Cable receiving device, housing, analyser and analyser system

Abstract

The invention relates to a cable receiving device (105) for receiving cable sections (140, 150, 170, 185) of a cable (115) for an analyser (100). The cable receiving device (105) has a first channel (120), a second channel (125) and a receiving element (130). In an alternative embodiment, the cable receiving device (105) additionally has a trough (135). The first channel (120) is designed to receive a first cable section (140) of the cable (115). The second channel (125) is designed to receive a second cable section (150) of the cable (115). The receiving element (130) is arranged between the channels (120, 125) and is shaped to receive at least a third cable section (170) of the cable (115). The trough (135) is designed to receive a fourth cable section (185) of the cable (115) and / or a further cable section of a further cable.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] State of the art

[0003] The invention relates to a cable receiving device, a housing, an analysis device and an analysis device system according to the preamble of the independent claims.

[0004] An analyzer can be powered via a cable.

[0005] Disclosure of the invention

[0006] Against this background, the approach presented here introduces a cable holding device, a housing, an analyzer, and an analyzer system according to the main claims. Advantageous further developments and improvements of the device specified in the independent claim are possible through the measures listed in the dependent claims.

[0007] The advantages achievable with the approach presented here consist in particular of creating a cable holding device that can enable reliable and secure mounting of a cable for an analysis device.

[0008] A cable holding device for receiving cable sections of a cable for an analyzer and / or for an analyzer system is presented. The cable holding device comprises a first channel, a second channel, and a receiving element. In an alternative or additional embodiment, the cable holding device additionally comprises a tray. Thus, the cable holding device can either comprise the first and second channels and the receiving element, or it can comprise the tray.

[0009] The first channel is designed to receive the first cable section. The second channel is designed to receive the second cable section. The receiving element is positioned between the channels and is shaped to receive at least a third cable section. The recess is designed to receive a fourth or other cable section and / or a further cable section of another cable.

[0010] The analyzer can be a compact device for molecular diagnostics. It can accommodate a cartridge, which can be a familiar lab-on-a-chip cartridge used, for example, to analyze a patient sample as a fluid. The cartridge can also include a microfluidic network for processing fluids. The cable can be a power cable and / or a data cable to supply the analyzer with electrical power and / or to transmit or transmit signals to the analyzer. The cable receptacle can be a single, integrated component that at least partially accommodates the cable, ensuring secure and reliable cable retention.

[0011] In other words, analyzers, which can also be called point-of-care diagnostic devices, can be powered via cables. Furthermore, additional cables for data transmission can often be connected to these analyzers.

[0012] In point-of-care settings, such as hospitals or laboratories, analytical instruments are often placed on lab benches. To simplify hygiene measures, the necessary power and / or data cables can be carefully arranged. When using multiple analytical instruments, they are often located close to each other or even side by side. Cable management that can be applied to multiple analytical instruments can improve order and increase cleanliness in the laboratory. The approach presented here can therefore also be understood as cable management for analytical instruments.

[0013] The first channel can have multiple protrusions for securing the first cable section. Additionally or alternatively, the second channel can have multiple protrusions for securing the second cable section. This ensures that the first and / or second cable sections are reliably and securely guided within the channels, preventing them from falling or slipping out.

[0014] The first projections can be arranged on opposite walls of the first channel and, additionally or alternatively, offset from each other on the walls of the first channel. Additionally or alternatively, the second projections can be arranged on opposite walls of the second channel and, additionally or alternatively, offset from each other on the walls of the second channel. This arrangement of the projections can ensure reliable routing of the cable sections within the channels.

[0015] The length and, additionally or alternatively, the depth of the first projections can correspond to the depth of the first channel within a tolerance range. Additionally or alternatively, the length of the second projections can correspond to half the depth of the second channel. In particular, the second projections can be located at the end of the second channel facing away from the bottom of the second channel. The tolerance range for the depth of the first channel can be from 50 percent to 100 percent. The length and / or depth of the first projections can provide a pull-out and removal protection mechanism. The shape of the second projections can provide a removal protection mechanism.

