Abstract:
Disclosed is a probe assembly for use in electrical testing of a testing object and a method of the probe assembly. The probe assembly has a probe supporter body having a first side surface and a first facing surface and a plurality of wire probes. One of the plurality of wire probes has a first arm generally extending in a first direction, a second arm electrically and physically connected to the first arm and generally extending in a second direction other than the first direction, a first terminal portion formed at a distal end of the first arm and comprising a first tip, and a second terminal portion formed at a distal end of the second arm and comprising a second tip. The assembly further has a securing film placed over a portion of the second arm and keeping the portion of the second arm from moving.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0059162, filed Jun. 15, 2007, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to a probe assembly, and more particularly, to a probe assembly with wire probes for use in testing electrical characteristics of a testing object such as a semiconductor device, a flat display or the like. 
         [0004]    2. Discussion of the Related Technology 
         [0005]    Semiconductor devices are manufactured through a variety of processes including wafer production, wafer test, die packaging and so forth. The wafer test refers to a so-called electrical die sorting test for testing electrical characteristics of the semiconductor devices. In the electrical die sorting test, the semiconductor devices are sorted into acceptable products and unacceptable products by bringing probe pins of a probe card into contact with electrode pads of the semiconductor devices and then allowing an electric current to flow through the electrode pads of the semiconductor devices. In addition to testing the semiconductor devices, the probe card is used in testing data/gate lines in a cell process of flat displays such as a TFT-LCD (Thin Film Transistor-Liquid Crystal Display), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), an OEL (Organic Electro-Luminescence) and the like. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,150,095 and 7,138,812 disclose probe cards in which needle type probes are connected to a printed circuit board. Each of the probe cards disclosed in these patent documents includes a supporter for supporting probes on a printed circuit board. The probes are fixed to the supporter by means of an insulating material and electrically connected to the printed circuit board by soldering. 
         [0007]    With the probe cards disclosed in the above patent documents, the probes are aligned using a jig having fine holes that enables a worker to decide the position of the probes. Then, the probes are fixed to the supporters and the printed circuit board by epoxy resin molding and soldering. This sharply reduces productivity of the probe cards and makes it quite difficult to arrange the probes at the same height. 
         [0008]    Furthermore, since probes of the probe cards are soldered to the printed circuit board, there is no choice but to replace the probe cards as a whole when one of the probes become defective. This increases the costs involved in maintenance and repair. Moreover, in the probe cards, the probes are coated with an insulating material one by one in order to prevent short-circuit of the probes, which lead to increased production cost and reduced productivity. In the probe cards, the probes are apt to be moved to the left or right in the process of fixing them to the supporter with epoxy resin. This makes it difficult to maintain the pitch between the probes uniform, frequently causing defects in the probe cards. 
         [0009]    The foregoing discussion is to provide general background information, and does not constitute an admission of prior art. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0010]    One aspect of the invention provides a probe assembly for use in electrical testing of a testing object, the probe assembly comprising: a probe supporter body comprising a first side surface and a first facing surface configured to face a testing object; a plurality of wire probes, a first one of the plurality of wire probes comprising: a first arm generally extending along the first side surface in a first direction, a second arm electrically and physically connected to the first arm, the second arm generally extending along the first facing surface in a second direction other than the first direction, a first terminal portion formed at a distal end of the first arm and comprising a first tip configured to contact a testing device, and a second terminal portion formed at a distal end of the second arm and comprising a second tip configured to contact a testing object; and a securing film placed over a portion of the second arm and keeping the portion of the second arm from moving. 
         [0011]    In the foregoing assembly, the securing film may comprise a plastic resin material. The securing film may comprise an epoxy material. The securing film may comprise a plurality of layers. The securing film may consist of a single layer. The probe supporter body may comprise an edge where the first side surface and the first facing surface meet, wherein the securing film may comprise an edge generally extend along the edge of the probe supporter body. The portion of the second arm may be interposed between the supporter body and the securing film, wherein the portion of the second arm contacts both the supporter body and the securing film. The first arm and the second arm may have a substantially uniform cross-sectional shape. The cross-sectional shape may be one selected from the group consisting of circle, oval and polygon. The first and second arms may have a substantially uniform thickness along the length thereof. 
