Plate spring-type connecting pin

A plate spring-type connection pin is proposed. The connection pin includes: a support pin that has a bending lip portion at an upper portion thereof and a base portion at a lower portion thereof, and is vertically elongated; a plate spring that has an upper probe portion vertically extending adjacent to the lip portion, a lower probe portion disposed at the same height as the base portion, a laterally lying V-shaped portion disposed between the upper probe portion and the lower probe portion, an upper bending portion connecting an upper end of the V-shaped portion and a lower end of the upper probe portion, and a lower bending portion connecting a lower end of the V-shaped portion and an upper end of the lower probe portion; and a bridge that is disposed between the base portion of the support pin and the lower probe portion of the plate spring.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a plate spring-type connection pin and, particularly, to a integrated plate spring-type connection pin.

BACKGROUND ART

In general, a connection pin is a part that is generally used for not only inspection equipment of a semiconductor wafer, an LCD module, an image sensor, and a semiconductor package, but also various sockets, and the battery connector of a mobile phone.

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a connection pin6according to the related art. The connection pin6includes: a metallic upper probe2configured to come in contact with an external terminal of an objective inspection element (e.g., a semiconductor package); a metallic lower probe13configured to come in contact with a contact pad of a test board; a coil spring14disposed between the upper probe12and the lower probe13and helping elastic contact of the probes; and a cylindrical pin body11accommodating the lower end of the upper probe12, the upper end of the lower probe13, and the coil spring14.

FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a socket30for a semiconductor which accommodates several connection pins6helping electrical connection between external terminals3aof a semiconductor device3and contact pads5a(e.g., a metal wire) of the board5. As shown in the figure, in the socket30for a semiconductor, several connection pins6may be arranged with predetermined gaps in an insulating body1to be protected from deformation or external physical shock.

In inspection, the upper probe12comes in contact with the external terminals3aof the semiconductor device3and the lower probe13comes in contact with the contact pads5aof the board5, and the upper probe12and the lower probe13are elastically supported by the coil springs14in the connection pins6, whereby the semiconductor device3and the board5can be electrically connected and the semiconductor package can be accurately mounted or inspected.

As semiconductor packages are increasingly downsized, integrated, and increased in performance, it is required to reduce the size of connection pins6for a semiconductor package. In detail, the smaller the distances between the external terminals3aof the semiconductor device3, the smaller the outer diameters of the connection pins6should be. Further, in order to minimize the electrical resistance between the semiconductor package and the board, it is required to minimize the length of the connection pins6and reduce the thickness of the insulating body1supporting the connection pins.

According to connection pins having a dense structure, there is a problem that it is required to keep the electrical contact state between the upper probe and the lower probe and keep the coupling state between the connection pins and the insulating body, and it is difficult to secure a sufficient movement distance within the elasticity limit range.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

The present invention has been made in an effort to solve the problems described above and an objective of the present invention is to provide a plate spring-type connection pin that provides elasticity to be able to secure a maximum movement distance of a probe portion to be able to be applied to a high-integration and/or high-performance field.

Further, the present invention may provide a connection pin that is designed in an integrated structure and can minimize a loss of electrical signal and improve a signal quality by maximally shortening a signal path between an upper probe portion and a lower probe portion and minimizing electrical resistance.

Further, the present invention is configured not only to easily manufacture a connection pin that is structurally simplified and integrated, but also to be able to improve durability.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve the objectives, a plate spring-type connection pin according to the present invention includes: a support pin that has a bending lip portion at an upper portion thereof and a base portion at a lower portion thereof, and is vertically elongated; a plate spring that has an upper probe portion vertically extending adjacent to the lip portion, a lower probe portion disposed at the same height as the base portion, a laterally lying V-shaped portion disposed between the upper probe portion and the lower probe portion, an upper bending portion connecting an upper end of the V-shaped portion and a lower end of the upper probe portion, and a lower bending portion connecting a lower end of the V-shaped portion and an upper end of the lower probe portion, and that is disposed at a predetermined distance from the support pin; and a bridge that is disposed between the base portion of the support pin and the lower probe portion of the plate spring. The upper probe portion of the plate spring may be reciprocated up and down by elasticity of the V-shaped portion.

