TWI850683B - Intermediary apparatus of handler for testing electronic component and operating method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a relay device of a sorting machine for testing electronic components. The relay device of the sorting machine for testing electronic components according to the present invention is used to relay electronic components from a customer tray to a tester or from a tester to a customer tray, and includes: a setting rack, on which electronic components are placed on the upper surface; a clamp, which clamps the left and right ends of the rear end of an adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack; a supporter, which supports the electronic components placed on the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack or releases the supporting state, or an absorber, which vacuum absorbs and fixes the front end of the adapter placed on the setting rack; an opener, which opens the adapter fixed by the clamper. According to the present invention, electronic components that have processing tolerances or bends during the manufacturing process can be properly placed in the adapter, thereby preventing improper operation in the relay process. Finally, the electronic components can be accurately electrically connected to the tester, thereby improving the reliability of the sorting machine.

Description

Relay device and operation method of sorting machine for electronic component testing

The present invention relates to a relay device which can be used in a sorting machine for testing electronic components.

The produced electronic components (such as semiconductor elements, substrates, SSDs, etc.) are tested by testers and classified into qualified products and unqualified products. Only qualified products can be shipped out of the factory.

Electronic components can only be tested if they are electrically connected to a tester. In this case, a device that supports testing the electronic components by electrically connecting the electronic components to the tester is a sorter for testing electronic components (hereinafter referred to as a "sorter").

Sorting machines are proposed and manufactured along with the development of new electronic components, and various subsequent developments for stabilization are being carried out.

Recently, the popularity of solid state drives (SSDs) as large electronic components equipped with many electronic components has been increasing.

Initially, when SSDs were produced in small quantities due to low demand, they were electrically connected to and disconnected from the tester manually. However, as demand for SSDs skyrocketed, support for testing based on manual operations became difficult.

However, the thickness, structure, and weight of solid-state drives are different from those of conventional electronic components, and conventional sorting machines cannot be used directly. Therefore, a sorting machine that supports the testing of large electronic components such as solid-state drives was developed, and Korean patent publications No. 10-2019-0050483 and No. 10-2019-0061291 were applied for.

Generally speaking, solid state drives can have various specifications depending on the type of electronic components installed or their uses, and a sorting machine is required to support the testing of electronic components of various specifications. However, sorting machines are expensive and large in scale, so there are many restrictions in terms of unit price and installation space. Therefore, a technology is needed to complete the testing of electronic components with various specifications in one sorting machine to reduce costs and required space.

Furthermore, in order to test each electronic component of different specifications, it is necessary to replace the component with one that meets the specifications of the corresponding electronic component. Even if the component does not need to be replaced, downtime is required to supply new electronic components. As a result, the operating rate of the sorter and the tester is reduced, resulting in complicated manpower losses. Therefore, a sorter that can minimize downtime even in one-cycle operation or continuous operation of the sorter is required.

On the other hand, in the case of semiconductor components, which are conventional small-volume mass-produced products, a test tray that can carry hundreds or more semiconductor components is equipped, and multiple pickers are used to directly hold the semiconductor components and insert them into the test tray. In such a system, the position of the semiconductor component is ensured in the insert and also in the connection process with the tester, so even if the accuracy of the process of placing the electronic component on the test tray is slightly reduced, it will not cause any problem.

However, electronic components such as solid-state hard disks, which have various electronic components including semiconductor components, are in a trend of multi-product mass production due to the diversity of corresponding application devices, and there are also cases where they need to undergo various types of tests. However, since the test sockets of all testers are not located in the same position, in the case where a test tray is required for products such as small-variety mass production, it is necessary to manufacture expensive test trays and matching sorting machines according to the types of electronic components or testers. Therefore, it was considered to connect the electronic components to the test sockets without using an additional test tray, but previous research confirmed that this was a considerable problem.

For example, electronic components have various lengths and widths due to their variety, and even the same type of electronic components are difficult to manufacture in 100% uniform size due to processing errors and other factors. However, if electronic components are clamped with a clamp without considering this, they may be damaged due to the inability to clamp them correctly, or they may be damaged due to excessive pressure. Of course, even if the clamp is adjusted to clamp the electronic components well, the electronic components may be twisted or rotated along with the clamping, depending on where the electronic components are clamped and how strongly they are clamped. To improve this situation, the drive unit needs to be controlled accurately and needs to correspond to all electronic components, so the drive shaft also needs to be very long. In addition, in order to prevent damage or distortion and unnecessary rotation, it is necessary to use an expensive motor that can control the torque according to the situation. However, this requires an increase in equipment and high production costs, thereby reducing productivity. In addition, in order to set the accurate clamping position of the electronic components through the clamp, automatic teaching is required to achieve precise contact, which actually requires huge expenses and technical capabilities.

Therefore, the applicant of the present invention proposed an invention of providing an adapter on a sorting machine in the above-mentioned patent application No. 10-2020-0073725 (hereinafter referred to as "the prior application technology") so as to realize a sorting machine with versatility. The adapter is developed to be used as a carrier for supplying electronic components to a tester, and enables the sorting machine to adapt to various electronic components of different sizes, thereby increasing the versatility of the sorting machine.

However, in the production process of large electronic components such as solid state drives, the substrate may be bent or the width of the substrate may vary slightly due to tolerance, so there is a possibility that the electronic component may be poorly clamped by the adapter or poorly placed in the adapter. In this case, a defect occurs in the electrical connection between the electronic component and the tester, which will become a major cause of reducing the reliability of the sorting machine.

Furthermore, when the adapter is deviated from its position or twisted due to various reasons (shock, etc.), it will also affect the position of the electronic components placed in the adapter, and errors will be generated in the movement process of the adapter, thus eventually causing poor electrical connection between the electronic components and the tester.

The present invention is proposed to solve the following technical problem, namely, to properly place electronic components with various tolerances in an adapter so that the electronic components can be accurately electrically connected to a tester later.

Furthermore, the present invention is proposed to solve the technical problem of properly placing a bent electronic component in an adapter.

Furthermore, the present invention is proposed to solve the technical problem of properly arranging and clamping the adapter.

According to the first form of the present invention, a relay device of a sorting machine for testing electronic components includes: a setting frame, on which electronic components are placed on the upper surface; a clamp, used to clamp the left and right ends of the rear end of an adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting frame; a support, used to support the rear end of the electronic component placed on the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting frame or release the supporting state; and an opener, which opens the adapter fixed by the clamp, wherein the clamp, the support and the opener are arranged on the setting frame.

The clamp includes: a pair of fixing rods for clamping the left and right ends of the rear end of the adapter; and a driving source, which enables the pair of fixing rods to clamp or release the adapter by reducing or increasing the interval between the pair of fixing rods, wherein the pair of fixing rods have position fixing pins on the surfaces facing each other that can be inserted into the position fixing grooves of the adapter.

The relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing may also include: a rotator, which rotates the setting frame forward and reversely to change the posture of the adapter placed on the setting frame and the electronic component installed on the adapter from a vertical state to a horizontal state or from a horizontal state to a vertical state.

The relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing may further include: an absorber for vacuum-absorbing the front end of the adapter placed on the upper surface of the mounting frame to fix it.

The support includes a supporting component for supporting the electronic component.

The supporting component has at least one supporting protrusion, and the at least one supporting protrusion can be arranged corresponding to at least one through slot of the adapter to support the electronic component.

