Stiffening element for stiffening a test contact system, use and method for mounting a test contact system

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a stiffening element for stiffening a test contactor system, a use of a stiffening element for stiffening a test contactor system and a method for assembling a test contactor system.

[0002] Conventional test contactor systems essentially consist of a test contactor and a circuit board and are used to test chips, such as computing chips used as CPU cores. To do this, a chip is inserted or placed into the open test contactor, and the test contactor is then closed. The test contactor is arranged on a circuit board so that when the test contactor is closed, a cover of the test contactor exerts pressure on the chip, ensuring reliable contact between the chip and the test contactor's spring contact pins. The chip transmits the pressure to the circuit board via the spring contact pins, ensuring reliable contact between the spring contact pins and the circuit board.

[0003] As a result, the circuit board may deform. If the circuit board deforms, the spring contact pins may no longer make secure or reliable contact with the circuit board during the test, and / or the circuit board may plastically deform or even break, making it impossible to reliably test a chip under test.

[0004] The printed circuit boards for test contactor systems must therefore be replaced frequently in order to perform tests with reliable results, which accordingly leads to short service lives for printed circuit boards, resulting in high costs for replacing the printed circuit boards and high recurring effort for assembling printed circuit boards in test contactor systems.

[0005] DE 10 2010 004 387 A1 describes a test contactor for an integrated circuit component, comprising a receiving device which is designed to receive the integrated circuit component along an insertion direction, a pressure element and a locking device, wherein by means of the pressure element in an operating position a pressure force can be applied to the circuit component along the insertion direction, wherein the pressure element can be transferred from a closed position into the operating position by a linear displacement along the insertion direction relative to the receiving device, and wherein the pressure element is locked in the operating position by means of the locking device.

[0006] US 2014 / 0232425 A1 describes a contactor using a pogo block in a first configuration as a direct test socket for integrated circuits, wherein the contactor can be reconfigured to provide a pogo block assembly, to provide an interface between a main test board and a daughter card, for specific device vendors and / or a specific package type that may be different from the main test board. A pogo block is inserted into a thick frame with an alignment plate for use as a contactor, wherein a device under test fits through an alignment plate into a recess in the frame to align the device under test to contact the electrical contacts of the contactor. The frame and guide plate can be removed, and a thinner frame can be connected to the contactor to change its function for a pogo block assembly.

[0007] WO 2012 / 099572 A1 describes a microelectronic contact assembly comprising a probe head with microelectronic contacts for contacting terminals of semiconductor devices to test the semiconductor devices. A stiffening assembly provides mechanical support to microelectronic contactors and connects a probe card assembly to a testing machine. A stiffening assembly comprises a main body and a plurality of attachment points, wherein at least one of the attachment points is flexibly connected to the main body by one or more laterally extending supports having a section modulus normal to the lateral direction that is significantly greater than the main body.The stiffening arrangement allows for different thermal expansion of different components of the microelectronic contact arrangement while minimizing the associated dimensional distortion that could impair the contacting of the terminals of semiconductor devices.

[0008] The use of a stiffening element is known, but stiffening elements are complex to install.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a stiffening element for stiffening a test contactor system, which increases the service life of printed circuit boards and enables simple assembly or fixing with printed circuit boards.

[0010] The above-described object is achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims, preferred embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0011] One aspect of the invention relates to a stiffening element for stiffening a test contactor system, comprising a support section on a circuit board support side of the stiffening element, wherein the support section is designed to form a support for a printed circuit board, and at least one recess formed on a rear side of the stiffening element, wherein at least one fastening element is arranged, in particular captively, in the at least one recess, at least in some regions for fastening the stiffening element to a test contactor. In other words, at least one regional section of the fastening element, i.e., a fastening element section, is arranged, in particular captively, in the at least one recess.

[0012] Advantageously, the above-described stiffening element allows the test contactor system, and in particular the printed circuit board, to be stiffened. The support section provided on the board support side of the stiffening element forms a support for the printed circuit board, so that the printed circuit board is less likely to bend when the test contactor system is closed, or in particular, does not bend at all. By reducing or preventing the bending of the printed circuit board when the test contactor system is closed, deformation of a printed circuit board can be reduced or prevented, even during repeated tests and the associated compressive loads, thereby increasing the service life of the printed circuit board for test contactor systems.

