Radiator Module for Automatic Test Equipment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional test heads for high-performance integrated circuits (ICs) in automatic test equipment suffer from inadequate heat sinking, leading to inefficient heat dissipation and potential IC device impairment, and the use of additional cooling machines complicates operations and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A radiator module system integrating a closed-loop circulating cooling device with the test arm, allowing direct heat exchange and dissipation through a working fluid flowing within a conduit connected to the test head, which synchronously moves with the test arm to prevent pipeline entanglement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If an additional cooling machine is connected to the test head to remove accumulated heat energy, then heat dissipation effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and operational complexity increase due to multiple connection lines and maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cooling function with the existing test head structure by integrating a cooling channel directly into the test head body. The working fluid flows through this integrated channel to carry away heat, eliminating the need for separate external cooling machines and their associated complex piping systems. This consolidation maintains effective heat dissipation while significantly reducing system complexity.
2Temperature
If an additional cooling machine is connected to the test head to remove accumulated heat energy, then heat dissipation effectiveness is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to purchase fees for the cooling machine
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling function is merged into the test head structure itself, eliminating the need to purchase and install separate cooling machines. The cooling channel is formed as an integral part of the test head, which reduces material costs, manufacturing complexity, and overall system cost while maintaining effective heat dissipation capability.
3Productivity
If the test arm moves to perform tests, then testing capability is improved, but the cooling pipeline becomes entangled due to movement
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling channel is merged directly into the test head structure, forming an integrated cooling system. Since the cooling channel moves together with the test head as a single unit, there is no relative movement between them that could cause pipeline entanglement. This integrated design maintains testing capability while ensuring pipeline stability during arm movement.
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 enables efficient heat dissipation without the need for external cooling machines, simplifying operations and reducing maintenance complexities while ensuring effective heat removal during testing.
Implementation Method 1
flowing through the internal channel within the test head to absorb heat generated at the test head during the test on the DUT
Implementation Method 2
a cooling device in contact with the conduit, configured to perform heat dissipation to the working fluid flowing within the conduit
Data Source
AI summary
A radiator module system for automatic test equipment, including a test arm and a closed-loop circulating cooling device disposed on the test arm. The test arm includes a test head, and an internal channel is formed within and passing through the test head. The closed-loop circulating cooling device includes an inlet and an outlet, respectively connected to the internal channel; a conduit connecting the inlet and the outlet, such that the conduit and the internal channel form a closed-loop circulating channel in which a working fluid flows; a cooling device in contact with the conduit, configured to perform heat dissipation to the working fluid flowing within the conduit; and a driving source configured to drive the working fluid to flow within the closed-loop circulating channel. The working fluid is driven by the driving source to flow within the closed-loop circulating channel to perform heat dissipation.