Test Contactor for Multi-Sided PCB Edge Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for testing printed circuit boards often require high mechanical stress and friction, which can be damaging and inefficient, especially when trying to contact boards with edge connectors on multiple sides.
Innovation Solution
A test contactor design with two receptacles, one for each side edge of the PCB, allowing for gentle electrical and mechanical contact without the need for excessive force or friction, featuring spring-loaded pressure surfaces and a lever mechanism for easy operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single receptacle design is used for PCB testing, then the device complexity is reduced, but it cannot accommodate PCBs with edge contacts on multiple sides
Solution Approach 1:
The test contactor is divided into two separate receptacles (first receptacle and second receptacle), each designed to accommodate PCBs with edge contacts on different sides. This segmentation allows the device to handle multi-sided PCBs while keeping each individual receptacle relatively simple in structure.
2Reliability
If high insertion force is applied to contact EBC contacts, then reliable electrical contact is achieved, but mechanical stress and friction damage the PCB
Solution Approach 1:
The contact force is optimized to a predetermined value that is sufficient to establish reliable electrical contact between the contact elements and EBC contacts, but low enough to avoid damaging the PCB. This parameter optimization resolves the contradiction between contact reliability and mechanical stress.
3Adaptability or versatility
If traditional single-sided EBC contact method is used, then the testing process is simple, but PCBs with multi-sided edge contacts cannot be tested
Solution Approach 1:
The test contactor is designed with dual receptacles that can accommodate PCBs with edge contacts on different sides, making the device universal for testing various PCB configurations. The standardized testing procedure maintains ease of operation despite the enhanced versatility.
4Extent of automation
If PCB is inserted and removed repeatedly from a test device, then automated testing is enabled, but friction and mechanical stress accumulate and damage the board
Solution Approach 1:
The contact force parameter is set to a predetermined low value that enables reliable electrical contact during automated testing while minimizing mechanical stress and friction. This allows repeated insertion and removal of PCBs without accumulating damaging forces, extending the PCB's service life under automated testing conditions.
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 simplified, rapid, and secure testing of printed circuit boards with reduced mechanical stress, allowing for accurate functionality checks without damaging the board edges, and facilitating easy insertion and removal without frictional forces.
Implementation Method 1
The first receptacle has at least one first contact element for contacting a first PCB edge contact
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
A test contactor (1) for contacting a printed circuit board (100) has a first receptacle (10) for receiving a first side edge (110) of the printed circuit board (100), wherein the first receptacle (10) has at least one first contact element for contacting a first board edge contact (111) on the first side edge (110) of the printed circuit board (100). The test contactor further has a second receptacle (20) for receiving a second side edge (120) of the printed circuit board (100), wherein the second receptacle (20) has at least one second contact element (23) for contacting a second board edge contact (121) on the second side edge (120) of the printed circuit board (100).