Detector Housing for Conductive Pin Penetration Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for verifying proper assembly of compliant pins on printed circuit boards (PCBs) are subjective and operator-dependent, making it difficult to quantify penetration and requiring additional costly visual inspection steps, especially when components are supported by manufacturing equipment.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using a detector housing with switches and sensors mounted on a press tool to detect the penetration of conductive pins through the PCB, ensuring proper mating and electrical contact during the assembly process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If visual inspection is used to verify compliant pin penetration, then assembly verification is achieved, but the process becomes subjective, operator-dependent, and requires additional costly inspection steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual inspection (optical/mechanical system) with electrical contact detection. Electrical contacts are positioned to detect pin penetration through the PCB, converting the verification process from subjective visual assessment to objective electrical signal detection, thereby eliminating operator dependence and additional inspection steps
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces electrical contacts as intermediary elements between the compliant pins and the detection system. These contacts serve as mediators that translate physical pin penetration into detectable electrical signals, enabling automated verification without direct visual inspection of the assembly
2Manufacturing precision
If components are supported by manufacturing equipment during assembly, then proper positioning and force application are achieved, but visual inspection during assembly becomes difficult or impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces electrical contacts as intermediary sensing elements that can detect pin penetration without interfering with the manufacturing equipment's support function. These contacts are positioned to make electrical contact when pins penetrate the PCB, providing detection capability while the equipment maintains proper positioning and application force
3Measurement precision
If additional visual inspection steps are added after assembly, then pin penetration verification is achieved, but manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements detection during the assembly process itself rather than as a subsequent step. The electrical contacts are positioned to detect pin penetration at the moment it occurs, providing real-time verification that eliminates the need for separate post-assembly inspection operations
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces multi-step visual inspection processes with integrated electrical detection. The electrical contacts provide immediate, objective feedback on pin penetration during assembly, eliminating the need for additional inspection steps and associated costs
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 provides reliable detection of compliant pin penetration, eliminating the need for post-assembly inspection and reducing costs by integrating feedback into the assembly process, ensuring consistent and quantifiable electrical contact.
Implementation Method 1
The switches change state when the conductive pins penetrate through the circuit board by a predetermined amount
Data Source
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AI summary
An apparatus (40) for detecting a location of conductive pins (18) with respect to a circuit board (12) during an assembly process using a press tool to mate the circuit board (12) and the conductive pins (18) includes a detector housing (54) holding a plurality of switches (63) aligned with corresponding conductive pins (18), wherein the detector housing (54) is configured to be mounted to the press tool used during the assembly process. The switches (63) change state based on the location of the conductive pins (18) with respect to the circuit board (12). The apparatus further includes a sensor (56) electrically coupled with the plurality of switches (63), wherein the sensor (56) monitors the change of state of each switch (63) to indicate that the respective conductive pins (18) are properly mated with the circuit board (12).