Circuit Board Short Detection Using AC Voltage Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional testing devices for circuit board devices are manually operated and location-specific, making it impractical to efficiently locate faults in complex circuit boards.

Innovation Solution

A testing device with drive and sensing electrodes, a controller unit, and a testing probe that generates an AC current source signal to detect short circuit conditions by analyzing voltage signals across multiple locations on the circuit board, using a controller unit to determine the location of the short circuit based on voltage signal thresholds and generate indications to guide the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual probing is used to locate faults on circuit boards, then testing can be performed, but the process becomes impractical and time-consuming as circuit board complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting efficiencyVSAvoidcircuit board complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical probing with an automated electrical field-based detection system. The controller unit automatically generates AC current source signals and detects voltage signals at multiple locations without requiring manual physical probing, thereby resolving the contradiction between testing efficiency and circuit board complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the testing approach from manual physical probing to automated electrical parameter measurement. By generating AC current source signals and measuring voltage signals at multiple locations, the system transforms the testing process into an automated parameter-based detection method that scales with circuit board complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If manual probing is used to locate faults, then fault detection is possible, but the time required for testing increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefault location precisionVSAvoidtesting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The controller unit automatically performs preliminary actions by generating AC current source signals and detecting voltage signals at multiple locations before manual intervention is needed. This automated preliminary detection narrows down the search area, significantly reducing the time required for manual fault location while maintaining precision

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from voltage signal measurements at multiple locations to automatically determine the location of short circuit conditions. The controller unit analyzes the voltage signals and provides feedback to identify the fault location, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual probing while maintaining accurate fault detection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Automates the detection of short circuit conditions, enabling efficient and precise fault location on complex circuit boards without manual probing, reducing waste and improving testing efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

The controller unit is configured to generate an alternating current (AC) current source signal at the at least one drive electrode

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAC current generation:

Implementation Method 2

detect a plurality of voltage signals for the plurality of locations on the DUT

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVoltage detection:

Implementation Method 3

The controller unit is configured to determine a given location on the DUT to be adjacent to the short circuit condition based upon plurality of voltage signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS20250355059A1Testing device for short circuit condition and related methods

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 SELIMA PARTNERS LLC

AI summary

A testing device is for detecting a short circuit condition in a DUT. The testing device includes a drive electrode to be coupled to the DUT, a sensing electrode to be coupled to the DUT, and a testing probe to be selectively coupled to locations on the DUT. The testing device also includes a controller unit coupled to the drive electrode, the sensing electrode, and the testing probe. The controller unit is configured to generate an AC current source signal at the drive electrode, at the testing probe, detect voltage signals for the locations on the DUT, and determine a given location on the DUT to be adjacent to the short circuit condition based upon voltage signals for the locations on the DUT.