Motor driven medical suction pump and method for connecting such a suction pump to a power source

Abstract

The invention relates to a motor-driven suction pump and a method for connecting such a pump. The suction pump has a pump unit for generating negative pressure, which is accommodated in a housing (2). In addition, a junction box (10) is provided, which can be connected to a power supply via a connecting cable (30) and has contact elements (16, 18) for supplying power current to the pump unit. When the junction box (10) is connected to the housing (2), the contact elements (16, 18) are conductively connected to contact mating elements (46, 48) arranged on the housing side and leading to the pump unit. In order to improve electrical safety, a sensor (22), an evaluation unit (32) and a switch (34) are provided. The sensor (22) is configured to check the connection of the junction box (10). The switch (34) connects the power supply to at least one of the contact elements (16, 18). The evaluation unit (32) is connected to the sensor (22) and the switch (34) based on the data, so that when the signal of the sensor (22) confirming the connection is present, the switch connects the contact element (16, 18) to the power supply current supply device, and when the signal of the sensor (22) confirming the connection is absent, the power supply current supply device is disconnected. In the method according to the invention, at least one disconnected contact element (16, 18) is first electrically connected to a mating contact element (46, 48) on the housing side, which mating contact element is provided for supplying current to the pump unit. Then, based on the signal confirming the corresponding contact, the power supply current is applied to the contact element (16, 18).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a motor-driven medical suction pump having a pump unit for generating negative pressure, which is accommodated in a housing and has a terminal box, which can be mechanically coupled to the housing and which can be connected to a power supply via a connecting cable. The terminal box has contact elements for supplying the pump unit with power current. When the terminal box is coupled to the housing, these contact elements are conductively connected to contact counterpart elements arranged on the housing side, which are led to the pump unit. Background Art

[0002] Such motor-driven pumps are known, for example, as exudate pumps. Another configuration of a corresponding suction pump is a breast pump for extracting human breast milk from a female breast. The electrical connection to the power supply is effected via a plug contact cable with a terminal box. The contact elements in this terminal box are usually mounted in such a way that they are not exposed to the outside. The contact elements are usually arranged as female plug contact elements, whereby the housing has a male plug contact counterpart element assigned to them, which must first be inserted into a cavity in the terminal box to a certain extent for the plug contact, until electrical contact is established between the contact element and the contact counterpart element.

[0003] The above-mentioned well-known arrangement of contact elements in the junction box is particularly useful for electrical safety. This prevents the voltage applied to the junction box from being accidentally transmitted during normal operation of the junction box. However, the present invention recognizes the need to improve electrical safety in this regard. Summary of the invention

[0004] The invention therefore proposes a motor-driven medical suction pump having the features of claim 1 .

[0005] The motor-driven medical suction pump of the present invention provides a sensor, an evaluation unit and a switch. The sensor is configured to detect the connection of the junction box. The sensor can be a contactless or touch sensor. The sensor is configured so that it detects the connection, that is, the correct connection of the junction box to the housing. The correct connection is defined as connecting the junction box to the housing, wherein the contact element is electrically connected to the associated contact matching element. Therefore, in order to detect the correct connection, it is not enough to connect the junction box to the housing in any way. On the contrary, the junction box must be positioned completely opposite to the housing in order to achieve electrical contact between the junction box and the housing. The evaluation unit is data-dependently connected to the sensor and the switch. The switch controls the power supply current. For this purpose, the switch is usually located in the junction box or the connector plug, which is connected to the power supply current on the other side of the connecting cable for plug-in contact. Through the data-dependent connection of the evaluation unit to the sensor and the switch, the sensor signal emitted by the sensor can then be analyzed, and the power supply current can be connected to one or more contact elements attached to the junction box through the switch.

[0006] With the invention, a solution is proposed in which the energized contact elements of the terminal box are disconnected from the mains current until a mechanical coupling between the terminal box and the housing is detected. This enables the terminal box with the contact elements arranged thereon to be handled without risk of electric shock, even if the connection plug or the connection cable leading to the terminal box is energized, the terminal box being permanently connected to the mains voltage.

