Electrostatic discharge (ESD) test system

Abstract

An electrostatic discharge (ESD) test system disclosed herein comprises: a robot arm including a plurality of joints bent in various directions; an electrostatic discharge (ESD) gun coupled to one end of the robot arm and including a first coupling portion; and a discharge tip including a second coupling portion coupled to the first coupling portion, wherein the first coupling portion includes a first magnet, the second coupling portion includes a second magnet, the first magnet and the second magnet are coupled at a first angle, and a fastening force weakens or a repulsive force is provided at a second angle. The electrostatic discharge (ESD) test system can perform electrostatic discharge tests on electronic devices ranging from small to large devices, thus enabling consistent and accurate testing.

Description

Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Test System

[0001] The present invention relates to an electrostatic discharge test system that automatically performs discharge tip replacement and electrostatic discharge testing.

[0002] Static electricity can occur when two objects come into contact or rub against each other, and the resulting charge transfer can affect electronic devices. Static electricity can originate from people, the environment, or other devices, and can cause significant damage to sensitive electronic components.

[0003] To prevent damage to electronic products due to static electricity, a ground line can be connected to sensitive parts that are easily damaged by static electricity to divert the static electricity applied to the ground, or anti-static materials can be added.

[0004] Electronic products equipped with these anti-static structures must undergo electrostatic discharge (ESD) testing to assess their ability to withstand electrostatic discharge (ESD). ESD testing is essential to reduce the risk of damage and enhance product reliability.

[0005] There are two types of electrostatic discharge testing: contact discharge and air discharge. Contact discharge involves directly injecting static electricity into the test object, causing a discharge through direct contact with the object. Air discharge involves injecting static electricity into the test object through air, causing a discharge by placing a test probe near the object. The shape of the probe used for electrostatic discharge testing may vary depending on the type of test or the object being tested.

[0006] However, electrostatic discharge test systems are generally performed on small electronic devices such as semiconductors or mobile terminals, and electrostatic discharge (ESD) test automation systems are configured for small electronic devices.

[0007] For large products such as display devices, there is the difficulty of having to perform electrostatic discharge testing manually, and for large products such as display devices, there is the hassle of having to change the discharge tip depending on the test location and method.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide an electrostatic discharge test system that automatically performs discharge tip replacement and electrostatic discharge testing without additional manual work in order to solve the aforementioned problems.

[0009] The problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the technical problems mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0010] A method for testing electrostatic discharge (ESD) comprising: providing a robot arm comprising a plurality of joints that can be bent in various directions; an ESD (electrostatic discharge) gun coupled to one end of the robot arm and comprising a first coupling portion; and a discharge tip comprising a second coupling portion coupled to the first coupling portion, wherein the first coupling portion comprises a first magnet, the second coupling portion comprises a second magnet, and the first magnet and the second magnet are coupled at a first angle, and a coupling force is weakened or a repulsive force is provided at the second angle.

[0011] The first connecting portion and the second connecting portion may have a cylindrical shape on one side and a cylindrical shape on the other side inserted into the cylindrical shape.

[0012] The first magnet and the second magnet may have a rectangular shape having a long length in one direction, and the first angle may be a state in which the longitudinal directions of the first magnet and the second magnet are aligned, and the second angle may be a state in which the longitudinal directions of the first magnet and the second magnet are perpendicular to each other.

[0013] The first magnet and the second magnet may have opposite poles at the first angle and opposite poles at the second angle.

[0014] The tip holder may further include a tip receiving portion into which the discharge tip is inserted, and a stopper projection may be included on the inner circumference of the tip receiving portion, and the side of the discharge tip may include a stopper groove formed at a position corresponding to the stopper projection.

[0015] The above stopper protrusions and the above stopper grooves may be arranged at equal intervals in multiple numbers along the circumference of the tip storage portion and the discharge tip.

[0016] An inspection table for holding a test product; a gantry including a pair of vertical beams positioned on both sides of the first direction of the inspection table and a horizontal beam positioned on top of the vertical beams; and the other end of the robot arm is connected to the horizontal beam of the gantry and can move along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal beam.

[0017] The horizontal beam may move in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction from the top of the vertical beam, or the vertical beam may move in the second direction.

[0018] The robot arm may include a first camera positioned at one end of the robot arm; a second camera positioned outside the robot arm; and a control unit that acquires three-dimensional coordinates based on information from the first camera and the second camera and controls the robot arm so that the discharge tip comes into contact with the inspection product.

[0019] The above inspection product can be vertically placed on the inspection table so that one side and the other side face in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

[0020] The electrostatic discharge test system of the present invention can perform electrostatic discharge tests on a wide range of electronic devices, from small electronic devices to large electronic devices, enabling consistent and accurate testing.

