JP2001155804A - High density socket having small outer diameter and manufacturing method of the same - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an electric connector used in arrangement. SOLUTION: The present invention relates to an electric connector used in arrangement of contacting members mounted between two plate bodies disposed in parallel for regulating gaps in which the connector is inserted. The connector uses a plurality of spacers, and the spacer bars support a plurality of contacting links separated from each other by one or more of spacers. The positions of contacting members can easily renewed to the other side from one side of the spacer bar by adding one or more of spacers, such that positions of contacts are specially implanted to adapt to its position on the contact plate bodies. Other embodiment of the present invention comprises spacer bars made of elastomer material to be elongated so that the contacting rings are slid over constricted portion of the rod.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly, to a land grid arrangement.
array (LGA) container, ball grid array (b)
It relates to a high density electrical connector used to interconnect electrical components such as an all gridarray (BGA) container, a single in-line module, or other possible arrangements.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION High density electrical connectors suitable for being placed, for example, in the middle of a pair of parallel circuit board devices to establish an electrical connection therebetween are old. Examples of such devices include: 197
U.S. Pat. No. 3,638,163, issued to Loosme on January 25, 2009, discloses a connector formed of a non-conductive resilient tubing, and a connector extending longitudinally along the cylindrical surface of the tubing. And contacts evenly spaced in the direction. On March 5, 1974, Kotak
US Pat. No. 3,795,884 issued to a)
An electrical connector is disclosed having a coil spring whose turns serve as electrical conductors extending between terminal pads of a PC board. On June 18, 1974, Davies (Da
views) et al., US Patent No. 3,818,41 issued to others.
No. 4 discloses an electrical connector having a support member having a spiral groove in which a C-shaped conductive member is formed by wire wrapping and gluing.

On April 20, 1976, Kozel (Koz)
e) U.S. Pat. No. 3,951,493 issued to others et al. provided a resilient, elongated, non-conductive tubular-like member around which a conductive flake was wound and attached. Discloses a connector. U.S. Pat. No. 4,421,370, issued to Treakle et al. On Dec. 20, 1983, discloses a cylindrical type having a hole for receiving a supporting screw and a plastic boat for supporting a contact. A contact is disclosed. U.S. Pat. No. 4,952,156, issued Aug. 28, 1990 to Schmedding, discloses a connector having a plurality of contact terminals, each contact terminal being electrically connected. Crimped over a continuous length range of insulating material.

In the references cited above, a number of devices are shown that connect within the contact placement environment. However, the connectors disclosed in these prior patents, respectively, change the contact space, change the pitch in the orthogonal direction, mount the missing contacts, and join.
t grounding) and the inability to address the previously known problems of non-standard shaped connectors.
Furthermore, the ability of these array connectors to vary with respect to overall dimensions, number of contacts in the contact space, and to work with different design choices is extremely limited, if not entirely impossible. Even if such a device could be modified to receive a relatively large variety of different array contact configurations, the cost from standard products and labor associated with building such a suitable connector would be less. It is forbidden.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method which is very tolerant of differences in contact space, number, size, height and pitch, and which has two flat members with surface contacts. It is an object to provide a very versatile low inductive contact arrangement that can be highly adapted to the shape changes that can be used in between. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a device of the type described above, wherein different arrangement patterns of the contacts are provided by a connector device which is infinitely adaptable to accommodate the rearranged contacts. Can be adjusted. It is a still further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus and method of the type described above, such an apparatus which can be assembled with simple manufacture and which requires relatively little additional effort. May be. Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the appended claims and the following specification.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention facilitates row-to-row from row-to-row, depending on the arrangement of contacts between opposed contact plate surfaces into which connectors are inserted. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for constructing a connector having a plurality of contacts arranged in an array so as to be changed. More specifically, the present invention is an electrical connector for connecting a contact provided between two spaced contact surfaces, wherein the electrical connector comprises at least two opposed portions for defining a space therebetween. And at least one spacer bar supported by the frame in space. Space server must have at least one
Having two separate contact members, the contact members being disposed in a spatial arrangement along the contact members, the contact members being arranged at a given position along the spacer bar. It has at least two non-conductive spacer members provided on both sides. At least one spacer bar has a non-conductive surface.

