Leoni says it will present a pyrotechnical switch that can be directly integrated in power distribution devices as well as pre-fuse boxes – and without additional contact points and fastening components at next month’s IAA show in Frankfurt.
In case of an accident, the new product will disconnect the power supply within three milliseconds to prevent short-circuiting.
Leoni’s new pyrotechnical solution is linked to the car’s airbag signal and responds so any deformation of the routing area and thus damage to the cable as a consequence of an impact, can only occur after the current has already been switched off.
This minimises the risk of a short circuit, which could then result in a vehicle fire. The switch is especially suited says Leoni, for use in vehicles where the battery is located in the rear and is connected to the engine compartment with a correspondingly long high power cable.
Leoni’s 31g switch is designed to be integrated in electro-mechanical components.
One option, for example, would be the installation in a pre-fuse box that, on a single busbar, also contains the fast breaker mechanism alongside multiple fuses for the main circuits.
The integrated pyrotechnical switch (IPS) does not require any screw connection, but is rather fitted by means of a stamping on the busbar.
When triggered, the IPS cuts the connection to the specified conductor, which would normally be routed to the starter or the alternator.
The pyrotechnical switch also has relatively minor power loss as well as a very high auto-ignition temperature.
This is achieved with the product’s compact design as well as a low net explosive weight of the igniter.