WO2005089032A1 - Apparatus for testing of flexible printed circuit board - Google Patents

Apparatus for testing of flexible printed circuit board Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005089032A1
WO2005089032A1 PCT/KR2005/000695 KR2005000695W WO2005089032A1 WO 2005089032 A1 WO2005089032 A1 WO 2005089032A1 KR 2005000695 W KR2005000695 W KR 2005000695W WO 2005089032 A1 WO2005089032 A1 WO 2005089032A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
printed circuit
circuit board
test
terminals
clamping
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/KR2005/000695
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Wan Soo Kim
Sang Hun Joung
Yong Keon Kim
Original Assignee
Bioptro Co., Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Family has litigation
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Application filed by Bioptro Co., Ltd filed Critical Bioptro Co., Ltd
Priority to JP2007502728A priority Critical patent/JP2007529008A/en
Publication of WO2005089032A1 publication Critical patent/WO2005089032A1/en

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H17/00—Fencing, e.g. fences, enclosures, corrals
    • E04H17/02—Wire fencing, e.g. made of wire mesh
    • E04H17/04—Wire fencing, e.g. made of wire mesh characterised by the use of specially adapted wire, e.g. barbed wire, wire mesh, toothed strip or the like; Coupling means therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01R—MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES
    • G01R31/00—Arrangements for testing electric properties; Arrangements for locating electric faults; Arrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
    • G01R31/28—Testing of electronic circuits, e.g. by signal tracer
    • G01R31/2801—Testing of printed circuits, backplanes, motherboards, hybrid circuits or carriers for multichip packages [MCP]
    • G01R31/2806—Apparatus therefor, e.g. test stations, drivers, analysers, conveyors
    • G01R31/2808—Holding, conveying or contacting devices, e.g. test adapters, edge connectors, extender boards
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04H—BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL
    • E04H17/00—Fencing, e.g. fences, enclosures, corrals
    • E04H17/02—Wire fencing, e.g. made of wire mesh
    • E04H17/06—Parts for wire fences

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board, and more particularly to an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board, wherein the flexible printed circuit board is transferred to a tester while edges of the printed circuit board are clamped and pulled by clampers so that the printed circuit board is in a planar state, and the printed circuit board is then tested by causing terminals of the tester to be brought into contact with terminals of the printed circuit board.
  • Non-contact and contact combination methods include a pin- contact method and a non-contact and contact combination method.
  • a test signal including an AC component is applied through direct contact (or indirect capacity coupling) of a pin probe with one end of a conductor pattern to be tested, and then detected at the other end of the conductor pattern through capacity coupling.
  • This non-contact and contact combination method does not require high positioning accuracy since it is not necessary to bring a pin probe into contact with at least one of ends of a pattern line.
  • the non-contact and contact combination method can reduce the number of pin probes since a plurality of pattern lines can be tested by shifting the positions of pin probes.
  • pin probes are prevented from being worn, so that they can be used for an extended period of time.
  • pin contact method as shown in Fig. 8
  • pin probes are brought into direct contact with both ends of a conductor pattern to be tested, and an open- short test is performed between the both ends by causing a DC current to flow to one pin probe and calculating the resistance of the corresponding conductor pattern from a voltage value detected by the other pin probe.
  • This pin contact method has an advantage in that a high SN ratio (Signal to Noise ratio) is achieved since the pin probes are brought into direct contact.
  • SN ratio Signal to Noise ratio
  • a flexible printed circuit board is seated on a plate with a vacuum pad mounted thereon. Then, the flexible printed circuit board is fixed through vacuum suction by the vacuum pad. Thereafter, in order to check the fixing position of the fixed flexible printed circuit board, an alignment camera is used for detecting a mark on the flexible printed circuit board and the fixing position is then corrected. Then, a measurement pin is brought into contact with a pad of the flexible printed circuit board to measure the capacitance of each pad and the measured capacitance is compared with a predetermined reference value, thereby performing a short circuit or disconnection test. In case of a double-sided flexible printed circuit board, the printed circuit board is turned over after checking one surface thereof, and then the other surface is checked.
  • the conventional open-short test apparatus for a flexible printed circuit board has a disadvantage in that it takes a great deal of time to perform an open-short test of such a double-sided flexible printed circuit board. That is, since the printed circuit board should be turned over to check the other surface of the printed circuit board after one surface thereof is completely checked, there is a disadvantage in that a step of turning over and realigning the printed circuit board should be added, resulting in increased test time. In order to compensate for time required for turning over a printed circuit board, there has been proposed an apparatus with a measurement pin moving at high speed. However, there is still a certain limitation on the measurement speed.
  • test reliability is deteriorated since the method is an indirect open-short test method that checks a short circuit or disconnection by measuring the capacitance of a pad and comparing the measured capacitance with a predetermined reference value.
  • the conventional test device has a problem in that it cannot test a flexible printed circuit board that needs tests for electric properties, e.g., open-short tests, on both sides thereof in connection with a particular terminal connected to the both sides. Disclosure of Invention Accordingly, the present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems.
  • a further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board, which can improve test reliability by employing a direct contact method upon test of the flexible printed circuit board.
  • an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board with first and second terminals thereon to examine electric properties between the first and second terminals comprising a clamping means for clamping at least three portions of the printed circuit board to impart a predetermined tensile force so that the printed circuit board is positioned on a substantially identical plane; and a test means for measuring the electric properties between the first and second terminals by being brought into contact with the first and second terminals on the printed circuit board clamped by the clamping means, inputting a signal for an open-short test, and detecting the input signal.
  • the clamping means comprises four clampers installed to move on a substantially identical plane and having portions, which are positioned on a substantially identical plane, for clamping edges of the printed circuit board; and a tensioning means for moving the clampers on the substantially identical plane to impart a predetermined tensile force to the clamped printed circuit board.
  • the clampers of the clamping means clamp the edges of the flexible printed circuit board, and the tensioning means is moved to impart a certain tensile force so that the flexible printed circuit board is kept in a tight state to be positioned on a substantially identical plane.
  • probes or terminals of the test means can be brought into contact with the first and second terminals on the printed circuit board, thereby performing tests for electric properties, e.g., an open-short test.
