Electrical connector system

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6607393
  • Patent Number
    6,607,393
  • Date Filed
    Wednesday, January 23, 2002
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, August 19, 2003
    21 years ago
Abstract
A suspension damper system is provided. The damper system includes a damper with a damper rod, a portion of which extends from the proximal end of the damper. The damper rod includes a bore and an electrode disposed within the bore. A fastener for securing the damper rod to a vehicle is also provided. The fastener is disposed over the damper rod and includes a circumferential groove. An electrical connector which includes an electrically conducting terminal is connected to the electrode. The connector includes a lock which mates with the groove in the fastener and includes a ground terminal which is connected to the damper rod.
Description




INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE




Dronen, et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,585 and Kruckmeyer et. al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,195 are incorporated by reference herein so that certain details of damper and strut assemblies need not be described in detail herein.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION




Dampening components used in vehicle shock absorbing systems, including shocks, struts or engine mounts have dampening characteristics which can be varied to adjust the dampening component to desired conditions. Dampers are well known in the prior art. Examples can be seen in Dronen et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,454,585 and Kruckemeyer et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,690,195 (incorporated by reference herein). The dampening characteristics may be varied to account for a number of different factors. These include speed, cornering status of the vehicle, weight distribution etc. Such dampers generally contain adjustable valving, solenoid or other electrically actuable devices.




A relatively new type of adjustable damper is also available. These dampers, magnetorheological fluid dampers, also known as MR dampers, damp shock forces sustained by a vehicle by transmitting the forces to a piston or diaphragm etc. which is pushed through a chamber filled with magnetorheological fluid. An electrical coil adjoins the chamber where the MR fluid is provided. Electric current flowing in the coil varies the properties of the magnetorheological fluid pumped by the piston through an orifice in or adjacent the piston. In this manner, the flow of magnetorheological fluid and thus the amount of dampening, can be controlled.




Generally, the piston that is pushed through the magnetorheological fluid is mounted on the end of a rod within the damper. Electric current is provided to the coil electrically adjustable valving or solenoid from the end of the rod opposite the piston by means of an electrical conductor in the rod. The conductor is electrically coupled to a connector by a coupling assembly mounted at the end of the damper. Generally, the end of the rod protrudes through the damper and receives an electrical connection or plug that delivers power, ground and/or a signal from a vehicle electrical system. When damping characteristics with the damper need to be altered (such as when sensors on a vehicle detect certain preset specified factors such as changes in speed, cornering, etc.) an electrical signal can be sent to the coil, solenoid or adjustable valving in the damper via the electrical coupling assembly.




Dampers, including shocks, struts, and engine mounts and struts may be exposed to water or other contaminants depending on location and orientation of the damper within a vehicle. For instance, certain automotive struts are installed with a piston at the bottom portion of a piston rod, damper rod and located at the bottom portion of the vehicle. The opposite end of the rod then projects through a shock tower opening into the vehicle engine compartment. In other applications, such as to relieve side loads to damper rods, the orientation of the strut is reversed so that the electrical conductor exits the bottom of the rod in an “upside-down” position. In such an orientation in a vehicle suspension, the plug or coupling assembly may be fully exposed to moisture dirt or other contaminants not as prevalent in the engine compartment. Such orientation may also find the damper subject to greater physical shocks, including the higher frequencies and amplitudes found at the vehicle wheel rather than those found within the vehicle body.




Particularly in shock and strut construction, the length of the strut is a large factor in its placement within a vehicle. Thus, any reduction in the overall length of the strut system is an advantage. Heretofore, electrical connections have added significantly to the overall length of the damper. Examples of electrical connections in the prior art can be seen in Frances et. al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,007,345 and Frances et. al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,036,500. The '500 patent shows an electrical connection system to a strut involves placing a large connector on the top of a shock or strut tenon. The connector is placed on the tenon and thereafter an operator locks the connector by twisting a lock ring. The lock ring causes two metal legs to squeeze onto the tenon threads and secure the connector to the shock. However, there is no obvious method to assure that the connector is fully seated. Thus there is no way to ensure that connector has actually made electrical contact with the electrode.




