Delphi to Display a 'Smart' Approach to E/E Architecture at SAE 2000

16 February 2000
Delphi to Display a 'Smart' Approach to E/E Architecture at SAE 2000
    TROY, Mich., Feb. 16 -- Delphi Automotive Systems'
expertise as a "solutions provider" to automakers will be on
display with its new "smart" seat subsystem, to be unveiled at the Society of
Automotive Engineers (SAE) 2000 World Congress, March 6-9 at Cobo Hall
(exhibit #1829).
    The "smart" part of the subsystem is Delphi's advanced
electrical/electronics (E/E) architecture, which uses multiplexing and "smart"
connectors to both reduce the total number of parts and organize the remaining
parts for simplified packaging, yielding dramatic improvements in quality and
offering greater styling flexibility.
    Delphi's "smart" seat subsystem is a near-term product that will provide
automakers with a specific example of how optimizing the E/E architecture may
help realize these benefits.
    A conventional high content, multiplexed seat can contain three electronic
control units and as many as 123 individual wires.  By optimizing the
electrical/electronic (E/E) subsystem, and through multiplexing and using
"smart" connectors, Delphi has reduced the number of installed parts and
demonstrated a 55-percent reduction of individual wires in the seat.
    "Our 'smart' subsystem gives a real illustration of how Delphi can provide
creative solutions to complex technical challenges," said Bob Stanton,
supervisor of electronics integration at Delphi's Packard Electric division.
"The area under the seat is one of the most congested areas in a vehicle in
terms of wiring.  There are many devices that need to be connected, including
electronic modules (containing switching relays), as well as motors, sensors
and heating elements.  The 'smart' seat solves a real issue for customers --
the optimized E/E system removes the 'octopus' of wiring, organizes it and
allows for improved styling."
    Stanton said through E/E optimization, the relays are now packaged in the
smart connectors.  The tailored design has a distributed power system that is
orderly, routable and predictable.
    "Wires are not likely to get pinched or cut," Stanton said.  "Wiring
congestion is lessened and fewer harness components are required.  Using the
optimized approach, the controllers are eliminated and the number of
individual wires can be reduced to 54.  This provides a significant packaging
advantage and cleaner installation."
    Stanton said vehicle manufacturers prefer to style first and then look at
adding functions.  The "smart" seat provides OEMs the design flexibility and
the ability to easily add more functions.
    "Having more styling options is very important to customers.  Customers
continue to want to add more functions to the seat, such as inflatable lumbar,
and additional heating elements," Stanton continued.  "All of these options,
combined with the very popular 6-way power seat and memory seat features,
require additional sophisticated electronics."
    Delphi's "smart" connectors have microprocessors on board that can
communicate to a more sophisticated master controller, conveniently packaged
within the seat switch assembly.  The master controller processes all driver
commands, which are then executed by the "smart" connectors.
    When compared to today's electrical architecture for a luxury vehicle,
Delphi's overall integrated vehicle electrical/electronic system (IVEES)
architecture could offer: 20 percent reduction in terminals; 35 percent
reduction in cable; 65 percent reduction in individual wires; a dramatic
increase in vehicle design and packaging flexibility; improved vehicle and
system diagnostics; future vehicle content growth without the typical
complexity; simplified component and vehicle assembly; integration of
high/multiple voltage systems (i.e. 14/42-volt architecture); and increased
system reliability.
    While the benefits of a full vehicle implementation are significant,
Delphi's "smart" seat demonstrates that there is also a considerable impact
when IVEES concepts are applied to subsystems or vehicle modules.
    "With IVEES, vehicle manufacturers can implement the architecture once,
and then simply tap into the existing information networks to add new
functions with minimal changes to the vehicle build process and minimal
additional space requirements," Stanton added.  "With a subsystem application,
such as the 'smart' seat, customers can decrease wiring congestion, reduce the
number of components, and will be able to add future electrical/electronic
functions with easier installation and increased efficiency."
    Delphi Automotive Systems, headquartered in Troy, Mich., USA, is a world
leader in transportation and mobile electronics components and systems
technology.  Delphi's three business sectors -- Dynamics & Propulsion; Safety,
Thermal & Electrical Architecture; and Electronics & Mobile Communication --
provide comprehensive product solutions to complex customer needs.  Delphi has
approximately 213,500 employees, and operates 175 wholly owned manufacturing
sites, 41 joint ventures, 53 customer centers and sales offices and 27
technical centers in 38 countries.  Regional headquarters are located in
Paris, Tokyo and Sao Paulo, Brazil.  Delphi can be found on the Internet at
http://www.delphiauto.com