Connector for a combination cable, combination cable connected thereto, socket therefor, device for feeding light, plug connection system and endoscopy system

• US 7,361,140 B2
• Filed: 08/28/2002
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/03/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: BLAZEJEWSKI MEDI-TECH GmbH (C. Erbe GmbH), Joimax GmbH
• Original Assignee: BLAZEJEWSKI MEDI-TECH GmbH (C. Erbe GmbH), Joimax GmbH
• Inventors: Ries, Wolfgang, Blazejewski, Reinhold
• Primary Examiner(s): Leubecker; John P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): SMITH, PHILIP ROBERT
• Application Number:
  US10/488,525
• Publication Number:
  US 20040266257A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,064 Days
• Field of Search: 600/112, 600/117, 600/132
• US Class Current: 600/132
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4298 coupling with non-coherent light sources and/or radiation detectors, e.g. lamps, incandescent bulbs, scintillation chambers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/591 having operating mechanism

Abstract

A connector for a combination cable comprising at least one light guide and several electric lines has body, which can be introduced in the plugging direction into a socket and by means of which the connector can be held in the socket, a light guide holder having a light guide reception channel open at both sides and at least two contact elements in each case connectable to one of the electric lines.

Claims

1. Connector for a combination cable comprising at least one light guide and several electric lines, having a body, which can be inserted in a plugging direction into a socket and by means of which the connector can be held in the socket, a light guide holder and at least two contact elements in each case connectable to one of the electric lines, wherein the light guide holder includes a portion located between the contact elements and the end of the light guide holder in the plugging direction that is not rotationally symmetrical to a longitudinal axis of the connector, and wherein the contact elements are positioned on at least one circle coaxial to the light guide holder.

2. Connector according to claim 1 wherein the light guide holder extends beyond the body in the plugging direction.

3. Connector according to claim 2, wherein the portion of the light guide holder extending beyond the body in the plugging direction has a length of at least 10 mm.

4. Connector according to claim 2, wherein at least in the portion extending beyond the body in the plugging direction, the light guide holder has a tubular construction.