Circuit Board Probe Layout for Stable Full-Trace Measurement

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing circuit board detection devices suffer from low stability in measurement results due to gantry support shaking during probing, which affects production capacity and requires a larger device footprint to accommodate the necessary movement range for complete trace measurement.

Innovation Solution

A circuit board detection device design that fixes the gantry support and allows the platform to be movable and rotatable, reducing the required movement distance and incorporating a rotatable probe assembly and shorter intermediate transmission lines to minimize shaking and stabilize measurements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the gantry support is allowed to move along the first axial direction to enable complete trace measurement, then the measurement coverage is improved, but the gantry support shakes during probing due to inertial factors, resulting in low stability of measurement results

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement stabilityVSAvoidmeasurement coverage

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional design by making the platform movable instead of the gantry support. The gantry support is fixed to eliminate shaking, while the platform moves along the first axial direction to enable complete trace measurement. This inversion resolves the contradiction by transferring the movement function from the gantry support to the platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the movement functions by separating the gantry support (fixed, provides stability) from the platform (movable, provides coverage). The platform is divided into movable and rotatable parts, allowing different components to fulfill different functions - the movable platform enables trace measurement while the fixed gantry support ensures measurement stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the platform is made movable along the first axial direction to enable complete trace measurement, then the measurement coverage is improved, but the device footprint increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrace measurement capabilityVSAvoiddevice footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional design by making the platform movable instead of the gantry support. The gantry support is fixed to eliminate shaking, while the platform moves along the first axial direction to enable complete trace measurement. This inversion resolves the contradiction by transferring the movement function from the gantry support to the platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes rotational movement as an additional dimension to reduce the linear movement distance required. By enabling the platform to rotate along with its linear movement, the system can access all trace areas with a smaller movement range, thereby reducing the device footprint while maintaining complete measurement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If the gantry support is fixed to eliminate shaking, then measurement stability is improved, but the probe set cannot reach contacts away from the probe set, making it impossible to perform measurements of contact connection traces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement stabilityVSAvoidprobe coverage range

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional design by making the platform movable instead of the gantry support. The gantry support is fixed to eliminate shaking, while the platform moves along the first axial direction to enable complete trace measurement. This inversion resolves the contradiction by transferring the movement function from the gantry support to the platform.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic movement capabilities to the platform, allowing it to move along the first axial direction and rotate. This dynamic platform compensates for the fixed gantry support, ensuring that the probe set can reach all contacts on the circuit board while maintaining measurement stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS12571834B2Circuit board detection device

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 MPI CORP

AI summary

A circuit board detection device includes a base, a stage assembly, a first gantry support, and a first probe assembly. The stage assembly is arranged on the base and includes a linear drive module, a rotary motor, and a platform. The platform is configured to carry a circuit board and can be driven by the linear drive module to move along a first axial direction. The platform can also be driven by the rotary motor to rotate relative to a first rotation axis. The first gantry support is fixed on the base and includes a first beam. The first beam extends along a second axial direction perpendicular to the first axial direction to span over the linear drive module, and includes a first probe guide rail. The first probe assembly is arranged on the first probe guide rail to be movable along the second axial direction.