Patent Publication Number: US-8535093-B1

Title: Socket having sleeve assemblies

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The subject matter herein relates generally to a socket for interconnecting two electronic components. 
     Sockets are used to interconnect two electronic components, such as an integrated circuit (IC) component and a printed circuit board (PCB). Typically, the sockets include an array of contacts held by an insulative socket body. Some known sockets have cantilever beam designs for the contacts. Known sockets provide little or no electrical shielding between contacts. The electrical performance of the socket is affected by the lack of shielding of the contacts. 
     A need remains for a socket having improved electrical performance. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In one embodiment, a socket is provided including a socket body having a first surface and a second surface with a plurality of openings extending between the first and second surfaces. Sleeve assemblies are received in corresponding openings of the socket body. Each sleeve assembly includes a socket contact configured to interconnect a first electronic component and a second electronic component and each sleeve assembly includes a conductive sleeve extending along a majority of a length of the socket contact between the first and second electronic components. The conductive sleeve provides electrical shielding for the socket contact such that each socket contact is individually shielded from other socket contacts. 
     Optionally, the conductive sleeve may provide shielding for an entire length of the socket contact between the first and second surfaces. The conductive sleeve may include a top end and a bottom end with the top end being flush with or extending exterior of the socket body beyond the first surface and with the bottom end being flush with or extending exterior of the socket body beyond the second surface. The openings may have a height measured between the first and second surfaces and the conductive sleeve may have a height measured between opposite top and bottom ends of the conductive sleeve where the height of the conductive sleeve is taller than the height of the opening. Optionally, the first surface may have a conductive layer and the conductive sleeves may be mechanically and electrically connected to the conductive layer such that each of the conductive sleeves is bussed together. 
     In another embodiment, a socket is provided having a socket body having a first surface and a second surface with a plurality of openings extending between the first and second surfaces. Sleeve assemblies are received in corresponding openings of the socket body. The sleeve assemblies each include a socket contact having a contact body, a tail extending from the contact body for electrical connection with an electronic component at the second surface of the socket body, and a spring beam extending from the contact body opposite the tail. The spring beam is angled with respect to the contact body and extends along, and is spaced apart from, the first surface of the socket body. The spring beam is deflectable toward the first surface of the socket body when mated with an electronic component at the first surface of the socket body. The sleeve assemblies each include an insulator surrounding the contact body. The insulator extends axially along the contact body at least partially between the tail and the spring beam. The sleeve assemblies each include a conductive sleeve surrounding the insulator. The conductive sleeve has an opening therethrough that receives the insulator and socket contact. The conductive sleeve, insulator and contact body are received in a corresponding opening of the socket body and the conductive sleeve provides shielding along the contact body between the first surface and the second surface. 
     In a further embodiment, a sleeve assembly for a socket is provided including a socket contact, an insulator and a conductive sleeve shielding the socket contact. The socket contact has a contact body, a solder ball tail extending from the contact body for electrical connection with a solder ball, and a spring beam extending from the contact body opposite the solder ball tail. The spring beam is angled with respect to the contact body. The spring beam is deflectable and is configured to be mated with and be biased against a first electronic component at a separable interface of the spring beam. The insulator surrounds the contact body. The insulator extends axially along the contact body at least partially between the solder ball tail and the spring beam. The conductive sleeve surrounds the insulator. The conductive sleeve has an opening therethrough that receives the insulator and socket contact. The conductive sleeve provides peripheral shielding for the socket contact along a majority of the contact body between the solder ball tail and the spring beam. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a portion of a socket formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a portion of the socket. 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a portion of the socket in an assembled state. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a portion of the socket. 
         FIG. 5  is a side view of a portion of the socket showing the socket connected between a first electronic component and a second electronic component. 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a portion of a socket formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom view of a portion of the socket shown in  FIG. 6 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a socket  100  used to interconnect a first electronic component  102  with a second electronic component  104 . Optionally, the socket  100  may be a land grid array (LGA) socket. The socket  100  may be an interposer or interconnect that is positioned between the first and second electronic components  102 ,  104  to electrically connect circuits of such components. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the socket  100  is mated to the first electronic component  102  at a separable mating interface. The socket  100  may be repeatedly mated and unmated with the first electronic component  102  or similar electronic components. In an exemplary embodiment, the socket  100  may define a test socket for testing an integrated circuit (IC) component or similar type of component. The IC components may be repeatedly tested and removed from the socket  100 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the socket  100  is mated to the second electronic component  104  at a mating interface. For example, solder balls may be provided along the mating interface between the socket  100  and the second electrical component  104  to couple the socket  100  to the second electronic component  104 . Alternatively, the socket  100  may be mated to the second electronic component  104  at a separable interface, such as by using spring biased contacts to make an electrical connection with the second electronic component  104 . 
