PIN CONNECTOR

An electrical connector is provided. The electrical connector can be a low profile, high voltage connector that can include a male housing and a female housing. The male housing can support male pins that mate with terminals disposed through the female housing. The bend or outward extension of the pins can support forming one row or dual rows of solder pads.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to connectors. In particular, aspects relate to electrical connectors having male pin contacts.

BACKGROUND

Electrical connectors can be used in various wiring systems. Electrical connectors can include a locking mechanism to maintain coupling between a female housing and a male housing. The female housing can support one or more terminals for mating with one or more male pins supported by the male housing. A terminal position assurance member can be used to assure proper installation and positioning of the terminals in the female housing. The terminal position assurance member can be locked in a position for assuring terminal positioning. Terminal position assurance members can be inserted into the female housing, and a portion of the terminal position assurance member can extend outside of the female housing.

SUMMARY

Some aspects are directed to a connector having a male housing comprising a rear side, a plurality of first openings and a plurality of second openings formed in the rear side, a plurality of pins, and a female housing comprising a plurality of terminals to mate with the plurality of the pin. The plurality of second openings are positioned below and offset from the plurality of first openings. The plurality of pins has a plurality of first pins disposed in the plurality of first openings, each of the plurality of first pins having a pin length, and a plurality of second pins disposed in the plurality of second openings, each of the plurality of second pins having the pin length.

In some aspects, the plurality of first pins are at a first angle relative to the rear side, and the plurality of second pins are at a second angle relative to the rear side. The second angle is greater than the first angle.

In some aspects, the plurality of second pins is outward of the plurality of first pins relative to the rear side.

In some aspects, the plurality of first openings is positioned above a central lateral axis of the rear side.

In some aspects, the plurality of second openings is positioned below a central lateral axis of the rear side.

In some aspects, a clearance or creepage for an electrical path extending from a first terminal of the plurality of terminals to a second terminal of the plurality of terminals is approximately 0.6 millimeters.

Some aspects are directed to a male housing for a connector having a bottom end having a transverse axis, a rear side, a first opening formed in the rear side, a second opening formed in the rear side and positioned below the first opening, a first pin, and a second pin. The first pin has a first end and a second end, the first end of the first pin being disposed in the first opening and the second end of the first pin extending along a first axis parallel to and on the same plane as the transverse axis. The second pin has a first end and a second end, the first end of the second pin being disposed in the second opening and the second end of the second pin extending along a second axis parallel to and on the same plane as the transverse axis, the second end of the first pin and the second end of the second pin being aligned relative to the rear side.

In some aspects, the first pin has an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end of the first pin, and the intermediate portion is aligned with the rear side.

In some aspects, the second pin has an intermediate portion between the first end and the second end of the second pin, and the intermediate portion is aligned with the rear side.

In some aspects, the first pin has a first pin length and the second pin has a second pin length that is less than the first pin length.

In some aspects, the first opening is positioned above a central lateral axis of the rear side, and the second opening is positioned below the central lateral axis.

In some aspects, the first end of the first pin extends along a third axis parallel to the transverse axis, and the first end of the second pin extends along a fourth axis parallel to the transverse axis.

Some aspects are directed to a male housing for a connector having a bottom end having a transverse axis, a rear side, a first opening formed in the rear side, a second opening formed in the rear side, a first pin, and a second pin. The first pin has a first end extending along a first axis, an intermediate portion, and a second end, and the intermediate portion of the first pin is at a first angle relative to the first axis. The second pin has a first end extending along a second axis, an intermediate portion, and a second end, and the intermediate portion of the second pin is at a second angle relative to the second axis. The second angle is different from the first angle.

In some aspects, the first pin and the second pin have the same pin length.

In some aspects, the second angle is greater than the first angle.

In some aspects, the second end of the second pin is outward of the second end of the first pin relative to the rear side.

In some aspects, the second end of the first pin and the second end of the second pin extend along axes parallel to and on the same plane as a bottom transverse axis of the male housing.

In some aspects, the second end of the first pin extends along a third axis, and the intermediate portion of the first pin is at a third angle relative to the third axis. The first angle and the third angle are the same.

In some aspects, the second opening is positioned adjacent the first opening.

