Switches and control
assemblies are used
prolifically in modern day
cars. Paul Harrison presents key
products and reveals recent
design wins.
Manufacturing discrete micro
switches and electronic
component carriers in single or
complex switch assemblies,
Cherry supplies 80 per cent of all
intelligent door-lock electronic
component carriers employed in
vehicles manufactured in
Europe. The company enjoys a
$300 million turnover from
the automotive sector.
Typical applications include the
use of analogue that is; sensing
devices in trucks and HGVs, which
detect hazardous situations and
trigger an emergency braking
system.Micro switches are also
used in security applications that
ensure the safe engagement of
tilting cabs.
Car-body latch switch
assemblies (doors, bonnets, and
trunks) comprise intelligent
remote, CDL and power switches
that are fabricated as insert
mouldings and connect to the
latch itself for ease-of-use. In
addition, parts are supplied
complete with cable/connector
assemblies, enabling direct
connection to the harness.
Devices use Hall-effect technology,
enabling an operating life
far beyond that of
conventional switches.
Positive break action
One particular product to highlight
is the V4 sub-miniature DZ switch
range. It is the successor to the
popular DK device, which benefits
from a positive break to overcome
contact welding. In addition, parts
consist of cadmium-free contact
material in accordance to the
RoHS directive.
The DZ switches operate at
temperatures between -40 and 85º
Celcius, with a contact resistance of
less than 100mOhms between
100mA and 10Vdc. The device
switches high inductive loads 3(3)
A 250V at 50,000 cycles and
....CONTD
