Socket, jig, socket maintenance set, and disassembly method

Abstract

To realize a socket corresponding to a contact probe having a short overall length.SOLUTION: A socket 20 includes a pin block 30 holding a contact probe array 21, and a pin plate 50 detachably engaged with the pin block 30, and the pin block 30 include a curved portion 36 that is located outside the contact probe array 21 and protrudes toward the inside of the contact probe array 21. The pin plate 50 includes an engaging portion 52 that engages with the curved portion 36 that protrudes inward.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a socket or the like used for inspecting an IC package.

Background Art

[0002] A socket used for inspecting an IC package is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The socket has a pin block in which a plurality of contact probes corresponding to each electrode terminal of the IC are erected, and a pin plate that supports the contact probes together with the pin block. The pin block and the pin plate are fixed by screws. The IC package to be inspected is guided onto the contact probes in a predetermined posture. By appropriately pressing the guided IC package from above downward, the electrode terminals of the IC package come into contact with the contact probes, and an energization path for inspection is secured.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In recent years, in an inspection apparatus for an IC package using contact probes, in order to improve the high-frequency characteristics in the electrical connection between the contact probes and the IC package, there has been a tendency to shorten the overall length of the contact probes. When the overall length of the contact probes is shortened, it is required to reduce the thickness of the socket that holds them. That is, it is also required to adapt to the holding structure of the contact probes such as the pin block and the pin plate that constitute the socket.

[0005] In addition, when the thickness of the pin block or the pin plate becomes thin, for example, further improvement in workability of disassembling and assembling the pin block and the pin plate when removing and replacing the contact probe from the socket is also required.

[0006] An example of the object of the present invention is to realize a socket corresponding to a contact probe having a short overall length, a jig related to the socket, a socket maintenance set, and a method for disassembling the socket.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] An aspect of the present invention includes a pin block that holds a contact probe array, and a pin plate that detachably engages with the pin block. The pin block is located outside the contact probe array and has a curved portion that protrudes toward the inside of the contact probe array. The pin plate has an engaging portion that engages with the curved portion in a state of protruding inward, and is a socket.

[0008] According to this aspect, engagement between the pin block and the pin plate can be realized without using screws. Since screws are not required, the socket can be made thinner by that much. Therefore, a thinner socket than before corresponding to a contact probe having a short overall length can be realized.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, examples of embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described, but the forms to which the present invention is applicable are not limited to the following aspects. In each figure, a right-handed orthogonal three-axis (X, Y, Z) for indicating a common direction is shown. Depending on the figure, a left-handed orthogonal three-axis (Xs, Ys, Zs) for indicating the direction for the socket is shown. Hereinafter, it will be described assuming that the X-axis direction and the Xs-axis direction are parallel, the Y-axis direction and the Ys-axis direction are parallel, and the Z-axis direction and the Zs-axis direction are exactly opposite. The positive direction of the X and Xs axes is the front, the negative direction of the X and Xs axes is the rear, the positive direction of the Y and Ys axes is the left, the negative direction of the Y and Ys axes is the right, and the positive direction of the Z axis is the upper side for the socket maintenance set 10 and the jig 70, the positive direction of the Zs axis is the upper side for the socket 20, the negative direction of the Z axis is the lower side for the socket maintenance set 10 and the jig 70, and the negative direction of the Zs axis is the lower side for the socket 20.

[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective external view showing an example of the configuration of the socket maintenance set 10. The socket maintenance set 10 includes a socket 20 and a jig 70 for assisting in the disassembly operation of the socket 20.

[0012] Socket 20 has a contact probe array 21, a pin block 30, and a pin plate 50. The jig 70 has a base 71, a toggle clamp 72 fixed to the base 71, and a disassembly mechanism portion 73 formed on the base 71. An operator simultaneously attaches two sockets 20 to one jig 70. Then, with one operation of the jig 70, the disassembly work of releasing the assembled state of the pin block 30 and the pin plate 50 for the two sockets 20 can be performed collectively and simultaneously. Note that the socket 20 is attached to the jig 70 in a posture in which the pin plate 50 in the state shown in FIG. 2 faces in the +Zs axis direction at the attachment position of the jig 70 shown in FIG. 1.

