Electrical connector having a staggered contact carrier

An electrical connector for making electrical contact with at least one lead of an electronic device, comprising:

• a mounting flange portion;
• a connector housing portion that extends along a center axis from the mounting flange portion, wherein a connector hole extends through the connector housing and mounting flange portions;
• at least one conductor having a pin end and a terminal end, wherein the terminal end includes a lead opening that receives the lead and a fastener hole oriented substantially transverse to the lead opening and wherein a fastening element engages the fastener hole and contacts the lead to form electrical contact between the conductor and the lead;
• and
• a conductor carrier extending through the connector hole, wherein the conductor carrier is held within the connector housing and mounting flange by an interference fit and wherein the conductor carrier includes a base portion and at least one extended portion that extends from the base portion to form a staggered arrangement wherein the base and extended portions each include a plurality of channels and wherein each channel includes a conductor.

A method of attaching a lead from an electronic device to a connector, comprising:

• providing a connector housing portion that extends along a center axis;
• providing at least one conductor having a pin end and a terminal end, wherein the terminal end includes a lead opening that receives the lead and a fastener hole oriented substantially transverse to the lead opening;
• inserting the lead into the lead opening;
• inserting a fastening element that engages the fastener hole and contacts the lead to form electrical contact between the conductor and the lead;
• and
• providing a conductor carrier that extends through the connector housing, the conductor carrier having a base portion and at least one extended portion that extends from the base portion to form a staggered arrangement wherein the base and extended portions each include a plurality of channels and wherein each channel includes a conductor.