Clamping device and sensor cable

Abstract

A clamping device is provided for electrically connecting a cable to an electrical contact. [Solution] A clamping device (100) for electrically connecting a cable (10) to an electrical contact (20), comprising a retaining element (30) having a retaining surface (31) and a corresponding retaining element (40) having a corresponding retaining surface (41), wherein the retaining surface and the corresponding retaining surface are configured to hold the electrical contact between them, and the retaining element is elastically deformable by operation by an operating force so that the position of the retaining surface can be changed between a first position (p1) for clamping and holding the electrical contact and a second position for releasing the electrical contact relative to the corresponding retaining surface.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a clamping device and a sensor cable provided 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 the clamping device can be connected. The other end of the cable is configured, for example, to be connected to 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, the potential difference between two electrodes can be detected and output in a visually and / or auditorily perceptible manner to the operator of the diagnostic device.

[0003] [[ID=1,2]] According to the published European Patent Application Publication No. 3797688, a clamping device of the type described at the beginning is known. This clamping device presses both sides of the outer surface of the frame on the first frame axis, whereby the corresponding holding device is moved relative to the abutting device to a first release position, thereby releasing the electrical contact from the receiving space, and by pressing both sides of the outer surface of the frame on a second frame axis different from the first frame axis, the corresponding holding device is moved relative to the abutting device to a second release position different from the first release position, thereby enabling the electrical contact to be released from the receiving space.

[0004] Such clamping devices have advantages over other clamping devices known from publications such as U.S. Patent No. 9,226,680, German Patent No. 1,9643,988, U.S. Patent No. 4,040,697, U.S. Patent No. 6,397,439, German Patent Publication No. 4009,938, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011151728, and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2004203273, with reduced manufacturing costs and improved handling. However, despite the improvements, the handling of these clamping devices is not intuitive for all operators.

[0005] Therefore, the fundamental problem of the present invention is to provide a clamping device and a corresponding sensor cable that do not contain, at least partially, the drawbacks of the clamping device described above. In particular, the fundamental problem of the present invention is to provide a clamping device and a corresponding sensor cable that have further improved handling.

[0006] This problem and further problems are solved by a clamping device having the features of an independent claim, and a sensor cable having the features of a parallel independent claim.

[0007] Further features and details of the present invention are made apparent by the dependent claims, detailed description and drawings.

[0008] The features and details described in relation to the clamping device according to the present invention are also applicable in relation to the sensor cable according to the present invention, and vice versa; therefore, the disclosures for individual aspects of the present invention can always be linked to one another.

[0009] The present invention provides a clamping device for electrically connecting a cable to an electrical contact. The clamping device comprises a retaining element having a retaining surface and a corresponding retaining element having a corresponding retaining surface. The retaining surface and the corresponding retaining surface are configured to hold the electrical contact between them. The retaining element is elastically deformable by operation by an operating force, particularly by pressing the retaining element, such that the position of the retaining surface can be changed relative to the corresponding retaining surface between a first position for clamping and holding the electrical contact and a second position for releasing the electrical contact. The retaining element has a snap point, so that when the retaining element is operated, the return force acting in response to the operating force increases until it reaches the snap point, 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 present invention provides a clamping device in which a retaining surface and a corresponding retaining surface are repositionable relative to each other by a snap-action mechanism (Knackfrosch-Mechanismus). Thus, to put it another way, the change between the first position and the second position is made abruptly, i.e., by a snapping motion, when a predetermined operating force characterizing the snap point is reached. Such a snapping action, or such an action of abrupt positional change of the retaining surfaces formed by the retaining elements when operated with sufficient operating force to reach the snap point, and such a sudden drop in the return force of the retaining elements 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 present invention.