[0013] Furthermore, the captive arrangement of the at least one fastening element for fastening the stiffening element to the test contactor advantageously enables the printed circuit board to be prefabricated or pre-assembled with the stiffening element without the at least one fastening element arranged in the at least one recess falling out or becoming lost. As a result, during prefabrication or pre-assembly, the printed circuit board can be placed on the stiffening element, and in particular on the support section of the stiffening element, without impairing the accessibility of the at least one fastening element for further assembly.This is useful for printed circuit boards in general, and especially for larger printed circuit boards. "Larger printed circuit boards" refers to printed circuit boards with lateral dimensions substantially larger than 5 cm, in particular larger than 10 cm, and conceivably also larger than 50 cm or 80 cm. This is especially true for printed circuit boards with more than one test contactor, for example, with more than 10 test contactors, and thus for printed circuit boards with more than one stiffening element, for example, more than 10 stiffening elements. Thus, the assembly of the test contactor system can be effectively simplified or facilitated by the stiffening element described above.

[0014] The at least one fastening element can be arranged entirely within the at least one recess or can be arranged in regions within the at least one recess. With a region-by-region arrangement of the at least one fastening element, a part or section of the at least one fastening element, in other words a fastening element section, can be arranged within the at least one recess and another part or section of the at least one fastening element can be arranged outside the at least one recess. For example, the at least one fastening element can be overmolded in the at least one recess, for example by an injection molding process or by foaming the at least one recess.

[0015] Various terms will be used repeatedly below, the understanding of which is facilitated by the following definitions. Detachable or re-detachable connectable / connected: Detachable or re-detachable connectable / connected refers to connections between at least two elements that can be removed after being connected, whereby the at least two elements can be reconnected to one another after removal without further modification. The removal or re-detachment of the detachable or re-detachable connection between at least two elements thus occurs essentially without damage, in particular without damage to the elements involved in the connection.

[0016] Board support side of the stiffening element: The board support side of the stiffening element is a side of the stiffening element on which the support section for supporting the printed circuit board is formed. During assembly of the test contactor system or in the assembled state of the test contactor system, the board support side of the stiffening element, often referred to simply as the board support side below, thus represents a side of the stiffening element that essentially faces or is facing the printed circuit board.

[0017] Back of the stiffening element: The back of the stiffening element is a side of the stiffening element that, with respect to the stiffening element, is designed essentially opposite the support section for the printed circuit board. During assembly of the test contactor system or in the assembled state of the test contactor system, the back of the stiffening element thus represents a side of the stiffening element that faces away from the printed circuit board. In other words, the back of the stiffening element generally faces a support for the test contactor system. In the following, the back of the stiffening element is often referred to simply as the back.

[0018] Non-lost: The term non-lost is usually used in connection with at least one fastening element. A non-lost element will not fall out of the area in which it is mounted, regardless of its position, such as upside down, at an angle, tilted, etc., or become lost from that area. In other words, a non-lost element withstands a predetermined pull-out force, in particular the gravity of the non-lost element.

[0019] Anti-twist: The term "anti-twist" is usually used in conjunction with at least one fastening element. An anti-twist element cannot be twisted in the area in which it is located when applying forces and moments, as is typical for the assembly of the test contactor system, as well as in a certain area beyond that area, at least not without damaging the element or the area in which it is located.

[0020] The stiffening element according to the first aspect has at least one fixing element on the circuit board support side in order to fix the stiffening element to the circuit board.

[0021] Advantageously, the fixing element enables the stiffening element to be fixed to the printed circuit board, thus enabling secure pre-assembly or pre-assembly of the stiffening element with the printed circuit board. For pre-assembly, the stiffening element can be pressed against the printed circuit board, or the printed circuit board can be pressed against the stiffening element, wherein the at least one fixing element is at least temporarily deformed, whereby the restoring force resulting from the deformation or the clamping resulting from the deformation effects a fixation between the stiffening element and the printed circuit board. For example, the fixing element can be a clip arm with a retaining projection which can be temporarily deformed while the printed circuit board is being pressed onto the stiffening element orof the stiffening element on the circuit board is deformed and then returned to its original position, whereby the stiffening element is fixed to the circuit board by means of a positive connection. For this purpose, the clip arm with retaining projection can preferably be designed to be elastic. Optionally, the fixing element can also be designed as a fixing projection which has an excess dimension compared to the geometry of the circuit board, preferably a wall of at least one opening or a side wall of the circuit board. Due to the excess dimension of the fixing projection compared to the geometry of the circuit board, the fixing projection is pressed and in the process elastically or plastically deformed, whereby a clamping connection, in particular a force connection or a friction fit, is created as a fixation between the stiffening element and the circuit board.

[0022] Advantageously, the fixation of the stiffening element to the circuit board by means of the at least one fixation element enables the stiffening element and circuit board to be pre-assembled or pre-assembled for further assembly, and thus easy to handle for further assembly. The fixation of the stiffening element to the circuit board can generally be designed as a detachable or removable connection or as a non-detachable or non-detachable connection. While a non-detachable or non-detachable connection as a fixation of the stiffening element to the circuit board represents a particularly secure fixation, a detachable or removable connection as a fixation of the stiffening element to the circuit board enables one of the two, i.e. the stiffening element or the circuit board, to continue to be used in the event of damage, and only the damaged part of the two needs to be replaced.

