Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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ELECTRICAL AND STRUCTURAL INTERCONNECTOR
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Technical Field
The present invention pertains generally to structural
and electrical connectors. More specifically, the present
invention pertains to a mechanism for interconnecting
electronic components held in separate respective structural
modules by structurally engaging the modules with each other
while simultaneously providing for electrical communication
between the components.
Discussion of Related Art
There are many applications in which it is necessary to
structurally and electrically interconnect electronic
components disposed within separate structural modules.
Examples of such applications might include modular stereo
components, portable communications equipment and electronics
test equipment. Many other applications could be identified.
A more specific example of an application in which
components must be electrically and structurally
interconnected occurs in the provision of modern electronic
medical patient care systems, such as those including
intravenous (IV) fluid infusion to a patient.
One approach to providing an IV administration system
that is responsive to modern varying and complex medical
situations has been to create systems having separate
components for performing different functions. A major
benefit of such a system is that the system components can be
selectively incorporated, as required, to meet the particular
requirements for the system. For example, such a system is
disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,756,706 which issued to Kerns
et al. for an invention entitled "Centrally Managed Modular
Infusion Pump System". The problem with a modular system
such as the one disclosed by Kerns, et al., however, is that
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as the medical situation becomes more complex and demanding,
the set up and operation of the IV administration system also
tends to become more complex. Again, by way of example, the
device which Kerns et al. disclose in U.S. Patent No.
4,756,706 requires the user to first structurally engage the
modules, and subsequently, in a separate and distinct action,
electrically interconnect the modular components.
The present invention recognizes that the complexity of
setting up an IV administration system (or any analogous
structural/electronic component system) can be significantly
reduced by accomplishing the structural and electrical
connections simultaneously in a single action. Other
benefits such as reduced parts inventory and associated cost
reductions can also result.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In light of the above it is an object of the present
invention to provide a connector for both structurally
engaging separate structural modules of an electronic system
and for electrical communication therebetween.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an
interconnector for structurally engaging separate components
of such a system for electrical communication therebetween,
wherein the structural and electrical connections between
modules are accomplished simultaneously in an essentially
one-step operation.
Yet another object of the present invention is to
provide an easy to use, relatively simple to manufacture and
comparatively cost effective device for structurally engaging
separate structural components of an electronic system for
electrical connections therebetween.
These and other objects are achieved according to the
present invention by an electrical and structural
interconnector which comprises first and second detachable
parts. The first part has a body portion with an extending
portion that extends in direction outward and upward from the
body portion. At least one electrical conductor extends
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through the first part and terminates in a contact surface on
the outer surface of the extending portion. The second part
also has a body portion which defines a main body rebess that
is configured and dimensioned to slidingly receive the
extending portion of the first part. The first part
extending portion generally cannot be moved directly
laterally or vertically into the second part main body
recess. The first part extending portion is rotated upward
and outward into the main body recess and thereby secures the
parts together against lateral or vertical separation. There
is also provided in the second part at least one electrical
conductor that extends through the second part and terminates
in a contact surface positioned within the main body recess.
The contact surfaces of the first and second parts are placed
together when the parts are attached to provide an electrical
connection between the conductors. The specific
configuration of the mating parts of the first and second
parts allows either part to support the other in the vertical
direction while at the same time resisting lateral
separation.
In a further aspect of the invention, a modular system
is provided with integral structural and electrical
connectors. In this system, a first module has a wall formed
to create a cavity. The wall provides an aperture for access
into the cavity and there is a periphery around the aperture.
A first electrical contact is positioned in the cavity of the
first module. A second module also has a wall formed to
create a cavity. An extension with an angled lip is mounted
on the wall of the second module. The extension is
dimensioned for insertion through the aperture in the wall of
the first module and thus into the first module cavity in
order to grip the periphery of the first module aperture.
The periphery is gripped between the angled lip and wall of
the second module upon rotation of the second module. A
second electrical contact is embedded in the extension of the
= wall of the second module and placed to touch the first
electrical contact in the cavity of the first module in order
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to establish electrical communication between the two
modules. This arrangement also permits engagement and
disengagement only upon appropriate rotation and allows
either module to structurally support the other.
