Abstract:
A tension testing device for use in a tension test for evaluating the strength of bond between a body and a pin of an electronic device includes a base, a tensiometer, a hanger, and a clamp. The base includes a supporting member and a carrying member, wherein the tensiometer is carried by the carrying member and includes a pulling portion. The hanger is coupled to the pulling portion for underpinning the body and project the pin in the direction of the base. The clamp is disposed on the base, positioned beside the hanger, for clamping the pin. The tension testing device protects the electronic device against test-induced deformation, dispenses with an intricate step of the welding and unwelding of the pin and a test lead, precludes a tension test-induced component of force, manifests ease of use, ensures test stability, and enhances test efficiency and reliability.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 100111540 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Apr. 1, 2011, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
       FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to tension testing devices, and more particularly, to a tension testing device for use with a tension test for evaluating a bonding strength between a body and a pin of an electronic element. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    An electronic element in wide use usually has a body and a pin (also known as a lead, an outlet, a guide, a negative/positive terminal, and a negative/positive lead wire) connected to the body. Electronic elements of this kind include, but are not limited to, resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, and transistors. The pin is electrically connected to the body of the electronic element and a circuit board. The strength of the bonding between the body and the pin of the electronic element is a factor in the stability of electrical connection of the circuit board and therefore is a factor in the use and quality of electronic products. Hence, manufacturing processes of various electronic elements entail conducting a pin strength tension test thereon to make sure that the electronic elements thus manufactured meet product requirements and verification standards—for example, even when subjected to a specific tension, the body and the pin of the electronic element do not separate, nor does the pin sever. 
         [0004]    The bonding strength between the body and the pin of the electronic element depends on the process flow of a manufacturing process thereof. Take an electrolytic capacitor as an example, the manufacturing process thereof comprises: (1) a nailing step: coupling an anode foil and the pin, followed by coupling a cathode foil and the pin, both by nailing or riveting, to form a positive pin and a negative pin which are exposed from the body of the electrolytic capacitor; (2) a winding step: positioning an electrolytic paper between the anode foil and the cathode foil, wherein the electrolytic paper is wound and fixed in place; (3) an immersing step: the electrolytic paper absorbs an electrolyte so as to form a dielectric disposed between an anode and a cathode; (4) an assembling and sealing step: covering the electrolytic capacitor with an aluminum casing, mounting a rubber lid thereon, protruding the pin out of the rubber lid, and hermetically sealing the electrolytic capacitor with a plastic film; and (5) a pin-cutting and tape-affixing processing step. The nailing step, the winding step, and the assembling and sealing step are the crucial steps in determining the bonding strength between the body and the pin of the electrolytic capacitor. Hence, it is necessary to perform a pin strength tension test so as to ensure that the electronic element will meet product requirements and verification standards. 
         [0005]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a schematic view of a conventional tension testing device for use with a pin strength tension test. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a tension testing device  1  comprises a base  10 , a supporting member  12 , a carrying member  14 , a tensiometer  20 , and a clamp  15 . The tension testing device  1  is for performing a tension test on a body  102  and a pin  104  of an electronic element  100  to evaluate the bonding strength between the body  102  and the pin  104 . The supporting member  12  is fixed in position on the base  10  and provided with the carrying member  14  whose position is adjustable. The carrying member  14  is for carrying the tensiometer  20  and adjusting the height of the tensiometer  20 . The clamp  15  is for clamping the body  102  in a manner that the pin  104  points at the tensiometer  20  so as for the tension test to be conducted. When performed by means of the tension testing device  1 , the tension test comprises the steps of: (1) welding the pin  104  and a test lead  110  together, wherein a hook portion  112  is formed at the other end of the test lead  110 ; (2) hanging the hook portion  112  of the test lead  110  at the tensiometer  20 , followed by clamping the body  102  with the clamp  15 ; (3) starting the tensiometer  20 , setting a preset tension level and a duration of continuity thereof, and performing the tension test; and (4) unwelding the pin  104  and the test lead  110  as soon as the tension test is done. 
