Connector housing block, interface member and electronic device testing apparatus

In a connector housing block 260 comprising an interface member 200 for electrically connecting a test head body 100 with sockets 320 in an electronic device testing apparatus, a connector housing 240 provided with a plurality of connector pins 242 in a non-floating state is attached to a block base 230 in a floating state via a coil spring 250. Due to the configuration, the number of parts of the connector housing 240 can be reduced, mounting density of the connector pins 242 can be improved, and a positional error of the connector housing 240 can be absorbed.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a connector housing block used for an interface for electrically connecting a test head body with sockets in an electronic device testing apparatus, and an interface member and electronic device testing apparatus provided with the connector housing block.

BACKGOUND ART

Conventionally, as an electronic device testing apparatus for testing performance and function of IC device and other electronic device, those including a test head body incorporating a signal module for processing signals, a performance board provided with sockets for an electronic device to be detachably attached, and an interface member provided between the signal module of the test head and the performance board for connecting the two are known.

In an electronic device testing apparatus as above, a plurality of kinds of signal modules, each processes a test signal having a different frequency and power, etc. are used in some cases. In that case, connector pins provided to the interface member have to correspond to each test signal for use. Therefore, the interface member has to be provided with a plurality of kinds of connector pins. As to the connector pins, for example, a large number of co-axial type pins for an ultra high-frequency wave required to give desired transmission quality even at several tens of GHz may be necessary.

On the other hand, an arrangement and the number of IC leads, and a kind of signal to be required, etc. for electronic devices to be tested vary depending on kinds of the electronic devices to be tested. Accordingly, what kind of connector pins should be arranged where by how many on the interface member differs for each kind of the electronic devices to be tested. Therefore, in the electronic device testing apparatus as explained above, a prescribed kind and number of connector pins have to be arranged on prescribed positions on the interface member for each of different electronic devices to be tested, and the arranging task has been cumbersome.

To solve such a problem, it may be considered to hold by a plurality of block bases a plurality of different kinds of connector housings provided with a plurality of connector pins and, in accordance with different kinds of electronic devices to be tested, to suitably exchange the connector housings or the connector housing blocks, wherein the connector housings are held by the block bases. By this method, the connector pins can be exchanged collectively.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

Connector pins provided to the interface member are connected to connector pins of the performance board and, when fitting the connectors of the interface member with the connectors of the performance board to attach the performance board to the interface member, positional error may arise between the both connectors. To absorb the positional error to surely connect the connector pins of the interface member to the connector pins of the performance board, each connector pin of the interface member was supported by a coil spring so as to be in a floating state, so that each connector pin was movable separately in the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions.

FIG. 8andFIG. 9show an example of the configuration of supporting respective connector pins242P by coil springs246P in a connector housing240P and fixing the connector housing240P to a block base230P by screws245P.

However, when each of the connector pins242P is made separately movable by the floating structure by the coil spring246P, there are disadvantages that the number of parts increases and the production cost increases. Also, since the number of pins has been increasing in electronic devices in recent years, the number of connector pins242P to be provided to the interface member also increases along therewith. However, when providing the coil springs246P to the respective connector pins242P, the connector pins242P cannot be arranged close to each other and hard to be mounted at high density. Also, due to the limitation of the mounting density of the connector pins242P, there is a disadvantage that the interface member becomes large.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances and has as an object thereof to provide a connector housing block, an interface member and an electronic device testing apparatus, wherein connector pins can be arranged at high density and a positional error of the connector housing can be absorbed with a simple configuration.

To attain the above object, first, the present invention provides a connector housing block used in an interface for electrically connecting a test head body and sockets in an electronic device testing apparatus, comprising a connector housing and a block base; wherein the connector housing is provided with a plurality of connector pins in a non-floating state; and the connector housing is attached to the block base in a floating state (invention 1).

According to the above invention (invention 1), even when a positional error arises between the connector housing and a connector to be fit with the connector housing, the connector housing in a floating state moves suitably to absorb the positional error, and the both are fit to each other in an aligned state. In a connector housing block as such, the respective connector pins do not have to be in a floating state by using springs, etc. as in the conventional case, so that the number of parts of the connector housing is reduced and the connector housing can be produced with a simple configuration. Furthermore, the spring and a space for providing them as in the conventional case become unnecessary for each connector, consequently, a plurality of pins can be arranged closely and mounted at high density.

In the above invention (invention 1), preferably, an elastic body is provided between the connector housing and the block base (invention 2).

In the above invention (invention 2), preferably, the elastic body is a coil spring (invention 3).

In the above invention (invention 1), preferably, the connector housing is provided with a guide portion capable of aligning the connector housing with a member to be connected to the connector housing (invention 4).