         [0012]    Still in the foregoing assembly, the second direction may be substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The second direction may be slanted to the first direction with a substantial angle therebetween. The first facing surface may be substantially perpendicular to the first side surface. The first facing surface may be substantially slanted relative to the first side surface. The probe supporter body may further comprise a second side surface and a second facing surface, wherein the second facing surface may be configured to face a testing object. 
         [0013]    Yet in the foregoing assembly, The probe supporter body may comprise a recess between the first and second facing surfaces, wherein the recess provides a space into which a portion of the first wire probe can move. A second one of the plurality of probes may comprise: a first arm generally extending along the second side surface in the first direction, a second arm electrically and physically connected to the first arm, the second arm generally extending along the second facing surface in a third direction other than the first direction, wherein the first and second arms have a substantially uniform thickness along the length thereof, a first terminal portion formed at a distal end of the first arm and comprising a first tip configured to contact a testing device, and a second terminal portion formed at a distal end of the second arm and comprising a second tip configured to contact a testing object. 
         [0014]    Further in the foregoing assembly, the probe assembly may further comprise an additional securing film placed over the supporter body and a portion of the second arm so as to inhibit the portion of the second arm from moving. The second facing surface may be substantially perpendicular to the second side surface. The first facing surface and the second facing surface may be substantially nonparallel to each other. The probe supporter body may comprise a third facing surface configured to face a testing object and interposed between the first and second facing surface, wherein the third facing surface may be nonparallel to either the first facing surface or the second facing surface. The second facing surface may be substantially slanted relative to the second side surface. The probe assembly may further comprise a plurality of slots formed into the probe supporter body. At least part of the first and second arms may be received in a first one of the plurality of slots. 
         [0015]    Another aspect of the invention provides a method of making a probe assembly for use in electrical testing of a testing object, the method comprising: providing a probe supporter body comprising a first side surface and a first facing surface configured to face a testing object; providing a plurality of wire probes, a first one of the plurality of wire probes comprising: a first arm generally extending in a first direction, a second arm connected to the first arm and generally extending in a second direction other than the first direction, a first terminal portion formed at a distal end of the first arm and comprising a first tip, and a second terminal portion formed at a distal end of the second arm and comprising a second tip; arranging the plurality of wire probes such that the first arm generally extends along the first side surface and the second arm generally extends along the first facing surface; placing a securing film over a portion of the second arm; and bonding the supporter body and the securing film so as to keep the portion of the second arm from moving. In the foregoing method, a surface of the securing film comprises an adhesive. 
         [0016]    An aspect of the present invention provides a probe assembly for a probe card which are easy to fabricate and can be manufactured with reduced production cost and with greatly increased productivity. 
         [0017]    Another aspect of the present invention provides a probe assembly for probe card that can save maintenance and repair cost by making it possible to readily remove probes and supporters from a printed circuit board. 
         [0018]    A further aspect of the present invention provides a probe assembly for a probe card that can easily inspect an inspection object having a fine pattern by reducing a pitch between probes mounted to supporters. 
         [0019]    In one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a probe assembly for a probe card for transmitting electric signals between an inspection object and a printed circuit board, comprising: a supporter attached to the printed circuit board, the supporter including a first side surface, a first lower surface joined to the first side surface and a plurality of first insertion slots formed across the first side surface and the first lower surface; a plurality of probes inserted into the first insertion slots, each of the probes including a first arm portion inserted into the first insertion slots formed on the first side surface, a second arm portion extending from the first arm portion so that the second arm portion can be inserted into the first insertion slots formed on the first lower surface, a first terminal portion joined to a tip end of the first arm portion so that the first terminal portion can be connected to the printed circuit board and a second terminal portion joined to a tip end of the second arm portion so that the second terminal portion can make contact with the inspection object; and a first insulating resin member attached to the supporter for fixing the probes to the supporter, the first insulating resin member designed to at least partially cover the first insertion slots into which the probes are inserted. 