Another electrical connection can be found on what is referred to as a Computer Command Ride (CCR) shock. The CCR shock developed a lip around the very tip of the damper rod that enabled a connector to lock in place. However, the CCR rod is a very large diameter rod which is detrimental to the design since it requires a large diameter piston that affects the overall shock package size, which in turn requires a very large connector body. The design also prohibits the mating of the ground circuit to the outside diameter of the damper rod, which is needed to provide a connection system that does not require rotational alignment before mating. This solution is impractical for most shocks or struts in which the diameter of the rod is small or where space considerations need to be taken into account. Thus, alternatives to the CCR shock connection are necessary.




The known prior art also requires an operator to install an electrical connector using two hands. Therefore, engine compartment design requires a design in which hand clearance for installation must exist. For example, such clearance requirements must be available to twist the lock shown in the '500 patent. Furthermore, service and maintenance considerations must also be considered. Existing designs do not provide an obvious way to disconnect the electrical connection to service personnel. This can result in frustration or damage to the connector during servicing.




Other methods of attaching a connector directly to a damper rod could potentially degrade the tensile and torsional integrity of the piston rod valve.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




Accordingly, it is a feature of the present invention to provide an improved suspension damper which overcomes the disadvantages of prior art suspension dampers by providing a unique interface system which allows both connection of the damper to the vehicle and connection of an electrical connector to the damper in a simplified connection system. The invention can be used with any ride control system that requires power and/or an electric signal to reach the core of a damper including a shock absorber, strut or engine mount.




As used herein, “damper” and suspension damper refer generically to any device used to dampen vehicle vibration, including the aforementioned shocks, struts and engine mounts. The terms shocks, struts and mounts are used interchangeably throughout, but all refer to suspension dampers. The present invention provides a connection to the damper rod/piston rod (also referred to as a shock rod or tenon) provides both signal and ground circuits, has a minimal size, a low insertion force, non-orientation problems, and a retaining system which ensures the electrical connector is retained on the damper during vehicle usage.




The new connector utilizes a fastener (specifically a tenon nut) that is currently being used to secure the damper to the vehicle. The nut is first modified by adding a groove below an end portion of the existing tenon nut. In a preferred embodiment, a chamfer is also added. The connector can be both mated and locked to the tenon nut at any rotational angle in a smooth operation by an assembler using one hand. Since the tenon nut must already be installed to retain the damper (shock or strut) to the vehicle, no new labor operations are required. The modification to the tenon nut provides a groove that accepts a wire clip that is preferably made part of the electrical connector. Mechanical attachment of the connector to the damper strut assembly is achieved by pushing the connector downward onto the modified tenon nut that is also used to secure the damper to the vehicle. As the connector reaches its fully seated position the wire lock (which is preferably integral to the connector) grips the groove of the tenon nut and is secured.




The preferred embodiment also includes a connector position assurance (CPA) member. This portion of the electrical connector is snapped into place to prevent the wire lock from being disengaged accidentally or through vehicle vibration. The wire lock and the CPA provide a positive visual indication that the connector is secure to the damper. The CPA and wire lock can be subsequently disengaged for easy serviceablity to remove the connector from the damper. In addition to the connection system being serviceable, it also provides a positive visual indication that the connector is secure to the damper.




In a preferred embodiment, the tenon nut is an internally threaded coupling nut which resembles a standard nut on the lower external half and has a low angle ramp on the exterior upper end is rotated downward onto a threaded rod of the damper. An exterior annular locking groove is disposed between a low angle ramp (or chamfered) portion and the nut (or tool engaging) portion. The locking groove accepts a wire clip that is part of the electrical connector body and locks these two devices together. The preferred embodiment electrical connection allows power and ground circuits to be electrically connected and secured to the damper assembly. The two opposite ends of the connector are formed at about a 90° angle from one another to further allow the connection system to be used in areas with space restrictions. In this embodiment electrical current is delivered to a pin which is isolated from and runs through the center of the damper rod. A ground terminal mates with the damper rod, which is used to complete the electrical path. The system also provides an environmental seal for the electrical interfaces.




