Specimen Holder With Integrated Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing specimen holders for electron microscopes require delicate spring contact fingers for electrical connections, which are difficult to manufacture and prone to damage, and existing methods for interfacing semiconductor devices are tedious and require manual alignment and soldering, limiting the ease of sample exchange.
Innovation Solution
A specimen holder with integrated electrical contacts on the clipping mechanism, eliminating the need for spring contact fingers and allowing for easy mounting and exchange of semiconductor devices without disassembly or soldering, using a body with a clipping mechanism that includes a spring or spring cantilever for mechanical support and electrical contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring contact fingers are used for electrical connections, then electrical contact is achieved, but the device becomes difficult to manufacture and prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the spring contact fingers from the specimen holder design. Instead of using delicate spring-based electrical contacts, the invention integrates electrical contacts directly into the clipping mechanism, eliminating the problematic spring components that were difficult to manufacture and prone to damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the mechanical clipping function and electrical contact function into a single integrated mechanism. The clipping mechanism itself incorporates electrical contacts, so that one component performs both mechanical support and electrical connection, reducing the number of separate parts and simplifying manufacturing.
2Reliability
If manual alignment and soldering are used for interfacing semiconductor devices, then electrical connections are established, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates electrical contacts directly into the clipping mechanism in advance. This preliminary integration means that when the clip is applied to the semiconductor device, electrical connections are automatically established without requiring separate alignment or soldering steps, dramatically reducing sample exchange time.
Solution Approach 2:
The clipping mechanism automatically performs both mechanical attachment and electrical connection functions. When the user applies the clip to the device, the system self-services by simultaneously securing the device mechanically and establishing electrical contacts, eliminating the need for manual soldering or complex alignment procedures.
3Reliability
If delicate spring contact fingers are used, then electrical contact is provided, but the specimen tip becomes prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the delicate spring contact fingers from the design. By eliminating these fragile components, the invention prevents the specimen tip from being damaged by fragile parts that are prone to breaking during handling or use.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the fragile, expensive-to-manufacture spring contact fingers with a more robust, durable clipping mechanism. The new design uses stronger, more damage-resistant materials and structures that can withstand repeated use without breaking, effectively treating the electrical contact system as a durable rather than disposable component.
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
The solution provides a robust and easy-to-use specimen holder that supports semiconductor devices with integrated electrical contacts, enabling quick and secure mounting and exchange without damaging the specimen tip, reducing the complexity and dexterity required for sample handling in electron microscopy.
Implementation Method 1
The specimen holder may further comprise a spring or a spring cantilever
Implementation Method 2
a clipping means, and at least one guide mechanism... wherein the clipping means comprise an article of manufacture having a top surface, a bottom surface, a first end, a securing means, a second end, and at least one electrical contact integrated on and/or in the bottom surface of the article
Data Source
AI summary
A novel specimen holder for specimen support devices for insertion in electron microscopes. The novel specimen holder of the invention provides mechanical support for specimen support devices and as well as electrical contacts to the specimens or specimen support devices.