  • the tensioning means comprises a clamp base having a pair of linear guides arranged in parallel; a first tensioning means that is installed on the clamp base such that both ends thereof are moved by means of guidance of the pair of guides, and has a guide linearly arranged on an upper portion thereof perpendicularly to the guides of the clamp base; a second tensioning means that is installed on the clamp base such that both ends thereof are moved by means of guidance of the pair of guides, and has a guide arranged parallel to the guide of the first tensioning means; a third tensioning means installed on the first tensioning means to move by means of guidance of the guide of the first tensioning means; and a fourth tension means installed on the first tensioning means to move by means of guidance of the guide of the second tensioning means.
  • two clampers are fixed at opposite positions on the first and second tension means, and remaining two clampers are fixedly installed on the third and fourth tension means, respectively.
  • the present invention four edges of the rectangular flexible printed circuit board are clamped, and the printed circuit board is pulled with a uniform tensile force by using a pair of tensioning means of which vertical movement is restricted, so that the printed circuit board can be positioned on a substantially flat plane. That is, since two clampers are fixed to each of the first and second tensioning means and the first and second tensioning means are movable by means of guidance of the parallel guides, it is possible to impart a uniform tensile force to the rectangular flexible printed circuit board in one direction (or X-axis direction on the plane).
  • the apparatus preferably further comprises a feeding means for moving the clamping means to a test position on the test means so that the clamped printed circuit board can be tested. More preferably, the apparatus further comprises a reference position detection means for detecting a test reference position for the flexible printed circuit board clamped by the clamping means. The feeding means receives an output signal from the reference position detection means and then feeds the clamping means to the test reference position.
  • the feeding means move the clamping means in X-Y directions in a Cartesian coordinate system on a plane.
  • the clamped positions on the flexible printed circuit board are not correct, it is possible to correctly position the flexible printed circuit board at a test position on the test means by using the reference position detection means and the feeding means. That is, the clamped flexible printed circuit board can be fed correctly to the positions of probes of the test means since the reference position detection means recognizes a reference test position of the printed circuit board.
  • the clamp base employs a rectangular frame with a hollow therein, and if the printed circuit board is a flexible double-sided printed circuit board with a plurality of terminals arranged on each of both surfaces, the printed circuit board is placed in a clamped state within the hollow of the frame of the clamp base.
  • the test means may comprise a plurality of first test terminals for connection to a plurality of terminals arranged on a lower surface of the printed circuit board below the rectangular frame, and a plurality of second test terminals for connection to a plurality of terminals arranged on an upper surface of the printed circuit board so that the plurality of terminals arranged on the both surfaces of the printed circuit board are connected and tested at the same time.
  • each of the clampers preferably comprises a board seating portion on which a portion of the printed circuit board is seated; a pressing portion for pressing and clamping the printed circuit board seated on the board seating portion with predetermined pressure; a pressurizing portion for applying pressure to the pressing portion; and a restoring spring for restoring the pressing portion to its initial position. More preferably, a rubber member is installed at a region on the pressing portion that comes into contact with the printed circuit board, thereby preventing slippage of the clamped printed circuit board.
  • the apparatus of the present invention may further comprise a loading means for moving the printed circuit board mounted thereon so as to feed the printed circuit board to the hollow frame of the clamp base, thereby facilitating the clamping of the printed circuit board.
  • the loading means may comprise a mounting plate provided with a flat mounting surface on which the printed circuit board is mounted; and an actuator coupled to the bottom of the mounting surface so as to move the mounting plate vertically.
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a clamping means according to an embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a clamping operation of the clamping means according to the embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating operations of a position detection means and a test means according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates the operation of a clamper according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) shows a state before clamping and (b) shows a clamped state.
  • Fig. 6 is a side view showing a clamper according to another embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 7 shows how to conduct an open-short test of a circuit board using a conventional non-contact and contact combination method.
  • Fig. 8 shows how to conduct an open-short test of a circuit board using a conventional pin contact
  • Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a clamping means according to an embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a clamping operation of the clamping means according to the embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating operations of a position detection means and a test means according to one embodiment of the present invention.
  • An apparatus 100 for testing a flexible printed circuit board comprises a clamping means 50 for clamping a printed circuit board 1 to impart a predetermined tensile force so that the clamped printed circuit board 1 is placed on a substantially identical plane; feeding means 10, 20 and 40 for moving the clamped printed circuit board 1 to a predetermined test position; a reference position detection means 60 for detecting a test reference position of the fed, printed circuit board 1 ; and a test means 30 for testing electric properties between terminals while coming into contact with the plurality of terminals arranged on the printed circuit board 1 fed to the predetermined test position.
  • the printed circuit board 1 to be tested in the test apparatus of this embodiment is flexible and has the plurality of terminals, including first and second terminals lb and lc, arranged on both sides thereof.
  • the printed circuit board 1 is a bare PCB, and an electric property to be tested is the presence of a short circuit in the printed circuit between terminals arranged on the same surface and the presence of a short circuit between terminals arranged on different surfaces, i.e., open-short test.
  • the clamping means 50 is arranged to clamp edges of the rectangular flexible printed circuit board 1 and includes four clampers 80 (80a to 80d) of which portions for clamping the printed circuit board 1 are placed on a substantially identical plane.
  • the tensioning means 51, 52, 80a' and 80c' includes a clamp base 70 having a pair of linear guides 71 and 71 ' arranged in parallel.
  • the clamp base 70 employs a rectangular frame with a rectangular hollow therein, and the pair of guides 71 and 71' arranged in parallel are formed on opposite sides of the frame.
  • the tensioning means includes first and second tensioning means 51 and 52 installed to move by means of guidance of the pair of guides 71 and 71 ', and third and fourth tensioning means 80a' and 80c' installed to move on the first and second tensioning means.
  • the first tensioning means 51 takes the shape of an elongated bar and is installed on the clamp base 70 so that both ends thereof can move by means of guidance of the guides 71 and 71 '.
  • the first tensioning means 51 further has a guide 51a linearly arranged on an upper portion thereof perpendicularly to the guides 71 and 71 ' of the clamp base 70.
  • the second tensioning means 52 also takes the shape of an elongated bar and is installed on the clamp base 70 so that both ends thereof can move by means of guidance of the guides 71 and 71 '.
  • the second tensioning means 52 has a guide 52a linearly arranged on an upper portion thereof in parallel to the guide 51a of the first tensioning means 51.
  • the third tensioning means 80a' is installed on the first tensioning means 51 to move by means of guidance of the guide 51a of the first tensioning means 51, while the fourth tensioning means 80c' is installed on the second tensioning means 52 to move by means of guidance of the guide 52a of the second tensioning means 52.
  • Each of the tensioning means has a driving means for providing power with which the tensioning means itself can be moved.
