Barry Craik

As autonomous and self-driving vehicles are perfected and start to see use on the roads, it is natural to wonder, what will the occupants do, now they no longer need to pay attention to the road? This is where IEE‘s latest innovation comes in.

They have been working alongside Yanfeng Automotive Interiors to develop the “Active Space” system in the rear compartment of Yanfeng’s new autonomous rideshare concept vehicle, ‘Experience in Motion 2020,’ or XiM20 for short, which is currently touring the US.

Active Space is an interactive 3D sensing solution combined with a tailored human-machine interface delivery, using a unique combination of in-cabin 3D sensing plus large surface display technology. It enables immersive interaction between passengers and the vehicle interior for entertainment, communication, and ambience.

Tangio continues to lead on the cutting edge of Force Sensing Resistor technology with their latest product, Fuzion, which combines the different methods of force sensing.

Force sensing resistor technology comes in two variations. Resistive FSRs use a conductive layer in the sensor itself, which requires pressure to be applied. The more pressure applied to the sensor, the lower the resistance. The majority of typical force sensing resistors are of the resistive type.

The other version of force sensing technology is one often seen in technology like smartphones. A capacitive FSR works by detecting electrical currents, and basing the resistance on the current detected. This even works with the minute electrical signals running through your body, and doesn’t even require touch, only proximity.

Fuzion combines both of these into a single unit, allowing for unprecedented control over activation. In the demo video below, you can see how the sensor detects not only pressure applied (green lights), but also when a user’s finger approaches the device (orange lights).

Fuzion was created so it only needs one sensor which is capable of handling both methods of detection, and only one interface, saving you both time and money in the supply chain.

Ohmite is expanding it’s popular line of Aluminum housed resistors. The Ohmite ARG series is a high wattage wirewound resistor sealed in an aluminum extrusion. The aluminum housed design is appealing to power engineers for multiple reasons. Key design aspects include a sealed design, flying leads, and heatsinking ability. The ARG series is capable of dissipating 150-400 watts depending on resistor length and is available in 6 sizes. Ohmite offers other aluminum housed resistors and should be considered in high power industrial applications. Ohmite distribution partners can expect to receive the NPI package shortly on the ARG Series.

Thermoelectric Cooler and Thermo Generating Module technology is based on two principles, the Seebeck effect, and the Peltier effect. The first of these shows how we can use a temperature differential to create an electrical charge, and the second, how we can use an electrical charge to create a temperature differential.

When heat is applied to one of the conductors or semiconductors, this creates a flow of heated electrons towards the colder side. This in turn generates a tiny electrical charge, in the microvolts range per kelvin of temperature difference. Connecting devices using this Seebeck principle allows you to maximise the voltage by connecting the devices in series, or to increase the current by placing the devices in parallel with each other.

On the other side of the equation, if you were to instead apply an electrical current through a junction between two conductors, you would also see a transfer of heat passed to the cooler of the components. A typical heat pump using peltier technology uses several junctions in series, some of which gain heat, and others which lose heat as a current is applied.

You will find thermoelectric cooler technology in many places where temperature has to be controlled, from refrigeration units, all the way up to satellites. When used in satellite technology, TECs are used to help maintain a temperature suitable for the satellite’s internal components to still function.

Back down on Earth, thermoelectric coolers are used to help regulate temperatures in refrigeration units, such as those used to carry frozen goods from country to country, or even the freezer rooms in the back of restaurants. In this instance, it is especially important that the TEC’s output temperature is well regulated, as this could determine if the item using the thermoelectric cooler is compliant with a number of food safety standards including ISO9000, and HACCP.

We supply thermoelectric coolers, and thermo generating modules manufactured in Russia by Kryotherm. Click here to view the Kryotherm website, and if you’d like any information or pricing about any of their products, please, give us a call.

Ohmite Manufacturing has recently completed the acquisition of the electronic components portion of Kanthal, a part of Sandvik Group based in New York. This provides Ohmite with a new, full line of ceramic non-inductive resistors, plus Maxcap double layer capacitors.

Kanthal’s Globar ceramic resistor products will be combined with Ohmite’s existing A Series and OX/OY Series product lines to form the new Ohmite Ceramic Resistor Division. This new branch of the Heico Companies will remain headquartered in New York, and will concentrate their efforts on higher voltage, and higher current electronic solutions.

These new components will be available on a direct basis from Ohmite, as well as Ohmite’s partner distributors world-wide.

This new acquisition helps consolidate Ohmite’s position as a world leader in power resistor manufacturing, and ensures they can now supply a complete product offering across the three leading solution platforms, including ceramic/composition, thick film, and wirewound construction.

Ohmite’s Director of Sales, Kurt Devlin, issued this statement. “We are excited to have the Kanthar Globar resistor products join the greater Ohmite and ARCOL family. This acquisition rounds out our total solutions offering which is unique in the global resistor market.

EMEA & APAC Sales Director, Darrel Oliver, added, “The added capability of manufacturing ceramic and composition resistors will allow us to better support our design community, and we look forward to continuing to develop outstanding component solutions for our customers.”