Bent Contact Pins for Narrow-Pitch Test Sockets

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional test sockets face challenges in automatically inserting contact pins at narrower pitches due to interference or collision between contact pins, which can lead to defective contacts or require manual insertion.

Innovation Solution

The design includes contact pins with an elastic part and two contact parts, where the elastic part and the second contact part are bent in at least one direction relative to the first contact part, allowing for denser insertion and preventing interference by positioning the contact tips on different lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If contact pins are arranged at narrower pitch to increase density, then the quantity of contact pins per unit area increases, but interference or collision occurs during automatic insertion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedensity of contact pinsVSAvoidinsertion quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact pin is bent in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction (horizontal bending), moving the contact portion to a different spatial dimension. This allows the contact pin to pass through the housing without colliding with adjacent contact pins during insertion, while still achieving dense arrangement at narrower pitch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact pin incorporates a curved or bent shape rather than a straight configuration. The bending radius and direction are specifically designed to clear adjacent contact pins during the insertion process, enabling automatic insertion at narrower pitch without collision or damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Adaptability or versatility

If contact pins are bent in the center to be elastically deformable, then the contact pin can accommodate misalignment, but interference with neighboring contact pins occurs at narrow pitch

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelastic deformabilityVSAvoidpitch between contact pins

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The contact pin is bent in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction (horizontal bending), moving the contact portion to a different spatial dimension. This allows the contact pin to pass through the housing without colliding with adjacent contact pins during insertion, while still achieving dense arrangement at narrower pitch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If automatic insertion is used for contact pins, then productivity increases, but contact pins must be inserted by hand when pitch is too narrow to avoid collision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinsertion efficiencyVSAvoidpitch between contact pins

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The contact pin is bent in a direction perpendicular to the insertion direction (horizontal bending), moving the contact portion to a different spatial dimension. This allows the contact pin to pass through the housing without colliding with adjacent contact pins during insertion, while still achieving dense arrangement at narrower pitch.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The contact pin incorporates a curved or bent shape rather than a straight configuration. The bending radius and direction are specifically designed to clear adjacent contact pins during the insertion process, enabling automatic insertion at narrower pitch without collision or damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration enables the formation of contact pins at a smaller pitch, allowing for automatic insertion without interference, and allows for a more dense packing of contact pins, further reducing the pitch between them.

Implementation Method 1

an elastic part which is elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction of the contact pin

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElastic deformation: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS12222367B2Contact pins for test sockets and test sockets comprising the same

Publication Date: 2025.02.11 OKINS ELECTRONICS

AI summary

A contact pin for a test socket is provided in the test socket for testing the electrical characteristics of a semiconductor device. The contact pin includes an elastic part elastically deformable in the longitudinal direction of the contact pin; a first contact part which includes a first support part extending from one end of the elastic part and a first contact tip connected to an end of the first support part; and a second contact part which includes a second support part extending from the other end of the elastic part and a second contact tip connected to an end of the second support part, where the elastic part and the second contact part are bent in at least one direction with respect to the first contact part.