[0007] The present invention can be used in many fields in which good electrical safety is important or in which it cannot be excluded that an element, terminal or medium comes into contact with a contact element. Therefore, the present invention is particularly suitable for connecting electrical devices in humid rooms or in areas where steam or gas (especially conductive gas or explosive gas) is present. The solution according to the present invention is basically applicable to any electrical contact with an electrical device arranged in a housing. A junction box can be connected to the housing and presents a contact element for energizing the device with a power supply current so that when the junction box is mounted on the housing, it is conductively connected to the contact element arranged on the housing side and leading to the device. The electrical contact has a sensor, an evaluation unit and a switch as described above. Insofar as the description of the present invention relates to the fact that the power supply current is supplied to the pump unit in the housing, this does not mean that the power supply current is not supplied to other components in the housing. On the contrary, the housing of the suction pump according to the present invention usually also accommodates an electronic control device, which controls or switches the power supply current, and usually accommodates a battery, via which the electrical energy introduced into the housing can be stored.

[0008] As mentioned above, the sensor can be any sensor that detects the mechanical connection, in particular the correct mechanical connection of the terminal box to the housing. The sensor can be a magnetic switch, a proximity sensor or an optical sensor. The sensor should at least be arranged on the terminal box in order to detect the proximity and mechanical connection of the terminal box to the housing and to communicate directly with the evaluation unit arranged on the connection side.

[0009] According to a preferred further development of the invention, a robust and reliable solution is proposed, according to which the sensor has a sensor element to which a sensor counterpart is assigned on the housing side, wherein the sensor element emits a signal confirming the connection according to the relative position with the sensor counterpart. At least one of the contact element and the sensor element is arranged in the junction box so that when the junction box is mechanically coupled to the housing, the contact element is first electrically connected to the associated contact counterpart, and thereafter the sensor element is positioned only relative to the sensor counterpart so that the signal confirming the connection is emitted, thereby applying the power supply current. In this preferred further development, the sensor element and the sensor counterpart are then assigned to each other so that their electrical contacts are preferably used to transmit the sensor signal. In its simplest form, the sensor element is an electrical pin that interacts with the contact surface formed by the sensor counterpart. In a simple configuration, the sensor element and / or the sensor counterpart is designed as a downstream element, which protrudes in the coupling direction of the junction box when it is mechanically coupled from the junction box to the housing or on the housing side, and is arranged behind the contact element or the contact counterpart in the same coupling direction. The contact element and / or the contact counter-element will be pre-tensioned in the coupling direction by means of a spring and held movably so as to allow, after they have made contact, a path of the terminal box which still has to be covered in the direction of the box until the terminal box is mechanically coupled to the housing and / or the sensor element and the sensor counter-element are electrically connected to one another. The sensor element and the sensor counter-element can be spring pre-tensioned and can be moved in a suitable manner so as to allow reliable contacting despite given tolerances and inaccuracies in the mechanical coupling of the terminal box and the housing.

[0010] Any elastic element which can absorb and store restoring forces by deformation can be regarded as a spring in the aforementioned sense. It is only important that the contact element and / or the contact counterpart element or the sensor element and the sensor counterpart element in the coupled state engage with each other and / or lie against each other with a certain pretension.

[0011] The contact counterpart element is preferably in a fixed and immovable position in the housing or in a fixed and immovable position relative to the housing. The compensating movement is preferably achieved only by moving the contact element on the side of the terminal box.

[0012] The present invention is based in particular on the consideration that the power supply current can be switched on only after the terminal box has been positioned on the housing, thereby providing new contact possibilities. Because according to the solution of the invention, it is not necessary to mechanically protect the normally energized contact elements from contact. For example, with the present invention, the terminal box and / or the housing can be constructed at least in the contact area, which has a contact surface without offset, and the other of the terminal box and the housing is applied to abut against the contact surface in the connected state. According to this, the contact surface is such a surface on which the terminal box and the housing are in contact in the connected state. The contact element is usually located within the contact surface. In any case, further developments provide the possibility of constructing the terminal box and / or the housing so that no flash or other edges or undercuts appear in the area where the power supply current is transmitted to the housing, where contamination may be deposited. Therefore, further developments can construct the housing or the terminal box so that it is easy to clean and / or disinfect. This development is particularly suitable for transmitting the power supply current to the housing in the medical field.

[0013] The further development discussed above also dispenses with the mechanical form-fitting element by which the terminal box and the housing are mechanically connected and coupled. To compensate for this, the invention proposes a contactless holding device, which holds the terminal box in a state coupled to the housing. Preferably, the terminal box is held to the housing by magnetic force. Permanent magnets, magnetizable materials and / or electromagnets can be used for this purpose. For example, all solutions for mechanical coupling of a terminal box and a housing to transmit the supply current known from the prior art EP 2 287 972 B1, CN 207 853 072 U or CN 202050 089 U are suitable.

