Low insertion force connector assembly and semiconductor component test apparatus

Abstract

A low insertion force connector assembly includes a first connector and a second connector which are detachably coupled to each other, wherein the first connector and the second connector are easily assembled to prevent contact failure and are firmly assembled to each other to improve dimensional stability, and it is easy to assemble and manufacture the connectors.

Claims

1. A semiconductor component test apparatus comprising: a plate-shaped substrate 30 having a plurality of substrate fixing pin holes 30a formed thereon; a plurality of connection components 140 coupled to the substrate 30 by means of fixing pins 147 and coupling members 146 and having a plurality of contact pins 143 arranged in a plurality of rows; and a plurality of connectors 50 detachably coupled to the plurality of connection components 140 and having a plurality of contact pins 143 arranged in a plurality of rows, wherein each connection component 140 comprises connection component bodies 141 and the plurality of contact pins 143 arranged spaced apart from each other on the connection component bodies 141 in the plurality of rows, each connection component body 141 having a plurality of body fixing pin holes 1418 formed on the longitudinal direction, and the coupling members 146 and the plurality of connection components 140 are located on both sides of the substrate 30, while placing the substrate 30 therebetween, so that the connection components 140 are coupled to the substrate 30 by locking heads of the fixing pins 147 onto the plurality of body fixing pin holes 1418, allowing the fixing pins 147 to be passed sequentially through the plurality of body fixing pin holes 1418 and the substrate fixing pin holes 30a, and locking the end portions thereof onto pin locking portions of the coupling members 146.

2. The semiconductor component test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the coupling member 146 has a shape of a plate-like bar, the pin locking portions being spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the connection components 140, each pin locking portion having two pin locking members 1461 incised to a shape of “⊏” so that the two pin locking members 1461 have one side end connected to the coupling member 146 and free end portions facing each other, and each fixing pin 147 is inserted between the pin locking members 1461 in such a manner as to allow both side peripheries thereof to come into contact with the pin locking members 1461.

3. The semiconductor component test apparatus according to claim 2, wherein if the fixing pins 147 are inserted into the pin locking portions, the pin locking members 1461 are pushed downward by means of the fixing pins 147 in such a manner as to be slantly deformed downward to increase slant angles and a distance between the free ends, thereby locating the fixing pins 147 between the free ends.

4. The semiconductor component test apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the pin locking members 1461 are slantly bent downward from the coupling member 146 to allow the facing free ends thereof to be spaced apart from each other, and if the fixing pins 147 are inserted between the free ends of the pin locking portions, the pin locking members 1461 are deformedly pushed downward so that slant angles of the pin locking members 1461 are increased and a distance between the free ends is long, thereby locating the fixing pins 147 between the free ends.

5. The semiconductor component test apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection component 140 further comprises a connection component support 142, and the two connection component bodies 141 have body bottoms 1415 spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction and having the plurality of body fixing pin holes 1418 formed thereon, first body extension portions 1411 facingly extended upward from both transverse sides of each body bottom 1415 and having body pin holes 1414 penetrated in the up and down direction in such a manner as to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, body locking projections 1412 formed on both longitudinal sides of each body bottom 1415 in such a manner as to protrude over the first body extension portions 1411, second body extension portions 1413 extended upward from the first body extension portions 1411 and having second body projection portions 1416 formed at the insides facing the first body extension portions 1411, first body projection portions 1417 protruding upward from the outsides of the first body extension portions 1411, and first body groove portions 1419 open downward on both transverse sides of each body bottom 1415, the top ends of the body pin holes 1414 being open to the second body projection portions 1416 and the bottom ends thereof communicating with the first body groove portions 1419, the contact pins 143 being penetrated into the body pin holes 1414 so that the bottom portions thereof are extended to the first body groove portions 1419 in such a manner as to be exposed under the connection component bodies 141 and the top portions thereof are extended to the insides of the second body extension portions 1413, the connection component support 142 comprising support bottoms 1422 spaced apart from each other on both sides of a support wall 1426 and having a plurality of support fixing pin holes 1422a spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction, a supporting portion extended upward and downward from the edges of the support bottoms 1422, and the support wall 1426 extended upward from the transverse center of the support bottoms 1422 in such a manner as to allow both longitudinal ends thereof to be connected to the supporting portion so that the support wall 1426 and the supporting portion have upwardly open concave support portions 1427 located on both transverse sides of the support wall 1426, the support bottoms 1422 comprising extension portion insertion holes 1429 penetrated in the up and down direction thereinto in such a manner as to be extended in the longitudinal direction and first support projection portions 1429a protruding downward from the extension portion insertion holes 1429, the connection component bodies 141 being moved upward toward both sides of the support wall 1426 to allow the first body extension portions 1411 and the second body extension portions 1413 to be inserted into the extension portion insertion holes 1429 so that the outer surfaces of the first body extension portions 1411 and the second body extension portions 1413 supportedly come into contact with the inner surfaces of the supporting portion and the support wall 1426, the first body projection portions 1417 lockedly come into contact with the first support projection portions 1429a, and portions of the support bottoms 1422 between the extension portion insertion holes 1429 are inserted between the concave portions formed between the first body extension portions 1411.

6. The semiconductor component test apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the supporting portion has concave locking groove portions 1424 formed on the lower ends of both longitudinal sides thereof, and the body locking projections 1412 are inserted into the locking groove portions 1424.

7. The semiconductor component test apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the second body extension portions 1413 have concave contact pin grooves 1413a spaced apart from each other on the facing surfaces thereof along the longitudinal direction in such a manner as to be extended to tops of the second body extension portions 1413 and to allow bottom ends thereof to communicate with the body pin holes 1414, and tops of the contact pins 143 are inserted into the contact pin grooves 1413a.

