Linear Probe Asymmetric Body Prevents Rotation and Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional linear probes in probe heads suffer from inconsistent bending direction, moving behavior, self-rotation, probe drop, and probe escape due to inconsistent deformation and assembly issues, leading to potential short circuits and wear.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a linear probe with a tail, body, and head portion, where at least one of these is flattened to create distinct width axes, allowing controlled deformation and movement, and the use of offset installation holes in the die units to prevent interference and ensure consistent behavior, with additional stopping features to prevent probe drop and escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional linear probes are used with horizontal displacement of upper and lower dies, then the body portions of probes can provide elastic adjusting effect and buffering effect, but the body portions of adjacent probes may collide with each other causing wear and potential short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is designed with non-uniform cross-sectional dimensions along its length. Specifically, the body portion has different first and second width dimensions, where the first width is larger than the second width. This local variation in geometry creates asymmetric elastic deformation characteristics that prevent collision between adjacent probes while maintaining the required elastic adjusting and buffering effects.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional linear probes are used with horizontal displacement of upper and lower dies, then probes can be assembled in the probe head, but the probes may rotate during assembly or maintenance causing inconsistent bending direction
Solution Approach 1:
The probe employs asymmetric cross-sectional dimensions throughout its structure. The body portion specifically has a first width dimension that is larger than the second width dimension, creating an asymmetric geometry that prevents rotation during assembly. This asymmetric design ensures that all probes in the probe head bend in a consistent direction when subjected to horizontal displacement of the upper and lower dies, eliminating the rotation problem while maintaining ease of assembly.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional linear probes are used, then probes can be inserted through die holes, but probe drop or probe escape may occur during assembly or maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The probe features localized dimensional variations at critical positions. The body portion has specific first and second width dimensions that create interference fit characteristics, preventing probe drop or escape while allowing smooth insertion through the die holes. The asymmetric dimensions are strategically positioned to provide retention without complicating the insertion process.
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 design ensures consistent bending direction and movement of probes, prevents self-rotation, and reduces the risk of short circuits and assembly issues, enhancing the elastic and buffering effects while maintaining probe integrity.
Implementation Method 1
the body portion 166 of each probe 16 can provide an elastically adjusting effect to cause the head portion 162 to be in contact with and electrically connected with the conductive contact pad of the device under test positively
Implementation Method 2
a buffering effect to avoid damage or excessive wear to the conductive contact pad of the device under test or the probe due to an excessive contact force
Data Source
AI summary
A probe head includes a linear probe which is flattened at least one of tail, body and head portions thereof and thereby defined with first and second width axes, along which each of the tail, body and head portions is defined with first and second widths, and upper and lower die units having upper and lower installation holes respectively, wherein the tail and head portions are inserted respectively, which are offset from each other along the second width axis so that the body portion is curved. The first and second widths of the body portion are respectively larger and smaller than the first and second widths of at least one of the tail and head portions. As a result, the probes of the same probe head are consistent in bending direction and moving behavior and prevented from rotation, drop and escape.