Further, a plate spring-type connection pin according to another aspect of the present invention includes: a support pin that has a bending lip portion at an upper portion thereof and a first base portion at a lower portion thereof, and is vertically elongated; a plate spring that has an upper probe portion vertically extending adjacent to the lip portion, a second base portion disposed at the same height as the first base portion, a laterally lying V-shaped portion disposed between the upper probe portion and the second base portion, an upper bending portion connecting an upper end of the V-shaped portion and a lower end of the upper probe portion, and a lower bending portion connecting a lower end of the V-shaped portion and an upper end of the second base portion, and that is disposed at a predetermined distance from the support pin; and a bridge that is disposed between the first base portion of the support pin and the second base portion of the plate spring, in which the bridge may bend from a lower end of the first base portion and a lower end of the second base portion, thereby connecting the first base portion and the second base portion and functioning as a lower probe.

In an embodiment of the present invention, when the connection pin according to the present invention is mounted in a pin hole of a housing and then the upper probe portion is vertically moved down, an inner surface of the upper probe portion may be disposed to be able to come in contact with an inner surface of the lip portion.

Selectively, the V-shaped portion may have a first inclined portion tapered upward, a second inclined portion tapered downward, and a bending portion connecting the first inclined portion and the second inclined portion to each other to be elastically supported.

According to the present invention, as described above, the length of the first inclined portion may be larger than the length of the second inclined portion to secure contact between the upper probe portion and the lip portion and provide a gap between the base portion and the lower probe portion.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the width of the bending portion may be larger than the width of the upper bending portion and the width of the lower bending portion.

According to the present invention, the plate spring may be made of a metal plate member having a rectangular cross-section on the basis of the strain of a cantilever.

In addition, according to the present invention, the lower probe portion is disposed in a direction having an inclination angle with respect to the support pin vertically extending, whereby the connection pin according to the present invention can be firmly fixed in the pin hole of the housing by elasticity of the lower probe portion.

In the present invention, the plate spring may further have an extension portion bending from a lower end of the lower probe portion to the base portion, and the length of the extension portion is smaller than the length of the bridge.

Further, the support pin may have a pair of locking steps protruding in a width direction from both edges.

In particular, according to the present invention, the support pin, the plate spring, and the bridge may be an integrally connected single part.

The features and advantages of the present invention will be made further clear by the following description based on the accompanying drawings.

Advantageous Effects

According to the present invention, it is possible to an integrated plate spring-type connection pin that can reduce a signal path and improve a signal quality.

The present invention is designed in a structure that minimizes the length of a connection pin to minimize electrical resistance in an electrical path.

In particular, the present invention can sufficiently secure an up-down movement height of the upper probe portion of the connection pin by reducing the size and providing a sufficiently elastic restoring force through the V-shaped portion.

According to the present invention, since the support pin, the plate spring, and the bridge are formed as a single part, mass production is possible and an effect of reducing the manufacturing cost can be expected by simplifying and unifying the manufacturing process.

The plate spring-type connection pin according to an aspect of the present invention has an advantage that soldering for attaching a solder ball to the lower end of the connection pin is easier because there is no lower opening.

The plate spring-type connection pin according to an aspect of the present invention has an advantage that the possibility of damage to a punch and a die decreases and mass production is easy because there is no work for cutting off a small space during the manufacturing process.

BEST MODE

The objectives, specific features, and new features of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description and embodiments relating to the accompanying drawings. It should be noticed that when reference numerals are given to components in the drawings in the specification, the same components are given the same number even if they are not shown in different drawings. Further, in describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of well-known technologies will be omitted so as not to obscure the description of the present invention with unnecessary detail. In the specification, terms ‘first’, ‘second’, etc. are used to discriminate one component from another component and the components are not limited to the terms. In the accompanying drawings, some components may be exaggerated, omitted, or schematically shown, and the sizes of the components do not fully reflect the actual sizes.

