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Home Appliances

Consumers have always expected safe and reliable home appliances. But with the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), consumers also now expect their appliances to be smarter. As products have become more complex in design and functionality, they’ve posed new challenges to both design engineers and assembly technicians. Molex’s expert engineers, combined with an industry leading portfolio of Polyethylenedioxythiophene (PEDOT), glow wire and TPA connectors can support your home appliance innovations from design to final assembly. 

Overview


A growing appeal for home appliance technology to simplify everyday tasks has been driven by an ever-rising demand for connectivity and automated features. Emerging trends like IoT compatibility and robotic kitchens have led to appliances that are more complex in both design and functionality, making it even more challenging for manufacturers to bring new products to market and refresh existing platforms. To meet customer expectations, design engineers must fit added functionality into limited spaces, safely generate more power and adhere to environmental considerations.

Molex’s global team of engineering leaders is constantly introducing innovative, reliable solutions for home appliance manufacturers. In the home, we understand that the appliances of today pose many of the demands one may expect from an industrial environment, placing a particular focus on consumer safety. 

Devices like ovens, dishwashers and dryers are frequently exposed to extreme heat, liquids and vibration: each of which may cause malfunction or even fire. Our expansive portfolio of PEDOT sensors and Glow Wire capable connectors adhere to all safety and environmental requirements mandated by the home appliance industry, protecting your customer and your brand reputation.

Safety doesn’t start in the home, though – it begins on the assembly line. Molex is vested in the industry’s workforce and our development of more ergonomic connectors, such as Terminal Position Assurance (TPA) technology, which reduces physical strain of assembly line employees while minimizing product failure resulting from improper assembly. 

Learn how Molex can help you stay ahead of your customers’ expectations through constant collaboration, engineering expertise and global supply chain resources. 


Home Appliance Applications

A Look Inside the Oven

Enhance your oven designs with Molex advanced connectors and temperature-sensing solutions — engineered for user experience, operational safety and manufacturing efficiency. Ergonomic, low-force connectors and versatile UI components ensure your appliances meet the demands of modern kitchens. 

The Cold Standard for Refrigerator Design

The latest innovations in kitchen appliances require a new set of best practices to maintain reliability, free up space and incorporate new sensors and controls. Compact and engineered for quality, Molex connectivity solutions support the next generation of refrigerators.

A New Spin on Washing Machine Connectors

A lifetime of agitation and spin cycles can loosen connections inside washing machines, causing premature failure. Molex brings a range of new solutions that maintain reliability in high-vibration settings, provide smaller footprints on control boards and allow designers greater assembly flexibility when bringing model updates to market.


Blog

Designing the Future of Home Appliances: How Advanced UIs are Shaping User Experience

Intuitive user interfaces (UIs) are transforming home appliances, making them more convenient and user-friendly. Discover trends in UI design, from touchscreens to voice control, and learn how Molex helps create solutions for connected appliances.

Are You Designing to Consumer Expectations?

Today's appliances deliver more than just efficient cooking, cooling and washing. Ovens now monitor content with Wi-Fi-compatible cameras, stovetops notify users of fire risks and refrigerators keep track of expiration dates. From incorporating innovative materials to navigating regulatory requirements and creating safer assembly using TPA technology, Molex is a proven supplier to the leading home appliance manufacturers. 

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Ready, Set, Glow Wire

Product safety cannot be sacrificed in the name of innovation—and when it comes to technology in home appliances, glow wire testing is at the core of ensuring a safe consumer experience. Our virtual, interactive kitchen takes you through our glow wire connector portfolio as it relates to popular home appliances, while our brief video demonstrates how glow wire testing is performed. Molex is committed to providing a safe environment for your customers and their loved ones.

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Innovate and Elevate Home Appliance Performance with Enhanced Connector Designs

Enhanced connectors and modular components are reshaping appliance efficiency and ergonomics while meeting rigorous environmental safety standards. As home appliance manufacturers develop improvements, the industry continues to exceed expectations in the opportunities they create for innovation. With ground-breaking technology and advanced strategies, Molex is positioned to leverage its expertise and experience in this highly innovative market. View the infographic and learn how enhanced connector designs will elevate the appliance industry and consumer experience. Don’t miss this exciting look into the future!

Embracing the Opportunities of Smart Appliances

Smart appliances are great at attracting discerning buyers with their evolving functionality, but they can also help manufacturers meet increasingly tight energy regulations while improving safety and efficiency. How can smart technology be leveraged for the mutual benefit of customers and manufacturers?

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PEDOT Pushes All the Right Buttons

Polystyrene sulfonate or poly (3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) – PEDOT – is a groundbreaking alternative to Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) for capacitive touch switches and sensors. Learn how PEDOT provides design engineers with superior design flexibility, cost savings and production efficiencies. 

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Molex Protects Worker Safety by Designing with Assembler in Mind

Modern appliances are more feature-rich than ever before, resulting in more complex electronic systems. More features mean more connectors to mate on the assembly line — underscoring the importance of ergonomic connector design.

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Home Appliance Webinar Series


Webinar

Key Trends in Appliance Connectors for New Platforms 

The landscape of connectors is rapidly changing, and manufacturers must adapt to provide consumers with a diverse range of options for their everyday needs. Watch the on-demand webinar and learn more about how key trends, such as smart sensors and evolving safety regulations, impact the connector features required for your next-generation platform design.  

Webinar

Solutions to Support New Appliance Platform Demands

Appliances have become more complex and technologically advanced, presenting new safety and functionality challenges for manufacturers. Learn how to identify the right power and signal connectors for new appliance platforms and how to navigate the key differences between features to help ensure you pick the right connector—every time! 

Webinar

User Interface and HMI Solutions 

As consumer demands advance, it is necessary for home appliance designers to incorporate smart, connected performance and cutting-edge user interface technologies in their designs. Stay ahead of the competition and deliver remarkable user experiences for customers as they seek convenience for their busy lives. 


Micro-One Connectors

Mini-Lock Connectors

Mini Lock

Nano-Fit Connectors

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Mega-Fit Connectors

Mini-Fit Connectors

Mini Fit

Micro-Fit Connector System

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CP Connectors

Squba Connectors


Low Mating Force (LMF) Connectors

Nano-Fit Connectors

Glow Wire Testing

Mega-Fit Connectors

Squba Connectors

Micro-Fit+ Connectors

Consumer Thank You

Thank You


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