Patent Publication Number: US-9413093-B2

Title: Connector assembly

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     An applicant claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of Japanese Patent Application No. JP2014-107023 filed May 23, 2014. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a connector assembly comprising two connectors. 
     In a case where a semiconductor package  900  and a circuit board  910  are connected with each other, stresses might be caused by a difference in thermal expansion coefficient therebetween. JP-A 2001-332644 (Patent Document 1) discloses a structure which solves a problem that the stresses are applied to connection portions therebetween. Specifically, as shown in  FIG. 18 , Patent Document 1 discloses that the semiconductor package  900  and the circuit board  910  are connected by using an interposer  920 . The interposer  920  of Patent Document 1 is provided with inner terminals  930  and outer terminals  940 . Since the outer terminals  940  are formed so as to be deformable, the stresses are absorbed by deformations of the outer terminals  940 . 
     However, the structure of Patent Document 1 has a drawback that the outer terminals  940  might continue to receive stresses after being deformed as described above. In addition, the structure of Patent Document 1 has another drawback that it is difficult to reduce a distance between the semiconductor package  900  and the circuit board  910 . 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide connecting means which can effectively relieve stresses caused by a difference in thermal expansion coefficient between two objects after the two objects are connected with each other. 
     One aspect of the present invention provides a connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector. The first connector is to be fixed on a first principal surface of a first connection object. The second connector is to be fixed on a second principal surface of a second connection object. The second connector is connectable with the first connector. The first connection object and the second connection object are different in thermal expansion coefficient from each other. The first connector comprises a plurality of first contacts. The first contacts are to be separated from each other and soldered on the first principal surface. The second connector comprises a plurality of second contacts. The first contacts correspond to the second contacts, respectively. The second contacts are to be soldered on the second principal surface. Each of ones of the first contacts and the second contacts has a pressed portion. Each of remaining ones of the first contacts and the second contacts has a contact portion and a spring portion. The spring portion resiliently supports the contact portion. One of the first connector and the second connector comprises the remaining ones of the first contacts and the second contacts. The one of the first connector and the second connector comprises receiving portions. The contact portions correspond to the receiving portions, respectively. Under a state where the first connector and the second connector are connected with each other, the contact portion allows a movement of the pressed portion in a plane parallel to the first principal surface while pressing the pressed portion against the receiving portion in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the first principal surface due to a resilient force of the spring portion. 
     Another aspect of the present invention provides a connector connectable with a mating connector which is fixed on a second principal surface of a mating connection object. The connector is to be fixed on a first principal surface of a connection object. The connector comprises a plurality of contacts. The contacts are to be separated from each other and soldered on the first principal surface of the connection object. Before the connector is fixed on the first principal surface of the connection object, the connector further comprises a temporary coupling portion which couples the contacts with each other. After the contacts are soldered on the first principal surface of the connection object, the temporary coupling portion is, at least in part, separated from the connector so that the contacts are separated from each other. 
     The first contacts of the present invention are separated from each other and soldered on the first principal surface. Accordingly, the first contacts are relatively movable with respect to each other so that the first contacts can respond to expansion and contraction of the first connection object. 
     In addition, the contact portion of the present invention allows a movement of the pressed portion in a plane parallel to the first principal surface while pressing the pressed portion against the receiving portion in a perpendicular direction perpendicular to the first principal surface due to a resilient force of the spring portion. Accordingly, the movement of the pressed portion relieves stress which is caused by thermal expansion or thermal contraction of the first connection object. Thus, connection portions between the first contacts and the second contacts of the present invention do not have the aforementioned drawbacks of the structure of Patent Document 1. 
     An appreciation of the objectives of the present invention and a more complete understanding of its structure may be had by studying the following description of the preferred embodiment and by referring to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a connector assembly comprising a first connector and a second connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing the first connector of  FIG. 1 . The first connector is fixed on a first connection object. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view for use in explaining how to connect the first connector fixed on the first connection object with the second connector fixed on a second connection object. The first connector is hidden by the first connection object so that the first connector cannot be seen in  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged, perspective view showing a part of the connector assembly of  FIG. 1 . The first connector is not connected with the second connector yet. 
