Abstract:
A probe device includes a tester; a probe card; a base card holder; an auxiliary card holder for adaptively mounting the probe card to the base card holder; and a conversion ring for allowing the auxiliary card holder to be fitted to the base card holder. In the probe device, the base card holder is configured to accommodate any one of selected different conversion rings and the conversion ring is the one chosen from the different conversion rings according to the probe card.

Description:
[0001]     This application is a Continuation Application of PCT International Application No. PCT/JP2005/004698 filed on 16 Mar. 2005, which designated the United States. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a probe device capable of being used for plural kinds of testers; and, more particularly, to a probe device which enables plural kinds of testers to be provided with exclusive connecting rings and probe cards.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     A probe device is used for inspecting electrical characteristics of semiconductor devices formed on a wafer during a manufacturing process of those devices. As shown in  FIG. 8 , an exemplary probe device includes a loader chamber  1  for loading a wafer W and a prober chamber  2  for inspecting electrical characteristics of the wafer W conveyed from the loader chamber  1 . Further, the prober chamber  2  includes: a mounting table (main chuck)  3  accommodating therein an elevating mechanism, for mounting thereon the wafer W conveyed from the loader chamber  1 ; an XY table  4  for moving the main chuck  3  in X and Y directions; a probe card  5  arranged above the main chuck  3 ; a card supporting mechanism (hereinafter, referred to as ‘clamp mechanism’) (not shown) for supporting the probe card  5 , the probe card  5  capable of being detachably attached to the clamp mechanism; and a position alignment mechanism  6  for precisely aligning a plurality of probe pins  5 A of the probe card  5  to a plurality of electrode pads of the wafer W mounted on the main chuck  3 . The alignment mechanism  6  includes an upper camera  6 A for monitoring the wafer W and a lower camera  6 B for monitoring the probe pins  5 A, the lower camera  6 B being attached to the main chuck  3 .  
         [0004]     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a head plate  7  is installed on a top surface of the prober chamber  2 . The clamp mechanism for supporting the probe card  5  is installed at an opening of the head plate  7 . The probe card  5  can be detachably attached to the clamp mechanism. Further, a test head TH of a tester T is rotatably disposed on the head plate  7  and is electrically connected with the probe card  5  via a connecting ring (pogo ring)  8 . Inspection signals are sent from the tester T to the probe pins  5 A via the test head TH, a performance board and the pogo ring  8 . By applying the inspection signals from the probe pins  5 A to the electrode pads of the wafer W, the electrical characteristics of a plurality of semiconductor devices formed on the wafer W can be inspected.  
         [0005]     Since inspection items, the number of electrode pads and an arrangement pattern thereof vary depending on types of the devices, different testers are employed adaptively to the devices. Further, the testers respectively have exclusive test heads TH and performance boards. Meanwhile, the probe device is provided with the probe card  5  and the pogo ring  8  for use in a specific tester. The pogo ring  8  serves to electrically connect the probe card  5  to the performance board of the tester.  
         [0006]     As described above, probe devices and testers are in one-to-one relationship. A conventional probe device can only be electrically connected to a specific tester. In order to connect a probe device adapted to a specific tester to a different tester, it is necessary to prepare the probe card  5  and the pogo ring  8  corresponding to a performance board of the different tester. Since, however, the pogo ring  8  has different pogo pin number, pin arrangement and exterior shape depending for a different testers, a design of an insert ring and/or a clamp mechanism needs to be changed according to the pogo ring  8  and the probe card  5 , which necessitates a great modification of a connecting structure. Especially, because device has become diverse along with a recent trend for a diversification of semiconductor devices, various kinds of testers and probe devices are needed.  
         [0007]     Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. 2000-349128 discloses therein a probe device employing an adaptor ring inserted between a pogo ring and an inner ring. In such a probe device, the change of tester can be accommodated by changing the adapter ring. Even in case the tester is changed through the use of the adaptor ring, the same inner ring can be used in the probe device.  