         [0006]    However, according to the prior art, it is necessary to weld the pin  104  and the test lead  110  together before performing a tension test with the conventional tension testing device  1 . The welding process causes thermal stress to develop in the pin  104  to the detriment of the material strength of the pin  104 . Also, external stress is produced in the step of clamping the body  102  with the clamp  15 , thereby deforming the body  102  to the detriment of its appearance and even its internal structure. Furthermore, the step of clamping the body  102  with the clamp  15  is not quantified in terms of a clamping force and position, thereby resulting in a lack of consistency of a parameter in a plurality of instances of the tension test and therefore a negative effect on the accuracy of the result of the tension test. Also, the welding process performed on the test lead  110  contributes to a component of force derived from the applied tension, thereby deforming or bending the pin  104 ; with the deformed or bent pin  104  being no longer vertical, no tension can be fully applied to the electronic element  100 . Last but not least, the step of hanging the hook portion  112  of the test lead  110  at the tensiometer  20  has a drawback: unless the body  102 , the pin  104 , the test lead  110 , and the hook portion  112  are aligned, a component of force which is not vertical will derive from the applied tension. 
         [0007]    In conclusion, a conventional tension testing device is likely to compromise the appearance of an electronic element under test, create a force component derived from an applied tension to thereby affect the tension test result, and render the tension test complicated, inconvenient, and inefficient. Accordingly, it is imperative to provide a pin tension testing device that features ease of use, enhances the stability of a test procedure, and yields a reliable tension test result, thereby enhancing the efficiency of production and the quality of products. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    It is an objective of the present invention to provide a tension testing device that enables a pin tension test to be performed on an electronic element conveniently and quickly, prevents the electronic element under test from being damaged as a result of a welding process or a clamping process, stabilizes the tension test process, and enhances the reliability of the tension test result. 
         [0009]    In order to achieve the above and other objectives, the present invention provides a tension testing device for use with a tension test for evaluating a bonding strength between a body and a pin of an electronic element. The tension testing device comprises: a base provided thereon with a supporting member and provided with a carrying member disposed at the supporting member; a tensiometer carried by the carrying member and having a pulling portion; a hanger coupled to the pulling portion for underpinning the body and project the pin in the direction of the base; and a clamp disposed on the base, positioned beside the hanger, for clamping the pin. 
         [0010]    Unlike a conventional tension testing device, the tension testing device of the present invention simplifies a testing procedure, enhances ease of use, shortens the required duration of a tension test, and enhances the efficiency of the tension test. A pin strength tension test conducted on an electronic element by the tension testing device of the present invention has the following advantages: preventing the body from being clamped to deformation or bad alignment; dispensing a welding and unwelding process which must otherwise be performed on a pin and a test lead to the detriment of the appearance of the electronic element according to the prior art; with a hanger and a clamp working together, the development of a force component derived from an applied tension is precluded, thereby providing a stable test process and yielding a reliable test result. Accordingly, the tension testing device of the present invention features ease of use, a stable test process, and reliable test results, and is effective in enhancing production efficiency and product quality. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    Objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention are hereunder illustrated with specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  (PRIOR ART) is a schematic view of a conventional tension testing device; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a tension testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the tension testing device shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 4   a - 4   d  are schematic views of the structure of a hanger of the tension testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0016]      FIGS. 5   a - 5   b  are schematic views of the structure of a clamp of the tension testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , there is shown a perspective view of a tension testing device  2  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The tension testing device  2  is for use with a tension test which is performed on an electronic element  100  to evaluate the bonding strength between a body  102  and a pin  104  of the electronic element  100 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the tension testing device  2  comprises a base  10 , a tensiometer  20 , a hanger  30 , and a clamp  40 . The base  10  is provided thereon with a supporting member  12  and provided with a carrying member  14  disposed at the supporting member  12 . The tensiometer  20  is carried by the carrying member  14  and has a pulling portion  202 . The hanger  30  is coupled to the pulling portion  202  for underpinning the body  102  and project the pin  104  in the direction of the base  10 . The clamp  40  is disposed on the base  10 , positioned beside the hanger  30 , for clamping the pin  104 . The carrying member  14  comprises an adjusting mechanism  142  for adjusting the position and the height of the tensiometer  20  carried by the carrying member  14 . Referring to  FIG. 3  as well, at least one screw hole  204  is disposed on the back of the tensiometer  20 , and at least one through hole  144  is disposed at the carrying member  14 . The quantity of the through holes  144  equals the quantity of the screw holes  204 . The tensiometer  20  is fixed to the carrying member  14  by the at least one screw  146  that engages with the screw hole  204  and the through hole  144  concurrently. The pulling portion  202  of the tensiometer  20  is a bolt, a ring, or a hook, and is coupled to the hanger  30 . 
