U.S. patent number 3,763,459 [Application Number 05/153,995] was granted by the patent office on 1973-10-02 for plug-in type sockets for testing semiconductors.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Textool Products, Inc.. Invention is credited to Edwin G. Millis.
United States Patent |
3,763,459 |
Millis |
October 2, 1973 |
PLUG-IN TYPE SOCKETS FOR TESTING SEMICONDUCTORS
Abstract
A plug-in type socket for making a temporary electrical
connection between a plurality of leads on a semiconductor and
contacts of a suitable test circuit without applying substantial
insertion pressure. Spaced resilient contacts are urged into
gripping engagement with a lead on a semiconductor by movable
concave surfaces, allowing deflection of the contact after
engagement by the lead to assure that each of a plurality of leads
is firmly gripped between a plurality of sets of contacts.
Inventors: |
Millis; Edwin G. (Irving,
TX) |
Assignee: |
Textool Products, Inc. (Irving,
TX)
|
Family
ID: |
22549584 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/153,995 |
Filed: |
June 17, 1971 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
439/264 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R
13/193 (20130101); G01R 1/0433 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G01R
1/02 (20060101); H01R 13/02 (20060101); G01R
1/04 (20060101); H01R 13/193 (20060101); H01r
013/54 () |
Field of
Search: |
;339/75-79,176 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: McGlynn; Joseph H.
Claims
Having described my invention I claim:
1. A socket for positioning a lead in electrically conductive
relation with a conductor comprising, first and second actuating
members having openings formed therein, at least one of said
openings having a concave surface formed therein; means to movably
secure said actuating members together, said openings being
positionable in overlying relationship; a resilient conductor
positioned to extend into said openings; a substantially flat upper
portion on said conductor having edges adjacent spaced portions of
said concave surface; and means to move spaced portions of said
concave surface into engagement with spaced edges of said conductor
such that upon engagement with a lead a central portion of the
conductor deflects toward the portion of the concave surface
intermediate the spaced portions thereof which engage edges of the
conductor.
2. The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of
resilient means secured between the first and second members for
biasing said members toward a position wherein openings in the
respective members are disposed in overlying relationship.
3. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the openings in
the first and second members comprise transversely extending
channels, and wherein the concave surface comprises a recess formed
in a side of at least one of the channels, forming spaced shoulders
adjacent opposite sides of the recess which are engageable with
spaced portions of the conductor.
4. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the conductor
comprises a resilient member having legs arranged in a
substantially U-shaped configuration; a contact element on each
leg, said contact elements being wider than the legs; and bearing
surfaces adjacent opposite sides of the concave surface in the
opening in the actuating member, said bearing surface being
engageable with portions of the contact element adjacent edges
thereof such that initial movement of theactuating members deflects
the legs inwardly to move the contact elements into engagement with
the lead positioned therebetween, and additional movement deflects
central portions of the contact elements toward the concave surface
between the bearing surfaces.
5. The combination called for in claim 1 with the addition of
surfaces on the conductor engageable with surfaces on the actuating
members to limit longitudinal movement of said conductor relative
to said openings in the actuating members.
6. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein the means to
impart relative movement between the first and second actuating
members comprises, actuating means rotatably disposed relative to
the first member; and a protrusion on said actuating means movable
into engagement with a surface on the second member for moving the
openings in the first and second members out of coinciding
relationship.
7. The combination called for in claim 6 wherein the actuating
means comprises a shaft and the protrusion comprises an offset
section formed in said shaft.
8. The combination called for in claim 6 wherein the projection
comprises a cam; first resilient means secured to the first member;
second resilient means secured to the second member; means to
secure the cam for rotation relative to the first and second
resilient means to exert forces against said first and second
resilient means to move the first and second members in opposite
directions.
9. The combination called for in claim 1 wherein said first and
second actuating members have a plurality of openings formed
therein positionable in coinciding relationship.
10. The combination called for in claim 9 wherein the openings are
arranged in a pattern corresponding to the array of leads on a
semiconductor device.
