Testing apparatus

A testing apparatus includes a chip carrying device and a pressing device. The chip carrying device includes a circuit board and a plurality of electrically connecting units disposed on the circuit board. Each electrically connecting unit includes a main body disposed on the circuit board to form an accommodating slot, a lift structure partially arranged in the accommodating slot. A portion of the lift structure having a chip receiving slot passes through an opening of the main body. The pressing device includes a temperature conditioner being controllable to increase or decrease temperature. When the lift structure is pressed by a flat structure of the temperature conditioner, the probe assemblies are connected to one side of a chip received in the chip receiving slot, and the flat contacting surface is abutted against another side of the chip for transmitting heat energy there-between.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority to Taiwan Patent Application No. 108115567, filed on May 6, 2019. The entire content of the above identified application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to a testing apparatus, and more particularly to a testing apparatus provided for testing a chip.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Two of the current methods for testing a memory chip by a conventional memory testing apparatus are testing the operation of a memory chip under a high temperature environment, and under a low temperature environment.

The high temperature method of testing the operation of a memory chip is described as follows. A circuit board and a plurality of memory chips inserted to the circuit board are disposed in an oven, and a hot air blower in the oven is used to increase an inner temperature of the oven to a predetermined high temperature, so that the memory chips can be tested in a high temperature environment. However, the above testing manner cannot accurately control the temperature of each region of the oven, so that not all of the memory chips can be tested under the predetermined high temperature (e.g., a part of the memory chips may be tested in a temperature that is lower than or higher than the predetermined high temperature), causing the testing result to be inaccurate.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In response to the above-referenced technical inadequacies, the present disclosure provides a testing apparatus to effectively improve the issues associated with a conventional memory testing apparatus (e.g., a method of testing where the memory chip is operated in a high temperature environment by using a hot air blower in an oven).

In one aspect, the present disclosure provides a testing apparatus for testing a plurality of chips each having a plurality of contacts. The testing apparatus includes a chip carrying device and a pressing device. The chip carrying device includes at least one circuit board and a plurality of electrically connecting units disposed on the at least one circuit board for carrying the chips. Each of the electrically connecting units includes a main body, a lift structure, a supporting structure, at least one elastic assembly, and a plurality of probe assemblies. The main body is disposed on the at least one circuit board. The main body and the at least one circuit board jointly define an accommodating slot. The main body has an opening in spatial communication with the accommodating slot. The lift structure has a chip receiving slot for receiving one of the chips. The lift structure is partially arranged in the accommodating slot, and a portion of the lift structure having the chip receiving slot is arranged at an outer side of the main body by passing through the opening. The supporting structure is arranged in the accommodating slot and is disposed between the lift structure and the at least one circuit board. The at least one elastic assembly is arranged in the accommodating slot. One end of the at least one elastic assembly is fixed to the lift structure, and the other end of the at least one elastic assembly is fixed to the supporting structure. A portion of each of the probe assemblies is fixed to the supporting structure, and an end of each of the probe assemblies is connected to the at least one circuit board. The pressing device includes at least one temperature adjusting assembly, which has at least one temperature conditioner and a lid.

The at least one temperature conditioner is controllable to increase or decrease temperature. The at least one temperature conditioner includes a flat structure having a flat contacting surface. The at least one temperature conditioner has a fluid channel arranged inside thereof, a fluid entrance, and a fluid exit. The fluid entrance and the fluid exit are in spatial communication with the fluid channel. The fluid entrance is configured to allow a fluid to flow into the fluid channel. The fluid exit is configured to allow the fluid in the fluid channel to flow out of the fluid channel. The lid is disposed on a side of the at least one temperature conditioner opposite to the flat contacting surface. The lid is configured to block transmission of heat energy. In each of the electrically connecting units, when the lift structure is pressed by the flat structure so as to be moved into the corresponding accommodating slot, the at least one elastic assembly is pressed, the probe assemblies are connected to one side of the corresponding chip, and the flat contacting surface is abutted against another side of the corresponding chip for transmitting heat energy there-between. In each of the electrically connecting units, when the lift structure is not pressed by the flat structure, the probe assemblies do not connect to the chip.