In one embodiment, the spacer is a separating member that can be mounted on the spacer bar, but in another embodiment, the spacer bar is a comparison member to define a row of bosses and gaps thereon. A contact member is provided on the spacer bar between the bosses having an elongated length of resilient material having a narrowed diameter portion followed by a reduced diameter portion. Ideally, the contact member has an internal opening having a diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the spacer bar. The contact member is formed as a split spiral ring having first and second free ends each laterally offset from one another such that the ring is radially compliant, the ring being formed outside the spacer bar. It has an internal opening having a diameter slightly larger than the diameter.

[0008] Ideally, the frame is of a closed shape having a pair of opposed openings for receiving at least one spacer bar therein, and the retaining portion has a corresponding spacer bar in the opening. Cooperating with each of the opposed pairs of openings in the frame to attach one to the connector, and the connector has a plurality of spacer bars supported in the frame. The invention also relates to a connector having a frame and a plurality of spacer bars supported on the frame. The retainer cooperates with the ￥ frame to retain each spacer bar on the frame against movement. Each spacer bar includes a plurality of contact members provided so as to slide thereon, and a plurality of spacer members provided on opposing sides of each contact member, and the contact members are located at appropriate positions with respect to the frame. Have. The spacer member and the spacer bar are formed of a non-conductive material. The spacer member and the contact member are movably provided on the spacer bar. Desirably, the contact member is supported by the spacer bar in a radially compliant manner.

The present invention further provides a method of assembling an electrical connector for use in a contact grid of the array type, comprising providing at least one elongated spacer bar having a predetermined outer diameter, each of the spacer bars having a predetermined outer diameter. Providing a plurality of contact members having a hole substantially defined by an inner diameter greater than the outer diameter; providing a plurality of spacer members; and arranging the contact members on a spacer bar, wherein one or more of the One contact member on the spacer bar is separated from the other contact member by placing a spacer therebetween, at least one spacer bar is attached to the contact member, and at least one spacer bar is positioned in position on the frame. Attaching a spacer to the frame to hold it in position. There. The method includes providing each connector member as a split ring that is compliant inward in a radial direction, inserting the connector into a gap between two spaced contact plate bodies, and inserting the connector into the gap. The method further comprises forming a gap such that the contact member is compressed.

[0010] The present invention further provides a method of forming a spacer bar that can be used as a connection between circuit boards, the step of providing the spacer bar from an elastomeric material;
Stretching the spacer bar such that the spacer is extended and reduced in diameter; and placing the contact member on the spacer bar. Ideally, the method of forming a spacer bar further comprises a method with a plurality of bosses separated from each other by a gap in which the contact members are located. The present invention is also a spacer bar formed from an elastomeric material, wherein the spacer bar is elongated so as to be elongated and reduced in diameter so that the contact members can be placed on the elongated spacer bar. Desirably, the spacer bar is formed with a plurality of bosses separated from each other by a gap in which the contact members are located.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, an array connector, generally indicated at 2, constitutes the present invention. The connector arrangement 2 has a substantially closed shape, but has a frame 10 which cooperates with any geometric shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame is shown as a square, but may take a rectangular or circular shape, for example. As shown in FIG.
Inserted between two spaced electrical components 5,5. The electrical components 5,5 have a plurality of conductive members 7,7 'on their surfaces 9,9''for contacting engagement with the contact members of the connector 2. The conductive members 7, 7 'can be provided on a circuit board, a solder mass of a BGA container, or other suitable arrangement.

As shown in FIGS. 3A and 4, the connector arrangement 2 comprises a contact member 12 provided at each end along an elongated spacer bar 14 attached to a frame. 12 '. The contacts 12, 12 are preferably stamped and formed from a plate of a suitable conductive material, such as a copper alloy. A surface contact 7, 7 ′ formed of an insulating material between the contact members 12, 12 and provided on one of the corresponding contact plates 5, 5 ′. One or more of a plurality of spacers 16, 16 interposed between the contact members 12, 12 are provided to be positioned in a juxtaposed relationship. The components 5, 5 ′ engage opposite sides of the connector 2. With any known clamping device (not shown),
The components can be retained to make a suitable electrical connection with the connector 2.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2D, frame 10 includes a plurality of aligned holes 20,
With holes 20 ', the holes 20, 20' are aligned with one another along opposing frame members to accommodate one of the plurality of connecting rods 16, 16 therein. As such, each spacer bar 14, 14 has its respective end positioned between the contact members 12, 12 of the connector 2 and the corresponding surface contacts 7, 7 (reg).
The length is such that it is carried within one of the openings 20, 20 'to keep it aligned within the frame so that an isation is performed.