[0016] The receiving element can be drum-shaped and, additionally or alternatively, circular to accommodate the inner windings of the third cable section. This allows for stepless, individual adjustment of the winding length of the third cable section, for example, a half turn. The inner winding offers the further advantage that the cable always lies flat against the outside and is therefore always neatly stored. Unwanted unwinding can thus be prevented.

[0017] The cable receiving device may have a cover. The cover may be designed to at least partially cover the receiving element in order to secure the third cable section within it. Additionally or alternatively, the receiving element may form a rim that projects at least partially beyond the receiving element and may be designed to secure the third cable section within it. This embodiment also prevents the third cable section from falling out and / or slipping out.

[0018] The tray can be positioned adjacent to the second channel. Additionally or alternatively, the second channel can be positioned between the tray and the receiving element. The tray can be elongated.

[0019] The tray can be designed to accommodate the fourth cable section at an angle of essentially 90 degrees with respect to at least the second channel and to additionally or alternatively fix it.

[0020] The tray can have a first opening and a second opening opposite the first to guide the fourth cable section and, additionally or alternatively, the further cable section of the additional cable. The fourth cable section can thus be led, for example, to a power outlet to supply the analyzer with power via the cable.

[0021] A housing for an analyzer comprises an embodiment of a cable receptacle described herein. The housing and the cable receptacle may be formed as a single piece. The analyzer comprises an embodiment of a cable receptacle described herein. The cable receptacle may, for example, be located on the rear of the analyzer. To simplify hygiene measures, the cable may be carefully arranged in or on the cable receptacle.

[0022] An analytical instrument system comprises a plurality of embodiments of an analytical instrument mentioned herein. The analytical instruments are arranged, or can be arranged, such that at least one cable of one analytical instrument is at least partially routed in the tray, and at least one further cable of another analytical instrument is at least partially routed in the tray. The analytical instruments may be arranged close to one another or even side by side. The cable receptacle and / or further cable receptacles may enable a neat and tidy arrangement of the analytical instruments, for example, in a laboratory.

[0023] Examples of the approach presented here are shown in the drawings and explained in more detail in the following description. It shows:

[0024] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an analysis device;

[0025] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of an analysis device;

[0026] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of an analysis device;

[0027] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of an

[0028] Analysis system;

[0029] Fig. 5 shows a partial representation of an embodiment of a cable receiving device;

[0030] Fig. 6 shows a partial view of an embodiment of a cable holding device; Fig. 7 shows a partial view of an embodiment of a cable holding device; and

[0031] Fig. 8 shows a partial representation of an embodiment of a cable receiving device.

[0032] In the following description of favorable embodiments of the present invention, the same or similar reference numerals are used for the elements shown in the various figures and acting similarly, without repeating these elements.

[0033] Fig. 1 shows an embodiment of an analyzer 100. The analyzer 100 is designed to hold a cartridge and analyze a sample contained in the cartridge.

[0034] The analyzer 100 has a cable receptacle 105. A rear view of the analyzer 100 is shown for illustrative purposes only, so that the cable receptacle 105 is visible. More precisely, the analyzer 100 is enclosed in a housing 110, with the cable receptacle 105 being arranged on the housing 110. According to one embodiment, the housing 110 and the cable receptacle 105 are formed in one piece.

[0035] The cable receiving device 105 is designed to receive and / or guide cable sections of a cable 115. The cable 115 serves, for example, to supply power to the analyzer 100.

[0036] To accommodate the cable 115, the cable receiving device 105 has a first channel 120, a second channel 125, a receiving element 130 and additionally or alternatively a tray 135.

[0037] The receiving element 130 is arranged between the channels 120 and 125, with the second channel 125 being arranged, for example, between the receiving element 130 and the tray 135. The first channel 120 is designed to receive a first cable section 140 of the cable 115. For this purpose, the first channel 120 has, for example, a plurality of first projections 145 to fix the first cable section 140 in the first channel 120. The first projections 145 are arranged, by way of example, on opposite walls of the first channel 120 and / or offset from one another on the walls of the first channel 120, see, for example, Fig. 5. According to one embodiment, the length of the first projections 145 corresponds to the depth of the first channel 120.

