Lockable Base Module With Orthogonal Fixation for Test Assemblies

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing test systems for electrical assemblies face challenges in safely arranging and exchanging electrical components without causing mechanical or electrical damage, as they are sensitive to such influences.

Innovation Solution

A lockable base module with a pivotable support element and a fixing module that allows for a two-phase movement, ensuring orthogonal fixation and even force application, preventing mechanical stress and maintaining electrical contact integrity during assembly replacement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional test system uses a simple opening mechanism for replacing electrical assemblies, then the device complexity is reduced, but the mechanical stress on electrical assemblies increases and the reliability of safe arrangement deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafe arrangement of electrical assemblyVSAvoidcomplexity of support element mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support element is designed to be pivotable relative to the first support element, transitioning between open and closed positions. This dynamic mechanism allows controlled movement that prevents improper mechanical stress while enabling safe arrangement and replacement of electrical assemblies, resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The test system is divided into separate support elements (first support element and pivotable support element) that can move independently. This segmentation allows the fixing module to be applied selectively when needed, improving safety without requiring the entire system to be complex, thus resolving the contradiction between reliability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If the support element moves directly in linear direction without pivoting motion, then the device complexity is reduced, but the mechanical stress on electrical assemblies increases and even force application cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveeven force applicationVSAvoidmovement mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The support element employs a two-phase movement mechanism: first pivoting relative to the first support element, then moving linearly in the direction of the first support element. This dynamic sequence ensures orthogonal fixation and even force application during the closing motion, resolving the contradiction between stability of force application and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pivoting motion occurs at the beginning of the closing process, before the linear movement phase. This preliminary action positions the fixing module correctly to apply force orthogonally, ensuring even force distribution on the electrical assembly before the final linear pressing occurs, thus resolving the contradiction between stability and device complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3819647B1Lockable base module for modular test system for testing electrical assemblies
Publication Date: 2025.12.31 YAMAICHI ELECTRONICS DEUTSCHLAND GMBH
  • EP3819647B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3819647B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3819647B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

One aspect concerns a lockable base module (14) for a modular test system (10) for testing electrical assemblies, comprising: - a first support element (24) which provides a receiving space (26) for receiving a test module (16), wherein an electrical assembly to be tested can be arranged on the test module (16); - a second support element (28) pivotably mounted relative to the first support element (24), which is designed to receive a fixing module (22) for fixing the electrical assembly to be tested on the test module (16); - an operating unit (100) pivotably mounted on the first support element (24), which is guided on the second support element (28), wherein by pivoting the operating unit (100) relative to the first support element (24), the second support element (28) is moved into an open position,in which the electrical assembly to be tested is released by the fixing module (22), and is movable into a closed position in which the electrical assembly to be tested is fixed to the test module (16) by the fixing module (22), and wherein the second support member (28) follows a movement from the open position to the closed position by pivoting the operating unit (100) such that at the beginning of the movement of the second support member (28), the second support member (28) is pivoted relative to the first support member (24), and at the end of the movement, the second support member (28) is moved linearly in the direction of the first support member (24).