Elastic Stiffener for Probe Card ZIF Spacing Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
The combined upwards force from multiple probing pins on a probe card during semiconductor chip testing can cause bending or tilting, leading to uneven spacing and instability between the female ZIF on the test board and the male ZIF on the probe card, affecting the electrical connection.
Innovation Solution
A stiffener with upper and lateral side covers featuring elastic portions is interposed between the female and male ZIFs, providing vertical elasticity to stabilize and maintain constant spacing, and a handling tool with magnets and guide dams is used to securely engage and separate the stiffener from the probe card.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid stiffener is used to maintain spacing between ZIFs, then structural stability is improved, but the ability to buffer upward force from probing pins is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffener incorporates elastic portions with specific elastic moduli that allow it to change its mechanical properties. These elastic portions can deform under upward force from probing pins while maintaining the overall spacing structure, thus buffering the force while preserving spacing stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stiffener is constructed as a composite structure combining rigid portions for structural support and elastic portions for force absorption. This composite design allows different regions of the stiffener to perform different functions - the rigid portions maintain the spacing framework while the elastic portions absorb the upward forces.
2Force
If the stiffener structure is made more complex to improve force buffering, then upward force absorption is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stiffener is divided into distinct rigid portions and elastic portions, each performing specific functions. This segmentation allows the force buffering capability to be achieved through the elastic portions without requiring the entire structure to be complex, thereby limiting the increase in overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastic portions are strategically positioned at specific locations where upward force from probing pins is most likely to occur. This localized approach to elasticity ensures force buffering is provided where needed without adding unnecessary complexity to the entire stiffener structure.
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
The elastic stiffener effectively buffers the upward force, maintaining consistent spacing and stability between the ZIFs, ensuring reliable electrical connections and preventing physical deformation of the probe card.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of upper covers may each include a separate plurality of upper elastic portions having a vertical elasticity
Data Source
AI summary
A stiffener includes a first upper cover and a second upper cover, a first lateral side cover and a second lateral side cover, and a first longitudinal side cover and a second longitudinal side cover. The first and second upper covers extend in parallel with each other. The first and second lateral side covers are connected to separate, respective covers of the first and second upper covers, and facing each other. The first and second longitudinal side covers are each connected to the both first and second upper covers, the first and second longitudinal side covers facing each other. The first and second upper covers each include a separate plurality of upper elastic portions. Each upper elastic portion of each separate plurality of upper elastic portions has a vertical elasticity.