ESD Tester Mechanical Guide for Electrical Isolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrostatic discharge (ESD) testers face reliability issues due to insufficient electrical isolation, which can damage measurement devices and introduce parasitic capacitances affecting ESD stress levels, making it difficult to reproduce and detect ESD failures in laboratory tests.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a mechanical guide that moves parts relative to each other to increase electrical isolation between connectors, ensuring the ESD signal is directly delivered to device terminals without affecting measurement devices, and using a motorized stage for precise control to maintain isolation and automate testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If electrical switches are used to decouple device terminals from measurement terminals during ESD signal delivery, then measurement device protection is improved, but parasitic capacitances are introduced that affect ESD stress levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes electrical switches from the measurement path entirely. Instead of using switches to decouple terminals, the measurement device is electrically isolated from the ESD signal path by routing measurements through alternative paths that do not include switching components. This eliminates parasitic capacitances while maintaining protection through proper grounding and isolation techniques.
2Ease of operation
If electrical switches are used to couple device terminals to measurement terminals after ESD signal delivery, then device terminal testing is enabled, but parasitic capacitances discharge that changes ESD stress levels
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates electrical switches from the measurement coupling path. Measurements are taken through direct electrical connections or alternative routing that avoids switching components. This prevents parasitic capacitance charging and discharging, ensuring consistent ESD stress levels during terminal testing while maintaining full measurement capability.
3Measurement precision
If measurement device is electrically connected to device terminals via measurement terminals, then electrical characteristic measurement is enabled, but measurement device is vulnerable to ESD signal damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces isolation mechanisms between the measurement device and device terminals. This includes using isolation amplifiers, optoelectric couplers, or separate grounding systems that allow electrical characteristic measurements to be taken while preventing direct ESD signal transmission to the measurement device. The intermediary components transfer measurement signals while blocking harmful ESD transients.
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 solution enhances electrical isolation, prevents damage to measurement devices, and provides more reliable ESD test results by minimizing parasitic capacitance effects, allowing for reproducible and accurate ESD testing.
Implementation Method 1
The first and the second part are movable with respect to each other via activation of the guide. By moving the first part and the second part relatively with respect to each other, the first part connectors and the second part connectors have been physically disconnected by activation of the guide while the ESD signal is directly delivered to the one or more device terminals
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatus for testing a device by delivering an electrostatic discharge signal to one or more device terminals, comprising a first part configured for mechanically mounting the device and comprising one or more first part connectors for electrically coupling to the one or more device terminals and thus providing electrical access to the one or more device terminals, a second part comprising one or more second part connectors configured for electrically coupling the one or more first part connectors to the one or more second part connectors for testing the device via the second part connectors, and a guide arranged for mechanically moving the first part relative to the second part. The guide is configured to physically disconnect the one or more first part connectors from the one or more second part connectors while the electrostatic discharge signal is delivered to the one or more device terminals.