Tricon charges into 42-volt technology

DETROIT, March 4, 2002 — The transition from the present 14-volt automotive electrical system to 14/42-volt technology will demand molders to provide the right balance of experience and innovation to produce the new generation of electronic components. Tricon Industries, Inc., a veteran molder of electrical parts for more than 30 years, has the depth of expertise needed to help partners design, develop and produce components meeting the challenges posed by the coming 42-volt systems.

"Tricon began as a small company committed to providing customers with reliable, cost-effective products," said Tricon President Ralph Grandle. "Today, our mission remains the same, but we now have greatly enhanced design, research and manufacturing technology to produce components that thrive in increasingly harsh automotive environments. These conditions demand greater resistance to heat, caustic chemicals and higher voltages."

Today

Tricon was one of the first in the industry to insert mold a range of electronic parts, including switch and relay components. Tricon now uses insert molding to produce robust plastic structures that protect increasingly complex circuitry and electrical connections. For example, insert molding is used to make circuit platforms that provide interconnections between stem controls and car wiring harness connectors. Tricon also uses insert molding to produce surge suppression diodes that protect a growing number of advanced automotive electronics from voltage spikes.

Molding the future

Many industry observers predict that a variation of the dual 14/42-volt system will proliferate through the automotive industry over the coming decade. This dual system, however, will be a transition technology leading the way to a straight 42-volt system that will begin entering the market within five to 10 years. Over this time, bulky and inefficient mechanical systems that currently run brakes, steering, heating and cooling, suspension and even engine valves can all be replaced by electronic systems. The results are expected to be dramatic reductions in weight while the new systems significantly improve vehicle performance and fuel economy.

Lighting the way

Eventually moving to the 42-volt system may spur replacing the incandescent bulbs now used in lighting systems with light emitting diodes (LEDs) that can withstand higher voltages and are far more energy efficient. Tricon is working with partners throughout the industry to address the ambient light limitations of LEDs. The company also has developed an LED design using a universal socket concept that could make it possible to make a running change over to LED lamps.

LEDs are currently used in a limited number of external automotive applications, but that could change over the next several years. "We are one of the few molders in the industry aggressively looking into new designs to increase the amount of ambient light LEDs generate," said Jeff Terrell, Tricon manager of product development. "The industry is most likely several years away from a major shift to LEDs in external and internal light applications, but it makes sense to start addressing LED issues now."

Tricon Industries, Inc. specializes in insert molding and specialized components for worldwide automotive, mobile communications and appliance markets. Tricon was one of the first in the industry to use insert-molding techniques for the manufacture of switch and relay components as well as other electrically-oriented parts.

Some of Tricon's recent projects include complex insert molded junction blocks and multifunction switch components, sealed bulb taillight sockets and circuit stampings, single-bulb light sockets, alternators and encapsulated components, and mobile antenna assemblies. Today, Tricon is a QS-9000/ISO 9001-registered manufacturer both in the United States and Europe, with comprehensive design, project management and manufacturing capabilities that can be tailored to specific project requirements.

For more information, see us at the SAE 2002 World Congress in booth #129.