         [0008]     Further, referring to Japanese Patent Laid-open Application No. 2000-349128, there is disclosed a connecting structure between a probe device side and a tester side. However, the device disclosed therein is unable to be used for plural kinds of probe cards having different diameters. A currently available probe device can be used for a probe card having a diameter up to 350 mm. However, the probe card is being scaled up recently, the connecting structure disclosed therein is unable to be used for a scaled-up probe card or plural kinds of probe cards, although it can be used for plural kinds of testers.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0009]     It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a probe device capable of overcoming at least one of the aforementioned drawbacks.  
         [0010]     In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a probe device capable of being used for a scaled-up probe card and plural kinds of probe cards, the probe device including a tester; a probe card; a base card holder; an auxiliary card holder for adaptively mounting the probe card to the base card holder; and a conversion ring for allowing the auxiliary card holder to be fitted to the base card holder. The base card holder is configured to accommodate any one of selected different conversion rings and the conversion ring is the one chosen from the different conversion rings according to the probe card.  
         [0011]     It is preferable that the auxiliary card holder includes a plurality of protrusions formed therearound, and the conversion ring includes a plurality of one-touch fixing mechanisms for fixing the plurality of protrusions of the auxiliary card holder.  
         [0012]     It is preferable that each of the plurality of one-touch fixing mechanisms has a pressing member for pressing the corresponding protrusion and an axial member for supporting the pressing member to rotate freely.  
         [0013]     It is preferable that each of the plurality of one-touch fixing mechanisms further has an elastic member for pressurizing the pressing member in a downward direction.  
         [0014]     It is preferable that each of the plurality of one-touch fixing mechanisms further has positioning mechanisms for determining a position where the pressing member is fixed.  
         [0015]     It is preferable that the probe device further includes a connecting ring for electrically connecting the tester with the probe card; an insert ring; and an inner ring for adaptively mounting the connecting ring to the insert ring. The insert ring is configured to accommodate any one of selected different inner rings and the inner ring is the one chosen from the different inner rings according to the connecting ring.  
         [0016]     It is preferable that the inner ring includes a positioning mechanism for vertically positioning the probe card exclusively for use in the tester. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     The above and other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments, given in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is an exploded sectional view of principal parts of a probe device in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a sectional view illustrating a state where components of  FIG. 1  are installed at the probe device;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  provides an exploded perspective view of a base card holder, a conversion ring and a card holder used in the probe device of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4A  presents a sectional view illustrating a state right before the card holder is fixed by the conversion ring of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4B  represents a sectional view depicting a state where the card holder is fixed by the conversion ring of  FIG. 3 ;  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  presents a perspective view of principal parts of a probe device in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0024]      FIG. 6A  offers an exploded perspective view of an inner ring corresponding to a conversion ring shown in  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0025]      FIG. 6B  provides an exploded perspective view of principal parts of the conversion ring of  FIG. 5 ;  
         [0026]      FIG. 7A  shows a sectional view depicting a state right before a card holder of  FIG. 5  is fixed to a primary card holder;  
         [0027]      FIG. 7B  describes a sectional view illustrating a state where the card holder of  FIG. 5  is fixed to the primary card holder; and  
         [0028]      FIG. 8  is a partially cutaway cross sectional view of a conventional probe device.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0029]     In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a probe device capable of being used for a scaled-up probe card.  
         [0030]     In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a probe device capable of being used for plural kinds of probe cards.  
         [0031]     Hereinafter, those preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.  1  to  7 . A probe device of this embodiment is configured such that plural kinds of probe cards can be attached thereto. Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated an exemplary probe device  10  of this embodiment. The probe device can include a clamp mechanism  12  installed at a central opening of a head plate  11 , a primary card holder  13  installed at the clamp mechanism  12  and an insert ring  14  installed at an opening of the head plate  11 . The primary card holder  13  can be detached from the clamp mechanism  12 . The clamp mechanism  12  and the primary card holder  13  can be formed to have a size capable of accommodating scaled-up probe card and plural kinds of probe cards having different outer diameters. The insert ring  14  is configured such that each of plural kinds of testers T can be provided with an exclusive connecting ring (e.g., pogo ring)  15 .  