[0011] The snapping action effect, perceptible to the operator at least tactilely, and preferably aurally, during the deformation of the retaining element, provides feedback regarding the arrival of the snap point and, consequently, the release of the clamping device, i.e., the change from the second position to the first position. Thus, the operator receives direct feedback that the clamping device has been released. In this way, any potential uncertainty regarding whether the applied operating force is already sufficient to release the clamping device can be eliminated. After the load on the retaining element is reduced, the closing of the clamping device, i.e., the change from the first position to the second position, is also perceptible tactilely, and possibly aurally.

[0012] In other words, the present invention improves upon known clamping devices, particularly the fact that conventional clamping devices produce relatively uniform force-distance transitions during operation, resulting in what can be called an "analog" operation. In contrast, the present invention provides a clamping device with a snap-action effect, enabling what can be called a "digital" operation. This allows the operator to clearly distinguish between two operating states: the "open" state, i.e., the first position, and the "closed" state, i.e., the second position. Undesirable intermediate positions can be avoided.

[0013] A further advantage of providing a snap action effect according to the present invention is that, after exceeding the snap point, only a small return force acts against the operating force, so that the operator can hold the retaining element in an open state with little force for attaching to or detaching from an electrical contact. This reduces the operator's load over time compared to known clamping devices.

[0014] The present invention is not limited to the field of medical technology, but is applicable to all technical fields where it is desired to clamp and hold electrical contacts. Further applications include, for example, measurement techniques for connecting electrical contacts to electrical measuring instruments.

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

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

[0017] The retaining elements and corresponding retaining elements may be provided as separate components of a single group of components, which are combined to form a clamping device. Alternatively, the retaining elements and corresponding retaining elements may be formed as regions of a integrally formed clamping device.

[0018] For example, the retaining element may consist of, or include, an elastically deformable, i.e., soft structure under the action of an operating force that can be applied by an operator, and can be connected by a multi-component injection molding method to a corresponding retaining element that is substantially rigid with respect to the operating force that can be applied by an operator. In a further embodiment, the corresponding retaining element may be provided substantially rigidly and, after being coupled with a leaf spring such as a spring sheet, is surrounded by an injection molding method together with a soft component. In yet another embodiment, the cable can 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 can be surrounded by an injection molding method with a soft component as a tensile load reducing member, at least partially.

[0019] Clamping of electrical contacts between a holding surface and a corresponding holding surface means holding the electrical contacts between the holding surface and the corresponding holding surface by friction and / or by shape connection.

[0020] The possibility of deformation due to operating force refers to the elastic deformability of the retaining element obtained by the operating force that can be applied by the operator. The force applied by the operator is understood as the operating force.

[0021] A snap point is understood to be a deformation state of the retaining element where the retaining surface suddenly changes from a first position to a second position, and the return force acting in response to the operating force decreases.

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

[0023] In this way, the elastic deformation characteristics of the retaining element can be adapted to suit a particular purpose.

[0024] A leaf spring refers to a spring formed as a flexible spring consisting of a substantially planar starting material. A leaf spring can have a three-dimensional extension or segments with three-dimensional extension through deformation processes; such springs are also called flat-shaped springs. Examples of such deformation processes include embossing, bending, and / or punching. An example of a leaf spring is a spring sheet or leaf spring. It is not essential that leaf springs are manufactured from metallic materials; therefore, leaf springs may be manufactured from plastics.

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

[0026] In this way, it is advantageous to ensure that the retaining element or leaf spring snaps back from the open state (second position) to the stable closed state (first position) after the operating force is reduced, i.e., after the operating force is eliminated. Therefore, the method of closing the retaining element or leaf spring can be improved compared to known bistable retaining elements or leaf springs.

[0027] Preferably, the retaining element, in particular the leaf spring, has an arcuate segment with an arch shape, and this segment can be bent beyond the snap point in the opposite direction to the arch shape by the operating force, and when the operating force disappears, it is formed to perform a snap movement so as to return to the original shape beyond the snap point based on the restoring force of the retaining element, in particular the leaf spring.

[0028] Therefore, it is assumed that the drop in the restoring force of the retaining element, in particular the leaf spring, is caused by a corresponding sudden shape change. According to a more preferred teaching, the shape change can be accompanied by an audible cracking sound.