[0014] The solution according to the invention is not limited to a specific voltage of the power supply current. However, special consideration is given to the construction that tends to connect the power supply equipment to the usual power supply in the building (such as a hospital, a nursing home or a residential building). The electrical contact of the present invention is usually transmitted with a voltage not exceeding 230 volts. The power supply voltage transmitted between the contact element and the contact counterpart element can also be converted into a low voltage. In particular, medical suction pumps are usually equipped with a 12 volt power supply unit to allow the suction pump to be powered by an autonomous energy source, a battery or a rechargeable battery usually built into the housing. In this low-voltage solution, the construction of the electrical contact according to the present invention has also proven to be advantageous, because, especially in the medical field, even the slightest current pulses to the patient or baby can be avoided. Therefore, the electrical contact according to the present invention is particularly suitable for any connection from the power supply equipment in the electrically operated medical device to the external power supply current fed via the connecting cable.

[0015] In a further development of the mechanical coupling via magnetic forces to be discussed here, the exact positioning of the coupled terminal box can be achieved by a single magnetic element, which together with a single magnetic counterpart element on the housing side holds the terminal box in a predetermined orientation on the housing. To this end, the magnetic element or the magnetic counterpart element should have an asymmetrical shape and / or an asymmetrical arrangement relative to the axis of symmetry of the slot, which accommodates the terminal box and, if appropriate, surrounds the terminal box at the ends with a certain gap, wherein the base area of ​​the terminal box and the base area of ​​the slot should at least approximately correspond to each other. The slot and / or the terminal box itself can also have a specific contour, which specifies the predetermined orientation of the terminal box in the slot.

[0016] Preferably, at least two magnetic elements are arranged on the terminal box, which are provided with different magnetic polarities and are effective for a clear positioning of the terminal box relative to the housing in the coupled state. The at least two magnetic elements then ensure that the terminal box in the mechanically coupled state is placed against the contact surface on the housing side in a correct manner clearly defined by the at least two magnetic elements. If magnetic elements with different magnetic polarities are applied to the contact surface, which is usually arranged in a groove on the housing side, in the wrong orientation, repulsive magnetic forces are caused due to the housing-side magnets, so that mechanical coupling is not possible. Thereafter, the at least two magnetic elements with different polarities allow a clear assignment of the position of the terminal box on the housing in the coupled state, as a result of which the contact element is electrically connected to the contact counterpart element in the correct alignment and arrangement.

[0017] According to a preferred further development of the present invention, a matching housing is proposed, which is connected to the housing and has a contact surface that is arranged to be at least roughly flush with the outer surface of the housing. The matching housing usually accommodates contact matching elements and holds a connecting cable or other electrical conductor, which is provided to the contact matching elements on the housing side for transmitting the power supply current to at least one electrical device in the housing. The main function of the matching housing is usually to keep the contact matching elements immovably and make their contact surfaces available on the outside and connected to the actual housing. Therefore, the terminal box is a component of the contact pair consisting of a terminal box on the one hand and a matching housing on the other hand. The terminal box is usually connected to a connecting cable, and the cabling of the housing interior to the electrical device (especially the pump unit) is led out from the matching box. It goes without saying that these electrical conductors do not have to be directly electrically connected to the pump unit. In many cases, contact is usually carried out when a controller is inserted, which receives control commands and can transmit the power supply current to the electrical device according to various influencing variables.

[0018] The housing usually has an opening into which the mating housing is inserted. In particular for medical applications, the mating housing is flush or approximately flush with the outer surface of the housing, for example in a groove formed by the housing. This configuration of the electrically contacted components on the housing side also makes it possible to produce a configuration that is easy to clean or sterilize.

[0019] The wiring housing and / or the mating housing are usually made of electrically insulating materials, such as ceramic or plastic. The contact element or the contact mating element can be easily attached and retained to the corresponding housing. However, in particular in the case of mechanical coupling by means of magnetic force, it is preferred to form a contact surface on the housing side by means of a non-conductive coating, which is arranged on the outside and is at least roughly flush or flush with the contact surface of the contact mating element. The coating is usually a coating made of damping plastic, preferably silicone or TPE. The coating can be applied to the mating housing, for example by gluing or injection molding. The outer surface of the coating and the contact surface of the contact mating element (the contact mating element is electrically contacted with the contact element via it) are roughly flush, preferably completely flush, thereby forming a flat and smooth surface on the housing side, which is partially formed by the coating and partially formed by the contact surface, and is easy to clean. It goes without saying that the contact mating element is usually sealed and passes through the coating. The connection can be the result of composite injection molding, in which a terminal box made of hard plastic is overmolded with a plastic forming a coating together with a contact counterpart element embedded therein by overmolding, which initially protrudes above the surface of the terminal box. The coating can also be applied subsequently, wherein the recesses for receiving the free end portions of the contact elements can have smaller dimensions than the contact elements, so that these contact elements are pressed into the coating, producing the desired seal. The coating can also be bonded to the contact counterpart element.