8. The semiconductor component test apparatus according to claim 7, wherein each contact pin 143 has a concave pin portion 143a concavely formed at the inner surface thereof in such a manner as to be extended along the longitudinal direction, so that when the connector pin 53 comes into contact with the corresponding contact pin 143, the connector pin 53 comes into contact with the concave pin portion 143a.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first connector of a conventional connector assembly.

(2) FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the first connector of the conventional connector assembly.

(3) FIG. 3 is a bottom view showing the first connector of the conventional connector assembly.

(4) FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

(5) FIG. 5 is a front view showing a second connector of the conventional connector assembly.

(6) FIG. 6 is a plan view showing the second connector of the conventional connector assembly.

(7) FIG. 7 is a front view showing the conventional connector assembly.

(8) FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 7.

(9) FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along the line 15-15 of FIG. 7, which shows the same connector assembly being in a complete fitting state as FIG. 8.

(10) FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a first connector of a low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention.

(11) FIG. 11 is a front view showing an outer member of the first connector of FIG. 10.

(12) FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the outer member of the first connector of FIG. 10.

(13) FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an intermediate member of the first connector of FIG. 10.

(14) FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective views showing a pin module of the first connector of FIG. 10.

(15) FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a bottom of a top member of the first connector of FIG. 10.

(16) FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the top member, driving shafts, and handles of the first connector of FIG. 10.

(17) FIGS. 18 and 19 are perspective views showing a state where the pin module is coupled to the outer member of the first connector of FIG. 10.

(18) FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a state where the outer members, the intermediate member, and the top member of the first connector of FIG. 10 are coupled to each other.

(19) FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a second connector of the low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention.

(20) FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a bottom of the second connector of the low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention.

(21) FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a bottom of a portion of the left end of FIG. 22.

(22) FIG. 24 is a transverse sectional view showing coupling between the first connector and the second connector of the low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention.

(23) FIG. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view showing coupling between the first connector and the second connector of the low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention.

(24) FIG. 26 is a schematic sectional view showing installation of the first connector.

(25) FIG. 27 is a sectional view showing the second connector of the low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention.

(26) FIGS. 28 and 29 are perspective views showing examples of pins of the second connector of the low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention.

(27) FIG. 30 is a sectional view showing a conventional semiconductor component test apparatus for texting electrical properties of semiconductor components.

(28) FIG. 31 is a perspective view showing connectors of the semiconductor component test apparatus of FIG. 30.

(29) FIG. 32 is an enlarged view showing a portion of the connectors of FIG. 31.

(30) FIG. 33 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A of FIG. 32 so as to explain the connector 50.

(31) FIG. 34 is a plan perspective view showing a connection component of the conventional semiconductor component test apparatus.

(32) FIG. 35 is a bottom perspective view showing the connection component of FIG. 34.

(33) FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view showing connection between a connection component and a substrate in a semiconductor component test apparatus according to the present invention.

(34) FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing a portion of a coupled state between fixing pins and coupling members of the connection component.

(35) FIG. 38 is a sectional view showing a portion of a coupled state between the connection component and the substrate.

(36) FIG. 39 is a sectional view showing the connection component of the semiconductor component test apparatus according to the present invention.

(37) FIG. 40 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion A of FIG. 38.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(38) Hereinafter, a low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention will be in detail explained with reference to the attached drawing.

(39) FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a first connector of a low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention, FIG. 11 is a front view showing an outer member of the first connector of FIG. 10, FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing the outer member of the first connector of FIG. 10, FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing an intermediate member of the first connector of FIG. 10, FIGS. 14 and 15 are perspective views showing a pin module of the first connector of FIG. 10, FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a bottom of a top member of the first connector of FIG. 10, FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the top member, driving shafts, and handles of the first connector of FIG. 10, FIGS. 18 and 19 are perspective views showing a state where the pin module is coupled to the outer member of the first connector of FIG. 10, FIG. 20 is a perspective view showing a state where the outer members, the intermediate member, and the top member of the first connector of FIG. 10 are coupled to each other, FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing a second connector of the low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention, FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a bottom of the second connector of the low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention, FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing a bottom of a portion of the left end of FIG. 22, FIG. 24 is a transverse sectional view showing coupling between the first connector and the second connector of the low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention, FIG. 25 is a longitudinal sectional view showing coupling between the first connector and the second connector of the low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention, FIG. 26 is a schematic sectional view showing installation of the first connector, FIG. 27 is a sectional view showing the second connector of the low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention, and FIGS. 28 and 29 are perspective views showing examples of pins of the second connector of the low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention.

(40) For the convenience of the description, hereinafter, a direction toward a second connector is called up direction, and a direction toward a first connector down direction. Also, a transverse direction in FIG. 11 is called a longitudinal direction, a vertical direction to the ground transverse direction, and a facing direction of outer members inward direction.

(41) The low insertion force connector assembly according to the present invention includes a first connector 100 and a second connector 200.

(42) As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, the first connector 100 includes two outer members 110, an intermediate member 120, a top member 130, four pin modules 140, PCBs 150, driving shafts 160, and handles 170.

(43) The first connector 100 has an insertion groove 101 formed on top thereof. The insertion groove 101 has a shape of a rectangular section and is concaved in an up and down direction. The insertion groove 101 includes body inner surfaces 111a facing each other in the transverse direction and side inner surfaces 115a facing each other in the longitudinal direction. A transverse distance between the body inner surfaces 111a and a longitudinal distance between the side inner surfaces 115a are increased toward the open end portion of the insertion groove 101. The insertion groove 101 has protruding portions protruding outward therefrom in such a manner as to be extended in longitudinal directions and spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction.