[0038] The second channel 125 is designed to accommodate a second cable section 150 of the cable 115. For this purpose, the second channel 125 has, for example, a plurality of second projections 155 to secure the second cable section 150 within the second channel 125. The second projections 155 are arranged, by way of example, on opposite walls of the second channel 125 and / or offset from one another on the walls of the second channel 125, see, for example, Fig. 8. According to one embodiment, the length of the second projections 155 corresponds to half the depth of the second channel 125. The second projections 155 are arranged, for example, at an end of the second channel 125 facing away from the bottom of the second channel 125.

[0039] Channels 120 and 125 have an identical depth and / or width only as examples, with the first channel 120 being longer than the second channel 125 only as an example.

[0040] The first cable section 140 is picked up by the first channel 120, with one cable end 160 of the cable 115 being inserted into a connector 165 of the analyzer 100 adjacent to the first cable section 140. The first projections 145 provide a pull-out and removal protection, so that the cable end 160 remains in the connector 165 when, for example, the second cable section 150 is picked up by or removed from the second channel 125.

[0041] The receiving element 130 is designed to accommodate a third cable section 170. According to one embodiment, the receiving element 130 is drum-shaped and / or circular in order to accommodate inner windings of the third cable section 170 within the receiving element 130. This is shown by way of example only in Fig. 2 and / or Fig. 3.

[0042] According to the embodiment shown here, the third cable section 170 is not wound, but rather straight and at least partially received by the receiving element 130. The third cable section 170 is formed between the first cable section 140 and the second cable section 150.

[0043] The cable receiving device 105, for example, has a cover 175 that at least partially covers the receiving element 130. In this way, the third cable section 170 is fixed in the receiving element 130.

[0044] Additionally or alternatively, the receiving element 130 forms a rim 180 which projects at least partially beyond the receiving element 130 and is designed to fix the third cable section 170 in the receiving element 130.

[0045] The second cable section 150 can be received by the second channel 125, with Fig. 1 merely showing an example of receiving or removing the second cable section 150 into or from the second channel 125.

[0046] The tray 135 is designed to receive a fourth cable section 185, see, for example, Fig. 4. According to the embodiment shown here, the fourth cable section 185 passes by the tray 135. For example, the tray 135 is designed to receive and / or fix the fourth cable section 185 at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the second channel 125. For this purpose, the tray 135 forms, by way of example, a first opening 190 and a second opening 195 opposite the first opening 190 to receive the fourth cable section 185 and / or a further cable section of another cable.

[0047] In other words, the approach presented here represents an intuitively usable cable storage device 105, which can also be referred to as a cable holder, on the rear of the analysis device 100, which can also be referred to as an analyzer. The cable storage device 105 serves both to hold unused cable sections 140, 150, 170, 185 and to prevent the strain and removal of connected cables 115. The winding in the storage element 130, which can also be referred to as a junction box, allowing for an internal winding instead of an external winding, offers the advantage that the winding length can be individually adjusted steplessly, for example, by half a turn. The internal winding has the further advantage that the cable 115 always lies on the outside and is therefore always neatly stored.

[0048] The cable receiving device 105 comprises a cavity with a cover 175 having two halves, separated by the first channel 120, which can also be referred to as the upper channel, and the second channel 125, which can also be referred to as the lower channel. Between the first channel 120 and the second channel 125, the cover 175 forms the receiving element 130, which can also be referred to as a circular recess. The inserted cable 115 can be guided through the first channel 120 and fixed and / or secured by projections 145 in the first channel 120, thereby providing strain relief. In the receiving element 130, which can also be referred to as a cavity, the cable 115 is placed and / or can be placed in sections in several windings. The remainder of the cable 115 is led out of the cable receiving device 105 either through the circular cover 175 or through the second channel 125.The second channel 125 also includes projections 155 for fixing the second cable section 150 of the cable 115.

[0049] The projections 145 in the first channel 120 serve not only for fixation but also as a pull-out and removal safeguard. Unlike the projections 155 in the second channel 125, these projections 145 extend to the channel floor (see, for example, Fig. 6). This not only prevents the cable 115 from being moved out of the first channel 120 without tensile force, thus creating a removal safeguard, but also makes movement in the direction of the channel, which would cause the cable end 160 to detach from the connector 165, more difficult, thus creating a pull-out safeguard. In the second channel 125, as mentioned, the projections 155 do not extend to the channel floor, so there is no pull-out safeguard, only a removal safeguard.

