Spring Contact Device for Miniaturized Four-Wire Measurement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional spring contact devices face challenges in miniaturization and space constraints when performing four-wire measurements, leading to increased wear or inability to conduct such measurements effectively, especially in automated testing setups.
Innovation Solution
A spring contact device with two conventional spring contact pins whose piston heads are electrically conductively connected to a contact bridge, allowing for a single contact point that can facilitate four-wire measurements by using the contact bridge to connect with the measurement pole, enabling miniaturization and efficient current and voltage tapping.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If two spring contact pins are placed on each connection point for four-wire measurement, then measurement accuracy is improved, but space requirements increase and miniaturization becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple contact functions into a single integrated contact bridge structure. The contact bridge integrates multiple contact points and electrical connections in one component, allowing four-wire measurement to be performed with reduced space requirements while maintaining measurement accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact bridge is designed as a multi-functional component that can simultaneously serve as current supply, voltage tapping, and mechanical support structure. This universal design eliminates the need for separate dedicated contacts for each function, reducing the overall space required at the measuring point.
2Area of stationary object
If spring contact pins are arranged at inclined positions to accommodate space constraints, then space requirements are reduced, but contact reliability increases due to increased wear
Solution Approach 1:
The contact bridge features locally optimized contact surfaces with specific geometric configurations (such as flat or curved contact faces) that distribute mechanical stress evenly. This local quality enhancement ensures reliable electrical and mechanical contact without requiring inclined arrangements that would compromise contact stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact bridge is designed to maintain equipotential surfaces at contact points, ensuring uniform electrical potential distribution across contact surfaces. This design minimizes current concentration and reduces wear, thereby maintaining contact reliability while accommodating space constraints.
3Measurement precision
If a special spring contact device design is used for four-wire measurement, then measurement capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact bridge is designed as a segmented modular structure that can be manufactured using standard fabrication processes and then assembled. This segmentation allows for simplified manufacturing of individual components while maintaining the overall four-wire measurement capability, reducing total manufacturing cost compared to monolithic special designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact bridge design uses standardized geometric patterns and repeated structural motifs that can be efficiently manufactured using copying processes such as stamping, molding, or precision machining. This approach reduces manufacturing complexity and cost while achieving the required measurement precision.
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 configuration allows for reliable and space-efficient four-wire measurements using standard components, reducing wear and enabling miniaturization, while being suitable for small grids and various connection types.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically conductive piston acted upon by a spring is guided
Data Source
AI summary
A spring contact device (1) for contacting electronic components for performing a four-wire measurement, comprising at least one spring contact pin (2) with an electrically conductive housing (3) in which an electrically conductive piston (5) acted upon by a spring (4) is guided, the piston head (6) of which can be brought into electrical contact with the electronic component, is to be further developed so that it is also suitable for four-wire measurements with a small space requirement at the measuring point. This is achieved by providing at least two adjacent spring contact pins (2) whose piston heads (6) are fixedly and electrically connected to an electrically conductive contact bridge (7, 7') which is formed on the side facing away from the piston heads (6) for contacting the electronic component.