For the time being, FIG. 8A to FIG. 8C
With reference to it should be understood that each spacer bar 14, 14 is formed from a non-conductive material such as plastic or anodized metal. These spacer bars have a uniform circular diameter and are hard properties. Typical spacer bars of the present invention are shown in FIGS. 8A-8C.

Referring back to FIGS. 3A, 4, 5 and 6, spacer bars 14, 14 and one or more spacers 16, 16 provided thereon, disposed on the spacer bars. The one or more contact members 12, 12 having a uniform outer diameter form a device 25. As particularly shown in FIGS. 3A, 4 and 5,
Each contact member 12 has a generally annular shape that is radially compressible about the spacer bar 14. The best ones are shown in FIGS. 5 (A) to 5 (C),
The contact members 12, 12 of the spacer are annular metal springs having an internal opening 30 having a diameter D1 slightly larger than the outer diameter OD of the spacer bar 14 (see FIG. 4). The spring contact members 12, 12
While many different configurations are possible, in the preferred embodiment they are split.
(Split type) Lock washer.

For example, in FIGS. 3 (B) and 3 (C), the contact member 12 'is not biased and is a blocked peripheral portion 19 which renders it radially deformable. have. 3D and 3E.
In this embodiment, the contact member 12 "has a relatively wide continuous ring shape and has relatively thin dimensions which allow it to be deformed. In the embodiment of (G), the contact member 12 '"has a fold 23 formed in the periphery, thereby making it deformable. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 (H) and 3 (I), the contact member 12 "" is a standard hard washer, the inner opening of which has an unloaded diameter. The washer can be inclined on the spacer bar between the spacers 27 fixed to the spacer bar 14 in the loaded state ((I) in FIG. 3) from the state ((H) in FIG. 3). , To be deformed.

As best shown in FIGS. 5A-5D, each contact member 12,12 has open ends 32,34. These open ends 32
And 34 are provided side-by-side in such a way that they are biased in such a way that they do not engage with each other. The outer diameter OD of the space server 14 corresponds to the opening 3 of the contact member 12.
While preferably less than the inside diameter D1 of 0, the lateral offset OF between the ends 32 and 34 of the contact springs is such that when engaged by the parallel spaced contact plates 5, 5 ', A spacer bar provided for each contact spring to positively engage between one contact member 7 of one plate 5 and a corresponding contact member 7 of the opposite plate 5 ′. 14, allowing it to be compressed radially around a corresponding one of them.

FIG. 4 and FIG.
Referring to spacer members 16, 16 'as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C and 7A-7C, the spacer members may have many different shapes. You can see that you can do it Regardless of the shape, the spacer members are preferably formed of an insulating material so as to electrically insulate adjacent conductive members on a common spacer bar. The spacer 16 is, for example,
It can be formed from plastic or elastomer. Although each spacer bar 14, 14 can also be formed from a non-conductive material, each contact member 12, 12
Are provided on each spacer bar 14 such that each is electrically insulated from other contact members 12 on the same spacer bar.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 4, as can be seen from the embodiments of these figures, some spacer members 16, 16 'are provided with longitudinally extending slits 36.
have. The slits 36 allow the spacer members 16, 16 'to snap onto the spacer bar 14, making it easier to replace to accommodate different diameters and changes in the spacer bar, and to accommodate manufacturing variations. However, FIGS. 6 and 7 are complete, uninterrupted annular and without longitudinal slots.
It should be understood that the provision of the spacer member as shown in the above is entirely within the scope of the present invention.

The spacers in FIGS. 6 and 7 have a length of each L1.
And L2, which can be different. Such a difference in length allows for almost any combination of the spacings formed between the contact members 12,12 of the connector, with the contact members 12,12 of each connector being provided in opposition. And a corresponding pair of components 5, 5 '(one above and one below conductive members 7, 7). In this way, by changing the combination of the spacers 16 and 16 ', the arrangement of the contact members 12 of the connector can be performed indefinitely. Spacers 16, 16 '
It should further be understood that it is freely slidable around the provided spacer bar 14.

