42-Volt Electrical Architecture from Delphi Meets Future Power Demands
14 September 1999
42-Volt Electrical Architecture from Delphi Automotive Meets Future Power Demands, Improves Fuel Efficiency
FRANKFURT, Germany, Sept. 13 -- High-power solutions to meet
the growing electrical energy demands of next-generation vehicles are being
demonstrated by Delphi Automotive Systems at the Frankfurt International Motor
Show here Sept. 16-26, 1999.
Technologies being showcased include 42-volt and dual 14/42-volt
architectures, a 36-volt absorbent glass mat (AGM) lead-acid battery,
next-generation high-power generators, DC-to-DC converters, and an advanced
LiPoTek lithium-polymer battery.
Delphi's diverse offering in current and future power generation and
storage technologies uniquely positions it for the anticipated demand by
automakers for increased high-voltage electric power, according to Gary A.
Cameron, chief engineer of Delphi's Energenix Center, an advanced energy
engineering center in Kokomo, Ind., U.S.A.
"Current luxury vehicles typically use up to 2.8 kW of power, but that's
expected to double within the next five years," said Cameron. "Technologies
like electric brakes and steering, electrically heated catalysts and electro-
magnetic valve trains are all expected to require higher power, and this will
lead to higher voltage electrical systems."
In addition, higher-voltage electrical systems and the use of electrically
driven accessories could improve fuel efficiency 5 to 10 percent, while wiring
cable bulk could be reduced by half, he said.
Fuel economy gains are achieved since all belt-driven systems -- HVAC,
water pump, power steering -- could be electrically powered, relieving drag on
the engine and reducing under-hood space requirements.
Wiring bulk is reduced because higher-voltage systems lower current,
enabling smaller wiring. In addition, other functions can be performed with
higher-voltage systems such as saving fuel by turning the engine off at idle
and then quickly restarting when the vehicle needs to launch from the traffic
light (commonly called stop and go).
In the traditional 12-volt architecture, emerging electro-mechanical
systems -- such as electric steering -- would become "electricity hogs"
requiring larger-diameter wiring that adds weight and cost, he observed.
A proposed industry standard of 42 volts has automakers and suppliers
looking at new ways to use the higher power to redesign systems on future
vehicles. Many in the industry favor the dual-voltage system that includes
both 14- and 42-volt circuits.
Traditional low-voltage devices such as lamps and radios could run off the
14-volt system while the 42-volt system would power those applications that
need and/or run more efficiently with higher power.
"Delphi has developed improved dual 14/42-volt and 42-volt architectures
that will offer vehicle builders the ability to provide an array of advanced
electrical/electronic devices that are impractical with today's 14-volt
systems," said Cameron.
"This includes electrically driven accessories and systems that the major
manufacturers currently offer or want to develop for fuel economy. In
addition, there are many electrical customer features requiring higher and
more efficient electrical power," he added.
"Delphi has a unique ability to provide both power generation and energy
storage. We have developed an advanced 42-volt system that will be a
practical bridge to the hybrid powertrains of the future," Cameron continued.
Other advanced storage and power-generation technologies on display
include:
* A 36-volt AGM lead-acid battery, which uses less electrolytes, enabling
smaller size, lighter weight and higher power with longer life under extreme
temperature conditions.
* Delphi's LiPoTek lithium-polymer battery that's a fraction of the size
and weight of lead-acid batteries and can be conformed to various shapes for
packaging flexibility.
* DC-to-DC converters that would be used on 14/42-volt systems to
transform 42-volt currents to 14-volt for lights and other low-power
applications.
* ENERGEN(TM) power management systems, which enable battery power to
work in conjunction with the internal combustion engine for advanced power
applications and next-generation hybrid propulsion systems.
"Vehicles of the future will need a lot of electrical power ... more than
can be provided efficiently from today's standard 12-volt systems," Cameron
explained. "Versions of these systems are expected to appear first on
European vehicles -- probably within the next two to three years -- largely
because of the potential fuel economy gains," he said.
Delphi Automotive Systems , with headquarters in Troy, Mich.,
USA, is a world leader in automotive component and systems technology.
Delphi's three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety, Thermal &
Electrical Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communications -- provide
comprehensive product solutions to complex customer needs. Delphi has
approximately 201,000 employees and operates 168 wholly owned manufacturing
sites, 38 joint ventures, 51 customer centers and sales offices, and 27
technical centers in 37 countries. Regional headquarters are located in
Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo. Delphi can be found on the Internet at
http://www.delphiauto.com .