[0021] In addition, the electrostatic discharge test system of the present invention can automatically replace the discharge tip, so that the electrostatic discharge test can be automated throughout the entire process without operator intervention, ensuring safety and precision.

[0022] The effects that can be obtained from the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention belongs from the description below.

[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an electrostatic discharge test system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an electrostatic discharge test system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating a control screen of an electrostatic discharge test system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are drawings illustrating a method for replacing a discharge tip of an electrostatic discharge test system according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0027] FIGS. 6 to 8 are drawings illustrating a method for replacing a discharge tip of an electrostatic discharge test system according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Hereinafter, embodiments disclosed in this specification will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Regardless of the drawing numbers, identical or similar components will be given the same reference numbers and redundant descriptions thereof will be omitted. The suffixes "module" and "part" used for components in the following description are assigned or used interchangeably only for the convenience of writing the specification, and do not in themselves have distinct meanings or roles. In addition, when describing the embodiments disclosed in this specification, if it is determined that a specific description of a related known technology may obscure the gist of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. In addition, the attached drawings are only intended to facilitate easy understanding of the embodiments disclosed in this specification, and the technical ideas disclosed in this specification are not limited by the attached drawings, and should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention.

[0029] Terms that include ordinal numbers, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one component from another.

[0030] When a component is referred to as being "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components intervening. Conversely, when a component is referred to as being "directly connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components intervening.

[0031] Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0032] In this application, terms such as “include” or “have” are intended to specify the presence of a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification, but should be understood not to exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

[0033] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an electrostatic discharge test system (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram illustrating an electrostatic discharge test system (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] The electrostatic discharge test system (100) of the present invention includes a robot arm (110) including a plurality of joints that can be bent in various directions, an ESD gun (120) coupled to one end of the robot arm (110), and a discharge tip (130) including a second coupling portion (135) coupled to a first coupling portion (125) of the ESD gun (120).

[0035] The electronic device (10) to be inspected can be fixed on an inspection table (170). The inspection table (170) can be made of wood so that energy loss occurring during an electrostatic discharge test is small and high-frequency electromagnetic field loss is also small, thereby obtaining highly reproducible test results.

[0036] The robot arm (110) has multi-axis joints and can move freely in three-dimensional space. Conventional robot arms (110) are fixed on an inspection table (170), making it difficult to perform electrostatic discharge tests on large electronic devices (10), such as display devices. However, the other end of the robot arm (110) of the present invention is fixed to a gantry (150), so that the space under the gantry (150) can be utilized to inspect large electronic devices (10).

[0037] The gantry (150) includes a horizontal beam (153) located on the upper side of the inspection table (170) and a pair of vertical beams (151) supporting both ends of the vertical beam (151) in the first direction. The robot arm (110) can perform electrostatic discharge tests on various parts of a large electronic device (10) by moving in the extension direction of the horizontal beam (153), i.e., in the first direction, via a linear motor.

[0038] Additionally, the vertical beam (151) can move in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, or, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the horizontal beam (153) can move in the second direction from the top of the vertical beam (151). Through the gantry (150), the robot arm (110) can change its position not only in the first direction but also in the second direction, so that, as illustrated in FIG. 1, an electrostatic discharge test can be performed on the front and back surfaces of an electronic device (10) (display device) having a front and back surface arranged in the second direction.

[0039] The SD gun (Electrostatic Discharge Gun) mounted on one end of the robot arm (110) is a device for testing the resistance of electronic devices or electronic components to electrostatic discharge. The ESD gun (120) is an electrostatic discharge simulator that is used to artificially generate electrostatic discharge at various voltage levels to evaluate how well a product can withstand it.

[0040] The ESD gun (120) may include a first coupling portion (125) to which a discharge tip (130) is coupled. The discharge chip may vary depending on the type of electrostatic discharge test. Contact discharge is a method of directly injecting static electricity into a test subject, causing discharge by directly contacting the test discharge tip. Air discharge is a method of injecting static electricity into a test subject through air, causing discharge by placing the test discharge tip near the test subject.

[0041] Since the contact discharge method requires the discharge tip (130) to come into contact with a specific point, the end of the discharge tip (130) may have a pointed shape. Since the air discharge applies static electricity without directly contacting the electronic device (10), the end of the tip may be configured as a blunt hemispherical shape (130b). The electrostatic discharge test system (100) may include a tip holder (160) for holding the discharge tip (130) so that it can be replaced with another discharge tip (130) depending on the inspection method.

[0042] The electrostatic discharge test system (100) of the present invention may include a vision system (141, 142, 182) to accurately control the robot arm (110) without manual operation. Three-dimensional coordinates may be acquired using a camera (141, 142) that collects image information about the target object.

[0043] FIG. 3 is a drawing showing a control screen (185) of an electrostatic discharge test system (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention, and an inspection location can be derived from information acquired by a camera (141, 142) of the electrostatic discharge system.