  • each tensioning means employs a commercially available linear motor in this embodiment, it is not limited thereto.
  • the driving means it is possible to use a ball screw and a stepping motor, or a timing belt and a stepping motor.
  • the driving means for moving the first and second tensioning means 51 and 52 in this embodiment are linear motors 51b and 52b installed at one ends of the first and second tensioning means 51 and 52, respectively.
  • each of the third and fourth tensioning means 80a' and 80c' employs a linear motor with a driving means contained therein.
  • the driving means for moving the first and second tensioning means 51 and 52 are installed to the ends of the respective tensioning means in this embodiment, two driving means may be installed at both ends of each of the tensioning means, if necessary.
  • two clampers 80b and 80d among four clampers 80a to 80d for clamping four edges of the rectangular flexible printed circuit board 1 are fixedly installed at opposite positions on the first and second tensioning means 51 and 52, respectively.
  • the other two clampers 80a and 80c are fixedly installed on the third and fourth tensioning means 80a' and 80c', respectively.
  • the feeding means 10, 20 and 40 for feeding the flexible printed circuit board 1 clamped by the clamping means 50 to a test position on the test means includes first and second linear fixed frames 10 and 20 with a constant height installed in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval, and a base guide 40 installed to horizontally move by means of guidance of the first and second fixed frames 10 and 20.
  • the base guide 40 takes the shape of a rectangular frame with a hollow therein.
  • Guides 11 and 21 for guiding movement of the base guide 40 are formed on upper portions of the first and second fixed frames 10 and 20, respectively.
  • a first driving means 12 is installed on any one of the base guide 40 and the first and second fixed frames 10 and 20 to provide power for use in moving the base guide 40.
  • a guide 41 for guiding movement in a direction perpendicular to the guides 11 and 21 of the fixed frames 10 and 20 is formed on an upper surface of the base guide 40.
  • the clamp base 70 is installed on the upper surface of the base guide 40 to move by means of guidance of the guide 41 of the base guide 40.
  • a second driving means 42 for driving the clamp base 70 is installed on the upper surface of the base guide 40.
  • the first and second driving means 12 and 42 may be implemented in various ways using a linear motor, or a ball screw and a stepping motor, or a timing belt and a stepping motor.
  • the apparatus 100 for testing a printed circuit board further comprises a loading means 90 installed below the hollow of the frame of the clamp base 70 so as to supply the mounted printed circuit board 1 to a clamping position in the hollow of the frame of the clamp base 70.
  • the loading means 90 includes a mounting plate 92 with a flat mounting surface on which the printed circuit board 1 is mounted, and an actuator 91 coupled to the center of a lower surface of the mounting plate 92 so as to move the mounting plate 92 vertically.
  • Fixing pins 93 are installed, on the mounting surface of the mounting plate 92, to be inserted into thorough holes la formed at the edges of the printed circuit board 1.
  • the fixing pins 93 prevent the printed circuit board 1 from coming out from the mounting plate 92 and keeps it at the clamping position.
  • the reference position detection means 60 is installed above the test means and detects a flexible printed circuit board fed by the feeding means. The reference position detection means 60 then sends an alignment signal to the feeding means so that a probe of the test means is correctly aligned with a terminal of wiring on the printed circuit board to be tested. The feeding means receives the alignment signal and then makes a fine movement so that the printed circuit board is moved correctly to a predetermined test position. That is, the reference position detection means 60 is to detect whether the fed printed circuit board 1 has been moved to a test position.
  • the reference position detection means 60 includes a camera and an image processing means (not shown).
  • the reference position detection means 60 compares data on patterns or information on a marked position on the printed circuit board 1, which has been input in advance, with digital image data photographed by the camera. If both the data are not matched to each other within a certain threshold, the reference position detection means 60 outputs a signal to the feeding means so as to move the base guide 40 and the clamp base 70.
  • the feeding means receives the signal from the reference position detection means 60 and then operates the driving means of the base guide 40 and the clamp base 70 to adjust the position of the printed circuit board 1 , thereby aligning the printed circuit board with the test position. Since the technique related to alignment between a test position and a printed circuit board using such image processing is well known in the filed of test devices for flexible printed circuit boards, a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.
  • the reference position detection means 60 employs a CCD camera in this embodiment, it is not limited thereto.
  • the reference position detection means 60 may employ any device capable of detecting a relative position of a terminal on the flexible printed circuit board 1.
  • the test means is a device for testing a double-sided flexible printed circuit board 1.
  • this test means 30 includes an upper probe unit 31 arranged above the printed circuit board 1 and having a plurality of probes (or second test terminals) arranged on a surface thereof directed to the printed circuit board, and a lower probe unit 31 arranged below the printed circuit board and having a plurality of probes (or first test terminals) arranged on a surface thereof directed to the printed circuit board 1.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates the operation of a clamper according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) shows a state before clamping and (b) shows a clamped state.
  • Te clamper 80 includes a board seating portion 83 on which a certain portion of a printed circuit board 1 to be tested is seated, a pressing portion 82 for pressing and clamping the printed circuit board 1 seated on the board seating portion 83 with proper pressure, a pressurizing portion 85 for applying pressure to the pressing portion 82, and a restoring spring 88 for restoring the pressing portion 82 to its original position.
  • the board seating portion 83 has a step and is formed with a depressed groove 83'. At a portion of the pressing portion 82 that comes into contact with the flexible printed circuit board 1 , two support bars 82a and 82b with different heights are formed. The clamping operation of the clamper in this embodiment will be described in greater detail.
  • the flexible printed circuit board 1 is seated in the depressed groove 83'.
  • the first support bar 82a with a larger height comes into contact with and clamps the flexible printed circuit board 1, and the second support bar 82b with a smaller height comes into contact with the board seating portion 83. Accordingly, it can be prevented that the first support bar 82a presses the printed circuit board 1 with excessive pressure to cause damage to the printed circuit board.
  • a cylinder 81 of the pressurizing portion 85 advances to press the pressing portion 82. Then, the pressing portion 82 clamps the flexible printed circuit board 1 seated on the board seating portion 83.
  • the pressing portion 82 has a stepped shape, so that a protrusion (not shown) on an outer surface thereof is rotatably coupled in a hole 84' of a fixing portion 84.
  • the pressing portion 82 is pivotably coupled through a hinge and is restored to its original position by means of the restoring spring 88.
  • the pressing portion 82 is pivoted by means of the cylinder 81 of the pressurizing portion 85 to clamp the printed circuit board placed between the board seating portion 83 and the first support bar 82a.