         [0020]    In another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a probe assembly for a probe card for transmitting electric signals between an inspection object and a printed circuit board, comprising: a supporter attached to the printed circuit board, the supporter including a first side surface, a first slanting surface obliquely joined to the first side surface and a plurality of first insertion slots formed across the first side surface and the first slanting surface; a plurality of probes inserted into the first insertion slots, each of the probes including a first arm portion inserted into the first insertion slots formed on the first side surface, a second arm portion extending from the first arm portion so that the second arm portion can be inserted into the first insertion slots formed on the first slanting surface, a first terminal portion joined to a tip end of the first arm portion so that the first terminal portion can be connected to the printed circuit board and a second terminal portion joined to a tip end of the second arm portion so that the second terminal portion can make contact with the inspection object; and a first insulating resin member attached to the supporter for fixing the probes to the supporter, the first insulating resin member designed to at least partially cover the first insertion slots into which the probes are inserted. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]    The above and other aspects 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: 
           [0022]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view schematically showing a probe assembly for a probe card in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 2  is a section view schematically illustrating the probe assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 3  is a front view schematically showing a probe employed in the probe assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view schematically showing a probe assembly for a probe card in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 5  is a section view schematically illustrating the probe assembly shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0027]      FIG. 6  is a front view schematically showing a probe employed in the probe assembly shown in  FIG. 4 ; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 7  is a section view illustrating a process of cutting insertion slots in a supporter of the probe assembly shown in  FIG. 4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a probe assembly  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a supporter  110  attached to a lower surface of a printed circuit board  10  with a plurality of electrode pads  15  and a plurality of probes  130  arranged on the opposite side surfaces of the supporter  110  along a longitudinal direction of the latter. The printed circuit board  10  is connected to a test head of a tester (not shown) by means of a pogo block and a performance board unit known in the art. 
         [0031]    The supporter  110  is made of an insulating material, e.g., a ceramic material such as zirconia (ZrO 2 ) or the like. The supporter  110  has first and second side surfaces  111  and  114  extending along the longitudinal direction of the supporter  110  in a parallel relationship with each other. First and second banks  112  and  115  are formed on a lower surface in a spaced-apart relationship with each other, with a central channel or recess  118  left between the first and second banks  112  and  115 . The first bank  112  has a first lower surface or first facing surface  113  joined to the first side surface  111  at a right angle. The second bank  115  has a second lower surface or second facing surface  116  joined to the second side surface  114  at a right angle. The angle between the first side surface  111  and the first lower surface  113  and the angle between the second side surface  114  and the second lower surface  116  may be changed to other angles. 
         [0032]    The supporter  110  has a plurality of first and second insertion slots  117  and  118 . The first insertion slots  117  are formed across the first side surface  111  and the first lower surface  113 . Each of the first insertion slots  117  is comprised of a first slot portion  117   a  formed on the first side surface  111  and a second slot portion  117   b  formed on the first lower surface  113  of the first bank  112 . The second insertion slots  118  are formed across the second side surface  114  and the second lower surface  116 . Each of the second insertion slots  118  is comprised of a first slot portion  118   a  formed on the second side surface  114  and a second slot portion  118   b  formed on the second lower surface  116 . The first and second insertion slots  117  and  118  are arranged on the left and right sides at an equal interval. If needed, the first and second insertion slots  117  and  118  may be arranged at an unequal interval. Each pair of the first and second insertion slots  117  and  118  may be symmetrically arranged on the same transverse plane or may be arranged in a staggering manner. 
         [0033]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , first and second grooves  121  and  122  are formed on the left and right top corners of the supporter  110 . The first and second grooves  121  and  122  can be formed by cutting away the left and right top corners of the supporter  110  along the longitudinal direction of the latter. When the supporter  110  is combined with the printed circuit board  10 , the electrode pads  15  of the printed circuit board  10  are placed in the first and second grooves  121  and  122 . The probes  130  are connected at their first ends to the electrode pads  15  of the printed circuit board  10  in the first and second grooves  121  and  122 . 
         [0034]    A thread hole  119  is formed on the upper surface of the supporter  110 . The supporter  110  is fixed to the lower surface of the printed circuit board  10  by driving a screw  20  into the thread hole  119  of the supporter  110  through the printed circuit board  10 . The supporter  110  may be formed into various shapes, including an elongated bar shape and a block shape. 