[0023] Advantageously, the fixation of the stiffening element to the circuit board also allows the position of the support section relative to the circuit board to be defined and reliably maintained for further assembly during the pre-assembly or pre-assembly of the stiffening element and circuit board. The service life of the circuit board can be reliably increased by the defined support provided by the support section. A defined or predetermined alignment of the circuit board to the stiffening element, in particular the support section of the stiffening element to the circuit board, makes the stiffening element and circuit board particularly suitable as a modular component of the test contactor system.

[0024] Preferably, the at least one fastening element passes through at least one opening in the stiffening element in the direction of the circuit board support side of the stiffening element, wherein the at least one fastening element is configured to pass through the circuit board through at least one circuit board opening, and wherein the at least one fastening element is detachably or re-detachably connectable to at least one complementary fastening counter-element of the test contactor.

[0025] Advantageously, the passage of the at least one fastening element through the at least one opening in the stiffening element makes the at least one fastening element particularly accessible for further assembly, in particular on the circuit board support side. Furthermore, the passage of the at least one fastening element through the at least one printed circuit board opening makes the at least one fastening element particularly accessible even after the pre-assembly or pre-assembly of the stiffening element and circuit board. The at least one printed circuit board opening additionally represents an advantageous possibility for the defined or predetermined alignment of the circuit board and the stiffening element with respect to one another, which in turn increases the suitability of the stiffening element and circuit board as modular components in the test contactor system.

[0026] Furthermore, the at least one fastening element can be particularly easily connected to the at least one complementary fastening counter-element of the test contactor by passing through the at least one printed circuit board opening, thereby enabling simple assembly of the test contactor system as a whole. The detachability or re-detachability of the connection between the at least one fastening element and the at least one complementary test contactor fastening counter-element or fastening counter-element of the test contactor further advantageously enables various test contactors to be re-detachably connected to the stiffening element, and in particular to the stiffening element pre-assembled or pre-mounted on the printed circuit board. This further improves ease of assembly and further increases the modularity of the test contactor system.

[0027] Preferably, the at least one fastening element is arranged in the at least one recess in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0028] Advantageously, the rotationally fixed arrangement of the at least one fastening element in the at least one recess of the stiffening element enables a connection of the at least one fastening element to the at least one complementary fastening counter-element of the test contactor to be achieved solely by actuating the at least one complementary fastening counter-element, such as turning or screwing. Since rotation of the at least one fastening element is prevented, for example, turning the at least one complementary fastening counter-element may be sufficient to connect the at least one complementary fastening counter-element to the at least one fastening element, thereby eliminating the need to hold the at least one fastening element, and thus further simplifying the assembly of the test contactor system.

[0029] Preferably, the at least one fixing element is designed as a plurality of fixing projections which protrude from the stiffening element in a mounting direction towards the printed circuit board, wherein the stiffening element can be connected to the printed circuit board in a frictionally engaged manner by means of the plurality of fixing projections, and / or the stiffening element can be connected to the printed circuit board in a form-fitting manner by means of the plurality of fixing projections.

[0030] Advantageously, the at least one fixing element, which is designed as a plurality of fixing projections that protrude from the stiffening element in an assembly direction toward the printed circuit board, enables multiple fixing projections to protrude toward the printed circuit board during pre-assembly or pre-assembly of the stiffening element and printed circuit board, thereby enabling the printed circuit board to be fixed in a defined manner at multiple locations. The design of the at least one fixing element as a plurality of fixing projections thus ensures targeted pre-assembly between the stiffening element and the printed circuit board. Furthermore, the design of the at least one fixing element as a plurality of fixing projections can increase the deformability, in particular the elastic and plastic deformability, of the fixing element, thereby further simplifying the assembly between the stiffening element and the printed circuit board.

[0031] While a frictional connection through the plurality of fixing projections of the stiffening element to the circuit board advantageously eliminates the need to reach behind the circuit board, thus making the circuit board particularly accessible from the side facing away from the stiffening element, a positive connection through the plurality of fixing projections of the stiffening element to the circuit board advantageously ensures that the connection, for example, by engaging behind the plurality of fixing projections on the circuit board, is not only secure but also identifiably secure during assembly. The connection can be detected both visually and acoustically, for example, by a clicking sound.A combination of a frictional connection and a positive connection through the plurality of fixing projections of the stiffening element with the printed circuit board is also conceivable and can thus combine the advantages of the connection types.

[0032] Preferably, four recesses are formed on the back of the stiffening element, wherein the four recesses are optionally rectangular, in particular square, polygonal, in particular hexagonal, or circular on the back of the stiffening element, and further optionally the support section is arranged geometrically centrally to the four recesses.

