Inspection unit

• US 7,656,175 B2
• Filed: 12/26/2006
• Issued: 02/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yokowo Company Limited
• Original Assignee: Yokowo Company Limited
• Inventors: Fukushima, Yasuo, Yoshida, Takuto
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Ha Tran T
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen; Tung X
• Application Number:
  US11/644,938
• Publication Number:
  US 20070145990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,134 Days
• Field of Search: 324/765, 324/754, 324761-762, 324/760, 324/758, 324/158.1, 257/48, 438 14- 18, 439/63, 439/66
• US Class Current: 324/750.2
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 1/045 Sockets or component fixtures for RF or HF testing

Abstract

An insulative block has a first face adapted to oppose a board on which an inspection circuit is arranged and a second face adapted to oppose a device to be inspected. The insulative block is formed with first through holes each of which communicates the first face and the second face. A conductive first plating layer is formed on the first face, the second face, and an inner face of at least one of the first through holes. Each of contact probes includes a conductive tubular body held in an associated one of the first through holes and a plunger which is retractably projected from one end of the tubular body and is adapted to come in contact with a terminal of the device.

Claims

1. An inspection unit, comprising:

an insulative block, having a first face adapted to oppose a board on which an inspection circuit is arranged and a second face adapted to oppose a device to be inspected, the insulative block being formed with first through holes each of which communicates the first face and the second face;

a conductive first plating layer, formed on the first face, the second face, and an inner face of at least one of the first through holes; and

a plurality of contact probes, each of which comprises a conductive tubular body held in an associated one of the first through holes and a plunger which is retractably projected from one end of the tubular body and is adapted to come in contact with a terminal of the device,

wherein the contact probes include a power supply contact probe adapted to supply power; and

the first through holes include at least one through hole an inner face of which is not provided with the first plating layer, and adapted to hold the power supply contact probe.

2. The inspection unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein:

the contact probes include a signal contact probe adapted to transmit an RF signal and held in one of the first through holes the inner face of which is provided with the first plating layer, in such a manner that a gap is formed between an outer periphery of the tubular body and the inner face.

3. The inspection unit as set forth in claim 2, further comprising:

a retainer, opposing at least one of the first face and the second face of the insulative block and holding the signal contact probe coaxially with the one of the through holes, the retainer comprising;

an insulative member, formed with a second through hole communicating with one of the first through holes; and

a conductive second plating layer, formed on at least a part of an outer face of the insulative member and an inner face of the second through hole.