EP1535080A1

EP1535080A1 - Press assembly for electronic board testing

Info

Publication number: EP1535080A1
Application number: EP03787846A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Mario Garcia; Bruno Prime
Original assignee: AND ELEC
Current assignee: AND ELEC
Priority date: 2002-07-17
Filing date: 2003-07-09
Publication date: 2005-06-01
Also published as: FR2842607A1; AU2003264701A8; WO2004017076A1; FR2842607B1; AU2003264701A1; WO2004017076A8

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic board testing device comprising a test interface (1) connected to a tester and a compression system. Said test interface (1) comprises a pair of plates, one stationary (3) and the other mobile (4), between which the test board (24) is arranged and said compression system comprises a movable press (16) having a chassis consisting of two horizontal frames (17, 18) secured to vertical stiles (19) along which a sliding intermediary horizontal frame (20) is used as a support for the upper mobile plate (4), whereby a compression means is anchored on said chassis and allows the upper plate (4) to be placed into a position in which it is pressed against the test board (24) supported on the stationary lower plate (3). Said press (16) can be associated with means for the automatic positioning of the test board, such as a conveyor (25) and thus allows the automation of a manual interface.

Description

PRESS ASSEMBLY FOR ELECTRICAL TEST OF A PRINTED CIRCUIT

The present invention relates to a card control device

5 electronic.

Electronic cards nowadays include more and more components to be tested: integrated circuits, diodes, etc ... Before their use, it is necessary to check the operation of these various components.

10 To this end, devices for checking or testing these cards have been developed. They are often complex and bulky. They typically include a test interface connected to a tester and a compression system.

The test interface includes a pair of trays, one fixed,

15 the other mobile between which is placed the card to be tested. These plates carry a plurality of probes or nails arranged in predefined locations, protruding from their surface, so as to come into contact with the components to be tested when the mobile plate comes to be pressed against the card to be tested resting on the fixed lower plate. The lower tray

20 is retained, generally in an articulated manner, to a housing serving both as a base for the interface and for protecting the cables connecting the probes and nails to the tester proper, which contains all the devices for measuring the components tested.

In order to press the plates against the card to be tested, or more

25 precisely the numerous nails or probes at the points of the card to be tested, it is necessary to apply a significant pressure on the mobile plate, proportional to the size of the card and to the number of probes or nails (sometimes several thousand) carried by the plates. AT this effect several compression systems have been used so far.

Mechanical compression systems use a press with a large support surface on the interface which is incorporated into a test table. The descent of this support plane is actuated by a central cylinder which can apply up to one ton. Such a device is heavy (often several hundred kilograms) and very bulky, requiring a long and meticulous installation time. The interface must be specifically adapted to this type of press, and fit inside it. The entire test facility is condemned in the event of failure of one of its elements. The introduction of cards can be automated by means of two conveyors arranged on each side of the press.

Lighter vacuum compression systems have been developed using vacuum. In the first systems of this type, the card was surrounded by a tight seal making it possible to place it under vacuum in order to press it against the probes of the two plates carrying the test elements (nails, probes, etc.). Leakage problems with components or test elements were frequent, giving rise to erroneous test results due to insufficient or incomplete contact due to too low contact pressure on the components or circuits to be tested.

Among these, there are the so-called “remote vacuum” systems, such as that described in FR-A-2538554, in which it is no longer the card which is placed under vacuum, but several vacuum zones are created around the card, between the two boards. However, it appears that to ensure sufficient pressure on all of the increasingly numerous nails or feelers, it is necessary to have zones vacuum with large areas, which has the drawback of considerably increasing the size of the test device.

In addition, the vacuum systems described above require the use of a vacuum installation.

There are also manual test devices which are even less bulky, in which the insertion of the card to be tested is carried out manually by the operator, and the application of the mobile plate on said card is carried out by mechanical means, such as manual locking, type of cover with tightening handle or side lever. These test devices are certainly less heavy and bulky than the aforementioned devices, but are of limited and slow use, due to the very intervention of the operator between the tests.

In addition, each device is either manual or automated. There is no interchangeable system.

Consequently, one of the aims of the invention is to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks by proposing a test device comprising a compression system, adaptable to conventional interfaces, not using vacuum, but nevertheless light, not bulky, capable of being manipulated. (assembled, dismantled) quickly by a single operator. The compression system also satisfies the constraints of electronic cards, that is to say permanently exerts horizontal support on the whole card, without overloading on a particular area. It is interchangeable and adaptable, quickly, to manual or automated devices, allowing manual or automatic introduction of the cards to be tested into the test device.

