Insertion / removal device and insertion / removal method

Abstract

SOLUTION: Provided is an insertion / removal device for performing, in a state where a plurality of test boards are arranged in one direction, at least one of an operation of inserting each electrical connection part of each test board into each electrical connector of a testing device and an operation of removing each electrical connection part from each electrical connector. The insertion / removal device comprises: a load unit for applying a load to each test board; and an insertion / removal drive unit for moving, in a meandering manner, the load unit in one direction, causing the load unit to apply the load sequentially to the plurality of test boards. The testing device can be a burn-in testing device that accommodates a plurality of test boards in a chamber, executes temperature control to bring an inside of the chamber close to a target temperature, and performs a function test on test target devices on each test board.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an insertion / extraction device and an insertion / extraction method. [Background technology]

[0002] According to a machine translation of Patent Document 1, "The burn-in tester board attachment / detachment device of the present invention can perform stable and precise control using the servo motor and ball screw 70 as the drive source 90. In addition, by simply rotating the shaft 30 using the rack 50 and pinion 40, the hook 25 can easily attach and detach the high-speed test burn-in board 20." (

[0043] ) According to a machine translation of Patent Document 2, "The board attachment / detachment device of the present invention relates to a board attachment / detachment device in which the hook that fastens the board is caused to rise or fall at an incline in an arc via a single drive source, making it easy to insert / detach the hook, and the hook moves horizontally to advance the board back and forth." ( <1> ) is stated. [Prior art document] [Patent documents] [Patent Document 1] KR101249011B1 [Patent Document 2] KR100929219B1 Summary of the Invention

[0003] In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an insertion / removal device for performing at least one of inserting each electrical connection portion of each test board into each electrical connector of a testing device and removing each electrical connection portion of each test board from each electrical connector of a testing device while a plurality of test boards are arranged in one direction. The insertion / removal device includes a load unit that applies a load to each of the test boards, and an insertion / removal drive unit that causes the load unit to move in a serpentine manner in the one direction, thereby causing the load unit to apply a load to the plurality of test boards in sequence.

[0004] In the above-mentioned insertion / removal device, the testing apparatus may be a burn-in testing apparatus that houses the plurality of test boards in a chamber, performs temperature control to bring the inside of the chamber close to a target temperature, and performs functional testing of devices under test on each of the test boards.

[0005] In any of the above-described insertion / extraction devices, the load section may include a rotation mechanism for reducing friction with a surface of each of the test boards to which the load is applied.

[0006] In any of the above insertion / removal devices, the rotation mechanism may include a rotating member that rotates about an axis perpendicular to the surface, and the rotating member may be in surface contact with the surface.

[0007] In any of the above insertion / removal devices, the rotation mechanism may include a rotating member that rotates about an axis parallel to the surface, and the rotating member may be in line contact with the surface.

[0008] In any of the above insertion / removal devices, the insertion / removal drive unit may cause the load unit to move in a serpentine manner in the one direction, so that the load unit sequentially applies a load to the ends of each of the multiple test boards in the direction in which the operation is performed.

[0009] In any of the above insertion / extraction devices, the load section may include a first load section for inserting the electrical connection sections into the electrical connectors, and a second load section for removing the electrical connection sections from the electrical connectors. In any of the above insertion / extraction devices, the first load section may apply a load to a first end section of each of the test boards on the opposite side to the electrical connectors in the direction in which the operation is performed. In any of the above insertion / extraction devices, the second load section may apply a load to a second end section of each of the test boards on the electrical connectors in the direction in which the operation is performed.

[0010] In any of the above insertion / removal devices, the first load portion and the second load portion may be shifted relative to each other in the one direction and their relative positions fixed so that while one of the first load portion and the second load portion is applying a load to the end of one of the test boards, the other of the first load portion and the second load portion does not contact the end face of the one of the test boards in the one direction.

[0011] In any of the above insertion / removal devices, the relative positions of the first load portion and the second load portion may be adjusted during the operation or in advance so that while one of the first load portion and the second load portion is applying a load to the end of one of the test boards, the other of the first load portion and the second load portion does not contact the end face in one direction of the one of the test boards.

[0012] In any of the above insertion / removal devices, the insertion / removal drive unit may cause the load unit to move in a serpentine manner in the one direction, so that the load unit sequentially applies a load to the inner surfaces of notches formed in the side surfaces of each of the multiple test boards extending in the direction in which the operation is performed.

[0013] In any of the above insertion / removal devices, the loading portion may apply a load to a first inner surface on one side of the electrical connector in the direction in which the notch moves, thereby inserting each of the electrical connection portions into each of the electrical connectors, and the loading portion may apply a load to a second inner surface on the opposite side of the electrical connector in the direction in which the notch moves, thereby removing each of the electrical connection portions from each of the electrical connectors.

[0014] In any of the above insertion / removal devices, the insertion / removal drive unit may cause the load portion to move in a serpentine manner toward one side of the one direction, thereby sequentially inserting each of the electrical connection portions into each of the electrical connectors for the multiple test boards, and the insertion / removal drive unit may cause the load portion to move in a serpentine manner toward the other side of the one direction, thereby sequentially removing each of the electrical connection portions from each of the electrical connectors for the multiple test boards.

[0015] In any of the above-mentioned insertion / extraction devices, the load section may include a pair of load sections movable in opposite directions to each other in the one direction. In any of the above-mentioned insertion / extraction devices, the insertion / extraction drive section moves the load section pair in a serpentine manner so as to move away from each other in the one direction, so that the load section pair applies a load to each of the plurality of test boards in sequence, and the electrical connection sections of the plurality of test boards are inserted into the respective electrical connectors in sequence, and the insertion / extraction drive section moves the load section pair in a serpentine manner so as to move closer to each other in the one direction, so that the load section pair applies a load to each of the plurality of test boards in sequence, and the electrical connection sections of the plurality of test boards are removed from the respective electrical connectors in sequence. Alternatively, the insertion / removal drive unit may cause the load portion pair to move in a serpentine manner so as to approach each other in the one direction, thereby causing the load portion pair to apply a load to each of the multiple test boards in sequence and sequentially inserting each of the electrical connection portions into each of the electrical connectors for the multiple test boards, and the insertion / removal drive unit may cause the load portion pair to move in a serpentine manner so as to move away from each other in the one direction, thereby causing the load portion pair to apply a load to each of the multiple test boards in sequence and sequentially removing each of the electrical connection portions from each of the electrical connectors for the multiple test boards.

[0016] In any of the above insertion / removal devices, the insertion / removal drive unit may include a rotating shaft that rotates around an axis extending in the one direction, a first member that is rotatably engaged around the rotating shaft and moves in the one direction by rotation of the rotating shaft, a fixed lane including a wavy track that extends in a serpentine manner in the one direction, and a second member that is slidably engaged with the first member in the direction of movement and is movable along the track of the fixed lane while holding the load unit.

[0017] In any of the above insertion / removal devices, a cam groove for the track may be formed in the fixed lane, and a cam follower that slides within the cam groove may be formed in the second member.

[0018] In a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an insertion / removal method for performing at least one of inserting each electrical connection part of a plurality of test boards arranged in one direction into each electrical connector of a testing device and removing each of the test boards from the electrical connectors of a testing device. The insertion / removal method includes arranging a load part for applying a load to each of the test boards at an initial position, and moving the load part in a serpentine manner from the initial position in the one direction, so that the load part applies a load to the plurality of test boards in sequence.