11. In a socket for making a disengageable connection between leads
on a semiconductor device comprising, an electrical conductor
having resilient legs arranged in a substantially U-shaped
configuration; a contact element on each of said legs, said contact
elements being wider than the legs; and actuating means adapted to
exert inwardly directed forces adjacent edges of the contact
elements for deflecting the resilient legs to move the contact
elements into engagement with a lead positioned therebetween, and
for deflecting the contact elements about the longitudinal axis of
the lead.
12. The combination called for in claim 11 wherein the actuating
means comprises first and second actuating members; means for
mounting the first and second actuating members in sliding
relation; bearing surfaces on said first and second actuating
members engageable with said contact elements adjacent edges
thereof for applying force thereto; and means for moving the first
actuating member relative to the second actuating member.
13. A socket for making electrical connections to each of a
plurality of leads on a semiconductor device comprising, a first
member having spaced rows of substantially parallel outwardly
extending channels formed in the lower surface thereof, said member
having a plurality of spaced apertures extending therethrough, each
of said apertures intersecting a central portion of one of said
channels; a second member having channels formed therein
substantially coinciding with the position of channels formed in
said first member, passages through said second member intersecting
each channel formed therein; spaced shoulders adjacent at least one
side of each channel in said second member; a pair of resilient
legs extending through each of said passages in said second member;
resilient contacts in the channels of the first and second members,
said contacts being secured to ends of the legs; means secured
between the legs for urging said legs apart to bias said contacts
secured thereto into engagement with said shoulders formed in the
channels of the second member; and actuating means engageable with
the first and second members for imparting relative movement
therebetween to move the channels in the first member relative to
the channels in the second member, causing the shoulders in the
respective channels to engage spaced portions of the contacts for
urging said contacts into pressure relation with a lead positioned
therebetween.
14. A socket comprising, upper and lower sections disposed in
spaced apart relation; means to secure the upper section relative
to the lower section; a central section positioned between said
upper and lower sections, said upper and central sections having a
plurality of receptacles formed therein; a plurality of electrical
conductors communicating with said receptacles; walls in said
receptacles adapted to form concave surfaces; means to move the
central section of the socket relative to the upper section of the
socket urging spaced portions of said concave surfaces against
edges of the conductors to position said conductors against
terminals inserted into said receptacles and to permit movement of
said central section a distance relative to the upper section which
is greater than the distance the conductors move to engage the
terminals.
15. A socket for positioning a lead in electrically conductive
relation with a conductor comprising, first and second actuating
members having openings formed therein, at least one of said
openings having a concave surface formed therein; means to movably
secure said actuating members together, said openings being
positionable in overlying relationship; resilient means secured
between the first and second actuating members for biasing said
members toward a position wherein openings in the respective
members are disposed in overlying relationship; a resilient
conductor positioned to extend into said openings; and means to
impart relative movement between the first and second actuating
members for initially moving said conductor into pressure relation
with a lead extending into said openings and to subsequently bend
the conductor around a portion of the surface of the lead, said
conductor being deformed toward the concave surface.
16. aA socket for positioning a lead in electrically conductive
relation with a conductor comprising first and second actuating
members having openings formed therein, at least one of said
openings having a concave surface formed therein; means to movably
secure said actuating members together, said openings being
positionable in overlying relationship; a resilient conductor
positioned to extend into said openings; actuating means rotatably
disposed relative to the first actuating member; a cam on said
actuating means; first resilient means secured to the first
actuating member; second resilient means secured to the second
actuating member; means to secure the cam for rotation relative to
the first and second resilient means to exert forces against said
first and second resilient means to move the first and second
actuatin members in opposite directions and for initially moving
said conductor into pressure relation with a lead extending into
said openings and to subsequently bend the conductor around a
portion of the surface of the lead, said conductor being deformed
toward the concave surface.
