EP0034525B1 - Zero insertion force connector, particularly for an integrated circuit - Google Patents

Zero insertion force connector, particularly for an integrated circuit Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0034525B1
EP0034525B1 EP81400191A EP81400191A EP0034525B1 EP 0034525 B1 EP0034525 B1 EP 0034525B1 EP 81400191 A EP81400191 A EP 81400191A EP 81400191 A EP81400191 A EP 81400191A EP 0034525 B1 EP0034525 B1 EP 0034525B1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
connector
levers
clamp
legs
contact
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Expired
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EP81400191A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0034525A1 (en
Inventor
Michel Barbaire
Marcel Roux
Jean-Pierre Turolla
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Socapex SA
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Socapex SA
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Publication of EP0034525A1 publication Critical patent/EP0034525A1/en
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Expired legal-status Critical Current

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R13/00—Details of coupling devices of the kinds covered by groups H01R12/70 or H01R24/00 - H01R33/00
    • H01R13/02—Contact members
    • H01R13/193—Means for increasing contact pressure at the end of engagement of coupling part, e.g. zero insertion force or no friction

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to the field of connectors for components provided with a large number of electrical connection elements, constituted by portions of flexible or rigid conductors.
  • connection of such a component with the circuits or equipment in which it is used is most often carried out conductor by conductor, by processes such as soldering or winding ("wrapping") for example, and the time spent in each unit operation can be justified in the event that the connection sought is final.
  • connectors of the so-called "zero insertion force" type have been proposed, where the connection operation is carried out in two steps, namely a step of introduction, without friction, of the tabs in the contact elements, made in the form of elastic clips with two branches, where the tabs can freely penetrate in the open position, and a step of simultaneous tightening of the set of clamps, by bringing the two branches of each clamp together by the action of a common movable plunger made of insulating material.
  • the lugs of the integrated circuits to be connected have, in their distribution along the housing thereof, geometric irregularities of the erratic type, originating on the one hand from manufacturing tolerances, and on the other hand from accidental bends or twists in storage or use.
  • the connector which is the subject of the present invention does not have these disadvantages.
  • the invention relates to a connector with zero insertion force, for component provided with a plurality of connection lugs, comprising an insulating block supporting a plurality of contact elements, the insulating block being made up of three parts provided with openings for the passage of said elements, parts in the form of plates arranged parallel in superposition, the intermediate plate being movable in translation relative to the other two, in two positions of insertion and clamping respectively, and each contact element being in the form of an elastic clamp with two branches, connector characterized in that each contact element carries, symmetrically, on one of its branches, a pair of levers oriented parallel to the latter, the movable plate carrying, on each side of each opening, a pair of projecting pushers resting on these levers to ensure by said translation said tightening.
  • Figure 1 shows, in an overview, a connector for an integrated circuit according to the prior art.
  • the intermediate plate 7 is movable longitudinally, and can by translation in this direction, occupy two positions, by action on the circular cam 8, comprising a flattened part 9 , and controlled by lever 10.
  • the intermediate plate in the insertion position, has its openings 11 aligned with the openings 12 in the guide plate.
  • the legs 5 of the integrated circuit can be easily introduced into the openings 11 and 12, since the contact elements do not undergo any bending force on the part of the intermediate plate 7.
  • Such a connector presents no possibility of geometric adaptation of each contact to each tab, and the contact resistances produced spread over a wide range of values which are inadmissible in use.
  • FIG 2 shows, in two partial views (a) and (b), the two stages of operation of the connector of Figure 1, but provided with other contact elements of the known art.
  • the contact elements 2 are in the form of pliers with two branches 20 and 21, joined by an elastic connection base allowing by elsewhere the connection with a circuit of use by a tab not shown.
  • each branch carries a lateral lever 22 and 23, arranged perpendicularly these two levers resting on the opposite edges of the upper plate 4 and mobile intermediate 7.
  • Figures 3 and 4 show, in a partial perspective view, two embodiments of a clamp for connector according to the invention.
  • the intermediate plate 7 is only shown for clarity, and it carries pushers such as 30 and 31 projecting, arranged in pairs opposite one another.
  • the clip-shaped contact element 32 consists of two branches 33 and 34, joined at their common end by an elastic base 35, and carrying two parts 36 and 37 ensuring the actual contact at their other end two folds of direction contrary in 38 and 39, ensure the presence of a free space between the two surfaces, of contact 36 and 37, allowing the easy introduction of a connection lug of a circuit to be connected.
  • one of the branches carries two control levers 40 and 41, arranged symmetrically with respect to its median axis 42 and parallel thereto.
  • FIG. 3 provides a lower contact pressure than that of FIG. 4 for an identical amplitude of the intermediate control plate; on the other hand, it seems to allow better curvature of the movable contact part of the autor clamp of the lug of the circuit to be connected.
  • the various means present on the contact element each assume only one function, and that the orientation of the control levers parallel to the central median axis of a contact leaves the freedom of a wide choice of the length thereof without increasing the transverse size of the connector.
  • FIG. 5 represents, according to two partial sections (a) and (b), the two stages of operation of a connector according to the invention.
  • each contact element 32 in the form of a clamp has its two substantially parallel contact regions 36 and 37, thanks to the double folding 38 and 39. The opening presented is then maximum for the introduction of the tab 5.
  • the intermediate plate 7 is then pushed in the direction of the arrow 13, for the closing step, to the final position shown in (b).
  • the branch 34 after having elastically pivoted around the folding 39 is then in abutment on the tab 5, but the pusher 31 which controls it was able to freely continue its stroke, by imparting an angle bending F to the control lever whose value clearly shows the contact pressure obtained.
  • Geometric compensation for position differences between the connection lugs of an integrated circuit is thus obtained in a wide range of positions, the bending of each control lever 40 ensuring simultaneously, independently of that of the branch which carries it, and following an automatically adapted angle, backlash and the necessary and sufficient contact pressure at low electrical contact resistance.

