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21
Applications
Inconspicuous and yet indispensable
Greater precision with the new mass air flow sensor from Siemens VDO
Air is not the same everywhere –
the air density varies depending
on whether you are on the top of
a mountain, in the lowlands or at sea level.
It is not only humans who notice this; air
changes also affect engine combustion.
After all, the number of air molecules needed
for optimal fuel combustion varies, for
instance, as a function of the geographic
location. But to ensure consistent quality in
regulating performance, a so-called mass
air flow sensor is needed. It is an inconspicuous
and yet indispensable element in
every modern car. This sensor measures
the volume of air drawn in by the engine,
so that the engine’s electronic system can
then precisely calculate the quantity of fuel
needed and transmit this information to the
fuel-injection system. This is the only way
to attain optimal fuel combustion, in other
words, with high performance, low emissions
and reduced engine load.
Ultradur ®
in the mass air flow sensor
Siemens VDO Automotive AG has professional
expertise in the realm of mass air
flow sensors. This company, which is a
supplier to the automotive industry in the
electric, electronic and mechatronic realms,
has already produced more than ten million
mass air flow sensors. Siemens VDO has
now launched an innovative mass air flow
Air flow sensors ensure optimal fuel combustion.
sensor (SIMAF) and is already serially producing
it for two major car makers.
Ultradur ® , a PBT manufactured by BASF, is
part of this equation. The most important
plastic components that go into the SIMAF
mass air flow sensor are made of this engineering
plastic since properties such as
dimensional stability, resistance to various
media and heat deformation resistance are
of paramount importance under the engine
hood.
High level of
measuring accuracy
The new sensor entails several advantages:
it separates the measuring function
from an integrated plugging function so
that it can be adapted to a wide array of
engines and intake geometries. If so
desired, it can also be integrated directly
into the air filter housing. The measuring
device consists of three compact parts that
are joined together, namely, the central carrier
for the electronic sensor, a snap-on
cover to protect the electronic components
and the flow channel. The latter is made of
uncolored Ultradur ® and is laser-welded to
the sensor carrier so as to be precisely
positioned without mechanical stress. This
type of air flow configuration yields an even
more accurate measurement, not least
because the flow channel is made of a particularly
dimensionally stable plastic.
Another plus point is the fact that the
sensor is considerably smaller and more
compact than its predecessors and is well
protected against dirt.
www.basf.de/ultradur
Your contact person at BASF:
Reinhard Stransky
Phone: +49 621 60-99621