Probe Parallel Spring-Body Current Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
During the inspection of electrical characteristics, excessive current flowing through the probe can cause Joule heat, leading to plastic deformation or fusion of the probe, resulting in a lowering of the load and instability in the contact between the probe and the inspected object and the land.
Innovation Solution
A probe with a main body and a spring portion connected in parallel, where the spring portion has a higher electrical resistivity and elastic modulus than the main body, allowing the current to primarily flow through the main body and the load to be maintained through elastic deformation of the spring portion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the probe is used for measuring electrical characteristics, then the electrical connection between the probe and the inspected object is ensured, but excessive current flows through the probe causing Joule heat and plastic deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is divided into two parallel paths: a main body portion and a spring portion. This segmentation allows the current to be distributed while the spring portion specifically handles the load-bearing function, preventing excessive current from causing plastic deformation in the load-critical areas.
Solution Approach 2:
Different portions of the probe are given different material properties. The spring portion has higher electrical resistivity and elastic modulus compared to the main body, creating local quality differences that direct current flow away from the spring portion while maintaining mechanical load-bearing capacity where needed.
2Force
If the spring portion has high elastic modulus for stable contact, then the load is maintained, but the allowable current value is reduced due to higher electrical resistivity
Solution Approach 1:
The probe structure segments the electrical conduction path from the mechanical load path. The main body carries the majority of the current due to its lower resistivity, while the spring portion carries less current but provides the necessary elastic load through its high elastic modulus.
Solution Approach 2:
The probe effectively uses a composite structure where the main body and spring portion have different material properties. The main body has lower electrical resistivity for current conduction, while the spring portion has higher elastic modulus for mechanical stability, creating a functional composite system.
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 prevents the lowering of the load due to current flow, stabilizes the contact between the probe and the inspected object and the land, and increases the allowable current value, reducing the risk of probe fusion.
Implementation Method 1
the elastic deformation occurs in the spring portion. The force, hereinafter referred to as 'load', due to the elastic deformation of the spring portion stabilizes the contact between the probe and the inspected object and the land
Implementation Method 2
the other end of the probe is brought into contact with a terminal, hereinafter referred to as 'land', arranged on a circuit board, and the like. The land is electrically connected to an inspection device such as a tester
Implementation Method 3
When the probe is heated due to Joule heat generated by the overcurrent, plastic deformation occurs in the probe or the probe is fused
Data Source
AI summary
The probe has a main body and a spring portion having an electrical resistivity and elastic modulus greater than the main body, and the main body and the spring portion are connected in parallel. The main body has a structure in which a tip part, an elastically deformable barrel, and a base end part are connected in this order. The spring portion has a structure in which a first joint joined to the tip part, an elastic deformation part, and a second joint joined to the base end part are connected in this order.