Wearable Receptacle Connector With Cleanable Mating Channel
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing receptacle connectors integrated into wearable articles face issues with contamination from dirt, mud, grease, sand, and fluids, which can trap within the connectors, impede mating, and be difficult to clean without damaging the conductors.
Innovation Solution
A receptacle connector design featuring a housing with a channel that defines a receptacle, allowing for easy cleaning by exposing the mating interface and providing a continuous pathway for wiping away contaminants, while maintaining the integrity of the conductors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If the receptacle connector is sealed to prevent contamination, then contamination resistance is improved, but cleaning difficulty increases
Solution Approach 1:
The receptacle connector is divided into a sealed housing portion and an accessible mating interface portion. The mating interface is positioned within the housing but remains accessible from the exterior, allowing the connector to maintain sealing while enabling cleaning access. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the contamination protection function (housing) from the cleaning access function (mating interface).
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary structure (the housing with opening) that mediates between the need for sealing and the need for cleaning access. The housing provides the sealed environment while the opening in the housing acts as an intermediary that allows cleaning tools or actions to reach the mating interface without compromising the overall seal integrity.
2Ease of operation
If the mating interface is exposed for easy cleaning, then cleaning ease is improved, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The housing is designed with differentiated local qualities: the majority of the housing provides sealed protection, while a specific localized area (the opening) allows controlled access to the mating interface. This local quality approach enables the connector to be contaminated-resistant overall while providing targeted cleaning access where needed, resolving the contradiction between exposure for cleaning and protection from contamination.
3Productivity
If cleaning tools are used to remove contaminants, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but conductor damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mating interface geometry is designed to enable self-service cleaning where the connector structure itself facilitates contaminant removal. The opening and mating interface configuration allow contaminants to be wiped or blown away using simple actions that do not require aggressive tools, thereby achieving cleaning effectiveness while minimizing the risk of conductor damage through gentle, tool-free cleaning methods.
Data Source
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AI summary
A receptacle connector (12) is provided for a wearable article (20). The receptacle connector includes a housing (28) having a receptacle (34) configured to receive a complementary plug connector (14) therein. The housing is configured to be mounted to the wearable article. A printed circuit board (44) is held by the housing. The printed circuit board includes mating contacts (38) for mating with the plug connector. The printed circuit board includes mounting contacts (60) that are configured to terminate conductors (62) of a flat cable (22) of the wearable article or an e-textile of the wearable article.