Lear joins the fray:
Green Car Congress: Lear Introduces PHEV and EV Chargers
Lear Introduces PHEV and EV Chargers
8 October 2008
Lear Corporation, a leading global automotive supplier of seating, electrical distribution systems and electronic products, has introduced plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) and full battery-electric vehicle (BEV) chargers to its global electrical and electronics product portfolio.
Lear’s battery charging products include an operating range from 1kW to 6kW, the ability to accommodate wall socket input voltages from 110V to 440V, and the capability to interface with electrical systems around the world. The chargers support both standard and quick charge capabilities, and can be customized to interface with different high-power chemistries, including NiMH and Li-ion.
The battery charger performs three electronic functions. FIrst, efficiency enhancing phase adjustments are made to the wall socket’s alternating current. The voltage is rectified to direct current (DC) voltage. The final step is to up-convert the household voltage to approximately 340V&mash;enough to charge a PHEV with 40-mile all-electric range.
William Mattingly, Lear’s recently-appointed Vice President of Global Electrical and Electronics Engineering, says that the company has already won several contracts for the chargers beginning with 2011 model year production.
A priority for Lear is to expand its presence in the global automotive Electrical and Electronics segment, according to Ray Scott, president of Lear’s Global Electrical and Electronics business. Mattingly came from Chrysler, where he had been vice president of Electrical/Electronics Engineering Core since 2003. He also will lead Lear’s new global Center of Excellence for hybrid electric and high-voltage power systems located on the Southfield Campus, as well as the globalization of wireless products, terminals and connectors and smart junction box technology.