Therefore, when each of the lift structures is pressed by the flat structure so as to be moved into the corresponding accommodating slot, the contacting surface of the flat structure are simultaneously in contact with the chips, so that the temperature conditioner can be controlled to increase or decrease temperature for causing the chips to be tested under a same temperature.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring toFIG. 1andFIG. 2, a testing apparatus E in an assembled state and in an exploded state according to an embodiment of the present disclosure are shown. The testing apparatus E includes a chip carrying device E1and a pressing device E2.

The chip carrying device E1includes a circuit board1and a plurality of electrically connecting units2mounted on the circuit board1. In other words, each of the electrically connecting units2in the present embodiment can be referred to an electrical socket. Each of the electrically connecting units2is configured to carry a chip C (shown inFIG. 7), and includes a plurality of probe assemblies20(shown inFIG. 4). One end of each of the probe assemblies20is connected to the circuit board1, and the other end of each of the probe assemblies20is connected to the chip C. In other words, the probe assemblies20are configured to electrically connect the circuit board1and the chip C. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the number of the circuit board1of the chip carrying device E1can be more than one. The chip C is preferably a NAND flash memory, but is not limited to a memory.

Moreover, the circuit board1can be provided with at least one controlling unit (not shown, such as a microprocessor) or a controlling apparatus (not shown, such as a computer), so that the at least one controlling unit or the controlling apparatus can be electrically connected to the chips C through the circuit board1for further testing the chips C. The testing process of the at least one controlling unit or the controlling apparatus can be changed or adjusted according to practical requirements or modes of the chips C. The at least one controlling unit or the controlling apparatus can simultaneously test all of the chips C disposed on the circuit board1by the same testing process, or can test the chips C respectively disposed on different regions of the circuit board1by different testing processes, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The pressing device E2can be manipulated to press a side of each of the electrically connecting units2receiving the chip C, so that when the chips C are under a testing process, each of the chips C can be firmly connected to the probe assemblies20of the corresponding electrically connecting unit2. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the pressing device E2can be used to change the temperature of each of the chips C, so that the chips C can be tested under a high temperature or a low temperature.

FIG. 3is an enlarged view showing one of the electrically connecting units2disposed on the circuit board1according to the present disclosure.FIG. 4is a cross-sectional and exploded view of one of the electrically connecting units2according to the present disclosure.FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view taken along line V-V ofFIG. 3.FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI ofFIG. 3. As shown inFIG. 3toFIG. 6, each of the electrically connecting units2includes a plurality of probe assemblies20, a main body21, a lift structure22, a supporting structure23, and four elastic assemblies24.

The main body21has a top wall211and an annular wall212. The top wall211has an opening21A. One end of the annular wall212is connected to a peripheral edge of the top wall211, and the other end of the annular wall212is disposed and fixed on the circuit board1. The top wall211, the annular wall212, and the circuit board1jointly define an accommodating slot21B. The top wall211has an inner surface2111arranged in the accommodating slot21B and an outer surface2112opposite to the inner surface2111. As shown inFIG. 3, the top wall211and the annular wall212can be integrally formed as a one-piece structure, and the main body21has a plurality of screwing holes21C for being cooperated with screwing members (e.g., screws) so as to fix the main body21onto the circuit board1, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

The lift structure22includes a base portion221and a carrying portion222. The base portion221is entirely arranged in the accommodating slot21B. The carrying portion222is formed by extending from the base portion221, and is partially arranged in the opening21A. The lift structure22includes four retaining portions223extending from the carrying portion222along a direction away from the base portion221. The four retaining portions223can be respectively formed on four corners of the carrying portion222. The four retaining portions223and the carrying portion222jointly form a chip receiving slot22B for accommodating one of the chips C. The four retaining portions223are configured to engage with the chip C. Each of the four retaining portions223can substantially be an L-shape structure, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The number of the retaining portions223can be changed according to design requirements, and is not limited to four. Moreover, the position of the retaining portions223is not limited to the drawings; that is to say, the four retaining portions223can be formed on a part of the carrying portion222other than the four corners. The lift structure22further has a plurality of connecting holes22A (shown inFIG. 6) penetratingly formed in the base portion221and the carrying portion222.

