Test Socket Nonelastic Housing for Warped Device Contact
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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 stability during device inspection, especially when dealing with warped devices.
Innovation Solution
A test socket with a nonelastic insulating housing and electrically-conductive parts made of elastic insulating material, where the electrically-conductive parts pass through the housing in a thickness direction, allowing for precise alignment and distribution of pressure, and the nonelastic housing minimizes deformation and supports the conductive parts for stable contact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a rubber socket with elastic insulating material is used, then ease of operation and durability are improved, but manufacturing precision and stroke control deteriorate due to thickness and height tolerances
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the material parameter from elastic to nonelastic, eliminating the thickness tolerance issue that affects stroke control while maintaining the operational benefits of the rubber socket design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent copies the successful operational design of the rubber socket (electrically-conductive particles in insulating material) but replaces the elastic housing material with nonelastic material to achieve both operational ease and manufacturing precision
2Ease of manufacture
If a conventional rubber socket is used, then simple electrical connection is achieved, but reliability deteriorates when inspecting warped devices due to unstable contact and concentrated stress
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the housing material parameter from elastic to nonelastic, which prevents deformation and warpage that cause unstable contact, thereby improving reliability while maintaining the simple electrical connection structure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the housing nonelastic and replaceable, allowing the expensive electrically-conductive parts to be preserved and reused while the inexpensive housing can be replaced if damaged, improving overall system reliability
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 configuration enables precise stroke control, improves durability, and enhances high-frequency signal transmission characteristics, while maintaining stable contact even with warped devices, reducing the risk of damage and extending the life of the test socket.
Implementation Method 1
an electrically-conductive part formed to have a configuration in which a plurality of electrically-conductive particles are contained in an elastic insulating material
Data Source
AI summary
A test socket according to the present disclosure is provided in a test apparatus in which a device under inspection having a terminal is connected to a tester, which generates a test signal, for testing the device under inspection, the test socket includes a nonelastic insulating housing formed of a nonelastic insulating material and provided with a plurality of housing holes formed therein to pass therethrough in a thickness direction; and an electrically-conductive part formed to have a configuration in which a plurality of electrically-conductive particles are contained in an elastic insulating material, the electrically-conductive part having a lower end portion connected to a signal electrode of the tester placed below the nonelastic insulating housing and an upper end portion disposed in the housing hole to be connected to the terminal of the device under inspection placed on the nonelastic insulating housing.