Connector with guide features

Abstract

An electrical connector includes a first part and a second part that are selectively connected together. The first part has an insert and a guide body. The second part has a cavity arranged to receive at least part of the insert therein, and a guide void arranged to receive at least part of the guide body therein. The first and second parts have a connected state wherein at least part of the insert is within the cavity and at least part of the guide body is within the guide void. In at least some implementations, in the connected state of the connector, the length of the guide body that is received in the guide void is greater than the length of the insert that is received in the cavity, where the length is the dimension in a direction of connection of the first part and the second part.

Description

CONNECTOR WITH GUIDE FEATURESTechnical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to connectors including guide features for controlled connection and disconnection.Background

[0002] Many electrical connectors include two parts each having respective electrical contacts, and the two parts including between them a plug and socket arrangement. When the plug and socket are coupled together, the electrical contacts of the connector parts are electrically connected together. The plug and socket are disconnected by pulling them apart and the disconnection force often is applied at an angle to a disconnect direction which tends to skew the connectors and can cause them to become jammed or damaged, especially with numerous connection and disconnection cycles. A jammed connector may remain fully or partially connected, with at least some electrical connection remaining between the connector parts. In many situations, connectors are used in physically demanding environments and reliable connection and disconnection is needed, under a known or threshold disconnect force, to ensure the connector is in a desired stated (connected or not connected).Summary

[0003] In at least some implementations, an electrical connector includes a first part and a second part that are selectively connected together. The first part has an insert and a guide body. The second part has a cavity arranged to receive at least part of the insert therein, and the second part also has a guide void arranged to receive at least part of the guide body therein. The first part and the second part have a connected state wherein at least part of the insert is received within the cavity and at least part of the guide body is received within the guide void. In at least some implementations, in the connected state of the connector, the length of the guide body that is received in the guide void is greater than the length of the insert that is received in the cavity, where the length is the dimension in a direction of connection of the first part and the second part.

[0004] In at least some implementations, a center axis of the guide body is parallel to a center axis of the insert. In at least some implementations, a plane of connection is defined by a forward face of the insert, and the center axis of the insert intersects a centroid of the plane of connection.

[0005] In at least some implementations, a center axis of the guide void is parallel to a center axis of the cavity. In at least some implementations, a plane of connection is defined by a forward face of the second part, and the center axis of the cavity intersects a centroid of the plane of connection. The center axis of the cavity may be perpendicular to the plane of connection.

[0006] In at least some implementations, a connector engagement ratio of an engagement length L over which the insert and the cavity are overlapped in the connected state of the connector, to an associated engagement width D of the insert and the cavity,satisfies the relationship L / D < 1, and a guide ratio of an engagement length K over which the guide body and the guide void are overlapped in the connected state of the connector, to an associated engagement width H of the guide body and the guide void, satisfies the relationship K / H > 3. In at least some implementations, K > H(L+3). In at least some implementations, the guide body is a circle or a rectangle or other polygon in cross-section.

[0007] In at least some implementations, an electrical connector includes a first part and a second part. The first part has a main body, an insert extending outwardly from the main body in a connection direction, and a guide body extending outwardly from the main body in the connection direction. The second part has a cavity arranged to receive at least part of the insert therein, and the second part also has a guide void arranged to receive at least part of the guide body therein. The first part and the second part are relatively movable in the connection direction between a connected state wherein at least part of the insert is received within the cavity and at least part of the guide body is received within the guide void, and a disconnected state wherein the insert is not received within the cavity. A connector ratio of an engagement length L over which the insert and the cavity are overlapped in the connected state of the connector, to an associated engagement width D of the insert and the cavity, satisfies the relationship L / D < 1. A guide ratio of an engagement length K over which the guide body and the guide void are overlapped in the connected state of the connector, to an associated engagement width H of the guide body and the guide void, satisfies the relationship K / H > 3. 18. In at least some implementations, K > H(L+3).

[0008] In at least some implementations, a center axis of the guide body is parallel to a center axis of the insert. In at least some implementations, a plane of connection isdefined by a forward face of the insert, and the center axis of the insert intersects a centroid of the plane of connection.

[0009] In at least some implementations, a center axis of the guide void is parallel to a center axis of the cavity. In at least some implementations, a plane of connection is defined by a forward face of the second part, and the center axis of the cavity intersects a centroid of the plane of connection. The center axis of the cavity may be perpendicular to the plane of connection. In at least some implementations, the guide body is polygonal in crosssection and adapted for slidable receipt in the guide void.

