CONTACT PIN AND TEST SOCKET HAVING THE SAME

The present invention relates to a contact pin, and more particularly, to a contact pin installed in a test socket performing a test on a semiconductor device and a test socket having the same. The present invention discloses a contact pin including: a first member (100) including a first terminal (120) disposed at one end thereof to contact one of a test terminal and a terminal of a semiconductor product; a second member (300) including a second terminal disposed at one end thereof to contact the other of the test terminal and the terminal of the semiconductor product; and a coil spring (200) into which at least a portion of a movably overlapped portion of the first member (100) and the second member (300) is inserted.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a contact pin, and more particularly, to a contact pin installed in a test socket performing a test on a semiconductor device and a test socket having the same.

Semiconductor products such as CPUs, mobile CPUs, SDRAMs, ROMs, and camera modules undergo an electrical test to increase product reliability before released to the market, and only products that pass the test are selected and released.

Also, the electrical test for the semiconductor products is performed by applying electricity after the semiconductor products are seated in the test socket installed on the test board.

Here, a conventional test socket includes contact pins corresponding to terminals of the semiconductor product, and the electrical test is performed on the semiconductor product by electrically connecting the terminals of the semiconductor product and terminals on the test board when the semiconductor product is seated thereon.

The above-described contact pins of the test socket are required to stably transmit an electrical signal between the semiconductor product and the test board, and be easily assembled and minimize deformation despite of frequent usage.(Paten Document 1) KR 10-2171289 B1(Paten Document 2) KR 10-1116225 B1

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a contact pin that is easily assembled, stably transmits an electrical signal, and minimizes deformation despite of long-time usage to improve a lifespan and a test socket having the same.

In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a contact pin includes: a first member100having a first terminal120disposed at one end thereof to contact one of a test terminal and a terminal of a semiconductor product; a second member300having a second terminal320contacting the other of the test terminal and the terminal of the semiconductor product; and a coil spring200into which at least a portion of a movably overlapped portion of the first member100and the second member300is inserted.

The first member100may include a first plate-shaped member110having a bent hook portion111formed at the other end thereof and a first pressing portion112spaced apart from the hook portion111to press one end of the coil spring200, and the second member300may include a second plate-shaped member310in which a hook stepped portion311disposed in parallel with the first plate-shaped member110is formed at one end so that the hook portion111is hooked in a direction in which the coil spring200is spread and moves in a direction in which the coil spring200is contracted, and a second pressing portion312configured to press the other end of the coil spring200is formed at the other end.

The second plate-shaped member310may include: a first parallel portion314parallel to the first plate-shaped member110; a bent portion315integrally bent with the first parallel portion314so as to be engaged with a portion in which the hook portion111of the first plate-shaped member110is formed; and a second parallel portion313integrated with the bent portion315so as to be parallel with the first parallel portion314and connected to the second terminal320.

The first pressing portion112may extend laterally from the first plate-shaped member110, and the second pressing portion312may extend laterally from the second plate-shaped member310.

The first pressing portion112may be bent perpendicularly to a plate surface of the first plate-shaped member110to guide a linear movement of the second plate-shaped member310.

The second pressing portion312may be bent perpendicularly to a plate surface of the second plate-shaped member310to guide a linear movement of the first plate-shaped member110.

The first terminal120may be integrated with the first plate-shaped member110and made of a metal plate.

The first terminal120may be formed such that the metal plate is bent into a cylindrical shape.

The second terminal320may be integrated with the second plate-shaped member310and made of a metal plate.

The second terminal320may be formed such that the metal plate is bent into a cylindrical shape.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a contact pin includes a first member100having a first terminal120disposed at one end thereof to contact one of a test terminal and a terminal of a semiconductor product; a second member300having a second terminal320contacting the other of the test terminal and the terminal of the semiconductor product; and a coil spring200into which at least a portion of a movably overlapped portion of the first member100and the second member300is inserted. The first member100includes: a first plate-shaped member510having one end connected with the first terminal120and the other end on which a bent hook portion500is formed; and a first pressing portion530formed on the first terminal120to press one end of the coil spring200, and the second member300includes: a second plate-shaped member410having one end connected with the second terminal320and overlapping the first plate-shaped member510; and a protruding portion400formed at one side of the second plate-shaped member410to surround the first plate-shaped member510, thereby pressing the other end of the coil spring200. Here, the protruding portion400is hooked by the hook portion500in a direction in which the coil spring200is spread by a relative movement of the first plate-shaped member510and the second plate-shaped member410.

