Elastomer Strip Interconnect for IC Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing integrated circuit (IC) testing apparatuses face issues with friction between elastomer and pins, loss of electrical contact quality over time, difficulty in maintaining temperature during tri-temperature testing, and challenges in customizing and assembling interconnect assemblies due to sheet-type elastomers.
Innovation Solution
An interconnect assembly using elastomer strips for each row of contacts, with rigid bottom pins and flexible top pins having arms that slide along sloped concave surfaces, providing a secure and customizable electrical connection that reduces friction and maintains contact quality, and allows for better air circulation and temperature control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sheet type elastomer is used to hold pins in contact, then electrical connection is provided, but friction between elastomer and pins causes pins to stick and delays retraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the continuous sheet elastomer into discrete strip elastomers, with each strip serving a specific row or column of pins. This segmentation reduces the total contact area between elastomer and pins, thereby reducing friction and preventing pin sticking while maintaining reliable electrical connection for each individual pin contact.
2Reliability
If sheet type elastomer is used, then pins are held in contact, but rubber honeycomb loses elasticity over time reducing clamping force
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the elastomer into discrete strips rather than using a continuous sheet, the patent reduces the cumulative volume of elastomer material. This decreases the total amount of elastomer that degrades over time, thereby maintaining clamping force and contact reliability for longer periods.
3Reliability
If large volume elastomer is used to hold pins, then pins are secured, but air circulation is restricted making temperature control difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the elastomer into thin, discrete strips positioned only where needed to secure individual pins or small groups of pins. This segmentation dramatically reduces the total volume of elastomer present in the testing environment, thereby improving air circulation and enabling effective temperature control during tri-temperature testing.
4Area of stationary object
If sheet elastomer is used, then coverage is provided, but warping causes different compression across matrix leading to coplanarity issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the large sheet elastomer into multiple small strip elastomers, each confined to a localized area. This segmentation prevents warping because each small strip can be properly supported and compressed without the dimensional instability that affects large sheets. Consequently, uniform compression and coplanarity are achieved across the entire pin matrix.
5Area of stationary object
If sheet elastomer is used, then full coverage is achieved, but handling and installation is complex with high rejection rate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the elastomer into discrete strips that are much easier to handle, position, and install than a large continuous sheet. Each strip can be independently manipulated and placed in its correct location, eliminating the complexity of handling large sheets and reducing the rejection rate during assembly.
6Reliability
If sheet type elastomer is used, then electrical connection is provided, but high frequency signal losses occur during testing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses discrete strip elastomers instead of a continuous sheet, which reduces the total surface area of elastomer in contact with the pins. This minimization of elastomer contact area reduces signal loss during high frequency testing while maintaining reliable electrical connection through the essential contact points.
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 solution reduces friction and contact failures, enhances signal integrity, facilitates easy customization and assembly, and maintains high testing rates and temperature stability, addressing the limitations of sheet-type elastomers in IC device testing.
Implementation Method 1
the upper pin 22 and lower pin 62 are only held in contact with each other by the constrictive force from the surrounding honeycomb shaped elastomer 80
Implementation Method 2
This design requires pressing of the elastomer against all sides of the moving pins, which generates friction between the elastomer and pins during testing
Implementation Method 3
Air is heated or cooled to the desired testing temperature and circulated around the testing environment. Air flow around the interconnect assembly causes it to reach the desired testing temperature.
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical contact assembly that uses an elastomer strip for each row of individual contacts. Each contact comprises a rigid bottom pin and a flexible top pin with a pair of arms which extend over and slide along sloped concave surfaces of the bottom contact. The elastomer strip is located between rows of the bottom and top pins. A bottom socket housing is provided with grooves which receive each elastomer strip. A row of top pins is then placed over each elastomer strip, and through ducts in the bottom socket housing. Bottom pins are then snapped into place in between the pair of arms.