[0050] The cable receiving device 105 comprises a further element, namely the elongated tray 135 below the second channel 125, to guide the cable 115 coming from the second channel 125 laterally, approximately 90 degrees to the channel direction, to the left or right. The tray 135 is open at both ends so that it can also accommodate additional cables that do not lead into this analyzer 100, but to another analyzer, see for example Fig. 4. The tray 135 thus also serves as a sectional cable guide for cables from other analyzers. This allows for well-defined cable management when several analyzers are arranged side by side, see for example Fig. 4.

[0051] Fig. 2 shows an embodiment of an analyzer 100. The analyzer 100 is similar to or corresponds to the analyzer from Fig. 1.

[0052] The first cable section 140 is arranged in the first channel 120. The third cable section 170 is shown in exploded view, illustrating how the third cable section 170 is received by the receiving element 130. The receiving element 130 receives the inner windings of the third cable section 170.

[0053] Fig. 3 shows an embodiment of an analyzer 100. The analyzer 100 is similar to or corresponds to the analyzer from Fig. 2, except that the third cable section 170 is received by the receiving element 130. Furthermore, the second channel section 150 is received by the second channel 125. The fourth channel section 185 is shown passing by the tray 135 only as an example.

[0054] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of an analysis system 400. The analysis system 400 comprises a plurality of analysis devices 100, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470. The analyzers 100, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470 are arranged side by side and / or one above the other only as examples, with an arrangement of 2x4 analyzers 100, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470 being shown here only as an example. The arrangement of the analyzers 100, 410, 420, 430 corresponds to the arrangement of the analyzers 440, 450, 460, 470, so that the arrangement of the analyzers 100, 410, 420, 430 is described below only as an example.

[0055] The analyzer 100 resembles or corresponds to the analyzer shown in one of the figures described above. For illustrative purposes only, the analyzers 100, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, and 470 are identically shaped, each analyzer 100, 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, and 470 having a cable receptacle 105, 405, 415, 425, 435, 445, 455, or 465, which are also identically shaped for illustrative purposes only.

[0056] The analyzer 100 is, for example, arranged adjacent to another analyzer 410. The cable 115 is received by the cable receptacle 105, with the fourth cable section 185 being received by the tray 135. The tray 135 guides the fourth cable section 185, for example, out of the first opening 190 of the cable receptacle 105, for example, towards a power outlet, in order to supply the analyzer 100 with power via the cable 115.

[0057] The additional analyzer 410 has an additional cable receiving device 405 for receiving and / or guiding an additional cable 475. The additional cable 475 is received by the additional cable receiving device 405. A further fourth cable section 485 is received by a further recess 480 of the additional cable receiving device 405. The further recess 480 guides the further fourth cable section 485, for example, through a further first opening 490 of the additional recess 480 and out to the recess 135. More precisely, the further fourth cable section 485 is guided from the additional recess 480 to the recess 135. The further fourth cable section 485 is guided out of the first opening 190 of the recess 135, for example, towards a power outlet, in order to supply the additional analyzer 410 with power via the additional cable 475.According to one embodiment, the tub 135 is designed to accommodate and / or guide four cable sections 185, 485, 495, 497.

[0058] Fig. 5 shows a partial representation of an embodiment of a cable receiving device 105. The cable receiving device 105 is similar to or corresponds to the cable receiving device from one of the figures described above.

[0059] The first channel 120 is shown, with the first cable section 140 arranged within it. The first cable section 140 is held and / or fixed by the first projections 145. For illustrative purposes only, a first projection is arranged on a first wall 500 of the first channel 120. Also for illustrative purposes only, two further first projections are arranged on a second wall 505 of the first channel 120, opposite the first wall 500. These first projections 145 are offset from one another.

[0060] Fig. 6 shows a partial representation of an embodiment of a cable receiving device 105. The cable receiving device 105 is similar to or corresponds to the cable receiving device from Fig. 5. The length and / or depth of the first projections 145 corresponds, for illustrative purposes only, to the depth of the first channel 120.