[0020] With regard to tolerance compensation, according to the invention, it is proposed to provide a contact surface formed by the contact element, the area of ​​which is smaller than the area of ​​the contact mating surface of the contact element for contacting the contact element. Although the contact element is usually a pin, the contact mating surface is many times larger than the end face of the contact pin, so that certain tolerances in the correct positioning of the terminal box relative to the housing are possible without affecting the required power current transmission. In particular, this solution compensates for the absence of a form-fitting element that aligns the terminal box with the housing in a predetermined manner, which should be avoided for the desired smooth surface in the contact area. It goes without saying that the dimensions of the contact mating surface must be selected so that, under conceivable tolerances, the contact element assigned to each contact mating surface always contacts the corresponding contact mating surface in conductive contact when the terminal box and the housing are mechanically coupled. The tolerances and gaps allow movement between the contact surface and the contact mating surface, which is conducive to self-cleaning of the surface causing the electrical contact. Due to the relative movement, contaminants or metal oxides on the surface are scraped off, so that good electrical contact is permanently guaranteed.

[0021] In order to check the correct contact for transmitting the mains current, the solution according to the invention preferably has an optical indicator which indicates the state of the mains current supply device. The optical indicator is usually a control light, which can be arranged on the housing and / or the terminal box. In the simplest case, the optical indicator is provided as an LED on the terminal box and is connected to the evaluation unit based on the data so that the LED is turned on at the same time as the switch is released to transmit the mains current.

[0022] According to a preferred further development of the invention, the contact elements or contact counterpart elements are arranged with different polarities and the magnetic elements are offset from the central longitudinal axis which is usually formed and predetermined by the terminal box and, if necessary, also by the counterpart housing. This asymmetrical design increases electrical safety, since due to the magnets, a clear positioning of the terminal box on the housing is predetermined and the contact elements or contact counterpart elements are not located on the central longitudinal axis, so that during the mechanical coupling, the contact elements also have to make contact with the correct contact counterpart element.

[0023] Based on corresponding considerations, according to a preferred further development of the present invention, it is suggested to provide at least two contact elements or contact matching elements for each polarity, which define the corner points of the base surface in a top view of the contact surface, wherein the sensor elements or sensor matching elements in the base surface are preferably arranged asymmetrically relative to the base surface, and are particularly preferably arranged at the edge of the base surface. This construction also prevents incorrect connection of the contact elements with the contact matching elements. In addition, the number of contact elements or contact matching elements provided according to polarity increases the safety when transmitting power supply current. The base surface is preferably a rectangular surface, wherein the contact elements or contact matching elements of the same polarity are usually located on a straight line forming the side of the rectangle. The contact elements or contact matching elements of the other polarity are opposite to it, wherein the parallel rows of contact elements are usually separated from each other by the longer side of the rectangle. With this construction, not all contact elements or contact matching elements are located on the same line. On the contrary, as described above, the contact elements or contact matching elements are opposite to each other and arranged on the same line. The sensor element or sensor matching element is usually located on one of these edges. All contact elements are preferably located between the magnetic elements, which further reduces the risk of incorrect electrical contact. This arrangement also prevents an external magnetic plug or other charging plug from being connected to the device. Thus, overvoltage with attendant damage can be prevented.

[0024] According to a preferred further development of the invention, the contact element or the contact counterpart element can be integrated into the magnetic element. Thus, the contact element can be surrounded by an annular magnetic element or formed by the metal surface of the magnet itself. This construction can be realized on the terminal box side and / or on the housing side. The magnetic element can also be formed by the contact element itself, in particular if the magnetic element is an electromagnetic element that becomes magnetic by energizing.