17. A socket for positioning a lead in electrically conductive
relation with a conductor comprising, first and second actuating
members having openings formed therein, at least one of said
openings having a concave surface formed therein; means to movably
secure said actuating members together, said openings being
positionable in overlying relationship; a resilient conductor
positioned to extend into said openings; and means to impart
relative movement between the first and second actuating members
for initially moving said conductor into pressure relation with a
lead extending into said openings and to subsequently bend the
conductor around a portion of the surface of the lead, said
conductor being deformed toward the concave surface; wherein the
conductor comprises a resilient member having legs arranged in a
substantially U-shaped configuration; a contact element on each
leg, said contact elements being wider than the legs; and bearing
surfaces adjacent opposite sides of the concave surface in the
opening in the actuating member, said bearing surface being
engageable with portions of the contact element adjacent edges
thereof such that initial movement of the actuating members
deflects the legs inwardly to move the contact elements into
engagement with the lead positioned therebetween, and additional
movement deflects central portions of the contact elements toward
the concave surface between the bearing surfaces.
18. A socket for testing semi-conductors having multiple leads
comprising, a first plate having circular openings formed therein;
a second plate having passages extending therethrough; means to
position the first and second plates such that the openings and the
passages are in coninciding relationships; a plurality of
electrical conductors each having a substantially flat portion
positioned in coinciding openings and passages in the first and
second plates, said flat portion of each of said conductors having
edges adjacent spaced portions of said circular opening; and means
to move the first plate relative to the second plate to urge spaced
surfaces in the circular opening into engagement with edges of the
flat conductor such that the central portion of the conductor will
deflect toward the surfaces of the circular opening intermediate
said spaced surfaces upon engagement with a semi-conductor lead
extending into the passage and the opening.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Testing and evaluating semiconductor devices, such as integrated
circuits, for determining whether or not a device will perform a
specified function with a specified degree of reliability becomes
increasingly difficult as the number of leads or terminals on the
device increases. The usual manner of testing semiconductor devices
involves forcing leads on the device into a receptacle having
spring loaded contacts which are connectable to suitable test
circuitry. To assure good electrical conduction between each
contact in the receptacle and the lead associated therewith,
receptacles heretofore devised have required exertion of
substantial pressure for connecting leads with the contacts.
The necessity for the exertion of a substantial insertion pressure
is objectionable when the semiconductor device has a large number
of terminals because difficulty is encountered to plug and unplug
the semiconductor device into the receptacle and because the
probability that the semiconductor device will be damaged by
bending or breaking the leads is high.
Manufacturers of sockets and receptacles heretofore devised have
attempted to reduce the force biasing the contacts into pressure
relation with leads on the semiconductor device for reducing
pressure required for inserting leads into the socket. However, the
reduction in force biasing the contacts against the leads resulted
in unreliable electrical conduction between the contacts and the
leads.
Sockets have been devised heretofore which reduce pressure required
for insertion of leads thereinto. However, such devices have been
complicated and have been so expensive as to render the use thereof
in general manufacturing operations economically impractical.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
I have developed a socket for use in testing and evaluating
semiconductor devices, such as integrated circuits, having spaced
contacts connectable to suitable electrical circuitry. The contacts
are biased by resilient means away from a lead on a semiconductor
device positioned therebetween. Actuating means is operably
associated with at least one of the contact elements for moving
same relative to the lead on the semiconductor device for
positioning the spaced contact elements in pressure relation with
the lead. The actuating means is adapted to allow relative movement
between the associated contact elements and the actuating means
after the contact elements have been positioned in pressure
relation with the lead positioned therebetween. Therefore,
actuation of a plurality of contact elements by a single actuating
means is permitted to provide substantially uniform pressure
between each set of contacts and the associated lead even though
the leads may have different dimensions or configurations.
The contacts, biased away from the lead positionable therebetween,
are spaced apart a distance exceeding the dimension of a lead
allowing insertion of a plurality of leads between a plurality of
contacts without exerting any substantial insertion pressure.
A primary object of the invention is to provide a socket for
temporarily connecting a semiconductor device having a large number
of leads to an electrical circuit without application of force to
leads of the semiconductor device of a magnitude which could bend
or otherwise damage the leads.
