Pogo Pin Connector With Keyed Locking for Secure Sensor Attachment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrical connectors for medical sensors often fail to ensure proper and secure attachment, leading to incorrect connections and accidental disconnections, particularly in non-invasive physiological monitoring applications where durability and ease of use are crucial.
Innovation Solution
A connector design featuring a low-profile structure with retractable electrical contacts and a lock mechanism that accommodates various sensors, ensuring correct alignment through key and detent structures, providing tactile feedback and visual indicators for secure attachment and easy release.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a connector design is simplified for ease of use, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability may deteriorate due to insufficient prevention of incorrect connections
Solution Approach 1:
The connector employs asymmetric key structures on the sensor connector and corresponding detent structures on the instrument connector. These asymmetric features enable only correct orientation insertion, preventing incorrect connections while maintaining simple plug-and-play operation. The key and detent geometries are specifically designed to mate only in the proper rotational orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The connector design incorporates self-aligning features where the key structures automatically guide the sensor connector into the correct position and orientation during insertion. The detent structures engage automatically when the key reaches the proper alignment, providing self-service functionality that ensures reliable connection without requiring user judgment or complex alignment procedures.
2Reliability
If a lock mechanism is added to prevent accidental disconnection, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking functionality is merged with the basic connection structure through the key-detent mechanism. The same key structures that prevent incorrect orientation also serve as the locking elements when engaged with the detent structures. This integration eliminates the need for separate locking components, maintaining simplicity while providing secure connection and accidental disconnection prevention.
Solution Approach 2:
The detent structures act as intermediary elements between the key structures and the connector bodies. These detent features provide the locking action through simple geometric engagement rather than complex mechanical locks. The intermediary detent structures translate the insertion motion into a secure locked position, providing reliability without adding significant complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If retractable contacts are used to accommodate various sensors, then adaptability is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The connector design uses universal retractable contact structures that can accommodate multiple sensor types through a standardized interface. The retractable contacts are designed with consistent geometries and spacing that work with various sensor configurations. This universal design enables the same connector to interface with different sensor types while maintaining reliable electrical contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The retractable contacts incorporate spring-loaded or resilient elements that provide dynamic adjustment capability. These contacts can elastically deform to accommodate minor variations in sensor contact pad positions and orientations. The dynamic nature of the retractable contacts compensates for manufacturing tolerances and ensures reliable electrical connection across different sensor types without requiring extremely tight manufacturing precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Various connector and sensor assemblies are described. In some embodiments, the connector and sensor assembly comprises a connector and a sensor assembly. The connector can have an opening that has a first surface and second surface that are opposite each other. The connector can have a plurality of retractable electrical connectors that extend from the first surface and a lock structure that is located on the second surface. The sensor assembly is comprised of a body portion and a proximal end. The proximal end has a top side and a bottom side. The top side includes a plurality of electrical contacts that is configured to interact with the plurality of retractable electrical connectors. The bottom side includes a key structure that is configured to interact with the lock structure in the connector.