Touch proof end cap for a leading end of a conducting connector

• US 9,331,416 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2011
• Issued: 05/03/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 08/19/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Original Assignee: Lear Corporation
• Inventors: Natter, Brantley
• Primary Examiner(s): Prasad, Chandrika
• Application Number:
  US13/213,318
• Publication Number:
  US 20130045630A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,719 Days
• Field of Search: 439/625, 439133-135, 439/521, 439/131
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/44 Means for preventing access to live contacts making use of a switch actuated by engagement of counterpart H01R13/7036
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/447 Shutter or cover plate

Abstract

A touch proof connector is contemplated. The connector may be comprised of a conducting body with a non-conducting end cap. The touch-proof connector may be included within a charging receptacle of a vehicle to facilitate establishing electrical connection with a connector assembly of a plug-in charging system. The non-conducting end cap may be configured to facilitate insulating a tip of the touch-proof connector from human contact.

Claims

1. An electrical connector comprising:

a conductive body portion with an exposed exterior having a tip at one end; and

a non-conductive end cap secured to the tip extending beyond a leading end of the conductive body portion to reduce inadvertent conductive contact at the tip, thereby limiting conductive contact to the exposed exterior of the conductive body portion.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein the end cap includes a leading end and a mating end, the mating end having an opening shaped to fit over the tip.

3. The connector of claim 2 wherein the mating end includes a relief shaped to snap-fit within a groove included within the tip.

4. The connector of claim 3 wherein the end cap includes a plurality of alignment protuberances outboard of the relief to facilitate centering the mating end relative to the tip.

5. The connector of claim 3 wherein the end cap includes at least one aperture transversely aligned with the opening to facilitate movement of the relief into the groove.

6. The connector of claim 2 wherein the tip includes a plurality of barbs shaped to engage the opening within the end cap.

7. The connector of claim 2 wherein the body portion includes a recessed end and a non-recessed end, the non-recessed end being shaped to receive the tip.

8. The connector of claim 1 wherein the tip of the conductive body portion is oriented at a distal end of the conductive body portion;

and

wherein a leading end of an exterior portion of the end cap tapers outwardly to a mating end, the mating end engaging a face of the body portion adjacent to the tip.

9. The connector of claim 2 wherein an outer diameter of the mating end is approximately equal to an outer diameter of the body portion proximate the mating end so as to provide a flush exterior surface at a boundary between the end cap and the body portion.

10. The connector of claim 1 wherein the end cap is overmolded to the tip.

11. The connector of claim 2 wherein the leading end is tapered to facilitate insertion within a terminal.

12. The connector of claim 2 wherein the leading end of the end cap includes a flattened portion.

13. The connector of claim 12 wherein the flattened portion conceals the tip of the conductive body portion.

14. The connector of claim 4 wherein the plurality of alignment protuberances are spaced around a perimeter of the opening in the end cap.

15. An end cap for use with a conductive connector comprising:

a non-conductive body portion having a leading end and a mating end, the mating end being configured to engage a tip of the connector; and

wherein an opening within the mating end is shaped to securely engage at least one groove included within the tip of the connector; and

wherein the leading end conceals the conductive connector to prevent conductive contact at the leading end, thereby limiting conductive contact to an exposed exterior of the connector.

16. The end cap of claim 15 wherein the mating end includes a relief shaped to snap-fit within at least one of the at least one groove included within the tip.

17. The end cap of claim 15 wherein the end cap includes a plurality of alignment protuberances snap-fit within at least one of the at least one groove included within the tip.

18. The end cap of claim 15 wherein the end cap includes at least one aperture transversely aligned with the opening to facilitate movement over the tip.

19. The end cap of claim 15 wherein the opening is cylindrically shaped throughout.

20. A charging assembly for use with a vehicle, the charging assembly comprising:

a pin-shaped connector with a conductive exterior shaped to mate with a female connector included within a connector assembly;

a non-conductive end cap according to claim 15 engaging the tip of the connector; and

a connector assembly of a plug-in charging system, the connector assembly comprising a female connector shaped to receive the pin-shaped connector for conductive contact at the conductive exterior only.