Medical Pump Front-Lid Hinge Contacts Without Ribbon Cables

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing medical pumps face issues with electrical connections between the pump housing and the front lid, such as bending and pollution of flat ribbon cables, which are costly and prone to disturbances, affecting robustness and longevity.

Innovation Solution

Implementing hinge elements with electrical connections, such as hinge bolts and conductive springs, to link the pump housing and front lid, allowing for energy and data transfer without cables, enhancing robustness and reducing manufacturing costs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flat ribbon cable is used for electrical connection between pump housing and front lid, then electrical linking and data transfer are achieved, but the cable bends repeatedly due to pivotable front lid causing pollution and reduced reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidcable bending and pollution

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the cable from the system by implementing direct electrical contacts through hinge elements instead of using a flat ribbon cable. This eliminates the cable bending and pollution issues while maintaining electrical connection functionality between the pump housing and front lid.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge elements serve as intermediaries that provide both mechanical connection for pivoting the front lid and electrical connection for power and data transfer. This mediator approach eliminates the need for separate cables while enabling repeated movement without damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a flat ribbon cable is used for electrical connection, then voltage supply and data transfer are enabled, but manufacturing costs increase and robustness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobustness of electrical connectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the mechanical hinge function with the electrical connection function into a single integrated component. The hinge elements simultaneously provide mechanical support for pivoting and electrical pathways for power and data, reducing part count and manufacturing complexity while improving robustness.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The hinge elements are designed with multi-functionality, serving both as mechanical articulation points for the pivotable front lid and as electrical conduits for voltage supply and data transfer. This universal design reduces manufacturing costs by eliminating separate cable assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Duration of action of stationary object

If hinge elements with electrical connections are implemented, then cable bending is prevented and robustness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelifetime of electrical connectionVSAvoidcomplexity of hinge element design

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The electrical connection system is segmented into multiple independent hinge elements, each handling specific electrical pathways. This segmentation allows for modular design and manufacturing while distributing the functional requirements across multiple simple components rather than one complex cable assembly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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 provides a robust and cost-effective electrical connection that prevents cable bending and external disturbances, improving the pump's durability and reducing susceptibility to electromagnetic interference.

Implementation Method 1

The at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element are provided and designed to comprise and/or to form at least one electrical connection between the pump housing and the front lid

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical Conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS12447272B2Electrical connection between pump housing and front lid

Publication Date: 2025.10.21 B BRAUN MELSUNGEN AG

AI summary

A medical pump includes a cuboid pump housing and a front lid that is pivotably hinged to the pump housing. The front lid includes a display, in particular a touch display, and/or operating elements. The front lid is attached to the pump housing with at least one first hinge element and at least one second hinge element. The at least one first hinge element and/or the at least one second hinge element includes or forms at least one electrical connection between the pump housing and the front lid for electrical linking and exchange of data.