(44) The outer members 110 are disposed to face each other in the transverse direction of the first connector 100. Each outer member 110 includes a plate-shaped outer member body 111 extended in the longitudinal direction, outer member side portions 113 formed on both ends of the outer member body 111 in the longitudinal direction in such a manner as to protrude inward in the transverse direction, and outer member protrusion portions 115 protruding inward from tops of the outer member side portions 113 in the transverse direction.

(45) On the facing surfaces of the outer member bodies 111 are located body inner surfaces 111a inclinedly extended toward tops thereof in the longitudinal direction. Further, on the facing surfaces of the outer member bodies 111 are formed top member insertion grooves 111b extended downward from the body inner surfaces 111a in the longitudinal direction in such a manner as to be concave inward in the transverse direction. Furthermore, on the facing surfaces of the outer member bodies 111 are formed outer member pin insertion grooves 111c extended downward from the top member insertion grooves 111b in the longitudinal direction in such a manner as to be concavely spaced apart from the top member insertion grooves 111b.

(46) A plurality of top member insertion protrusions 111d protrude inward from the top member insertion grooves 111b in the transverse direction in such a manner as to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of pin insertion protrusions 111e protrude inward from the outer member pin insertion grooves 111e in the transverse direction in such a manner as to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction.

(47) Outer member side protrusions 113c protrude from tops of the outer member side portions 113 in the longitudinal direction.

(48) The outer member side portions 113 have outer member axial grooves 113a extended in the longitudinal direction therefrom in such a manner as to be concave inward in the transverse direction. The outer member axial grooves 113a are formed at the positions where the outer member side protrusions 113c are formed in such a manner as to be extended to the outer member side protrusions 113c.

(49) The outer member side portions 113 have outer member protrusions 113e protruding inward in the transverse direction from positions where the outer member side protrusions 113c are formed. Each outer member side portion 113 has outer member coupling holes 115b spaced apart from each other in the up and down direction around the outer member protrusion 113e in such a manner as to be penetrated in the transverse direction. The outer member coupling holes 115b are formed on the outer member protrusion portion 115 and the outer member side portion 113, respectively.

(50) The outer member side portions 113 have outer member lower protrusions 113b extended more downward than the outer member body 111 therefrom in such a manner as to form downward protruding surfaces. The outer member lower protrusions 113b have PCB fastening holes 113f penetrated thereinto in the transverse direction. One or more PCB fastening holes 113f are spaced apart from each other in the up and down direction.

(51) The outer member side portions 113 have concave side support surfaces 113g facingly formed concavely at the position where the outer member pin insertion groove 111c is formed in the longitudinal direction. The concave side support surfaces 113g whose end portions are connected to the outer member pin insertion groove 111c.

(52) As shown in FIGS. 10 and 13, the intermediate member 120 is disposed between the outer members 110 in the transverse direction. The intermediate member 120 has a plate-shaped intermediate member body 121 extended in the longitudinal direction and intermediate member side portions 123 are formed on both longitudinal ends of the intermediate member body 121 in such a manner as to protrude in the transverse direction.

(53) The intermediate member body 121 has first intermediate member surfaces 121c formed slantly on both transverse sides thereof in such a manner as to become increased in thickness from the top to the bottom and intermediate member pin insertion grooves 121a concavely formed spaced apart from the first intermediate member surfaces 121c in the down direction at positions facing the outer member pin insertion grooves 111c in such a manner as to be extended in the longitudinal direction. The intermediate member pin insertion groove 121a has a plurality of intermediate member pin protrusions 121b spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction in such a manner as to protrude therefrom toward the outer members 110 in the transverse direction.

(54) Tops of the intermediate member side portions 123 protrude more upward than top of the intermediate member body 121. The intermediate member side portions 123 have intermediate member side protrusions 123h protruding from tops thereof in the longitudinal direction.

(55) On both transverse sides of the intermediate member side portions 123 are formed intermediate member axial grooves 123a extended in the longitudinal direction therefrom in such a manner as to be concave inward in the transverse direction. The outer member axial grooves 113a are formed at the positions where the intermediate member side protrusions 123h are formed in such a manner as to be extended to the outer member side protrusions 123h. The outer member side protrusions 123h have first connector fastening holes 123g penetrated thereinto in the up and down direction.

(56) On both transverse sides of the intermediate member side portions 123 are formed outer member protrusion grooves 123b are concavely formed in such a manner as to insert the outer member protrusions 113e. Intermediate member coupling holes 123c are spaced apart from the outer member protrusion grooves 123b in the down direction in such a manner as to be penetrated thereinto in the transverse direction at the positions where the outer member coupling holes 115b of the outer member side portions 113 are formed.

(57) The intermediate member side portions 123 have concave intermediate member support surfaces 123d facingly formed concavely at the positions where the intermediate member pin insertion grooves 121a are formed in the longitudinal direction in such a manner as to connect end portions thereof to the intermediate member pin insertion grooves 121a.

(58) The intermediate member side portions 123 have PCB seating portions 123e formed by reducing thicknesses of the insides thereof in the longitudinal direction in such a manner as to form inward and downward protruding surfaces. The PCB seating portions 123e have PCB fastening holes 123f penetrated thereinto in the transverse direction. The PCB fastening holes 123f communicate with the PCB fastening holes 113f of the outer members 110.

