Abstract:
A hermaphroditic terminal assembly for connecting electrical devices includes an insulating support member for supporting female sockets and male pins, a number of female sockets, and a number of male pins. An intercoupling component for connecting electrical devices includes two hermaphroditic terminal assemblies configured such that the first hermaphroditic terminal assembly can be mated with the second hermaphroditic terminal assembly.
Abstract:
A method of providing such an intercoupling component includes positioning terminals within holes of an insulative support member and attaching a solder ball to each of the terminals. Attaching the solder ball to the terminals is accomplished using a fixture having a number of recesses located in a pattern corresponding to a pattern of the holes in the insulative support member; filling each of the recesses with a solder ball; positioning the insulative support member over the fixture so that an end of each of the terminals contacts a corresponding solder ball; soldering the solder ball to the end of the terminal while maintaining the generally spherical shape of the solder ball; and removing the insulative support member from the fixture. The solder balls are generally soldered by passing the insulative support member with terminals and fixture with solder balls through a reflow apparatus.
Abstract:
A socket terminal assembly includes a socket body having an end with an opening and an opposite end configured to contact the corresponding connection region of a printed circuit board, a contact spring, disposed at the opening of the socket body, to receive and apply a frictional force sufficient to retain the lower end of a pin within the opening of the socket body; and a resilient member, disposed within a lower end of the opening, to apply, to the pin and in response to a downward force applied to the pin, an upward force sufficient to overcome the frictional force of the contact spring. The pin has an end adapted to contact an electrical contacting area of an integrated circuit package and an opposite end configured to be inserted within the opening of the socket body. An intercoupling component includes a socket support member having holes, each hole receiving a corresponding socket terminal assembly.
Abstract:
A socket terminal assembly includes a socket body having an end with an opening and an opposite end configured to contact the corresponding connection region of a printed circuit board, a contact spring, disposed at the opening of the socket body, to receive and apply a frictional force sufficient to retain the lower end of a pin within the opening of the socket body; and a resilient member, disposed within a lower end of the opening, to apply, to the pin and in response to a downward force applied to the pin, an upward force sufficient to overcome the frictional force of the contact spring. The pin has an end adapted to contact an electrical contacting area of an integrated circuit package and an opposite end configured to be inserted within the opening of the socket body. An intercoupling component includes a socket support member having holes, each hole receiving a corresponding socket terminal assembly.
Abstract:
An improved method and construction for positioning a plurality of socket terminals on an electrical circuit board in a predetermined configuration prior to the solder connection thereto. A sheet of electrically insulative, flexible, resinous plastic material is provided with a plurality of holes in an array conforming to the desired positioning of the sockets on the circuit boards. The socket terminals are provided with an enlarged generally cylindrical head including an intermediate groove such that the heads extend into the holes and are adapted for frictional snap engagement with the sheet. The sheet with the array of sockets temporarily held thereby is positioned on the circuit board which is then conventionally soldered so as to electrically and mechanically fix the sockets to the board. Thereafter, the sheet may be removed. The enlarged head of the circuit terminal is provided with leading edge sheet contacting surface to enable the terminals to be push positioned into the holes without injuring the sheet.
Abstract:
An intercoupling component (e.g., socket or adapter) is provided for increasing the dissipation of heat generated within an integrated circuit (IC) array positioned within the intercoupling component, while maintaining a relatively low profile. The intercoupling component includes a heat sink positioned within the package support member, and having an upper surface in contact with a lower surface of the integrated circuit package disposed within the package support member. The package support member includes contact terminals disposed within associated openings of the package for electrically connecting the contacting areas of the integrated circuit package to the corresponding connection regions of the substrate. The openings extend from an upper surface to an opposite lower surface of the support member and are located in a pattern corresponding to a pattern of the connection contacts. The heat sink may be configured to be removable and replaceable.
Abstract:
A plurality of rigid, generally spherical contact elements are attached to the solder balls of a ball grid array (BGA) package to provide rigid contact points that are suitable for engagement with the contacts of a direct BGA socket assembly. The contact elements include a flattened circumferential surface and a circumferential groove formed in the flattened surface. The circumferential groove divides the contact element into opposing hemispheres. An alignment assembly for aligning the contact elements with the BGA solder ball footprint includes a carrier sheet of electrically insulative, flexible material having a plurality of holes arranged in a predetermined array corresponding to the footprint of solder balls. The contact elements are snap received within the holes of the carrier sheet such that one hemisphere of the contact element is disposed on each side of the carrier sheet. The alignment assembly further includes an alignment fixture for receiving the carrier sheet and BGA package in overlying relation. The alignment fixture includes alignment pins for aligning the carrier sheet in a predetermined position, and alignment arms for aligning the BGA package relative to the carrier sheet. In a method for attaching the contact elements to the solder balls, the solder balls are heated to a reflow temperature wherein gravity forces BGA package downwardly onto the contact element and the facing hemisphere of the contacts are attached to the solder ball while the opposing hemisphere remains exposed for engagement with the socket contact.
Abstract:
The disclosure features lead frames, molded lead frames and adapters and sockets produced by molding these lead frames. In general, the lead frames comprise a frame and a circuit, wherein the circuit comprises a plurality of electrical conducting elements. The elements are held in position by the frame, and each element comprises an area within the element suitable for positioning a pin through the element to electrically connect the element with the board. The lead frame can be molded in plastic and trimmed to remove the frame to leave each element electrically separate from each other element.
Abstract:
The disclosure features lead frames, molded lead frames and adapters and sockets produced by molding these lead frames. In general, the lead frames comprise a frame and a circuit, wherein the circuit comprises a plurality of electrical conducting elements. The elements are held in position by the frame, and each element comprises an area within the element suitable for positioning a pin through the element to electrically connect the element with the board. The lead frame can be molded in plastic and trimmed to remove the frame to leave each element electrically separate from each other element.