Electric Connection Device Fixing Component Probe Head Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

The formation of through-holes in circuit trace-included members reduces routing efficiency and increases manufacturing costs due to lower flexibility in interconnection layout and the need for larger areas or multilayer structures to prevent probe head deflection.

Innovation Solution

An electric connection device with fixing components protruding from the probe head and anchored to the circuit trace-included member, allowing adjustment to prevent probe head deflection without penetrating the circuit trace-included members, thus maintaining routing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If through-holes are formed in circuit trace-included members to allow fixing components to penetrate, then probe head deflection is minimized, but routing efficiency decreases and manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe head stabilityVSAvoidrouting efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing component is divided into two separate parts: a fixing portion attached to the probe head and a supporting portion attached to the circuit trace-included member. This segmentation eliminates the need for through-holes while maintaining structural stability, as each part is independently fixed to its respective component.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing component acts as an intermediary element between the probe head and the circuit trace-included member. By using this intermediate component with distinct fixing and supporting portions, the patent achieves stable connection without penetrating the circuit trace-included member, thus preserving routing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If through-holes are formed in circuit trace-included members, then probe head deflection is minimized, but manufacturing cost increases due to larger area or multilayer structures required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe head stabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing component is segmented into a fixing portion and a supporting portion, allowing independent optimization of each part's function. This eliminates the need for complex through-hole structures or multilayer designs, simplifying manufacturing while maintaining stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of penetrating the circuit trace-included member with a single through-hole fixing component, the patent inverts the approach by using a supporting portion that attaches to the circuit trace-included member from one side, eliminating the need for through-holes and reducing manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Stability of the object's composition

If fixing components penetrate circuit trace-included members, then probe head deflection is prevented, but regions where traces cannot be arranged increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprobe head stabilityVSAvoidtrace arrangement area

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional fixing approach by having the supporting portion of the fixing component attach to the circuit trace-included member without penetration. This eliminates the need for through-holes and their associated keep-out zones, maximizing the area available for trace arrangement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing component is designed with localized functionality: the fixing portion attaches to the probe head while the supporting portion attaches to the circuit trace-included member. This local differentiation allows stable fixation without creating large non-traceable regions, as the supporting portion can be positioned to minimize impact on trace routing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS11150268B2Electric connection device

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 NIHON MICRONICS KK

AI summary

An electric connection device, includes: a circuit trace-included member (30); a probe (10) including a base that connects to a circuit trace formed in the circuit trace-included member (30) and a tip that comes into contact with an inspection subject (2); a probe head (20) which is provided next to the circuit trace-included member (30) and holds the probe (10); and a fixing component (100) which is located in the probe head (20) with an end protruding from the probe head (20) toward the circuit trace-included member (30), the end being fixed to a fixing surface (301) of the circuit trace-included member (30) that faces the probe head (20) to connect the probe head (20) and the circuit trace-included member (30).