  • Fig. 6 is a side view showing a clamper according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig.
  • a rubber member 86 is installed at a portion of the pressing portion 82 of the clamper 80, which comes into contact with the printed circuit board 1, to prevent the clamped printed circuit board 1 from being slipped and damaged due to excessive pressure.
  • the actuator 91 starts its operation at an initial position shown in Fig. 1 to raise the mounting plate 92 of the loading means 90.
  • the fixing pins 93 provided on the mounting plate 92 of the loading means 90 are inserted into the holes la formed at predetermined portions of the edges of the double-sided flexible printed circuit board 1 so that the flexible printed circuit board 1 to be subjected to an open-short test is mounted.
  • the four clampers 80a to 80d which have been spread out from the frame of the clamp base 70, are moved inside the clamp base 70 to clamp the printed circuit board 1.
  • the actuator 91 of the loading means 90 is lowered.
  • the flexible printed circuit board 1 clamped by the clamping means 80 is sagged downward due to gravity applied to the mass of the flexible printed circuit board 1 as shown in Fig. 3.
  • the flexible printed circuit board To ensure a reliable test of the flexible printed circuit board, it is required to apply a suitable tensile force such that the printed circuit board 1, which otherwise may be sagged due to its weight, is positioned on a substantially identical plane. Then, when the actuator 91 descends, the first and second tensioning means 51 and 52 move outward to primarily impart a predetermined tensile force to the printed circuit board 1, and the third and fourth tensioning means 80a' and 80c' subsequently move outward to secondarily impart a predetermined tensile force to the printed circuit board 1. Next, the feeding means 10, 20 and 40 are operated to feed the clamping means 50, which has clamped the printed circuit board 1, to a predetermined test position on the test means 30.
  • the reference position detection means 60 compares image information on the printed circuit board 1, which has been fed and photographed by the camera, with reference image information that has been stored in advance, and then outputs an alignment signal to the feeding means so that the printed circuit board 1 is aligned with the test position on the test means. Thereafter, the test means examines electric properties between terminals on the aligned printed circuit board 1 by bringing the test terminals into contact with the terminals on the printed circuit board 1.
  • the open-short test is accomplished not only for wiring between terminals arranged on one side but also for wiring between terminals arranged on both sides. Thus, voltage is applied to one terminal, and an output signal for the applied voltage is measured at another terminal, thereby testing a short circuit or disconnection.
  • the test terminals are simultaneously brought into contact with the first and second terminals lb and lc on both sides so as to measure capacitance, thereby testing a short circuit and disconnection.
  • the feeding means moves the clamping means 50, which has clamped the printed circuit board, to above the loading means 90.
  • the printed circuit board fed to above the loading means 90 is discharged while the clamping by the clampers 80a to 80d is released, and the respective tensioning means 51, 52, 80a' and 80c' are moved outside the clamp base 70 and is ready for a test of another printed circuit board.
  • the present invention provides an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board, wherein the flexible printed circuit board is transferred to a tester while edges of the printed circuit board are clamped and pulled by clampers so that the printed circuit board is in a planar state, and the printed circuit board is then tested by causing terminals of the tester to be brought into contact with terminals of the printed circuit board. Therefore, according to the present invention, an open-short test can be performed for both a single-sided flexible printed circuit board and a double-sided flexible printed circuit board. Particularly, time required for an open-short test of a double-sided flexible printed circuit board can be shortened. Further, the reliability of an open-short test can be improved by employing a direct contact method upon test of the flexible printed circuit board.

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board with first and second terminals thereon to examine electric properties between the first and second terminals. The apparatus of the present invention comprises a clamping means for clamping at least three portions of the printed circuit board to impart a predetermined tensile force so that the printed circuit board is positioned on a substantially identical plane; and a test means for measuring the electric properties between the first and second terminals by being brought into contact with the first and second terminals on the printed circuit board clamped by the clamping means, inputting a signal for an open-short test, and detecting the input signal.

Description

APPARATUS FOR TESTING OF FLEXIBLE PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD
Technical field The present invention relates to an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board, and more particularly to an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board, wherein the flexible printed circuit board is transferred to a tester while edges of the printed circuit board are clamped and pulled by clampers so that the printed circuit board is in a planar state, and the printed circuit board is then tested by causing terminals of the tester to be brought into contact with terminals of the printed circuit board.
Background Art Generally, it is known that methods for testing printed circuit boards include a pin- contact method and a non-contact and contact combination method. In the non-contact and contact combination method, as shown in Fig. 7, a test signal including an AC component is applied through direct contact (or indirect capacity coupling) of a pin probe with one end of a conductor pattern to be tested, and then detected at the other end of the conductor pattern through capacity coupling. This non-contact and contact combination method does not require high positioning accuracy since it is not necessary to bring a pin probe into contact with at least one of ends of a pattern line. In addition, the non-contact and contact combination method can reduce the number of pin probes since a plurality of pattern lines can be tested by shifting the positions of pin probes. Moreover, the pin probes are prevented from being worn, so that they can be used for an extended period of time. On the other hand, in the pin contact method, as shown in Fig. 8, pin probes are brought into direct contact with both ends of a conductor pattern to be tested, and an open- short test is performed between the both ends by causing a DC current to flow to one pin probe and calculating the resistance of the corresponding conductor pattern from a voltage value detected by the other pin probe. This pin contact method has an advantage in that a high SN ratio (Signal to Noise ratio) is achieved since the pin probes are brought into direct contact. Meanwhile, there has been already known a conventional apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board, which is used in the following test process. First, a flexible printed circuit board is seated on a plate with a vacuum pad mounted thereon. Then, the flexible printed circuit board is fixed through vacuum suction by the vacuum pad. Thereafter, in order to check the fixing position of the fixed flexible printed circuit board, an alignment camera is used for detecting a mark on the flexible printed circuit board and the fixing position is then corrected. Then, a measurement pin is brought into contact with a pad of the flexible printed circuit board to measure the capacitance of each pad and the measured capacitance is compared with a predetermined reference value, thereby performing a short circuit or disconnection test. In case of a double-sided flexible printed circuit board, the printed circuit board is turned over after checking one surface thereof, and then the other surface is checked. However, the conventional open-short test apparatus for a flexible printed circuit board has a disadvantage in that it takes a great deal of time to perform an open-short test of such a double-sided flexible printed circuit board. That is, since the printed circuit board should be turned over to check the other surface of the printed circuit board after one surface thereof is completely checked, there is a disadvantage in that a step of turning over and realigning the printed circuit board should be added, resulting in increased test time. In order to compensate for time required for turning over a printed circuit board, there has been proposed an apparatus with a measurement pin moving at high speed. However, there is still a certain limitation on the measurement speed. If a non-contact and contact combination method is used to shorten the test time, there is a disadvantage in that test reliability is deteriorated since the method is an indirect open-short test method that checks a short circuit or disconnection by measuring the capacitance of a pad and comparing the measured capacitance with a predetermined reference value. Moreover, the conventional test device has a problem in that it cannot test a flexible printed circuit board that needs tests for electric properties, e.g., open-short tests, on both sides thereof in connection with a particular terminal connected to the both sides. Disclosure of Invention Accordingly, the present invention is conceived to solve the aforementioned problems. A primary object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board, which can perform an open-short test of both a single-sided flexible printed circuit board and a double-sided flexible printed circuit board. Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board, which can shorten time required for an open-short test of a double- sided flexible printed circuit board. A further object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board, which can improve test reliability by employing a direct contact method upon test of the flexible printed circuit board.
