Post by thread:[EE]: Connector with >50K mating cycles?

Hello list. I have a situation involving some electronics in a drawer that will be regularly pulled from it's frame. This might happen, say, 10 times a day, so over 10 years this is over 35K mating cycles. I just had a look at some connectors and realised how abysmal most of the mating cycle specs are. Some smart-card connectors specify >50K cycles but I need to be concerned about both ends and am assuming that gold flash on a PCB (emulating smart-card landings) won't last anywhere near that long. I have thought of pogo pins or some custom made leaf-spring type connectors but was hoping for something a little more "complete" with a housing, possibly some locating pins, off-the-shelf, etc. Does anyone know of a suitable connector that might be rated for >35K (or to round it out >50K) mating cycles

For RS-232 serial ports, there are pass through easily replaceable inexpensive connectors. Using that idea, could you make some inexpensive easily changed wear points, male/female sort. Maybe could as routine maintenance specify a change schedule. On 1/16/2011 9:29 PM, K S wrote: > Hello list. > > I have a situation involving some electronics in a drawer that will be > regularly pulled from it's frame. This might happen, say, 10 times a > day, so over 10 years this is over 35K mating cycles. > > I just had a look at some connectors and realised how abysmal most of > the mating cycle specs are. Some smart-card connectors specify>50K > cycles but I need to be concerned about both ends and am assuming that > gold flash on a PCB (emulating smart-card landings) won't last > anywhere near that long. I have thought of pogo pins or some custom > made leaf-spring type connectors but was hoping for something a little > more "complete" with a housing, possibly some locating pins, > off-the-shelf, etc. > > Does anyone know of a suitable connector that might be rated for>35K > (or to round it out>50K) mating cycles? >

Have you considered a contactless solution like a smart card for instance ??? Steve -----Original Message----- From: spam_OUTpiclist-bouncesTakeThisOuTmit.edu [.....piclist-bouncesKILLspam@spam@mit.edu] On Behalf Of Carl Denk Sent: 17 January 2011 02:56 To: Microcontroller discussion list - Public. Subject: Re: [EE]: Connector with >50K mating cycles? For RS-232 serial ports, there are pass through easily replaceable inexpensive connectors. Using that idea, could you make some inexpensive easily changed wear points, male/female sort. Maybe could as routine maintenance specify a change schedule. On 1/16/2011 9:29 PM, K S wrote: {Quote hidden}> Hello list. > > I have a situation involving some electronics in a drawer that will be > regularly pulled from it's frame. This might happen, say, 10 times a > day, so over 10 years this is over 35K mating cycles. > > I just had a look at some connectors and realised how abysmal most of > the mating cycle specs are. Some smart-card connectors specify>50K > cycles but I need to be concerned about both ends and am assuming that > gold flash on a PCB (emulating smart-card landings) won't last > anywhere near that long. I have thought of pogo pins or some custom > made leaf-spring type connectors but was hoping for something a little > more "complete" with a housing, possibly some locating pins, > off-the-shelf, etc. > > Does anyone know of a suitable connector that might be rated for>35K > (or to round it out>50K) mating cycles? >

These guys are rated 10k cycles http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=70AAJ-6-M0-ND DougM On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 9:31 PM, K S <kreshoKILLspamgmail.com> wrote: > > Have you considered a contactless solution like a smart card for instance > > ??? > > I need power connections to charge a battery in the drawer. >

Try Cableco/Methode and Elcon/Tyco Sean On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 9:29 PM, K S <.....kreshoKILLspam.....gmail.com> wrote: {Quote hidden}> Hello list. > > I have a situation involving some electronics in a drawer that will be > regularly pulled from it's frame. This might happen, say, 10 times a > day, so over 10 years this is over 35K mating cycles. > > I just had a look at some connectors and realised how abysmal most of > the mating cycle specs are. Some smart-card connectors specify >50K > cycles but I need to be concerned about both ends and am assuming that > gold flash on a PCB (emulating smart-card landings) won't last > anywhere near that long. I have thought of pogo pins or some custom > made leaf-spring type connectors but was hoping for something a little > more "complete" with a housing, possibly some locating pins, > off-the-shelf, etc. > > Does anyone know of a suitable connector that might be rated for >35K > (or to round it out >50K) mating cycles? >

On 17/01/2011 02:29, K S wrote: > Does anyone know of a suitable connector that might be rated for>35K > (or to round it out>50K) mating cycles? Not 50K, not seen any higher than around 20K: http://www.molex.com/molex/products/family?key=detachable_boardtoboard&channel=products&chanName=family&pageTitle=Introduction <http://www.molex.com/molex/products/family?key=detachable_boardtoboard&channel=products&chanName=family&pageTitle=Introduction> http://www.amphenol.co.uk/pdf/Line%20Replaceable%20Module%20Connectors.pdf For higher, I would either do something like use two connectors (of which either can be used, effectively doubling cycles) Or simply pick a good solid connector (with plenty of metal, large surface area and tight fit) that can be easily serviced - e.g. when it fails just file down contacts (or dip in e.g. FeCl). Using something (lubricant or some more specific stuff) to help stop (re)oxidisation would be helpful here.

> These guys are rated 10k cycles > > http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=70AAJ-6-M0-ND >From my understanding these mate with a PCB edge / landing, right? If that's the case then the connector will (will it?*) far outlive the mating PCB side. * Does anyone have any data on the endurance of a PCB edge or land, for gold, tin or whatever? I've seen anecdotal numbers but no guarantees anywhere

re: > From my understanding these mate with a PCB edge / landing, right? If > that's the case then the connector will (will it?*) far outlive the > mating PCB side. Actually they have a mating connector on the other side - same material. http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=70AAJ-6-F0-ND Thanks, DougM On Sun, Jan 16, 2011 at 11:01 PM, K S <EraseMEkreshospam_OUTTakeThisOuTgmail.com> wrote: {Quote hidden}> > These guys are rated 10k cycles > > > > > http://search.digikey.com/scripts/DkSearch/dksus.dll?Detail&name=70AAJ-6-M0-ND > > >From my understanding these mate with a PCB edge / landing, right? If > that's the case then the connector will (will it?*) far outlive the > mating PCB side. > > * Does anyone have any data on the endurance of a PCB edge or land, > for gold, tin or whatever? I've seen anecdotal numbers but no > guarantees anywhere. >