Compressible Pin Assembly Frictionless Contact Elements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pogo pins used in testing IC devices experience wear and tear due to friction between contact elements and the housing, leading to increased contact resistance and reduced signal quality over time.
Innovation Solution
A compressible contact pin design featuring frictionlessly connected contact elements, where a deformable conductor couples the contact elements without surface contact, reducing wear and maintaining signal integrity through a compressible member that absorbs force and reverts to its natural state.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contact elements are connected through a housing, then electrical connection is maintained, but friction and wear occur between contact elements and housing
Solution Approach 1:
A deformable conductor is introduced as an intermediary element between the first and second contact elements. This deformable conductor provides the electrical connection while eliminating direct contact between contact elements and the housing, thereby removing the source of friction and wear. The intermediary transfers both electrical signals and mechanical deformation without surface contact.
Solution Approach 2:
The rigid mechanical connection through the housing is replaced with a flexible deformable conductor that can bend and deform. This substitution replaces the mechanical friction-based connection with a flexible electrical connection that accommodates compression through elastic deformation rather than mechanical sliding contact.
2Reliability
If contact elements remain in constant contact with housing during compression, then electrical connection is maintained, but contact resistance increases due to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable conductor serves as an intermediary that maintains electrical continuity between contact elements without requiring them to slide against the housing. This eliminates wear-induced contact resistance while preserving continuous electrical connection throughout the compression cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a rigid fixed-geometry connection to a flexible connection where the deformable conductor changes its shape and dimensions during compression. This parameter change allows the conductor to accommodate displacement while maintaining electrical contact, preventing resistance increase from wear.
3Force
If spring compresses to exert force on contact pad, then contact force is applied, but friction between contact elements and housing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rigid mechanical linkage that transmits spring force through the housing is replaced with a deformable conductor that transmits force through elastic deformation. This substitution eliminates friction between contact elements and housing while maintaining the spring's ability to exert force on the contact pad.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static rigid connection to a dynamic flexible connection where the deformable conductor continuously adapts its shape during compression and decompression. This dynamic flexibility allows force transmission without friction, as the conductor deforms elastically rather than sliding against surfaces.
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 reduces wear and tear along the signal path, preserving signal quality and extending the usable life of the contact pin by eliminating friction between contact elements and the housing during compression and decompression.
Implementation Method 1
The pogo pin 100 is made up of two contact elements 110 and 120, held together by a spring 130 and a housing 140
Implementation Method 2
the spring 130 compresses to exert force on the contact pad of the IC device
Implementation Method 3
a deformable conductor couples the contact elements without surface contact
Implementation Method 4
a compressible member that absorbs force and reverts to its natural state
Data Source
AI summary
A compressible contact pin. The contact pin includes a first contact element and a second contact element. A compressible member is coupled between the first contact element and the second contact element to compress when one or more external forces are applied between the first contact element and the second contact element. In addition, the compressible member maintains a separation distance between the first and second contact elements when no external forces are applied. An elastomeric connector is coupled between the first contact element and the second contact element. The elastomeric connector electrically couples the first contact element to the second contact element by deforming when the one or more external forces are applied between the first contact element and the second contact element.