Inspection Tool With Extendable Intermediary Contact for Durability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing inspection jigs are prone to damage due to direct contact with the inspection target.

Innovation Solution

An inspection jig design featuring a substrate, movable members, extendable members, and elastic members that allow for electrical connection without direct physical contact, utilizing movable members to press extendable members against the substrate for connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the probe is configured to directly contact the inspection target, then electrical connection is achieved, but the inspection jig is likely to be damaged

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidinspection jig durability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an extendable member as an intermediary between the movable member and the substrate. This extendable member can be pressed by the movable member to make contact with the inspection target connector, thereby achieving electrical connection while preventing direct contact between the inspection jig's substrate and the inspection target, thus reducing damage risk to the inspection jig

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a movable member that can move relative to the extendable member holding portion, with an elastic member providing biasing force. This dynamic structure allows the extendable member to be pressed against the substrate only when needed for electrical connection, while maintaining separation during non-operational states, thereby protecting the inspection jig from continuous contact damage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 design reduces the likelihood of damage to the inspection jig while ensuring reliable electrical connection to the inspection target.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member that biases the movable member and the extendable member holding portion to be separated from each other

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElastic force: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the movable member presses the extendable member, the extendable member presses the substrate, and the substrate is electrically connected to the inspection target connector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMechanical force: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP4624937A1Inspection tool
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 YOKOWO CO LTD
  • EP4624937A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4624937A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4624937A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided is an inspection tool that does not readily break. An inspection tool 1 comprises: a substrate that can be electrically connected to a connector 100 being inspected; a movable member that can be moved; a stretchable member that can be stretched; a stretchable member holding unit that holds the stretchable member; and an elastic member that urges the movable member and the stretchable member holding unit away from each other. When the movable member is brought closer to the stretchable member holding unit so that the elastic member contracts by a predetermined amount or more, the movable member pushes the stretchable member and the stretchable member pushes the substrate, resulting in a state in which the substrate is electrically connected to the connector 100 being inspected.