In some aspects, the first opening is positioned above a central lateral axis of the rear side, and the second opening is positioned below the central lateral axis of the rear side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention(s) will now be described in detail with reference to aspects thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. References to “one aspect,” “an aspect,” “an exemplary aspect,” etc., indicate that the aspect described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every aspect may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same aspect. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an aspect, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other aspects whether or not explicitly described.

As used herein, the term “approximately” is inclusive of the number to which it refers and includes numbers that bound and are within a range of 5%, 10%, 15%, or 20% except where such number would exceed 100% of a possible value.

Aspects provide an electrical connector for wiring systems, such as a vehicle wiring system. The electrical connector described herein can be a single or dual row, low profile, high voltage connector. In some aspects, the connector can have a low profile. As described herein, the connector can support two rows of terminals, which can mate with male pins. The connector can secure to a printed circuit board (PCB), or can be a wire to wire connector, for example.

The electrical connector can include a female housing, a male housing, a connector position assurance member (“CPA member”), and a terminal position assurance member (“TPA member”). The female housing, the CPA member, and the TPA member can form an assembly that can be coupled to the male housing.

The CPA member can ensure position assurance. Position assurance is important in wiring systems to ensure and maintain terminal mating and resist disconnection. To ensure coupling, a higher force can be required to couple the assembly with the male housing. The coupling can be intentionally released for maintenance by overcoming the resistance to disconnection. The CPA member can be released to allow decoupling of the female housing and male housing. Advantageously, feedback (e.g., a visual, tactile, and/or auditory feedback) can be provided to signal that the connector housings are coupled with position assurance. The coupling with connector position assurance between the assembly and the male housing can move the electrical connector from a pre-mate position to a fully mated position.

The TPA member can maintain proper terminal positioning within the housings. Terminal segments containing wire terminals can include a primary lock to maintain their position in a housing, ensuring proper mating. In an aspect, a portion of the TPA member can extend outside the female housing. In an aspect, the TPA member can reinforce the primary lock. In another aspect, a TPA member can be a secondary lock. Advantageously, feedback (e.g., visual, tactile, and/or audible feedback) can be provided to signal that the TPA member is in a final lock position so that a terminal can be installed with terminal position assurance. In the final lock position, the TPA member can be fully within the female housing. Once the terminal segments are installed, the TPA member can be in a final lock position in which the TPA member can be in blocking engagement with the terminal segments to prevent the terminal segments from being unintentionally removed from the female housing.

As described herein, the assembly including the female housing and the CPA member can be pre-installed. Accordingly, a user does not have to couple the CPA member to the female housing. In addition, the pre-installed assembly can help to prevent components from being detached and/or misplaced. To support connector position assurance when coupling the assembly to the male housing, the assembly can be prevented from being taken apart. In this way, the CPA member can be prevented from being decoupled from the female housing which can damage the assembly. It is desirable when the male housing and female housing are coupled in the fully mated position to have a high resistance to decoupling. High resistance to decoupling is desirable to prevent the male housing and female housing from returning to the pre-mate position. As such, decoupling from the fully mated position can require overcoming a specified resistance that is greater than the resistance to coupling to the fully mated position.

The TPA member can also be pre-installed in the assembly. Accordingly, a user does not have to couple the TPA member to the female housing. The TPA member can be in a pre-lock position prior to being moved into a position to provide terminal position assurance. In the pre-lock position, a portion of the TPA member can extend outwardly from the bottom of the female housing. In other aspects, the TPA member can be inserted from another side of the female housing, e.g., the front or the rear. In a final lock position, the TPA member can provide terminal position assurance. The TPA member can move to the final lock position where it can be fully within the female housing.

The male housing can include a front side and a rear side. An aperture for receiving the female housing and TPA member assembly can extend from the front to a portion between the front and the rear. The female housing can include a front, a rear, a bottom, and a top. One or more terminal apertures can extend intermediate to a first side and a second side opposing the first side of the female housing. The terminal apertures can extend from the front to the rear of the female housing to receive one or more terminal segments. Another aperture can extend from the bottom to a portion between the bottom and the top of the female housing to receive the TPA member. In this way, the electrical connector can support a TPA member that is inserted in a direction alternative to the direction of coupling between the female housing and the male housing. The aperture in which the TPA member is disposed can intersect the terminal apertures such that the TPA member can support the terminal segments disposed in the terminal apertures. In another aspect, the electrical connector can support a TPA member that is inserted in the direction of coupling.

