Latest Car News From DIGIADS

Latest Car News

New Car Review Areas

General Car Topics

DENSO Develops Smaller, Lighter, Less-expensive Front-end Module for the "i"-Mitsubishi's Light Vehicle


February 2006
 Filed under: MITSUBISHI Car News | MITSUBISHI Headlines
TOKYO -DENSO Corporation, together with Mitsubishi Motor Corporation, has developed a smaller, lighter, and less-expensive front-end module (FEM) for the Mitsubishi "i," the light vehicle with the 660 cc displacement engine launched this month in Japan.
The new FEM contains the carrier, radiator, air conditioning condenser, washer tank, electric fan, motor, and duct. It is approximately 30 percent smaller in volume and 20 percent lighter in weight, as well as lower in cost compared to the size and cost of conventional components when not combined as an FEM.

In 2002, DENSO developed a light-weight, highly rigid resin-based carrier, made from a polypropylene material reinforced with long-fiber glass, for FEMs. For this carrier, DENSO used a polypropylene material with a lower density than that used in the previous model, and modified the shape of the carrier to achieve further reductions in weight and cost while maintaining sufficient strength.

The headlamp is conventionally attached to the carrier, fender and the headlamp bracket, which is included to the carrier. For the new FEM, DENSO developed a structure where the headlamp can be attached to the carrier and fender without the headlamp bracket while maintaining sufficient hold of the headlamp. As a result, DENSO was able to reduce size of the carrier.

Through its past experience in developing FEMs, DENSO has minimized the space between the radiator, condenser, and electric fan in the new FEM. And by optimizing the structure of the entire front-end module, DENSO was able to increase the efficiency of the heat exchanger; something that was not possible through improvements on individual components. This resulted in the size and weight reduction of the entire module.

"DENSO will continue its efforts to develop FEMs suitable for a wide range of vehicles," said Hikaru Sugi, managing officer in charge of DENSO's Thermal Systems Business Group.

DENSO Corporation, headquartered in Kariya, Aichi prefecture, Japan, is a leading global supplier of advanced technology, systems and components. Its customers include all the world's major carmakers. Worldwide, the company employs 104,000 people in 31 countries and regions, including Japan. Consolidated global sales for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005 totaled US$26.2 billion. DENSO common stock is traded on the Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya stock exchanges. For more information, go to www.globaldenso.com or visit our media website at www.densomediacenter.com.

Source: Denso

Latest MITSUBISHI Headlines

Latest Car News

All images courtesy of and copyright their respective manufacturers, unless otherwise indicated. They may not be reproduced or retransmitted in any way without the express written permission of their respective owners. All trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Model news and specifications are presented as provided by manufacturer, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of DIGIADS. No warranty is made by DIGIADS with respect to the accuracy or timeliness of the information contained herein.
Copyright © 2000-2024 DIGIADS Australia All Rights Reserved. Contact Us
Designated trademarks and brands are the property of their respective owners. Use of this Web site constitutes acceptance of the DIGIADS Privacy Policy and User Agreement. 		Loading...