Clamp device and sensor cable

Abstract

To provide a clamp device whose handling ability is further improved, and a corresponding sensor cable.SOLUTION: A clamp device comprises: a holding element having a holding surface; and a corresponding holding element having a corresponding holding surface. The holding surface and the corresponding holding surface are configured to hold and sandwich an electrical contact therebetween. The holding element can be elastically deformed so that a position of the holding surface can be varied between a first position for clamp holding, the electrical contact relative to the corresponding holding surface, and a second position for releasing the electrical contact, by operation by operation force, especially by operation for pressing the holding element. The holding element has a snap point, by the snap point, when operating the holding element, return force which reacts the operation force increases until reaching the snap point, and when reaching the snap point, the holding surface is suddenly shifted to the second position from the first position, and the return force is lowered.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1a

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping device as well as to a sensor cable equipped with such a clamping device.

[0002] It is known to electrically connect a cable to an electrical contact, such as an electrode, via a clamping device. For this purpose, conventional electrodes usually have a conductive rivet to which a clamping device can be connected. The other end of the cable is configured for connection to, for example, a diagnostic device, such as a patient monitor, an ECG device, an EEG device, etc., and for this purpose has, for example, a plug. By means of the diagnostic device, for example, a potential difference between the two electrodes can be detected and output in a visual and / or audible manner perceptible to an operator of the diagnostic device.

[0003] From the publication EP 3 797 688 A1 a clamping device of the type mentioned at the outset is known, which is designed in such a way that by pressing on both sides of the outer frame surface on a first frame axis the corresponding retaining device can be moved relative to the abutment device into a first release position, so that the electrical contacts can be released from the receiving space, and by pressing on both sides of the outer frame surface on a second frame axis different from the first frame axis the corresponding retaining device can be moved relative to the abutment device into a second release position different from the first release position, so that the electrical contacts can be released from the receiving space.

[0004] Such a clamping device has reduced manufacturing costs and improved handling advantages over other clamping devices known from the publications US 9226680, DE 19643988, US 4040697, US 6397439, DE 4009938, US 2011151728 and US 2004203273. However, the handling of this clamping device, despite the improved handling, is not intuitively comprehensible for all operators.

[0005] The present invention therefore aims to provide a clamping device and a corresponding sensor cable which at least partially does not have the disadvantages of the clamping devices described above, and in particular to provide a clamping device and a corresponding sensor cable which are further improved in terms of handling.

[0006] This and further objects are achieved by a clamping device with the features of the independent claims as well as by a sensor cable with the features of the parallel independent claims.

[0007] Further features and details of the invention are evident from the dependent claims, the description and the drawings.

[0008] The features and details described in relation to the clamping device according to the invention also apply in relation to the sensor cable according to the invention and vice versa, so that the disclosures for the individual aspects of the invention can always be mutually linked.

[0009] According to the invention, a clamping device for electrically connecting a cable to an electrical contact is provided, which comprises a retaining element with a retaining surface and a counter retaining element with a counter retaining surface, the retaining surface and the counter retaining surface being configured to hold the electrical contact between them. The retaining element is elastically deformable such that, upon actuation by an actuation force, in particular by pressing the retaining element, the position of the retaining surface can be changed relative to the counter retaining surface between a first position for clamping the electrical contact and a second position for releasing the electrical contact. The retaining element has a snap point, whereby, when the retaining element is actuated, a return force acting against the actuation force increases until the snap point is reached, at which point the retaining surface suddenly changes from the first position to the second position and the return force decreases.

[0010] In other words, the invention provides a clamping device in which the retaining surface and the counter retaining surface are displaceable relative to one another by a snap action mechanism. In other words, the change between the first and second positions is therefore effected suddenly, i.e. by a snap movement, when a predefined operating force characterizing the snap point is reached. Such an effect of snapping, or of a sudden change in position of the retaining surface formed by the retaining element upon operation with sufficient operating force up to the snap point, and a sudden drop in the return force of the retaining element acting against the operating force, is known as the "snap action" effect, and such an effect is provided by the snap action mechanism according to the invention.