Each of the probe assemblies20is partially fixed in the supporting structure23. One end of each of the probe assemblies20fixed in the supporting structure23, which is defined as a first end, is connected to the circuit board1. The other end of each of the probe assemblies20is defined as a second end, and the second ends of the probe assemblies20are respectively arranged in the connecting holes22A. The second ends of the probe assemblies20arranged in the connecting holes22A are configured to respectively connect with a plurality of contacts C2of the chip C.

As shown inFIG. 4toFIG. 6, the supporting structure23is arranged in the accommodating slot21B, and the four elastic assemblies24are disposed between the supporting structure23and the lift structure22. Each of the four elastic assemblies24can be a compression spring. The supporting structure23and the lift structure22have a plurality of engaging slots22C,23A recessed in surfaces thereof facing each other, and the engaging slots22C respectively correspond in position to the engaging slots23A. Two end portions of each of the four elastic assemblies24are respectively engaged within two of the engaging slots22C,23A corresponding in position to each other. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the supporting structure23and the lift structure22have a plurality of posts respectively in the engaging slots22C,23A, and the two end portions of each of the elastic assemblies24are respectively engaged with two of the posts in the two corresponding engaging slots22C,23A.

The four elastic assemblies24are configured to push the base portion221of the lift structure22to abut against the inner surface2112of the top wall211, so that the base portion221and the supporting structure23have a gap S there-between (shown inFIG. 6). Specifically, when the electrically connecting unit2is fixed to the circuit board1and the retaining portions223are not pressed by an external force, the four elastic assemblies24between the lift structure22and the supporting structure23can be slightly compressed to generate a return force that pushes the lift structure22to firmly abut against the inner surface2112of the top wall211.

It should be noted that the number of the elastic assemblies24of the elastically connecting unit2is not limited to four and can be changed according to design requirements (e.g., can be at least one).

As shown inFIG. 7andFIG. 8, when the chip receiving slot22B receives the corresponding chip C and the retaining portions223are not pressed by the pressing device E2(shown inFIG. 2), the contacts C2of the chip C are respectively arranged in the connecting holes22A, and the probe assemblies20are not connected to (e.g., do not touch) the contacts C2of the chip C, and the gap S exists between the lift structure22and the supporting structure23. As shown inFIG. 8, an outer surface C2of the chip C arranged away from the lift structure22cannot protrude from the retaining portions223, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the outer surface C2of the chip C can be substantially coplanar with or slightly protrude from an outer surface223A of each of the retaining portions223. It should be noted that the contacts C1shown in the drawings of the present embodiment are solder balls, but the contacts C1can be changed according to design requirements (e.g., pins or pads).

As shown inFIG. 8, when the chip receiving slot22B receives the corresponding chip C and the outer surface2111of the top wall211is pressed by the pressing device E2, the retaining portions223are pressed by the pressing device E2so as to move toward the accommodating slot21B (or an inner side of the main body21). That is to say, the lift structure22is moved toward the circuit board1relative to the probe assemblies20.

When the retaining portions223are pressed by the pressing device E2so as to move toward the accommodating slot21B, the lift structure22is moved relative to the probe assemblies20. When the lift structure22is abutted against the supporting structure23, the second ends of the probe assemblies20protrude from the connecting holes22A and are abutted against the contacts C1of the chip C for establishing an electrical connection between the probe assemblies20and the chip C.

It should be noted that if the lift structure22is abutted against the supporting structure23and the probe assemblies20are connected to the chip C, the probe assemblies20cannot protrude from the connecting holes22A. In the drawings of the present embodiment, after the lift structure22is pressed, the retaining portions223can be entirely received in the accommodating slot21B (or the main body21), but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, after the lift structure22is pressed, each of the retaining portions223can be partially received in the accommodating slot21B (or the main body21).

When the pressing device E2is abutted against the outer surface2111of the electrically connecting unit2, the probe assemblies20can push the chip C to cause the outer surface C2of the chip C to abut against an inner side of the pressing device E2. Moreover, when the outer surface C2of the chip C is abutted against the inner side of the pressing device E2, a spring202of each of the probe assemblies20is compressed to generate a return force that causes the chip C to firmly abut against the inner surface2112of the pressing device E2.

