Test Socket Inelastic Housing Stroke Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional test sockets face challenges in precise stroke control due to thickness and height tolerances, leading to reduced durability and inaccurate signal transmission, especially when using rubber sockets with elastic insulating materials.
Innovation Solution
A test socket with an inelastic insulating housing and electro-conductive parts, featuring compression-controlling sheets to manage the deformation of electro-conductive bumps, ensuring precise stroke control and improved durability by using inelastic materials like polyimide for the housing and sheets, which also enhance high-frequency signal transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If rubber sockets with elastic insulating materials are used, then simple electrical connection is achieved, but precise stroke control becomes difficult due to thickness and height tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from elastic to inelastic for the insulating housing, which eliminates deformation under load and enables precise stroke control. The inelastic material maintains consistent thickness and height dimensions, resolving the stroke control precision issue while maintaining electrical connection functionality through the conductive particles embedded in the inelastic matrix.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite material structure where electro-conductive particles are dispersed within an inelastic insulating material matrix. This composite approach combines the electrical conductivity needed for simple electrical connection with the dimensional stability of inelastic materials, achieving both ease of manufacture and manufacturing precision.
2Reliability
If electro-conductive parts with bumps are formed to improve conductivity, then high conductivity is obtained with small contact stroke, but durability is reduced due to intensive pressurizing force on specific portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by forming bumps only on the upper surface of the electro-conductive parts that contact the device under inspection, while keeping the lower surface flat. This localized bump structure ensures high conductivity at the critical contact point without concentrating excessive pressure that would reduce durability, as the flat lower surface distributes the pressurizing force evenly to the inelastic housing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent inverts the conventional approach by using an inelastic housing instead of an elastic one. This inversion prevents the housing from deforming under pressure, which in turn protects the electro-conductive bumps from excessive stress while maintaining good electrical contact, thus improving both conductivity and durability.
3Manufacturing precision
If inelastic insulating housing is used for precise stroke control, then stroke control precision and durability are improved, but signal transmission characteristics may be affected
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material where electro-conductive particles are dispersed in an inelastic insulating matrix. The conductive particles ensure excellent signal transmission by providing continuous conductive paths, while the inelastic matrix provides dimensional stability for precise stroke control, resolving the contradiction between precision and signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by making only the regions needing conductivity (the electro-conductive parts) conductive through particle dispersion, while the rest of the inelastic housing maintains its insulating and dimensionally stable properties. This localized conductivity approach ensures signal transmission without compromising stroke control precision.
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
The solution enables precise stroke control and improved durability by evenly distributing pressurizing forces and minimizing deformation, while also improving signal transmission characteristics through the use of materials with low dielectric constants.
Implementation Method 1
each electro-conductive part has a configuration in which a plurality of electro-conductive particles is contained in a material having elastic force such as silicon
Implementation Method 2
an inelastic insulating housing formed of an inelastic insulating material... minimizing deformation
Implementation Method 3
a lower compression-controlling sheet attached to the lower surface of the inelastic insulating housing and having a through hole formed therein to allow a lower end portion of each electro-conductive part lower bump to be accommodated in the through hole while forming a space portion around the lower end portion
Implementation Method 4
improving signal transmission characteristics through the use of materials with low dielectric constants
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure discloses a test socket including an inelastic insulating housing formed of an inelastic insulating material having a plurality of housing holes, and a plurality of electro-conductive parts comprising electro-conductive particles in an elastic insulating material, the electro-conductive parts including an electro-conductive part body having a lower end portion to be connected to a signal electrode of the tester, an upper end portion to be connected to the terminal of the device under inspection, and an electro-conductive part bump connected to the electro-conductive part body to protrude from one or both of an upper and lower surface of the inelastic insulating housing.