A further object of the invention is to provide a socket for
testing semiconductor devices, having a large number of leads,
which is provided with guide surfaces allowing the semiconductor
device to be positioned above the socket and released, the guide
surfaces being adapted to direct the leads between appropriate
contacts in the socket, the only force being exerted thereon being
the force of gravity.
A further object of the invention is to provide a socket for
testing semiconductor devices offering low insertion pressure which
is particularly adapted for mass production at a low cost per
socket, making use thereof economically feasible for general use by
manufacturers of semiconductor devices.
Other and further objects of the invention will become apparent
upon referring to the detailed description hereinafter following
and the drawings annexed hereto.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. I is a partially sectionalized side elevational view of a
first embodiment of the socket particularly adapted for use with a
dual-in-line integrated circuit package;
FIG. II is a plan view of the socket illustrated in FIG. I;
FIG. III is an end view looking in the direction of arrows along
line III--III of FIG. I;
FIG. IV is an end view looking in the direction of arrows along
line IV--IV of FIG. I;
FIG. V is an elevational view of the bottom of the socket
illustrated in FIG. I;
FIG. VI is a side elevational view similar to FIG. I, sections of
the socket being exploded and parts thereof being broken away to
more clearly illustrate details of construction;
FIG. VII is an elevational view of the bottom of the upper section
of the socket, as viewed when looking in the direction of the
arrows along line VII--VII of FIG. VI;
FIG. VIII is a plan view of the center section of the socket,
looking in the direction of the arrows along line VIII--VIII of
FIG. VI;
FIG. IX is an elevational view of the bottom of the center section
of the socket, looking in the direction of the arrows along line
IX--IX of FIG. VI;
FIG. X is a plan view of the lower section of the socket, looking
in the direction of the arrows along line X--X of FIG. VI;
FIG. XI is a perspective view of contacts employed in conjunction
with the socket illustrated in FIG. I;
FIG. XII is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line
XII--XII of FIG. I;
FIG. XIII is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line
XIII--XIII of FIG. II, illustrating the position of parts when
contacts are moved into pressure relation with a lead;
FIG. XIV is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially
along line XIV--XIV of FIG. I;
FIG. XV is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially
along line XV--XV of FIG. I;
FIG. XVI is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially
along line XVI--XVI of FIG. XIII;
FIG. XVII is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially
along line XVII--XVII OF FIG. XIII;
FIG. XVIII is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. V illustrating
means to bias contacts of the socket toward a closed position;
FIG. XIX is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the socket
particularly adapted for use with a multi-pin type integrated
circuit package;
FIG. XX is an exploded perspective view of the socket illustrated
in FIG. XIX;
FIG. XXI is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line
XXI--XXI of FIG. XIX;
FIG. XXII is a cross-sectional view taken substantially along line
XXII--XXII of FIG. XXI, the socket being in an open position;
FIG. XXIII is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. XXII the
socket being in a closed position;
FIG. XXIV is a perspective view of contacts employed in conjunction
with the socket illustrated in FIG. XIX; and
FIG. XXV is a perspective view of a modified form of the socket
illustrated in FIG. XIX adapted to simultaneously receive a
plurality of semiconductor devices.
Numeral references are employed to designate parts in the drawing
and like numerals designate like parts throughout the various
figures of the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. I of the drawing, the numeral 1 generally
designates a socket for testing a semiconductor device 2 having
dual-in-line leads 4 and 6.
Socket 1 comprises an upper section 10, a center section 12, and a
lower section 14. Upper section 10 and lower section 14 are secured
together in spaced apart relation and center section 12 is movable
longitudinally therebetween by suitable means such as crank 16, as
will be hereinafter more fully explained.
Socket 1 has a plurality of receptacles 18 formed therein for
receiving upper portions 20 and 22 of contacts 24 and 26 (FIG. XI),
as will be hereinafter more fully explained.