[0044] The cameras (141, 142) may include a first camera (141) positioned at one end of the robot arm (110) and a second camera (142) fixed to an inspection table (170) or a gantry (150). The first camera (141) moves with the robot arm (110), and the second camera (142) is fixed.

[0045] The first camera (141) acquires image information while the robot arm (110) is moving, so a three-dimensional camera can be used for more accurate data collection. The second camera (142) can be installed in two or more locations to obtain accurate three-dimensional coordinate information regardless of the size and direction of the product.

[0046] The control unit (180) may include a vision sub-controller (182), a driving control unit (183), and a main computer (181) that controls the entire system based on the acquired information.

[0047] The vision sub-controller (182) processes the information acquired from the cameras (141, 142) to generate 3D coordinate information, and based on this, the drive control unit (183) can control the robot arm (110) and the gantry (150). The main computer (183) can receive test results from the ESD equipment (184) that inspects discharge based on static electricity emitted from the ESD gun (120) and determine whether the product is defective.

[0048] Figures 4 and 5 are drawings illustrating a method for replacing a discharge tip (130) of an electrostatic discharge test system (100) according to one embodiment of the present invention. The discharge tip (130) of the present invention may have different shapes depending on the inspection method, and is inserted into the tip storage portion (163) of the tip holder (160). ESD discharge test system

[0049] The discharge tip (130) may include a second coupling portion (135) that is connected to the first coupling portion (125) of the ESD gun (120). The first coupling portion (125) and the second coupling portion (135) may have a cylindrical shape and a columnar shape so that the robot arm (110) can rotate while connected. In the present embodiment, the first coupling portion (125) has a cylindrical shape and the second coupling portion (135) has a cylindrical shape that is inserted into the cylindrical first coupling portion (125), but the opposite is also possible.

[0050] The first coupling portion (125) and the second coupling portion (135) can be coupled using magnets. The first magnet (126) located at the first coupling portion (125) and the second magnet (136) located at the second coupling portion (135) can be arranged so that their different poles face each other.

[0051] The first magnet (126) and the second magnet (136) of the present embodiment may have a rectangular shape with a long length in one direction, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 5. When the first magnet (126) and the second magnet (136) are aligned in the same direction as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 5, the first magnet (126) and the second magnet (136) may be fastened by attractive force.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 4, when the robot arm (110) moves the ESD gun (120) downward so that the second coupling portion (135) of the discharge tip (130) is inserted into the first coupling portion (125), the first magnet (126) and the second magnet (136) are engaged, allowing the discharge tip (130) to be separated from the tip holder (160).

[0053] Conversely, in order to separate the discharge tip (130) coupled to the ESD gun (120), the attractive force of the first magnet (126) and the second magnet (136) must be removed. Since the first magnet (126) and the second magnet (136) of the present embodiment are rectangular in shape with a long length in one direction, if they are rotated 90° so that their length directions are perpendicular to each other as in (b) of Fig. 5, the magnetic force may be weakened and they may be separated.

[0054] As shown in (a) of Fig. 5, when the first coupling part (125) and the second coupling part (135) are aligned in a direction in which the longitudinal directions of the first magnet (126) and the second magnet (136) are the same, this can be called a first angle, and as shown in (b) of Fig. 5, when the first coupling part (125) and the second coupling part (135) are aligned in a direction in which they can be separated, this can be called a second angle.

[0055] In order to switch from a state where the first connecting portion (125) of the ESD gun (120) forms a first angle with the second connecting portion (135) to a second angle, the robot arm (110) can rotate. At this time, the tip holder (160) needs a stopper to limit the rotation of the discharge tip (130) so that the discharge tip (130) does not rotate together with the ESD gun (120).

[0056] The discharge tip (130) should be restricted from rotating in the storage portion without impeding vertical movement of the discharge tip (130) in the tip storage portion (163). The stopper of the present embodiment may include a stopper protrusion (164) protruding from the inside of the tip storage portion (163) and a stopper groove (134) formed around the side of the discharge tip (130). Conversely, the stopper protrusion may be formed on the discharge tip (130) and the stopper groove may be formed on the tip storage portion (163).

[0057] A plurality of stopper protrusions (164) and stopper grooves can be provided at equal intervals. The number of directions in which the discharge tip (130) can be stored in the tip storage portion (163) increases as the number of stopper protrusions (164). For example, as illustrated in FIG. 4, when two stopper protrusions (164) are included, the discharge tip (130) can be inserted into the tip storage portion (163) in the same manner even when rotated 180°.

[0058] If the side shape of the discharge tip (130) is configured as a polygonal column shape rather than a cylindrical shape and the tip storage portion (163) also has a corresponding shape, the discharge tip (130) cannot be rotated while stored in the tip storage portion (163), so the stopper (134, 164) may be omitted.

