Adjustable Probe Cover for Universal Socket Attachment

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing method of fixing a probe cover to a socket using screws is costly and time-consuming due to the need for custom design to match various socket shapes, requiring significant design man-hours and production costs.

Innovation Solution

A probe cover with a base, positioning pins, and supporting members that can be adjusted to fit different socket shapes, allowing for customizable separation distance and locking mechanisms for secure attachment without screws.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a probe cover is fixed to a socket by screwing with multiple holes, then the attachment is secure, but the design must be custom-made for each socket shape, increasing design time and cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattachment securityVSAvoidcompatibility with different socket shapes

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The probe cover base is designed with a universal structure that can accommodate multiple socket shapes through adjustable positioning pins. The base includes a positioning pin holding portion with through-holes that allow positioning pins to be inserted at various locations, enabling the same probe cover to fit different socket configurations without custom design for each socket type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The positioning pins are made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing their positions to be changed according to different socket hole patterns. The pin holding portion enables the pins to be relocated to different through-holes, providing dynamic adaptability to various socket shapes while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If multiple positioning holes are provided for screwing, then the probe cover can be securely fixed, but the design complexity increases for different socket types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefixing stabilityVSAvoiddesign complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The base is segmented into multiple regions with through-holes arranged at different positions, allowing the positioning pins to be selectively placed in appropriate holes depending on the socket shape. This segmentation enables a single base design to handle multiple socket configurations without increasing overall design complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If the probe cover is designed to fit various socket shapes, then versatility improves, but the positioning precision may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with different socket shapesVSAvoidpositioning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The positioning pins serve a dual function: they provide precise positioning when inserted through the through-holes to match socket hole patterns, and they can be relocated to different holes to adapt to various socket shapes. The system uses itself (the adjustable pin positions) to achieve both precision and versatility without external assistance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10324110B2Probe cover

Publication Date: 2019.06.18 YOKOWO CO LTD

AI summary

A probe cover which is to be attached to a socket that is configured to support a plurality of contact probes, includes: a base; two positioning pins which are disposed on the base; and at least one supporting member which is disposed on the base. The two positioning pins and the supporting member are capable of positioning the base in a state where the base is separated from the socket by a predetermined distance, and a mutual separation distance between the two positioning pins is changeable.