Magnetic Resilience in Double-Lever Circuit Board Clamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clamping devices for circuit boards during testing lack efficient and reliable mechanisms to open and close jaws manually while maintaining stability on a surface, and they often pose risks to electronic components due to strong magnetic fields when using strong magnets.
Innovation Solution
A clamping apparatus utilizing a class-1 double-lever clothes-pin configuration with permanent magnets in repulsion, where the magnets are securely mounted in robust levers to maintain alignment and provide a controlled clamping force, allowing easy manual operation and adjustment, while minimizing magnetic interference with circuit boards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If strong magnets are used to provide clamping force, then the clamping force is improved, but magnetic interference with electronic components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a non-magnetic intermediary material (such as plastic or wood) between the magnets and the circuit board. This mediator allows the magnetic field to pass through while physically isolating the electronic components from direct magnetic exposure, thus maintaining clamping force while reducing magnetic interference with sensitive electronics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the magnetic field generation function from direct contact with the circuit board by placing magnets on the operator's side of the non-magnetic barrier. This separation removes the harmful magnetic interference from the electronic components while preserving the necessary clamping force through the intermediary material.
2Stability of the object's composition
If magnets are used to hold the clamp unit stationary on the tabletop, then stability is improved, but ease of movement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a non-magnetic barrier material with specific magnetic permeability characteristics. This local material property allows the clamp unit to be held stationary through controlled magnetic attraction to the tabletop while still permitting easy movement when the operator applies sufficient force to overcome the magnetic holding effect.
3Ease of operation
If the clamp unit is designed to be easily moved on the surface, then ease of operation is improved, but stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by adjusting the magnetic field strength and the magnetic permeability of the barrier material to create a dynamic balance. The magnetic holding force is strong enough to maintain stability during normal operation but can be easily overcome by manual intervention to move the clamp unit when needed.
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 solution enables efficient manual operation of the clamp, providing a predictable and adjustable clamping force that securely holds circuit boards without risking electronic components, and allows the clamp to be easily moved on a surface while maintaining stability through controlled magnetic attraction.
Implementation Method 1
The magnets 34,35 are arranged with the respective same-poles of the magnets facing each other, in opposition, whereby the magnets repel each other
Implementation Method 2
the magnetic attraction is sufficient to hold the clamp unit stationary and firmly with respect to the tabletop
Data Source
AI summary
The clamp-unit is arranged in class-1 double-lever configuration. The levers carry a pair of jaws at one end, and magnets at the other end. The magnets are arranged in repulsive pairs, whereby the magnets urge the jaws together.