[0033] Advantageously, the four recesses formed on the rear side of the stiffening element allow a plurality of fastening elements to be arranged in the four recesses, thereby providing a secure means of mounting the test contactor system. The geometric design of the recesses, in particular of the four recesses, further advantageously allows different fastening elements to be suitable for arrangement therein, and at the same time, various properties, such as, for example, an anti-twist feature for the at least one fastening element arranged therein, are integrally incorporated. Thus, a hexagonal recess, in other words, a recess with a hexagonal cross-section, is particularly suitable for arranging a fastening element such as, for example, a metric screw with a hexagon head.In contrast, a circular recess, in other words a recess with a circular cross-section, is suitable for arranging a fastening element of any geometry therein. For example, the recess can also be conically shaped in the circuit board direction, i.e. perpendicular to a circuit board plane or in a mounting direction of the stiffening element on the circuit board, so that when the fastening element is arranged in the recess, pressing takes place, whereby the fastening element can be arranged in the recess both captively and, if necessary, also rotationally fixed. Furthermore, combinations of the geometric design of the recesses are also possible, so that the geometry of the recess, i.e. in particular the cross-section of the recess, changes in sections.In addition, the fastening elements can also be manufactured directly and integrally with the stiffening element, resulting in the geometry of the recesses corresponding to the geometry of the fastening elements. This can be achieved, for example, through multi-component injection molding. Furthermore, the fastening elements can also be manufactured in one piece with the stiffening element by manufacturing the fastening elements using the same process as the stiffening element, for example, injection molding.

[0034] Advantageously, the geometrically central arrangement of the support section relative to the recesses, in particular the four recesses, enables the load to be evenly distributed during a test cycle of the test contactor system and, in particular, to be dissipated evenly via the support section after the at least one fastening element has been connected to the at least one complementary fastening counter-element.

[0035] Advantageously, the geometrically central arrangement of the support section relative to the recesses, in particular the four recesses, further enables the stiffening element to be aligned in various angular positions relative to the printed circuit board and the test contactor without impairing the stiffening function or the supporting function, in particular by the support section. In other words, the stiffening element can be arranged rotated in an imaginary plane that is substantially parallel to a plane in which the printed circuit board extends, without impairing the stiffening function or the supporting function, in particular by the support section.

[0036] Preferably, four fastening elements are arranged in the stiffening element, in particular in the at least one recess. Preferably, each of the four fastening elements is arranged in a recess. In other words, preferably, one fastening element is arranged in each recess, so that a number of fastening elements corresponds to a number of recesses.

[0037] Advantageously, the four fastening elements in the at least one recess enable, on the one hand, a secure alignment of the stiffening element with respect to the printed circuit board and the test contactor, and, on the other hand, a particularly secure connection between the stiffening element and the test contactor. The at least one fastening element, preferably all fastening elements, can be designed with threads, in particular also screws. For example, the fastening elements can also be designed as tubular elements with internal threads. While all fastening elements can be configured with internal or external threads, it is also possible to provide only some of a number of fastening elements arranged in the at least one recess with internal or external threads.Thus, individual fastening elements of the number of fastening elements arranged in the at least one recess can also be designed as bolts or tubular element(s) in order to reduce the assembly effort and thus further simplify or facilitate the assembly of the test contactor system.

[0038] The mating fastening elements of the test contactor are generally configured to complement the fastening elements provided by the stiffening element. If different fastening elements are provided by the stiffening element, and accordingly, different mating fastening elements are also provided by the test contactor, this advantageously enables integral coding during alignment through the complementary pairings between the fastening elements and the complementary mating fastening elements, so that the test contactor can only be connected to the stiffening element in a predetermined, predefined, or pre-aligned manner. This advantageously ensures targeted and predefined assembly of the test contactor system in the correct orientation or position.

[0039] A further aspect of the invention relates to a use of a stiffening element according to one of the above-described aspects and preferred embodiments to stiffen a printed circuit board in a test contactor system, wherein the test contactor system comprises the stiffening element, the printed circuit board and a test contactor.

[0040] A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for assembling a test contactor system, comprising the steps: Providing a printed circuit board, fixing a stiffening element, according to one of the preceding aspects and preferred embodiments, to the printed circuit board, arranging a test contactor on a side of the printed circuit board that is opposite the stiffening element, and releasably or re-releasably fixing the test contactor to the stiffening element by means of at least one counter-fixing element that is complementary to at least one fixing element of the stiffening element.

[0041] Embodiments of the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. It is understood that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and that individual features of the embodiments can be combined to form further embodiments within the scope of the appended claims.