[0011] The snap action effect, which is perceptible by the operator involved at least tactilely, preferably also acoustically, during the deformation of the holding element, thereby provides feedback about reaching the snap point and thus about the fact that the opening of the clamping device has taken place, i.e., the change from the second position to the first position. The operator thus receives direct feedback that the opening of the clamping device has taken place. In this way, the uncertainty that may arise as to whether the applied operating force is already sufficient for the opening of the clamping device can be eliminated. After the unloading of the holding element, the closing of the clamping device, i.e., the change from the first position to the second position, is also perceptible tactilely, possibly also acoustically.

[0012] The invention thus improves upon known clamping devices, in particular in that, in conventional clamping devices, a relatively uniform force-distance curve occurs during operation, i.e. an "analog" operation is achieved. By providing a clamping device according to the invention with a snap action effect, a "digital" operation is now possible. This allows the operator to clearly distinguish between two operating states, i.e. the "open" state, i.e. in the first position, and the "closed" state, i.e. in the second position. Undesirable intermediate positions can be avoided.

[0013] A further advantage of the provision of the snap action effect according to the invention is that after the snap point has been exceeded, only a small return force against the actuating force still acts, so that the operator can hold the holding element in the open position for mounting or dismounting it from the electrical contact with only a small force, which reduces the load on the operator on average over time compared to known clamping devices.

[0014] The invention is not limited to the field of medical technology, but can be used in all technical fields in which it is desired to clamp electrical contacts. A further field of application is, for example, in measuring technology for connecting electrical contacts to electrical measuring instruments.

[0015] A retaining element is understood to be a part of the clamping device which provides a retaining surface, i.e. a surface suitable for engaging and contacting the electrical contact or the periphery of the electrical contact, preferably from the rear.

[0016] A corresponding retaining element is understood to be a part of the clamping device which provides a corresponding retaining surface, i.e. a surface suitable for engaging and contacting the electrical contact or the periphery of the electrical contact, preferably from the rear.

[0017] The retaining element and the counter retaining element may be provided as separate components of a component group that are joined to form the clamping device, or alternatively, the retaining element and the counter retaining element may be formed as respective regions of an integrally formed clamping device.

[0018] For example, the retaining element may consist of or include a structure that is elastically deformable under the action of an operating force that can be applied by an operator, i.e. soft, and may be connected by a multi-component injection molding process to a corresponding retaining element that is substantially rigid with respect to the operating forces that can be applied by an operator. In a further embodiment, the corresponding retaining element may be provided substantially rigidly and, after connection with a leaf spring, such as a spring lamella, is surrounded by a soft component by an injection molding process. In yet another embodiment, the cable may first be connected to the retaining element, preferably to the leaf spring if present, and then in a subsequent work step the retaining element and the cable may be at least partially surrounded by a soft component as a tensile load-relieving member by an injection molding process.

[0019] Clamping of the electrical contact between the holding surface and the counter-holding surface means that the electrical contact is held in a friction-locking and / or form-locking manner between the holding surface and the counter-holding surface.

[0020] Manipulative deformability by an actuating force means the elastic deformability of the holding element resulting from an actuating force that can be applied by an operator. A force applied by an operator is understood as the actuating force.

[0021] A snap point is understood to be a deformation state of the retaining element in which the retaining surface suddenly changes from a first position to a second position and the restoring force acting against the operating force drops off.

[0022] Preferably, the retaining element comprises a leaf spring which provides a snap point for the retaining element.

[0023] In this way, the elastic deformation properties of the retaining element can be specifically adapted for a particular purpose.

[0024] A flat spring is understood to mean a spring formed as a flexure spring from a substantially planar starting material. A flat spring can have a three-dimensional extension or segments with a three-dimensional extension due to a deformation step, such springs also being called flat-shaped springs. Examples of such deformation steps are embossing, bending and / or punching. An example of a flat spring is a spring lamella or leaf spring. It is not essential that the flat spring is manufactured from a metal material. It may therefore also be manufactured from plastic.

