Abstract:
Provided is a method and an apparatus for acquiring electrical measurements of an electronic device. The method and the apparatus comprise securing an elastomeric connector at least partially inside a cavity within a truncated front end of an electrical probe, wherein the electrical probe is physically and electrically coupled to an electric cable; physically and electrically coupling the electric cable to a data processor; electrically connecting the elastomeric connector end to said electronic device; and outputting electrical measurement data from the elastomeric connector end through the electric cable to said data processor. The advantages are that the connection can be single wire per probe or two wires per probe, with only a single physical connection required, and the lack of probe damage to the feature being probed.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Non-Provisional of the U.S. Application No. 61/786,934 filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and a method for acquiring electrical measurements of an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     For years, it is common to use a rubber strip, often called a Zebra strip, to make dozens of electrical connections between an LCD and a circuit card. There are two types of Zebra strips: rectangular conductor-style Zebra strip and circular conductor-style Zebra strip. The Zebra strip creates electrical connections between the conductors on the back of the LCD and the conductors on the circuit card. 
     When probing a small object on a circuit board or other electrical substrate (e.g. a Zebra strip), a testing device needs to make good electrical connection without damaging the object. In addition, for certain measurements, a four-wire measurement technique can be utilized to improve the quality of the measurement, but making four connections (as opposed to the more typical two connections) on a small object can be even more difficult. 
     In the prior art, a typical technology for probing such small objects is the use of metal pins. Metal pins generally have points that make contact with the circuit card. However, the metal pins can often damage the object being probed. 
     SUMMARY 
     One aspect of the disclosure relates to a method for acquiring electrical measurements of an electronic device, the method comprising: securing an elastomeric connector at least partially inside a cavity within a truncated front end of an electrical probe, wherein the electrical probe is physically and electrically coupled to an electric cable; physically and electrically coupling the electric cable to a data processor; electrically connecting the elastomeric connector end to said electronic device; and outputting electrical measurement data from the elastomeric connector end through the electric cable to said data processor. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the elastomeric connector comprises at least one conductive layer defining two opposing walls and at least two nonconductive layers, each nonconductive layer defining two opposing walls, an inner wall of one of the nonconductive layers being in physical contact with one wall of the at least one conductive layer and an inner wall of another nonconductive layer being in physical contact with the other wall of the at least one conductive layer. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the at least one conductive layer is comprised of carbon filled silicone rubber material. 
     Alternatively or additionally, each nonconductive layer is comprised of silicone rubber material. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the at least one conductive layer and each nonconductive layer have a height dimension that is equal to at least 1.5 times the width dimension. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the elastomeric connector comprises at least one nonconductive layer defining two opposing faces, the at least one nonconductive layer comprising at least one conductive pathway extending between the faces. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the at least one nonconductive layer is comprised of silicone rubber material. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the at least one conductive pathway is comprised of gold-plated phosphor bronze material. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the elastomeric connector comprises at least one protective layer defining two opposing walls, an inner wall of the includes least one protective layer being in physical contact with an outer wall of one of the nonconductive layers and an outer wall of the at least one protective layer being in physical contact with the cavity. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the at least one protective layer is selected from a group consisting of an insulator and a supporter. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the protective layer is comprised of silicone rubber material having a solid composition. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the protective layer is comprised of silicone rubber material having a porous composition. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the data processor is an electronic testing equipment. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the electronic device comprises an element adapted to enable electrical connection. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the element is a pin. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the element is a wire. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the truncated front end has at least one tapered side wall. 
     Another aspect of the disclosure relates to an electrical probe comprising: an elongated support adapted to be physically and electrically coupled to an electric cable, wherein the electric cable is physically and electrically coupled to a data processor; a truncated front end physically and electrically coupled to the support; a cavity within the front end; and an elastomeric connector adapted to at least partially fit inside the cavity, the elastomeric connector enabling electrical connection to an electronic device. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the elastomeric connector includes at least one conductive layer defining two opposing walls and at least two nonconductive layers, each nonconductive layer defining two opposing walls, an inner wall of one of the nonconductive layers being in physical contact with one wall of the at least one conductive layer and an inner wall of another nonconductive layer being in physical contact with the other wall of the at least one conductive layer. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the at least one conductive layer is comprised of carbon-filled silicone rubber material. 
