Elastic electrical contact device and contact conductor thereof

Abstract

The present application provides a kind of elastic electric contact device and its contact conductor, elastic electric contact device includes two contact conductors, each contact conductor includes head and electric contact part integrated connection, electric contact part is cross section arc-shaped bending shape and forms guide groove, electric contact part is two sides symmetry along second central axis, first central axis and second central axis are parallel to each other and not coaxial.Two contact conductors electric contact part can be opened to each other and dock in the guide groove of each other, and can be mutually slidable to each other to stretch and contract, and set elastic reset member so that two contact conductors can be elastically reset when stretching and contracting each other, can make contact conductor provide good combination stability and volume reduction, and can provide sufficient electric contact area between electric contact part.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention provides a flexible electrical contact device, particularly a device and its contact conductor that can provide contact for testing electrical properties. Background Technology

[0002] For example, in the packaging and testing of semiconductor wafers, it is common to assemble electrical contact devices for testing on a test bench. The head of the contact conductor contacts the contacts on the semiconductor wafer to perform the test (e.g., using resistivity measurement as the test reference).

[0003] A current type of elastic electrical contact device consists of two contact conductors assembled with their pins facing each other via a compression spring. The two contact conductors are compressible and elastically expand / contract via the spring, and indirectly conduct electricity through contact with the spring. However, the two contact conductors are not directly connected by pins during assembly, but rather linked by a flexible compression spring, resulting in poor structural stability. Consequently, during testing, the contact conductors often become misaligned, causing a "knee-knee" phenomenon. Furthermore, since the two contact conductors conduct electricity indirectly via the compression spring, the helical structure of the spring lengthens the current path, leading to unnecessary electrical losses.

[0004] Another existing contact conductor structure, such as US Patent No. US08808037B2, discloses an elastic electrical contact device composed of a flat contact conductor. Three separate, fork-shaped connection bridges are formed on the body of the contact conductor through stamping, providing direct bonding and conductivity between two contact conductors. However, the overall width of this contact conductor structure is mainly 0.12mm-0.18mm, and the width of each connection bridge is only between 0.04mm-0.06mm. Due to the small size of the connection bridges, considerable difficulty in manufacturing is foreseeable, leading to poor yield and hindering mass production. Even if manufactured, the connection bridges exhibit poor stability during bonding. Furthermore, the flat shape of the contact conductor makes it difficult to further reduce the size while maintaining good contact stability and conductivity. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The inventor then devoted his mind and effort to research and development, and eventually developed an elastic electrical contact device and its contact conductor, which can make the contact conductor have better contact stability and good conductivity.

[0006] The present invention provides an elastic electrical contact device, comprising: Two contact conductors, integrally stamped and identical in construction, each contact conductor comprising: A head having a first front end and a first rear end, the head being bilaterally symmetrical along a first central axis; and An electrical contact portion has a second front end and a second rear end, the second front end and the first rear end being integrally connected. The electrical contact portion has an arc-shaped cross-section forming a guide groove. One side of the electrical contact portion has an opening along the length of the guide groove. The electrical contact portion is bilaterally symmetrical along a second central axis. The first central axis and the second central axis are parallel to each other but not coaxial. The electrical contact portions of the two contact conductors are positioned with their openings facing each other and mating in each other's guide grooves, allowing them to slide and extend / retract relative to each other. An elastic reset element is sleeved on the two contact conductors, covering at least the two electrically contact portions that are mated, to provide elastic reset when the two contact conductors extend or retract relative to each other.

[0007] The present invention provides a contact conductor that can be applied to the aforementioned elastic electrical contact device. The contact conductor is integrally stamped and includes: A head having a first front end and a first rear end, the head being bilaterally symmetrical along a first central axis; and An electrical contact portion has a second front end and a second rear end, the second front end and the first rear end are integrally connected, the electrical contact portion has an arc-shaped bend in cross section, and a guide groove is formed as it bends, one side of the electrical contact portion has an opening provided along the length direction of the guide groove, the electrical contact portion is bilaterally symmetrical along the second central axis, the first central axis and the second central axis are parallel to each other and not coaxial.

[0008] In one embodiment, the electrical contact portion has a U-shaped or C-shaped cross-section.

[0009] In one embodiment, the electrical contact portion has a uniform width from the second front end to the second rear end.

[0010] In one embodiment, the opening has a constant width portion and a flared portion, the constant width portion extending from the second front end to the second rear end, and the flared portion communicating with the constant width portion at the second rear end, and the flared portion gradually opening towards the second rear end.