Technical Solution According to the present invention for achieving the objects, there is provided an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board with first and second terminals thereon to examine electric properties between the first and second terminals, comprising a clamping means for clamping at least three portions of the printed circuit board to impart a predetermined tensile force so that the printed circuit board is positioned on a substantially identical plane; and a test means for measuring the electric properties between the first and second terminals by being brought into contact with the first and second terminals on the printed circuit board clamped by the clamping means, inputting a signal for an open-short test, and detecting the input signal. The clamping means comprises four clampers installed to move on a substantially identical plane and having portions, which are positioned on a substantially identical plane, for clamping edges of the printed circuit board; and a tensioning means for moving the clampers on the substantially identical plane to impart a predetermined tensile force to the clamped printed circuit board. With the present invention, the clampers of the clamping means clamp the edges of the flexible printed circuit board, and the tensioning means is moved to impart a certain tensile force so that the flexible printed circuit board is kept in a tight state to be positioned on a substantially identical plane. Thus, since it is not necessary to mount the printed circuit board on a table and to fix it through suction by a vacuum pad, even though the flexible printed circuit board is a double-sided printed circuit board, probes or terminals of the test means can be brought into contact with the first and second terminals on the printed circuit board, thereby performing tests for electric properties, e.g., an open-short test. More preferably, the tensioning means comprises a clamp base having a pair of linear guides arranged in parallel; a first tensioning means that is installed on the clamp base such that both ends thereof are moved by means of guidance of the pair of guides, and has a guide linearly arranged on an upper portion thereof perpendicularly to the guides of the clamp base; a second tensioning means that is installed on the clamp base such that both ends thereof are moved by means of guidance of the pair of guides, and has a guide arranged parallel to the guide of the first tensioning means; a third tensioning means installed on the first tensioning means to move by means of guidance of the guide of the first tensioning means; and a fourth tension means installed on the first tensioning means to move by means of guidance of the guide of the second tensioning means. Among the four clampers, two clampers are fixed at opposite positions on the first and second tension means, and remaining two clampers are fixedly installed on the third and fourth tension means, respectively. With the present invention, four edges of the rectangular flexible printed circuit board are clamped, and the printed circuit board is pulled with a uniform tensile force by using a pair of tensioning means of which vertical movement is restricted, so that the printed circuit board can be positioned on a substantially flat plane. That is, since two clampers are fixed to each of the first and second tensioning means and the first and second tensioning means are movable by means of guidance of the parallel guides, it is possible to impart a uniform tensile force to the rectangular flexible printed circuit board in one direction (or X-axis direction on the plane). Further, since the second and third tensioning means are installed on the first and second tensioning means, respectively, to move in the same direction by means of guidance of the guides, a correct tensile force is applied in a different direction (Y-axis direction on the plane). Moreover, the apparatus preferably further comprises a feeding means for moving the clamping means to a test position on the test means so that the clamped printed circuit board can be tested. More preferably, the apparatus further comprises a reference position detection means for detecting a test reference position for the flexible printed circuit board clamped by the clamping means. The feeding means receives an output signal from the reference position detection means and then feeds the clamping means to the test reference position. In particular, it is preferred that the feeding means move the clamping means in X-Y directions in a Cartesian coordinate system on a plane. With the present invention, even though the clamped positions on the flexible printed circuit board are not correct, it is possible to correctly position the flexible printed circuit board at a test position on the test means by using the reference position detection means and the feeding means. That is, the clamped flexible printed circuit board can be fed correctly to the positions of probes of the test means since the reference position detection means recognizes a reference test position of the printed circuit board. Moreover, in order to facilitate a test of a double-sided flexible printed circuit board with the apparatus of the present invention, the clamp base employs a rectangular frame with a hollow therein, and if the printed circuit board is a flexible double-sided printed circuit board with a plurality of terminals arranged on each of both surfaces, the printed circuit board is placed in a clamped state within the hollow of the frame of the clamp base. The test means may comprise a plurality of first test terminals for connection to a plurality of terminals arranged on a lower surface of the printed circuit board below the rectangular frame, and a plurality of second test terminals for connection to a plurality of terminals arranged on an upper surface of the printed circuit board so that the plurality of terminals arranged on the both surfaces of the printed circuit board are connected and tested at the same time. In the apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board according to the present invention, each of the clampers preferably comprises a board seating portion on which a portion of the printed circuit board is seated; a pressing portion for pressing and clamping the printed circuit board seated on the board seating portion with predetermined pressure; a pressurizing portion for applying pressure to the pressing portion; and a restoring spring for restoring the pressing portion to its initial position. More preferably, a rubber member is installed at a region on the pressing portion that comes into contact with the printed circuit board, thereby preventing slippage of the clamped printed circuit board. The apparatus of the present invention may further comprise a loading means for moving the printed circuit board mounted thereon so as to feed the printed circuit board to the hollow frame of the clamp base, thereby facilitating the clamping of the printed circuit board. The loading means may comprise a mounting plate provided with a flat mounting surface on which the printed circuit board is mounted; and an actuator coupled to the bottom of the mounting surface so as to move the mounting plate vertically. When the printed circuit board is mounted on the mounting plate, the mounting plate ascends to the position of the clampers and each clamper is moved to the clamping position by means of the driving means and clamping the printed circuit board, thereby shortening time required for clamping and ensuring correct clamping.
