Biomedical Electrode Connector with Serrated Locking Apertures
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional biomedical electrodes are disposable and lack a secure, efficient mechanism for connecting the male terminal to the female terminal, leading to potential disconnection issues during medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
A biomedical electrode connector with elongated terminal receiving apertures and serrated inner surfaces that allow for secure engagement of the male terminal, providing a mechanical and electrical connection through a bend segment and leg segments that move between open and lock positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional connection mechanisms (snap on, pinch clip, twist on) are used to connect the female terminal to the male terminal, then the device can be assembled, but the connection is not secure and may disconnect during medical procedures
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs a dynamic locking mechanism where the leg segments move between open and locked positions. The inner surface portions transition from a non-engaging state to an engaging state that secures the male terminal, providing both ease of assembly and secure connection through controlled movement of the connector components
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design allows the leg segments to automatically engage and lock the male terminal in place through their own elastic deformation and geometric configuration. The inner surface portions with varying internal dimensions self-adjust to secure the terminal without requiring additional locking components or complex assembly steps
2Reliability
If the terminal receiving apertures have uniform internal dimensions, then the connector structure is simple, but the male terminal cannot be securely retained
Solution Approach 1:
The terminal receiving apertures feature non-uniform internal dimensions along their length, with the first internal dimension adjacent the bend segment being greater than the second internal dimension displaced from the bend segment. This local variation in aperture geometry creates a locking effect that secures the male terminal while maintaining overall structural simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The aperture design incorporates asymmetric internal dimensions where the cross-sectional area varies along the aperture length. The larger first internal dimension near the bend segment allows terminal insertion, while the smaller second internal dimension further from the bend segment creates retention, providing secure terminal holding through geometric asymmetry
3Ease of manufacture
If the connector uses a simple circular aperture design, then manufacturing is easy, but the connector lacks secure engagement capability
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than complicating the overall aperture shape, the invention introduces local variation in the internal dimensions along the aperture length. The first internal dimension adjacent the bend segment is greater than the second internal dimension, creating a localized locking feature that enhances engagement security while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The connector utilizes the dynamic movement of leg segments between open and locked positions to achieve secure engagement. The varying internal dimensions of the aperture work in conjunction with the leg segment movement to provide both easy insertion and secure retention, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing simplicity and engagement security
Data Source
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AI summary
A biomedical electrode connector for coupling with a biomedical electrode of the type including an electrode base and a male terminal projecting from the electrode base is provided.