Patent Publication Number: US-2017370965-A1

Title: Electrical probe and jig for the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) on Patent Application No(s). 105119640 filed in Taiwan, R.O.C. on Jun. 22, 2016, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to an electrical probe and a jig, more particularly to an electrical probe for measuring resistance values or voltage values, and a jig for replacing a probe head of the electrical probe. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A probe is utilized for measuring resistance values or voltage values at the present industry, especially a probe for high current flow from tens of Ampere to hundreds of Ampere. Before shipping products, the manufacturers will use the probe to conduct electric properties tests to confirm the yield rate and the reliability of the products. In order to meet the requirements of less heat generation and large contacting area, the probe will directly contact the surface of the product to accurately measure the resistance value or voltage value under the electric properties tests. 
     In general, a probe head will be damaged in the process of electric properties tests because of high current flow, so that the probe head is needed to be replaced regularly. A conventional probe includes a detachable probe head mounted on a main body, so that the users is able to conveniently and fast replace the probe head. However, when the probe head is replaced, because of lacking an appropriate fixation on both the probe head and the probe body, the main body is easy to move together with the probe head, so that the relative displacement between the probe head and the probe body is overly small, and thus the probe head is difficult to be loosen from the main body. Some manufacturers use a tool (such as a wrench) to hold the main body, and use other tools (such as other wrenches) to replace the probe head. However, the steps of replacement will be more complicated and its operation will be more difficult, so that it could not contribute to improve the replacement efficiency of the probe head. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure discloses an electrical probe and a jig, in order to solve the problems of complicated steps and difficult operation when the probe head is replaced. 
     According to the disclosure, an electrical probe includes a base body and a probe head. The base body includes a main body portion and at least one positioning portion, and the positioning portion protrudes from the main body portion. The probe head is detachably disposed on the main body portion of the base body. The probe head has an outer edge located on a side of the probe head away from a central axis of the main body portion, and the positioning portion protrudes from the outer edge. 
     According to another disclosure, a jig adaptive for replacing the aforementioned probe head includes a positioning member and a movable member. The positioning member has an accommodation space and an opening which are connected to each other, and the positioning member is sleeved on the positioning portion of the electrical probe by the opening when the probe head is replaced. The movable member is movably disposed in the accommodation space, and the movable member is adaptive for replacing the probe head. The movable member has a recess, and the probe head is able to locate in the recess. When the probe head is replaced, the movable member is sleeved on the probe head along an axial direction of the positioning member, and the movable member is pressed against the positioning portion. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will become better understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative to the present disclosure and wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an electrical probe according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 1B  is an exploded view of the electrical probe in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1C  is a bottom view of the electrical probe in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1D  is an exploded view of a jig according to the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 1E  is a cross-sectional view of the jig in  FIG. 1D  which is fixed to the electrical probe in  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2A  is an exploded view of the electrical probe according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 2B  is a bottom view of the electrical probe in  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom view of the electrical probe according to a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the electrical probe according to a fourth embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the electrical probe according to a fifth embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawings. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1A  to  FIG. 1C .  FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an electrical probe according to a first embodiment.  FIG. 1B  is an exploded view of the electrical probe in  FIG. 1A .  FIG. 1C  is a bottom view of the electrical probe in  FIG. 1A . 
     In this embodiment, an electrical probe  1  includes a base body  11 , a probe head  12  and a pin  13 . The base body  11 , the probe head  12  and the pin  13 , for example, are all made of conductive materials. The electrical probe  1  is utilized to press against a test object (not shown in the drawings) so as to measure the resistance of the test object. In detail, the electric current flows from the probe head  12  into the test object, and then the electric current flows from the test object into the pin  13  for resistance measurement. 
