Development of automotive electronics has increased the number and need for reliable connectors. The increasing number of connectors is accompanied by a shortage of space in the engine compartment and instrument panel, and increasing circuit pitch for PCB-type circuits. The need for low insertion force per terminal to maintain modest housing assembly force conflicts with contact force requirements for signal or power or for minimizing fretting when coupled to 10G accelerating vibration. Miniaturization amplifies connector fabrication problems. Engine temperatures reaching 160 Cel, increasing use of road salts, and high pressure car washing create an increasingly hostile environment. These trends require connector substrate materials with better combinations of formability, deflection characteristics, and conductivity; resistance to stress relaxation, corrosion and stress corrosion; and compatibility with coatings. Coatings must withstand temperature and corrosive environment and not increase insertion force. At the same time, the coating must limit and withstand fretting, maintain low contact resistance, and be compatible with substrate materials.
Recent environmental demands on automotive connectors
Umweltanforderungen an Kontakte für die Autoelektronik
1991
12 Seiten, 19 Bilder, 5 Quellen
Conference paper
English
Combined environmental test method for automotive connectors
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