Abstract: An electrical connector is disclosed for mating with a dashboard mounted speedometer assembly that includes a housing with a plurality of terminal pins projecting therefrom. A plurality of elongated terminals each have a resiliently expandable socket portion at one end for receiving one of the terminal pins of the speedometer assembly, a terminating portion at the opposite end for interconnection with circuitry on a printed circuit board, and an intermediate portion between the ends. A dielectric housing has a mating face and a board mounting face with a plurality of through terminal-receiving passages extending between the faces. Each passage includes a cavity portion for receiving the socket portion for one of the terminals and an intermediate portion for receiving the intermediate portion of the terminal, with the terminating portion of the terminal projecting from the board mounting face of the housing.

Abstract: A strain relief structure is provided for connecting a flat flexible cable to a circuit board. The flat flexible cable includes an array of parallel conductors, flexible insulation disposed around the conductors and a web of insulation disposed between adjacent conductors. The strain relief structure includes a body having at least one cable receiving aperture extending therethrough. A deflectable strain relief extends into the cable receiving aperture for engaging the web of insulation between at least a pair of conductors. Transverse walls, independent of the strain relief structure, extend into the cable receiving aperture for biasing at least one of the conductors out of the plane of the flat flexible cable.

Abstract: A fiber optic connector system includes male and female mating connectors for interconnecting a pair of optical fibers each having a central core and an outer jacket. Each connector includes a housing adapted for receiving an end of one of the optical fibers and for mating with the other connector. Each connector housing is a plastic structure overmolded about the outer jacket of its respective optical fiber in an area at the end of the fiber. The outer jacket of the fiber has circumferential grooves into which the overmolded material of the connector housing extends for axially retaining the overmolded housing on the fiber. A band-like locking clip surrounds telescoped portions of the male and female connectors. The locking clip has a radially inwardly projecting locking tab extending into aligned apertures in the telescoped mating portions when the connectors are mated.

Abstract: A fuse socket is provided with a plastic housing having a fuse cavity for receiving an automotive fuse. The housing includes a pair of terminal receiving cavities for receiving the blades of the fuse. Blade receiving terminals are mounted in the respective terminal receiving cavities of the housing. Each blade receiving terminal includes a pair of opposed contact beams extending from a base and converging toward one another. Contact surfaces are defined at the locations of minimum distance between the contact beams. The terminal further includes a generally U-shaped assist structure having a bight generally adjacent the base of the terminal and having a pair of arms extending from the bight and being unitarily connected to locations on the contact beams remote from the base. Areas on the contact beams between the mating end and the base of the terminal are separated from the assist structure.

Abstract: A terminal is provided for receiving a blade terminal of an automotive fuse. The terminal comprises first and second U-shaped contact arms disposed in spaced relationship to define a blade receiving slot therebetween. As a result, a blade terminal inserted into the blade receiving slot will be contacted on its first side by the first U-shaped contact structure and on its second side by the second U-shaped contact structure. Each U-shaped contact structure is defined by forming the metal material of the terminal about an axis extending parallel to the plane of the metal. Each U-shaped contact structure comprises first and second contact arms and a connecting portion extending therebetween. Each contact arm comprises a generally convex arcuate contact edge extending into the blade receiving slot and generally toward the opposed U-shaped contact structure. Each terminal further comprises bases from which the U-shaped contact structures extend.

Abstract: A filter connector is provided for incorporation into signal lines of an electrical component on a vehicle. The filter connector includes a filtering assembly having a plurality of terminals mounted in spaced relationship to a grounding plate. A plurality of capacitors or a capacitor array are mounted electrically to the grounding plate and are connected electrically to the respective terminals. The grounding plate, the capacitors, and portions of the terminals connected to the capacitors are insert molded into a nonconductive housing.

Abstract: A connector assembly is provided for automotive fuel injectors or temperature sensors. The connector comprises an insulator housing having a plurality of locking members disposed therein for locking engagement with conductive terminals. The housing is constructed to prevent improper orientation of the terminals therein. The locking members are further constructed to prevent insertion of a second terminal until the first terminal has been properly and fully seated and locked within the insulator housing. A TPA (terminal position assurance) component can be engaged on the insulator housing prior to insertion of the terminals to define a subassembly for shipment to a final assembly location. Movement of the TPA component into a second position on the housing assures proper positioning and alignment of the terminals therein.

Abstract: A pair of electrical connectors are provided to enable quick connection or disconnection of a lead from an automotive battery. The connectors include mateable pin and socket terminals that are of split tube design to achieve inward deflection of the pin terminal and outward deflection of the socket terminal with correspondingly high contact forces and large contact surface areas. The terminals are securely mounted in housings that are mateable with one another. One housing preferably includes helically formed cam slots that are dimensioned to receive cam followers unitarily molded with the opposed housing. The helical cam slot provides a desirable mechanical advantage during mating and unmating and contributes to the plural directional wiping of the terminals insert molded therein.

Abstract: An improved sealed connector includes at least one terminal with an associated terminated conductor. The sealed connector includes a housing having at least one resilient arm with a free end finger extending within a terminal receiving channel for retaining the terminal within the terminal receiving channel. The housing includes a sleeve portion extending axially outwardly from a terminal entry wall defining a seal receiving cavity. A seal has at least one aperture for receiving the terminal and is disposed within the seal receiving cavity between the housing terminal entry wall and a connector cover. The connector cover includes terminal position assurance means and a keying member cooperating with the housing terminal retaining arm for securing the terminal within the terminal receiving channel and for keying alignment with the housing and the seal. The housing and the connector cover include cooperating locking mechanisms for securing said connector cover to the housing.

Abstract: In an electrical commoning arrangement including a printed circuit board with at least two parallel rows of conductive pins mounted therein, a removeable shunt connector for electrically commoning two pins is disclosed. The shunt connector includes a terminal defining at least three colinear pin receiving portions whereby the shunt connector can be selectively mated with two adjacent pins of the same row, or with two corresponding pins of different rows.