(59) As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the two pin modules 140 are disposed between the intermediate member 120 and one side outer member 110 and the two pin modules 40 are disposed between the intermediate member 120 and the other outer member 110 on both transverse sides of the intermediate member 130.

(60) Each pin module 140 includes a bar-shaped pin module body 141 extended in the longitudinal direction, a plate-shaped pin module support 143 extended upward from the pin module body 141 in the longitudinal direction, and a plurality of pins 142 arranged in the longitudinal direction and penetrated into the pin module body 141 and the pin module support 143 in the up and down direction in such a manner as to allow top ends thereof to protrude upward from the pin module support 143 and to allow bottom ends thereof to protrude downward from the pin module body 141.

(61) The pin module 140 includes a pin module coupling groove 147 and a pin module coupling protrusion 145 formed on one side of the pin module body 141 coming into contact with the pin module 140 adjacent thereto in such a manner as to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. The pin module coupling groove 147 and the pin module coupling protrusion 145 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the pin module 140. The pin module coupling protrusion 145 of the adjacent pin module 140 is inserted into the pin module coupling groove 147, and the pin module coupling groove 147 of the adjacent pin module 140 inserts the pin module coupling protrusion 145 thereinto.

(62) A plurality of concave pin module body grooves 141a are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction on the opposite transverse surface to the surface where the pin module coupling groove 147 and the pin module coupling protrusion 145 of the pin module body 141 are formed in such a manner as to be concavely penetrated in the up and down direction.

(63) The pin module body 141 has pin module protrusion portions 149 protruding downward from both longitudinal sides thereof in such a manner as to locate the plurality of pins 142 therebetween. The lower ends of the pin module protrusion portions 149 are slant downward therefrom.

(64) As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the top member 130 whose both transverse sides are inserted into the outer members 110 so that the top member 130 is disposed on top of the intermediate member 120. The top member 130 includes a bar-shaped top member body 131 extended in the longitudinal direction and top member protruding portions 133 protruding upward from the top member body 131 in such a manner as to be spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction and extended in the longitudinal direction.

(65) The top member body 131 has top member concave portions 131a concave downward from the underside thereof in such a manner as to be extended in the longitudinal direction. The two top member concave portions 131a are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction. The top member concave portions 131a whose both transverse sides are slant toward the lower portions thereof so that a distance between both transverse sides becomes distant.

(66) Top member pin holes 135 are extended from the top member concave portions 131a to the top member protruding portions 133 in such a manner as to be exposed toward the transverse direction of the top member protruding portions 133. The top member pin holes 135 are formed in four rows so that the two rows thereof are formed on one top member concave portion 131a and one top member concave portion 131a and the two rows thereof are formed on the other top member concave portion 131a and the other top member concave portion 131a.

(67) Top member body protrusions 131b protrude from both transverse sides of the top member body 131 in the transverse direction in such a manner as to be inserted into the top member insertion grooves 111b. A plurality of concave top member protrusion grooves 131c are spaced apart from each other on each top member body protrusion 131b in the longitudinal direction in such a manner as to be penetrated in the up and down direction.

(68) The two driving shafts 160 are rotatably disposed between the intermediate member 120 and the outer members 110 under the top member 130 and have end portions protruding from one longitudinal side. Each driving shaft 160 has a shape of an oval section in such a manner as to be extended in the longitudinal direction.

(69) The handles 170 are disposed on the protruding end portions of the driving shafts 160. Each handle 170 includes a first handle extended in a vertical direction to the corresponding driving shaft 160 and a second handle spaced apart from a coupled portion between the driving shaft 160 and the first handle in the vertical direction to the driving shaft 160 in such a manner as to be extended in the longitudinal direction.

(70) So as to assemble the first connector 100, as shown in FIG. 18, the pin modules 140 are first coupled to the outer members 110. In detail, the pin module bodies 141 of the pin modules 140 are inserted into the outer member pin insertion grooves 111c, and the pin insertion protrusions 111e are inserted into the pin module body grooves 141a. Movements of the pin modules 140 in the longitudinal direction are prevented through the pin insertion protrusions 111e and the pin module body grooves 141a.

(71) Also, the pin insertion protrusions 111e are slantly formed in such a manner as to become reduced in thickness in the longitudinal direction as they are extended inward in the transverse direction, and as the pin module support 143 is distant from the transverse sides of the pin module body grooves 141a, an inclined surface is formed so that a distance between their transverse sides becomes long, thereby allowing the pin modules 140 to be easily coupled to the outer member 110.

(72) One pin module 140 is coupled to the pin module 140 coupled to the outer member 110. The pin module coupling protrusion 145 of the adjacent pin module 140 is inserted into the pin module coupling groove 147 of the pin module 140, and the pin module coupling groove 147 of the adjacent pin module 140 inserts the pin module coupling protrusion 145 of the pin module 140 thereinto.

(73) Both longitudinal ends of the pin module body 141 of one side pin module 140 of the two pin modules 140 come into contact with the concave side support surfaces 113g, and both longitudinal ends of the pin module body 141 of the other side pin module 140 come into contact with the concave intermediate member support surfaces 123d.

(74) As a result, the two pin modules 140 disposed between the intermediate member 120 and the outer member 110 are more rigidly seated onto the intermediate member 120 and the outer member 110, so that changes in position according to their operations are prevented to allow the electrical contacts of the pins to be stably maintained.

(75) As shown in FIG. 19, each driving shaft 160 is inserted into the outer member axial grooves 113a in such a manner as to be rotatably disposed between the pin modules 140. The driving shaft 160 is rotated between the pins 142 spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction to pressurize the pins 142 outward in the transverse direction. The handle 170 is disposed on the portion of the driving shaft 160 protruding outward in the longitudinal direction of the outer member 110.

