Connectors, as key components for connecting current or signals, are also an important part of industrial systems. From large devices like airplanes and rockets to small items like mobile phones and televisions, connectors appear in various forms, bridging circuits or other components and fulfilling the function of connecting current or signals.
A connector, also known as a plug or socket, generally refers to an electrical connector, a device that connects two active devices to transmit current or signals.
Connectors are a component frequently encountered by electronic engineers. Their function is very simple: to bridge gaps in a circuit or between isolated circuits, allowing current to flow and enabling the circuit to perform its intended function. Connectors are indispensable components in electronic devices; following the path of current flow, you will always find one or more connectors.
Connector forms and structures are highly diverse. Depending on the application, frequency, power, and environment, various types of connectors exist. For example, the connectors used for stadium lighting, hard drive connectors, and rocket ignition connectors are very different. However, regardless of the type of connector, it must ensure a smooth, continuous, and reliable flow of current. More broadly, connectors connect more than just electrical current. In today's rapidly developing optoelectronic technology, in fiber optic systems, light is the carrier of signals, and glass and plastic replace the wires in ordinary circuits. However, connectors are still used in optical signal paths, serving the same function as circuit connectors.
The invention of connectors originated from fighter jet manufacturing technology. Aircraft in battle must refuel and repair on the ground, and the time spent on the ground is a crucial factor in the outcome of a battle. Therefore, during World War II, the US military was determined to reduce ground maintenance time and increase the combat time of fighter jets.
They first modularized various control instruments and components, and then connected them into a complete system using connectors. During repairs, the faulty unit was disassembled, replaced with a new one, and the aircraft could immediately take off for combat. After the war, AT&T Bell Labs successfully developed the Bell Telephone System. The subsequent rise of industries such as computers and communications provided more development opportunities for connectors, which originated from stand-alone technology, and the market expanded rapidly.