Vented electrical connector

An electrical connector for providing an environmentally protected, vented, temperature resistant electrical connection to an oxygen sensor or a like electrical device generating a low level electrical signal produced at least in part by means exposed to ambient air comprising:

• a connector body of a relatively rigid, temperature resistant synthetic material, said connector body having a terminal receiving cavity extending therethrough from a plug-in opening adapted to receive a protruding hollow center terminal of an oxygen sensor or the like to a lead receiving opening,
• said connector body having an inner shroud at the plug-in opening of the terminal receiving cavity and an outer shroud radially spaced therefrom to form an annular chamber having an end wall,
• said outer shroud projecting beyond the inner shroud,
• a seal sleeve of temperature resistant elastomeric material disposed in said chamber in sealing engagement with an outer surface of the inner shroud,
• said seal sleeve having a portion projecting beyond the inner shroud which portion has an inner surface adapted to receive and sealingly engage an insulator sleeve adjacent the protruding hollow center terminal of the oxygen sensor or like electrical device, and
• vent means leading from an inlet at an exposed surface of the outer shroud to the terminal receiving cavity, said vent means including a passage between an end face of the seal sleeve and the end wall of the chamber and a longitudinal groove in the outer surface of the inner shroud having a portion which extends radially through the inner shroud to the plug-in opening of the terminal receiving cavity.

An electrical connector for providing an environmentally protected, vented, temperature resistant electrical connection to an oxygen sensor or a like electrical device generating a low level electrical signal produced at least in part by means exposed to ambient air comprising:

• a connector body of a relatively rigid, temperature resistant synthetic material, said connector body having a terminal receiving cavity extending therethrough from a plug-in opening adapted to receive a protruding hollow center terminal of an oxygen sensor or the like, to a lead receiving opening,
• said connector body having an inner shroud at the plug-in opening of the terminal receiving cavity and an outer shroud radially spaced therefrom to form an annular chamber having an end wall,
• said outer shroud projecting beyond the inner shroud to substantially protect a seal sleeve of temperature resistant elastomeric material disposed in said chamber in sealing engagement with an outer surface of the inner shroud,
• said seal sleeve being adapted to seal against the end wall of the chamber and having a portion projecting beyond the inner shroud which portion has an inner surface adapted to receive and sealingly engage an insulated portion adjacent the protruding hollow center terminal of the oxygen sensor or like electrical device, and
• vent means leading from an inlet at an exposed end surface of the outer shroud to the plug-in opening of the terminal receiving cavity, said vent means including a longitudinal groove in the bore of the outer shroud, a longitudinal groove in the outer surface of the inner shroud, and an interconnecting passage between an end face of the seal sleeve and the end wall of the chamber.

An electrical connector for providing an environmentally protected, vented, temperature resistant electrical connection to an oxygen sensor or a like electrical device generating a low level electrical signal produced at least in part by means exposed to ambient air comprising:

• a connector body of a relatively rigid, temperature resistant synthetic material, said connector body having a terminal receiving cavity extending therethrough from a plug-in opening adapted to receive a protruding hollow center terminal of an oxygen sensor or the like, to a lead receiving opening,
• said connector body having an inner shroud at the plug-in opening of the terminal receiving cavity and an outer shroud radially spaced therefrom to form an annular chamber having an end wall,
• said outer shroud projecting beyond the inner shroud to substantially protect a seal sleeve of temperature resistant elastomeric material disposed in said chamber in sealing engagement with an outer surface of the inner shroud,
• said seal sleeve being adapted to seal against the end wall of the chamber and having a portion projecting beyond the inner shroud which portion has an inner surface adapted to receive and sealingly engage an insulated portion adjacent the protruding hollow center terminal of the oxygen sensor or like electrical device,
• vent means leading from an inlet at an exposed end surface of the outer shroud to the plug-in opening of the terminal receiving cavity, said vent means comprising a longitudinal groove in the bore of the outer shroud, a radial groove in the end wall of the chamber and a longitudinal groove in the outer surface of the inner shroud in radial alignment, said last mentioned longitudinal groove having an end portion remote from said end wall which extends radially through said inner shroud, and
• a locking clip mounted on the outer shroud having longitudinal and transverse portions spaced from said inlet forming a splash shield for the inlet.