Johnson Controls develops and supplies LED headliner, rear seat structure recliner and headrests for the Opel ADAM
Engineers and designers at Adam Opel AG and Johnson Controls have reached a milestone with the interior of the new Opel ADAM. The companies jointly developed a headliner that features LED elements that twinkle, similar to stars. This feature, available as optional equipment, is unique for the entry level auto segment in Europe.
“There’s never been anything like it in this segment in production,” said Han Hendriks, vice president of Advanced Product Development Automotive Electronics & Interiors at Johnson Controls. “This starlight sky in the car showcases our commitment to and strength in innovation.”
The features of the new lifestyle-oriented small “A” segment for the Opel ADAM include an unlimited range of options for individualization. For instance, an insert integrated into the headliner allows five different textile cover options, with the variety of headliner designs ranging from single colored, autumn foliage to a checkered flag to stylized clouds in a blue sky. The version with clouds is called “Sky” and at the consumer’s request, 64 LEDs can create an artificial “starlight sky”. This produces an illusion of a starry night when seated in the vehicle. This feature is also available for single-colored versions.
The varying size and brightness of the “stars” contribute significantly to the perception of a night sky in the headliner. “We precisely designed the points of light for this headliner and provided a clear boundary between light and dark,” said Hendriks. The dimmable lighting can be switched on when stopped as well as while on the road since it will not cause glare for the driver. It is controlled using an operating unit integrated into the overhead console.
The extremely flat design of the “starry sky” within the headliner (less than 1 millimeter) is another advantage. The new type of automotive headliner is only visible when switched on and no openings, bumps or recesses can be seen in the LED sky, regardless of whether it is switched on or off. The weight is also comparatively low at only 200 grams, including the wiring.
In addition, power consumption of 4 watts has minimal impact on the energy management of the Opel ADAM compared to a car radio which consumes around 60 watts.
Like the Opel Adam itself, many supplier parts have been developed and produced in Germany. Johnson Controls is manufacturing the headliner for all variants in Überherrn located in Germany’s Saarland region, and delivers them to the Opel plant in Eisenach. Johnson Controls also supplies the front headrests and the reinforced, laser-welded 50/50 split rear seat structure recliners with roll form profiles for the Opel ADAM.
