Burn-In Board Alignment Frame With Progressive Thermal Sealing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Misalignment and thermal sealing issues between burn-in boards and receiving connectors due to uneven ground surfaces, leading to potential damage and leakage in burn-in processes, and the need for cumbersome ground surface modifications when relocating burn-in chambers.

Innovation Solution

A burn-in apparatus with interchangeable frames and cooperating alignment and thermal insulation elements that lift the frame off the ground, ensuring precise alignment and sealing by using rollers and complementary thermal insulation side elements, minimizing wear and tear, and eliminating the need for ground surface modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the burn-in chamber is directly placed on an uneven ground surface, then the apparatus can be easily installed and relocated, but misalignment between burn-in boards and receiving connectors occurs leading to potential damage

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveInstallation and relocation easeVSAvoidAlignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an interchangeable frame with a thermal insulation base as an intermediary component between the burn-in chamber and the ground surface. This frame includes alignment elements that actively compensate for ground unevenness, allowing the chamber to be easily relocated while maintaining precise alignment between burn-in boards and receiving connectors through the mediating function of the frame's alignment mechanism

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If thermal insulation side elements are made high to ensure complete sealing, then thermal sealing is improved, but wear and tear increases during docking and undocking operations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveThermal sealing reliabilityVSAvoidDurability of thermal insulation elements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the thermal insulation side elements dynamic by providing them with complementary characteristics that allow progressive overlap during docking. The elements transition from a clearance gap state during insertion to an abutting fit state when fully docked, enabling complete thermal sealing while minimizing wear through controlled, progressive contact rather than rigid, continuous friction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical parameters of the thermal insulation side elements by providing complementary characteristics (such as tapered profiles or graduated heights) that allow the overlap parameter to vary during the docking process. This parameter change enables the system to achieve complete sealing at the docked position while reducing contact pressure and wear during the movement phase

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If the frame is firmly fixed to the ground to prevent misalignment, then alignment precision is improved, but relocation becomes cumbersome requiring ground surface modifications

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAlignment precisionVSAvoidRelocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the support system into modular components: the burn-in chamber, the interchangeable frame with thermal insulation base, and the alignment elements. This segmentation allows the frame to be easily removed and relocated to different positions or facilities without modifying the ground surface, while the alignment elements on the frame maintain precise alignment during each relocation, avoiding the need for complex ground modifications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4356418B1Apparatus and method for burn-in board alignment and sealing between chamber and frame for semiconductor burn-in process
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 MSV SYST & SERVICES PTE LTD
  • EP4356418B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1D
  • EP4356418B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2D
  • EP4356418B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

The present disclosure relates to burn-in apparatus, transfer method, burn-in chamber, and interchangeable frame thereof for semiconductor devices burn-in process. The burn-in apparatus comprises a burn-in chamber with an incomplete base which is to be completed and thermally insulated in cooperation with a thermal insulation base of at least one interchangeable frame which is to be removably moved into and docked in the chamber to complete the burn-in apparatus. Cooperating alignment elements are respectively arranged at the frame and the chamber, and configured to progressively and movably couple to each other to lift the frame to bring a set of burn-in boards that are supported on the frame into alignment for insertion into a set of receiving connectors in the chamber. Cooperating thermal insulation side elements may be respectively arranged at the frame and the chamber, and include complementary characteristics configured to provide a clearance gap between the thermal insulation side elements when they partially overlap each other and an abutting fit when they substantially or fully overlap each other.