Abstract:
A socket connector ( 10 ) utilizes contacts ( 41 ) that have a shape similar to an inverted ohm sign and which have two flexible contact arms ( 43 ) located at one end thereof for contacting elements such as solder balls ( 62 ). The other end of the contact have a closed end and the contacts may be slotted in increase their flexibility or they may be solid.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to socket connectors, and more particularly to solder ball connectors of reduced dimension. 
         [0002]    Conventionally, when a semiconductor device such as an IC or an LSI (Large Scale Integrated Circuit) is connected to a circuit board such as a printed circuit board, terminals of the semiconductor device are electrically connected to conductive traces of the circuit board via a socket attached to the circuit board. Also, when inspecting electric characteristics of a packaged semiconductor device in an assembly process, terminals of the packaged semiconductor device are connected to a circuit board for inspection in which a circuit for inspection is formed, via a socket for inspecting the semiconductor device (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open (Kokai) No. 2005-158536). 
         [0003]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a conventional socket. Such a socket uses a base board  301  for connecting the terminals of a semiconductor device to traces  306  of the circuit board  304 . A sliding board  302  which slides laterally and a cover member  303  which is movable vertically are provided above the base board  301 . The base board  301  is formed from an insulating material and includes a number of dent portions  307  to accommodate contacts  305 . 
         [0004]    The contacts  305  are formed from a conductive metal plate and have a unique shape. The body portion of each contact  305  is accommodated in a dent portion  307 , and two leg portions of the contact  305  project upward from the dent  307 . The two leg portions are arranged to extend across a partition  308 . The lower end portion of the contact body portion contacts each of the circuit board traces  306 , and the two leg portions contact a terminal (not shown) of the semiconductor device, for example, a solder ball. Therefore, each terminal of the semiconductor device contacts a trace of the circuit board  304 . In this case, since the tips of the two leg portions hold the terminal from both sides thereof as if they are sandwiching the terminal, and thus a connection between the two leg portions and the terminal is obtained. 
         [0005]    However, in such a conventional socket, the tips of the leg portions sandwich the terminal of the semiconductor device by using the elastic force of the contact  305 , i.e., spring force of the contact  305 , and therefore, if the spring force of the contact  305  is weak, it becomes difficult to maintain electric connection state between the contact  305  and the terminal. In recent years, as semiconductor devices have been increasingly smaller, a pitch between terminals has also been smaller, and accordingly, a pitch between contacts  305  of the socket should also be smaller. Therefore, the size of the contacts  305  need to be reduced, and the contacts  305  must become thinner. The spring force of the contact  305  becomes weaker, and often the leg portions of the contact  305  cannot hold and sandwich the terminal with sufficient force. As the density of terminals of the semiconductor device increases, the number of terminals also increases. Therefore, it becomes important to absorb distortion between a surface where a number of contacts  305  is aligned, and the circuit board  304  or the cover member  303 . 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    A general object of the present invention is to solve the above problems of the conventional socket, and to provide a socket that absorbs distortion of the device connected to it, by applying a biasing force to connection terminals using support members which can support the connection terminals while allowing the connection terminals to move in the vertical direction, that has a simpler construction so that costs can be reduced, that connection between the connection terminal and the device to be connected is ensured, and that has high reliability. 
         [0007]    To achieve the above object, the present invention includes a flat first and second support members arranged parallel to each other, and connection terminals supported by at least one of the first support member and the second support member, the connection terminal having a body portion including a bent portion and forming an expanded space therein, a pair of leg portions extending from the body portion generally parallel to each other, and a pair of petal-shaped portions extending from free ends of the leg portions so as to be flared toward their ends, the first support member having first openings in which side portions of the body portion are inserted, and beam-shaped portions separating neighboring first openings and inserted in the expanded space portion, the second support member having second openings through which the pair of leg portions and/or the pair of petal-shaped portions are inserted, and tongue-shaped portions forming opposed sides of the second opening, and the tongue-shaped portions applying a biasing force directed toward each other onto the pair of leg portions and/or the pair of petal-shaped portions when a distance between the pair of leg portions and a space between the pair of petal-shaped portion is increased. 
         [0008]    In another aspect of the present invention, the second support member is made of a resin film, and the second openings are formed by removing portions of the resin film in an approximate M shape. 
         [0009]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, the second support film is made of a resin film, and the tongue-shaped portions at one ends thereof being connected to the resin film, and facing at free ends thereof outer surfaces of the pair of leg portions and/or the pair of petal-shaped portions. 
         [0010]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, the first support member is made of a metallic plate, and the first openings are made by removing portions of the metallic plate so as to pass through the metallic plate. 
