Delphi’s Waferized Joint Connectors Facilitate Miniaturization of Electrical/Electronic Architecture System

New technology enables less complex electrical harness assembly, addresses OEM concern over diminishing packaging space


FRANKFURT, Germany — As vehicles’ electrical content increases and available packaging space decreases, the development of Electrical/Electronic (E/E) architecture has evolved into a more prominent role in the transportation industry. Waferized joint connectors, on display Sept. 11-23 at Internationale Automobil Ausstellung (IAA), are a vital component of Delphi Corporation’s E/E architecture system and enable miniaturization at a time when space is at a premium.

Built from a number of smaller components known as wafers, Delphi’s waferized joint connection systems use just three or four terminal cavities as compared to the traditional method of using ten or more cavities per harness.

“Using a smaller wafer in a joint connector allows us to be more efficient in our electrical system design. The presence of unused cavities is greatly reduced, allowing the joint connector to be smaller and more cost efficient,” Dave Wright, global director, innovation & E/E architecture, Delphi Packard E/EA, said.

These connectors work independently of each other and have integrated secondary terminal locks, making the assembly process more flexible and less complex. Fewer wafers can be used in the overall wiring harness design, they do not need to be assembled in sequence, and a single wafer can be removed without disturbing other terminals.

“These connectors dramatically impact the way that vehicle wiring systems are assembled, improving quality and accommodating option content in a cost-effective manner,” Wright said. “Now, more than ever, vehicle manufacturers need a supplier capable of analyzing their electrical content needs, and designing intelligent technologies such as these waferized joint connectors to save them space and capital.”

Delphi delivers power and signal distribution networks for today’s increasingly complex vehicles. Delphi engineers act as master architects by using proprietary design tools and software to create a virtual model of a vehicle’s E/E architecture - down to the last connector, electrical center, electronic module and wiring harness. In doing so, they evaluate the impact of various trade-offs to deliver a fully optimized E/E architecture system backed by Delphi technical centers and manufacturing facilities in 31 countries around the globe.

For more information about Delphi Corp. (OTC: DPHIQ), visit www.delphi.com