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Electric seat drives reduce in size
Modular electric drives that are 20% lighter and smaller than previous models are just going into production at Bosch. They are also much quieter.
Known as the NSA (New Seat Actuator) series, they are suited to applications beyond seat adjustment.
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01/01/2008
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Ejector boosts air-conditioning
Replacing the expansion valve with an ‘ejector’ (a small refrigerant injector) has enabled Denso to increase the efficiency of the air-conditioning cooling cycle in the Toyota Land Cruiser launched in Japan during September. |
01/11/2007
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Mixed blessings
Hybrid structures that optimise the capabilities of both metals and plastics are well established. Steve Snook looks at developments that will extend their application |
01/10/2007
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Vent breakthrough stops cockpit drafts
Until now it has only been possible in HVAC systems to adjust the direction and volume of the airflow from vents in the cockpit. Horizontal and vertical louvres divert the airflow to the left and right, and up and down, and a shut-off valve closes or reduces airflow. As a result, draft-free ventilation is not usually possible. |
01/10/2007
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Super soft foam breakthroughs for car interiors
Car-makers are placing strenuous demands on foam materials. They must be durable while offering good haptic properties, flexible, robust, odourless and have low emission values.
These requirements are said to be met by Alveolit TP EE and Alveo-Soft, the latest polyolefin foams developed by Sekisui Alveo AG.
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01/09/2007
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Nanofibres double cabin filter efficiency
An automotive filtration specialist has introduced a nanofibre filtration medium that retains the smallest particles, including diesel exhaust particulates and fine dust, writes Roger Bishop.
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01/09/2007
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Rolling piston pumps fluids
A novel compressor-expander, designed to make refrigeration systems more efficient, is efficient, simple and lubricated by the working fluid, writes Tom Shelley. It also appears to be a design that could be manufactured at low cost.
Apart from its obvious interest to the developers of air-conditioning systems for the automotive industry, it also appears to have potential as a pump for, say, hydraulic fluids, oil, or engine coolant systems.
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01/04/2007
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LEDs designed for dualcurrent lighting
New LEDs have been specifically designed, qualified and tested for use in automotive dual drive-current applications, such as rear combination lamps, providing both stop light and tail light functionality. |
01/03/2007
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New airbag designs promise safer future with adaptable shapes
TRW has released details of a non-rotating driver airbag module that allows the inflating cushion to be specifically designed and shaped to fit individual vehicle interiors, writes Roger Bishop. It will appear on a European vehicle platform. |
01/02/2007
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Integrated boosters keep children safer
About half of all children who die in traffic accidents are passengers in cars. Most fatalities occur either because they are not buckled in or are incorrectly or inadequately secured. European studies have shown that more than half of all child booster seats are incorrectly installed or used. |
01/10/2006
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Shiny futures
Lighting can significantly affect a vehicle’s ambience as well as bringing improved functionality for passengers, but does the future belong to organic LEDs, electroluminescent panels or some other technology? Ian Adcock looks for some indicators |
01/10/2006
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Polymer hose designed for CO2 air-con
A polymer hose with a barrier layer that replaces the stainless steel tubing seen on most prototype CO2 air conditioning systems has been developed by ContiTech Fluid Technology. |
01/09/2006
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Plant-based resins used in floor mats
Mitsubishi Motors, working with Toray Industries, has developed a high-durability car floor mat using a combination of the plant-based resin polylactic acid (PLA) and nylon fibres. |
01/09/2006
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Seating software a ‘world first’
Software specialist Vistagy has released the Seat Design Environment (SDE), said to be the first software application specifically tailored to address the entire process of designing and manufacturing automotive seat systems and interior components.
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01/09/2006
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Sweating manikin transforms HVAC design
A Munich-based engineering services provider to the automotive industry has developed a virtual manikin with lifelike physical characteristics – it radiates heat, sweats and shivers – for use in the development of automotive air conditioning systems, writes Roger Bishop. |
01/09/2006
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Surface tension
Interiors are benefiting from technical advances as materials that impart a soft, high quality feel become more durable and capable of withstanding the rigours of automotive interiors. Steve Snook looks at developments that will bring ‘expensive’ and ‘interestingly different’ options at an affordable cost |
01/06/2006
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Imaging provides wraparound decoration
Pictaflex is a new ‘full wrap’ decoration technology developed by ICI Imagedata in conjunction with Applied Effects Laboratories, a specialist in decorative technology, and material scientists at Warwick University in the UK. |
01/06/2006
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30deg view angle LEDs aimed at cars
Agilent Technologies has introduced high-brightness red, red-orange, orange, amber, green and blue LEDs in the industry-standard Power PLCC-4 surface-mount form factor, which incorporate integral lenses to produce a 30deg viewing angle. Target applications for the Agilent HSMx-A43xx series include automotive lighting. |
01/02/2006
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Seating plans
Seats are important not just for their comfort but for safety and the additional features they are now incorporating. Steve Snook finds out how suppliers are developing such systems as in-seat air-conditioning |
01/10/2005
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The bottom line
The humble car seat has come a long way, with the latest systems offering sophisticated combinations and adjustments as well as heating, cooling and dehumidifying. Ian Adcock assesses the prospects for in-vehicle comfort |
01/04/2005
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