Description

La présente invention se rapporte au domaine des connecteurs pour composant muni d'un nombre élevé d'éléments de raccordement électrique, constitués par des portions de conducteurs souples ou rigides.The present invention relates to the field of connectors for components provided with a large number of electrical connection elements, constituted by portions of flexible or rigid conductors.

Le raccordement d'un tel composant avec les circuits ou équipements dans lesquels il est utilisé est le plus souvent réalise conducteur par conducteur, par des procédés tels que la soudure ou l'enroulement (»wrapping«) par exemple, et le temps passé à chaque opération unitaire peut être justifié dans le cas où le raccordement recherché est définitif.The connection of such a component with the circuits or equipment in which it is used is most often carried out conductor by conductor, by processes such as soldering or winding ("wrapping") for example, and the time spent in each unit operation can be justified in the event that the connection sought is final.

En revanche, dans le cas où le composant doit pouvoir être amovible, soit pour son remplacement après mise hors d'usage, soit pour des essais ou contrôles de fabrication, les coûts entraînés par les opérations de raccordement peuvent être très élevés, et le plus souvent apparaître comme inadmissibles. Ces contraintes coûteuses sont particulièrement marquées pour les composants connus sous le nom de »circuits intégrés«, qui se présentent sous la forme de boîtiers parallélépipédiques, munis, sur deux de leurs grandes faces en vis-à-vis, d'une pluralité de conducteurs de raccordement rigides, ou »pattes«, dont le nombre peut atteindre plusieurs dizaines.On the other hand, in the case where the component must be able to be removable, either for its replacement after decommissioning, or for manufacturing tests or controls, the costs entailed by the connection operations can be very high, and most often appear to be inadmissible. These costly constraints are particularly marked for the components known as "integrated circuits", which are in the form of parallelepipedic housings, provided, on two of their large opposite faces, with a plurality of conductors rigid connections, or "legs", the number of which can reach several tens.

Dans le cas des contrôles de fabrication et des machines de tri industriel de ces composants, on a du concevoir et proposer des dispositifs connecteurs assurant simultanément le raccordement de l'ensemble des pattes, par introduction de celles-ci, avec un certain frottement, dans un ensemble d'éléments de contact logés dans des blocs-supports en matériau isolant.In the case of manufacturing controls and industrial sorting machines for these components, we had to design and propose connector devices ensuring simultaneously the connection of all of the tabs, by introducing them, with a certain friction, in a set of contact elements housed in support blocks made of insulating material.