Brief Description of the Drawings Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a clamping means according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a clamping operation of the clamping means according to the embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating operations of a position detection means and a test means according to one embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 5 illustrates the operation of a clamper according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) shows a state before clamping and (b) shows a clamped state. Fig. 6 is a side view showing a clamper according to another embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 7 shows how to conduct an open-short test of a circuit board using a conventional non-contact and contact combination method. Fig. 8 shows how to conduct an open-short test of a circuit board using a conventional pin contact method.
Best Mode for Carrying out the Invention Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a clamping means according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a clamping operation of the clamping means according to the embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 4 is a perspective view illustrating operations of a position detection means and a test means according to one embodiment of the present invention. An apparatus 100 for testing a flexible printed circuit board according to one embodiment comprises a clamping means 50 for clamping a printed circuit board 1 to impart a predetermined tensile force so that the clamped printed circuit board 1 is placed on a substantially identical plane; feeding means 10, 20 and 40 for moving the clamped printed circuit board 1 to a predetermined test position; a reference position detection means 60 for detecting a test reference position of the fed, printed circuit board 1 ; and a test means 30 for testing electric properties between terminals while coming into contact with the plurality of terminals arranged on the printed circuit board 1 fed to the predetermined test position. The printed circuit board 1 to be tested in the test apparatus of this embodiment is flexible and has the plurality of terminals, including first and second terminals lb and lc, arranged on both sides thereof. In particular, the printed circuit board 1 is a bare PCB, and an electric property to be tested is the presence of a short circuit in the printed circuit between terminals arranged on the same surface and the presence of a short circuit between terminals arranged on different surfaces, i.e., open-short test. Referring to Fig. 2, the clamping means 50 is arranged to clamp edges of the rectangular flexible printed circuit board 1 and includes four clampers 80 (80a to 80d) of which portions for clamping the printed circuit board 1 are placed on a substantially identical plane. Each of the clampers 80 (80a to 80d) is installed to move on the substantially identical plane. In addition, the clamping means 50 includes a tensioning means for imparting a predetermined tensile force to the printed circuit board by moving the respective clampers 80 (80a to 80d) on the substantially identical plane. Accordingly, the tensioning means keeps the clamped printed circuit board 1 to be tightly spread out. The tensioning means 51, 52, 80a' and 80c' includes a clamp base 70 having a pair of linear guides 71 and 71 ' arranged in parallel. In this embodiment, the clamp base 70 employs a rectangular frame with a rectangular hollow therein, and the pair of guides 71 and 71' arranged in parallel are formed on opposite sides of the frame. In addition, the tensioning means includes first and second tensioning means 51 and 52 installed to move by means of guidance of the pair of guides 71 and 71 ', and third and fourth tensioning means 80a' and 80c' installed to move on the first and second tensioning means. The first tensioning means 51 takes the shape of an elongated bar and is installed on the clamp base 70 so that both ends thereof can move by means of guidance of the guides 71 and 71 '. The first tensioning means 51 further has a guide 51a linearly arranged on an upper portion thereof perpendicularly to the guides 71 and 71 ' of the clamp base 70. Moreover, the second tensioning means 52 also takes the shape of an elongated bar and is installed on the clamp base 70 so that both ends thereof can move by means of guidance of the guides 71 and 71 '. The second tensioning means 52 has a guide 52a linearly arranged on an upper portion thereof in parallel to the guide 51a of the first tensioning means 51. The third tensioning means 80a' is installed on the first tensioning means 51 to move by means of guidance of the guide 51a of the first tensioning means 51, while the fourth tensioning means 80c' is installed on the second tensioning means 52 to move by means of guidance of the guide 52a of the second tensioning means 52. Each of the tensioning means has a driving means for providing power with which the tensioning means itself can be moved. Although each tensioning means employs a commercially available linear motor in this embodiment, it is not limited thereto. As for the driving means, it is possible to use a ball screw and a stepping motor, or a timing belt and a stepping motor. As shown in Fig. 2, the driving means for moving the first and second tensioning means 51 and 52 in this embodiment are linear motors 51b and 52b installed at one ends of the first and second tensioning means 51 and 52, respectively. Meanwhile, each of the third and fourth tensioning means 80a' and 80c' employs a linear motor with a driving means contained therein. Although the driving means for moving the first and second tensioning means 51 and 52 are installed to the ends of the respective tensioning means in this embodiment, two driving means may be installed at both ends of each of the tensioning means, if necessary. In addition, two clampers 80b and 80d among four clampers 80a to 80d for clamping four edges of the rectangular flexible printed circuit board 1 are fixedly installed at opposite positions on the first and second tensioning means 51 and 52, respectively. The other two clampers 80a and 80c are fixedly installed on the third and fourth tensioning means 80a' and 80c', respectively. Referring to Fig. 1, the feeding means 10, 20 and 40 for feeding the flexible printed circuit board 1 clamped by the clamping means 50 to a test position on the test means includes first and second linear fixed frames 10 and 20 with a constant height installed in parallel with each other at a predetermined interval, and a base guide 40 installed to horizontally move by means of guidance of the first and second fixed frames 10 and 20. In this embodiment, the base guide 40 takes the shape of a rectangular frame with a hollow therein. Guides 11 and 21 for guiding movement of the base guide 40 are formed on upper portions of the first and second fixed frames 10 and 20, respectively. In addition, a first driving means 12 is installed on any one of the base guide 40 and the first and second fixed frames 10 and 20 to provide power for use in moving the base guide 40. A guide 41 for guiding movement in a direction perpendicular to the guides 11 and 21 of the fixed frames 10 and 20 is formed on an upper surface of the base guide 40. The clamp base 70 is installed on the upper surface of the base guide 40 to move by means of guidance of the guide 41 of the base guide 40. Further, a second driving means 42 for driving the clamp base 70 is installed on the upper surface of the base guide 40. The first and second driving means 12 and 42 may be implemented in various ways using a linear motor, or a ball screw and a stepping motor, or a timing belt and a stepping motor. With the feeding means 10, 20 and 40 constructed as above, the clamp base 70 moves in X-Y directions in a Cartesian coordinate system on a plane and reaches a test position on the test means. Moreover, for the sake of easy clamping of the printed circuit board, the apparatus 100 for testing a printed circuit board according to this embodiment further comprises a loading means 90 installed below the hollow of the frame of the clamp base 70 so as to supply the mounted printed circuit board 1 to a clamping position in the hollow of the frame of the clamp base 70. The loading means 90 includes a mounting plate 92 with a flat mounting surface on which the printed circuit board 1 is mounted, and an actuator 91 coupled to the center of a lower surface of the mounting plate 92 so as to move the mounting plate 92 vertically. Fixing pins 93 are installed, on the mounting surface of the mounting plate 92, to be inserted into thorough holes la formed at the edges of the printed circuit board 1. The fixing pins 93 prevent the printed circuit board 1 from coming out from the mounting plate 92 and keeps it at the clamping position. The reference position detection means 60 is