         [0032]     In other words, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the primary card holder  13  can be formed as a wide ring plate whose lower portion of inner peripheral surface has a reducible diameter. Further, the primary card holder  13  can include: a receiving portion  13 A for supporting a conversion ring (to be described later) at a flange portion of the conversion ring; a wall  13 B upwardly extending from an entire outer peripheral portion of a top surface of the ring plate; and a plurality of radial protruding portions  13 C spaced from each other at specific intervals along a circumferential direction of an upper portion of the wall  13 B. Moreover, the primary card holder  13  is secured in place by the clamp mechanism  12  via the plurality of protruding portions  13 C.  
         [0033]     A scaled-up probe card is directly installed with respect to the receiving portion  13 A of the primary card holder  13 . Meanwhile, a probe card attached with a card holder is installed with respect to the receiving portion  13 A of the primary card holder  13  via a conversion ring  16 .  
         [0034]     Thus, as shown in  FIG. 1 , since the conversion ring  16  has a function of converting an outer diameter of the probe card  17 , the probe card  17  can be installed at the primary card holder  13  by using the conversion ring  16 . Further, the probe card  17  and a card holder  20  thereof (see  FIG. 3 ) vary depending on devices formed on the wafer W and, therefore, an exclusive conversion ring  16  is needed for each of the plurality of the testers according to the probe card  17  and/or the card holder.  
         [0035]     The conversion ring  16  can have a structure corresponding to an exterior shape of the probe card  17 .  FIG. 1  shows an example of the conversion ring  16  employing a structure of a ring shaped plate whose inner peripheral surface has a reduced diameter. Moreover, the conversion ring  16  includes a receiving portion  16 A for supporting the card holder  20  (see  FIG. 3 ); and a flange portion  13 B extended from an outer peripheral surface of the ring shaped plate. The flange portion  13 B is engaged with the receiving portion  13 A of the primary card holder  13 .  
         [0036]     Accordingly, in case the probe card  17  is installed at the primary card holder  13 , the probe card  17  attached with the card holder  20  (see  FIG. 3 ) is installed at the conversion ring  16  as indicated by an arrow of  FIG. 1 , and, then, the conversion ring  16  is installed at the primary card holder  13 . Next, an integrated unit of the probe card  17 , the conversion ring  16  and the primary card holder  13  are transferred directly under the clamp mechanism  12  via a transfer mechanism (not shown). As indicated by an arrow of  FIG. 2 , in a state where the integrated unit is lifted, the probe card  17  is fixed to the probe device  10  by securing the primary card holder  13  with the clamp mechanism  12 .  
         [0037]     Meanwhile, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the insert ring  14  has a ring-shaped structure. A lower diameter of an inner peripheral surface of the insert ring  14  is reduced, thereby forming a receiving portion  14 A. In the meantime, an upper diameter of the insert ring  14  is enlarged, thereby forming a flange portion  14 B. The flange portion  14 B of the insert ring  14  is fixed to the head plate  11  by using a clamping member such as screws or the like. Further, if necessary, an inner ring  18  can be installed at the receiving portion  14 A of the insert ring  14 . Herein, the inner ring  18  can have a structure corresponding to the pogo ring  15  for use in plural kinds of testers.  
         [0038]     Further, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the inner ring  18  can have a ring-shaped structure. A diameter of an inner peripheral surface of the inner ring  18  is reduced, thereby forming a receiving portion  18 A. Meanwhile, an upper diameter of an outer peripheral surface thereof is enlarged, thereby forming a flange portion  18 B. The flange portion  18 B can be configured to be engaged with the receiving portion  14 A of the insert ring  14 . Therefore, in case, among plural kinds of pogo rings, a pogo ring  15  corresponding to a tester T is installed at the insert ring  14 , the inner ring  18  is first installed at the insert ring  14 , as indicated by an arrow of  FIG. 1 . Thereafter, the corresponding pogo ring  15  can be installed at the inner ring  18 .  
