Abstract:
The disclosure relates to a two-pole electrical device having a two conductor that allows for universal radial orientation of a mating connector and harness. A mating connector for the two-pole electrical device is also disclosed. The mating connector is fastened to the two-pole electrical device in a way to ensure secure connection in automotive and heavy duty applications.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The disclosure is directed to a two-pole electrical device, more particularly to the connector terminals and orientation of a two-pole electrical device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Two pole electrical devices are commonly used throughout the electrical arts. Examples of two-pole electrical devices are switches, capacitors, resistors, batteries, solenoids, relays, or other devices known in the art. Each of these two-pole electrical devices requires a wire connection. The wire connection is achieved by attaching the wire to a terminal of the two-pole electrical device. See for example Solenoid Stator Assembly for Electronically Actuated Fuel Injector to Anh Pham, U.S. Pat. No. 5,339,063. 
         [0003]    One problem with the commonly used two terminal design is that of connector orientation. Depending on the installed orientation of the two-pole electrical device, the mating connector and harness may be required to be twisted in order to make a proper connection. Twisting the harness may cause undesired stress on the harness and connector components, leading to premature failure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    In one aspect of the disclosure, a two-pole electrical device is shown. The device includes a center conductor, an outer conductor, the center conductor and the outer conductor being secured by a case, wherein the outer conductor is radially disposed about the center conductor. 
         [0005]    In another aspect of the disclosure, an electrical connector for a two-pole electrical device is shown. The device includes a center terminal including a center terminal hole, an outer terminal including an outer terminal hole, wherein said center terminal hole and said outer terminal hole are aligned axially and said center terminal and said outer terminal are separated by insulator, for providing an electrical connection to a two-pole electrical device. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is a view of a two-pole electrical device. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a view of a two-pole electrical device with an alternative conductor. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a view of a two-pole electrical device with a threaded center conductor for accepting a threaded fastener. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a view of a two-pole electrical device with a radiused slot for accepting a fastener clip. 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a view of a two-pole electrical device joined to a mating connector. 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a view of a mating connector. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    The external features of a two-pole electrical device  10  consist of a case  40  and two conductors  20  and  30 . The internal components of the device could be a switch, capacitor, resistor, battery, solenoid, relay, or other device known in the art. The details of the internal components are not relevant to this disclosure and will not be discussed further. 
         [0013]    The case  40  is made from a non-conducting material such as plastic and serves to provide electrical insulation between the center conductor  20  and outer conductor  30 . The case could be assembled from multiple pieces or constructed as an overmold of the internal components. The overmold could consist of such materials as urethane, polyimide hot-melt, polyester, or ABS. 
         [0014]    The center conductor  20  and outer conductor  30  are made of conductive material and serve to conductively transmit current from the wire conductors  160  and  170  to the internal components of the two-pole electrical device  10 . The center conductor  30  takes the form of a post and is provided with a means for fastening to a mating connector  45 . One method for fastening, shown in  FIG. 3 , is to provide threads in the center conductor  20  that mate to a threaded fastener  100  such as a nut. Another method for fastening, shown in  FIG. 4 , is to provide a radiused slot, or chamfer,  120  in the center conductor that mates with a fastening clip  105 . Other fastening methods known in the art could also be used. The center conductor  20  could also have a larger diameter lower conductor portion  130  which has a lower conductor portion land  140 . The lower conductor portion  130  provides additional strength to the center conductor, if needed. The lower conductor portion land  140  provides additional surface area for clamping load and electrical conduction. 
         [0015]    The outer conductor  30  is radially disposed about the center conductor  20 . The portion protruding above the case  40  has a generally cylindrical cross section. The top of the cylindrical cross section forms the outer conductor mating surface  35 . The outer conductor  30  is conductively connected to one of the poles of the internal component housed in the case  40 . 
         [0016]    Although the outer conductor  30  is shown having a cylindrical cross section as shown in  FIG. 1 , it should be recognized that the outer conductor  30  could have various other configurations.  FIG. 2  shows the outer conductor  30  having three equally-spaced protrusions, each having an outer conductor mating surface  35 . The number of protrusions can be chosen to adapt to clamping load and conductivity requirements. 
         [0017]    The conductors  20 ,  30  of the two-pole electrical device are designed to be joined to a mating connector  45 . The mating connector includes a center terminal  50  and an outer terminal  60 . The center terminal  50  and outer terminal  60  include center terminal hole  51  and outer terminal hole  61  respectively. The center terminal  50  and outer terminal  60  are radially aligned about holes  51  and  61  and are separated by insulator  70 . Terminals  50  and  60  may be attached to insulator  70 . Center terminal  50  may include a connection feature  57  that conductively attaches to a first wire conductor  160 . Likewise, outer terminal  60  may include a connection feature  67  that conductively attaches to a second wire conductor  170 . Once the conductors  20 ,  30  of the two-pole electrical device  10  and the mating connector  45  have been joined, they are fastened into place by a fastener clip  105 , a threaded fastener  100 , or the like. A preload device such as a wave washer or other spring may be used between the two-pole electrical device  10  and the mating connector  45 . The features of the two-pole electrical device and the mating connector have been chosen provide a secure connection in the vibration and shock of automotive and heavy duty applications. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0018]    An example of a two-pole electrical device  10  set forth in this disclosure may be a solenoid for actuating a fuel injector. Such solenoids typically have two conductors  20 ,  30  for connecting to the mating connector  45 . The two-pole electrical device  10  and mating connector  45  set forth in this disclosure allows for changes in the solenoid mounting orientation without need to twist the mating connector  45  in order to make the connection. This allows the conductors  160 ,  170  to be routed according to their design (clearance, vibration, etc.) without the concern of twisting to mate to the solenoid.