Patent attributes
A high temperature electrical connector suitable for use in a high temperature gas sensor. The electrical connector incorporates a ceramic connector body having a pair of opposing ceramic body portions which each house a plurality of conductive terminals. The body portions are in pivoting engagement and fixed in a connector body retainer which also enables their pivoting, hinged movement. The pivoting engagement permits the ceramic body portions and terminals to hinge open to receive a gas sensor with a low insertion force and a hinge closed to provide the desired contact force. The ceramic body portions may also include a taper section in a pivot portion with a taper angle that may be varied to control the pivoting, hinged movement of the electrical connector.