As best illustrated in FIGS. I, II, VI, and XII--XIV, the upper
section 10 of socket 1 preferably comprises a single piece of
molded thermoplastic material, for example, polysulfone, having
means thereon connectable to lower section 14. In the embodiment
illustrated in FIG. VI downwardly extending projections 30, 31 and
32 extend into openings 30a, 31a, and 32a in lower section 14 of
socket 1 such that the upper and lower sections can be heat sealed
together. However, it should be appreciated that other means such
as screws 170 in FIG. XX may be employed.
The upper surface of upper section 10 of socket 1 has upwardly
extending shoulders 34a, 34b and 34c arranged in a substantially
U-shaped configuration about a central support surface 36 having
rectangular openings 38 and 39 extending therethrough.
As best illustrated in FIG. VII, the bottom surface 36b of upper
section 10 of socket 1 has a plurality of outwardly directed
channels 40 formed therein, said channels intersecting rectangular
openings 38 and 39. Widened portions 42 are formed in each channel
40, forming shoulders 44a, 44b, 44c and 44d in each channel 40.
It should be readily apparent that channels 40 having shoulders
44a, 44b, 44c and 44d formed therein form receptacles 18 into which
upper ends 20 and 22 of contact elements 24 and 26 extend. Spacer
elements 46, 47 and 48 extend downwardly from the lower side of
upper section 10 of socket 1 for spacing upper section 10 and lower
section 14 apart a distance substantially equal to the thickness of
center section 12. Spacer elements 46, 47 and 48 have lower
surfaces which engage the upper surface of lower section 14.
Stand-off elements 49 extend upwardly from the upper surface 36a of
upper section 10 to provide air circulation around semiconductor 2
when inserted into the socket, to facilitate removal of the
semiconductor from the circuit and to space leads 4 and 6 in
desired relation relative to contacts 24 and 26.
As best illustrated in FIGS. VI, VIII, IX and XIII, the central
section 12 of socket 1 comprises a substantially flat rectangular
plate having transversely extending channels 50 formed in the upper
surface 12a thereof, said channels 50 and channels 40, formed in
the lower surface 36b of upper section 10, being similarly spaced
allowing positioning of said channels in overlying substantially
coinciding relationship. As best illustrated in FIG. I and XIII,
channels 50 have a depth substantially equal to one-half the
thickness of the rectangular plate of which center section 12 is
constructed.
Openings 52, having a width greater than the width of channels 50,
extend through center section 12 and are positioned to form an
enlarged portion in each of the channels 50, providing shoulders
54a, 54b, 54c and 54d arranged for vertical alignment below
shoulders 44a, 44b, 44c and 44d, respectively, formed in channels
40 of upper section 10.
Central section 12 has cutout portions 46c, 47c and 48c through
which spacer members 46, 47 and 48, extending downwardly from upper
section 10 of socket 1, extend. It should be noted that openings
46c, 47c, and 48c are wider than spacer members 46, 47 and 48,
respectively, allowing movement of central section 12 relative to
upper section 10 from the position illustrated in FIG. I to the
position illustrated in FIG. XIII.
Sides 46d of opening 46c are disposed in sliding engagement with
surfaces 46b on spacer member 46 preventing lateral movement of
upper section 10 relative to central section 12. It should also be
appreciated that surfaces 47b and 48b on spacers 47 and 48 are
disposed in sliding engagement with surfaces 47d and 48d in
openings 47c and 48c, respectively.
A lug 56 extends upwardly from the upper surface 12a of central
section 12 of socket 1 and is positioned between surfaces 47d and
48d. Lug 56 extends into recess 58 (see FIG. XIII) formed in the
lower surface 36b of upper section 10 and has a surface 60 which is
engageable with crank portion 62 of shaft 64 which is rotatably
disposed in passage 66 extending transversely across the lower
surface of upper section 10.
A cavity 68 is formed in the upper surface of central section 12
adjacent upwardly extending lug 56.
