The basic structural components of a connector include: contacts, insulators, and a housing (depending on the type).
1. Contacts
These are the core components of a connector that enable electrical connection. They generally consist of a male and a female contact pair, and the electrical connection is achieved through the mating of the male and female contacts.
The male contact is a rigid component, and its shape can be cylindrical (round pin), square (square pin), or flat (plate). Male contacts are generally made of brass or phosphor bronze.
The female contact, or socket, is the key component of the contact pair. It relies on its elastic structure to deform elastically when mated with the pin, generating elastic force to form a tight contact with the male contact, thus completing the connection. There are many types of socket structures, including cylindrical (slotted, reduced-width), tuning fork, cantilever beam (longitudinal slot), folded (longitudinal slot, figure-9 shape), box-shaped (square socket), and hyperboloid spring sockets, etc.
2. Insulator
The insulator, also often called the base or insert, serves to arrange the contacts in the required positions and spacing, and ensures insulation between contacts and between contacts and the housing. Good insulation resistance, withstand voltage, and ease of processing are fundamental requirements for selecting insulating materials to manufacture the insulator.
3. Housing
Also called the shell, it is the outer cover of the connector. It provides mechanical protection for the internal insulating mounting plate and pins, and ensures alignment during plug and socket mating, thus securing the connector to the equipment.
4. Accessories
Accessories are divided into structural accessories and mounting accessories. Structural accessories include retaining rings, locating keys, locating pins, guide pins, connecting rings, cable clamps, sealing rings, and gaskets. Mounting accessories include screws, nuts, threaded rods, and spring coils. Most accessories have standard and general-purpose parts.
a. One of the male or female contacts is flexible. The interconnection of the contacts can be used to ensure circuit connection.
b. The terminal portion of the contact has a wiring structure that facilitates the installation of wires or printed circuit boards. This includes structures for soldering, encapsulation, clamping, and through-hole soldering.
c. The contact is fixed in the correct position within the insulator, which maintains the voltage insulation resistance between the contacts.
d. It has a coupling structure that facilitates the insertion or disengagement of the contact and prevents displacement under vibration or impact.