         [0011]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, the connection terminals are movably supported, the pair of leg portions and/or the pair of petal-shaped portions come into contact with terminals of a first device to be connected, and the bent portions come into contact with terminals of a second device to be connected, so that the terminals and the terminals are brought into electric conduction with each other. 
         [0012]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, the terminals of the first device to be connected are solder balls, the solder balls being pushed into between the pair of leg portions and/or between the pair of petal-shaped portions to increase the distance between the pair of leg portions and/or the pair of petal-shaped portions. 
         [0013]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, the connection terminal includes a slit continuously extending from one of the petal-shaped portions to the other of petal-shaped portions. 
         [0014]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, the connection terminal includes a projection formed on an outer surface of the bent portion. 
         [0015]    According to the present invention, the second support member supports the leg portions or the petal-shaped portions, so a biasing force is applied to the connection terminals. By allowing the connection terminals to be supported movably in the vertical direction, distortion of the device to be connected can be absorbed. In other words, according to the construction of the present invention, distortion of the device to be connected is absorbed by supporting the connection terminals with at least one of the first support member and the second support member, and applying biasing force to the connection terminals by providing the tongue-shaped portions in the second support member. 
         [0016]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be clearly understood through a consideration of the following detailed description. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0017]    In the course of this detailed description, the reference will be frequently made to the attached drawings in which: 
           [0018]      FIGS. 1A to 1C  are perspective, exploded views of a socket constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention: 
           [0019]      FIGS. 2A to 2F  are mostly sectional views showing the socket of  FIGS. 1A-1C ; 
           [0020]      FIGS. 3A to 3D  are top and bottom plan and elevational views showing a semiconductor device: 
           [0021]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  are enlarged detail views of the terminals used in the connectors of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIGS. 5A to 5D  are views showing a terminal support frame according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are perspective views showing a terminal support film fixed to a housing according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is a view for illustrating the manner in which a terminal is attached according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are side views illustrating the operation of the terminals of the connectors of the invention when a semiconductor device is pressed against the socket of the present invention; and, 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of a conventional socket. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0027]      FIGS. 1A to 1C  are views showing a socket according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which  FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of the entire socket.  FIG. 1B  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 1A  showing the main part of the socket, and  FIG. 1C  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 1B , showing the connector terminals and their related parts.  FIG. 2A  is a top plan view of the entire socket,  FIG. 2B  is a rear view of the entire socket,  FIG. 2C  is a side view of the entire socket,  FIG. 2D  is a cross-sectional view of the entire socket taken along the line Z-Z in  FIGS. 2A ,  FIG. 2E  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 2D , showing a main part of the socket, and  FIG. 2F  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 2D , showing the main part of the socket to which a semiconductor device is fitted.  FIGS. 3A to 3D  are views showing a semiconductor device according to the embodiment of the present invention, in which  FIG. 3A  is a top plan view showing the semiconductor device.  FIG. 3B  is a rear view of the semiconductor device.  FIG. 3C  is a side view of the semiconductor device, and  FIG. 3D  is a bottom plan view of the semiconductor device. 
         [0028]    In the drawings, reference numeral  10  represents a socket of the present invention, the socket  10  including a housing  11  formed as a substrate with an approximately square or rectangular shape. The housing  11  includes attachment holes  11   a  through which attachment members (not shown) such as bolts or the like extend, and is attached so that one surface (top surface in  FIG. 2D ) thereof faces a surface of a first device to be connected on which terminals are arranged, and the other surface (bottom surface in  FIG. 2D ) thereof faces a surface of a second device to be connected on which terminals are arranged, whereby the housing  11  is used for electrically connecting the terminals of the first device to be connected and corresponding terminals of the second device to be connected to each other. 
         [0029]    Here, the first and second devices to be connected may be any kind of electric devices or electronic devices as long as each of them has terminals at least on one side thereof, and, for example, they may be semiconductor devices such ICs and LSIs, electric devices such as personal computers, televisions, game consoles, cameras, and navigation devices, wiring circuit boards such as mother boards and daughter boards of electronic devices, or substrates such as interposers in semiconductor packages or the like. In this embodiment, the explanation will be made, assuming that the first device to be connected is a semiconductor device  61 , and the second device to be connected is a semiconductor inspection device. Also, terminals of the semiconductor device  61  and terminals of the semiconductor inspection device may be any type of terminals, such as solder balls, plate-like trace pads, thin and plate-like leads, or needle-shaped electrode pins. In this embodiment, the explanation will be made, assuming that the terminals of the semiconductor device  61  are solder balls  62 , as shown in  FIGS. 3A to 3D , and the terminals of the semiconductor inspection device are trace pads. Note that the housing  11  may be attached to the semiconductor inspection device directly or via an attachment device such as an attachment frame. Further, the attachment holes  11   a  may be omitted as necessary. 
