Test socket

Disclosed is a test socket. The test socket includes a first block comprising a first base member of a conductive material and a first insulating member of an insulating material, a second block comprising a second base member of a conductive material and a second insulating member of an insulating material, a gap member of an insulating material, interposed between the first block and the second block, a first probe supported being in contact with the first base member and being not in contact with the second base member, a second probe supported being not in contact with the first base member and being in contact with the second base member, and electronic parts provided in the gap member and placed on a conductive path by which the first base member and the second base member are electrically connected.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates to a test socket for testing electric characteristics of an object-to-be-tested.

BACKGROUND ART

A semiconductor chip, on which fine and high-integrated electronic circuits are formed, undergoes a test to determine whether each electronic circuit is normal or not, during a manufacturing process. To test the semiconductor chip, a contact probe for a semiconductor test, by which the terminal of the semiconductor chip and a contact point (pad) of a test circuit board for applying a test signal are connected, is used. In general, the terminals of the semiconductor chip have very fine patterns. Therefore, a very fine-sized contact probe should be integrated and supported in a probe supporter to be in contact with and test the terminals having the very fine patterns. It is desirable to shorten the power supply path for the test socket for testing semiconductor chips. Korean Patent No. 10-1552552 has disclosed technology that a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted with electronic parts is placed in a test socket.

In a conventional test socket, the PCB is interposed between an upper supporter for supporting a probe and a lower supporter for supporting an electric conductor, and both terminals of the electronic part mounted onto the PCB are connected to the probe and the electric conductor. However, it is difficult to manufacture such a conventional test socket because a very fine conductive pattern is formed with fine pitch and the PCB needs to be designed to be in contact with the probes and the electric conductors, and a problem of increasing a manufacturing cost arises because the structure of the test socket is very complicated.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

An aspect of the disclosure is to provide a text socket which has a simple structure and is excellent in power integrity.

Another aspect of the disclosure is to provide a test socket which is excellent in heat dissipation effect and increases current capacity.

Solution to Problem

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a test socket is provided. The test socket includes a first block comprising a first base member of a conductive material and a first insulating member of an insulating material, a second block comprising a second base member of a conductive material and a second insulating member of an insulating material, a gap member of an insulating material, interposed between the first block and the second block, a first probe supported being in contact with the first base member and being not in contact with the second base member, a second probe supported being not in contact with the first base member and being in contact with the second base member, and electronic parts provided in the gap member and placed on a conductive path by which the first base member and the second base member are electrically connected.

The gap member may comprise a parts-accommodating hole in which a first terminal and a second terminal of the electronic parts are accommodated to be exposed.

The first base member and the second base member may comprise a first groove and a second groove at positions respectively corresponding to the exposed first terminal and the exposed second terminal.

The test socket may further comprise a first terminal contact portion and a second terminal contact portion respectively provided in the first groove and the second groove, and respectively making the first base member and the second base member be electrically connected to the exposed first terminal and the exposed second terminal.

The first terminal contact portion and the second terminal contact portion may comprise a first conductive elastic member and a second conductive elastic member, respectively.

The test socket may further comprise springs respectively provided in the first groove and the second groove, and respectively making the first base member and the second base member be connected to the exposed first terminal and the exposed second terminal.

The first base member may comprise a first-probe accommodating hole to accommodate the first probe without contact and a second-probe accommodating hole to accommodate the second probe with contact, and the second base member comprises a first-probe accommodating hole to accommodate the first probe with contact and a second-probe accommodating hole to accommodate the second probe without contact.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a test socket is provided. The test socket includes a first block comprising a first base member of a conductive material and a first insulating member of an insulating material, a second block comprising a second base member of a conductive material and a second insulating member of an insulating material, a gap member of an insulating material, interposed between the first block and the second block, a first probe supported being not in contact with the first base member and being in contact with the second base member, a second probe supported being in contact with the first base member and being not in contact with the second base member and electronic parts provided in the gap member and placed on a conductive path by which the first base member and the second base member are electrically connected.