In an aspect, the terminal segments can be inserted through the female housing terminal apertures in the pre-lock position. However, the TPA member can be prevented from moving to the final lock position if one or more terminal segments are partially mated. In an aspect, the terminal segments can block the TPA member from being moved to the final lock position if the terminal segments are only partially mated. Thus, in an aspect, for the TPA member to move to the final lock position, the terminal segments must be fully installed. When the terminal segments are fully installed, the terminal segments do not block the TPA member from moving to the final lock position. Accordingly, the terminal segments can be installed while the TPA member is in the pre-lock position. Once the terminal segments are installed, the TPA member can be moved to the final lock position. In an aspect, the terminal segments can be prevented from being inserted through the female housing terminal apertures if the TPA member is in the final lock position.

The terminal apertures can be arranged in one or more rows. In some aspects, the terminal apertures can be arranged in two rows. As described herein, a first row and a second row of terminal apertures can be provided, the second row being below the first row. In some aspects, the connector can be a single or dual row, low profile, row connector that supports two rows of terminals. In some aspects, the rows of terminal apertures can be aligned such that terminal apertures are arranged in parallel. In some aspects, the rows of terminal apertures can be offset. In some aspects, the first row of terminal apertures can begin at a different distance from the first side of the female housing than the second row of terminal apertures.

The rear side of the male housing can include a plurality of openings through which a plurality of pins are disposed. Accordingly, the pins extend into the aperture that receives the female housing. The pins can correspond to the terminal apertures in the female housing. In this way, when the female housing and male housing are coupled, the pins of the male housing can be aligned with the terminal apertures of the female housing. Terminals supported by the terminal aperture can therefore mate with the pins as the female housing and the male housing are mated.

In some aspects, the connector can be a single or dual row, low profile, connector. Accordingly, the arrangement of the male pins can support forming a single or dual row of solder pads.

In some aspects, the connector can support two rows of terminal apertures and two rows of corresponding pins. In other aspects, the connector can support more than two of terminal apertures and corresponding pins. As described herein, a first row and a second row of pins can be provided, the second row being below the first row. In some aspects, the rows of pins can be offset. In some aspects, the first row of pins can begin at a different distance from the first side of the male housing than the second row of pins. In some aspects, the first row of pins can begin at a different distance from the second side of the male housing than the second row of pins. The offset rows can allow for different pin arrangements.

In some aspects, the pins can be at least partially parallel to a PCB. Each pin can include a first end, an intermediate portion, and a second end. The first end and second end of each pin can be generally parallel to the top and bottom of the male housing. The first end of each pin can be disposed in the rear side of the male housing. The second end of each pin can be outside of the male housing. In some aspects, the first row pins can be the same length as the second row pins. Accordingly, the second ends of the second row pins being below the first row pins can extend further outwardly from the rear side of the male housing. In other words, the second ends of the second row pins can be outward from the second ends of the first row pins relative to the rear side of the male housing. In an aspect, the second row pins can be oblique at their intermediate portions. In an aspect, the first row pins can be at a first angle relative to the rear side, and the second row pins can be at a second angle relative to the rear side, the second angle being greater than the first angle.

In some aspects, the second end of each pin can be aligned relative to the rear side of the male housing. Accordingly, for the first row pins and the second row pins to be aligned at their second ends, the first row pins and the second row pins can be different lengths, in some aspects. In an aspect, the second row pins can be smaller in length than the first row pins.

In some aspects, the connector can be a high voltage connector that supports 18 or 21 pins, for example. In some aspects, the overall size of the electrical connector can be reduced such that the connector has a low profile. For example, generally parallel rows of terminals can allow for a reduced female housing size to limit the connector profile. In addition, orienting the terminals such that they are generally parallel to the top end and the bottom end of the female housing can support the electrical connector having a low profile. The arrangement of the terminals can also support a larger clearance or creepage. For example, a clearance or creepage for an electrical path extending from a first terminal of the plurality of terminals to a second terminal of the plurality of terminals can be approximately 0.6 millimeters.