The first pressing portion530may extends laterally from the first terminal120.

The protruding portion400may include: a parallel portion401in parallel to the second plate-shaped member410with the first plate-shaped member510therebetween; a connection portion402configured to connect the second plate-shaped member410and the parallel portion401; and a bent portion403bent from the parallel portion401in a direction away from the first plate-shaped member510.

The first terminal120may be integrated with the first plate-shaped member510and made of a metal plate, and the second terminal320may be integrated with the second plate-shaped member410and made of a metal plate.

A first bent portion540may be disposed between the first terminal120and the first plate-shaped member510, and a second bent portion440may be disposed between the second terminal320and the second plate-shaped member410.

The first terminal120may have a plate shape extending from the first bent portion540, and the second terminal320may have a plate shape extending from the second bent portion440.

A central axis C1of the first terminal120and a central axis C2of the second terminal120may be coincided with or eccentric to each other.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a test socket includes: a socket body to which a semiconductor product to be tested is mounted; and a plurality of contact pins installed on the socket body to electrically connect a terminal of the semiconductor product and a terminal on a test board, and at least one of the contact pins is the contact pin among the above-described contact pins.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a contact pin includes a first member100having a first terminal120disposed at one end thereof to contact one of a test terminal and a terminal of a semiconductor product; a second member300having a second terminal320contacting the other of the test terminal and the terminal of the semiconductor product; and a coil spring200into which at least a portion of a movably overlapped portion of the first member100and the second member300is inserted. The coil spring200includes: a first coil spring portion210installed adjacent to the first terminal120; and a second coil spring portion220installed adjacent to the second terminal320and connected with the first coil spring portion210, and a spring diameter D1of the first coil spring portion is different from a spring diameter D2of the second coil spring portion220.

The spring diameter D1of the first coil spring portion210may be less than the spring diameter D2of the second coil spring portion220.

A length difference between the spring diameter D1of the first coil spring portion210and a diagonal length L of a horizontal cross-section of the movably overlapped portion of the first member100and the second member300may be 0.05 mm or less.

The first member100may include a first plate-shaped member110having a bent hook portion111formed at the other end and a first pressing portion112spaced apart from the hook portion111to press one end of the coil spring200, and the second member300may include a second plate-shaped member310in which a hook stepped portion311disposed in parallel with the first plate-shaped member110is formed at one end so that the hook portion111is hooked in a direction in which the coil spring200is spread and moves in a direction in which the coil spring200is contracted, and a second pressing portion312configured to press the other end of the coil spring200is formed at the other end.

The first terminal120may be integrated with the first plate-shaped member110and made of a metal plate, and the second terminal320may be integrated with the second plate-shaped member310and made of a metal plate.

At least one of the first terminal120and the second terminal320may be formed such that the metal plate is bent into a cylindrical shape.

At least one of the first terminal120and the second terminal320may be formed such that the metal plate is bent into a U-shape.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Hereinafter, a contact pin and a test socket including the same in accordance with the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As illustrated inFIGS.1A to8, the contact pin in accordance with the present invention includes: a first member100including a first terminal120disposed at one end thereof to contact one of a test terminal and a terminal of a semiconductor product; a second member300including a second terminal disposed at one end thereof to contact the other of the test terminal and the terminal of the semiconductor product; and a coil spring200into which at least a portion of a movably overlapped portion of the member100and the second member300is inserted.

The first member100that includes the first terminal120disposed at one end thereof to contact one of the test terminal and the terminal of the semiconductor product may have various configurations.

The first member100may be molded into an integrated structure including the first terminal by using a jig after being cut from a metal plate to have a shape illustrated inFIGS.1A to3and4A to6.

Also, the first member100may be made of a material with high conductivity such as copper or copper alloy (BeCu, etc.), and more preferably, be plated with gold to increase electrical conductivity.