     The socket  100  includes a socket body  106  having a first surface  108  and a second surface  110 . The socket body  106  holds a plurality of socket contacts  112  for interfacing with the first and second electronic components  102 ,  104 . The socket contacts  112  may be held in openings  114  (shown in  FIG. 2 ) defined within the socket body  106 . The socket  100  may hold any number of socket contacts  112 . The pattern or arrangement of the socket contacts  112  may correspond with the corresponding contacts or pads on the first and second electronic components  102 ,  104  to ensure that the socket contacts  112  are mated to corresponding circuits of the first and second electrical components  102 ,  104 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the socket contacts  112  are designed to have a tight pitch between adjacent socket contacts  112 . The socket contacts  112  are designed to be deflectable at the first surface  108  and/or the second surface  110  for mating with the first electronic component  102  and/or the second electronic component  104 . The socket contacts  112  may be designed to have a low compression load for mating the first and/or second electronic components  102 ,  104  with the socket. In an exemplary embodiment, the socket contacts  112  are individually shielded from other socket contacts  112  to enhance the electrical performance of the socket  100 . The shielding of the socket contacts  112  allows the socket  100  to have better electrical performance than the open pin field method of conventional sockets. 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded view of a portion of the socket  100 . The openings  114  are shown extending through the socket body  106  between the first surface  108  and the second surface  110 . The openings have a height  116 , which corresponds to the height measured between the first and second surfaces  108 ,  110 . The openings  114  are sized, shaped and positioned to receive corresponding sleeve assemblies  120  therein. The socket contacts  112  are part of the sleeve assemblies  120  and are received in corresponding openings  114 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, each sleeve assembly  120  provides electrical shielding for the corresponding socket contact  112 . The sleeve assembly  120  includes the socket contact  112 , an insulator  122  surrounding the socket contact  112  (one contact is shown with the corresponding insulator  122  removed for clarity) and a conductive sleeve  124  that receives the insulator  122  and socket contact  112 . The conductive sleeve  124  provides electrical shielding around the socket contact  112 . The insulator  122  electrically isolates the socket contact  112  from the conductive sleeve  124 . In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive sleeves  124  are tall enough that the conductive sleeves  124  provide electrical shielding through the entire socket body  106 . 
     The socket contact  112  has a contact body  130  extending between a top  132  and a bottom  134  of the contact body  130 . The contact body  130  is surrounded by the insulator  122 . In an exemplary embodiment, the contact body  130  is generally planar between the top  132  and the bottom  134 . The size and shape of the contact body  130  may be designed to control the impedance of the socket contact  112  as the socket contact  112  extends through the conductive sleeve  124 . 
     The socket contact  112  includes a spring beam  136  extending from the top  132  of the contact body  130 . The socket contact  112  includes a tail  138  extending from the bottom  134  of the contact body  130 . The spring beam  136  is configured to engage the first electronic component  102  when the first electronic component  102  is mounted to the socket  100 . The tail  138  is configured to be electrically connected to the second electronic component  104  when the socket  100  is mounted to the second electronic component  104 . In an exemplary embodiment, solder balls  140  are coupled to the tail  138  to provide an electrical interface between the socket contacts  112  and the second electronic component  104 . The tails  138  define solder ball pedestals for mounting the solder balls  140  to the socket contacts  112 . Other types of tails may be used in alternative embodiments, such as spring beams similar to the spring beams  136 , compliant pins or other types of tails. 
     The spring beam  136  extends at an angle from the contact body  130 . The spring beam  136  is deflectable toward and away from the socket body  106 . When the spring beam  136  is deflected, the spring beam  136  imparts a biasing force against the first electronic component  102  to ensure that the spring beam  136  maintains electrical contact with the first electronic component  102 . The spring beam  136  includes a mating tip  142  proximate to the distal end of the spring beam  136 . The mating tip  142  is curved to allow the spring beam  136  to wipe along the corresponding mating pad of the first electronic component  102  during mating therewith. 
