The "green" trend is driving the automotive relay to accelerate the electronicization

Automotive solid-state relays (SSRs) are expected to completely replace mechanical relays. With the rise of energy-saving and emission-reduction concepts, American and European auto brands are gradually using solid-state relays to replace traditional mechanical relays in switching power supply systems, in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, reduce vehicle weight, and bring safer and more comfortable driving experience.

Jerome Py, senior marketing manager of Infineon Technologies' automotive semiconductor Asia Pacific regional center, said that driven by the demand for energy conservation and emission reduction, automotive solid-state relays will completely replace mechanical relays.

Jerome Py, senior marketing manager of Infineon's automotive semiconductor Asia Pacific regional center, said that European automotive regulations have stipulated that automobile carbon dioxide emissions cannot exceed 130 grams per kilometer since 2012. Currently, many high-end car models cannot meet this standard. However, if the mechanical relays of the switching power supply system are replaced with solid-state relays, the power consumption can be reduced from 200 milliamperes (mA) to 3mA, which will help reduce carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore, solid-state relays have gradually gained favor with Tier 1 relay manufacturers and car manufacturers.

On the other hand, since a relay box contains ten to fifteen relays, automobile brands are mostly reluctant to completely replace the relay box with an embedded electronic system due to cost and manufacturing complexity considerations. Solid-state relays still use the appearance and packaging of mechanical relays and are simple and independent electronic subsystems that can be directly inserted into the relay box, making the mechatronic system more efficient. They have now been introduced by many American and European car manufacturers.

At the same time, the current service life of mechanical relays is about 100,000 times, while the number of switching and starting times of solid-state relays can be up to one million times. In addition to increasing the service life of the vehicle's main switch system, as well as switch systems such as wipers and doors, the electrification of the switch system can minimize the operating noise of wipers and doors, which can increase the reliability of the system as well as the convenience and comfort of users.

According to Py analysis, the global annual automobile shipment volume is about 80 million units, and an average of 10 to 20 relays are required to be installed in one car. It is estimated that the total demand for solid-state relays in the future will reach 16 billion units. Based on the multiple ongoing projects of relay manufacturers and car manufacturers, the solid-state relay market will grow rapidly in the next 2 to 3 years.

Aiming at the business opportunities brought by the electrification of automotive systems, Infineon will launch a solid-state relay product series for automotive master switch systems and electric windows, wipers and other application markets, and is expected to start mass production next year. Py emphasized that the new generation of solid-state relays has extremely low on-resistance and can switch load currents up to 30A, which is very competitive in the market.

In addition, Infineon has 40 years of experience in the field of automotive electronics and has its own advanced process technology and manufacturing plants. Its newly launched solid-state relay can integrate over-current, over-temperature protection and relay diagnostic functions at one time, and can further reduce the size. Through this product, the company is expected to expand its market share in the automotive field.