Cependant, devant la force d'introduction élevée à exercer dans le cas d'un grand nombre de pattes, on a proposé des connecteurs du type dit »à force d'insertion nulle«, où l'opération de raccordement s'effectue en deux étapes, à savoir une étape d'introduction, sans frottement, des pattes dans les éléments de contact, réalisés en forme de pinces élastiques à deux branches, où les pattes peuvent librement pénétrer en position ouverte, et une étape de serrage simultané de l'ensemble des pinces, par rapprochement des deux branches de chaque pince de l'ensemble sous l'action d'un poussoir mobile commun réalisé en matériau isolant.However, in view of the high insertion force to be exerted in the case of a large number of tabs, connectors of the so-called "zero insertion force" type have been proposed, where the connection operation is carried out in two steps, namely a step of introduction, without friction, of the tabs in the contact elements, made in the form of elastic clips with two branches, where the tabs can freely penetrate in the open position, and a step of simultaneous tightening of the set of clamps, by bringing the two branches of each clamp together by the action of a common movable plunger made of insulating material.

Cependant, les pattes des circuits intégrés à raccorder présentent, dans leur répartition le long du boîtier de ceux-ci, des irrégularités géométriques de type erratique, provenant d'une part des tolérances de fabrication, et d'autre part des pliages ou torsions accidentels en stockage ou utilisation.However, the lugs of the integrated circuits to be connected have, in their distribution along the housing thereof, geometric irregularities of the erratic type, originating on the one hand from manufacturing tolerances, and on the other hand from accidental bends or twists in storage or use.

C'est pourquoi on a proposé, dans l'art connu, une solution où le poussoir mobile assurant le serrage n'agit pas directement sur les branches de chaque pince, mais sur des leviers qui leur sont associés, et qui transmettent les forces de serrage aux branches de la pince avec une possibilité d'adaptation, par élasticité, de l'amplitude du rapprochement des branches, aux différences erratiques de position des pattes.This is why, in the known art, a solution has been proposed where the mobile pusher ensuring the clamping does not act directly on the branches of each clamp, but on levers which are associated with them, and which transmit the forces of tightening to the branches of the clamp with a possibility of adaptation, by elasticity, of the amplitude of the bringing together of the branches, to the erratic differences in position of the legs.

Mais cette solution connue assigne aux mêmes moyens utilisés, de façon néfaste, des fonctions multiples, en faisant, par exemple, appel, pour la constitution des leviers, à des portions des zones de contact des branches, et, pour celle des éléments dotés d'élasticité, assurant l'adaptation des amplitudes, à la même partie élastique qui assure l'ouverture de la pince.But this known solution assigns the same means used, in a harmful manner, multiple functions, by making, for example, call, for the constitution of the levers, to portions of the contact zones of the branches, and, for that of the elements provided with elasticity, ensuring the adaptation of the amplitudes, to the same elastic part which ensures the opening of the clamp.

Ces confusions entre les fonctions des moyens présentent le grave inconvénient de ne pas permettre d'obtenir les meilleurs résultats normalement procurés par chacun d'entre eux, par libre choix de leurs caractéristiques, et, de plus, conduisent à augmenter l'encombrement transversal du connecteur, les leviers provoquant le serrage étant alors transversaux.These confusions between the functions of the means have the serious disadvantage of not making it possible to obtain the best results normally obtained by each of them, by free choice of their characteristics, and, moreover, lead to increasing the transverse size of the connector, the levers causing the tightening then being transverse.

Le connecteur faisant l'objet de la présente invention ne comporte pas ces incovénients.The connector which is the subject of the present invention does not have these disadvantages.

Dans son fondement il sépare structurellement les moyens assumant les différentes fonctions présentes dans une pince de connecteur pour circuit intégré, et distingue séparément d'une part la pince, ses moyens de contact et ses moyens élastiques, et d'autre part les leviers de serrage et leurs moyens élastiques de fixation. Il est alors possible de déterminer librement les caractéristiques optimales de ces deux parties de la pince de serrage pour circuit intégré, et de plus d'orienter les leviers de serrage parallèlement aux branches de la pince, apportant ainsi des dimensions minimales dans la direction transversale du connecteur.In its foundation it structurally separates the means assuming the different functions present in a connector clamp for an integrated circuit, and separately distinguishes on the one hand the clamp, its contact means and its elastic means, and on the other hand the clamping levers and their elastic fixing means. It is then possible to freely determine the optimal characteristics of these two parts of the clamp for integrated circuit, and moreover to orient the clamping levers parallel to the branches of the clamp, thus bringing minimum dimensions in the transverse direction of the connector.

