Patent ID: 6168449
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A test socket for an integrated circuit with a plurality of ball contacts, the test socket comprising: a frame body including a plurality of first through-holes and an upper side with two ends, each said first through-hole being located corresponding to an associated said ball contact of the integrated circuit to be tested; two sliding plates mounted to the two ends of the upper side of the frame body, respectively and slidable along a horizontal direction of the frame body, each said sliding plate including a plurality of second through-holes, each said second through-hole being located corresponding to the associated said ball contact of the integrated circuit to be tested; a plurality of electrical contacts each mounted in an associated said first through-hole of the frame body and an associated said second through-hole of the sliding plates for connecting with the associated said ball contact of the integrated circuit; a mechanism mounted above the sliding plates for applying a force to the sliding plates to thereby cause the sliding plates to move horizontally away from each other, such that an open space is defined between an inner periphery that defines the associated second through-hole and an upper section of the associated electrical contact to allow the associated ball contact to enter said open space; and at least two elastic elements each mounted between the frame body and an associated said sliding plate, each said elastic element generating a returning force when the sliding plates are moved away from each other for returning the sliding plates that have been moved apart; whereby the integrated circuit to be tested is placed above the sliding plates, and the mechanism is applied with a downward force to slidingly move the sliding plates away from each other, such that the associated ball contact is lowered into the open space between the inner periphery of the associated second through-hole and the upper section of the associated electrical contact, and when the force is removed, the returning forces provided by said at least two elastic elements return the sliding plates and close the open space to make the associated electrical contact extended through the associated second through-hole bear against a side of the associated ball contact.