         [0039]     Hereinafter, the primary card holder, the conversion ring and the probe card (see  FIG. 1 ) will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . As described above, the primary card holder  13  can include the receiving portion  13 A, the wall  13 B and the plurality of protruding portions  13 C. Further, the conversion ring  16  can include the receiving portion  16 A and the flange portion  16 B, as described above. As can be seen from  FIG. 3 , a top surface of the receiving portion  13 A of the primary card holder  13  can be provided with two (or at least three) positioning projections  13 D spaced apart from each other at 180 degrees along a circumferential direction. By inserting the positioning projections  13 D into positioning holes  16 C formed at the flange portion  16 B of the conversion ring  16 , the position of the conversion ring  16  is fixed on the primary card holder  13 . Further, the receiving portion  13 A of the primary card holder  13  and the flange portion  16 B of the conversion ring  16  are fixed by a plurality of screw members  19 .  
         [0040]     The probe card  17  (not shown) is installed at the conversion ring  16  via the card holder  20  shown in  FIG. 3 . The card holder  20  can have a ring shaped structure, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Further, a lower diameter of an inner peripheral surface of the card holder  20  is reduced, thereby forming a receiving portion  20 A. Meanwhile, a plurality of protruding portions  20 B can be radially formed at an upper portion of an outer peripheral surface. The conversion ring  16  is engaged with the protruding portions  20 B, and the receiving portion  16 A of the conversion ring  16  supports the card holder  20 .  
         [0041]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the conversion ring  16  can have two one-touch fixing mechanisms  21 , for example. Further, the card holder  20  is fixed on the conversion ring  16  by the one-touch fixing mechanisms  21 . The mechanisms  21  are spaced apart from each other at 180 degrees on the flange portion  16 B of the conversion ring  16  along a circumferential direction.  
         [0042]     Besides, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A and 4B , each of the one-touch fixing mechanisms  21  can include: a pressing member  21 A for pressing the protruding portion  20 B of the card holder  20 ; an upright axial member  21 B installed at an inner peripheral portion of the conversion ring  16  through a hole formed at a central portion of the pressing member  21 A; and coil spring  21 C elastically provided between a flange portion formed at an upper portion of the axial member  21 B and the pressing member  21 A. The pressing member  21 A can have a rectangular sectional shape. The coil spring  21 C constantly pressurizes the pressing member  21 A in a downward direction. A lower portion of the coil spring  21 C can be inserted into a ring shaped recess portion surrounding a hole of the pressing member  21 A. Further, a pair of positioning protrusions  21 D can be attached to bottom surfaces of both end portions of the pressing member  21 A. Respectively formed on a top surface of the conversion ring  16  and that of a protruding portion  20 B of the card holder  20  are a pair of first positioning recesses  21 E and  21 F where the protrusions  21 D are inserted. Further, a pair of second recesses (not shown) where the protrusions  21 D of the pressing member  21 A are inserted can be formed on a top surface of the conversion ring  16  along a circumferential direction about the axial member  21 B. A line for connecting the first recesses  21 E and  21 F is perpendicular to a line for connecting the second recesses.  
         [0043]     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , in case the conversion ring  16  is not used, the protrusions  21 D of the pressing members  21 A of the one-touch fixing mechanisms  21  are inserted into the second recesses formed on the top surface of the flange portion  16 B. On the other hand, in case the conversion ring  16  is used, the pressing member  21 A of the one-touch fixing mechanism  21  is lifted by the axial member  21 B against an elastic force of the coil spring  21 C and then rotated at an angle of 90 degrees. Accordingly, the pressing member  21 A is disposed to pass across a boundary of the conversion ring  16  and the card holder  20 , as shown in  FIG. 4A . If the pressing member  21 A is released in such state, the pressing member  21 A is moved downward by a pressurizing force of the coil spring  21 C, as depicted in  FIG. 4B . Then, the protrusions  21 D are inserted into the first recesses  21 E and  21 F, so that the card holder  20  is fixed by the pressurization of the conversion ring  16 . Besides, as shown in  FIG. 4B , recesses  18 A where upper portions of the axial members  21 B are inserted can be formed on a bottom surface of the inner ring  18 .  
