Printed circuit connector

Abstract

The present invention comprises an inexpensive and simple means for electrically and mechanically connecting a plurality of printed circuits together. The present invention also comprised embodiments where the printed circuits can be moved relative to each other without breaking the electrical contact between them. Yet another embodiment contemplates a means for joining two linear printed circuits to make a longer circuit. In yet another embodiment, the printed circuits and connections are used to make an inexpensive, reliable electrical harness for contacting a patient-worn sensor to a patient monitor such as an ECG monitor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing aspects and many of the advantages of the present invention will become readily appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a mating end of a membrane circuit having a plurality of silver traces.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the articulated connector assembly.

FIG. 3 shows the assembled connector.

FIG. 4 shows the connector with the outer snap assembly in place.

FIG. 5 shows the assembly in a folded configuration.

FIG. 6 shows the assembly in an extended configuration.

FIG. 7 shows the cantilever members for improving contact between the two or more articulated circuit membranes.

FIGS. 8A and 8B show the orientation of the top and bottom circuit membranes.

FIGS. 9A and 9B show the bottom and top circuit membranes respectively, with insulation cut away to allow electrical contact between the two membranes.

FIG. 9C shows a means of connecting circuits using a living hinge.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the plastic snap assembly in place.

FIG. 11A shows the pin used on the snap component of the connector to limit rotation of the one or more articulated circuits.

FIGS. 11B and 11C show the use of cutouts or holes on a membrane circuit to limit rotation of the one or more articulated circuits.

FIG. 12A shows a means of connecting circuits using matching hooks.

FIG. 12B shows a means of connecting circuits using friction/snap fit male and female connectors.

FIG. 13A shows two articulated circuit membranes in a non-activated or “Off” configuration.

FIG. 13B shows two articulated membranes in an activated or “On” configuration.

FIG. 13C shows how an articulated connection can be used to selectively activate one or more circuits.

FIG. 14 shows the dimensions of the one or more traces on a circuit membrane and the degree of separation between the traces that is required to avoid arcing of the conducted electricity between the multiple traces.

FIG. 15A shows how electrical contact can be made with a device on the opposite side of the conductive face of a circuit membrane using foldable flaps.

FIG. 15B shows the conductive and non-conductive (or insulated) surfaces of a main circuit membrane and a corresponding flap.

FIG. 15C shows a cross-section of the contact surfaces of the main circuit membrane, a folded-over flap and a second flexible circuit.

FIG. 15D shows the use of an offset, angled flap to avoid interference in a desired direction or to provide interference in a desired direction.

FIG. 15E shows a completed connection wherein the configuration is able to achieve a linear formation.

FIG. 16A illustrates a linear connector in the open position for minimizing packaging space.

FIG. 16B is a top view of the connector of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16C is a side view of the connector of FIGS. 16A and 16B.

FIG. 16D is an oblique view showing the connector of FIGS. 16A-C as it is being closed.

FIG. 16E is the connector of FIGS. 16A-D in the fully closed position.

FIG. 16F shows a side view of the connector of FIG. 16A in the open position.

FIG. 16G shows the mechanical mounting mechanism of the connector of FIG. 16A.

FIG. 16F shows a side view of the connector of FIG. 16A in the closed position.

FIG. 17A demonstrates an unassembled circuit having dual articulations about a common axis.

FIG. 17B shows the assembled circuit of FIG. 17A.

FIG. 18A is a top view of the first half of a six-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) leadwire connector having a linear connector and an articulated connector.

FIG. 18B is a top view of the second half of a six-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) connector having an articulatable connector.

FIG. 18C shows the parts in FIGS. 18A and 18B in position for connection.

FIG. 18D shows the electrode half of FIG. 18A arranged in an efficient pattern for manufacture.

FIG. 18E shows the electrode half of FIG. 18B arranged in an efficient pattern for manufacture.

FIG. 19 is a top view of one half of an ECG precordial strip electrode connector having a linear connector.

FIG. 20 is a top view of the second half of an ECG precordial electrode connector having a mating linear connector designed to connect to the linear connector shown in FIG. 19 and another connector for connection to an ECG monitor.

Claims

1. A printed circuit connector comprising: a first printed circuit having a substrate layer, one or more electrically conductive traces and an insulation layer, wherein the one or more electrically conductive traces are exposed in at least one location on the circuit;a second printed circuit having a substrate layer, one or more electrically conductive traces and an insulation layer, wherein the one or more electrically conductive traces are exposed in at least one location on the circuit such that they make electrical contact with the exposed traces of the first circuit when the circuits are faced insulation layer to insulation layer; anda means of retaining the first and second circuit in electrical contact.