[0042] It shows: Figure 1: a perspective sketch of a stiffening element; Figure 2: a perspective sketch of a stiffening element viewed from below; Figure 3: a perspective sketch of a stiffening element pre-assembled with a printed circuit board; Figure 4: a perspective sketch similar to Figur 3 , wherein two fastening counter elements of the test contactor are additionally shown; Figure 5 shows a perspective sketch of a test contactor system in the open state; Figure 6 shows a perspective sketch of a test contactor system in the closed state; Figure 7 shows a sectional view of a test contactor system in the closed state; and Figure 8 shows a flow chart for the assembly of a test contactor system.

[0043] Fig. 1 shows a perspective sketch of a stiffening element 10, wherein four fastening elements 50 are arranged in the stiffening element 10, which protrude from openings 42 upwards or in the z-direction. Furthermore, in Fig. 1 a support section 22 is shown, which is designed as a support element 24 and is arranged in the stiffening element 10 on a board support side 12 of the stiffening element 10 or is inserted into the stiffening element 10. In addition, Fig. 1 For example, fixing elements 30, which can be designed as fixing projections 32 and extend essentially in the z-direction, starting from the stiffening element 10. The fixing elements 30 can, as in Fig. 1 shown, directly at the edges of the openings 42, where the fastening elements 50 pass through. This makes it possible to configure the fixing elements 30 or the fixing projections 32 in such a way that the fixing elements 50, when passing through the openings 42, press the fixing elements 30 or the fixing projections 32 radially outwards or even spread them apart, so that a fixing of the stiffening element at a point in the Fig. 3 and 4 shown circuit board is reinforced and thus improved.

[0044] Although in Fig. 1 four fastening elements 50, four openings 42, two fixing elements 30 which are each formed from four fixing projections 32 and a support section 22 which is formed from a support insert element 24 are shown, a stiffening element 10 according to the invention can deviate from this numerical design.

[0045] For example, a stiffening element 10 according to the invention can have a number of 1 to 20 fastening elements 50, openings 42 and fixing elements 30, wherein the fastening elements 50 and / or the fixing elements 30 can optionally be formed integrally with the stiffening element 10 or can also be arranged as separate elements in or on the stiffening element 10.

[0046] Also the support section 22, which is in Fig. 1 on the board support side 12 of the stiffening element 10 as a support insert element 24, can for example also be formed from a plurality of support insert elements 24. Furthermore, the support section 22 can be manufactured and formed integrally as one or more support sections 22 with the stiffening element 10, or furthermore can be designed separately as one or more support insert elements 24, which can be inserted into the stiffening element 10 or connected thereto. While the integral manufacture or formation of the support section 22 with the stiffening element 10 enables favorable manufacture orManufacturing enables the separate provision of the support section 22 as one or more support insert elements 24, application-specific materials for the one or more support insert elements 24, to be used as a support for a printed circuit board 70, whereby the stiffening of the printed circuit board 70 can be changed, in particular improved.

[0047] The support section 22, which forms a support for the printed circuit board 70, can be configured, for example, such that the printed circuit board 70 comes into flush contact with the support section 22 during assembly of the stiffening element 10 and the printed circuit board 70. For example, the support section 22 can also be configured such that a predefined gap remains during assembly of the stiffening element 10 and the printed circuit board 70, which gap only closes during the test process of the test contactor system.

[0048] The fastening elements 50, as in Fig. 1 shown, can, as already mentioned above, be manufactured or formed integrally with the stiffening element 10, or optionally also be designed as separate fastening elements 50, such as screws with threads, pins without threads. Furthermore, although all fastening elements 50 can be designed identically, not all fastening elements 50 have to be designed identically, but can in particular be configured differently, so that individual fastening elements 50 of a possible plurality of fastening elements 50 have a thread, such as those used for screws, and other fastening elements 50 are designed merely as pins that are configured with an oversize or undersize compared to possible complementary fastening counter-elements 82.

[0049] The stiffening element 10, as in Fig. 1 shown, can be designed as a plate-shaped body which extends substantially flat, or can be designed as a contoured body or contoured structure which optionally has various elevations, pedestals or feet, or the like.

[0050] Fig. 2 shows a perspective sketch of a stiffening element 10 viewed from below. Fig. 2 The stiffening element 10 shown has four recesses 40. In the two on the left side in Fig. 2 The recesses 40 of the stiffening element 10 shown in FIG. 1 show fastening elements 50 arranged therein. In the two recesses 40 shown on the right side in FIG. Fig. 2 In the recesses 40 of the stiffening element 10 shown, anti-loss elements 52 are shown arranged therein. Furthermore, a hole is shown in the rear side 14 of the stiffening element, on the opposite side of which the support section 22 or the support insert element 24 is arranged.