         [0030]    The housing  11  is integrally formed by an insulating material such as synthetic resin, and the housing  11  has a generally square or rectangular central opening  12  formed through the housing  11  in the thickness direction, in other words, it penetrates the housing  11  from the top surface to the bottom surface, as shown in  FIGS. 1A to 2F . Support projecting portions  13  are formed in the central opening  12 , which inwardly project from the four side walls of the central opening  12 , and further, device guide portions  14 , as formed as thick-walled members at the free ends of the support projected portions  13  and protrude upward as shown in  FIG. 2E . 
         [0031]    Also, a terminal support film  21  as a second support member, and a terminal support frame  31  as a first support member are arranged in the central opening  12 . The terminal support film  21  may be made from any type of material so long as it is has an insulating property, such as a resin film, and taking into consideration the fact that the temperature of general environments where semiconductor inspection devices are used is relatively high (for example, approximately 125 degrees centigrade), it is preferred that the terminal support film  21  is made of a film of a so-called engineering plastic such as polyimide, polycarbonate, polyether-ketone, and polyamide, which are heat-resistant. The explanation to follow will include the assumption that the terminal support film  21  is made from a polyimide film. The thickness of the terminal support film  21  may be arbitrarily set, however, a thickness of about 0.025 mm is preferred. The terminal support film  21  is fixed to the top surfaces of the support projecting portions  13  by using fixing portions  13   a  as depicted in  FIG. 2E . 
         [0032]    The terminal support frame  31  is a thin plate-like member, which may be made from any type of material, for example, a metallic plate with an insulating material coated thereon. The thickness of the terminal support frame  31  may be arbitrarily set, however a thickness of about 0.1 mm, for example, is preferred. Further, the terminal support frame  31  is preferably fixed to the bottom surfaces of the support projected portions  13  by using fixing portions  13   b  as depicted in  FIG. 2E . 
         [0033]    Each of the plurality of terminals  41  is supported by at least one of the terminal support film  21  and the support frame  31 . A plurality of terminal openings  23  like one shown in  FIG. 1C  are formed in the support film  21 , and, a plurality of terminal openings  32 , described later, are formed in the support frame  31 , and the terminals  41  are supported by at least one of the support film  21  and the support frame  31 , in such a state that the terminals  41  are inserted into and passed through the openings  23  as the second openings and the terminal insertion openings  32  as the first openings. Also, as shown in  FIG. 2F , the upper ends of the terminals  41  come into contact with the solder balls  62  arranged on the surface on the terminal side (the bottom surface of  FIG. 2F ) of the semiconductor device  61  fitted in the socket  10 . Note that, on the lower surface (the bottom of  FIG. 2F ) of the housing  11 , a semiconductor inspection device (not shown) is attached, and electric pads that are terminals of the semiconductor inspection device come into contact with the lower end portions of the terminals  41 . Therefore, the solder balls  62  of the semiconductor device  61  are brought into electrical contact with the terminals of the semiconductor inspection device via the terminals  41 . Note that the semiconductor device  61  is fitted in the socket  10  by being inserted into the space whose four corners are defined by the device guide portions  14 . 
         [0034]    In the example illustrated in  FIG. 1B , the number of the terminals  41  is 64, and they are arranged in a grid-like pattern. However, the number and arrangement pattern of the terminals  41  are determined so as to match the number and pattern of the solder balls  62  of the semiconductor device  61 . In this illustrated example, since the solder balls  62  are arranged in a grid pattern with a pitch of about 0.3 mm, the terminals  41 , as well as the terminal openings  23  and the terminal insertion openings  32  in which the terminals  41  are inserted are also arranged in a grid pattern with similar pitch. The diameter of the solder ball  62  is preferably about 0.2 mm. 
         [0035]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  show the construction of the terminals and  FIG. 4A  shows the terminal with a slit formed therein, and  FIG. 4B  shows the terminal with a convex portion formed thereon. 
