Abstract:
A pick-and-place module for test handlers includes a main body, and a kit. The main body has N-th vacuum paths (where N is plural). The kit has M-th pickers. The M-th pickers are provided so as respectively correspond to M-th vacuum path parts (where 1≦M≦N), which are formed to respectively correspond to all or some of the N-th vacuum paths formed in the main body, and holds semiconductor devices or releasing the held semiconductor devices using vacuum pressures. The kit is detachably mounted to the main body.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a Continuation Application of PCT International Application No. PCT/KR2008/006761 filed on Nov. 17, 2008, which designated the United States. 
       CROSS-REFERENCE(S) TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0002]    The present invention claims priority of Korean Patent Applications No. 10-2007-0120476, filed on Nov. 23, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a pick-and-place module that is used for test handlers. The term ‘pick-and-place module’ refers to a single module that constitutes a pick-and-place device, which is configured to transfer semiconductor devices between different loading or aligning elements and to load and align the semiconductor devices. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    Manufactured semiconductor devices are tested by a tester so as to allow good and bad devices to be distinguished, so that only the good devices are marketed. In this case, a kind of automatic equipment called a ‘test handler’ is used to support the test processes using the tester. Such a test handler includes a pick-and-place device, which is used to transfer semiconductor devices between different loading or aligning elements, such as customer trays, test trays, aligners, buffers and sorting tables. The pick-and-place device has at least one pick-and-place module. 
         [0005]    Furthermore, the pick-and-place module includes a plurality of pickers, which are arranged in a line to perform the operation of sucking and holding semiconductor devices or releasing the held semiconductor devices using vacuum pressures. 
         [0006]    Meanwhile, the customer tray is used to load semiconductor devices for the purpose of storing the semiconductor devices. For this reason, it is preferred that the customer tray be configured so as to load as large a number of semiconductor devices as possible. As the sizes of semiconductor devices having the same function have been becoming smaller due to the development of semiconductor manufacturing process technology, increasing the number of semiconductor devices which can be loaded onto the same customer tray (which is of a limited area) became possible. For example, under the assumption that eight semiconductor devices can be conventionally loaded onto a customer tray in a single row, if the sizes of semiconductor devices become smaller due to the development of semiconductor manufacturing process technology, it becomes possible to load ten or twelve semiconductor devices onto the same customer tray in a single row. In this case, the interval between the semiconductor devices which are loaded onto the customer tray ten or twelve per row becomes narrower than the interval between those semiconductor devices which are loaded onto the customer tray eight per row. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, when a test handler supplies customer trays, and when the customer trays change from ones on which eight semiconductor devices are loaded in a single row to ones on which ten or twelve semiconductor devices are loaded in a single row, or vice-versa, the intervals between pickers provided in the pick-and-place module of the test handler must also be adjusted. However, there is no means for adjusting the intervals between pickers in order to achieve applicability to all customer trays, though they differ from each other in the number of semiconductor devices loadable in the same area. Accordingly, when the customer trays having different capacities are supplied, changes to corresponding pick-and-place modules must be performed. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, the time required to transfer semiconductor devices can be reduced only when a single pick-and-place module is provided with a plurality of pickers corresponding to the number that is necessary to hold all of the semiconductor devices, which are loaded on a customer tray in a single row. In the case where a customer tray, on which eight semiconductor devices are loaded in a single row, is replaced with a customer tray on which ten or twelve semiconductor devices are loaded in a single row or vice-versa, the number of pickers must be increased or reduced. However, in a conventional pick-and-place module, the number of pickers cannot be increased or reduced, so that a problem occurs in that the entire pick-and-place module must be replaced. 
         [0009]    The above-described problems cause the reuse rate of resources to be reduced, with the result that resources are wasted and, in addition, a replacement cost is increased. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0010]    Accordingly, the present invention has been made keeping in mind the above problems occurring in the prior art, and the present invention is intended to provide a technology which enables only part of a pick-and-place module to be replaced, thus achieving applicability to all customer trays having different loading capacities. 