[0013] First, the socket 20 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a perspective external view showing a configuration example of the socket 20, and is a view of the socket 20 seen obliquely from below. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the III-III cross section (Ys-Zs plane) of FIG. 2 seen from the +Xs axis side. FIG. 3 includes an enlarged view of the portion surrounded by the long dashed line.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the socket 20 has a pin block 30 that holds a plurality of contact probes 23, and a pin plate 50 attached to the lower surface side of the pin block 30. The plurality of contact probes 23 can be called a contact probe array 21. The contact probes 23 are inserted into the respective insertion holes arranged in a planar manner in the pin block 30, and the inserted contact probes 23 are held by the pin block 30.

[0015] Both the pin block 30 and the pin plate 50 are plate-like parts made of a synthetic resin having insulation and elasticity. The pin block 30 and the pin plate 50 have an interengagement structure 60 including a first structure portion 61 and a second structure portion 62. The pin block 30 and the pin plate 50 are coupled by the interengagement structure 60.

[0016] The first structure portion 61 determines the relative position in the plane direction (direction parallel to the Xs-Ys plane) that intersects the attachment / detachment direction (Zs-axis direction) of the pin block 30 and the pin plate 50, and is a structure for preventing misalignment between the pin block 30 and the pin plate 50. Specifically, the first structure portion 61 has a positioning pin 32 of the pin block 30 and a positioning hole 51 of the pin plate 50.

[0017] When the positioning pin 32 of the first structure portion 61 is inserted into the positioning hole 51, the relative position between the pin block 30 and the pin plate 50 is determined, and the pin block side insertion portion 33 of the pin block 30 and the pin plate side insertion portion 53 of the pin plate 50 are in a one-to-one relative positional relationship facing each other vertically (Z-Zs axis direction). One contact probe 23 is accommodated in each of the spaces defined by the pin block side insertion portion 33 and the pin plate side insertion portion 53 facing each other as the relative positional relationship. The contact probe 23 is held by the pin block 30 and the pin plate 50.

[0018] The second structure portion 62 is a structure for engaging the pin block 30 and the pin plate 50 with each other in the attachment / detachment direction (Zs-axis direction). The second structure portion 62 includes a curved portion 36 of the pin block 30 and an engaging portion 52 of the pin plate 50. The curved portion 36 is a portion formed between an inner void 34 and an outer void 35 having a two-slot shape. The engaging portion 52 has an engaging step portion 37 that hangs on the curved portion 36. The curved portion 36 wraps around from the Zs-axis direction in FIG. 3 to the upper side (Z-axis direction) of the curved portion 36 and hangs on the engaging step portion 37. Then, the engagement of the pin block 30 and the pin plate 50 by the second structure portion 62 is established, preventing the relative position between the pin block 30 and the pin plate 50 from shifting in the Zs-axis direction. The guide slope 38 of the curved portion 36 assists in assembling the pin plate 50 to the pin block 30 and establishing the engagement by the second structure portion 62.

[0019] The pin plate 50 is assembled to the pin block 30 by the first structural part 61 and the second structural part 62. The socket 20 holding the contact probe array 21 by the pin block 30 to which the pin plate 50 is assembled is attached to a predetermined position with respect to the jig 70 by the positioning holes 39 (see FIG. 2) provided in the pin block 30. In FIG. 2, three positioning holes 39 are provided at the corners of the pin block 30, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, two positioning holes 39 may be provided in the X-axis direction passing through the positioning hole 51 of the pin plate 50 in the pin block 30.

[0020] Next, the pin block 30 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a perspective external view showing a configuration example of the pin block 30, which is a view from the same viewpoint as FIG. 2, that is, a view seen obliquely from below. FIG. 4 is a view in which the pin plate 50 is omitted from FIG. 2. FIG. 5 is a perspective external view showing a configuration example of the pin block 30, which is a view seen obliquely from above.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pin block 30 is a substantially rectangular plate-like component composed of four sides. The pin block 30 has a central concave portion 31 with a plate thickness (dimension in the Zs direction) thinner than the outer peripheral portion at the central portion of the lower surface. In the central concave portion 31, a positioning pin 32 protruding downward and a plurality of pin block side insertion portions 33 for inserting and accommodating the contact probe 23 are provided.

[0022] The plurality of pin block side insertion portions 33 are formed as a stepped portion that is higher by one step in the central concave portion 31. The pin block side insertion portion 33 is a vertically penetrating hole provided corresponding to each of the contact probes 23 (see FIG. 3) constituting the contact probe array 21, and the upper portion of the contact probe 23 is inserted therein. Note that the inner shape of the pin block side insertion portion 33 can be set to a shape that can prevent the contact probe 23 from coming off.