The support may further include a lifter, which can lift the support component so that when the support component is lifted, the support component is located at a position that can support the electronic component, and when the support component is lowered, the support state of the electronic component is released.

According to the second form of the present invention, a relay device of a sorting machine for testing electronic components includes: a setting rack, on which electronic components are placed on the upper surface; a clamp, which clamps the left and right ends of the rear end of an adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack; a supporter, which supports the electronic components placed on the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack or releases the supporting state; and an opener, which opens the adapter fixed by the clamper, and the supporter has a supporting protrusion to prevent the electronic components from falling off during the process of installing the electronic components fixed on the adapter or releasing the fixation of the electronic components.

The support device further includes a supporting component, which is configured to be able to rise and fall relative to the setting frame; and an elastic component, which elastically supports the supporting component, wherein the supporting protrusion is configured on the supporting component.

The supporting protrusions are provided in plurality along the front-rear direction, so as to support electronic components having various lengths along the front-rear direction.

The supporting protrusions are provided in plurality along the front-rear direction, so as to support electronic components having various lengths along the front-rear direction.

The support may further include: a lifter for lifting the support protrusion; and a moving source for moving the lifter in the front-rear direction so that the support protrusion can ultimately support electronic components having various lengths in the front-rear direction.

The mounting frame may have a platform protrusion having a platform capable of supporting a specific portion of the electronic component, wherein the platform protrusion is fixed.

According to the third form of the present invention, a relay device of a sorting machine for testing electronic components includes: a setting rack, on which electronic components are placed on the upper surface; a clamp, which clamps the left and right ends of the rear end of an adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack; an absorbent, which fixes the front end of the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting rack by vacuum absorption; and an opener, which opens the adapter fixed by the clamp and the absorbent, wherein the clamp, the absorbent and the opener are arranged on the setting rack.

The clamp includes: a pair of fixing rods for clamping the left and right ends of the rear end of the adapter; and a driving source, which enables the pair of fixing rods to clamp or release the adapter by reducing or increasing the interval between the pair of fixing rods, wherein the pair of fixing rods have position fixing pins on the surfaces facing each other that can be inserted into the position fixing grooves of the adapter.

The relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing may also include: a rotator, which changes the posture of the adapter placed on the setting frame and the electronic component placed on the adapter by rotating the setting frame forward and backward at an angle of 90 degrees.

According to the present invention, a driving method of a sorting machine for electronic component testing includes: an opening step, opening an adapter; a placement step, placing the electronic component in the adapter by a moving hand; a clamping step, the adapter clamps the electronic component; and a releasing step, releasing the adsorption of the electronic component by the moving hand, wherein in the installation step, the rear end of the electronic component is supported by a supporting component at multiple positions, and then the electronic component is lowered by the moving hand and pressurized at the same time, so that the bent electronic component is in a flatly unfolded state, and then the clamping step is performed.

According to the present invention, electronic components that have processing tolerances or bends during the manufacturing process can be properly placed in the adapter, and the arrangement of the adapter can be accurately formed, thereby preventing improper operation in the relay process of the electronic components. Finally, the electronic components can be accurately electrically connected to the tester, thereby improving the reliability of the sorting machine.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is described with reference to the drawings. For the sake of simplicity, the description of repeated or substantially identical structures is omitted or reduced as much as possible. <Description of the electrical connection between electronic components and testers>

A sorting machine using the relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing according to the present invention (hereinafter referred to as the "relay device") is more suitably used in situations where the side parts of the contact terminals of electronic components such as solid state drives are inserted into the test slots of the tester.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1 , the tester TESTER has a structure in which a test slot S is provided, and the electronic component ED and the tester TESTER are electrically connected by inserting the contact terminal T side of the electronic component ED into the test slot S. ＜Schematic description of the general structure of the sorting machine＞

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a sorting machine HR capable of using the relay device according to the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a schematic three-dimensional view of the sorting machine of FIG. 2 .

The sorting machine HR according to this embodiment includes a connecting part CP, a stacking part SP and a transfer device TA.

The connection part CP takes out the electronic components ED to be tested from the customer tray and provides them to the tester TESTER, or collects the electronic components ED after the test from the tester TESTER and loads them on the customer tray. The relay device according to the present invention is equipped in the connection part CP.

The stacking part SP stores the customer trays carried into the sorting machine HR in order to provide the customer trays loaded with the electronic components ED to be tested to the connection part CP, or stores the customer trays loaded with the electronic components ED that have been tested before being carried out from the sorting machine HR by the connection part CP. In addition, the stacking part SP provides the stored customer trays loaded with the electronic components ED to be tested to the transfer device TA, or stores the customer trays loaded with the electronic components ED that have been tested before being carried out from the transfer device TA.

The transfer device TA transfers the customer tray between the connection part CP and the stacking part SP. That is, the customer tray loaded with the electronic components ED to be tested is transferred from the stacking part SP to the connection part CP by the transfer device, and the customer tray loaded with the electronic components ED that have been tested is transferred from the connection part CP to the stacking part SP by the transfer device TA. <Schematic description of the connection part>

As shown in the conceptual plan view of FIG. 4 , the connection portion CP includes a relay device 100 , a moving hand 200 , a reciprocating mover 300 , and a test hand 400 .

The relay device 100 relays the electronic components ED that are moved from the customer tray to the tester TESTER or in the opposite direction. The adapter 500 corresponding to the electronic component to be tested can be placed in the relay device 100, and this will be described in detail in a separate directory. Here, the adapter 500 is used as a carrier for transporting the electronic component ED, and an example thereof will be described in detail later.

The moving hand 200 moves the electronic component ED to be tested from the customer tray CT from the stacking part SP by the transfer device TA and places it in the adapter 500 of the relay device 100, or moves the electronic component ED that has completed the test from the adapter 500 of the relay device 100 to the customer tray CT. Such a moving hand 200 clamps the lying electronic component ED by vacuum adsorption, which is realized by being equipped with multiple adsorption elements and selectively adsorbed by more than one adsorption element, so that all electronic components ED of various sizes can be clamped for adsorption (refer to Korean application No. 10-2020-0019380).

The reciprocating device 300 moves the relay device 100 between the first operation area W1, which is the area where the moving hand 200 operates, and the second operation area W2, which is the area where the test hand 400 operates. Since the relay device 100 moves back and forth between the first operation area W1 and the second operation area W2 by means of the reciprocating device 300, the first operation area W1 and the second operation area W2 can be separated, thereby eliminating interference between the moving hand 200 and the test hand 400.

The test hand 400 clamps the adapter 500 in the relay device 100 in the second operation area W2 and moves it to insert the contact terminal T side of the electronic component placed in the adapter 500 into the test slot S. When the test of the electronic component is completed, the electronic component ED is taken out from the test slot S and placed in the adapter 500, and then the adapter 500 is placed in the relay device 100 again.

That is, the electronic component ED to be tested is moved from the customer tray CT to the relay device 100 by the moving hand 200, and then moved from the relay device 100 to the tester TESTER by the test hand 400. The electronic component ED that has completed the test is returned to the customer tray CT through the reverse procedure. ＜Explanation for the adapter＞

FIG. 5 is a combined three-dimensional diagram of an adapter 500 of a type that can be paired with the relay device 100 according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is an exploded three-dimensional diagram of the adapter of FIG. 5 .

The adapter 500 includes a pair of clamping rods 511, 512, a setting frame 520, a spacing operator 530, elastic members 541 to 544, and pressurizing members 561, 562.

