Automotive Components

A tilt and telescopic steering column with improved collision safety has been developed by NSK thanks to a new design of breakaway structure that improves reliability in an impact situation. In addition, the new unit is lighter for enhanced fuel economy and offers higher vibrational rigidity to improve driver comfort.

Automotive is one of the strongest growing markets for electronic components worldwide. AEC-Q200 compliant components are consistently being designed into automotive systems such as EV power train and battery management, infotainment, engine control, air bags, lighting and more. The demand for ‘off-the-shelf', yet highly rugged devices is expanding fast, and in many cases outstripping supply.

VACUUMSCHMELZE (VAC) has supported Formula Student Electric since the introduction of the electromobility division in 2010. All top teams have been using VAC's high performance materials in their electric motors since the very beginning. Thanks to the rotor-stator systems made of VAC's cobalt iron materials, the AMZ racing team of ETH Zurich won the overall first prize at the Formula Student Germany in Hockenheim on 12th August 2018 and remains in first place in the world rankings.

The TPS61170-Q1 from Texas Instruments is an automotive 3-18V wide input range, 1.2A boost converter in 2x2mm QFN package. The TPS61170-Q1 is a monolithic, high-voltage switching regulator with integrated 1.2-A, 40-V power MOSFET. The device can be configured in several standard switching-regulator topologies, including boost and SEPIC. 

The DP83TC811S-Q1 transceiver from Texas Instruments (TI) is in stock at Mouser Electronics. The AEC-Q100 qualified DP83TC811S-Q1 is an automotive Ethernet physical layer (PHY) transceiver that allows designers to introduce increased intelligence to automotive applications through Ethernet connectivity.

It has been announced that German supplier ZSK has launched a series of innovations to an increasingly important carbon composite manufacturing technique, which will finally overcome the cost and productivity challenges that have held back wider use of the material until now. 

An AEC-Q200 qualified thick-film power resistor featuring a clip mount TO247 package for direct mounting on a heatsink has been released by Vishay Intertechnology. For automotive applications, the Vishay Sfernice LTO 150 offers industry-high power dissipation of 150 W at a +45 °C case temperature and an improved pulse handling capability.

It has been announced that ProTek Devices has introduced a new circuit protection diode suited for automotive applications, such as Controller Area Network (CAN) bus lines. The new PAM3CAN diode is qualified by the Automotive Electronics Council (AEC).

Two series of surface-mount Automotive Grade power LEDs in PLCC-2 and ultra-compact MiniLED packages have been introduced by Vishay Intertechnology. Utilising the latest advanced AllnGaP technology in the smallest chip size available, the Vishay Semiconductors VLMx335xx and VLMx235xx series deliver high brightness and maximum drive current up to 50mA for automotive, industrial, and consumer applications.

One of Europe’s road haulage groups has expanded its fleet, ensuring that each of its new vehicles are specified to the highest standard. The new fleet is comprised of tankers and dry freight curtain siders, to which JOST UK was selected to supply axle systems and all-wheel steering systems.