[0025] According to its parallel aspect, the present invention proposes a method for connecting an electrical device (e.g., a motor-driven medical suction pump having a pump unit for generating negative pressure) to a power supply that generates a power supply current. In the method according to the present invention, at least one of the contact elements used to energize the electrical device is first electrically connected to a contact pairing element on the housing side. The housing side is the contact side assigned to the electrical device (especially the motor-driven suction pump). When the contact element is not energized, the connection occurs. After a signal is sent based on the sensor confirming the contact, in the method according to the present invention, a power supply current is applied to the contact element. The method is preferably performed simultaneously for all contact elements of the contact between the electrical device and the junction box, so that the power supply current is applied to all energized contact elements at the same time. The sensor that confirms the contact can be a sensor that directly detects the electrical contact between the contact element and the contact pairing element. In other words, the sensor detects the electrical contact of the contact element and the contact pairing element. Alternatively, the sensor can be indirectly connected to the contact by detecting the correct positioning of the junction box relative to the housing of the electrical device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Further details and advantages of the present invention are derived from the following description of embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0027] Figure 1 shows a perspective side view of a medical suction pump for aspirating exudate prior to electrical contact;

[0028] Figure 2 shows a perspective side view of a medical suction pump with a breast pump for expressing human breast milk after contact;

[0029] Figure 3 shows a top view of the contact surface of an embodiment of a junction box;

[0030] Figure 4 Shown according to Figure 3 A side view of a junction box;

[0031] Figure 5 Shown according to Figure 3 and Figure 4 A rear top view of the junction box;

[0032] Figure 6 Shown when connected to the suction pump housing according to Figures 3 to 5 A perspective partial side cutaway view of a junction box; and

[0033] Figure 7 Shown according to Figure 6 Enlarged detail of VII. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] Figure 1 and Figure 2 The exudate pump ( Figure 1 ) or based on a suction pump used to pump human breast milk from a female breast ( Figure 2 ) of a medical suction pump. The examples show on both sides in their housing 2 a pump unit (not shown in the figure) by means of which a negative pressure is generated, which is present, for example, at an interface 4 to which, for example, a negative pressure hose can be connected. The interface 4 is Figure 2 In Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the interface 4 is located on the rear side, the details of which are not visible. The interface 4 here communicates with an exudate container, which can be mechanically coupled to the housing 2 and is configured as a disposable part suitable for collecting exudate. The rear side is arranged parallel to and opposite to the front side designated by reference numeral 6, which is configured to be in contact with the power supply current and is provided with a power switch 8.

[0035] In both embodiments, contact with the supply current occurs via a terminal box 10, which is provided with two magnetic elements 12, 14, each of which is assigned a different magnetic pole S, N, and between which a plurality of contact elements 16, 18 are accommodated, which protrude above a contact surface 20. The contact element 16 is assigned to one polarity of the supply current, the contact element 18 to the other polarity. Figure 3 As shown, the contact elements 16, 18 are arranged to tension the rectangular surface R. The sensor element 22 is located Figure 3 At the right edge of the rectangle in FIG. 2 , the sensor element is currently configured as a sensor pin. Therefore, the contact elements 16 , 18 and the sensor pin 22 are exposed in the contact surface 22 . In fact, the contact elements 16 , 18 and the sensor pin 22 protrude beyond the contact surface 20 . Figure 4 As shown, the contact elements 16 , 18 with their free contact surfaces 23 protrude further away from the contact surface 20 than the sensor pin 22 .

[0036] The rear side of the junction box 10 is as shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown. There, the LED 24 is exposed as an optical indicator. The terminal box 10 is constructed in two parts, wherein the connecting cable 30 is introduced into the terminal box 10 between the lower part 26 and the upper part 28. The connecting cable 30 has a plug at its other end for plug contact in a conventional socket for a 230 / 110V connection, and an electronic ballast can be provided there, which converts the voltage into 12V and feeds the supply current into the terminal box 10 via this voltage.

[0037] Especially Figure 3 and Figure 4As shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 1 , the contact surface 20 of the terminal box 10 is completely flat. The magnetic elements 12 , 14 are embedded in the contact surface 20 without any offset. In other respects, the terminal box 10 is constructed without undercuts and is smooth. It has a rectangular base with rounded corners. The construction of the terminal box 10 avoids edges or undercuts in which dirt and bacteria can accumulate. The connector that guides the connecting cable 30 and is intended to be part of the terminal box 10 can also be inserted into the actual terminal box 10 conically or with a certain radius in order to meet the above requirements as best as possible.