         [0018]    Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4   a ,  FIG. 4   a  is a schematic view of the structure of the hanger  30  shown in  FIG. 2  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4   a , the hanger  30  is of an L-shaped structure and comprises a seating portion  302  and a jointing portion  304 . The seating portion  302  supports the body  102  from below. The seating portion  302  has an opening  306  through which the pin  104  passes to penetrate the seating portion  302 , such that the hanger  30  underpins the body  102  and projects the pin  104  in the direction of the base  10 . The jointing portion  304  is located at the top end of the L-shaped hanger  30  and coupled to the pulling portion  202  of the tensiometer  20 , such that the hanger  30  is hung by its own weight, that is, under gravity. The jointing portion  304  is a screw hole, a ring, or a hook. With the L-shaped hanger  30  being hung under gravity, the tension is applied vertically to the body  102  to thereby preclude a force component when the pin  104  is being stretched. Even if the included angle of the L-shaped hanger  30  per se is not a right angle because of a manufacturing tolerance, the tension test can be preceded by a pre-test procedure that involves measuring the hanger  30 , calibrating the measurements, and calculating a force component, so as to analyze the tension test result accurately. 
         [0019]    Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 5   a ,  FIG. 5   a  is a schematic view of the structure of the clamp  40  shown in  FIG. 2  according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5   a , the clamp  40  comprises a bottom member  402 , two jaws  404  (or at least two jaws  404  as needed) disposed at the bottom member  402 , and two bolts  406  (or at least two bolts  406  as needed) for passing through said two jaws  404 . The pin  104  is clamped by and between said two jaws  404 . The bolts  406  hold said two jaws  404  firmly to clamp the pin  104  between said two jaws  404  tightly. The clamping surfaces of said two jaws  404  have serrate embossment, stripe embossment, lattice embossment, or irregular embossment, so as to provide friction required for clamping the pin  104 . Two screw holes  408  which can be engaged with the bolts  406 , respectively, are disposed at said two jaws  404 . With the bolts  406  being screwed to the screw holes  408 , respectively, said two jaws  404  can clench the pin  104  tightly. The bolts  406  each have a handle, a knob, or a head, and come in the form of butterfly bolts, thumb bolts, or plastic head bolts as needed. 
         [0020]    The tension test performed on the electronic element  100  by means of the tension testing device  2  involves: resting the body  102  on the seating portion  302  of the hanger  30  in a manner that the pin  104  passes through the opening  306 ; clamping the pin  104  with said two jaws  404  of the clamp  40 , wherein the bolts  406  press said two jaws  404  toward each other tightly to clench the pin  104  between said two jaws  404  tightly; starting the tensiometer  20  and progressing and recording the tension test; and loosening, upon completion of the tension test, said two jaws  404  by the bolts  406  to take out the electronic element  100 . The pin  104  of the clamp  40  is vertical while the body  102  rests on the hanger  30 . The tension is applied in a direction parallel to the pin  104 . The included angle of the L-shaped hanger  30  per se is a right angle, and thus there is no force component between the body  102  and the pin  104 . Even if the included angle of the L-shaped hanger  30  per se is not a right angle because of a manufacturing tolerance, the tension test can be preceded by a pre-test procedure that involves measuring the hanger  30 , calibrating the measurements, and calculating a force component, so as to analyze the tension test result accurately. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 4   b ,  FIG. 4   c  and  FIG. 4   d , there are shown schematic views of the structure of a hanger of the tension testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. A hanger is of a frame structure with bilateral symmetry according to an embodiment of the present invention; referring to  FIG. 4   b , a hanger  31  is of a rectangular frame structure. A seating portion  312  is centrally disposed at the bottom side of the hanger  31  for underpinning the body  102 . The seating portion  312  comprises an opening  316  through which the pin  104  passes to penetrate the seating portion  312 . The seating portion  312  further comprises a receiving recess  318  corresponding in shape to the bottom of the body  102 , and having a rim which encircles the upper periphery of the opening  316 , such that the receiving recess  318  is capable of receiving the body  102  and conducive to the passage of the pin  104  through the opening  316  with a view to enabling the hanger  31  to underpin the body  102  and projecting the pin  104  in the direction of the base  10 . A jointing portion  314  is centrally disposed at the top side of the hanger  31  and coupled to the pulling portion  202 . The jointing portion  314  is a screw hole, a ring, or a hook. The pulling portion  202  is implemented in the form of a bolt, a ring, or a hook, respectively. With the hanger  31  being of the aforesaid rectangular frame structure, the applied tension is conveyed along said two lateral sides  313  vertically, hence, no force component develops between the body  102  and the pin  104 . 
