Patent ID: 7137830
Filing Date: 2006-11-21
Classification: B81B,G01R,H01L,H01R,H05K

Abstract:
1. A method for manufacturing a plurality of miniaturized springs on a substrate, said miniaturized springs each comprising an electrically conducting core member, said core member having an anchor portion and a free portion, initially attached to the substrate, which extends away from the substrate upon release due to an inherent stress gradient in the core, said free portion having a tip area at the end, said anchor portion being fixed to said substrate, the method comprising the steps of: electroplating of spring core members with one or more film layers to envelope all exposed surfaces of said core member including said free portion without any discontinuity and without using a mask; and forming said one or more film layers with a combined thickness greater than that of said core members and with balanced internal stresses on opposite sides of said core member to minimize lift height variations among said plurality of miniaturized springs; and selectively coating said tip area to form a contact button subsequent to said electroplating of core members; wherein said contact button comprises at least one electrically conducting material that does not have strong adherence to an opposite contact pad or terminal.