[0038] according to Figure 6 The partial sectional view of the terminal box 10 schematically shows some of the components arranged in the terminal box 10. The circuit board 32 is electrically conductively connected to the contact elements 16, 18 and the sensor pins 22. The circuit board 32 holds a switch 34 which is data-dependently connected to an evaluation unit formed by the equipped circuit board 32 itself.

[0039] Figure 6 The approach of the terminal box 10 to the box 2 in the frame of contact is shown. The housing 2 has a recess 36 into which a counterpart housing 40 is inserted by means of an interposed elastic seal 38. The surface of the seal 38 and the surface of the counterpart housing 40 are located slightly inside the outer surface 42 of the housing and form a contact surface identified by reference numeral 44 in a groove 43 on the housing side, which contact surface is offset inwards by less than 3 mm, the size and shape of which contact surface roughly corresponds to the size and shape of the contact surface 20 of the terminal box 10. It goes without saying that the groove 43 is slightly larger than the contact surface 20.

[0040] In the contact surface 44, contact counterpart elements 46, 48 provided for contacting the contact elements 16, 20 are exposed. The sensor counterpart pins identified by reference numeral 50 are provided as sensor counterpart elements. Corresponding to the magnetic elements 12, 14, magnetic elements 52, 54 that attract the magnetic counterpart elements 12 and 14, respectively, are received in the counterpart housing 40 and held by the counterpart housing.

[0041] Due to the force of the magnets 12, 52 or 14, 54 on both sides, the terminal block 10 is pulled in the direction of the mating housing 40 when approaching the housing 2. The magnetic force causes the terminal block 10 to be precisely positioned relative to the housing 2 so that the contact elements 16, 18 and the sensor pins 20 formed by the contact elements 46, 48 and the sensor pins 50 in the contact surface 44, respectively, are flush with the contact mating surface 56.

[0042] An example of a contact mating surface 56 is shown in Figure 7. The contact pin 18 forming the contact element tapers at its free end and forms a contact surface 23 which is smaller than the cross section of the contact pin 18 but is substantially circular. The contact mating surface 56 formed by the contact mating element 48 is relatively large, so that even if the terminal box 10 is relatively offset from the ideal position, the electrical contact between the contact elements 16, 18 and the associated contact mating elements 46, 48 can be reliably ensured.

[0043] like Figure 4 and Figure 6 As shown, the free end of the sensor pin 22 is closer to the contact surface 20 than the assigned contact surface 23 of the contact elements 16, 18. These contact surfaces are located in a plane parallel to the plane of the contact surface 20. The free end of the sensor pin 22 is located between the plane and the contact surface 20. Therefore, when the junction box 10 approaches the housing 2, the sensor pin 22 protrudes less away from the contact surface 20 than the contact elements 16, 18 in the connection direction. Therefore, the sensor pin 22 is a downstream contact pin, which first hits the contact mating surface of the associated sensor mating pin 50 after all contact elements 16, 18 have usually been previously contacted with the associated contact mating elements 46, 48. The contact mating element 48 can, for example, be short-circuited with the sensor mating element 50 on the housing side. For example, by measuring the resistance from the contact element 18 to the contact mating element 48 and from the contact mating element 48 to the sensor mating element 50 and then to the sensor element 22, the connection of the junction box 10 to the housing 2 can be detected. The circuit arranged on the circuit board 32 then sends a signal to the switch 34 which releases the supply current so that it is fed into the housing 2 via the contact elements 16, 18. The LED 24 is switched on at the same time.

[0044] according to Figure 6 The sectional view of also shows a substantially non-deflection configuration on the housing side. The housing 2 meets the surface of the mating housing 40 almost evenly and without any deviation via the sealing lip formed by the seal 38. In this respect, bacteria or dirt are also prevented from being deposited at this point of the electrical contact. In addition, the outer surface of the mating housing facing the terminal box 10 can be coated with a flexible coating so that the terminal box 10 attracted by the magnetic force does not touch the housing 2 without damping.

[0045] In this context, Figure 7 A non-conductive coating 57 is shown, which is firmly applied to the counter housing 40 and whose surface is at the same level and flush with the contact counter surface 56. The coating 57 can be constructed as one piece with the seal 38. The coating 57 is preferably at least approximately at the same level as the outer surface 42 surrounding the contact surface 40.