installed above the test means and detects a flexible printed circuit board fed by the feeding means. The reference position detection means 60 then sends an alignment signal to the feeding means so that a probe of the test means is correctly aligned with a terminal of wiring on the printed circuit board to be tested. The feeding means receives the alignment signal and then makes a fine movement so that the printed circuit board is moved correctly to a predetermined test position. That is, the reference position detection means 60 is to detect whether the fed printed circuit board 1 has been moved to a test position. The reference position detection means 60 includes a camera and an image processing means (not shown). The reference position detection means 60 compares data on patterns or information on a marked position on the printed circuit board 1, which has been input in advance, with digital image data photographed by the camera. If both the data are not matched to each other within a certain threshold, the reference position detection means 60 outputs a signal to the feeding means so as to move the base guide 40 and the clamp base 70. The feeding means receives the signal from the reference position detection means 60 and then operates the driving means of the base guide 40 and the clamp base 70 to adjust the position of the printed circuit board 1 , thereby aligning the printed circuit board with the test position. Since the technique related to alignment between a test position and a printed circuit board using such image processing is well known in the filed of test devices for flexible printed circuit boards, a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein. Although the reference position detection means 60 employs a CCD camera in this embodiment, it is not limited thereto. The reference position detection means 60 may employ any device capable of detecting a relative position of a terminal on the flexible printed circuit board 1. In this embodiment, the test means is a device for testing a double-sided flexible printed circuit board 1. As shown in Fig. 4, this test means 30 includes an upper probe unit 31 arranged above the printed circuit board 1 and having a plurality of probes (or second test terminals) arranged on a surface thereof directed to the printed circuit board, and a lower probe unit 31 arranged below the printed circuit board and having a plurality of probes (or first test terminals) arranged on a surface thereof directed to the printed circuit board 1. The first and second test terminals are moved vertically to come into contact with terminals of a printed circuit board when the printed circuit board is moved to a test position. Since the technology related to such a contact-type test device is well known in the art, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Fig. 5 illustrates the operation of a clamper according to one embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) shows a state before clamping and (b) shows a clamped state. Te clamper 80 includes a board seating portion 83 on which a certain portion of a printed circuit board 1 to be tested is seated, a pressing portion 82 for pressing and clamping the printed circuit board 1 seated on the board seating portion 83 with proper pressure, a pressurizing portion 85 for applying pressure to the pressing portion 82, and a restoring spring 88 for restoring the pressing portion 82 to its original position. The board seating portion 83 has a step and is formed with a depressed groove 83'. At a portion of the pressing portion 82 that comes into contact with the flexible printed circuit board 1 , two support bars 82a and 82b with different heights are formed. The clamping operation of the clamper in this embodiment will be described in greater detail. The flexible printed circuit board 1 is seated in the depressed groove 83'. The first support bar 82a with a larger height comes into contact with and clamps the flexible printed circuit board 1, and the second support bar 82b with a smaller height comes into contact with the board seating portion 83. Accordingly, it can be prevented that the first support bar 82a presses the printed circuit board 1 with excessive pressure to cause damage to the printed circuit board. When the double-sided flexible printed circuit board 1 is seated on the board seating portion 83, a cylinder 81 of the pressurizing portion 85 advances to press the pressing portion 82. Then, the pressing portion 82 clamps the flexible printed circuit board 1 seated on the board seating portion 83. The pressing portion 82 has a stepped shape, so that a protrusion (not shown) on an outer surface thereof is rotatably coupled in a hole 84' of a fixing portion 84. The pressing portion 82 is pivotably coupled through a hinge and is restored to its original position by means of the restoring spring 88. The pressing portion 82 is pivoted by means of the cylinder 81 of the pressurizing portion 85 to clamp the printed circuit board placed between the board seating portion 83 and the first support bar 82a. Fig. 6 is a side view showing a clamper according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 6, instead of the first and second support bars 82a and 82b, a rubber member 86 is installed at a portion of the pressing portion 82 of the clamper 80, which comes into contact with the printed circuit board 1, to prevent the clamped printed circuit board 1 from being slipped and damaged due to excessive pressure. Hereinafter, the operation of the apparatus for testing a double-sided flexible printed circuit board according to the present invention will be described. Referring to Fig. 1, the actuator 91 starts its operation at an initial position shown in Fig. 1 to raise the mounting plate 92 of the loading means 90. In this state, the fixing pins 93 provided on the mounting plate 92 of the loading means 90 are inserted into the holes la formed at predetermined portions of the edges of the double-sided flexible printed circuit board 1 so that the flexible printed circuit board 1 to be subjected to an open-short test is mounted. Then, the four clampers 80a to 80d, which have been spread out from the frame of the clamp base 70, are moved inside the clamp base 70 to clamp the printed circuit board 1. Then, the actuator 91 of the loading means 90 is lowered. The flexible printed circuit board 1 clamped by the clamping means 80 is sagged downward due to gravity applied to the mass of the flexible printed circuit board 1 as shown in Fig. 3. To ensure a reliable test of the flexible printed circuit board, it is required to apply a suitable tensile force such that the printed circuit board 1, which otherwise may be sagged due to its weight, is positioned on a substantially identical plane. Then, when the actuator 91 descends, the first and second tensioning means 51 and 52 move outward to primarily impart a predetermined tensile force to the printed circuit board 1, and the third and fourth tensioning means 80a' and 80c' subsequently move outward to secondarily impart a predetermined tensile force to the printed circuit board 1. Next, the feeding means 10, 20 and 40 are operated to feed the clamping means 50, which has clamped the printed circuit board 1, to a predetermined test position on the test means 30. Then, the reference position detection means 60 compares image information on the printed circuit board 1, which has been fed and photographed by the camera, with reference image information that has been stored in advance, and then outputs an alignment signal to the feeding means so that the printed circuit board 1 is aligned with the test position on the test means. Thereafter, the test means examines electric properties between terminals on the aligned printed circuit board 1 by bringing the test terminals into contact with the terminals on the printed circuit board 1. In this embodiment, the open-short test is accomplished not only for wiring between terminals arranged on one side but also for wiring between terminals arranged on both sides. Thus, voltage is applied to one terminal, and an output signal for the applied voltage is measured at another terminal, thereby testing a short circuit or disconnection. That is, if the printed circuit board 1 to be tested is a double-sided printed circuit board, the test terminals are simultaneously brought into contact with the first and second terminals lb and lc on both sides so as to measure capacitance, thereby testing a short circuit and disconnection. When the test is completed, the feeding means moves the clamping means 50, which has clamped the printed circuit board, to above the loading means 90. The printed circuit board fed to above the loading means 90 is discharged while the clamping by the clampers 80a to 80d is released, and the respective tensioning means 51, 52, 80a' and 80c' are moved outside the clamp base 70 and is ready for a test of another printed circuit board.
