Technology Solutions that Enhance Automotive Performance and Functionality

If you were asked to name the top suppliers to the automotive Industry, would you include Panasonic? If not, you’d be wrong, since the company is one of the most experienced players in this demanding market having supplied millions of parts. The company offers many innovative solutions, four of which are discussed by experts in a new video at:

New Technologies:

• Thermal management solutions with the PGS (Pyrolytic Graphite Sheet)
• Sensing: industry’s first  SMT thermopile array sensor, named Grid-EYE
• Power management film capacitors used in EVs and HEVs
• Safety first high-performance Power Relays

PGS Thermal Management Material

PGS (Pyrolytic Graphite Sheet) has a thermal conductivity of up to 20000W/m.K – up to 5x better than copper and 10x better than aluminium. Therefore PGS can spread heat very quickly; it also acts as a very effective heat transfer interface. PGS is very thin (from 100µm down to 10µm), flexible and pliable so it can be easily cut and folded into a complex shape. With a bend radius of 2mm, sheets can be bent through 180 degrees more than 3000 times, and thermal conductivity is unaffected as long as sharp folds are avoided. The material is very stable so it is resistant to environmental effects and shows no deterioration with age; it can also provide some shielding to electromagnetic noise, providing a simultaneous EMI and thermal hot spot solution.

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Grid-EYE Array Sensor

Grid-EYE is a surface mount thermopile array sensor can be used in driver-monitoring and camera systems, such as advanced driver-assist systems. Heating, ventilation and HVAC functions can also be supported by this technology. Grid-EYE features 64 thermopile elements in an 8x8 grid format. It is easily possible to detect multiple persons, identify positions and direction of movement, almost independent of ambient light conditions. Measuring 11.6 x 4.3 x 8.0mm, Grid-EYE arrays feature a built-in silicon lens that provides a viewing angle of 60°, and measurements can be read out via I²C interface in 1 or 10 frames per second.

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Power Film Capacitors

Panasonic’s power film capacitors are used in inverters for HEVs and EVs. To date over 10 million units have been shipped without any failures – which is remarkable considering the harsh conditions experienced by electronics systems used in automotive applications. Panasonic’s film capacitors are constructed with a metallized pattern on the dielectric film that includes a fuse. This  protects the surrounding areas in the event of a defect, ensuring that the device continues to function. Simulation of the capacitors’ thermal and electrical characteristics also ensures ultra-reliability.

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Relays

Amongst a wide range of power relays for HEV/EVs from Panasonic are 6000A devices which disconnect the battery from the car in case of short circuits for optimum safety, Devices feature an integrated contact block encapsulated by permanent magnets, housed in a hydrogen-filled resistant case. This design minimizes arcing, thereby shutting down HV very quickly.

Through its Automotive & Industrial Systems division, Panasonic has been working with manufacturers of HEVs and EVs for over 15 years, driving innovation and automation and leveraging synergies with a wide range of major manufacturing partner customers. Innovation is enabling us to deliver a safer and more environmentally-friendly automotive industry with an improved user-experience. 

For further reference please compare: Panasonic