Integrated circuit component handler movement and heating system
US4462796A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 19, 1982 |
| Grant date | Jul 31, 1984 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 19, 2002 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R31/2867
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An air bearing and heating system for use in moving and heating integrated circuit chip carriers (12) prior to their being tested by an electronic tester (10) is the subject of this patent application. The system includes a magazine (18) having a plurality of tracks (24) spaced vertically therein. Each track (24) includes an air-permeable wall (62, 62') through which air in a plenum (52) beneath the wall (62, 62') seeps. The air forms a cushion on the surfaces (64) of the sloped tracks (24) in order to float chip carriers (12), positioned for movement down the tracks (24) therealong. The air can be heated by a heater (104) prior to the time it is introduced to form the air cushion so that the chip carriers (12) will be heated as they are floated down the tracks (24). Similarly, the system can be provided with a distribution member (28) by which carriers (12) are conveyed away from the test site (14) of the handler. The distribution member (28) can include a plurality of chutes (30) having structure similar to that of the tracks (24) in the magazine (18). Since carriers (12) passing down the chutes (30) have already been tested, the air creating the flotation cushion therein need no…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.