As shown inFIG. 6, a longitudinal direction of each of the probe assemblies20can define an axis direction (i.e., a Y axis shown inFIG. 6). When the lift structure22is not pressed (and the base portion221can be abutted against the top wall2111), a distance D2between the second end of each of the probe assemblies20and an adjacent edge of the corresponding connecting hole22A is less than or equal to a distance D1between the lift structure22and the supporting structure23in the axis direction. Accordingly, when the lift structure22is pressed to abut against the supporting structure23(shown inFIG. 9), the second ends of the probe assemblies20can be ensured to protrude from the connecting holes22A so as to be connected to the contacts C1of the chip C.

It should be noted that as long as the connection between the probe assemblies20and the contacts C1of the chip C can be established after the lift structure22is pressed, the distance D1and the distance D2can be adjusted according to design requirements. In other words, when the lift structure22is pressed, if the connection between the probe assemblies20and the contacts C1of the chip C can be established, each of the probe assemblies20can protrude from or can be received in the corresponding connecting hole22A.

As shown inFIG. 6, when the retaining portions223are not pressed, a portion of each of the retaining portions223protruding from the opening21A (or the main body21) has a length H1in the axis direction (i.e., the Y axis shown inFIG. 6), and the length H1is less than or equal to a distance D1between the lift structure22and the supporting structure23in the axis direction. Accordingly, each of the retaining portions223can be pressed by the pressing device E2so as to move into the accommodating slot21B (or the main body21). If the length H1is equal to the distance D1, when the pressing device E2is abutted against the outer surface2111of the main body21, the lift structure22will be abutted against the supporting structure23.

Moreover, when the pressing device E2is abutted against the outer surface2111of the electrically connecting unit2, the probe assemblies20are abutted against the chip C to cause the chip C to abut against the pressing device E2, and the pressing device E2can be controlled to increase or decrease temperature thereof so as to test the chips C at a high temperature or a low temperature.

The pressing device E2can be simultaneously attached onto the outer surfaces C2of the chips C by abutting against the outer surfaces2111of the electrically connecting units2, so that when the pressing device E2is controlled to increase or decrease the temperature thereof, temperatures of the chips C are changed by the pressing device E2so as to be almost the same. Accordingly, the chips C can be ensured to be tested under the same temperature.

In prior art, the chips C may be tested in a high temperature environment by the following manner. A circuit board and the chips C inserted to the circuit board are disposed in an oven, and a hot air blower in the oven is used to increase an inner temperature of the oven, so that the chips C can be tested in a high temperature environment. However, the above testing manner of the prior art cannot accurately control the temperature of each region of the oven, so that the chips C cannot be tested in a predetermined temperature environment, causing the testing result to be incorrect. The testing apparatus E of the present disclosure can effectively improve the issues associated with the above testing manner of the prior art.

As shown inFIG. 4,FIG. 6, andFIG. 9, the supporting structure23can include a seat structure231and an auxiliary structure232. The seat structure231is arranged in the accommodating slot21B, and is fixed with the main body21(e.g., the seat structure231and the main body21are fixed to each other by screws). The seat structure231has a plurality of thru-holes231A, and the first ends of the probe assemblies20are fixed in the thru-holes231A.

In addition, since one of the main functions of the seat structure231is maintaining the probe assemblies20to be firmly and uprightly arranged in the accommodating slot21B, a diameter of each of the thru-holes231A of the seat structure231can be slightly greater than a maximum diameter of each of the probe assemblies20, and each of the probe assemblies20is movably arranged in the corresponding thru-hole231A. In the seat structure231, the number of the thru-holes231A, a depth of each of the thru-holes231A, a distance between any two adjacent thru-holes231A, and the arrangement of the thru-holes231A can be adjusted or changed according to design requirements, and are not limited to the present embodiment.

