Abstract: A system and method for determining that a male terminal and a female terminal are becoming disconnected in a connector as a result of the connector becoming loose or the terminals becoming corroded. The connector is a multi-terminal connector including a male terminal housing that houses a plurality of male terminals and a female terminal housing that houses a plurality of associated female terminals. One of the male terminals is a diagnostic terminal that is shorter than the other male terminals so that it is disconnected from its associated female terminal before the other male terminals when the terminal housing separate, which can be used to detect connector failure.

Abstract: A system and method for determining that a male terminal and a female terminal are becoming disconnected in a connector as a result of the connector becoming loose or the terminals becoming corroded. The connector is a multi-terminal connector including a male terminal housing that houses a plurality of male terminals and a female terminal housing that houses a plurality of associated female terminals. One of the male terminals is a diagnostic terminal that is shorter than the other male terminals so that it is disconnected from its associated female terminal before the other male terminals when the terminal housing separate, which can be used to detect connector failure.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an electrical connector comprises a terminal and a connector body. The electrical connector may have a base and at least one resilient terminal beam, the terminal beam including an electrical contact surface and a locking tab at its free end. The connector body may have a cavity configured to house at least a portion of the terminal beam. The cavity may have one or more interior walls with at least one ramp along an interior wall (e.g., that reduces a portion of the cavity in at least one dimension), and a relief positioned at the end of the ramp, wherein the ramp momentarily deflects the resilient terminal beam during insertion of the terminal into the connector body, and the relief provides a reversible locking engagement with the locking tab of the terminal (e.g., fork terminal). Associated methods are also provided.

Abstract: A terminal clamping mechanism for use with a conventional battery having an upwardly extending post. The clamping mechanism includes a compressible battery terminal exhibiting a substantially annular shaped portion generally corresponding to an exterior configuration of the battery post. First and second projecting portions extend in spaced apart manner from opposing ends of the annular shaped portion. A lever arm exhibits an elongate and arcuate shape, a first end of which is secured to a fastener extending through apertures in the spaced apart projecting portions. An intermediate portion of the lever arm abuts against a selected projecting portion and, upon inward actuation of a second arcuate shaped end of the lever arm concurrent with placement of the annular shaped portion about the battery post, the lever arm compressing the terminal in a spring biasing and engaging fashion about the post.

Abstract: A terminal clamping mechanism for use with a conventional battery having an upwardly extending post. The clamping mechanism includes a compressible battery terminal exhibiting a substantially annular shaped portion generally corresponding to an exterior configuration of the battery post. First and second projecting portions extend in spaced apart manner from opposing ends of the annular shaped portion. A lever arm exhibits an elongate and arcuate shape, a first end of which is secured to a fastener extending through apertures in the spaced apart projecting portions. An intermediate portion of the lever arm abuts against a selected projecting portion and, upon inward actuation of a second arcuate shaped end of the lever arm concurrent with placement of the annular shaped portion about the battery post, the lever arm compressing the terminal in a spring biasing and engaging fashion about the post.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism for use with a terminal secured to a battery post. The terminal includes a first end securing a terminal line, a substantially annular shaped post fitting proximate a second end, and which includes a pair of spaced apart guide walls from which extend first and second spaced apart and extending legs. The clamping mechanism has a body supported in laterally traversable fashion upon the first terminal leg, an elongated aperture defined therethrough permitting the body to be seatingly engaged through a terminal post extending upwardly from the first leg. The body fixedly engaging the second terminal leg. A pair of angling guides extend along the walls defining the aperture. A nut assembly is threadably engaged over the terminal post and includes a pair of additional guides which inter-engage the aperture angling guides along a traveling direction of the slotted portion.