Patent · US Expired

Substrate tester location clamping, sensing, and contacting method and apparatus

US6043667A · kind A · utility

79Cited by
4References
23Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateApr 17, 1997
Grant dateMar 28, 2000
Priority date
Expiry dateApr 17, 2017

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01R31/2831
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A substrate tester and method of testing are disclosed in which the tester moves a substrate to be tested into a precise location within the tester prior to making contact with fragile tester pins. The substrate is then clamped in a precise X-Y location relative to the tester contact pins, also without making contact with the tester pins. Next the substrate top surface is moved quickly to a precise Z-axis location, whereupon the tester contact pins are finally applied to the substrate using Z-axis motion only. In addition, a mechanism is included that features a cam-pivot arm micro-switch combination to sense when a product is not properly positioned in or missing from the test station.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.