AUTOMOTIVE


INDUSTRY FOCUS HIGH-EFFICIENCY ATOMIZERS REDUCE PAINT USAGE FOR MAZDA


ABB’s latest RB1000i-S high-transfer efficiency paint atomizers have been installed at Mazda’s Ujina plant, Japan, as the automotive manufacturer accelerates efforts to achieve carbon neutrality in its global production facilities by 2035. The digitally-enabled atomizers, which began


operation earlier this year, significantly reduce paint usage by increasing the paint transfer to the vehicle body through less overspray. Together with reductions in compressed air consumption and paint wastage during colour changes, they are helping to reduce emissions in the paint process itself and in related paint booth equipment. Mazda, which manufactures the CX-5 as well as the iconic MX-5 roadster as its Ujina plant No. 1 in Hiroshima, reported a 17% reduction in paint usage due to the improved transfer efficiency of the RB1000i-S, equivalent to a saving of approximately 30,000 litres of paint


annually. Energy consumption and maintenance frequency, such as replacing the protective masking that prevents overspray from affecting the equipment, have also decreased. The company achieved additional cost reductions during the integration by deploying the RB1000i-S atomizers on existing robots. The RB1000i-S atomizers, which can be


retrofitted to ABB and non-ABB robots, are an example of the company’s efforts to deliver smart and sustainable solutions to support the transition of the automotive industry. An upgrade kit, that enables existing RB1000i atomizers to take advantage of the enhanced RB1000i-S specification by replacing key parts such as the bell cup and air shaping nozzle, is just one of a range of upgrades available that are designed to elevate existing installations to the latest technology, maximising their performance and


DEVELOPING A HIGH FREQUENCY 400V/60KW GaN INVERTER DEMONSTRATOR FOR AUTOMOTIVE USE


QPT, a specialist in developing highly efficient GaN-based electric motor controls, has won a grant for a new Project called VERDE to develop a high frequency, 400V/60kW GaN inverter demonstrator, for automotive use that will help demonstrate that GaN is now superior to SiC or Silicon. This is funded by the UK’s Advanced Propulsion Centre (APC), with the other company in the project being RAM Innovations. This demonstrator features


high frequency switching up to 1MHz to enable dramatic savings in waste, weight and power costs in the drive system. Key to this is QPT’s pure sign wave output that reduces harshness, noise, and vibration to improve reliability and reduce power consumption. Rupert Baines, QPT’s CEO, explained: “Our system technology enables GaN to be used for high-


power, high-performance applications, overcoming the thermal and EMI problems that have stopped GaN being used in automotive in the past. We are already talking with automotive companies who would like to partner with us to leapfrog the market that is currently focussed on SiC and realise GaN-based inverters. Reducing waste in the inverter and in the motor not only increases range (or reduces batteries for the same range), but it also simplifies the cooling system, further reducing weight. This is a major game changer for the EV industry.”


Quantum Power Transformation (QPT) www.q-p-t.com


100V AUTOMOTIVE-GRADE PORTFOLIO EXPANDED Innoscience Technology has expanded its portfolio with two 100V automotive-grade GaN devices.


The company’s INN100W135A-Q (RDS(on),max = 13.5 mΩ) and smaller package INN100W800A-Q (RDS(on),max = 80 mΩ) are both certified to AEC-Q101 and optimised for LiDAR as well as for high power density DC-DC converters, and Class D audio applications in the automotive sector.


The INN100W135A-Q and the ultra-compact INN100W800A-Q, with a WLCSP package measuring 2.13mm x 1.63mm and 0.9mm x 0.9mm respectively, offer significant advantages in terms of size and power efficiency. Both devices are specifically tailored for the requirements of L2+/L3 assisted driving systems, with switching speeds up to 13 times faster and pulse widths reduced to one-fifth of those of silicon solutions. Parameters like Qg and Qoss are also improved by 1.5 to three times over their silicon counterparts, the company explains. This results in medium- to long-range recognition capabilities of 200/300m, essential for advanced driver assistance and autonomous driving applications.


Innoscience www.innoscience.com NOVEMBER 2024 DESIGN SOLUTIONS 53


prolonging their lifetime while maintaining reliability and minimising downtime. ABB has committed to covering at least 80% of its product portfolio with its Circularity Approach by 2030.


ABB www.


LOW POWER SWITCH FOR AUTOMOTIVE USE


New from Melexis is the MLX92235, an ultra-low power Hall-effect switch with best-in-class tolerances for reliable and predictable output update rate. This tiny device is said to be a game-changer for automotive micropower applications such as door handles, e-latches, sun visors, infotainment buttons, brake light switches, and more, the company states. For modern vehicles, accurate switch and latch mechanisms are relied upon by countless systems for feedback. With numerous switches deployed across cars, it is also important to ensure that they operate efficiently. Melexis’ MLX92235 microwatt switch effectively addresses these requirements with four product variants. Offering accuracy, consistency, and reliability, the 3-wire monolithic magnetic switches ensure optimal performance throughout the vehicle lifespan. The MLX92235 does not require any external


components and is offered in a standard automotive TSOT23-3L package. This has an operating temperature range of -40˚C to 105˚C; and the inclusion of flexible input voltage, choice of magnetic threshold, temperature coefficient, update rate, and output options (push-pull or open drain) facilitates seamless integration into various vehicle systems. Its advanced power design incorporates integrated


logic that enables automatic sleep/awake sequencing, delivering a typical sleep current consumption of


0.65µA at 1.8V. Furthermore, the MLX92235 includes selectable sleep time from 0.6ms to 800ms. Melexis


www.melexis.com


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60