Probe Deflecting Device Reducing Wire Entanglement and Dust
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional deflecting devices for PCB test probes face issues such as wire entanglement, dust contamination, inaccurate positioning, and operational inconvenience due to their design, which affects the reliability and precision of probe alignment during testing.
Innovation Solution
A deflecting device comprising a base member, an axle member, a probe connector assembly, a swing arm assembly, and an actuating assembly, where the probe mounting seat is designed with a smaller longitudinal dimension, the screw shaft is fully enclosed, and the adjustment mechanism is positioned to minimize transverse displacement and avoid component damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the probe seat is made long to accommodate the probe and enable deflection, then the probe can be oriented to desired angular positions, but the wires of the probe are liable to get stuck by the probe seat
Solution Approach 1:
The probe seat is divided into two functional parts: a long support body that provides structural stability and angular positioning, and a shortened mounting plate portion that reduces wire entanglement. The mounting plate length is specifically controlled to be not more than 10mm, separating the positioning function from the wire-clearance function.
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection mechanism operates in the angular dimension around the shaft axis, allowing the probe to be oriented to desired angles. Meanwhile, the mounting plate is designed with reduced length in the longitudinal dimension to prevent wire entanglement, effectively using different spatial dimensions for different functions.
2Ease of operation
If the threaded rod is exposed outside the base seat on both sides for adjustment, then the probe seat can be turned to deflect the probe, but the threaded rod is liable to be contaminated with dust requiring frequent maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The threaded rod adjustment mechanism is nested within the base seat structure. The base seat contains recesses that house the threaded rod, and side covers with windows provide limited accessibility. This nesting protects the threaded rod from dust contamination while still allowing adjustment operations through the window openings.
Solution Approach 2:
Side covers with windows are used to enclose the threaded rod mechanism. The window openings provide flexible access for adjustment operations while the side covers act as protective shells that prevent dust and contaminants from reaching the threaded rod, balancing accessibility with protection.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the probe seat is positioned far from the shaft axis to enable deflection, then the probe can be oriented at angles, but significant transverse displacement is caused making accurate positioning difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The probe seat is designed with non-uniform distribution: the mounting plate is positioned closer to the shaft axis (reducing transverse displacement for accuracy), while the support body extends outward to provide sufficient deflection leverage. The distance from shaft axis to mounting plate center is controlled to be not more than 5mm, creating local quality differentiation between the mounting area and the deflection mechanism area.
4Ease of operation
If the adjustment knob is disposed at a lower position with the manual knob extending beyond the bottom, then the threaded rod can be accessed, but the manual knob could touch components on the PCB causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of placing the adjustment knob at the lower position with the manual knob extending downward (which risks damaging PCB components), the design inverts the arrangement by providing adjustment accessibility through side windows in the base seat. This eliminates the downward extension beyond the base seat bottom, preventing contact with PCB components while maintaining adjustability.
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 new design reduces the likelihood of wire entanglement, minimizes dust contamination, enhances positional accuracy, and facilitates convenient operation by reducing transverse displacement and preventing component damage during testing.
Implementation Method 1
The actuating assembly includes a screw member that is turnably mounted to the base member and that extends in a left-right direction, and a slider member that has an engaging portion engaging with the second groove and being slidable in the left-right direction
Data Source
AI summary
A deflecting device includes a base member, an axle member, a probe mounting seat, a swing arm assembly, and an actuating assembly. The axle member is disposed in the base member, and has a front end that extends out of the base member and that is mounted with the probe mounting seat. The swing arm assembly includes a swing arm disposed in the base member, and having an upper end that is formed with a guide slot, and a lower end that is connected to the axle member. The actuating assembly includes a screw member that is mounted to the base member, and a slider member that has an engaging portion slidably engaging the base member and formed with a threaded driven hole that screws with the screw member, and a tubular portion engaging the guide slot.