[0025] Preferably, the retaining element, in particular the leaf spring, has a stable state corresponding to a first position of the retaining surface and further has a metastable or unstable state corresponding to a second position of the retaining surface.

[0026] In this way it can be advantageously ensured that the retaining element or leaf spring snaps back from the open state (second position) to the stable closed state (first position) after the actuating force is relieved, i.e. removed, and thus the closing method of the retaining element or leaf spring can be improved in comparison with known bistable retaining elements or leaf springs.

[0027] Preferably, the retaining element, in particular the leaf spring, has an arch-shaped segment which can be bent by the actuating force in a direction opposite to the arch shape past a snap point and which is configured to snap back to its original shape again past the snap point due to the return force of the retaining element, in particular the leaf spring, when the actuating force is removed.

[0028] It is therefore envisaged that the drop in the restoring force of the retaining element, in particular the leaf spring, is caused by a corresponding sudden shape change, which according to a further preferred teaching can be accompanied by an audible crack sound.

[0029] Preferably, the segments are curved outwardly relative to the clamping device in a stable state, and the segments are configured to curve inwardly relative to the clamping device when changing from the first position to the second position.

[0030] Thus, a preferred abrupt shape change can be achieved by the retaining element, in particular the leaf spring, extending in the longitudinal direction in the region of the segment and being curved convexly outwardly against the actuation direction. The retaining element, in particular the leaf spring, can also be curved outwardly, so to speak, in the longitudinal direction in the shape of a trough. This means that when the retaining element is actuated, the trough-like initial shape must first be pressed on until the snap point is reached, which requires a relatively high first actuating force. After the snap point has been exceeded, the actuating force is countered only by a return force corresponding to the spring force of the retaining element, in particular the leaf spring, so that the operator only has to use a relatively low second actuating force for further deformation or to maintain the deformation.

[0031] Preferably, the maximum deformation distance of the retaining element or leaf spring that can be achieved by the actuating force is limited by a stop, so that excessive stretching of the retaining element or leaf spring can be prevented.

[0032] Preferably, the retaining element, in particular the leaf spring, comprises or consists of an electrically conductive material, the retaining element, in particular the leaf spring, providing an electrical interface between the electrical contact and the cable.

[0033] Particularly preferably, the holding element itself or the leaf spring can additionally function as an electrical conductor, whereby this integration of functions advantageously makes it possible to reduce the number of components required to provide the clamping device and thus the manufacturing costs.

[0034] The electrically conductive material may, for example, be a metal such as steel, particularly preferably spring steel, very particularly preferably spring steel according to EN10089.

[0035] Particularly preferably, the leaf spring is configured as a spring blade.

[0036] In this case, the spring lamellae can have segments with a three-dimensional extension as described above or can be formed three-dimensionally as a whole, in particular the spring lamellae can have arc-shaped segments as described above.

[0037] Due to the leaf spring being provided as a spring plate, the manufacturing costs of the clamping device can be advantageously reduced, since spring plates are inexpensively available.

[0038] Preferably, the retaining element is supported and connected to a counter retaining element in two areas spaced apart from one another.

[0039] In this way, operating surfaces for operating by operating forces can be provided between the spaced apart areas, and absorption of the operating forces by the support points can be ensured.

[0040] The supporting connection can be formed as a fixed support and / or as a movable support. The provision of two fixed supports is preferred since this allows for a gap-free connection. This is also advantageous with regard to the cleaning possibilities of the clamping device.

[0041] Preferably, the holding surface and the counter holding surface are configured to grip the electrical contact in one gripping plane, in which case an operating force can be applied to the holding element in an operating direction, the operating direction being parallel to the gripping plane.