The first terminal120that is one of the test terminal and the terminal of the semiconductor product and contacts the terminal of the semiconductor product in an embodiment of the present invention may have various structures as long as, e.g., the first terminal120stably contacts a ball terminal formed on a bottom surface of a semiconductor chip.

For example, the first terminal120may have a cylindrical structure formed such that a metal plate is bent into a cylindrical shape.

More specifically, as illustrated inFIGS.1A to6, the first terminal120may form the cylindrical shape such that both sides are bent to form a semicircle of the cylinder shape.

Also, the first terminal120may be integrated with a first plate-shaped member110by using a metal plate.

The first member100may include a first plate-shaped member110having a bent hook portion111at the other end and a first pressing portion112spaced apart from the hook portion111to press one end of the coil spring200.

The first plate-shaped member110that is a plate-shaped member having the hook portion111and the first pressing portion112may have a rectangular shape having a planar shape extending in a longitudinal direction thereof.

The first plate-shaped member110has one end to which the first terminal120is connected and the other end on which the hook portion111that will be described later is formed.

Here, the first terminal120may be integrated with the first plate-shaped member110. Alternatively, the first terminal120and the first plate-shaped member110may be coupled by using a separate member through welding or the like.

The hook portion111that is bent at the other end of the first plate-shaped member110and hooked by a hook stepped portion311that will be described later may have various structures according to a hook structure with the hook stepped portion311.

Also, the hook portion111may have a structure capable of maintaining a state of being hooked to the hook stepped portion311despite of elastic force of the coil spring200that will be described later.

For example, the hook portion111may be bent at an angle of 45° or more, preferably 80° or more, with respect to a plate surface of the first plate-shaped member110.

Here, the hook stepped portion311that will be described later may have a structure that is engaged with the bent structure of the hook portion111or be bent to be hooked by the hook portion111.

The first pressing portion112that presses an end of the coil spring200together with a second pressing portion312that will be described later may have any structure as long as the structure protrudes laterally from an edge of the first plate-shaped member110so as to press the coil spring200.

Also, as illustrated inFIGS.7and8, the first pressing portion112may protrude laterally and then be bent again to guide a linear movement of the second plate-shaped member310with an edge of the second plate-shaped member310of the second member300that will be described later therebetween.

That is, the first pressing portion112may extend laterally from the first plate-shaped member110and be bent to be perpendicular to a plate surface of the first plate-shaped member110to guide the linear movement of the second plate-shaped member310.

The second member300that includes the second terminal310contacting the other of the test terminal and the terminal of the semiconductor product and disposed at one end thereof may have various configurations.

The second member300may be molded into an integrated structure including the second terminal320by using a jig after being cut from a metal plate to have a shape illustrated inFIGS.1A to3and4A to6.

Also, the second member300may be made of a material with high conductivity such as copper or copper alloy (BeCu, etc.), and more preferably, be plated with gold to increase electrical conductivity.

The second terminal320that is one of the test terminal and the terminal of the semiconductor product and contacts the test terminal in an embodiment of the present invention may have various structures as long as, e.g., the second terminal320stably contacts the test terminal installed to a test board.

For example, the second terminal320may have a cylindrical structure formed such that a metal plate is bent into a cylindrical shape.

More specifically, as illustrated inFIGS.1A to6, the second terminal320may form the cylindrical shape such that both sides are bent to form a semicircle of the cylinder shape.

Also, the second terminal320may be integrated with a second plate-shaped member310by using a metal plate.

On the other hand, the second terminal320may have a central axis (axis in the Z-direction) that is coincided with or eccentric from that of the first terminal310depending on an installation structure of the test pin.

That is, as illustrated inFIGS.2A,2B,5A, and5B, the central axis (axis in the Z-direction) of the second terminal320may be coincided with that of the first terminal310.

Also, as illustrated inFIGS.9A and9B, the central axis (axis in the Z-direction) of the second terminal320may be eccentric from that of the first terminal310.

On the other hand, the second terminal320may be formed on a surface opposite to a surface facing the first plate-shaped member120in the second plate-shaped member310, and the first terminal310may be formed on a surface opposite to a surface facing the second plate-shaped member320in the first plate-shaped member310for coincidence or eccentricity of central axes C1and C2.