[0019] The above summary of the invention does not list all of the features of the present invention. Also, subcombinations of these features may also be inventions. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a test device 50 provided with an extraction device 100 according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic front view of the insertion / removal device 100 on which the batch 20 shown on the left side of FIG. 1 has been transferred. [Diagram 3] 2 is a schematic plan view of the insertion / removal device 100 to which the batch 20 shown on the left side of FIG. 1 has been transferred. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic perspective view of an extraction device 100 according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a partial region 1 of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a partial region 2 of FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged portion of an insertion / removal device 100 according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the portion shown in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of the portion shown in FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a partial region 3 of FIG. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged portion of an insertion / removal device 100 according to a first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of an insertion / removal method according to the first embodiment. [Figure 13] 2 is a schematic side view for explaining the insertion / extraction operation of the insertion / extraction device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view for explaining the arrangement of the load portion 110 of the extraction device 100 according to the first embodiment, using a comparative example. [Figure 15] 3A to 3C are schematic side views for explaining in detail the insertion operation of the insertion / extraction device 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] 3A to 3C are schematic side views for explaining in detail the insertion operation of the insertion / extraction device 100 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of an insertion / extraction device 200 to which a plurality of test boards 60 have been transferred according to a second embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a partial region 4 in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of an extractor / insertor 300 according to a third embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a schematic side view for explaining the arrangement of a load portion 410 of the extractor / removal device 400 according to the fourth embodiment, using a comparative example. [Figure 21] FIG. 13 is a schematic side view for explaining the arrangement of a load portion 410 of the extractor / removal device 400 according to the fourth embodiment, using a comparative example. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged portion of an insertion / extraction device 500 to which a plurality of test boards 10 have been transferred according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the following embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention according to the claims. Furthermore, not all of the combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential to the solution of the invention.

[0022] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of a test apparatus 50 provided with an insertion / removal device 100 according to a first embodiment. Fig. 1 shows a state in which a batch 20 of a plurality of test boards 10 is transferred to the test apparatus 50 provided with the insertion / removal device 100. The insertion / removal device 100 and the test apparatus 50 can communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly.

[0023] The lower part of FIG. 1 shows the X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis, which are perpendicular to each other. The X-axis extends in the left-right direction on the paper surface of FIG. 1, with the right side being the X-axis direction positive side and the left side being the X-axis direction negative side. The Y-axis extends in the depth direction on the paper surface of FIG. 1, with the back side being the Y-axis direction positive side and the front side being the Y-axis direction negative side. The Z-axis extends in the up-down direction on the paper surface of FIG. 1, with the upper side being the Z-axis direction positive side and the lower side being the Z-axis direction negative side. The same applies to the following figures, and duplicated explanations will be omitted. In the following explanation, the Z-axis direction positive side may be referred to as the top and the Z-axis direction negative side may be referred to as the bottom.

[0024] As an example, the test board 10 has a plurality of pockets formed in a matrix on its top surface, and each pocket houses a device under test (DUT). That is, a plurality of devices under test are sorted on the test board 10. The test board 10 has electrical connection parts 11 electrically connected to each of the plurality of sorted devices under test. The electrical connection parts 11 are formed on one end of the test board 10.

[0025] 1, a batch 20 of multiple test boards 10 is held by a holding frame 30 with the multiple test boards 10 lined up in one direction. The batch 20 held by the holding frame 30 is transferred into a test apparatus 50 from the electrical connection portion 11 side of each test board 10, as shown in the transfer direction by the white arrow pointing toward the negative side of the X-axis direction in FIG. The transfer of the batch 20 into the test apparatus 50 may be performed, for example, by a user pushing a cart carrying the batch 20 held by the holding frame 30 into the test apparatus 50.

[0026] In this embodiment, the test apparatus 50 includes a chamber 51 and a connector unit 52. The chamber 51 houses a plurality of test boards 10. In FIG. 1, the chamber 51 is indicated by a dashed line. The connector unit 52 has a plurality of electrical connectors 53 electrically connected to each of the plurality of test boards 10 housed in the chamber 51. In FIG. 1, a part of the connector unit 52 that cannot be seen by the insertion / removal device 100 is indicated by a dashed line. Note that in the following figures, the part that cannot be seen may also be indicated by a dashed line, and redundant explanations will be omitted.

[0027] In the test apparatus 50, the insertion / removal device 100 inserts the electrical connection portions 11 of the multiple test boards 10 arranged in one direction in the chamber 51 into and removes them from the electrical connectors 53 of the connector unit 52. In the following description, the operation of inserting the electrical connection portions 11 of each test board 10 into the electrical connectors 53 of the test apparatus 50 may be referred to as an insertion operation, and the operation of removing the electrical connection portions 11 of each test board 10 from the electrical connectors 53 of the test apparatus 50 may be referred to as a removal operation, and the insertion operation and removal operation may be collectively referred to as an insertion / removal operation.

[0028] The test apparatus 50 accommodates a plurality of test boards 10 in a chamber 51, and performs a functional test of the devices under test by passing a current through the devices under test on each test board 10 that is electrically connected to a connector unit 52. As an example, the test apparatus 50 may be a burn-in test apparatus that performs a functional test of the devices under test on each test board 10 by performing temperature control to bring the inside of the chamber 51 accommodating the plurality of test boards 10 close to a target temperature.

[0029] As an example, the test apparatus 50 instructs the insertion / removal device 100 to start an insertion operation in response to the batch 20 held by the holding frame 30 being transferred to a predetermined position in the chamber 51 of the test apparatus 50. The above-mentioned predetermined position is a position where the insertion / removal device 100 installed in the chamber 51 can insert the electrical connection portions 11 of the multiple test boards 10 arranged in one direction into the respective electrical connectors 53 of the test apparatus 50. For example, this position is a position where the multiple test boards 10 are arranged, as shown on the left side of FIG. 1.

[0030] As a more specific example, the test device 50 may have a sensor, such as an infrared sensor or a load sensor, that detects that the batch 20 has been placed at the position, and may instruct the insertion / extraction device 100 to start the insertion operation in response to detecting that the batch 20 has been placed at the position. Alternatively, the insertion / extraction device 100 may be provided with the sensor, in which case the insertion / extraction device 100 may start the insertion operation in response to detecting that the batch 20 has been placed at the position.

[0031] The insertion / removal device 100 is a device for performing at least one of the operations of inserting each electrical connection portion 11 of each test board 10 into each electrical connector 53 of the test device 50 and removing each electrical connector 53 from a plurality of test boards 10 arranged in one direction. As an example, the insertion / removal device 100 according to this embodiment performs both of these operations.

[0032] The insertion / extraction device 100 includes a load section 110 and an insertion / extraction driving section 150. The load section 110 applies a load to each test board 10. The load section 110 applies a load in a direction in which the insertion operation of each test board 10 is performed, that is, in the X-axis direction.

[0033] 2 is a schematic front view of the insertion / removal device 100 to which the batch 20 shown on the left side of FIG. 1 has been transferred. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the insertion / removal device 100 to which the batch 20 shown on the left side of FIG. 1 has been transferred. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the load unit 110 may be, for example, one or more claws or hooks. The load unit 110 is positioned so as not to come into contact with the holding frame 30 that holds the batch 20 of the multiple test boards 10. In the following description, the direction in which the multiple test boards 10 are lined up may simply be referred to as the Z-axis direction, and the direction in which the insertion / removal operation is performed may simply be referred to as the X-axis direction.