(76) The outer member 110 and the intermediate member 120, to which the pin modules 140 are coupled, are then coupled to each other. The pin module body 141 of the pin module 140 is inserted into the intermediate member pin insertion groove 121a, and the intermediate member pin protrusions 121b are inserted into the pin module body grooves 141a. Through the intermediate member pin protrusions 121b and the pin module body grooves 141a, the pin module 140 is prevented from being moved in the longitudinal direction.

(77) Also, the intermediate member pin protrusions 121b are slantly formed in such a manner as to become reduced in thickness in the longitudinal direction as they are toward the outer member 110 in the transverse direction, and as the pin module support 143 is distant from the transverse sides of the pin module body grooves 141a, an inclined surface is formed so that a distance between their transverse sides becomes long, thereby allowing the pin modules 140 to be easily coupled to the outer member 110.

(78) The PCBs 150 are disposed between one side outer member 110 and the intermediate member 120 adjacent to each other and between the other side outer member 120 and the intermediate member 120 adjacent to each other. Each PCB 150 has electrical terminals adapted to transfer electrical signals. Screws are fastened to PCB holes formed on the PCBs 150, the PCB fastening holes 113f of the outer members 110, and the PCB fastening holes 133f of the intermediate member 120, so that the PCBs 150 are coupled to the outer members 110 and the intermediate member 120.

(79) The outer member side portions 113 of the outer member 110 come into contact with the intermediate member side portions 123 of the intermediate member 120, thereby allowing coupling therebetween. Further, the end portions of the outer member axial grooves 113a come into contact with the intermediate member axial grooves 123a to form one shaft hole, so that the driving shaft 160 is rotatably inserted into the shaft hole.

(80) As shown in FIG. 20, both transverse sides of the top member 130 are inserted into the outer members 110 in such a manner as to be disposed on top of the intermediate member 120.

(81) The top member body protrusions 131b of the top member 130 are inserted into the top member insertion grooves 111b of the outer members 110, and the top member insertion protrusions 111d are inserted into the top member protrusion grooves 131c. Through the top member insertion protrusions 111d and the top member protrusion grooves 131c, the top member 130 is prevented from being moved in the longitudinal direction.

(82) The two pin modules 140 are located at each top member concave portion 131a of the top member 130, so that the pins 142 are inserted into the top member pin holes 135. The pins 142 are exposed to the transverse sides of the top member protrusions 133 in such a manner as to be arranged in the longitudinal direction.

(83) In the same manner as described with reference to FIGS. 18 to 20, to the opposite side of the intermediate member 120 are coupled the two pin modules 140, the driving shaft 160 disposed between the pin modules 140, the handle 170 disposed on the driving shaft 160, and the outer member 110. The outer members 110 located on both transverse sides of the intermediate member 120 are coupled to each other in such a manner as to allow the end portions of the outer member protrusion portions 115 to come into contact with each other.

(84) The first connector 100 has the insertion groove 101 formed on top thereof. The insertion groove 101 is defined by the body inner surfaces 111a formed on the outer member body 111 in such a manner as to face each other in the transverse direction and the side inner surfaces 115a formed on the outer member protrusion portions 115 in such a manner as to face each other in the longitudinal direction. The insertion groove 101 has a shape of a rectangular section and is concave upward. A transverse distance between the body inner surfaces 111a and a longitudinal distance between the side inner surfaces 115a are increased toward the open end portion of the insertion groove 101.

(85) As shown in FIGS. 21 to 23, the second connector 200 includes a connector body 210 and a plurality of pins 220.

(86) The connector body 210 has a shape of a rectangular section in such a manner as to be extended in the longitudinal direction, and a connector insertion portion 211 is extended downward from a connector projection surface 213 protruding downward from the underside of the connector body 210.

(87) The connector body 210 has two connector concave portions 210a formed on the lower portion thereof in such a manner as to be open downward to insert the top member protruding portions 133. The two connector concave portions 210a are spaced apart from each other in the transverse direction.

(88) First insertion surfaces 211a as the outer surfaces of the connector insertion portion 211 extended in the transverse direction and second insertion surfaces 211b as the outer surfaces of the connector insertion portion 211 extended in the longitudinal direction are formed in such a manner as to allow a distance between the first insertion surfaces 211a and a distance between the second insertion surfaces 211b to become reduced as they go toward the ends of the connector insertion portion 211. The connector insertion portion 211 has slant insertion surfaces 211c formed along the end edges thereof.

(89) As shown in FIG. 27, the connector body 210 has connector body pin holes 217 formed thereon in such a manner as to be extended upward and open on the top thereof and to allow bottoms thereof to communicate with the connector concave portions 210a. The connector body pin holes 217 are formed on both transverse sides of each connector concave portion 210a in such a manner as to be spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. The connector body pin holes 217 communicate with the connector concave portions 210a in the directions facing the transverse directions of the connector concave portions 210a. Each connector body pin hole 217 has an expanded pin hole portion 219 expanded in the transverse direction from the top thereof. The expanded pin hole portions 219 are expanded toward both transverse sides thereof, while placing the respective connector concave portions 210a therebetween.

(90) The pins 220 are inserted into the connector body pin holes 217 in such a manner as to allow top ends thereof to protrude upward from the top of the connector body 210 and to allow bottom ends thereof to be exposed to the connector concave portions 210a through the connector body pin holes 217. The pins 220 are arranged in the longitudinal direction on both transverse sides of each connector concave portion 210a. The pins 220 are arranged on each connector concave portion 210a in two rows, and accordingly, the pins 220 are arranged on the respective connector concave portions 210a in four rows.