These features along with other features, of the present invention are achieved in a suspension damper comprising a longitudinally extending cylinder portion, the cylinder portion including both proximal and distal ends. The damper rod, carried in the damper, extends from the proximal end of the damper. The damper rod includes a bore with an electrode disposed within that bore. A fastener for securing the damper rod to a vehicle is also provided. The fastener is disposed over the damper rod and includes a groove. An electrical connector for supplying electrical power to the electrode is provided and includes a power terminal having at least a first and a second end. The first end is connected to the electrode and the connector is secured to the fastener with a lock which mates with the groove of the fastener. In the preferred embodiment, the perimeter of the nut includes both a tool engaging portion, which resembles a common nut and accepts a tool for rotation, a chamfered portion and a grooved portion therebetween. The lock, in a preferred embodiment comprises a spring wire, which slides over the chamfered portion and is captured within the groove. A position assurance member is removably attached to the electrical connector and the spring wire assuring that the spring wire cannot be disengaged from the damper. It also provides positive visual assurance that the connector is seated properly.




In accordance with another aspect of the invention an electrical connection system is provided which comprises a fastener for securing a damper to a vehicle, the fastener including a groove therein. An electrical connector which includes a power terminal having at least a first and second end for supplying electrical power to the damper is provided. The connector includes a lock which mates with the groove of the fastener. In accordance with a more specific feature of the invention, the lock is a spring lock which includes two legs extending therefrom which cooperate with at least one tab on the electrical connector to open and close the lock. The connection system includes a position assurance member removeably attached to the electrical connector of the spring lock. The position assurance member includes an arm which entraps the spring lock and prevents transverse movement thereof.




In another aspect of the invention an electrical connector body is provided which includes a housing that has at least a first longitudinally extending portion and a second portion extending orthogonal thereto. A conductive ring is located within the first portion and a first power conducting terminal is generally located within the second portion. The first power conducting terminal is releaseably attached to the conductive ring. In a preferred embodiment the conductive ring includes a spring arm which releaseably attaches to the first power terminal, a portion of the first power terminal being molded within the housing.




Yet another aspect of the invention includes an electrical connector body comprising a housing including a first end portion and a second end portion. A first power terminal generally extends between the first end portion and a ground terminal located within an interior cavity of the second end portion. A second power terminal generally extends between the first and second end portions. An environmental barrier including a connector seal is disposed within the interior cavity of the second end portion. A vibration dampener is provided integral with the connector seal. In a preferred embodiment the vibration dampener includes a plurality of legs extending outwardly from the second end portion that come to rest on the top of the fastener when assembled.




Thus, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved suspension damper system which can be easily installed within a vehicle.




Yet, it is another object of the present invention to provide an improved suspension damper system which has a compact design thus requiring less clearance space within a vehicle than prior art designs.




Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved suspension damper connector which provides positive visual assurance that an electrical connection is in place.




Yet, another object of the invention is to provide an improved electrical connection system to reduce the complexity of installation and reduce overall costs.




These and other objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding the following detailed description of preferred embodiments.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




The invention may take physical form in certain parts and arrangement of parts, preferred embodiments of which will be described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:





FIG. 1

is an elevation view, partially in section, showing a suspension damper of the present invention;





FIG. 2

is an exploded view showing the elements of the electrical connection system of the present invention;





FIG. 3

is an exploded view showing one aspect of the present invention;





FIGS. 4A

,


4


B, and


4


C are exploded views of another aspect of the present invention;





FIGS. 5A and 5B

are detailed pictorial views of yet another aspect of the present invention;





FIG. 6

is an elevation view, partially in section, of a modified embodiment of an electrical connection of the present invention;





FIG. 7

is a pictorial view of an assembled electrical connection of the present invention;





