Patent ID: 6060892
Filing Date: 2000-05-09
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A probe card attaching mechanism for attaching a probe card to a prober that checks electric characteristics of an object to be tested, said probe card having measurement contactors which are to be brought into contact with electrodes of the object, said probe card attaching mechanism comprising:a fixing ring secured at an opening section of the casing of a prober and having a reference surface on a lower side thereof,a ring-like card holder used for holding the probe card and having a reference surface on an upper side thereof and a plurality of movable portions on an outer circumference thereof, said movable portions constituting part of a plurality of cam mechanisms;a lock ring provided on the lower side of the fixing ring and being rotatable in both a normal direction and a reverse direction, said lock ring having movable portions which cooperate with the movable portions of the card holder and constitute part of the cam mechanisms; andmeans for coupling the lock ring to the lower side of the fixing ring in a rotatable manner, said coupling means including at least one grooved pulley rotatably fitted around a shaft secured to the fixing ring, and at least one groove formed in the inner circumferential portion of the lock ring, said lock ring being made rotatable under the fixing ring by engaging the groove formed in the grooved pulley with the groove of the lock ring,wherein, when the lock ring rotates in the normal direction, the movable portions of the lock ring cooperate with the movable portions of the card holder and raise the card holder until the reference surface of the card holder is pressed tightly against the reference surface of the fixing ring and the card holder is made immovable thereby, and when the lock ring rotates in the reverse direction, the movable portions of the lock ring and the movable portions of the card holder disengage from each other, and the card holder is separated from the fixing ring.