Also, a connection portion between the second terminal320and the second plate-shaped member310and a connection portion between the first terminal120and the first plate-shaped member110may be appropriately deformed according to the coincidence or eccentricity of the central axis C1of the first terminal120and the central axis C2of the second terminal320.

The second member300may include a second plate-shaped member310in which the hook stepped portion311disposed parallel to the first plate-shaped member110is formed at one end so that the hook portion111is hooked in a direction in which the coil spring200is spread and the hook portion111moves in a direction in which the coil spring200is contracted, and a second pressing portion312pressing the other end of the coil spring200is formed at the other end.

The second plate-shaped member310that is a plate-shaped member having the hook stepped portion311and the second pressing portion312may have a rectangular shape in which a planar shape extends in a longitudinal direction thereof.

Particularly, the second plate-shaped member310may include a first parallel portion314parallel to the first plate-shaped member110, a bent portion315integrally bent with the first parallel portion314so that the hook portion111of the first plate-shaped member110is hooked, and a second parallel portion313integrated with the bent portion315so as to be parallel to the first parallel portion314and connected to the second terminal320.

The first parallel portion314that is a plate-shaped member laminated in parallel with the first plate-shaped member110in a vertical direction may have a rectangular shape in which a planar shape extends in a longitudinal direction thereof.

Here, the first parallel portion314may have a width equal to that of the first plate-shaped member110. However, the first parallel portion314is unnecessary to have the same width as the first plate-shaped member110. The first parallel portion314may have a width enough to stably guide a linear movement of the first plate-shaped member110in a state of being inserted into the coil spring200that will be described later.

Also, the first parallel portion314may have a length enough to stably guide the linear movement of the first plate-shaped member110.

On the other hand, the second pressing portion312that will be described later may be formed at a side of the first parallel portion314.

The bent portion315that is a portion bent integrally with the first parallel portion314so that the hook portion111of the first plate-shaped member110is hooked may have a structure bent enough to hook the hook portion111.

Particularly, the bent portion315may be bent to be engaged with a portion in which the hook portion111is formed to form a stable hook structure with the hook portion111.

That is, the bent portion315may be bent at the same angle as a bent angle of the hook portion111.

The second parallel portion313that is integrated with the bent portion315to be parallel with the first parallel portion314and connected to the second terminal320may have various structures.

The second parallel portion313that is a plate-shaped member extending in parallel with the first parallel portion314may have a rectangular shape in which a planar shape extends in a longitudinal direction thereof.

Here, although the second parallel portion313may have the same width as the first parallel portion314, the second parallel portion314is unnecessary to have the same width as the first parallel portion314.

On the other hand, the second terminal320is connected to the other end of the second plate-shaped member310.

Here, the second terminal320may be integrated with the second plate-shaped member310. Alternatively, the second terminal320and the second plate-shaped member310may be coupled by using a separate member through welding.

The hook portion311that is formed on the second plate-shaped member310to hook the hook portion111of the first plate-shaped member110may have various structures according to a hook structure with the hook portion111.

Also, the hook stepped portion311may have all types of structures capable of maintaining a hooked state of the hook portion211despite of elastic force of the coil spring200that will be described later.

For example, the hook stepped portion311may be bent at an angle of 45° or more, preferably 80° or more, with respect to a plate surface of the first parallel portion314of the second plate-shaped member310.

Here, the hook stepped portion311may have a structure that is engaged with the bent structure of the hook portion111or be bent to be hooked by the hook portion111.

The second pressing portion312that presses an end of the coil spring200together with the first pressing portion112may have any structure as long as the structure protrudes laterally from an edge of the second plate-shaped member310so as to press the coil spring200.

Also, as illustrated inFIGS.7and8, the second pressing portion312may protrude laterally and then be bent again to guide a linear movement of the first plate-shaped member110with an edge of the first plate-shaped member110of the first member100therebetween.

That is, the second pressing portion312may extend laterally from the second plate-shaped member310and be bent to be perpendicular to a plate surface of the second plate-shaped member310to guide the linear movement of the first plate-shaped member110.

The coil spring200that is a component into which at least a portion of the movably overlapped portion of the first member100and the second member300is inserted may have various configurations.

