2022 SEMA / AAPEX Report
2022 SEMA & AAPEX was as always very exciting show targeted primarily for Powertrain and ICE Vehicle Performance upgrades coupled with ICE Vehicle Power Train Spare Parts and High-Performance Mechanical Parts & Tires. The few thousand upgraded performance cars are truly amazing. And of course, it is Vegas.
Still, other than driving in special vehicle performance or drag competitions, and high-level off-road usage I do not understand a wider usage. Limited innovations and could not find any in-vehicle Health and Wellness features and HMI Features (other than Displays) that can bring value and excitement to normal vehicle owners. That is more than 100 million vehicle owners in North America alone with vehicles under 7 years old. To someone looking for true in-vehicle technology integrations, it seemed that 99% of displays are targeted for ICE Vehicles’ power train and vehicle body styling upgrades. The Accessory Section was very basic also. The only OEM who had a large display was Toyota – standard nothing new.
There were some good aftermarket Audio and In-Vehicle Entertainment Displays – some looked very similar to Apple Large iPad. They looked good and, in some cases, better than displays in 2022+ in production vehicles – which seems surprising as displays were standard off-the-shelf display technology.
In Automotive a continuous burst of experimentation is essential even where Automotive Executives do not agree due to their excessive concentration on cost reduction targeted for short-term goals. No evidence that concentrating on short-term goals produces great outcomes, corporate value, or customer satisfaction.
MEYLE-HD Ball Pin larger ball pin diameter distributes forces over a larger surface area and minimizes wear and tear combined with long-wearing ball joint sockets and MEYLE high-tech grease inside. Advantages are significantly longer lifetime and driving safety.
Smart Vents for Buses / Public Transport: Embedded temperature and pressure sensors to monitor the performance of the HVAC system, Airfoil louvers designed for precise and quiet operation coupled with Wireless vent-to-vent communication with the driver.
STEK Window Tint Film is a nano-ceramic window film that will not fade – is manufactured with graphene to block up to 98% of infrared light and 99% of UV rays.
ORACLE Lighting reverse light that seamlessly integrates into the bumper reflector area to provide over 1000 additional lumens when backing up in a Jeep JL.
The Truck Particle Separator replaces the entire stock intake box, tube & air filter. It uses the stock filter minder, so you can quickly and accurately determine when your filter needs to be serviced. The quick access latches allow the air filter to be changed in less than 60 seconds without needing any tools.
Cube GPS to track your valuable – just pair the CUBE by using the Cube Tracker app scan the barcode or enter the number on the back of your Cube GPS, Activate your subscription and begin tracking. You can use GPS in your car, luggage, dirt bike, and other applications.
Borla’s patented SwitchFire™ eliminates the turbulent center intersection of a standard X-Pipe, design truly blends the combustion pulses from both sides of the engine, while further tuning sound via our breakthrough Polyphonic technology for more aggressive sound and improved power.
APP EV Systems Designs turn-key Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) powertrain conversion kits for owners of internal combustion-powered classic vehicles. These kits have been engineered and validated to OEM specifications. Depending on the application, the APP EV battery capacity ranges from 70 to 84 kWh, for a used vehicle range between 225 and 275 miles.
BRONCO FRONT ANGLE TUBE FENDER BR007T – Bolt On; Angled Tube Style; 5 Inch Tire Coverage; Powder Coated; Matte Black; Steel.
The Boost-Based Pneumatic StraightGate50 takes the Multiple Award Winning eSG50 and simplifies control via a traditional boost-based actuator. The Self-Balancing is pre-fitted with 6 psi springs to the GenV actuator featuring both single & Twin port control.
Acumen XR10 Mirror Dash Cam is a 10-inch full-touch display that encompasses the entire mirror dash cam, providing a view that is wider, brighter, and clearer than the traditional rearview mirror. Built In Dash Camera with front and rear cameras are constantly recording at 1080p.
Dee Zee Bed Mats custom fit your truck’s contours for ultimate coverage. Concerns about trapped water and rust are non-existent since our truck mats use rubber cleats on the underside to facilitate drainage and keep the Bed Mat securely in place.
Legend Multifunctional off-road DVR Recorder, featuring 1080p front and rear recording, integrated switch control system, backup assistance, parking monitoring, and App control. The front camera records 1080p videos at 60fps which gives you the option to capture high-speed actions and produce slow-motion footage. The rear camera shoots 1080p videos at 30fps and provides backup guidelines when you put the gear to reverse. All the footage and pictures are downloadable from the Acumen App, no need to take out the SD card!
