Electrical connectors – With indicating or identifying provision – Connection indicating provision
Reexamination Certificate
2002-04-04
2004-02-24
Dinh, Phuong K. (Department: 2839)
Electrical connectors
With indicating or identifying provision
Connection indicating provision
C439S953000, C439S911000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06695640
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, and in particular, relates to ultrasonic diagnostic equipment in which completion of a mechanical connection of a connector of an ultrasonic probe and a socket of an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body can be perceived by an operator.
FIG. 1
is a perspective view illustrating a connector portion of an ultrasonic probe of an example of conventional ultrasonic diagnostic equipment.
The connector portion
301
of the ultrasonic probe includes a connector
12
having signal terminals
11
aligned therein, and a lock mechanism
30
that includes a lock pin
31
, a cam shaft
13
, and a connector lock releasing handle
14
, for mechanically locking the connector
12
by connection with a socket of an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body (not shown).
When connecting the ultrasonic probe with the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body, an operator first inserts the connector
12
into the socket of the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body, and then turns the connector lock releasing handle
14
, whereby connection between the connector
12
and the socket gets locked. When electrical connection of both parts is confirmed, ultrasonic scanning is performed.
When detaching the ultrasonic probe from the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body, the operator turns the connector lock-releasing handle
14
in an opposite direction from the direction for connecting them, thereby, the connection is released. Thereafter, the connector
12
is pulled out from the socket.
In the above-described conventional connector portion
301
of the ultrasonic probe, the connection between the connector
12
and the socket of the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body are checked electrically.
However, during the checking process as described above, even if the mechanical lock between the connector
12
and the socket are not completed, i.e., when signal terminals are unstably in contact with each other, it was still perceived as the completion of the connection, and the scanning process may start under such a condition.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide ultrasonic diagnostic equipment in which an operator thereof can perceive the completion of the mechanical connection between a connector of an ultrasonic probe and a socket of an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body.
In the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided ultrasonic diagnostic equipment provided with a lock perceiving means for letting an operator perceive that connection between a connector of an ultrasonic probe and a socket of an ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body being mechanically locked.
According to the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment of the first aspect, it is possible for an operator to perceive that the connection between the connector of the ultrasonic probe and the socket of the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body are mechanically locked, thus enabling to prevent scanning from starting before completion of the locking.
In the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided ultrasonic diagnostic equipment with the above-described structure, in which the lock perceiving means includes a lock confirming conduction means for changing electric conduction as the connection between the connector of the ultrasonic probe and the socket of the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body being mechanically locked, and a lock informing means for informing the operator of the locking based on a change of the electrical conduction.
According to the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment of the second aspect, by changing conduction depending on whether or not the connection between the connector of the ultrasonic probe and the socket of the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body is mechanically locked, the lock completion can be detected, and may be informed it to the operator.
In the third aspect of the present invention, there is provided ultrasonic diagnostic equipment having the above-described structure, in which the lock confirming conduction means includes a conductive movable contact/lock pin projecting in a direction perpendicular to a cam shaft provided to the connector and having a connector lock releasing handle attached thereto, and lock confirming contact points, provided to the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body, that brings points into conduction by coming in contact with the movable contact/lock pin as the connection locks.
According to the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment of the third aspect, as the connection is being locked, the movable contact/lock pin changes a angle thereof as the connector lock releasing handle for operation moves, and comes into contact with the lock confirming contact points so as to bring the contact points into conduction. On the other hand, when the connection is not locked, the movable contact/lock pin is not in contact with the lock confirming contact points, and thus, the contact points are not conducting.
As a result, it is possible to differ the conduction condition when it is locked and not locked, thus enabling to implement the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment according to the second aspect preferably.
In the fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided ultrasonic diagnostic equipment with the above-described structure, in which, the lock confirming conduction means has a flange conductor provided to the connector and having a movable contact/hook-shaped lock pin projected from a tip of a cam shaft, and a lock confirming conductor, provided to the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body, that brings conductors into conduction as the flange conductor and the movable contact/hook-shaped lock pin coming into contact with each other as the connection locks.
According to the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment of the fourth aspect, as the connection is locked, the movable contact/hook-shaped lock pin, i.e., the lock pin bent into hook shape, that changes its angle as the connector lock releasing handle for operation moves, connects with one of the lock confirming conductor, while the flange connector comes into contact with the other lock confirming conductor, so that the conductors become conducting. Whereas, when the connection is not locked, the movable contact/hook-shaped lock pin is not in contact with the lock-confirming conductor, thus the conductors are not conducting.
As a result, it is possible to differ conduction condition when it is locked or not locked, thus enabling to implement the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment according to the second aspect preferably. Moreover, comparing to the movable contact/lock pin projecting linearly, it is possible to reduce the occupation area, thus desirable for downsizing.
In the fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided ultrasonic diagnostic equipment with the above-described structure, in which the lock informing means is a light-emitting means provided to the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body.
According to the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment of the fifth aspect, the light-emitting means of the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body illuminates as the connection is locked, thus enabling for the operator to perceive the completion of locking.
In the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided ultrasonic diagnostic equipment with the above-described structure, in which the lock informing means is a light-emitting means provided to the ultrasonic probe.
According to the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment of the sixth aspect, the light-emitting means of the ultrasonic diagnostic equipment main body illuminates as the connection is locked, thus enabling for the operator to perceive the completion of locking. Moreover, the operator can perceive the lock completion by just looking at the ultrasonic probe at hand, thus enabling to improve the visibility.
In the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided ultrasonic diagnostic equipment according with the above-described structure, in
Kawae Sotaro
Nozaki Mitsuhiro
Uchibori Masami
Armstrong Teasdale LLP
Dinh Phuong K.
GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company LLC
Horton Esq. Carl B.
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