According to the above invention (invention 4), when fitting the connector housing with a connector to be fit in the connector housing, the both can be guided by guide portions, so that fitting of the both can be attained precisely.

In the above invention (invention 4), preferably, the guide portion is a guide pin or a guide hole capable of fitting with a guide hole or a guide pin formed on a member to be connected to the connector housing (invention 5).

In the above invention (invention 4), preferably, a member to be connected to the connector housing is a performance board (invention 6).

In the above invention (invention 1), the connector pin may have a coaxial structure for high-frequency wave (invention 7).

In the above invention (invention 1), preferably, the block base has an approximately arc shape when viewed from above (invention 8). By combining and arranging a plurality of connector housing blocks provided with such a block base circularly and arranging sockets at a position corresponding to the center, lengths of signal paths form respective connector pins of the connector housing block to the sockets can be approximately the same, so that preferable signal paths being hard to give adverse effects on tests can be formed.

Secondary, the present invention provides an interface member comprising the connector housing block (inventions 1 to 8) (invention 9).

In the above invention (invention 9), preferably, the connector housing block is arranged circularly (invention 10).

Thirdly, the present invention provides an electronic device testing apparatus comprising the interface member (invention 9) (invention 11).

Fourthly, the present invention provides a connector fitting device comprising a first substrate having sockets for an electronic device to be tested to be attached and a second substrate connected to a test head body to be electrically connected to the first substrate, wherein the first substrate is provided with a first connector having a plurality of connector pins; the first connector is provided with a first guide hole or a first guide pin for regulating fitting; the second substrate is provided with a second connector having a plurality of connector pins at a position corresponding to the first connector of the first substrate; and the second connector is provided with a second guide pin or a second guide hole for fitting with a first guide hole or a first guide pin of the first connector to align the both connectors, and is provided to the second substrate to be able to swing (invention 12).

In the above invention (invention 12), preferably, the first substrate is a performance board, and the second substrate is an interface member (invention 13).

Fifthly, the present invention provides an electronic device testing apparatus comprising the connector fitting device (invention 12) (invention 14).

EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the connector housing, and mounting density of the connector pins can be improved, that is, the connector pins can be arranged at high density. Also, by attaching the connector housing in a floating state, a positional error can be absorbed when fitting the connector housing.

EXPLANATION OF REFERENCES

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Below, an embodiment of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings.

An electronic device testing apparatus in the present embodiment comprises a test head1shown inFIG. 1and a not shown handler and tester. The handler is for handling an IC device10(an example of an electronic device) and mounting on the test head1, and the tester is for generating an electronic signal and sending/receiving the electronic signal to/from the test head1.

The test head1comprises, as shown inFIG. 1, a test head body100for inputting/outputting a test signal, a performance board300for IC devices10to be detachably attached, and an interface member200for electrically connecting the test head body100with the performance board300. Note that the performance board300is also called, for example, as a load board or a circuit board, and the interface member200is also called, for example, as a hi-fix, a test head chassis, a test fixture or top plate.

As shown inFIG. 1, the test head body100incorporates a signal module110(signal modules112and114) for processing a test signal. The signal modules112and114are respectively provided with connectors142and146according to a kind of the signal module. The connectors142and146respectively fit with connectors129and144provided on an upper surface of the test head body100and electrically connected to each other. The connector129is electrically connected to a cable126, and the connector144is electrically connected to a coaxial cable122. Note that, inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the connector142and the connector129, and the connector146and the connector144are illustrated in a separated state for explanation, but these pairs of connectors are fitted to each other when actually used,

As shown inFIG. 2andFIG. 3, the performance board300comprises a board body310, a socket320arranged at the approximate center of the board body310for an IC device10to be detachably attached, signal lines330and331extending from the socket320, via332and333penetrating the board body310and connected respectively to the signal lines330and331, a connector338electrically connected to the via332through a cable336, and a connector340electrically connected to the via333. Note that, inFIG. 3, the signal lines330and331are illustrated by one for each, but a large number of signal lines330and331are actually provided in accordance with the number of external terminals of the IC device10and the number of sockets320.

As shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 7, the connector340is provided with connector pins341to be fit with later explained connector pins242of a connector housing240and guide holes342to be fit with guide pins243of the connector housing240.

As shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, the interface member200is provided with a body plate210having an approximate dish shape as a whole and having a recess at the center part. At the recess of the body plate210, four inner connectors220each having an arc shape when viewed from above are provided circularly to be fit with connectors338of the performance board300. Each of the inner connectors220is provided with connector pins222, for example, arranged in line, and each of the connector pins222is electrically connected to a cable126connected to the signal module112of the test head body100as shown inFIG. 2.

As shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 5, on the outer side of the inner connectors220on the body plate210, four connector housing blocks260provided with connector housings240to be fit with the connectors340of the performance board300are provided circularly. At an attachment position of each connector housing block260on the body plate210, a hole212is formed for the coaxial cable122connected to the connector pin242of the connector housing240to run through.

Each of the connector hosing blocks260is configured to comprise a block base230, a plurality of (three in the present embodiment) connector housings240and two coil springs250provided between the connector housings240and the block base230.

The block base230has an arc plate shape, and three connector housings240can be attached thereto along the arc. At an attachment position of each of the connector housings240, a hole232is formed for the coaxial cable122connected to the connector pin242of the connector housing240to run through. Also, at both end portions of the block base230, through holes229are formed and as a result that the screws227go through the through holes229to be screwed with screw holes212on the body plate210, the block base230(connector housing block260) is fixed to the body plate210.

As shown inFIG. 4andFIG. 6, the connector housing240in the present embodiment has an approximately quadrangular prism shape. The housing body241of the connector housing240is, as shown inFIG. 6andFIG. 7, provided with a plurality of (12in the present embodiment) connector pins242. Connector pins242of the present embodiment are coaxial type connector pins for a high-frequency wave and are for being fit with the connector pins341provided to the connector340of the performance board300for being electrically connected to each other.

After inserted to the holes formed on the housing body241, the connector pins242are fixed to the housing body241in a non-floating state as a result that the support plate244is attached to the housing body241. Each of the connector pins242is, as shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 7, electrically connected to the coaxial cable122connected to the signal module114of the test head body100.

On both end portions on an upper surface of the housing body241, guide pins243for fitting with the guide holes342formed on the connector340of the performance board300are provided.

The connector housing240is attached to the block base230via two coil springs250. Namely, the coil springs250are provided on both end portions of a lower side of each connector housing240, upper ends of the coil springs250are fixed to the bottom surface of the connector housing240, and lower ends of the coil springs250are fixed to the block base230.

As explained above, as a result that the coil springs250are provided between the connector housing240and the block base230, the connector housing240becomes to be in a floating state with respect to the block base230. Due to the floating structure, in the case of attaching the performance board300to the interface member200, even if a positional error arises between the connectors340of the performance board300and the connector housings240of the interface member200, as the guide pins243are inserted into the guide holes342, the connector housings240in a floating state move in the X-axis, Y-axis and Z-axis directions, the positional error is absorbed, and the connectors340of the performance board300fit with the connector housings240of the interface member200in an aligned state. Namely, since the connectors340of the performance board300are provided with the guide holes342and the connector housings240of the interface member200are provided with the guide pins243, by guiding the guide pins243of the connector housings240by the guide holes342of the connectors340, the connector housings240can be fit with the connectors340more precisely. As a result, the connector pins341of the connectors340of the performance board300are surely connected to the connector pins242of the connector housings240of the interface member200.

Accordingly, each of the connector pins242of the connector housings240does not have to be in a separately floating state by using a spring, etc. as in the conventional case. As a result, the number of parts of the connector housing240is decreased, and the connector housing240can be produced at a low cost. Furthermore, as a result that the conventionally used springs and a space for providing them become unnecessary for the respective connector pins242, a plurality of connector pins242can be arranged closely and mounted at high density. Consequently, the connector housings240and, moreover, the interface member200can be downsized.

Here, the number of the connector pins242on one connector housing240is, for example, preferably8to24when considering the mounting density and production unevenness, etc.

By attaching the performance board300to the interface member200provided with the connector housing block260as above, fitting the connectors340and the connectors338of the performance board300respectively with the connector housings240and the inner connectors220of the interface member200to electrically connect the sockets320of the performance board300to the signal module110of the test head body100, and mounting IC devices10to the sockets320, the IC devices10can be tested.

Note that, as explained above, the connector housing blocks260and the inner connectors220are arranged circularly on the interface member200. Due to the configuration, lengths of signal paths from respective connector pins242and222of the connector housing blocks260and inner connectors220to the sockets320(IC devices10) can become approximately the same, so that preferable signal paths hard to give adverse effects on the test can be formed.

The embodiments explained above are described to facilitate understanding of the present invention and is not to limit the present invention. Accordingly, respective elements disclosed in the above embodiments include all design modifications and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

For example, to bring the connector housings240to be in a floating state, an elastic body formed by rubber, thermoplastic elastomer or other material or a device using pneumatic pressure or hydraulic pressure may be used instead of the coil spring250. Also, the number of coil springs250is not particularly limited and may be provided, for example, to each corner of the connector housing240by four in total. Also, in the above embodiment, an arc-shaped block base230was used but, for example, a rectangular-shaped one may be also used.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The present invention is useful for reducing costs and downsizing of a connector housing block, moreover, an interface member and a test head.