[0051] Although in Fig. 2 four recesses 40 are formed in the stiffening element 10, for example, more or fewer than four recesses 40 can be formed in the stiffening element 10. For example, the recesses 40 can also be designed such that more than one fastening element 50 can be arranged therein, in particular two to six fastening elements 50. Furthermore, the Fig. 2 The recesses 40 shown have a circular cross-section. For example, the cross-section of the recesses 40 in the stiffening element 10 can also be configured such that it tapers, i.e. becomes smaller, along the z-direction, in particular in the direction of the board support side 12 of the stiffening element 10. This provides the option of pressing the fastening elements 50 into the recesses 40, whereby the fastening elements 50 can be arranged in the recesses 40 in a way that is both captively and non-rotatably. For example, the cross-section of the recesses 40 can also be designed as a polygon, in particular as a rectangle or as a hexagon, in order to arrange the fastening elements 50 in a rotationally fixed manner in the recesses 40 by means of a complementary polygonal, in particular rectangular or hexagonal, design of the fastening elements 50.For example, metric screws with hexagonal screw heads can be arranged as fastening elements 50 in a hexagonal recess 40 in order to arrange the fastening element 50 in a rotationally fixed manner in the recess 40.

[0052] To show exemplary loss prevention elements 72 in Fig. 2 visible, are in the recesses 40 of the stiffening element 10 on the right side in Fig. 2 No fastening elements 50 are shown. In the recesses 40 on the left side in Fig. 2 Preferably, there are also anti-loss elements 52, which serve to securely arrange the fastening elements 50 in the recesses 40. The anti-loss elements 72 can be designed as retaining rings, snap rings, or the like. Further options for securely arranging the fastening elements 50 in the recesses 40 can include, for example, adhesives that are inserted or applied between the fastening elements 50 and the recesses 40.

[0053] Fig. 3 shows a perspective sketch of a stiffening element 10 which is pre-assembled with a printed circuit board 70. In particular, the assembly or pre-assembly of the stiffening element 10 with the printed circuit board 70 takes place as in Fig. 3 shown, in the z-direction or in the assembly direction M. The printed circuit board 70 can have printed circuit board openings 72 for assembly, which can be aligned according to the fixing elements 30 and / or according to the fastening elements 50 on the printed circuit board 70, so that the fastening elements 50 can easily pass through the printed circuit board openings 72 during assembly or pre-assembly, whereby the fastening elements 50 are easily accessible for further assembly. The printed circuit board 70 in Fig. 3 has a test area 74, onto which spring contact pins 84 press during a test run of the test contactor system, the pressure being passed on via the printed circuit board 70 to the support section 22 of the stiffening element 10.

[0054] As in Fig. 3 As shown in the upper left circuit board opening 72 and the lower right circuit board opening 72, the stiffening element 10 can be fixed to the circuit board by means of the fixing elements 30 or the fixing projections 32. In Fig. 3 In particular, a frictional connection is shown, wherein the fixing elements 30 or the fixing projections 32 are clamped by the printed circuit board openings 72. For example, the fixing elements 30 or the fixing projections 32 can also be designed as clip arms with retaining projections, wherein the retaining projection engages behind the printed circuit board 70 or a printed circuit board opening 72 in the thickness direction of the printed circuit board 70, whereby a positive connection is formed between the fixing element(s) 30 or the fixing projections 32, as provided by the stiffening element 10, and the printed circuit board 70 as a fixation.

[0055] By fixing the stiffening element 10 to the printed circuit board 70 by means of the fixing elements 30 or fixing projections 32, the stiffening element 10 is fixed to the printed circuit board 70 in such a way that they form a pre-assembled or pre-mounted state, whereby easy handling of the pre-assembled stiffening element 10 with the printed circuit board 70 is enabled or further assembly with the test contactor is facilitated.

[0056] Fig. 4 shows a perspective sketch, similar to Fig. 3 , in which the stiffening element 10 is pre-assembled or pre-fabricated with the printed circuit board 70, wherein two additional fastening counter elements 82 of the test contactor 80 are also shown. The test contactor 80 itself is in Fig. 4 not yet shown, but basically provides the fastening counter elements 82. In other words, the test contactor 80 is mounted together, i.e., simultaneously, with the fastening counter elements 82 on the preassembled system comprising the stiffening element 10 and the printed circuit board 70. In particular, the test contactor 80 is mounted by means of the fastening counter elements 82 on the fastening elements 50 and thus on the stiffening element 10, or the preassembled system or subsystem comprising the stiffening element 10 and the printed circuit board 70.

