Voltage Tester Removable Probe Latch Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing handheld voltage testers with snap connections for probes are not robust, making them unwieldy and difficult to manage in certain situations.
Innovation Solution
A handheld voltage tester with a main body and a removable probe connected via a cord, featuring a latch assembly with a socket and mating protrusion, and alignment and probe support ridges that stabilize the probes in fixed positions, allowing for secure attachment and easy handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If snap connections are used to connect probes to the main body, then the probes can be easily attached and detached, but the connection is not robust and the probes become unwieldy and difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The connection system is divided into separate components: a latch assembly with movable latch member, a socket with spring bias, and a mating protrusion. This segmentation allows the connection to be simple yet robust, as each component performs a specific function in the attachment sequence
Solution Approach 2:
The latch member is designed to be movable between engaged and disengaged positions, allowing dynamic attachment and detachment. The spring-loaded socket provides dynamic response to attachment forces, automatically engaging the latch when the probe is inserted
2Ease of operation
If probes are made removable for easy handling, then they can be detached when not in use, but they lack stable positioning and become difficult to manage
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment ridge and probe support ridge are pre-positioned on the probe and main body respectively. When the probe is inserted, these ridges automatically align and engage before the latch is fully secured, ensuring proper positioning is established in advance
Solution Approach 2:
The alignment ridge acts as an intermediary element between the probe and main body, providing a mechanical guide that ensures precise alignment and stable positioning during the attachment process
3Reliability
If probes are secured firmly to the main body, then connection robustness is improved, but the probes become less flexible and more difficult to manage in certain situations
Solution Approach 1:
The latch assembly allows the connection to transition between secured and removable states dynamically. When secured, the connection is robust; when detached, the probe is fully flexible and adaptable to different situations
Data Source
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AI summary
A tester includes a main body and a removable probe. The main body includes a main body probe and a front panel including selectable options for selecting a tester function. The removable probe may be coupled to the main body via a cord. The removable probe is fixable to the main body via a latch assembly. The latch assembly including a socket disposed on one of the removable probe or the main body and a mating protrusion disposed at the other of the removable probe or the main body, the main body having a probe support ridge associated therewith and the removable probe having an alignment ridge associated therewith, the alignment ridge and the probe support ridge lying in a same plane when the mating protrusion is inserted into the socket.