Inspection Socket Curved Engagement for Thin Probe Assemblies

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge of improving the high frequency characteristics of electrical connections in IC package inspection sockets requires thinner sockets to accommodate shorter contact probes, necessitating a more efficient disassembly and assembly process for the pin block and pin plate components.

Innovation Solution

A socket design featuring a pin block with a curved portion outside the contact probe array and a pin plate with an engagement portion that engages with the curved portion, allowing for screwless engagement, resulting in a thinner socket structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the overall length of the contact probe is shortened to improve high frequency characteristics, then the electrical connection quality is improved, but the thickness of the socket must be reduced which complicates the disassembly and assembly process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehigh frequency characteristics of electrical connectionVSAvoidworkability of disassembling and assembling pin block and pin plate

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The socket is divided into separate components (pin block and pin plate) that can be independently handled and assembled, allowing the thin socket structure to be maintained while simplifying the disassembly and assembly process through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A curved portion is introduced as an intermediary structural feature on the pin block that engages with the pin plate through elastic deformation, enabling tool-free assembly and disassembly without requiring screws or complex fastening mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of stationary object

If the thickness of the pin block or pin plate is reduced to accommodate shorter contact probes, then the socket can be made thinner, but the workability of disassembling and assembling the components deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethickness of socketVSAvoidworkability of disassembling and assembling

Core Design Contradiction:

Length of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The curved portion is designed to be elastically deformable, allowing it to dynamically change shape during assembly and disassembly operations. This dynamic property enables the thin pin block to engage with the pin plate without requiring thickening for rigid fastening mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The elastic curved portion serves itself by providing both the structural support needed for the thin socket design and the mechanical action needed for assembly/disassembly, eliminating the need for separate fastening components or tools

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS12596146B2Socket, jig, socket maintenance set, and disassembly method

Publication Date: 2026.04.07 YOKOWO CO LTD

AI summary

A socket includes a pin block configured to hold a contact probe array, and a pin plate that removably engages with the pin block. The pin block includes a curved portion located outside the contact probe array and convex toward an inside of the contact probe array. The pin plate includes an engagement portion that engages with the curved portion convex toward the inside.