EP4438076A1 - Electrical connection between pump housing and bonnet - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a medical pump (1) with a cuboid-shaped pump housing (2) and a front flap (3) pivotably attached to the pump housing (2), in which a display (4), in particular a touch display, and/or operating elements are provided, wherein the front flap (3) is attached to the pump housing (2) with at least one first and at least one second hinge element (5), wherein the at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element (5) is provided and designed in such a way as to have and/or form at least one electrical connection (6) between the pump housing (2) and the front flap (3) for electrical connection and data exchange.

Description

technical field

The present disclosure relates to a medical pump, in particular a fluid pump and its electrical connection between pump housing and front panel.

Background of Revelation

In medicine, fluid pumps, especially syringe pumps and peristaltic pumps, are widely used to supply a patient with a defined dose of medication. Since such fluid pumps are expensive medical equipment, not every patient station is usually equipped with such a medical pump; instead, the medical pump is installed at the patient station when required. For this reason, such medical pumps are often mobile or partially mobile devices that are brought to the patient or patient station in question by a practitioner and installed there.

Known pumps have touch displays or screens and buttons on which information is displayed and users can enter instructions to the pump. For example, the correct medication and dosage can be entered. With a syringe pump, the model of the syringe and the dosage of the medication can be entered. This requires an electrical connection to provide power and data transmission between a pump housing and the display in the front flap.

The use of a display cable, in particular a ribbon cable, is known from the prior art for such an electrical connection. A ribbon cable has the disadvantage that it is repeatedly bent due to the pivoting front flap. In addition, the use of a display cable is predestined for dirt.

Therefore, the present disclosure is based on the object of eliminating or at least reducing the disadvantages of the prior art. Furthermore, the aim is to provide an electrical connection between the pump housing and the front flap which is both cost-effective and robust.

With regard to a generic medical pump, the objects are achieved according to the disclosure by the subject matter of claim 1.

The medical pump has a cuboid-shaped pump housing and a front flap which is pivotably connected to the pump housing and in which a display, in particular a touch display, and/or operating elements are provided. The front flap is attached to the pump housing with at least one first and at least one second hinge element. The at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element is provided and designed in such a way as to have and/or form at least one electrical connection between the pump housing and the front flap for electrical connection, supply and data exchange.

In other words, the medical pump has a pump housing, on the front of which there is a pivoting front flap in which a display/indicator and/or control elements are housed. The front flap is mounted on the pump housing by means of two or more hinge elements/hinges. The one or more hinge elements each establish an electrical connection between the pump housing and the front flap.

This solves the problem of the electrical connection of the front flap to the pump housing in terms of energy, data and ground, and at the same time avoids the contamination that comes with a ribbon cable. In addition, this solution can reduce manufacturing costs compared to the state of the art. The fact that no more cables are bent when the front flap is opened and closed also increases robustness and service life. Furthermore, the type of electrical connection provided is less susceptible to interference, for example in relation to electromagnetic compatibility.

Further advantageous aspects of the present disclosure are described below according to the subclaims.

It is preferred if the at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element is exposed to a ground potential. This means that the one or more hinge elements are exposed to the ground potential.

It is advantageous if the at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element is provided and designed to be electrically connected on the side of the pump housing to a first internal circuit board of the pump housing and on the side of the front flap to a second internal circuit board of the front flap.

Furthermore, it is preferred if the at least one first and/or second hinge element is provided and designed for the exchange of electrical potentials.

In this case, it is advantageous if the at least one first or second hinge element is provided and designed to transmit electrical ground potentials.

Furthermore, it is preferred if the at least other first and/or second hinge element is provided and designed to transmit at least one supply voltage and/or at least one data signal.

In other words, it is possible to combine as desired whether a first hinge element transmits the electrical ground potential and a second hinge element transmits the supply voltage, or whether a first hinge element transmits the electrical ground potential and a second hinge element transmits the data signal and the supply voltage. Alternatively, a separate hinge element can be provided for each of the electrical ground potential, the supply voltage and the data signal.

This means that the electrical connections serve to exchange electrical potentials and one or more hinges are used to transmit the electrical ground potential and another or several other hinges are used to transmit one or more supply voltages. A combined transmission of different signals per hinge is conceivable, e.g. ground potential and supply voltage or ground and data signals.