A connector10is shown inFIG.1. Connector10can include a female housing100, a male housing200, a TPA member300, and a CPA member400. Female housing100, TPA member300, and CPA member400can form a pre-installed assembly. In the pre-installed assembly, TPA member300can be partially disposed in female housing100such that TPA member300can be in a pre-lock position. Male housing200can include an aperture222to receive the pre-installed assembly. As shown, male housing200can include a front side202, a rear side204, a top end206a bottom end208, a first side210, and a second side212. Aperture222can extend through front side202to a portion of male housing200between front side202and rear side204. Top end206, bottom end208, first side210, and second side212can enclose aperture222along with rear side204.

With reference toFIGS.1-2, aperture222can receive female housing100to mate one or more terminals130disposed in female housing100and one or more pins230disposed in male housing200. Coupling CPA member400such that a front wall402of CPA member and a front102of female housing are aligned once female housing100is received by male housing200can provide position assurance. Coupling CPA member400in this way can move connector10from a pre-mate position to a fully mated position40(e.g., the female housing and the male housing are coupled to have a high resistance to decoupling). In an aspect, male housing200can receive the pre-installed assembly when TPA member300is in a final lock position20to couple male housing200to female housing100. TPA member300can be entirely disposed within female housing100to move TPA member300from the pre-lock position to final lock position20after terminals130are inserted into female housing100.

TPA member300in final lock position20and connector10in fully mated position40are shown inFIG.2. As shown, female housing100can include one or more terminal apertures120to receive terminals130. Terminal apertures120can extend from a front102of female housing100along an axis generally parallel to a transverse axis2to a portion of female housing100between front102and a rear104of female housing100.

In some aspects, terminal apertures120can be disposed between first side106and second side110of female housing100along front102. In some aspects, female housing100can include a plurality of terminal apertures120. The plurality of terminal apertures120can be arranged in one or more rows. As shown inFIG.2, female housing100can include a first row122of terminal apertures120and a second row124of terminal apertures120positioned below first row122to receive terminals130.

Aperture222of male housing200can receive the pre-installed assembly of female housing100, TPA member300(FIG.1), and CPA member400such that terminals130extend through male housing200. As shown, male housing200can include one or more pins230and reinforcement tabs224. Reinforcement tabs224can attach the male housing to a PCB, for example. With reference toFIG.3, male housing200can include approximately 18 pins230, in an aspect. In another aspect, male housing200can include 21 pins230.

As shown inFIG.3, rear side204male housing200can include one or more first openings214and one or more second openings218. First openings214can be arranged in a first row216and second openings218can be arranged in a second row220.

In some aspects, second openings218can be positioned below first openings214. Accordingly, second row220of second openings218can be positioned below first row216of first openings214. In some aspects, first openings214can be positioned above a central lateral axis3of rear side204of male housing200. Accordingly, first row216of first openings214can be positioned above central lateral axis3. In some aspects, second openings218can be positioned below central lateral axis3. Accordingly, second row220of second openings218can be positioned below central lateral axis3.

In some aspects, second row220of second openings218can be aligned with first row216of first openings214. In some aspects, second row220of second openings218can be offset from first row216of first openings214. First row216of first openings214and second row220of second openings218can be formed in rear side204.

In some aspects, first row216of first openings214and second row220of second openings218can receive pins230. Pins230can include one or more first pins232and one or more second pins234. First pins232can be disposed in first openings214and second pins234can be disposed in second openings218. Accordingly, first pins232can be arranged in a first row236that can coincide with first row216of first openings214. Similarly, second pins234can be arranged in a second row238that can coincide with second row220of second openings218. Pins230can be disposed in male housing200to mate with terminals130.

With reference toFIG.4, in some aspects, one or more pins230can extend from the housing at an oblique angle. In other words, at least a portion of one or more pins230can be at a non-perpendicular angle relative to rear side204of male housing200. In some aspects, second pins234can be at an angle relative to rear side204that is greater than another angle at which first pins232can be relative to rear side204.

In some aspects, pins230can be at least partially parallel to a PCB. In some aspects, pins230can each include a first end240, a second end242, and an intermediate portion244disposed between first end240and second end242. As shown inFIG.4, first end240of each pin230can be disposed through rear side204of male housing200. First end240of each first pin232can be disposed in a first opening214. Similarly, first end240of each second pin234can be disposed in a second opening218.

As shown, bottom end208can include a transverse axis4. Transverse axis4can be parallel to a PCB. In some aspects, first end240of each first pin232can extend along a first end axis6parallel to transverse axis4. In some aspects, second end242of each first pin232can extend along a second end axis12parallel to transverse axis4. In some aspects, second end axis12of second end242of each first pin232can be parallel to and on the same plane as transverse axis4.