It should be appreciated that when socket 1 is in the open
position, illustrated in FIG. I, crank portion 62 of shaft 64 is
positioned in cavity 68. However, upon rotation of shaft 64 in
groove 66 the crank portion 62 urges surface 60 of lug 56 and
consequently central section 12 of socket 1 to the position
illustrated in FIG. XIII.
Tabs 70a and 70b extend upwardly from the upper surface of central
section 12 and are disposed in sliding relation with slots 72a and
72b extending through upper section 10 of the socket 1. Tabs 70a
and 70b have extension members or hooks 74 disposed on the upper
ends thereof and positioned to extend over and engage the upper
surface of support member 36 on upper section 10 of socket 1 to
limit vertical movement of central section 12 relative to upper
section 10.
Extension members 74 have beveled upper surfaces 76 inclined for
guiding semiconductor device 2 into a position substantially
centering leads 4 and 6 between upper ends 20 and 22 of contacts 24
and 26, respectively.
Spaced retainer elements 78 and 79 (FIG. VI) are disposed in spaced
apart relation forming a slot 80 therebetween and extend downwardly
from the lower surface of central section 12 of socket 1.
As best illustrated in FIGS. V and X, the bottom section 14 of
socket 1 has transversely disposed openings 82 and 84 formed
therein, retainer elements 78 and 79 being slidably disposed in
longitudinally extending slot 82. The transversally extending slot
84 intersects longitudinally extending slot 82 and has projections
85 and 86 extending inwardly from opposite ends thereof.
As best illustrated in FIGS. V and XVIII, the resilient spring
member 88 is positioned to extend through slot 80 between retainer
elements 78 and 79 secured to central section 12. Opposite ends of
said spring member 88 are positioned against surfaces 85a and 86a
for biasing central section 12 toward the position illustrated in
FIGS. I and V, corresponding to the open position. However, if it
is deemed expedient to bias central section 12 toward a closed
position, illustrated in FIG. XIII, ends of resilient member 88 may
be positioned in engagement with surfaces 85b and 86b of
projections 85 and 86, respectively, as illustrated in FIG.
XVIII.
The upper surface 14a of lower section 14 (FIG. X) of socket 1 has
spaced longitudinally extending grooves 90 and 92 formed therein,
each of said grooves having a plurality of spaced apertures 94
disposed therein.
As best illustrated in FIGS. XI and XII, contacts 24 and 26 are of
identical construction and preferably comprise a strip of resilient
material formed to provide a substantially U-shaped upper section
comprising diverging resilient upwardly extending legs 24a and 24b
having resilient contact elements 20 and 22 secured thereto. It
should be noted that contact elements 20 and 22 are of a width
exceeding the width of legs 24a and 24b. Thus, application of
inwardly directed forces adjacent edges 20a and 20b, and 22a and
22b causes legs 24a and 24b to deflect, allowing contacts 20 and 22
to move toward each other. As contacts 20 and 22 engage the lead 4,
positioned therebetween, movement of central portions of contacts
20 and 22 is terminated. However, because of the shape and
resilience of the contact elements, edges 20a and 20b, and 22a and
22b will continue to move deflecting contacts 20 and 22 about a
substantially vertical axis until application of a force sufficient
to overcome the spring action of the contacts is removed.
Pins 24c extend downwardly from the substantially U-shaped upper
portions of contacts 24 and extend through apertures 94, as best
illustrated in FIGS. I and XII of the drawing. It should be noted
that the edge 20a of contact element 20 is substantially equal to
the combined depth of channels 40 and 50 formed in the upper
section 10, and central section 12 of socket 1 and when positioned
as illustrated in FIG. XII restricts vertical movement of each of
the contacts 24 and 26. Legs 24a and 24b of the contact elements
extend downwardly through opening 52 in central section 12 and into
grooves 90 and 92 formed in lower section 14.
