Probe Unit Base Member Snap-Fit Guide for Rigidity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional probe unit technologies face challenges in maintaining rigidity due to the need for screw insertion, which reduces the thickness of the base member and involves troublesome manufacturing operations.

Innovation Solution

A probe-unit base member with a guide member made of material with higher antistatic properties, featuring a larger second opening and a stepped surface, allowing for air flow and eliminating the need for screwing, thus increasing the substrate thickness and improving rigidity without complex assembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If a screw is inserted to secure the guide member to the base member, then the guide member can be firmly fixed, but the thickness of the base member is reduced and rigidity is lowered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidrigidity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the screw fastening mechanism from the design and replaces it with a snap-fit structure. The guide member includes a fitting portion that engages with a corresponding portion in the base member through elastic deformation, eliminating the need for screws and preserving the base member's thickness and rigidity while achieving secure fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical screw-fastening system with an elastic snap-fit mechanism. The fitting portion utilizes elastic deformation to create a secure connection without requiring threaded holes or fasteners, thereby maintaining the structural integrity and rigidity of the base member.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Stability of the object's composition

If screws are used to attach the guide member, then secure fixation is achieved, but manufacturing operations become troublesome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidassembly complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the screw fastening components and assembly steps from the manufacturing process. The guide member is designed with a snap-fit structure that allows for simple insertion and automatic securing through elastic deformation, dramatically simplifying assembly operations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fitting portion and the base member are designed as integrated components that work together through elastic deformation. This merging of functions into a single snap-fit mechanism eliminates the need for separate fasteners and simplifies both manufacturing and assembly processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Stability of the object's composition

If the guide member is made thicker to accommodate screw insertion, then secure fixation is possible, but the overall size of the probe unit must be increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing reliabilityVSAvoidprobe unit size
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention applies local quality by creating a localized elastic deformation zone in the fitting portion of the guide member. This localized flexibility allows for secure snap-fit connection without requiring increased thickness throughout the entire guide member, thereby maintaining compact overall dimensions while achieving reliable fixation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2360482B1Base member for probe unit, and probe unit
Publication Date: 2020.06.17 NHK SPRING CO LTD
  • EP2360482B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2360482B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2360482B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A probe-unit base member having high rigidity and requiring no troublesome operations for its manufacture and a probe unit are provided. To achieve the purpose, the probe-unit base member includes a conductive substrate 41 that has a first opening 41a capable of fitting therein a probe holder 3 and a second opening 41b communicated with the first opening 41a; a coating 42 that is made of an insulating adhesive agent and is coated at least on an edge of the second opening 41b; and an insulating guide member 43 that is bonded to the edge of the second opening 41b through the coating 42 and guides one of two contact bodies to a position in contact with probes 2.