         [0011]    In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a pick-and-place module for test handlers, including: a main body having N-th vacuum paths (where N is plural); and a kit having M-th pickers, the M-th pickers being provided so as respectively correspond to M-th vacuum path parts (where 1≦M≦N), which are formed to respectively correspond to all or some of the N-th vacuum paths formed in the main body, and holding semiconductor devices or releasing the held semiconductor devices using vacuum pressures; wherein the kit is detachably mounted to the main body. 
         [0012]    Furthermore, it is preferred that (N−M)-th vacuum path parts, which are formed on the main body so as not to correspond to the M-th vacuum path parts, be closed by the upper surface of the kit when the kit is mounted to the main body. 
         [0013]    Furthermore, when the pick-and-place module is formed by coupling a plurality of the pick-and-place modules to each other, it is preferred that an intermediate pick-and-place module be formed such that a main body and a kit thereof has an “I” shape, and that pick-and-place modules, which are arranged on both sides of the intermediate pick-and-place module, be formed such that main bodies and kits thereof have a “┐” shape or a “┌” shape. 
         [0014]    Furthermore, the M-th pickers are configured such that intervals between outmost pickers are identical to each other even when N≠M or N=M. 
         [0015]    In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a pick-and-place module for test handlers, including: a main body comprising: N-th pickers (where N is plural) for holding semiconductor devices or releasing the held semiconductor devices using vacuum pressures; and a mounting member for enabling L-th pickers (where 0≦L&lt;N) among the N-th pickers to be distinguished from M-th remaining pickers, that is, (N−L)-th pickers, and to be separately located and mounted; and a kit detachably mounted to the main body, and configured to adjust lateral intervals between the M-th pickers. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, it is preferred that the lateral intervals between the M-th pickers be adjusted in such a way that respective lateral interval adjustment protrusions are formed on N-th pickers, and M-th interval adjustment depressions, into which the respective lateral interval adjustment protrusions are inserted, are formed in the kit. 
         [0017]    Furthermore, it is preferred that respective mounting protrusions be formed on the N-th pickers so that the N-th pickers are mounted to the mounting member, and that the mounting member be configured such that a long mounting groove, which is laterally formed such that the mounting protrusions formed on the M-th pickers are inserted therein, and such that at least one end portion of the mounting groove is formed to laterally extend to a location higher than that of the lateral portion of the mounting groove so that the L-th pickers are distinguished from the M-th pickers and are separately mounted. 
         [0018]    Furthermore, the kit includes a mounting plate mounted to the main body, and a lateral interval adjustment member integrated with the mounting plate and configured to adjust the lateral intervals between the M-th pickers. 
         [0019]    Furthermore, it is preferred that the lateral interval adjustment member include partition walls, which are inserted between the M-th pickers so that the M-th pickers are spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. 
         [0020]    Furthermore, it is preferred that the N-th pickers include respective elastic members, and apply elastic forces to first partition walls so that the pickers are in close contact with second partition walls and are aligned. 
         [0021]    Furthermore, it is preferred that the respective vertical movement prevention depressions be formed in the N-th pickers so as to prevent the pickers from being vertically moved, and that the vertical movement prevention protrusions, which are inserted into respective vertical movement prevention depressions, be formed in the lateral interval adjustment member. 
         [0022]    Furthermore, it is preferred that a long mounting slot be laterally formed in the mounting member to pass through the mounting member, and that respective engaging protrusions be formed on the N-th pickers so as to prevent the pickers from being downwardly moved. 
         [0023]    Furthermore, it is preferred that the mounting member include distinction mounters, which enable the L-th pickers to be distinguished from the M-th pickers and to be separately mounted. 
         [0024]    In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a pick-and-place module for test handlers, including: a main body; N-th pickers (where N is plural) for holding semiconductor devices or releasing the held semiconductor devices using vacuum pressures; and a kit for enabling L-th pickers (where 0≦L&lt;N) among the N-th pickers to be distinguished from M-th remaining pickers, that is, (N−L)-th pickers, and to be separately located and mounted, and enabling lateral intervals between the M-th pickers to be adjusted. 
         [0025]    Furthermore, it is preferred that the kit include partition walls, which are inserted between the M-th pickers so that the M-th pickers are spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. 
