Passive Electrical Connector with Annular Contact Spring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for cardiac stimulation devices require substantial extraction force to disengage male connector pins, which can be problematic for medical applications where low insertion and extraction forces are desired while maintaining consistent low resistance electrical contact.
Innovation Solution
A passive electrical connector featuring an annular housing with a concentrically disposed annular contact spring having circumferentially spaced flexible spring arms with radially inwardly extending contact pads, designed to facilitate low insertion and extraction forces through a chamfered leading edge surface and resilient engagement, maintaining consistent low resistance electrical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a radially inwardly directed contact force is created on the connector pin to provide secure mechanical engagement, then connection security is improved, but extraction force becomes excessively high
Solution Approach 1:
The contact spring applies radially inward contact force only at specific localized contact pads on the pin surface, rather than distributing force uniformly. This localized application provides secure electrical contact while allowing the pin to be extracted with acceptable force by overcoming only the spring resistance at these specific contact points.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact spring's radial inward force is converted into axial extraction resistance through the pin's engagement geometry. The spring maintains constant radial pressure for reliable contact while the axial extraction force is limited by the spring's designed resistance, transforming the force parameter from purely radial to a controlled axial resistance during extraction.
2Reliability
If substantial extraction force is required to disengage the connector pin, then connection security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The contact spring transforms the extraction requirement from overcoming rigid mechanical interference to overcoming controlled spring resistance. This parameter change allows the pin to be securely held during operation while enabling easy extraction by simply pulling against the spring's resilient force, significantly improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The static rigid connection is replaced with a dynamic spring-based connection that adapts to insertion and extraction actions. The spring dynamically adjusts its resistance based on the operational state, providing strong holding force during use but yielding easily during extraction, thus improving ease of operation.
3Ease of operation
If low insertion and extraction forces are achieved through resilient engagement, then ease of operation is improved, but electrical contact consistency may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The contact spring concentrates its resilient force at specific contact pads that locally apply radial inward pressure on the pin. This localized quality ensures consistent electrical contact at the contact interface while the overall low force characteristic maintains ease of operation, resolving the contradiction between contact consistency and operational ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact spring is designed as a resilient, replaceable component that maintains consistent electrical contact through its elastic properties. The spring's ability to continuously apply radial force through small deformations ensures reliable contact without requiring high extraction forces, balancing contact consistency with ease of operation.
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
The passive electrical connector achieves low insertion and extraction forces with a mating connector pin while ensuring consistent low resistance electrical contact, enhancing ease of use and reliability in medical devices like cardiac stimulation systems.
Implementation Method 1
an annular contact spring disposed concentrically within the annular housing and including a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart flexible spring arms
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector is disclosed that includes an annular housing having a central aperture for receiving a connector pin and an annular contact spring disposed concentrically within the annular housing and including a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart spring arms, each spring arm having a radially inwardly extending contact pad for resiliently contacting a connector pin inserted into the central aperture of the housing.