Receptacle connector assembly

• US 7,347,746 B1
• Filed: 10/27/2006
• Issued: 03/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/2006
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Boston Scientific Neuromodulation Corporation (Boston Scientific Corporation)
• Inventors: He, Tom X.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ta; Tho D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, TRAVIS SLOAN
• Application Number:
  US11/588,759
• Time in Patent Office: 515 Days
• Field of Search: 439/842, 439/843, 439/846, 439/851, 439/651, 439/638, 439/954, 439/251, 439/847
• US Class Current: 439/843
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/111 co-operating with pins having a circular transverse section
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/187 with spring member in the socket
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/33 Contact members made of resilient wire
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/5224 for medical use

Abstract

A receptacle connector assembly configured to mate with a pin array connector assembly having a number of pins includes a number of socket assemblies. Each socket assembly includes a sleeve surrounding a number of conductive wires that form a cavity for receiving and making electrical contact with a corresponding pin within the pin array connector assembly. A method of making a receptacle connector assembly configured to mate with a pin array connector assembly having a number of pins includes forming a number of socket assemblies and molding the socket assemblies into an insulative housing. Each socket assembly includes a sleeve surrounding a number of conductive wires that form a cavity for receiving and making electrical contact with a corresponding pin within the pin array connector assembly.

Claims

1. A receptacle connector assembly configured to mate with a pin array connector assembly having a number of pins, said receptacle connector assembly comprising:

a number of socket assemblies configured to mate with said pins;

wherein each of said socket assemblies comprises an elastomeric sleeve surrounding a number of conductive wires that are arranged to form a cavity dimensioned and arranged to receive and make electrical contact with one of said pins;

wherein a distal portion of at least one of said conductive wires exits said elastomeric sleeve; and

wherein an end of said at least one of said conductive wires remains within said elastomeric sleeve and returns back against an outer surface of said elastomeric sleeve.

2. The receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said elastomeric sleeve comprises at least one or more of silicone rubber, polyurethane rubber, polychloroprene rubber, polyisoprene, and polybutadiene.

3. The receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said number of conductive wires comprises six conductive wires.

4. The receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a number of at least partially insulated conductive wires configured to electrically couple each of said socket assemblies to electronic circuitry within a device connected to said receptacle connector assembly.

5. The receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said receptacle connector assembly is configured to adapt to at least one or both of a misalignment of said pins in said pin array connector assembly and a variation in dimension of said pins in said pin array connector assembly.

6. The receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to secure a connection between said receptacle connector assembly and said pin array connector assembly.

7. The receptacle connector assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

an insulative housing configured to house said socket assemblies;

wherein said socket assemblies are molded into said insulative housing.

8. The receptacle connector assembly of claim 7, wherein said insulative housing comprises at least one or more of silicone rubber, polyurethane rubber, polychloroprene rubber, polyisoprene, and polybutadiene.

9. A system for electrically coupling a first device to a second device, said system comprising:

a pin array connector assembly having a number of pins, said pin array connector assembly being a part of said first device; and

a receptacle connector assembly that is a part of said second device, said receptacle connector assembly comprising a number of socket assemblies configured to mate with said pins;

wherein each of said socket assemblies comprises an elastomeric sleeve surrounding a number of conductive wires that are arranged to form a cavity dimensioned and arranged to receive and make electrical contact with one of said pins;

wherein a distal portion of at least one of said conductive wires exits said elastomeric sleeve and returns back against an outer surface of said elastomeric sleeve; and

wherein an end of said at least one of said conductive wires remains within said elastomeric sleeve.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein said receptacle connector assembly further comprises an insulative housing configured to house said socket assemblies, wherein said insulative housing comprises at least one or more of silicone rubber, polyurethane rubber, polychloroprene rubber, polyisoprene, and polybutadiene.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein said receptacle connector assembly comprises a number of at least partially insulated conductive wires configured to electrically couple each of said socket assemblies to electronic circuitry within said second device.

12. A device comprising:

a collection of socket assemblies that each define an elongate open cavity dimensioned and arranged to longitudinally receive a pin of a complementary pin array assembly, wherein each socket assembly comprises

an electrical conductor that extends away from the elongate open cavity,

a collection of exposed, flexible conductors disposed circumferentially around the elongate open cavity,

an electrical connection between each of the flexible conductors in the collection and the electrical conductor, and

an elongate elastomeric sleeve having an inner surface secured around the exposed flexible conductors, wherein the elongate elastomeric sleeve is open at a first end to allow receipt of the pin in the elongate open cavity, a first portion of at least one of said exposed, flexible conductors exits said flexible elastomeric sleeve and extends laterally away from the open first end of the elongate open cavity and a second portion of said at least one of said flexible conductors remains within said flexible elastomeric sleeve.

13. The device of claim 12 further comprising an elastomeric housing that joins the collection of socket assemblies.