Pivoting springy mechanism that opens and closes pressed electrical contacts with a force which is nearly constant over a range of closed positions

Abstract

An electromechanical apparatus for testing chips includes a pivoting springy mechanism which squeezes a chip holding subassembly between a temperature regulating subassembly and a power converter subassembly. This mechanism is comprised of a first arm that has a first pivotal joint, and a second arm that is coupled by a second pivotal joint to the first arm. An actuator is coupled to the first arm, and the actuator pivots the first arm from an open position to a closed position. In the open position, the angle between the arms is large; and the subassemblies are spaced apart. In the closed position, the angle between the arms is small but variable within a predetermined range; and the subassemblies are pressed together. This range of angles occurs due to various manufacturing tolerances and due to variable length stops that adjust the force with which the temperature regulating subassembly is pressed against the chip holding subassembly. A major feature of the pivoting springy mechanism is that it presses the subassemblies together with a force which stays relatively constant throughout the range of small angles for the closed position. Pressing the subassemblies together with a constant force is important because it prevents the subassemblies from being over-stressed.