Connector having optimized tip
View Patent ↗A connector having an optimized tip is disclosed. The tip may be optimized to facilitate insulating the connector and/or providing a low friction surface to facilitate insertion. The tip may be optimized with a non-conducting and/or low friction end cap configured to be positioned over the tip.
1. A touch proof blade connector comprising:
a blade-shaped conducting body portion narrowing to a tip at one end;
a non-conducting end cap secured to the tip; and
a metal inset positioned over substantially an entire top and bottom of the non-conducting end cap.
2. The touch proof blade connector of claim 1 further comprising a non-conducting blade shroud surrounding substantially an entire outer perimeter of the blade-shaped conducting body portion.
3. The touch proof blade connector of claim 2 wherein the non-conducting blade shroud includes at least one sidewall extending beyond an end of the non-conducting end cap.
4. The touch proof blade connector of claim 2 wherein the non-conducting blade shroud is secured to the blade-shaped conducting body portion.
5. The touch proof blade connector of claim 4 wherein the non-conducting blade shroud is part of a connector assembly included within a vehicle to facilitate electrical interconnect with at least one female terminal included on a plug-in cordset.
6. The touch proof blade connector of claim 1 wherein the tip is formed by skiving the blade-shaped conducting body portion.
7. The touch proof blade connector of claim 1 wherein a top and a bottom of the tip angle downwardly to a point and a left side and a right side between the top and the bottom each include at least one ridge.
8. The touch proof blade connector of claim 7 wherein the non-conducting end cap includes an opening opposite the point, wherein a left side and a right side of the opening at least partially deforms proximate the at least one ridge when positioned over the tip.
9. The touch proof blade connector of claim 1 wherein the end cap is overmolded to the tip.
10. The touch proof blade connector of claim 1 wherein the non-conducting end cap entirely surrounds the tip.
11. The touch proof blade connector of claim 1 wherein the non-conducting end cap covers substantially all of a top and a bottom of the tip but not a left and a right side between the top and the bottom.
12. The touch proof blade connector of claim 1 wherein the non-conducting end cap includes a tang configured to lodge within a recess of the tip to prevent removal of the end cap from the tip.
13. The touch proof blade connector of claim 1 wherein the metal inset has a lower coefficient of friction than the non-conducting end cap.
14. A method of manufacturing a blade connector comprising:
stamping a conducting body portion;
skiving one end of the stamped conducting body portion into a tip;
attaching a non-conducting end cap to the tip; and
positioning a metal inset over substantially an entire top and bottom of the non-conducting end cap.
15. The method of claim 14 further comprising press fitting an opening within the non-conducting end cap over the tip.
16. The method of claim 14 further comprising securing a low friction inset to the non-conducting end cap by positioning a tang included within the inset relative to a recess included within the non-conducting end cap, the low friction inset having a lower coefficient of friction than the non-conducting end cap.
17. The method of claim 14 further comprising overmolding the non-conducting end cap to the tip.
18. A connector comprising:
a female-shaped conducting body portion having at least one set of opposed fingers, wherein at least a portion of the opposed fingers are coated with a low friction substance, the low friction substance having a lower coefficient of friction than the female-shaped conducting body portion; and
a blade-shaped conducting body portion shaped to engage at least one set of opposed fingers, the blade-shaped conducting body portion having a tip at one end, a non-conducting end cap secured to the tip, and a metal inset positioned over substantially an entire top and bottom of the non-conducting end cap.
19. The connector of claim 18 wherein the non-conducting end cap includes a low friction inset to engage the low friction substance, the low friction inset having a lower coefficient of friction than the non-conducting end cap.
20. A touch proof blade connector comprising:
a blade-shaped conducting body portion narrowing to a tip at one end; and
a non-conducting end cap secured to the tip;
wherein a top and a bottom of the tip angle downwardly to a point and a left side and a right side between the top and the bottom each include at least one ridge.
21. A method of manufacturing a blade connector comprising:
stamping a conducting body portion;
skiving one end of the stamped conducting body portion into a tip, wherein a top and a bottom of the tip angle downwardly to a point and a left side and a right side between the top and the bottom each include at least one ridge; and
attaching a non-conducting end cap to the tip.
22. A connector comprising:
a female-shaped conducting body portion having at least one set of opposed fingers, wherein at least a portion of the opposed fingers are coated with a low friction substance, the low friction substance having a lower coefficient of friction than the female-shaped conducting body portion; and
a blade-shaped conducting body portion shaped to engage at least one set of opposed fingers, the blade-shaped conducting body portion having a tip at one end and a non-conducting end cap secured to the tip, wherein a top and a bottom of the tip angle downwardly to a point and a left side and a right side between the top and the bottom each include at least one ridge.