2. The printed circuit connector of claim 1 wherein the retaining means of the first and second circuit in electrical contact is selected from the following: conductive and non-conductive adhesives, tapes, clamps, housings, conductive fasteners, non-conductive fasteners, interlocking or friction fit between male and female circuit ends.

3. The printed circuit connector of claim 2 wherein the retaining means comprises a hook on each end of the circuits.

4. The printed circuit connector of claim 2 wherein the retaining means comprises a male end and a female end, wherein the male end when engaged by the female end is retained by protrusions on the male end.

5. The printed circuit connector of claim 2 wherein the friction fit is a snap fit arrangement.

6. The printed circuit connector of claim 1 wherein the two circuits are immovably joined.

7. The printed circuit connector of claim 2 wherein the retaining means is a housing or stud which permits articulation of the connection.

8. A printed circuit connector comprising: a first printed circuit having a substrate layer, one or more electrically conductive traces and an insulation layer;a shaped region on the first printed circuit wherein the one or more electrically conductive traces are non-linear and are at least partially exposed;a second printed circuit having a substrate layer, one or more electrically conductive traces and an insulation layer, and a shaped region wherein the one or more electrically conductive traces are exposed for electrical connection to the shaped region on the first printed circuit; anda movable means of retaining the first and second circuit in electrical contact at the shaped region such that when the first and second circuits are rotated, the one or more traces remain in electrical contact.

9. The connector of claim 8 wherein the shaped region of the first printed circuit is arcuate.

10. The connector of claim 8 where in the shaped region of the second printed circuit is arcuate or linear.

11. The connector of claim 8 wherein the retaining means for the first and second circuits is a mechanical fastener or an external housing.

12. A circuit for connecting patient-worn sensors to a monitor comprising: at least one printed circuit having a substrate layer, one or more electrically conductive traces and an insulation layer, wherein the one or more electrically conductive traces are exposed in at least one location on the circuit for making a connection with a sensor on a patient; andat least one flap containing at least one exposed conductive trace which can be folded to make contact with a second printed circuit.

13. An articulated electrical connector comprised of: a body comprised of a top surface and a bottom surface, each surface having an aperture;at least two or more printed circuit ends originating from separate electrical connections, each having an aperture located on its surface;at least one or more printed circuit traces located on said printed circuit ends that terminate into an annular shape that is concentric about the apertures on said printed circuit ends;a means for locking said top surface and said bottom surface together such that said at least two or more printed circuit ends are pressed between said top surface and said bottom surface in an overlapping configuration such that the apertures located on the surface of said top surface, said bottom surface, and said at least two or more circuit ends are aligned and form a hole through which a protruding member of a separate electrical conductor may be inserted, such that said at least one or more printed circuit traces on said circuit ends are in direct face-to-face electrical contact wherein said circuit ends may be rotated with respect to one another.

14. The electrical connector according to claim 13 wherein said top surface and said bottom surface of said connector body are flat, identical and composed of plastic.

15. The electrical connector according to claim 13 wherein the apertures located on said top surface, said bottom surface, and said two or more circuit ends are circular.

16. The electrical connector according to claim 13 wherein the apertures are located at the centering axes of said top surface, said bottom surface, and said two or more circuit ends.

17. The electrical connector according to claim 13 wherein said means for locking said top surface and said bottom surface together are comprised of a plurality of protrusions with angled tips along the outer perimeter of the aperture located on said bottom surface such that when the apertures of said top surface and said bottom surface are aligned and pressed together, the protrusions are snap-fitted into the aperture of the adjacent said top surface.

18. The electrical connector according to claim 17 wherein said plurality of protrusions located on said bottom surface may alternatively be located on said top surface.

19. The electrical connector according to claim 13 wherein said means for locking said top surface and said bottom surface together are comprised of a plurality of protrusions with angled tips along the outer perimeter of said bottom surface such that when the apertures of said top surface and said bottom surface are aligned and pressed together, the protrusions are snap-fitted about the outer edge of adjacent said top surface.

20. The electrical connector according to claim 17 wherein said plurality of protrusions located on said bottom surface may alternatively be located on said top surface.

21. The electrical connector according to claim 13 and further comprising a living hinge for connecting said top surface and said bottom surface.

22. The electrical connector according to claim 13 and further comprising cantilever members located on the surface of said top surface and/or said bottom surface for further pressing said circuit ends together while the connector body is connected.

