External electrical connectors for solar modules

Abstract

Provided are low profile, water-resistant and touch safe electrical connectors for solar modules. According to various embodiments, the electrical connectors include a low-profile conductive stud, a low-profile sheath that surrounds the stud, and a socket to mate with the stud. According to various embodiments, the sheath and socket mate via keyed inter-engageable features. Also according to certain embodiments, the socket is fastened to the stud and/or sheath via snap fastening.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An assembly for a solar module comprising:
 mateable receiving and insertion components configured to provide a conductive pathway from solar cells of a solar module to the exterior of the solar module, wherein the insertion component includes a flared portion, the flared portion of the insertion component having a larger cross-sectional area than a corresponding area of the receiving component configured to receive the insertion component.   
     
     
         22 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the insertion component includes a first end configured to be proximal to the exterior of the solar module and a second end configured to be distal to the exterior of the module, and wherein the flared portion of the insertion component is at the first end. 
     
     
         23 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the receiving and insertion components are lockable. 
     
     
         24 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the receiving and insertion components can be mated at any radial angle of a plane perpendicular to the cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         25 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the receiving component includes one or more protrusions extending from an interior surface of the receiving component. 
     
     
         26 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein at least one of the insertion and receiving components includes a flexibly resilient material. 
     
     
         27 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein insertion component includes an insulative portion. 
     
     
         28 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein the receiving and insertion components are mateable via snap fastening. 
     
     
         29 . The assembly of  claim 21 , wherein, when the receiving and insertion components are mated, the assembly includes no air gaps. 
     
     
         30 . An assembly comprising:
 mateable receiving and insertion components configured to provide a conductive pathway from solar cells of a solar module to the exterior of the solar module, wherein one or both of insertion and receiving components include one or more features such that the insertion component has larger cross-sectional area than a corresponding area of the receiving component configured to receive the insertion component.   
     
     
         31 . The assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the insertion component comprises rimmed locking portions. 
     
     
         32 . The assembly of  claim 31 , wherein the corresponding area of the receiving area is defined by an annular base portion having an outer and inner diameter, one or more circular ridge portions on a circumference defined by the outer diameter and one or more circular ridges on a circumference defined by the inner diameter. 
     
     
         33 . The assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the receiving and insertion components are lockable. 
     
     
         34 . The assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the receiving and insertion components can be mated at any radial angle of a plane perpendicular to the cross-sectional area. 
     
     
         35 . The assembly of  claim 30 , wherein, when the receiving and insertion components are mated, the assembly includes no air gaps. 
     
     
         36 . The assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the receiving component includes a keyed feature configured to engage with a keyed feature of the insertion component. 
     
     
         37 . The assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the receiving and insertion components are mateable via snap fastening. 
     
     
         38 . The assembly of  claim 30 , further comprising a horizontal connector connected to one of the insertion and receiving components. 
     
     
         39 . The assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the insertion component is a stud. 
     
     
         40 . The assembly of  claim 30 , wherein the insertion component is a socket.