The subject of the invention is an electronic card test interface composed of a housing, a lower plate fixed on said housing and a movable upper plate, between which is placed the card to be tested, characterized in that the housing is provided with quick fixing means cooperating with a frame forming the base of a press, which is preferably removable. Thus, the press is placed directly on the interface box. The fastening or quick locking system allows it to be assembled and disassembled in a few minutes (for example in the event of failure of one of the elements of the interface or of the device) and to adapt it to different interfaces provided with a compatible system.

By rapid fixing means means any means making it possible to firmly, but preferably not permanently, connect the housing and the base frame of the press: these can be rapid screws such as for example knurled screws, or systems without screwing.

Advantageously, the quick fixing means comprise a plurality of nipples (or lugs) with large heads coming to be housed in oblong perforations formed in said frame.

In order to cancel the vertical play which may exist between the press and the test interface which may occur during the compression force, the rapid fixing means are preferably coupled to a system for taking up vertical play between the housing and the frame forming the base of the press, for example springs arranged between the housing and the frame.

In conventional interface kits, the upper part of the housing (or body) consists of a body plate, articulated with the body of the housing and receiving said lower plate of the interface; the quick fixing means are advantageously placed on the body tray.

Thus, even when the press is fixed and locked on this cash tray, the latter can be opened, thanks to a hinge by example, and allow the operator to access the cables or connections that are inside the box between the lower plate and the panel (contact with the tester) as well as the underside of this lower plate. It is thus possible for him to control and intervene on one of these elements, even during the test.

The press is preferably a removable press, but it can be fixed "permanently" on the box or cash tray, if the needs of the user require it.

The present invention also relates to an electronic card test device comprising a tester to which is connected a test interface as described above, on the housing of which is arranged a press, preferably removable, of which said frame forms the base, the press can be a so-called “manual” press or a so-called “automatic” press, which will be described below. Thus the test interface according to the invention can receive either one or the other type of press.

According to the first embodiment of the device according to the invention, the press is a manual press, that is to say that the card to be tested is brought manually by the operator between the two plates. In this case, the base frame of the press serves as a support on the one hand for a cover carrying the upper plate and on the other hand for a manual locking system, making it possible to lower said cover and to keep the upper plate pressed down against the card to be tested, itself in contact with the fixed lower plate. The locking system can for example be of the cover type with a manually actuated tightening handle.

According to the second embodiment of the device according to the invention, the press, preferably removable, is formed by a frame composed of a base frame and a top frame, horizontal, fixed to vertical uprights along which slides a horizontal intermediate frame serving as support for the movable upper plate, frame on which is anchored a compression means making it possible to bring the upper plate to a position where it is kept pressed against the card to be tested, itself in contact with the fixed lower plate.

Such a compression system allows the upper plate to remain permanently parallel to the lower plate, and to descend against the card to be tested and the lower plate while being kept horizontal. Thus, the pressure exerted by the press according to the invention is distributed uniformly over the card to be tested, regardless of the density of components or the number of nails or feelers.

Advantageously, said press is associated with means for automatically placing the card to be tested, for example a conveyor composed of two parallel horizontal guide rails, associated with belts which support and drive the edges of the card to be tested. . The spacing of the rails can be adjustable to adapt to different dimensions (widths) of cards to be tested.

Preferably, a stop is provided which immobilizes the card between the two lower and upper plates of the interface, at the level of the test zone.

Advantageously, the conveyor is fixed to the mobile intermediate frame. Thus, the card to be tested arriving on the conveyor is applied to the lower plate (or more exactly on the probes carried by this lower plate) during the descent of the upper plate. This arrangement does not require specific arrangement of the lower part of the interface, which can for example be a manual interface, with a view to its automation. Thus, the interface box according to the present invention can receive either a manual operating press or an automatic operating press, with very rapid simplified assembly and disassembly operations. In addition, the trays, receiving the test elements corresponding to the cards to be tested, can thus be common to the “manual” system and to the “automatic” system.

It can also be provided in one or other of the embodiments, that the upper plate is fixed in a "floating" manner to the cover or to the intermediate frame of the chassis, and that the two plates

(upper and lower) are provided with an indexing system for their adjustment relative to each other.

Devices using such an interface have a cost much lower than that of prior devices. In addition, they allow access to the wiring and to the various test probes, even during operation, thus immediately making it possible to identify, for example, a defective element, without dismantling the interface.

The present invention also relates to the use of the interface according to the invention for interchangeably receiving a manual press and an automated press, the mobile upper plates of the interface being advantageously identical.

The present invention will be better understood in the light of the following illustrative diagrams, in which:

FIG. 1 is an overall diagram of a “manual” device according to the invention, showing the manual press separated from the interface box: - Figure 2 is an overall diagram of an "automatic" device according to the invention, showing the automatic press separate from the interface box.