Ainsi, plus précisément, l'invention concerne un connecteur à force d'insertion nulle, pour composant muni d'une pluralité de pattes de connexion, comportant un bloc isolant supportant une pluralité d'éléments de contact, le bloc isolant étant constitué de trois parties munies d'ouvertures pour le passage desdits éléments, parties en forme de plaquettes disposées parallèlement en superposition, la plaquette intermédiaire étant mobile en translation par rapport aux deux autres, suivant deux positions respectivement d'insertion et de serrage, et chaque élément de contact étant en forme de pince élastique à deux branches, connecteur caractérisé en ce que chaque élément de contact porte, symétriquement, sur l'une de ses branches, une paire de leviers orientés parallèlement à celle-ci, la plaquette mobile portant, de chaque côté de chaque ouverture, une paire de poussoirs en saillie s'appuyant sur ces leviers pour assurer par ladite translation ledit serrage.Thus, more specifically, the invention relates to a connector with zero insertion force, for component provided with a plurality of connection lugs, comprising an insulating block supporting a plurality of contact elements, the insulating block being made up of three parts provided with openings for the passage of said elements, parts in the form of plates arranged parallel in superposition, the intermediate plate being movable in translation relative to the other two, in two positions of insertion and clamping respectively, and each contact element being in the form of an elastic clamp with two branches, connector characterized in that each contact element carries, symmetrically, on one of its branches, a pair of levers oriented parallel to the latter, the movable plate carrying, on each side of each opening, a pair of projecting pushers resting on these levers to ensure by said translation said tightening.

L'invention sera mieux comprise à l'aide de la description ci-après, en s'appuyant sur les figures annexées, où:

  • - la figure 1 représente, suivant une vue d'ensemble, un connecteur pour circuit intégré suivant l'art connu;
  • - la figure 2 représente, suivant deux vues partielles (a) et (b) les deux étapes de fonctionnement d'un tel connecteur, muni d'éléments de contacts à leviers latéraux;
  • - la figure 3 représente, suivant une vue en perspective partielle, un premier mode de réalisation d'une pince de serrage pour connecteur selon l'invention;
  • - la figure 4 représente, suivant une vue en perspective partielle un deuxième mode de réalisation de cette pince;
  • - la figure 5 représente, suivant deux coupes partielles (a) et (b), les deux étapes de fonctionnement d'un connecteur selon l'invention.
The invention will be better understood with the aid of the description below, based on the appended figures, where:
  • - Figure 1 shows, in a view overall, a connector for an integrated circuit according to known art;
  • - Figure 2 shows, in two partial views (a) and (b) the two stages of operation of such a connector, provided with contact elements with lateral levers;
  • - Figure 3 shows, in a partial perspective view, a first embodiment of a clamp for connector according to the invention;
  • - Figure 4 shows, in a partial perspective view a second embodiment of this clamp;
  • - Figure 5 shows, in two partial sections (a) and (b), the two stages of operation of a connector according to the invention.

La figure 1 représente, suivant une vue d'ensemble, un connecteur pour circuit intégré suivant l'art connu.Figure 1 shows, in an overview, a connector for an integrated circuit according to the prior art.

Il se compose d'un bloc isolant 1, constitué de trois plaques superposées en étages, et d'une pluralité d'éléments de contact tels que 2. La plaque inférieure de base 3 assume la fonction de support de l'ensemble du connecteur, en constituant son socle, et en supportant les éléments de contact. La plaque supérieure 4 assure la fonction de guidage des pattes 5 du circuit intégré 6. La plaque intermédiaire 7 est mobile longitudinalement, et peut par translation dans cette direction, occuper deux positions, par action sur la came circulaire 8, comportant une partie aplatie 9, et commandée par le levier 10.It consists of an insulating block 1, consisting of three plates superimposed in stages, and a plurality of contact elements such as 2. The lower base plate 3 assumes the function of supporting the entire connector, by constituting its base, and by supporting the contact elements. The upper plate 4 performs the function of guiding the legs 5 of the integrated circuit 6. The intermediate plate 7 is movable longitudinally, and can by translation in this direction, occupy two positions, by action on the circular cam 8, comprising a flattened part 9 , and controlled by lever 10.