Referring toFIGS. 3 to 5, a plate spring-type connection pin1according to a first embodiment of the present invention is a contact for an electric device which is vertically inserted in a pin hole of a housing and connects, for example, an external terminal (or a lead) of a semiconductor package and a pattern of a printed circuit board (hereafter, PCB). The connection pin1has an upper probe portion121and a lower probe portion125, which protrude outward from the top and the bottom of a housing disposed between a semiconductor package and a PCB, and is configured to secure reliable electrical connection through elastic deformation of a plate spring120due to a contact force when coming in contact with an external terminal of the semiconductor package and a pattern of the PCB so that an electrical signal can be transmitted stably without distortion.

The plate spring-type connection pin1according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a support pin110vertically elongated the formation direction (axial direction) of a pin hole on the inner surface of the pin hole; a plate spring120disposed at a predetermined distance from the support pin110and bent in the pin hole; and a bridge130disposed between the support pin110and the plate spring120.

Preferably, in the plate spring-type connection pin1according to the present invention, the support pin110, the plate spring120, and the bridge130may be formed in a single metal plate. The connection pin1according to the present invention may be formed in the shape shown inFIG. 3, for example, by punching a metal plate having high electrical conductivity, as shown inFIG. 5, and then bending a cut integrated connection pin.

The support pin110vertically extends to be able to be supported in the pin hole, as described above. The support pin110has a lip portion111having a small width at the upper portion thereof, a base portion115having a large width and vertically extending straight from the lower portion of the lip portion, and a pair of locking steps116protruding in the width direction from both edges between the lip portion111and the base portion115.

In detail, the lip portion111is inclined at a predetermined angle from the longitudinal direction of the support pin110, that is, is bent away from the upper probe portion121of the plate spring120. Selectively, only a portion of the upper end of the lip portion111may be bent at a predetermined angle, as described above. Since a portion of the lip portion111is bent, as described above, and has elasticity by bending backward, the lip portion111can make good electrical contact with the upper probe portion121of the plate spring120that contracts downward.

The base portion115is vertically inserted in the pin hole31and supported in a bottom opening of the pin hole31. The lower end of the base portion may protrude downward from the housing30and may electrically come in contact with, for example, a PCB.

The locking steps116help fix the position of the support pin110by being fitted inside the housing30. The pin hole31of the housing30is narrowed with a step at the portion corresponding to the bottom of the lower ends of the locking steps116to be able to lock the lower end of the locking steps116.

As shown in the figures, the plate spring120is formed in a thin and long band shape and may be disposed in parallel with the support pin110with a predetermined gap therebetween. As shown inFIG. 3, the support pin110and the plate spring120may be spaced apart from each other with a predetermined gap therebetween by the bridge130even after they are bent. The plate spring120is formed by bending a thin and long band at several points to perform the function of a plate spring, whereby it is configured to be able to be contracted by being pressed by an external component, for example, an external terminal of a semiconductor package. The width W of the plate spring120is larger than the thickness T thereof and the plate spring120is bent such that a bending line is formed in the width direction.

The band-shaped plate spring120may have an upper probe portion121, an upper bending portion122, a V-shaped portion123, a lower bending portion124, and a lower probe portion125, which are sequentially disposed. The plate spring120has a structure in which the laterally lying V-shaped portion123is disposed between the upper bending portion122and the lower bending portion124and the upper probe portion121can be reciprocated up and down by the elasticity of the V-shaped portion to be elastically come in contact with each probe portion.

The upper probe portion121vertically protrudes upward from the housing30and, and for example, may have a shape that can secure good electrical contact with an external terminal of a semiconductor package disposed thereunder. That is, the upper probe portion300may provide various shapes such as a mountain shape, a crown shape, a cone shape, and a flat tip shape. The upper probe portion121, as described above, can be reciprocated up and down in a top opening of the pin hole of the housing by the V-shaped portion123.

