UFI Filters heat exchangers equipped as OE for Renault and Nissan electric motors
Heat exchanger for the Renault Megane E-Tech and Nissan Ariya ePT-160 front e-motor
Additional heat exchanger for Ariya e-4ORCE 4WD rear e-motor
Vacuum-brazing aluminum manufacturing technology
UFI Filters is not only a leader in filtration, but also in thermal management. Indeed, the company is able to provide 360-degree solutions for the mobility of the future. Its innovative capabilities have once again been demonstrated by its providing of Original Equipment heat exchangers for Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance’s electric motors.
UFI Filters has been chosen to supply the heat exchanger for the new ePT-160 front electric motor, 160kW, mounted on the new Renault Megane E-Tech and Nissan Ariya. The e-motor will also equip other C-segment model vehicles that will be launched by 2024 within the Franco Japanese alliance and has the potential to become very popular in Europe in the next few years.
The heat exchanger for the ePT-160 is of an aluminum plate type and produced according to vacuum brazing technology that allows for a very robust and clean product. The UFI heat exchanger is made up of four layers dedicated to oil and four to coolant. The oil enters through the base plate fixed directly on the outside of the electric motor. The heat exchanger configuration is diagonal counter-flows. It means that the liquids (oil and coolant) flow in opposite directions, oil and coolants cross their path into alternating layers.
For the 4x4 version available on Nissan Ariya e-4ORCE 4WD, UFI Filters supplies an additional heat exchanger for the rear electric motor. Also made of aluminum and featuring vacuum brazing technology, it has seven layers for oil and six for coolant. The oil and coolant liquid enter through the base plate fixed directly on the outside of the electric motor. The heat exchanger configuration is parallel counter-flows. The two liquids flow in opposite directions but remaining on the same side of the plates layer.
With these two applications, UFI Filters is strengthening its position as leader in electric motor thermal management for Renault, Nissan and Mitsubishi.
Rinaldo Facchini, CEO of the UFI Filters Group, comments: “The collaboration with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance represents a milestone for UFI Filters. It testifies that the UFI Filters Group is a technology leader in the area of electric mobility. Being present on an electric motor that goes from 120,000 pieces a year – aiming to reach 300,000 – shows that thermal management of battery-powered vehicles is one of the company's strengths.”