As the era of electric vehicles begins in earnest, the waste heat-based performance removal method of existing internal combustion engine vehicles is facing limitations, and Vicor's high-density power modules are attracting attention as a new alternative.

Betterfrost Technology announced on the 21st that it has implemented an innovative technology that removes windshield frost in 60 seconds using 20 times less energy than conventional HVAC methods, based on Vicor's 48V power supply network.

Electric vehicles have no waste heat, so they must use the main battery power directly to remove it. This is a major factor leading to reduced mileage.

In particular, the highly sealed interior of an electric vehicle is more prone to fogging, making the performance degradation of existing HVAC methods more noticeable.

To address these challenges, Betterfrost has developed a new method of removing the filament that maximizes power efficiency and response speed.

The core of Betterfrost technology is the Vicor BCM (Bus Converter Module).

This module reliably converts power from an 800V or 400V high-voltage battery to 48V and delivers high-speed pulses to the glass surface.

The BCM6135 delivers industry-leading power density of 3.4 kW/in³ and offers up to 90% smaller footprint than conventional DC-DC converters, significantly increasing vehicle design flexibility.

The Bycor BCM is optimized to precisely implement Betterfrost's pulse power algorithm, with the ability to respond to rapid power changes at up to 80A per second.

For example, a BCM with a conversion ratio (K) of 1/16 can instantly convert 800 V input to 50 V output, providing the exact power required for the glass surface.

“Vicor’s high-density power modules enable 48V power supplies without size or weight constraints,” said BetterFrost CEO Derrick Redding. “Only Vicor offers this level of efficiency and power density.”

Unlike conventional methods that completely melt ice, BetterFrost technology only weakens the interfacial layer between glass and ice.

By delivering short, controlled pulses of power to the glass surface to form a thin, quasi-liquid layer beneath the ice, ice is rapidly detached without heating the entire surface.

This method is existing HVAC systems reduce desiccation time from over 25 minutes to a minimum of 42 seconds and an average of 60 seconds.

It also uses 95% less energy than internal combustion engine vehicles and reduces indoor heating demand by up to 27% even in -20°C environments, contributing to improving electric vehicle driving range.

The Byco-based power supply network eliminates noisy blower motors and bulky air ducts, improving interior space utilization and passenger comfort.

This opens up new possibilities for electric vehicle design.

Beyond the automotive industry, BetterFrost technology can be expanded to various industrial fields, including: △removing frost from aircraft wings, △preventing ice from forming on wind turbine blades, and △saving energy in cold storage.

It is competitive in terms of cost and efficiency as it can replace expensive glycol sprays or large-scale heating systems.

BetterFrost is currently working with global automakers and Tier 1 suppliers, with initial applications underway in commercial trucks and premium electric vehicles. The company plans to expand its technology across all electric and hybrid platforms within the next three to five years.