Further, the lower probe portion125protrudes vertically downward from the housing30, similar to the base portion115of the support pin110, and for example, may electrically come in contact with a PCB disposed thereunder.

As described above, the V-shaped portion123is disposed between the upper probe portion121and the lower probe portion125in the plate spring120, in which the upper end of the laterally lying V-shaped portion123and the lower end of the upper probe portion121are connected through the upper bending portion122, and the lower end of the laterally lying V-shaped portion123and the upper end of the lower probe portion125are connected through the lower bending portion124.

Preferably, the V-shaped portion123has a first inclined portion123atapered upward, a second inclined portion123btapered downward, and a bending portion123celastically connecting the first inclined portion123aand the second inclined portion123b. The bending portion123cintegrally connects the lower end of the first inclined portion123aand the upper end of the second inclined portion123b, thereby being able to provide elasticity such that gap between the upper end of the first inclined portion123aand the lower end of the second inclined portion123bcan be changed. The elasticity of the V-shaped portion elastically supports the upper probe portion and the lower probe portion, thereby securing reliable electrical contact with an external component. For reference, the interior angle of the bending portion123cis an acute angle.

Further, the length L123aof the first inclined portion123ais made larger than the length L123bof the second inclined portion123bin the V-shaped portion123such that the upper end of the V-shaped portion123, that is, the inner surface of the upper probe portion121is disposed on the same vertical line to be close to the inner surface of the lip portion111, which provides a structure in which the upper probe portion121can come in contact with the inner surface of the lip portion111when being moved down by an external force.

Further, in the plate spring120, the width W123of the bending portion123cis made larger than the width W122of the upper bending portion122and the width W124of the lower bending portion124. When an external force is applied through the upper probe portion121and the plate spring120contracts, maximum stress is usually generated at the bending portion123c, so the bending portion123is formed wider than other portions, thereby being able to effectively distribute the stress and keep smooth bending deformation of the V-shaped portion. Obviously, since the width W122of the upper bending portion122and the width W124of the lower bending portion124are relatively small, a plate member can be easily bent to be vertically arranged.

Further, the plate spring120may be made of a metal plate having a rectangular cross-sectional shape having cross-sectional width W and thickness at a predetermined point. The maximum elastic displacement of a cantilever having a rectangular cross-sectional shape is in proportion to the cross-sectional width and in inverse proportion to the cube of the thickness. In other words, when the thickness of a plate spring having a rectangular cross-sectional shape is reduced half, the displacement increases 8 times under the same external force. According to the present invention, the width W can be made larger than the thickness T, so it is possible to maximize the maximum elastic deformation of the V-shaped portion and provide elasticity.

In the plate spring-type connection pin1according to an embodiment of the present invention, the bridge130is disposed between the support pin110and the plate spring120, so the support pin110and the plate spring120can be spaced with a predetermined gap, and the support pin110and the plate spring120can be electrically connected. In detail, the bridge130may be disposed between one surface of the base portion115of the support pin110and another surface of the lower probe portion125of the plate spring120, under the lower bending portion124. Accordingly, the lower probe portion125disposed straight under the lower bending portion can be easily bent vertically in the same direction as the base portion115.

Further, according to the present invention, the base portion115and the lower probe portion125are disposed at the same height, and before the connection pin is mounted in a housing, the plate spring120, particularly, the lower probe portion125is inclined at an inclination angle θ from the support pin110without the base portion and the lower probe portion facing each other in parallel with each other. That is, the lower probe portion125is bent such that the farther the entire lower probe portion125horizontally from the bridge130, the larger the gap from the base portion115.

Further, in the plate spring-type connection pin1according to an embodiment of the present invention, the upper probe portion121vertically extending is disposed over the lip portion111of the support pin110, and a gap is formed between the upper probe portion121and the lip portion111before an external force is applied. Further, the outer surface of the connection pin1is plated to decrease electrical resistance and improve anticorrosion and a predetermined gap is maintained between the lip portion111and the upper probe portion121in a free state such that plating is possible.

As described above, since a gap is defined between the upper probe portion and the lip portion, plating can be effectively performed.