[0061] Fig. 7 shows a partial view of an embodiment of a cable holding device 105. The cable holding device 105 is similar to or corresponds to the cable holding device from Fig. 6. More precisely, Fig. 7 shows a section of the cable holding device 105 from Fig. 6.

[0062] Fig. 8 shows a partial view of an embodiment of a cable receiving device 105. The cable receiving device 105 is similar to or corresponds to the cable receiving device shown in one of the figures described above. The second channel 125 is shown, wherein the second channel 125 has a plurality of second projections 155. By way of example only, a projection is arranged on a first wall 800 of the second channel 125. By way of example only, another projection is arranged on a second wall 805 of the second channel 125 opposite the first wall 800.

[0063] The second projections are arranged 155 times offset from each other.

[0064] If an embodiment includes an "and / or" connection between a first feature and a second feature, this is to be read as meaning that the embodiment according to one embodiment has both the first feature and the second feature, and according to another embodiment either only the first feature or only the second feature.

Claims

Claims 1. Cable receiving device (105) for receiving cable sections (140, 150, 170, 185) of a cable (115) for an analyzer (100), wherein the cable receiving device (105) has the following features: a first channel (120) for receiving a first cable section (140) of the cable (115); a second channel (125) for receiving a second cable section (150) of the cable (115); a receiving element (130) arranged between the channels (120, 125) and shaped to receive at least a third cable section (170) of the cable (115); and / or a trough (135) shaped to receive a fourth cable section (185) of the cable (115) and / or a further cable section (485) of a further cable (475).

2. Cable receiving device (105) according to claim 1, wherein the first channel (120) has a plurality of first projections (145) for fixing the first cable section (140) of the cable (115) and / or wherein the second channel (125) has a plurality of second projections (155) for fixing the second cable section (150) of the cable (115).

3. Cable receiving device (105) according to claim 2, wherein the first projections (145) are arranged on opposite walls (500, 505) of the first channel (120) and / or offset from each other on at least one wall (500, 505) of the first channel (120) and / or wherein the second projections (155) are arranged on opposite walls (800, 805) of the second channel (125) and / or offset from each other on at least one wall (800, 805) of the second channel (125).

4. Cable receiving device (105) according to one of claims 2 to 3, wherein a length and / or a depth of the first projections (145) corresponds within a tolerance range to a depth of the first channel (120) and / or wherein a length of the second projections (155) corresponds to half a depth of the second channel (125), in particular wherein the second projections (155) are arranged at an end of the second channel (125) facing away from a bottom of the second channel (125).

5. Cable receiving device (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving element (130) is shaped in a drum shape and / or a circular shape to receive inner windings of the third cable section (170) in the receiving element (130).

6. Cable receiving device (105) according to one of the preceding claims, - with a cover (175) designed to at least partially cover the receiving element (130) in order to secure the third cable section (170) in the receiving element (130) and / or - wherein the receiving element (130) forms a rim (180) which projects at least partially beyond the receiving element (130) and is designed to fix the third cable section (170) in the receiving element (130).

7. Cable receiving device (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray (135) is arranged adjacent to the second channel (125), and / or wherein the second channel (125) is arranged between the tray (135) and the receiving element (130).

8. Cable receiving device (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray (135) is configured to receive and / or fix the fourth cable section (185) at an angle of substantially 90 degrees with respect to at least the second channel (125).

9. Cable receiving device (105) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the tray (135) has a first opening (190) and a second opening (195) opposite the first opening (190) to guide the fourth cable section (185) and / or the further cable section (485) of the further cable (475).

10. Housing (110) for an analyzer (100) with a cable receiving device (105) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9.

11. Analyzer (100) with a cable receiving device (105) according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 9.

12. Analysis system (400) with a plurality of analysis instruments (100; 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470) according to claim 11, wherein the analyzers (100; 410, 420, 430, 440, 450, 460, 470) are arranged or can be arranged such that at least one cable (115) of an analyzer (100) is at least partially guided in the tray (135) and at least one further cable (475) of a further analyzer (410) is at least partially guided in the tray (135).

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