     The base body  11  includes a main body portion  111  and a positioning portion  112  which are connected to each other, and the positioning portion  112  protrudes from the main body portion  111 . In detail, the main body portion  111  has a lateral surface  1111  located on a side of the main body portion  111  away from a central axis A 1  of the main body portion  111 . The positioning portion  112  surrounds the lateral surface  1111 , and the positioning portion  112  extends along a radial direction A 2  of the main body portion  111 . The edge of the positioning portion  112  has two circular sections  1121  and two linear sections  1122  which are connected to each other. The two circular sections  1121  are opposite to each other, and the two linear sections  1122  are located between the two circular sections  1121 . As shown in  FIG. 1C , each circular section  1121  is convex in this embodiment. The edge of the positioning portion  112  is formed by the circular sections  1121  and the linear sections  1122 , and its shape is dependent on the circular sections  1121  and the linear sections  1122 . The positioning portion  112  further has a stopper surface  1123  which is surrounded by the two circular sections  1121  and the two linear sections  1122 . The shape and the extension direction of the positioning portion  112  are not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the shape of the positioning portion  112  is rectangular or circular, and there is an acute angle between the extension direction of the positioning portion  112  and the radial direction A 2  of the main body portion  111 . Moreover, the main body portion  111  is integral with the positioning portion  112  in this embodiment, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the main body portion  111  and the positioning portion  112  are two separated members, and the positioning portion  112  is locked to or screwed to the main body portion  111 . 
     The probe head  12  is detachably disposed on the main body portion  111  of the base body  11 . The probe head  12  has an outer edge  121  located on a side of the probe head  12  away from the central axis A 1  of the main body portion  111 , and the positioning portion  112  protrudes from the outer edge  121 . In this embodiment, the probe head  12  is screwed to the main body portion  111 , and the shape of the probe head  12  is a regular hexagon, but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the probe head  12  is fastened to or locked to the main body portion  111 , and the shape of the probe head  12  is rectangular or circular. There is a projection P of the probe head  12  onto the stopper surface  1123 , and the projection P is surrounded by the two circular sections  1121  and the two linear sections  1122 . In detail, in this embodiment, the area of the stopper surface  1123  is larger than the area of the projection P of the probe head  12 , so that the two circular sections  1121  and the two linear sections  1122  are farther from the central axis A 1  of the main body portion  111  than the outer edge  121  of the probe head  12 . The pin  13  penetrates through the main body portion  111  of the base body  11  and the probe head  12 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 1D  and  FIG. 1E .  FIG. 1D  is an exploded view of the jig according to the first embodiment.  FIG. 1E  is a cross-sectional view of the jig in  FIG. 1D  which is fixed to the electrical probe in  FIG. 1A . The first embodiment further discloses a jig  2  which is adaptive for replacing the probe head  12  of the electrical probe  1 . The jig  2  includes a positioning member  21  and a movable member  22 . The positioning member  21  is adaptive to be fixed to the positioning portion  112  of the base body  11 . In detail, in this embodiment, the positioning member  21  has an accommodation space  211  and an opening  212  which are connected to each other. The cross section size D 2  of the opening  212  matches the positioning portion  112 , so that the positioning member  21  is able to be sleeved on the positioning portion  112  by the opening  212 , and the positioning portion  112  of the electrical probe  1  is held by the positioning member  21 , but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the positioning member  21  can be fixed to the positioning portion  112  by means of blocks fastened with slots. In this embodiment, the cross section size D 1  of the accommodation space  211  in the radial direction of the positioning member  21  is larger than the cross section size D 2  of the opening  212 , but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the cross section size D 1  of the accommodation space  211  is equal to the cross section size D 2  of the opening  212 . 
     The movable member  22  is movably disposed in the accommodation space  211 , and the movable member  22  is adaptive for replacing the probe head  12 . In detail, the movable member  22  has a recess  221 , and the probe head is adaptive to be located in the recess  221 . the size of the recess  221  matches the cross section size of the probe head  12  in the radial direction thereof. The movable member  22  is able to be driven by a power source (such as motors or users, not shown in the drawings) so as to rotate relative to the positioning member  21  around its central axis A 3 . In this embodiment, the movable member  22  is fixed to the probe head  12  by fitting the probe head  12  into the recess  221 , but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the movable member  22  is fixed to the probe head  12  by blocks fastened with slots. 
