Magnetic Nurse Call Button Connector
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nurse call systems face challenges in ensuring easy installation and safe, reliable signal transmission while minimizing the risk of strangulation and damage from cable-connected call buttons, particularly during bed movement.
Innovation Solution
A cable-connected button set with a magnetic connector system featuring coaxially aligned ring magnets and bar magnets provides a secure yet easily detachable connection, ensuring safe adhesion and disconnection, along with coding pegs for correct insertion and spring-loaded contact pins for stability, to prevent accidental disconnection and maintain electrical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a cable-connected call button is used, then signal transmission is ensured, but the risk of strangulation and damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the connector from a fixed permanent connection and makes it detachable. The call button with plug can be separated from the socket, removing the cable strangulation hazard while preserving signal transmission capability when connected. The connector is taken out from being fixed and made removable to eliminate the harmful factor.
2Ease of operation
If a detachable magnetic connector is used, then ease of disconnection is improved, but connection stability may worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses magnetic fields to create a connection with specific force parameters. The magnetic attraction provides sufficient holding force for stable connection during normal use, but allows easy separation when deliberate force is applied. The magnetic field strength parameters are tuned to achieve both stability and ease of disconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical connectors (screws, clips, latches) with a magnetic field-based connection system. This substitution eliminates complex mechanical disassembly mechanisms while providing stable connection through magnetic attraction and easy separation by overcoming the magnetic force.
3Manufacturing precision
If coding pins are added for correct insertion, then insertion accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric coding pins with different shapes, sizes, or positions on the plug that correspond to matching asymmetric features in the socket. This asymmetric design ensures only the correct orientation can be inserted, providing precise insertion guidance without requiring complex active sensing or control mechanisms.
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 solution reduces the risk of strangulation and damage by ensuring secure yet easy detachment of the connector, maintaining signal integrity during movement, and preventing unintentional disconnection, thus enhancing patient safety and system reliability.
Implementation Method 1
The ring magnets are also designed and arranged such that they magnetically attract each other when mated together
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an easy-to-install, wired push-button set for nurse call systems, comprising a call button (1) and a connector that ensures the necessary signal transmission and can be easily disconnected if required. The connector has a plug (2) connected to the call button (1) via a cable (4) and an integrated plug ring magnet (24), and a socket (3) matching the plug (2) and featuring a socket ring magnet (34). The plug (2) also has several plug contact pins (20) protruding from the contact surface of the plug housing (21) and enclosed by the plug ring magnet (24). When the connector is plugged in, these plug contact pins (20) engage precisely in corresponding insertion openings (39) in the socket housing (31).The socket (3) also has several socket contact pins (30) which, when plugged together, each contact a corresponding coaxially aligned plug contact pin (20) at its end face, forming an electrical connection. The push button set is particularly suitable for nurse call systems used in nursing care in hospitals, clinics, and other care facilities.