It is advantageous if the data signal can be transmitted by means of modulation, in particular by means of pulse width modulation or by imposing a high-frequency small signal or by means of frequency multiplexing on the supply voltage or a carrier signal. Frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) is a communications multiplexing method with which several signals can be transmitted simultaneously, distributed across several carriers. The carriers are assigned to several different frequencies, which is why the term frequency multiplexing is also used.

In other words, the electrical connection serves to transmit information and data. It is intended that if another or further Hinges can be used to transmit one or more data signals. Data exchange is provided, among other things, by modulation on the supply voltage or another carrier signal. This has the advantage that installing two hinges is sufficient.

It is preferred if a control unit is arranged in the pump housing, which is provided and designed to communicate with the front flap.

In other words, this means that it is advantageous if the data exchange is used to connect the display and/or the controls in the front flap with a control unit in the pump housing. This has the advantage that the ribbon cable between the front flap and the pump housing from the state of the art is no longer required. In addition, signal lines are protected from external interference in this way.

It is advantageous if the at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element is formed with a hinge pin and a hinge pin sleeve, wherein the hinge pin is guided on the pivot axis within the hinge pin sleeve.

Preferably, the hinge pin is earthed.

It is advantageous if at least one electrical conductor is guided through the at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element, preferably through the hinge pin, which is electrically connected on the side of the pump housing to an internal circuit board of the pump housing and/or on the side of the front flap to an internal circuit board of the front flap.

It is preferred if the at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element, preferably the hinge pin, is connected by means of at least one electrically conductive spring to the internal circuit board of the pump housing and/or by means of at least one further electrically conductive spring to the internal circuit board of the front flap.

Preferably, the hinge pin is connected to the electrically conductive spring, wherein the spring presses on a ground surface of the internal circuit board.

It is advantageous if the at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element, preferably the hinge pin, is electrically connected to the internal circuit board of the pump housing by means of at least one electrically conductive spring and at least one electrical conductor is guided through the at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element, preferably through the hinge pin, which is electrically connected on the side of the front flap to an internal circuit board of the front flap.

In other words, the electrical connection/connection of the hinge axis or the hinge pin to the first and/or second internal electrical circuit board of the front flap or the main body can be implemented as follows. The electrical connection/connection can be made by means of an electrically conductive spring that acts on the axis or the hinge pin. Alternatively or additionally, the electrical connection/connection can be made by the electrical conductor that is provided and designed to run inside the hinge pin on the hinge axis/pivot axis. Furthermore, an electrical conductor guided through the hinge pin can be connected on both sides to the first and second internal circuit board of the front flap or the pump housing. Possible implementations are optionally provided in a symmetrical form through both axes of the hinges.

Short description of the characters

• Fig. 1 ist eine Perspektivansicht einer offenbarungsgemäßen, medizinischen Pumpe gemäß dem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel;
• Fig. 2 ist eine Darstellung zur Veranschaulichung einer Frontklappe mit einer Rückschale gemäß dem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel;
• Fig. 3 ist eine Schnittansicht der medizinischen Pumpe in Längsrichtung orthogonal zur Frontklappenlängsrichtung gemäß dem Stand der Technik;
• Fig. 4 und Fig. 5 zeigen eine vergrößerte Schnittansicht einer elektrischen Verbindung zwischen dem Pumpengehäuse und der Frontklappe der medizinischen Pumpe gemäß einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel;
• Fig. 6 zeigt eine Scharnierplatte angebracht an der Gehäuseunterschale der medizinischen Pumpe gemäß einem bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel;
• Fig. 7, Fig. 8 und Fig. 9 zeigen eine elektrische Verbindung der medizinischen Pumpe gemäß einem weiteren bevorzugten Ausführungsbeispiel.

The disclosure is explained in more detail below using a preferred embodiment with the aid of figures.

• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a disclosed medical pump according to the preferred embodiment;
• Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating a front cover with a back cover according to the preferred embodiment;
• Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the medical pump in the longitudinal direction orthogonal to the front flap longitudinal direction according to the prior art;
• Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show an enlarged sectional view of an electrical connection between the pump housing and the front cover of the medical pump according to a preferred embodiment;
• Fig. 6 shows a hinge plate attached to the housing bottom shell of the medical pump according to a preferred embodiment;
• Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show an electrical connection of the medical pump according to another preferred embodiment.

Description of the embodiments

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described based on the accompanying figures.

In Fig. 1 A medical pump 1 according to the preferred embodiment is shown. The pump shown in Fig. 2 The medical pump 1 shown is designed as an infusion pump. Of course, the medical pump 1 according to the disclosure can also be designed as a syringe pump. As in Fig. 1 As shown, the medical pump 1 has a substantially cuboid-shaped pump housing 2, on the front of which a front flap 3 is pivotally attached. On a Several control buttons, several signal lights and a display 4 are mounted on the front of the front flap 3.

The pump housing 2 further comprises a housing upper shell/upper side 13 and a housing lower shell/lower side 14, which can preferably be detachably connected to one another and thus form the pump housing 2. A carrying handle 15 designed as a U-shaped handle bar is pivotally connected to the housing upper shell 13. The carrying handle 15 encompasses the housing upper shell 13 in a width direction of the medical pump 1 or a front flap longitudinal direction.

Fig. 2 shows a rear side of the front flap 3 with a mounted operating unit 16, which is shown on the rear. A rear wall 17 is placed on the front flap 3 of the operating unit 16. The rear wall 17 is essentially a flat plate and is screwed to the front flap 3. The rear wall 17 protects the internal circuit board 8 or the electronics in the front flap 3 or the operating unit 16. A metal hinge plate 18 is attached to the rear wall 17. The hinge plate 18 is hingedly connected to the rear wall 17. This means that the hinge plate 18 can be pivoted against the rear wall 17. The hinge plate 18 is connected to the pump housing 2. The front flap 3 is therefore pivotably connected to the pump housing 2 by the hinge plate 18.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view of the medical pump 2, in particular a syringe pump, in the longitudinal direction orthogonal to the front flap longitudinal direction according to the prior art. The structure for the Fig. 1 The infusion pump shown is equivalent. Fig. 3 shows the medical pump 1 with the pump housing 2 and the front cover 3. The front cover 3 shows the control unit 16 and the display 4. Furthermore, Fig. 3 an electrical connection 6 according to the prior art is shown. The electrical connection in this case is a display cable which electrically connects the electronics in the pump housing 2 with the electronics in the front flap. According to the present disclosure, the display cable is to be replaced or avoided.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show an enlarged sectional view of an electrical connection 6 between the pump housing 2 and the front flap 3 of the medical pump 1 according to a preferred embodiment. In Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 a first hinge element 5 is provided and designed to have at least one electrical connection 6 between the pump housing 2 and the front flap 3 for electrical supply and data exchange. The hinge element 5 is provided and designed to be electrically connected on the side of the pump housing 2 to a first internal circuit board 7 of the pump housing 2 and on the side of the front flap 3 to a second internal circuit board 8 of the front flap 3. The second internal circuit board 8 is in Fig. 2 and the contact (not shown) of the second internal printed circuit board 8 can be designed according to the spring 12 shown. The hinge element 5 with a hinge pin 9 and a hinge pin sleeve 10 (see Fig. 5 ), wherein the hinge pin 9 is guided within the hinge pin sleeve 10 on a pivot axis.

The hinge element 5, here the hinge pin 9, is connected to the first internal circuit board 7 of the pump housing 2 by means of at least one electrically conductive spring 12. A first end 19 of the electrically conductive spring 12 presses on the internal circuit board 7 and a second end 20 contacts the hinge pin 9, thereby providing an electrical connection 6. This means that the hinge pin 9 is designed in such a way that it can transmit electrical potentials. The electrically conductive spring 12 is attached to the pump housing 2 by means of a spring fastening 21 by clamping or screwing.

Fig. 6 shows a hinge plate 18 attached to the housing bottom shell 14 of the medical pump 1 according to a preferred embodiment. The hinge plate 18 is attached to an underside of the housing bottom shell 14 of the pump housing 2 by means of four fastening means. At the transition of the hinge plate 18 to the rear wall 17 of the front flap 3, a first and a second hinge element 5 are shown, which are designed as an electrical connection.