[0023] The pin block 30 has an inner gap 34 and an outer gap 35 on the outside of the plus side in the Ys direction and the outside of the minus side in the Ys direction of the central concave portion 31, respectively. The inner gap 34 and the outer gap 35 are in the shape of slots that are long in the Xs-axis direction. Between the inner gap 34 and the outer gap 35, a curved portion 36 like a bridge spanning the plus side and the minus side of the Xs axis is formed.

[0024] When viewed from the Zs direction, the curved portion 36 is in an arc shape that curves in a direction parallel to the Xs-Ys plane, and draws a convex arc toward the contact probe array 21 (or toward the center (inside) of the pin block 30). The curved portion 36 has an engaging step portion 37 and a guiding inclined surface 38 at both longitudinal ends along the Xs axis in a front-back positional relationship in the Z-Zs axis direction. Note that the convex of the curved portion 36 fluctuates (deforms) against the elastic force in the direction opposite to the convex of the curved portion 36 by a jig 70 described later when disassembling the assembled state of the pin block 30 and the pin plate 50. And when the curved portion 36 becomes substantially parallel to the side of the pin block 30, the engaging state between the pin block 30 and the pin plate 50 is released. That is, by making the curved portion 36 into a curved arc shape that draws a convex arc toward the center of the pin block 30, the assembly of the pin block 30 and the pin plate 50 is enabled without increasing the lateral width (width in the Ys axis direction) of the pin block 30.

[0025] The engaging step portion 37 is provided at both longitudinal ends on the upper surface side of the curved portion 36, and is a portion that engages with the engaging portion 52 (see FIG. 3) of the pin plate 50. Since the curved portion is in an arc shape, when viewed from the plus side of the Zs axis (the upper side for the socket 20), the engaging step portion 37 is a triangular step (see FIG. 5). That is, the engaging portion 52 of the pin plate 50 is provided substantially parallel to the side of the pin plate 50, and the engaging portion 52 engages with the engaging step portion 37 in the substantially parallel state. Therefore, it is a suitable shape for the engaging step portion 37 to be triangular when the engaging step portion 37 formed on the arc-shaped curved portion 36 is viewed from the plus side of the Zs axis (the upper side for the socket 20).

[0026] The guide slope 38 is a slope that faces inward at both longitudinal ends on the lower surface side of the curved portion 36, and is a slope for guiding the engaging portion 52 to the engaging step portion 37. The slope is substantially R-shaped (convex curved surface). Specifically, when assembling the pin plate 50 to the pin block 30, the operator presses the pin plate 50 against the lower surface of the pin block 30. The engaging portion 52 of the pin plate 50 hits the guide slope 38 and elastically deforms toward the inner gap 34 while sliding on the guide slope 38 by the assembling force. The elastically deformed engaging portion 52 eventually passes through the inner gap 34 and turns to the upper surface side of the curved portion 36, and the elastic deformation is restored to engage with the engaging step portion 37.

[0027] Next, the pin plate 50 will be described in detail. FIG. 6 is a perspective external view showing a configuration example of the pin plate 50, and is a view from the same viewpoint as FIG. 2, that is, a view seen from obliquely below. FIG. 6 is a view in which the pin block 30 is omitted from FIG. 2. FIG. 7 is a perspective external view showing a configuration example of the pin plate 50, and is a view of the pin plate 50 seen from obliquely above.

[0028] As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the pin plate 50 is a substantially rectangular plate-shaped component composed of four sides. The pin plate 50 forms a plurality of pin plate side insertion portions 53 corresponding to each of the contact probes 23 in a planar arrangement in a central concave portion 54 that is thinner than the outer edge portion on the central flat plate portion. The pin plate side insertion portion 53 is a vertically penetrating hole into which the lower portion of the contact probe 23 is inserted. Note that the inner shape of the pin plate side insertion portion 53 can be set to a shape that can prevent the contact probe 23 from coming off.

[0029] The pin plate 50 has positioning holes 51 on each of the +Xs axis side and the -Xs axis side of the flat plate portion. The pin plate 50 also has two engaging portions 52 on the side surface of the +Ys axis side and the side surface of the -Ys axis side of the pin plate 50.

[0030] The engaging portion 52 is provided in two on each of two opposing side edges facing the +Ys axis direction and the -Ys axis direction, and is a hook-shaped portion extending upward (in the +Zs axis direction). By engaging the lower surface of the extending end 52t (end portion) of the engaging portion 52 in a direction perpendicular to the attaching / detaching direction (Zs axis direction) such that it is hooked onto the engaging step portion 37 from above, it functions as the second structural portion 62 (see FIG. 3).

