Reliable transmission

Work Study

ISSN: 0043-8022

Article publication date: 1 February 2003

36

Citation

(2003), "Reliable transmission", Work Study, Vol. 52 No. 1. https://doi.org/10.1108/ws.2003.07952aab.009

Publisher

:

Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2003, MCB UP Limited


Reliable transmission

Reliable transmission

Delphi Corp. is supporting the rugged demands of heavy-duty and commercial vehicles with transmission interface technologies designed specifically for high reliability and long life. Both Delphi's pushbutton and lever designs provide crisp, consistent actuation. The units are fully sealed to protect them from severe operating environments and are of a durable lightweight construction. The package size, mounting, graphics, display and lighting can also be adapted per customer specifications. Both units also utilise a vacuum fluorescent display (VFD) instead of a liquid crystal display (LCD). A VFD functions better than a LCD in extreme temperature and lighting environments. Designed specifically for increased reliability, both units build on a switch technology originating from Duraswitch. The switch mechanisms chosen for this product have been tested up to 1 million cycles according to typical automotive testing specifications. Digital information, such as the vehicle's shifting mode and diagnostics, is communicated between the interface devices and transmission control module through a CAN Bus interface. In addition, Delphi's lever interface design uses an optical (non-contact) gear position sensing technology, thereby increasing the system's reliability by eliminating physical wear. There is also flexibility on the number and spacing of gear positions designed into the lever module itself. Delphi's pushbutton and lever transmission interface designs are expected to be available for commercial vehicle applications as early as 2004.

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