IP Library Granted Patent US 11,137,437
Granted Patent B2
US 11,137,437 · App. 16/668,093 · Granted Oct 5, 2021

Probe device, electrical inspection apparatus, and electrical inspection method

Inventors: Shoji Takano (Tokyo, JP); Fumihiko Matsuda (Tokyo, JP); Yoshihiko Narisawa (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: NIPPON MEKTRON, LTD.
G01R31/2808G01R1/07364H01R12/714H01R2201/20
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,137,437
App. No.
16/668,093
Granted
Oct 5, 2021
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is a probe device used for electrical inspection of a printed wiring board, the probe device including at least one probe group including a plurality of wire probes configured to be able to simultaneously abut against a wire provided on the printed wiring board and extending in a specified direction, the plurality of wire probes abutting against the wire along the direction and being electrically connected to each other.

Claims (28)

1. A probe device used for electrical inspection of a printed wiring board, the probe device comprising:

at least one probe group including a plurality of probe pins configured to be able to simultaneously abut against a wire provided on the printed wiring board and extending in a specified direction, the plurality of probe pins abutting against the wire along the specified direction and being electrically connected to each other,

wherein the at least one probe group includes a first probe group and a second probe group arranged in parallel with each other, and

wherein a length of the first probe group is greater than a distance between the first probe group and the second probe group, and a length of the second probe group is greater than the distance and wherein the probe pins in each of the first probe group and the second probe groups are electrically connected to each other.

2. The probe device according to claim 1 , wherein a characteristic impedance of the at least one probe group substantially matches a characteristic impedance of the wire of the printed wiring board.

3. The probe device according to claim 1 , wherein a probe pitch of the at least one probe group is shorter than a length that is four times a diameter of each of the probe pins.

4. The probe device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of probe pins are arranged on a straight line.

5. The probe device according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of probe pins are arranged in a staggered manner when viewed in the specified direction.

6. The probe device according to claim 1 , wherein the first probe group is configured to be able to abut against one end of the wire, and the second probe group is configured to be able to abut against the other end of the wire.

7. The probe device according to claim 1 , wherein

the wire includes a ground wire and a signal wire that is adjacent to the ground wire, and

the first probe group is configured to be able to abut against the ground wire, and the second probe group is configured to be able to abut against the signal wire.

8. The probe device according to claim 1 , wherein

the at least one probe group further includes a third probe group arranged in parallel with each of the first probe group and the second probe group, and

wherein the wire includes a signal wire, and a first ground wire and a second ground wire holding the signal wire therebetween, and

the first probe group is configured to be able to abut against the first ground wire, the second probe group is configured to be able to abut against the signal wire, and the third probe group is configured to be able to abut against the second ground wire.

9. The probe device according to claim 8 , wherein the length of the second probe group is shorter than the length of the first probe group and is shorter than a length of the third probe group.

10. The probe device according to claim 9 , wherein a probe pitch of each of the first and third probe groups is shorter than a probe pitch of the second probe group.

11. The probe device according to claim 8 , wherein the probe pins provided in the first probe group to the third probe group are arranged on a straight line when viewed in a direction orthogonal to the specified direction.

12. The probe device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a first fixing member that fixes a base end side of the probe pin provided in the at least one probe group;

a second fixing member that fixes a tip end side of the probe pin provided in the at least one probe group; and

a spacer member that connects the first fixing member and the second fixing member.

13. An electrical inspection apparatus for inspecting an electrical characteristic of a printed wiring board by using the probe device according to claim 1 .

14. A method for inspecting an electrical characteristic of a printed wiring board by using the electrical inspection apparatus according to claim 13 , the method comprising:

making the at least one probe group abut against the wire;

applying a measurement signal to the signal wire via the probe group that abuts against the signal wire of the printed wiring board; and

receiving a signal detected by the probe device.

Assignments (2)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Sep 26, 2025
From: NIPPON MEKTRON, LTD.
To: MEKTEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 072961/0045 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 30, 2019
From: TAKANO, SHOJI; MATSUDA, FUMIHIKO; NARISAWA, YOSHIHIKO
To: NIPPON MEKTRON, LTD.
Reel/Frame 050860/0865 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP JP2018-221620 · Nov 27, 2018 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200166564A1 · May 28, 2020