RF Thimble Color Sensor Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In radio frequency production testing, detecting deviations in the radio frequency thimble is challenging due to position, structural, and soldering issues, leading to inaccurate alignment with coaxial connectors and resulting in open circuits and contact failures.
Innovation Solution
A radio frequency thimble equipped with a housing, a probe, a light transmission member, and a color recognition sensor, where the light transmission member transmits reflected light to the sensor to determine alignment with a test socket's terminal based on color recognition, facilitating accurate alignment and preventing open circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a radio frequency thimble is pressed down to contact the coaxial connector test socket, then electrical connection is achieved, but alignment accuracy deteriorates due to position deviation, moving structure deviation, self-bending, and soldered deviation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by using a color recognition sensor to detect the color of the coaxial connector terminal before the RF thimble makes electrical contact. This allows the system to identify alignment status in advance, preventing misalignment-related connection failures. The sensor detects the color (e.g., gold for terminal, black for insulation) before pressing occurs, enabling pre-alignment verification.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback by using the color recognition sensor to provide real-time information about the alignment status during the pressing process. The sensor continuously monitors the color at the contact point, and this feedback is used to adjust or verify the alignment, ensuring that the RF thimble contacts the terminal center accurately rather than the insulation layer.
2Reliability
If a radio frequency thimble is pressed down to ensure contact, then connection stability is improved, but misalignment detection capability deteriorates due to lack of visual feedback
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies feedback by implementing a color recognition sensor that provides real-time visual feedback on alignment status. The sensor detects the color of the surface being contacted (gold for terminal, black for insulation) and provides this information to the control system, enabling continuous monitoring and verification of alignment during the pressing process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical visual inspection method with an automated optical detection system. Instead of relying on operators to visually check alignment, the color recognition sensor automatically detects the color of the contacted surface, substituting mechanical/optical inspection with an automated sensing system that provides objective, real-time alignment verification.
3Measurement precision
If alignment tolerance is reduced to improve test accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional alignment control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment control mechanisms with a simpler optical sensing system. Instead of using精密 mechanical adjustment devices, guides, or positioning mechanisms to achieve and maintain tight alignment tolerances, the system uses a color recognition sensor to detect alignment status and provides feedback for verification, significantly reducing mechanical complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a color recognition sensor as an intermediary between the RF thimble and the control system. This intermediary device detects the color of the contacted surface and translates it into alignment information, serving as a mediator that simplifies the overall system architecture while enabling precise alignment measurement without requiring complex direct mechanical control.
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 solution enables precise alignment of the radio frequency thimble with the test socket, reducing mis-testing issues, ensuring reliable signal transmission, and maintaining compatibility with current coaxial connectors at a low cost, thus enhancing testing efficiency and reducing misalignment-related problems.
Implementation Method 1
The light transmission member is used to transmit, to the color recognition sensor, light reflected by a reflective surface near the end portion of the probe
Implementation Method 2
light reflected by a reflective surface near the end portion of the probe
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a radio frequency thimble for production testing, in engagement connection with a test socket. The radio frequency thimble comprises: a housing, a probe, a light transmission member, and a color recognition sensor. The probe is located in a cavity of the housing. An accommodation hole is provided in the probe. The light transmission member is installed in the accommodation hole. A first end of the light transmission member is exposed at an end portion of the probe. A second end of the light transmission member is connected to the color recognition sensor. The light transmission member is used to transmit, to the color recognition sensor, light reflected by a reflective surface near the end portion of the probe. The color recognition sensor is used to recognize the color of the reflected light and determine whether the end portion of the probe is aligned with a terminal.