In-line connectors and related methods
View Patent ↗An in-line connector is disclosed having a plurality of connector components attached in an in-line configuration with a common bore. Depending on the application, the in-line connector can have an end seal and a holding block for securing the in-line connector to a pin, lead, or shaft. The connector components are arranged so that at least one seal element is located between two adjacent conductive contact elements. To provided added biasing force to a seal lip of the at least one seal element, a seal groove is provided with an energizer located therein.
1. An in-line connector comprising a seal element and a conductive contact element attached in an in-line configuration and defining a common bore, and a canted coil spring in contact with the conductive contact element; and wherein the seal element comprises a seal groove comprising a cavity having an energizer located therein; wherein the cavity has a groove opening that opens away from the common bore and covered by the conductive contact element, and the energizer exerts a biasing force against the seal element towards the common bore.
2. An in-line connector comprising a seal element and a conductive contact element attached in an in-line configuration and defining a common bore, and a canted coil spring in contact with the conductive contact element; and wherein the seal element comprises a seal groove comprising a cavity having an energizer located therein; wherein the cavity has a groove opening that opens away from the common bore, and the energizer exerts a biasing force against the seal element towards the common bore; wherein the energizer exerts a biasing force against the conductive contact element.
3. The in-line connector of claim 1 , wherein the groove opening faces away from the common bore.
4. The in-line connector of claim 1 , further comprising a pin disposed in the common bore.
5. The in-line connector of claim 1 , further comprising an end seal comprising an opening disposed at an end of the in-line connector.
6. The in-line connector of claim 1 , further comprising a holding block comprising a bore disposed at an end of the in-line connector.
7. The in-line connector of claim 1 , wherein the seal element comprises a second seal groove located adjacent the seal groove, said second seal groove having an energizer located therein.
8. The in-line connector of claim 1 , wherein the canted coil spring is a radial canted coil spring.
9. The in-line connector of claim 1 , further comprising two or more conductive contact elements.
10. The in-line connector of claim 1 , wherein the conductive contact element comprises a connection groove and wherein the seal element comprises a mating lip that projects into the connection groove.
11. A device with a circuit board for transmitting electrical signals comprising:
a housing having an in-line connector, said in-line connector comprising a seal element and a conductive contact element attached in an in-line configuration and defining a common bore, and a canted coil spring in contact with the conductive contact element; and wherein the seal element comprises a seal groove comprising a cavity having an energizer located therein; wherein the cavity has a groove opening and a bottom wall opposite the groove opening, and the energizer exerts a biasing force against the bottom wall of the seal element and the conductive contact element.
12. The device of claim 11 , wherein the housing comprises a sealed implantable medical device.
13. The device of claim 11 , further comprising a pin disposed in the common bore.
14. The device of claim of claim 13 , wherein the canted coil spring is a radial canted coil spring.
15. The device of claim 13 , wherein the conductive contact element comprises a connection groove and wherein the seal element comprises a mating lip that projects into the connection groove.
16. The device of claim 11 , wherein the seal element comprises a second seal groove located adjacent the seal groove, said second seal groove having an energizer located therein.
17. A method for manufacturing an in-line connector comprising:
providing a conductive contact element;
providing a seal element;
attaching the seal element to the conductive contact element to form a common bore; and
wherein the seal element comprises a seal groove comprising a cavity having an energizer located therein; wherein the cavity has a groove opening that faces away from the common bore; wherein the energizer exerts a radially inward biasing force on the seal element and a radially outward force.
18. The method of claim 17 , further comprising placing a spring contact element in contact with the conductive contact element.