         [0036]    As shown in the drawings, the terminal  41  of this embodiment is an integrally formed metal member with a shape similar to an inverted symbol for ohms and includes a body portion  42  having a general C-shape on its side with an expanded space  42   a  therein, and a pair of leg portions  43  extending linearly from the body portion  42  generally parallel to each other. A pair of petal-shaped portions  44  extend from free ends (top ends in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ) of the leg portions  43  so as to be flared toward their ends. In other words, the petal-shaped portions  44 , which are inclined relative to the leg portions  43  and the distance between them increase toward their free ends, are connected to the free ends of the leg portions  43 , respectively. In this embodiment, the petal-shaped portions  44  are formed so that semicircular surfaces are formed on the inner sides of the free end portions. However, the shape of the petal-shaped portions  44  is not limited to this, and the petal-shaped portions  44  may be formed so that their free end portions have a rectangular shape. Note that the inner surfaces of the petal-shaped portions  44  function as first contact portions  44   a  which come into contact with the solder ball  62 . Further, the end portion (the lower end portion in  FIGS. 4A and 4B ) of the body portion  42  on the opposite side of the petal-shaped portions  44  has a bent portion  45  which is bent at nearly 180 degrees, and the outer surface of this bent portion works as a second contact portion  45   a  which comes into contact with the electric pad of the semiconductor inspection device. 
         [0037]    The terminals  41  are members that are elastic in their deformation, and  FIGS. 4A and 4B  show the shapes of the terminals  41  in the initial state in which no external force is applied. When the first contact portions  44   a  contact the solder balls  62 , the first contact portions  44   a  on the opposite sides are pressed by the solder balls  62 , and the distance between the petal-shaped portions  44  as well as the distance between the leg portions  43  is increased. In other words, the petal-shaped portions  44  and the leg portions  43  are pushed apart from each other. In this case, thus the petal-shaped portions  44  and the leg portions  43  are pushed apart from each other, by mainly the bent portion  45  being elastically deformed. 
         [0038]    Incidentally, in the example depicted in  FIG. 4A , a slit  46  is formed, which continuously extends in the longitudinal direction of the terminal  41 , from one of the petal-shaped portions  44  to the other petal-shaped portion  44 . Therefore, the first contact portions  44   a  and the second contact portion  45   a  are separated into two in the thickness direction of the terminal  41 . As a result, the first contact portions  44   a  on both sides have two points in contact with the solder ball  62 , respectively, and the second contact portion  45   a  also has two points in contact with the electrode or trace of the semiconductor inspection device. This makes possible for each of the first contact portions  44   a  and the second contact portion  45   a  to have multipoint contact, so even if one of the contact points loses its contact with the counterpart terminal, the other contact points are remained in contact with their counterpart terminals. Hence, the probability of keeping the contact between the contact portions  44   a  and  45   a , and the solder balls  62  and the trace pads of the semiconductor inspection device becomes higher, and thus the reliability of the socket  10  is improved. 
         [0039]    Also, in the example illustrated in  FIG. 4B , there is no slit  46  provided, but a projection  47  is formed on the second contact portion  45   a . Therefore, when the second contact portion  45   a  comes into contact with the trace pad of the semiconductor inspection device, the projection  47  comes into contact with the trace pad. Therefore, a contact pressure is increased, and that further ensures the contact between the second contact portion  45   a  and the trace pad of the semiconductor inspection device, and the reliability of the socket  10  is improved. 
         [0040]    In a preferred application, the terminal  41  is a member having a dimension in the thickness direction of, for example, about 0.3 mm, and a dimension in the vertical direction of, for example, about 0.7 mm. Also, the distance between the leg portions  43  in the initial state is set smaller than the diameter of the solder ball  62 . 
         [0041]    The terminal  41  in this embodiment may be any one of the examples shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4B . However, herein below, the example illustrated in  FIG. 4A  is used for the terminals  41  for the sake of explanation. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 5A to 5D  are views showing the terminal support frame and in which  FIG. 5A  is a top plan view of the terminal support frame,  FIG. 5B  is a rear view of the terminal support frame,  FIG. 5C  is a side view of the terminal support frame, and  FIG. 5D  is a perspective view of the terminal support frame.  FIG. 6A  is a perspective view of the terminal support film to which the terminals are attached, and  FIG. 6B  is an enlarged view of  FIG. 6A , showing the main part of the terminal support film to which the terminal is attached.  FIG. 7  is a view illustrating the operation for attaching the terminals. 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIGS. 5A to 5D , the terminal support frame  31  is a plate member having a plurality of terminal insertion openings  32  formed in a mesh pattern as a whole. The support frame  31  is preferably a metallic plate, and can be made by, for example, pressing or electro-casting. Also, in order to prevent short-circuiting, the entire surface of the terminal support frame  31 , including the openings  32 , may be coated with an insulating material. The terminal support frame  31  is provided with attachment holes  34 , which are engaged with the fixing portions  13   b  of the housing  11  so that the support frame  31  is positioned relative to the housing  11 . 
