FEATURE INTERCONNECTION
Benefits of blind mate connectors
stable connection. There are various connector types
available with blind mating options, including power and/or signal connectors with either cable or board mount options, connectors with multi-pin arrangement between racks and panels, optical connectors, and RF connectors. Blind mate connectors are also available in various orientations, including wire-to- board, board-to-board and wire-to- wire.
WHEN ARE BLIND MATE CONNECTORS BEST FOR THE JOB? Blind mate connectors are a popular choice in a variety of mission-critical applications. From medical equipment to electric power transmission systems and military radar equipment, they excel in any situation where the receptacle is hidden or recessed so that it is difficult to see or reach. This includes the back of an interface card plugged into a chassis and other “black box” installations. Using blind mate connectors provides
Electrical connectors are often mated in situations where they are hard to see or difficult to reach. Combined with the fact that they are challenging to use in harsh environment applications, installation and maintenance times are longer, leading to increased costs. Here Shaun Findley, European director of product and purchasing at PEI-Genesis, discusses how blind mate connectors can help engineers address these challenges
B
lind mate connectors achieve a connection through a sliding or
snapping action or by using guide pins, without the use of special tools. Unlike other connector types, many blind mate connectors have self-aligning features that correct small misalignments when mating and help guide the connectors into the correct mating position. This feature is quite different from the more rigid coupling mechanisms found on threaded or bayonet couplings, reducing
8 APRIL 2021 | ELECTRONICS
the chance of connector damage and preventing problematic errors caused by incorrect mating. Since users might not be able to see if
the connectors are correctly mated, blind mate connectors can provide auditory confirmation to give the user confidence that the connection is properly achieved. Again, this is a significant improvement from merely hoping that a reliable connection was made, especially when the application depends heavily on a
several key benefits, including reduced production, installation and maintenance costs, shorter assembly times and a minimal impact on the size and weight of designs. Furthermore, using blind mate connectors typically results in fewer mismated connections. This is invaluable in mission-critical applications where any unplanned downtime is disastrous. It’s important to remember that blind
mate connectors are also designed to be extremely durable. If mistreatment occurs, they remain reliable and continue to perform as expected. PEI-Genesis understands the
frustrations of trying to mate connectors in hard to reach, hidden situations. It also knows that the ability to achieve a stable, reliable and correct connection is crucial to any design, whether you are engineering downhole test equipment for the oil and gas industry or power and data connections essential to an autonomous vehicle’s safety. The company’s design team is well equipped to help you find the right blind mate interconnect solution for your application.
PEI-Genesis
http://www.peigenesis.com / ELECTRONICS
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46
