AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Aug. 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Siemens VDO
Automotive's innovative headlight washer systems literally are popping up on
vehicle bumpers. The innovative high-pressure system allows original
equipment manufacturer (OEM) customers to explore and utilize next-generation
automotive Xenon and high-intensity discharge (HID) lighting technology, while
meeting European headlight safety requirements.
"Due to the type of plastic used in Xenon and HID lenses, traditional
wiper solutions can scratch and score the headlight," said Siemens VDO
Automotive Business Development Manager Andreas Reger. "Our system employs a
high-pressure spray solution that blasts road grime away. This keeps
headlight lenses clean under all conditions allowing vehicle manufacturers to
meet European lighting safety requirements."
European law requires vehicles with Xenon or HID lights to have headlight
washing systems capable of cleaning off dirt that can diffract light and blind
oncoming traffic.
The Siemens VDO Automotive solution utilizes the industry's first
telescoping nozzle that employs an electronic actuator to retract to fit flush
with the bumper surface. A pump driven by a DC motor delivers large
quantities of washer fluid at high pressure to the headlight nozzles. The
fluid strikes the headlight lens evenly due to the vertical movement of the
telescoping nozzle, cleaning with a single approximate 0.7 to 1.5 second
burst.
In conjunction with the vertical movement, patented fluidic chips mounted
on top of the telescopic nozzles produce a meandering fluid jet pattern
enabling the high-pressure spray to clean almost the entire surface of the
headlight lens. The fluidic chips can be adapted to suit any headlight model
and make.
Compared to conventional halogen units, HID lights have a styling
advantage, offer twice the illumination, are more cost effective to replace,
allow for finer tuning of the beam pattern and require less operating power.
With the help of Siemens VDO Automotive headlight washer systems, European
customers now are better positioned to use HID lighting systems on future
vehicle designs.
The use of HID lighting on European vehicle applications is projected to
grow to approximately 65 percent over the next two years, which is likely to
translate to increased adoption by the North American market, where it only
accounts for six percent of the headlight market.
"Siemens VDO Automotive has extensive expertise in the design and delivery
of high pressure washer system pumps," said Reger. "Our washer system
products boast more than 30 years of innovation and precision applications."
Siemens VDO Automotive headlight washer systems today are available on
several European passenger vehicles, such as the Volkswagen Phoeton.
Siemens VDO Automotive is a tier-one supplier of automotive
electronic/electrical systems and components with applications covering
gasoline and diesel powertrain systems, safety and chassis systems, body
electronics and interior and infotainment. Worldwide sales reflecting partial
fiscal year 2000/2001 totaled $5.0 billion.
On January 1, 2002, Siemens Automotive Corp. and VDO North America merged
to form Siemens VDO Automotive in the United States. Additional information
can be found on the company's web site at http://www.usa.siemensvdo.com .
Siemens AG (NYSE: SI), headquartered in Munich, is a leading global
electronics and engineering company. It employs more than 450,000 people in
193 countries and reported worldwide sales in excess of $72.7 billion in
fiscal 2001 (10/1/00 - 9/30/01).
The United States is Siemens' largest market, with 77,000 employees and
sales of more than $18.9 billion in fiscal 2001. Siemens is a leading
provider of advanced technology solutions in the information and
communications, medical, power, automation and control, transportation and
lighting sectors, and leverages its global network of innovation and
unparalleled technological heritage to deliver business results for Siemens'
customers around the globe. For more information about Siemens in the U.S.,
go to http://www.usa.siemens.com .
SOURCE Siemens VDO Automotive
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Related links:
http://www.usa.siemensvdo.com
CONTACT:
Brad Warner of Siemens VDO Automotive,
+1-248-209-5826, brad.warner@at.siemens.com
NOTE TO EDITORS: Corresponding high-resolution artwork for this
innovative product can be found on the Internet at
http://www.usa.siemensvdo.com .
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