[0034] The insertion / removal driving unit 150 moves the load unit 110 in a serpentine manner in one direction, so that the load unit 110 sequentially applies a load to the multiple test boards 10. As a more specific example, the insertion / removal driving unit 150 moves the load unit 110 in a serpentine manner in the Z-axis direction, so that the load unit 110 sequentially applies a load to each of the multiple test boards 10 lined up in the Z-axis direction while catching on a part of each test board 10 and sliding up and down.

[0035] As an example, the insertion / removal driving unit 150 starts and stops the serpentine movement of the load unit 110 in the Z-axis direction in accordance with a control signal from the test device 50. More specifically, the insertion / removal driving unit 150 moves the load unit 110 in a serpentine manner in the Z-axis direction in accordance with a control signal from the test device 50, causing the load unit 110 to apply a load to the multiple test boards 10 in sequence.

[0036] Alternatively, the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 may start and stop the serpentine movement of the load unit 110 in the Z-axis direction by open control by the controller of the insertion / extraction device 100. More specifically, the controller of the insertion / extraction device 100 may create a timing schedule indicating the start and stop of the serpentine movement of the load unit 110 in the Z-axis direction and the test device 50 performing a functional test of the device under test, and may control the operation of the load unit 110 by the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 according to the time schedule. In this case, the controller of the insertion / extraction device 100 may further transmit the time schedule to the test device 50 and control the functional test of the device under test in the test device 50.

[0037] Alternatively, the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 may start or stop the meandering movement of the load unit 110 in the Z-axis direction by feedback control by the controller of the insertion / extraction device 100. More specifically, the controller of the insertion / extraction device 100 may instruct the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 to start or stop the meandering movement of the load unit 110 in the Z-axis direction, and may cause the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 to transmit a feedback signal indicating that the meandering movement of the load unit 110 in one direction has ended or stopped to the controller. In this case, the controller of the insertion / extraction device 100 may further cause the test apparatus 50 to start a function test of the device under test and transmit a feedback signal indicating that the function test has ended to the controller. The controller of the insertion / extraction device 100 may instruct the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 to start the meandering movement of the load unit 110 in the Z-axis direction in response to receiving the feedback signal from the test apparatus 50.

[0038] FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view of the insertion / removal device 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the insertion / removal drive unit 150 has a rotating shaft 151, a first member 152, a fixed lane 153, a second member 156, and a motor 159. As shown in FIG. 4, the load unit 110 includes a first load unit 120 for inserting each electrical connection unit 11 into each electrical connector 53, and a second load unit 130 for removing each electrical connection unit 11 from each electrical connector 53. In FIG. 4, a part of the second member 156 is shown in a see-through manner to explain the arrangement of each member of the insertion / removal device 100. Similarly, in the following figures, arbitrary members may be shown in a see-through manner or by dashed lines, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0039] The rotating shaft 151 rotates around an axis extending in one direction. More specifically, the rotating shaft 151 is driven to rotate in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions around the axis extending in the Z-axis direction by a motor 159 attached to one end in the Z-axis direction. As an example, the rotating shaft 151 has a helical thread (not shown) formed on a cylindrical surface. In FIG. 4, the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 151 is indicated by an arrow, and the same applies to the subsequent figures, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0040] 1 to 4, the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 of the insertion / extraction device 100 according to this embodiment has two rotating shafts 151 spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction, and a batch 20 of a plurality of test boards 10 is disposed between the two rotating shafts 151. The insertion / extraction driving unit 150 synchronizes the rotational driving of the two rotating shafts 151 by the motor 159.

[0041] The first member 152 is rotatably engaged around the rotating shaft 151, and moves in one direction by the rotation of the rotating shaft 151. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of a partial region 1 in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 5, more specifically, the first member 152 is, for example, one or more plate-like members having a hole on the inner surface of which is formed a thread having a shape complementary to the helical thread of the rotating shaft 151.

[0042] 4, the first member 152 translates toward the positive side in the Z axis direction when the rotating shaft 151 is rotationally driven clockwise by the motor 159, and translates toward the negative side in the Z axis direction when the rotating shaft 151 is rotationally driven counterclockwise by the motor 159. Note that the combination of the rotation direction of the rotating shaft 151 and the translational movement direction of the first member 152 may be the opposite of that in this example. Note that the first member 152 may be referred to as a feed screw, and the combination of the first member 152, the rotating shaft 151, and the motor 159 may be referred to as a feed screw mechanism.

[0043] 4, the insertion / removal drive unit 150 of the insertion / removal device 100 according to this embodiment has a first member 152 for each of two rotating shafts 151 arranged at a distance from each other in the Y-axis direction. These two first members 152 translate in the Z-axis direction in synchronization with each other as the rotational drives of the two rotating shafts 151 by the motor 159 are synchronized.

[0044] The fixed lane 153 includes a wavy track that extends in a meandering manner in one direction. FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the partial region 2 in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged portion of the insertion / removal device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic front view of the portion shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the portion shown in FIG. 7. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, more specifically, on the second member 156 side of the fixed lane 153, as an example, a cam groove 154 is formed with a wavy track that extends in a meandering manner in the Z-axis direction. Note that in FIGS. 7 to 9, some of the configurations are omitted by wavy lines, and the same applies to the subsequent figures, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0045] 5 to 8, the fixed lane 153 further includes a linear guide 155 extending in the Z-axis direction, and a slider of the linear guide 155 is fixed to the first member 152. The fixed lane 153 allows the first member 152, which is rotatably engaged around the rotating shaft 151, to move in a translational manner in the Z-axis direction while restricting the rotational movement of the first member 152, which is rotatably engaged around the rotating shaft 151, in the Z-axis direction by the linear guide 155.

[0046] Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of partial region 3 in Fig. 4. Fig. 11 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged portion of the extraction / insertion device 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Figs. 4, 10 and 11, the fixed lane 153 further includes a pair of linear guides 155 arranged spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction, and the pair of linear guides 155 hold the second member 156 and the load portion 110 and stabilize the translational movement of the second member 156 and the load portion 110 in the Z-axis direction.

[0047] As shown in FIG. 4, the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 of the insertion / extraction device 100 according to this embodiment has a pair of fixed lanes 153 spaced apart from each other in the Y-axis direction, similar to the pair of rotating shafts 151. The arrangement of the pair of rotating shafts 151 and the pair of fixed lanes 153 in the insertion / extraction driving unit 150, and the arrangement of the second member 156 and the load unit 110 associated with these members may be plane-symmetrical with respect to the batch 20 of multiple test boards 10 interposed therebetween. In the following description of the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 and the load unit 110, only one of the pair of the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 and the load unit 110 located on the positive side of the batch 20 in the Y-axis direction and the pair of the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 and the load unit 110 located on the negative side of the batch 20 in the Y-axis direction will be described, and the description of the other pair may be omitted.

[0048] The second member 156 is slidably engaged with the first member 152 in the direction of the insertion / removal operation described above. The second member 156 is capable of moving along the track of the fixed lane 153 while holding the load portion 110. Specifically, as shown in Figs. 5 to 11, the second member 156 is formed with a cam follower 157 that slides within the cam groove 154 of the fixed lane 153, and the second member 156 is capable of moving along a wavy track that extends in a meandering manner in the Z-axis direction of the cam groove 154. The second member 156 moves the load portion 110 it holds integrally by moving along the track.

