Abstract: A female type contact is provided for use with an electrical connector. The female type contact includes a body portion and a plurality of flexible beams that extend from the body portion. The flexible beams include a base portion having a first width and a tip portion having a second width that is smaller than the first width of the base portion.

Abstract: A female type contact is provided for use with an electrical connector. The female type contact includes a body portion and a plurality of flexible beams that extend from the body portion. The flexible beams include a base portion having a first width and a tip portion having a second width that is smaller than the first width of the base portion.

Abstract: A fuse holder for an electrical fuse includes a first housing portion which has first and second electrical terminals disposed therein. A second housing portion is pivotally attached to the first housing portion, and is configured to carry the electrical fuse. Pivoting the first and second housing portions together automatically and sequentially connects the fuse carried by the second housing portion to the terminals disposed within the first housing portion. This provides a convenient mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the fuse, and facilitates the use of a fuse without its own insulating material.

Abstract: A charge handle for use in charging a plug-in vehicle having a charge port includes a body having a receptacle for engaging the charge port to provide for charging the vehicle. A latch rotatably mounted to the body has a first end for securing the engagement of the receptacle to the charge port, and has a second end. An actuator lever is rotatably mounted to the body. The actuator lever has a first end connected to the second end of the latch, and has a second end. A trigger mechanism includes a trigger located on the opposite side of the body from the latch. The trigger mechanism is arranged such that depressing the trigger pushes the second end of the actuator lever to rotate the actuator lever to cause the latch to rotate and disengage the receptacle from the charge port.

Abstract: A fuse circuit assembly having a power distribution bar for distributing power from a power input and an electrical terminal integral with the power distribution bar. The electrical terminal has a fuse element that is configured to open at an over current threshold in order to prevent current flow therethrough. The electrical terminal portion also has a female terminal portion.

Abstract: A fuse holder for an electrical fuse includes a first housing portion which has first and second electrical terminals disposed therein. A second housing portion is pivotally attached to the first housing portion, and is configured to carry the electrical fuse. Pivoting the first and second housing portions together automatically and sequentially connects the fuse carried by the second housing portion to the terminals disposed within the first housing portion. This provides a convenient mechanism for connecting and disconnecting the fuse, and facilitates the use of a fuse without its own insulating material.

Abstract: A fuse circuit assembly having a power distribution bar for distributing power from a power input and an electrical terminal integral with the power distribution bar. The electrical terminal has a fuse element that is configured to open at an over current threshold in order to prevent current flow therethrough. The electrical terminal portion also has a female terminal portion.

Abstract: A high power fuse includes a fuse body having a first terminal receptor including a first set of terminal legs and a second terminal receptor in spaced relation to the first terminal receptor. The second terminal receptor includes a second set of terminal legs. A fuse element is disposed between the first terminal receptor and the second terminal receptor. A first clamp-like member is mounted to the fuse body for applying a predetermined compression force against the first set of terminal legs and is configured to secure a first male terminal between the first set of terminal legs. A second clamp-like member is mounted to the fuse body for applying a predetermined compression force against the second set of terminal legs and is configured to secure a second male terminal between the second set of terminal legs.

Abstract: A fuse cassette for use with Power Distribution Boxes (PDBs) and other electrical devices. The fuse cassette may include a fuse circuit having a power distribution bar for distributing power between a number of terminals. The terminals may include electrical traces having fuse-like characteristics. The traces may open during over current conditions to protect the PDB and devices connected thereto from over current conditions.

Abstract: A high power fuse includes a fuse body having a first terminal receptor including a first set of terminal legs and a second terminal receptor in spaced relation to the first terminal receptor. The second terminal receptor includes a second set of terminal legs. A fuse element is disposed between the first terminal receptor and the second terminal receptor. A first clamp-like member is mounted to the fuse body for applying a predetermined compression force against the first set of terminal legs and is configured to secure a first male terminal between the first set of terminal legs. A second clamp-like member is mounted to the fuse body for applying a predetermined compression force against the second set of terminal legs and is configured to secure a second male terminal between the second set of terminal legs.

Abstract: A surface mount electrical connector includes a terminal body having a first elongate member that cooperates with a housing to secure the terminal body to the connector housing. A second elongate member of the terminal body includes a curved portion having an aperture therethrough. The curved portion includes a convex surface that facilitates automated assembly operations, and the aperture helps to overcome surface tension in liquid solder, thereby promoting a secure electrical connection.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method of manufacturing and electrical assembly. The method includes forming a first electrical component at a first stamping machine. The method also includes forming a second electrical component at a second stamping machine. The method further includes forming a third electrical component at a third stamping machine and receiving the first, second and third electrical components at an assembly machine. The first, second and third electrical components are then assembled into a unitary electrical assembly.