         [0044]     In case the probe card  17  of this embodiment is installed at the probe device  10 , first of all, the probe card  17  is installed at the card holder  20  shown in  FIG. 3  and, then, the card holder  20  is installed at the conversion ring  16 . At this time, the protruding portions  20 B of the card holder  20  are positioned to face the one-touch fixing mechanisms  21  of the conversion ring  16 . Thereafter, the pressing members  21 A of the one-touch fixing mechanisms  21  are lifted and rotated at an angle of 90 degrees, thereby aligning the protrusions  21 D with the first recess  21 E of the flange portion  16 B and the first recess  21 F of the protruding portions  20 B. Then, the probe card  17  is fixed on the conversion ring  16  by the pressing members  20 A.  
         [0045]     Next, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the positioning holes  16 C of the conversion ring  16  are aligned with the positioning projections  13 D of the primary card holder  13  and, then, the conversion ring  16  is installed at the primary card holder  13 . By clamping the primary card holder  13  and the conversion ring  16  with screws, the probe card is attached to the primary card holder  13 . Thereafter, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the probe card is transferred to the position directly under the clamp mechanism  12  by a card holder transfer mechanism (not shown). As indicated by an arrow of  FIG. 2 , in a state where the probe card is lifted, the protruding portions  13 C of the primary card holder  13  are inserted into the clamp mechanism  12 . While the clamp mechanism  12  is performing a vertical positioning, the protruding portions  13 C are picked up and then fixed by the clamp mechanism  12 . In this manner, the process for installing the probe card at the probe device  10  is completed. At this time, the inner ring  18  is installed at the insert ring  14 .  
         [0046]     As described above, in accordance with this embodiment, the probe card  17  is provided with the primary card holder  13  whose diameter is greater than an outer diameter of the exclusive card holder  20  and the conversion ring  16  for guiding a connection between the card holder  20  and the primary card holder  13  in installing the probe card  17  at the primary card holder  13 . Therefore, plural kinds of probe cards  17  can be installed at the primary card holder  13  via the conversion ring  16  corresponding to card holders  20  and; further, the exclusive probe cards  17  can be installed at plural kinds of testers. The primary card holder  13  can be used for the probe cards whose diameters are acceptable to the primary card holder  13 . Further, by using the primary card holder  13  itself as a card holder of a probe card, the primary card holder  13  can be used for a scaled up probe card.  
         [0047]     Only by manipulating the pressing members  21 A of the one-touch fixing mechanisms  21  provided at the conversion ring  16 , the probe card  17  can be attached to and detached from the conversion ring  16  with a one-touch operation.  
         [0048]     FIGS.  5  to  7  illustrate principal parts of a probe device in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention. A probe device  10  of this embodiment can employ the same configuration as that of the probe device of the aforementioned embodiment except that there are provided a card holder, a conversion ring and an inner ring for installing a different type of probe card. Therefore, a card holder, a conversion ring and an inner ring different from those of the aforementioned embodiment are used in this embodiment.  
         [0049]     A probe card (not shown) used in this embodiment is installed at the probe device  10  by a card holder  120  illustrated in  FIGS. 5, 7A  and  7 B. As shown in  FIG. 5 , the card holder  120  can have a ring-shaped structure. Further, as can be seen from  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the card holder  120  can include: a receiving portion  120 A for receiving a backside of an outer peripheral portion of the probe card; a wall  120 B upwardly extending from the outer peripheral portion of the receiving portion  120 A; a plurality of (e.g., three in this embodiment) radial protruding portions  120 C spaced apart from each other at regular intervals along an upper circumferential direction of the wall  120 B; and two protrusions  120 D formed on a lower surface of the wall  120 B so as to be aligned with the conversion ring  116 . Further, during the inspection, the card holder  120  can be fixed to a pogo pin (not shown) side by a suction force. Herein, the two protrusions  120 D can be spaced apart from each other at 180 degrees along a circumferential direction.  
