CARY, NC – (January 10, 2008) — MTS Systems Corp., Sensors Division has developed an innovative connector system for Temposonics M-series sensors. The connector system is designed to flush mount on the side of cylinders in mobile hydraulic applications. The connector system, a patent-pending design, is customized to ease assembly of the sensor into the cylinder and provide a robust electrical connection between the vehicle cable harness and the cylinder/sensor assembly.
“The design eliminates the necessity for cylinder manufacturers to tolerate loose connector pins on wires that can be damaged or needing to solder wires to a flange mount connector,” said Brian Cox, technical marketing manager for mobile hydraulics at MTS. “The connector simplifies the entire assembly process and significantly reduces the opportunity for error.”
Connector systems currently used in cylinder applications today are a single piece design into which the pins are inserted. Due to the compact nature of welded cylinders, the sensor is often installed from the open bore end of the cylinder. During installation, the sensor wires must be fed through the cylinder bore and sensor wire opening. Due to the small space, many connectors cannot be fully assembled prior to sensor installation because they will not fit through the sensor wire opening in the cylinder.
This connector design, based on an industry standard M12 interface, allows for a small contact carrier insert to be pre-assembled to the Temposonics M-Series sensor at the factory. The insert has all of the pins pre-inserted and maintains their proper orientation. The insert is small enough to fit through the cylinder and can be joined with the outer metal housing after it has been pulled through the sensor wire opening on the cylinder. Once the contact carrier insert is fed through the cylinder it is snapped into place in the outer housing and then the entire assembly is mounted to the exterior of the cylinder with four hex screws.
This integrated M12 connector means no more pins to crimp on ends of wires, no more loose connector pins, no more wires to solder, and no chance of mis-wiring the connector for the cylinder manufacturers.
MTS Systems Corporation is the world leader in magnetostrictive linear-position and liquid-level sensor technology. MTS Systems Corporation is a global operation, with facilities in the U.S., Germany and Japan. In the U.S., the MTS Sensors Division has an ISO 9001 facility manufacturing rugged and reliable linear and liquid-level position sensors based on patented MTS Temposonics® technology. With a strong commitment to research and development, product quality and customer service, the Sensors Division is constantly seeking ways to bring the highest value to customers.