[0029] Preferably, the segment is curved outward with respect to the clamping device in a stable state, and the segment is configured to curve inward with respect to the clamping device when changing from the first position to the second position.

[0030] Therefore, a suitable sudden shape change can be achieved by the retaining element, in particular the leaf spring, extending longitudinally in the region of the segment and curving convexly outward in the opposite direction to the direction of operation. The retaining element, in particular the leaf spring, may be curved outward in a so-called trough shape in the longitudinal direction. That is, during the operation of the retaining element, first, the trough-shaped initial shape must be continuously pressed until the snap point is reached, which requires a relatively high first operating force. After exceeding the snap point, only the restoring force corresponding to the spring force of the retaining element, in particular the leaf spring, acts against the operating force, so the operator only needs to use a relatively small second operating force for further deformation or to maintain the deformation.

[0031] Preferably, the maximum deformation distance achievable by the operating force of the retaining element or the leaf spring is limited by a stopper. This can prevent excessive stretching of the retaining element or the leaf spring.

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

[0033] Particularly preferably, the retaining element itself or the leaf spring can additionally function as a conductor, whereby this functional integration advantageously reduces the number of structural elements required to provide the clamping device and thus the manufacturing costs.

[0034] The conductive material may be a metal such as steel, particularly preferably spring steel, and extremely particularly preferably spring steel according to EN 10089.

[0035] Particularly preferably, the leaf spring is formed as a spring strip.

[0036] In this case, the spring strip may have segments with a three-dimensional extension as described above or may be formed three-dimensionally as a whole. In particular, the spring strip may have the above-described arcuate segments.

[0037] The provision of the leaf spring as a spring strip makes the spring strip readily available at low cost, so that the manufacturing costs of the clamping device can be advantageously reduced.

[0038] Preferably, the retaining element is connected to the corresponding retaining element while being supported in two regions spaced apart from each other.

[0039] In this way, an operating surface for operation by an operating force can be provided between the spaced-apart regions, and absorption of the force of the operating force by the support points can be ensured.

[0040] The supporting connection may be formed as a fixed support and / or a movable support. Providing two fixed support parts is preferable because it is possible to do so without gaps. This is also advantageous with respect to the cleanability of the clamping device.

[0041] Preferably, the retaining surface and the corresponding retaining surface are configured to grip the electrical contacts with a single gripping plane, in which case the operating force can be applied to the retaining element in the operating direction, and the operating direction is parallel to the gripping plane.

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

[0043] In a preferred configuration, the retaining surface and the corresponding retaining surface are configured to grip the electrical contacts with multiple gripping planes, in which case the operating force can be applied to the retaining element in the operating direction, and the operating direction is parallel to the multiple gripping planes.

[0044] Therefore, since it can be gripped from both sides, there is no need to re-grip in the case of a clamp that has been gripped "incorrectly".

[0045] The present invention further provides a sensor cable for electrically connecting an electrical contact 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 context is understood to mean either singular or plural.

[0047] Each cable may be formed with one pole or multiple poles.

[0048] Preferably, some cables and some clamping devices are integrally formed with each other.

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

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

[0051] The present invention provides a clamping device 100. Embodiments of the clamping device 100 according to the present invention are shown in Figures 1a to 1c.

[0052] The illustrated clamping device 100 functions to electrically connect the cable 10 to the electrical contact 20. The clamping device 100 has a retaining element 30 with a retaining surface 31 and a corresponding retaining element 40 with a corresponding retaining surface 41. In the illustrated example, the retaining element 30 and the corresponding retaining element 40 are provided joined together by a multi-component injection molding method.

[0053] The retaining surface 31 and the corresponding retaining surface 41 are configured to hold the electrical contact 20, which is shown as an approximate circle, between them. The electrical contact 20 may have substantially any contour and three-dimensional shape.