Abstract: A system for verifying that parts are properly assembled. A radio frequency identification (RFID) tag is connected to one of the parts that has an antenna loop. The antenna loop has two spaced contacts that may be bridged by a shorting bar on the other one of the parts. When the parts are properly assembled and the shorting bar bridges the contacts, the RFID tag is enabled to communicate a coded signal to a receiver thereby determining that the parts are assembled.

Abstract: A fuse cassette for use with Power Distribution Boxes (PDBs) and other electrical devices. The fuse cassette may include a fuse circuit having a power distribution bar for distributing power between a number of terminals. The terminals may include electrical traces having fuse-like characteristics. The traces may open during over current conditions to protect the PDB and devices connected thereto from over current conditions.

Abstract: An electrical power supply system includes a vehicle interior trim member selectably mountable to a vehicle interior. The vehicle interior trim member includes an electrical load device and a releasable connector having a fixed terminal contact for receiving power for powering the electrical load device. A power supply connector is fixedly mounted to the vehicle interior and is releasably attachable to the releasable connector for supplying power from the power supply to the electrical load device. A retractable terminal contact of the power supply connector is in a retracted position for receiving power from the power supply when the vehicle interior trim member is selectively attached to the vehicle. The retractable terminal contact being in an extended position and being disconnected from the power supply when the releasable connector is disconnected from the power supply connector in response to the vehicle interior trim member selectively detached from the vehicle.

Abstract: An electrical power supply system is provided that includes a vehicle interior trim member selectably mountable to a vehicle interior. The trim member includes an electrical load device and a releasable connector for receiving electrical energy for powering the electrical load device. A power supply connector is electrically coupled to a power supply and releasably attachable to the releasable connector. A switching circuit determines a position of the releasable connector relative to the power supply connector. The releasable connector is connected to the power supply connector when the trim member is selectively attached to the vehicle and is disconnected from the releasable connector when the trim member is detached from the vehicle. The switching circuit disconnects power from the power supply connector when the proximity of the releasable connector relative to the power supply connector is outside of a predetermined range and connects power when within the predetermined range.

Abstract: An electrical power supply system includes a vehicle interior trim member selectably mountable to a vehicle interior. The vehicle interior trim member includes an electrical load device and a releasable connector having a fixed terminal contact for receiving power for powering the electrical load device. A power supply connector is fixedly mounted to the vehicle interior and is releasably attachable to the releasable connector for supplying power from the power supply to the electrical load device. A retractable terminal contact of the power supply connector is in a retracted position for receiving power from the power supply when the vehicle interior trim member is selectively attached to the vehicle. The retractable terminal contact being in an extended position and being disconnected from the power supply when the releasable connector is disconnected from the power supply connector in response to the vehicle interior trim member selectively detached from the vehicle.

Abstract: A surface mount electrical connector includes a terminal body having a first elongate member that cooperates with a housing to secure the terminal body to the connector housing. A second elongate member of the terminal body includes a curved portion having an aperture therethrough. The curved portion includes a convex surface that facilitates automated assembly operations, and the aperture helps to overcome surface tension in liquid solder, thereby promoting a secure electrical connection.

Abstract: An electrical power supply system is provided that includes a vehicle interior trim member selectably mountable to a vehicle interior. The trim member includes an electrical load device and a releasable connector for receiving electrical energy for powering the electrical load device. A power supply connector is electrically coupled to a power supply and releasably attachable to the releasable connector. A switching circuit measures an impedance of the electrical supply system and selectively energizes the power supply connector. The releasable connector is connected to the power supply connector when the trim member is selectively mounted to the vehicle and is disconnected from the releasable connector when the trim member is detached from the vehicle. The switching circuit disconnects power to the power supply connector when the impedance is outside of a predetermined range. The switching circuit connects power to the power supply connector when the impedance is within the predetermined range.

Abstract: A connector for engaging a conductor enclosed by insulation includes a housing including a base, the housing having a slot directed toward the base, a throat whose width is less than a width of an outer surface of the insulation, and a retention recess communicating with the throat and having a width that is greater than the width of the throat, for engaging the conductor after the conductor passes along the first slot through the first throat into the first retention recess.