[0031] Next, the jig 70 will be described. FIG. 8 is a perspective external view showing a configuration example of the jig 70. The toggle clamp 72 is of the lateral pressing type. When the operation lever 72L is operated, the slide bar 72B is pushed into the disassembly mechanism portion 73 (see FIG. 9) from the -X axis side toward the +X axis side.

[0032] The jig 70 has mounting portions 75 at two locations on the upper surface (the surface on the +Z axis side) of the disassembly mechanism portion 73. The mounting portion 75 (the range surrounded by the dashed line in FIG. 8) is a recess for fitting by aligning the Xs-Ys plane with the X-Y plane of the jig 70 and aligning the Xs axis of the socket 20 with the X axis of the jig. The mounting portion 75 is composed of four recesses for mounting the four corners of the socket 20, and positioning protrusions 76 are provided in some of the recesses.

[0033] The positioning protrusion 76 is a protrusion that fits into a positioning hole 39 (see FIG. 2) provided in the pin block 30 of the socket 20. By fitting the positioning protrusion 76 and the positioning hole 39, the socket 20 is positioned at a predetermined position and in a predetermined posture on the mounting portion 75.

[0034] At the center of the mounting portion 75, two insertion pieces 77 protrude upward (in the +Z axis direction) side by side in the Y axis direction. The upper ends of the insertion pieces 77 are inserted into the inner void 34 of the socket 20 fixed to the mounting portion 75.

[0035] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the disassembly mechanism unit 73, and is an internal structure diagram of the jig 70 as viewed from above. The disassembly mechanism unit 73 includes a main guide groove 81 that is recessed in the base portion 80 and is long in the X-axis direction, an operating portion 82 that slides in the groove direction within the main guide groove 81, a sub-guide groove 83 that is recessed in the Y-axis direction in each of the mounting portions 75, and an insertion piece support portion 84 that slides in the groove direction within the sub-guide groove 83.

[0036] On the inner wall portion of the front end portion (X-axis positive side end portion; the left end portion toward FIG. 9) of the main guide groove 81, an adjustment pin 85 is erected along the groove direction. On the outer periphery of the front end portion of the adjustment pin 85, there is a male screw portion 85n, and on the front end surface 85f, a tool engagement portion 85k (for example, a groove for engaging with a minus driver, etc.) for engaging with a tool for turning the screw is provided.

[0037] The adjustment pin 85 is screwed into the female screw hole 86 of the base portion 80, and the dimension inserted into the main guide groove 81 can be adjusted with a tool for turning the screw. The portion on the X-axis negative side of the male screw portion 85n of the adjustment pin 85 forms a straight pin without a thread, and its rear end (X-axis negative side end portion; the right end portion toward FIG. 9) is inserted into and slidably contacts within a pin sliding hole 87 provided at the front end of the operating portion 82. When the tip of the adjustment pin 85 abuts against the bottom of the pin sliding hole 87, the forward movement of the operating portion 82 is stopped there. That is, the adjustment pin 85 functions as a stop pin that can adjust and determine the forward limit of the operating portion 82.

[0038] However, the maximum forward limit of the operating portion 82 itself is determined by a stopper 88 protruding from the main guide groove 81. The operating portion 82 has a portion where the width (lateral width) in the Y-axis direction is narrowed, and the stopper 88 protrudes toward this narrowed portion of the operating portion 82. The maximum forward limit is determined when the end of the narrowed portion of the operating portion 82 abuts against the stopper 88.

[0039] The adjustment pin 85 is also a support shaft of the coil spring 89. The coil spring 89 is disposed between the front end inner wall of the main guide groove 81 and the front end side surface of the operating portion 82, and generates a biasing force that pushes the operating portion 82 backward (in the X-axis negative direction).

[0040] The rear end portion of the main guide groove 81 (the X-axis minus side end portion; the right end portion in FIG. 9) opens to the outside while preventing the operation portion 82 from coming off. The slide bar 72B of the toggle clamp 72 enters the opening and abuts against the rear end side surface of the operation portion 82, pushing the operation portion 82 in the X-axis plus direction.

[0041] One insertion piece support portion 84 is provided for each of the sub-guide grooves 83 on the Y-axis plus side and the sub-guide grooves 83 on the Y-axis minus side sandwiching the main guide groove 81, and an insertion piece 77 (see FIG. 8) protrudes from the upper surface thereof. The insertion piece support portion 84 constitutes a release portion 110 together with the insertion piece 77.

