Johnson Controls is to provide a series of door panels, seat structures and instrument clusters for the new BMW 3 Series.
The door panels are made using a combination of natural fibres and plastic that are 20% lighter than conventional components, while the seat structures on the driver’s side save 3kg to 4kg depending on the model. The instrument cluster features an Automotive Pixel Link point-to-point connection.
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“With our products, we are helping BMW make the new 3 Series comfortable and sustainable,” said Johnson Controls Automotive Experience president, Beda Bolzenius.
“We offer lighter weight components that reduce fuel consumption. We also use renewable and environmentally-sound raw materials in the interior components.”
The non-visible door panel elements for the new BMW 3 Series sedan and sports wagon models are largely made of wood fibre, while the natural fibre carrier is directly moulded with plastic. This method makes the door panel considerably lighter.
A process known as groove lamination is used to apply the fabric or leather trim on the door panel, involving the trim being joined in recesses, eliminating the need for an additional component and further reducing weight.
Johnson says four features characterise the seat structure of the new BMW 3 Series. The use of high-strength steel means it is both stable and lightweight, while the low seat back pivot point makes the seat comfortable as it fits the occupant’s back.
Adjusting motors using four-pole technology, in some cases with rare-earth magnets that have a stronger magnetic field than conventional ferrite magnets, are used in the electrically adjustable seats.
This means they need a smaller installation space and are around 200g lighter. With up to four motors per seat, this also enables a significant weight reduction claims Johnson Controls.
The basic instrument cluster for the new BMW 3 Series has day and night design and offers analogue displays and LED pilot lights as well as a 2.7-inch TFT display.
The cluster features a bi-directional point-to-point connection that facilitates image and control data transmission using one interface. This technology is used in displays and stepper motors on the design circuit board to communicate with the electronics on the PCB (printed circuit board) behind it.
Data are transferred at 250 megabits per second, with the technology facilitating up to 3 gigabits per second.