The coil spring200may have any structure as long as the structure has one end supported by the first pressing portion112and the other end supported by the second pressing portion312, and at least a portion of the overlapped portion of the first member100and the second member300is inserted to the structure.

Here, an outer shape of the coil spring may have a diameter and elasticity that are determined under a condition in which a stable elastic action is performed at an inner circumference in a state in which the first member100and the second member300overlap each other.

Also, the coil spring200may be made of a metal material such as SUS, a music wire, or BeCu in consideration of maintaining elasticity, and may be plated with nickel or gold.

The coil spring200may have various cross-sectional shapes such as a circular shape, a rectangular shape, and an elliptical shape in correspondence to the overlapped shape of the first member100and the second member300.

Since the first member100and the second member300are required to maintain elastic force, a heat treatment may be performed thereon.

Also, a contact surface of the first plate-shaped member110and the second plate-shaped member310forms a plane, and a surface opposite thereto has a cross-sectional shape of a trapezoidal, semi-elliptical, or a semi-circular shape.

The contact pin having the above-described configuration in accordance with the present invention may have a simple structure to be easily manufactured and save manufacturing costs as at least a portion of the overlapped portion of the first member100and the second member300is inserted and assembled to the coil spring200.

A contact pin in accordance with another aspect of the present invention includes: a first member100having a first terminal120disposed at one end thereof and contacting one of a test terminal and a terminal of a semiconductor product; a second member300having a second terminal320disposed at one end thereof and contacting the other of the test terminal and the terminal of the semiconductor product; and a coil spring200into which at least a portion of the movably overlapped portion of the first member100and the second member300is inserted. Here, the first member100includes: a first plate-shaped member510having one end connected with the first terminal120and the other end on which a hook portion500is bent and formed; and a first pressing portion530formed on the first terminal120to press one end of the coil spring200. The second member300includes: a second plate-shaped member410having one end connected with the second terminal320and overlapping the first plate-shaped member510; and a protruding portion400disposed at one side of the second plate-shaped member410to surround the first plate-shaped member510and pressing the other end of the coil spring200. The protruding portion400may be hooked by the hook portion500in a direction in which the coil spring200is spread by a relative movement of the first plate-shaped member510and the second plate-shaped member410. The contact pin having the above-described structure in accordance with the present invention may be checked inFIGS.10and11.

The contact pin having the above-described structure in accordance with the present invention may spread or contract the coil spring200by a relative movement of the first member100and the second member300.

When the coil spring200is maximally contracted, the hook portion500formed on the first member100comes into contact with a second bent portion440formed on the second member300. In this case, the second bent portion440may serve as a stopper to prevent the hook portion500from moving in a direction in which the coil spring200is contracted.

Also, a first bent portion540formed on the first member100may serve as a stopper.

Specifically, when the coil spring200is maximally contracted, one end of the second plate-shaped member410formed on the second member300comes into contact with the second bent portion540formed on the first member100. In this case, the first bent portion540may prevent the second plate-shaped member410from moving in the direction in which the coil spring200is contracted.

On the other hand, the first pressing portion530in accordance with the present invention may extend laterally from the first terminal120.

Also, the protruding portion400in accordance with the present invention includes: a parallel portion401in parallel with the second plate-shaped member410with the first plate-shaped member510therebetween; a connection portion402connecting the second plate-shaped member410and the parallel portion401; and a bent portion403bent from the parallel portion401in a direction away from the first plate-shaped member510.

The protruding portion400having the above-described structure in accordance with the present invention may have a U-shaped structure extending to one side of the second plate-shaped member410.

Each of the connection portion402and the bent portion403may protrude outward further than the coil spring200so that the protruding portion400presses the coil spring200.

The coil spring200is hooked by the coil spring200by the above-described structure of the protruding portion400and is not spread any more, and a length of the coil spring when the coil spring200is maximally spread is a maximum distance between the protruding part400formed on the second member300and the first pressing part530formed on the first member100.

In the structure of the contact pin in accordance with the present invention, the maximum distance is a distance from the protruding portion400to the first pressing portion530when the protruding portion400comes into contact with the hook portion500.

