Patent ID: 7615885

Claim:
A power connection device for use in electrically connecting a battery with one or more battery loads, the device comprising: a terminal clamp for electrically connecting to a terminal of the battery; a distribution rail in electrical communication with the terminal clamp and configured to distribute energy between the one or more loads and the terminal of the battery; a relay electrically interconnected between the terminal clamp and the distribution rail, the relay having capabilities to disconnect electrical communication between the terminal clamp and distribution rail; a tolerance compensation device electrically interconnected at a first end to the relay and at a second end to the terminal clamp, the compensation device being configured for providing connection tolerance between the terminal clamp and relay; and a rigid mounting plate secured to a bottom of each of the distribution rail, relay, and the first end of the tolerance compensation device, wherein the mounting plate includes an opening proximate a bottom of the terminal clamp and the second end of the tolerance compensation device to permit connection of the clamp to the terminal of the battery, the terminal clamp being movable through the opening relative to a fixed positioning of the rail, relay, and first end secured to the mounting plate, an amount of movement available to the terminal clamp being dependent on a flexibility of the tolerance compensation device.