Below are four product award winners – a little outside my core but the target here is to look at these and evaluate if their core product innovation can be integrated into other feature applications.
As earlier stated almost all SEMA and AAPEX Awards for improved products targeted for current ICE Vehicles and spare parts business.
- Dee Zee Heavyweight Bed Mats feature: Helps Prevent Cargo Shifting & Damaging Your Truck Bed; Extra Thick .375″ (9.52mm) Nyracord ® Rubber Compound.
- Stinger SR-JK11H Jeep Wrangler JK Stereo Audio Controller
- Patent-Pending integrated upper LED light module for the Ford Bronco
- 30″ Roadster Bellatilt Microsteer Column – Polished Finish
Turning Blind Spot Assistance System by CHIMEI MOTOR ELECTRONICS adds driver assistance in the form of an AI-based monitoring system that enables vehicle operators to make safer turns and lane changes. This system is smart and provides protection regardless of whether the protected object is still, in relative position, relative movement, or is temporarily blocked by a stationary object. The system is active, which means it guides drivers in real-time.
SCRUBBLADE Wiper Blade is designed to cut through more than just water. Using our patented two-part cleaning system, the innovation comes from the leading blade, containing hundreds of raised triangular scrubbers designed to cut through debris for a cleaner, particle-free windshield. The inside trailing blade follows to remove the remaining water and debris for a substantially better wipe. Most windshield wipers are built with only a single squeegee blade, designed to remove water only.
22 Inch LED Light Bar 200W Double Row Spot Flood Combo Off Road Lights Driving Light Fog Light LED Work Light for Truck SUV ATV UTV 4×4 4WD Boat. Improved standard product design.
Bosch TPA 200 has coverage on both direct and indirect TPMS systems and is also able to diagnose and service TPMS sensors and valves, giving workshops the chance to capitalize on MOT opportunities.
AUO Micro LED with Decoration Film for Immersive Automotive Display solutions features high brightness and high contrast, accompanied by high-transmittance patterned optical coating, prevent data interference on the display screen and satisfy wide-ranging smart automotive and home decoration applications. The 2K resolution with 202ppi and 40mm radius 14.6-inch rollable Micro LED display panel, and a smart knob which features 141ppi resolution stretchable touch screen Micro LED panel.
The Alliance MOU with Elan Microelectronics, AU Optronics, Chimei Motor, China Motor, RAC Electric Vehicles, Master Transportation Bus, Tron-e, WPG Holdings’ Silicon Application Corp, and ARTC idea is to combine these capabilities with free-form display technologies, independently develop the smart cockpit industry with relevant technologies, and roll out automotive imagery sensor chips that adhere to global standards for ADAS modules and systems. For the next stage, wider-scale application, the alliance aims to meet the EV Bus and EV Car requirements for smart cockpits, further integrating everything with AI sensor technology inside and outside the cockpit.
Interiors Expo – Stuttgart
Conductors for In-Mold Electronics: DuPont advanced suite of silver-bearing thick film paste conductors to enable in-mold electronic devices. The new ME102, ME604 and ME614 conductors have key advancements to improve thermoformability, conductivity and fine line performance. These offerings enable high productivity and improved mechanical and electrical properties, allowing extended freedom in the electronic design of in-mold electronic devices. These devices include next-generation lidar systems for autonomous driving or touch steering wheels with transparent 3D-shaped surfaces for enhanced user experience.
Conductive Transfer Printable Seat Heating Elements: Positive temperature coefficient ink, which means it is self-regulating, with reflective layer into the stack of ink, with the whole element just 0.1mm thick. The element printed onto a transfer sheet, which can then be heat pressed onto the seat material before the transfer. The use of a reflective layer makes the heating element highly efficient, with its effect felt in a matter of seconds once turned on – thin, light, and very cost-effective.
Invisible Windshield Defrosting Coating: Coating within the laminated glass ensures efficient defrosting / defogging. Heating the glass from the inside ensures a fast result with low energy consumption. For example: deicing in less than 4 minutes at -6°C. Targeted heating of the wiper area is possible, ensuring better safety through longer durability of wiper blades and improved wiping. Heating targeted on other parts of the windshield (sensors, cameras…). Silent electrical de-icing at the touch of a button. Good visibility – ensure efficient defogging in humid conditions all year long. Targeted heating options for wipers.