FIGS. 6aand 6bare views from which it is possible to see the fastening state of the plate spring-type connection pin1according to the present invention and a housing30. Connection pins may be arranged with predetermined intervals respectively in several pin holes31formed in the thickness direction in an insulating body of a housing30so that the connection pins can be protected from deformation or external physical shock.

FIG. 6ashows a connection pin1inserted in a pin hole31of a housing30made of an insulating material, which is a side view showing the state before an external force is applied from above to the upper probe portion121of a plate spring.

When the connection pin1according to the present invention is disposed in the bottom opening of the pin hole31, the lower probe portion125, which is open at the inclination angle θ, of the plate spring is compressed to be parallel with the base portion115, whereby the connection pin1can be firmly fixed in the bottom opening of the pin hole31. The lower end of the base portion115or the lower end of the lower probe portion125of the connection pin1according to the present invention protrudes outward, so, for example, it can be electrically brought in contact with a PCB. As shown in the figures, the lower end of the base portion115and the lower end of the lower probe portion125of the connection pin1according to the present invention are aligned at the same level, so it is possible to maintain a reliable contact state with the PCB. In this state, the lower probe portion125presses the inner surface of the pin hole by means of the elastic restoring force, so it can be supported on the inner surface of the bottom opening of the pin hole.

According to this structure, the cross-section of the lower end of the pin hole31of the housing30can be formed relatively large, for example, in the size of about 0.2 mm×0.2 mm through injection molding. The cross-section defined by the base portion115, the bridge130, and the lower probe portion125is a square or a rectangle close to a square and it is relatively easy to form a hole, which can accommodate this structure, in an injection-molded part.

For example, it is very difficult to form a slit-shaped through hole of 0.2 mm×0.04 mm in the housing30through injection molding.

According to the present invention, the base portion115, the bridge130, and the lower probe portion125form a U-shaped cross-section to make it easier to form the pin hole31in the housing30.

Further, an advantage that it is possible to reliably maintain the coupling state of the housing30and the connection pin. Since the base portion115, the bridge130, and the lower probe portion125form a U-shaped cross-section and the opening force between the base portion115and the lower probe portion125presses the inside of the pin hole, whereby the connection pin1is not separated from the housing30even if the assembly of the connection pin1and the housing30is moved or turned over during or after the manufacturing process.

The housing30has a space portion32that provides a space in which the lip portion111can be bent backward when the upper probe portion121is moved down in contact with the lip portion111in the housing30.

FIG. 6bshows the state in which the upper probe portion121has been moved down by compressing and contract the V-shaped portion123by applying an external force to the upper probe portion121of the integrated plate spring-type connection pin1according to the present invention inserted in the pin hole31of the housing30, for example, through a semiconductor package disposed on the upper probe portion. When the connection pin1of the present invention is pressed and the V-shaped portion123is contracted, the V-shaped portion can be effectively elastically deformed by bending of the bending of the bending portion123c(seeFIG. 3) of the V-shaped portion.

That is, according to the present invention, as described above, when, for example, an external terminal of a semiconductor package strongly comes in contact with the upper probe portion121, an elastic restoring force can be provided. When an external force is applied to the upper probe portion121, the V-shaped portion123is compressed and the upper probe portion121can come in contact with the lip portion111by moving down in the pin hole31. When the external force is removed, the upper probe portion30is returned to the initial position by the elastic restoring force of the V-shaped portion123.

When the upper probe portion121moves down and comes in contact with the lip portion111, a shortest path of an electrical signal can be provided in the connection pin1of the present invention, and the cross-section of an electrical path is increased, thereby being able to reduce loss of an electrical signal.

FIGS. 7 to 9are views schematically showing a plate spring-type connection pin according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The plate-spring type connection pin shown inFIGS. 7 to 9is another modification of the plate spring-type connection pin shown inFIGS. 3 to 6and is very similar in structure, so similar or the same configurations are not described to help clearly understand the present invention.

