Eaton Makes a Big Play in Automotive Electronics

Pleasanton, Calif. – Eaton’s Electronics Division has launched a multi-tiered initiative that focuses on enhancing the safety of automotive electronics, and meeting increased demand for high-reliability magnetics, supercapacitors, and circuit protection products. Key features of the initiative include a new online portal for faster component selection, safety-certified products, manufacturing advances, and increased production capacity.

The global market for automotive electronics is forecast to hit $204.6 billion in 2014, and reach $314.4 billion by 2020, with an estimated compound annual growth (CAGR) rate of 7.3 percent between 2012 and 2020, according to a Research and Markets report. The OEM automotive electronics sector accounts for an estimated share of 86.3 percent in 2013, which equals to $165.2 billion in the overall automotive market. This segment is expected to reach $177.2 billion in 2014 and $277.1 billion by 2020, translating into a CAGR of 7.6 percent.

Eaton, a global power management company with $22 billion in sales in 2013, has made several key investments over the past two years to meet this growing demand in the automotive sector. These include investments in state-of-the-art manufacturing equipment to improve the reliability of its Coiltronics, Powerstor and Bussmann product lines, as well as additional research and development (R&D) efforts to keep up with changing performance and reliability specifications.

Eaton’s new web-based Automotive Electronics Solutions (AES) portal is designed to help automotive designers and buyers select components based on a variety of individual automotive systems and requirements. The company is supporting AES with new safety-certified products, manufacturing technology advancements, doubling of production capacity, and expanded R&D efforts.

The AES tool provides an online guide that helps designers and buyers identify the products they need by selecting a particular system or application area of the vehicle. Application areas include the following:

Infotainment/telematics
Airbag control unit
Power doors, window lift, mirrors, seat control
Port power / USB hub
Engine start
Engine and powertrain control module
Electronic power steering / electric parking brake
Headlamp, tail lamp, interior lighting
Digital instrument cluster
Advanced driver assistance system

(Click on image to enlarge.)

“Eaton’s Electronics Division is committed to meeting ever-more stringent demands of the automotive industry as new safety standards are introduced and requirements for high-performance and reliability expand,” said John Janis, vice president and general manager for Eaton’s Electronics Division, in a statement. “Eaton is recognized globally as a leader in power management components. With the constantly growing number of electronics systems in vehicles today and their individual and diverse safety and power requirements. We’ve designed Automotive Electronics Solutions to make the process of selecting the right component more intuitive.”

In addition to the web portal, Eaton has beefed up its product portfolio with new AEC-Q200-certified power products that is expected to grow the Electronics Division’s leadership in the automotive sector. These certified components can be used in harsh automotive environments. New certified products include the MPIA4040, HCMA0503, HCMA0703, HCMA1305, HCMA1707 and DRAQ127 Coiltronics brand inductors that are manufactured to rigorous automotive standards in TS16949 certified factories.

The MPIA4040 product line offers automotive-grade, high-current, high-frequency, miniature power inductors made of composite material. They meet AEC-Q200 Grade 3 (-40°C to 85°C) compliance and 125°C maximum total temperature operation for both interior and exterior applications.
The HCMA products are high current power inductors made of a powder iron core material that feature high current carrying capacity and low core losses. This product line is also certified AEC-Q200 Grade 3.
The DRAQ127 products expand Eaton’s automotive-grade shielded drum core inductor series. These devices are typically used in interior, exterior and under-the-hood applications with a 165°C maximum total temperature operation, tested to AEC-Q200 Grade 1.

Other new products aimed at automotive applications include Eaton’s PowerStor HV Series Supercapacitors and Bussman CC12H High I2t Chip fuse series. The PowerStor HV Series Supercapacitors are now qualified to meet major automotive OEM test standards with an extended operating temperature range of -40°C to 85°C. The HV series features high capacitance and ultra-low equivalent series resistance (ESR). Applications range from active shutters to safety systems for door locks and communications.

The Bussman CC12H High I2t Chip fuse series (1A-5A) has been extended to meet AEC-Q200 standards. The line is now available down to 750 mA and from 6 A to 20 A to meet requirements for infotainment and engine control unit applications.

Product samples and additional product information are available at http://www.eaton.com/elx. Products also may be purchased from Mouser or DigiKey.