[0049] More specifically, as shown in FIG. 5 to FIG. 11, the second member 156 includes, as an example, a linear guide 158 extending in the X-axis direction, and is engaged with the first member 152 by the linear guide 158 so as to be slidable in the X-axis direction. More specifically, the linear guide 158 of the second member 156 has one end of a rail extending in the X-axis direction on the X-axis direction positive side fixed to the slider of the linear guide 155 located on the X-axis direction positive side of the pair of linear guides 155 of the fixed lane 153. The linear guide 158 of the second member 156 also has one end of a rail extending in the X-axis direction on the X-axis direction negative side fixed to the first member 152. The linear guide 158 of the second member 156 also has a cam follower 157 formed on the fixed lane 153 side at one end of the slider extending in the X-axis direction on the X-axis direction negative side. The outer diameter of the cam follower 157 of the second member 156 may be the same as or slightly smaller than the width of the cam groove 154.

[0050] 4, as the first member 152 translates in the Z-axis direction, the cam follower 157 slides in the cam groove 154, so that the second member 156 translates in the Z-axis direction together with the first member 152 and reciprocates in the X-axis direction independently of the first member 152. The amount of movement of the second member 156 in the X-axis direction corresponds to the width of the cam groove 154 of the fixed lane 153 in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the first load section 120 and the second load section 130 held by the second member 156 move along a trajectory similar to the trajectory of the cam groove 154 of the fixed lane 153, that is, they move in a serpentine manner in the Z-axis direction, as the first member 152 translates in the Z-axis direction.

[0051] The motor 159 drives the rotating shaft 151 to rotate clockwise and counterclockwise in accordance with a control signal from the test device 50. As shown in Fig. 4, the insertion / extraction drive unit 150 of the insertion / extraction device 100 according to this embodiment has a motor 159 for each of the pair of rotating shafts 151. As described above, the pair of motors 159 are rotated and driven in synchronization with each other. Note that the motor 159 is not shown in Figs. 7 and 9, and may be similarly omitted in the subsequent figures, and therefore repeated explanations will be omitted.

[0052] As a specific example, the first loading portion 120 and the second loading portion 130 are a pair of hooks spaced apart from each other in the X-axis direction, as shown in Figures 3 and 4. The loading portion 110 in this embodiment includes two pairs of the first loading portion 120 and the second loading portion 130, one of which is located near the test board 10 on the positive side of the test board 10 in the Y-axis direction, and the other of which is located near the test board 10 on the negative side of the test board 10 in the Y-axis direction.

[0053] As described above, the first load section 120 and the second load section 130 are held by the second member 156 of the insertion / removal drive section 150, and move in the Z-axis direction and the X-axis direction integrally with the slider of the second member 156, that is, move in a serpentine manner in the Z-axis direction. The first load section 120 and the second load section 130 may be separate from the second member 156 and joined to each other, or may be formed integrally with the second member 156.

[0054] 11 , the first loading section 120 applies a load to the first end 13 of each test board 10 on the opposite side to the side of each electrical connector 53 in the X-axis direction. In this way, the first loading section 120 inserts each electrical connection section 11 of each test board 10 into each electrical connector 53.

[0055] 11, the first loading unit 120 includes a rotation mechanism 121 for reducing friction with the load-applying surface of each test board 10. The rotation mechanism 121 may include, for example, a rotation member 123 that rotates around an axis perpendicular to the load-applying surface of each test board 10, in which case the rotation member 123 is in surface contact with the load-applying surface of each test board 10. The rotation member 123 is, for example, a bearing, and is capable of rotating in the ZY plane around a rotation axis that is fixed to the first loading unit 120 and extends in the X-axis direction.

[0056] When the first loading section 120 applies a load to the first end 13 of the test board 10, the rotating member 123 receives the first end 13 of the test board 10 on a half of the rotation plane of the rotating member 123 that is on the negative side in the Y-axis direction. More specifically, the rotating member 123 applies a load to the first end 13 of the test board 10 while rotating around its axis due to a frictional force received from the first end 13 of the test board 10. In other words, the rotating member 123 slides up and down on the first end 13 of the test board 10 while applying a load to the first end 13 of the test board 10.

[0057] 7 to 9, the second loading section 130 applies a load to the second end 15 of each test board 10 on the side of each electrical connector 53 in the X-axis direction. The second loading section 130 thereby removes each electrical connection section 11 of each test board 10 from each electrical connector 53.

[0058] 8 and 9, the second loading section 130 includes a rotation mechanism 131 for reducing friction with the load-applying surface of each test board 10, similar to the first loading section 120. The rotation mechanism 131 may include, for example, a rotation member 133 that rotates around an axis perpendicular to the load-applying surface of each test board 10, in which case the rotation member 133 is in surface contact with the load-applying surface of each test board 10. The rotation member 133 is, for example, a bearing, similar to the rotation member 123, and is rotatable within the ZY plane around a rotation axis that is fixed to the second loading section 130 and extends in the X-axis direction.

[0059] When the second loading section 130 applies a load to the second end 15 of the test board 10, the rotating member 133 receives the second end 15 of the test board 10 on a half surface of the rotating surface of the rotating member 133 that is on the negative side in the Y-axis direction. More specifically, the rotating member 133 applies a load to the second end 15 of the test board 10 while rotating around its axis due to the frictional force received from the second end 15 of the test board 10. In other words, the rotating member 133 slides up and down on the second end 15 of the test board 10 while applying a load to the second end 15 of the test board 10.

[0060] Fig. 12 is a flow diagram illustrating an example of an operation flow of the insertion / removal method according to the first embodiment. In the operation flow of Fig. 12, with multiple test boards 10 lined up in the Z-axis direction, both operations of inserting each electrical connection portion 11 of each test board 10 into each electrical connector 53 of the test device 50 and removing each electrical connector 53 are performed.

[0061] As an example, the following operation flow starts with the insertion / extraction device 100 placing the load unit 110 in the initial position. The insertion / extraction device 100 may place the load unit 110 in the initial position at any timing between the end of the functional test of the previous batch 20 by the test device 50 and before the start of the first step in the following operation flow.

[0062] Here, the initial position of the load unit 110 is a position in the Z-axis direction where the load unit 110 does not come into contact with the batch 20 of multiple test boards 10 held by the holding frame 30 when the batch 20 is transferred into or removed from the chamber 51 of the testing device 50. More specifically, the initial position of the load unit 110 is a position in the Z-axis direction where the load unit 110, which can be moved in the Z-axis direction from the negative side to the positive side in the Z-axis direction by the insertion / removal driving unit 150, does not come into contact with either the batch 20 or the holding frame 30.

[0063] For example, when the load unit 110 moves in a zigzag manner toward the positive side in the Z axis direction to sequentially connect the multiple test boards 10 to the electrical connector 53 of the test device 50, any position on the negative side in the Z axis direction from the Z axis position of the test board 10 at the bottom among the multiple test boards 10 arranged in the Z axis direction is the initial position of the load unit 110 in the Z axis direction. For example, when the load unit 110 moves in a zigzag manner toward the negative side in the Z axis direction to sequentially connect the multiple test boards 10 to the electrical connector 53 of the test device 50, any position on the positive side in the Z axis direction from the Z axis position of the test board 10 at the top among the multiple test boards 10 arranged in the Z axis direction is the initial position of the load unit 110 in the Z axis direction.