In some aspects, first end240of each second pin234can extend along a first end axis8parallel to transverse axis4. In some aspects, second end242of each second pin234can extend along a second end axis14parallel to transverse axis4. In some aspects, second end axis14of second end242of each first pin234can be parallel to and on the same plane as transverse axis4.

In some aspects, intermediate portion244of one or more pins230can be generally straight. In other words, intermediate portion244of one or more pins230can be approximately perpendicular to first end240and second end242of the one or more pins230, such as inFIG.3. In some aspects, intermediate portion244of each pin230can be oblique. In other words, intermediate portion244of one or more pins230can be at a non-perpendicular angle relative to first end240and second end242of the one or more pins230.

As shown inFIG.5, in some aspects, each intermediate portion244of second pin234can be oblique to a greater extent than each intermediate portion244of first pin232. In some aspects, each first pin232can be bent at a point A, which can be a transition between first end240and intermediate portion244of each first pin232. Point A can be at a first distance D1from rear side204of male housing200. In some aspects, each second pin234can be bent at a point B, which can be a transition between first end240and intermediate portion244of each second pin234. Point B can be at a second distance D2from rear side204. In some aspects, second distance D2can be greater than first distance D1.

In some aspects, second end242of each first pin232can be outward of second end242of each second pin234relative to rear side204. With reference toFIG.5, in some aspects, second end242of each second pin234can be outward of second end242of each first pin232relative to rear side204. In some aspects, the outward extension of second end242of each second pin234can support forming a dual row of solder pads.

Turning toFIGS.6-8, in some aspects, each pin230can have the same pin length L1. As shown inFIG.6, in some aspects, the pin length L1of each first pin232and second pin234can be approximately 18.5 millimeters (mm). In some aspects, the pin length L1of each first pin232and second pin234can be less than or equal to approximately 30 millimeters (mm). In some aspects, the pin length L1of each first pin232and second pin234can be less than or equal to approximately 20 millimeters (mm). First pin232is shown inFIG.7. First end240of first pin232can extend along a first end axis6and second end242of first pin232can extend along second end axis12, as discussed above with reference toFIG.4. In some embodiments, a single row configuration includes pins having a length of approximately 16.3 mm. In some embodiments, having a dual row of pins (and solder pads) using a single pin length L1for each of first and second pins232/234allow for a single pin length, thereby simplifying manufacturing.

In some aspects, each intermediate portion244of first pin232can be generally straight, or aligned with rear side204of male housing200(FIG.5). Accordingly, intermediate portion244of first pin232can be approximately perpendicular to first end240and second end242of first pin232. In other words, intermediate portion244of first pin232can be approximately perpendicular to first end axis6. Similarly, intermediate portion244of first pin232can be approximately perpendicular to second end axis12.

Second pin234is shown inFIG.8. First end240of second pin234can extend along a first end axis8and second end242of second pin234can extend along second end axis14, as discussed above with reference toFIG.4.

In some aspects, each intermediate portion244of second pin234can be oblique, or at a non-perpendicular angle relative to first end240and second end242of second pin234. Accordingly, intermediate portion244of second pin234can be at a non-perpendicular angle relative to first end240and second end242of second pin234. In other words, intermediate portion244of second pin234can be at a non-perpendicular angle α relative to first end axis8, shown inFIG.8. In some aspects, angle α can be between approximately 90 degrees and approximately 150 degrees, such as between approximately 110 degrees and approximately 130 degrees, such as approximately 120 degrees. Similarly, intermediate portion244of second pin234can be at a non-perpendicular angle β relative to second end axis14. In some aspects, angle β can be between approximately 90 degrees and approximately 150 degrees, such as between approximately 110 degrees and approximately 130 degrees, such as approximately 120 degrees.

With reference toFIGS.7-8, in some aspects, angle α and angle β can be the same. In some aspects, angle α can be larger than the angle between intermediate portion244of first pin232and first end axis6. In some aspects, angle β can be larger than the angle between intermediate portion244of first pin232and second end axis12.