     The following illustrates how to use the jig  2  to replace the probe head  12 . As shown in  FIG. 1E , firstly, the positioning member  21  of the jig  2  is sleeved on the positioning portion  112  of the electrical probe  1 . Then, the movable member  22  is moved along an axial direction (the arrow a shown in  FIG. 1E ) of the positioning member  21  in the accommodation space  211  to press against the stopper surface  1123  of the positioning portion  112 , and the probe head  12  is fitted into the recess  221  when the movable member  22  is pressed against the stopper surface  1123  of the positioning portion  112 . Finally, the movable member  22  is rotated so as to loosen the probe head  12 , and thus the probe head  12  is detached from the probe head  12 . After the aforementioned detachment is finished, a new probe head is mounted on the base body  11 . 
     According to the disclosure, when the probe head  12  is replaced, the positioning member  21  of the jig  2  is fixed to the positioning portion  112  of the base body  11  protruding from the outer edge  121  of the probe head  12 , so that an interference between the positioning member  21  and the positioning portion  112  is favorable for firmly holding the positioning member  21  at a determined position. The movable member  22  of the jig  2  is able to rotate the probe head  12  relative to the base body  11 . In the process of replacement, since the base body  11  is fixed to the positioning member  21  of the jig  2 , the base body  11  is prevented from moving together with the probe head  12 , thereby improving replacement efficiency. Therefore, the user is able to easily and effectively replace the probe head  12  by the jig  2 . In addition, when the movable member  22  is sleeved on the probe head  12 , the positioning portion  112  is provided as guidance about the position of the movable member  22  in the accommodation space  211 . For example, when the movable member  22  is pressed against the positioning portion  112 , the user knows that the movable member  22  is located at a position where the probe head  12  is completely fitted into the recess  221 . Therefore, it is favorable for confirming whether the movable member  22  is completely sleeved on the probe head  12  or not. 
     In this embodiment, the probe head  12  and the main body portion  111  are screwed to each other, so that the jig  2  is able to detach the probe head  12  by rotating the movable member  22 , but the disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, when the probe head  12  is tightly fitted to the main body portion  111 , the movable member  22  of the jig  2  is able to detach the probe head  12  by pullout means. In addition, when replacing the probe head  12 , the user is able to detach the old probe head  12  and mount a new probe head  12  by the jig  2 . In this embodiment, the probe head  12  is replaced by the jig  2 , but the disclosure is not limited to the jig  2 . In other embodiments, the user uses a wrench or other conventional tools to replace the probe head  12 . 
     In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1A , the positioning portion  112  of the base body  11  of the electrical probe  1  surrounds around the lateral surface  1111  of the main body portion  111 . Therefore, it is favorable for providing sufficient area on the positioning portion  112  for contacting the positioning member  21  of the jig  2 , so as to maintain stable connection between the jig  2  and the base body  11 , when the jig  2  is fixed to the electrical probe  1 . 
     In addition, as shown in  FIG. 1E , the cross section size D 1  of the accommodation space  211  is larger than the cross section size D 2  of the opening  212 . Therefore, there is a sufficient space for the rotation of the movable member  22  so as to prevent unfavorable interference between the positioning member  21  and the movable member  22  in the process of replacement. In other embodiments, when the cross section size D 1  of the accommodation space  211  equals the cross section size D 2  of the opening  212 , in order to prevent unfavorable interference, the electrical probe  1  is designed to make the projection P of the probe head  12  onto the stopper surface  1123  surrounded by the side edge of the positioning portion  112  (as shown in  FIG. 1B ). In other words, the interference between the positioning member  21  and the movable member  22  is prevented as long as the edge of the positioning portion  112  surrounds the projection P of the probe head  12  onto the stopper surface  1123 . 
