Leoni, the leading European provider of cables and cable systems to the automotive sector and other industries, has announced in IAA its design of an LED component for ambient in-vehicle lighting for integration into a range of wiring systems. The proof-of-concept design will mean customers no longer need to complete mounting and fixing work for the integrated components on the assembly line, with a consequent reduction in logistics expenditure.
With a cable length of approx. 2,500 m, the cable harness is not only the largest component but also connects all of the consumers throughout the entire vehicle. This also makes the cable harness suitable as a mounting point and assembly aid for sensors, small actuators and transmitters. Leoni has supplied a wide range of cable harnesses with these kinds of integrated functions for many years now. These are valued by an increasing number of customers, since they receive an optimal and efficient integrated solution from a single source.
Leoni is now developing a proof of concept for LED lighting components that form an integral part of the cable harness and are designed to comply with requirements for quantity-driven electronics components. The design needs to be both standardised and future-proof. Decisive benefits are offered to the customer in the form of component reduction, lower weight, smaller installation space and shorter processes in the assembly of the integrated components.
The LED component provides optimal ambient lighting and can be deployed anywhere in the vehicle interior. Cable harness modules and miniature cable harnesses are especially suited for door, roof, cockpit or seat integration, for example.
More benefits – less logistics
Logistics is one of the largest cost factors for vehicle manufacturers. Today, components have been installed separately and then connected to the cable harness individually, so each component needs its own logistics. In the future, Leoni plans to further optimise the logistics flow by supplying the pre-assembled cable harness with its integrated functional components to the customer directly.
Proof of concept for a compatible LED lighting component – on display at Stand C37 in Hall 13.