[0011] In one embodiment, the contact conductor includes a middle portion integrally connected between the first rear end and the second front end, and the head and the middle portion are bilaterally symmetrical along the first central axis. The middle portion has a stop portion that extends radially to both sides relative to the first central axis to block the two ends of the elastic reset member when it is sleeved on the two contact conductors.

[0012] In one embodiment, the middle portion is connected to the same side of the head and the electrical contact portion, and the electrical contact portion is connected to the middle portion on the opposite side of the opening via the second front end.

[0013] In one embodiment, when the two contact conductors are connected at the two electrical contact portions, the two first central axes are coaxial, and the two second central axes are located on opposite sides of the first central axes and are equidistant.

[0014] Therefore, the flexible electrical contact device and contact conductor of the present invention can provide better contact stability and good conductivity, and are easy to manufacture and mass-produce. The electrical contact parts can also provide sufficient electrical contact area with a relatively small volume, so that the volume of the contact conductor can be further reduced. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a plan view of the elastic electrical contact device of the present invention, showing the docking assembly as seen from a top view, wherein the two contact conductors are compressed and engaged with the elastic reset member and are relatively retracted.

[0016] Figure 2 This is a plan view of the contact conductor in an embodiment of the present invention, as seen from a top view.

[0017] Figure 3 This is a side view of the contact conductor according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] Figure 4 This is a plan view of the first front end of the head in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] Figure 5 yes Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the cross-section seen at section line 5-5.

[0020] Figure 6 This is a top-view plan view of the two electrical contacts of an embodiment of the present invention when they are docked. The elastic reset component is omitted from the figure.

[0021] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 The cross-sectional view of the two electrical contacts when they are joined is taken from the side, with the first central axis as the cross-sectional position. The elastic reset element is omitted from the figure.

[0022] Figure 8 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of the electrical contact joint as seen in section 8-8.

[0023] Figure 9 yes Figure 1 A schematic diagram showing the two contact conductors being pushed outwards relative to each other by an elastic reset element.

[0024] Figure label: 100 Flexible Electrical Contact Device 10 Contact conductors 20 heads 21 First Front End 22 First Backend 30 Electrical Contacts 31 Second Front End 32 Second Backend 321 internal chamfer 322 outer lead angle 33 guide trench 34 openings 341 equal width section 342 expansion part 35 contact surface 40 Middle Section 41 blocks 50 elastic reset components A1 First Central Axis A2 Second Central Axis Detailed Implementation To fully understand the purpose, features, and effects of the present invention, the present invention will be described in detail below through specific embodiments and in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0025] Please refer to Figures 1 to 9 As shown, this invention provides a flexible electrical contact device and a contact conductor, which in one embodiment is applied to the packaging and testing of semiconductor wafers, but is not limited to this application. The "flexible electrical contact device" described in this invention is also known in the industry as a "contact probe." The "contact conductor" defined in this invention is not equivalent to the aforementioned "contact probe," and should be understood as a component of the flexible electrical contact device. The flexible electrical contact device 100, as... Figure 1 , 9 As shown, it includes two contact conductors 10 and an elastic reset member 50. The two contact conductors 10 are integrally stamped and have the same structure, wherein: like Figure 2 , 3 As shown, each contact conductor 10 includes a head 20 and an electrical contact portion 30.

[0026] The head 20 has a first front end 21 and a first rear end 22, and the head 20 is bilaterally symmetrical along the first central axis A1. In one embodiment, the head 20 is cylindrical. The first front end 21 is a test end used to contact the contacts of the semiconductor wafer for testing, and in one embodiment, it is claw-shaped (see also...). Figure 4 (as shown), but the present invention is not limited to this claw shape.

[0027] The electrical contact portion 30 has a second front end 31 and a second rear end 32. The electrical contact portion 30 is integrally connected to the second front end 31 and the first rear end of the head 20, and as shown... Figure 2 , 3As shown, the electrical contact portion 30 has an arc-shaped cross-section forming a guide groove 33, and the electrical contact portion 30 has a contact surface 35 extending from the second front end 31 to the second rear end 32 within the guide groove 33. One side of the electrical contact portion 30 has an opening 34, which is provided along the length direction of the guide groove 33. Figure 2 As shown, the electrical contact portion 30 is bilaterally symmetrical along the second central axis A2, while the first central axis A1 and the second central axis A2 are parallel to each other and not coaxial. That is, the center of the electrical contact portion 30 is offset from the center of the head 20 and the middle portion 40.