         [0035]    Referring again to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , the probes  130  are produced by bending a conductive wire into a specified shape. The probes  130  are made of a conductive material such as tungsten, beryllium-copper alloy, beryllium-nickel alloy or the like. The probes  130  thus produced are inserted into the first and second insertion slots  117  and  118  of the supporter  110 . The probes  130  serve to transmit electric signals between the printed circuit board  10  and an inspection object  30  such as a wafer, a flat display or the like. The probes  130  are connected at their first ends to the electrode pads  15  of the printed circuit board  10  and make contact with electrode pads  35  of the inspection object  35  at their second ends. 
         [0036]    Each of the probes  130  is comprised of first and second arm portions  131  and  132  joined to each other at a right angle, a first terminal portion  133  connected to a corresponding one of the electrode pads  15  of the printed circuit board  10  and a second terminal portion  134  for making contact with a corresponding one of the electrode pads  35  of the inspection object  30 . The first terminal portion  133  is formed at a free end of the first arm portion  131  and the second terminal portion  134  is formed at a free end of the second arm portion  132 . The first arm portion  131  is inserted into the first slot portion  117   a  of the first side surface  111  or the first slot portion  118   a  of the second side surface  114 . The second arm portion  132  is at least partially inserted into the second slot portion  117   b  of the first lower surface  113  or the second slot portion  118   b  of the second lower surface  116 . The angle between the first arm portion  131  and the second arm portion  132  is not limited to the right angle but may be changed depending on the angle between the first side surface  111  and the first lower surface  113  or the angle between the second side surface  114  and the second lower surface  116 . 
         [0037]    The first terminal portion  133  makes an obtuse angle with the first arm portion  131  and lies outside each of the first insertion slots  117 . When the supporter  110  is combined with the printed circuit board  10 , the first terminal portion  133  extends into the first groove  121  or the second groove  122  and is connected to the electrode pads  15  of the printed circuit board  10 . As the first terminal portion  133  comes into contact with the electrode pads  15 , the first terminal portion  133  is elastically deformed and pressed against the electrode pads  15  by an elastic biasing force. 
         [0038]    The second terminal portion  134  extends from the free end of the second arm portion  132  at a right angle so that the tip end thereof can face the electrode pads  35  of the inspection object  30 . The angle between the second arm portion  132  and the second terminal portion  134  may be changed to other angles than the right angle. When the probes  130  are combined with the supporter  110 , the second terminal portion  134  and the end extension of the second arm portion  132  joined to the second terminal portion  134  are positioned in the channel  118 . If the second terminal portion  134  is pressed against each of the electrode pads  35  of the inspection object  30 , the second arm portion  132  is partially bent to impart an elastic force to the second terminal portion  134 . This elastic force allows the second terminal portion  134  to make close contact with the electrode pads  35  of the inspection object  30 . 
         [0039]    The probes  130  inserted into the first and second insertion slots  117  and  118  are fixed to the supporter  110  by means of first and second insulating resin members or securing film  123  and  124 . The first insulating resin member  123  is attached to the first lower surface  113  so that it can partially cover the first insertion slots  117  into which the probes  130  are inserted. Thus, the probes  130  received in the first insertion slots  117  are fixed to the supporter  110  by the first insulating resin member  123 . Similarly, the second insulating resin member  124  is attached to the second lower surface  116  so that it can partially cover the second insertion slots  118  into which the probes  130  are inserted. Thus, the probes  130  received in the second insertion slots  118  are fixed to the supporter  110  by the second insulating resin member  124 . In this manner, the first and second insulating resin members  123  and  124  serve to fix the probes  130  to the supporter  110 , thereby preventing the probes  130  from being removed from the first and second insertion slots  117  and  118 . The first and second insulating resin members  123  and  124  may be made of epoxy resin. 
         [0040]    In the illustrated embodiment, the first and second insulating resin members  123  and  124  are shown to fix the part of the second arm portion  132  adjoining to the first arm portion  131  to the first and second lower surfaces  113  and  116  so that the second arm portion  132  can be elastically deformed with ease. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and the attachment position of the first and second insulating resin members  123  and  124  may be changed. For example, the first insulating resin member  123  may be attached to different regions of the first side surface  111  or the first lower surface  113  of the supporter  110  so that it can cover at least a part of the first insertion slots  117  into which the probes  130  are inserted. Similarly, the second insulating resin member  124  may be attached to different regions of the second side surface  114  or the second lower surface  116  of the supporter  110  so that it can cover at least a part of the second insertion slots  118  into which the probes  130  are inserted. 
