Influence of vibration on connector sliding mode and amplitude

In this paper, the relation between vibration and sliding motion of connector terminals is investigated. Direct measurement of the amplitude of sliding move in connectors is difficult when the electrical devices are running. This study aims to obtain a proper estimation of the sliding mode and amplitude induced by vibration. Using three-dimensional FEM models, the relative movements of plugs and receptacles were simulated under different wiring conditions. In these models, the key factor is the mechanical property of the electrical wires: the substantial stiffness of wire is a function of, and the damping factor of wires should not be negligible. The computational model is composed of a pair of a terminal and a wire. In the simulation, forced vibration was applied to both ends of the terminal and the wire. The results show that the linear and rotational motions are combined, and that the mixing ratio of linear and rotational motion depends on factors such as terminal structure, wire stiffness, and wiring conditions. The contact resistance profiles during relative movements are also discussed.