         [0026]    Furthermore, it is preferred that the partition walls include respective elastic members, and apply elastic forces to first partition walls so that the pickers are in close contact with second partition walls and are aligned. 
         [0027]    Furthermore, it is preferred that respective vertical movement prevention depressions be formed in the N-th pickers so as to prevent the pickers from being vertically moved, and that vertical movement prevention protrusions, which are inserted into respective vertical movement prevention depressions, be formed in the partition walls. 
         [0028]    Furthermore, it is preferred that the kit include distinction mounters, which enable the L-th pickers to be distinguished from the M-th pickers and to be separately mounted. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0029]    The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view showing a pick-and-place module in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a side conceptual view when the pick-and-place module of  FIG. 1  viewed in the direction of ‘A’ in the state in which a part thereof is dissembled; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is a schematic cut view when the pick-and-place module of  FIG. 1  taken along line I-I and viewed in the direction of ‘B’ in order to show the movement paths of vacuum pressure; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a view showing an example in which some other kit is applied to the main body of the pick-and-place module of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a side view showing an arrangement of three pick-and-place modules; 
           [0035]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are schematic views showing a pick-and-place module in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are views showing an example in which some other kit is applied to the main body of the pick-and-place module of  FIGS. 6A and 6B ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a schematic view showing a pick-and-place module in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is a schematic view showing a pick-and-place module in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0039]    Preferred embodiments of a pick-and-place module for test handlers (hereinafter referred to as a ‘pick-and-place module’) in accordance with the present invention are described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For ease of description, repeated descriptions are omitted or epitomized if possible. 
       First Embodiment 
       [0040]      FIG. 1  is a schematic perspective view showing a pick-and-place module  100  in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 2  is a side conceptual view when the pick-and-place module  100  of  FIG. 1  is viewed in the direction of ‘A’ in the state in which a part thereof is dissembled, and  FIG. 3  is a schematic cut view when the pick-and-place module  100  of  FIG. 1  taken along line I-I and viewed in the direction of ‘B’ in order to show the movement paths of vacuum pressure. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the pick-and-place module  100  of the present embodiment includes a main body  110 , which is mounted to an X-Y robot (not shown), and a kit  120 , which is detachably mounted to the main body  110 . 
         [0042]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , twelve vacuum paths  111   A  to  111   L , which are connected to respectively correspond to twelve vacuum lines (not shown), which are the tubes formed in the main body  110  so as to have a “┐” shape (refer to  FIG. 2 ). Referring to  FIG. 1 , twelve connection blocks  112   A  to  112   L , are provided such that the twelve vacuum lines can be connected to respectively correspond to the twelve vacuum paths  111   A  to  111   L . 
         [0043]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , ten vacuum path parts  121   A  to  121   J , which correspond to ten vacuum paths  111   A  to  111   E  and  111   H  to  111   L , among the twelve vacuum paths  111   A  to  111   L , are vertically formed on the kit  120 . Ten pickers  122   A  to  122   J  are provided so as to correspond to the ten vacuum path parts  121   A  to  121   J , and function to hold semiconductor devices or remove the held semiconductor devices using vacuum pressures that are transmitted via vacuum pressure transmission paths (vacuum lines-connection blocks-vacuum paths-vacuum path parts). Here, the two remaining vacuum paths  111   F  and  111   G , other than the ten vacuum paths  111   A  to  111   E  and  111   H  to  111   L  that communicate with the ten vacuum path parts  121   A  to  121   J  among the twelve vacuum paths  111   A  to  111   L , are closed by the upper surface of the kit  120  when the kit  120  is mounted to the main body  110  using bolts V. 
         [0044]    Although the kit  120  having ten pickers  122   A  to  122   J  is shown in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , it can be seen that any kit having one to twelve pickers may be applied to the main body  110  according to embodiments. As an example,  FIG. 4  shows the case where a kit  130  having a total of twelve pickers  132  is applied to the main body  110 . 