[0028] like Figure 5 As shown, the electrical contact portion 30 has a U-shaped cross-section. However, the present invention is not limited to embodiments where the electrical contact portion 30 is U-shaped. For example, it may be C-shaped or have other arc-shaped or bent structures. Any electrical contact portion 30 that can be mated and slide against each other is within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0029] In one embodiment, the contact conductor 10 further includes a middle portion 40, which is integrally connected between the first rear end 22 of the head 20 and the second front end 31 of the electrical contact portion 30, and is bilaterally symmetrical along the first central axis A1 as the head 20 is. Both the head 20 and the middle portion 40 are bilaterally symmetrical along the first central axis A1. Figure 3 As shown, the middle portion 40 is connected to the same side of the head 20 and the electrical contact portion 30, and is also referenced. Figure 7 The electrical contact portion 30 is connected to the middle portion 40 via the second front end 31 on the opposite side of the opening 34. The opening 34 is located above the electrical contact portion 30, and the middle portion 40 is connected to the second front end 31 below the electrical contact portion 30 (on the opposite side of the opening 34).

[0030] The flexible electrical contact device of the above embodiments, during assembly, such as Figure 6 , 7 As shown in Figure 8, the electrical contact portions 30 of two contact conductors 10 face each other with openings 34, and are mated in their respective guide grooves 33. They slide against each other through their respective contact surfaces 35, allowing for mutual expansion and contraction. The electrical contact portions 30 are axially mated. In one embodiment, when the two contact conductors 10 are mated at their two electrical contact portions 30, as... Figure 6 As shown, the two first central axes A1 are coaxial, and the two second central axes A2 are located on opposite sides of the first central axis A1, and are equidistant from each other.

[0031] In one embodiment, the electrical contact portion 30 has a uniform width from the second front end 31 to the second rear end 32, and the opening 34 has a uniform width portion 341 and a flared portion 342. The uniform width portion 341 extends from the second front end 31 to the second rear end 32, and the flared portion 342 communicates with the uniform width portion 341 at the second rear end 32, and the flared portion 342 gradually opens towards the second rear end 32. Furthermore, the electrical contact portion 30 has an inner chamfer 321 and an outer chamfer 322 at the second rear end 32 (e.g., ...). Figure 7 (As shown). When the two electrical contact portions 30 are mated, the flared portion 342 has a gradually opening structure, which makes it easy for them to be guided into each other. When they are guided into each other, they are guided by the inner guide angle 321 and the outer guide angle 322, so as to help the two electrical contact portions 30 to be mated smoothly.

[0032] For example Figure 1 , 9 As shown, the elastic reset member 50 is sleeved on the two contact conductors 10 and covers the entirety of the two mating electrical contact portions 30, as well as portions of the two intermediate portions 40, thereby providing elastic reset when the two contact conductors 10 extend or retract relative to each other. In this embodiment, the intermediate portions 40 are as follows: Figure 2 , 3 The diagram shows a stop 41 that extends radially to both sides relative to the first central axis A1, to hook onto... Figure 1 , 9 The elastic reset member 50 is sleeved at both ends when the two contact conductors 10 are connected. However, the above-mentioned blocking portion 41 and the two ends of the elastic reset member 50 are not limited to the above-mentioned hook and block in this invention, and also include various structures that can form a block at both ends of the elastic reset member 50.

[0033] It is not difficult to see from the above description that the feature of the present invention is that the electrical contact portion 30 has an arc-shaped cross-section, and the first central axis A1 and the second central axis A2 are parallel to each other but not coaxial. Therefore, the width of the electrical contact portion 30 can be smaller than the width of the head 20 and / or the middle portion 40 (please refer to...). Figure 1 , 2 Compared to existing flat contact conductor structures, when the electrical contact portions 30 of two contact conductors 10 are mated in each other's conductive grooves 33, the electrical contact portions 30 can contact each other with an arc-shaped cross-section to provide sufficient electrical contact area. This achieves the effect of providing better contact stability and good conductivity even with a relatively smaller volume of the contact conductors 10. Furthermore, the arc-shaped cross-section of the electrical contact portion 30 is easy to manufacture and can have a better yield rate to facilitate mass production. The volume of the contact conductors 10 can also be relatively reduced, thereby reducing material volume and material costs.