     The insulator  122  is manufactured from an insulative material, such as a plastic material. The insulator  122  encases the contact body  130 . The insulator  122  may be molded around the contact body  130 . The insulator  122  extends between a top  150  and a bottom  152 . Optionally, the top  150  of the insulator may be approximately flush with the top  132  of the contact body  130  and the bottom  152  may be approximately flush with the bottom  134  of the contact body  130 . Optionally, the insulator  122  may extend beyond the top  132  and/or the bottom  134  of the contact body  130 . In alternative embodiments, the insulator  122  may be shorter than the contact body  130  such that the top  132  and/or the bottom  134  of the contact body  130  extends from the insulator  122  beyond the top  150  and/or the bottom  152  of the insulator  122 . 
     The insulator  122  is used to position the socket contact  112  within the conductive sleeve  124 . The insulator  122  electrically isolates the socket contact  112  from the conductive sleeve  124 . In an exemplary embodiment, the insulator  122  is held in the conductive sleeve  124  by an interference fit. The insulator  122  may be secured in the conductive sleeve  124  by other means or features in alternative embodiments. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the insulator  122  is T shaped with the front of the insulator  122  being narrower and the rear of the insulator  122  being wider. The contact body  130  extends through the wider part of the insulator  122  proximate to the rear of the insulator  122 . The spring beam  136  and the tail  138  are both bent forward from the contact body  130  to extend along the narrow part of the insulator  122 . The insulator  122  may have other shapes and alternative embodiments. 
     The conductive sleeve  124  is manufactured from a conductive material, such as a metal material, and is electrically grounded to provide electrical shielding for the socket contact  112 . The conductive sleeve  124  has an opening  160  therethrough that receives the insulator  122  and the socket contact  112 . The conductive sleeve  124  extends between a top end  162  and a bottom end  164 . The conductive sleeve  124  has a height  166  measured between the top end  162  and the bottom end  164 . The opening  160  extends the entire height  166  between the top end  162  and the bottom end  164 . The opening  160  is sized and shaped to receive the insulator  122 . The outer perimeter of the conductive sleeve  124  is sized and shaped to fit within the opening  114  through the socket body  106 . The height  166  of the conductive sleeve  124  is taller than the height  116  of the opening  114  through the socket body  106 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive sleeve  124  includes a hood  168  extending upward from the top end  162 . The hood  168  provides shielding for a portion of the spring beam  136  from interfering signals. The hood  168  provides shielding above the top end  162  of the conductive sleeve  124 . In the illustrated embodiment, the hood  168  is positioned proximate to the base of the spring beam  136  where the spring beam  136  extends from the contact body  130 . In the illustrated embodiment, the hood  168  is separated from the spring beam  136  by air. The insulator  122  does not extend between the spring beam  136  and the hood  168 . The hood  168  is positioned away from the spring beam  136  to prevent electrical shorting. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, at least some of the conductive sleeves  124  have shorting pedestals  170  extending from the top end  162 . The shorting pedestals  170  are configured to engage the spring beams  136  of the corresponding socket contacts  112  when the socket contacts  112  are deflected during mating with the first electronic component  102 . When such socket contacts  112  engage the shorting pedestals  170 , the socket contacts  112  are electrically commoned to the conductive sleeve  124 . Such socket contacts  112  are thus electrically grounded. 
       FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a portion of the socket  100  in an assembled state. During assembly, the insulators  122  and socket contacts  112  are loaded into corresponding conductive sleeves  124 . The conductive sleeves  124  are loaded into the openings  114  in the socket body  106 . The socket contacts  112  form an array configured to be mated to the first electronic component  102  and the second electronic component  104  (both shown in  FIG. 1 ). 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the socket body  106  includes a first conductive layer  180  on the first surface  108  and a second conductive layer (not shown) on the second surface  110 . The second conductive layer may be similar to the first conductive layer  180 . The first conductive layer  180  may be a conductive film, plating applied to the first surface  108  or another type of conductive layer. The first conductive layer  180  may be manufactured from a copper material or another conductive metal material. The first conductive layer  180  physically engages each of the conductive sleeves  124  to electrically common each of the conductive sleeves  124 . In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive sleeves  124  extend beyond the first surface  108  to ensure that the conductive sleeves  124  engage the first conductive layer  180 . The conductive sleeves  124  extend exterior of the socket body  106 , such as beyond the first surface  108  and/or the second surface  110 . The conductive sleeves  124  are mechanically and electrically connected to the first conductive layer  180  such that the conductive sleeves  124  are bussed together. 
     The conductive sleeves  124  are electrically grounded by the first conductive layer  180 . The conductive sleeves  124  extend through the socket body  106  to provide shielding for the socket contacts  112  through the socket body  106 . The conductive sleeves  124  individually shield each of the socket contacts  112 . The conductive sleeves  124  peripherally surround the socket contacts  112  to provide 360° shielding for the socket contacts  112  along a length of the socket contacts  112 . In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive sleeves  124  provide shielding along a majority of the length of the socket contacts  112 . Optionally, the conductive sleeves  124  provide shielding along the entire length of the contact body  130  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). Optionally, the conductive sleeve  124  may provide shielding along a portion of the spring beam  136  and/or a portion of the tail  138  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     In an exemplary embodiment, a first subset of the sleeve assemblies  120  defines signal sleeve assemblies  190  and a second subset of the sleeve assemblies  120  defines ground sleeve assemblies  192 . The socket contacts  112  of the ground sleeve assemblies  192  are electrically grounded. The ground sleeve assemblies  192  include the conductive sleeves  124  with the shorting pedestals  170 . The socket contacts  112  of the ground sleeve assemblies  192  engage the shorting pedestals  170  when the socket  100  and first electronic component  102  are mated together. The socket contacts  112  of the ground sleeve assemblies  192  directly engage and are electrically connected to the conductive sleeves  124  of such ground sleeve assemblies  192 . In an exemplary embodiment, the signal sleeve assemblies  190  and the ground sleeve assemblies  192  are interspersed among one another. Optionally, the signal sleeve assemblies  190  may be grouped together in pairs and the ground sleeve assemblies  192  may be interspersed among the pairs of signal sleeve assemblies  190 . For example, the socket contacts  112  of the signal sleeve assemblies  190  may define differential pairs of socket contacts  112  that are separated from other pairs of signal sleeve assemblies  190  by one or more ground sleeve assemblies  192 . Other arrangements of signal and ground sleeve assemblies  190 ,  192  are possible in alternative embodiments. 
       FIG. 4  is a top view of a portion of the socket  100 . The spring beams  136  are cantilevered from the contact bodies  130  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). The spring beams  136  extend away from the contact body  130  to the mating tips  142 . The amount of deflection of the spring beam  136  is controlled by the length of the spring beam  136 . Additionally, the stiffness of the spring beam  136  may be affected by the length and the width of the spring beam  136 . In order to achieve adequate deflection, without having the spring beam  136  too stiff for mating with the first electronic component  102 , the spring beam  136  overhangs an adjacent sleeve assembly  120 . The hoods  168  are sized to accommodate the overhang from an adjacent spring beam  136 . For example, the hood  168  is spaced apart from the adjacent spring beam  136 . 
       FIG. 5  is a side view of a portion of the socket  100  showing the socket  100  connected between the first electronic component  102  and the second electronic component  104 . When the first electronic component  102  is coupled to the socket  100 , the socket contacts  112  are deflected toward the first surface  108 . The spring beams  136  are bent, which causes the spring beams  136  to be biased against the first electronic component  102 . When the spring beams  136  are deflected, the spring beams  136  associated with the ground sleeve assemblies  192  are pressed against the shorting pedestal  170  to electrically ground such spring beams  136  to the corresponding conductive sleeve  124 . In an exemplary embodiment, a top  196  of each hood  168  defines a stop for the first electronic component  102 . The first electronic component  102  rests on the tops  196  of the hoods  168 . The hoods  168  limit the amount of deflection of the spring beams  136 . 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a portion of a socket  200  formed in accordance with an exemplary embodiment. The socket  200  is used to interconnect electronic components, such as the electronic components  102 ,  104 . The socket  200  is similar to the socket  100  (shown in  FIG. 1 ), however the socket  200  has insulators and conductive sleeves that have different shapes than the socket  100 . 
     The socket  200  includes a socket body  206  having a first surface  208  and a second surface  210 . The socket body  206  holds a plurality of socket contacts  212  for interfacing with the electronic components. The socket contacts  212  are held in openings  214  defined within the socket body  206 . The openings  214  are sized, shaped and positioned to receive corresponding sleeve assemblies  220  therein. The socket contacts  212  are part of the sleeve assemblies  220  and are received in corresponding openings  214 . In an exemplary embodiment, the sleeve assemblies  220  provide individual shielding for the socket contacts  212  to enhance the electrical performance of the socket  200 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, each sleeve assembly  220  provides electrical shielding for the corresponding socket contact  212 . The sleeve assembly  220  includes the socket contact  212 , an insulator  222  surrounding the socket contact  212  and a conductive sleeve  224  that receives the insulator  222  and socket contact  212 . The conductive sleeve  224  provides electrical shielding around the socket contact  212 . The insulator  222  electrically isolates the socket contact  212  from the conductive sleeve  224 . In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive sleeves  224  are tall enough that the conductive sleeves  224  provide electrical shielding through the entire socket body  206 . 
     The socket contact  212  has a contact body  230 , a spring beam  236  and a tail  238 . The socket contact  212  may be similar to the socket contact  112  (shown in  FIG. 2 ). 
     The insulator  222  is manufactured from an insulative material, such as a plastic material. The insulator  222  encases the contact body  230 . The insulator  222  may be molded around the contact body  230 . The insulator  222  is used to position the socket contact  212  within the conductive sleeve  224 . The insulator  222  electrically isolates the socket contact  212  from the conductive sleeve  224 . In an exemplary embodiment, the insulator  222  is held in the conductive sleeve  224  by an interference fit. The insulator  222  may be secured in the conductive sleeve  224  by other means or features in alternative embodiments. In the illustrated embodiment, the insulator  222  is cylindrically shaped. 
     The conductive sleeve  224  has an opening  260  therethrough that receives the insulator  222  and the socket contact  212 . The opening  260  is sized and shaped to receive the insulator  222 . The outer perimeter of the conductive sleeve  224  is sized and shaped to fit within the opening  214  through the socket body  206 . The conductive sleeve  224  is manufactured from a conductive material, such as a metal material, and is electrically grounded to provide electrical shielding for the socket contact  212 . 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive sleeve  224  includes a hood  268  extending upward from the top end  262 . The hood  268  provides shielding for a portion of the spring beam  236  from interfering signals. In an exemplary embodiment, at least some of the conductive sleeves  224  have shorting pedestals  270  extending from the top ends of the conductive sleeves  224 . The shorting pedestals  270  are configured to engage the spring beams  236  of the corresponding socket contacts  212  when the socket contacts  212  are deflected during mating with the electronic component. 
     During assembly, the insulators  222  and socket contacts  212  are loaded into corresponding conductive sleeves  224 . The conductive sleeves  224  are loaded into the openings  214  in the socket body  206 . The socket contacts  212  form an array configured to be mated to the electronic components. 
     In an exemplary embodiment, the socket body  206  includes a first conductive layer  280  on the first surface  208  and a second conductive layer  282  on the second surface  210 . The conductive layers  280 ,  282  may be conductive films, plating applied to the surfaces  208 ,  210  or other types of conductive layer. The conductive layers  280 ,  282  physically engage the conductive sleeves  224  to electrically common the conductive sleeves  224 . 
     The conductive sleeves  224  extend through the socket body  206  to provide shielding for the socket contacts  212  through the socket body  206 . The conductive sleeves  224  individually shield each of the socket contacts  212 . The conductive sleeves  224  peripherally surround the socket contacts  212  to provide 360° shielding for the socket contacts  212  along a length of the socket contacts  212 . 
       FIG. 7  is a bottom view of a portion of the socket  200 . Solder balls  290  are coupled to the socket contacts  212 . The solder balls  290  are arranged in corresponding openings  292  in the second conductive layer  282 . Alternatively, the sleeve assemblies  220  may extend beyond the second conductive layer  282  to position the solder balls  290  below the second conductive layer  282 . 
     It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Dimensions, types of materials, orientations of the various components, and the number and positions of the various components described herein are intended to define parameters of certain embodiments, and are by no means limiting and are merely exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments and modifications within the spirit and scope of the claims will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means—plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.