Integrated Unibody or Chassis Motion Advanced Technology Roadmap

Abstract

Just as local area networks (LAN) connect computers, control networks connect an automotive vehicle’s electronic equipment. These networks facilitate the sharing of information and resources among the distributed applications. In the past, wiring was the standard means of connecting one element to another. As mechatronic content increased, however, the use of more and more discrete wiring hit a technological wall. Added wiring increased vehicle mass, weakened performance, and made adherence to reliability standards difficult. For an average well-tuned vehicle, every extra 50 kg of wiring - - or extra 100 W of power - - increases SFC by 0.2 l for each 100 km travelled. Also, complex-wiring harnesses take up large amounts of vehicle volume, limiting expanded functionality.