According to a further aspect of the invention, a
multiplicity of modules may be interconnected in this same
fashion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a multi-module
electronic system wherein the individual modules are
interconnected structurally and electrically in accordance
with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of a pair of modules
positioned for subsequent engagement with each other;
FIG. 3 is a view of the modules shown in FIG. 2 after
engagement and with portions broken away to reveal the
interconnector according to the present invention and
associated electronic components;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a single
module showing the interconnector parts of the present
invention enlarged and out of scale;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a female connector
portion according to the present invention, as taken through
line 5-5 of FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a male connector
portion according to the invention, as taken through line 6-6
of FIG. 4; and
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a combined connector
according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring initially to FIG. 1, a multi-module system
according to the present invention is shown and generally
designated 10. By way of illustration, four structural
modules 12a-d are shown interconnected and mounted on stand
14. It is to be appreciated, however, that more or fewer
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modules 12 may be incorporated into the system 10. Such a
system may have one or more inputs 16 and one or more outputs
18.
For the purposes of the present invention, the specific
function of each individual module is not critical. However,
such modules are of a kind which each contain electronic
= components that must communicate either mono-directionally or
bi-directionally for proper performance of their respective
functions. Continuing with the illustrative example set
forth above, one of the modules 12, for example, module 12c,
may be a central control unit which monitors and/or controls
the operations of various patient care modules 12a, 12b and
12d, such as large volume parenteral pumps, syringe pumps,
pulse oximeters, EKG or other patient care devices. In this
example, the present invention is capable of transferring
electrical communication from one module to the next and also
may be wired to provide direct communication between non-
adjacent modules. The example of an IV administration system
is one in which bi-directional communication between the
modules may be required. An example of single-directional
communication may be a modular stereo component system
wherein the communication moves only outward, toward speaker
modules.
However, for the purposes of the present invention, all
of modules 12a, b, c and d may be considered alike in that
each is provided with the same interconnector components
according to the present invention, which allow them to be
structurally and electrically interconnected in any order and
at random with any other module to maintain the electrical
and structural interconnection.
FIG. 2 shows two exemplary modules 12a and 12b in
position for engagement. Specifically, male connector
~ portion 22 of module 12b is placed for insertion into female
connector portion 24 of module 12a. With a rotation of
module 12a relative to module 12b in the direction of arrow
25 (or the opposite rotation of module 12b), the modules are
engaged in a manner substantially as shown in FIG. 3. As
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shown in FIG. 3, upon structural engagement of modules 12a
and 12b, electronic components 26 of module 12a are also
electrically connected to electronic components 26 of module
12b. The exact manner by which these structural and
electrical connections are simultaneously accomplished is
discussed in detail below in conjunction with FIG. 4.
Still referring to FIG. 3, it will be noted that the
engagement between modules 12a and 12b can be made more
substantial by the engagement of locking mechanism 28 on
module 12a with the locking mechanism 30 on module 12b. it
will be appreciated that the locking mechanisms 28 and 30, as
well as their operation, can be of any type well known in the
pertinent art.
As shown in FIG. 4, exemplary module 12 includes casing
32 which comprises walls 34 that surround and form a housing
for internal electrical components (indicated as components
26 in FIG. 3). Module 12 also includes two connector
portions according to the present invention: male connector
portion 22 and female connector portion 24, as described
above. Connector portions 22 and 24 may be made of plastics
or other nonconductive materials, such as a glass filled
thermoplastic polyester, by known processes such as molding
or machining. The connector portions are preferably received
in mating holes 36 (only one shown) in walls 34 of casing 32
in order to permit access to and communication with
electrical components 26. The connector portions may be
fixedly attached, for example to walls 34 or an internal
support structure within casing 32 by screws placed through
holes 38 provided for that purpose. Other means of fixed
attachment may be devised by persons skilled in the art
without departing from the scope of the present invention.
As illustrated in FIG. 4, female connector portion 24 is
located in a hole (not shown) through the wall 34 of casing
32 at a point where the dashed lines between female connector
portion 24 and casing 32 intersect the casing. Referring to
Figs. 4 and 5, female connector portion 24 is formed with a
substantially rectangular aperture 40. Aperture 40 is
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defined by a peripheral part 42 which surrounds aperture 40
and forms end walls 41 of aperture 40. Outward extending
upper abutment 48 and lower abutment 50 further establish
respective opposite portions of peripheral part 42. Screw
holes 38, representing one possible means of attachment as
described above, may be positioned in peripheral part 42.
A first set of one or more electrical contacts 52 is
positioned within aperture 40 to form a preferably resilient
contact surface therein. Electrical contacts 52 provide for
electrical communication with electronic components 26 in
casing 32 through female connector portion 24. For purposes
of the present invention, electrical contacts 52 can be of
any type well known in the pertinent art suitable for use as
described herein. One type of electrical contact suitable
for use in IV administration systems are stamped, formed
beryllium copper contacts. Electrical contacts 52 are
preferably biased against the mating contacts of male
connector portion 22, as explained below.
