Probe Pin With Elastic Leg Portions For Stable Contact
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing probe pins face instability in connecting to projecting contacts, leading to unreliable contact reliability, especially when dealing with male connectors or similar terminal configurations.
Innovation Solution
A probe pin design featuring an elastic portion with bendable leg portions and contact portions at the tips, allowing for stable contact by accommodating the projecting contact within a gap between the leg portions, and an opposing contact portion for electrical connection, ensuring secure engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single contact portion is used to connect to both the inspection device and the inspection object, then the probe pin structure is simple, but contact reliability deteriorates when connecting to projecting contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The probe pin is divided into multiple functional segments: a first contact portion with pair of leg portions for contacting the inspection object, a second contact portion for contacting the inspection device, and an elastic portion connecting them. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally, with the first contact portion specifically designed to reliably connect to projecting contacts while the second contact portion provides stable connection to the inspection device.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact mechanism transitions from a single-point contact to a multi-dimensional contact structure. The pair of leg portions extend in a direction intersecting with the longitudinal axis, creating a gap that accommodates the projecting contact from a different spatial dimension. This dimensional change enables the contact portions to engage with projecting contacts more effectively.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a rigid contact structure is used, then manufacturing is easy, but adaptability to different contact types deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The probe pin incorporates dynamic elements that allow it to adapt to different contact configurations. The pair of leg portions are designed to be bendable, enabling them to flex and conform to the geometry of projecting contacts during insertion and contact. This dynamic capability provides versatility in contacting different terminal types while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that remains manufacturable.
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
This design enables stable and reliable connection to projecting contacts, preventing conduction failures due to foreign matter and enhancing contact reliability through a wiping action during insertion and removal.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic portion that expands and contracts along its longitudinal direction
Implementation Method 2
a pair of leg portions that extends from a first end of the elastic portion along the longitudinal direction and is bendable in a direction away from each other
Data Source
AI summary
A probe pin includes an elastic portion, a first contact portion having a pair of leg portions that extends from a first end of the elastic portion along a longitudinal direction and is bendable in a direction away from each other, and that has a pair of contact portions each of which is disposed at each tip of the pair of leg portion and is urged by the elastic portion in a direction along the longitudinal direction through the pair of leg portions to be able to be brought into contact with a projecting contact of an inspection object, and a second contact portion that is disposed at a second end of the elastic portion and is electrically connected to the first contact portion. Between the pair of leg portions, a gap into which the projecting contact of the inspection object can be inserted is provided, and in a state where the projecting contact is inserted into the gap, the pair of contact portions and the projecting contact can be brought into contact with each other.