     Alternatively or additionally, each nonconductive layer is comprised of silicone rubber material. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the at least one conductive layer and each nonconductive layer have a height dimension that is equal to at least 1.5 times the width dimension. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the elastomeric connector comprises at least one nonconductive layer defining two opposing faces and at least one conductive pathway extending between the faces. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the at least one nonconductive layer is comprised of silicone rubber material. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the at least one conductive pathway is comprised of gold-plated phosphor bronze material. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the elastomeric connector comprises at least one protective layer defining two opposing walls, an inner wall of the at least one protective layer being in physical contact with an outer wall of one of the nonconductive layers and an outer wall of the at least one protective layer being in physical contact with the cavity. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the at least one protective layer is selected from a group consisting of an insulator and a supporter. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the protective layer is comprised of silicone rubber material having a solid composition. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the protective layer is comprised of silicone rubber material having a porous composition. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the data processor is an electronic testing equipment. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the electronic device comprises an element adapted to enable electrical connection. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the element is a pin. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the element is a wire. 
     Alternatively or additionally, the front end has at least one tapered side wall. 
     In according with the above features, the connection can be single wire per probe or two wires per probe with only a single physical connection. Such features provide the advantage of preventing damage to the object being probed. 
     A number of features are described herein with respect to embodiments of the invention; it will be appreciated that features described with respect to a given embodiment also may be employed in connection with other embodiments. 
     The invention includes the features described herein, including the description, the annexed drawings, and, if appended, the claims, which set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments. These embodiments are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the invention may be employed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the annexed drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary electrical probe according with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of the probe without an elastomeric connector shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is an elastomeric connector according with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the elastomeric connector shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a bottom view of another elastomeric connector according with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the elastomeric connector shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of another probe according with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 8  is another elastomeric connector according with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the elastomeric connector shown in  FIG. 8 . 
         FIG. 10  is a bottom view of another elastomeric connector according with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the elastomeric connector shown in  FIG. 10 . 
         FIG. 12  is another elastomeric connector according with the disclosure. 
         FIG. 13  is an exemplary flowchart of the method according with the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings in detail, and initially to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary electrical probe  10  is illustrated. The electrical probe  10  is configured to acquire electrical measurements of an electronic device  12 , such as a Zebra strip. The electrical probe  10  includes an elongated support  14 , a truncated front end  16  and an elastomeric connector  24 . In the illustrated embodiment the support  14  is tubular in shape, although it will be appreciated that the support can be any other suitable shape, such as a rectangular shape or a triangular shape. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the front end  16  is physically coupled to the support  14 . At the bottom portion of the front end  16  is a cavity  22  for receiving the elastomeric connector  24 . In the illustrated embodiment, the front end  16  is provided with tapered side walls  26  for receiving the upper portion of the elastomeric connector  24  to secure the elastomeric connector  24  to the front end  16 . It will be appreciated, however, that the elastomeric connector may be secured to the front end by other suitable means such as by a rubber stopper. 
     The probe  10  also comprises a conductive channel  28  that is located within both the support  14  and the front end  16 . The top end  29  of the conductive channel  28  is adapted to be physically and electrically coupled to an electric cable  18 . The electric cable  18  is physically and electrically coupled to a data processor  20 , for example and electronic testing equipment. The elastomeric connector  24  is physically and electrically coupled to the bottom end  30  of the conductive channel  28 . The elastomeric connector  24  enables electrical connection to the electronic device  12 . The electronic device  12  may be adapted to enable electrical connection by the elements of the electronic device  12 , such as pins or wires. At this point, an electrical connection may be coupled from the electronic device  12  to the data processor  20 . The conductive channel  28  in the illustrated embodiment is made of a conductive material that has smaller resistivity than both the support  14  and the front end  16 . A person having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the conductive channel can be formed by a tunnel and a wire within the tunnel. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , shown is an exemplary elastomeric connector  24 . The electrical probe  10  having the elastomeric connector  24  may be configured to be a two-wire measure rectangular conductor-style Zebra strip with another electrical probe  10  having the same elastomeric connector  24 . The elastomeric connector  24  has a conductive layer  241  and two nonconductive layers  242  and  243 . The conductive layer  241  defines two opposing walls  244  and  245 . The nonconductive layer  242  defines an outer wall  246  and an inner wall  247 . The nonconductive layer  243  defines an inner wall  248  and an outer wall  249 . The inner walls  247  and  248  of the nonconductive layers  242  and  243  are respectively in physical contact with the walls  244  and  245  of the conductive layer  241 . The outer walls  246  and  249  of the nonconductive layers  242  and  243  are in physical contact with the cavity  22 . The conductive layer  241  also defines a top surface  250  and a bottom surface  251 . The top surface  250  is configured to electrically couple to the bottom end  30  of the conductive channel  28 . The bottom surface  251  is configured to enable electrical connection to the electronic device  12 . Therefore, an electrical connection may be coupled from the electronic device  12  to the data processor  20 . 