[0010] In addition to the connector constructed as set forth herein, the disclosure describes a method of designing a connector to provide guided, jam- free disconnection of two parts of the connector. The connector includes cooperating guide features, including a projecting body and a receiving void, that constrain tilting, skewing or twisting (torquing) of the connector parts to ensure more aligned, linear connection and disconnection. This thereby provides a more repeatable and reliable connection and disconnection of the connector parts within a narrower range of forces. Examples of guide features include, but are not limited to, guide pins, slots and tabs of polygonal shape in cross-section. These slots need not be completely closed but could be partially open as long as the projecting member is closed and the function of kinematic constraint is maintained, and the sliding function of kinematic constraint is maintained.

[0011] In at least some implementations, an aspect ratio of the guide features is defined as the length of the projecting feature (e.g. the length of the part of the projecting feature that is received within a guide void) as compared to its height, thickness, diameter, radius, distance from centroid to vertex, or an effective diameter or characteristic dimension in theplane perpendicular to the axis of relative motion (i.e. perpendicular to the direction of relative movement of the connector parts between their disconnected and connected states).Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] The following detailed description of preferred implementations and best mode will be set forth with regard to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a connector including two parts, shown in a disconnected state;

[0014] FIG. 2 is perspective view of a first part of the connector, shown with a rectangular guide;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a front view of the first part of the connector shown in FIG. 1;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of a second part of the connector, shown with a rectangular cavity for receipt of the guide;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a front view of the second part of the connector;

[0018] FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a first part of a connector, shown with a cylindrical guide;

[0019] FIG. 7 is a front view of the first part of the connector shown in FIG. 6;

[0020] FIG. 8 is a schematic view illustrating an eccentric disconnection force shown relative to a centroid of a forward face of one part of a connector; and

[0021] FIG. 9 is a schematic view showing two halves of a connector according to the prior art being disconnected by an eccentric load and a resulting jamming effect.Detailed Description

[0022] Referring in more detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an electrical connector 100 having two halves or parts including a first part 102 and a second part 104. The parts 102, 104 of the electrical connector 100 may include mating engagement features, which may include male and female structures, like a plug 102 and socket 104, and associated electrical contacts that are electrically coupled together when the two parts 102, 104 are connected together. To facilitate description of the connector 100 parts, the first part 102, which is shown as having a male portion will be called a plug 102, and the second part 104, which is shown as having a female portion will be called a socket 104. An electrical connection may be established between the plug 102 and socket 104 of the electrical connector 100 when the two parts are coupled together. And the plug 102 and socket 104 may be coupled to separate components, like cables 106, 108 or other parts of a circuit (e.g. a circuit board) to electrically connect the components through the connector 100, such as to complete the electrical circuit when the connector 100 is in a connected state.

[0023] In the example shown in FIGS. 1-3, the plug 102 includes a main body 110 that is a rectangular prism having a rear face 112 from which the cable 106 extends, a front face 114, two sides 116, 118 extending between the rear and front faces, and opposed upper and lower faces 120, 122. The plug body 110 has a length defined between the rear and front faces 112, 114, a width defined between the sides 116, 118, and a thickness or depth between the upper and lower faces 120, 122. An insert 124 is carried by or formed integrally with the main body 110 and extends outwardly from the front face 114. Electrical contacts 125 (one of which is shown in FIG. 3) may be carried by the plug 102in any desired number and arrangement, and may extend into the insert 124. The insert124 may have a width and / or thickness that is less than the corresponding dimension of the main body 110, if desired, and is constructed to be at least partly received within a cavity 126 of the socket 104. While the periphery of the insert 124 is rectangular (e.g. a rectangular prism), the insert 124 may have any desired shape suitable for use with a socket 104 having a corresponding cavity 126. Likewise, the plug main body 110 may also have a shape different from that shown and a connecting component, like the cable 106, may be arranged differently than that shown, as desired for a particular application.

[0024] The plug 102 also includes a guide body 128 that is connected to and may be formed from the same piece of material as the main body 110. In the implementation shown, the guide body 128 is coupled to the upper face 120 of the main body and extends beyond the front face 114 of the main body, and beyond a forward end 130 of the insert 124. The guide body 128 may instead be coupled to one of the sides, or from the lower face, or to the front face of the main body, spaced from the insert 124. The guide body 128 may have any desired shape and is shown as being a rectangular prism in FIGS. 1-3, that is coupled to the main body 110 by a flange 132 (FIG. 3) so that a gap exists between part of the guide body 128 and the adjacent face of the main body 110 (e.g. the upper face 120 in the implementation shown). So arranged, an inner side 134 (FIG. 3) of the guide body 128 may be spaced from and parallel to the adjacent face 120 of the main body, with a forward portion or end 130 of the guide body 128 adapted for receipt within a guide void 136 (FIG. 5) of the socket 104.

