Solderless Breadboard With Rotatable Pegs For Flexible Circuit Connections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prototyping boards, such as solderless breadboards, lack flexibility in constructing and modifying electrical circuits, particularly at higher frequencies, due to limitations in making and breaking connections along conductor rows.
Innovation Solution
A solderless breadboard with moveable electrically conductive line sections and rotatable pegs that can be inserted into the board, allowing for the breaking and making of connections by a camming action, providing reversible and flexible circuit construction similar to stripboards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional solderless breadboards are used, then circuit construction is simple and reversible, but flexibility in making and breaking connections along conductor rows is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The breadboard is divided into modular sections with individual conductor rows that can be independently controlled. Each conductor row contains multiple isolatable segments that can be connected or disconnected through rotatable pegs, allowing flexible circuit construction without requiring a complete redesign of the entire breadboard structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The breadboard incorporates rotatable pegs that can dynamically change the connectivity state of conductor rows. These pegs allow users to switch between connected and isolated states on-demand, providing dynamic adaptability for different circuit configurations while maintaining a relatively simple overall breadboard structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If stripboards are used, then flexibility in making and breaking connections is improved, but reversibility and ease of modification are reduced due to soldered components
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses rotatable pegs to create dynamically reconfigurable connections without soldering. Users can easily modify circuits by rotating pegs to change connection states, combining the connection flexibility of stripboards with the ease of modification and reversibility characteristic of solderless breadboards.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the permanent mechanical bonding of soldering with a reversible mechanical switching mechanism. The rotatable pegs provide a simple mechanical means to make or break connections, eliminating the need for soldering tools and procedures while maintaining secure electrical contacts.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple connection points are added along conductor rows, then circuit construction flexibility is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The conductor rows are segmented into multiple independently controllable sections, each with its own rotatable peg for connection control. This segmentation allows multiple connection points along each conductor row without requiring complex additional structures, as each segment uses a standardized simple mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable peg mechanism serves multiple functions: it acts as a connection switch, a position indicator, and a mounting element. This multi-functionality allows multiple connection points to be implemented along conductor rows without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as the same basic mechanism is reused throughout the breadboard.
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
This solution enhances flexibility in circuit construction by allowing multiple points of connection along a conductor row, addressing the limitations of traditional solderless breadboards and achieving the flexibility of stripboards while maintaining the reversibility of solderless breadboards.
Implementation Method 1
The cylindrical shaft includes a camming portion which is further from the head portion in one part than another so that, when the peg is rotated, a camming action of the further part on the moveable section moves it between a closed and an open position
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention provide a solderless breadboard for prototyping electrical circuits. The breadboard includes a plurality of electrically conductive lines arranged parallel to each other on an electrically non-conductive breadboard structure. An electrically conductive line includes a plurality of electrical insertion positions and at an electrical insertion position a moveable electrically conductive line section which is operable for breaking the electrically conductive line in moving from a closed to an open position. A plurality of pegs are inserted into the breadboard structure at electrical insertion positions to contact the moveable sections. A peg is rotatable after insertion and includes a head portion and a cylindrical shaft extending from the head portion to a terminating foot. The shaft includes a centrally arranged channel extending from an opening in the head portion towards the terminating foot.