OPERATION
The operation and function of the zero insertion pressure,
dual-in-line type socket generally designated by the numeral 1 is
as follows:
When the locking crank 16 is in the position illustrated in FIG. I,
spring 80, positioned as illustrated in FIG. V, applies a resilient
force sliding the central section 12 of the socket 1 to a position
wherein channels 40 in upper section 10 are positioned directly
above channels 50 formed in central section 12. The upper ends 20
and 22 of each row 24 and 25 of contact elements are spaced apart a
distance greater than the width of leads 4 and 6 on semiconductor
device 2.
To plug leads of the semiconductor device 2 into the socket, the
semiconductor device is merely positioned above socket 1, as
illustrated in FIG. I, wherein leads 4 and 6 are positioned above
receptacles 18, in which the contact elements are disposed. The
semiconductor device is then dropped allowing entry of leads 4 and
6 into the receptacles 18.
Application of force on handle 16 imparts rotation to shaft 64 and
consequently crank 62, applying a force to surface 60 of lug 56,
causing movement of central section 12 of the socket to the left,
as viewed in FIG. I, toward the position illustrated in FIG.
XIII.
Referring to FIGS. XIV and XV, it should be noted that when the
contacts are in the open position, as viewed in FIG. I, shoulders
44a, 44b, 44c and 44d formed in channel 40 of upper section 10 are
positioned vertically above shoulders 54a, 54b, 54c and 54d,
respectively formed in channels 50 of central section 12 of the
socket device. However, as viewed in FIGS. XVI and XVII, movement
of central section 12 toward the position illustrated in FIG. XIII
imparts movement of channels 40 and 50 laterally relative to each
other. This results in application of forces adjacent edges 20a and
20b, and 22a and 22b of the contact elements 20 and 22 resulting in
deflection of leg elements 24a and 24b until contact elements 20
and 22 move into pressure relation with lead 4c of semiconductor
device 2.
When contact elements 20 and 22 engage opposite sides of lead 4c of
semiconductor device 2 the forces exerted through shoulders 44c and
44d in channel 40 and through shoulders 54a and 54b in channel 50
adjacent edges of the contact elements 20 and 22, result in
deflection of elements 20 and 22 about a substantially vertical
axis, causing the respective elements to tend to wrap around the
lead 4c.
It should be appreciated that central sections of elements 20 and
22 which engage opposite sides of lead 4c move into the concave
enlarged portions 42 and 52 of channels 40 and 50, respectively.
The configuration of channels 40 and 50, having enlarged portions
42 and 52, allows elements 20 and 22 of each row of contacts 24 and
26 to move into substantially uniform pressure in relation with
each of the lead elements 4 and 6, even though the lead elements
might vary slightly in dimension and configuration.
It should be also appreciated that the configuration of channels 40
and 50, allowing deflection of contact elements 20 and 22 as
described above, greatly reduces the required accuracy of
dimensions of component parts of socket 1 thereby greatly reducing
manufacturing costs while providing substantially equal pressure
between a large number of contact elements and a large number of
leads on a semiconductor.
DESCRIPTION OF A SECOND EMBODIMENT
A modified form of the zero insertion pressure socket, hereinbefore
described, is illustrated in FIGS. XIX--XXIV of the drawing.
Contact elements of the second embodiment are arranged to engage
leads 104 of a multi-pin type semiconductor package.
A socket generally designated by the numeral 101 comprises an upper
section 110, a central section 112 and a lower section 114.
Upper section 110 has a slot 111 formed in the lower surface
thereof through which cam plates 130 and 140 are slidably
disposed.
As best illustrated in FIG. XX, upper section 110, cam plate 130
and cam plate 140 have overlying openings 150, 152 and 154,
respectively, formed therein. Guide surfaces 151 are formed around
the periphery of each opening 150 and upper section 110 for guiding
leads 104 into openings 150.
As best illustrated in FIG. XXIV, contacts 120 and 122 comprise
substantially L-shaped members having a substantially horizontally
disposed leg 120a and a substantially vertically disposed leg 120b.
The vertically disposed leg 120b has an offset 120c formed
therein.