         FIG. 5  is an enlarged, perspective view showing a part of the connector assembly of  FIG. 1 . The first connector is connected with the second connector. 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged, front view showing a part of the connector assembly of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is an enlarged, perspective view showing a part of the first connector of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing the first connector of  FIG. 1 . The first connector is connected with a carrier through a plurality of extending portions. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the first connector of  FIG. 8 . The extending portions are coupled with each other by the carrier and by a temporary coupling portion. 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing the first connector of  FIG. 9 . The carrier is separated from the first connector while the extending portions are coupled with each other by the temporary coupling portion. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing a plurality of the first connectors of  FIG. 10 . The first connectors are fixed on the first connection object. 
         FIG. 12  is an enlarged, perspective view showing a part of the second connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view showing a second contact which is included in the second connector of  FIG. 12 . 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of  FIG. 6 , taken along line A-A. The first connector is not connected with the second connector yet. 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view showing the connector assembly of  FIG. 6 , taken along line A-A. The first connector is connected with the second connector. 
         FIG. 16  is an enlarged, perspective view showing a part of a first connector according to a modification. 
         FIG. 17  is another enlarged, perspective view showing a part of the first connector of  FIG. 16 . 
         FIG. 18  is a view showing a connector of Patent Document  1 . 
     
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS: 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 4 to 6 , a connector assembly  10  according to an embodiment of the present embodiment comprises a first connector (connector)  100  and a second connector  200  (mating connector). The second connector  200  is connectable with the first connector  100 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , four of the first connectors  100  are fixed on a first principal surface  510  which is one of principal surfaces of a first connection object (connection object)  500 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , four of the second connectors  200  are fixed on a second principal surface  610  which is one of principal surfaces of a second connection object (mating connection object)  600 . 
     In the present embodiment, the first connection object  500  is a semiconductor package, and the second connection object  600  is a circuit board. Specifically, the first connection object  500  and the second connection object  600  are different in thermal expansion coefficient from each other. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , each of the first connectors  100  comprises a plurality of first contacts  110  and two guide members  160 . The first contacts  110  are arranged in a Y-direction (pitch direction). The two guide members  160  are positioned outward of the first contacts  110  in the Y-direction. Specifically, the first contacts  110  are positioned between the two guide members  160  in the Y-direction. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 7 , the first contacts  110  are separated from each other and soldered on the first principal surface  510 , and each of the guide members  160  is separated from the first contacts  110  and soldered on the first principal surface  510 . Specifically, a movement of each of the first contacts  110  and the guide members  160  is restricted only by a portion thereof that is soldered on the first principal surface  510  of the first connection object  500 . Accordingly, in the present embodiment, intervals between the first contacts  110  can be varied in accordance with thermal expansion and contraction of the first connection object  500 , and intervals between the first contacts  110  and the guide members  160  can be varied in accordance therewith. Solderings of the first contacts  110  and the guide members  160  on the first principal surface  510  are described later. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7, 14 and 15 , each of the first contacts  110  has a soldered portion  120 , a primary portion  130  and a secondary portion  140 . As shown in  FIG. 7 , pads  512  are provided on the first principal surface  510 , and the soldered portions  120  are soldered on the pads  512 , respectively. As shown in  FIGS. 7, 14 and 15 , each of the primary portions  130  extends in one direction from the soldered portion  120 , and each of the secondary portions  140  extends in another direction from the soldered portion  120 . Each of the primary portions  130  of the present embodiment has an elongated, plate-like pressed portion  132 . Each of the pressed portions  132  extends in an XY-plane which is defined by an X-direction (connection direction of the first connector  100  and the second connector  200 ) and the Y-direction. In other words, each of the pressed portions  132  extends in parallel with the first principal surface  510  (see  FIG. 2 ). 
     As understood from  FIGS. 2 and 8 to 11 , in the present embodiment, a temporary coupling portion  300  couples the first contacts  110  and the guide members  160  with each other. The temporary coupling portion  300  is made of insulator. Thus, the first contacts  110  and the guide members  160  are together soldered on the first principal surface  510 . 