According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a method of manufacturing a test socket that supports first and second probes retractable in a lengthwise direction. The method includes forming a first block to have a plate shape by adhering a first base member of a conductive material and a first insulating member of an insulating material, forming a second block to have a plate shape by adhering a second base member of a conductive material and a second insulating member of an insulating material, forming first and second probe holes in the first block to support a first side of the first probe without contact and a first side of the second probe with contact, forming third and fourth probe holes in the second block to support a second side of the first probe with contact and a second side of the second probe without contact, forming fifth and sixth probe holes in a gap member of an insulating material to accommodate and support middle portions of the first and second probes, and forming parts-accommodating holes in the gap member of the insulating material to accommodate electronic parts of which first and second terminals are exposed and inserting the first probe in the first probe hole, the third probe hole, and the fifth probe hole, inserting the second probe in the second probe hole, the fourth probe hole, and the sixth probe hole, and coupling the first block and the second block with the gap member therebetween in a state that the electronic parts are inserted in the parts-accommodating hole.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The method of manufacturing a test socket according to an embodiment of the present invention can reduce the power application path to a simple structure.

In addition, the test socket of the present invention can increase the heat dissipation effect and current capacity by directly contacting the upper and lower brass blocks with the electronic component.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Below, embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG.1is a perspective view of a test socket1according to a first embodiment of the disclosure,FIG.2is an exploded perspective view of the test socket1ofFIG.1, viewed from above, andFIG.3is an exploded perspective view of the test socket1ofFIG.1, viewed from below.

Referring toFIGS.1to3, the test socket1may include a socket block2; a plurality of probes, for example, a power probe3, a ground probe4, a signal probe or radio frequency (RF) probe (below, referred to as the ‘signal probe’)5; and an electronic part6.

The socket block2may include an upper block21, a lower block22, and a gap member23interposed between the upper block21and the lower block22.

The upper block21may be formed by integrally adhering a first insulating member212to one side of a first base member211.

The upper block21may include a first power probe hole213, a first ground probe hole214, and a first signal probe hole215to respectively accommodate and support upper portions of the power probe3, the ground probe4and the signal probe5.

The first base member211may be made of a conductive material, for example, brass or the like. The first base member211may be formed by applying a conductive material to an insulating material. The first base member211may accommodate the power probe3with contact, the ground probe4without contact, and the signal probe5without contact.

The first base member211may include a first groove2111recessed on a bottom side thereof and surrounding the first power probe hole213, the first ground probe hole214and the first signal probe hole215, and a first elastic member2112filled in the first groove2111.

The first elastic member2112may be made of a conductive material that electrically connects a first terminal of the electronic part6and the upper block21. The first elastic member2112may prevent the first terminal of the electronic part6from being damaged when the upper block21, the lower block22and the gap member23are coupled. The first elastic member2112may for example be embodied by a flat spring, a coil spring, etc. made of a conductive material.

The first insulating member212may be made of an insulating material, for example, engineering plastic or the like. The first insulating member212may support first end portions of the power probe3, the ground probe4and the signal probe5.

The lower block22may be formed by integrally adhering a second insulating member222to one side of a second base member221. The lower block22may include a second power probe hole223, a second ground probe hole224and the first signal probe hole225to respectively accommodate and support lower portions of the power probe3, the ground probe4and the signal probe5.

The second base member221may be made of a conductive material, for example, brass or the like. The second base member221may be formed by applying a conductive material to an insulating material. The second base member221may accommodate the power probe3without contact, the ground probe4with contact, and the signal probe5without contact.

The second base member221may include a second groove2211recessed on a top side thereof and surrounding the second power probe hole223, the second ground probe hole224, and the second signal probe hole225, and a second elastic member2212filled in the second groove2211.

The second elastic member2212may be made of a conductive material that electrically connects a second terminal of the electronic part6and the lower block22. The second elastic member2212may prevent the second terminal of the electronic part6from being damaged when the upper block21, the lower block22and the gap member23are coupled. The second elastic member2212may for example be embodied by a flat spring, a coil spring, etc. made of a conductive material.