Le fonctionnement d'un tel connecteur est le suivant: dans la position d'introduction, la plaque intermédiaire a ses ouvertures 11 alignées avec les ouvertures 12 de la plaque de guidage. Les pattes 5 du circuit intégré peuvent être facilement introduites dans les ouvertures 11 et 12, car les éléments de contact ne subissent aucune force de flexion de la part de la plaque intermédiaire 7.The operation of such a connector is as follows: in the insertion position, the intermediate plate has its openings 11 aligned with the openings 12 in the guide plate. The legs 5 of the integrated circuit can be easily introduced into the openings 11 and 12, since the contact elements do not undergo any bending force on the part of the intermediate plate 7.

Dans la position de serrage, obtenue par rotation de la came 8 sous l'action du levier 10, la plaque intermédiaire 7 se déplace dans le sens de la fléche 13, appliquant ses poussoirs 14 latéralement sur les contacts 2; ceux-ci se courbent alors, et réalisent le serrage des pattes 5, et ainsi leur raccordement électrique.In the clamping position, obtained by rotation of the cam 8 under the action of the lever 10, the intermediate plate 7 moves in the direction of the arrow 13, applying its pushers 14 laterally on the contacts 2; these then bend, and tighten the tabs 5, and thus their electrical connection.

Un tel connecteur ne présente aucune possibilité d'adaptation géométrique de chaque contact à chaque patte, et les résistances de contact réalisées s'étalent suivant une large gamme de valeurs inadmissibles dans les utilisations.Such a connector presents no possibility of geometric adaptation of each contact to each tab, and the contact resistances produced spread over a wide range of values which are inadmissible in use.

La figure 2 représente, suivant deux vues partielles (a) et (b), les deux étapes de fonctionnement du connecteur de la figure 1, mais muni d'autres d'éléments de contact de l'art connu.2 shows, in two partial views (a) and (b), the two stages of operation of the connector of Figure 1, but provided with other contact elements of the known art.

Dans une structure en trois étages suivant la figure 1, avec les mêmes moyens portant les mêmes nombres-référence, les éléments de contact 2 se présentent sous la forme de pince à deux branches 20 et 21, réunies par une base de liaison élastique permettant par ailleurs le raccordement avec un circuit d'utilisation par un patte non représentée.In a three-stage structure according to FIG. 1, with the same means bearing the same reference numbers, the contact elements 2 are in the form of pliers with two branches 20 and 21, joined by an elastic connection base allowing by elsewhere the connection with a circuit of use by a tab not shown.

L'extrémité de chaque branche porte un levier latéral 22 et 23, disposé perpendiculairement ces deux leviers s'appuyant sur les bords opposés de la plaque supérieure 4 et intermédiaire mobile 7.The end of each branch carries a lateral lever 22 and 23, arranged perpendicularly these two levers resting on the opposite edges of the upper plate 4 and mobile intermediate 7.

Le fonctionnement d'un tel connecteur fait appel au même mouvement de translation de la plaque intermédiaire 7 dans le sens de la fléche 13 que sur la figure 1, mais la pince de serrage 2 exécute deux mouvement simultanés.The operation of such a connector uses the same translational movement of the intermediate plate 7 in the direction of the arrow 13 as in Figure 1, but the clamp 2 performs two simultaneous movements.