[0057] As in Fig. 4 As illustrated, the fastening elements 50 projecting through the circuit board openings 72 and the simultaneous fixing of the stiffening element 10 to the circuit board 70 by means of the fixing elements 30 or the fixing projections 32 enable a particularly simple mounting of the fastening counter-elements 82 and thus of the test contactor 80 to the pre-assembled system comprising stiffening element 10 and circuit board 70. When assembling the fastening counter-element 82 with the fastening element 50, as shown in Fig. 4 As shown, the fastening elements 50 are easily accessible from above or in the assembly direction M. The assembly of the fastening counter-elements 82 or the test contactor 80 can be further simplified or improved, for example, by the above-described properties of the captive arrangement of the fastening elements 50 in optional combination with the rotation-proof arrangement of the fastening elements 50, since the fastening elements 50 neither have to be accessible from the rear side 14 of the stiffening element 10 nor have to be held in place in order to be screwed to the fastening counter-elements 82, for example.

[0058] In Fig. 5 is a perspective sketch of a test contactor system 100 in an open state. As shown in Fig. 5 As shown, the stiffening element 10, the printed circuit board 70 and the test contactor 80 are mounted together. Furthermore, Fig. 5 the test contactor 80 is shown in an open state, wherein an upper part of the test contactor 80 is arranged rotatably about a contactor hinge 88 and can be closed or transferred into a closed state, in particular by actuating the contactor locking lever 86.

[0059] As in Fig. 5 As shown, a plurality of spring contact pins 84 are arranged in the test contactor 80, onto which pressure is exerted by an inserted chip and by closing the test contactor 80, the pressure being applied to the test area 74, as shown in Fig. 4 This pressure on the test area 74 is transmitted from the test area 74 via the support section 22 or the support insert element 24, as shown in Fig. 1 shown, passed on or transferred to the stiffening element 10, whereby a possible bending of the printed circuit board 70 is reduced, and thus the test contactor system 100 and in particular the printed circuit board 70 are stiffened.

[0060] In Fig. 6 1 shows a perspective sketch of a test contactor system 100 in a closed state. In particular, the contactor locking lever 86 is locked, and if a chip has been inserted into the test contactor 80, pressure is applied to this chip. According to the description of the Fig. 5 , the pressure is passed on or transmitted and forwarded from the inserted chip via the spring contact pins 84, then to the printed circuit board 70, in particular the test area 74 of the printed circuit board, and finally to the stiffening element 10, in particular the support section 22 or the support insert element 24.

[0061] In Fig. 7 is a sectional view of a test contactor system 100 in the closed state. As can be seen particularly on the right side in Fig. 7 As can be seen, the fastening element 50 is arranged in the recess 40, wherein an anti-loss element 52 is additionally arranged in the recess 40, so that the fastening element 50 is arranged in the recess in a captive manner. Above the area of ​​the fastening element 50 of the recess 40, in the sectional view from Fig. 7 , or above the fastening element section which is arranged in the recess 40, the fastening element 50 passes or extends through the printed circuit board 70, in particular through a printed circuit board opening 72, whereby the fastening element 50 is easily accessible from the upper side of the printed circuit board 70 or from the side of the test contactor 80. Furthermore, the stiffening element 10, as shown in section in Fig. 7 shown on the right-hand side, is provided with a fixing element 30 or one or more fixing projections 32 which extend upwards, in particular into the printed circuit board opening 72, whereby the stiffening element 10 is fixed to the printed circuit board 70, preferably in a frictionally engaged and / or positively engaged manner. As a result, the counter-fixing element 82 complementary to the fixing element 50 can be connected to the fixing element 50 from above in a particularly easy or simple manner, without the fixing element 50 needing to be accessible from below. In particular, for connecting the counter-fixing element 82 to the fixing element 50, it may no longer be necessary to hold the fixing element 50, for example by arranging the fixing element 50 in a rotationally fixed manner on the stiffening element 10, in particular the recess 40.

[0062] As shown in the cut on the right side in Fig. 7 As indicated, the fastening element 50 is configured as a screw with an external thread, and the fastening counter-element 82 is configured as a sleeve with an internal thread complementary to the screw with an external thread. This arrangement can also be reversed, with the fastening element 50 being designed as a sleeve with an internal thread, and the fastening counter-element 82 being designed as a screw with an external thread complementary to the sleeve with an internal thread. For example, the fastening element 50 and the complementary fastening counter-element 82, or at least some of the fastening elements 50 and fastening counter-elements 82 used in the test contactor system 100, can also be designed without a thread and instead form a clearance or interference fit with one another as the fastening element 50 and the complementary fastening counter-element 82.

[0063] Furthermore, for example, the at least one fastening element 50 in the at least one recess 40 can be manufactured directly integrally with the stiffening element 10, whereby the geometries or cross-sections of the recesses 40 correspond to the geometries or cross-sections of the fastening elements 50, so that at least a region of the one or more fastening elements is encased in the material of the stiffening part 10. For example, a screw as the fastening element 50, a part or region of the thread of a screw as part or region of the fastening element 50 and / or a screw head as part or region of the fastening element 50 can be encased in the recess 40. In other words, a fastening element section, such as a screw head or a threaded section of the fastening element, can be encased in the recess 40 and thus encased in the material of the stiffening part 10.This can be done, for example, through multi-component injection molding.