         [0045]    For reference,  FIG. 5  shows a side view of a structure in which three pick-and-place module  101 ,  102  and  103  according to the present embodiment are arranged. A typical pick-and-place device includes one or more pick-and-place modules. Accordingly, when a pick-and-place device having three pick-and-place modules  101 ,  102  and  103  is configured, the three pick-and-place modules  101 ,  102  and  103  may be appropriately arranged regardless of the sizes of the connection blocks if the main body and the kit of the intermediate pick-and-place module  102  are disposed to have an “I” shape and if the main body and the kit of the side pick-and-place module  101  or  103  are disposed to have a “┐” shape or a “┌” shape, as shown  FIG. 5 . 
         [0046]    Particularly, in the present embodiment, the kits  120  are coupled to the respective main bodies  110  upwards from the lower sides of the main bodies  110 , so that the replacement of the kits can be performed by detaching only the kits even when the three pick-and-place modules  101 ,  102  and  103  are arranged. 
       Second Embodiment 
       [0047]      FIG. 6A  is a rear view showing the state in which the kit of a pick-and-place module according to a second embodiment of the present invention is removed, and  FIG. 6B  is a front view showing the state in which the kit  620  of the pick-and-place module  600  according to the second embodiment of the present invention is mounted. 
         [0048]    Referring to  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the pick-and-place module  600  according to the present embodiment includes a main body  610  and a kit  620 . 
         [0049]    The main body  610  includes a plate-shaped mounting member  611 , and twelve pickers  612   A  to  612   L . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 6A , a long mounting groove  614  is laterally formed in the mounting member  611 . Furthermore, both end portions of the mounting groove  614  are formed to extend to respective locations higher than those of the lateral portion of the mounting groove  614 , and thus two pairs of pickers  612   A  and  612   B  and  612   K  and  612   L  can be separately located in the respective end portions. 
         [0051]    Twelve mounting protrusions  613  are formed on the respective pickers  612   A  to  612   L  so as to be inserted into the mounting groove  614  in the rearward direction of the mounting member  611 . Accordingly, when the mounting protrusions  613  are inserted into the mounting groove  614 , the pickers  612   A  to  612   L  are mounted to the mounting member  611 . Furthermore, as shown in  FIG. 6A , when the mounting protrusions  613  are inserted into the mounting groove  614 , the two pairs of pickers  612   A  and  612   B  and  612   K  and  612   L  are inserted into the respective end portions of the mounting groove  614 . Accordingly, the two pairs of pickers  612   A  and  612   B  and  612   K  and  612   L  are distinguished from the pickers  612   C  to  612   J , which are arranged in the lateral portion of the mounting groove  614 , and are separately located to relatively higher locations. Furthermore, referring to  FIG. 6B , twelve lateral interval adjustment protrusions  616  are formed on the respective pickers  612   A  to  612   L  in the direction forward of the mounting member  611 . For reference, vacuum lines (not shown), which are provided from a vacuum pump (not shown), are directly connected to the respective pickers  612   A  to  612   L . 
         [0052]    Eight interval adjustment depressions  621 , into which eight lateral interval adjustment protrusions  616  are respectively inserted, are formed in the kit  620  so as to communicate with the lateral portion of the mounting groove  614 . Accordingly, when the kit  620  is mounted to the mounting member  611 , the lateral intervals of the eight pickers  612   C  to  612   J  can be adjusted and maintained. 
         [0053]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  show the case where a kit  620  to be mounted to the main body  610  is applied when it is required to use the eight pickers  612   C  to  612   J  but it is not required to use the four remaining pickers  612   A ,  612   B ,  612   K  and  612   L . In contrast,  FIGS. 7A and 7B  are a rear view and a front view showing the case where a kit  622  to be mounted to the main body  610  is applied when it is required to use the ten pickers  612   B  to  612   K  but it is not required to use the two remaining pickers  612   A  and  612   L . 
         [0054]    That is, according to the present embodiment, the holding capacity of the pick-and-place module  600  can be varied by replacing only the kit  620 . 
       Third Embodiment 
       [0055]      FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view showing a pick-and-place module  800  in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , the pick-and-place module  800  of the present embodiment includes a main body  810  and a kit  820 . 
         [0057]    The main body  810  includes a mounting member  811 , and twelve pickers  812   A  to  812   L . 