[0054] The retaining element 30 is elastically deformable so that, by operation with an operating force F, the position of the retaining surface 31 can be changed relative to the corresponding retaining 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] Therefore, Figure 1a shows the closed state of the clamping device 100, that is, the state in which the position of the holding surface 31 relative to the corresponding holding surface 41 is the first position p1.

[0056] The retaining element 30 has a snap point, and when the retaining element 30 is operated, the return force R that reacts to the operating force F rises until it reaches the snap point, 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] Therefore, Figure 1b shows the open state of the clamping device 100, that is, the state in which the position of the holding surface 31 relative to the corresponding holding surface 41 is the second position p2.

[0058] When an operating force F1 smaller than the operating force F2 corresponding to the snap point is applied to the retaining element 30 in the closed state, the clamping device does not open, and only a slight deformation of the retaining element 30 occurs. Only when the operating force F2 reaches the operating force F2 corresponding to the snap point does a sudden change occur from the first position p1 to the second position p2, that is, a change from the state shown in Figure 1a to the state shown in Figure 1b. To maintain this open state, only a relatively small operating force F3, that is, an operating force F3 smaller than the operating force F2 corresponding to the snap point, is required.

[0059] The behavior according to the present invention is clearly illustrated in the principle diagram abstracted in the graph shown in Figure 3, which schematically shows the deformation distance s of the retaining element 30 in relation to the return force R of the retaining element 30. Up to the snap point characterized by a predetermined return force R2 at a predetermined deformation distance s2, a relatively high operating force is required to deform the retaining element 30. Therefore, the deformation distance s1 due to the operating force F1 corresponding to the return force R1 does not yet trigger a snap or sudden shape change. Upon reaching the snap point due to the deformation distance s2 and the operating force F2 corresponding to the return force R2, a sudden deformation of the retaining element 30 occurs, causing the deformation distance s to suddenly rise to s3, and simultaneously the return force R3, and thus the operating force F3 required to maintain the deformed state, to decrease.

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

[0061] In the illustrated embodiment, the retaining element 30 may have a leaf spring 32 that provides snap points s2,F2 of the retaining element 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the leaf spring 32 is formed as a spring sheet 32 ​​having three-dimensionally extending segments as shown in Figure 2. Thus, the leaf spring 32 has arc-shaped segments 33 having an arch shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the leaf spring 32 is formed in its longitudinal direction by arc-shaped segments 33. The segments 33 are formed to bend past the snap point in the opposite direction to the arch shape by an operating force F2, and to snap back to their original shape past the snap point based on the return force of the leaf spring 32 when the operating force F2 is removed.

[0062] It is not essential that the leaf spring 32 has an arc-shaped segment 33. That is, for example, the retaining element 30 made of plastic itself may have an arch-shaped arc-shaped segment 33, in which case the segment 33 may be bent past the snap points s2,F2 in the opposite direction to the arch shape by an operating force F, and when the operating force F is removed, it may snap back to its original shape past the snap points s2,F2 based on the return force of the retaining element 30.

[0063] As shown in Figure 2, segment 33 is curved outward relative to the clamping device 100 in a stable state, and is configured to curve inward relative to the clamping device 100 when changing from the first position p1 to the second position p2, which is evident, for example, from a comparison between Figure 1a and Figure 1b.

[0064] In the illustrated embodiment, the leaf spring 32 may contain a conductive material or may be made of a conductive material. An example of such a material is spring steel.

[0065] As is evident from Figures 1a and 1b, the leaf spring 32 can provide an electrical interface 38 between the electrical contact 20 and the cable 10.

[0066] However, the conductive material does not necessarily have to be provided by the leaf spring 32. That is, the retaining element 30 may contain or be made of a conductive material, and the retaining element 30 may provide an electrical interface 38 between the electrical contact 20 and the cable 10.

[0067] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1a and 1b, the retaining element 30 may be connected to the corresponding retaining element 40 while being supported in two regions spaced apart from each other, namely a first support region 35 and a second support region 36. For this purpose, the leaf spring 32 may have two regions, for example, punched or embossed, that provide the corresponding first support region 35a and second support region 36a, as shown in Figure 2.