Dans la position ouverte (a), les branches de la pince sont écartées, suivant l'angle A, et l'introduction de la patte dont le contour 24 est représenté en tirets, est possible. Dans la position de serrage (b), les bords respectifs des ouvertures 11 et 12 des plaques 7 et 4, ayant effectué leur déplacement relatif, exercent une force d'appui sur les leviers latéraux 22 et 23. Cette force produit deux résultats, à savoir successivement un rapprochement des deux branches de la pince jusqu'à leur contact avec la patte 24 et ensuite, après contact, une torsion des branches de la pince autour des points de contact 25 et 26 avec la patte. Cette torsion, qui permet l'adaptation géométrique de chaque pince de contact avec chaque patte, est ainsi demandée à des branches dont la fonction est structurellement différente, à savoir celle de pinces pour des contacts. De même, les régions de contact elles-mêmes 25 assument en dehors de celle de contact électrique deux autres fonctions, savoir celle de porteurs de leviers 22, 23 et de points de rotation 25, 26. Ces confusions de fonctions, dans l'art connu, comme on l'a déjà indiqué plus haut, sont néfastes.In the open position (a), the branches of the clamp are separated, at the angle A, and the introduction of the tab whose outline 24 is shown in dashes, is possible. In the clamping position (b), the respective edges of the openings 11 and 12 of the plates 7 and 4, having effected their relative displacement, exert a bearing force on the lateral levers 22 and 23. This force produces two results, at knowing successively a bringing together of the two branches of the clamp until they come into contact with the tab 24 and then, after contact, a twisting of the branches of the clamp around the points of contact 25 and 26 with the tab. This twist, which allows the geometrical adaptation of each contact clamp with each tab, is thus requested from branches whose function is structurally different, namely that of clamps for contacts. Similarly, the contact regions themselves 25 assume, apart from that of electrical contact, two other functions, namely that of lever carriers 22, 23 and points of rotation 25, 26. These confusions of functions, in the art known, as already indicated above, are harmful.

Les figures 3 et 4 représentent, suivant une vue en perspective partielle, deux modes de réalisation d'une pince de serrage pour connecteur selon l'invention.Figures 3 and 4 show, in a partial perspective view, two embodiments of a clamp for connector according to the invention.

La plaque intermédiaire 7 est seule représentée pour plus de clarté, et elle porte des poussoirs tels que 30 et 31 en saillie, disposés par paire en vis-à-vis l'un de l'autre. L'élément de contact en forme de pince 32 est constitué de deux branches 33 et 34, réunies à leur extrémité commune par une base élastique 35, et portant deux parties 36 et 37 assurant le contact proprement dit a leur autre extrémité deux pliages de sens contraire en 38 et 39, assurent la présence d'un espace libre entre les deux surfaces, de contact 36 et 37, permettant l'introduction aisée d'une patte de connexion d'un circuit à connecter.The intermediate plate 7 is only shown for clarity, and it carries pushers such as 30 and 31 projecting, arranged in pairs opposite one another. The clip-shaped contact element 32 consists of two branches 33 and 34, joined at their common end by an elastic base 35, and carrying two parts 36 and 37 ensuring the actual contact at their other end two folds of direction contrary in 38 and 39, ensure the presence of a free space between the two surfaces, of contact 36 and 37, allowing the easy introduction of a connection lug of a circuit to be connected.

Suivant l'invention, une des branches porte deux leviers de commande 40 et 41, disposés symétriquement par rapport à son axe médian 42 et parallèlement à celui-ci.According to the invention, one of the branches carries two control levers 40 and 41, arranged symmetrically with respect to its median axis 42 and parallel thereto.

Quand les éléments de contact sont en place dans le connecteur, la plaque intermédiaire mobile 7 exerce une force d'appui sur les leviers 40 et 41 qu'elle porte, et lorsqu'elle est mise en translation, la pince de contact se referme, comme déjà explique plus haut, sur la patte de connexion correspondante du circuit à raccorder. Les figures 3 et 4 ne diffèrent que par le sens suivant lequel les leviers 40 et 41 sont orientés par rapport aux extrémités de la pince. Suivant les besoins à satisfaire, le sens le mieux adapté est à choisir, le »bras de levier« offert, dépendant notamment des dimensions relatives des branches, de leur épaisseur, et du coefficient d'élasticité du métal adopté.When the contact elements are in place in the connector, the movable intermediate plate 7 exerts a pressing force on the levers 40 and 41 which it carries, and when it is brought into translation, the contact clamp closes, as already explained above, on the paw of corresponding connection of the circuit to be connected. Figures 3 and 4 differ only in the direction in which the levers 40 and 41 are oriented relative to the ends of the clamp. According to the needs to be satisfied, the most suitable direction is to be chosen, the "lever arm" offered, depending in particular on the relative dimensions of the branches, their thickness, and the coefficient of elasticity of the metal adopted.