     In detail, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the first connector  100  further comprises a plurality of extending portions  144  and two extending portions  164  under a state where a single metal sheet is pressed to form the first connector  100 . As understood from the above explanation, the first contacts  110 , the guide members  160 , the extending portions  144  and the extending portions  164  are provided on a common member. Before the first connector  100  is fixed on the first principal surface  510  (see  FIG. 2 ), the extending portions  144  extend from the first contacts  110 , respectively. Similarly, before the first connector  100  is fixed on the first principal surface  510 , the extending portions  164  extend from the guide members  160 , respectively. The extending portions  144  and the extending portions  164  are connected with a carrier  170 . At each of boundary portions between the extending portions  144  and the first contacts  110 , a notch  146  is formed. Furthermore, at each of boundary portions between the extending portions  144  and the carrier  170 , a notch  172  is formed. Similarly, at each of boundary portions between the extending portions  164  and the guide members  160 , a notch  166  is formed. Furthermore, at each of boundary portions between the extending portions  164  and the carrier  170 , a notch  174  is formed. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the temporary coupling portion  300  is formed via an insert-molding process. Accordingly, the extending portions  144  and the extending portions  164  are embedded in the temporary coupling portion  300  to be coupled with each other. Thus, the temporary coupling portion  300  couples the secondary portions  140  with each other through the extending portions  144 . Next, when the carrier  170  is separated from the connector  100  by using the notches  172  and the notches  174 , the connector  100  becomes in a state shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 10 , before the first connector  100  is fixed on the first principal surface  510  (see  FIG. 2 ), the temporary coupling portion  300  couples the first contacts  110  and the guide members  160  with each other. Although the first connector  100  comprises the first contacts  110  and the guide members  160  which are separable from each other, the temporary coupling portion  300  enables the first connector  100  to be easily handled. In addition, since the temporary coupling portion  300  has a relatively large planar portion  302 , the temporary coupling portion  300  can be lifted up by picking the planar portion  302  up by the use of a vacuum chuck. Thus, the first connector  100  can be handled in an automatic component feeder system. 
     As shown in  FIG. 11 , each of the first connectors  100  comprises the first contacts  110  which are coupled with each other by the temporary coupling portion  300 , and is fixed on a predetermined position of the first principal surface  510  of the first connection object  500 . In this state, the first contacts  110  and the guide members  160  are soldered on the first principal surface  510 . Furthermore, as understood form  FIGS. 10 and 11 , after the first contacts  110  and the guide members  160  are soldered on the first principal surface  510 , the extending portions  144  and the extending portions  164  are separated from the first contacts  110  and the guide members  160  by using the notches  146 ,  166  together with the temporary coupling portion  300 . Accordingly, the first contacts  110  and the guide members  160  are separated from each other as shown in  FIG. 2 . As described above, the first contacts  110  and the guide members  160  of the first connector  100  can be together fixed on the first principal surface  510  of the first connection object  500 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 12 , each of the second connectors  200  comprises a plurality of second contacts  210  and a holding member  220 . The first contacts  110  correspond to the second contacts  210 , respectively. The holding member  220  holds the second contacts  210  altogether. The holding member  220  of the present embodiment is made of resin having a thermal expansion coefficient similar to that of the second connection object  600 . As understood from  FIGS. 4 and 12 , the holding member  220  is formed with guided portions  222  which are guided by guide portions  162  of the guide members  160 , respectively. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13 to 15 , each of the second contacts  210  has a contact portion  212 , a spring portion  214 , a receiving portion  216  and a fixed portion  218 . The contact portions  212  correspond to the receiving portions  216 , respectively. The spring portion  214  resiliently supports the contact portion  212  so that the contact portion  212  is movable mainly in a Z-direction (perpendicular direction). The receiving portion  216  faces the contact portion  212  in the Z-direction. Although the receiving portion  216  of the present embodiment is formed as a part of the second contact  210 , the present invention is not limited thereto. The receiving portion  216  may be formed separately from the second contact  210 . For example, the receiving portions  216  may be formed as parts of the holding member  220 , respectively. Each of the fixed portions  218  is soldered on the second principal surface  610  (see  FIG. 3 ). 
     As understood from  FIGS. 12 and 13 , each of the second contacts  210  of the present embodiment is press-fitted into the holding member  220 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The holding member  220  may holds the second contacts  210  by other means such as insert molding. 
     Connections of the first connectors  100  (see  FIG. 2 ) fixed on the first principal surface  510  and the second connectors  200  (see  FIG. 3 ) fixed on the second principal surface  610  are achieved as described below. As understood form  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first principal surface  510  faces the second principal surface  610  in the Z-direction (i.e. a back surface  520  of the first connection object  500  faces in a positive Z-direction while the second principal surface  610  faces in the positive Z-direction), and the first connection object  500  is then moved in a first direction shown by an arrow  1  in  FIG. 3 , so that the first connection object  500  and the second connection object  600  are close to each other in the Z-direction. Meanwhile, two positive X-side corners of the first connection object  500  (see  FIG. 3 ) are roughly positioned by two markers  620 , respectively, which are formed on the second principal surface  610 . Next, as shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the first connection object  500  is moved in a second direction shown by an arrow  2  in  FIG. 3 , or in a positive X-direction, so that the first connectors  100  and the second connectors  200  are connected with each other. Meanwhile, the guide portions  162  guide the guided portions  222  (see  FIG. 4 ), respectively, so that the first connectors  100  are appropriately moved in the positive X-direction. 
     As shown in  FIG. 15 , under a state where the first connector  100  and the second connector  200  are connected with each other, each of the contact portions  212  allows a movement of the pressed portion  132  in a plane (XY-plane) parallel to the first principal surface  510  (see  FIG. 2 ) while pressing the pressed portion  132  against the receiving portion  216  in the Z-direction perpendicular to the first principal surface  510  (see  FIG. 2 ) due to a resilient force of the spring portion  214 . In other words, each of the pressed portions  132  is sandwiched between the contact portion  212  and the receiving portion  216 . Thus, the first contacts  110  are connected with the second contacts  210 , respectively. 
     As understood from  FIGS. 4, 14 and 15 , each of the pressed portions  132  is sandwiched between the contact portion  212  and the receiving portion  216  so that each of the first contacts  110  is connected with the corresponding second contact  210 . Accordingly, each of the pressed portions  132  maintains connection with the contact portion  212  while being movable to some extent between the contact portion  212  and the receiving portion  216  along the XY-plane. In a case where connection portions of the first contacts  110  and the second contacts  210  are unmovable in the XY-plane, stress concentrations occur at the soldered portions  120  by the thermal expansion or the thermal contraction of the first connection object  500  (see  FIG. 2 ). According to the present embodiment, even if the first contacts  110  are moved by the thermal expansion and contraction of the first connection object  500 , each of the first contacts  110  can maintains connection with the corresponding second contact  210 . In addition, movements of the pressed portions  132  relieve stresses which are caused by the thermal expansion or the thermal contraction of the first connection object  500 . Thus, unlike the connector assembly of Patent Document 1, the connector assembly  10  of the present embodiment does not have a local stress concentration nor a remaining stress. 
     While the present invention has been described with specific embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments. 
     In the aforementioned embodiments, the temporary coupling portion  300  is wholly separated from the first connector  100 . For example, a part of the temporary coupling portion  300  may however be remained on the first connector  100 , provided that the first contacts  110  are separated from each other. 
     In detail, as shown in  FIGS. 16 and 17 , a temporary coupling portion  300 A according to a modification includes a plurality of small portions  310 A and a large portion  320 A which couples the small portions  310 A with each other. Two of the small portions  310 A hold parts  164 A of the guide members  160 A, respectively. Remaining ones of the small portions  310 A hold parts  140 A of the first contacts  110 A, respectively. At each of boundary portions between the small portions  310 A and the large portion  320 A, a notch  330 A is formed. 
     The aforementioned structure enables the large portion  320 A to be separated from the small portions  310 A by using the notches  330 A after the first contacts  110 A and the guide members  160 A are soldered on the first principal surface  510  (see  FIG. 2 ). Accordingly, the first contacts  110 A can be separated from each other. 
     The receiving portion  216  may be modified to be movable in the Z-direction. For example, the receiving portion  216  may be supported by a support portion having a spring-like property while a shape of the holding member  220  may be modified so as to allow a movement of the receiving portion  216  in the Z-direction. 
     In the aforementioned embodiment, each of the pressed portions  132  has an elongated, plate-like shape. Provided that the pressed portion  132  is allowed to be moved in the XY-plane under a state where the first contact  110  continues to be connected with the corresponding second contact  210 , the pressed portion  132  may have a shape other than the shape. For example, the pressed portion  132  may have a round rod-like shape or a square rod-like shape. 
     In the aforementioned embodiment, each of the first contacts  110  has the pressed portion  132  and each of the second contacts  210  has the contact portion  212 . Each of the second contacts  210  may have a pressed portion while each of the first contacts  110  may have a contact portion. In this case, the primary portion  130  is formed with a spring portion and the contact portion. 
     In the aforementioned embodiment, the temporary coupling portion  300  is made of insulator. The carrier may be used as a temporary coupling portion. Specifically, the temporary coupling portion may be made of metal. 
     The present application is based on a Japanese patent application of JP2014-107023 filed before the Japan Patent Office on May 23, 2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     While there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiment of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such embodiments that fall within the true scope of the invention.