(91) Hereinafter, a transverse side toward the center of the connector concave portion 210a is called transverse inside (or transversely inward side), and a side toward transversely facing surfaces of the connector concave portion 210a is called transverse outside (or transversely outward side).

(92) Each pin 220 includes a first bar-shaped pin portion 221 extended in the up and down direction, a second pin portion 223 bent from top of the first pin portion 221 in such a manner as to allow an end portion thereof to be slantly extended toward the expanded direction of the expanded pin hole portion 219, a third pin portion 225 bent from top of the second pin portion 223 in such a manner as to allow an end portion thereof to be slantly extended toward the opposite direction to the second pin portion 223, and a fourth pin portion 227 bent from top of the third pin portion 225 in such a manner as to allow an end portion thereof to be slant toward the connector body 210. The bent portions of the pin 220 are curvedly formed.

(93) The first pin portion 221 in each connector body pin hole 217 is located at the connector concave portion 210a in such a manner as to be exposed in the transverse direction of the connector concave portion 210a, the bent portion between the second pin portion 223 and the third pin portion 225 comes into contact with the side of the expanded pin hole portion 219, and the bent portion between the third pin portion 225 and the fourth pin portion 227 and the fourth pin portion 227 are exposed to the outside of the connector body 210.

(94) The bent portion between the third pin portion 225 and the fourth pin portion 227 are located closer at the transverse inside of the connector body 210 than the bent portion between the second pin portion 223 and the third pin portion 225.

(95) A distance between the bent portions between the third pin portion 225 and the fourth pin portion 227 of the pins facing in each connector concave portion 210a is shorter than a transverse width of the connector concave portion 210a.

(96) When the bent portion between the third pin portion 225 and the fourth pin portion 227 is contactedly pressurized, an external force is generated to allow displacement to be applied to the first pin portion 221 toward the transverse outside, so that the first pin portion 221 comes into close contact with the connector body pin hole 217.

(97) As shown in FIG. 28, the pin 220 further includes an upward expanded portion 226 expanded upward between the second pin portion 223 and the third pin portion 225 in such a manner as to be parallel with the first pin portion 221. The upward expanded portion 226 comes into contact with the vertical inner surface of the expanded pin hole portion 219, and otherwise, it may be separated therefrom with a fine tolerance.

(98) As shown in FIG. 29, the pin 220 is configured to allow the third pin portion 225 and the fourth pin portion 227 to protrude upward from the connector body 210 and otherwise to allow a portion of a top of the first pin portion 221, the third pin portion 225 and the fourth pin portion 227 to protrude upward from the connector body 210.

(99) As shown in FIGS. 24 and 25, the connector insertion portion 211 of the second connector 200 is coupledly inserted into the insertion groove 101 of the first connector 100.

(100) The top member protruding portions 133 are inserted into the connector concave portions 210a, and the ends of the connector insertion portion 211 are coupledly located between the outer members 110 and the top member 130.

(101) When the connector insertion portion 211 is inserted into the insertion groove 101, the second connector 200 can be easily coupled to the first connector 100 through the first insertion surfaces 211a and the second insertion surfaces 211b slant of the connector insertion portion 211. Through the slant insertion surfaces 211c of the connector insertion portion 211, the top end portions of the insertion groove 101, which are coupled to the slant insertion surfaces 211c, can be easily adjusted in position.

(102) The pins 142 of the first connector 100 and the pins 220 of the second connector 200 are facingly arranged in the transverse direction.

(103) As shown in FIG. 26, a test head A is built on the first connector 100 by means of a bolt B. The bolt B is inserted into the first connector fastening hole 123g of the first connector 100 and is then fastened to a fastening portion A1 of the test head A.

(104) The bolt B includes a bolt head portion B1, a bolt guide portion B2 having a protruding surface from the bolt head portion B in such a manner as to be extended downward, and a bolt fastening portion B3 having a bolt protruding portion B4 from the bolt guide portion B2 in such a manner as to be extended downward and screw-fastened to the fastening portion A1 of the test head A.

(105) If the bolt fastening portion B3 of the bolt B is screw-fastened to the test head A, the bolt protruding portion B4 pressurizes the test head A so that the first connector 100 located between the bolt head portion B1 and the test head A is coupled to the test head A.

(106) The first connector 100 is slidable laterally between the bolt head portion B1 and the test head A, and a tolerance t is formed laterally between the bolt guide portion B2 and the first connector fastening hole 123g. Even if the connector insertion portion 211 and the insertion groove 101 are misaligned in position at the time when the second connector 200 is inserted into the first connector 100, the first connector 100 is moved by means of the clearance t to allow the connector insertion portion 211 and the insertion groove 101 to be automatically aligned, thereby achieving easy coupling.

(107) Hereinafter, an explanation on a semiconductor component test apparatus according to the present invention will be in detail given with reference to FIGS. 36 to 40.

(108) FIG. 36 is an exploded perspective view showing connection between a connection component and a substrate in a semiconductor component test apparatus according to the present invention, FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing a portion of a coupled state between fixing pins and coupling members of the connection component, FIG. 38 is a sectional view showing a portion of a coupled state between the connection component and the substrate, FIG. 39 is a sectional view showing the connection component of the semiconductor component test apparatus according to the present invention, and FIG. 40 is an enlarged perspective view showing a portion A of FIG. 38.

