Dual-Sealed Electrical Connector for Repeated Moisture-Resistant Coupling
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Medical devices, particularly those with implantable components, face challenges in maintaining moisture resistance while allowing for repeated mechanical coupling and decoupling of electrical connectors without compromising electrical conductivity or increasing component size.
Innovation Solution
The use of dual sealing mechanisms, including a snap seal formed by contacting surfaces and a lip seal formed by a resiliently bendable protrusion, to inhibit moisture ingress between connector portions, ensuring effective sealing even in high-moisture environments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single seal is used between connector portions, then the structure is simple, but moisture can ingress into enclosed regions compromising electrical conductivity
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing structure is divided into multiple independent seals (first seal and second seal) positioned at different locations between the connector portions. Each seal addresses a specific potential moisture ingress path, with the first seal preventing external moisture entry and the second seal providing an additional barrier within the enclosed region, thereby enhancing moisture resistance through segmented protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The seals are pre-configured in the connector design to proactively prevent moisture ingress before it can compromise electrical conductivity. The first seal is positioned to block moisture at the outer boundary, while the second seal provides a secondary prevention layer, ensuring that even if one seal is compromised, moisture resistance is maintained.
2Ease of operation
If connector portions are designed for repeated mechanical coupling and decoupling, then ease of operation is improved, but sealing reliability may deteriorate due to wear and misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The connector portions feature locally optimized sealing surfaces with specific geometric configurations (e.g., tapered surfaces, complementary profiles) that ensure consistent alignment and contact during repeated coupling operations. These localized structural features maintain sealing integrity by guiding proper engagement and distributing mechanical stresses away from the seal interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The design incorporates resilient or compliant sealing elements that can accommodate minor misalignments and wear during repeated coupling. These cushioning features absorb mechanical variations and maintain continuous contact between sealing surfaces, preventing moisture ingress even after multiple coupling cycles.
3Reliability
If multiple seals are added to inhibit moisture ingress, then moisture resistance is improved, but device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The multiple seals are arranged in a nested or concentric configuration where the first seal and second seal are positioned one within or adjacent to the other, sharing common structural boundaries. This nesting approach allows multiple sealing functions to be achieved within a compact volume, minimizing the overall increase in connector size while maintaining effective moisture barriers at multiple levels.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution effectively prevents moisture ingress into enclosed regions of medical devices, ensuring reliable electrical communication and power transfer across repeated mechanical connections, enhancing the durability and reliability of medical devices like cochlear implants and other implantable systems.
Implementation Method 1
a lip seal formed by a rigid surface and a resiliently bendable protrusion in contact with one another
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus includes a first element and a second element configured to be repeatedly mechanically coupled to and decoupled from one another, a first seal between the first element and the second element, and a second seal between the first element and the second element. The first seal is configured to inhibit moisture ingress from an environment surrounding the first and second elements to a first region enclosed at least partially by the first seal and the second seal is configured to inhibit moisture ingress from the first region to a second region enclosed at least partially by the second seal. One of the first and second seals includes two first surfaces of the first and second elements in contact with one another, and another one of the first and second seals includes a second surface and a resiliently bendable protrusion of the first and second elements in contact with one another.