4 POWERTRAIN REVOLUTION
TE Connectivity's role
No matter which path OEMs take to revolutionize powertrains, TE is uniquely positioned to collaborate
from beginning to end to address all their technical ideas, plans and needs. TE brings a wealth of insight
and experience, from an engineering team that is second to none in the automotive industry to factory
floor expertise that can produce to the most exacting specifications. As a global leader in connectivity
and sensors, TE helps enable its customers to transform their business concepts into smart, leading and
innovative solutions.
TE's role includes offering a portfolio of powertrain products engineered to perform in the latest systems
right now. These include hardwired power distribution systems, module components, engine and e-motor
sensors, and sensors for transmissions, chassis and pressure. Others include our high-performing ISO plug-in,
printed circuit board and high current relays for 12V, 24V and 48V power supply systems. And with the
CE approved M2000MC automatic insertion machine for fuses and relays, TE Application Tooling provides
a high-quality solution for high-volume production.
Voltage grows and so do system demands
The demand for power in a vehicle is rapidly increasing. In fact, the industry's ability to support power
demands with a traditional belt-driven 12V generator and point-to-point wiring is becoming more difficult with
every model year. To solve this problem and support the power demands of tomorrow's vehicles, automakers
will soon introduce a 48V system.
With improved power transfer to and from the battery, the 48V system will enable new fuel saving
technologies. Moreover, the 48V system will facilitate a more efficient, lower current implementation of
current 12V applications, including common features like heated windshields, heat and air conditioning
systems, cooling fans, power steering, and start-stop systems.
At TE, development is already underway for a family of solutions
aimed at addressing the needs of evolving vehicle architectures that
serve and protect power and signal needs.
Some of our leading products in this critical area include the AMP MCP 6.3/4.8K Contact System, the MCON 8
Contact Systems, the MCON 9.5 Contact Systems, and the Battery Disconnect Switch BDS-A. These systems
close the gap in meeting existing vehicle cavity and interface specifications.
Improved battery technology charging powertrain advancement
Performance and requirements
Handling the high voltages that come along with the introduction of electric drivetrains in road vehicles
means entirely different requirements for electric switching devices, compared to the standard 12V/24V
power net.
For the main contactors that connect and disconnect the traction battery from the inverter, these
requirements include not only the handling of very high continuous currents, but also the safe interruption of
excessive overcurrents. In the case of a battery short circuit, these contactors must be capable of carrying
many thousands of Amps until the main fuse interrupts the short circuit.