         [0044]    As clearly depicted in  FIG. 7 , in the illustrated example, the terminal insertion openings  32  have a rectangular shape in cross section, and beam-shaped portions  33 , which separate neighboring terminal openings  32  and are inserted in the body portions  42  of the terminals  41  and work as support portions for the terminals  41 . Note that  FIG. 7  is a view of the terminal support frame  31  fixed to the housing  11 , viewed obliquely from the bottom. In addition,  FIG. 7  only shows a small number of terminal openings  32  and beam-shaped portions  33  for explanation purposes, and the rest are omitted for clarity. 
         [0045]    An operator handles the terminal  41  to mount it on the terminal support frame  31  and the terminal support film  21 , while maintaining the position of the terminal  41  so that the petal-shaped portions  44  face up, and moving the terminal  41  upward from below relative to the housing  11 . When the terminal  41  is moved upward and further moved upward in such a manner that the inner portions of the petal-shaped portions  44  are brought in contact with the beam-shaped portion  33 , the inclined petal-shaped portions  44  are pushed and opened by the beam-shaped portion  33 . In this case, since a force applied by the finger or the like of the operator is sufficiently large, mainly the bent portion  45  is elastically deformed so that the petal-shaped portions  44  and leg portions  43  are pushed and opened. Note that it is preferred that the beam-shaped portions  33  have corners cut off and tapered in cross section. Therefore, the beam-shaped portions  33  can smoothly move into the space between the petal-shaped portions  44 . 
         [0046]    As the terminal  41  is moved upward further, the beam-shaped portion  33  relatively moves toward the body portion  42 , passing beyond the petal-shaped portions  44  and the leg portions  43  on both sides of the beam-shaped portion  33 , and are inserted in the expanded space  42   a  of the body portion  42 , which is expanded in the shape of letter C. Meanwhile, both side portions of the body portion  42  are inserted in the insertion openings  32  on both sides of the beam-shaped portion  33 . Once the beam-shaped portion  33  is accommodated in the space in the body portion  42 , mainly the bent portion  45  elastically returns to the original state by its spring force, so the petal-shaped portions  44  and the leg portions  43  on both sides return to their original state before being pushed and opened. In this case, since the spring force is larger than the gravity generated by the weight of the terminal  41 , even if the operator stops moving the terminal  41  upward, the distance between the petal-shaped portions  44  and the distance between the leg portions  43  are not increased. Therefore, the terminal  41  is supported by the beam-shaped portion  33  in a hanging manner. The expanded space  42   a  of the body portion  42  is sufficiently large, compared to the size of the beam-shaped portion  33 , so the body portion  42  is loosely mounted on the beam-shaped portions  33 , i.e., mounted in a floating manner. 
         [0047]    Moreover, as shown in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the petal-shaped portions  44  of the terminal  41  passes through the terminal opening  23  of the support film  21 , and project above the top surface of the support film  21 . The support film  21  and the support frame  31  are positioned so that each support opening  23  and each beam-shaped portion  33  correspond to each other, and fixed to the housing  11 . In  FIG. 6A , only a small number of the terminal support openings  23  and the terminals  41  are shown for explanation. 
         [0048]    Here, each opening  23  is formed by removing a portion of the support film  21  in an approximately rectangular shape. Also, as shown in  FIG. 6B , slits  22 , which extend in the directions corresponding to extensions of the opposite long sides of the openings  23 , are formed in the support film  21 , and tongue-shaped portions  24  are defined on both sides of the support opening  23 . In each of the tongue-shaped portions  24 , one end thereof is connected to the body of the support film  21 , and the other end is a free end which faces one of the outer surfaces of each of the connection terminals  41 , corresponding to the opening direction of the petal-shaped portion  44  and the leg portion  43 . 
         [0049]    Note that the dimension between the free ends of the tongue-shaped portions  24  on both sides is set shorter than the dimension between the outside surfaces of the terminal  41  at the top ends of the petal-shaped portions  44 . Therefore, even if the operator stops moving the terminal  41  upward, the terminal  41  remained supported as the petal-shaped portions are hanged by the tongue-shaped portions  24 . In this case, the tongue-shaped portions  24  that are part of the support film  21  made of, for example, a polyimide film, have some elasticity, and thus generates spring force like a cantilever plate spring. Since this spring force is larger than the gravity generated by the weight of the terminal  41 , the tongue-shaped portions  24  can support the terminal  41 . Hence, the petal-shaped portions  44  are loosely mounted on the tongue-shaped portions  24 , in other words, mounted in a floating manner. When moving up the connection terminal  41 , since a force applied by the finger or the like of the operator is sufficiently large, the petal-shaped portions  44  can pass through the terminal support opening  23  against the spring force by the tongue-shaped portions  24 , and can project above the top surface of the connection terminal support film  21 . Therefore, the pair of leg portions  43  and/or the pair of petal-shaped portions  44  are inserted through the terminal support opening  23 . 
