# US 2021/0242613 A1 · Electrical connector having a staggered contact carrier > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2021/0242613 A1 - Document ID: US20210242613A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/051,465 - Filed: 2018-05-17 - Published: 2021-08-05 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-17 - Assignees: Dresser-Rand Company - Applicants: Dresser-Rand Company - Inventors: Justin Malpiedi; Christopher Scott; Steven Rockwood - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210242613A1 ## CPC - H01R 9/2491: {Terminal blocks structurally associated with plugs or sockets} - H01R 13/405: Securing in non-demountable manner, e.g. moulding, riveting - H01R 13/502: composed of different pieces (H01R13/514 takes precedence) - H01R 13/5045: {different pieces being assembled by press-fit} - H01R 43/00: Apparatus or processes specially adapted for manufacturing, assembling, maintaining, or repairing of line connectors or current collectors or for joining electric conductors (of trolley lines B60M1/28) - H01R 4/36: Conductive members located under tip of screw - H01R 13/74: Means for mounting coupling parts in openings of a panel - H01R 13/748: {using one or more screws (H01R13/746 takes precedence)} - H01R 2107/00: Four or more poles - H01R: ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS ## Abstract An electrical connector for making electrical contact with at least one lead of an electronic device. The connector includes a mounting flange portion and a connector housing portion. The connector also includes 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. A fastening element is used to engage the fastener hole and contacts the lead to form electrical contact between the conductor and the lead. The connector further includes a conductor carrier that extends through the connector housing and mounting flange. The conductor carrier includes a base portion and at least one extended portion that extends from the base portion to form a staggered arrangement. The base and extended portions each include a plurality of channels wherein each channel includes a conductor. ## Claims ### Claim 1 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; 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 housing and mounting flange, 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. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein the pin and terminal ends of the conductor are unistructurally formed. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein each channel is substantially U-shaped. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein each conductor is integrally molded within the channel. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein the conductor carrier is held within the connector housing and mounting flange by an interference fit. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein the lead opening is oriented substantially parallel to the center axis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The connector according to claim 1, wherein the mounting flange includes a sealing element. ### Claim 8 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. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The connector according to claim 8, wherein the pin and terminal ends of the conductor are unistructurally formed. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The connector according to claim 8, wherein each channel is substantially U-shaped. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The connector according to claim 8, wherein each conductor is integrally molded within the channel. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The connector according to claim 8, wherein the lead opening is oriented substantially parallel to the center axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The connector according to claim 8, wherein the mounting flange includes a sealing element. ### Claim 14 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. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the pin and terminal ends of the conductor are unistructurally formed. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein each channel is substantially U-shaped. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein each conductor is integrally molded within the channel. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the conductor carrier is held within the connector housing by an interference fit. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the lead opening is oriented substantially parallel to the center axis. ### Claim 20 (depends on 14) The method according to claim 14, wherein the electronic device is a resistance temperature detector.