[0064] In response to the batch 20 being transferred to the above-mentioned predetermined position within the chamber 51 of the test apparatus 50, the insertion / removal device 100 sequentially inserts each electrical connection portion 11 of the multiple test boards 10 of the batch 20 into each electrical connector 53 of the test apparatus 50 by moving the load portion 110 in a serpentine manner from the initial position toward one side in the Z-axis direction (step S101).

[0065] Regarding step S101, specifically, in response to the test device 50 detecting that the batch 20 has been placed at the above-mentioned position, the test device 50 transmits a control signal to the insertion / removal device 100 to instruct the start of the insertion operation. The insertion / removal drive unit 150 of the insertion / removal device 100 moves the load unit 110 in a serpentine manner from the initial position toward the Z-axis direction positive side in accordance with the control signal from the test device 50, so that the load unit 110 sequentially applies a load to the multiple test boards 10. More specifically, the insertion / removal drive unit 150 moves the load unit 110 in a serpentine manner toward the Z-axis direction positive side, so that the load unit 110 sequentially applies a load to the end portions in the X-axis direction of each of the multiple test boards 10. After the insertion / removal drive unit 150 moves the load unit 110 in a serpentine manner from the initial position at the end on the negative side of the Z-axis direction to the standby position at the end on the positive side of the Z-axis direction, the load unit 110 waits at the standby position.

[0066] In response to the electrical connection of each electrical connection portion 11 of the multiple test boards 10 to each electrical connector 53, the test apparatus 50 performs temperature control to bring the temperature inside the chamber 51 housing the multiple test boards 10 closer to a target temperature, and performs functional testing of the devices under test on each test board 10 (step S103).

[0067] Upon completion of the above-mentioned functional test by the test device 50, the insertion / removal device 100 sequentially removes each electrical connection portion 11 of the multiple test boards 10 from each electrical connector 53 of the test device 50 by moving the load portion 110 in a serpentine manner from the standby position toward the other side in the Z-axis direction (step S105), and then the flow ends.

[0068] Regarding step S105, specifically, the test device 50 transmits a control signal to the insertion / extraction device 100 instructing the start of the removal operation in response to the end of the above-mentioned function test. The insertion / extraction drive unit 150 of the insertion / extraction device 100 moves the load unit 110 in a serpentine manner from the standby position toward the negative side in the Z-axis direction in accordance with the control signal from the test device 50, so that the load unit 110 sequentially applies a load to the multiple test boards 10. More specifically, the insertion / extraction drive unit 150 moves the load unit 110 in a serpentine manner from the standby position toward the negative side in the Z-axis direction, so that the load unit 110 sequentially applies a load to the end portions in the X-axis direction of each of the multiple test boards 10. After moving the load unit 110 in a serpentine manner from the standby position to the initial position, the insertion / extraction drive unit 150 causes the load unit 110 to wait at the initial position.

[0069] In addition, the insertion / removal device 100 may notify the user by sound, light, etc. when removal of all test boards 10 has been completed, and in response, the user may transfer the batch 20 held by the holding frame 30 in the chamber 51 of the test equipment 50 to a cart and remove the batch 20 from the chamber 51.

[0070] FIG. 13 is a schematic side view for explaining the insertion and removal operation of the insertion and removal device 100 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 shows, as an example, ten test boards 10 arranged in the Z-axis direction. Of the ten test boards 10, four test boards 10 on the positive side of the Z-axis direction are shown in a state in which the insertion operation is being performed by the insertion and removal device 100, and six test boards 10 on the negative side of the Z-axis direction are shown in a state in which the removal operation is being performed by the insertion and removal device 100. FIG. 13 also shows, in bold lines, a wave-like trajectory that can be traced by each of the first load section 120 and the second load section 130 and that extends in a meandering manner in the Z-axis direction. Note that, in FIG. 13, arrows are shown at both ends of the two trajectories simply for clarity of explanation. The trajectory that the load section 110 can trace is the same as that shown in FIG. 13 in the following figures, and duplicate explanations will be omitted.

[0071] As an example, the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 rotates the rotating shaft 151 in one direction around the axis, for example, clockwise, to move the first member 152 to the Z-axis direction positive side. As a result, the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 moves the second member 156, which is engaged with the first member 152 so as to be slidable in the X-axis direction, along a wavy track that extends in a zigzag manner in the Z-axis direction of the cam groove 154 by sliding the cam follower 157 of the second member 156 in the cam groove 154 of the fixed lane 153. As a result, the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 moves the first load unit 120 and the second load unit 130 held by the second member 156 in a zigzag manner toward the Z-axis direction positive side, and the first load unit 120 sequentially applies a load to the first end 13 in the X-axis direction of each of the multiple test boards 10. 13, for example, are moved to the negative side in the X-axis direction as indicated by the open arrows, and each electrical connection portion 11 is inserted into a corresponding electrical connector 53 of the testing device 50. While the insertion / removal drive portion 150 is moving the first load portion 120 and the second load portion 130 in a serpentine manner to the positive side in the Z-axis direction, i.e., during the insertion operation, the second load portion 130 does not need to contact each test board 10, and may apply a load to the second end portion 15 of each test board 10 to move each test board 10 slightly to the positive side in the X-axis direction.

[0072] As an example, the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 rotates the rotating shaft 151 in the other direction around the axis, for example, counterclockwise, to move the first member 152 to the negative side in the Z-axis direction. As a result, the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 moves the second member 156, which is slidably engaged with the first member 152 in the X-axis direction, along a wavy track that extends in a zigzag manner in the Z-axis direction of the cam groove 154 by sliding the cam follower 157 of the second member 156 in the cam groove 154 of the fixed lane 153. As a result, the insertion / extraction driving unit 150 moves the first load unit 120 and the second load unit 130 held by the second member 156 in a zigzag manner toward the negative side in the Z-axis direction, and the second load unit 130 sequentially applies a load to the second end portions 15 in the X-axis direction of each of the multiple test boards 10. 13, for example, are moved to the positive side in the X-axis direction as shown by the open arrows, and each electrical connection portion 11 is removed from the corresponding electrical connector 53 of the test device 50. While the insertion / removal drive portion 150 is causing the first load portion 120 and the second load portion 130 to move in a serpentine manner to the negative side in the Z-axis direction, that is, during the removal operation, the first load portion 120 does not come into contact with each test board 10.

[0073] FIG. 14 is a schematic side view for explaining the arrangement of the load section 110 of the insertion / removal device 100 according to the first embodiment using a comparative example. The upper side of FIG. 14 shows a part of the insertion / removal device 100 according to the first embodiment, and the lower side of FIG. 14 shows an insertion / removal device of the comparative example. FIG. 14 also shows the initial position and the insertion position in the X-axis direction of one test board 10 in which the insertion operation is performed by each insertion / removal device. FIG. 14 also shows multiple positions that each of the first load section 120 and the second load section 130 can take during the insertion / removal operation by using dashed squares on each trajectory. The same applies to the subsequent figures, and duplicated explanations will be omitted.

