Continental’s plant in Arminiusstrasse, Dortmund has produced the 60 millionth ‘magnetic passive position sensor’ (MAPPS). It is the key element in high-quality systems for gauging the fuel tank level in automobiles. It is scarcely longer than a matchstick, as wide as a two-cent piece, and only half a centimeter thick. The liquid-tight casing renders it completely corrosion-proof – regardless of the composition of the fuel. Conventional open systems are protected from corrosion by means of special alloys tailored to deal with the respective region’s fuel types and the sulfur, ethanol, or methanol content in them. The MAPPS, however, is equally suitable for all fuel types and can be used on a large scale. Its hermetic encapsulation also shields the fuel in it from contamination caused by particles or water.
“Thanks to these special qualities, we now supply the sensor to major automotive manufacturers worldwide for installation primarily in premium vehicles,” says Markus Distelhoff, head of Continental’s global fuel supply business unit headquartered in Dortmund. This business unit supports Continental’s worldwide locations that include the development of new manufacturing technologies, running trials on production and testing of equipment, training of employees from the international production network, and providing on-site assistance at plants starting up new production lines.
Vehicle integration is usually combined with other Continental components. Distelhoff explains, “As the manufacturer of the MAPPS, we have the opportunity to optimally integrate the fuel level measurement’s sensor function into a complete fuel supply system.”
