Rotary potentiometer with molded terminal package

A process for transducing an angular displacement to an electrical output by means of a potentiometer, comprising the steps of:

• aligning within a potentiometer housing a plurality of terminals contained in an integral subassembly and said plurality of terminals each having an angled end at an end of a respective terminal for engaging a resistance element means at one end and one of a plurality of terminal connections at the other end thereof, positioning shaft means, resilient means, drive arm means, and a contactor means attached to said drive arm means within said potentiometer housing whereby said contactor means is positioned for wipable engagement with said resistive element means, and adjusting the angular position of said shaft means to rotate said drive arm and effect wipable engagement of said contactor means with said resistive element means to effect an electrical output through said plurality of terminals and said terminal connection means.

A process for producing a potentiometer having a drop-in terminal coupling subassembly, comprising the steps of:

• (1) forming a potentiometer housing having a groove disposed therein, (2) disposing a resistive element means within said groove, (3) inserting the interior end of a shaft means centrally of said groove, (4) securing resilient means to said housing and securing the other end to said shaft means, (5) positioning drive arm means about the interior end of said shaft means, said drive arm means having a contactor means, (6) integrally forming an electrically neutral material about a plurality of terminals to form said terminal coupling subassembly, and (7) positioning said terminal coupling subassembly in terminal receiving means within said housing such that an angled end of each terminal engages said resistive element means and the other end of each terminal is positioned for connection to an exterior circuit whereby angular displacement of said shaft means rotates said drive arm means and contactor means to effect wipable engagement of said contactor means with said resistive element means to effect an electrical output through said plurality of terminals.