Motor-driven medical suction pump and method for connecting such a suction pump to a power source
Inventors
Honegger, Adrian • Giezendanner, Charles
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12011531-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-18
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention relates to a motor-driven suction pump and a method for connecting such a pump. The suction pump has a pump unit for generating a negative pressure which is accommodated in a housing. Further, a terminal box is provided which can be connected to a power source via a connecting cable and has contact elements for supplying the pump unit with a power current. The contact elements are electrically conductively connected to the contact counter elements provided on the housing side and leading to the pump unit when the terminal box is coupled to the housing. In order to increase electrical safety, a sensor, an evaluation unit, and a switch are provided. The sensor is configured to check the coupling of the terminal box. The switch switches a power supply to at least one of the contact elements. The evaluation unit is data-based connected to the sensor and the switch such that the switch connects the contact element to the power current supply when a signal of the sensor confirming the coupling is present and disconnects the power current supply when a signal of the sensor confirming the coupling is absent. In the method according to the invention, at least one contact element which is switched off is first electrically connected to the counter contact element on the housing side, which is provided for supplying current to the pump unit. The power current is then applied to the contact element on the basis of a signal confirming the corresponding contacting.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to a motor-driven medical suction pump having a pump unit for generating a negative pressure accommodated in a housing, and a terminal box that can be mechanically coupled to the housing. The terminal box can be connected via a connecting cable to a power source and includes contact elements for supplying a power current to the pump unit when the terminal box is coupled.
The invention provides a sensor, an evaluation unit, and a switch to control the supply of the power current according to the coupling state. The sensor checks the coupling of the terminal box, and the switch connects the contact element to the power current supply when a signal confirming the coupling is present and disconnects the power current supply when such a signal is absent.
Further developments define coupling and safety architecture features including sensor-coupling detection integration, sensor element and counter-element arrangement dependent on relative positioning, polarity-separated contact elements, electrically non-conductive and flush contact surface arrangements, positioning concepts using magnetic force and magnetic elements with different poles for unambiguous alignment, an optical indicator associated with the status of the power current supply, and an optional integration of contact elements into magnetic elements.
A method aspect connects at least one de-energized contact element in the terminal box to housing-side contact counter elements first and subsequently applies the power current only on the basis of a sensor signal confirming the corresponding contacting. The overall concept couples an early, de-energized electrical contact state with sensor-confirmed power application to ensure safe switching behavior during terminal-box coupling.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes two independent claims. The claims cover sensor-confirmed coupling detection with evaluation and switching of power current, and a method for sensor-confirmed application of power after de-energized contact connection.
Sensor-confirmed coupling-dependent power switching
A sensor checks the coupling of the terminal box, and a switch supplies the power current to at least one contact element only when an evaluation unit receives a sensor signal confirming the coupling; the switch disconnects the power current supply when such a confirmation signal is absent.
Sensor-confirmed contacting-based power application after de-energized connection
A method where contact elements in a terminal box are electrically connected to housing-side contact counter elements in the case of at least one de-energized contact element so as to supply current to the pump unit, and the power current is subsequently applied based on a signal emitted by a sensor confirming the corresponding contacting.
Across the independent claims, the main inventive structure is the use of sensor confirmation via an evaluation unit to connect or disconnect power current for a mechanically coupled terminal box in a negative-pressure motor-driven medical suction pump, and the sequencing of de-energized contact connection followed by sensor-confirmed power application.
Stated Advantages
Improves safety by disconnecting the power current supply when sensor confirmation of coupling is absent.
Reduces undesired switching behavior during coupling, described as reducing spark formation and electric arc formation.
Improves service life.
Documented Applications
Connecting a motor-driven medical suction pump with a pump unit generating negative pressure to a power source via a mechanically coupleable terminal box and connecting cable, using sensor confirmation for power connection to supply the pump unit.
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