Device and method for contacting at least one terminal of an electronic element

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device and method for contacting one or more terminals (19) on an electronic component (18) including at least one elongated contact element (11). In this arrangement, one terminal (19) and a corresponding contact element (11) each can be pressed together in a first direction (16) by a contact force (F). The invention provides for elastically prestressing the contact element (11) in a second direction (26) differing from the first direction (16). To produce the prestress, a movable actuator (23) is used to advantage. In accordance with another aspect of the invention the lower end of the contact element is arranged non-shiftable whilst the second end is shifted by the actuator (23) for contacting. In both cases, a compact contacting device (10) is provided which maintains the desired contact force (F) accurately and features a long life due to the contact elements (11) being prestressed.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.