         [0022]    Furthermore, referring to  FIG. 4   c  and  FIG. 4   d , there are shown schematic views of the structure of a hanger of the tension testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 4   c , a hanger  32  is of an equilateral triangle-shaped frame structure which has three sides of equal length, namely two lateral sides  323  and a bottom side. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 4   d , the hanger  32  is of an isosceles trapezoidal frame structure which has four sides, namely a top side, a bottom side parallel to the top side, and two lateral sides  323 . A seating portion  322  is centrally disposed at the bottom side for receiving the body  102 . The seating portion  322  comprises an opening  326  through which the pin  104  passes to penetrate the seating portion  322 . The seating portion  322  further comprises a receiving recess  328  corresponding in shape to the bottom of the body  102 , and having a rim which encircles the upper periphery of the opening  326 , such that the receiving recess  328  is capable of receiving the body  102  and conducive to the passage of the pin  104  through the opening  326  with a view to enabling the hanger  31  to underpin the body  102  and projecting the pin  104  in the direction of the base  10 . Referring to  FIG. 4   c  and  FIG. 4   d , a jointing portion  324  is centrally disposed at the top vertex and the top side of the hanger  32 , respectively, and coupled to the pulling portion  202 . The jointing portion  324  is a screw hole, a ring, or a hook. The pulling portion  202  is implemented in the form of a bolt, a ring, or a hook. The applied tension is conveyed along said two lateral sides  323 , due to the bilateral symmetry of the hanger  32 . Therefore, non-vertical force components offset each other. Accordingly, the applied tension is always conveyed vertically, and no component force develops between the body  102  and the pin  104 . 
         [0023]    Referring to  FIG. 5   b , there is shown a schematic view of the structure of a clamp  41  of the tension testing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 5   b , the clamp  41  comprises a bottom member  412 , a clamping head  414  disposed on the bottom member  412 , and a sleeve  416  disposed around the clamping head  414 . The sleeve  416  holds the clamping head  414  tightly so as to clamp the pin  104  therein. The sleeve  416  has an engaging structure or a screwing structure, such that the clamping head  414  clamps the pin  104  therein tightly. The clamping head  414  comprises a plurality of claws for holding the pin  104  tightly when the sleeve  416  draws the claws closer to each other. 
         [0024]    Unlike a conventional tension testing device, the tension testing device of the present invention simplifies a testing procedure, enhances ease of use, shortens the required duration of a tension test, and enhances the efficiency of the tension test. A pin strength tension test conducted on an electronic element by the tension testing device of the present invention has the following advantages: preventing the body from being clamped to deformation or bad alignment; dispensing a welding and unwelding process which must otherwise be performed on a pin and a test lead to the detriment of the appearance of the electronic element according to the prior art; with a hanger and a clamp working together, the development of a force component derived from an applied tension is precluded, thereby providing a stable test process and yielding a reliable test result. Accordingly, the tension testing device of the present invention features ease of use, a stable test process, and reliable test results, and is effective in enhancing production efficiency and product quality. 
         [0025]    The present invention is disclosed above by preferred embodiments. However, persons skilled in the art should understand that the preferred embodiments are illustrative of the present invention only, but should not be interpreted as restrictive of the scope of the present invention. Hence, all equivalent modifications and replacements made to the aforesaid embodiments should fall within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the legal protection for the present invention should be defined by the appended claims.