Automotive connectors are a component that very common for electronic engineering technicians. Its function is very simple: it sets up a bridge of communication between the blocked or isolated circuits in the circuit, so that the current flows and the circuit realizes the predetermined function. The form and structure of automotive connectors are ever-changing. They are mainly composed of four basic structural components, namely: contacts, shells (depending on the types), insulators, and accessories.
Ⅰ Automotive Connectors
There are nearly 100 types of connectors used in general automobiles, and there are hundreds of connectors used in a single model. As people have higher and higher requirements for safety, environmental protection, comfort, and intelligence in automobiles, the application of automotive electronic products is increasing, which make the number of automotive connector applications increase.
Ⅱ Basic Structure
The four basic structural components of automotive connectors, it is these four basic structural components that enable automotive connectors to act as a bridge to make cars run stably.
First, the contact piece is the core part of the automobile connector to complete the electrical connection function. Generally, a contact pair is composed of a male contact piece and a female contact piece, because the electrical connection is completed by the insertion of two parts.
The male contact is a rigid part, and its shape is cylindrical (round pin), square column (square pin) or flat (insert). The male contacts are generally made of brass and phosphor bronze. The female contact piece is the jack, which is the key part of the contact pair. It relies on the elastic structure to elastically deform when it is inserted into the pin to generate elastic force to form close contact with the male contact piece to complete the connection. There are many types of jack structures, including cylindrical type (split slot, necking), tuning fork type, cantilever beam type (longitudinal slotting), folding type (longitudinal slotting), box type (square jack) and hyperboloid wire spring jacks, etc.
Second, the shell, is the outer cover of the automotive connector. It provides mechanical protection for the built-in insulating mounting plate and pins, and provides alignment when the plug and socket are inserted, thereby fixing the connector to the device.
Third, insulators, are also often referred to as automobile connector bases or inserts. Its function is to arrange the contacts according to the required position and spacing, and to ensure the insulation performance with the shell. Good insulation resistance, withstand voltage performance and ease of processing are the basic requirements for selecting insulating materials to be processed into insulators.
Fourth, accessories, are divided into the structural part and the installation part. Structural accessories such as retaining rings, positioning keys, positioning pins, guide pins, coupling rings, cable clamps, sealing rings, gaskets, etc. Mounting accessories such as screws, nuts, spring rings, etc. Most of the accessories have standard parts and general parts.
Ⅲ Design Criteria
With the rapid development of the automobile industry, various functional parts and various components on the automobile are constantly developing in the direction of intelligence, refinement and reliability. The structural design, appearance design and material of automobile connectors are also proposed. higher requirement. Automotive connectors must meet the USCAR-20 standard, which is the performance standard of automotive electrical connector systems. It is necessary to stipulate that the electrical connector contact surface of automotive connectors should always be reliable throughout the service cycle, including the following factors:
1) The material of the connector contacts is stable and reliable.
2) Positive force stability.
3) The voltage and current of the circuit are stable.
4) The temperature requirements are within the specified range, including the surrounding temperature and its own temperature rise.
5) Better robustness.
6) It must be the same as the connector used for high-speed and long-distance communication computers, and the automotive connector must be able to work reliably under harsh conditions.
7) Connector insertion force: below 20.5kg
8) Connector retention force: 2.5kg or more
9) Heat resistance: -40~120℃
