Testing Probe Sphere Contact and Adhesive Release Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional testing probes often cause damage to array substrates due to scratching and abrasive wear, leading to poor contact and inaccurate test results, as they require direct contact with the sample surface.

Innovation Solution

A testing probe design featuring a housing with a piston, elastic member, and a sphere, where the sphere contacts the sample surface to generate a counteracting force, causing the piston to deform and release a conductive adhesive agent, which is absorbed onto the sphere for good contact while reducing friction and wear.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a conventional testing probe directly contacts the array substrate surface, then contact is established for testing, but scratching and abrasive wear damage the substrate surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact qualityVSAvoidsubstrate damage
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a sphere as an intermediary contact element between the testing probe and the array substrate. The sphere rolls on the substrate surface during testing, distributing contact pressure and preventing direct scratching by the probe body. This mediator approach maintains testing contact quality while eliminating the harmful scratching effect on the substrate surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a spherical contact tip instead of a conventional pointed or flat probe end. The spherical shape allows for rolling contact rather than sliding friction, significantly reducing abrasive wear on the substrate surface. The curved surface distributes contact forces more evenly, preventing concentration of stress that causes scratching while maintaining reliable electrical contact for testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If friction between the testing probe and sample surface is reduced, then wear is minimized, but contact stability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovewearVSAvoidcontact stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The spherical contact tip enables rolling motion during probe movement across the substrate. Rolling contact generates significantly lower friction coefficients compared to sliding contact, minimizing wear on both the probe and substrate. The spherical geometry maintains continuous surface contact through its curvature, ensuring stable electrical connection while reducing frictional forces that cause wear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transforms the static sliding contact into a dynamic rolling contact system. The sphere can rotate and roll as the probe moves, adapting to surface variations while maintaining contact. This dynamic rolling mechanism reduces friction and wear compared to static sliding, while the continuous rolling contact preserves contact stability for reliable testing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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 ensures effective contact with the sample surface, minimizing damage and wear, while maintaining the integrity of the conductive adhesive agent and preventing pollution, thus improving test accuracy and reducing errors.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic member, being disposed inside the housing, a first end of the elastic member being fixed to the piston, a second end of the elastic member extending toward the test end, and the elastic member being capable of stretching and compressing in an extending direction of the elastic member

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

the conductive adhesive agent being allowed to overflow from a gap between the piston and the inner wall of the housing by squeezing the piston

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS9903886B2Testing probe and testing apparatus for ensuring good contact between testing probe and surface of test sample
Publication Date: 2018.02.27 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD
  • US9903886B2 patent drawing
  • US9903886B2 patent drawing
  • US9903886B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A testing probe and a testing apparatus are disclosed. The testing probe including: a housing, including a test end and a fixed end, and with a test opening at the test end; a piston, being capable of sliding between the test end and the fixed end along an inner wall of the housing, and a conductive adhesive agent chamber being formed by the piston and the fixed end of the housing and being configured to be filled with a conductive adhesive agent; and the conductive adhesive agent being allowed to overflow from a gap between the piston and the inner wall of the housing by squeezing the piston; an elastic member with a first end fixed to the piston and a second end extending toward the test end; a sphere being disposed at the test opening and separated from the second end of the elastic member by a preset distance.