[0042] Each sub-guide groove 83 has a stop pin 90 screwed into the base 80 at the abutment and protruding in the groove direction. An engagement portion that engages with a tool for turning a screwdriver is formed on the outer surface of the stop pin 90, and the dimension for protruding the tip of the stop pin 90 into the sub-guide groove 83 can be adjusted with a tool for turning a screwdriver. By adjusting this dimension, the position of the movement limit where the insertion piece support portion 84 moves in a direction away from the operation portion 82 is determined.

[0043] The stop pin 90 is also a support shaft of the coil spring 91. The coil spring 91 is a biasing portion that biases the insertion piece support portion 84 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the operating force of the toggle clamp 72 is converted (the direction in which the insertion piece support portion 84 moves away from the operation portion 82). The coil spring 91 is disposed between the outer inner wall of the sub-guide groove 83 and the outer surface of the insertion piece support portion 84, and generates a biasing force that pushes the insertion piece support portion 84 back inward (in a direction approaching the operation portion 82).

[0044] Inside the insertion piece support portion 84 (the side closer to the operating portion 82), a stop bolt 93 is provided so as to be insertable and removable in the groove direction of the sub-guide groove 83. The bolt head of the stop bolt 93 is exposed on the side of the operating portion 82, and when the insertion piece support portion 84 biased by the coil spring 91 slides and moves toward the side of the operating portion 82, it abuts against the left and right outer side surfaces of the operating portion 82. That is, the protruding dimension of the stop bolt 93 from the insertion piece support portion 84 is adjustable. This protruding dimension determines the position of the limit of movement when the insertion piece support portion 84 moves toward the side of the operating portion 82.

[0045] The disassembly mechanism portion 73 has a conversion mechanism 100. The conversion mechanism 100 is a mechanism that converts the operating force of the toggle clamp 72 into a moving force in the opening direction in which the pair of insertion pieces 77 are separated from each other, and is realized by engaging the operating portion 82 and the insertion piece support portion 84 with a wedge structure. Specifically, the conversion mechanism 100 has a wedge body 101 that moves integrally with the operating portion 82 and an intersection surface 102 provided on the insertion piece support portion 84.

[0046] The wedge body 101 is provided for each pair of mounting portions 75 attached to the operating portion 82, and has an outer shape in which the width in the Y-axis direction linearly widens from the front end to the rear end.

[0047] The intersection surface 102 faces the outer surface of the wedge body 101 in the Y-axis direction and intersects the groove direction of the sub-guide groove 83 (the same as the opening and closing direction in which the two insertion pieces 77 open and close). That is, when the operation lever 72L is operated and the operating portion 82 moves in the +X-axis direction, the outer surface of the wedge body 101 in the Y-axis direction (the small-gradient inclined surface 103 facing the direction intersecting the operating direction of the operating portion 82) becomes the pressing surface, and while this outer surface slides on the intersection surface 102 of the insertion piece support portion 84, it pushes. As a result, the pair of insertion pieces 77 protruding from the insertion piece support portion 84 move away from each other in the Y-axis direction, and the two insertion pieces 77 open.

[0048] Next, the usage method of the socket maintenance set 10 will be described. The operator releases the operation lever 72L of the toggle clamp 72 and fits and fixes the socket 20 to be disassembled on the mounting portion 75 of the jig 70. Specifically, with the lower surface of the socket 20 facing upward and the longitudinal direction of the curved portion 36 aligned with the longitudinal direction of the jig 70, the positioning hole 39 of the socket 20 is fitted and fixed to the positioning projection 76 of the jig 70.

[0049] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the relative positional relationship between the socket 20 fixed to the mounting portion 75 and the insertion piece 77, and is a view seen from directly above (Z-axis positive side) of the jig 70. As shown in FIG. 10, when the socket 20 is fixed to the mounting portion 75, the upper end of the insertion piece 77 enters the inner gap 34. The insertion piece 77 protrudes from the mounting portion 75. Therefore, when fixing the socket 20 to the mounting portion 75, the socket 20 is brought close while covering the mounting portion 75 from above. First, the insertion piece 77 is inserted inside the curved portion 36 so that the insertion piece 77 abuts against the curved portion 36 (or there is a slight gap between the insertion piece 77 and the curved portion 36). Then, while maintaining this state, the socket 20 is pushed from above to fully fit the positioning hole 39 of the socket 20 onto the positioning projection 76 of the jig 70, and the pin block 30 in the engaged state is fixed to the mounting portion 75.