The auxiliary structure232is arranged in the accommodating slot21B and between the seat structure231and the top wall211, and the auxiliary structure232and the seat structure231are fixed to each other (e.g., by screws). The auxiliary structure232has a plurality of supporting holes232A spaced apart from each other. The supporting holes232A of the auxiliary structure232are respectively in spatial communication with the thru-holes231A of the seat structure231, and respectively correspond in position to the connecting holes22A. The connecting holes22A, the supporting holes232A, and the thru-holes231A jointly define a plurality of probe channels T, and the probe assemblies20are respectively arranged in the probe channels T.

FIG. 10is an exploded view of one of probe assemblies20. As shown inFIG. 10, the probe assembly20includes a pin201and a spring202. The pin201is a rod structure, and has a contacting end201A and a tail end201B both arranged on two opposite ends thereof. The pin201has a protrusion2011arranged adjacent to the contacting end201A, and the protrusion2011in the present embodiment is an annular structure, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The pin201can be defined as an exposed segment201C and a received segment201D by the protrusion2011. The received segment201D of the pin201is inserted into the spring202, and the exposed segment201C is arranged outside of the spring202.

The received segment201D of the pin201has a fixing segment201E arranged adjacent to the protrusion2011. A diameter of the fixing segment201E is larger than that of the other portions of the received segment201D.

The spring202sequentially includes a first close segment202A, an elastic segment202B, and a second close segment202C. An inner diameter of the first close segment202A is less than the diameter of the fixing segment201E. When the received segment201D of the pin201is inserted into the spring202, the fixing segment201E and the first close segment202A are engaged with each other, a distal end of the spring202arranged adjacent to the first close segment202A is abutted against a side of the protrusion2011. In other words, the inner diameter of the first close segment202A of the spring202and the diameter of the fixing segment201E of the pin201are designed to be cooperated with each other, so that an end portion of the spring202can be fixed onto the fixing segment201E of the pin201.

Each of the first close segment202A and the second close segment202C has a pitch less than a pitch of the elastic segment202B. Moreover, the pitch of the first close segment202A or the second close segment202C can be approached to zero, so that if the spring202is pressed, the first close segment202A and the second close segment202C are not deformed. Accordingly, the first close segment202A and the second close segment202C of the spring202are formed to fix to the pin201and the seat structure231.

A length of the first close segment202A of the spring202is less than that of the elastic segment202B, and a length of the second close segment202C is determined according to the depth of each of the thru-holes231A of the seat structure231.

The spring202of each of the probe assemblies20in the present embodiment is an electrically conductive material. When the spring202is sleeved around the pin201and the first close segment202A is fixed to the fixing segment201E, the tail end201B of the pin201can be received in the spring201, so that a distal end of the second close segment202C of the spring202can be structurally and electrically connected to the circuit board1. Accordingly, the current and signal transmission between the circuit board1and the chip C can be achieved by the pin201and the spring202.

As shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 10, the auxiliary structure232includes a plurality of abutting portions2321respectively arranged in the supporting holes232A. The abutting portions2321are configured to respectively abut against the protrusions2011of the pins201. When the probe assembly20is arranged in the probe channel T, the protrusion2011of the pin201is abutted against the abutting portion2321, and the abutting portion2321is formed to prevent the pin201from moving toward the lift structure22relative to the auxiliary structure232. Since the protrusion2011of the pin201is abutted against the abutting portion2321, the received segment201D of the pin201is arranged in the seat structure231and the auxiliary structure232(or is arranged in the supporting structure23), most of the exposed segment201C of the pin201is arranged outside of the supporting structure23, and a portion of the pin201close to the contacting end201A is arranged in the connecting hole22A.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 6, each of the electrically connecting units2can be fixed onto the circuit board1in a screwing manner, and (the first end of) each of the probe assemblies20can be abutted against the circuit board1; that is to say, the connection between the probe assemblies20and the circuit board1can be achieved without using a soldering manner. Accordingly, any of the electrically connecting units2or any of the probe assemblies20can be replaced according to practical requirements.

As shown inFIG. 8andFIG. 9, when the pressing device E2is separated from the retaining portions223, the return force generated from each of the elastic assemblies24will move the lift structure22from a position adjacent to the auxiliary structure232toward the top wall211so as to abut against the inner surface2112. When the lift structure22is moved from a position shown inFIG. 9to a position shown inFIG. 8, the movement of the lift structure22causes the chip C to be separated from the contacting ends201A of the pins201, so that the chip C is not electrically connected to the probe assemblies20.

As shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 10, under the limitation about the length H1less than the distance D1is satisfied, when the pressing device E2is abutted against the outer surface2111, the lift structure22and the auxiliary structure23will have a gap G there-between. Accordingly, if the lift structure22or the auxiliary structure232has a production error, the pressing device E2can be ensured to abut against the outer surface2111by the gap G.

In other embodiments of the present disclosure, when the pressing device E2presses the lift structure22and the probe assemblies20are connected to the contacts C2of the chip C, the pressing device E2cannot press the outer surface2111, but the lift structure22is abutted against the supporting structure23.

In other words, when the chip C is arranged in the chip receiving slot22B of the electrically connecting unit2and the lift structure22is not pressed, the probe assemblies20do not connect to the chip C. When the lift structure22is pressed to move into the main body21, the probe assemblies20are abutted against the chip C for establishing an electrical connection there-between. When the lift structure22is no longer pressed, the lift structure22returns to an original state, and the chip C is not connected to the probe assemblies20.

FIG. 11andFIG. 12are exploded views showing the pressing device E2of the testing apparatus E according to one of the embodiments of the present disclosure.FIG. 13is a cross-sectional view showing an airtight member50.FIG. 14is a cross-sectional view of an airtight member according to the present disclosure. As shown inFIG. 11toFIG. 14, the pressing device E2can include a temperature adjusting assembly30and an exhaust assembly40. The number of the temperature adjusting assembly30can be changed according to design requirements, and is not limited to one.

The temperature adjusting assembly30can include a temperature conditioner31and a lid32. The temperature conditioner31includes a flat structure311arranged on one side thereof, and the flat structure311has a flat contacting surface3111. The temperature conditioner31can have heating coils (not shown) arranged inside thereof for being heated to generate heat energy. The temperature conditioner31has at least one fluid channel (not shown) arranged inside thereof, a fluid entrance31A, and a fluid exit31B. The fluid entrance31A and the fluid exit31B are in spatial communication with the fluid channel. Specifically, a fluid having low temperature can flow into the fluid channel through the fluid entrance31A, and then can flow out of the fluid channel from the fluid exit31B. In addition, a flat portion of the pressing device E2shown inFIG. 9can be regarded as the flat structure311of the temperature adjusting assembly30. The number of the fluid entrance31A or the number of the fluid exit31B can be added according to design requirements, and is not limited to one. Moreover, the number of the temperature conditioner31is also not limited to one. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the number of the temperature conditioner31can be at least two.

As shown inFIG. 13andFIG. 9, when the pressing device E2presses the electrically connecting units2, the flat structure311of the pressing device E2is abutted against the outer surface2111of each of the electrically connecting units2and the outer surface C2of each of the chips C. At the same time, the temperature conditioner31can be controlled by a controlling unit or a controlling apparatus to heat the heating coils thereof so as to increase the temperature of the flat structure311. Accordingly, the chip C can be tested under a high temperature. Moreover, a fluid storage apparatus (not shown) connected to the temperature conditioner31can be controlled by the controlling unit or the controlling apparatus to output a fluid having low temperature into the temperature conditioner31through the fluid entrance31A so as to decrease the temperature of the flat structure311. Accordingly, the chip C can be tested under a low temperature.

In addition, the pressing device E2can include the heating coils, but exclude the fluid channel. Or, the pressing device E2can include the fluid channel, but exclude the heating coils. Accordingly, the pressing device E2is not limited to have a heating function and a cooling function. In other words, the pressing device E2can be provided with at least one of the heating function and the cooling function. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, if the pressing device E2only includes the fluid channel (i.e., excludes the heating coils), the fluid channel can be used to receive a fluid having a high temperature, so that the pressing device E2still has the heating function.

The temperature adjusting assembly30disclosed in the above description is only one of the embodiments, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the temperature adjusting assembly30can include a cooling chip.