[0064] Alternatively, one or more of the fastening elements 50 can also be manufactured in one piece with the stiffening element 10 by producing the fastening elements 50 using the same process as the stiffening element 10, for example by injection molding.

[0065] In Fig. 8 is a flow chart for assembling a test contactor system 100, starting from a stiffening element 10, such as in the Fig. 1 and 2 shown. The assembly of the test contactor system 100 comprises, in particular, the following steps: S10: Providing a printed circuit board 70. S20: Fixing a stiffening element 10 to the printed circuit board 70. S30: Arranging the test contactor 80 on a side of the printed circuit board 70 that is opposite the stiffening element 10, and S40: Detachably or re-detachably fastening the test contactor 80 to the stiffening element 10 by means of at least one fastening counter element 82, which is complementary to at least one fastening element 50 of the stiffening element 10.

[0066] The above-described assembly of the test contactor system 100 makes it possible to provide a test contactor system 100 which is stiffened by means of the stiffening element 10 and which, as explained above, can be mounted particularly easily and simply with the printed circuit board 70 and, furthermore, also with the test contactor 80. Bezugszeichenliste

[0067] 10 Reinforcing part 12 Board support side 14 Rear side 20 Body 22 Support section 24 Support insert element 30 Fixing element 32 Fixing projection 40 Recess 42 Opening 50 Fastening element 52 Anti-loss element 70 Printed circuit board 72 Printed circuit board opening 74 Test area 80 Test contactor 82 Fixing counter element or test contactor fixing counter element 84 Spring contact pins 86 Contactor locking lever 88 Contactor hinge 100 Test contactor system M Mounting direction S10-S40 Steps for mounting a test contactor system

Claims

1. Reinforcement element (10) for reinforcing a test contactor system (100), comprising: - a support portion (22) on a circuit-board bearing face (12) of the reinforcement element (10), wherein the support portion (22) is configured to form a support for a printed circuit board (70), and - at least one recess (40) on a rear face (14) of the reinforcement element (10), wherein at least one fastening element (50) for fastening the reinforcement element (10) to a test contactor (80) is arranged in the at least one recess (40) such that it cannot be lost, wherein the reinforcement element (10) comprises at least one fixing element (30) on the circuit-board bearing face (12) in order to fix the reinforcement element (10) to the printed circuit board (70).

2. Reinforcement element (10) according to claim 1, wherein - the at least one fastening element (50) passes through at least one opening (42) in the reinforcement element (10) towards the circuit-board bearing face (12) of the reinforcement element (10), - the at least one fastening element (50) is configured to pass through the printed circuit board (70) through at least one printed-circuit-board opening (72), and - the at least one fastening element (50) can be detachably connected to at least one complementary mating fastening element (82) of the test contactor (80).

3. Reinforcement element (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one fastening element (50) is non-rotatably arranged in the at least one recess (40).

4. Reinforcement element (10) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the at least one fixing element (30) is configured as a plurality of fixing projections (32), which project from the reinforcement element (10) in a mounting direction (M) towards the printed circuit board (70), wherein - the reinforcement element (10) can be frictionally connected to the printed circuit board (70) by means of the plurality of fixing projections (32), and / or - the reinforcement element (10) can be interlockingly connected to the printed circuit board (70) by means of the plurality of fixing projections (32).

5. Reinforcement element (10) according to claim 2, wherein the at least one fixing element (30) is positioned directly on the edge of the at least one opening (42) in the reinforcement element (10), where the at least one fastening element (50) passes through.

6. Reinforcement element (10) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one recess (40) comprises four recesses (40), which are formed on the rear face of the reinforcement element (10), wherein - the four recesses (40) are formed to be - - rectangular, in particular square, or - - polygonal, in particular hexagonal, or - - circular on the rear face (14) of the reinforcement element (10), and wherein - the support portion (22) is preferably arranged geometrically centrally relative to the four recesses (40).

7. Reinforcement element (10) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one fastening element (50) comprises four fastening elements (50).

8. Use of a reinforcement element (10) according to any of claims 1 to 7 to reinforce a printed circuit board (70) in a test contactor system (100), comprising the reinforcement element (10), the printed circuit board (70) and a test contactor (80).

9. Method for mounting a test contactor system (100), comprising the steps of: - providing a printed circuit board (70), - fixing a reinforcement element (10) according to any of claims 1 to 7 to one face of the printed circuit board (70), - arranging a test contactor (80) on a face of the printed circuit board (70) opposite the reinforcement element (10), and - detachably fastening the test contactor (80) to the reinforcement element (10) by means of at least one mating test-contactor fastening element (82), which is complementary to the at least one associated fastening element (50) of the reinforcement element (10).