As best illustrated in FIG. XXI, central section 112 and lower
section 114 of socket 101 have offset openings formed therein
through which lower portions of contact elements 120 and 122
extend. It should be noted that offset portions 120c of each
contact element is captured between the lower surface of central
section 112 and the upper surface of lower section 114 thereby
restricting vertical movement of contact elements 120 and 122.
Upper ends 120a and 122a of contacts 120 and 122 extend into
openings 152 and 154 of cam plates 130 and 140, said contact
elements being spaced apart a distance greater than the greatest
dimension of lead 104 of semiconductor device 102.
Actuating means 116 comprises a crank 160 connected to a cam
element 162 which extends through aligned openings 164, 166 and 168
of upper section 110, cam plate 130 and cam plate 140,
respectively. Aperture 166 in cam plate 130 has slots formed on
opposite sides thereof for supporting opposite ends of spring
member 167. Opening 168 has slots formed in opposite sides thereof
for supporting opposite ends of spring element 169. As best
illustrated in FIGS. XXI and XXII spring elements 167 and 169 are
spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the width of cam
element 162. Rotation of handle 160 imparts rotation to cam element
162 exerting force through spring elements 167 and 169 for shifting
cam plates 130 and 140 to the position illustrated in FIG.
XXIII.
Movement of cam plate 130 relative to cam plate 140 causes openings
152 and 154 to be moved away from the concentric overlying
relationship, illustrated in FIG. XXII to the nonaligned
relationship illustrated in FIG. XXIII.
Resilient contacts 120 and 122 pivot about a substantially
horizontal axis until the contacts move into pressure relation with
lead 104. Continued movement of cam plates 130 and 140 after
initial engagement between contacts 120 and 122 and lead 104
results in deflection of portions 120a and 122a of contact elements
120 and 122 about a substantially vertical axis thus allowing
movement of each set of contacts 120 and 122, in each receptacle
118, into pressure relation with terminals 104 associated
therewith.
Sections 110, 112 and 114 of socket 1 are locked together by
suitable connector means such as screws 170.
To prevent disengagement of cam element 162 from socket 1, aligned
apertures are formed through central section 112 and lower section
114 through which the cylindrical lower end of cam element 162
extends. Suitable locking means such as spring washer 172 are
secured to the lower end of cam element 162, restraining vertical
movement thereof relative to socket 101.
It should be appreciated that spring elements 167 and 169 bias cam
plates 130 and 140 toward the position illustrated in FIG.
XXII.
As best illustrated in FIG. XXV, if it is deemed expedient to do
so, a plurality of semiconductor devices 102, 102b, 102c may be
tested simultaneously by merely changing the configuration of the
elements of the socket illustrated in FIG. XIX or by connecting a
plurality of sockets together and employing elongated cam plates
130a and 140a so as to simultaneously actuate contacts into
pressure relation with leads on a plurality of semiconductors by
rotating handle 160a.
It should also be appreciated that socket 1, hereinbefore described
as the preferred embodiment could be similarly modified, or
actuating handles 16 of a plurality of separate sockets 1 may be
connected by suitable means, such as a mechanical linkage allowing
simultaneous actuation of contacts of a plurality of sockets by
applying a single actuating force.
From the foregoing it should be readily apparent I have developed
an improved socket for testing semiconductor devices, such as
integrated circuits, comprising actuating means for simultaneously
moving a plurality of contacts into engagement with a plurality of
leads by a very simple actuating means 16 or 116. Since substantial
clearance is provided between surfaces of contacts and
semiconductor leads positioned relative thereto, slightly bent
leads on semiconductor devices may be inserted between the contacts
providing substantial reduction in time required for manufacturing
and testing semiconductor devices. Provision of contacts moved
relative to a lead positioned therebetween by shoulders adjacent
opposite edges of a concave surface provides a simple structure
wherein substantially uniform pressure is obtained between each set
of contacts and each lead increasing the reliability of data
obtained when the semiconductor device is tested.
It should be appreciated that other and further embodiments of the
socket hereinbefore described may be devised without departing from
the basic concept of my invention.
* * * * *