Example of embodiment of the invention: As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the devices of the present invention are intended to test the components of an electronic card 24 (shown only in Figure 2).

To this end, they comprise a common interface 1 consisting of a housing 2, surmounted by a lower plate 3 and comprising a second movable plate 4, called the upper plate. The housing 2 is formed by a housing body 31 forming a base, covered with a body plate 32, comprising a central recess in which the fixed lower plate 3 of the interface is housed. The body plate 32 is hingedly mounted, by means of a rear hinge 33, on the housing 2. The two lower and upper plates 3, 4 carry feelers and / or probes 5 arranged in predefined locations so to come into contact with the corresponding components of the card 24 during the test phase.

The upper face of the body plate 32, surrounding the fixed lower plate 3 is provided with lugs 7 (here two pairs, arranged opposite each side of the plate 3), with flattened head.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 1, the test device comprises a removable press 6, the base 8 of which forms a frame, here of dimensions close to those of the body tray 32 of the interface ( but this frame could be of different dimensions). In this frame 8 are provided oblong perforations 9 intended to receive the lugs 7 of said body plate 32, and to allow the locking by translation of the frame 8 on the body plate 32, the head of the lugs 7 coming, at the end of the race, to block the vertical movement of the frame 8 relative to the housing 2.

According to an advantageous variant presented in Figure 1, the oblong slots 9 are in fact formed in a part 39 integral with said frame 8 and sliding thereon, allowing locking by translation without lateral movement of the latter relative to the plate box 32.

A backlash system, such as springs (not shown), may be provided between the body plate 32 and the base frame 8, at the locations 10.

The base frame 8 of the removable press 6 serves as a support both for a "cover" 11 carrying the movable upper plate 4 and for a manual locking system of the type with a tightening handle 12 operable manually (in the direction of the arrow A to lower the cover). A jack 13 is anchored on the one hand to the frame 8 and on the other hand to the outer edge of the "cover" 11.

The upper plate 4 can be mounted floating on said cover 11. In this case, it has, as shown in FIG. 1 only, guide fingers 14 corresponding to orifices 15 formed in the lower plate 3 allowing the indexing of the lower plates and higher 3, 4 of the interface with respect to each other.

According to a second embodiment of the invention, the “automatic” test device shown in FIG. 2 comprises the same interface 1 as that described above, on which a removable “automated” press 16 fits. This press is formed of a parallelepiped frame consisting of two horizontal frames 17 and 18 fixed to four vertical uprights 19 arranged at the four corners of these frames 17 and 18. Along the vertical uprights 19 slides an intermediate frame 20, horizontal, parallel to the frames 17 and 18 forming the chassis. This mobile intermediate frame 20 has in its internal peripheral part a flange intended to support the upper plate 4 of the interface 1, fixed in a floating manner on the abscissa and on the ordinate to said frame 20 (for example by means of shouldered screws placed in orifices of larger diameters, not shown).

The adaptation of the chassis of the press 16 on the box 2 of the interface 1 is carried out by means of a quick locking system: for example, the upper face of the body plate 32 is provided, as illustrated in FIG. 2, a plurality of pins or lugs 7 with large heads which are housed in elongated slots 9 (of the “buttonhole” type) formed in the lower frame 18 of the press 16, or in a part 39 integral with the frame 18 and sliding thereon, so as to block this frame on the body plate 32. The chassis, light, can thus be set up or moved quickly and easily by one or two people. It can be adapted to any type of interface 1 (naturally previously equipped with the appropriate part of the elements of this locking system).

The press 16 comprises a compression means, here a pair of pneumatic cylinders 38 allowing the setting in motion of a system of rods 21 anchored at several points on the chassis (in the example presented in Figure 2, anchored at reinforcing pieces 22 elongated which are integral with the upper faces of the intermediate frames 20 and upper 17). This compression means makes it possible to lower the mobile intermediate frame 20 carrying the upper plate 4 with the feelers and probes against the card 24 to be tested and the lower plate 3 fixed to the cash plate 32, then to maintain a support on this card 24 during for the duration of the test. One of the advantages of the press 16 is to allow the horizontality of the upper plate 4 to be preserved during the descent, thus avoiding damaging certain components of the card 24 when pressed.