     In addition, in order to secure the elastomeric connector  24  into the front end  16 , the height H of the elastomeric connector  24  is preferably equal to at least 1.5 times the width W of the elastomeric connector  24 . A person having ordinary skill in the art should understand the requirement of the radio of height to width may apply to the following embodiment. 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , another embodiment of the elastomeric connector is indicated by reference numeral  44 . The electrical probe  10  having the elastomeric connector  44  is configured to a two-wire measure circular conductor-style Zebra strip with another electrical probe  10  having the same elastomeric connector  44 . The elastomeric connector  44  comprises a nonconductive layer  442  defining an outer face  443  and an inner face  444 . The elastomeric connector  44  also comprises a conductive pathway  441  extending among the face  443 . The face  444  is in physical contact with the cavity  22 . The conductive pathway  441  defines a top surface  445  and a bottom surface  446 . The top surface  445  is configured to electrically couple to the bottom end  30  of the conductive channel  28 . The bottom surface  446  is configured to enable electrical connection to the electronic device  12 . Therefore, an electrical connection may be coupled from the electronic device  12  to the data processor  20 . 
     Turning now to  FIG. 7 , another embodiment of electrical probe is shown indicated by reference  100 . The electrical probe  100  is substantially the same as the above referenced electrical probe  10 , and consequently the same reference numerals are used to denote structures corresponding to similar structures in the electrical probe  100 . In addition, the foregoing description of the electrical probe is equally applicable to the electrical probe  100  except as noted below. 
       FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of the electrical probe  100 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , the probe  100  comprises two conductive channels  281  and  282  that are located within both the support  14  and the front end  16 . The top ends  291  and  292  of the conductive channel  28  are adapted to be physically and electrically coupled to two electric cables  181  and  182 , respectfully. The electric cables  181  and  182  are physically and electrically coupled to a data processor  20 , for example electronic testing equipment. The elastomeric connector  64  is physically and electrically coupled to the bottom end  301  of the conductive channel  281  and the bottom end  302  of the conductive channel  282 . The elastomeric connector  24  enables electrical connection to the electronic device  12 . The electronic device  12  may be adapted to enable electrical connection by the elements of the electronic device  12 , such as pins or wires. At this point, two separated electrical connections may be coupled from the electronic device  12  to the data processor  20 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , another embodiment of the elastomeric connector is indicated by reference numeral  64 . The electrical probe  100  having the elastomeric connector  64  is configured to four-wire measure rectangular conductor-style Zebra strip with another electrical probe  100  having the same elastomeric connector  64 . Alternatively, the electrical probe  100  having an elastomeric connector  64  is configured to two-wire measure rectangular conductor-style Zebra strip by itself. 
     The elastomeric connector  34  has two conductive layers  641 ,  642  and three nonconductive layers  643 ,  644 , and  645 . The conductive layer  641  defines two opposing walls  646  and  647 . The conductive layer  642  defines two opposing walls  648  and  649 . The nonconductive layer  643  defines an outer wall  650  and an inner wall  651 . The nonconductive layer  644  defines two opposing walls  652  and  653 . The nonconductive layer  645  defines an inner wall  654  and an outer wall  655 . 
