Angled Wearable Connector Sealing and Cleaning Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors integrated into wearable articles are vulnerable to contaminants and moisture, which can impede electrical connections and damage the connectors, making them difficult to clean and prone to permanent contamination.
Innovation Solution
A connector system with a receptacle housing and plug connectors featuring angled platforms and pass-through designs that allow easy cleaning and sealing, preventing contaminants from getting trapped and protecting against moisture exposure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the connector is used in harsh environments, then the connector is exposed to contaminants and moisture, but contaminants get trapped within the receptacle and impede electrical connections
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is divided into separate functional zones: a sealed mating interface region and an open cavity region. The receptacle housing includes a cavity that is open at both the front and top, allowing contaminants to be washed away rather than trapped, while the mating interface itself remains sealed during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The cavity is designed with multi-directional openness (front and top openings) rather than a single closed chamber. This dimensional approach allows fluid dynamics to work in multiple directions, enabling contaminants to be flushed through the cavity by water flow from various angles.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the mating interface is not sealed, then contaminants can enter the receptacle, but sealing may prevent easy cleaning access
Solution Approach 1:
The connector is segmented into a sealed mating interface portion and an unsealed cleaning access portion. The cavity is open to allow cleaning access, while the mating interface maintains a seal during operation. This segmentation allows both functions to coexist without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The design anticipates cleaning needs by providing permanent open access paths (front and top openings) before contamination occurs. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need to break seals or disassemble components for cleaning, as access is already available.
3Ease of repair
If tools or fingers are used to remove contaminants, then contaminants can be removed, but the conductors of the connector may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
Manual mechanical cleaning methods (fingers, tools, cloths) are replaced with a fluid-based cleaning system. Water flow is used to flush contaminants out of the cavity and away from the connector, eliminating the need for direct mechanical contact with delicate conductors.
Solution Approach 2:
Water acts as an intermediary cleaning medium between the user and the connector. Instead of directly touching conductors with fingers or tools, water flows through the cavity to carry contaminants away, providing a non-contact cleaning mechanism that protects conductor integrity.
4Reliability
If the connector is exposed to liquid or moisture, then the connector may conduct electrical power and data signals, but liquid exposure may interfere with operation and damage the connector
Solution Approach 1:
A seal member (flexible element) is positioned at the mating interface to create a water-resistant barrier. This flexible seal prevents liquid and moisture from penetrating into the electrical contact regions while allowing the connector to maintain its electrical conduction function during normal operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the connector have different sealing properties. The mating interface region has high sealing quality to prevent moisture ingress, while the cavity region has lower sealing (open design) to facilitate contaminant removal. This localized quality differentiation optimizes both protection and cleaning functions.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
A connector system (100) includes a receptacle connector (110) having a receptacle housing (116) including a cavity (130) accessible through a front opening (126) and a top opening (132). The receptacle connector has a receptacle connector platform (150) supporting receptacle contacts (142) being angled. The connector system includes a first plug connector (112) received in the cavity through the front opening including a plug housing (200) holding plug conductors (202). The plug housing has a plug connector platform (222) having a mating interface (228) with the plug conductors exposed at the mating interface. The plug connector platform is angled at a complementary angle to the receptacle connector platform for mating the plug conductors with the receptacle contacts.