[0025] Also in the example shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5, the socket 104 includes a main body 138 that is a rectangular prism having a rear face 140, a front face 142, two sides 144,146, and opposed upper and lower faces 148, 150. The socket body 138 has a length defined between the rear and front faces 140, 142, a width defined between the sides 144, 146, and a thickness or depth between the upper and lower faces 148, 150. The cavity 126 is formed in the front face 142 of the socket body 138 and has an interior 152 defined by surfaces of the body 138 that are arranged to receive the insert 124 of the plug 102. The cavity 126 may have a depth defined between a bottom wall 154 and the front face 142 of the socket body, a width defined between opposed sidewalls 156, 158, and a height or thickness defined between opposed upper and lower walls 160, 162. The cavity 126 is shown as being a rectangular prism, open at the front face 142, but may be formed otherwise to cooperate with the insert 124 as desired. Electrical contacts 164 (one of which is shown in FIG. 5) may be carried by the socket 104 in any desired number and arrangement, and may extend into the cavity 126 for plug-in coupling into openings in the insert 124, in known manner. The socket 104 main body may have a shape different from that shown and a connecting component, like the cable 108, may be arranged differently than that shown, as desired for a particular application.

[0026] The socket 104 also includes a guide void 136 constructed and arranged to receive at least part of the guide body 128. The guide void 136 may be formed in the socket 104 main body (e.g. in the front face) or in a flange 166 coupled to the main body. The guide void 136 is positioned to slidably receive the guide body 128 as the insert 124 is slidably received in the cavity 126 to couple the plug 102 and socket 104 together. In this way, the guide void 136 is slightly larger than the guide body 128. In at least some implementations, the guide void 136 has the same shape as the guide body 128 and provides a close fit with the guide body 128 to limit skewing or misalignment of the guide body 128and guide void 136 as the plug 102 and socket 104 are connected together and disconnected. Thus, slidable receipt of the guide body 128 into the guide void 136 assures a desired alignment of the plug 102 and socket 104 to facilitate their connection and disconnection, as set forth in more detail below.

[0027] In FIG. 1, the plug 102 and socket 104 are shown separated, in a disconnected state. To connect them, the plug 102 and socket 104 are brought together in a connection direction noted by arrow 168. To connect the plug 102 and socket 104, the insert 124 of the plug 102 is aligned with the cavity 126 of the socket 104, the guide body 128 is aligned with the guide void 136, and one or both of the plug 102 and socket 104 are advanced toward the other until the guide body 128 is received within the guide void 136 and the insert 124 is fully received in the cavity 126, to provide an electrical connection through the connector 100.

[0028] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a modified plug 170 for a connector. This plug 170 has a main body that is formed similarly to the main body of plug 102, as a rectangular prism. The guide body 172, however, is cylindrical and has a circular cross-section. The corresponding guide void in a socket, in at least some implementations, would also be cylindrical and sized for receipt of the guide body 128 therein. In FIGS. 6 and 7, an insert like insert 124 of plug 102 is not shown, for ease of showing the guide body 128, but such an insert may be provided.

[0029] In FIG. 4, some dimensions used for an aspect ratio of the connection are shown. An engagement length L is the depth of the cavity 126 from the front face 142 to the bottom wall 154, or the amount of overlap between the insert 124 and cavity 126 in a fully connected state of the connector 100 where, in at least some implementations, thefront face of the insert 124 might not engage the bottom wall of the cavity 126 in the fully connected state of the connector 100. In at least some implementations, this engagement length L will be considered to be the longest of the following lengths: a) the length of the insert 124 received within the cavity 126; or b) the engaged length of contact pins 125 within the insert 124 of the plug 102 as the insert 124 is received within the cavity 126 (where the engaged length is the length of the pins 125 that is received within a corresponding opening in the socket 104 portion of the plug 102); or c) in the case of a connector 100 with multiple inserts 124 and therefore multiple pins 125 that may have various pin engaged lengths, the engagement length L shall be defined as the longest length of pin engagement of any of the given inserts that are within the connector 100; or d) in the case of a rectangular connector 100, this maximum engagement length as previously defined plus any additional length of engaging geometric features on the socket 104 and plug 102 pair; or e) in the case of a circular connector 100, it will be defined as the sum of the pin length on the plug side plus any additional length on the plug 102 or socket 104 of the connector pair.