         [0041]    Description will now be made on a process of fabricating the probe assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention and an operation thereof. 
         [0042]    When fabricating the probe assembly  100 , the probes  130  are inserted into the first and second insertion slots  117  and  118  of the supporter  110 . At this time, the first arm portion  131  of each of the probes  130  received in the first insertion slots  117  is inserted into the first slot portion  117   a  formed on the first side surface  111 . The second arm portion  132  is partially inserted into second slot portion  117   b  formed on the first lower surface  113 . The first terminal portion  133  is positioned in the first groove  121 . The second terminal portion  134  and the end extension of the second arm portion  132  joined to the second terminal portion  134  are positioned in the channel  118 . Similarly, the first arm portion  131  of each of the probes  130  received in the second insertion slots  118  is inserted into the first slot portion  118   a  formed on the second side surface  114 . The second arm portion  132  is partially inserted into second slot portion  118   b  formed on the second lower surface  116 . The first terminal portion  133  is positioned in the second groove  122 . The second terminal portion  134  and the end extension of the second arm portion  132  joined to the second terminal portion  134  are positioned in the channel  118 . 
         [0043]    Once the probes  130  are inserted into the first and second insertion slots  117  and  118 , the first and second insulating resin members  123  and  124  are applied to the first and second banks  112  and  115  of the supporter  110  to partially cover the second arm portion  132  of each of the probes  130 . If the first and second insulating resin members  123  and  124  are fully cured, the probes  130  are firmly fixed to the supporter  110  by the bonding force of the insulating resin members  123  and  124 . Thus, the process of fabricating the probe assembly  100  comes to an end. 
         [0044]    As described above, the probe assembly  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention is of the type wherein the probes  130  are inserted into the first and second insertion slots  117  and  118  formed in the supporter  110 . This makes it possible to fix the probes  130  in a specified position with no possibility that the probes  130  are out of alignment in the fabricating process. Therefore, it is possible to accurately and easily align and fix the probes  130  to the supporter  110  without having to use a jig. Furthermore, since the first arm portion  131  of each of the probes  130  is inserted into the first slot portion  117   a  and  118   a  with the second arm portion  132  inserted into the second slot portion  117   b  and  118   b , the probes  130  fitted to the supporter  110  are seldom deformed by an external force. 
         [0045]    The probe assembly  100  thus fabricated is attached to the lower surface of the printed circuit board  10  by means of the screw  20 . As can be seen in  FIG. 2 , if the screw  20  is driven into the thread hole  119  of the supporter  110  through the printed circuit board  10 , the upper surface of the supporter  110  is brought into close contact with the lower surface of the printed circuit board  10  and the first terminal portion  133  of each of the probes  130  are connected to the corresponding one of the electrode pads  15  of the printed circuit board  10 . In this process, the first terminal portion  133  is elastically deformed and is pressed against the corresponding one of the electrode pads  15 . Therefore, the probes  130  are stably connected to the printed circuit board  10  with no soldering. 
         [0046]    Although not shown in the drawings, a space transformer and an interposer for transmitting an electric signal may be positioned between the probe assembly  100  and the printed circuit board  10 . In this case, the probes  130  are brought into contact with electrode pads of the space transformer. 
         [0047]    The probe assembly  100  thus fabricated is used in producing a probe card. The probe card is connected to a test head (not shown). When performing a test of the inspection object  30 , the test head is operated to bring the second terminal portions  134  of the probes  130  into contact with the electrode pads  35  of the inspection object  30  as shown in  FIG. 2 . As the second terminal portions  134  of the probes  130  come into contact with the electrode pads  35 , the second arm portions  132  are elastically deformed by the force applied to the second terminal portions  134 . At this time, the second arm portions  132  resiliently press the second terminal portions  134  into close contact with the electrode pads  35 . This prevents the second terminal portions  134  from making incomplete contact with the electrode pads  35 , which in turn greatly increases the reliability and repeatability of the test for the inspection object  30 . 