[0050] Depending on the setting of the protruding dimension of the insertion piece 77, the insertion piece 77 may enter the inside of the curved portion 36 and the positioning hole 39 of the socket 20 may be fitted onto the positioning projection 76 of the jig 70 simultaneously.

[0051] Next, the operator operates the operation lever 72L of the toggle clamp 72 in the released state to displace the insertion piece support portion 84 in the opening direction.

[0052] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation of the disassembly mechanism portion 73 when the operation lever 72L is operated. When the operation lever 72L is operated, the slide bar 72B of the toggle clamp 72 slides toward the disassembly mechanism portion 73 and pushes the operating portion 82 in the operating direction (forward, +X-axis direction, left side of the figure in FIG. 11). The pushed operating portion 82 moves in the operating direction while being guided within the main guide groove 81. The wedge 101 integrated with the operating portion 82 also moves together, and the inclined surface 103 abuts against the intersecting surface 102 of the insertion piece support portion 84 and pushes it along with the movement of the operating portion 82.

[0053] Due to the wedge structure of the conversion mechanism 100, the inclined surface 103 slides and pushes against the intersecting surface 102, and the insertion piece support portion 84 is guided by the sub-guide groove 83 and pushed outward. That is, the operating portion 82 operates in a predetermined operating direction (the direction of the thick white arrow in FIG. 11) based on the operation of the operation lever 72L, and the operating force in the operating direction is converted into the opening direction (the direction of the thick black arrow drawn on each insertion piece support portion 84 in FIG. 11; the insertion piece support portion 84 on the right side of the main guide groove 81 is in the right direction (+Y-axis direction), and the insertion piece support portion 84 on the left side of the main guide groove 81 is in the left direction (-Y-axis direction)) to displace the insertion piece support portion 84. That is, due to the movement of the operating portion 82, a plurality of release portions 110 move simultaneously in the opening direction in a direction perpendicular to the movement direction of the operating portion 82. [[ID=!]]

[0054] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the socket 20 and the insertion piece 77 in a state where the insertion piece support portion 84 is displaced in the opening direction, and is a view seen from directly above the jig 70 (+Z-axis side). When the insertion piece support portion 84 is displaced in the opening direction, the insertion piece 77 integrated with the insertion piece support portion 84 moves outward (the direction of the thick black arrow in FIG. 12). Focusing on the relative positional relationship between the two insertion piece support portions 84 and the two insertion pieces 77, these will open in the Y-axis direction, and the insertion piece 77 pushes the vicinity of the apex of the convex arc of the curved portion 36 outward (the direction away from the center of the pin block 30; the direction opposite to the convex of the arc).

[0055] The curved portion 36 pushed by the insertion piece 77 elastically deforms so that the arc becomes gentle. Due to this elastic deformation, the guide slope 38 and the engagement step portion 37 (see FIGS. 3 to 5) on the upper surface side (the back side in FIG. 12) also displace outward.

[0056] Due to the displacement of the engagement step portion 37, the engagement step portion 37 separates from the engagement portion 52 of the pin plate 50, and as shown in FIG. 12, the engagement between the two is released. That is, in the second structure portion 62, the engagement is released when the curved portion 36 is displaced and the central portion of the curvature of the curved portion 36 is displaced in the direction opposite to the convex direction of the curvature. Since the plurality of release portions 110 move simultaneously, the engagement states of the pin block 30, the pin plate 50, and the plurality of sockets 20 are released almost simultaneously.

[0057] When the engagement of the second structure portion 62 is released, the operator can easily and without damage remove the pin plate 50 from the pin block 30 by picking it up with a pair of pliers or the like.

[0058] It is obvious that the socket 20 corresponding to the contact probe 23 having a short overall length becomes much thinner than the conventional product and is easily damaged. If the pin plate 50 is to be removed from the pin block 30 without using the jig 70 to disassemble the socket 20, the second structure portion 62 is likely to be damaged. However, since the curved portion 36 can be displaced with the jig 70 and the engagement of the second structure portion 62 can be released, the pin plate 50 can be safely removed from the pin block 30.