The second insulating member222may be made of an insulating material, for example, engineering plastic or the like. The second insulating member222may support second end portions of the power probe3, the ground probe4and the signal probe5.

The gap member23may be made of an insulating material, for example, engineering plastic.

The gap member23may include a third power probe hole233, a third ground probe hole234and a third signal probe hole235that respectively have diameters corresponding to the outer diameters of the power probe3, the ground probe4and the signal probe5, and respectively accommodate the middle portions of the power probe3, the ground probe4and the signal probe5.

The gap member23may include parts-accommodating holes231penetrably formed at positions surrounding the third power probe hole233, the third ground probe hole234, and the third signal probe hole235, and at positions corresponding to the first groove2111of the first base member211and the second groove2211of the second base member221. The parts-accommodating hole231is formed to have a diameter corresponding to the outer diameter of the electronic part6and accommodates the electronic part6.

The gap member23may correct an alignment error of a plurality of probes3,4and5when the upper block21and the lower block22are coupled.

FIG.4is a cross-sectional view of the test socket1ofFIG.1, taken along line A-A.

Referring toFIG.4, the power probe3may be accommodated being not in contact with the first base member211and being in contact with the second base member221, and includes the first end portion supported on the first insulating member212and the second end portion supported on the second insulating member222. In result, the second base member221may maintain positive polarity by the power probe3. The power probe3may include a barrel31, a first plunger32, a second plunger33, and a spring (not shown). The first plunger32and the second plunger33are retractable along a lengthwise direction with the spring therebetween, and partially protrude from the top and bottom sides of the socket block2, thereby electrically connecting a power contact point of an object-to-be-tested and a power contact point of a test circuit.

The ground probe4may be supported being in contact with the first base member211and being not in contact with the second base member221, and include both end portions supported on the first and second insulating members212and222. In result, the first base member211may maintain negative polarity by the ground probe4. The ground probe4may include a barrel41, a first plunger42, a second plunger43and a spring (not shown). The first plunger42and the second plunger43are retractable along a lengthwise direction with the spring therebetween, and partially protrude from the top and bottom sides of the socket block2, thereby electrically connecting a ground contact point of the object-to-be-tested and a ground contact point of the test circuit.

The signal probe5may be accommodated being not in contact with the first and second base members211and221, and include the first end portion supported on the first insulating member212and the second end portion supported on the second insulating member222. The signal probe5may include a barrel51, a first plunger52, a second plunger53, and a spring (not shown). The first plunger52and the second plunger53are retractable along a lengthwise direction with the spring therebetween, and partially protrude from the top and bottom sides of the socket block2, thereby electrically connecting a signal contact point of the object-to-be-tested and a signal contact point of the test circuit.

The power probe3, the ground probe4and the signal probe5are not limited to the foregoing pogo type but may be any probe as long as it is retractable.

The electronic part6may be placed on a conductive path by which the first base member211and the second base member221are electrically connected. The electronic part6may include various parts such as a capacitor, a resistor, an integrated circuit (IC), etc. Below, it will be described by way of example that the electronic part6is the capacitor. The capacitor is provided between the second base member221having the positive polarity and the first base member211having the negative polarity, alternating between charging and discharging when an object-to-be-tested is tested. In other words, electric current charged in a plurality of capacitors provided inside the test socket1may be used to supply power to an object-to-be-tested. Like this, test power is supplied through the built-in capacitor of the test socket1, thereby shortening the power supplying path and minimizing power loss.

FIG.5is a cross-sectional view of a socket block2ofFIG.1.

Referring toFIG.5, the upper block21may include the first power probe hole213, the first ground probe hole214, and the first signal probe hole215that respectively accommodate and support the upper portion of the power probe3without contact, the upper portion of the ground probe4with contact, and the upper portion of the signal probe5without contact.

