Abstract:
The disclosure relates to an electrical connector that allows for universal radial orientation when connected to a two-pole electrical device. The two-pole electrical device that the connector mates to 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 an electrical connector for a two-pole electrical device, more particularly to the connector terminals and orientation of the terminals of a two-pole electrical device. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Connectors for 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, an electrical connector for a two-pole electrical device is disclosed. The device includes center terminal including a center terminal hole and a center terminal mating surface, an outer terminal including an outer terminal hole and an outer terminal mating surface, wherein said outer terminal hole are aligned axially and said center terminal and said outer terminal are separated by insulator. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a view of an electrical connector for a two-pole electrical device 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a view of a two-pole electrical device 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  shows an electrical connector mated to a two-pole electrical device 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is a side view of an electrical connector mated to a two-pole electrical device 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a bottom a view of an electrical connector for a two-pole electrical device 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  shows another example of an electrical connector mated to a two-pole electrical device 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a side view of an electrical connector from  FIG. 6  mated to a two-pole electrical device 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a bottom a view of an electrical connector from  FIG. 6  for a two-pole electrical device 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  shows another example of an electrical connector mated to a two-pole electrical device 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a side view of an electrical connector from  FIG. 9  mated to a two-pole electrical device 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a bottom a view of an electrical connector from  FIG. 9  for a two-pole electrical device 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  shows a threaded fastener for joining an electrical connector mated to a two-pole electrical device 
           [0017]      FIG. 13  shows a fastener clip for joining an electrical connector mated to a two-pole electrical device 
           [0018]      FIG. 14  is a detailed view of the features of an electrical connector mated to a two-pole electrical device 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The mating connector  45  shown in  FIG. 1  consists of a center terminal  50  and an outer terminal  60 . The center terminal  50  and outer terminal  60  include center terminal holes  51  and  61  respectively. The center terminal  50  and outer terminal  60  are radially aligned about center holes  51  and  61  and are separated by insulator  70 . Terminals  50  and  60  may be located on the same plain or offset on different plains. 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 . 
         [0020]    In one example of the disclosure, shown in  FIGS. 3 ,  4 , and  5 , terminals  50  and  60  are attached to insulator  70  in a press-fit relationship via press fit features  72 . Center terminal connection feature  57  and outer terminal connection feature  67  may be radially aligned or aligned in different orientations from each other. Terminal  50  may be attached to insulator  70  in a press-fit relationship via press fit features  72 . 
         [0021]    In another example of the disclosure, shown in  FIGS. 6 ,  7 , and  8 , outer terminal  60  is attached to insulator  70  via an overmold process. Thus, insulator  70  captures outer terminal  60  but leaves outer terminal mating surface  65  exposed. 
         [0022]    In yet another example of the disclosure, shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 , and  11 , terminals  50  and  60  are attached to insulator  70  via an overmold process. Thus, insulator  70  captures both center terminal  50  and outer terminal  60 . Center terminal mating surface  55  and outer terminal mating surface  65  are left exposed. Center terminal connection feature  57  and outer terminal connection feature  67  are shown as radially aligned to simplify the overmold process. 
         [0023]    The mating connector  45  is designed to be joined to a two-pole electrical device  10 , shown in  FIG. 2 . 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. 
         [0024]    The case  40  is made from a non-conducting material such as plastic and serves to provide electrical insulation between the center conductor  30  and outer conductor  40 . 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. 
         [0025]    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  20  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. 12 , is to provide threads  110  in the center conductor that mate to a threaded fastener  100  such as a nut. Another method for fastening, shown in  FIG. 13 , 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. 
         [0026]    The outer conductor  30  is radially disposed about the center conductor. 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 is conductively connected to one of the poles of the internal component housed in the case  40 . 
         [0027]    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. The features of the two-pole electrical device  10  and the mating connector  45  have been chosen provide a secure connection in the vibration and shock of automotive and heavy duty applications. 
       INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
       [0028]    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.