[0059] The curved shape of the curved portion 36 and the triangular shape of the engagement step portion 37 greatly contribute to both reliable holding and quick disassembly of the engagement in the second structure portion 62. That is, the curved portion 36 is an arc-shaped convex toward the center of the pin block 30, and it is more difficult for the central portion of the curve to be displaced in the opposite direction of the curve than in the case of a straight shape. It becomes stronger against deformation in the direction in which the engagement of the second structural portion 62 is released. Therefore, although the engagement step portion 37 is triangular and the engagement step portion 37 only slightly engages with the corner of the engagement portion 52 of the pin plate 50, the engagement between the curved portion 36 and the engagement portion 52 is not easily released in normal use situations. On the other hand, when the curved portion 36 is displaced in the opposite direction of the curve at the central portion of the curve via the jig 70, since the engagement step portion 37 is triangular, the engagement between the curved portion 36 and the engagement portion 52 is quickly released.

[0060] Moreover, since one jig 70 is equipped with two mounting portions 75, and a structure related to two insertion pieces 77 and an insertion piece support portion 84 corresponding thereto, the disassembly of two sockets 20 can be assisted by using the jig 70 once. For this reason, the workability is excellent. If the total length of the jig 70 in the X-axis direction is increased and three or more sets of the mounting portion 75, two insertion pieces 77, and two insertion piece support portions 84 are prepared as one set in one jig 70, the workability is further improved. Of course, a configuration in which only one set of the mounting portion 75, two insertion pieces 77, and two insertion piece support portions 84 is provided in one jig 70 is also possible.

[0061] 〔Summary〕 The disclosure of this specification according to the above-described embodiment can be summarized as follows.

[0062] Aspects of the present disclosure include a pin block that holds a contact probe array, and a pin plate that detachably engages with the pin block. The pin block is located outside the contact probe array and has a curved portion that is convex toward the inside of the contact probe array. The pin plate is a socket having an engagement portion that engages with the curved portion that is convex toward the inside.

[0063] According to this aspect, the engagement between the pin block and the pin plate can be realized without using screws. Since screws are not required, the socket can be made thinner by that much. Therefore, it is possible to realize a socket that is thinner than before and is compatible with contact probes having a short overall length.

[0064] The curved portion may be deformable in a direction along the plane of the pin block.

[0065] When the curved portion deforms in a direction along the plane of the pin block, the engagement state of the engaging portion may be released.

[0066] The curved portion may have an engaging step portion that engages with the engaging portion.

[0067] The engaging step portion may be at two locations in the curved portion that sandwich the location closest to the inside of the pin block.

[0068] According to this, by having a plurality of engaging locations, the engagement becomes stronger.

[0069] The curved portion may have a guiding inclined surface that guides the engaging portion to the engaging step portion.

[0070] According to this, for example, in the process of assembling a socket for attaching a pin plate to a pin block, the establishment of the engagement can be assisted.

[0071] The engaging step portion may have a triangular shape.

[0072] According to this, by making the engaging portion between the pin block and the pin plate triangular, it is possible to achieve both the function of maintaining the engagement and quick engagement release.

[0073] Another aspect is a jig for releasing the engagement state of a socket having a pin block and a pin plate that detachably engages with the pin block, the jig including a placement portion on which the socket in which the pin block and the pin plate are in the engagement state is placed, an insertion piece that abuts against an engagement portion between the pin block and the pin plate, an insertion piece support portion that supports the insertion piece so as to be displaceable in a predetermined opening and closing direction, and an operating portion that is movable in a predetermined moving direction along a plane of the socket, wherein the operating portion contacts the insertion piece support portion, converts a moving force in the moving direction into an opening and closing direction to displace the insertion piece, and the insertion piece releases the engagement state by the displacement.

[0074] Yet another aspect is a release method including a step of placing a socket in which a pin block and a pin plate are in an engaged state, a step of moving an operating portion that operates by operating an operation lever in a predetermined moving direction along a plane of the socket, a step of moving a release portion that releases the engaged state in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction by the movement of the operating portion, and a step of releasing the engaged state between the pin block and the pin plate by the movement of the release portion.

[0075] The step of placing the socket is a step of placing a plurality of the sockets, the step of moving the release portion is a step of moving a plurality of the release portions corresponding to the plurality of the sockets, and the step of releasing the engaged state may be a step of releasing the engaged states of the plurality of the sockets substantially simultaneously by the movement of the plurality of the release portions as a release method.

[0076] According to these, it is possible to assist in safely disassembling a socket that is thin and easily damaged. Good workability in disassembling and assembling the pin block and the pin plate when removing and replacing the contact probe from the socket can be achieved.

[0077] The insertion piece support portion may have an intersecting surface that intersects the opening and closing direction as a contact surface that contacts the operating portion, and the operating portion may have a wedge structure having an inclined surface that contacts the contact surface.