[0030] An engagement width D is defined by the distance between side faces 116,118 of the insert 124 or the sidewalls 156, 158 of the cavity 126, or the distance in that direction that the insert 124 is overlapped by the socket 104 within the cavity 126. A connector ratio R is defined as the ratio of the engagement length L to the engagement width D, or R=L / D.

[0031] The force needed to connect and disconnect the plug 102 and socket 104 may be controlled as a function of the closeness of the fit between one or both of: 1) the inset and cavity 126, and 2) the guide body 128 and guide void 136. Ideally, the force is applied perpendicular to and at the center of mass or centroid 174 (FIGS. 3 and 8) of the front faceplug 102 or socket 104. However, the connector 100 may often be subjected to an eccentric load, as shown in FIG. 8.

[0032] FIG. 8 schematically shows a plug being acted upon by an eccentric load, represented by force vector F, which is shown in FIG. 8 relative to a plane of connection 176, which may be parallel to the front face of the insert 124. A vector 178 is normal to and is located at the geometric centroid 174 of the plane of connection 176 (represented in FIGS. 3 and 5 by crossed dashed lines). The eccentric load F is shown some distance away from the centroid 174. This is shown as an offset 180. Also, the eccentric load F is often not normal to the plane of connection 176 and may be at an angle of between ten and eighty degrees relative to the normal vector 178. When the eccentric load F is applied to the plug 102, there will be bending forces and / or torque applied to the connector insert 124 as it tries to separate from the socket 104.

[0033] Under the action of such an eccentric disconnect force F or load, it is possible for the connector 100 to disconnect in an uncontrolled manner. The main manifestation of uncontrolled disconnect is mechanical jamming in which the insert 124 becomes skewed or inclined relative to the cavity 126 such that the insert 124 engages opposite surfaces of the cavity 126. This inhibits sliding motion of the insert 124 relative to the socket 104, and inhibits separation of the plug 102 and socket 104.

[0034] FIG. 9 schematically shows a conventional connector 200 acted upon by an eccentric load G. The connector 200 has a plug 202 that is tilted because of the eccentric load G applied thereto and an insert 204 of the plug 202 is jammed in a cavity of a socket206 of the connector 200. This could potentially mechanically damage the insert 204 or thesocket 206, or the resulting disconnect forces and wear could degrade the electrical contacts that are within the connector 200 resulting in degraded performance for the connector 200 as it transmits data, signal, or power. Further, the higher forces required to remove the jammed insert 204 might be applied to a cable which can break or degrade the connection between the cable and plug 202 or socket 206.

[0035] Referring again to FIGS. 1-8, to prevent damage to the connector 100 or its electrical contacts in the event of a disconnect under eccentric loading that results in a mechanical jam, or a lesser engagement of the insert 124 within the cavity 126, the guide body 128 and guide void 136 are provided. When these features are mated together, they impose a kinematic constraint that inhibits tilting or skewing or torquing the plug 102 and socket 104 and ensures a more linear and controlled disconnection of the plug 102 and socket 104.

[0036] In at least some implementations, such as is shown in FIG. 3, a centroid 182 or center of mass of the front face of the guide body 128 is aligned with the centroid 174 or center of the insert 124, and the guide body 128 and insert 124 are parallel to each other. In at least some implementations, such as is shown in FIG. 5, a centroid 184 or center of the guide void 136 is aligned with a centroid 186 or center of the cavity 126 and walls or surfaces of the guide void 136 and cavity 126 are parallel to each other. Similar alignment of the guide body 128 and insert 124 are shown in the example of FIGS. 6 and 7, and would be present in the corresponding socket 104 portion of that connector 100. While shown as rectangular or circular in cross-section, the guide body 128 and guide void 136 may have other polygonal shapes in cross-section, as desired.