Fig. 7, Fig. 8 and Fig. 9 show an electrical connection 6 of the medical pump 1 according to another preferred embodiment. In the Figs. 7, 8 and 9 is the rear wall 17 attached to the front panel 3 and the hinge plate 18 connected to it via the hinge element 5, which is attached to the housing bottom shell 14 of the pump housing 2. According to this embodiment, an electrical conductor 11 leads through the hinge element 5 to provide an electrical connection between the front panel 3 and the pump housing 2.

In Fig. 8 it is shown that the electrical conductor 11 is guided from the rear wall 18 through a hinge pin opening 23 into a cavity 24 of the hinge pin 9. In other words, the hinge pin 9 is at least partially hollow in order to receive an electrical conductor 11 via a hinge pin opening 23 located in the hinge pin 9. The electrical conductor 11 and the hinge pin opening 23 are introduced into the cavity 24 of the hinge pin 9 in such a way that the electrical conductor 11 is not bent even during the rotation or pivoting movement. Thus, one end of the electrical conductor 11 is electrically connected to the first internal circuit board 7 and another end of the electrical conductor 11 is electrically connected to the second internal circuit board 8.

reference sign

1

medical pump

2

pump housing

3

front flap

4

display

5

hinge element

6

electrical connection

7

first internal circuit board

8

second internal circuit board

9

hinge pin

10

hinge pin sleeve

11

Electrical conductor

12

Feather

13

housing upper shell

14

housing base

15

carrying handle

16

control unit

17

back wall

18

hinge plate

19

first end

20

second ending

21

spring attachment

22

Fasteners

23

hinge pin opening

24

cavity

Claims (10)

Medical pump (1) with a cuboid-shaped pump housing (2) and a front flap (3) pivotably attached to the pump housing (2), in which a display (4), in particular a touch display, and/or operating elements are provided, wherein the front flap (3) is attached to the pump housing (2) with at least one first and at least one second hinge element (5),
characterized in that
the at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element (5) is provided and designed such as to have and/or form at least one electrical connection (6) between the pump housing (2) and the front flap (3) for electrical connection, supply and data exchange. Medical pump (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element (5) is provided and designed to be electrically connected on the side of the pump housing (2) to a first internal circuit board (7) of the pump housing (2) and on the side of the front flap (3) to a second internal circuit board (8) of the front flap (3). Medical pump (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one first and/or second hinge element (5) is provided and designed for the exchange of electrical potentials. Medical pump (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the at least one first or second hinge element (5) is provided and designed to transmit electrical ground potentials. Medical pump (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least other first and/or second hinge element (5) is provided for and is designed to transmit at least one supply voltage and/or at least one data signal. Medical pump (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that the data signal can be transmitted by means of modulation, in particular by means of pulse width modulation or by means of impressing a higher frequency small signal or by means of frequency multiplexing, on the supply voltage or a carrier signal. Medical pump (1) according to one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element (5) is formed with a hinge pin (9) and a hinge pin sleeve (10), wherein the hinge pin (9) is guided on a pivot axis within the hinge pin sleeve (10). Medical pump (1) according to one of claims 7, characterized in that at least one electrical conductor (11) is guided through the at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element (5), preferably through the hinge pin (9), which is electrically connected on the side of the pump housing (2) to an internal circuit board (7) of the pump housing (2) and/or on the side of the front flap (3) to an internal circuit board (8) of the front flap (3). Medical pump (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element (5), preferably the hinge pin (9), is electrically connected by means of at least one electrically conductive spring (12) to the first internal circuit board (7) of the pump housing (2) and/or by means of at least one further electrically conductive spring (12) to the second internal circuit board (8) of the front flap (3). Medical pump (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element (5), preferably the hinge pin (9) is electrically connected to the first internal circuit board (7) of the pump housing (2) by means of at least one electrically conductive spring (12) and through the at least one first and/or the at least one second hinge element (5), preferably through the hinge pin (10), at least one electrical conductor (11) is guided, which is electrically connected on the side of the front flap (3) to the second internal circuit board (8) of the front flap (3).

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