Apparatus for facilitating automated connection
An apparatus includes a port body for holding a first device and a retainer for retaining the port body. The port body includes a base, a stem extending from the base, and one or more first anti-rotation members disposed at the base. The retainer includes first and second retaining members, with the base of the port body disclosed in between. A through-hole larger than the stem of the port body is formed at the first retaining member, allowing the stem to pass through and to move relative to the first retaining member. One or more second anti-rotation members are disposed at the first or second retaining member and coupled with the one or more first anti-rotation members. The retainer restricts the port body from rotating but allows it to move translationally relative to the retainer to accommodate axial misalignment when connecting the first device with a second device.
1 . An apparatus for facilitating automated connection of a first device and a second device, the apparatus comprising:
a port body comprising:
a base;
a stem extending from the base;
a bore extending from an upper end portion of the stem to a lower end portion of the base and configured for receiving at least a portion of the first device;
a tip disposed at a free end portion of the stem and configured for guiding the second device when connecting the second device and the first device; and
one or more first anti-rotation members disposed at the base; and
a retainer comprising:
a first retaining member having a first surface;
a second retaining member coupled or formed with the first retaining member and having a second surface spaced apart from the first surface of the first retaining member in an axial direction of the port body, wherein the base of the port body is disposed between the first surface of the first retaining member and the second surface of the second retaining member;
a first circular or substantially circular through-hole disposed on the first retaining member and having a diameter larger or substantially larger than an outer diameter of the stem to allow the stem of the port body to pass through and to move relative to the first retaining member; and
one or more second anti-rotation members disposed at the first retaining member or the second retaining member and coupled with the one or more first anti-rotation members to restrict the port body from rotating relative to the retainer,
wherein the port body is movable translationally relative to the retainer in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the port body.
2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base is circular.
3 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base is non-circular.
4 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the base is substantially planar.
5 . The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein a thickness of the base equals or substantially equals a distance between the first surface of the first retaining member and the second surface of the second retaining member.
6 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first device comprises a fluid connector or an electrical connector.
7 . The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the second device comprises a corresponding fluid connector or a corresponding electrical connector.
8 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the stem is circular or substantially circular.
9 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the port body further comprises:
a plurality of internal ribs disposed on an inner surface of the stem and distributed circumferentially, wherein each internal rib in the plurality of internal ribs comprises a surface for abutting an external wall of the first device to secure the first device with the port body.
10 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein each internal rib in at least a subset of the plurality of internal ribs comprises:
a first rib portion disposed at or adjacent the free end portion of the stem; and
a second rib portion disposed between the free end portion of the stem and the base.
11 . The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein the second rib portion contacts with a knurled surface of the first device.
12 . The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein:
the stem comprises a first stem member and a second stem member removably coupled with each other.
13 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein:
at least one internal rib in the plurality of internal ribs is formed on each of the first stem member and the second stem member.
14 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first stem member and the second stem member are coupled with each other by snap-fit.
15 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein
the first stem member comprises a plurality of internal recesses formed on the first stem member; and
the second stem member comprises a plurality of protrusions, each snap-fitted into a corresponding internal recess in the plurality of internal recesses formed on the first stem member.
16 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the first stem member is monolithically formed with the base as a single piece.
17 . The apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the second stem member includes an upper portion, wherein at least a segment of the upper portion is inserted into a groove of the first device, thereby helping to secure the first device on the port body and restrict the first device from moving axially relative to the port body.
18 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second retaining member is a component of the second device.
19 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a second circular or substantially circular through-hole is formed on the second retaining member and concentric with the first circular or substantially circular through-hole formed on the first retaining member.
20 . The apparatus of claim 19 , wherein one or more slots are formed at the second retaining member, each extending from the second circular or substantially circular through-hole to an edge of the second retaining member to accommodate tubing or cable.
21 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
each of the one or more first anti-rotation members is formed adjacent to an outer edge of the base.
22 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:
each of the one or more first anti-rotation members is a pin formed on the base; and
each of the one or more second anti-rotation members is a hole formed on the second retaining member to receive a corresponding pin formed on the base, wherein a size of the hole is larger than a size of the corresponding pin.
23 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the retainer further comprises:
a rim formed on the first surface of the first retaining member or the second surface of the second retaining member to set a boundary for translational movement of the port body.
24 . The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the port body is movable translationally relative to the retainer in the plane substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the port body within a range defined by (i) a gap between the first circular or substantially circular through-hole formed on the first retaining member and the stem, (ii) a gap between each respective first anti-rotation member in the one or more first anti-rotation members and a corresponding second anti-rotation member in the one or more second anti-rotation members, (iii) a gap between the rim formed on the first surface of the first retaining member or the second surface of the second retaining member and an outer edge of the base of the port body, or (iv) a combination thereof.
25 . The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the rim is formed on the second surface of the second retaining member.
26 . The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the rim comprises one or more rim segments.
27 . The apparatus of claim 23 , wherein the rim is in a closed form shape surrounding the base.
28 . An apparatus for facilitating automated connection of a first device and a second device, the apparatus comprising:
a port body comprising:
a base;
a stem extending from the base, wherein at least a portion of the stem comprises a circular or substantially circular cross-section;
a bore extending from an upper end portion of the stem to a lower end portion of the base and configured for receiving at least a portion of the first device; and
a tip disposed at a free end portion of the stem and configured for guiding the second device when connecting the second device and the first device; and
a retainer comprising:
a first retaining member having a first surface;
a second retaining member coupled with the first retaining member and having a second surface spaced apart from the first surface of the first retaining member in an axial direction of the port body, wherein the base of the port body is disposed between the first surface of the first retaining member and the second surface of the second retaining member;
a first circular or substantially circular through-hole formed on the first retaining member and having a diameter larger than an outer diameter of the stem to allow the stem of the port body to pass through and to move relative to the first retaining member; and
a rim formed on the first surface of the first retaining member or the second surface of the second retaining member to set a boundary for translational movement of the port body,
wherein the port body is movable translationally relative to the retainer in a plane substantially perpendicular to the axial direction of the port body within a range defined by (i) a gap between the first circular or substantially circular through-hole formed on the first retaining member and the stem, (ii) a gap between the rim formed on the first surface of the first retaining member or the second surface of the second retaining member and an outer edge of the base of the port body, or (iii) a combination thereof.
29 . An apparatus for facilitating automated connection of a first device and a second device, the apparatus comprising:
a port body comprising:
a base;
a stem extending from the base and comprising a first stem member and a second stem member removably coupled with each other;
a bore extending from an upper end portion of the stem to a lower end portion of the base and configured for receiving at least a portion of the first device;
a tip disposed at a free end portion of the stem and configured for guiding the second device when connecting the second device and the first device; and
a plurality of internal ribs formed on the stem and distributed circumferentially for abutting an external wall of the first device to secure the first device with the port body, wherein (i) at least one internal rib in the plurality of internal ribs is formed on each of the first stem member and the second stem member, and (ii) each internal rib in at least a subset of the plurality of internal ribs comprises a first rib portion disposed at or adjacent the free end portion of the stem and a second rib portion disposed between the free end portion of the stem and the base; and
a retainer coupled with the port body and configured to restrict the port body from rotating relative to the retainer but allow the port body to move translationally relative to the retainer in a plane substantially perpendicular to an axial direction of the port body.
30 . The apparatus of claim 29 , wherein the first stem member is monolithically formed with the base as a single piece.