Each opposed pair of openings 20, 20 formed in the frame 10 of the array 2 slidably receives a spacer bar 14 therein. Each spacer bar 14
Has a length L longer than the width dimension W of the frame 10 defined between the opposed inner surfaces of the frame 10. In one method of assembling the connector 2, each spacer bar 14, 14 has an opening 2 in each opposing opening pair.
0, 20 and then sent through the inner boundary 13 of the frame. Each spacer bar is pressed into the inner boundary 13 of the frame, but instead, according to the details of the operation, the contact members 12, 1
2 and spacers 16, 16 'may be inserted beyond the feed length of the spacer bar. Once this is completed, the spacer bar device 25 has a reduced length where the ends of the spacer bar 14 are not covered. The uncovered length remains in the corresponding one of the pair of openings in the frame. Then, the frame 1 in which the openings 20 and 20 are formed
The outer surfaces 40, 40 of the 0 are capped by dowels or other similar structures to attach the spacer rod against movement with respect to the frame and within the boundary 13. Alternatively, a wedge (cot
A retaining structure, such as a ter pin, can attach the rod 16 to the frame 10 as a suitable retainer. As another variation, the frame 10 may be formed from multiple components built around the rod 16.

9 and 10 and spacer bar device 2
With reference to another embodiment of 5 ', the illustrated device comprises:
Referenced generally as 50, it can be seen that it has a spacer bar formed of an elastic material such as rubber. Each such spacer bar 50 has a plurality of spacer bosses 42, 42 formed integrally therewith and provided along its length. In the relaxed state of the space server 50, these bosses have an outer diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter D1 of the contact members 12, 12, but smaller than the outer diameter around each of the contact members 12, 12. It is. In this manner, when the spacer bar 50 shown in this embodiment is in the loose state, the bosses 42, 42
Acts to trap the contact members 12 provided therebetween from unwanted axial movement in the gap between the bosses. The device is constructed by pulling the free ends 62, 62 of the spacer bar in the direction indicated by the arrows to extend it, thereby reducing the diameter of the boss. By doing so, 1
One or more contact members can slide past the boss until they are located at a designated gap defined by two consecutive boss members. Thereafter, the ends of the spacer bar are released and the contact rim is held in place on it.

FIG. 11 shows another arrangement of the present invention. Here, the frame 10 comprises two vertically oriented circuit boards, namely a board PCB1 and a board PCB2.
Is used as a connection between That is, while the frame 10 is arranged with respect to the substrate PCB1 and the substrate PCB2, while the substrate PCB2 is accommodated in the gap 70 provided between the opposing rows of the contact members 12, 12, at the same time, The contact member of the substrate P
Contact the corresponding contact surfaces 74 and 76 of CB1.

As mentioned above, an improved electrical connector for array type contact planning has been disclosed through a preferred invention. However, many modifications and substitutions can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, while the frame of the device has been shown in a square shape, it is within the scope of the present invention to use any closed shape, preferably a parallelogram, for providing a spacer rod thereon. You may. Accordingly, the present invention has been described through what is shown, rather than limited.

[0025]

The invention is very tolerant of differences in contact space, number, size, height, pitch, and can be used between two flat members having surface contacts. An advantage is that an extremely versatile low-inductive contact arrangement can be provided which is highly adaptable to shape changes.
Further, the present invention has an effect that it is possible to provide a connector device in which different arrangement patterns of the contacts can be infinitely adapted to accommodate the contacts whose arrangement is changed. Furthermore, the invention has the advantage that it can be assembled with a simple manufacture and requires relatively little additional effort.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an array connector according to the present invention.

2 (A), 2 (B), 2 (C), 2 (D), and 2 (E) are perspective views, side views, plan views, etc. of a frame used for the connector of FIG. 1; The side view and the end view.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view showing the connector shown separated from the frames of FIGS. 2A to 2E. 3B and 3C are a side view and a front elevation view showing a second embodiment of the contact member. (D) and (E) of FIG.
7A and 7B are a side view and a front elevation view showing a third embodiment of the contact member. FIGS. 3F and 3G are a side view and a front elevation view showing a fourth embodiment of the contact member. (H) and (I) of FIG. 3 are a side view and a front elevation view showing a fifth embodiment of the contact member.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of an end of the spacer bar shown in FIG.

FIG. 5 (A), (B), (C), and (D) of FIG.
Is a perspective view of each of the spring ring contacts of the contact member,
End view, side view, and elevation view.

FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C are perspective, side, and end views, respectively, of a spacer that can be used in the present invention.

7A, 7B, and 7C are perspective, side, and end views, respectively, of another spacer that can be used in the present invention.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 8C are perspective views, plan views, and end views of the spacer bar of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a spacer bar without a contact member according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a spacer bar to which a contact member according to another embodiment of the present invention is attached.

11A and 11B are a partial perspective view and a partial exploded view showing a connector frame and a connector frame used for right-angle connection.