[0046] The solution with a switch according to the invention prevents spark formation or arcing, particularly when the contact of the contact element is separated, thereby leading to an increase in the life of the electrical contact, wherein the switch switches the power supply current to the contact element only when the contact element is applied to the contact counterpart element and contacts the contact counterpart element, and thus cuts off the power supply current before the contact element is separated from the contact counterpart element. The contact surface will not burn due to the arc between the contact elements that have not yet contacted. The electrical contact formed by the contact elements 16, 18 also remains voltage-free, so that the voltage applied to the contact elements 16, 18 will not damage health and / or cause danger. The voltage is only switched on when the contact elements 16, 18 are in contact with the assigned counterpart elements 46, 48. The contact elements are located flatly in the surface of the housing 2, or in a slight depression. However, in any case, in the embodiment shown, the junction box 10 protrudes to a large extent beyond the contact elements 16, 18, so that after the junction box 10 is mechanically coupled to the housing 2, the contact elements 16, 18 cannot be touched by the user and / or contacted with a conductive medium (such as a liquid or a gas). In this regard, the flexible coating on the outer surface of the mating housing 40 may also provide additional sealing and, thereby, improved electrical safety.

[0047] When the connection is completed, typically after the supply current is released, the LED 24 is also turned on, thereby notifying the user of the contact.

[0048] The magnetic elements 12, 14 and the associated magnetic counterparts 52, 54 provide a clear positioning. In addition, the contact elements 16, 18 form a rectangle, which is composed of Figure 3 10 . The reference symbol R in the figure is identified. On the long sides of the rectangle R, the contact element 16 of one polarity is relatively far away from the contact element 18 of the other polarity. The sensor element 22 is located between the two. The rectangle R is located between the magnetic elements 12, 14. Obviously, the central longitudinal axis of the rectangle R is eccentric to the central longitudinal axis L of the terminal box 10. Due to the elongated configuration of the terminal box 10 and the contact surface 44, which is slightly offset to the rear to accommodate the terminal box on the housing side, the magnetic forces of the magnetic elements 12, 14 result in a clear positioning, which cannot be interchanged due to the magnetic forces of different magnetic poles.

[0049] The fact that the contact mating surface 56 is larger than the contact surface 23 formed by the contact elements 16, 18 and the sensor pin 22 promotes reliable contact. The contact element 16 of one polarity and the contact element 18 of the other polarity are clearly located on a straight line formed by the opposite narrower sides of the rectangle R. The contact elements of different polarities are therefore not located on the same straight line. The creepage distance given on the contact surface 20 from the contact element 16 of one polarity to the contact element 18 of the other polarity increases. The space in between is used for the arrangement of the sensor element 22, which is located on the edge of the rectangle R and therefore in this case exactly on the connecting line between the one contact element 16 and the other contact element 18.

[0050] Figure 2 The embodiment of the motor-driven suction pump shown comprises a housing 2 which forms the aforementioned connection possibility for the terminal box 10 and is also provided with a display 58 and control elements 60 for inputting operating parameters. Two connecting parts 62 are connected to the suction side of the motor-driven medical suction pump via the interface 4, each with a breast cap 64, each with a bottle 66.

[0051] Reference numerals list

[0052] 2 Housing

[0053] 4 Interfaces

[0054] 6 Front

[0055] 8 Power switch

[0056] 10 Junction Box

[0057] 12 Magnetic components, South

[0058] 14 Magnetic components, North

[0059] 16 Contact elements

[0060] 18 Contact elements

[0061] 20 Contact surface

[0062] 22 Sensor element / sensor pins

[0063] 24 LED

[0064] 26 Lower part

[0065] 28 Upper part

[0066] 30 Connecting cables

[0067] 32 Circuit Board

[0068] 34 Switch

[0069] 36 Depression

[0070] 38 Seals

[0071] 40 Mating housing

[0072] 42 External surface

[0073] 43 slots

[0074] 44 Contact surface

[0075] 46 Contact mating element

[0076] 48 Contact mating element

[0077] 50 Sensor pairing pin

[0078] 52 Magnetic mating elements

[0079] 54 Magnetic mating elements

[0080] 56 Contact mating surface

[0081] 57 Coating

[0082] 58 Display

[0083] 60 Control elements

[0084] 62 Connection part

[0085] 64 Breast Cap

[0086] 66 bottles

[0087] R Rectangle

[0088] L is the central longitudinal axis of the junction box 10 .