[0074] 14, in the comparative example of the insertion / removal device, the first load section 120 and the second load section 130 are located at substantially the same position in the Z-axis direction. Therefore, depending on the relationship between the dimensions of the test board 10 and the arrangement of the first load section 120 and the second load section 130, for example, when the first load section 120 applies a load to the first end section 13 of the test board 10 to move the test board 10 to the negative side in the X-axis direction, the second load section 130 may come into contact with the lower surface of the test board 10, preventing a correct insertion operation.

[0075] 14, according to the first embodiment of the insertion / removal device 100, the first load section 120 and the second load section 130 are shifted from each other in the Z-axis direction and their relative positions are fixed so that while one of the first load section 120 and the second load section 130 applies a load to an end of a test board 10, the other of the first load section 120 and the second load section 130 does not contact the end face in the Z-axis direction of the test board 10. More specifically, the first load section 120 is located on the lower end side of the second member 156 in the Z-axis direction, while the second load section 130 is located on the upper end side of the second member 156 in the Z-axis direction, and the positions of the first load section 120 and the second load section 130 in the Z-axis direction are shifted from each other by approximately the width of the second member 156 in the Z-axis direction. 14, while the first load section 120 is applying a load to the first end 13 of the test board 10, the second load section 130 does not contact the bottom surface of the test board 10. Similarly, while the second load section 130 is applying a load to the second end 15 of the test board 10, the first load section 120 does not contact the top surface of the test board 10.

[0076] 15 and 16 are schematic side views for explaining in detail the insertion operation of the insertion / extraction device 100 according to the first embodiment. In Fig. 15 and Fig. 16, times T1 to T9 in the process of the insertion operation of one test board 10 by the insertion / extraction device 100 are shown on the tracks of the first load section 120 and the second load section 130. Of the states of the insertion / extraction device 100 at times T1 to T9, Fig. 15 shows the states at times T1 and T2, and Fig. 16 shows the states at times T5 to T8. Fig. 15 and Fig. 16 also show any one of the initial position, the provisional position, and the insertion position in the X-axis direction of one test board 10 to be inserted by the insertion / extraction device 100.

[0077] As described above, the first load section 120 and the second load section 130 move in a serpentine manner integrally in the Z-axis positive direction during the insertion operation, and therefore the wavy trajectories of the first load section 120 and the second load section 130 have the same period and amplitude. However, since the second load section 130 is located on the Z-axis positive side more than the first load section 120, there is a phase difference between the wavy trajectories of the first load section 120 and the second load section 130, and their respective positions in the Z-axis direction at a given time are different.

[0078] 15, at time T1, the test board 10 is in its initial position in the X-axis direction. More specifically, when the batch 20 is placed in the above-mentioned predetermined position in the chamber 51 of the testing apparatus 50, each test board 10 of the batch 20 is in the initial position, and the electrical connection portion 11 of each test board 10 faces the positive side in the X-axis direction of the corresponding electrical connector 53 of the testing apparatus 50. At time T1, neither the first load portion 120 nor the second load portion 130 of the insertion / extraction device 100 is applying a load to the test board 10 shown in the figure.

[0079] The second loading section 130, which is located on the positive side in the Z-axis direction relative to the first loading section 120, applies a load to the second end 15 of the test board 10 during the process of transition from time T1 to time T2, and moves the test board 10 slightly toward the positive side in the X-axis direction as indicated by the solid black arrow. Therefore, at time T2, the test board 10 is in a temporary position in the X-axis direction. When the test board 10 is in the temporary position in the X-axis direction, the first end 13 of the test board 10 is located on the positive side in the X-axis direction relative to the center position in the X-axis direction of the wavy track of the first loading section 120 extending in the Z-axis direction, and is located on the negative side in the X-axis direction relative to the maximum position in the X-axis direction of the track.

[0080] After time T2, the second load section 130 moves further toward the positive side in the Z-axis direction than the test board 10 shown in the figure, and therefore does not come into contact with the test board 10.

[0081] During the process from time T2 to time T5, the first loading section 120 still does not apply a load to the illustrated test board 10. As shown in Fig. 16, during the process from time T6 to time T8, the first loading section 120 applies a load to the first end 13 of the test board 10, and moves the test board 10 to the negative side in the X-axis direction as shown by the black arrow. Therefore, at time T8, the test board 10 is at the insertion position in the X-axis direction, and the electrical connection section 11 of the test board 10 is inserted into the corresponding electrical connector 53 of the testing apparatus 50.

[0082] According to the insertion / removal device 100 according to the first embodiment described above, the insertion / removal drive unit 150 moves the load unit 110 in a zigzag manner in the Z-axis direction, so that the load unit 110 sequentially applies a load to the multiple test boards 10 arranged in the Z-axis direction. In this way, the insertion / removal device 100 sequentially applies a load to each of the multiple test boards 10, rather than to the entire multiple test boards 10 collectively, thereby reducing the force required for the insertion and removal of the multiple test boards 10 compared to the case of applying a load collectively. This makes it possible for the insertion / removal device 100 to eliminate the need for a motor with a large torque required to collectively apply a load to the multiple test boards 10, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost and operating power of the insertion / removal device 100. The insertion / removal device 100 is also excellent in scalability, since when the test device 50 wants to increase the number of test boards 10 that the test device 50 tests the functions of at one time, it is only necessary to increase the length of the cam groove 154 of the fixed lane 153 in the Z-axis direction.

[0083] Furthermore, according to the insertion / removal device 100, instead of using an air cylinder that moves up and down in the Z-axis direction while expanding and contracting in the X-axis direction to apply a load to the test boards 10, a combination of a feed screw mechanism, a cam groove 154 having a wavy track, and a cam follower 157 is used as a mechanism for sequentially applying a load to each of the multiple test boards 10. This makes the insertion / removal device 100 applicable to a burn-in test device in which the inside of the chamber 51 becomes hot.

[0084] FIG. 17 is a schematic plan view of the insertion / removal device 200 to which a plurality of test boards 60 are transferred according to the second embodiment. The insertion / removal device 200 according to the second embodiment is different from the insertion / removal device 100 according to the first embodiment in that it does not include the first load section 120 and the second load section 130. More specifically, the insertion / removal device 200 according to the second embodiment includes a load section 210 that applies a load to the inner surface of the notch 63, since the test board 60 to be inserted / removed has a notch 63 on both sides extending in the X-axis direction. The insertion / removal device 200 according to the second embodiment also includes an insertion / removal drive section 250 in which the second member that holds the load section 210 is shortened in the X-axis direction and the linear guide 158 is omitted, since the insertion / removal device 200 does not include the first load section 120 and the second load section 130 that are arranged apart from each other in the X-axis direction, but includes the load section 210. Other configurations of the extraction / insertion device 200 according to the second embodiment are similar to the corresponding configurations of the extraction / insertion device 100 according to the first embodiment, and the same reference numerals as those of the corresponding configurations of the extraction / insertion device 100 according to the first embodiment are used to omit duplicated explanations. The same applies to the following descriptions of the embodiments, and duplicated explanations are omitted.

[0085] Fig. 18 is an enlarged view of partial region 4 in Fig. 17. As shown in Fig. 18, a notch 63 is formed in a side surface extending in the X-axis direction of test board 60, and notch 63 includes a first inner surface 65 and a second inner surface 66 facing each other in the X-axis direction.