FIG. 8

is a cross-sectional elevation view showing the electrical connection of the present invention, in a partially assembled state;





FIG. 9

is a exploded pictorial view showing a partially assembled damper assembly of the present invention;





FIG. 10

is a pictorial view showing a fully assembled electrical connection of the present invention.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION




Referring to the drawings, wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention only and not for the purpose of limiting same,

FIG. 1

shows a suspension damper system


10


which includes a damper in the form of a strut


12


and comprises a cylinder portion


11


of strut


12


longitudinally extending about longitudinal axis A. Extending along longitudinal axis A from a proximal end


13


through strut


12


is a damper or piston rod


14


. Piston rod


14


extends through an annular opening


15


in the frame of the vehicle


16


and is retained therein by a fastener


17


. Extending through annular opening


15


is a rubber bushing


21


and a complementary rubber bushing


22


sandwiched between first and second portions of a rate cup


23


and


24


. A washer


25


is also interposed between second rate cup portion


24


and fastener


17


. Piston rod


14


carries an electrode pin


26


surrounded by an insulating sheath


27


. Pin


26


has a preferred diameter of about 1.00 millimeter and serves to electrically connect an electrically actuable member (not shown) within strut


12


to adjust the ride characteristics of strut


12


. Piston rod


14


is comprised of an electrically conductible material which services as a ground path for an electrical connector


31


to the electrically actuable member (not shown). The electrically actuable member located within strut


12


is controlled by an electrically adjustable valve, solenoid or coil to charge magnetorleological fluid, each of which acts to prevent (or allow) movement of a piston with strut


12


. It will be appreciated that such a damper or strut assembly is well known in the art. As such, particular strut assemblies will not be described in detail. The present invention can be used with any number of damper assemblies requiring electrical connection thereto.




Electrical connector


31


is overmolded onto two power or electrically conducting terminals, sonically welded terminal assembly


32


which provides power and a male ground terminal


33


. Electrical connector body


31


is molded at a 90° angle to reduce the overall height. This makes it ideal for limited clearance applications of the present invention. The housing of electrical connector


31


includes a first longitudinally extending portion


34


and a second orthogonally extending portion


35


that are joined together by a third elbow portion


36


. Longitudinally extending portion


34


includes an interior cavity


37


, defined by an interior surface wall


41


, which connects to piston rod


14


. Orthogonally extending portion


35


includes an interior portion


42


which mates with a harness connector assembly


43


, which is connected to a vehicle electrical system. Harness connector assembly


43


is attached to electrical connector


31


in a conventional manner.




Sonically welded terminal assembly


32


is best seen in

FIGS. 4A through 4C

. A barrel power terminal


44


is seen in FIG.


4


A. Power terminal


44


includes a female barrel end


45


and a wire insulation end


46


. The insulation end


46


of the barrel power terminal


44


is sonically welded to an unplated end


47


of a male blade


51


. Insulation end


46


is then crimped to prevent plastic from flowing into the barrel during molding. In the assembled state, shown in

FIG. 4C

, terminal assembly


32


has three generally 90° bends, a first bend


52


is needed after assembly and provides right angle access to interior cavity


37


of connector


31


and ultimately to the electrode pin. A second bend


53


and a third bend


54


allow overmolding within electrical connector


31


. As seen in

FIG. 4C

the bends


52


,


53


,


54


form a u-shape portion


55


, which is overmolded with plastic, at elbow portion


36


of connector


31


. As seen in

FIGS. 6 and 8

, portions of barrel power terminal


44


are also molded in plastic to provide electrical isolation from piston rod


14


while centering barrel end


45


to mate with electrode pin


26


in piston rod


14


. A plated end


56


of male blade


51


mates to a female end


57


of harness connector assembly


43


on the chassis harness in a conventional manner. Thus, power is provided to strut


12


by electrical connector


31


.




Male ground terminal


33


has two 90° bends, a first bend


61


and a second bend


62


, as seen in FIG.