The first power probe hole213may include a first power-probe accommodating hole2131formed in the first base member211, and a first power-probe supporting hole2132formed in the first insulating member212. The first power-probe accommodating hole2131is formed to have a larger diameter than the barrel31of the power probe3, thereby accommodating the power probe3without contact. The first power-probe supporting hole2132may support a first end of the barrel31of the power probe3.

The first ground probe hole214may include a first ground-probe accommodating hole2141formed in the first base member211, and a first ground-probe supporting hole2142formed in the and the first insulating member212. The first ground-probe accommodating hole2141is formed to have the same diameter as the barrel41of the ground probe4, thereby accommodating the ground probe4with contact. The first ground-probe supporting hole2142may support a first end of the barrel41of the ground probe4.

The first signal probe hole215may include a first signal-probe accommodating hole2151formed in the first base member211, and a first signal-probe supporting hole2152formed in the first insulating member212. The first signal-probe accommodating hole2151is formed to have a larger diameter than the barrel51of the signal probe5, thereby accommodating the signal probe5without contact. The first signal-probe supporting hole2152may support a first end of the barrel51of the signal probe5.

The lower block22may include the second power probe hole223, the second ground probe hole224, and the second signal probe hole225to respectively accommodate and support the lower portion of the power probe3with contact, the lower portion of the ground probe4without contact, and the lower portion of the signal probe5without contact.

The second power probe hole223may include a second power-probe accommodating hole2231formed in the second base member221, and a second power-probe supporting hole2232formed in the second insulating member222. The second power-probe accommodating hole2231is formed to have the same diameter as the barrel31of the power probe3, thereby accommodating the power probe3with contact. The second power-probe supporting hole2232may support a second end of the barrel31of the power probe3.

The second ground probe hole224may include a second ground-probe accommodating hole2241formed in the second base member221, and a second ground-probe supporting hole2242formed in the second insulating member222. The second ground-probe accommodating hole2241is formed to have a larger diameter than the barrel41of the ground probe4, thereby accommodating the ground probe4without contact. The second ground-probe supporting hole2242may support a second end of the barrel41of the ground probe4.

The second signal probe hole225may include a second signal-probe accommodating hole2251formed in the second base member221, and a second signal-probe supporting hole2252formed in the second insulating member222. The second signal-probe accommodating hole2251is formed to have a larger diameter than the barrel51of the signal probe5, thereby accommodating the signal probe5without contact. The second signal-probe supporting hole2252may support a second end of the barrel51of the signal probe5.

The gap member23may include the third power probe hole233, the third ground probe hole234, and the third signal probe hole235that respectively accommodate and support the middle portions of the power probe3, the ground probe4and the signal probe5with contact.

The third power probe hole233is formed to have the same diameter as the barrel31of the power probe3, thereby accommodating the power probe3with contact.

The third ground probe hole234is formed to have the same diameter as the barrel41of the ground probe4, thereby accommodating the ground probe4with contact.

The third signal probe hole235is formed to have the same diameter as the barrel51of the signal probe5, thereby accommodating the signal probe5with contact.

The first base member211may include a first groove2111, which is shaped like a quadrangular band and accommodates the first elastic member2112, on the bottom side thereof, i.e., on the surface to which the gap member23is coupled.

The second base member221may include a second groove2211, which is shaped like a quadrangular band and accommodates the second elastic member2212, on the top side thereof, i.e., on the surface to which the gap member23is coupled.

The gap member23may include the parts-accommodating hole231to accommodate the electronic part6. The parts-accommodating hole231is formed to have the same diameter as the electronic part6, thereby firmly supporting the electronic part6.

FIGS.6to9are views showing a method of manufacturing the test socket1ofFIG.1.

As shown inFIG.6, the first insulating member2122is adhered to the top side of the first base member211, thereby forming the upper block21. Likewise, the second insulating member222is adhered to the bottom side of the second base member221, thereby forming the lower block22. Here, the adhesion may for example be performed using a thermosetting adhesive sheet7, or using insert injection molding.

