Issue link: https://te.mouser.com/i/1349209
Automotive Connector Strategies and Solutions for Space Saving Page 4 TE AUTOMOTIVE /// White Paper | Automotive Connector Strategies and Solutions for Space Savings 2 | HOW MINIATURIZED INTERCONNECTION PLATFORMS ENABLE INNOVATION These industry and technology trends necessitate next-generation miniaturized interconnection platforms to save space, preserve fuel efficiency, and ensure performance. To ensure automotive-grade robustness, all connectors and components must meet global OEM specifications such as LV214 and USCAR2. For- tunately, such solutions are already available on the market. This paper examines TE Connectivity's (TE) solutions that enable space saving within vehicle electrical wiring architectures, highlighting NanoMQS terminals and connectors, the smaller variant of the highly successful MQS family, and MCON 0.50 interconnectors, its 'clean body' counterpart. In addition, the paper examines the specific crimping challenges and requirements for smaller wires as well as the chal- lenge of metallic whisker growth on high-density PCB pin connections. 3 | INTRODUCING TE SOLUTIONS FOR MINIATURIZED AUTOMOTIVE CONNECTIVITY TE's original MQS interconnection system was launched more than 20 years ago. It has become one of the most successful automo- tive interconnection solutions in the industry, due to its 2.54 mm pitch for high-packaging den- sity and highly robust automo- tive-grade design, featuring two locking levels. The system is used by nearly every European vehicle manufacturer and numerous oth- ers globally. Over the years, the MQS plat- form has been expanded with the introduction of the Micro-power Quadlok (MpQ) and the power Quadlok (pQ) series to carry higher currents (Figure 1). 4 | AN OVERVIEW OF NanoMQS TERMINALS AND CONNECTORS: DESIGN AND TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS Based on the MQS terminals design, NanoMQS interconnec- tion system was launched to address manufacturers' need to miniaturize electronic compo- nents such as ECUs and PCBs. The NanoMQS interconnection system incorporates miniaturized terminals (contacts), connectors, and headers to address dense vehicle electronics. Figure 1. MQS Product Family Figure 2. NanoMQS terminal