The lid32is disposed and fixed on a side of the temperature conditioner31, and is configured to block transmission of heat energy. Accordingly, the rapid dissipation of the heat energy generated from the temperature conditioner31can be avoided, or transmission of heat energy from an external side into the temperature conditioner31that provides the fluid having low temperature to flow there-through can be avoided. In practical use, the lid32and the temperature conditioner31can jointly form an accommodating space32A therein, and a heat barrier member (not shown) can be arranged in the accommodating space32A for blocking transmission of heat energy. For example, the heat barrier member can be a thermal insulation cotton, an aerogel, a silicone rubber, or a thermal insulation coating layer. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the accommodating space32A can be only filled with air for reducing transmission of heat energy, so that the heat energy from the temperature conditioner31is not rapidly dissipated, or an external environment is not easy to affect the temperature conditioner31.

It should be noted that since the lid32is used to block transmission of heat energy, the lid32is preferably made of a material having a low heat conductivity. The shape and size of the temperature conditioner31or the lid32shown in the drawings is one of the embodiments, and can be changed according to design requirements. In addition, the temperature conditioner31is not limited to heat the heating coils to generate heat energy, and is not limited to use a fluid having low temperature to decrease temperature.

The exhaust assembly40includes a cover401having a concavity40A formed on one side thereof. The cover401has an accommodating opening40B in spatial communication with the concavity40A. The temperature conditioner31includes a protruding portion312extending from a side of the flat structure311opposite to the flat contacting surface3111. The flat structure311is arranged and fixed in the concavity40A, and the protruding portion312passes through the accommodating opening40B. The fluid entrance31A and the fluid exit31B are formed on the protruding portion312, but the position and number of the fluid entrance31A or the fluid exit31B can be changed according to design requirements. The lid32is arranged at one side of the cover401that is opposite to the concavity40A. The cover401further has two exhaust holes40C for being connected to an air suction apparatus. The size and shape of the cover401or the number and size of the exhaust holes40C can be adjusted or changed according to design requirements.

As shown inFIG. 13andFIG. 9, when the pressing device E2is located at one side of the circuit board1, the flat structure311of the temperature conditioner31is abutted against the retaining portions223of the electrically connecting units2. In the meantime, the cover401, the circuit board1, and the flat structure311jointly form an accommodating space SP that is in spatial communication with the two exhaust holes40C, so that the air suction apparatus can perform a suction operation to expel air in the accommodating space SP so as to cause the accommodating space SP to be under a negative pressure, causing the flat structure311to easily abut against the retaining portions223of the electrically connecting units2mounted on the circuit board1.

Specifically, when the pressing device E2presses the retaining portions223, the pressing device E2needs to resist the return forces generated from the elastic assemblies24and the probe assemblies20. Accordingly, when the number of the electrically connecting units2mounted on the circuit board1is increased, a pressing force of the pressing device E2simultaneously applied to the retaining portions223of the electrically connecting units2needs to be increased. In the above condition, the pressing device E2can be cooperated with the air suction apparatus to cause the accommodating space SP to be under the negative pressure, thereby effectively reducing the pressing force of the pressing device E2simultaneously applied to the retaining portions223.

Since the pressing device E2is cooperated with the air suction apparatus to cause the accommodating space SP to be under the negative pressure, the accommodating space SP can be in a substantial vacuum mode. Accordingly, when the temperature conditioner31is operated to increase or decrease the temperature of the chips C, the temperature of the accommodating space SP can effectively avoid being affected by an external environment.

As shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 14, the pressing device E2can include an airtight member50. The airtight member50can be a flat structure, and is sandwiched between the cover401and the circuit board1so as to prevent air in the accommodating space SP from flowing to an external space.

Moreover, the airtight member50has a top surface501, a bottom surface502, and an annular lateral surface503. The top surface501and the bottom surface502are respectively arranged on two opposite sides of the airtight member50, and the annular lateral surface503is connected to a peripheral edge of the top surface501and a peripheral edge of the bottom surface502. A width D3of the top surface501is larger than a width D4of the bottom surface502. A section of the airtight member50perpendicular to the circuit board1(i.e., a Y-Z plane shown inFIG. 14) is a trapezoid. An end surface4011of the cover401facing the circuit board1has a width D5(shown inFIG. 14) that is larger than the width D3of the top surface501(shown inFIG. 12). In addition, the section of the airtight member50can be changed according to design requirements (e.g., a rectangle, a circle, or an ellipse), and is not limited to the trapezoid.

