Assembly for electrically connecting a test component to a testing machine for testing electrical circuits on the test component
In one embodiment, the invention provides a test assembly for electrically connecting a test component to a testing machine for testing electrical circuits on the test component. The assembly comprises a contactor assembly to interconnect with the test component, a probe assembly to mechanically support the contactor assembly and electrically connect the contactor assembly to the testing machine, and a clamping mechanism comprising a first clamping member and a second clamping member, the clamping members being urged together to exert a clamping force to deform contactor bumps of an electrical connection between the probe assembly and the contactor assembly.
1. A contactor assembly for electrically connecting an electrical test component to a testing machine for testing the test component, the contactor assembly comprising:
a first test structure, the first test structure comprising:
a first plurality of electrical terminals;
a first plurality of resilient interconnection elements, each having a first end connected to an electrical terminal of the first plurality of electrical terminals and a free end opposite the first end to electrically contact the test component; and
a second plurality of resilient interconnection elements, each having a first end connected to an electrical terminal of the first plurality of electrical terminals and a free end opposite the first end to electrically contact a second plurality of electrical terminals;
a second test structure, the second test structure comprising:
the second plurality of electrical terminals; and
a plurality of electrical contact elements distant from the electrical terminals;
a retaining component to secure the position of the first test structure to a relative position of the second test structure; and
an electrical path bridging each electrical terminal with a respective one of the electrical contact elements, wherein each electrical contact element has a body which defines a flat surface to provide support to matching contactor elements when the matching contactor elements are deformed under a clamping force.
2. The contactor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the resilient interconnection elements comprise springs.
3. The contactor assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second test structure comprises a plurality of apertures formed therein to cooperate with clamping members to clamp the matching contactor elements.
4. The contactor assembly of claim 3 , wherein the second test structure further comprises fiducial markings to facilitate alignment of the electrical contact elements with the matching contactor elements.