Patent ID: 7147499
Filing Date: 2006-12-12
Classification: G01R

Abstract:
1. A zero insertion force connector system for making electrical contact with a mating circuit assembly, the zero insertion force connector system comprising: a connector housing; first and second opposing substrates; at least one interposer mounted on at least one of the first and second opposing substrates, between the first and second opposing substrates; a first spring mechanism i) coupling the first opposing substrate to the connector housing, and ii) biasing the first opposing substrate toward or away from the second opposing substrate; a first vacuum seal coupling the first opposing substrate and the connector housing and defining a first vacuum cavity; a first vacuum actuator, connected to the first vacuum cavity, to alternately i) allow the first spring mechanism to bias the first opposing substrate toward or away from the second opposing substrate, thereby causing the at least one interposer to electrically and physically mate or unmate with the mating circuit assembly, and ii) create or destroy a vacuum in the first vacuum cavity to override the bias of the first spring mechanism; and one or more signal transmission means connected to at least one of the first and second opposing substrates.