Electromedical Implant Connector With Grooved Insulation
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrode line connectors for electromedical implants lack reliable high-voltage flashover resistance and efficient prefabrication methods, leading to signal transmission failures and increased manufacturing costs.
Innovation Solution
The connector features circumferential grooves and cutouts to guide injection molding compound, with protruding connection lines for secure assembly and a support element with a polyhedral cross-section to ensure electrical and mechanical stability, using materials like PEEK or ceramics for enhanced insulation and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional connector designs are used, then assembly is simpler, but high-voltage flashover resistance is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating circumferential grooves and cutouts at specific locations on the connector body to guide injection molding compound precisely where needed for flashover protection, rather than uniformly increasing complexity throughout the entire connector structure
Solution Approach 2:
The connector body is segmented with circumferential grooves and cutouts that divide the injection molding compound into controlled sections, allowing precise placement of insulating material in critical high-voltage regions without complicating the entire connector design
2Productivity
If prefabrication is not used, then manufacturing is simpler, but production efficiency is lower and costs are higher
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design enables preliminary assembly of contacts and insulating sections before final injection molding, allowing prefabrication of subcomponents that can be assembled efficiently while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular construction
Solution Approach 2:
The support element serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, guides injection molding compound through integrated grooves, and facilitates assembly of multiple contacts, thereby enabling prefabrication without requiring separate specialized components for each function
3Reliability
If connection lines are not guided, then assembly is faster, but connection reliability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Cutouts are provided only in specific regions where connection lines need guidance, rather than creating a comprehensive guidance system throughout the entire connector, thus improving connection reliability in critical areas while minimizing added complexity
Data Source
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AI summary
The insulation sections (4c-4b) secure the contacts against displacement along the length of connecting element. The electric connecting lines extend between the contacts and the distal end (10b) of the connecting element. An elongated supporting element (10) has circumferentially-extending peripheral grooves (12a-12c) spaced along the length of a supporting element and longitudinally-extending recesses (13a-13c) spaced along the circumference of the supporting element, for receiving the electric connecting lines. An independent claim is included for method for producing connecting element.