Inspection jig for radio frequency device, and contact probe incorporated in the jig

• US 20040095157A1
• Filed: 11/18/2003
• Published: 05/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/19/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yokowo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Yokowo Company Limited
• Inventors: Suzuki, Hisashi, Suzuki, Mitsuhiro, Sato, Atsushi
• Granted Patent: US 6,844,748 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/756.01
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/07371 using an intermediate card or back card with apertures through which the probes pass

Abstract

In a jig for inspecting a device provided with at least a radio frequency signal terminal and an earth terminal, a metal block is formed with a through hole extending in a first direction. A contact probe is inserted into the through hole. The contact probe is provided with a metal pipe extending in the first direction. A plunger is retractably projected from one longitudinal end of the metal pipe to be brought into contact with the radio frequency signal terminal. At least two dielectric ring members are provided on an outer periphery of the metal pipe, and fitted with the through hole while forming a gap between the outer periphery of the metal pipe and an inner wall of the through hole, in order to form a coaxial path in which the contact probe serves as a core conductor and the metal block serves as an external conductor. A diameter of the through hole and a diameter of the dielectric ring members are selected such that the coaxial path has a predetermined impedance relative to the radio signal frequency terminal.

Claims

1. A jig for inspecting a device provided with at least a radio frequency signal terminal and an earth terminal, the jig comprising:

a metal block, formed with a through hole extending in a first direction; and

a contact probe, inserted into the through hole, the contact probe comprising;

a metal pipe, extending in the first direction;

a plunger, retractably projected from one longitudinal end of the metal pipe to be brought into contact with the radio frequency signal terminal; and

at least two dielectric ring members, provided on an outer periphery of the metal pipe, and fitted with the through hole while forming a gap between the outer periphery of the metal pipe and an inner wall of the through hole, in order to form a coaxial path in which the contact probe serves as a core conductor and the metal block serves as an external conductor,

wherein a diameter of the through hole and a diameter of the dielectric ring members are selected such that the coaxial path has a predetermined impedance relative to the radio signal frequency terminal.

2. The jig as set forth in claim 1, wherein a dimension in the first direction of each of the dielectric ring members is sufficiently smaller than a length of the metal pipe in the first direction.

3. The jig as set forth in claim 1, wherein the dielectric ring members are comprised of a resin material and integrally molded with the metal pipe.

4. The jig as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a conductive rubber sheet, in which metal filaments are arranged so as to extend in the first direction, and on which the earth terminal of the device to be inspected is brought into contact, so that the earth terminal and the metal block are electrically connected via the metal filaments.

5. A contact probe, inserted into a through hole formed in a metal block of a jig for inspecting a device provided with at least a radio frequency signal terminal and an earth terminal, the contact probe comprising:

a metal pipe;

a plunger, retractably projected from one longitudinal end of the metal pipe to be brought into contact with the radio frequency signal terminal; and

at least two dielectric ring members, provided on an outer periphery of the metal pipe, and fitted with the through hole while forming a gap between the outer periphery of the metal pipe and an inner wall of the through hole, in order to form a coaxial path in which the contact probe serves as a core conductor and the metal block serves as an external conductor,

wherein a diameter of the dielectric ring members is selected such that the coaxial path has a predetermined impedance relative to the radio signal frequency terminal, based on a diameter of the through hole.