When the airtight member50is sandwiched between the cover401and the circuit board1, the top surface501is abutted against the end surface4011of the cover401, and the bottom surface502is abutted against the circuit board1. Accordingly, when an air suction apparatus performs a suction operation to expel the air in the accommodating space SP, the airtight member50is easily deformed by the cover401, and the airtight member50can achieve a better airtight effect between the cover401and the circuit board1.

As shown inFIG. 13, after the air suction apparatus performs a suction operation to expel the air in the accommodating space SP, the cover401presses the airtight member50to deform and to flat the airtight member50between the cover401and the circuit board1, thereby achieving a better airtight effect. Moreover, when the pressure of the accommodating space SP is equal to an external pressure, the airtight member50can return to an initial shape by its resilient property. In practical use, the airtight member50pressed by the cover401to become a flat shape between the cover401and the circuit board1has a width that can be substantially equal to the width D5of the end surface4011of the cover401(shown inFIG. 14). Accordingly, when the airtight member50is pressed, the airtight member50is easily deformed to be a flat structure sandwiched between the cover401and the circuit board1.

The airtight member50can be fixed onto the circuit board1or the end surface4011of the cover401by any manner according to design requirements. For example, the airtight member50can be adhered to the circuit board1or the end surface4011of the cover401by an adhesive. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover401can be formed with an engaging slot recessed in the end surface4011, and a portion of the airtight member50is engaged in the engaging slot of the cover401; or the circuit board1can have an engaging slot, and a portion of the airtight member50is engaged in the engaging slot of the circuit board1. Accordingly, the engaging slot40D or1A can be formed to conveniently replace the airtight member50.

It should be noted that any airtight components can be added to be disposed at positions that may affect the air tightness of the accommodating space SP. For example, as shown inFIG. 3, each of the screwing holes21C can be provided with a resilient gasket arranged therein or an adhesive filled therein, thereby improving the air tightness between the screwing holes21C and the screwing members.

In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the pressing device E2can exclude the airtight members50, and the cover401can be direct abutted against the circuit board1. Moreover, the cover401and the circuit board1can respectively have engaging structures that can be engaged with each other.

As shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 13, the testing apparatus E further includes a structural reinforcement member60. The structural reinforcement member60has an engaging slot60A recessed in a side thereof, and the circuit board1is engaged with the engaging slot60A. The structural reinforcement member60is configured to reinforce the structural strength of the circuit board1, thereby preventing the circuit board1from being deformed in an air suction process of the accommodating space SP. Moreover, excepting the engaging connection between the structural reinforcement member60and the circuit board1, the circuit board1and the structural reinforcement member60can be further fixed to each other by using screwing members (e.g., screws), and can be provided with a sealing gasket, a soldering connection, or a sealing adhesive there-between, thereby sealing gaps between the circuit board1and the screwing members.

In other embodiments of the present disclosure, the number or position of the structural reinforcement member60can be adjusted according to design requirements. For example, the number of the structural reinforcement member60of the testing apparatus E can be two, and the circuit board1is sandwiched between the two structural reinforcement members60.

FIG. 15is a cross-sectional view showing the testing apparatus in another configuration according to the present disclosure. The difference between the testing apparatus E shown inFIG. 15and shown in other drawings is described as follows. As shown inFIG. 15, the pressing device E2can be formed without the exhaust assembly40, but includes the temperature adjusting assembly30. The structure of the temperature adjusting assembly30has been described in the above description. Specifically, the pressing device E2having the temperature adjusting assembly30can be connected to a robotic arm, and the pressing device E2can be controlled by the robotic arm so as to press the electrically connecting units2.

In conclusion, the testing apparatus of the present disclosure can use the pressing device to simultaneously press the chips fastened to the electrically connecting units, so that the chips can be tested under a same temperature. Moreover, when the chip is tested by the testing apparatus of the present disclosure, the electrically connecting unit can be used to firmly connect the chip and the probe assemblies by the cooperation of the lift structure, the elastic assembly, and the probe assemblies.