Abstract:
A gap set device for an electronic component handler is provided. The electronic component handler includes a test module operative to load, test and unload electronic components. The electronic components are received in test pockets provided on a test plate. The test pockets include at least one corner relief to improve loading efficiency.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a test plate pocket that increases the loading efficiency for an electronic component handler. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Electronic components are handled by a variety of different electronic component handlers. Those different handlers include but are not limited to products sold by Electro Scientific Industries, Inc. of Portland Oreg., the assignee of the present patent application. Electro Scientific Industries, Inc. sells a variety of electronic component handlers including but not limited to a high volume MLCC tester sold as the Model 3300. 
         [0003]    Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,579 entitled Electrical Circuit Component Handler describes an electronic component handling machine. With reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,579 there is shown an overall pictorial view of the electronic component handler of U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,579, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference. U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,579 illustrates handler  2  having a plurality of test or contactor modules  24  thereon including a loading frame  104  and a blow off module  22 . In operation, electronic components are passed through load frame  104  and are individually drawn into test seats or pockets  10  found on a test plate  8 . Test pockets  10  typically are formed as apertures and are organized in concentric rings that are continuous about test plate  8 . Different component types may require different pocket shapes, including different pocket depths. 
         [0004]    With continued reference to U.S. Pat. No. 5,842,579 it is seen that test plate  8  is positioned at an angle relative to vertical. Test plate  8  may be configured at a forty degree angle. MLCC components are passed through loading frame  104  and are directed by fences  108   a - d  toward test pockets  10 . One component is received in one test pocket. In operation, test plate  8  indexes the loaded components toward testing modules  24  where those components are tested. As test plate  8  continues to index the components are presented to blow off module  22  where the components are removed from the machine and organized based on the test data. 
         [0005]    With reference to  FIG. 2A  there is shown a representative prior art electronic component  27  includes electrode layers  27 A. The size of component  27  is defined by a length  27 B, a width  27 C and a thickness  27 D. The ratio between length  27 B and width  27 C define the aspect ratio of component  27 . 
         [0006]    In the example where test plate  8  is positioned at a forty five degree angle,  FIG. 2B  shows each test pocket  22  includes a loading area  26 . At 45° and due to gravity the loading area comprises approximately 80% of the pocket width and the full pocket length. When test plate  8  is positioned at a forty five degree angle a small part of the upper portion of the test pocket width is not substantially involved in loading but rather that small portion merely operates to contain the electronic component after it has been loaded. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    A need has arisen to increase the loading efficiency of electronic component into test seats on electronic component handlers. A removable test plate for use with an electronic component handler is provided where the test plate includes a plurality of test pockets wherein at least on of the test pockets includes at least one corner relief. In one embodiment the test pocket may include multiple corner reliefs which may be circular in their configuration. 
         [0008]    Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an individual electronic component being loaded into a test seat according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an example electronic component; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2B  is a top plan view of an electronic component captured by a single test pocket; 
           [0013]      FIG. 2C  illustrates a perspective view of a prior art electronic component being loaded into a test seat/pocket; 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of an electronic component captured by a test pocket according to a first embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4A  is a plan view of a test pocket according to a second embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4B  is a plan view of a test pocket of a third embodiment; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4C  is a plan view of a test pocket of a fourth embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4D  is a plan view of a test pocket of a fifth embodiment; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4E  is a plan view of a test pocket of a sixth embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 4F  is a plan view of a test pocket of a seventh embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0021]    A test for an electronic component handler is provided. The test plate includes test pockets. The pockets are apertures in the test plate. Electronic components are delivered to an area near the test pockets and fall into or are pulled into the test pocket. At least one corner relief is provided for a test pocket to increase loading efficiency. 
         [0022]    With reference to  FIGS. 3-4F  wherein like elements are numbered alike there is shown a pocket for use with a test plate in an electronic component handler. Electronic components such as MLCC&#39;s and such as those shown in  FIG. 2A , come in a variety of sizes, weights and aspect ratios. Certain types of electronic components may be more difficult to load into a test pocket on a test plate. For example, electronic components having an aspect ratio of one to one and of comparatively higher mass may have a lower loading efficiency. 
         [0023]    With reference to  FIG. 1  there is shown an exploded perspective view of a test pocket  30  including a corner relief  32 . Corner relief  32  represents an expanded area in the area of test pocket corner. Corner relief  32  may extend the full depth of test pocket  30 . By creating a corner relief electronic component  27  can drop into pocket  30  with a reduced likelihood that it will become trapped, captured or otherwise obstructed. Sidewalls  33  and  34  of test seat  30  may then capture electronic component  27  so that electronic component  27  can be passed to a testing module on the machine. For example, with regard to a  1210  chip inclusion of corner reliefs  32  of the type shown in  FIG. 1  have improved loading efficiency from approximately eight five percent to approximately ninety five percent. 
         [0024]    Corner relief  32  may be positioned in a number of different fashions in order to improve the loading efficiency of electronic components into the electronic component testing machine. These alternate embodiments are shown in  FIGS. 4A-4F   
         [0025]    With reference to  FIG. 4A  a first alternate embodiment is shown.  FIG. 4A  illustrates a test pocket  36  having corner reliefs  37  and  37 A. As can be seen in  FIG. 4A  relief  37  extends in a direction lengthwise of the test seat  36  while pocket  37 A projects in a direction widthwise to pocket  36 . 
         [0026]    With reference to  FIG. 4B  there is shown a second embodiment. Test seat  36  includes corner pockets  39  and  39 A. Corner pockets  39  and  39 A extend in a direction offset from the length and width of pocket  36 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 4C  shows a fourth embodiment.  FIG. 4C  includes four corner pockets  41 ,  41 A,  41 B and  41 C. The corner pockets illustrated in  FIG. 4C  all extend at an angle off set from the width and length of pocket  36 . 
         [0028]    With reference to  FIG. 4D  there is shown a fifth embodiment.  FIG. 4D  illustrates test seat  36  having four pocket all extending in the direction of the length of the test seat  36  while  FIG. 4E  shows a sixth embodiment where the pockets all extend widthwise to test seat  36 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4F  represents a sixth embodiment. In the sixth embodiment the pockets may extend widthwise to the test seat  36 . 
         [0030]    Corner reliefs may be drilled out using known micro drilling techniques. While the corner reliefs have been illustrated as being circular the corner reliefs may be any of a number of different shapes including any polygon. 
         [0031]    While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under law.