Elastomeric Probe for Non-Damaging Electrical Measurements
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for acquiring electrical measurements from small objects like Zebra strips on circuit boards often damage the objects due to the use of metal pins, and making four-wire connections is particularly challenging.
Innovation Solution
An electrical probe with a truncated front end and an elastomeric connector, where the elastomeric connector is made of carbon-filled silicone rubber with conductive and nonconductive layers, is used to secure inside the probe's cavity, enabling secure and damage-free electrical connections to small objects.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If metal pins are used to probe small objects on circuit boards, then electrical connections can be established, but the metal pins can damage the object being probed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter of the probe tip from hard metal to soft elastomeric material. This parameter change allows the probe to deform elastically upon contact, distributing the contact force over a larger area and preventing damage to the probed object while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the elastomeric material's conductivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material structure for the elastomeric connector, combining conductive elastomeric material with non-conductive support structures. This composite approach provides both the mechanical flexibility needed to prevent damage and the electrical conductivity required for reliable measurements, resolving the contradiction between connection reliability and object protection.
2Measurement precision
If four-wire measurement technique is used to improve measurement quality, then measurement precision is improved, but making four connections on a small object becomes even more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric connector is segmented into multiple conductive elements within a single connector body, allowing multiple electrical contacts (up to four for four-wire measurements) to be made simultaneously through one insertion action. This segmentation enables precise measurement capabilities while simplifying the operational complexity of making multiple connections.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple conductive pathways are nested within the single elastomeric connector structure, with conductive layers embedded within non-conductive layers. This nested configuration allows multiple electrical connections to be integrated into one compact component, enabling four-wire measurements without requiring separate connection operations for each wire.
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 allows for accurate and non-damaging electrical measurements by providing a flexible and conductive interface that prevents damage to the objects being probed, while enabling single or dual wire connections with improved measurement quality.
Implementation Method 1
The at least one conductive layer is comprised of carbon filled silicone rubber material
Implementation Method 2
an elastomeric connector adapted to at least partially fit inside the cavity, the elastomeric connector enabling electrical connection to an electronic device
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a method and an apparatus for acquiring electrical measurements of an electronic device. The method and the apparatus comprise securing an elastomeric connector at least partially inside a cavity within a truncated front end of an electrical probe, wherein the electrical probe is physically and electrically coupled to an electric cable; physically and electrically coupling the electric cable to a data processor; electrically connecting the elastomeric connector end to said electronic device; and outputting electrical measurement data from the elastomeric connector end through the electric cable to said data processor. The advantages are that the connection can be single wire per probe or two wires per probe, with only a single physical connection required, and the lack of probe damage to the feature being probed.