Vehicular Camera Test Cover With Spring-Loaded PCB Access

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge in vehicle vision systems is that production units lack test connectors, making circuit board testing difficult and costly, as leads need to be soldered, which can damage the unit and complicate the process.

Innovation Solution

A modular test system with a housing and a detachable test cover that includes spring-loaded connector pins to provide electrical access to internal test points without soldering, allowing for easy and protected testing of production units.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If leads are soldered to test points for circuit board testing, then electrical access to test points is achieved, but the risk of damage to the unit increases and the testing process becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting process simplicityVSAvoiddamage risk to unit

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces spring-loaded connector pins as an intermediary component between the test points and external testing equipment. These pins are pre-installed on the circuit board and provide a mechanical and electrical interface that eliminates the need for soldering leads during testing, thereby reducing damage risk while maintaining testing accessibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded connector pins are pre-installed and positioned on the circuit board before testing occurs. This preliminary placement ensures that test points are already prepared and accessible, eliminating the need for on-site soldering operations and reducing testing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If production units include test connectors, then testing becomes easier and less costly, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting accessibilityVSAvoidmodule structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded connector pins are placed only at specific locations where test points require access, rather than providing universal connectivity across the entire circuit board. This localized approach provides testing capability exactly where needed while minimizing additional complexity in other areas of the module

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The spring-loaded connector pins are designed as simple, inexpensive components that can be easily replaced if needed. Their straightforward mechanical design with spring-loaded contacts provides reliable testing access without the complexity of more permanent or sophisticated connector solutions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Reliability

If the housing is sealed to protect the circuit board, then protection is improved, but access to test points becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecircuit board protectionVSAvoidtest point accessibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The spring-loaded connector pins are nested within the housing structure, with their contact points positioned to engage with test points on the circuit board while remaining accessible from the exterior through openings or access points in the housing. This nested arrangement maintains the protective sealing of the housing while providing external access to internal test points

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

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

Enables efficient and non-destructive testing of vehicle electronics modules by providing external access to internal signals, reducing damage risks and simplifying the testing process while maintaining module protection.

Implementation Method 1

The electrical connector includes one or more spring-loaded connector pins. With the circuit board disposed within the cavity, the one or more spring-loaded connector pins electrically engage the one or more test points of the circuit board.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Implementation Method 2

the one or more spring-loaded connector pins electrically engage the one or more test points of the circuit board

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12184830B2Vehicular camera testing system using spring-loaded electrical connectors

Publication Date: 2024.12.31 MAGNA ELECTRONICS INC

AI summary

A sensor module test system includes a sensor module for a vehicle with a housing portion, a test cover having at least one spring-loaded connector pin, and a circuit board having at least one test point. When the housing portion and the test cover are fastened together, the circuit board is disposed within a cavity within the housing portion and the test cover. With the circuit board disposed within the cavity, the spring-loaded connector pin of the test cover electrically engages the test point of the circuit board. The test cover includes an electrical connector that includes an exterior portion disposed and accessible at an exterior side of the test cover. The spring-loaded connector pin electrically connects the test point to the exterior portion of the electrical connector to provide electrical access to the test point exterior of the test cover.