Socket and flexible PC board assembly and method for making

The integral interconnect socket and flexible board assembly accepts an electronic module having a plurality of leads arranged in a predetermined pattern. The assembly includes a flexible printed circuit (PC) board having a plurality of conductors and a first set of holes disposed to respectively intersect the conductors. A substantially rigid platform is mounted to the PC board and has a second set of holes. The first and second set of holes are in alignment and define common apertures arranged in the predetermined pattern to receive the leads of the modules. A layer of metal plating formed within the apertures makes electrical connections with the respective conductors. Jacks are mounted to each aperture for receiving the leads and making electrical connections between the leads and the conductors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates generally to sockets which receive an 
electronic module and provide electrical connections between pins 
projecting from the module and external circuits. It relates more 
specifically to a socket capable of making solderless connections between 
an electronic module and a flexible circuit board. 
There are many instances where, due to the miniaturization and portability 
of an electronic device, the relative density of the electrical components 
places a premium on the available space. Several packaging arrangements 
for miniaturized electronic circuit modules utilizing combination sockets 
and headers are known in the art and have various disadvantages when 
compared with the present invention. Generally, the prior art sockets 
contain electrical contacts which are made of sheet metal and require 
soldering to ensure electrical connection between the contacts and the 
circuits on the socket mounting PC board. 
So-called flexible printed circuits (PC) of one sort or another has been 
incorporated in a wide variety of electrical and electronic devices. It is 
particularly advantageous for use with miniaturized electronic apparatus 
where space is critical and bulky wire-to-wire connections are to be 
minimized or eliminated. For example, portable, two-way communication 
equipment provides an advantageous application for flexible printed 
circuitry. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of this invention to provide an integrated solderless 
interconnect socket and flexible electronic circuit board for holding 
miniaturized electronic modules. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide such a socket and 
board assembly which is rugged and which can withstand considerable 
mishandling or abuse. 
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method for 
making an integrated solderless interconnect socket and flexible PC board 
assembly. 
In practicing the invention, an integrated solderless interconnect socket 
and flexible PC board assembly is provided for establishing electrical 
connections with a miniaturized electronic module which is received by the 
socket. An interconnect platform has two major surfaces of sufficient size 
and shape to accept an electronic module having a plurality of electrical 
connection pins or leads. The interconnect platform is affixed to a 
flexible circuit board via a bonding agent. A plurality of aligned 
apertures in the platform and circuit board are located to accept the pins 
of the module. The apertures are plated with a conductive material to 
establish electrical connections with the conductor on the flexible 
circuit board. Conductive jacks are mounted within the plated-through 
apertures and are configured to engage the pins of the electronic module. 
Additionally, the interconnect platform may have at least one countersunk 
aperture to receive a keyed locating post on the module to prevent the 
misaligned insertion of the module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
Referring now to FIG. 1, an integrated interconnect socket and flexible PC 
board assembly 100 includes a miniaturized electronic circuit module 110 
which has locating pins or keys 120 and 121 protruding from its bottom 
surface and a plurality of component leads 130 for providing connections 
with the electronic circuitry which is housed internally within the 
miniaturized electronic module 110. The component leads 130 are shorter 
than the locating pins 120 and 121 which are positioned to prevent the 
reverse or misaligned insertion of the miniaturized electronic module 110 
into assembly 100. 
The interconnect socket and flexible PC board assembly 100 has a rigid 
electrically insulative platform 10 of a size sufficient to accept the 
leads 130 of the miniaturized electronic circuit module 110. Countersunk 
holes 20 and 21 are located in a predetermined keyed pattern within the 
platform 10 to receive the pins 120 and 121. 
A plurality of holes 30 in platform 10 are arranged in the same pattern as 
the leads 130 to permit insertion of the corresponding component leads 130 
into holes 30. The platform 10 is bonded to the flexible PC board 40 by 
the utilization of a suitable bonding agent such as an acrylic adhesive. 
The platform 10 has a sufficient thickness to provide stability at the 
moment of insertion of the associated electronic circuit module 110 into 
the respective holes 30. 
The flexible PC board 40 provides electrical connections between the leads 
130 and other circuitry such as a main printed circuit board 50 and 
another printed circuit board 60. The flexible PC board 40 has a number of 
conductors 70 that intersect holes 42 in the board which are aligned with 
holes 30. The holes 30 and 42 are plated with a conductive metalization 95 
to form plated-through holes which are connected respectively to 
conductors 70. 
Referring to FIG. 2, platform 10 is bonded to the flexible PC board 40 
through the use of a suitable bonding agent 90 such as an acrylic 
adhesive. An epoxy fiberglass material is suitable for platform 10 and 
flexible PC board 40 can be made of a polymide material. The countersunk 
hole 20 receives the corresponding locating pin 120 (see FIG. 1). Holes 30 
and 42 extend through the platform 10 and the PC board 40, respectively. 
These holes are plated-through with appropriate metallization 95 to make 
electrical connection with conductors 70 on PC board 40. 
Into each respective hole 30 and 42 is pressed a metal socket or jack 80 of 
a sufficient size to accept the component leads 130 of the electronic 
circuit module 110. The socket members 80 have open-ended springy fingers 
81 which project inwardly to define a narrowed channel 82 having a smaller 
dimension than the component leads. The fingers expand upon insertion of 
the leads to make a good electrical connection between same. The jacks 
engage the metalization 95 in the holes and establish a reliable 
electrical connection therewith. 
The flexible PC board 40 is preferably reduced in thickness at points 75 
adjacent to the platform 10 to provide increased pliability and 
bendability at these locations. The conductors 70 on the flexible PC board 
40 connects the main printed circuit board 50, the other PC board 60, and 
the plug-in electronic module 110. 
In making the socket and flexible board assembly of this invention, a 
pattern of holes 42 are drilled in PC board 40 so as to intersect the 
conductors 70. Holes 30 are drilled in platform 10 to align with holes 42. 
The platform is bonded to board 40 and the aligned holes are plated with a 
metalization 95 to form plated-through holes which establish electrical 
connections with the respective conductors 70. Of course, the holes could 
be simultaneously drilled after the socket is mounted to the flexible PC 
board. The jacks 80 are press fit into the plated-through holes; the 
resilient fingers 81 on the jacks expand in response to insertion of the 
leads 130 of module 110 to establish electrical connection therewith. Thus 
this invention permits an electrical module to be solderlessly received 
and supported by a flexible PC board. 
Although the foregoing has been a description and illustration of a 
specific embodiment of the invention, various modifications and changes 
thereto can be made by persons skilled in the art within the scope and 
spirit of the invention as defined by the following claims.