Module attachment for printed circuit board test fixtures

• US 5,204,615 A
• Filed: 10/24/1991
• Issued: 04/20/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Interconnect Devices Incorporated (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Interconnect Devices Incorporated (Smiths Group International Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Richards, Michael A., Langgard, Ulf R.
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, VINH P
• Application Number:
  US07/782,077
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• Field of Search: 324/158 F, 324/158 P, 324/72.5, 439/482, 439/70, 439/824, 269/901
• US Class Current: 324/755.05
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/2805 Bare printed circuit boards

Abstract

A module attachment for testing a linear high density array of test sites on a printed circuit board having such circuit test sites where an integrated circuit chip (IC) is to be mounted. Present IC'"'"'s may have wire lead spacings as close as 0.010 inch with integrated chip development utilizing even more compact and close center pad spacing, such as 0.004 inch. This spacing is too close to use even the thinnest of spring contact probes. The module carries an array of densely packed thin wires embedded in a small matrix block mounted on spaced supports, which may be conventional, large diameter spring contact probes. Electrical connection to the array of wires in the module is done by each wire being connected to a separate wire lead with the wires bundled and routed to a test computer. In its closest wire spacings, the module permits testing of the densest IC'"'"'s and in wider spacings, provides a low cost alternative to spring contact probes. The mounting interface between the supports and the module is an adjustable bar for precisely positioning the wires with the test sites. Comb structures of selected spacing hold the wires in position and facilitate ease of manufacture. Several embodiments are disclosed including varieties with bottom wire lead connections, side wire lead connections, staggered side lead connections, and special wire tips that can scratch through varnish or other contaminants on the test site.

Claims

1. A module attachment for a test fixture for printed circuit boards comprising:

a) spaced mounting posts extending from a test fixture;

b) a module having first and second sides with said first side having means for mounting said module upon said spaced mounting posts and supporting said module above a test fixture surface;

c) an array of wires extending outwardly from said module second side, said array being formed to correspond with a selected test site array; and

d) said wires having conductor leads extending from said second side said module for connection to a wiring harness of said test fixture.

7. The module attachment set forth in claim 1 wherein said conductor leads extend from said sidewall in staggered relationship.

2. A module attachment for a test fixture having a bed of nails array of spring contact electrical test probes for testing a printed circuit board comprising:

a) spaced spring contact electrical test probes extending from said test fixture;

b) a module having first and second sides with said first side having means for mounting said module upon said spaced test probes and supporting said module about a test fixture surface;

c) an array of wires extending outwardly from said module second side, said array being formed to correspond with a selected test site array;

d) said wires having conductor leads extending from said second side of said module for connection to a wiring harness of said test fixture.

3. The module attachment set forth in claim 2 wherein said module first side includes a plurality of slots for receipt of ends of said test probes.

4. The module attachment set forth in claim 3 wherein said ends of said test probes have expanded head tips and said plurality of slots are T shaped slots for a slide-on fit of said tips.

5. The module attachment set forth in claim 2 wherein each of said wires has an angular portion extending from said module and terminating in an upturned tip end, said tip end being sharp for penetration into a test site.

6. The module attachment set forth in claim 2 wherein said module has a side wall between said first and second sides and said conductor leads extend from said sidewall.

8. The module attachment set forth in claim 2 wherein said wires have an angular portion extending from said module and terminating in an upturned tip end and including a resilient strip positioned under said angular portion for resiliently biasing said wire.

9. The module attachment set forth in claim 2 wherein said wires are bimetallic with each metal have an elasticity different from the other and with one metal on one side of each of said wires and a different metal on the other side of said each of said wires for sideward scraping movement of said wire upon a test site as said wire contacts said test site.

10. A module attachment for a test fixture having a bed of nails array of spring contact probes comprising:

a) spaced spring contact test probes extending from said fixture;

b) a module having first and second sides with said first side having means for mounting said module above a test fixture surface, said means for mounting providing alignment adjustment;

c) an array of wires extending outwardly from Said module second side, said array being formed to correspond with a selected test site array;

d) said wires having conductor leads extending from said second side of module for connection to a wiring harness of said test fixture.

11. The module attachment set forth in claim 10 wherein said means for mounting includes a bar receiving said spaced spring contact probes and having a screw for longitudinal adjustment of said bar with respect to said module.

12. A module attachment for a test fixture having a bed of nails array of spring contact test probes for testing a printed circuit board comprising:

a) spaced spring contact probes extending from said test fixture;

b) a module having first and second sides with said first side having means for mounting said module upon said spaced spring contact probes and supporting said module above a test fixture surface;

c) said module having an edge bar portion extending there along having a plurality of spaced grooves at preselected intervals to accord with a preselected pitch of printed circuit board test pads, said edge bar being a comb structure;

d) an array of wires extending outwardly from said module second side and respectively through said spaced grooves for spacing said wires at said preselected intervals, said array being formed to correspond with a selected test pad array;

e) said wires having conductor leads extending from said second side of said module for connection to a wiring harness of said test fixture.

13. A module attachment for a test fixture having an array of probes for supporting and testing a printed circuit board, said module attachment comprising:

a) a module having first and second sides with said first side having means for mounting said module upon said probes and supporting said module above a test fixture surface;

b) an array of contact means extending outwardly from said module second side, said array of contact means being of preselected configuration to conform with a selected configuration of test pad sites of said printed circuit board;

said contact means having engagement portions for electrical connection to said test pad sites for testing said printed circuit board;

c) conductor leads affixed to and extending from said module and electrically connected to said contact means, said conductor leads being for connection to a test fixture circuit for testing a printed circuit board.

14. The module attachment set forth in claim 13 wherein said module has a side strip formed of a comb structure having spaced grooves of said preselected configuration with said contact means extending from said grooves.

15. A module attachment for a test fixture for printed circuit boards comprising:

a) spaced mounting posts extending from a test fixture;

b) a module having a transverse periphery having first and second locations with said first location having means for mounting said module upon said spaced mounting posts and supporting said module above a test fixture surface;

c) an array of wires extending outwardly from said module second location, said array of wires being formed to correspond with a selected test site array; and

d) said array of wires having respective conductor leads extending from said second location of said module for connection to a wiring harness of said test fixture.