[0037] The guide body 128 and guide void 136 may be constructed and arranged to provide a jam-free connection and disconnection of the socket 104 and plug 102 over the full range of relative motion between them. The dimensions and location of these features may be determined in various ways, including mathematical methods, empirically, or a heuristic design principle. In at least some implementations, St. Venant’s Principle is used, but other methods may be used, as desired.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the socket 104 of the connector 100 includes a guide void 136 arranged to receive the guide body 128 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. In at least some implementations, a connector 100 ratio of the engagement length L over which the plug 102 and socket 104 engage (i.e. the extent of overlap of the insert 124 within the cavity 126), and the associated width D of that engagement, is less than one (that is, L / D < 1).

[0039] A similar guide ratio may be defined as a function of an engagement length K and width H for the extent of overlap / engagement of the guide body 128 and guide void 136. In at least some implementations, a guide ratio of engagement length K (length of the guide body 128 within the guide void 136) to the width H of the guide body 128 or guide void 136 is greater than three (that is K / H > 3). Further, in at least some implementations, and to ensure that the plug 102 and socket 104 connection and disconnect remain jam- free over the entire length of engagement L, then a modified length of engagement K’ for the guide body 128 is considered as: K' = K — L, and a modified ratio of engagement length K to width H for the guide body 128 and guide void 136 is shown below: which can be written as: K > H(L+3).

[0040] A guide body 128 and guide void 136 designed accordingly will provide constraint to the connection and disconnection of the plug 102 and socket 104 to avoid jamming and damage to the plug 102 or socket 104, and enable disconnection with a force that is within a narrower range than is needed in a connector 100 without the guide body 128 and guide void 136 as disclosed herein. In at least some implementations, the guide body 128 extends farther in the connection direction than does the insert 124, and the guide void 136 extends farther away from the plane of connection or forward face of the socket 104 than does cavity 126. Thus, during connection of the plug 102 and socket 104, the guide body 128 is initially received in the guide void 136 before the insert 124 is initially received in the cavity 126. And during disconnection of the plug 102 and socket 104, the insert 124 is fully removed from the cavity 126 before the guide body 128 is fully removed from the guide void 136.

[0041] A connector 100 including the guide body 128 and guide void 136 as set forth herein enables controlled and predictable connection and disconnection. This permits intentional disconnection on demand or on command, controlled and safe disconnection in the event that a human operator forgot to disconnect the connector 100, and the cable is subject to relative motion or tension, to inhibit damage to the cable and connector 100, and disconnection if some safety criterion is met or exceeded so as to completely isolate an engineering system from data, signal and power connections.

[0042] Further, the coefficients of static and kinetic friction at the interface of relative motion between the guide body 128 and guide void 136 can be minimized to avoid undue increase in the force needed to connect and disconnect the connector 100 plug 102 and socket 104. This may be accomplished in various ways, such as but not limited to, provinga lubricious insert 124 or bushing within the guide void 136 or on the guide body 128, providing surface treatments that impart low friction properties to the guide body 128 and / or guide void 136. The insert 124 or surface treatment may include or be defined by a low-friction material like graphene or polytetrafluoroethylene, by way of a couple nonlimiting examples.

[0043] A connector as described herein is useful in a wide range of applications. Without intending to limit the innovation, it is noted that there are several use cases that may require a controlled disconnect and enjoy particular benefits from a connector as set forth herein. For example, some applications or embodiments need intentional controlled disconnect on demand or on command. In this case, for the proper functioning of the device, it is desirable to disconnect in a controlled manner on demand, or on command. This command could be an electrical signal, or it could be a mechanism that controllably disconnects when a certain kinematic configuration is reached, or some other electrical, mechanical, or configurational command or condition of disconnect. For example, a connector that releases at a known load from an autonomous electric machine, allowing the autonomous machine to go and perform a specific task. A very specific example of such an application is for an aerial drone, where there is a tether providing power to the drone’s batteries. A controlled and consistent disconnect of a connector facilitates release of the drone when the drone needs to fly off. Of course, there are other examples of applications in which the connector is useful.

[0044] Some applications have a need to disconnect, for example, power or signal flow, when certain safety thresholds are reached. For connectors that carry electrical signals, data, or power, it could be desirable to have a controlled disconnect under conditions ofemergency stoppage of a machine or process, or to ensure that a given system is completely de-energized. There could be many other such situations in which it is desirable to disconnect a system from data, power, signal, etc. under conditions of an emergency shutdown or to reach a fail-safe state.