[0086] According to the insertion / removal device 200 of the second embodiment, the insertion / removal drive unit 250 moves the load unit 210 in a serpentine manner in the Z-axis direction, whereby the load unit 210 sequentially applies a load to the inner surface of each of the notches 63 of the multiple test boards 60. More specifically, the load unit 110 applies a load to a first inner surface 65 on one side of the notches 63 on the electrical connector 53 side in the X-axis direction, whereby the electrical connection units 61 of each test board 60 are inserted into the electrical connectors 53 of the test device 50. Similarly, the load unit 110 applies a load to a second inner surface 66 on the opposite side of the notches 63 on the electrical connector 53 side in the X-axis direction, whereby the electrical connection units 61 of each test board 60 are removed from the electrical connectors 53 of the test device 50.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 18, the load section 210 may have a rotation mechanism 211, and specifically, may include a rotation member 213 on at least one side of one surface side facing the first inner surface 65 of the cutout 63 and the other surface side facing the second inner surface 66 of the cutout 63.

[0088] The insertion / extraction device 200 according to the second embodiment described above also provides the same effects as the insertion / extraction device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0089] 19 is a schematic perspective view of an insertion / extraction device 300 according to the third embodiment. The insertion / extraction device 300 according to the third embodiment is different from the insertion / extraction device 100 according to the first embodiment in that the load section 110 includes a pair of load sections that can move in opposite directions in the Z-axis direction. The insertion / extraction device 300 according to the third embodiment also includes an insertion / extraction drive unit 350 having a rotating shaft 351 on which a spiral thread is formed in the opposite directions from near the center in the Z-axis direction in order to move each load section 110 of the load section pair in opposite directions in the Z-axis direction. Note that, like the rotating shaft 151 of the insertion / extraction device 100 according to the first embodiment, the thread of the rotating shaft 351 of the insertion / extraction device 300 according to the third embodiment is omitted from the illustration.

[0090] The load sections 110 of the load section pair move symmetrically to each other in the Z-axis direction. As a more specific example, the insertion / removal drive section 350 causes the load section pair to move in a serpentine manner so as to move away from each other in the Z-axis direction, so that the load section pair applies a load to each of the multiple test boards 10 in sequence, and the electrical connection sections 11 of the multiple test boards 10 are inserted into the electrical connectors 53 of the test device 50 in sequence. Similarly, the insertion / removal drive section 350 causes the load section pair to move in a serpentine manner so as to approach each other in the Z-axis direction, so that the load section pair applies a load to each of the multiple test boards 10 in sequence, and the electrical connection sections 11 of the multiple test boards 10 are removed from the electrical connectors 53 of the test device 50 in sequence.

[0091] As another specific example, the insertion / removal driving unit 350 causes the load part pair to move in a serpentine manner so as to approach each other in the Z-axis direction, so that the load part pair applies a load to each of the multiple test boards 10 in sequence, and the electrical connection parts 11 of the multiple test boards 10 are sequentially inserted into the electrical connectors 53 of the test apparatus 50. Similarly, the insertion / removal driving unit 350 causes the load part pair to move in a serpentine manner so as to move away from each other in the Z-axis direction, so that the load part pair applies a load to each of the multiple test boards 10 in sequence, and the electrical connection parts 11 of the multiple test boards 10 are sequentially removed from the electrical connectors 53 of the test apparatus 50.

[0092] The above-described insertion / extraction device 300 according to the third embodiment also provides the same effects as the insertion / extraction device 100 according to the first embodiment. In the insertion / extraction device 300 according to the third embodiment, the initial positions in the Z-axis direction of each load portion 110 of the load portion pair may be on the upper end side and lower end side of the rotating shaft 351 in the Z-axis direction, or may be near the center of the rotating shaft 351 in the Z-axis direction.

[0093] 20 and 21 are schematic side views for explaining the arrangement of the load section 410 of the extraction / insertion device 400 according to the fourth embodiment using a comparative example. The extraction / insertion device 400 according to the fourth embodiment differs from the extraction / insertion device 100 according to the first embodiment in that it does not include the first load section 120 and the second load section 130 that are shifted from each other in the Z-axis direction, but includes the first load section 420 and the second load section 430 that are positioned approximately the same in the Z-axis direction. The extraction / insertion device 400 according to the fourth embodiment includes an extraction / insertion drive section 450 having a second member 456 that can adjust the relative positions of the first load section 420 and the second load section 430 in the X-axis direction, in accordance with the inclusion of the first load section 420 and the second load section 430 that are positioned approximately the same in the Z-axis direction.

[0094] The second member 456 may be a member that is expandable and contractable in the X-axis direction and can be fixed at any length, such as a pantograph. For example, as shown in Fig. 20, the relative positions of the first load section 420 and the second load section 430 may be adjusted in advance so that while one of the first load section 420 and the second load section 430 applies a load to an end of a test board 10, the other of the first load section 420 and the second load section 430 does not contact the test board 10.

[0095] For example, as shown in Fig. 21, the relative positions of the first load section 420 and the second load section 430 are adjusted during at least one of the insertion and removal operations so that while one of the first load section 420 and the second load section 430 applies a load to an end of a test board 10, the other of the first load section 420 and the second load section 430 does not contact the test board 10. In this case, as shown in Fig. 21, for example, the trajectory of the first load section 420 draws a large stroke in the X-axis direction with respect to the position of the second load section 430. It can also be said that one of the first load section 420 and the second load section 430 applies a load to the end of the test board 10 while expanding and contracting in the X-axis direction.

[0096] The insertion / extraction device 400 according to the fourth embodiment described above also provides the same effects as the insertion / extraction device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0097] 22 is a schematic plan view showing an enlarged portion of an insertion / extraction device 500 to which a plurality of test boards 10 have been transferred according to the fifth embodiment. The insertion / extraction device 500 according to the fifth embodiment differs from the insertion / extraction device 100 according to the first embodiment in that, instead of the load unit 110 having the rotation mechanisms 121, 131 including the rotation members 123, 133 rotating about an axis perpendicular to the load application surface of each test board 10, the insertion / extraction device 500 according to the fifth embodiment includes a load unit 510 having a rotation mechanism 511 including a rotation member 513 rotating about an axis parallel to the load application surface of each test board 10. The rotation member 513 may be in line contact with the load application surface of each test board 10.

[0098] The insertion / extraction device 500 according to the fifth embodiment described above also provides the same effects as the insertion / extraction device 100 according to the first embodiment.

[0099] In the above embodiments, the fixed lane and the second member may have a rail of a wavy track that extends in a serpentine manner in the Z axis direction and a slider movably engaged within the rail, instead of a cam groove of a wavy track that extends in a serpentine manner in the Z axis direction and a cam follower that slides within the cam groove.

[0100] In the above embodiments, the insertion / removal device may perform the insertion and removal operations of two or three test boards at a time.

[0101] In the above embodiments, the test board has been described as having a substantially rectangular outer shape in a plan view, and both ends in the X-axis direction are flat. The outer shape of the test board may be another shape, and both ends in the X-axis direction may be, for example, uneven or curved. In this case, the load unit may apply a load while making point contact or surface contact with protruding portions at both ends in the X-axis direction of the test board, or may apply a load while making point contact or surface contact with parts protruding in the Y-axis direction from both ends in the X-axis direction of the test board.