         [0050]    In this way, each of the terminals  41  is mounted on the socket  10 . In this case, the body portion  42  is mounted on the beam-shaped portion  33  of the terminal support frame  31  in a floating manner, and/or the petal-shaped portions  44  are mounted on the tongue-shaped portions  24  of the support film  21  in a floating manner. Thus, each of the terminals  41  is supported by the support film  21  and/or the support frame  31  in a floating manner, and is movable in the vertical direction relative to the socket  10 . In other words, the body portion  42  is supported with a clearance within a range up to a point where the inner surfaces of the body portion  42  contact the beam-shaped portion  33 , and the petal-shaped portions  44  are supported with a clearance within a range up to a point where the outer surfaces of the petal-shaped portions  44  or the leg portions  43  contact the tongue-shaped portions  24 . If these ranges of the clearance are not equal to each other, the terminal  41  is supported while being in contact with either one of the support frame  31  and the support film  21 . Therefore, even if the members including the housing  11  which constructs the socket  10 , the surface of the semiconductor device  61  on the terminal side, and the surface of the semiconductor inspection device on the terminal side are distorted, independent vertical movement of each terminal  41  absorbs the distortion, and thus the solder balls  62  of the semiconductor device  61  and the trace pads of the semiconductor inspection device are brought into good electric contact with each other without fail. 
         [0051]    Moreover, the terminals  41  can be easily mounted on the housing  11  by an operator who moves the terminals  41  upward by using his/her finger or the like. Further, to remove the terminals  41  from the housing  11 , the operator simply moves the terminals down by using his/her finger or the like. Therefore, the terminals  41  can be easily removed from the housing  11 . Since mounting and removal of the terminals  41  can be done easily as described above, the terminals  41  can be selectively and individually replaced, and costs for manufacturing and maintenance for the socket  10  is thus reduced. 
         [0052]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are views for illustrating the operation of the terminals when connecting the semiconductor device to the semiconductor inspection device via the socket according to the embodiment of the present invention in which  FIGS. 8A and 8B  sequentially show the operation. 
         [0053]    Here, the socket  10  is already attached to the semiconductor inspection device. In  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the semiconductor inspection device is not shown, but since the trace pads of the semiconductor inspection device are arranged in an arrangement corresponding to that of the solder balls  62  of the semiconductor device  61 , the arrangement of the trace pads corresponds to that of the terminals  41  of the socket  10 . In addition, each of the solder balls  62  of the semiconductor device  61  faces the petal-shaped portions  44  of the corresponding terminal  41 , and each of the trace pads of the semiconductor inspection device faces the bent portion  45  of the corresponding terminal  41 . 
         [0054]    First, the semiconductor device  61  and the semiconductor inspection device to which the socket  10  is attached are moved relative to each other, so that the semiconductor device  61  is inserted into the space of which four sides are defined by the device guide portions  14 , and thus fitted in the socket  10 , as shown in  FIG. 2F . Thus, the surface of the semiconductor device  61  on the terminal side and the surface of the support film  21  of the housing  11  face each other. In this case, the positioning is established in such a manner that the surface of the semiconductor device  61  on the terminal side and the surface of the support film  21  are almost parallel to each other, and positions of the solder balls  62  and those of the terminals  41  generally aligned with each other. The terminals  41  are mounted on the socket  10  in a floating manner, and the second contact portions  45   a , which are the outer surfaces of the bent portions  45 , are separated from the trace pads of the semiconductor inspection device. 
         [0055]    Next, the semiconductor device  61  and the semiconductor inspection device are moved toward each other so that the solder balls  62  of the semiconductor device  61  are brought into contact with the first contact portions  44   a , which are the inner surfaces of the petal-shaped portions  44  of the terminals  41 , as shown in  FIG. 8A . In this case, the first contact portions  44   a  on both sides have an inclined shape where the distance therebetween is progressively narrowed toward the bottom, and the terminals  41  are mounted on the socket  10  in a floating manner. In other words, the expanded space  42   a  of each of the body portions  42  is sufficiently large, compared to the size of the beam-shaped portion  33 , so each of the body portions  42  is mounted on the beam-shaped portion  33  loosely, or in a floating manner. Further, since the dimension between the free ends of the tongue-shaped portions  24  is set smaller than the dimension between the outer surfaces of the petal-shaped portions  44 , the petal-shaped portions  44  are mounted on the tongue-shaped portions  24  loosely, or in a floating manner. 