industrial Applicability The present invention provides an apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board, wherein the flexible printed circuit board is transferred to a tester while edges of the printed circuit board are clamped and pulled by clampers so that the printed circuit board is in a planar state, and the printed circuit board is then tested by causing terminals of the tester to be brought into contact with terminals of the printed circuit board. Therefore, according to the present invention, an open-short test can be performed for both a single-sided flexible printed circuit board and a double-sided flexible printed circuit board. Particularly, time required for an open-short test of a double-sided flexible printed circuit board can be shortened. Further, the reliability of an open-short test can be improved by employing a direct contact method upon test of the flexible printed circuit board. It is intended that the embodiments of the present invention described above and illustrated in the drawings should not be construed as limiting the technical spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims. Those skilled in the art can make various changes and modifications thereto without departing from the spirit. Therefore, various changes and modifications obvious to those skilled in the art will fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An apparatus for testing a flexible printed circuit board with first and second terminals thereon to examine electric properties between the first and second terminals, the apparatus comprising: a clamping means for clamping at least three portions of the printed circuit board to impart a predetermined tensile force so that the printed circuit board is positioned on a substantially identical plane; and a test means for measuring the electric properties between the first and second terminals by being brought into contact with the first and second terminals on the printed circuit board clamped by the clamping means, inputting a signal for an open-short test, and detecting the input signal.
2. The apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the clamping means comprises: four clampers installed to move on a substantially identical plane and having portions for clamping edges of the printed circuit board, the portions of the clampers being positioned on a substantially identical plane; and a tensioning means for moving the clampers on the substantially identical plane to impart a predetermined tensile force to the clamped printed circuit board.
3. The apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the tensioning means comprises: a clamp base having a pair of linear guides arranged in parallel; a first tensioning means installed on the clamp base such that both ends thereof are moved by means of guidance of the pair of guides, the first tensioning means having a guide linearly arranged on an upper portion thereof perpendicularly to the guides of the clamp base; a second tensioning means installed on the clamp base such that both ends thereof are moved by means of guidance of the pair of guides, the second tensioning means having a guide arranged parallel to the guide of the first tensioning means; a third tensioning means installed on the first tensioning means to move by means of guidance of the guide of the first tensioning means; and a fourth tension means installed on the first tensioning means to move by means of guidance of the guide of the second tensioning means, wherein among the four clampers, two clampers are fixed at opposite positions on the first and second tension means, and remaining two clampers are fixedly installed on the third and fourth tension means, respectively.
4. The apparatus according to any of Claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a feeding means for moving the clamping means to a test position on the test means so that the clamped printed circuit board can be tested.
5. The apparatus according to Claim 4, wherein the feeding means moves the clamping means in X-Y directions in a
Cartesian coordinate system on a plane.
6. The apparatus according to Claim 5, further comprising: a reference position detection means for detecting a test reference position for the flexible printed circuit board clamped by the clamping means, wherein the feeding means receives an output signal from the reference position detection means and then feeds the clamping means to the test reference position.
7. The apparatus according to Claim 3, wherein the clamp base is a rectangular frame with a hollow therein, the printed circuit board is a flexible double-sided printed circuit board with a plurality of terminals arranged on each of both surfaces, and placed in a clamped state within the hollow of the frame of the clamp base, and the test means comprises a plurality of first test terminals for connection to a plurality of terminals arranged on a lower surface of the printed circuit board below the rectangular frame, and a plurality of second test terminals for connection to a plurality of terminals arranged on an upper surface of the printed circuit board so that the plurality of terminals arranged on the both surfaces of the printed circuit board are connected and tested at the same time.
8. The apparatus according to Claim 2 or 3, wherein each of the clampers comprises: a board seating portion on which a portion of the printed circuit board is seated; a pressing portion for pressing and clamping the printed circuit board seated on the board seating portion with predetermined pressure; a pressurizing portion for applying pressure to the pressing portion; and a restoring spring for restoring the pressing portion to its initial position.
9. The apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein a rubber member is installed at a region on the pressing portion that comes into contact with the printed circuit board, thereby preventing slippage of the clamped printed circuit board.
10. The apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the clamp base is a rectangular frame with a hollow therein, the printed circuit board is a flexible double-sided printed circuit board with a plurality of terminals arranged on each of both surfaces, and placed in a clamped state within the hollow of the frame of the clamp base, and the test means comprises a plurality of first test terminals for connection to a plurality of terminals arranged on a lower surface of the printed circuit board below the rectangular frame, and a plurality of second test terminals for connection to a plurality of terminals arranged on an upper surface of the printed circuit board so that the plurality of terminals arranged on the both surfaces of the printed circuit board fed by the feeding means are connected and tested at the same time.
11. The apparatus according to Claim 10, wherein each of the clampers comprises: a board seating portion on which a portion of the printed circuit board is seated; a pressing portion for pressing and clamping the printed circuit board seated on the board seating portion with predetermined pressure; a pressurizing portion for applying pressure to the pressing portion; and a restoring spring for restoring the pressing portion to its initial position.
12. The apparatus according to Claim 10, further comprising: a loading means for moving the printed circuit board mounted thereon so as to feed the printed circuit board to the hollow frame of the clamp base, thereby facilitating the clamping of the printed circuit board.
13. The apparatus according to Claim 12, wherein the loading means comprises: a mounting plate provided with a flat mounting surface on which the printed circuit board is mounted; and an actuator coupled to the bottom of the mounting surface so as to move the mounting plate vertically.
PCT/KR2005/000695 2004-03-12 2005-03-11 Apparatus for testing of flexible printed circuit board WO2005089032A1 (en)

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