The plate spring-type connection pin1according to the second embodiment of the present invention has: a support pin110vertically inserted in a pin hole of a housing and elongated in the through-direction of the pin hole to have elasticity to be able to come in contact with an external component; a plate spring120disposed at a predetermined distance from the support pin110and bent in the pin hole; and a bridge130disposed between the support pin110and the plate spring120.

As shown in the figures, the plate spring120has a thin and long band shape composed of an upper probe portion121, an upper bending portion122, a V-shaped portion123, a lower bending portion124, a lower probe portion125, and an extension portion126elongated downward from the lower probe portion.

In particular, the extension portion126horizontally bends toward the base portion115, thereby increasing the contact area, for example, with wires on a PCB disposed thereunder, and for example, thereby being able to reduce a solder that flows inside along the gap between the base portion115and the lower probe portion125. In the connection pin1according to the present invention, the lower end of the base portion115and the extension portion126are aligned at the same level.

According to the present invention, the length L126of the extension portion126is smaller than or the same as the length L130of the bridge130.

FIGS. 10 to 12are views schematically showing a plate spring-type connection pin according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The plate-spring type connection pin shown inFIGS. 10 to 12is another modification of the plate spring-type connection pin shown inFIGS. 3 to 6and is very similar in structure, so similar or the same configurations are not described to help clearly understand the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 10 to 12, a plate spring-type connection pin according to the third embodiment of the present invention is a contact for an electric device which is vertically inserted in a pin hole32of a housing and connects, for example, an external terminal (or a lead) of a semiconductor package and a pattern of a printed circuit board (hereafter, PCB). The connection pin32has an upper probe portion121and a bridge230, which protrude outward from the top and the bottom of a housing disposed between a semiconductor package and a PCB, and is configured to secure reliable electrical connection through elastic deformation of a plate spring120due to a contact force when coming in contact with an external terminal of the semiconductor package and a pattern of the PCB so that an electrical signal can be transmitted stably without distortion.

The plate spring-type connection pin according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes: a support pin110vertically elongated the formation direction (axial direction) of a pin hole on the inner surface of the pin hole; a plate spring120disposed at a predetermined distance from the support pin110and bent in the pin hole; and a bridge130disposed between the support pin110and the plate spring120.

Preferably, in the plate spring-type connection pin according to the present invention, the support pin110, the plate spring120, and the bridge130may be formed in a single metal plate. The connection pin according to the present invention may be formed in the shape shown inFIG. 10, for example, by punching a metal plate having high electrical conductivity, as shown inFIG. 11, and then bending a cut integrated connection pin.

A first base portion115and a second base portion126are vertically inserted in the pin hole32and supported in a bottom opening of the pin hole32. The bridge130may protrude downward from the housing30and may electrically come in contact with, for example, a PCB.

The locking steps116help fix the position of the support pin110by being fitted inside the housing30. The pin hole32of the housing30is narrowed with a step at the portion corresponding to the bottom of the lower ends of the locking steps116to be able to lock the lower end of the locking steps116.

As shown in the figures, the plate spring120is formed in a thin and long band shape and may be disposed in parallel with the support pin110with a predetermined gap therebetween. As shown inFIG. 10, the support pin110and the plate spring120may be spaced apart from each other with a predetermined gap therebetween by the bridge130even after they are bent. The plate spring120is formed by bending a thin and long band at several points to perform the function of a plate spring, whereby it is configured to be able to be contracted by being pressed by an external component, for example, an external terminal of a semiconductor package.

The band-shaped plate spring120may have an upper probe portion121, an upper bending portion122, a V-shaped portion123, a lower bending portion124, and a second probe portion126, which are sequentially disposed. The plate spring120has a structure in which the laterally lying V-shaped portion123is disposed between the upper bending portion122and the lower bending portion124and the upper probe portion121can be reciprocated up and down by the elasticity of the V-shaped portion to be elastically come in contact with each probe portion.