     In the first embodiment, the number of the positioning portion is one, but the disclosure not limited thereto. Please refer to  FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 2B .  FIG. 2A  is an exploded view of the electrical probe according to a second embodiment.  FIG. 2B  is a bottom view of the electrical probe in  FIG. 2A . Since the second embodiment and the first the embodiment are similar, the following only illustrates the difference between the first and the second embodiments. 
     In this embodiment, the base body  11  of the electrical probe  1  includes two positioning portions  112 . The two positioning portions  112  are located at an end of the main body portion  111  close to the probe head  12 , the two positioning portions  112  extends in opposite direction to be away from each other, and the two positioning portions  112  protrude from the outer edge  121  of the probe head  12 . In detail, the two positioning portions  112  are located on the lateral surface  1111  of the main body portion  111 , and extend along the direction A 2  of the main body portion  111  to respectively protrude from the left side and the right side of the outer edge  121 , from the view of  FIG. 2A . In addition, at least a part of the projection P of the probe head  12  onto the stopper surface  1123  protrudes from the edge of the stopper surface  1123 ; that is, the two sections of the positioning portion  112  are covered with the probe head  12 . In this embodiment, when the probe head  12  of the electrical probe  1  is replaced, if the cross section of the accommodation space in a radial direction of the positioning member is larger than the opening, it is favorable for preventing avoid the interference between the positioning member and the movable member. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 3  which is a bottom view of the electrical probe according to a third embodiment. Since the third embodiment and the first the embodiment are similar, so the following only illustrates the difference between the third and the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the shapes of the positioning portion  112  and the probe head  12  each are a regular hexagon. There is an extension line L 1  passing through the central axis A 1  of the main body portion  111  and one vertex of the probe head  12 , and there is an extension line L 2  passing through the central axis A 1  and another vertex of positioning portion  112 . An angle located between the extension lines L 1  and L 2  is 30 degrees. 
     Please refer to  FIG. 4  which is a bottom view of the electrical probe according to a fourth embodiment. Since the fourth embodiment and the first the embodiment are similar, so the following only illustrates the difference between the fourth and the first embodiment. In this embodiment, a part of the edge of the positioning portion  112  overlaps with the outer edge  121  of the probe head  12 , and the other part of the edge of positioning portion  112  is farther from the central axis of the probe head  12  than the outer edge  121 . 
     Please refer to  FIG. 5  which is a cross-sectional view of the electrical probe according to a fifth embodiment. Since the fifth embodiment and the first the embodiment are similar, so the following only illustrates the difference between the fifth and the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the positioning portion  112  extends along an extension direction, and an acute angle is between this extension direction and the radial direction A 2  of the main body portion  111 . The stopper surface of the positioning portion  112  has a circular inclined section  1123   a  and a flat section  1123   b , and the probe head  12  is cone-shaped. The outer edge  121  of the probe head  12  is located on the bottom surface of the cone-shaped probe head  12 . That is, the probe head  12  has a plurality of edges, and one of the edges farthest from the central axis A 1  of the main body portion  111  are regarded as the outer edge  121  of the probe head  12 . 
     According to the disclosure, the positioning portion of the base body of the electrical probe protrudes from the outer edge of the probe head, so that interference between the positioning member of the jig and the positioning portion is favorable for firmly holding the positioning member at a determined position. When the probe head is replaced, since the base body is fixed to the positioning member of the jig, the base body is prevented from moving together with the probe head, thereby improving replacement efficiency. Therefore, the user is able to easily and effectively replace the probe head by the jig. 
     In addition, when the movable member is sleeved on the probe head, the positioning portion is provided as guidance about the position of the movable member in the accommodation space. Therefore, it is favorable for confirming whether the movable member is completely sleeved on the probe head or not.