[0042] In other words, the electrical contacts are gripped from the side, so that when attaching and detaching the clamping device, no or only slight pressure is applied to the electrical contacts outside the gripping plane, which may be uncomfortable for the patient, and thus such a clamping device can improve the comfort of the patient.

[0043] In a preferred configuration, the holding surface and the corresponding holding surface are configured to grip the electrical contacts in a plurality of gripping planes, in which case an operating force can be applied to the holding element in an operating direction, the operating direction being parallel to the plurality of gripping planes.

[0044] Thus, gripping is possible on both sides and no re-gripping is necessary in the case of an "incorrectly" gripped clamp.

[0045] According to the invention there is further provided a sensor cable for electrically connecting electrical contacts to a medical device, the sensor cable comprising several cables and several clamping devices according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

[0046] Several in this case is understood to mean singular or plural.

[0047] Each cable may be configured as single pole or multiple pole.

[0048] Preferably, some of the cables and some of the clamping devices are integrally formed with one another.

[0049] These features and further details of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0050] [Figure 1a] 1 is a side view of an embodiment of a clamping device according to the present invention in a closed state; [Figure 1b] FIG. 1b shows a side view of the clamping device according to the invention of FIG. 1a in an open state; [Figure 1c] FIG. 1b is a perspective view of the clamping device according to the invention of FIG. 1a in a closed state; [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a leaf spring according to the present invention. [Diagram 3] 4 is a schematic distance vs. return force graph of the clamping device according to the present invention.

[0051] According to the present invention there is provided a clamping device 100. An embodiment of a clamping device 100 according to the present invention is shown in Figures 1a to 1c.

[0052] The illustrated clamping device 100 serves for electrically connecting a cable 10 to an electrical contact 20. The clamping device 100 comprises a retaining element 30 with a retaining surface 31 and a counter retaining element 40 with a counter retaining surface 41. In the illustrated example, the retaining element 30 and the counter retaining element 40 are provided joined to one another by a multi-component injection molding process.

[0053] The retaining surface 31 and the mating retaining surface 41 are configured to sandwich and retain an electrical contact 20, shown generally as a circle, therebetween. The electrical contact 20 may have virtually any contour and three-dimensional shape.

[0054] The holding element 30 is elastically deformable such that, upon operation with an operating force F, the position of the holding surface 31 can be changed relative to the corresponding holding surface 41 between a first position p1 for clamping and holding the electrical contact 20 and a second position p2 for releasing the electrical contact 20.

[0055] FIG. 1a therefore shows the clamping device 100 in a closed state, ie the position of the holding surface 31 relative to the counter holding surface 41 in the first position p1.

[0056] The retaining element 30 has a snap point, whereby when the retaining element 30 is operated, the return force R acting against the operating force F increases until the snap point is reached, at which point the retaining surface 31 suddenly changes from the first position p1 to the second position p2 and the return force R decreases.

[0057] FIG. 1b therefore shows the clamping device 100 in an open state, ie the position of the holding surface 31 relative to the counter holding surface 41 in the second position p2.

[0058] If an actuation force F1 smaller than the actuation force F2 corresponding to the snap point is applied to the holding element 30 in the closed state, the clamping device does not open and only a slight deformation of the holding element 30 occurs. Only when the actuation force F2 reaches the actuation force F2 corresponding to the snap point does an abrupt change from the first position p1 to the second position p2 occur, i.e. from the state shown in Fig. 1a to the state shown in Fig. 1b. To maintain this open state, only a comparatively small actuation force F3 is required, i.e. an actuation force F3 smaller than the actuation force F2 corresponding to the snap point.

