Intelligent connector assembly for use in medical device cables

An apparatus for use with an electrical plug having contact holes for electrical contact pins, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing configured to receive the plug, the housing having alignment protrusions;
• a circuit block configured to mate with the housing, the circuit block having alignment indentations configured to receive the alignment protrusions on the housing for the circuit block to mate with the housing in only one orientation;
• and
• electrical contact pins projecting from the circuit block to enter the contact holes when the plug is inserted in the housing;
• wherein a first alignment indentation has a rounded edge mated in point contact with the corresponding alignment protrusion, and a second alignment indentation has a rounded edge mated in line contact with the corresponding alignment protrusion, when the circuit block is mated with the housing;
• and
• wherein the circuit block has a polygonal periphery, and the alignment indentations on the circuit block interrupt linear sides of the circuit block at locations where the sides would otherwise intersect to define corners of the circuit block.

An apparatus for use with an electrical plug having contact holes for electrical contact pins, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing having open portion configured to receive the plug, an outer wall with a central opening, a tubular wall projecting from the outer wall into the open portion to define a passage extending inward from the opening, and an inner wall extending across an inner end of the tubular wall to define an inner end of the passage, with the inner wall having holes;
• electrical contact pins;
• and
• a circuit block configured to mate with the housing in an installed position in which the contact pins project from the circuit block through the opening in the outer wall, through the passage in the tubular wall, and through the holes in the inner wall.

An apparatus for use with an electrical plug having contact holes for electrical contact pins, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing configured to receive the plug, a portion of the housing having a circular periphery with alignment protrusions;
• a circuit block configured to mate with the housing within the circular periphery of the housing, the circuit block having a polygonal periphery with alignment indentations configured to receive the alignment protrusions on the housing for the circuit block to mate with the housing in only one orientation;
• and
• electrical contact pins projecting from the circuit block to enter the contact holes when the plug is inserted in the housing;
• wherein the alignment indentations on the circuit block interrupt linear sides of the circuit block at locations where the sides would otherwise intersect to define corners of the circuit block.

An apparatus for use with an electrical plug having contact holes for electrical contact pins, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing having a recess configured to receive the plug, the housing further having alignment protrusions at the periphery of the recess;
• a circuit block configured to mate with the housing within the recess, the circuit block having peripheral alignment indentations configured to receive the alignment protrusions on the housing for the circuit block to mate with the housing in only one orientation;
• and
• electrical contact pins projecting from the circuit block to enter the contact holes when the plug is inserted in the housing;
• wherein a first peripheral alignment indentation has a rounded edge mated in point contact with the corresponding alignment protrusion, and a second peripheral alignment indentation has a rounded edge mated in line contact with the corresponding alignment protrusion, when the circuit block is mated with the housing.