Electrically Isolated Contact Members for Offset Tolerance

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electrical contact testing apparatuses face challenges in maintaining reliable connections due to positional offsets of electrical components during high-speed testing, leading to test failures and reduced productivity, as conventional configurations such as L-shaped or multiple contact strips increase fabrication complexity and cost without ensuring consistent contact.

Innovation Solution

The electrical contact apparatus features a first member with a longitudinally extending first segment and a second member with adjacent longitudinal segments, including a transverse segment to couple them, creating a continuous channel for electrical isolation and increased tolerance to positional offsets, allowing both members to maintain contact with the component leads despite misalignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If two separate contact strips are used to contact one lead for Kelvin contact testing, then electrical connection capability is improved, but positional offset tolerance remains insufficient leading to test failures

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelectrical connection reliabilityVSAvoidtest yield

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact structure is segmented into two separate contact members (first member and second member) that are electrically isolated from each other by a continuous channel. Each member can independently contact the lead, providing redundancy against positional offsets while maintaining Kelvin contact testing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A continuous channel acts as an intermediary element between the first member and second member, providing electrical isolation while allowing both members to coexist in close proximity. This mediator enables independent contact paths without electrical interference

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If three or more separate contact strips are used per electrical contact to increase positional offset tolerance, then contact reliability is improved, but fabrication cost and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional offset toleranceVSAvoidcontact strip arrangement complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The contact structure is segmented into two separate contact members (first member and second member) that are electrically isolated from each other by a continuous channel. Each member can independently contact the lead, providing redundancy against positional offsets while maintaining Kelvin contact testing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Two contact members are merged into a single integrated electrical contact structure, sharing common support strips and housing. This combining approach achieves the benefits of multiple contact strips (redundancy, offset tolerance) while reducing fabrication complexity compared to completely separate components

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If L-shaped strip is added along one side of straight strip to increase tolerance to positional offsets, then contact tolerance is improved, but reliable electrical connection is still not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepositional offset toleranceVSAvoidelectrical connection consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The contact structure is segmented into two separate contact members (first member and second member) that are electrically isolated from each other by a continuous channel. Each member can independently contact the lead, providing redundancy against positional offsets while maintaining Kelvin contact testing capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration changes from a single continuous contact strip (L-shaped or straight) to two separate contact members with electrical isolation. This parameter change in the contact structure enables independent contact paths, ensuring that positional offsets cannot simultaneously affect both contact members

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10151774B2Electrical contact having electrical isolated members for contacting an electrical component

Publication Date: 2018.12.11 ASMPT SINGAPORE PTE LTD

AI summary

Disclosed are an electrical contact for contacting an electrical component, an apparatus for testing an electrical component and a method of assembling an apparatus comprising an electrical contact for testing an electrical component. The electrical contact comprises a first member longitudinally extending and having an end, said first member having a first longitudinal side and a second longitudinal side; a second member having a first segment extending longitudinally adjacent to the first longitudinal side of the first member, a second segment extending longitudinally adjacent to the second longitudinal side of the first member, and a third segment extending substantially transverse to the first member and located adjacent to the end of the first member, the third segment being provided to couple the first segment to the second segment; wherein a continuous channel is defined between the first member and the second member such that the first member and the second member are electrically isolated from each other.