Automobile connector is a component that electronic engineers and technicians often contact. Its role is very simple: in the circuit is blocked or isolated between the circuit, set up a bridge of communication, so that the current flow, so that the circuit to achieve the intended function. The form and structure of automobile connectors are ever-changing. They are mainly composed of four basic structural components: contact parts, shell (depending on the type), insulator and accessories.

Automobile connector is a component that our electronic engineers and technicians often contact. Its role is very simple: in the circuit is blocked or isolated between the circuit, set up a bridge of communication, so that the current flow, so that the circuit to achieve the intended function. The form and structure of automobile connectors are ever-changing. They are mainly composed of four basic structural components: contact parts, shell (depending on the type), insulator and accessories.

First, contact parts are the core parts of automotive connectors to complete the electrical connection function. Generally, the contact pair is composed of positive contacts and negative contacts, and the electrical connection is completed by the insertion of negative and positive contacts.

Automobile Connector

Automobile Connector

Positive contact parts are rigid parts, and their shapes are cylindrical (circular insert needle), square (square insert needle) or flat (insert piece). Positive contacts are usually made of brass and phosphorus bronze. Negative contact parts, namely sockets, are the key parts of contact pairs. They rely on the elastic deformation of the elastic structure when they are inserted into the pin to form a close contact between the elastic force and the positive contact parts and complete the connection. There are many kinds of sockets, such as cylindrical (slot, contraction), tuning fork, cantilever beam (longitudinal slot), folded (longitudinal slot, 9-shaped), box (square slot) and hyperboloid linear spring sockets.

Second, the shell, also known as the shell, is the outer cover of the automobile connector. It provides mechanical protection for the internal insulation mounting plate and pin, and provides the alignment of plugs and sockets when they are plugged in, thereby fixing the connector to the equipment.

Thirdly, insulators, also known as base or insert of automobile connector, are used to arrange the contacts according to the required positions and spacing, and to ensure the insulation performance between the contacts and between the contacts and the outer shell. Good insulation resistance, voltage resistance and easy processing are the basic requirements for selecting insulating materials to be processed into insulators.

Fourth, the annex, the annex sub-structure annex and installation annex. Structural accessories such as clamps, positioning keys, positioning pins, guide pins, connection rings, cable clamps, sealing rings, gaskets, etc. Installation accessories such as screw, nut, screw, spring coil, etc. Most of the accessories have standard parts and general parts.

It is these four basic structural components that enable automobile connectors to act as bridges and operate steadily.

Design standard

With the rapid development of automotive industry, all kinds of functional parts and components on automobiles are constantly developing towards intelligence, refinement and reliability, and higher requirements are put forward for the structural design, appearance design and materials of automotive connectors.

Automobile connectors must conform to the USCAR-20 standard, which is the performance standard of automobile electrical connector system. It stipulates that the contact surface of automobile electrical connectors should be reliable throughout the life cycle, including the following factors:

1. Material stability and reliability of connector contacts

2. Forward Force Stability

3. Voltage and Current Stability of Circuits

4. Temperature requirements should be within the prescribed range, including ambient temperature and temperature rise of oneself.

5. Better robustness

6. Connectors for high-speed and long-distance communication computers must be the same. Automotive connectors must be able to work reliably in harsh conditions.

7. Connector insertion force: below 20.5 kg;

8. Connector retention force: 2.5 kg or more;

9. Heat Resistance: -40-120 C

Developing trend

At present, the global automotive connector industry accounts for about 15%, and it is expected that in the future, driven by automotive electronic products, it will occupy a larger proportion. In terms of product cost structure, the average cost of connectors per vehicle in China is only a few hundred yuan. The cost of connectors per vehicle in China is about 125 to 150 dollars compared with that in other countries. There is still great potential for the development of China's automobile connector market. Each car will use 600-1,000 electronic connectors in the future, far more than the number used today.

China is expected to become an important manufacturing base for automobile connectors in the future. In addition to the existing first-line well-known international factories, other manufacturers who have not yet gone to China to set up factories will gradually establish production bases in China to supply local automotive components manufacturers because of the continuous improvement of local demand, localized procurement, cost advantages and other factors.

Therefore, in the future, China's automotive plug-in industry will be a highly competitive market for foreign-funded enterprises and Chinese local enterprises. With the development of foreign-funded enterprises and local enterprises, China will become one of the important producing countries of automobile connectors. It remains to be seen who will become the hegemony of China's automotive connectors in the future among local enterprises, foreign-funded enterprises and foreign-funded enterprises.