The pair of clamping rods 511 and 512 are arranged to face each other and can be linearly moved in the left and right directions in which the distance between them is reduced or increased by being guided by the guide rods 525 and 526 of the setting frame 520. Therefore, when the distance between the pair of clamping rods 511 and 512 is reduced, the pair of clamping rods 511 and 512 are in a state of clamping the rear end portion of the electronic component ED from both ends. And, when the distance between the pair of clamping rods 511 and 512 is increased, the pair of clamping rods 511 and 512 are in an open state of releasing the clamping of the electronic component ED. Therefore, if the electronic component ED is placed in or removed from the adapter 500 by moving the hand 200, the pair of clamping rods 511 and 512 need to be in an open state to release the clamping of the electronic component ED.

As clearly shown in the cutaway view of FIG. 7 , a pair of clamping rods 511 , 512 form two operating grooves OG on surfaces facing each other.

The operation groove OG is formed at the portion in contact with the clamping rods 511, 512 and the spacing operator 530. The two operation grooves OG of the same clamping rods 511, 512 are formed side by side in the front-to-back direction. In addition, the operation groove is formed to have an inclined surface with a shallower depth as it is recessed toward the rear.

In addition, a pair of clamping rods 511, 512 are formed with mutually opposing surfaces and a long guide groove GG along the front-back direction on the upper side of the plurality of operation grooves OG. The guide groove guides the movement of the electronic component ED in the process of moving the electronic component ED along the front-back direction (for example, the process of moving the electronic component to be tested in order to be electrically connected to the tester, or the process of taking the electronic component that has been tested out of the tester and moving it to the adapter). Furthermore, when the pair of clamping rods 511, 512 clamp the two ends of the rear end portion of the electronic component ED, the two ends of the electronic component ED are inserted into the guide groove GG and clamped in the up-down direction, so that the guide groove GG also has the function of clamping the electronic component ED.

As shown in the virtual cutout of FIG. 8 , the guide groove GG has a horizontal maintaining section HM, a width increasing section WG, a through section TS, and an open section OS in sequence from the rear to the front.

The upper and lower widths of the horizontal holding section HM are narrowed to be almost the same as the upper and lower thicknesses of the electronic component ED, thereby appropriately clamping both ends of the electronic component ED and maintaining the flatness of the contact terminal T located at the rear end of the electronic component ED.

The width increasing section WG is formed so as to become wider as it goes forward at the front end of the horizontal maintaining section HM. Accordingly, in the process of placing the electronic component ED, even in the area other than the part sucked and clamped by the moving hand 200, even if the electronic component ED sags due to gravity or due to the bending of the substrate itself, the two clamping rods 511 and 512 can properly clamp both ends of the electronic component ED.

The through section TS is formed to have a predetermined width in the front-to-back direction at the front end of the width increase section WG, which corresponds to the width in the front-to-back direction of the through slot TG through which the rear support protrusion of the support member 131 of the relay device 100 can pass. For reference, since the support member 131 can be raised and lowered, when it is raised, the upper end of the support protrusion SM passes through the through slot TG to be able to support the electronic component ED in the placement process, and when it is lowered, the supporting state of the electronic component ED is released. Of course, a support platform J for supporting the electronic component ED is formed in the support protrusion SM, and preferably, four or more are provided in a state of front-to-back left-to-right symmetry. In this way, when the support member 131 is provided in the relay device 100, even if the adapter 500 is slightly misplaced, the support protrusion SM whose position is fixed can prevent the occurrence of a defect in the placement of the electronic component ED.

The open space OS is formed to have at least the same width as or wider than the front end of the width increasing space WG. Such an open space OS can be further divided into a rear horizontal space OS1 and a front descending space OS2, in which the width is further expanded in the downward direction, so that the electronic component ED having a correspondingly larger curvature can be properly accommodated.

In addition, the guide groove GG is open in the front-rear direction.

As mentioned above, the guide groove GG having the shape shown in Figure 8 is shown in the enlarged view of Figure 9. Even if the electronic component ED is bent downward, there will be no problem in the adapter 500 clamping the electronic component ED, and the part on the side of the contact terminal T at the rear end maintains its flatness, which helps the part on the side of the contact terminal T to be correctly inserted into the test slot S.

In order to set up and support the clamping rods 511, 512, the distance operator 530, the elastic members 541 to 546, and the pressurizing members 561, 562, a setting frame 520 is provided.

The setting frame 520 has two position setting protrusions 521 protruding along the left and right sides, respectively, at the left and right sides of the front end portion thereof.

As shown in the reference diagram of FIG10 , the position setting protrusion 521 is associated with the position setting groove SG formed on the clamping surface of the test hand 400. That is, when the test hand 400 clamps the setting frame 520 and finally clamps the adapter 500, the position setting protrusion 521 is inserted into the position setting groove SG. Therefore, in the state where the test hand 400 clamps the adapter 500, even if an external force is applied to the adapter 500 in the front-rear direction, the position of the setting frame 520 can be fixed and maintained, so that the position of the adapter 500 can be finally fixed and maintained. Of course, according to implementation, the position setting groove can be formed on the setting frame 520, and the position setting protrusion can be formed on the test hand 400.

As shown in this embodiment, when the position setting protrusions 521 are provided in a plurality at predetermined intervals along the front-rear direction on both sides, the front end of the adapter 500 held by the test hand 400 rotates and descends due to gravity, thereby preventing the occurrence of poor holding of the electronic component ED. Here, referring to FIG. 11 , it can be seen that one of the two position setting protrusions 521 is a relatively short cylindrical shape, and the remaining one is a relatively slightly longer and roughly conical shape. According to such an example, in the procedure of the test hand 400 clamping the adapter 500, the conical position setting protrusion 521 can help correct the position and posture of the adapter 500, and the cylindrical position setting protrusion 521 can help correctly maintain the set position, thereby, it is also possible to eliminate defects from the manufacturing tolerance of the position setting protrusion 521.

Furthermore, the setting frame 520 has guide rods 525 and 526 that are long in the left-right direction in order to guide the linear movement of the pair of clamping rods 511 and 512. Of course, through holes TH are formed in the clamping rods 511 and 512, through which the guide rods 525 and 526 are inserted.

Furthermore, a receiving groove AG for receiving the front end portion of the electronic component ED is formed at the front end portion of the setting frame 520. Here, the left-right width of the receiving groove AG is greater than the left-right width of the front end portion of the electronic component ED, so the two sides of the front end portion of the electronic component ED are not clamped in a state of being mechanically pressurized or clamped by the adapter 500, but are in a state of being suspended in the air. Like the guide groove GG, this receiving groove AG is open in the front-to-back direction. This means that the placement space of the adapter 500 for placing the electronic component ED is open in the front-to-back direction. That is, the placement space including the guide groove GG and the receiving groove AG is open in the front-to-back direction. Therefore, electronic components ED of various lengths can all cross and be installed in the guide groove GG and the receiving groove AG without being restricted by their length.

Furthermore, at the rear end portion of the setting frame 520, two position fixing grooves FG into which the position fixing pins of the relay device 100 can be inserted are formed on the left and right sides, respectively. Such position fixing grooves FG may be formed in two or more numbers on the left and right sides. In addition, the position fixing grooves FG and the position fixing pins are used to correct and fix the position of the adapter 500 clamped in the relay device 100. Therefore, when the relay device 100 is moved or rotated, the adapter 500 is prevented from being separated. Furthermore, even if an external force is applied to the adapter 500 coupled to the relay device 100 in the front-rear direction, the position fixing grooves FG and the position fixing pins enable the setting frame 520 to maintain its own position.

