Pogo pin connector

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11437768-B2
Application number	US-202016998265-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 20, 2020
Priority date	Feb 6, 2015
Publication date	Sep 6, 2022
Grant date	Sep 6, 2022

Abstract

The application is directed to various connector and sensor assemblies. In some embodiments, the connector and sensor assembly comprises a connector and a sensor assembly. The connector can have an opening that has a first surface and second surface that are opposite each other. The connector can have a plurality of retractable electrical connectors that extend from the first surface and a lock structure that is located on the second surface. The sensor assembly is comprised of a body portion and a proximal end. The proximal end has a top side and a bottom side. The top side includes a plurality of electrical contacts that is configured to interact with the plurality of retractable electrical connectors. The bottom side includes a key structure that is configured to interact with the lock structure in the connector.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A male connector which physically connects to and electrically communicates with a corresponding female connector, the male connector comprising:
a flat board portion comprising a first side and a second side, and a length extending between a proximal end and a distal end;
a plurality of electrical contacts arranged on the flat board portion in a staggered configuration, wherein at least one of the electrical contacts is a ground contact, the ground contact is arranged to physically contact and electrically communicate with a corresponding electrical contact of a female connector before any other contact comes into electrical communication with a corresponding contact of the female connector; and
wherein the ground contact is positioned on the first side of the flat board portion and extends between a first end and a second end,
wherein the first end of the ground contact is as proximal on the flat board portion as a proximal-most electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts, and
wherein the second end of the ground contact is more distal on the flat board portion than a distal-most electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts.

2. The male connector of claim 1 wherein the electrical contacts are configured into a plurality of rows, wherein each row can include a plurality of electrical contacts.

3. The male connector of claim 1 wherein the male connector includes a color indicator that corresponds with the color indicator of the female connector.

4. The male connector of claim 1 wherein the male connector includes a visual indicator that indicates the type of male connector to a user.

5. The male connector of claim 1 wherein the ground contact is located near a proximal end of the male connector.

6. The male connector of claim 1 , further comprising a key structure located on the opposite surface of the plurality of electrical contacts and configured to engage a lock structure of the female connector.

7. The male connector of claim 6 , wherein the key structure is a protrusion in the shape of a rectangle.

8. The male connector of claim 6 wherein the key structure includes a first detent that is configured to interact with a second detent on the female connector to provide a tactile feedback to the user.

9. The male connector of claim 6 wherein the key structure is configured to only engage the lock structure of the corresponding female connector.

10. The male connector of claim 6 wherein the key structure is a plurality of indentations located on either side of a proximal end of the sensor assembly that can be secured by the lock structure of the female connector.

11. The male connector of claim 6 wherein the key structure is a centered rectangular structure with a curved indentation at the proximal end and a proximal lip.

12. A male connector which physically connects to and electrically communicates with a corresponding female connector, the male connector comprising:
a top portion;
a bottom portion comprising a body and a sensor support portion, the sensor support portion comprising a first surface and a second surface;
a sensor comprising a plurality of electrical contacts arranged in a staggered configuration, wherein a proximal end of the sensor is positioned on the first surface of the sensor support portion;
wherein the top portion is configured to engage with the body of the bottom portion to secure a portion of the sensor;
wherein a distal end of the top portion and a distal end of the bottom portion form an opening, wherein the sensor is configured to extend through the opening;
wherein at least one of the electrical contacts is a ground contact, the ground contact arranged to physically contact and electrically communicate with a corresponding electrical contact of a female connector before any other contact comes into electrical communication with a corresponding contact of the female connector; and
wherein the ground contact is positioned on the proximal end of the sensor and extends between a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the ground contact is as proximal on the flat board portion as a proximal-most electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts, and wherein the second end of the ground contact is more distal on the flat board portion than a distal-most electrical contact of the plurality of electrical contacts.

13. The male connector of claim 12 , further comprising a key structure located on the second surface of the sensor support portion configured to engage a lock structure of the female connector.

14. The male connector of claim 12 , wherein a key structure includes a detent configured to provide a tactile feedback to the user.

15. The male connector of claim 12 , further comprising a tapered surface on a proximal end of the top portion, wherein the tapered surface of the top portion is configured to engage with a corresponding tapered surface on a proximal end of the female connector.

16. The male connector of claim 12 wherein a tapered surface on the male connector tapers outward.

Assignees

• Masimo Corp

Inventors

• Scruggs Stephen
• Al-Ali Ammar
• Schmidt John
• Abdul-Hafiz Yassir Kamel
• Triman Benjamin C
• Macneish Iii William Jack

Classifications

• A61B5/021

  Measuring pressure in heart or blood vessels · CPC title

• H01R13/64

  Means for preventing incorrect coupling · CPC title

• H01R13/652

  with earth pin, blade or socket · CPC title

• H01R12/721

  cooperating directly with the edge of the rigid printed circuits · CPC title

• A61B2562/227

  Sensors with electrical connectors · CPC title