Seat-adjustment switch

Process chain for production of the seat-adjustment switch in hot-embossing technology... 

FIGURE 9.15 Seat-adjustment switch for the automotive industry, manufactured by hot embossing (graphics courtesy of 2E mechatronic)... 

Mercedes-Benz uses this seat-adjustment switch in its S and M class models. Technological Aspects... 

In 2004, the seat-adjustment switch was the first hot-emboss MID used in series production inside the passenger compartment of a luxury-class automobile. The application continues in series production today. Once the line for hot-emboss MID had been set up, this product development marked the start of series production of MID for the 2E mechatronic company in 2004. 

Some of the main applications for POM in electrical systems include mountings and brackets for lamp reflectors, gear trains for helical window lift gears, interior input control switches such as multi-function turn signal switches and master light control units, seat adjustment systems, climate control systems and door lock systems. Polyacetals are particularly valued in these applications for their chemical and high temperature resistance, dimensional stability and low wear and friction (gear trains). 

In presence of certain substances, the phase transition temperature of thermo-sensitive hydrogels is altered. This phenomenon is used to design electrothermi-cally adjustable hydrodynamic microtransistors, which are also called chemostat microvalves (Richter et al. 2007a). The valve seat of the device (Fig. 14a) is tempered by a heater and an integrated temperature sensor is used for a closed-loop control. The volume phase transition temperature of PNIPAAm decreases with increasing alcohol content in water (Fig. 14b, solid symbols). Therefore, each critical alcohol concentration or volume phase transition correlates with one characteristic isotherm. Tempered at a particular isotherm the valve switches at a certain concentration (Fig. 14b, open symbols). 

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