Connector Challenges in Automotive Seat Design
When integrating motors, heating and ventilation into automotive seats, design engineers must manage higher current loads, which can lead to excessive heat and limited space efficiency. Slow or outdated interconnects may fail to meet the data demands of rear-seat entertainment systems, compromising user experience. Unstable or poorly secured connections jeopardize the integrity of safety-critical systems such as occupant detection, airbags and seatbelt monitoring.
Design engineers can employ space-saving, high-current connectors to support power demands from HVAC and motor systems, while minimizing footprints and heat buildup. Miniature, high-speed connectors with electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding facilitate reliable data transmission for rear-seat entertainment systems. Robust signal transmission in automotive seat safety systems depends on rugged connectors with secure locking mechanisms designed to reliably withstand mechanical stress.
Molex compact, high-power connectors provide stable power to motors and comfort systems, minimizing harness bulk and heat generation. Designed for tight seat environments, these high-bandwidth connectors maintain signal integrity for video, audio and charging functions. Vibration-resistant, locking connectors from Molex further enhance durability, reducing the risk of failures, recalls and compliance issues in critical safety systems.
Featured Products
Connectors for Automotive Seat Switches
When designing seat switches, engineers require flexibility to efficiently route a multitude of reliable signal connections in highly constrained areas. Rugged, high-density connectors support dependable integration of multiple signal lines within compact seat control configurations. With secure locking mechanisms and low-profile designs that reduce space usage by up to 60%, Molex high-current connectors deliver consistent performance in tight switch housings.
| Configuration | Pitch | Circuits | Current (max.) | Wire Gauge | Voltage (max.) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro-Lock Plus Connectors | Wire-to-board | 1.25, 2.00mm | 2 to 16 (single row), 8 to 42 (dual row) | 4.7A | 30 to 22 AWG | 200V AC (RMS)/DC |
| CLIK-Mate Connectors | Wire-to-board | 1.25 to 2.00mm | 2 to 34 | 4.0A | 30 to 22 AWG | 250V |
Connectors for Automotive Seat Position Adjustment Motors
As seat-adjustment motors draw high current, bulky or unreliable connectors can contribute to thermal buildup and reduced performance. Scalable, high-power connectors efficiently deliver substantial current to position-adjustment motors, ensuring precise seat movement while minimizing heat generation and harness bulk. Space-saving, high-current Molex connectors use secure mating mechanisms to support dependable motor performance in demanding seat applications.
| Configuration | Pitch | Circuits | Current (max.) | Wire Gauge | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stac64 Connectors | Wire-to-board | 2.54 to 5.25mm | 8 to 80 | 30.0A | 22 to 20 AWG |
| stAK50h Connectors | Wire-to-board | 2.00 to 3.50mm | 12 to 32 | 30.0A | 26 to 10 AWG |
Automotive Seat Lumbar Support and Massage Connectors
Designing lumbar support and massage systems requires compact, high-current connectors to minimize heat generation and avoid layout inefficiencies. The use of high-power wire-to-wire and wire-to-board connectors ensures dependable power and signal transmission in space-constrained massage systems. With secure locking, low insertion force and dense contact configurations, Molex space-saving connectors deliver durable performance that reduce the risk of failures in demanding comfort applications.
| Configuration | Pitch | Circuits | Current (max.) | Wire Gauge | Voltage (max.) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro-Fit Connectors | Wire-to-board, wire-to-wire | 3.00mm | 2 to 24 | 10.5A | 30 to 18 AWG | 600V |
| Micro-Latch Connectors | Wire-to-board | 2.00mm | 2 to 15 | 2.5A | 30 to 22 AWG | 250V |
Connectors for Automotive Seat Ventilation Fans
To optimize seat ventilation fan performance, design engineers face the challenge of fitting high-current connectors into compact seat assemblies that are subject to mechanical stress and temperature cycling. Wire-to-board connectors with robust retention and strain relief mechanisms help ensure fatigue-resistant, reliable power delivery in vibration-prone environments. Engineered to improve durability and design flexibility in automotive seat applications, Molex connectors offer through-hole terminals, fitting nails and solderable clips to provide dependable long-term performance while reducing costs by eliminating secondary termination steps.
| Configuration | Pitch | Circuits | Current (max.) | Wire Gauge | Voltage (max.) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro-Fit Connectors | Wire-to-board, wire-to-wire | 3.00mm | 2 to 24 | 10.5A | 30 to 18 AWG | 600V |
| Micro-Latch Connectors | Wire-to-board | 2.00mm | 2 to 15 | 2.5A | 30 to 22 AWG | 250V |
Connectors for Automotive Seat Heating Elements
Incorporating seat heating elements introduces safety risks such as overheating, arcing and unstable connections. High-current, heat-resistant connectors ensure safe and efficient power delivery to heating grids while withstanding repeated thermal cycling. Molex connectors feature UL94V-0 thermoplastic housings that withstand extreme temperatures and help manage thermal spread under harsh conditions. With secure locking and precision-engineered contacts, these low-resistance, high-current connectors deliver efficient and reliable power to seat heating systems, reducing the risk of fire or overheating.
| Configuration | Pitch | Circuits | Current (max.) | Wire Gauge | Voltage (max.) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro-Fit+ Connectors | Wire-to-board, wire-to-wire | 3.00mm | 2 to 24 | 13.0A | 30 to 16 AWG | 600V |
Automotive Rear Seat Entertainment (RSE) System Connectors
Designing rear seat entertainment (RSE) systems presents difficulties, as bulky connectors with insufficient bandwidth can limit design flexibility and degrade user experience. Miniature, high-speed wire-to-board connectors allow for high-density routing of multimedia system signals, maximizing space for displays, ports and other electronics. Offering a miniaturized pitch and secure, positive-locking mating retention, Molex low-profile, high-current connectors provide robust and space-efficient connectivity for entertainment systems while preserving valuable board real estate.
Interface Connectors
| Configuration | Pitch | Current (max.) | Data Rate | Data Transfer Speed | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDMI Connectors | Wire-to-board | 0.5A | 40V DC | Up to 48 Gbps | |
| USB Connectors | Wire-to-board | 6.0A | 30V AC (RMS) | Up to 480Mbps |
Internal Board Connections
| Configuration | Pitch | Circuits | Current (max.) | Wire Gauge | Voltage (max.) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Micro-Fit Connectors | Wire-to-board | 1.25, 2.00mm | 2 to 16 (single row), 8 to 42 (dual row) | 4.7A | 30 to 22 AWG | 200V AC (RMS)/DC |
| Pico-Clasp Connectors | Wire-to-board | 1.00mm | 2 to 50 | 2.0A | 32 to 28 AWG | 100V |
| Pico-Lock Connectors | Wire-to-board | 1.00 to 3.00mm | 2 to 12 | 10.0A | 32 to 16 AWG | 200V AC (RMS)/DC |