How to Connect Wires and Light Signals Through a Protective Cloth

This patent describes a system to make both electrical and optical connections by pushing a plug into a socket, with a protective cloth or 'drape' placed in between, where a sharp part on the plug pokes through the drape.

What it covers

This system allows for establishing both optical and electrical connections directly through a protective layer, called a drape. It uses a plug and a receptacle. The plug has an optical terminal and an electrical terminal extending from its housing. The electrical terminal is designed as a piercing element, meaning it's sharp enough to poke through the drape. When the plug is inserted into the receptacle, with the drape positioned between them, the electrical terminal pierces the drape to connect with an electrical receiver inside the receptacle. Simultaneously, the optical terminal forms a connection with an optical receiver, also within the receptacle, passing the light signal through the drape without piercing it. For example, a surgeon could quickly connect a medical instrument to a base unit through a sterile drape without compromising the sterile field.

What it doesn't cover

• —Does not cover connection systems where the drape must be pre-cut or pre-punched before the plug is inserted.
• —Does not cover systems that only establish an optical connection or only an electrical connection, as it specifies both.
• —Does not cover connections where the electrical terminal does not physically pierce the drape.
• —Does not cover wireless communication systems that transmit signals through a drape without direct physical contact.
• —Does not cover connections where the drape is not positioned directly between the plug and the receptacle during insertion.

The clever bit

The novelty lies in simultaneously creating both optical and electrical connections through a drape, specifically by using a piercing element for the electrical connection while the optical connection forms without piercing. This allows for robust, multi-signal connectivity in protected environments without compromising the barrier.

Why it matters

This technology could be important in environments requiring strict cleanliness or protection from contaminants, such as medical operating rooms or harsh industrial settings. It allows for quick, reliable connections without needing to remove or damage a protective barrier. This can save time and reduce the risk of contamination, making equipment safer and more efficient to use in critical applications.

Real-world examples

• 1.Medical surgical equipment connections through sterile drapes
• 2.Industrial sensors connecting through protective covers in dusty factories
• 3.Ruggedized outdoor electronics requiring sealed connections
• 4.Laboratory equipment needing quick, clean connections through protective barriers