Pogo pin connector
Inventors
Scruggs, Stephen • Al-Ali, Ammar • Schmidt, John • Abdul-Hafiz, Yassir Kamel • Triman, Benjamin C. • MacNeish, III, William Jack
Assignees
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Publication Number
US-12374843-B2
Publication Date
2025-07-29
Expiration Date
Abstract
Various connector and sensor assemblies are described. In some embodiments, the connector and sensor assembly comprises a connector and a sensor assembly. The connector can have an opening that has a first surface and second surface that are opposite each other. The connector can have a plurality of retractable electrical connectors that extend from the first surface and a lock structure that is located on the second surface. The sensor assembly is comprised of a body portion and a proximal end. The proximal end has a top side and a bottom side. The top side includes a plurality of electrical contacts that is configured to interact with the plurality of retractable electrical connectors. The bottom side includes a key structure that is configured to interact with the lock structure in the connector.
Core Innovation
The disclosed invention relates to a connector and sensor assembly in which a sensor tab is removably inserted into an opening of a connector. The connector opening includes a bottom side of an inner surface having a detent and a receptor, while the sensor tab has a bottom side including a key detent and a key receptor with a raised structure. When the sensor tab is inserted in a correct orientation, engagement between the receptor and the key receptor occurs, and engagement between the detent and the key detent provides click feedback to indicate correct insertion.
The connector further includes a plurality of retractable electrical connectors extending downward from a top side of the inner surface. The sensor tab includes a plurality of electrical contacts on the top side of the sensor tab so that the retractable electrical connectors electrically connect to corresponding electrical contacts when inserted in the correct orientation. The disclosed configuration uses a keyed mechanical engagement mechanism to prevent incorrect attachment and to provide tactile click feedback.
In the described arrangement, electrical contact layout accommodates sensors having different numbers and positions of electrical contacts by using a staggered configuration, including first, second, and third rows of electrical contacts in some implementations. The invention also includes an electrical contact that serves as a grounding line, where at least one of the plurality of retractable electrical connectors contacts the grounding line before electrical connection is established between the remainder of the plurality of retractable electrical connectors and the remainder of the plurality of electrical contacts.
Claims Coverage
The provided material includes two independent claims. Together, they define a keyed, removably insertable connector and sensor assembly with click feedback, and they further specify a grounding-line contact that precedes other electrical connections, with optional staggered contact layouts.
Keyed sensor tab insertion with detent-receptor click feedback
A connector having an opening with an internal surface in which a bottom side comprises a detent and a receptor, and a sensor assembly having a sensor tab with a key detent and a key receptor including a raised structure, where the sensor tab is removably inserted into the opening and, in a correct orientation, the key receptor engages with the receptor and engagement between the detent and the key detent provides click feedback indicating correct insertion.
Grounding-line contact prior to other electrical connections
A connector and sensor assembly where the plurality of electrical contacts includes an electrical contact serving as a grounding line, and at least one of the plurality of retractable electrical connectors is configured to contact the electrical contact serving as the grounding line before electrical connection is established between a remainder of the plurality of retractable electrical connectors and a remainder of the plurality of electrical contacts.
The claims focus on a keyed detent/receptor mechanism that enables a removable sensor tab insertion with click feedback, and on an electrical contacting scheme in which a grounding-line contact is made before other electrical connections, with dependent claim options for staggered electrical contact layouts.
Stated Advantages
Provides click feedback to indicate the sensor tab has been correctly inserted.
Prevents incorrect attachment by enabling engagement only when inserted in a correct orientation.
Establishes a grounding-line contact before other electrical connections are established.
Documented Applications
Medical sensor pogo-pin connector system.
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