Replaceable Insulator Collars for Probe Isolation and Impedance Tuning

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current semiconductor test system contactors face issues with integrated insulators that are difficult to replace, leading to crosstalk between probes and impedance mismatches, which cause testing errors.

Innovation Solution

A removable signal probe collar with a cylindrical substrate and retention structures, such as snap-in or screw-in mechanisms, is used to isolate signal probes and maintain impedance control, allowing for easy replacement and impedance tuning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If insulators are integrated with the contactor body, then structural stability is improved, but replaceability and maintenance ease deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidreplaceability

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSEase of repair

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator is divided into two separate components: a contactor body and a removable insulator collar. The collar can be detached and replaced independently from the contactor body, allowing maintenance without replacing the entire assembly. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by providing both structural stability during operation and ease of repair through independent collar replacement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The removable insulator collar is designed to fit within and surround the probe assembly, which itself is contained within the contactor body. This nested structure allows the collar to be retained in place during operation (maintaining stability) while still being removable for replacement (enabling maintenance).

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Stability of the object's composition

If insulators are integrated with the contactor body, then structural stability is improved, but crosstalk between probes increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidcrosstalk between probes

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator collar is positioned locally around each individual probe rather than as a single integrated structure for all probes. This localized insulation provides targeted electrical isolation for each probe path, effectively reducing crosstalk between adjacent probes while maintaining the overall structural stability of the contactor body.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Ease of manufacture

If insulators are integrated with the contactor body, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but impedance control and tuning capability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidimpedance control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The insulator collar is designed as a removable component with adjustable positioning along the probe assembly. This dynamic adjustability allows impedance tuning by changing the collar's position or selecting different collar configurations, enabling precise impedance control while maintaining relatively simple manufacturing processes for the individual components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250321247A1Replaceable insulator collars for semiconductor test systems

Publication Date: 2025.10.16 XCERRA CORP

AI summary

A retained and removable signal probe collar is disclosed. A contactor is disclosed. The contactor includes a metal substrate having a probe hole and a removable signal probe collar located in the probe hole. The removable signal probe collar has a removable signal probe collar hole. A signal probe is located in the removable probe collar hole. A method for retrofitting a contactor with a removable signal probe collar is disclosed.