Furthermore, the setting frame 520 also has an additional component 528 in addition to a pair of setting rods 523, 524 set on a pair of clamping rods 511, 512 at the rear portion.

The additional component 528 connects the rear ends of the pair of setting rods 523 and 524 to prevent the interval between the setting rods 523 and 524 from widening due to the pressure of the elastic members 541 to 544. This additional component 528 has an exposure window W that can expose the contact terminal T of the electronic component ED.

The distance operator 530 is disposed on the setting frame 520 and applies an operating force to the pair of clamping rods 511 and 512 to move the pair of clamping rods 511 and 512 in a direction in which the distance between them becomes wider. To this end, the distance operator 530 is disposed on the setting frame 520 in a manner that it can move in the front-rear direction, and includes an operating portion 531, a push plate 532, and a transmission rod 533.

The operating portion 531 has two rolling rollers R on the left and right sides respectively corresponding to the operating groove OG, and the rolling rollers R form protruding portions protruding along the outer sides on the left and right sides. In addition, the rolling rollers R are in contact with the surface constituting the operating groove OG in a state where a part of the rolling rollers R is inserted into the operating groove OG. That is, the two ends of the operating portion 531 of the spacing operator 530 are in contact with the clamping rods 511 and 512 through the rolling rollers R. Therefore, when the distance operator 530 moves backward, the rolling roller R contacts the inclined surface of the operation groove OG with a shallower depression depth as it moves further, so the distance operator 530 naturally applies an operating force to the two clamping rods 511, 512 in the direction in which the interval between the two clamping rods 511, 512 widens. Of course, when the distance operator 530 moves forward, the rolling roller R contacts the inclined surface of the operation groove OG with a deeper depression depth as it moves further, so the operating force applied to the two clamping rods 511, 512 is naturally released.

The push plate 532 receives an external force applied to the distance operator 530 in the forward direction through the opener 160 (see FIG. 12 or FIG. 13 ) of the relay device 100. That is, the opener 160 applies a force backward through the push plate 532, thereby supplying a driving force that allows the distance operator 530 to move backward, and the distance operator 530 moves backward by the driving force of the opener 160.

The front end of the transmission rod 533 is fixedly coupled to the push plate 532 , and the rear end is fixedly coupled to the side of the operating portion 531 , so as to transmit the external force of the opener 160 pushing the push plate 532 backward to the operating portion 531 .

The elastic members 541 to 544 are provided so that one side thereof is connected to the setting frame 520 and the other side thereof is connected to the clamping rods 511, 512. Therefore, the elastic members 541 to 544 apply elastic force to the pair of clamping rods 511, 512 in the direction in which the interval between the pair of clamping rods 511, 512 becomes narrower. Accordingly, when the operating force applied to the pair of clamping rods 511, 512 by the interval operator 530 is removed, the pair of clamping rods 511, 512 moves in the direction in which the interval between them becomes narrower by the elastic force of the elastic members 541 to 544, thereby clamping the electronic component ED. From this point of view, the elastic members 541 to 544 function as a driving member that generates and maintains the pressure that enables the pair of clamping rods 511 and 512 to clamp the electronic component ED, and further functions as a closing adapter 500. Of course, as the driving member, a motor or a cylinder can be considered, but in order to correspond to all widths of the electronic component ED within the processing error range without additional settings, it is best to constitute the driving member with an elastic member such as a spring.

The elastic members 541 to 544 determine the spacing between the pair of clamping rods 511 and 512 according to the degree of compression thereof. In addition, this fact means that the elastic members 541 to 544 also function as a variable element that changes the clamping width between the pair of clamping rods 511 and 512 (the width of the pair of clamping rods spaced apart to clamp the electronic component). That is, according to the degree of compression of the elastic members 541 to 544, the clamping rods 511 and 512 can clamp the electronic component ED having various widths within the manufacturing tolerance.

When the external force by the opener 160 is removed, in order to smoothly restore the distance operator 530 to its position in the front direction, the pressurizing members 561 and 562 apply elastic force to the distance operator 530 in the front direction. Such pressurizing members 561 and 562 pressurize the distance operator 530 in the front direction, thereby also helping to strengthen the clamping force of the elastic members 541 to 544 that apply elastic force to the pair of clamping rods 511 and 512 in the direction in which they narrow toward each other.

For reference, in addition to the clamping rods 511 and 512, two through grooves TG are also formed on the left and right sides of the setting frame 520. That is, the two through grooves TG at the rear, which are part of the through grooves TG, are formed and located on the clamping rods 511 and 512, and the two through grooves TG at the front, which are the other part, are formed and located on the setting frame 520. <Explanation for the relay device>

FIG12 is a combined three-dimensional diagram of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG13 is an exploded three-dimensional diagram of the relay device of FIG12.

The relay device 100 includes a mounting frame 110, a clamp 120, a support 130, a rotator 140, a suction device 150, an opener 160, and various identification sensors.

The mounting frame 110 is provided for mounting the clamp 120 , the support 130 , the suction device 150 , the opener 160 and various identification sensors. The adapter 500 is placed on the upper surface of the mounting frame 110 .

The clamp 120 clamps the left and right ends of the rear end of the adapter 500 placed on the upper surface of the mounting frame 110. To this end, the clamp 120 includes a pair of fixing rods 121 and a driving source 122.

A pair of fixing rods 121 clamp the left and right ends of the rear end portion of the adapter 500. Such a pair of fixing rods 121 are respectively located on the surfaces facing each other and have position fixing pins FP that can be inserted into the fixing pins FG.

The driving source 122 narrows or widens the interval between the pair of fixing rods 121, thereby causing the pair of fixing rods 121 to clamp or release the adapter 500.

The supporter 130 is provided to support the rear end portion of the electronic component ED mounted on the adapter 500, and includes a support member 131 and a lifter 132 of FIG. 14.

The supporting component 131 has four supporting protrusions SM that are divided into front, rear, left, and right and protrude upward, and support platforms J for supporting the adapter 500 are formed on each of the supporting protrusions SM. In addition, when the supporting component 131 is raised by the lifter 132, the supporting platform J is in a position to support the electronic component ED, and when it is lowered, the support for the electronic component ED is released. At this time, the supporting protrusion SM on the rear side passes through the through groove TG and rises. In this way, the supporting component 131 is equipped on the relay device 100, so even if the adapter 500 is slightly misplaced, the fixed-position supporting protrusion SM can prevent the electronic component ED from being improperly installed during the process of placing it in the adapter. Of course, the supporting protrusions SM and the through grooves TG may be appropriately arranged in the required number of at least one.

For reference, the surfaces of the upper end of the supporting protrusion SM that are opposite to each other in the left-right direction have an inclination that becomes wider as it goes upward, thereby guiding the left and right ends of the electronic component ED descending from top to bottom, so that the electronic component ED can be properly placed in the adapter 500.

The rotator 140 rotates the mounting frame 110 forward and backward at an angle of 90 degrees, so that the adapter 500 placed on the mounting frame 110 and the electronic components installed on the adapter 500 are converted from a horizontal position to a vertical position, or vice versa. Here, when the adapter 500 is converted to a horizontal position, the operation by the moving hand 200 is implemented, and when the adapter 500 is converted to a vertical position, the operation by the test hand 400 is implemented.