Light Guiding Optical Systems, to the integration of Human Machine Interface (HMI) sensors and other smart components. This technology portfolio uniquely enables us to create large, interactive areas of uniform light in a thin profile.
Sensor System: Integrated into car interiors to seats or steering wheel for HOD-functionality or to measure accurately force, pressure, and balance, or to other parts of car interiors to replace buttons with HMI touch controller functionality also in elastic environments.
User interface on displays and head-up displays, or data can transfer in other data channels as well.
Full Inkjet Decoration: Using inkjet technology for direct-to-shape coating and graphics printing opens new markets, simplifies production processes, and reduces cost. The precise drop placement of inkjet simplifies the process and material use reduced and enables precise coating of more complex shapes and patterns and customization item by item
Acoustic Systems: Traveling safely by car you will find acoustic signaling devices in every car precisely tailored to the character of the vehicle and make the journey more pleasant and safe. Haptic actuators are also for automotive touch panels – especially for smart panels.
Sustainability: Polypropylene processed for folding and die-cutting processes lends itself to multiple application solutions and could be green solution of significant industrial interest. The core consists of a PP film which is thermoformed in the honeycomb structure and extruded in line, simultaneously heat-sealed with the two external faces, thus forming a sandwich panel (without using any glues).
Chrome-Plated Plastic Touch Parts: Combine the positive properties of injection molded parts with the high-quality appearance of a metal surface. The metal layer is also electrically conductive which gives the metal surface a function. Chrome parts as a control means. It is conceivable to control ambient lighting directly on the component where the light escapes. Furthermore, the controls from air conditioning and heating to window regulators are also other applications.
Touch and Force Sensitivity Designed for almost any surface plyon is our innovative touch and force sensing technology: both its flexibility and stretchability make it unique. Contrary to
other touch and force sensors, it can be bent without resulting in unwanted readouts. plyon is ideal for curved surfaces and applications that require bent sensors. Additionally, plyon is extremely robust and can be produced in different shapes and sizes to adapt to different designs and applications.
SEMA / AAPEX TECHNOLOGY SHOW
Below are few product examples that may be of interest for improvement or feature add in vehicle.
1). Bronco / Silverado High Mount and Vehicle Exterior lightings. Looks very nice but is basic LED other lighting with standard features only.
2). Driver Fatigue Monitoring System: It is a useful product but still needs to have Wellness Features integrated. Assembly design like this with only one feature brings limited value. The one in New Product Section was small and priced low at $99.
3). CUBE GPS Tracker: Designed to track your pets or even other personal items but their basic technology has potential fast in-vehicle integration. The data transfer and other capabilities would make in-vehicle integration easy without complicated vehicle system architecture changes. Placed anywhere in your vehicle track where it goes, gathers GPS, and reports back via cell towers ideal for theft tracking and fleet tracking.
4). Dash Cameras / Driver Fatigue Monitoring Systems: These simple devices are definitely not new Products. These were fairly standard with nor real feature improvement or innovation.
5). 30w Mini Fast USB-C Car Charger: Complete with LED Power Indicator light, four times faster charging than standard in car 5W USB charger with small circuitry.
6). Wireless Charging / Mobile Electronic Product Loaders: Again these products in the new products display area were not really new from feature WOW effect. Still good to investgate and develop solutions targeted for 2022 CY Wireless devices.
7). Exterior Lighting , Tire Rim and Other Exterior Accessories: Certified to ISO-9000, ISO-9001 and ISO-9002 taillights designed for vehicles – the one on display at SEMA wax for Toyota Pickup – impressive. The others are Decorative Monograms and simple Side Marker Light with Bezel. With development of smart surface technology and high performance thin lightguide & LED Assembly the designs should offer more decorative and functional value.
8). Solid State Relay: To power devices like high current motors, electric pumps, nitrous solenoids, actuators and more. Can be with PE3 ECU or standalone unit – has max current capability of 45 Amps with current protection. The external driver can control any on/off or pulse width modulated device that requires up to sixty amps nominal current such as nitrous solenoids, fuel solenoids, or water methanol pumps.
9). Wheel & Related Products and Tires: Universal bolt pattern wheel. Fits most standard cars and light SUV’s with 4 or 5 bolt patterns and a max center hub of 76 mm. Does not require complicated fitting charts. Easily install smart sensors to tires you already own. RF-enabled DUO smart sensors can connect directly with your vehicle ECU without specialized equipment (feature available in 2022), a direct replacement for traditional TPMS sensors.
