While electric cars garner plenty of publicity based on their environmental friendliness, they are not exempt from issues – one of which is the energy required to heat the interior in winter.
Since electric cars do not have access to usable waste like internal combustion engines, the heating operation draws directly from the battery reserves, which can significantly impact the overall driving range.
However, ZF has developed a heated seat belt option for electric vehicles. The company believes the electric belt will reduce the energy used to heat the car — especially in combination with other contact heaters such as a seat heater.
The ZF heated seat belt is based on a special webbing with integrated heating conductors that minimally increase the thickness of the webbing. Thus making the integration easier for vehicle manufacturers and offering occupants the same comfort as regular seat belt webbing.
The heated belt is designed to provide occupants with warmth close to the body that begins after the vehicle switches on, offering between 30 degrees C and 40 degrees C.
ZF says reducing the amount of battery current used to heat the interior may enable a range gain of up to 15% using contact heaters and reducing the usage of conventional climate control systems.
The new belt functions and operates like a conventional seat belt.
The heating conductors are woven into the seat belt structure with the contact elements for the electrical heating circuits positioned to not interfere with belt operation or retraction. Special belt retractors at other installation positions are not necessary.