The upper probe portion121vertically protrudes upward from the housing30and is positioned at the upper portion, and for example, may have a shape that can secure good electrical contact with an external terminal of a semiconductor package. That is, the upper probe portion300may provide various shapes such as a mountain shape, a crown shape, a cone shape, a flat tip shape. The upper probe portion121, as described above, can be reciprocated up and down in the opening at the upper end of the pin hole of the housing by the V-shaped portion123.

The second base portion126is disposed at a position corresponding to the first base portion115of the support pin110and the bridge130bends and extends from the lower end of the first base portion115and the lower end of the second base portion126, thereby connecting the base portions and functioning as a lower probe. The bridge130protrudes vertically downward in the housing30, thereby, for example, being able to come in contact with a PCB disposed thereunder.

In the plate spring-type connection pin according to an embodiment of the present invention, the bridge130is disposed between the support pin110and the plate spring120, so the support pin110and the plate spring120can be spaced with a predetermined gap, and the support pin110and the plate spring120can be electrically connected.

Since the plate spring-type connection pin according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment has a lower opening, a solder solution moves up along the gap during soldering, so it is difficult to attach a solder ball. However, the plate spring-type connection pin according to the third embodiment has not lower opening, so there is an advantage that soldering for attaching a solder ball to the lower end of the connection pin is easier.

Further, according to the plate spring-type connection pin according to the first embodiment or the second embodiment, it is required to cut off a small space between the support pin110and the plate spring120in the development view (seeFIG. 5), but according to the plate spring-type connection pin according to the third embodiment, there is no need for cutting off a small space (seeFIG. 11), so the possibility of damage to a punch or a die decreases, which is advantageous in mass production.

FIGS. 12aand 12bare views from which it is possible to see the fastening state of the plate spring-type connection pin according to the third embodiment of the present invention and a housing30. Connection pins may be arranged with predetermined intervals respectively in several pin holes32formed in the thickness direction in an insulating body of the housing30so that the connection pins can be protected from deformation or external physical shock.

FIG. 12ashows a connection pin inserted in a pin hole32of a housing30made of an insulating material, which is a side view showing the state before an external force is applied from above to the upper probe portion121of a plate spring.

The connection pin is vertically inserted in the pin hole of the housing30with the upper probe portion121and the bridge130protruding from the top and the bottom of the housing30. Further, a protrusion117that comes in contact with the side of the pin hole32is formed at the support pin110, in detail, at the first base portion115of the support pin110. Further, another protrusion (not shown) that comes in contact with the side of the pin hole32may be formed at the second base portion126. The protrusion enables the connection pin to be easily inserted into the pin hole32of the housing30and prevents the connection pin from being easily separated from the housing30even if the assembly of the connection pin and the housing30is moved or turned over during or after the manufacturing process.

FIG. 12bshows the state in which the upper probe portion121has been moved down by compressing and contract the V-shaped portion123by applying an external force to the upper probe portion121of the integrated plate spring-type connection pin according to the present invention inserted in the pin hole32of the housing30, for example, through a semiconductor package disposed on the upper probe portion. When the connection pin according to the present invention is pressed and the V-shaped portion123is contracted, the V-shaped portion can be effectively elastically deformed by bending of the bending portion123cof the V-shaped portion.

When the upper probe portion121moves down and comes in contact with the lip portion111, two paths are provided through the support pin110and the plate spring120in the connection pin of the present invention, a shortest path of an electrical signal can be provided, and the cross-section of an electrical path is increased, thereby being able to reduce loss of an electrical signal.

As well known to those skilled in the art, the plate spring-type connection pins according to the embodiments of the present invention can be applied to a socket that electrically connects a semiconductor device and a PCB, etc. Further, the plate spring-type connection pins can also be used for a semiconductor package inspection socket the electrically connects an objective device and a test board so that a semiconductor device can be inspected.

Although the present invention was described above through embodiments, this is for describing the present invention in detail and the plate spring-type connection pin according to the present invention is not limited thereto. Further, it is apparent that the present invention may be changed and modified by those skilled in the art within the spirit of the present invention. Simple changes and modifications of the present invention are included in the range of the present invention and the detailed protection range of the present invention will be made clear by claims.