Evaluation of a spring-finger based, magnetic connector concept for reliable e-textile interconnects
Evaluation of a spring-finger based, magnetic connector concept for reliable e-textile interconnects
Reliable, impermanent connectors are a significant challenge in the development of e-textile devices, needed to increase their modularity, a key factor in their ability to be repaired or recycled. The combination of spring loaded contacts and magnetic fastenings is a promising option as these components exhibit the small size and mechanical compliance necessary for use in flexible devices.
This paper details the evaluation of a 5 pin, spring finger connector held in place by two pairs of 1\,mm thick NdFeB button magnets. The connector is subjected to bending and straightening around a 9 cm diameter to analyse its suitability for use in an e-textile device.The results show that with 1.3mm high springs and a backing with a flexural rigidity of 1.16 × 10-4 Nm², 100\% reliability can be achieved on that test. These results indicate a necessity to use small springs that can easily be flattened. However, their small working range means that they may not be as reliable when connecting to uneven surfaces.
Connectors, reliability, smart textiles
1723-1725
Greig, Thomas Alastair
cabac522-b35a-4936-9451-4fa67a49c9e7
Yang, Kai
f1c9b81d-e821-47eb-a69e-b3bc419de9c7
Torah, Russel
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Greig, Thomas Alastair
cabac522-b35a-4936-9451-4fa67a49c9e7
Yang, Kai
f1c9b81d-e821-47eb-a69e-b3bc419de9c7
Torah, Russel
7147b47b-db01-4124-95dc-90d6a9842688
Greig, Thomas Alastair, Yang, Kai and Torah, Russel
(2022)
Evaluation of a spring-finger based, magnetic connector concept for reliable e-textile interconnects.
IEEE Transactions on Components, Packaging and Manufacturing Technology, 12 (10), .
(doi:10.1109/TCPMT.2022.3209591).
Abstract
Reliable, impermanent connectors are a significant challenge in the development of e-textile devices, needed to increase their modularity, a key factor in their ability to be repaired or recycled. The combination of spring loaded contacts and magnetic fastenings is a promising option as these components exhibit the small size and mechanical compliance necessary for use in flexible devices.
This paper details the evaluation of a 5 pin, spring finger connector held in place by two pairs of 1\,mm thick NdFeB button magnets. The connector is subjected to bending and straightening around a 9 cm diameter to analyse its suitability for use in an e-textile device.The results show that with 1.3mm high springs and a backing with a flexural rigidity of 1.16 × 10-4 Nm², 100\% reliability can be achieved on that test. These results indicate a necessity to use small springs that can easily be flattened. However, their small working range means that they may not be as reliable when connecting to uneven surfaces.
Text
springy-connectors
- Accepted Manuscript
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e-pub ahead of print date: 26 September 2022
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Publisher Copyright:
IEEE
Keywords:
Connectors, reliability, smart textiles
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Local EPrints ID: 470877
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/470877
ISSN: 2156-3950
PURE UUID: ba3ca4a2-8afa-4922-8fc0-17e6b6987479
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Date deposited: 20 Oct 2022 16:44
Last modified: 10 Apr 2024 01:45
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Contributors
Author:
Thomas Alastair Greig
Author:
Russel Torah
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