[Description of Signs] 2 Connector 5 Electric component (contact plate) 7, 7 'Conductive member (Surface contact) 9 Surface 12, 12', 12 '", 12" "... contact member 14, 50 ... spacer bar 16, 16 ', 27 ... spacer (member) 20, 20', 30 ... hole (opening) 23 ... fold 25 '... spacer bar device 36 … Slit 42… Boss 60,62… Free end 74,76… Contact surface 70… Gap

Claims (21)

[Claims] 1. An electrical connector for connecting conductive members of a circuit board, comprising: a frame having at least two opposed portions for defining a space therebetween; At least one spacer bar supported, said spacer bar having at least one separate contact member, wherein the contact members are provided in a spatial arrangement along the at least one spacer bar; An electrical connector comprising at least two non-conductive spacer members provided on opposite sides of the contact member for positioning the contact member at a given location along the spacer bar. 2. The electrical component according to claim 1, wherein at least one spacer bar has a non-conductive surface. 3. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein the spacer is a separation member that can be installed on the spacer bar. 4. The space server has an elongated length of resilient material having a relatively large diameter portion followed by a narrowed diameter portion to define a row of bosses and gaps thereon. The electrical connector according to claim 2, wherein the contact member is provided on the spacer bar between the bosses. 5. The electrical connector of claim 2, wherein said contact member has an internal opening having a diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of said spacer bar. 6. The contact element is characterized in that the ring is formed as a split spiral ring having first and second free ends, each of which is laterally offset from one another so as to be radially conformable. The electrical connector according to claim 5, wherein 7. The electrical connector of claim 3, wherein said ring has an internal opening having a diameter slightly larger than an outer diameter of said spacer bar. 8. The contact member according to claim 1, wherein the ring is formed as a split spiral ring having first and second free ends each laterally offset from one another so that the ring is radially compliant. The electrical connector according to claim 7, wherein 9. The contact member is characterized in that the ring is formed as a split spiral ring having first and second free ends each laterally offset from one another so as to be radially conformable. The electrical connector according to claim 4, wherein 10. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the frame is of a closed configuration having opposed pairs of openings for receiving at least one of the spacer bars therein. 11. The arrangement of claim 10, wherein a retaining portion cooperates with each of a pair of opposed openings of a frame to mount a corresponding one of said spacer bars within said opening. Electrical connector. 12. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the connector has a plurality of spacer bars supported by the frame. 13. A frame, comprising: a plurality of spacer bars supported by the frame; and a holding portion cooperating with the frame to hold the spacer bars on the frame against movement. Each of the spacer bars,
A plurality of contact members provided to slide on it,
A plurality of spacer members provided on opposite sides of each contact member, wherein the contact members are in position with respect to the frame; the spacer members and the spacer bar are formed of a non-conductive material The connector, wherein the spacer member and the contact member are movably provided on the spacer bar. 14. The electrical connector according to claim 13, wherein each contact member is supported by the spacer bar in a radially compliant manner. 15. A method of assembling an electrical connector for use in an array type contact grid, comprising: providing at least one elongated spacer bar having a predetermined outer diameter; each being larger than the outer diameter of the spacer bar. Providing a plurality of contact members having holes substantially defined by an inner diameter; providing a plurality of spacer members; arranging the contact members on the spacer bar and interposing one or more of the spacers therebetween. Separating one contact member on the spacer bar from the other contact member, attaching the at least one spacer bar to the contact member, and positioning the at least one spacer bar in place on a frame. Method of assembling an electrical connector, comprising attaching a spacer to a frame for holding . 16. Each of the contact members is provided as a split ring that is compliant inward in the radial direction, and the connector is inserted into a gap between two spaced-apart contact plate bodies, and the connector is inserted into the gap. The method of claim 15, wherein the gap is formed such that the contact member is compressed when inserted into the gap. 17. The method according to claim 15, wherein each of the spacers and the spacer bar are provided by a non-conductive member. 18. A method of forming a spacer bar that can be used as a connection between circuit boards, comprising: providing a spacer bar from an elastomeric material; said spacer bar such that the spacer bar is elongated and reduced in diameter. And a step of disposing a contact member on the spacer bar. 19. The spacer bar with a plurality of bosses spaced apart from each other by a gap in which a contact member is disposed.
A method for forming the spacer bar according to the above. 20. A spacer bar formed from an elastomeric material, wherein the spacer bar is elongated to be elongated and reduced in diameter so that a contact member can be disposed on the elongated spacer bar. 21. The spacer bar with a plurality of bosses spaced apart from each other by a gap in which a contact member is disposed.
The spacer bar as described.