         [0050]     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the conversion ring  116  can be formed as a ring-shaped plate whose inner diameter refers to a size which enables the wall  120 B of the card holder  120  to be insertion-fitted thereinto and the protruding portions  120 C to be engaged therewith. A flange portion  116 B formed at an upper portion of an outer peripheral surface of the conversion ring  116  is engaged with the receiving portion  13 A of the primary card holder  13 . Further, two positioning recesses  116 D corresponding to the protrusions  120 D of the card holder  120  can be formed at an inner peripheral portion of the conversion ring  116 . By inserting the protrusions  120 D into the recesses  116 D, the card holder  120  is aligned with the conversion ring  116 . Moreover, three one-touch fixing mechanisms  121  can be installed at an inner peripheral portion of a top surface of the conversion ring  116  to be aligned with the protruding portions  120 C of the card holder  120 .  
         [0051]     Hereinafter, the one-touch fixing mechanisms  121  will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . Each of the one-touch fixing mechanisms  121  can include: a pressing member  121 A for pressing the protruding portion  120 C of the card holder  120 ; and an upright axial member  121 B installed at an inner peripheral portion of the conversion ring  116  through a collar formed at one end portion of the pressing member  121 A. Further, protrusions are formed at an approximately intermediate portion of an inner peripheral surface of the collar of the pressing member  121 A along an entire peripheral direction. A coil spring  121 C is installed between the protrusions and the top surface of the conversion ring  116 , and constantly pressurizes the pressing member  121 A in an upward direction. Furthermore, the pressing member  121 A is elastically contacted with a flange portion of the axial member  121 B. Moreover, two vertical grooves (not shown) spaced apart from each other at 180 degrees are formed on an outer peripheral surface of the collar along the circumferential direction. A direction of the pressing member  121 A can be determined by the grooves, as will be described later.  
         [0052]     As depicted in  FIG. 6B , first positioning mechanisms  122  can be provided near the respective axial members  121 B. Further, as shown in  FIGS. 6B, 7A  and  7 B, each of the first positioning mechanisms  122  can include: a rectangular block body  122 A fixed to an inner peripheral portion of the conversion ring  116 ; and a ball plunger  122 B mounted toward a diametric direction of the conversion ring  116  in the block body  122 A. Further, a direction of the pressing members  121 A is determined by inserting leading ends of the ball plungers  122 B into the grooves formed on the outer peripheral surfaces of the collars of the pressing members  121 A. Therefore, the pressing members  121 A can slightly move along the grooves in a vertical direction.  
         [0053]     As illustrated in  FIGS. 6A, 7A  and  7 B, the inner ring  118  can be provided with three second positioning mechanisms  123 . The second positioning mechanisms  123  can be disposed at locations corresponding to the one-touch fixing mechanisms  121  of the conversion ring  116 . Further, the second positioning mechanisms  123  perform a vertical (in Z-direction) positioning of the probe card.  
         [0054]     As depicted in  FIG. 6A , for example, the second positioning mechanisms  123  can be formed in an arc shape. Further, each of the second positioning mechanisms  123  include: a pair of flat bars  123 A and  123 B respectively attached to a top and a bottom surface of the inner ring  118 ; a plurality of (seven in this embodiment) coil springs  123 C elastically installed between the upper and the lower flat bar  123 A and  123 B, as will be described later; and a pair of guide pins  123 D having heads, for connecting the lower flat bar  123 B with the inner ring  118  at both ends of the lower flat bar  123 B so that the lower flat bar  123 B can move vertically. The upper flat bar  123 A is shorter than the lower flat bar  123 B and thus can be screw-fixed to a shallow recess portion  118 A of the inner ring  118  at a plurality of locations. Since the probe card is sucked toward the pogo ring side, the number of coil springs  123 C needs to be properly set according to a suction force of the probe card.  