Referring to FIG1 , it can be seen that when the electronic component ED is in an upright state (vertical state), the contact terminal T located at the rear end is inserted into the test slot S. On the contrary, referring to FIG15 , it can be seen that the electronic component ED loaded on the adapter 500 placed in the relay device 100 is in a horizontal state (lying state). Therefore, when the electronic component ED is electrically connected to the tester TESTER, it is necessary to convert the horizontal electronic component ED shown in FIG15 (a) into an upright posture as shown in FIG15 (b), and for the electronic component ED that has completed the test, only by converting the vertical state into the horizontal state can it be recovered to the customer tray CT. The rotator T is responsible for this posture change. Therefore, the rotator 140 rotates the electronic component ED in the counterclockwise direction using a straight line passing through the contact terminal T portion and the front end portion of the electronic component ED in the front-rear direction as the rotation axis RX.

Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the contact terminals T of the electronic component ED placed in the relay device 100 face upward, but due to reasons of the manufacturer, the contact terminals T of the electronic component ED are arranged at the bottom or the electronic terminals are arranged on the side of the test slot S, etc. As shown in (c) of FIG. 15 , the rotator 140 rotates the electronic component ED in the opposite direction, so that it can be converted from the horizontal state to the vertical state. That is, in one form of the present invention, in order to convert the electronic component ED from the horizontal state to the vertical state, the rotator 140 can rotate the adapter 500 at an angle of 90 degrees in the counterclockwise or clockwise direction.

When the test slot S is formed long in the left-right direction, the electronic component ED does not need to stand vertically, so the rotator 140 is an optional component.

The suction device 150 is provided to fix the front end of the adapter 500 by vacuum suction, and is composed of four suction elements 151 arranged in the front, rear, left and right directions. In this way, the suction device 150 can fix the front end of the adapter 500, so that the position of the adapter 500 is appropriately set in the posture change process, etc., so that no malfunction occurs in the operation of the moving hand 200 or the test hand 400.

For example, when only the rear end portion of the adapter 500 is fixed by the clamp 120, when operational impacts such as various manufacturing tolerances are applied to the adapter 500, the front end portion of the adapter 500 may be misplaced to the left or right. In this case, a defect may occur in the placement procedure of clamping the electronic component ED by the mobile hand 200 or releasing the clamp.

Furthermore, for example, when only the rear end portion of the adapter 500 is fixed by the clamp 120, the rear end portion may sag downward due to the gravity applied to the rear end portion when the adapter 500 is vertically erected due to various manufacturing tolerances, and thus the adapter 500 clamping operation by the test hand 400 may fail. Furthermore, in the reverse process, even when the posture of the adapter 500 misplaced by gravity is converted to a horizontal state, the misplaced posture is maintained, and thus the clamping of the electronic component ED by the moving hand 200 may fail. Therefore, the suction device 150 plays a role in setting and maintaining the position of the electronic component (adapter) together with the clamp 120.

Since the suction device 150 suctions the lower surface of the adapter 500, it will not interfere with the clamping of the adapter 500 by the test hand 400 or the reverse driving thereof.

Furthermore, when clamping the adapter 500, the suction element 150 also serves as an arranging element. That is, before the clamp 120 clamps the rear end portion of the adapter 500, the suction element 150 firstly absorbs the front end portion of the adapter 500, thereby arranging the adapter 500 for the first time, and then the clamp 120 clamps the rear end portion of the adapter 500 for the second time and fixes it, thereby achieving the clamping of the adapter 500 by the relay device 100. Therefore, the adapter 500 can be clamped by the relay device 100 while maintaining a delicate arrangement state.

Furthermore, when the tester's hand 400 takes the adapter 500 away from the relay device 100, the adsorber 150 also plays a certain role.

For example, although the test hand 400 is required to clamp the adapter 500 located in the relay device 100 at the correct position, inaccuracies may occur due to various errors. In this case, there is a concern that any one of the clamp 120, the relay device 100, and the adapter 500 may be damaged, and defects may occur in the entire action due to incorrect clamping. However, the adsorption part of the adsorption element 151 constituting the adsorber 150 is a soft material similar to rubber, and a vacuum adsorption method is also adopted, so a certain degree of fluidity will be given to the adapter 500. Therefore, even if the clamping by the clamp 120 is released, the adapter 500 can still exist in the original position, and the fluidity of the adapter 500 in the state of being adsorbed by the adsorption element 151 can offset to a certain extent the operational error caused by the clamping of the adapter 500 by the test hand 400.

Although the adsorber 150 described above only has one adsorption element 151, it is preferred that two to four adsorption elements 151 are provided.

The opener 160 is provided to open the adapter 500 fixed by the clamper 120 and the suction device 150, and includes a pressurizing rod 161 and a pressurizing source 162.

The pressure rod 161 is provided to contact the push plate 532 and apply pressure to the rear.

The pressure source 162 is provided to move the pressure rod 161 a predetermined distance in the front-rear direction, and when the pressure rod 161 moves rearward, the pressure force acts on the push plate 532 to open the adapter 500, and when the pressure rod 161 moves forward, the pressure force acting on the push plate 532 is released, so that the adapter 500 clamps the electronic component ED.

Various identification sensors are provided in order to identify the adapter 500 or various electronic components ED.

For example, an identification sensor may be an identification sensor for sensing improper installation of the adapter 500.

For example, an identification sensor may be an identification sensor for sensing whether the adapter 500 is open or not.

For example, an identification sensor may be a recognition sensor used to sense whether the posture of the adapter 500 has changed.

For example, an identification sensor may be an identification sensor for sensing whether an electronic component ED called U.2 is mounted on the adapter 500.

For example, one identification sensor may be an identification sensor for sensing whether an electronic component ED called M.2 is mounted on the adapter 500.

Next, the operation of the sorting machine HR applied to the related components of the relay device 100 as described above will be explained.

With the replacement of the electronic component ED to be tested at the initial stage or to be tested, the operator installs the adapter 500 that meets the specifications of the electronic component ED to be tested on the relay device 100 located in the first operation area W1. Afterwards, when the moving hand 200 installs the electronic component ED taken out from the customer tray CT on the adapter 500, the opener 160 pushes the spacing operator 530 backward. At this time, the setting frame 520 is fixed to the relay device 100 through the position fixing groove FG, so only the spacing operator 530 moves backward by the pressure of the opener 160. In this process, the roller R of the operating portion 531 moves backward in a state of contacting the inclined surface of the operating groove OG of the clamping rods 511 and 512, and at the same time applies force to the clamping rods 511 and 512 in the left and right directions, so that the interval between the two clamping rods 511 and 512 becomes wider and the adapter 500 is opened. In addition, the support member 131 of the relay device 100 rises, and is in a state where the support protrusion SM can support the electronic component ED. Therefore, the rear end of the electronic component ED can be supported by the support bases J located at four positions of the support member 131.