Il est cependant possible d'observer, lors d'essais pratiques, que le mode de réalisation de la figure 3 procure une pression d'appui moins élevée que celui de la figure 4 pour une amplitude identique de la plaque de commande intermédiaire; en revanche, il semble permettre une meilleure courbure de la partie mobile de contact de la pince autor de la patte du circuit à raccorder.It is however possible to observe, during practical tests, that the embodiment of FIG. 3 provides a lower contact pressure than that of FIG. 4 for an identical amplitude of the intermediate control plate; on the other hand, it seems to allow better curvature of the movable contact part of the autor clamp of the lug of the circuit to be connected.

Les avantages procurés par le connecteur selon l'invention tiennent essentiellement au fait que, ainsi qu'il a déjà été exposé plus haut en détail, les différents moyens présents sur l'élément de contact n'assument chacun qu'une seule fonction, et que l'orientation des leviers de commande parallèlement à l'axe principal médian d'un contact laisse la liberté d'un large choix de la longueur de ceux-ci sans augmenter l'encombrement transversal du connecteur.The advantages provided by the connector according to the invention essentially stem from the fact that, as has already been explained above in detail, the various means present on the contact element each assume only one function, and that the orientation of the control levers parallel to the central median axis of a contact leaves the freedom of a wide choice of the length thereof without increasing the transverse size of the connector.

Les avantages tiennent aussi au fait que par suite de la symétrie des leviers par rapport à l'axe du contact, les déformations élastiques mises en jeu sur les branches de la pince et sur les leviers sont purement du type de flexion, contrairement au connecteur de l'art connu, où des déformations de torsion étaient utilisées, entraînant des risques de large dispersion dans les pressions de contact obtenues, et leur évolution incontrôlable dans le temps.The advantages also arise from the fact that owing to the symmetry of the levers with respect to the axis of the contact, the elastic deformations brought into play on the arms of the clamp and on the levers are purely of the type of bending, unlike the connector of known art, where torsional deformations were used, leading to risks of wide dispersion in the contact pressures obtained, and their uncontrollable evolution over time.

La figure 5 représente, suivant deux coupes partielles (a) et (b), les deux étapes de fonctionnement d'un connecteur selon l'invention.FIG. 5 represents, according to two partial sections (a) and (b), the two stages of operation of a connector according to the invention.

Les mêmes nombres-référence désignant les mêmes parties que sur les deux figures précédentes, on a représenté en (a), le connecteur en position ouverte. Chaque élément de contact 32 en forme de pince a ses deux régions de contact 36 et 37 sensiblement parallèles, grâce au double pliage 38 et 39. L'ouverture présentée est alors maximale pour l'introduction de la patte 5.The same reference numbers designating the same parts as in the two preceding figures, there is shown in (a), the connector in the open position. Each contact element 32 in the form of a clamp has its two substantially parallel contact regions 36 and 37, thanks to the double folding 38 and 39. The opening presented is then maximum for the introduction of the tab 5.

La plaque intermédiaire 7 est alors poussée dans le sens de la fléche 13, pour l'étape de fermeture, jusqu'à la position finale représentée en (b).The intermediate plate 7 is then pushed in the direction of the arrow 13, for the closing step, to the final position shown in (b).

La branche 34, après avoir pivoté élastiquement autour du pliage 39 est alors en butée sur la patte 5, mais le poussoir 31 qui la commande a pu librement continuer sa course, en imprimant une flexion d'angle F au levier de commande dont la valeur matérialise clairement la pression de contact obtenue.The branch 34, after having elastically pivoted around the folding 39 is then in abutment on the tab 5, but the pusher 31 which controls it was able to freely continue its stroke, by imparting an angle bending F to the control lever whose value clearly shows the contact pressure obtained.

La compensation géométrique des différences de position entre les pattes de raccordement d'un circuit intégré est ainsi obtenue dans une large gamme de positions, la flexion de chaque levier de commande 40 assurant simultanément, indépendamment de celle de la branche qui le porte, et suivant un angle automatiquement adapté, le rattrapage des jeux et la pression de contact nécessaire et suffisante à une faible résistance électrique de contact.Geometric compensation for position differences between the connection lugs of an integrated circuit is thus obtained in a wide range of positions, the bending of each control lever 40 ensuring simultaneously, independently of that of the branch which carries it, and following an automatically adapted angle, backlash and the necessary and sufficient contact pressure at low electrical contact resistance.

