TROY, Mich — Delphi Corp. this week announced that it is a key supplier to the 2010 North American Car of the Year — the 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid — and the 2010 North American Truck of the Year — the 2010 Ford Transit Connect.
The Ford Fusion Hybrid utilizes Delphi’s high-voltage battery pack to power the vehicle’s electric motor. Hybrid vehicles like the Fusion Hybrid require specialized electrical and electronic components that can stand up to rigorous power requirements in a challenging operating environment. A real-world power solution, the battery pack helps the vehicle to produce extremely low emission levels and reduce fuel usage, enabling the vehicle to attain 41 mpg in city driving. In addition to the battery pack, Delphi provides the high-voltage electrical center, battery service disconnect device and battery cell interconnects to this award-winning vehicle.
The Fusion Hybrid is also equipped with Delphi’s evaporative emissions canister, purge actuator, electronic throttle body and speed sensors. Evaporative emissions canisters limit the amount of gasoline vapors — a key factor in the creation of ozone — from entering the atmosphere while the purge actuator controls the flow of fuel vapors to the engine. Delphi’s electronic throttle controls administer airflow to the engine for proper air-fuel mixture which helps optimize combustion and improve the Fusion Hybrid’s engine efficiency. By monitoring the speed of the vehicle and the transmission turbine, Delphi’s digital speed sensors help optimize the Fusion’s fuel economy and transmission efficiency.
Delphi’s innovative technologies also address passenger comfort with dual zone HVAC and climate control modules. In cooling mode, the air-conditioning system reduces battery power consumption to maximize vehicle propulsion power. In heating mode, the control module algorithm optimizes engine operation and electric water pump control for winter time heating and defrosting operations by only running the engine when comfort is not achieved or maximum windshield clearing power is required – optimizing both comfort and fuel economy.
In addition to Delphi’s electronic throttle body and evaporative canister, the 2010 Ford Transit Connect features Delphi’s Passive Occupant Detection System (PODS) as well as the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) controller. PODS helps to reduce the potential for airbag-induced injury in a crash event.
The TPMS controller, with a built-in RF receiver, assesses whether each tire’s pressure is within system limits and sends that information to the instrument cluster so the driver can take action as soon as possible.
