Patient Sensor Connector Assembly With Vertical Detents for Tool-Free Joining
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional connector assemblies for patient monitoring systems are difficult to manufacture using fasteners, requiring tools like screwdrivers, and often result in complex assembly processes.
Innovation Solution
A connector assembly design featuring a retainer with pins and detents that securely mate the bottom and top connector tabs, allowing for easy and quick assembly by pushing the retainer downward, eliminating the need for tools and simplifying the manufacturing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fasteners (screws, etc.) are used to assemble connector assemblies, then reliable mechanical connection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity increases and tool requirements arise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional mechanical fasteners (screws, bolts requiring tools) with a snap-fit mechanism using elastic arms and detents. The elastic arms deflect during assembly and engage with detents on the circuit board, providing reliable mechanical connection without requiring screwdrivers or other tools, thus simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining connection reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arms are designed to automatically engage with the detents on the circuit board during the assembly process. The deflection and engagement occur automatically when components are brought together, eliminating the need for manual fastening operations or specialized tools, making the assembly process self-service in nature
2Reliability
If conventional fasteners are used for connector assembly, then secure connection is achieved, but manufacturing time and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The snap-fit mechanism using elastic arms and detents allows for rapid assembly by simply bringing components together, eliminating the time-consuming process of threading and tightening screws. The elastic arms automatically engage with detents, providing secure connection instantly, thus significantly improving assembly speed and productivity while maintaining connection security
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic arms are pre-configured with deflectable geometry that automatically engages with detents during assembly. This preliminary design of the engagement mechanism ensures that the secure connection is achieved immediately upon assembly, without requiring additional fastening steps, thereby maximizing assembly productivity
3Manufacturing precision
If tools like screwdrivers are required for assembly, then precise mechanical fastening is achieved, but ease of manufacture deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces tool-based mechanical fastening with a tool-free snap-fit mechanism. The elastic arms with deflection capability engage automatically with detents on the circuit board, providing precise mechanical fastening without requiring screwdrivers or other tools. This substitution maintains manufacturing precision while dramatically improving ease of manufacture
Solution Approach 2:
The assembly mechanism is designed to be self-aligning and self-engaging. The elastic arms automatically find and engage with the detents on the circuit board during assembly, providing precise positioning and secure fastening without requiring external tools or complex alignment procedures, making the manufacturing process simpler and more accessible
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure includes a connector assembly that is a part of a sensor assembly for collecting patient physiological data. The connector assembly can include a first connector tab with catches, a second connector tab with openings, a retainer with pins, and a circuit board coupled to a cable. Each of the pins of the retainer can include a detent that can engage one of the catches of the first connector tab. The pins can extend through the openings of the second connector tab so that the retainer is coupled to the first connector tab by the detents engaging the catches. The first and second connector tabs can thereby be coupled together to support the circuit board and the cable between the first and second connector tabs.