[0102] Although the present invention has been described above using the embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments. It is clear to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the above embodiments. It is clear from the description of the claims that such modifications and improvements can also be included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0103] It should be noted that the order of execution of each process, such as operations, procedures, steps, and stages, in the devices, systems, programs, and methods shown in the claims, specifications, and drawings is not specifically stated as "before," "prior to," etc., and may be realized in any order unless the output of a previous process is used in a later process. Even if the operational flow in the claims, specifications, and drawings is explained using "first," "next," etc. for convenience, it does not mean that it is essential to perform the process in this order. [Explanation of symbols]

[0104] 1 subregion 2 partial area 3 partial area 10 Test Board 11 Electrical connections 13 First end 15 Second end 20 batches 30 Holding Frame 50 Test Equipment 51 Chamber 52 Connector unit 53 Electrical Connectors 100 Insertion / extraction device 110 Loading section 120 1st load section 121 Rotation mechanism 123 Rotating parts 130 2nd load section 131 Rotation mechanism 133 Rotating parts 150 Insertion / Extraction Drive Unit 151 Rotating shaft 152 First member 153 Fixed Lane 154 Cam groove 155 Linear Guide 156 Second member 157 Cam follower 158 Linear Guide 159 Motor 4 Partial area 60 Test Board 61 Electrical connections 63 Notch 65 First inner surface 66 Second inner surface 200 Insertion / extraction device 210 Loading section 211 Rotation Mechanism 213 Rotating parts 250 Insertion / Extraction Drive Unit 300 Insertion / extraction device 350 Insertion / Extraction Drive Unit 351 Rotating Shaft 400 Insertion / extraction device 410 Loading section 420 1st load section 430 2nd load section 450 Insertion / Extraction Drive Unit 456 Second Component 500 Insertion / extraction device 510 Loading section 511 Rotation mechanism 513 Rotating parts

Claims

1. An insertion / removal device for performing at least one of the following operations: inserting each electrical connection portion of each test board into each electrical connector of a testing device and removing each electrical connection portion of each test board from each electrical connector in a state where a plurality of test boards are arranged in one direction, a load unit for applying a load to each of the test boards; an insertion / removal driving unit that causes the load unit to move in a serpentine manner in the one direction, so that the load unit sequentially applies a load to the plurality of test boards; An insertion / removal device comprising:

2. the test apparatus is a burn-in test apparatus that houses the plurality of test boards in a chamber, performs temperature control to bring the inside of the chamber close to a target temperature, and performs a function test of a device under test on each of the test boards; The insertion / extraction device according to claim 1.

3. The loading unit includes a rotation mechanism for reducing friction with a surface of each of the test boards to which the load is applied. The insertion / extraction device according to claim 1.

4. The rotation mechanism includes a rotation member that rotates around an axis perpendicular to the surface, and the rotation member is in surface contact with the surface. The insertion / extraction device according to claim 3.

5. the rotating mechanism includes a rotating member that rotates around an axis parallel to the surface, and the rotating member is in line contact with the surface; The insertion / extraction device according to claim 3.

6. the insertion / removal driving unit causes the load unit to move in a serpentine manner in the one direction, so that the load unit sequentially applies a load to the end portions of each of the plurality of test boards in a direction in which the operation is performed. The insertion / extraction device according to claim 1.

7. the load portion includes a first load portion for inserting the electrical connection portions into the electrical connectors, and a second load portion for removing the electrical connection portions from the electrical connectors; the first load section applies a load to a first end of each of the test boards on an opposite side to the electrical connector in the direction in which the movement is performed; the second load section applies a load to a second end of each of the test boards on a side of the electrical connector in a direction in which the movement is performed; The insertion / extraction device according to claim 6.

8. the first load portion and the second load portion are shifted from each other in the one direction and their relative positions are fixed so that while one of the first load portion and the second load portion applies a load to the end portion of the one test board, the other of the first load portion and the second load portion does not contact the end face of the one test board in the one direction. The insertion / extraction device according to claim 7.

9. The first load section and the second load section are adjusted in relative positions to each other during the operation or in advance so that while one of the first load section and the second load section applies a load to the end of one of the test boards, the other of the first load section and the second load section does not contact the end face of the one of the test boards in the one direction. The insertion / extraction device according to claim 7.

10. the insertion / removal driving unit causes the load unit to move in a serpentine manner in the one direction, so that the load unit sequentially applies a load to inner surfaces of notches formed in side surfaces of each of the plurality of test boards that extend in a direction in which the operation is performed; The insertion / extraction device according to claim 1.

11. the load portion applies a load to a first inner surface on one side of the electrical connector in the direction in which the notch moves, thereby inserting each of the electrical connection portions into each of the electrical connectors, and the load portion applies a load to a second inner surface on the opposite side of the electrical connector in the direction in which the notch moves, thereby removing each of the electrical connection portions from each of the electrical connectors. The extraction device according to claim 10.

12. the insertion / removal drive unit moves the load unit in a serpentine manner toward one side in the one direction, thereby sequentially inserting the electrical connection parts of the plurality of test boards into the respective electrical connectors, and the insertion / removal drive unit moves the load unit in a serpentine manner toward the other side in the one direction, thereby sequentially removing the electrical connection parts of the plurality of test boards from the respective electrical connectors. The insertion / extraction device according to claim 1.

13. The load portion includes a pair of load portions movable in opposite directions to each other in the one direction, The insertion / removal drive unit moves the load portion pair in a serpentine manner so as to move away from each other in the one direction, so that the load portion pair applies a load to each of the test boards in sequence, and the electrical connection portions of the test boards are inserted into the electrical connectors in sequence for each of the test boards, and the insertion / removal drive unit moves the load portion pair in a serpentine manner so as to move toward each other in the one direction, so that the load portion pair applies a load to each of the test boards in sequence, and the electrical connection portions of the test boards are removed from the electrical connectors in sequence for each of the test boards, or the insertion / removal drive unit causes the load portion pair to move in a serpentine manner so as to approach each other in the one direction, thereby causing the load portion pair to apply a load to each of the multiple test boards in sequence, and the electrical connection portions of the multiple test boards are inserted into the respective electrical connectors in sequence, by causing the insertion / removal drive unit to cause the load portion pair to move in a serpentine manner so as to move away from each other in the one direction, thereby causing the load portion pair to apply a load to each of the multiple test boards in sequence, and the electrical connection portions of the multiple test boards are removed from the respective electrical connectors in sequence, by causing the insertion / removal drive unit to cause the load portion pair to move in a serpentine manner so as to move away from each other in the one direction, thereby causing the load portion pair to apply a load to each of the multiple test boards in sequence, and The insertion / extraction device according to claim 1.

14. The insertion / removal drive unit is A rotating shaft that rotates around an axis extending in the one direction; a first member rotatably engaged around the rotating shaft and moved in the one direction by rotation of the rotating shaft; A fixed lane including a wavy track that extends in a meandering manner in one direction; a second member that is slidably engaged with the first member in the direction of the movement and that is movable along the track of the fixed lane while holding the load portion; having The insertion / extraction device according to claim 1.

15. A cam groove for the track is formed in the fixed lane, and a cam follower that slides in the cam groove is formed in the second member.

15. An extraction device according to claim 14.

16. A method for inserting and removing a plurality of test boards arranged in one direction, the method comprising at least one of inserting each electrical connection portion of each test board into each electrical connector of a testing device and removing each electrical connection portion from each electrical connector, the method comprising the steps of: placing a load unit for applying a load to each of the test boards at an initial position; the load section is moved in a zigzag manner from the initial position in the one direction, so that the load section sequentially applies a load to the plurality of test boards; An insertion / removal method comprising:

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