3


. Bends


61


,


62


separate ground terminal


33


into a mold portion


63


and a connection portion


64


. A small tab


65


extends from mold portion


63


and is generally parallel to an arm


67


which extends between bends


61


and


62


. Similar to terminal assembly


32


, ground terminal


33


and specifically first bend


61


, mold portion


63


and arm


67


are molded within elbow portion


36


of connector


31


. As seen in

FIG. 3

, tab


65


extends from mold portion


63


both longitudinally and radially inwardly toward axis A. Tab


65


is not covered by plastic in the elbow portion


36


. Instead tab


65


extends longitudinally into interior cavity


37


of connector


31


where it makes contact with a ground ring


71


, also shown in FIG.


3


.




Ground ring


71


is “C” shaped and generally has a diameter equal to that of the interior surface wall


41


, of interior cavity


37


, in order that it may snugly fit therein. A circumferential surface


72


is bounded by an upper perimeter end


73


and a lower perimeter end


74


which is flared radially outwardly to provide a lead in for piston center rod


14


during the connection process. As shown in

FIG. 3

, four protrusions


75




a


through


75




d


extend radially inwardly from circumferential surface


72


and provide a sufficient radial force between the exterior of piston rod


14


and interior ground ring


71


to maintain electrical contact therebetween.




Ground ring


71


includes a terminal attachment portion


76


. Terminal attachment portion


76


includes an arc portion


81


extending between first and second portions of circumferential surface


72


, and an extension arm


82


which extends longitudinally and generally tangential to arc portion


81


and circumferential surface


72


. Adjacent an upper end


83


of terminal attachment portion


76


is a spring arm


84


. Spring arm


84


is also of a “C” shape and includes a radially extending inward portion


85


, a tangential portion


86


which is opposite and generally parallel to extension arm


82


and a detent portion


87


. Tab


65


of male ground terminal


33


fits into spring arm


84


and is retained securely therein by detent portion


87


. The “C” shaped spring arm


84


is a substantial improvement over the prior art in that it allows the ground terminal to be easily molded within an electrical connector. The ground ring can then be snapped into place in one simple step by aligning spring arm


84


with tab


65


. Advantageously no tools are needed. Thus, connection portion


64


of terminal


33


may be connected to harness assembly


43


to complete a ground circuit.




As seen in

FIG. 5A

, fastener nut


17


serves a two-fold purpose. It secures an end of strut


12


to the vehicle as shown in FIG.


1


and in accordance with the present invention secures electrical connector


31


to piston rod


14


. Fastener nut


17


includes an interior threaded portion


91


extending between first and second ends


92


and


93


. The exterior of the nut includes three distinctive portions, a chamfered or ramped portion


94


which extends radially outwardly from first end


92


, a tool engaging portion


95


which is for engaging with a standard socket to torque fastener


17


into place. Tool engaging portion


95


is comprised of six sides, like a standard hex nut. However, it will be appreciated that any common fastener orientation may be used. Extending longitudinally between chamfered portion


94


and tool engaging portion


95


is a grooved portion


96


. Grooved portion


96


has a diameter less than tool engaging portion


95


and less than an outer radial perimeter


97


of chamfered portion


94


. Preferably, the diameter of groove portion


96


is also less than the diameter of an inner radial perimeter


98


of chamfered portion


94


. Groove portion


96


allows fastener


17


to capture a wire lock


101


, seen in

FIG. 5B

, which is part of connector


31


.




Wire lock


101


is a spring wire that includes a transverse plane portion


102


which, when in place as shown in

FIG. 10

, is located in a plane generally transverse to longitudinal axis A of fastener


17


. A longitudinal plane portion


103


is located in a place generally parallel to longitudinal axis A. Transverse plane portion


102


includes a loop of spring wire having two opposite fingers


104


and


105


which are connected by a bridge finger


106


to form the loop shape. Fingers


104


and


105


extend inwardly from bridge finger


106


in order that they form an acute angle to each other. A leg


107


and


108


lying in longitudinal plane portion


103


extend at a generally 90° angle from fingers


104


and


105


, respectively. Legs


107


and


108


prevent wire lock


101


from separating from connector


31


.




