EP0613013A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self leveling membrane test probe
Assignee: Raytheon Co
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Filing: 1994-02-24
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2014-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A test probe including a flexible membrane (12) having an array of test probe contacts (14) capable of softly and gently contacting pads on a device under test is provided with a structure that effectively applies tension to the membrane while at the same time automatically leveling the membrane and removing distortions. A small pressure plate (30) is bonded to the inner surface of the membrane behind the test probe contacts. A pressure post (58) having a pointed or rounded end (64) is pressed against the pressure plate (30a) and makes pivotal contact with the plate. A spring (50) including an adjustment screw (56) that axially adjusts the compression of the spring, applies pressure through the pivot point to the pressure plate and thus to the membrane at its test probe contacts. When the probe contacts (14) are pressed against a device to be tested, the probe contacts and pressure plate (30) rotate about the pivot point (64) of the pressure post (58), and thereby both planarize the test probe contact array (14) and level the test contact array while appropriately tensioning the membrane.
Inventors
- 👤 Blake F. Woith
- 👤 John S. Szalay
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:49
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/06; G01R1/067; G01R1/073; G01R1/07307; G01R1/0735
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
107 words
A test probe comprising: a membrane support frame, a flexible membrane fixed to the support frame and having inner and outer surfaces, a plurality of test probe contacts on an intermediate area of said outer surface, said test probe contacts being configured and arranged to be pressed against contact pads of a device to be tested, a plurality of conductive traces on said membrane connected to respective ones of said probe test contacts and configured and arranged for connection to test circuitry, and means for automatically rotating said membrane intermediate area as the probe test contacts are pressed against contact pads of a device to be tested.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
16 words
The probe of Claim 1 wherein said means for rotating comprises means for tensioning said membrane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The probe of Claim 1 wherein said means for automatically rotating comprise a pressure plate secured to said membrane inner surface at said intermediate area, and means for pivotally pressing against said pressure plate at a pivot area located substantially centrally of said pressure plate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The probe of Claim 3 wherein said means for pivotally pressing against said pressure plate comprise a pressure element in pivotal connection with said pressure plate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The probe of Claim 3 wherein said means for pivotally pressing against said pressure plate comprises a center post having an end that pivotally contacts said pressure plate pivot area.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The probe of Claim 4 wherein said pressure element comprises a center post having a free end forming a pivot point in contact with said pressure plate, and means for axially urging the center post free end against the pressure plate.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The probe of Claim 6 wherein said means for axially urging the center post comprises a compression spring.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
12 words
The probe of Claim 7 including means for axially adjusting said spring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The probe of Claim 7 including adjustment means for adjustably compressing said spring.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
91 words
The probe of Claim 1 wherein said means for rotating said membrane comprises a pressure plate secured to the membrane inner surface at said membrane intermediate area, a support block mounted to said membrane support frame and extending over said membrane area at a distance from said pressure plate, said support block having a bore, a compression element in said bore and having an outer end, and a post interposed between said compression element and said pressure plate, said post having a free end in pivotal contact with said pressure plate.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
55 words
The test probe of Claim 10 wherein said compression element is a spring, wherein said post includes a shank received in said spring, and wherein said post free end comprises a head having a curved outer surface that pivotally contacts said pressure plate at a pivot area on a central portion of said pressure plate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
40 words
The test probe of Claim 11 wherein said bore includes an internally threaded portion remote from said spring, an adjustment member threaded in said bore, and a force transfer member in said bore between said threaded member and said spring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
21 words
The test probe of Claim 1 wherein said intermediate area is very small compared to the entire area of the membrane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The test probe of Claim 11 including means for restraining relative sliding motion of said post head and said pressure plate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
26 words
The test probe of Claim 14 wherein said means for restraining comprise a small hole in said pressure plate receiving part of said curved outer surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
114 words
A membrane test probe comprising: a thin flexible membrane having a group of probe test contacts in a test area of a first side of the membrane, a pressure plate secured to said membrane at a second side opposite said first side and behind said probe test contacts and said test area, and means for pressing against said pressure plate at a pivot area thereof whereby pressure of said probe test contacts against contact pads of a device to be tested cause said probe test contacts and pressure plate to rotate around said pivot area to obtain alignment of the plane of said test probe contacts with the plane of said device contact pads.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
The test probe of Claim 16 wherein said means for pressing comprises a pivot post having a pointed free end in pivotal contact with a central point of said pressure plate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The test probe of Claim 17 including a central aperture formed in said pressure plate and wherein said pivot post includes a hemispherical head having an end portion partially received in said aperture.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The test probe of Claim 17 including spring means for resiliently and axially urging said pivot post against said pressure plate.
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