems to independently evaluate and validate designs without relying on external testing resources to deliver high-quality products in a timely way."
A separate groundbreaking ceremony was held in Daejeon on June 7, unveiling plans to construct two buildings dedicated to electromagnetic compatibility (EMC)and anechoic testing. The EMC test facility is expected to be complete by the end of 2016, and the anechoic test building is expected to be operational in the first half of 2017.
Plans also are underway to add exhaust gas analyzers to the climatic wind tunnel this November to support improved fuel efficiency and system performance efforts, and advanced technology development.
