Test head manipulator

• US 20050052176A1
• Filed: 09/30/2004
• Published: 03/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: inTEST Corporation
• Original Assignee: inTEST Corporation
• Inventors: West, Christopher L., Powell, Richard C. Jr., Moore, Brian R., Weilerstein, I. Marvin, Holt, Alyn R.
• Granted Patent: US 7,245,118 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 324/750.220
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/041 Cylindrical coordinate type
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2887 involving moving the probe head or the IC under test; docking stations moving single probes G01R1/06705; moving individual probes in multiple probes G01R1/07392

Abstract

A system is useful for positioning a load, such as a test head. The system includes an arm which supports the load and which moves along a first vertical axis. The system also includes a rotation unit for rotating the first vertical axis about a second vertical axis spaced apart from the first vertical axis.

Claims

1. A positioner for moving a test head into docking position with a device handler, said positioner comprising:

an arm unit portion for moving said test head along or about at least one axis; and

a motor drive having a driving portion for selectively driving said arm unit portion so that said test head moves along or about said at least one axis, said driving portion physically movable to disengage said driving portion so that rotation of said driving portion does not effect movement of said arm unit portion along or about said at least one axis.

2. A system for positioning a load, comprising:

an arm unit for moving said load along or about at least on axis;

a motor drive having a driving portion for selectively driving said arm unit portion so that said load moves along or about said at least one axis, said driving portion physically disengageable so that free motion of said load along or about said axis is possible when said motor drive is not in use.

3. A system for positioning a load according to claim 2, wherein said motor drive provides constant torque when moving said load.

4. A system for positioning a load according to claim 3, wherein said constant torque is controlled to a value sufficient to move said load.

5. A system for positioning a load according to claim 2, wherein said motor drive comprises an electric motor, a reduction gear train, and an electromagnetic clutch coupled to the movable portion of the system via a pulley and belt.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein said clutch is a torque limiting slip clutch.

7. A system according to claim 4, wherein said motor is a do motor, and said constant torque is controlled by controlling the current supplied to said do motor.

8. A system for positioning a load according to claim 2, wherein said motor drive comprises an electric motor, a reduction gear train, and an electromagnetic clutch coupled to the movable portion of the system via a friction drive roller.

9. A system for positioning a load according to claim 2, wherein said free motion occurs along said at least one axis which is a vertical axis.

10. A system for positioning a load according to claim 2, wherein said free motion occurs along said at least one axis which is a horizontal axis.