In order to best adjust the position of the two lower 3 and upper 4 plates of the interface 1 relative to each other, these are preferably provided with at least two guides, such as for example rods (not shown in Figure 2) carried by the upper plate 4 which are placed in corresponding perforations 15 of the lower plate 3, thus serving as an indexing system. A conveyor 25 of the type presented in FIG. 2 can be associated with the press 16. It is here formed of a pair of parallel beams 26 serving as guides for two movable belts 27, offset inwards with respect to the beams 26 so as to constitute supports for the electronic card 24 to be tested. The belts 27 are driven by motors 28 allowing the movement of said card 24 in the direction of arrow B, up to a retractable finger 29 forming a stop, stopping the card in the test area, between the two plates 3 and 4 .

The two longitudinal members 26 of the conveyor 25 are connected to the intermediate frame 20 of the press 16 by means of two pairs of horizontal metal tongues 30 fixed to said frame 20, the ends of which are perforated to allow the vertical sliding of two pairs of rods 30 ' fixed perpendicular to the side members 26, on either side of said frame 20. The width of said conveyor 25, that is to say the spacing between the two side members 26, is adjustable so as to adapt to the dimensions of the card 24 to be tested. Example of operation:

When an electronic card 24 to be tested arrives on the conveyor 25, it progresses towards the center of the interface 1 up to the stop 29, immobilizing the card 24 in the test area. The actuation of the link system 21 by means of the jacks 38 lowers the intermediate frame 20, and therefore the upper plate 4 provided with probe fingers and / or various test elements 5 in the direction of the card 24 which it drives, towards the lower plate 3 and maintains it between the feelers of these two plates throughout the duration of the test.

When the test is completed, the intermediate frame 20 rises, thus lifting the upper plate 4, and the finger 29 forming a stop lowers, thus letting the electronic card 24 leave the test area in the direction of the arrow, on the conveyor 25 (to the right of Figure 2). Another card to be tested then arrives from the left, and the cycle described above is reproduced.

Claims

1. Interface (1) for testing an electronic card consisting of a housing (2), a lower plate (3) fixed on said housing (2) and an upper mobile plate (4), between which is placed the card (24) to be tested, characterized in that the housing (2) is provided with rapid fixing means cooperating with a frame (8, 18) forming the base of a removable press (6, 16), and making it possible to receive either a manual press or an automatic press.

2. Interface according to claim 1, characterized in that the quick fixing means comprise a plurality of pins (7) with large head coming to be housed in oblong perforations (9) formed in said frame (8, 18).

3. Interface according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the quick fixing means are coupled to a vertical clearance take-up system between the housing and the frame (8, 18) forming the base of the press.

4. Interface according to claim 3, characterized in that the backlash system comprises springs arranged between the housing (2) and the frame (8, 18).

5. Interface according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the upper part of the housing (2) consists of a body plate (32), articulated with the body of the housing (31) and receiving the lower plate (3), body tray (32) on which are placed the quick fixing means.

6. Electronic card test device (24) comprising a tester to which is connected a test interface (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5 on the housing (2) or the cash tray (32) of which is arranged a removable press (6, 16), of which said frame (8, 18) forms the base.

7. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the press is a manual press (6), the card to be tested (24) being brought manually by the operator between the two lower plates (3) and upper (4).

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the base frame serves as a support on the one hand to a cover (11) carrying the upper plate (4) and on the other hand to a manual locking system allowing lower the said cover and keep the upper plate (4) pressed against the card to be tested, itself in contact with the fixed lower plate (3).

9. Device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the locking system is of the cover type with tightening handle (12) actuated manually.

10. Device according to claim 6, characterized in that the press (16) is formed of a chassis composed of a base frame (18) and an upper frame (17) horizontal, fixed to vertical uprights ( 19) along which slides a horizontal intermediate frame (20) serving as a support for the movable upper plate (4), chassis on which is anchored a compression means making it possible to bring the upper plate (4) to a position where it is kept pressed against the card to be tested (24), itself in contact with the fixed lower plate (3).

11. Device according to claim 10, characterized in that the press (18) is associated with means for automatic positioning of the card to be tested.

12. Device according to claim 11, characterized in that the means for automatically placing the card to be tested comprise a conveyor (25) composed of two parallel horizontal guide rails (26), associated with belts (27) which support and drive the edges of the card to be tested (24).

13. Device according to claim 12, characterized in that the spacing of the rails (26) is adjustable.

14. Device according to any one of claims 11 to 13, characterized in that a stop (29) immobilizes the card (24) between the two lower plates (3) and upper (4) of the interface, at level of the test area.

15. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the two lower plates (3) and upper (4) of the interface are provided with indexing system for their adjustment one relative to the other.

16. Use of the interface according to claims 1 to 4 for interchangeably receiving a manual press (6) and an automated press (16).

17. Use according to claim 16, characterized in that the upper plates (4) movable at the interface are identical.