Bayonet Connector for Sensor Patch and Electronics Unit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current continuous monitoring systems for analyte concentrations in body fluids, such as glucose, face challenges with mechanical and electrical connections that are difficult to clean, require high handling forces, and are not user-friendly, particularly in terms of maintaining reliability and minimizing volume for enhanced wearing comfort.
Innovation Solution
A sensor assembly with a bayonet connector system that establishes a releasable mechanical and electrical connection between the sensor patch and the electronics unit, utilizing a patch bayonet contour and an electronics unit bayonet contour to facilitate easy assembly and disassembly with low handling forces, while allowing for effective cleaning and protection from external influences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional mechanical and electrical connections are used between sensor patch and electronics unit, then reliable electrical contact is achieved, but the connections become difficult to clean and require high handling forces
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate bayonet contour components on the sensor patch and electronics unit, allowing independent design optimization. The mechanical connection and electrical contact are segmented into distinct functional elements that work together through the bayonet coupling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The connection interface is designed with a bayonet contour that incorporates both mechanical engagement and electrical contact in a multi-dimensional arrangement. The angled surfaces and protrusion-receptacle geometry create a three-dimensional connection that simultaneously achieves mechanical strength and electrical conductivity while maintaining cleanability.
2Volume of moving object
If the sensor assembly volume is reduced to enhance wearing comfort, then wearing comfort is improved, but the mechanical and electrical connections become more difficult to maintain reliability
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical contacts are nested within the bayonet contour structure, with the protrusion and receptacle geometry providing both mechanical engagement and housing for the electrical connection. This nested arrangement allows reliable electrical contact to be achieved within a compact volume by utilizing the internal space of the bayonet coupling mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical connection function and electrical contact function are merged into a single integrated bayonet connector system. This combination eliminates the need for separate mechanical fasteners and electrical connectors, reducing overall assembly volume while maintaining connection reliability through the unified bayonet coupling design.
3Strength
If high handling forces are used to ensure secure connection, then connection strength is improved, but user-friendliness and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The bayonet connector incorporates dynamic engagement through angled surfaces that guide the connection process. The protrusion and receptacle are designed with inclined planes that automatically align and engage during assembly, distributing the required force over a longer distance and reducing peak handling forces while maintaining connection strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The bayonet contour features asymmetric protrusion and receptacle geometries that provide directional guidance during connection. The asymmetric design ensures proper alignment and engagement while requiring minimal force, as the geometry itself guides the user through the connection process rather than requiring high force to overcome misalignment.
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor assembly (226) for detecting at least one analyte in a body fluid, a sensor patch (134) for use in a sensor assembly (226), an electronics unit (188) for use in a sensor assembly (226) and a method for producing a sensor assembly (226) are disclosed. The sensor assembly (226) comprises: - at least one sensor patch (134), having ∘ at least one body mount (136) configured for attachment to a body of a user; and ∘ at least one sensor (110) for detecting the at least one analyte in the body fluid, the sensor (110) having at least two electrodes (114) configured for detecting the analyte, the sensor (110) further having at least two sensor contacts (116) for electrically contacting the electrodes (114); wherein the sensor patch (134) comprises a patch housing (138) with a patch bayonet contour (140); - at least one electronics unit (188) attachable to the body mount (136), having at least one electronics component (200) for one or more of controlling the detection of the analyte or transmitting measurement data to another component, wherein the electronics unit (188) further comprises an electronics unit housing (202) having an electronics unit bayonet contour (204); wherein the patch bayonet contour (140) and the electronics unit bayonet contour (204) in conjunction form a bayonet connector (228) configured for establishing a releasable mechanical connection between the electronics unit (188) and the sensor patch (134).