Tray Elevator Guide Bushing for Thermal Jamming Prevention

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing tray elevating and lowering apparatuses in test handlers experience abrasion, damage, and jamming due to thermal deformation in high or low temperature environments, leading to wear and distortion of bushing members and tray mounting components.

Innovation Solution

A tray elevating and lowering apparatus with a guide bushing and ring member configuration that maintains a constant gap and low-friction interface between the shaft and tray mounting member, using guide bushing members with outer and inner rings to prevent jamming and abrasion, and inner side bushing members to reduce friction and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a shaft and bushing member configuration is used to elevate and lower the tray mounter, then the tray can be transferred vertically, but thermal deformation in high or low temperature environments causes wear and damage to the bushing member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebushing member durabilityVSAvoidthermal deformation

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A guide bushing member is introduced as an intermediary component between the shaft and the tray mounter. The guide bushing member includes an outer circumferential surface that contacts the shaft and an inner circumferential surface that guides the tray mounter, acting as a mediator that protects the bushing member from direct thermal stress while maintaining the elevating and lowering function

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The bushing member is divided into two distinct functional parts: the outer circumferential surface that interfaces with the shaft and the inner circumferential surface that interfaces with the tray mounter. This segmentation allows each surface to be optimized for its specific function and reduces the impact of thermal deformation on overall performance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Device complexity

If the shaft and tray mounting member are directly coupled, then the structure is simple, but thermal deformation causes jamming and distortion of the tray mounting member

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecoupling structureVSAvoidtray mounting member stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide bushing member serves as an intermediary between the shaft and the tray mounter, preventing direct coupling. This intermediary component absorbs thermal expansion and contraction, preventing jamming and distortion while maintaining structural integrity through the elevated and lowered movements

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If a fixed gap is maintained between the shaft and bushing member, then thermal deformation is accommodated, but friction and wear increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethermal expansion accommodationVSAvoidfriction and wear

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional mechanical clearance-based thermal expansion accommodation with a guide bushing member system. The guide bushing member's outer circumferential surface contacts the shaft while the inner circumferential surface guides the tray mounter, reducing friction and wear through optimized contact surfaces while still accommodating thermal deformation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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

Prevents jamming and distortion of tray mounting members while maintaining a consistent gap, reducing wear and damage to components, even in extreme temperature conditions.

Implementation Method 1

when the test is performed in a high temperature or low temperature environment, deformation occurs in the shaft and the tray mounting member due to contraction at a low temperature or expansion at a high temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Implementation Method 2

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal contraction: Thermal Contraction

Implementation Method 3

wear and damage of the bushing member occurs

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentUS12436183B2Tray elevating and lowering apparatus of test handler

Publication Date: 2025.10.07 SYSTEM ENGINEERING MEGA SOLUTION CO LTD

AI summary

A tray elevator of a test handler includes a tray mounter on which a test tray is seated and having a support part and a through hole vertically penetrating the support part, a shaft vertically extending through the through hole of the tray mounter and configured to provide a path for elevating or lowering the tray mounter, a guide bushing including an outer surface and a groove at the outer surface, inserted into the through hole of the tray mounter, and configured to move along the shaft, and a ring inserted into the groove of the guide bushing.