As best seen in

FIGS. 2 and 10

wire lock


101


fits in a transverse slot


111


located on the exterior of longitudinal portion


34


of electrical connector


31


. In turn, fingers


104


and


105


rest within slot


111


, legs


107


and


108


abutting against an angled lock tab


112


. Transverse slot


111


is open to interior cavity


37


of connector


31


at slot openings


114


and


115


, located on opposite circumferential sides of longitudinal portion


34


. Thus, fingers


104


and


105


also extend within interior cavity


37


and constrict the longitudinal opening thereto. After fastener


17


has been placed on piston rod


14


, electrical connector


31


is snapped into position on fastener


17


. This is done by pushing downward on electrical connector


31


. Additional clearance can be gained by pushing wire lock


101


at bridge finger


106


toward the main body of electrical connector


31


, forcing legs


107


and


108


to ride down the angled lock tabs


112


. Either method causes the spring wire of wire lock


101


to expand. Specifically it causes fingers


104


and


105


to expand radially outwardly from interior cavity


37


, allowing transverse slot


111


to pass over chamfered portion


94


of fastener


17


and coming to rest in groove


96


. Thereupon, wire lock


101


may be released causing legs


107


and


108


to ride back up angled lock tabs


112


and causing fingers


104


and


105


to spring through transverse slot openings


114


and


115


and into interior cavity


37


. It will be appreciated that fingers


104


and


105


need not be in side by side contact with groove portion


96


. However, outer radial perimeter


97


forming the edge of chamfered portion


94


and grooved portion


96


prevents wire lock


101


and thus electrical connector


31


from rising back off piston rod


14


.




Connection position assurance is supplied by a position assurance connection member


121


. It is molded to fit over the exterior housing of electrical connector


31


. Longitudinally extending portion


34


, (as seen in

FIGS. 2 and 9

) has two abutments


122


which are captured in a molded raceway


123


of connection member


121


to provide for proper alignment on connector


31


. Extending from a sleeve portion


124


of connection member


121


is an “S” shaped arm


125


having a slot


126


therein. Once connector


31


has been installed on piston rod


14


and wire lock


101


snapped into place over fastener


17


, connection member


121


is placed snugly over longitudinal portion


34


of connector


31


, slot


126


entrapping bridge finger


106


of wire lock


101


. Thereafter, wire lock


101


may not be disengaged accidentally or through vehicle vibration. However, for service purposes connection member


121


may be snapped out of place, thus making wire lock


101


accessible and allowing for the easy removal of electrical connector


31


.




Connector


31


is removed from strut


12


by applying force onto wire lock


101


at bridge finger


106


toward the main body of electrical connector


31


. This forces legs


107


and


108


to ride down the angled lock tabs


112


and causes wire lock


101


to expand. Specifically it causes fingers


104


and


105


to expand radially outward so that they clear perimeter


97


and allow connector


31


to be removed from piston rod


14


.




To provide an environmental barrier to the electrical interfaces, a silicone seal is overmolded inside interior cavity


37


of longitudinally extending portion


34


. This overmold has an interference fit with piston rod


14


. Preferably rod


14


has a section


131


which is round and smooth to maximize the sealing performance. Prior to overmolding, a plastic washer


132


is inserted just below ground ring


71


to prevent silicone from flowing into those interior portions of interior cavity


37


which house ground ring


71


and terminal assembly


32


. Washer


132


sits in an annular slot


133


bored within interior cavity


37


. The silicone seal takes the form of an overmold annular connector seal


134


which sits within interior cavity


37


and abuts plastic washer


132


. Annular connector seal


134


has three legs


135


,


136


, and


137


which extend longitudinally from an annular portion


138


and are generally equally spaced about the perimeter of annular portion


138


. Legs


135


,


136


and


137


touch fastener nut


17


and help reduce the clearance stack up resulting from the tolerance band needed to use fastener


17


and wire lock


101


for mechanical attachment to damper system


10


. Legs


135


through


137


also advantageously provide a force to keep connector


31


from vibrating as part of on damper system


10


, thus reducing the chance of terminal fretting.




The invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments. Obviously modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding this specification. For example, as seen in

FIG. 6

, fastener nut


17


has been modified with a large abutment portion


141


for abutting against a shoulder of piston rod


14


.

FIG. 8

shows electrical connector of the present invention in a partially assembled state where connection member


121


has not yet been placed thereon. Other position assurance connection members may also be used, including a connection member integral with the connector body and attached thereto with a plastic hinge. As is apparent from this description, the invention also has application where a device of any kind, such as an actuator, requires electrical power. In such an application, the fastener used to mount the device to a support structure is an described herein. The electrical connector of the present invention snaps into place and is locked onto the fastener in the same manner as descried herein. It is intended to include all such modifications and alterations in so far as they come within the scope of the appended claims.



Claims
  • 1. An electrical connector comprising a housing including at least a first longitudinally extending portion and a second portion extending generally orthogonal thereto, a conductive ring located within said first portion, an outer surface of the ring being in contact with an interior surface of an interior cavity of the housing, and a first electrically conducting terminal generally located within said second portion, said electrically conducting terminal releasably attached to said conductive ring, the first electrically conducting terminal including a portion extending within said interior of said first portion of said housing.
  • 2. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said conductive ring includes a spring arm which removably attaches to said first electrically conducting terminal.
  • 3. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said spring arm is C-shaped and mates to a longitudinally extending tab depending from said first electrically conducting terminal.
  • 4. The electrical connect, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the conductive ring has a diameter substantially equal to the interior surface of the housing.
  • 5. The electrical connector of claim 1, wherein said first electrically conducting terminal is ground terminal and said conductive ring is a ground ring.
  • 6. The electrical connector of claim 5, wherein said conductive ring includes a spring arm which releasably attaches to said first electrically conducting terminal.
  • 7. The electrical connector of claim 6, wherein said spring arm is C-shaped and mates to a longitudinally extending tab depending from said first electrically conducting terminal.
  • 8. An electrical connector comprising a housing including at least a first longitudinally extending portion and a second portion extending generally orthogonal thereto, a conductive ring located within said first portion, an outer surface of the ring being in contact with an interior surface of an interior cavity of the housing, and a first electrically conducting terminal generally located within said second portion, said electrically conducting terminal releasably attached to said conductive ring, wherein a portion of said first electrically conducting terminal is molded within said housing.
  • 9. An electrical connector comprising a housing including at least a first longitudinally extending portion and a second portion extending generally orthogonal thereto, a conductive ring located within said first portion, an outer surface of the ring being in contact with an interior surface of an interior cavity of the housing, and a first electrically conducting terminal generally located within said second portion, said electrically conducting terminal releasably attached to said conductive ring, wherein said first electrically conducting terminal includes at least a first portion molded within said housing and a second portion extending into said interior of said second portion of said housing.
  • 10. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein said first electrically conducting terminal includes a third portion extending within said interior of said first portion of said housing.
  • 11. The electrical connector of claim 9, wherein said electrically conducting terminal includes a third portion releasably attached to said conductive ring.
  • 12. An electrical connector comprising a housing including at least a first longitudinally extending portion and a second portion extending generally orthogonal thereto, a conductive ring located within said first portion and a first electrically conducting terminal generally located within said second portion, said electrically conducting terminal releasably attached to said conductive ring, wherein said first electrically conducting terminal is a ground terminal, said conductive ring is a ground ring and including a second electrically conducting terminal extending from said first housing portion to said second housing portion, said second electrically conducting terminal connected at one end to a power source, at least a portion of said first electrically conducting terminal being molded within said housing.
  • 13. The electrical connector of claim 12, wherein both said ground terminal and said second electrically conducting terminal are molded within said housing.
Parent Case Info

This is a division of application Ser. No. 09/626,987 filed on Jul. 27, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,162.

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