(109) Referring back to FIG. 30, a semiconductor component test apparatus according to the present invention includes a contactor 20 coming into contact with a semiconductor component 10, a substrate 30 for supplying electrical signals to the contactor 20, a plurality of connection components 140 fixed to the substrate 30, a plurality of connectors 50 detachably connected to the plurality of connection components 140, a connector stand 90 for fixing the plurality of connectors 50, and a holder 80 for supporting the plurality of connectors 50 and the connector stand 90. An explanation on the repeated parts with the conventional practice will be avoided, and accordingly, the parts according to an embodiment of the present invention will be in detail described below.

(110) A horizontal direction in FIG. 38 is called “transverse direction”, a vertical direction is called “up and down direction”, and a vertical direction with respect to the surface of ground is called “longitudinal direction”.

(111) As shown in FIG. 36, each connection component 140 of the semiconductor component test apparatus according to the present invention is coupled to the substrate 30 through fixing pins 147 and coupling members 146.

(112) The connection component 140 includes connection component bodies 141, contact pins 143, a connection component support 142, the fixing pins 147, and the coupling members 146.

(113) As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39, the connection component bodies 141 include body bottoms 1415, first body extension portions 1411, second body extension portions 1413, and body locking projections 1412.

(114) Each body bottom 1415 has a plate-shaped bar extended in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of body fixing pin holes 1418 are formed on the body bottom 1415. The body fixing pin holes 1418 are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the body bottom 1415.

(115) The first body extension portions 1411 are formed on both transverse sides of the body bottom 1415. The first body extension portions 1411 are extended upward from the body bottom 1415 in such a manner as to face each other. Concave portions between the first body extension portions 1411 and the body bottom 1415 are formed open to upward and longitudinal directions, and first body projection portions 1417 protrude upward from the transverse outsides of the first body extension portions 1411.

(116) The second body extension portions 1413 are extended upward from the first body extension portions 1411, while having second body projection portions 1416 formed at the insides facing the first body extension portions 1411. The second body projection portions 1416 are formed at the positions separated upward from the first body projection portions 1417.

(117) The body locking projections 1412 are formed on both longitudinal sides of each body bottom 1415. The body locking projections 1412 protrude over the first body extension portions 1411.

(118) The connection component bodies 141 have first body grooves portions 1419 and body pin holes 1414.

(119) The first body groove portions 1419 are open downward on both transverse sides of each body bottom 1415.

(120) The body pin holes 1414 are penetrated in the up and down direction into each first body extension portion 1411. The body pin holes 1414 are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the first body extension portion 1411. Top ends of the body pin holes 1414 are open to the second body projection portions 1416, and the bottom ends thereof communicate with the first body groove portions 1419.

(121) Concave contact pin grooves 1413a are formed on the surfaces of the body pin holes 1414 facing the second body extension portions 1413. The contact pin grooves 1413a are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the second body extension portion 1413. The contact pin grooves 1413a are extended to tops of the second body extension portions 1413, while allowing bottom ends thereof to be connected to the body pin holes 1414.

(122) The contact pins 143 are penetrated into the body pin holes 1414 so that tops thereof are inserted into the contact pin grooves 1413a.

(123) The contact pins 143 are spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction of the connection component bodies 141, while being arranged in a plurality of rows. The contact pins 143 are penetrated into the body pin holes 1414. The bottom portions of the contact pins 143 are extended to the first body groove portions 1419 in such a manner as to be exposed under the connection component bodies 141, and the top portions thereof are extended to the contact pin grooves 1413a of the second body extension portions 1413 in such a manner as to be inserted into the contact pin grooves 1413a.

(124) As shown in FIG. 40, a concave pin portion 143a is concavely formed at the inner surface of each contact pin 143 in such a manner as to be extended along the longitudinal direction of the contact pin 143. The concave pin portion 143a has a sectional shape of “v”. Through the concave pin portion 143a, two-point contacts can be made at the time when the connector pins 53 come into contact with the contact pins 143, thereby achieving stable contacts.

(125) The connection component 140 is configured to have the two connection component bodies 141 disposed in one connection component support 142. The connection component support 142 is adapted to surround the outsides of the connection component bodies 141 parallel with each other.

(126) The connection component support 142 is made of a metal material. As the connection component support 142 made of the metal supports the outsides of the connection component bodies 141, no damage or deformation on the connection component 140 may occur even under external impacts.

(127) The connection component support 142 includes support bottoms 1422, a supporting portion, and a support wall 1426.

(128) The support bottoms 1422 have shapes of bars extended in the longitudinal direction of the connection component 140. The support bottoms 1422 are spaced apart from each other on both sides of the support wall 1426.

(129) Each support bottom 1422 has a plurality of support fixing pin holes 1422a spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction. The support fixing pin holes 1422a are formed at positions corresponding to the body fixing pin holes 1418.

(130) The supporting portion is extended upward and downward from the edges of the support bottoms 1422. The supporting portion includes first supporting portions 1421 and second supporting portions 1425.

(131) The first supporting portions 1421 are disposed along the edges of the support bottoms 1422. The first supporting portions 1421 are extended downward from the support bottoms 1422. The first supporting portions 1421 have first support projection portions 1429a formed at the insides facing in the transverse direction. The first support projection portions 1429a are located between tops and bottoms of the support bottoms 1422. Through the formation of the first support projection portions 1429a, the first supporting portions 1421 located on both transverse sides of the support bottoms 1422 are spaced apart from the support bottoms 1422 in the transverse direction.

(132) Concave locking groove portions 1424 are formed on the lower ends of both longitudinal sides of the first supporting portions 1421.

(133) The second supporting portions 1425 are extended upward from the first supporting portions 1421, while having second support projection portions 1423 formed upward from the transverse outsides of the support bottoms 1422.

