Membrane probing system with local contact scrub
First Claim
1. A probing assembly for probing an electrical device comprising:
- (a) a forward support of incompressible material;
(b) a flexible membrane assembly having a central region positioned in overlying relationship to said forward support;
(c) a plurality of rigid contacts disposed on said central region each including a beam and a contacting portion, each contacting portion being arranged in suitable position for pressing engagement with a corresponding pad on said device, each beam being electrically connected to a corresponding flexible conductor that extends into said central region;
(d) a pressure control mechanism including an elastomeric member interposed between each contact and said support; and
(e) a motion control mechanism locally operating in respect to each contact to urge each beam, when the corresponding contacting portion is placed into pressing engagement with the respective pad, into tilting motion so that different portions of each beam move different distances relative to said forward support and so that each contact is driven in accordance with said tilting motion into lateral scrubbing movement across the corresponding pad, said elastomeric member being positioned so as to enable each beam to recover from said tilting motion in a manner avoiding mechanical straining of each beam.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A membrane probing assembly includes a support element having an incompressible forward support tiltably coupled to a rearward base and a membrane assembly, formed of polyimide layers, with its central region interconnected to the support by an elastomeric layer. Flexible traces form data/signal lines to contacts on the central region. Each contact comprises a rigid beam and a bump located in off-centered location on the beam, which bump includes a contacting portion. After initial touchdown of these contacting portions, further over-travel of the pads causes each beam to independently tilt locally so that different portions of each beam move different distances relative to the support thus driving each contact into lateral scrubbing movement across the pad thereby clearing away oxide buildup. The elastomeric member backed by the incompressible support ensures sufficient scrub pressure and reliable tilt recovery of each contact without mechanical straining of the beam. In an alternative embodiment, the contacts comprise conductive beams each supported on a loose U-shaped flap formed in the membrane assembly where each flap and beam is tiltably supported in inclined position by an elastomeric hub interposed between the flap and support.
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Citations
15 Claims
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1. A probing assembly for probing an electrical device comprising:
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(a) a forward support of incompressible material; (b) a flexible membrane assembly having a central region positioned in overlying relationship to said forward support; (c) a plurality of rigid contacts disposed on said central region each including a beam and a contacting portion, each contacting portion being arranged in suitable position for pressing engagement with a corresponding pad on said device, each beam being electrically connected to a corresponding flexible conductor that extends into said central region; (d) a pressure control mechanism including an elastomeric member interposed between each contact and said support; and (e) a motion control mechanism locally operating in respect to each contact to urge each beam, when the corresponding contacting portion is placed into pressing engagement with the respective pad, into tilting motion so that different portions of each beam move different distances relative to said forward support and so that each contact is driven in accordance with said tilting motion into lateral scrubbing movement across the corresponding pad, said elastomeric member being positioned so as to enable each beam to recover from said tilting motion in a manner avoiding mechanical straining of each beam. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for probing an electrical device comprising:
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(a) providing a forward support of incompressible material; (b) providing a flexible membrane assembled having a central region positioned in overlying relationship to said forward support; (c) providing a plurality of rigid contacts disposed on said central region each including a beam and a contacting portion, each contacting portion being arranged in suitable position for pressing engagement with a corresponding pad on said device, each beam being electrically connected to a corresponding flexible conductor that extends into said central region; (d) providing a pressure control mechanism including an elastomeric member interposed between each contact and said support; and (e) urging each beam, when the corresponding contacting portion is placed into pressing engagement with the respective pad, into tilting motion so as to move different portions of each beam different distances relative to said support and so as to drive each contact in accordance with said tilting motion into lateral scrubbing movement across the corresponding pad, further including resiliently opposing said tilting motion by means of said elastomeric member so as to enable each contact to recover from said tilting motion in a manner avoiding mechanical straining of each beam. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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Specification