Abstract: An electrical connector includes an integrally formed cylindrical housing and a cylindrical spring lock retainer disposed within a cavity in the housing and defining a spring member and a terminal lock. The electrical connector further includes an annular ridge protruding from inner walls of the housing into the cavity and a plurality of spring lock retainer stops extending from the inner walls into the cavity and arranged around a circumference of the spring lock retainer. The annular ridge is arranged on a first end of the spring lock retainer and the plurality of spring lock retainer stops are arranged on a second end of the spring lock retainer opposite the first end. A method of manufacturing such an electrical connector is also presented.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an electrical terminal having a connection portion and an attachment portion angled relative to the connection portion. The assembly also includes a cylindrical inner housing sleeve formed of a polymeric material in which the connection portion of the electrical terminal is disposed and an outer connector housing formed of a polymeric material having a smooth bore configured to receive the inner housing sleeve containing the electrical terminal. The bore and inner housing sleeve are sized such that the inner housing sleeve is in an interference fit condition when received within the bore. The electrical connector assembly is assembled by a process having the steps of inserting the inner housing sleeve within the bore of the outer connector housing and affixing the inner housing sleeve to the outer connector housing by welding the inner housing sleeve to the outer connector housing.

Abstract: A shielded electrical connector assembly includes an electromagnetic shield integrally formed from a single sheet of conductive material. The shield has a main wall and four side walls surrounding the main wall. The shield defines an opening opposite the main wall having an opening perimeter that is greater than or equal to a main wall perimeter. One of the four side walls defines at least one side wall opening that is configured to receive a shielded wire cable. A method of manufacturing the shielded electrical connector assembly includes the steps of providing a single planar sheet of conductive material, providing a die and a punch, forming the sheet into a cupped shape having a main wall and four side walls surrounding the main wall using the die and the punch, and forming a side wall opening in one of the four side walls.

Abstract: An electrical connector assembly includes an electrical terminal having a connection portion and an attachment portion angled relative to the connection portion. The assembly also includes a cylindrical inner housing sleeve formed of a polymeric material in which the connection portion of the electrical terminal is disposed and an outer connector housing formed of a polymeric material having a smooth bore configured to receive the inner housing sleeve containing the electrical terminal. The bore and inner housing sleeve are sized such that the inner housing sleeve is in an interference fit condition when received within the bore. The electrical connector assembly is assembled by a process having the steps of inserting the inner housing sleeve within the bore of the outer connector housing and affixing the inner housing sleeve to the outer connector housing by welding the inner housing sleeve to the outer connector housing.

Abstract: A shielded electrical connector assembly includes an electromagnetic shield integrally formed from a single sheet of conductive material. The shield has a main wall and four side walls surrounding the main wall. The shield defines an opening opposite the main wall having an opening perimeter that is greater than or equal to a main wall perimeter. One of the four side walls defines at least one side wall opening that is configured to receive a shielded wire cable. A method of manufacturing the shielded electrical connector assembly includes the steps of providing a single planar sheet of conductive material, providing a die and a punch, forming the sheet into a cupped shape having a main wall and four side walls surrounding the main wall using the die and the punch, and forming a side wall opening in one of the four side walls.

Abstract: A method of closing a spatial gap between a first mating surface of a first snap locking feature defined by a first part and a second mating surface of a second snap locking feature defined by a second part. This method includes the steps of attaching the first and second parts to one another by sliding the first and second snap locking features over one another until the first mating surface is proximate the second mating surface and deforming a portion of the first part to fabricate a protrusion that contacts the second part and urges the second part in a direction effective to place the first and second mating surfaces into direct contact with one another.

Abstract: A method of closing a spatial gap between a first mating surface of a first snap locking feature defined by a first part and a second mating surface of a second snap locking feature defined by a second part. This method includes the steps of attaching the first and second parts to one another by sliding the first and second snap locking features over one another until the first mating surface is proximate the second mating surface and deforming a portion of the first part to fabricate a protrusion that contacts the second part and urges the second part in a direction effective to place the first and second mating surfaces into direct contact with one another.