Arrangement in connection with anaesthetic devices

• US 6,213,783 B1
• Filed: 03/03/1998
• Issued: 04/10/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Instrumentarium Dental Incorporated (Envista Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Instrumentarium Dental Incorporated (Envista Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Kankkunen, Jukka
• Primary Examiner(s): VU, HIEN D
• Application Number:
  US09/033,813
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• Field of Search: 439/38-40
• US Class Current: 439/39
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6205 Two-part coupling devices held in engagement by a magnet

Abstract

An arrangement in connection with anaesthetic devices which comprise at least two module units, which are integrated to function together, and data transmission between the module units is carried out by means of a connector arrangement, which comprises contact means arranged in both module units. To provide a durable connector arrangement at least one of the connector means is mobile so that when the module units and thereby the contact means are moved close to one another, the mobile contact means moves so that it comes into contact with the contact means in the other module unit as a result of magnetising force.

Claims

1. An electrical connector arrangement for use in connection with anaesthetic devices having at least a first module unit and a second module unit integrated to function together, wherein data transmission between the first module unit and the second module unit is carried out by the connector arrangement, the connector arrangement comprising:

a first contact arranged in the first module unit, the first contact being mounted on a flexible member for movement into and out of the first module unit, the flexible member being biased to normally position the first contact within the first module unit;

a second contact arranged in the second module unit; and

wherein one of the first contact and the second contact includes a magnetic member such that when the first module unit and the second module unit are moved close together, the magnetic force of the magnetic member moves the first contact out of the first module unit against the bias of the flexible member and into contact with the second contact, wherein the movement of the first contact out of the first module unit is transverse to a movement of the first module unit relative to the second module unit.

2. The connector arrangement of claim 1 wherein the second contact is fixed in the second module unit.

3. The connector arrangement of claim 1 wherein the movement of the first contact into contact with the second contact is provided by the magnetizing force of the magnetic member arranged in one of the first and second contacts and a magnetic material arranged in the other of the first and second contacts.

4. The connector arrangement of claim 1 wherein both the first contact and the second contact include a magnetic member.

5. The connector arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first contact and the second contact are formed to transmit information electronically.

6. The connector arrangement of claim 1 wherein the first contact and the second contact are formed to transmit information optically.

7. An electrical connector arrangement connecting anaesthetic devices having a vaporizer casing of an anaesthetic unit and an anaesthetic vaporizer cassette integrated to function together, wherein data transmission between the vaporizer casing and the anaesthetic vaporizer cassette is carried out by the connector arrangement, the connector arrangement comprising:

a first contact arranged in the vaporizer casing, the first contact being mounted on a flexible member for movement into and out of the vaporizer casing, the flexible member being biased to normally position the first contact within the vaporizer casing;

a second contact arranged in the anaesthetic vaporizer cassette; and

wherein one of the first contact and the second contact includes a magnetic member such that when the vaporizer casing and the anaesthetic vaporizer cassette are moved close together, the magnetic force of the magnetic member moves the first contact out of the vaporizer casing against the bias of the flexible member and into contact with the second contact.

8. The connector arrangement of claim 7 wherein the direction of motion of the first contact is parallel to the direction of motion of the first module unit relative to the second module unit.

9. An electrical connector arrangement connecting aesthetic devices having an anaesthetic vaporizer cassette and a vaporizer casing of an anaesthetic unit integrated to function together, wherein data transmission between the anaesthetic vaporizer cassette and the vaporizer casing is carried out by the connector arrangement, the connector arrangment comprising:

a first contact arranged in the anaesthetic vaporizer cassette, the first contact being mounted on a flexible member for movement into and out of the anaesthetic vaporizer cassette, the flexible member being biased to normally position the first contact within the anaesthetic vaporizer cassette

a second contact arranged in the vaporizer casing; and

wherein one of the first contact and the second contact includes a magnetic member such that when the anaesthetic vaporizer cassette and the vaporizer casing are moved close together, the magnetic force of the magnetic member moves the first contact out of the anaesthetic vaporizer cassette against the bias of the flexible member and into contact with the second contact.