[0034] The present invention has been disclosed above with reference to preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art should understand that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the invention and should not be construed as limiting its scope. It should be noted that all equivalent variations and substitutions to these embodiments should be considered within the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the claims.

Claims

1. A flexible electrical contact device, comprising: The two contact conductors are integrally stamped and have the same structure. Each contact conductor includes: A head having a first front end and a first rear end, the head being bilaterally symmetrical along a first central axis; and An electrical contact portion has a second front end and a second rear end, the second front end and the first rear end being integrally connected. The electrical contact portion has an arc-shaped cross-section from the second front end to the second rear end, forming a guide groove. The electrical contact portion has a contact surface extending from the second front end to the second rear end within the guide groove. One side of the electrical contact portion has an opening along the length of the guide groove. The electrical contact portion is bilaterally symmetrical along a second central axis. The first central axis and the second central axis are parallel to each other but not coaxial. The electrical contact portions of two contact conductors face each other with their openings and abut in each other's guide grooves, and are retractable by sliding contact with each other using their respective contact surfaces. An elastic reset element is sleeved on the two contact conductors, covering at least the two electrically contact portions that are mated, to provide elastic reset when the two contact conductors extend or retract relative to each other.

2. The elastic electrical contact device according to claim 1, wherein, The electrical contact portion has a U-shaped or C-shaped cross-section.

3. The elastic electrical contact device according to claim 2, wherein, The electrical contact portion has a uniform width from the second front end to the second rear end.

4. The elastic electrical contact device according to claim 3, wherein, The opening has a constant width portion and a flared portion. The constant width portion extends from the second front end to the second rear end, and the flared portion communicates with the constant width portion at the second rear end, and the flared portion gradually opens towards the second rear end.

5. The elastic electrical contact device according to claim 1, wherein, Each contact conductor includes a middle portion integrally connected between the first rear end and the second front end, and the head and the middle portion are symmetrical about both sides along the first central axis. The middle portion has a stop portion that extends radially to both sides relative to the first central axis to block the two ends of the elastic reset member when it is sleeved on the two contact conductors.

6. The elastic electrical contact device according to claim 5, wherein, The middle portion is connected to the same side of the head and the electrical contact portion, and the electrical contact portion is connected to the middle portion at the opposite side of the opening via the second front end.

7. The elastic electrical contact device according to claim 1, wherein, When the two contact conductors are connected at the two electrical contact portions, the two first central axes are coaxial, and the two second central axes are located on opposite sides of the first central axis and are equidistant.

8. A contact conductor of an elastic electrical contact device, which is integrally stamped and includes: The head has a first front end and a first rear end, and the head is bilaterally symmetrical along a first central axis; as well as An electrical contact portion has a second front end and a second rear end, the second front end and the first rear end are integrally connected, the electrical contact portion has an arc-shaped bend in cross section from the second front end to the second rear end and forms a guide groove, and the electrical contact portion has a contact surface extending from the second front end to the second rear end in the guide groove, one side of the electrical contact portion has an opening provided along the length direction of the guide groove, the electrical contact portion is bilaterally symmetrical along a second central axis, and the first central axis and the second central axis are parallel to each other and not coaxial; When the electrical contact portions of the two contact conductors face each other with the openings and are mated in each other's guide grooves, they can slide and contact each other with their contact surfaces and thus be retractable.

9. The contact conductor of the elastic electrical contact device according to claim 8, wherein, The electrical contact portion has a U-shaped or C-shaped cross-section.

10. The contact conductor of the elastic electrical contact device according to claim 9, wherein, The electrical contact portion has a uniform width from the second front end to the second rear end.

11. The contact conductor of the elastic electrical contact device according to claim 10, wherein, The opening has a constant width portion and a flared portion. The constant width portion extends from the second front end to the second rear end, and the flared portion communicates with the constant width portion at the second rear end, and the flared portion gradually opens towards the second rear end.

12. The contact conductor of the elastic electrical contact device according to claim 8, wherein, The contact conductor includes a middle portion connected to the head and the electrical contact portion on the same side, with the electrical contact portion connected to the middle portion on the opposite side of the opening via the second front end.

13. The contact conductor of the elastic electrical contact device according to claim 8, wherein, The contact conductor includes a middle portion integrally connected between the first rear end and the second front end, and the head and the middle portion are bilaterally symmetrical along the first central axis. The middle portion has a stop portion that extends radially to both sides relative to the first central axis.

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