         [0048]    With the probe assembly  100  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, if the probes  130  are damaged in the fabricating process or during the process of testing the inspection object  30 , the probe assembly  100  can be easily replaced with a new one by removing the supporter  110  having the damaged probes  130  from the printed circuit board  10 . This makes it easy to perform the tasks of maintenance and repair and helps to reduce the costs involved in maintenance and repair. 
         [0049]      FIGS. 4 to 7  show a probe assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the probe assembly  200  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention includes a supporter  210  attached to the lower surface of the printed circuit board  10  with electrode pads  15  and a plurality of wire-type probes  230  fixed to the opposite side surfaces of the supporter  210  along the longitudinal direction of the latter. 
         [0050]    The supporter  210  has first and second side surfaces  211  and  213  extending along the longitudinal direction of the supporter  210  in a parallel relationship with each other, a first slanting surface or first facing surface  212  joined to the first side surface  211 , a second slanting surface or second facing surface  214  joined to the second side surface  213 , a lower surface or third facing surface  215  interconnecting the first slanting surface  212  and the second slanting surface  214 , and a plurality of first and second insertion slots  216  and  217 . The first insertion slots  216  are formed on the left side of the supporter  210  in the drawings to extend in the vertical and transverse directions of the supporter  210 . The second insertion slots  217  are formed on the right side of the supporter  210  in the drawings to extend in the vertical and transverse directions of the supporter  210 . The first and second insertion slots  216  and  217  are arranged in a spaced-apart relationship along the longitudinal direction of the supporter  210 . 
         [0051]    Each of the first insertion slots  216  is comprised of a first slot portion  216   a  formed on the first side surface  211  and a second slot portion  216   b  formed on the first slating surface  212 . Similarly, each of the second insertion slots  217  is comprised of a first slot portion  217   a  formed on the second side surface  213  and a second slot portion  217   b  formed on the second slating surface  214 . The first and second insertion slots  216  and  217  may be formed on the lower surface  215 . 
         [0052]    First and second grooves  221  and  222  are formed on the left and right top corners of the supporter  210  along the longitudinal direction of the latter. A thread hole  218  is formed on the upper surface of the supporter  210 . When combining the supporter  210  with the printed circuit board  10 , a screw  20  is driven into the thread hole  218  through the thickness of the printed circuit board  10 , in which state the electrode pads  15  of the printed circuit board  10  are exposed to the first and second grooves  221  and  222 . 
         [0053]    As can be seen in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the wire-type probes  230  are fitted to the first and second insertion slots  216  and  217  of the supporter  210 . The probes  230  may be produced by bending a conductive wire. Each of the probes  230  is comprised of a first arm portion  231 , a second arm portion  232 , a first terminal portion  233  and a second terminal portion  234 . The first arm portion  231  is formed into a length corresponding to the height of the first side surface  211 . The second arm portion  232  extends obliquely downwardly from the first arm portion  231 . The first terminal portion  233  extends obliquely upwardly from the first arm portion  231  and the second terminal portion  234  extends vertically downwardly from the second arm portion  232 . 
         [0054]    When fitting the probes  230  to the first insertion slots  216  of the supporter  210 , the first arm portion  231  of each of the probes  230  is inserted into the first slot portion  216   a  of the first side surface  211  and the second arm portion  232  is inserted into the second slot portion  216   b  of the first slanting surface  212 . The first terminal portion  233  extends into the first groove  221  and the second terminal portion  234  protrudes downwardly from the supporter  210 . In the same manner, the probes  230  are also fitted to the second insertion slots  217  of the supporter  210 . The probes  230  fitted to the first and second insertion slots  216  and  217  are fixed to the supporter  210  by means of first and second insulating resin members  223  and  224 . 
         [0055]    The first insulating resin member  223  is attached to the first slanting surface  212  to partially cover the first insertion slots  216  into which the second arm portions  232  of the probes  230  are inserted. The second insulating resin member  224  is attached to the second slanting surface  214  to partially cover the second insertion slots  217  into which the second arm portions  232  of the probes  230  are inserted. 
         [0056]    In the present embodiment, the first insulating resin member  223  may be attached to different regions of the first side surface  211  or the first slanting surface  212  of the supporter  210  so that it can cover at least a part of the first insertion slots  216  into which the probes  230  are inserted. Similarly, the second insulating resin member  224  may be attached to different regions of the second side surface  213  or the second slanting surface  214  of the supporter  210  so that it can cover at least a part of the second insertion slots  217  into which the probes  130  are inserted. 