[0059] Such a behavior according to the invention is clearly shown in the abstracted principle diagram in the graph shown in FIG. 3, in which the deformation distance s of the retaining element 30 is shown diagrammatically in relation to the return force R of the retaining element 30. Up to the snap point, which is characterized by a certain return force R2 at a certain deformation distance s2, a relatively high operating force needs to be applied in order to deform the retaining element 30. Thus, the deformation distance s1 with the operating force F1 corresponding to the return force R1 does not yet trigger a snap or a sudden change in shape. Reaching the snap point with the deformation distance s2 and the operating force F2 corresponding to the return force R2 causes a sudden deformation of the retaining element 30, whereby the deformation distance s suddenly rises to s3, and at the same time the return force R3 and thus the operating force F3 required to maintain the deformed state drops.

[0060] The retaining element 30 can have a stable state corresponding to a first position p1 of the retaining surface 31 and can further have a metastable or unstable state corresponding to a second position p2 of the retaining surface 31.

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the holding element 30 may have a leaf spring 32 which provides a snap point s2, F2 of the holding element 30. The leaf spring 32 is formed in the illustrated embodiment as a spring lamella 32 with a segment extending in a three-dimensional manner as shown in FIG. 2. The leaf spring 32 thus has an arc-shaped segment 33 having an arch shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the leaf spring 32 is formed in its longitudinal direction by the arc-shaped segment 33. The segment 33 is formed in such a way that it can be bent by the actuation force F2 in the opposite direction to the arch shape past the snap point and, when the actuation force F2 is removed, it snaps back to its original shape again past the snap point due to the return force of the leaf spring 32.

[0062] It is not essential that the leaf spring 32 has an arc-shaped segment 33. In other words, the retaining element 30, which may for example be made of plastic, may itself have an arc-shaped segment 33, in which case the segment 33 may be designed so that it can be bent by the actuating force F in a direction opposite to the arch shape past the snap point s2, F2 and, when the actuating force F is removed, it snaps back to its original shape again past the snap point s2, F2 due to the return force of the retaining element 30.

[0063] The segment 33 according to FIG. 2 is configured to be curved outwardly with respect to the clamping device 100 in a stable state and to be curved inwardly with respect to the clamping device 100 when changing from the first position p1 to the second position p2, as can be seen, for example, by comparison of FIGS. 1a and 1b.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, the leaf spring 32 may include or be made of an electrically conductive material, one example of such a material being spring steel.

[0065] As can be seen more clearly in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b , the leaf spring 32 can provide an electrical interface 38 between the electrical contacts 20 and the cable 10 .

[0066] However, the conductive material does not have to be provided by the leaf spring 32. It is possible for the retaining element 30 to include or consist of a conductive material, and for the retaining element 30 to provide the electrical interface 38 between the electrical contacts 20 and the cable 10.

[0067] 1a and 1b, the retaining element 30 can also be supported in two regions spaced apart from one another, namely in a first support region 35 and a second support region 36, while being connected to a corresponding retaining element 40. For this purpose, the leaf spring 32 can have two regions, for example stamped or embossed, which provide corresponding first and second support portions 35a, 36a, as shown in FIG.

[0068] The leaf spring 32 may further include a deformation section 37 to further tailor the mechanical properties of the leaf spring 32, as shown in FIG.

[0069] As can be seen from Figures 1a-1c, the holding surface 31 and the counter holding surface 41 are configured to hold the electrical contact 20 in a holding plane E, i.e. to perform an opening and closing movement in the holding plane E. In Figures 1a-1b, the holding plane E is located in the observation plane, and in Figure 1c, the holding plane E extends into the observation plane.

[0070] An operating force F can in this case be applied to the holding element 30 in an operating direction L, which is parallel to the gripping plane E.

[0071] For gripping the electrical contact 30, the leaf spring 32 may, for example, have a gripping segment 34, which may be bent away from the arcuate segment 33. Preferably, the leaf spring 32 comprises or consists of an electrically conductive material, the gripping segment 34 simultaneously forming an electrical contact surface of the holding surface 31.

[0072] As can be particularly well seen in FIG. 1 c , the corresponding holding surface 41 may also have a shape that allows or improves gripping of the electrical contact 30 .