In some aspects, the outward extension of second end242of each second pin234described with reference toFIG.5can be because of each intermediate portion244of second pin234being bent to a lesser extent than each intermediate portion244of first pin232. Additionally or alternatively, in some aspects, the outward extension of second end242of each second pin234can be because of second distance D2being greater than first distance D1.

Second end242of each second pin234being outward of second end242of each first pin232is also shown inFIG.9. As shown, in some aspects, second ends242of first pins232can be at a first distance D3from rear side204. In some aspects, second ends242of second pins234can be at a fourth distance D4from rear side204. In some aspects, distance D3can be less than distance D4.

In some aspects, connector10can facilitate forming a dual row of solder pads on a PCB by having second end242of each second pin234be outward of second end242of each first pin232. In this way, isolation of the pins on the PCB side of the connector increases creepage distance in some aspects. As shown, connector10can have a length L2. In some aspects, length L2can be between approximately 30 mm and approximately 45 mm, such as between approximately 35 mm and approximately 40 mm, such as approximately 37.6 mm.

Instead of being oblique, in some aspects, each intermediate portion244of first pin232can be generally straight, or aligned with rear side204of male housing200, as shown inFIG.10. Accordingly, intermediate portion244of first pin232can be approximately perpendicular to first end240and second end242of first pin232. In other words, intermediate portion244of first pin232can be approximately perpendicular to first end axis6. Similarly, intermediate portion244of first pin232can be approximately perpendicular to second end axis12. In addition, in some aspects, each intermediate portion244of second pin234can be generally straight, or aligned with rear side204. Accordingly, intermediate portion244of second pin234can be approximately perpendicular to first end240and second end242of second pin234. In other words, intermediate portion244of second pin234can be approximately perpendicular to first end axis8. Similarly, intermediate portion244of second pin234can be approximately perpendicular to second end axis14.

In addition, instead of having the same pin length, first pins232and second pins234can have different pin lengths. With reference toFIGS.10-11, in some aspects, first pins232can have a first pin length and second pins234can have a second pin length that is less than the first pin length.

In some aspects, each first pin232and second pin234can have different pin lengths such that second ends242of first pins232and second pins234are aligned relative to rear side204of male housing200. In some aspects, second ends242of first pins232and second pins234can be aligned in a single row along an axis16such that second ends242of second pins234are not outward of second ends242of first pins232. Accordingly, second ends242of second pins234are not outward of second ends242of first pins232. In some aspects, first pins232and second pins234can have different pin lengths such that second ends242of first pins232and second pins234can be aligned.

As shown inFIG.11, second end242of each first pin232and second end242of each second pin234can be aligned relative to rear side204. In some aspects, the alignment of second end242of each second pin234can be because of each intermediate portion244of second pin234being bent to approximately the same extent as each intermediate portion244of first pin232. As shown, in some aspects, second ends242of first pins232can be at a first distance D5from rear side204. In some aspects, second ends242of second pins234can be at a fourth distance D6from rear side204. In some aspects, distance D5can be approximately the same as distance D6. In some aspects, the alignment of second end242of each first pin232and second pin242can support forming a single row of solder pads, such that a single row of solder pads is used with the first/second pin configuration.

In some aspects, connector10can facilitate forming a single row of solder pads on a PCB by having second end242of each second pin234be aligned with second end242of each first pin232, As shown inFIG.12, connector10can have a length L3. In some aspects, L3can be less than L2(FIG.9). In some aspects, length L3can be between approximately 25 mm and approximately 33 mm, such as between approximately 27 mm and approximately 31 mm, such as approximately 27.75 mm.

An electrical path can extend between adjacent terminals130, shown inFIG.12. In some aspects, distance D7, can be a clearance or creepage for an electrical path extending from a first terminal132of terminals130to a second terminal134of terminals130. In some aspects, distance D7can be between approximately 0.4 mm and 0.8 mm, such as between approximately 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm, such as approximately 0.6 mm. Any of the aspects described herein can support this clearance or creepage distance D7.

With reference toFIG.13, connector10can have a low profile. In some aspects, a height H of connector10can be between approximately 10 mm and approximately 15 mm, such as between approximately 11 mm and approximately 13 mm, such as approximately 11.8 mm. In some aspects, a width W of connector10can be between approximately 25 mm and approximately 33 mm, such as between approximately 27 mm and approximately 31 mm, such as approximately 29.8 mm.

The breadth and scope of the present invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary aspects, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents.