Patent Publication Number: US-2009227124-A1

Title: Electrical connector

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     An electrical connector including a housing and electrical contacts is used for establishing electrical communication between electrical components, such as between an IC chip package and a printed circuit board. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In one embodiment, an electrical connector comprises an insulative housing and a support member. The housing may include a first surface, second surface, a first side, and at least one aperture disposed from the first surface to the second surface. The support member may be mounted to the first side to provide rigidity to the insulative housing. The electrical connector may further comprise an electrical contact disposed within the aperture for establishing electrical communication from the first surface to the second surface, such that the contact may electrically connect two electrical components such as an IC chip package and a printed circuit board. The support member may be stiffer than the insulative housing. 
     In one embodiment, the support member may include a first mounting latch having upper and lower tabs that are received by a first latch slot on the first surface housing and a second latch slot on the second surface of the housing, respectively, such that the tabs are retained therein to secure the support member to the first side. The support member may also include a first anchor tab. 
     In another embodiment, a support member for an electrical connector may comprise a center beam and a first mounting latch. The mounting latch may be a clamping device. The mounting latch may include upper and lower tabs configured to be received by respective slots on an insulative housing of an electrical connector to mount the support member thereto. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an electrical connector. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a support member of the electrical connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the electrical connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom view of the electrical connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of the electrical connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is the same view as  FIG. 3 , but the support members have been removed. 
         FIG. 7  is the same view as  FIG. 4 , but the support members have been removed. 
         FIG. 8  is a top view of the support member of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom view of the support member of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 10  is front view of the support member of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 11  is a side view of the support member of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective cross-sectional view along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view along line  12 - 12  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective cross-sectional view of an aperture and contact of the electrical connector of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 15  is a partial cross-sectional view along line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 16  is a partial cross-sectional view along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 17  is the same view as  FIG. 16  but the insulative housing has bowed further. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an electrical connector  50  comprising an insulative housing  52 . The insulative housing  52  may include a first surface  54 , a second surface  56 , and first, second, third, and fourth sides  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 . The electrical connector  50  may include a first support member  70 , a second support member  72 , a third support member  74 , and a fourth support member  76  mounted to the first, second, third, and fourth sides  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 , respectively, of the insulative housing  52 . The insulative housing  52  may include a plurality of apertures  80  disposed from the first surface  54  to the second surface  56  and a plurality of electrical contacts  82  disposed in respective apertures  80 . The electrical contacts may establish an electrical connection between the first and second surfaces  54 ,  56  such that the electrical connector  50  may establish electrical communication between two electrical components when the electrical connector  50  is included in an electrical assembly. For example, the electrical connector  50  could establish an electrical connection between an IC chip package disposed against the first surface  54  and a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed against the second surface  56 . 
     The support members  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  may server as strain-relief and straightening components for the electrical connector  50 . The support members  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 , by nature of their mounting to the insulative housing  52 , may restrain deflection of the housing  52  and provide rigidity against the effects of either bow within the housing  52  or from an external force that may be applied to the connector  50  or housing  52 . The support members  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  may thereby ensure that the electrical contacts disposed within the apertures  80  are not dislocated from their positions by deflection, bow, or bending of the insulative housing  52 . By helping to constrain the insulative housing  52  substantially within a single plane, the support members  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  assist in maintaining the contacts within a substantially uniform plane of distribution. This helps ensure that the contacts remain in contact with other electrical components that may be disposed against the first or second surfaces  54 ,  56  of the housing  52  when the electrical connector  50  is assembled in an electrical assembly. 
     The support members  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  may be used with a variety of insulative housings. The insulative housing  52  of the electrical connector  50  may be of various configurations that could benefit from the support of the support members  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 . For example the insulative housing may be any appropriate housing disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007-0178719 A1 (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/634,593), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     The support members  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  may be substantially similar. Accordingly, only the first support member  70  will be described in detail. Referring to  FIG. 2 , the first support member  70  may include a center beam  84  that extends between the first distal end  86  and the second distal end  88  of the support member  70 . The support member  70  may include an inside surface  90 , an outside surface  92 , an upper edge  94 , and a lower edge  96 . The support member  70  may include a first mounting latch  100  disposed proximate the first distal  86  end a second mounting latch  102  disposed proximate the second distal end  88 . The first mounting latch  100  and the second mounting  102  latch may be clamping devices. The first mounting latch  100  may include an upper tab  104  and a lower tab  106  that extend away from the inside surface  90  of the support member  70 . The second mounting latch  102  may also include upper and lower tabs  108 ,  110 . 
     The support member  70  may include an upper wall  112  that extends from the upper edge  94  and a lower wall  114  that extends from the lower edge  96 . Both the upper and lower walls  112 ,  114  may extend away from the inside surface  90  of the support member  70 . The upper wall  112  may include a first portion  120  and a second portion  122  disposed proximate the upper tabs  104 ,  108  of the first and second mounting latches  100 ,  102 , respectively. The lower wall  114  may be comprised of a portion  123  that is substantially centered on the support member  70 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the support member  70  further comprises a first anchor tab  124  and a second anchor tab  126 . The anchor tabs  124 ,  126  may be disposed on the lower edge  96  and extend generally away from the inside surface  90  of the center beam  84 . The first anchor tab  124  may be disposed between the first mounting latch  100  and the lower wall  114 , and the second anchor tab  126  may be disposed between the second mounting latch  102  and the lower wall  114 . 
     In other embodiments, the mounting latches, anchor tabs, and walls may be arranged differently on the support member. In one embodiment, the mounting latches may not be disposed at the distal ends of the support member. In another embodiment, the anchor tabs may be located outside of the mounting latches. In another embodiment, the support member may include only a single anchor tab or a single mounting latch. In another embodiment, the support member may include more than two mounting latches or more than two anchor tabs. In yet another embodiment, the support member may not include upper or lower walls. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the upper and lower walls  112 ,  114 , the mounting latch  100 , and the anchor tab  124  may extend away from the center beam  84  in different planes. The upper and lower walls  112 ,  114  may be substantially parallel to the center beam  84 . The mounting latch  100  may extend to the inside of the upper and lower walls  112 ,  114  such that the mounting latch  100  is generally disposed at an acute angle  130  to the inside surface  90  of the center beam  84 . The anchor tab  124  may extend to the outside of the lower wall  114  such that the anchor tab  124  is generally disposed at an obtuse angle  132  to the inside surface  90  of the center beam  84 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the first mounting latch  100  may be a clamping device. The upper and lower tabs  104 ,  106  may be disposed at angle with respect to the center beam  84  and with respect to each other. Referring to  FIG. 11 , the upper and lower tabs  104 ,  106  may converge towards each other as they extend out from the center beam  84 . The upper and lower tabs  104 ,  106  may include respective curved surfaces  134 ,  136  disposed proximate their respective distal ends  138 ,  140  wherein the curved surfaces  134 ,  136  of the tabs  104 ,  106  may convexly face each other. At the respective distal ends  138 ,  140  of the tabs  104 ,  106 , the upper and lower tabs  104 ,  106  may curve back away from each other. The second mounting latch  102  may be configured similarly to the first mounting latch  100 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , the first anchor tab  124  may include a first portion  150  and a second portion  152 . The first portion  150  may extend from the lower edge  96  of the support member  70  at a generally obtuse angle  132  to the inside surface  90  of the center beam  84 . The second portion  152  may be attached to the first portion  150  and extend substantially perpendicularly to the center beam  84 . The second anchor tab  126  may be configured similarly to the first anchor tab  124 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the support member  70  may be secured to the first side  60  of the insulative housing  52  by the first and second mounting latches  100 ,  102 . The first side  60  may include a recessed area  154  to receive the support member  70 . The second side  62 , the third side  64 , and the fourth side  66  may also include recessed areas  156 ,  158 ,  160  to receive the second, third, and fourth support members  72 ,  74 ,  76 , respectively. The first, second, third, and fourth recesses  154 ,  156 ,  158 ,  160  may be similarly configured. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , the first mounting latch  100  may be a clamping device that clamps onto the first side  60  of the insulative housing  52 . Referring to  FIG. 13 , the electrical connector  50  may include a first latch slot  162  on the first surface  54  of the housing and a second latch slot  164  on the second surface  56  of the housing  52 , which correspond to the first mounting latch  100  of the support member  70 . The latch slot  162  may be disposed within the recess  154 . The first latch slot  162  may be configured to receive the upper tab  104  and the second latch slot  164  may be configured to receive the lower tab  106 . The tabs  104 ,  106  are retained therein to secure the first support member  70  to the first side  60  of the housing  52 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the second mounting latch  102  may also be a clamping device that may clamp onto the first side  60  of the housing  52 . The housing  52  may include a third latch slot  170  and fourth latch slot  172  configured to receive the upper and lower tabs of the second mounting latch, respectively, and retain them therein. The second mounting latch  102  may thereby help secure the first support member  70  to the first side  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , when the support member  70  is mounted to the first side  60 , the support member  70  may fit snuggly onto the insulative housing  52 . The first and second latch slots  162 ,  164  may include respective angled walls  176 ,  178 , which extend into the first and second surfaces  54 ,  56 , respectively, of the housing  52 . When the support member  70  is mounted to the housing  52 , the curved surfaces  134 ,  136  of the upper and lower tabs  104 ,  106  may be disposed proximate to the first and second angled walls  176 ,  178 , respectively. The center beam  84  may be substantially parallel to the outside surface  180  of the first side  60 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the support member  70  may be fitted to the insulative housing  52  so as to not substantially affect the profile of the housing  52 . The support member  70  may be substantially flush with the first and second surfaces  54 ,  56  of the housing  52 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the support members  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76 , may be substantially flush with their respective sides  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the anchor tabs  124 ,  126  may extend beyond the second surface  56  of the housing  52 . When then electrical connector  50  is assembled with another electrical component  182 , such as a printed circuit board or a substrate, proximate the second surface  56 , the anchor tab  124  may be soldered to the component  182 , as shown in  FIG. 13 . The anchor tab  124  may be soldered to the component  182  at the second portion  152 , which may be flush against the component  182 . The support member  70  may thereby help anchor the electrical connector  50  to the electrical component  182 . Similarly, any of the anchor tabs of any of the support members may be soldered to the electrical component to help secure the electrical connector to the component. In one embodiment, all of the anchor tabs are soldered to the component. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , the electrical contacts  190  of the electrical connector  50  may be disposed within the apertures  80  such that they extend beyond the first and second surfaces  54 ,  56 . The electrical contacts  190  of the electrical connector  50  could be, for example, any of the appropriate contacts disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007-0178719 A1 (U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/634,593), which is incorporate herein by reference in its entirety. The contact  190  may include a first contact surface  194 , which is disposed beyond the first surface  54  and a second contact surface  196 , which is disposed beyond the second surface  56 . The aperture  80  may include a shelf  198 , over which a portion  200  of the contact  190  may extend. When the electrical connector  50  is assembled with another electrical component  182 , the second contact surface  196  of the electrical contact  190  may make contact with a contact point, such as a contact pad  206 , on the electrical component  182 , to thereby establish an electrical connection. The second contact surface  196  may be soldered to the contact pad  206 . 
     The support members may be useful in ensuring a substantially planar state in the housing in several circumstances. The housing may be molded in a molding process, which may cause the housing to be predisposed to bowing. The bow in the housing may cause the flatness profile may to be beyond the desired specifications. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the electrical connector  50  may include alignment pins  208 ,  210  disposed at the first and third corners  212 ,  214 , which may be used to mount or align the connector  50  with another electrical component. When the alignment pins  208 ,  210  are engaged with another component, the unsecured second and fourth corners  216 ,  218  may have a tendency to rise upwards due to bowing of the housing  52 . The electrical connector  50  could also be subject to various external forces which could cause deflection, bowing, or bending of the housing  52 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , when the housing  52  does not include the support members, the housing  52  may bow. As the housing  52  bows, the housing  52  may move relative to the contact  190 , which may be in contact with another electrical component  182 . The contact  190  may be soldered to the contact pad  206  on the electrical component  182 . Referring to  FIG. 17 , if the housing  52  bows substantially enough, the shelf  198  of the aperture  80  may make contact with the portion  200  of the contact  190  and exert a force upon the contact  190 . This force could cause the second contact surface  196  of the contact  190  to break contact with the contact pad  206  on the electrical component  182 , thereby ending the electrical connection provided by the contact  190 . If the upward force from the housing  52  on the contact  190  is sufficient, the contact  196  may break the solder connection between the second contact surface  196  and the contact pad  206 . Such a situation can negatively impact the effectiveness of the electrical connector  50  to establish a desired electrical connection between electrical components. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , when the support members  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  are mounted to the housing  52 , the housing  52  may be substantially prevented from deflecting, bowing, or bending. Accordingly, the housing  52  may be maintained in a generally planar state, as shown in  FIG. 15 , wherein the contacts  190 ,  192  may be retained in a functioning position. The functionality of the electrical connector  50  is thereby better maintained. 
     The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. 
     Exemplary embodiments are described herein. Variations of those embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventor(s) expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor(s) intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.