Patent ID: 6459289
Filing Date: 2002-10-01
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
A conductive bump array contactor suitable for testing a bumped device having a plurality of conductive bumps, comprising:a base having a plurality of conductive elements projecting therefrom, the conductive elements being alignable with and engageable with the array of conductive bumps; an ejector formed from a partially electrically-conductive material that inhibits the formation of an electro-static and coupled to the base and moveable with respect to the base between a first position proximate the base and a second position spaced apart from the base, the ejector being positioned between the base and the bumped device and having at least one opening sized to receive the plurality of conductive elements such that the conductive elements project at least partially into the at least one opening and are engageable with the array of conductive bumps when the ejector is in the first position, the conductive elements being disengaged from the array of conductive bumps when the ejector is in the second position; and an actuating device coupled to the base and to the ejector that asserts a force on the ejector sufficient to overcome an attractive force between the conductive bumps and the conductive elements and to disengage the array of conductive bumps from the plurality of conductive elements and to move the ejector into the second position.