Turning to Figs. 4 and 6, it can be seen that the male
connector portion 22 is formed with an outward and upward
extension 55 which has a base 56 and terminates in a curved
lip 58. More specifically, curved lip 58 is angled upward to
give extension 55 a hook-like shape. Base 56 of extension
55, together with peripheral part 60, define therebetween
inwardly directed lower recess 62. An upper, upward opening
recess 64 is defined on three sides generally by extension
55, base 56 and peripheral part 60. More specifically,
curved lip 58 of extension 55 has a surface 65 which
partially defines upper recess 60, and a surface 66 which
faces substantially outwardly and away from casing 32 when
the connector portion is placed thereon.
Male connector portion 22 has a second set of electrical
contacts 68 passing therethrough and embedded into surface 66
of extension 55 to form an exposed contact surface 69. When
~ 35 male connector portion 22 is affixed to casing 32, the second
set of electrical contacts 68 continue through hole 36 to
communicate with electronic components 26 which are held
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within casing 32. Accordingly, electrical contact can be
established with electronic components 26 through the second
set of electrical contacts 68.
In the operation of the present invention, a module 12,
such as module 12a, is positioned relative to another module
12, such as module 12b, substantially as shown in FIG. 2.
Preferably, each module is provided with both male connector
portion 22 and female connector portion 24 on opposite sides
so that a multiplicity of modules may be interconnected.
However, if only two modules were to be interconnected it
would be sufficient to provide one with only female connector
portion 24 and the other with only male connector portion 22.
With the modules positioned as shown in FIG. 2, extension 55
(FIG. 6) of male connector portion 22 on module 12b is poised
for insertion into aperture 40 (FIG. 5) of female connector
portion 24 on module 12a. A subsequent rotation of the module
12a in the direction of arrow 25 will then cause curved lip
58 on the connector of module 12b to be inserted through the
aperture 40 in female connector portion 24 of module 12a.
(Alternatively, module 12b could be rotated opposite arrow
25.) This insertion positions the second set of electrical
contacts 68 on male connector portion 22 of module 12b in
electrical contact with the first set of electrical contacts
52 on female connector portion 24 of module 12a.
Consequently, electronic components 26 in the two modules are
placed in electrical communication as illustrated in FIG 7.
In addition to the electrical connections, which are
established between electrical contacts 52 and 68, the
engagement of male connector portion 22 with female connector
portion 24 as described above also structurally joins the two
modules 12a, 12b together. As shown in FIG 7, with the
insertion of curved lip 58 through aperture 40, upper
abutment 48 of female connector portion 24 is positioned in
upper recess 64 of male connector portion 22 to vertically
support the female connector portion by the male connector
portion. Also, upper abutment 48 of female connector portion
24 is positioned behind angled lip 58 which prevents the
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connector portions from being laterally separated away from
each other. Extension 55 being received in aperture 40 and
abutting against end walls 41 also prevent the connector
portions from being laterally separated in a side to side
direction.
Additionally, lower abutment 50 of the female connector
portion is matingly engaged in lower recess 62. It is this
engagement which permits female connector portion 24 to
vertically support male connector portion 22 by the upper
surface of abutment 50 supporting base 56. Male connector
portion 22 is thereby joined with female connector portion 24
to structurally engage modules 12a and 12b such that either
module may support the weight of the other. Only rotation of
one of the modules opposite that described above for
engagement, and counter to the force of gravity, permits
_disengagement. It will be readily appreciated that multiple
connector portions may be used to connect more than two
modules as shown in Figs. 1-4 and that other combinations
and/or orientations may be employed, such as side and back
connectors.
It also can be seen in FIG. 7 that the length of
extension 55 is not as great as the depth of aperture 40.
Thus, when the connector portions are combined, a void 72 is
defined. The respective length and depth of the parts, as
well as the position of contact 52 within aperture 40 are
selected such that contact 52 is only resiliently deformed
when the male connector portion is inserted. In this way
continued positive electrical connections are assured after
multiple uses.
While the particular connector as herein shown and
disclosed in detail is fully capable of obtaining the objects
and providing the advantages herein before stated, it is to
be understood that it is merely illustrative of the presently
preferred embodiments of the invention and that no
limitations are intended to the details of the construction
or design herein shown other than as defined in the appended
claims.
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