[0073] As will be apparent from Figures 1a to 1c, the present invention further provides a sensor cable 200 for electrically connecting an electrical contact 20 to a medical device. The sensor cable 200 includes several cables 10 and several clamping devices 100 as described above.

[0074] In this case, some of the cables 10 and some of the clamping devices 100 may be formed integrally with one another. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 10 Cable 20 Electrical Contacts 30 Retaining Elements 31 Holding surface 32 Leaf springs, thin spring plates 33 Circular Segment 34 Grasping Segment 35 First Support Region 35a First support 36 Second Support Area 36a First support 37 Deformation Classification 38 Electrical Interface 40 Corresponding holding elements 41 Corresponding retaining surface 42 Surface structure 100 Clamping device 100 Sensor cable E Gripping plane F1,F3 operating force R, R1, R2, R3 Return force L Operation direction p1 1st position p2 Second position s,s2 Operating distance

Claims

1. A clamping device (100) for electrically connecting a cable (10) to an electrical contact (20), comprising: A retaining element (30) with a retaining surface (31), A corresponding retaining element (40) with a corresponding retaining surface (41), having the holding surface (31) and the corresponding holding surface (41) are configured to hold the electrical contact (20) therebetween; the retaining element (30) is elastically deformable such that, by operation with an operating force (F, F2), a position of the retaining surface (31) can be changed relative to the corresponding retaining surface (41) between a first position (p1) for clamping the electrical contact (20) and a second position (p2) for releasing the electrical contact (20); the retaining element (30) has a snap point (s2, F2), whereby when operating the retaining element (30), a return force (R, R1) acting against the operating force (F, F1) increases until it reaches the snap point (s2, F2); When the snap point (s2, F2) is reached, the holding surface (31) suddenly changes from the first position (p1) to the second position (p2) and the return force (R, R3) drops. A clamping device (100).

2. The clamping device (100) of claim 1, wherein the retaining element (30) comprises a leaf spring (32) providing the snap point (s2, F2) of the retaining element (30).

3. the retaining element (30), in particular the leaf spring (32), has a stable state corresponding to the first position (p1) of the retaining surface (31), the retaining element (30), in particular the leaf spring (32), has a metastable or unstable state corresponding to the second position (p2) of the retaining surface (31), The clamping device (100) of claim 1 or 2.

4. The retaining element (30), in particular the leaf spring (32), has an arcuate segment (33) having an arch shape, the segments (33) are configured such that they can be bent by the actuating force (F) in a direction opposite to the arch shape past the snap points (s2, F2) and, when the actuating force (F) is removed, they snap back to their original shape past the snap points (s2, F2) based on the restoring force of the retaining elements (30), in particular the leaf springs (32); The clamping device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. the segments (33) are curved outwardly with respect to the clamping device (100) in the stable state, the segments (33) are configured to bend inwardly with respect to the clamping device (100) when changing from the first position (p1) to the second position (p2); The clamping apparatus (100) of claim 4.

6. the retaining element (30), in particular the leaf spring (32), comprises or consists of an electrically conductive material, The retaining element (30), in particular the leaf spring (32), provides an electrical interface (38) between the electrical contact (20) and the cable (10). The clamping device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

7. The clamping device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the leaf spring (32) is formed as a spring leaf (32).

8. 8. The clamping device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining element (30) is connected to the counter retaining element (40) while being supported in two areas (35, 36) spaced apart from one another.

9. The holding surface (31) and the corresponding holding surface (41) are configured to hold the electrical contact (20) at a holding plane (E); said operating force (F) can be applied to said holding element (30) in an operating direction (L), The operation direction (L) is parallel to the gripping plane (E); The clamping device (100) according to any one of the preceding claims.

10. A sensor cable (200) for electrically connecting an electrical contact (20) to a medical device, comprising: Several cables (10); Several clamping devices (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, The sensor cable (200) comprises:

11. The sensor cable (200) of claim 10, wherein the number of cables (10) and the number of clamping devices (100) are integrally formed with one another.

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