[0045] Some applications may benefit from safe, controlled disconnection in the event of accidental conditions or human error and failure to manually disconnect a connector. In such applications it may be desirable for a connector to controllably disconnect under conditions when a human operator fails to manually disconnect a system, and there is relative motion between different parts of an engineered system to which the connector and its cable assembly are connected. Such examples include, but are not limited to, railway cars where there is a jumper cable between them for signal or power; connections between the cab of a semi-truck and its cargo or trailer compartment; electric forklifts or mobile robots that are charged with a plug, but may be deployed without a human remembering to unplug them, etc.

[0046] Although various embodiments have been depicted and described in detail herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions, and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the disclosure in the claims which follow.

[0047] While the forms of the invention herein disclosed constitute presently preferred embodiments, many others are possible. It is not intended herein to mention all the possible equivalent forms or ramifications of the invention. It is understood that the terms usedherein are merely descriptive, rather than limiting, and that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

[0048] All terms used in the claims are intended to be given their broadest reasonable construction and their ordinary meanings as understood by those skilled in the art unless an explicit indication to the contrary is made herein. In particular, use of the singular articles such as “a,” “the,” “said,” etc. should be read to recite one or more of the indicated elements unless a claim recites an explicit limitation to the contrary.

Claims

CLAIMS:What is claimed is:

1. An electrical connector, comprising: a first part having an insert and a guide body; and a second part having a cavity arranged to receive at least part of the insert therein, the second part also having a guide void arranged to receive at least part of the guide body therein, wherein the first part and the second part have a connected state wherein at least part of the insert is received within the cavity and at least part of the guide body is received within the guide void.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein, in the connected state, the length of the guide body that is received in the guide void is greater than the length of the insert that is received in the cavity, where the length is the dimension in a direction of connection of the first part and the second part.

3. The connector of claim 1 wherein a center axis of the guide body is parallel to a center axis of the insert.

4. The connector of claim 3 wherein a plane of connection is defined by a forward face of the insert, and the center axis of the insert intersects a centroid of the plane of connection.

5. The connector of claim 1 wherein a center axis of the guide void is parallel to a center axis of the cavity.

6. The connector of claim 5 wherein a plane of connection is defined by a forward face of the second part, and the center axis of the cavity intersects a centroid of the plane of connection.

7. The connector of claim 6 wherein the center axis of the cavity is perpendicular to the plane of connection.

8. The connector of claim 1 wherein a connector ratio of an engagement length L over which the insert and the cavity are overlapped in the connected state of the connector, to an associated engagement width D of the insert and the cavity, satisfies the relationship L / D < 1, and a guide ratio of an engagement length K over which the guide body and the guide void are overlapped in the connected state of the connector, to an associated engagement width H of the guide body and the guide void, satisfies the relationship K / H > 3.

9. The connector of claim 8 wherein K > H(L+3).

10. The connector of claim 8 wherein the guide body is a circle or a rectangle in crosssection.

11. The connector of claim of claim 8 wherein the guide body is polygonal in crosssection and adapted for slidable receipt in the guide void.

12. An electrical connector, comprising: a first part having a main body, an insert extending outwardly from the main body in a connection direction, and a guide body extending outwardly from the main body in the connection direction; and a second part having a cavity arranged to receive at least part of the insert therein, the second part also having a guide void arranged to receive at least part of the guide body therein, wherein the first part and the second part are relatively movable in the connection direction between a connected state wherein at least part of the insert is received within the cavity and at least part of the guide body is received within the guide void, and a disconnected state wherein the insert is not received within the cavity, and wherein a connector ratio of an engagement length L over which the insert and the cavity are overlapped in the connected state of the connector, to an associated engagement width D of the insert and the cavity, satisfies the relationship L / D < 1, and a guide ratio of an engagement length K over which the guide body and the guide void are overlapped in the connected state of the connector, to an associated engagement width H of the guide body and the guide void, satisfies the relationship K / H > 3.

13. The connector of claim 12 wherein a center axis of the guide body is parallel to a center axis of the insert.

14. The connector of claim 13 wherein a plane of connection is defined by a forward face of the insert, and the center axis of the insert intersects a centroid of the plane of connection.

15. The connector of claim 12 wherein a center axis of the guide void is parallel to a center axis of the cavity.

16. The connector of claim 15 wherein a plane of connection is defined by a forward face of the second part, and the center axis of the cavity intersects a centroid of the plane of connection.

17. The connector of claim 16 wherein the center axis of the cavity is perpendicular to the plane of connection.

18. The connector of claim 12 wherein K > H(L+3).

19. The connector of claim of claim 12 wherein the guide body is polygonal in crosssection and adapted for slidable receipt in the guide void.

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