The first terminal120in accordance with the present invention may be integrated with the first plate-shaped member510and made of a metal plate, and the second terminal320may be integrated with the second plate-shaped member410and made of a metal plate.

A first bent portion540may be disposed between the first terminal120and the first plate-shaped member510, and a second bent portion440may be disposed between the second terminal320and the second plate-shaped member410.

Also, the first terminal120may have a plate shape extending from the first bent portion540, and the second terminal320may have a plate shape extending from the second bent portion440.

The contact pin having the above-described configuration in accordance with the present invention may be provided in plurality in a test socket coupled to a test board to form one test socket.

That is, the test socket in accordance with the present invention may include: a socket body to which a semiconductor product to be tested is mounted; and a plurality of contact pins installed on the socket body to electrically connect a terminal of the semiconductor product to a terminal on the test board, and at least one of the contact pins may be the contact pin described above.

As illustrated inFIGS.14A to14C, a contact pin in accordance with the present invention may include: a first member100having a first terminal120disposed at one end thereof and contacting one of a test terminal and a terminal of a semiconductor product; a second member300having a second terminal disposed at one end thereof and contacting the other of the test terminal and the terminal of the semiconductor product; and a coil spring200into which at least a portion of the movably overlapped portion of the first member100and the second member300is inserted, and the coil spring200may include: a first coil spring portion210installed adjacent to the first terminal120; and a second coil spring portion220installed adjacent to the second terminal320and connected to the first coil spring portion210. Here, the first coil spring portion210may have a spring diameter D1different from a spring diameter D2of the second coil spring portion220.

The first coil spring portion210may have the spring diameter D1less than the spring diameter D2of the second coil spring portion220.

Also, as illustrated inFIG.14C, a length difference between the spring diameter D1of the first coil spring portion210and a diagonal length L of a horizontal cross-section of the movable overlapped portion of the first member100and the second member300is 0.05 mm or less.

Here, when the movably overlapped portion of the first member100and the second member300is inserted into the coil spring200, as the overlapped portion is pressed by the first coil spring portion210, and the first member100and the second member300come into close contact with each other, a current-carrying efficiency of the contact pin increases.

Particularly, the spring diameter D1of the first coil spring portion210may be substantially equal to the diagonal length L of the horizontal cross-section of the movable overlapped portion of the first member100and the second member300. In this case, the first member100and the second member300further come into close contact with each other, and the current-carrying efficiency increases.

Also, when a vertical length of the first coil spring portion210is a first pitch P1and a vertical length of the second coil spring portion220is a second pitch P2, each of the first pitch P1and the second pitch P2may have various lengths.

The first pitch P1and the second pitch P2may have different lengths, and the first pitch P1may have a length less than that of the second pitch P2as illustrated inFIG.15.

The first member100may include a first plate-shaped member110in which a hook portion111is formed at the other end, and a first pressing portion112spaced apart from the hook portion111and pressing one end of the coil spring200is formed at one end, and the second member300may include a second plate-shaped member310in which the hook stepped portion311disposed parallel to the first plate-shaped member110is formed at one end so that the hook portion111is hooked in a direction in which the coil spring200is spread and the hook portion111moves in a direction in which the coil spring200is contracted, and a second pressing portion312pressing the other end of the coil spring200is formed at the other end.

The first terminal120may be integrated with the first plate-shaped member110and made of a metal plate, and the second terminal320may be integrated with the second plate-shaped member310and made of a metal plate.

Here, each of the first terminal120and the second terminal320may have various shapes. For example, each of the first terminal120and the second terminal320may have a linear plate shape, and at least one of the first terminal120and the second terminal320may be formed such that a metal plate is bent into a cylindrical shape.

Also, as illustrated inFIG.16, at least one of the first terminal120and the second terminal may be formed such that a metal plate is bent into a U-shape.

The contact pin and the test socket having the same in accordance with the present invention are configured so that the first member and the second member overlap in the vertical direction to linearly move to have the simple structure and remarkably improve the durability.

Particularly, the first member and the second member respectively have the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member, which overlap in the vertical direction, and since the first plate-shaped member and the second plate-shaped member are coupled while being inserted to the outer side of the spring, the assembly is simple, and the manufacturing is convenient.