Test Socket Straight Contacts and Latch Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sockets for LGA-type ICs are complex, increasing assembly difficulties and costs due to additional components and complicated constructions, which affect the uniformity and productivity of components.
Innovation Solution
A test and burn-in socket design featuring straight-line contacts that deform into an arc shape when a cover is pressed, utilizing elastic restoring force for consistent contact pressure, and a latch mechanism that locks and moves upward to efficiently press the IC, simplifying the construction and reducing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sockets use arc-shaped contacts with additional assembly parts, then the contacts can provide elastic force, but the number of components increases and assembly becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and removes the arc-shaped bending section from the contact structure. Instead of using traditionally bent arc-shaped contacts, the invention uses straight contacts that are elastically deformed into arc shapes during operation by the cover pressing mechanism. This extraction of the pre-bent arc shape eliminates the need for additional assembly parts and complex contact structures while maintaining the necessary elastic force functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the static pre-bent arc-shaped contacts into dynamically deformable straight contacts. The contacts are initially straight and are elastically deformed into arc shapes during the covering operation, allowing them to provide elastic force dynamically. This dynamic approach replaces the static pre-formed arc shape with a flexible straight contact that achieves the same functional result through elastic deformation during operation.
2Force
If conventional sockets include a lever for applying strong physical force, then the IC can be pressed down, but the construction becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the lever mechanism with the cover structure itself. Instead of using a separate lever component, the cover is designed to directly function as the pressing mechanism. When the cover is pressed down, it directly applies force to the IC through the contacts, eliminating the need for a separate lever and simplifying the overall construction while maintaining the necessary pressing force.
Solution Approach 2:
The cover serves multiple functions: it protects the internal components, provides the pressing force to deform the contacts into arc shapes, and directly presses down the IC during operation. By making the cover multi-functional, the patent eliminates the need for separate lever and pressing mechanism components, thereby simplifying the socket construction while maintaining all necessary functions.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional sockets use bent contacts requiring additional assembly parts, then the contacts can be assembled, but productivity and uniformity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complex assembly requirements by removing the pre-bent arc shape from the contact manufacturing process. Straight contacts are used instead, which are much easier to manufacture with uniform dimensions and require no special bending or shaping operations. This extraction of the bending operation from the manufacturing process significantly improves productivity and component uniformity while maintaining the necessary elastic force function through operational deformation.
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 design enhances the uniformity and productivity of components, simplifies assembly, and reduces costs while maintaining reliable electrical contact and efficient force application on the IC.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of contacts (33) each having an upper contact terminal (61), an elastic part (62), and a lower contact terminal (63) that are provided in a straight-line shape
Implementation Method 2
upper terminals of the contacts have a constant physical force through elastic restoring force of the contacts which are deformed in the arc shape and contact lands of the IC
Implementation Method 3
a cover (21) moving vertically from the socket body (37), and including a plurality of cover springs (26) elastically supported between the cover and the socket body (37), a plurality of slide cams (22), and a plurality of slot plates (24)
Implementation Method 4
a latch (29) pressing the IC, and including a fixed hole (28) to fix the latch to the socket body (37) using a latch moving shaft, and a movable hole (27) to move along an inclined surface of the latch cam slot (25)
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a test and burn-in socket for integrated circuits. The socket includes a socket body (37). A lead guide (36) is provided under the socket body. A slide (35) is mounted to the socket body to move horizontally. A plurality of slide springs (39) is elastically supported between the slide and the socket body, thus allowing the slide to smoothly restore an original position thereof. A contact guide (31) is provided above the slide to guide positions of upper contact terminals of contacts. An IC guide (30) is provided above the contact guide to guide a position of an IC. A cover (21) is provided to move vertically from the socket body (37). A latch (29) presses the IC. The socket also includes the contacts (33).