         [0055]     Besides, as illustrated in  FIGS. 6A, 7A  and  7 B, seven first through holes  118 B spaced apart from each other at regular intervals can be formed at the recess portion  118 A of the inner ring  118  along a circumferential direction of the inner ring  118 . The coil springs  123 C are elastically installed between the upper flat bar  123 A and the lower flat bar  123 B through the through holes  118 B. Further, the second through holes  118 C can be formed at an outer portion of a circumferential direction of the recess portion  118 A of the inner ring  118 . The guide pins  123 D penetrate those through holes  118 C. Furthermore, upper ends of the guide pins  123 D are screwed with the second through holes  118 C of the inner ring  118  via a washer  123 E. At this time, a gap is formed between the heads of the guide pins  123 D and a bottom surface of the inner ring  118 . In such gap, the lower flat bar  123 B can vertically move against an elastic force of the coil springs  123 C. Further, the lower flat bar  123 B can be provided with seven recess portion to prevent a misalignment of the coil springs  123 C.  
         [0056]     In case the probe card of this embodiment is installed at the probe device  10 , first of all, the probe card (not shown) is installed at the card holder  120  shown in  FIG. 5  and, then, the card holder  120  is installed at the conversion ring  116  so that the protrusions  120 D of the card holder  120  can be aligned with the recesses  116 D of the conversion ring  116 . As a result, the protruding portions  120 C of the card holder  120  face the one-touch fixing mechanisms  121  of the conversion ring  116 . By lifting and rotating the pressing members  121 A of the one-touch fixing mechanisms  121 , the leading ends of the ball plungers  122 B of the first positioning mechanisms  122  are separated from the grooves of the collars of the pressing members  121 A. Thereafter, as shown in  FIG. 7A , the leading ends of the ball plungers  122 B are inserted into the grooves of the collars by rotating the pressing members  121 A and, then, the pressing members  121 A are positioned toward a diametric direction of the conversion ring  116 . Next, the card holder  120  is fixed on the conversion ring  116 . In such stage, as shown in  FIG. 7A , there is a minute clearance space between the pressing members  121 A and the protruding portions  120 C of the card holder  120  due to a pressuring force of the coil springs  121 C.  
         [0057]     As depicted in  FIG. 5 , the positioning holes  116 C of the conversion ring  116  are aligned with the positioning protrusions  13 D of the primary card holder  13 . Then, the conversion ring  116  and the primary card holder  13  are clamped by screws. Next, a probe card is transferred directly under the clamp mechanism  12  by the card holder transfer mechanism (not shown). As indicated by an arrow of  FIG. 7A , the probe card is lifted and, then, the protruding portions  13 C of the primary card holder  13  are insertion-fitted into the clamp mechanism  12 . While the clamp mechanism  12  is performing a vertical positioning, the protruding portions  13 C are picked up and then fixed.  
         [0058]     At this time, as described in  FIG. 7B , the pressing members  121 A of the one-touch fixing mechanisms  121  are elastically contacted with the lower flat bars  123 B of the second positioning mechanisms  123 . By pressurizing the protruding portions  120 C of the card holder  120  with the pressing members  121 A, the card holder  120  is fixed on the conversion ring  116 . With an elevation of the primary card holder  13 , the flat bars  123 B are lifted against an elastic force of the coil springs  123 C and, also, the probe card is positioned at a specific Z location, thereby installing the probe card at the probe device  10 . At this time, the inner ring  118  is installed at the insert ring  14 . Meanwhile, the probe card can be detached by reversing the installation process.  
         [0059]     As described above, in accordance with this embodiment, even when types of testers or probe cards are changed, the same effects of the aforementioned embodiments can be achieved by changing the inner ring  18  and/or the conversion ring  16  according to the testers and the probe cards.  
         [0060]     The present invention, which is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, enables a probe device to be used for plural kinds of testers by using various inner rings and conversion rings according to the testers.  
         [0061]     The present invention is suitable for a probe device.  
         [0062]     While the invention has been shown and described with respect to the preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modification may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.