When the opening of the adapter 500 is completed, the moving hand 200 that adsorbs and clamps the upper surface of the electronic component ED is lowered to a height that places the rear end of the electronic component ED on the support table J. This lowering procedure is also a procedure for converting the rear end of the bent electronic component ED into a flat state. That is, the electronic component ED can be lowered by the moving hand 200 to a position where the left and right ends of the rear end of the electronic component ED are properly inserted into the guide grooves GG of the clamping parts 511 and 512 so that it is flatly unfolded. That is, the moving hand 200 applies pressure to the bent electronic component ED so that the rear end of the electronic component ED is flatly unfolded. Therefore, even if the electronic component ED is bent upwardly to a predetermined degree, the electronic component ED can be properly clamped by the clamping rods 511 and 512 through the guide groove GG. Here, since the rear end of the electronic component ED is supported by the support platform J at four locations, namely, the front, rear, left, and right sides, the rear end of the electronic component ED is flatly unfolded by the pressure applied downward by the moving hand 200. For this purpose, the position where it is adsorbed and clamped by the moving hand 200 needs to be located between the four supporting points (preferably, the point where two diagonal lines connecting the two supporting points in the diagonal direction intersect). Therefore, preferably, there are at least four supporting protrusions SM located on the supporting component 131.

Next, with the rear end of the electronic component ED supported by the support table J, the external force applied to the spacing operator 530 is removed. At this time, the interval between the two clamping rods 511 and 512 is narrowed by the elastic force of the elastic members 541 to 544, and the spacing operator 530 is also pushed forward. In this procedure, the left and right ends of the electronic component ED are inserted into the guide grooves GG of the clamping rods 511 and 512, thereby completing the clamping of the electronic component ED by the adapter 500. At this time, due to the shape of the guide grooves GG, the rear end of the electronic component ED (more specifically, the portion having the contact terminals) can be kept flat. Furthermore, even if there is a greater tolerance in the left-right width of the electronic component ED, since the width of the accommodating groove AG is sufficiently wide, the rear end portion of the electronic component ED will not be caught on the wall constituting the accommodating groove AG.

When the clamping of the electronic component ED by the clamping rods 511 and 512 is completed, the moving hand 200 releases the clamping of the electronic component and moves to another position.

Then, the adapter 500 placed on the relay device 100 stands vertically. At this time, the lower end of the vertically standing electronic component ED is supported by the wall forming the guide groove GG and the support platform J, and further, the installation state is properly maintained by the state of being clamped in the guide groove GG through the pressure of the two clamping rods 511 and 512 and the bending restoring force that may occur according to the situation. In addition, the moving hand 200 releases the clamping of the electronic component ED and moves to another position, and then the relay device 100 moves from the first operation area W1 to the second operation area W2 through the reciprocating mover 300. The adapter 500 placed on the relay device 100 moved to the second operation area W2 is clamped by the test hand 400 in a vertical state, and the position setting protrusion 521 is inserted into the position setting groove SG during this process. Accordingly, the adapter 500 is clamped by the test hand 400 and is located at the correct setting position. At the same time, the position of the setting frame 520 can also be fixed and maintained due to the external force applied to the adapter 500 later, so the adapter 500 can also be fixed and maintained in its position in the end.

Next, if the test hand 400 moves the adapter 500 toward the tester TESTER side to accurately set the position between the adapter 500 and the test slot S, the opening element located at the test hand 400 slightly pushes the spacing operator 530 to slightly expand the interval between the two clamping rods 511 and 512. In this state, the connecting element located at the test hand 400 pushes the electronic component ED toward the test slot S side, so that the rear end portion of the electronic component ED where the contact terminal T is located is inserted into the test slot S.

In addition, when the test is completed, the operation is to clamp the electronic component ED through the adapter 500, and then the electronic component ED is taken out from the test slot S through the test hand 400. The taken out electronic component ED moves through the reverse procedure and is finally loaded on the customer tray CT. ＜First variant example for the support＞

According to the first modification, as shown in Fig. 16, the supporter 130 may be elastically supported and installed on the installation frame 110. Referring to Fig. 16, the supporter 130 includes a supporting member 131 and four springs 132a to 132d.

The support member 131 is provided to be able to rise and fall relative to the mounting frame 110 and has six support protrusions SM protruding forward. Of course, the adapter 500 is provided with a passage area through which the support protrusions SM can pass upward, and the support protrusions SM pass through the bottom surface of the adapter 500 to support the electronic component ED.

For example, in the process of placing and fixing the electronic component ED to the adapter 500 or releasing the fixation of the electronic component ED, the clamp 120 cannot clamp the two ends of the electronic component ED, thereby releasing the support for the electronic component ED, and the electronic component ED may be separated from the predetermined position. In this case, the supporting protrusion SM supports the electronic component ED so that the electronic component ED can be properly positioned at the predetermined position. Here, the "predetermined position" refers to a position where the clamp 120 can properly clamp the electronic component ED, or a position where the moving hand 200 can properly adsorb and clamp or contact the electronic component ED.

The supporting protrusions SM do not necessarily need to be 6, as long as a plurality of them are neatly arranged in the front-to-back direction. This is because the adapter 500 needs to accommodate electronic components ED with various lengths in the front-to-back direction, so the supporting protrusions SM also need to have a number that can support electronic components ED with various lengths in the front-to-back direction.

Furthermore, the supporting protrusion SM may be composed of a contact portion ① on the upper side and a coupling portion ② on the lower side.

The contact portion ① on the upper side contacts the electronic component ED at the upper side, and the upper end of the bonding portion ② is bonded to the contact portion ① at the lower side of the contact portion ①.

In addition, preferably, the contact part ① is formed of a material with a lower hardness than the bonding part ② to prevent the supported electronic component ED from being damaged. For example, in order to maintain strength, the bonding part ② is preferably a metal material, and the contact part ① can be a silicone material, a rubber material, or a synthetic resin material, etc., which is lower in hardness than a metal material.

The four springs 132a to 132d are provided as elastic members that elastically support the support member 131 relative to the setting frame 110.

For reference, the mounting frame 110 has a stage protrusion 111 formed with a stage J capable of supporting the electronic component ED at its rear end portion.

The position of the platform protrusion 111 is selected to support the T-side portion of the contact terminal located at the rear end of the electronic component ED. Of course, the platform protrusion 111 does not necessarily have to be implemented to support the T-side portion of the contact terminal, and can be appropriately formed at any position as long as it is a specific position with a relatively high hardness that will not cause damage to the electronic component ED. Generally, electronic components ED such as solid state drives are collections of electronic components such as semiconductor chips, and the electronic components may be easily damaged even by small impacts or scratches. Therefore, in this embodiment, the T-side portion of the contact terminal, which is the most stable portion relative to impacts, is implemented to be supported by the platform protrusion 111, and is also implemented to prevent the electronic component ED from accidentally detaching to the rear. Unlike the support protrusion SM, this stage protrusion 111 is formed to be fixed to prevent lifting or horizontal movement. However, preferably, it is also possible to consider that the stage protrusion 111 is equipped on the adapter 500.

Similarly, the front end of the mounting frame 110 is provided with a front end protrusion 112 capable of supporting the front end of the electronic component ED which is the longest in the front-rear direction. This front end protrusion 112 is also formed to be fixed to prevent lifting or horizontal movement. In this embodiment, the front end protrusion 112 is provided at a position that can support the mechanical pad portion M (refer to FIG. 15 ) having a semicircular groove shape located at the front end of the electronic component ED, but it is not limited to this.

That is, since the above-mentioned platform protrusion 111 and front end protrusion 112 are fixed, the contact impact with the electronic component ED may be large, so in this embodiment, the platform protrusion 111 and front end protrusion 112 are respectively arranged at the contact terminal T side portion and the mechanical pad portion M, which are portions where electronic components are not arranged. However, according to the implementation, as long as it is a portion that does not cause damage to the electronic component ED, it can be considered to provide the platform protrusion 111 and the front end protrusion 112 or a similar supporting unit corresponding to the portion.

Next, the operation of this modified example will be described.