         [0056]    Due to above, a self-alignment effect is brought about while the solder ball  62  enters and is fitted in between the petal-shaped portions  44  on both sides. In other words, even if the vertically extending central axis of the solder ball  62  does not match the vertically extending central axis of the corresponding connection terminal  41 , as the solder ball  62  is pushed in between the petal-shaped portions  44  on both sides, the floating terminal  41  moves in the lateral direction and the vertically extending central axis of the solder ball  62  and the vertically extending central axis of the terminal  41  automatically match to each other. Therefore, even when the position of the solder ball  62  and the position of the corresponding terminal  41  do not completely match to each other in the horizontal direction, or the lateral direction, all of the solder balls  62  surely come into contact with the first contact portions  44   a  of the corresponding connection terminals  41  due to the self-alignment effect described above. 
         [0057]    Next, as the semiconductor device  61  and the semiconductor inspection device are moved yet further toward each other, the solder balls  62  which are in contact with the first contact portions  44   a  apply downward force to the connection terminals  41 . In this case, the terminals  41 , which are mounted in a floating manner and can vertically move relative to the socket  10 , are moved downward by the downward force applied by the solder balls  62 . Therefore, the entire terminals  41  are moved downward, allowing the second contact portions  45   a  to come into contact with the top surfaces of the trace pads of the semiconductor inspection device (not shown). As a result, the connection terminals  41  and the corresponding trace pads of the semiconductor inspection devices are brought into conduction with each other. 
         [0058]    Next, the semiconductor device  61  and the semiconductor inspection device are moved yet further to each other, and the solder balls  62  of the semiconductor device  61  are further moved downward against the socket  10  as shown in  FIG. 8B . In this case, since the second contact portions  45   a  are already in contact with the top surfaces of the trace pads of the semiconductor inspection device, the entire connection terminals  41  do not move downward further. Therefore, the first contact portions  44   a  on both sides are pressed by the solder balls  62 , and the distance between the petal-shaped portions  44  and the distance between the leg portions  43  are increased, or the petal-shaped portions  44  and the leg portions  43  are pushed and opened. In this case, as mainly the bent portion  45  is elastically deformed, the petal-shaped portions  44  and the leg portions  43  are pushed apart from each other. 
         [0059]    Then, as the petal-shaped portions  44  and the leg portions  43  are pushed and opened, the free ends of the tongue-shape portions  24  are pressed by the outer surfaces of the petal-shaped portions  44  or the leg portions  43 , resulting in deformation of the tongue-shaped portions  24  as shown in  FIG. 8B . Note that, in the example shown in  FIG. 8B , the tongue-shape portions  24  are deformed so that the free ends face downward, but it is also possible that the tongue-shape portions  24  may be deformed so that the free ends face upward. As described earlier, the tongue-shaped portions  24  are members which have some elasticity and thus generate a spring force like a cantilever plate spring. Therefore, the tongue-shaped portions  24  that have been deformed exert the spring force to restore in the original attitudes, and press the outer surfaces of the petal-shaped portions  44  and/or the leg portions  43  inwards. In other words, when the distance between the pair of leg portions  43  and the distance between the pair of petal-shaped portions  44  are widened, the tongue-shaped portions  24  apply a biasing force to the pair of leg portions  43  and/or the pair of petal-shaped portions  44  toward each other. Due to this biasing force, the contact pressure applied by the petal-shaped portions  44  and the leg portions  43  to the solder balls  62  increases. The terminals  41  also generate a spring force because they, mainly their bent portions  45 , are deformed elastically, and therefore generate a biasing force to bring the petal-shaped portions  44  and the leg portions  43  closer to each other. However, because of the small dimensions, terminals  41  alone cannot generate a biasing force which realizes sufficient contact pressure. Nevertheless, the biasing force applied by the tongue-shaped portions  24  supplements the contact pressure from the terminals  41 . Accordingly, the contact pressure applied by the petal-shaped portions  44  and/or the leg portions  43  on both sides to the solder balls  62  becomes sufficiently large. 