(134) The support wall 1426 is extended upward from the transverse center of the support bottoms 1422 in such a manner as to allow both longitudinal ends thereof to be connected to the supporting portion. The lower end of the support wall 1426 is located more upward than the lower ends of the support bottoms 1422. The support wall 1426 and the supporting portion have upwardly open concave support portions 1427 located on both transverse sides of the support wall 1426.

(135) The connection component support 142 has extension portion insertion holes 1429.

(136) The extension portion insertion holes 1429 are penetrated in the up and down direction into the support bottoms 1422 in such a manner as to be extended in the longitudinal direction. The extension portion insertion holes 1429 are formed on both sides of the support bottoms 1426 and the transverse insides of the supporting portion. The extension portion insertion holes 1429 formed on both sides of the support bottoms 1426 communicate with each other under the support wall 1426.

(137) If the connection component support 142 is coupled to the connection component bodies 141, the connection component bodies 141 are moved upward toward both sides of the support wall 1426 to allow the first body extension portions 1411 and the second body extension portions 1413 to be inserted into the extension portion insertion holes 1429. The outer surfaces of the first body extension portions 1411 and the second body extension portions 1413 supportedly come into contact with the inner surfaces of the supporting portion and the support wall 1426. The first body projection portions 1417 formed on the transverse outsides of the connection component bodies 141 lockedly come into contact with the first support projection portions 1429a, and the first body projection portions 1417 formed on the transverse insides of the connection component bodies 141 lockedly come into contact with the lower end of the support wall 1426. Further, the body locking projections 1412 of the connection component bodies 141 are inserted into the locking groove portions 1424.

(138) The support bottoms 1422 are inserted between the concave portions formed by the first body extension portions 1411 and the body bottoms 1415, and the support fixing pin holes 1422a and the body fixing pin holes 1418 communicate with each other to form fixing pin holes through which the fixing pins 147 are passed.

(139) The connection component 140 and the coupling members 146 are located on both sides of the substrate 30, while placing the substrate 30 therebetween, and they are coupled to each other by means of the fixing pins 147.

(140) The fixing pins 147 are passed through the fixing pin holes. The fixing pins 147 have heads locked onto the support fixing pin holes 1422a and are sequentially passed through the support fixing pin holes 1422a, the body fixing pin holes 1418 and substrate fixing pin holes 30a formed on the substrate 30. The end portions of the fixing pins 147 are locked onto pin locking portions of the coupling members 146 disposed on the underside of the substrate 30.

(141) As shown in FIG. 37, the coupling members 146 are disposed on the underside of the substrate 30. Each coupling member 146 has a shape of a plate-shaped bar extended in the longitudinal direction of the connection component 140. A reference numeral 33 in FIG. 38 denotes an insulation film disposed between the coupling member 146 and the substrate 30.

(142) The coupling member 146 has a plurality of pin locking portions spaced apart from each other along the longitudinal direction. Each pin locking portion has two pin locking members 1461 incised to a shape of “⊏” so that the two pin locking members 1461 have one side end connected to the coupling member 146 and free end portions facing each other.

(143) Each fixing pin 147 is inserted between the pin locking members 1461 in such a manner as to allow both side peripheries thereof to come into contact with the pin locking members 1461. A reference numeral 1463 denotes a coupling member installing hole through which the coupling member 146 is fixedly coupled to the substrate 30 by means of a bolt.

(144) Locking contact portions 1461a as the free ends of the pin locking members 1461 have shapes of concave arch. As a result, contact areas between the locking contact portions 1461a and the fixing pin 147 are increased at the time when the fixing pin 147 is inserted into the pin locking members 1461, thereby allowing the fixing pin 147 to be rigidly coupled to the pin locking members 1461.

(145) If the fixing pins 147 are inserted into the pin locking portions, the pin locking members 1461 are pushed downward by means of the fixing pins 147 in such a manner as to be slantly deformed downward to cause a distance between the free ends to become long, thereby locating the fixing pins 147 between the free ends.

(146) The pin locking members 1461 are slantly bent downward from the coupling member 146 to allow the facing free ends thereof to be spaced apart from each other.

(147) If the fixing pins 147 are inserted between the free ends of the pin locking portions, the pin locking members 1461 are deformedly pushed downward so that the slant angles of the pin locking members 1461 are increased and the distance between the free ends are also long, thereby locating the fixing pins 147 between the free ends.

(148) The pin locking members 1461 are slant to allow the free ends to be moved downward at the time when the fixing pins 147 are inserted between the free ends, and accordingly, the fixing pins 147, which coupledly come into contact with the free ends on both sides thereof, are supported rigidly against the pin locking members 1461. If the fixing pins 147 are pulled upward, a distance between the free ends becomes short, and accordingly, pressurizing forces applied from both sides of the fixing pins 147 are increased. Once the fixing pins 147 are coupled to the pin coupling portions, as a result, they are in rigidly coupled state with the pin locking portions, thereby making it hard to separate them from the pin locking portions.

(149) The present invention may be modified in various ways and may have several exemplary embodiments. Specific exemplary embodiments of the present invention are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the detailed description. However, this does not limit the invention within specific embodiments and it should be understood that the invention covers all the modifications, equivalents, and replacements within the idea and technical scope of the invention.

(150) According to the present invention, the low insertion force connector assembly has the first connector and the second connector detachably coupled to each other, so that the first connector and the second connector can be coupled to each other easily and rigidly, thereby preventing occurrence of poor contact, improving dimensional stability, and achieving easiness in manufacturing the connectors.

(151) According to the present invention, further, the semiconductor component test apparatus can couple the connection components to the substrate simply and rigidly, achieve stable contacts between the connector pins and the contact pins, and protect the connection components from external impacts to prevent damage or breakage of the connection components.