[0078] According to this, a mechanism for converting the operation of the operating part into an operation of moving the insertion piece support part and the insertion piece in the opening direction can be realized with a simple structure.

[0079] It may include a plurality of sets each including the placement part, the insertion piece, and the insertion piece support part, and one said operating part, and the operating part may have the wedge structure corresponding to each said set.

[0080] According to this, since it is possible to assist in disassembling a plurality of sockets at once, the workability is excellent.

[0081] It may further include a biasing part that biases the insertion piece support part in a direction opposite to the direction in which the moving force is converted by the operating part.

[0082] According to this, due to the action of the biasing part, the operating part can be returned to its original position, so the workability when performing continuous disassembly work is improved.

[0083] Still another aspect is a socket maintenance set including the socket and the jig.

Explanation of Signs

[0084] 10... Socket maintenance set 20... Socket 21... Contact probe array 23... Contact probe 30... Pin block 32... Positioning pin 33... Insertion part on the pin block side 34... Inner gap 35... Outer gap 36... Curved part 37... Engaging step part 38... Guide inclined surface 39... Positioning hole 50... Pin plate 51... Positioning hole 52... Engaging part 53... Insertion part on the pin plate side 60…Interengaging structure 61…First structural part 62…Second structural part 70…Fixture 72…Toggle clamp 72L…Operating lever 73…Disassembly mechanism part 75…Placement part 77…Insertion piece 82…Actuating part 84…Insertion piece support part 100…Conversion mechanism 101…Wedge body 102…Intersecting surface 103…Inclined plane 110…Release part

Claims

1. A pin block that holds a contact probe array, A pin plate that detachably engages with the pin block, Comprising, The pin block is located outside the contact probe array and has a curved portion that protrudes toward the inside of the contact probe array, The pin plate has an engaging portion that engages with the curved portion that protrudes inward, Socket.

2. The curved portion is deformable in a direction along the plane of the pin block, The socket according to claim 1.

3. When the curved portion deforms in a direction along the plane of the pin block, the engagement state of the engaging portion is released, The socket according to claim 2.

4. The curved portion has an engaging step portion that engages with the engaging portion, The socket according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The engaging step portions are at two locations sandwiching the location closest to the inside of the pin block in the curved portion, The socket according to claim 4.

6. The curved portion has a guiding inclined surface that guides the engaging portion to the engaging step portion, The socket according to claim 4 or 5.

7. The engaging step portion has a triangular shape, The socket according to any one of claims 4 to 6.

8. A jig for releasing the engagement state of a socket having a pin block and a pin plate that detachably engages with the pin block, A placement portion on which the socket in which the pin block and the pin plate are in the engaged state is placed, An insertion piece that abuts against the engaging portion between the pin block and the pin plate, An insertion piece support portion that supports the insertion piece so as to be displaceable in a predetermined opening and closing direction, An operating portion that is movable in a predetermined moving direction along the plane of the socket, Comprising, The operating portion contacts the insertion piece support portion, converts the moving force in the moving direction into the opening and closing direction, and displaces the insertion piece, The insertion piece releases the engaged state by the displacement, Jig.

9. The insertion piece support portion has an intersecting surface that intersects the opening and closing direction as a contact surface that contacts the operating portion, The operating portion has a wedge structure having an inclined surface that contacts the contact surface, The jig according to claim 8.

10. A plurality of sets each including the placement portion, the insertion piece, and the insertion piece support portion, One said operating portion, Comprising, The operating portion has the wedge structure corresponding to each of the sets, The jig according to claim 9.

11. A biasing portion that biases the insertion piece support portion in a direction opposite to the direction in which the moving force is converted by the operating portion. The jig according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising the biasing portion.

12. A socket according to any one of claims 1 to 7, A jig according to any one of claims 8 to 11, A socket maintenance set comprising the socket and the jig.

13. A step of placing a socket in which a pin block and a pin plate are engaged, A step of moving an operating portion that operates by operating an operation lever in a predetermined moving direction along a plane of the socket, A step of moving a release portion that releases the engaged state in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction by the movement of the operating portion, A step of releasing the engaged state between the pin block and the pin plate by the movement of the release portion. A release method including the above steps.

14. The step of placing the socket is a step of placing a plurality of the sockets, The step of moving the release portion is a step of moving a plurality of the release portions corresponding to the plurality of sockets, The step of releasing the engaged state is a step of releasing the engaged states of the plurality of sockets substantially simultaneously by the movement of the plurality of release portions. The release method according to claim 13.

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