Electronic Component Inspection Using Redundant Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing inspection systems for soldering junctions on electronic components cannot easily detect unstable or faulty connections, especially after the components are integrated into products and shipped, requiring a special inspection apparatus for diagnosis.
Innovation Solution
An electronic component with a transmitting and receiving unit and a detection controller that uses redundant terminals switchable with pull-up or pull-down resistors to apply a voltage and detect input voltages, allowing for inspection without a special apparatus by comparing detected voltages to expected patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a special inspection apparatus is used to detect poor soldering connections, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic component performs self-inspection by using its own redundant terminals to detect soldering quality. The component switches inspection terminals to input mode with pull-up resistors, applies voltages, and detects input voltages to determine connection status, eliminating the need for external special inspection apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses redundant terminals as intermediaries to inspect functional terminals. By switching redundant terminals to inspection mode and measuring their input voltages, the system indirectly detects the soldering quality of functional terminals without requiring direct optical or mechanical inspection equipment.
2Ease of operation
If visual inspection methods are used to check soldering junctions, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces visual inspection methods with electrical measurement. Instead of relying on optical detection or mechanical probing, the system uses voltage detection at inspection terminals to determine soldering quality, providing both simplicity and precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the inspection parameter from visual appearance to electrical voltage measurement. By applying voltages through pull-up resistors and measuring input voltages at inspection terminals, the system detects soldering quality through electrical parameters rather than visual parameters.
3Reliability
If inspection is performed after product shipment, then reliability is improved, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates inspection functionality into the electronic component itself during the manufacturing process. By providing redundant terminals configured for inspection before shipment, the system enables quality verification without requiring time-consuming post-shipment inspections, as the component can be inspected immediately upon receipt.
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 prompt and easy inspection of the mounting state on a substrate without a special inspection apparatus, allowing for detection of faulty connections that would otherwise be difficult to identify, facilitating on-site repair and reducing inspection time.
Implementation Method 1
switches the respective inspection terminals over to be an input terminal either with a pull-up resistor or a pull-down resistor so that a predetermined voltage can be applied to the respective inspection terminals, detects input voltages of the inspection terminals
Data Source
AI summary
A CPU 14 built in to a device 1 starts inspection processing in response to an I/F 17 having received an inspection start command from an external terminal 3, switches an inspection terminal 13, which is a redundant terminal 11, over to be an input terminal with a pull-up resistor, applies a predetermined voltage to the inspection terminal 13, detects the input voltage of the inspection terminal 13, and transmits the detected input voltage as an inspection result to the external terminal 3.