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Designing Washing Machines – Constraints in Connectivity
When integrating new UI features, precise sensors or energy-efficient smart dispensers into washing machine designs, engineers encounter a multitude of challenges.
More electronic features often result in a congestion of cabling and controls within limited space. Additional connections may also take up real estate on printed circuit boards (PCBs), which are costly to expand. Throughout the machine, reliable and durable interconnects are needed to withstand demanding wash cycles over a lifetime of use.
Molex provides appliance designers with a comprehensive set of robust sub-assembly connectors that maximize design flexibility while minimizing space. These compact components are proven to persevere in high-vibration environments with design features like positive locks and terminal position assurance (TPA) to maintain precise alignment and connection integrity.
These innovative solutions go further than making washing machines better products — they help accelerate production processes to support faster time to market. Easy-to-assemble Molex solutions that help prevent mis-mating are the right choice for short design cycles in a constantly evolving appliance marketplace.
Featured Products
Control Board Connectors
With the rising demand for advanced washing machine features, design engineers are tasked with adding more signal connections while keeping PCB size in check to minimize costs. Leveraging connectors that take up less PCB real estate and offer a variety of options can help engineers achieve greater design flexibility.
Configuration |
Pitch |
Circuits |
Orientation |
Max. Current Rating |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|
RAST Connectors | Wire-to-board | 2.50mm 5.00mm |
2 to 20 | Right-angle Vertical |
16.0A |
Micro-One Connectors | Wire-to-board | 2.00mm | 2 to 8 | Right-angle Vertical |
4.0A |
DuraClik Connectors | Wire-to-board | 2.00mm | 2 to 15 | Right-angle Vertical |
3.0A |
KK Plus Connectors | Wire-to-board | 2.50mm 3.00mm 3.96mm |
2 to 8 | Vertical | 11.0A |
Nano-Fit Connectors | Wire-to-board Wire-to-wire |
2.50mm | 2 to 16 | Right-angle Vertical |
8.0A |
Mini-Lock Connectors | Wire-to-board Wire-to-wire |
2.50mm | 2 to 15 | Right-angle Vertical |
3.5A |
Micro-Fit+ Connectors | Wire-to-board Wire-to-wire |
3.00mm | 2 to 24 | Right-angle Vertical |
13.0A |
Mini-Fit Connectors | Board-to-board Wire-to-board Wire-to-wire |
4.20mm | 2 to 40 | Right-angle Vertical |
20.5A |
CP 6.5 Connectors | Wire-to-board Wire-to-wire |
6.50mm | 2 to 6 | Right-angle Vertical |
12.5A |
Mega-Fit Connectors | Wire-to-board Wire-to-wire |
5.70mm | 2 to 12 | Right-angle Vertical |
30.0A |
Control Panel and User Interface Connectors
Today's washing machines have an increasing number of modes, features and settings. Creating a UI that handles all these functions without overcrowding the control panel or presenting too much complexity to the user remains an ongoing challenge. UI components with intuitive haptic touch controls give users clear multi-screen options, while their compact footprint supports higher PCB design density.
Configuration | Pitch | Actuator Style | Circuits | |
---|---|---|---|---|
FFC/FPC Connectors | Wire-to-board | 0.20 to 2.00mm | Front flip, back flip, non-ZIF, slider, flexi-latch, one-touch | 2 to 120 |
Premo-Flex Flat-Flexible Cable (FFC) | Cable | 0.25 to 2.54mm | 3 to 120 |
Configuration | Pitch | Circuits | Max. Current Rating | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Micro-Lock Plus Connectors | Wire-to-board | 1.25mm 2.00mm |
2 to 42 2 to 16 |
3.6A 4.7A |
DuraClik Connectors | Wire-to-board | 2.00mm | 2 to 15 | 3.0A |
Micro-One Connectors | Wire-to-board | 2.00mm | 2 to 8 | 4.0A |
Mini-Lock Connectors | Wire-to-board Wire-to-wire |
2.50mm | 2 to 15 | 3.5A |
KK Plus Connectors | Wire-to-board | 2.50mm 3.00mm 3.96mm |
2 to 8 | 11.0A |
Micro-Fit+ Connectors | Wire-to-board Wire-to-wire |
3.00mm | 2 to 24 | 13.0A |
Wire Harnesses
Consumer expectations for frequent model changes and upgrades pose a challenge for OEMs, as rapid market delivery is essential for maintaining a competitive edge. Using pre-assembled cable harnesses that are compatible with a range of models can streamline the design process and accelerate time to market.
Pitch | Circuits | Max. Current Rating | |
---|---|---|---|
Mini-Fit Cable Assemblies | 4.20mm | 2 to 40 | 20.5A |
Micro-One Cable Assemblies | 2.00mm | 2 to 8 | 4.0A |
Nano-Fit Cable Assemblies | 2.50mm | 2 to 16 | 8.0A |
Mini-Lock Cable Assemblies | 2.50mm | 2 to 15 | 3.5A |
KK Plus Cable Assemblies | 2.50mm 3.00mm 3.96mm |
2 to 8 | 11.0A |
Micro-Fit+ Cable Assemblies | 3.00mm |
2 to 24 | 13.0A |
Mega-Fit Cable Assemblies | 5.70mm | 2 to 12 | 30.0A |
Connectors for Drum and Tub Systems
High vibration washing machine cycles can cause connections to loosen over time. To mitigate this risk, design engineers look to select connectors with positive locks, TPA, and enhanced wire termination and retention. These features help ensure that connection points stay securely mated under high-vibration conditions.
Configuration | Pitch | Circuits | Max. Current Rating | |
---|---|---|---|---|
RAST Connectors | Wire-to-board | 2.50mm 5.00mm |
2 to 20 | 16.0A |
Sabre Connectors | Wire-to-board Wire-to-wire |
7.50mm | 2 to 8 | 18.0A |
VersaBlade Connectors | Wire-to-wire | 6.20mm 2.00mm |
1 to 9 (standard version) 2 to 4 (high-temperature version) |
15.0A 4.7A |
Micro-Fit+ Connectors | Wire-to-board Wire-to-wire |
3.00mm | 2 to 24 | 13.0A |
Mini-Fit Connectors | Board-to-board Wire-to-board Wire-to-wire |
4.20mm | 2 to 40 | 20.5A |
Sensor Connectors
Sensors are instrumental in many washing machine features that consumers have come to expect, like smart dispensing, load detection, temperature and water level control. Their ability to enable these functions requires reliability, precision and compact size. Molex offers sensor connectors with compact PCB footprints and polarization features to avoid mis-mating during assembly. Additionally, these versatile Molex solutions can be mounted throughout the sub-assembly to provide diverse beta values for precise sensitivity.
Operating Temperature | Beta Range | Resistance Range | |
---|---|---|---|
NTC Ring Temperature Sensor Cable Assemblies | -40 to +105°C (with connector) -40 to +150°C (with leads) |
3K to 5K | 1K to 100K Ohms |
Configuration | Pitch | Circuits | Max. Current Rating | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Micro-Fit+ Connectors | Wire-to-board Wire-to-wire |
3.00mm | 2 to 24 | 13.0A |
Mini-Fit Connectors | Board-to-board Wire-to-board Wire-to-wire |
4.20mm | 2 to 40 | 20.5A |
Plastic and Metal Injection Molding Capabilities
Creating a user-friendly, aesthetically pleasing UI doesn’t mean sacrificing functional, mechanical or environmental requirements. Phillips Medisize, a Molex company, leverages plastic, metal and magnesium thixomolding techniques and expertise to deliver rugged and innovative custom molded components that help designers ensure durability and differentiation.