10). Mini Waste Bin / Steering Wheel Hook / Air Purifier: The mini-waste bin measures 5 ½” tall x 2 ¾” diameter, and fits into any auto, car, truck, boat, golf cart cupholder. It includes a flexible grommet style top, a container body, and a removable bottom for clean out. The plastic top, body and bottom made from recycled materials with any color body.
Steering wheel hook that lets you hook on anything you desire – Designed primarily to secure your steering wheels plus everything else. High graded CNC aluminum for extra durability, 50/50 hook and loop webbing – Perfect for mirrors and roll bars.
Three Stage HEPA filter collects 99.5% of small particles, dust and pollen and neutralizes odors and expels clean, fresh smelling air. Touchless 2-speed fan operates with wave of hand, lightweight aluminum alloy construction, 24W dual port USB car charger powers FrescheAir plus another device and meets California ozone emissions limit. There are new material and LED combinations in addition to UVC LED’s that could also be integrated in the concept.
11). Monochrome Emblems / Carbon Fiber Trim / Relay w/Control Model: Of these three the only one that is innovation / new product is the Kaizen Relay w/Control Module as a solution for high current, solid state switching. The interlocking connections on the side also allow Control Module to attach and instantly convert a standard Kaizen Relay to a CAN triggering relay complete with programmable inputs and outputs. High-current solid-state relay with over current and over temperature protection. Good for huge radiator fans, fuel pumps, nitrous solenoids, heavy current light bars, trans brakes, line locks, electric water pumps and nearly anything else you need to power.
12). Mitsui Plastics Sustainable Materials: A thermoplastic with good impact resistance and chemical resistance that is easy to mold. Often the choice for component housings and other tough applications where impact is important. This resin is a reasonably priced plastic for strong exterior applications. In addition, high gloss product able to withstand weather and protect against mar and scratch damage. And lastly Similar to ABS, ASA has great impact with the added benefit of increased weathering and UV resistance. This is important for applications such as automotive, where long-term, outdoor performance is valued. Low shrink makes this easy to design for injection molding. Can be mixed with other resins to modify properties.
2021 AUTO INTERIORS TECHNOLOGY FEATURE ADD SUMMARY
The paper below summarizes 2021 Interior Innovations and Applications as researched by Design HMI LLC. The target for application must be both for in-vehicle or accessory integration within a 2-to-3-year time. Longer timeline reduces value both to the customer and equally critical, OEM and Integrator.
In addition, the innovations listed below reduce the requirement for vehicle-integrated hardware updates reducing time for in-vehicle integration.
Smart Surfaces, Lighting, Health & Wellness and other innovations and feature applications were the key innovations that I was researching. Target is for technology to bring enhanced value through either feature enhancement or basic cost reduction.
Thermoset Over Molding:
One technology reviewed was unique way to protect electronic devices when integrated into
assembly. Current solutions need several assembly steps, include screws in between seal, metal sleeves, costly conceptual design, low mechanical stiffness, poor resistance to fatigue, creep and dynamic loads coupled with poor heat conductivity.
Thermoset Over Molding is potentially a technology that reduce assembly steps and enhance reliability. In this process the PCB is inside the injection tool, then closed, and injection (over) molding takes place. The molten epoxy resin gradually fills up the cavity while not harming the electronic components.
General benefits of electronic encapsulation (similar to Hot melt and potting) are protection from liquids (e.g., oil, water, etc) protection from dust and protection from elevated temperatures.
Benefits that come only from thermoset over molding are high mechanical stiffness, good heat conductivity (in comparison with technical thermoplastics) > electronics generate heat! And dimensional stability. Over molded electronics can become structural components which leads to reduction of assembly parts, large cost reduction (reduction of production/assembly processes) and multifunctional hybrid components (simultaneously over molding metal inserts and PCBs).
Thermosets for over molding offer complete protection from liquids, dust, and elevated temperatures, but also provide superior mechanical properties and stiffness. Low linear expansion coefficient offers a great basis for over molding of metal inserts. For serial production, this is the most cost-efficient method to completely protect your PCBs against classic automotive operating conditions. Multifunctional hybrid component designs that can drastically reduce the production costs.