When the moving hand 200 moves the electronic component ED to the adapter 500, the electronic component ED is supported by the table protrusion 111 and the support protrusion SM. (a), (b), (c), and (d) of Figure 17 illustrate the state of being supported by the table protrusion 111 and the support protrusion SM in the order of the electronic component ED with a short length to the electronic component ED with a long length. Here, (d) of Figure 17 illustrates that the front and rear ends of the longest electronic component ED are supported by the table protrusion 111 and the front end protrusion 112. For reference, the illustration of the adapter 500 is omitted in Figure 17.

At the same time, the upper end of the support protrusion SM is in a state of being slightly raised by the springs 132a to 132d, and therefore, as shown in the conceptual reference diagram of FIG18 , is in a state of being slightly raised than the center C of the guide groove GG. However, if the interval between the clamping rods 511 and 512 is narrowed, the two ends of the electronic component ED are guided by the guide groove GG to make the electronic component ED descend, so that the two ends of the electronic component ED can be properly clamped by the clamping rods 511 and 512. At this time, the springs 132a to 132d cannot fundamentally prohibit the electronic component ED from descending, but are elastically compressed.

On the contrary, when the clamping rods 511 and 512 are released from clamping, the electronic component ED is slightly raised by the elastic force of the springs 132a to 132d, and at this time, both ends of the electronic component ED are guided by the guide grooves GG, so that the electronic component ED rises. Therefore, the elastic force of the springs 132a to 132d is continuously suppressed while the electronic component ED rises, and when the rise is completed, the elastic force of the springs 132a to 132d no longer acts. Therefore, even in the process of the clamping rods 511 and 512 being opened, the electronic component ED will not be ejected by the elastic force of the springs 132a to 132d. When the ascent of the electronic component ED is completed, the moving hand 200 grips the electronic component ED and moves the electronic component ED to the customer tray CT.

According to this modification, the support protrusion SM is elastically supported by the springs 132a to 132d, thereby preventing damage to the electronic component ED. However, according to the implementation, if there is a reason that the installation procedure of the electronic component ED needs to be performed very accurately, the support protrusion SM can also be fully considered to be fixed without being raised or lowered.

Furthermore, in this modification, the support member 131 has a support protrusion SM and is elastically supported by springs 132a to 132d, but depending on the implementation, it is also possible to fully consider that the support protrusion SM is elastically supported by the elastic member. <Second modification of the support>

In the second modification, as shown in the conceptual side view of Fig. 19, one supporter 130 is provided with one support protrusion SM, and a plurality of supports 130 are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction on the mounting frame 110. For reference, the adapter 500 is omitted in Fig. 19 for convenience.

Each supporter 130 is installed on the installation frame 110, and supports the electronic component ED when the electronic component ED is placed and fixed on the adapter 500 or when the electronic component ED is released from the fixing process, thereby preventing the electronic component ED from escaping downward. To this end, the supporter 130 includes a support protrusion SM and a lifter 132.

All the supporting protrusions SM are configured to be able to rise and fall, support the electronic components ED when rising, and release the support of the electronic components ED when falling.

All the lifters 132 lift the corresponding supporting protrusions SM respectively and are fixed to the mounting frame 110 .

The reason for providing a plurality of supports 130 is to be able to support electronic components ED having various lengths. Therefore, a specific lifter 132 rises corresponding to the length of the electronic component ED, so that the contact terminal T side portion located at the rear end portion of the electronic component ED is supported by the stage protrusion 111, and the mechanical pad portion M located at the front end portion of the electronic component ED is supported by the support protrusion SM. Of course, in this embodiment, the front end portion of the mounting frame 110 is also provided with a front end protrusion 112.

Fig. 20 (a) to (e) illustrate the state that the supporter 130 in this modification supports the electronic components ED of various lengths. For reference, preferably, in Fig. 20, in addition to the supporting protrusions SM supporting the electronic components ED, the remaining supporting protrusions SM omitted for convenience are in a lowered state.

Furthermore, in this variation, the contact terminal T side portion and the mechanical pad portion M of the electronic component ED, which are portions without sensitive electronic components, are supported by the platform protrusion 111 and the support 130. However, as long as there is no concern about damage, the support 130 may be considered to be set corresponding to the corresponding portion.

Here, the reason why the supporting protrusion SM supports the mechanical pad D is that when an electronic chip such as a semiconductor element exists on the back side of the electronic component ED, it is difficult to support it in a horizontal state.

For example, the electronic component ED has various widths and lengths, and in addition, a plurality of electronic components of different heights can be arranged on the flat surface and the back surface. Therefore, if the supporting protrusion SM supports the portion having the electronic component, the horizontal electronic component ED tilts to one side. In this case, it may happen that the adapter 500 cannot properly clamp the electronic component ED, and it may happen that the pickup of the moving hand 200 cannot properly clamp the electronic component ED. For this reason, it is preferable to support the contact terminal T side portion and the mechanical pad portion M as the portion where the electronic component is not arranged. Therefore, in this modification, the side portion of the contact terminal T is supported by resting on the platform J of the platform protrusion 111, and the mechanical pad portion M is supported by the supporting protrusion SM or the front end protrusion 112. <Third modification of the support>

According to the present variation, as shown in the conceptual side view of FIG. 21 , the support 130 also has a moving source 133 for moving the lifter 132.

Preferably, the moving source 133 is implemented by a structure using a motor. In addition, the lifter 132 can be moved in the front-rear direction through the moving source 133 when the supporting protrusion SM is lowered, so that it can be arranged in multiple positions. Therefore, the supporting protrusion SM that can only support one part of the electronic component ED can also support the front end of the electronic component ED with various lengths in the front-rear direction. Of course, a plurality of lifting holes UD that can lift and lower the supporting protrusion SM are formed in the mounting frame 110 along the front-rear direction.

(a) and (b) of FIG. 22 illustrate a case where electronic components ED having lengths different from each other are supported by the support 130 according to the present modification.

At the same time, in the case of the second and third variants described above, it is necessary to confirm whether the supporting protrusion SM is in a properly raised state. Therefore, it can be considered to equip the moving hand 200 with a camera that moves together with the pickup. Before the moving hand 200 installs the electronic component ED on the adapter 500, the camera takes a picture first. In addition, the control unit checks whether the supporting protrusion SM is in a state of properly rising to the desired position through the image taken by the camera, and then controls the execution of the operation of placing the electronic component ED on the adapter 500 through the moving hand 200 only when the supporting protrusion SM is in a properly raised state. Of course, if the supporting protrusion SM is not in a properly raised state, the control unit generates a jam and informs the administrator of the situation. Of course, the camera can be fixed on the support 130.

As mentioned above, the specific description of the present invention is described with reference to the embodiments and variations of the drawings, but the above embodiments are only described as the preferred examples of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention should not be understood as being limited to the above examples, and the scope of the present invention should be understood as the scope of the patent application and its equivalent scope.

100: Relay device of sorting machine for electronic component testing 110: Setting frame 120: Clamp 121: Fixing rod FP: Position fixing protrusion 122: Driving source 130: Supporter 131: Supporting member SM: Supporting protrusion 132: Lifter 132a~132d: Spring 133: Moving source 140: Rotator 150: Suction device 160: Opener

FIG. 1 is a reference diagram for explaining the electrical connection structure between an electronic component and a tester.

FIG. 2 is a conceptual structural diagram of a sorting machine for electronic component testing to which a relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing according to the present invention can be applied.

