Socket Adaptor With Spring-Biased Probe Pins for Reusable Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sockets for semiconductor devices are difficult to mount or dismount from circuit substrates due to direct soldering, making them hard to reuse and costly when using substitute probe pins.
Innovation Solution
A socket adaptor with electrically insulating through holes and conductive probe pins, each equipped with a clip portion and a spring member, allowing for easy mounting and dismounting by sliding and biasing the probe pins, eliminating the need for soldering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If contacts of a socket are directly soldered to a circuit substrate, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but ease of mounting and dismounting deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The socket system is divided into two separate components: a socket body that can be mounted on the circuit substrate, and a contact assembly that can be independently attached and detached. This segmentation allows the socket body to remain permanently mounted while the contact assembly is removable, resolving the contradiction between maintaining reliable electrical connections and enabling easy dismounting for cleaning or replacement.
2Ease of operation
If probe pins are used instead of socket contacts, then ease of mounting and dismounting is improved, but device complexity and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The contact assembly incorporates a movable cover member that can open and close to expose or protect the probe pins. This dynamic structure allows the simple probe pin design to maintain ease of mounting and dismounting while managing the complexity through a straightforward hinged cover mechanism that protects the contacts when closed and allows access when open.
3Reliability
If socket contacts are made with a complicated shape for electrical engagement, then electrical connection reliability is improved, but manufacturing cost worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The complex contact geometry is isolated to a separate contact assembly that can be manufactured independently and attached to the socket body. This segmentation allows the complicated contact shape to be produced using specialized techniques only where needed, while the main socket body remains simple and cost-effective to manufacture, resolving the contradiction between reliable electrical engagement and manufacturing cost.
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
Enables easy mounting and dismounting of sockets on circuit substrates, facilitates cleaning and reuse, and reduces costs by avoiding solder connections.
Implementation Method 1
A spring member is accommodated in each of said plurality of through holes to bias said probe pins so that the tip portions can protrude from the lower opening
Implementation Method 2
each probe pin having a clip portion thereon that electrically engages a contact when the contact is inserted from said upper surface opening
Data Source
AI summary
A socket adaptor 10 made of an electrically insulating material has a main adaptor body 12 on which a plurality of through holes 14 containing an upper opening and a lower opening has been formed. In certain preferred embodiments a probe pin 60 and coil spring 62 is placed in each through hole 14. An electrical engagement clipping part 68 for clipping a contact inserted in a respective through hole from said upper opening is formed on the upper end of each probe pin 60. The coil spring 62 is installed on each probe pin and biases the respective probe pin toward a position so that a tip formed on the lower end of the probe pin protrudes from the lower opening.