         [0058]    A mounting slot  813  is laterally formed in the mounting member  811  and passes through the lower portion of the mounting member  811 . Division mounters  811 -R and  811 -L are provided in both end portions of the main body  810  so that the unused pickers  812   A ,  812   B ,  812   K  and  812   L  can be distinguished from the used pickers  812   C  to  812   J  and can be separately mounted to relatively higher locations. 
         [0059]    Twelve engaging protrusions  812  are formed on the respective pickers  812   A  to  812   L  so as to prevent the pickers  812   A  to  812   L  from being downwardly moved, and thus the pickers  812   A  to  812   L , which are mounted to pass through the mounting slot  813 , are engaged with the engaging protrusions  812 . Furthermore, twelve vertical movement prevention depressions  814  are formed in the respective pickers  812   A  to  812   L  so as to prevent the pickers  812   A  to  812   L  from being vertically moved. Furthermore, elastic members  816  are mounted to the respective pickers  812   A  to  812   L . 
         [0060]    The kit  820  includes a plate-shape mounting plate  821 , and a lateral interval adjustment member  822 . 
         [0061]    The mounting plate  821  is coupled to the main body  810  using bolts V. 
         [0062]    The lateral interval adjustment member  822  is integrated with the mounting plate  821  or is integrally formed with the mounting plate  821 , and is provided to adjust the lateral intervals between the eight pickers  812   C  to  812   J . Partition walls  824 , which are inserted between the eight pickers  812   C  to  812   J  so that the eight pickers  812   C  to  812   J  can be spaced apart from each other at regular intervals, are formed in the lateral interval adjustment member  822 . Vertical movement prevention protrusions  826 , which are inserted into the vertical movement prevention depressions  814  of the pickers  812   C  to  812   J , are formed on the lateral interval adjustment member  822 . 
         [0063]    In the case where the pickers  812   C  to  812   J  are mounted to be spaced apart from each other at regular intervals by the partition walls  824 , the elastic members  816  apply elastic forces to the partition walls  824 , which are formed on the first side of the elastic members  816 , thus enabling the pickers  812   C  to  812   J  to be in close contact with the partition walls  824 , which are formed on the second side of the elastic members  816 , and to be aligned. 
         [0064]    In the case of the above-described pick-and-place module  800  according to the present embodiment, the holding capacity of the pick-and-place module  800  can be varied by replacing only the kit  820 . 
       Fourth Embodiment 
       [0065]      FIG. 9  is an exploded view showing a pick-and-place module  900  in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0066]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , the pick-and-place module  900  of the present invention includes a main body  910 , twelve pickers  920   A  to  920   L , and a kit  930 . 
         [0067]    The main body  910  is provided to have a plate shape. 
         [0068]    Twelve vertical movement prevention depressions  934  are formed in the pickers  920   A  to  920   L  so as to prevent the pickers  920   A  to  920   L  from being vertically moved. 
         [0069]    The kit  930  is mounted to the main body  910  using bolts and is provided to have a plate shape. Partition walls  931  are formed on the kit  930  so that the used eight pickers  920   C  to  920   J  can be spaced apart from each other at regular intervals. Elastic members  932  are mounted to the respective partition walls  931  and are configured to apply elastic forces to the pickers  920   C  to  920   J  in one direction, thus enabling the pickers  920   C  to  920   J  to be in close contact with first partition walls  931  and to be aligned. Furthermore, vertical movement prevention protrusions  933 , which are inserted into vertical movement prevention depressions  934 , are formed on the partition walls  931 , and thus the vertical movement of the pickers  920   C  to  920   J  is restricted. Furthermore, division mounters  933 -R and  933 -L are provided in respective end portions of the kit  930  so that the unused four remaining pickers  920   A ,  920   B ,  920   K  and  920   L  can be divided into two groups and can be mounted. 
         [0070]    As described above, the pick-and-place modules for test handler according to the present invention can be applied to customer trays, having different loading capacities, by replacing only the kits, so that the reuse rate of resources can be increased, with the result that the consumption of resources can be prevented and, in addition, the replacement cost can be reduced. 
         [0071]    Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.