A connector is a bridge connecting electronic circuits
A connector is a connecting bridge in electronic circuits and is an essential basic electronic component that constitutes the entire electronic equipment. As a node, the role of a connector is to transmit current or optical signals between devices, components, equipment, and subsystems independently or together with cables, to achieve the connection, disconnection, or conversion of current or optical signals, and to maintain no signal distortion or energy loss between the systems.
There are many ways to classify connectors, and each manufacturer has their own classification methods and standards. According to the different transmission media, connectors can be divided into electrical connectors, microwave RF connectors, optical connectors, and fluid connectors. Different types of connectors correspond to different functions and applications.
Different types of connectors achieve different functions, resulting in differences in design and manufacturing requirements. Generally speaking, electrical connectors must meet the requirements of good contact and reliable operation. Among them, high-power power transmission also requires low contact resistance, high current carrying capacity, low temperature rise, and high electromagnetic compatibility performance; The transmission of high-speed data signals requires good circuit impedance continuity, low crosstalk, low latency, and high signal integrity. In addition to the reliability requirements for contact, microwave RF connectors have strict requirements for impedance design and compensation, and need to meet performance requirements such as insertion loss, return loss, phase, and third-order intermodulation. Fiber optic connectors have strict requirements for the alignment accuracy of components, therefore they require high processing accuracy, cleanliness, and accurate positioning of contact parts.
Connectors are usually composed of insulators, contacts, shells, and accessories
A conventional connector generally consists of four components: insulator, contact, housing, and accessories. The insulator is the main component of the entire connector, usually made of plastic material, which determines the external dimensions and positioning of each part of the connector. Its functions include electrical insulation between terminals, fixing the geometric position of the end to facilitate insertion and dimensional stability, providing mechanical protection and support for terminals, isolating terminals from the application environment to reduce sensitivity to corrosion. The contact piece is the core component of the connector that completes the electrical connection function, also known as the contact terminal. It is generally composed of a male contact piece and a female contact piece to form a contact pair, and the electrical connection is completed through the insertion and closing of the female and male contacts. Male terminals are generally made of brass material, which has good conductivity but poor elasticity. Female terminals are generally made of phosphor copper material, which has poor conductivity but good elasticity. The shell is the outer cover of the connector, and accessories are divided into structural accessories and installation accessories.
The various products in the connector manufacturing industry are based on different standards, which require a high degree of compatibility between design and actual manufacturing processes, as well as a high degree of matching between research and development design capabilities and production and processing processes. Therefore, the production processes of various manufacturers are slightly different, but generally similar.
The cost of raw materials accounts for nearly 70% of the production cost of connectors
Direct costs account for nearly 70% of the cost required for producing connectors. Taking Ruikeda and Huafeng Technology as examples, according to the prospectus, direct materials accounted for 69.11% and 68.34% of the main business costs of Ruikeda and Huafeng Technology in 2020, respectively.
The raw materials for connectors are mainly structural components, metal materials, plastic materials, and wires, but different manufacturers have slightly different raw material cost structures due to the different types of connectors they mainly produce. Taking Ruikeda as an example, according to its prospectus, in 2020, the proportion of raw materials purchased by Ruikeda from external sources was 42.3% for structural components, 16.9% for metal raw materials, 15.09% for plastic materials, and 11.01% for wire rods. Among them, structural components mainly include shells, pin sockets, etc; Metal raw materials mainly include copper, alloy materials, etc; Plastic materials mainly include plastic parts, plastic particles, etc; Wire mainly includes cables, electronic wires, etc.
