Modular Electrical Connections With Latch Sensing for Safe Module Exchange

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Solution Overview

Problem

Modular patient care systems face safety risks due to improper module securing and exposure to therapeutic or bodily fluids, which can cause operation interruptions and damage to electrical connections.

Innovation Solution

The system employs a modular design with retention components, latch mechanisms, and electrical connectors that ensure secure attachment and electrical connectivity while protecting against moisture and arcing, using sensors to detect proper engagement and prevent operation until secure attachment is confirmed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If modules are mechanically and electrically coupled using releasable attachments to permit customization and exchange, then adaptability and ease of operation are improved, but reliability and safety deteriorate due to improper module securing and exposure to therapeutic or bodily fluids

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecustomizationVSAvoidsafety

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting module attachment status through sensors before allowing operation. The controller prevents system operation until proper attachment is confirmed, ensuring safety is established before functionality is enabled. This preliminary verification resolves the contradiction by making adaptability conditional on verified secure connection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback through sensors that continuously monitor attachment status and provide information to the controller. This feedback mechanism ensures that the system only operates when modules are properly secured, resolving the contradiction between adaptability (releasable attachments) and reliability (safety against improper securing).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If releasable attachments are used to permit exchange of modules, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability worsens due to potential improper securing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemodule exchangeVSAvoidsecure attachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-verification by using integrated sensors to automatically detect and confirm proper module attachment. This self-service mechanism ensures that ease of module exchange does not compromise reliability, as the system autonomously verifies secure connection before enabling operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If electrical connectors are exposed for connectivity between modules, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability worsens due to damage from moisture and arcing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connectivityVSAvoidprotection from moisture and arcing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the electrical connector from direct exposure to the harsh environment by positioning it within the sealed housing. The connector remains accessible for connectivity purposes but is protected from moisture and arcing hazards, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The sealed housing provides beforehand cushioning by creating a protective barrier against moisture and electrical arcing before these harmful factors can reach the electrical connectors. This preventive protection resolves the contradiction by shielding connectors while maintaining connectivity functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

4Reliability

If sensors are added to detect proper engagement, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of proper engagementVSAvoidnumber of components

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sensor and controller functions into an integrated monitoring system that is seamlessly incorporated into the module attachment mechanism. This merging approach minimizes the increase in device complexity while achieving reliable detection of proper engagement, as the sensor and controller work as a unified system rather than separate add-on components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS20250210911A1Method and system for modular connections with electrical components

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 CAREFUSION 303 INC

AI summary

An electronic module for a modular patient care system is disclosed. The electronic module can include a housing having an attachment side configured to releasably attach to an adjacent electronic module. A latch mechanism can be configured to engage a catch member on the adjacent electronic module to secure the attachment side to the adjacent electronic module. An electrical connector positioned on the attachment side can be configured to electrically connect to an adjacent electrical connector on the adjacent electronic module. A sensor coupled to the housing can be configured to detect movement of the latch mechanism indicative of at least one of engagement or disengagement of the latch mechanism from the adjacent electronic module.