Claims (5)

1. Zero insertion force connector for a component having a plurality of connection pins, comprising an insulating block (1) carrying a plurality of contact members, the insulating block being formed of three portions provided with openings allowing the passage of said members, said portions being formed as plates (3, 4, 7) arranged in parallel superposition, the intermediate plate (7) being movable with respect to the two other plates two perform a translational movement between two positions, i. e. an insertion and a clamping position, and each contact member being shaped as a resilient clamp having two legs (36, 37), the connector being characterized in that each contact member carries, symmetrically on one of its legs, a pair of levers (40) which are oriented in parallel to said leg, the movable plate carrying a pair of projecting urging members (31) on each side of each opening, said urging members urging upon these levers for assuring said clamping by said translational movement.
2. Connector in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the levers are oriented towards the free ends of the legs.
3. Connector in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the levers are oriented in the opposite sense of that of the free ends of the legs.
4. Connector in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the leg of the clamp which carries the levers has two transverse foldings in opposite senses assuring that the two legs are parallel when they are in their insertion positions.
5. Connector in accordance with claim 4, characterized in that the leg ot the clamp which carries the levers is resiliently pivotable about one of the two transverse foldings when in the clamping position.
EP81400191A 1980-02-19 1981-02-06 Zero insertion force connector, particularly for an integrated circuit Expired EP0034525B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR8003575A FR2476393A1 (en) 1980-02-19 1980-02-19 ZERO INSERTION FORCE CONNECTOR, IN PARTICULAR FOR INTEGRATED CIRCUIT
FR8003575 1980-02-19

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0034525A1 EP0034525A1 (en) 1981-08-26
EP0034525B1 true EP0034525B1 (en) 1983-11-30

Family

ID=9238721

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP81400191A Expired EP0034525B1 (en) 1980-02-19 1981-02-06 Zero insertion force connector, particularly for an integrated circuit

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US4397512A (en)
EP (1) EP0034525B1 (en)
DE (1) DE3161524D1 (en)
FR (1) FR2476393A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4506941A (en) * 1983-11-23 1985-03-26 Burroughs Corporation Socket incorporating serially coupled springs
US4501461A (en) * 1983-12-27 1985-02-26 International Telephone And Telegraph Corporation Zero insertion force socket
US4887974A (en) * 1988-02-03 1989-12-19 Japan Aviation Electronics Industry, Limited Connector
DE69513083T2 (en) * 1994-05-25 2000-05-04 Japan Aviation Electron Connector that can be operated with relatively little effort
US5995378A (en) * 1997-12-31 1999-11-30 Micron Technology, Inc. Semiconductor device socket, assembly and methods
US6089920A (en) 1998-05-04 2000-07-18 Micron Technology, Inc. Modular die sockets with flexible interconnects for packaging bare semiconductor die

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3670288A (en) * 1971-02-16 1972-06-13 Amp Inc Torsion contact zero-insertion force connector
US3763459A (en) * 1971-06-17 1973-10-02 Textool Prod Inc Plug-in type sockets for testing semiconductors
FR2363918A1 (en) * 1976-09-03 1978-03-31 Amp Inc ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR MOUNTING AN ELECTRONIC MULTI-PIN DEVICE ON A SUPPORT

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3670288A (en) * 1971-02-16 1972-06-13 Amp Inc Torsion contact zero-insertion force connector
US3763459A (en) * 1971-06-17 1973-10-02 Textool Prod Inc Plug-in type sockets for testing semiconductors
FR2363918A1 (en) * 1976-09-03 1978-03-31 Amp Inc ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR MOUNTING AN ELECTRONIC MULTI-PIN DEVICE ON A SUPPORT

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2476393A1 (en) 1981-08-21
FR2476393B1 (en) 1982-01-15
US4397512A (en) 1983-08-09
EP0034525A1 (en) 1981-08-26
DE3161524D1 (en) 1984-01-05

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