Claims

1. A motor-driven medical suction pump, comprising: a pump unit for generating negative pressure, the pump unit being accommodated in a housing (2); and a terminal box (10), which can be mechanically coupled to the housing and can be connected to a power supply via a connecting cable (30), and has contact elements (16; 18) for supplying power current to the pump unit, which contact elements are conductively connected to contact counterpart elements (46; 48) arranged on the housing side, which contact counterpart elements lead to the pump unit, when the terminal box is coupled to the housing. It is characterized in that A sensor, an evaluation unit (32) and a switch (34) are provided, wherein the sensor is configured to detect the connection of a junction box (10), wherein the switch (34) supplies a power supply current to at least one contact element (16; 18), and wherein the evaluation unit (32) is connected to the sensor and the switch (34) based on data, the evaluation unit analyzing a sensor signal emitted by the sensor so that when a signal of the sensor confirming the connection is present, the evaluation unit connects the contact element (16; 18) to a power supply current supply device via the switch (34), and when the signal of the sensor confirming the connection is absent, the evaluation unit disconnects the power supply current supply device via the switch.

2. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sensor comprises a sensor element (22) to which a sensor counterpart element (50) is assigned on the housing side, wherein the sensor element (22) emits a signal confirming the connection as a function of its relative position relative to the sensor counterpart element (50), wherein at least one of the contact elements (16; 18) and the sensor element (22) is arranged in the terminal box (10) such that when the terminal box (10) is mechanically coupled to the housing (2), the contact element (16) is first electrically connected to the associated contact counterpart element (46) and only subsequently is the sensor element (22) positioned relative to the sensor counterpart element (50) such that the signal confirming the connection is emitted.

3. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal box (10) is held on the housing by means of magnetic force, wherein the terminal box (10) has at least two magnetic elements (12, 14) which, in a coupled state, act with different magnetic poles on a contact surface (20) of the terminal box (10) opposite to the housing (2) for unambiguous positioning of the terminal box (10) relative to the housing (2).

4. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The terminal box (10) and / or the housing (2) have a contact surface (20; 44) which has no offset and against which the respective other of the terminal box (10) and the housing (2) contacts in the coupled state.

5. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: A mating housing (40) is provided, which is connected to the housing (2) and has a contact surface (44) that contacts the junction box (10) in a coupled state, and the contact surface is arranged to be at least flush with the outer surface (42) of the housing (2).

6. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The contact surface on the housing side is formed by a non-conductive coating which is arranged on the outer side at least flush with a contact mating surface (56) of the contact mating element (46; 48).

7. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The area of ​​the contact surface (23) formed by the contact element (16; 18) is smaller than the area of ​​the contact mating surface (56) of the contact mating element (46; 48) arranged to contact the contact element.

8. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: An optical indicator (24) is provided for indicating the status of the mains current supply means.

9. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 3, characterized in that: The contact elements (16; 18) or contact counterpart elements (46; 48) are arranged with different polarities and the magnetic elements are arranged offset relative to a central longitudinal axis (L) of the terminal box (10) or counterpart housing (40).

10. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: The contact element (16; 18) is flexibly supported in the terminal box (10).

11. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 2, characterized in that: At least two contact elements (16; 18) or contact mating elements (46; 48) are provided for each polarity, the contact elements or contact mating elements defining corner points of a base surface (R) in a top view of the contact surface, and wherein the sensor element (22) or the sensor mating element (50) is arranged within the base surface (R).

12. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 11, characterized in that: The sensor element (22) or the sensor counterpart (50) is asymmetrical relative to the base surface (R).

13. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 11, characterized in that: The sensor element (22) or the sensor counter-element (50) is arranged on the edge of the base surface (R).

14. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 3, characterized in that: All contact elements (16; 18) or contact counterpart elements (46; 48) are arranged between the magnetic elements.

15. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: Not all contact elements (16; 18) or contact mating elements (46; 48) are arranged in a straight line.

16. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 1, characterized in that: In the unconnected state, the contact elements (16; 18) or the contact counterpart elements (46; 48) protrude through the contact surfaces assigned to them.

17. The motor-driven medical suction pump according to claim 3, characterized in that: At least one contact element (16; 18) or a contact counterpart element (46; 48) is integrated into the magnetic element.

18. A method for connecting a motor-driven medical suction pump as described in claim 1 to a power supply for supplying current, the medical suction pump having a pump unit for generating negative pressure accommodated in a housing (2), wherein, when at least one contact element (16; 18) is not energized, a contact element (16; 18) retained in a terminal box (10) and directed to a current source is electrically connected to a contact mating element (46; 48) on the housing side in order to supply current to the pump unit, and the supply current is subsequently applied to the contact element (16; 18) based on a signal confirming the corresponding contact emitted by a sensor.

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