Delphi Automotive has engineered and patented a new connection system design that simplifies the final assembly of the electrical center into the vehicle. The manufacturer says the system requires no tools and is ergonomically designed to help ensure the assembly operator's safety. The new technology will be on display at the SAE 2011 World Congress this week in Detroit, MI.
As vehicle electronics content continues to increase, automotive suppliers and OEMs are faced with the challenge of safely and accurately mating hundreds of connections during the electrical center installation process. "In a high-content underhood electrical center, as many as six separate wiring harnesses and 150 connections must be mated during the assembly process," explains Mark Potesta, global product line director, Delphi Electrical Centers. "When these connections are made simultaneously, the combined insertion force is so great that additional tooling is usually required to complete the installation."
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Delphi says the new system's patented design addresses this issue and requires no tools during the installation process. Using a pair of mechanical assist levers with integrated cams to reduce the force required to make the connection, assembly operators simply lock the levers into final position, ensuring a complete and secure connection. This unique solution can yield up to a 20 percent time savings during the vehicle assembly process.
In addition to their ergonomic design, the levers also prove beneficial over the life of the vehicle. "The levers are permanently mounted to the electrical center so they can be used in removal and re-installation if service or repairs are required," adds Delphi's Potesta.
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The patented electrical center technology from Delphi is currently in production and available for use in a variety of customer applications. For more information, visit www.delphi.com.