     The opposing walls  652  and  653  of the nonconductive layer  644  are respectively in physical contact with the wall  647  of the conductive layer  641  and the wall  648  of the conductive layer  642 . The inner wall  651  of the nonconductive layer  643  is in physical contact with the wall  646  of the conductive layer  641 . The inner wall  654  of the nonconductive layer  645  is in physical contact with the wall  649  of the conductive layer  642 . The outer walls  650  and  655  of the nonconductive layers  643  and  645  are in physical contact with the cavity  22 . The conductive layers  641  and  642  also define respectively top surfaces  656  and  658  and bottom surfaces  657  and  659 . The top surfaces  656  and  658  are configured to electrically couple to the bottom ends  301  and  302  of the conductive channels  281  and  282 , respectively. The bottom surfaces  657  and  659  are configured to enable electrical connection to the electronic device  12 . Therefore, two separated electrical connections may be coupled from the electronic device  12  to the data processor  20 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , another embodiment of the elastomeric connector is indicated by reference numeral  84 . The electrical probe  100  having the elastomeric connector  84  is configured to four-wire measure circular conductor-style Zebra strip with another electrical probe  100  having the same elastomeric connector  84 . Alternatively, the electrical probe  100  having an elastomeric connector  84  is configured to two-wire measure circular conductor-style Zebra strip by itself. The elastomeric connector  84  comprises a nonconductive layer  843  defining an outer face  844  and two inner faces  845  and  846 . The elastomeric connector  84  also comprises two separated conductive pathways  841  and  842  respectively extending among the inner faces  845  and  846 . The outer face  844  is in physical contact with the cavity  22 . The conductive pathway  841  defines a top surface  847  and a bottom surface  848 . The conductive pathway  842  defines a top surface  849  and a bottom surface  850 . The top surfaces  847  and  849  are configured to electrically couple to the bottom ends  301  and  302  of the conductive channels  281  and  282 , respectively. The bottom surfaces  848  and  850  are configured to enable electrical connection to the electronic device  12 . Therefore, two separated electrical connections may be coupled from the electronic device  12  to the data processor  20 . 
     As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, various mechanical configurations similar to  FIGS. 10 and 11  can be configured to achieve a similar result. 
     Turning to  FIG. 12 , an elastomeric connector  24  is shown as  FIG. 3 . The elastomeric connector  24  also comprises two protective layers  31  and  32 . The protective layer  31  and  32  are in physical contact with the outer walls of the combination of the nonconductive layers and the conductive layers, rather than the top surfaces or the bottom surfaces. A person having ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the protective layer is preferably applied to the other similar elastomeric connectors  44 ,  64 , and  84 , and may be any number of layers in case of the need of a better protection, although there are two protective layers in the illustrated embodiment. The protective layer may be an insulator, a supporter or the combination of both. The protective layer may be made of any suitable material such as silicone rubber material having a porous composition. 
     A person having ordinary skill in the art may appreciate that the conductive layer may be made of any suitable material such as carbon-filled silicone rubber material. The nonconductive layer may be made of any suitable material such as silicone rubber material. The conductive pathway may be made of any suitable material such as gold-plated phosphor bronze material. The above materials may prevent potential damages when the elastomeric connector is making a contact with objects of the electronic device. 
       FIG. 13  shows a method  500  for acquiring electrical measurements of an electronic device. The method  500  includes, at block  501 , an elastomeric connector is secured at least partially inside a cavity within a truncated front end of an electrical probe. The electrical probe is physically and electrically coupling to an electric cable. 
     At block  503 , the electric cable is physically and electrically coupling to a data processor. 
     At block  505 , the elastomeric connector is electrically connecting to the electronic device. 
     At block  507 , the probe is outputting electrical measurement data from the elastomeric connector through the electric cable to the data processor. 
     Illustrative embodiments of an invention are disclosed herein. One of ordinary skill in the art will readily recognize that the invention may have other applications in other environments. In fact, many embodiments and implementations are possible. The following claims are in no way intended to limit the scope of the present invention to the specific embodiments described above. In addition, any recitation of “means for” is intended to evoke a means-plus-function reading of an element and a claim, whereas, any elements that do not specifically use the recitation “means for”, are not intended to be read as means-plus-function elements, even if the claim otherwise includes the word “means”. It should also be noted that although the specification lists method steps occurring in a particular order, these steps may be executed in any order, or at the same time. 
     Although the invention is shown and described with respect to illustrative embodiments, it is evident that equivalents and modifications will occur to those persons skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding hereof. The present invention includes all such equivalents and modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims if appended hereto.