23. The electrical connector according to claim 13 and further comprising a second aperture that protrudes through said top surface, said bottom surface, and said circuit ends such that a pin may be inserted into the aperture to restrict the degree of rotation of said circuit ends when the connector body is connected.

24. The electrical connector according to claim 13 wherein the annular terminating portions of said at least one or more printed circuit traces may be varied in length such that the said circuit ends may be rotated to such a degree that the annular portions are no longer in overlapping electrical contact when the connector body is connected.

25. An articulated electrical connector comprised of: a body comprised of a flat, non-conductive top surface and an identical bottom surface, each surface having a circular aperture located at its centering axis;at least two or more circular-shaped printed circuit ends originating from separate electrical connections, each having a circular aperture located at its centering axis;at least one or more printed circuit traces located on said printed circuit ends that terminate into an annular shape that is concentric about the circular apertures located at the centering axes of said printed circuit ends;a means for locking said top surface and said bottom surface together such that said at least two or more printed circuit ends are pressed between said top surface and said bottom surface in an overlapping configuration such that the apertures located on the surface of said top surface, said bottom surface, and said at least two or more circuit ends are aligned and form a hole through which a protruding member of a separate electrical conductor may be inserted, such that said at least one or more printed circuit traces on said circuit ends are in direct face-to-face electrical contact wherein said circuit ends may be rotated with respect to one another.

26. The electrical connector according to claim 25 wherein the protruding member of a separate electrical conductor is a stud-type electrode.

27. The electrical connector according to claim 25 wherein said means for locking said top surface and said bottom surface together are comprised of a plurality of protrusions with angled tips along the outer perimeter of the aperture located on said bottom surface such that when the apertures of said top surface and said bottom surface are aligned and pressed together, the protrusions are snap-fitted into the aperture of the adjacent said top surface.

28. The electrical connector according to claim 27 wherein said plurality of protrusions located on said bottom surface may alternatively be located on said top surface.

29. The electrical connector according to claim 25 wherein said means for locking said top surface and said bottom surface together are comprised of a plurality of protrusions with angled tips along the outer perimeter of said bottom surface such that when the apertures of said top surface and said bottom surface are aligned and pressed together, the protrusions are snap-fitted about the outer edge of adjacent said top surface.

30. The electrical connector according to claim 29 wherein said plurality of protrusions located on said bottom surface may alternatively be located on said top surface.

31. The electrical connector according to claim 25 and further comprising a living hinge for connecting said top surface and said bottom surface.

32. The electrical connector according to claim 25 and further comprising cantilever members located on the surface of said top surface and/or said bottom surface for further pressing said circuit ends together while the connector body is connected.

33. The electrical connector according to claim 25 and further comprising a second aperture that protrudes through said top surface, said bottom surface, and said circuit ends such that a pin may be inserted into the aperture to restrict the degree of rotation of said circuit ends when the connector body is connected.

34. The electrical connector according to claim 25 wherein the annular terminating portions of said one or more printed circuit traces may be varied in length such that the said circuit ends may be rotated to such a degree that the annular portions are no longer in overlapping electrical contact when the connector body is connected.

35. A harness for connecting sensors on a patient to a patient monitor comprising: a flexible circuit having at least one trace, a face designed for articulation with a second flexible circuit, at least one connector for connecting to a patient monitor, and at least one connector for attachment to a sensor on a patient; anda second flexible circuit having at least one trace, a face designed for articulation with the first flexible circuit, and at lease one connector for attachment to a sensor on a patient.

36. A linear flat circuit connector comprising: a first flat circuit having at least one exposed electrical trace, and having a means for securing a second flat circuit also having at least one exposed electrical trace wherein the exposed traces of the first and second traces are in direct face-to-face electrical contact when secured.

37. The linear flat circuit connector of claim 36 wherein the means for securing the connection is a mechanical means selected from an external housing, mechanical fasteners, tapes and adhesives.

38. A linear flat circuit connector comprising: a first flat circuit having at least one exposed electrical trace, andan external housing having a top and bottom and a means for securing a second flat circuit, also having at least one exposed electrical trace, wherein the exposed traces of the first and second traces are in direct face-to-face electrical contact when secured.

39. The linear flat circuit connector of claim 38 wherein the means for securing the second flat circuit comprises a pivotable non-conductive cover which is pivotably mounted on the external housing such that it is capable of moving from a first open position to a second latched position.

40. The linear flat circuit connector of claim 38 in which the unlatched assembly is linear and the latched assembly is non-linear.

41. The linear flat circuit connector of claim 35, wherein the means for securing is an electrically conductive element which contacts the traces on said first and second flat circuits.