         [0057]    With the probe assembly  200  of the present embodiment set forth above, the probes  230  are inserted into the first and second insertion slots  216  and  217  of the supporter  210 . This makes it possible to accurately and easily fit the probes  230  to the supporter  210 . Furthermore, since the probes  230  are inserted into and supported by the first and second insertion slots  216  and  217 , it becomes possible to avoid deformation of the probes  230  and also to assure a prolonged lifespan thereof. 
         [0058]    The probe assembly  200  of the present embodiment is attached to the lower surface of the printed circuit board  10  by means of the screw  20 . In other words, the probe assembly  200  is firmly secured to the printed circuit board  10  by driving the screw  20  into the thread hole  218  of the supporter  210  through the thickness of the printed circuit board  10 . At this time, the first terminal portions  233  of the probes  230  are connected to the electrode pads  15  of the printed circuit board  10  in the first and second grooves  221  and  222 . When making contact with the electrode pads  15 , the first terminal portions  233  are elastically deformed and pressed against the electrode pads  15  by a resilient force. 
         [0059]    When performing a test of the inspection object  30 , the second terminal portions  234  of the probes  230  are brought into contact with the electrode pads  35  of the inspection object  30  as shown in  FIG. 5 . As the second terminal portions  234  of the probes  230  come into contact with the electrode pads  35 , they are elastically deformed and resiliently pressed against the electrode pads  35 . This increases the reliability and repeatability of the test for the inspection object  30 . 
         [0060]      FIG. 7  illustrates a process of cutting the insertion slots in the supporter of the probe assembly shown in  FIG. 4 . The first and second insertion slots  216  and  217  are cut on the opposite side surfaces of the supporter  210  by a wheel cutter  40  having a specified diameter, e.g., a diameter of 55.4 mm. In the process of cutting the first and second insertion slots  216  and  217 , the first insertion slots  216  are first cut on the first side surface  211  and the first slanting surface  212  by means of the wheel cutter  40 . Then, the second insertion slots  217  are cut on the second side surface  213  and the second slanting surface  214 . The first insertion slots  216  may be formed on the lower surface  215  when cutting the first insertion slots  216  on the first slanting surface  212 . Similarly, the second insertion slots  217  may be formed on the lower surface  215  when cutting the second insertion slots  217  on the second slanting surface  214 . 
         [0061]    Therefore, the first and second insertion slots  216  and  217  may be overlapped in the lower surface  215  either in case they are formed at an equal interval on the same cross-sectional plane or in case they are formed at an unequal interval on different cross-sectional planes. If the supporter  210  is reduced in width or if the probes  230  are arranged in a smaller pitch to inspect an inspection object of high density, the overlapping amount of the first and second insertion slots  216  and  217  in the lower surface  215  becomes greater. 
         [0062]    Even though the first and second insertion slots  216  and  217  are overlapped in the lower surface  215 , no overlapping occurs in the first slanting surface  212  and the second slanting surface  214 . Therefore, the second arm portions  232  of the probes  230  are inserted into and immovably fixed to the second slot portions  216   b  and  217   b  of the first slanting surface  212  and the second slanting surface  214 . The second terminal portions  234  of the probes  230  make contact with the electrode pads  35  of the inspection object  30  with increased accuracy, which in turn increases the reliability and repeatability of the test for the inspection object  30 . 
         [0063]    As described hereinabove, the probe assembly for a probe card is of the structure wherein the probes are inserted into the insertion slots of the insulating supporter. This makes it possible to fabricate the probe assembly in an easy and accurate manner and with greatly increased productivity. Furthermore, the probes are allowed to make accurate mechanical contact with the electrode pads of the printed circuit board and are restrained from unnecessary movement, thereby sharply increasing the reliability of a product. Moreover, the probe assembly having a defective probe can be removed from the printed circuit board on a one-by-one basis. This makes it easy to replace components and to reduce the costs involved in maintenance and repair. In addition, it is possible to reduce the pitch between the probes while preventing occurrence of a short circuit of the probes. This makes it possible to cope with the increase in density of the inspection object. 
         [0064]    The present invention is not limited to embodiments shown and described hereinabove. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the claims.