FIG. 3 is a schematic three-dimensional diagram of the sorting machine of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 4 is a conceptual plan view of a connection portion applied to the sorting machine of FIG. 2 .

FIG. 5 is a three-dimensional diagram showing a pair of adapters formed by a relay device of a sorting machine for electronic component testing according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of the adapter of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 is a cutaway view of a clamping rod used with the adapter of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 8 is a virtual cutaway view of the guide groove of the clamping rod in FIG. 7 .

FIG. 9 is an enlarged reference diagram for explaining the function of the guide groove of FIG. 8 .

FIG. 10 is a reference diagram for explaining the relationship between the adapter and the test hand of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 11 is a reference diagram for explaining the setting of the protrusion at the position of the adapter in FIG. 5 .

FIG. 12 is a three-dimensional diagram showing a combined relay device of a sorting machine for testing electronic components according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of the relay device of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 14 is a screenshot of a supporter used in the relay device of FIG. 12 .

FIG. 15 is a reference diagram for explaining a rotation state of an electronic component.

Figures 16 to 22 are reference diagrams for illustrating various variations of the support that can be applied to the relay device according to the present invention.

Domestic storage information (please note in the order of storage institution, date, and number) None Foreign storage information (please note in the order of storage country, institution, date, and number) None

500:Adapter

520: Setting the framework

521: Position setting protrusion

Claims (20)

A relay device of a sorting machine for testing electronic components, comprising: a setting frame, on the upper surface of which an adapter for placing electronic components is placed; a clamp, which clamps the left and right ends of the rear end of the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting frame; a supporter, which supports the electronic component placed on the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting frame or releases the supporting state; and an opener, which opens the adapter fixed by the clamper, wherein the clamper, the supporter and the opener are arranged on the setting frame, wherein the supporter includes a supporting component for supporting the electronic component, the supporting component having at least one supporting protrusion, and the at least one supporting protrusion is arranged corresponding to at least one through slot of the adapter to support the electronic component. According to the relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing as described in claim 1, the clamp includes: a pair of fixing rods for clamping the left and right ends of the rear end of the adapter; and a driving source, by reducing or increasing the interval between the pair of fixing rods, so that the pair of fixing rods clamp or release the adapter, wherein the pair of fixing rods have position fixing pins on the surfaces facing each other that can be inserted into the position fixing groove of the adapter. The relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing according to claim 1 further includes: a rotator, which rotates the setting frame forward and reversely to change the posture of the adapter placed on the setting frame and the electronic component placed on the adapter from a vertical position to a horizontal position or from a horizontal position to a vertical position. The relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing according to claim 1 further includes: an absorber that vacuum absorbs the front end of the adapter placed on the upper surface of the mounting frame to fix it. According to the relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing described in claim 1, the support further includes: a lifter that lifts the support component so that when the support component rises, the support component is located at a position capable of supporting the electronic component, and when it falls, the support state of the electronic component is released. According to the relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing as described in claim 1, the mounting frame has a table protrusion with a table capable of supporting a specific part of the electronic component, and the table protrusion is fixed to the relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing. A relay device of a sorting machine for testing electronic components, comprising: a mounting frame, on the upper surface of which an adapter having electronic components mounted thereon is placed; a clamp, which clamps the left and right ends of the rear end of the adapter placed on the upper surface of the mounting frame; a supporter, which supports the electronic components mounted on the adapter placed on the upper surface of the mounting frame or releases the support state; and an opener, which opens the adapter fixed by the clamper, wherein The clamp, the support and the opener are arranged on the mounting frame, wherein the support includes a support component for supporting the electronic component, the support component has at least one support protrusion, the at least one support protrusion is arranged corresponding to at least one through slot of the adapter to support the electronic component, and the support protrusion prevents the electronic component from detaching during the process of placing and fixing the electronic component to the adapter or releasing the fixing of the electronic component. According to claim 7, the relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing, wherein the clamp includes: a pair of fixing rods for clamping the left and right ends of the rear end of the adapter; and a driving source, by reducing or increasing the interval between the pair of fixing rods, so that the pair of fixing rods clamp or release the adapter, wherein the pair of fixing rods have position fixing pins on the surfaces facing each other that can be inserted into the position fixing groove of the adapter. The relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing according to claim 7 further comprises: A rotator, which rotates the setting frame forward and reversely to change the posture of the adapter placed on the setting frame and the electronic component placed on the adapter from a vertical position to a horizontal position or from a horizontal position to a vertical position. The relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing according to claim 7 further includes: an absorber that vacuum absorbs the front end of the adapter placed on the upper surface of the mounting frame to fix it. According to the relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing described in claim 7, the support further includes: a lifter that lifts the support component so that when the support component rises, the support component is located at a position capable of supporting the electronic component, and when it falls, the support state of the electronic component is released. According to the relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing described in claim 7, the support device may also include: a support component, which is configured to be able to rise and fall relative to the setting frame; and an elastic component, which elastically supports the support component, and the support protrusion is configured on the support component. According to claim 7, the relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing is provided with a plurality of support protrusions along the front-to-back direction, so as to be able to support electronic components having various lengths along the front-to-back direction. According to claim 7, the relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing, wherein the support further includes: a lifter for lifting the support protrusion; and a moving source, by moving the lifter in the front-rear direction, so that the support protrusion can eventually support electronic components having various lengths in the front-rear direction. According to claim 7, the relay device of the sorting machine for testing electronic components, wherein the mounting frame has a table protrusion with a table capable of supporting a specific part of the electronic component, and the table protrusion is fixed to the relay device of the sorting machine for testing electronic components. A relay device of a sorting machine for testing electronic components, comprising: a setting frame, on the upper surface of which an adapter with electronic components is placed; a clamp, which clamps the left and right ends of the rear end of the adapter placed on the upper surface of the setting frame; an absorber, which fixes the front end of the adapter placed on the setting frame by vacuum absorption; and an opener, which opens the adapter fixed by the clamp and the absorber, wherein the clamp, the absorber and the opener are arranged on the setting frame. According to claim 16, the relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing, wherein the clamp comprises: a pair of fixing rods for clamping the left and right ends of the rear end of the adapter; and a driving source, by reducing or increasing the interval between the pair of fixing rods, to enable the pair of fixing rods to clamp or release the adapter, wherein the pair of fixing rods have position fixing pins on the surfaces facing each other that can be inserted into the position fixing groove of the adapter. The relay device of the sorting machine for electronic component testing according to claim 16 further includes: a rotator, which rotates the setting frame forward and reversely to change the posture of the adapter placed on the setting frame and the electronic component placed on the adapter from a vertical position to a horizontal position or from a horizontal position to a vertical position. According to claim 16, the relay device of the sorting machine for testing electronic components, wherein the mounting frame has a table protrusion with a table capable of supporting a specific part of the electronic component, and the table protrusion is fixed to the relay device of the sorting machine for testing electronic components. An operating method of a relay device of a sorting machine for electronic component testing includes: an opening step, opening an adapter; a placement step, placing the electronic component on the adapter by a moving hand; a clamping step, the adapter clamps the electronic component; and a release step, releasing the adsorption of the electronic component by the moving hand, in which the rear end of the electronic component is supported by a supporting component at multiple positions, and then the electronic component is lowered by the moving hand while being pressurized, so that the bent electronic component is in a flatly unfolded state, and then the clamping step is performed.