Modular Test Fixture for Electronic Device Calibration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional test fixtures are inflexible and cumbersome, requiring multiple housings and air compressor actuation, making them inefficient for calibrating electronic devices, especially when dealing with different generations or components, and are not easily adaptable for use in retail settings or factory lines.
Innovation Solution
A modular test fixture system with conductive rubber and magnetically attractable modules, an actuator, and a cradle for precise calibration of electronic devices, allowing for single-housing calibration of multiple device components and generations, using electrical actuation instead of air compressors, and a user-friendly software interface for minimal training.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional test fixtures use multiple housings with moving parts for calibration, then specific device components can be calibrated, but the device complexity and footprint increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The test fixture is divided into multiple removable modules, each capable of calibrating a specific device component. These modules can be independently selected and attached to the single housing based on the device being calibrated, eliminating the need for complex integrated housings with multiple moving parts.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture uses an actuator system that can dynamically position and attach the appropriate calibration module to the device under test. This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single housing to perform multiple calibration functions that previously required multiple fixed housings.
2Reliability
If traditional test fixtures use air compressor actuation with multiple housings, then device calibration can be performed, but the footprint and complexity of the fixture increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple calibration housings are merged into a single integrated housing structure. The actuator system and module attachment mechanisms are combined within this single housing, reducing the overall footprint while maintaining all necessary calibration functions through modular operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The single housing is designed with universal attachment interfaces and actuator systems that can accommodate multiple different calibration modules. This multi-functional design allows one housing to perform the functions previously requiring multiple specialized housings, reducing the total space required.
3Reliability
If traditional test fixtures are designed for particular device generations, then specific devices can be calibrated, but adaptability to new device generations is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The calibration functionality is segmented into separate removable modules rather than being hard-coded into the housing structure. Each module can be independently designed and updated for specific device generations or component types, allowing the system to adapt to new devices while maintaining precise calibration capabilities for each generation.
Solution Approach 2:
The fixture system allows changes in calibration parameters and module configurations based on the device generation being calibrated. The actuator system and module selection can be programmed with different parameters for different device types, enabling the same physical fixture to adapt to evolving device specifications without hardware redesign.
4Reliability
If traditional test fixtures require placing device into multiple housings for different components, then comprehensive calibration can be achieved, but calibration time and process complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator system dynamically positions and attaches the appropriate calibration module directly to the device under test in a single housing. This eliminates the repeated manual operations of removing and repositioning the device between multiple housings, significantly reducing calibration time while maintaining comprehensive calibration coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The appropriate calibration module is pre-selected and positioned within the single housing before the device is introduced. The actuator system is pre-programmed with the correct attachment sequence and parameters for the specific device type, eliminating setup time and allowing immediate calibration upon device insertion.
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 efficient, time-saving calibration of electronic devices with minimal training, adaptable for various device generations and components, reducing complexity and footprint, suitable for retail and factory line use, and ensuring settings are restored to original factory specifications.
Implementation Method 1
an actuator. In some embodiments, the end unit and the actuator move the first module from a first position to a second position
Implementation Method 2
The second end may include a magnetically attractable member
Data Source
AI summary
A test fixture used to calibrate an electronic device is disclosed. The test fixture includes several modules positioned on a rack. The modules may include either a stimulus member or light-absorbing material. An actuator connected to an end unit is configured to engage any one of the several modules and transport the module from the rack to a location over the electronic device. At least one module can calibrate a touch sensor of the electronic device, while at least another module can calibrate a proximity sensor of the electronic device. In some cases, an additional module is configured to calibrate a touch sensor of a second electronic device, such as a previous generation of an electronic device or an electronic device having a different dimension. The electronic device can lie on a cradle that may be identified by a feature on the cradle, such as a magnet.