Method and system for modular connections with electrical components

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12283770-B2
Application number	US-202318344105-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 29, 2023
Priority date	Jan 21, 2020
Publication date	Apr 22, 2025
Grant date	Apr 22, 2025

Abstract

An electronic module for a modular patient care system is disclosed. The electronic module can include a housing having an attachment side configured to releasably attach to an adjacent electronic module. A latch mechanism can be configured to engage a catch member on the adjacent electronic module to secure the attachment side to the adjacent electronic module. An electrical connector positioned on the attachment side can be configured to electrically connect to an adjacent electrical connector on the adjacent electronic module. A sensor coupled to the housing can be configured to detect movement of the latch mechanism indicative of at least one of engagement or disengagement of the latch mechanism from the adjacent electronic module.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A module for a patient care system, the module comprising:
an electrical connector configured to electrically connect to an adjacent electrical connector on an adjacent electronic module, wherein the electrical connector comprises:
a radial elastomeric seal defining a plurality of apertures;
a plurality of connector pins, wherein each connector pin comprises an engagement feature configured to retain the connector pin within a respective aperture of radial elastomeric seal; and
a plurality of contact springs spaced apart from the plurality of connector pins, wherein the plurality of connector pins are configured to contact the plurality of contact springs.

2. The module of claim 1 , wherein a first connector pin of the plurality of connector pins has a first height and a second connector pin of the plurality of connector pins has a second height, the first height being different than the second height.

3. The module of claim 1 , wherein a first contact spring of the plurality of contact springs has a first height and a second contact spring of the plurality of contact springs has a second height, the first height being different than the second height.

4. The module of claim 1 , wherein the engagement feature comprises an upper contact head and a lower contact head spaced apart from the upper contact head.

5. The module of claim 4 , wherein the upper contact head and the lower contact head are configured to capture a portion of the radial elastomeric seal therebetween.

6. The module of claim 4 , wherein the upper contact head and the lower contact head are configured to prevent pullout of the respective connector pin.

7. The module of claim 4 , wherein the upper contact head and the lower contact head each extend from a stud of the connector pin.

8. The module of claim 4 , wherein the upper contact head is larger than the respective aperture of the radial elastomeric seal.

9. The module of claim 8 , wherein the lower contact head is larger than the respective aperture of the radial elastomeric seal.

10. The module of claim 9 , wherein the lower contact head is larger than the upper contact head.

11. A module for a patient care system, the module comprising:
an electrical connector configured to electrically connect to an adjacent electrical connector on an adjacent electronic module, wherein the electrical connector comprises:
a plurality of connector pins, wherein each connector pin comprises a barbed interface; and
a plurality of contact springs spaced apart from the plurality of connector pins, wherein the plurality of connector pins are configured to contact the plurality of contact springs, wherein the barbed interface is configured to engage with a respective contact spring to latch the respective connector pin in a lowered position.

12. The module of claim 11 , wherein the barbed interface radially extends from a stud of the connector pin.

13. The module of claim 11 , wherein the barbed interface comprises a conical shape.

14. The module of claim 11 , wherein a first contact spring of the plurality of contact springs has a first height and a second contact spring of the plurality of contact springs has a second height, the first height being different than the second height.

15. A module for a patient care system, the module comprising:
an electrical connector configured to electrically connect to an adjacent electrical connector on an adjacent electronic module, wherein the electrical connector comprises:

a connector face; and
a plurality of connector coils, wherein each connector coil is disposed along the connector face and is configured to provide meshed engagement with a mating connector coil.

16. The module of claim 15 , wherein each connector coil is disposed radially extending away from the connector face.

17. The module of claim 15 , wherein each connector coil is affixed in circumferential contact with the connector face.

18. The module of claim 15 , wherein each connector coil extends radially though the connector face.

19. The module of claim 15 , wherein each connector coil comprises an elastomeric covering.

Assignees

• Carefusion 303 Inc

Inventors

• Borges Gregory
• Govea Daniel
• Dodge Roman
• Kimm Daniel

Classifications

• A61M5/1413

  Modular systems comprising interconnecting elements · CPC title

• A61B1/00124

  electrical, e.g. electrical plug-and-socket connection · CPC title

• H01R13/24

  resilient; resiliently-mounted · CPC title

• H01R13/5224

  for medical use · CPC title

• H01R13/6271 Primary

  Latching means integral with the housing (H01R13/6276, H01R13/6277, H01R13/6278 take precedence) · CPC title