[0068] The leaf spring 32 may further have a deformation section 37 to further adapt the mechanical properties of the leaf spring 32, as shown in Figure 2.

[0069] As is clear from Figures 1a to 1c, the holding surface 31 and the corresponding holding surface 41 are configured to grip the electrical contact 20 in the gripping plane E, that is, to perform opening and closing movements in the gripping plane E. In Figures 1a and 1b, the gripping plane E is located in the observation plane, and in Figure 1c, the gripping plane E extends within the observation plane.

[0070] The operating force F can be applied to the holding element 30 in the operating direction L, where the operating direction L is parallel to the gripping plane E.

[0071] For gripping the electrical contacts 30, the leaf spring 32 may have, for example, a gripping segment 34, which can extend so as to bend away from the arc-shaped segment 33. Preferably, the leaf spring 32 contains or is made of a conductive material, and the gripping segment 34 simultaneously forms the electrical contact surface of the holding surface 31.

[0072] As is particularly evident in Figure 1c, the corresponding retaining surface 41 may also have a shape that enables or improves the gripping of the electrical contact 30.

[0073] As is evident 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 comprises several cables 10 and several clamping devices 100 as described above.

[0074] In this case, some cables 10 and some clamping devices 100 may be integrally formed with each other. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0075] 10 Cables 20 Electrical Contacts 30 retaining elements 31 Holding surface 32. Leaf springs, thin spring sheets 33 Arc-shaped segments 34 Gripping Segments 35. First support area 35a First support 36. Second support area 36a First support 37 Deformation Classification 38. Electrical Interface 40 Compatible retaining 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 First 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), A retaining element (30) having a retaining surface (31), A corresponding retaining element (40) having a corresponding retaining surface (41) and It has, The retaining surface (31) and the corresponding retaining surface (41) are configured to hold the electrical contact (20) between them, The retaining element (30) is elastically deformable so that, by operation with operating forces (F, F2), the position of the retaining surface (31) can be changed relative to the corresponding retaining 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). The retaining element (30) has a snap point (s2, F2), and when the retaining element (30) is operated, the return force (R, R1) that acts in response to the operating force (F, F1) rises 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) decreases. Clamping device (100).

2. The clamping device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the retaining element (30) has a leaf spring (32) that provides 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). A clamping device (100) according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The retaining element (30), in particular the leaf spring (32), has an arch-shaped arc-shaped segment (33), The segment (33) is formed to snap back to its original shape past the snap point (s2, F2) in the opposite direction to the arch shape by the operating force (F), and when the operating force (F) is removed, it snaps back to its original shape past the snap point (s2, F2) based on the return force of the retaining element (30), particularly the leaf spring (32). A clamping device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The segment (33) is curved outward with respect to the clamping device (100) in the stable state. The segment (33) is configured to curve inward with respect to the clamping device (100) when changing from the first position (p1) to the second position (p2). The clamping device (100) according to claim 4.

6. The retaining element (30), in particular the leaf spring (32), contains or is made of a 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). A clamping device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The clamping device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the leaf spring (32) is formed as a spring plate (32).

8. The clamping device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the retaining element (30) is connected to the corresponding retaining element (40) while being supported by two regions (35, 36) that are spaced apart from each other.

9. The holding surface (31) and the corresponding holding surface (41) are configured to grip the electrical contact (20) with the gripping plane (E), The operating force (F) can be applied to the holding element (30) in the operating direction (L). The operating direction (L) is parallel to the gripping plane (E). A clamping device (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A sensor cable (200) for electrically connecting an electrical contact (20) to a medical device, Several cables (10) and A few clamping devices (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 9 and A sensor cable (200) having this.

11. The sensor cable (200) according to claim 10, wherein the several cables (10) and the several clamping devices (100) are integrally formed with respect to each other.

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