Blood Pump Plug Locking Assembly With Free Rotation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing blood pump connection systems face challenges in maintaining a secure, easily disconnectable, and mechanically safe electrical connection while minimizing driveline infections by reducing rotation and torsion of the connection cable.
Innovation Solution
A plug and plug socket assembly with a locking unit that allows the plug to rotate freely about the insertion direction, featuring a locking element that engages with a locking portion to prevent accidental disconnection and includes a spring mechanism for easy release, along with sealing elements to prevent contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a detachable plug connection is used to enable component replacement and electrical connection, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to risk of accidental disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit with locking element and locking portion is designed to preemptively prevent accidental disconnection by automatically engaging when the plug is inserted into the plug socket. The locking element protrudes into the locking portion to create a mechanical interlock that counteracts any forces attempting to separate the connection, thus resolving the contradiction between easy detachability and connection security.
2Reliability
If the connection cable is fixed in position to maintain stability, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited mobility
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit is designed with a spring element that provides dynamic locking capability. The locking element can automatically engage with the locking portion when the plug is inserted, and can be easily disengaged when needed. This dynamic mechanism allows the connection to be securely fixed during use (providing stability) while remaining easily changeable when required (enabling mobility), thus resolving the contradiction between connection stability and patient mobility.
3Reliability
If the plug is locked in position to prevent accidental disconnection, then reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in intentional disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit is designed with a spring element that automatically engages the locking element with the locking portion when the plug is inserted, requiring no manual intervention for locking. For intentional disconnection, the spring mechanism allows the locking element to be easily pushed back to disengage from the locking portion. This self-actuating design resolves the contradiction by making both locking and unlocking simple, intuitive operations.
4Reliability
If a rigid locking mechanism is used to secure the plug, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional components
Solution Approach 1:
The locking unit combines multiple functions into a single integrated mechanism: the spring element provides both the locking force and the release mechanism, the locking element serves as both the engagement component and the indicator of locked status, and the locking portion integrates with the plug socket housing. This merging of functions into a compact, unified locking unit achieves reliable connection security without significantly increasing overall device complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The assembly provides a secure, rotatable, and easily disconnectable connection that reduces driveline infections by minimizing cable rotation and torsion, ensuring mechanical safety and ease of cleaning.
Implementation Method 1
The locking unit has a spring element and a locking element displaceable between a locking position and a non-locking position
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly comprising a component for a blood pump and a plug, wherein the component has a plug socket for detachably receiving the plug in order to establish an electrical connection to the blood pump. The plug may have a coupling portion arranged at a tip of the plug and insertable into the plug socket. The plug socket may comprise an electrically insulating socket housing having a housing inlet and a housing interior adjoining the housing inlet for receiving the coupling portion, wherein an alignment from the housing inlet into the housing interior defines an insertion direction of the plug. The plug socket may comprise a locking unit configured to detachably lock the plug inserted into the plug socket and configured to lock the plug in the socket housing without restricting rotation of the plug in the socket housing about the insertion direction.