[0059] Figures 6 to 8 are drawings illustrating a method for replacing a discharge tip (130) of an electrostatic discharge test system (100) according to another embodiment of the present invention. Figure 6 illustrates a first coupling portion (125), a discharge tip (130), and a tip holder (160). Figure 7 illustrates a method for removing a discharge tip (130) from a tip storage portion (163), and Figure 8 illustrates a method for separating a discharge tip (130) from an ESD gun (120).

[0060] The first magnet (126) and the second magnet (136) of the present embodiment may have their N and S poles arranged on opposite sides, respectively. As shown in Fig. 7, at the first angle, the N pole (126N) / S pole (126S) of the first magnet (126) faces the S pole (136S) / N pole (136N) of the second magnet (136), so that the second coupling part (135) is fastened to the first coupling part (125) to separate the discharge tip (130) from the tip storage part (163).

[0061] As shown in Fig. 8, when the discharge tip (130) is inserted into the tip storage portion (163) while being connected to the ESD gun (120), and the robot arm (110) rotates the ESD gun (120), the N pole (126N) / S pole (126S) of the first magnet (126) faces the N pole (136N) / S pole (136S) of the second magnet (136), generating a repulsive force. When the robot arm (110) moves upward, the discharge tip (130) can only move the first coupling portion (125) of the ESD gun (120) while being positioned in the tip storage portion (163).

[0062] As described above, the electrostatic discharge test system (100) of the present invention can perform electrostatic discharge tests on small electronic devices (10) to large electronic devices (10), enabling consistent and accurate testing.

[0063] In addition, the electrostatic discharge test system (100) of the present invention can automatically replace the discharge tip (130), so that the electrostatic discharge test can be automated throughout the entire process without operator intervention, and safety and precision are guaranteed.

[0064] The above detailed description should not be construed as limiting in any respect and should be considered illustrative only. The scope of the present invention should be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present invention are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.

[0065] With respect to various embodiments for implementing the present invention, duplicate descriptions are omitted as they have been described above in the previous table of contents, Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention.

[0066] The present invention is applicable to electrostatic discharge test systems in various fields, and thus its industrial applicability is recognized.

Claims

1. A robotic arm comprising multiple joints that can bend in multiple directions; An ESD (electrostatic discharge) gun coupled to one end of the robot arm and including a first coupling portion; and A discharge tip comprising a second coupling portion coupled to the first coupling portion, The first coupling portion includes a first magnet, The second coupling portion includes a second magnet, An electrostatic discharge test system characterized in that the first magnet and the second magnet are coupled at a first angle and the bonding force is weakened or a repulsive force is provided at a second angle.

2. In paragraph 1, The above first connecting portion and the above second connecting portion An electrostatic discharge test system characterized in that one side has a cylindrical shape and the other side has a cylindrical shape inserted into the cylindrical shape.

3. In paragraph 1, The above first magnet and the above second magnet have a rectangular shape with a long length in one direction, The above first angle is a state in which the longitudinal directions of the first magnet and the second magnet are aligned, An electrostatic discharge test system characterized in that the second angle is a state in which the longitudinal directions of the first magnet and the second magnet are orthogonal.

4. In paragraph 1, The above first magnet and the above second magnet An electrostatic discharge test system characterized in that different poles are opposite each other at the first angle and the same poles are opposite each other at the second angle.

5. In paragraph 1, Further comprising a tip holder including a tip receiving portion into which the above discharge tip is inserted, Includes a stopper protrusion on the inner circumference of the above tip storage portion, An electrostatic discharge test system, characterized in that the side of the discharge tip includes a stopper groove formed at a position corresponding to the stopper protrusion.

6. In paragraph 5, An electrostatic discharge test system characterized in that the stopper protrusions and the stopper grooves are arranged in multiple numbers at equal intervals along the circumference of the tip receiving portion and the discharge tip.

7. In paragraph 1, Inspection table for holding test products; A gantry including a pair of vertical beams positioned on both sides of the first direction of the inspection table and a horizontal beam positioned on top of the vertical beams; and An electrostatic discharge test system characterized in that the other end of the robot arm is connected to a horizontal beam of the gantry and moves along the longitudinal direction of the horizontal beam.

8. In paragraph 7, An electrostatic discharge test system characterized in that the horizontal beam moves in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction from the top of the vertical beam, or the vertical beam moves in the second direction.

9. In paragraph 7, A first camera positioned at one end of the robot pressure; a second camera positioned outside the robot arm; and An electrostatic discharge test system characterized by including a control unit that controls the robot arm so that the discharge tip contacts the inspection product by acquiring three-dimensional coordinates based on information from the first camera and the second camera.

10. In paragraph 7, An electrostatic discharge test system characterized in that the above-mentioned inspection product is vertically placed on the inspection table so that one side and the other side face in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Images