Female snap connector as well as associated devices and methods
AssigneeSuunto Oy
InventorKimmo Pernu
Life of this patent
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Abstract
According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a female snap connector with a base and a cap which opposes the base and forms a depth for the snap connector. The female snap connector further includes a socket that is formed into the cap for receiving the stud of a co-operational male snap connector. The base material of the female snap connector is or comprises a conductive polymer. The socket is set to deform elastically for complying to the passage of the complementary shape of the stud within the socket during insertion and removal of the stud in the depth dimension of the female snap connector.
Claims14
A female snap connector comprising:
- a base;
- a cap opposing the base for forming a depth for the female snap connector, and
- a socket formed into the cap for receiving a stud of a co-operational male snap connector, which socket is configured to undergo elastic deformation so as to comply to the passage of the complementary shape of the stud within the socket during insertion and removal of the stud in the depth dimension of the female snap connector,
- an external side for interaction with the male snap connector, and
- an internal side opposing the external side,
- wherein base material of the female snap connector is or comprises a conductive elastomer,
- wherein the socket comprises:
- a relieved entrance surface provided to the cap on the external side, a pinch connected to the entrance surface, an opening, the narrowest part of which being defined by the pinch, and a rim on the internal side surrounding the opening, and the female snap connector comprises a peripheral recess between the rim and the base for increasing the flexibility of the socket.
A method for manufacturing an electrode unit, which comprises:
- an electrode;
- a female snap connector;
- a body mechanically connecting the electrode to the female snap connector, and a conductive passageway formed to the body for electrically connecting the electrode to the female snap connector, which female snap connector comprises:
- a base;
- a cap opposing the base for forming a depth for the female snap connector, and a socket formed into the cap for receiving a stud of a co-operational male snap connector, which socket is configured to undergo elastic deformation so as to comply to the passage of the complementary shape of the stud within the socket during insertion and removal of the stud in the depth dimension of the female snap connector, which socket comprises:
- a relieved entrance surface provided to the cap on the external side,
- a pinch connected to the entrance surface, an opening, the narrowest part of which being defined by the pinch, and a rim on the internal side surrounding the opening,
- an external side for interaction with the male snap connector, an internal side opposing the external side, a peripheral recess between the rim and the base for increasing the flexibility of the socket, wherein base material of the female snap connector is or comprises a conductive elastomer,
- wherein the method comprises:
- providing the electrode and the body;
- producing the female snap connector with a method, in which the base and the cap are produced with an additive manufacturing method into an integral component, and in providing the conductive passageway between the female snap connector and the electrode by bonding the body, the female snap connector, and the electrode together as an integral component, wherein the conductive passageway is formed at least partly by:
- the body comprising an electrically conductive base material connecting the snap connector to the electrode, or by
- the body comprising an electrically conductive layer connecting the snap connector to the electrode.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.