The USCAR connector is part of a wide range of interconnect products that meet the specifications of the United States Automotive Research Council (USCAR), a cooperative automotive research company founded in 1992 to "strengthen the technological base of the U.S. automotive industry through collaborative research and development." USCAR is comprised of multiple technical teams dedicated to developing industry-wide automotive testing standards that prepare for the technological advancements and challenges of new vehicle development. USCAR's work is particularly focused on advanced propulsion, electrical and electronics, energy storage, hydrogen fuel cells, manufacturing, materials, and safety. Its primary research focuses on advanced propulsion, electrical and electronics, energy storage, hydrogen fuel cells, manufacturing, materials, and safety.
Its member companies are Ford, General Motors and Stellantis. Interconnect devices fall under the electrical and electronics category of USCAR research and are guided by EWCAP (Electrical Wiring Components Application Partnership). EWCAP's technologies include:
Artificial intelligence and machine learning
Electric power system
Electrical wiring assembly
Electronic module testing and validation
High energy efficiency computing
illumination
In addition, USCAR's energy storage division, USBCA, focuses on electric vehicle technology, including energy storage, charging, and battery systems, including:
Battery recycling
Beyond lithium ion
Cathode/electrode
Lithium ion
Low cost/Fast charging
Vehicle charging
Uscar-approved interconnect products include sealed and unsealed connectors (multiple sizes and hybrid versions), specialized connectors (HSD, coaxial, USB, high voltage, airbag, Ethernet, and trailer tow), and wiring harnesses.
Design specification
standardization
The USCAR specification covers every major electrical and electronic system in modern automotive applications and has undergone numerous revisions, with products on the market spanning decades. USCAR specifications cover product materials, test practices, component performance, ergonomics, manufacturing equipment, transportation practices, and other parameters relevant to the automotive industry. Specifications are described using a numbering system and range from USCAR 1, which covers salt spray testing and evaluation of fastener finishes, to USCAR 49, which covers performance testing of electrical terminals, connectors and components of miniature coaxial cables. Revisions are ongoing and are indicated by a dash followed by a number indicating the revision number. Example: USCAR 15-5 is the fifth revision of the performance specification for automotive RF connector systems.
USCAR-2, Performance specification for Automotive electrical connector systems, especially for connectors. This specification covers performance testing at all stages of the development, production and field analysis of electrical terminals, connectors and components that make up electrical connection systems in low voltage (0 to 20 VDC) or coaxial road vehicle applications. An incomplete (mechanical) jacket twisted pair connector specification is also provided. These procedures apply only to terminals intended for in-line, splice, and device connector systems. They do not work with edge-plate connector systems, twist-lock connector systems, >20 VAC or DC, or perforated terminals.
Markets, industries and applications
Automobile, Transportation
USCAR specifications are designed for components used in automotive applications. However, the harsh environments in which cars are manufactured and operated require very high reliability and durability, which makes USCAR connectors suitable for other industries that require miniaturization, robustness, reliability and performance.
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