Arcuate Plunger Flexure Testing for Electronic Circuit Resilience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for testing the resilience of electrical circuits to flexing are time-consuming and inefficient, especially in mass production scenarios, as they require individual testing of each circuit component and printed circuit board.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that utilize support members and a plunger with an arcuate front face to flex electrical circuits by a selected amount, allowing for testing of individual components and fully assembled printed circuit boards for resilience to flexing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If individual testing of each electrical circuit is performed for resilience to flexing, then testing accuracy and reliability are improved, but testing time and productivity deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple individual circuit boards into a single fixture that can hold and test multiple boards simultaneously. The fixture includes multiple support members and plungers arranged to test several circuits in parallel, transforming the process from sequential individual testing to simultaneous batch testing, thereby improving productivity while maintaining testing accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture is designed as a universal testing apparatus that can accommodate and test multiple different electrical circuit boards using the same basic structure. The support members and plungers are configured to work with various circuit board configurations, allowing a single device to perform multiple testing functions simultaneously.
2Manufacturing precision
If precise control of flexure amount is implemented, then manufacturing precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixture is pre-configured with support members and plungers positioned at specific locations and heights before testing begins. The support members are spaced apart to permit flexing by a predetermined amount, and the plungers are positioned to apply force at exact locations, ensuring precise flexure control is built into the fixture structure itself rather than requiring complex active control systems during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The plungers are given an arcuate front face with a radius of curvature that matches the desired flexure path of the circuit boards. This curved geometry naturally guides the boards through the correct flexure arc, ensuring precise control of the flexure amount and path without requiring complex mechanical guidance systems or active control mechanisms.
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
The solution enables efficient testing of electrical circuits for resilience to flexing, ensuring that components and printed circuit boards remain fully operational under minor flexing, thereby improving manufacturing efficiency and product reliability.
Implementation Method 1
the electrical circuit may be subjected to a minor deflection... after which a circuit test is carried out to determine whether or not it survived the flexure test
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2~4
Figure 5A~5B
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a method and apparatus for testing the response of electrical circuits to being flexed. Support members, preferably at least two, are positioned to receive the electrical circuits to be tested. The support members are spaced apart from each other to permit the electrical circuit to be flexed between the two support members. A plunger, having an arcuate front face is positioned between the support members. The plunger is depressed, flexing the electrical circuit a selected amount. After the circuit has been flexed a selected amount, the circuit is tested to determine whether or not it is fully operational after being flexed.