         [0060]    Further, the solder balls  62  move along and slide on the inner surfaces of the petal-shaped portions  44  and/or the leg portions  43 , which have been pushed and opened and inclined. Therefore, a wiping effect is exerted: matters such as impurities which inhibit electric conduction are wiped off from the surfaces of the solder balls  62  and the inner surfaces of the petal-shaped portions  44  and/or the leg portions  43 . In this case, since the contact pressure applied by the petal-shaped portions  44  and/or the leg portions  43  to the solder balls  62  is large, a more definitive wiping effect is obtained. Accordingly, the solder balls  62  and the terminals  41  are brought into electrical contact without fail. Moreover, since the contact pressure applied by the petal-shaped portions  44  and the leg portions  43  to the solder balls  62  is sufficiently large, the electric conduction between the petal-shaped portions  44  and/or the leg portions  43  and the solder balls  62  is obtained more definitely, and reliability of the socket is improved. 
         [0061]    Further, because the solder balls  62  move downward further onto the socket  10 , the contact pressure applied by the second contact portions  45   a  to the trace pads of the semiconductor inspection device becomes sufficiently large. Therefore, the second contact portions  45   a  surely come into contact with the trace pads of the semiconductor inspection device, and reliability of the socket is improved. 
         [0062]    Note that, in the example illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the dimension between the free ends of the tongue-shaped portions  24  is set larger than the dimension between the outer surfaces of the leg portions  43  in a state before the petal-shaped portions  44  and the leg portions  43  are pushed and opened, but the dimension between the free end portions can be set smaller than the dimension between the leg portions  43 . In other words, in each of the tongue-shaped portions  24 , the length from one end connected to the body of the connection terminal support film  21  to the free end may be extended, so that the tongue-shaped portions  24  can always apply a biasing force to the petal-shaped portions  44  and/or the leg portions  43  in a direction to push them closer to each other. Thus, a pre-load can be applied to the petal-shaped portions  44  and/or the leg portions  43  in the direction to bring them close to each other. Accordingly, the contact pressure applied by the petal-shaped portions  44  and/or the leg portions  43  to the solder balls  62  is increased. 
         [0063]    As described above, in this embodiment, the tongue-shaped portions  24  of the support film  21  which supports the terminals  41  apply a biasing force to the petal-shaped portions  44  and/or the leg portions  43  of the terminals  41 . Therefore, any distortion of the terminal side surface of the semiconductor device  61  can be absorbed, costs can be reduced by the simpler construction, and the sure contact between the connection terminals  41  and the semiconductor device  61  is obtained, thus improving reliability of the socket. 
         [0064]    Further, the terminal support film  21  is made of a resin film, and the terminal support openings  23  are formed by removing portions of the resin film in a specific shape. Therefore, the construction of the terminal support film  21  can be simplified, and costs can be reduced. 
         [0065]    Furthermore, one ends of the tongue-shaped portions  24  are connected to the resin film, and the free ends thereof face the outer surfaces of the pair of leg portions  43  and/or the pair of petal-shaped portions  44 . Therefore, an appropriate biasing force can be applied to the pair of leg portions  43  and/or the pair of petal-shaped portions  44 . 
         [0066]    Yet further, the terminal support frame  31  is made of a metallic plate, and the insertion openings  32  are formed by removing portions of the metallic plate in a specific shape. Therefore, it is not necessary to make the support frame  31  having very small terminal insertion openings  32  by resin molding, and it becomes possible to obtain the support frame  31  with fine-sized insertion openings  32  that are beyond the limits of moldability of resin. 
         [0067]    Moreover, the solder balls  62  of the semiconductor device  61  enter the spaces between the pair of leg portions  43  and/or the pair of petal-shaped portions  44 , and increase the distance between the pair of leg portions  43  and the pair of petal-shaped portions  44 . Accordingly, a wiping effect is obtained, and electrical contact between the solder balls  62  and the terminals  41  are obtained without fail. 
         [0068]    Moreover, each of the terminals  41  has the slit  46  continuously formed from one of the petal-shaped portions  44  to the other petal-shaped portion  44 . Therefore, the first contact portion  44   a  and the second contact portion  45   a  can have multipoint contact with counterpart terminals. This increases probability of leaving the terminals  41  in contact with the solder balls  62  and the electric pads of the semiconductor inspection device, and reliability of the socket is improved. 
         [0069]    Moreover, each of the terminals  41  includes the projection  47  formed on the second contact portion  45   a . Therefore, when the second contact portion  45   a _comes into contact with the trace pad of the semiconductor inspection device, the end of the projection  47  comes into contact with the trace pad, thus increasing the contact pressure. As a result, contact between the second contact portions  45   a  and the trace pads of the semiconductor inspection device is obtained more definitely, and reliability of the socket is improved. 
         [0070]    The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be changed in various ways based on the gist of the present invention, and these changes are not eliminated from the scope of the present invention.