As shown inFIG.7, a drill may for example be used to form the first power probe hole213, the first ground probe hole214, and the first signal probe hole215on the upper block21, and form the second power probe hole223, the second ground probe hole224, and the second signal probe hole225on the lower block22. Further, the first and second grooves2111and2211are formed to insert the first and second elastic members2112and2212in the upper and lower blocks21and22, respectively.

As shown inFIG.8, the parts-accommodating hole231for accommodating and supporting the electronic part6, and the third power probe hole233, the third ground probe hole234and the third signal probe hole235for respectively accommodating and supporting the middle portions of the power probe3, the ground probe4and the signal probe5may be formed in the gap member23by for example a drill.

As shown inFIG.9, the power probe3, the ground probe4, the signal probe5and the electronic part6are respectively inserted in the first to third power probe holes213,223and233, the first to third ground probe hole214,224and234, the first to third signal probe holes215,225and235, and the parts-accommodating hole231. The first and second elastic members2112and2212are respectively inserted in the first and second grooves2111and2211, and then the upper block21and the lower block22are coupled with the gap member23therebetween.

As described above, the first power probe hole213, the first ground probe hole214and the first signal probe hole215are drilled in the upper block21at a time in the state that the first base member211and the first insulating member212are being coupled, and the second power probe hole223, the second ground probe hole224and the second signal probe hole225are drilled in the lower block22at a time in the state that the second base member221and the second insulating member222are being coupled, thereby reducing an error due to processing and alignment even though many probe holes are formed in the test socket1. Therefore, the signal probe5can be supported being aligned with the central axis of the first to third signal probe holes215,225and235, and thus improved in insertion loss, return loss, crosstalk or isolation, Z-impedance, inductance and the like characteristics.

FIG.10is a view showing a test socket2according to a second embodiment of the disclosure;

Referring toFIG.10, the power probe3may be supported in the upper block21with contact, and supported in the lower block22without contact. Further, the ground probe4may be supported in the upper block21without contact, and supported in the lower block22with contact. Therefore, during the test, the upper block21maintains the positive polarity, and the lower block22maintains the negative polarity, so that the capacitor placed on the conductive path by which the upper block21and the lower block22are electrically connected can alternate between charging and discharging.

FIG.11is a graph showing comparison in Z impedance between a conventional coaxial test socket and a test socket according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

In the test socket1, it is desired that the Z-impedance is as low as possible. Referring toFIG.11, the conventional coaxial test socket has a Z-impedance of 1.83 at a frequency of 1 GHz, and the test socket according to an embodiment of the disclosure has a Z-impedance of 0.86 at a frequency of 1 GHz, which is merely half the conventional Z-impedance.

FIG.12is a view showing a test socket1according to a third embodiment of the disclosure. Below, the same elements as those of the test socket1according to the first embodiment shown inFIG.4will be given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring toFIG.12, the upper block21may include the first groove2111recessed on the bottom side of the first base member211, and a spring2113put in the first groove2111.

The lower block22may include a contact member2214made of a conductive material and filled in a through hole2213penetrating the first groove2111at a corresponding position.

The contact member2214includes a lower end portion to be in contact with the top side of the test circuit board (not shown).

When there are many electronic parts6, a plurality of springs2113applies very high pressure. If a groove is formed instead of the through hole, high pressure is applied to the lower block22, thereby causing a problem of decoupling the upper block21and the lower block22or widening a gap between the upper block21and the lower block22. Therefore, the contact member2214is inserted in the through hole2213, so that the pressure applied to the spring2113can be applied to the test circuit board being in contact with the contact member2214.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, a method of manufacturing a test socket shortens a power supplying path with a simple structure.

Further, a test socket according to an embodiment improves a heat dissipation effect and current capacity because upper and lower brass blocks are in direct contact with electronic parts.

In the foregoing description, merits of the disclosure have been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, it will be obvious to a person having ordinary skill in the art that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure defined in appended claims. Therefore, the descriptions and drawings need to be construed as an example of the disclosure rather than limitations of the disclosure. All such possible modifications should be made within the scope of the disclosure.