Fully Vegan Interior Smart Surfaces:
With future trends like new mobility and autonomous driving the integration of electronic components into innovative surfaces featuring direct back molding, fine (laser) grain, unlimited surface structures such as rigs, metallics, fabric, carbon and, most importantly, using materials with a reduced CO2 footprint. Elements such as touchpads and lighting can be an integral part of the surface, resulting in an entirely new driving experience. Designed for high sensitivity design clearly detects touch through partly thick panels as shown below.
Functional Inks for Flexible Electronics and IME Application – Kinomec™ Functional Inks:
IME helps you create smart or heated surfaces and simplify assembly process, designed to convert rigid semiconductor devices capable of bending and stretching and add functionality to flexible surfaces (seating).
As you know In-Mold Electronics (IME) is a technology that combines an in-mold decorating process with printed electronics using conductive paste sensing, heating, or protection.
Some key benefits are reduced weight with up to 70%, reduction in mechanical buttons and wires, thinner structure with part thickness only 2 mm+, simplification of assembly process through reduced number / time of assembly due to components and simplified design – innovative design with 3D continuous surfaces built into the structure.
Kinomec™ Functional Inks Features are:
- High Conductivity: Resistivity<8×10-5Ω・cm
- Excellent Stretchability
- No breakage after one thousand repetitions of expansion and contraction
- Good Printability
- Wide choice of printing substrates, enabling direct printing on fabric
- Wash Resistant
- Even silver paste alone is wash-resistant
- Biocompatibility（ISO10993-10) and No skin irritation
- Syringes dispense for ease application
- High adhesion strength and flexibility
- Excellent electrical conductivity
- Low temperature curing, less than 100⁰C
- Capable of bio-sensing.
- Particle Size Control
- Control of distribution to combine conductive and stretch performance
- Resin Technology
- Provide high degree of flexibility and softness
- Particle Variety & Different particle shapes.
- Electrical current quickly passes through carbon layer to lower resistance Ag ink for minimal impact on signal integrity
- Offers moisture protection to Ag inks for excellent reliability
- High Elongation, High Water Resistance Properties Protects silver paste and carbon paste to enhance wash resistance
- High Insulation
Kinomec™ stretchable pastes include (1) silver, carbon, and insulating pastes for stretchable wiring at ambient temperature applicable to e-textiles and Flexible-Hybrid Electronics, (2) silver, carbon, insulating pastes for heat molding wiring applicable to In-mold Electronics (IMS), and (3) highly stretchable conductive adhesives to mount other components on these electronic products.
Integrated Lighting Solutions:
Vergason Vacuum Metalizing:
It is being used to produce automotive headlamps, and sophisticated electronic device enclosures and decorative items. They can deposit virtually any metal through vacuum plating for unique color options. Also coat substrates made from glass, metal, or ceramic in addition to plastics. Most plastics today can be coated directly onto the substrate, eliminating the need for primer paints.
Vacuum Metalizing can be broken down into two categories…decorative or functional. The functional coating types are REFLECTIVE and SHIELDING, while the decorative coatings serve only to enhance the appearance of the parts being coated.
Currently there are many functional opportunities like Acrylic coated In-Vehicle Visor Vanity Mirror. An acrylic mirror can be semi-transparent mirror which allows LED Light projected from rear and still provide mirror effect. It relies solely on the lighting conditions to show the mirror side. A 1:2 or better light to dark ratio is recommended. The acrylic mirror is stronger than glass, excellent visibility, resembles regular mirror, works with touch overlay and passes “fingernail” test.
It is a lightweight material that offers superb reflection, similar to that of mirrored glass. At 100 times stronger than glass, this is often used to make safety mirrors in a variety of different industries.
Tajima TLMX Series to Sew Heater Wires.
Equipped with numerous advanced technologies to securely sew abundant materials. Stable sewing at high speed has been achieved. The largest Heater Wire Sewing Machine with 16 heads, can produce 16 pieces at a time. This greatly improves productivity and reduces cost per part. Automation with various options simplifies the processes and increases productivity. Mass production by use of the multi-heads. The largest Heater Wire Sewing Machine with 16 heads, can produce 16 pieces at a time. This greatly improves productivity and reduces cost per part.
Different thickness wires with or without insulation can be sewn using various kinds of attachments. With the Heater Wire Sewing Machine, the conventional wire-laying problems are eliminated. The wire is stitched with a zigzag pattern to allow for expansion and contraction during pressurization and operation. This result in a much more durable and reliable product.
