Patent Abstract:
An electrical connector assembly includes a first connector ( 2 ), a second connector ( 4 ) and a transfer member ( 3 ). The first connector has a first housing ( 20 ) and a number of first contacts ( 21 ) received in the first housing. An Integrated Circuit chip (not shown) electrically connects with the first contacts. The second connector has a second housing ( 40 ) and a number of second contacts ( 41 ) received in the second housing. The transfer member is disposed between the first connector and the second connector. The transfer member includes a first interface ( 30 ) and a second interface ( 31 ). The first interface is formed with a number of first conductive portions ( 300 ) connecting the first contacts. The second interface provides a number of second conductive portions ( 301 ) electrically connecting the second contacts. Each first conductive portion correspondingly electrically connects one second conductive portion, and a distance between the adjacent first conductive portions is smaller than the distance between the adjacent second conductive portions.

Full Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to an electrical connector assembly, and particularly to an electrical connector assembly used for interconnecting an Integrated Circuit chip (hereinafter abbreviated as IC chip) and a Printed Circuit Board (hereinafter abbreviated as PCB).  
         [0003]     2. Description of the Prior Art  
         [0004]     As the “Test and Burn-in Socket Developments” (Connector Specifier, February 2001) discloses, a trend has been more and more clear that the IC chip is becoming minisize and an electrical connector used for interconnecting the IC chip and the PCB intends to become “light, thin and small”. Such an electrical connector assembly usually comprises a mounting portion, an insulative housing and a plurality of contacts received in the insulative housing. The mounting portion fixes the insulative housing and the IC chip with the PCB thereby establishing an electrical connection between the IC chip and the PCB. Those electrical connector assemblies are described in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,481,435, U.S. Pat. No. 5,251,107 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,184,285.  
         [0005]     Referring to  FIG. 18 , a conventional electrical connector assembly  9  comprises an insulative housing  90 , a plurality of contacts  91  received in the insulative housing  90  and a mounting portion  92  fixed with the insulative housing  90 . An IC chip (not shown) is received in the insulative housing  90  and is formed with a plurality of pins. Each pin of the IC chip connects one contact  91 . The PCB  8  forms a plurality of soldering pads (not shown) corresponding to the contacts  91 . Because distance between the adjacent contacts  91  is changeless, the distance between adjacent soldering pads of the PCB  8  must equal to the distance between the pins of the IC chip.  
         [0006]     However, the IC chip is mini in size, the distance between the adjacent pins will be very small. In another hand, the soldering pads should space each other for a certain distance as a reason of anti-interference, so it will be very different for the PCB to arrange the soldering pads.  
         [0007]     Hence, an improved electrical connector assembly is required to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     An object of the present invention is to provide an improved electrical connector with a transfer member, which can solve a problem resulted by the miniaturization of the IC chip.  
         [0009]     An electrical connector in accordance with the present invention comprises a first connector, a second connector and a transfer member interconnecting the first connector and the second connector. The first connector includes a first housing and a plurality of first contacts received in the first housing. The second connector has a second housing and a plurality of second contacts received in the second housing. The transfer member disposes between the first connector and the second connector and comprises a first interface and a second interface. The first interface defines a plurality of first receiving holes receiving the first contacts therein. The second interface forms a plurality of golden fingers electrically connecting the second contacts. Each first receiving hole correspondingly electrically connects one golden finger, and a distance between the adjacent first receiving holes is smaller than the distance between the adjacent golden fingers.  
         [0010]     To compare with the conventional invention, the merit of the present invention is the transfer member. The first connector connects an IC chip, and the distance between adjacent pins of the IC chip equals to the distance between the adjacent first contacts. Because of the minisize of the IC chip, this distance is very small. In another hand, the distance between the adjacent second contacts of the second connector is the same as the distance of adjacent soldering portions of the PCB. As a requirement of anti-interference, this distance should be wider than the distance between the adjacent first contacts. Because the distance between the adjacent golden fingers formed on the second interface is wider than the distance between the adjacent first receiving holes defined on the first interface, the IC chip with a narrow distance between the adjacent pins may be connected to the PCB.  
         [0011]     Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BREIF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is an assembled view of an electrical connector assembly in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is an assembled view of a first contact and a first housing of a first connector;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is an assembled view of a first assembly member, the first contact and the first housing of the first connector;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a second assembly member of the first connector;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is another perspective view of the second assembly member showing a bottom surface;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is an assembled view of the first contact, the first housing, the first assembly member and the second assembly member;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a third assembly member of the first connector;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is an assembled view of the first contact, the first housing, the first assembly member, the second assembly member and the third assembly member;  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a forth assembly member of the first connector;  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is another perspective view of the forth assembly member showing a bottom surface;  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is an assembly view of the first contact, the first housing, the first assembly member, the second assembly member, the third assembly member, the forth assembly member and a locking member of the first connector;  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of a fifth assembly member of the first connector;  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  is an assembled view of the first connector;  
         [0025]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of a transfer member showing a first interface of the electrical connector assembly;  
         [0026]      FIG. 15  is another perspective view of the transfer member showing a second interface;  
         [0027]      FIG. 16  is an assembled view of the first connector and the transfer member; and  
         [0028]      FIG. 17  is a perspective view of a second connector of the electrical connector assembly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0029]     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 13 ,  14 ,  15  and  17 , an electrical connector assembly  1  used for interconnecting an IC chip (not shown) and a PCB (not shown), comprises a first connector  2 , a second connector  3  and a transfer member  4  interconnecting the first connector  2  and the second connector  3 . The first connector  2  comprises a first housing  20 , a plurality of first contacts  21  received in the first housing  20 , a first assembly member  22 , a second assembly member  23 , a third assembly member  24 , a forth assembly member  25 , a fifth assembly member  27  and a locking member  26 . The second connector  4  comprises a second housing  40  and a plurality of second contacts  41 . The transfer member  3  defines a first interface  30  and a second interface  31 . The first interface  30  engages with the first connector  2 . The second interface  31  is defined opposite to the first interface  30  and engages with the second connector  4 . The transfer member  3  has a plurality of receiving holes  300  defining through the first interface  30  and the second interface  31  corresponding to the contact  21 . The second interface  31  is formed with a plurality of golden fingers  310  arranged in two rows in longitudinal direction. Each receiving hole  300  connects one golden finger  310  with a wire (not labeled).  
         [0030]     Referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the first housing  20  of the first connector  2  is formed with a lengthwise configuration, and defines a plurality of slits  200 . Each of the slits  200  receives one contact  21  therein. The contact  21  comprises a first contacting portion  210  for contacting a pin of the IC chip, a first soldering portion  211  soldering with the receiving hole  300 , and a first connecting portion  212  interconnecting the first contacting portion  210  and the first soldering portion  211 . The first assembly member  22  comprises a base  220  and a pair of first positioning post  221  symmetrically projecting from the base  220 . In assembly, a pair of first assembly members  22  is placed parallelly with each other. The first housing  20  mounts on the bases  220  and interconnects two first positioning posts  221  of different first assembly member  22 .  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIGS. 4, 5  and  6 , the second assembly member  23  substantially is a frame. A pair of positioning portions  230  is formed at ends of the second assembly member  23  in a longitudinal direction. Two pairs of first positioning bores  231  and third positioning bores  233  are symmetrically defined on the positioning portions  230 . A pair of second positioning bores  232  is defined through the positioning portion  230 , and a pair of positioning posts  234  is vertically projecting upwardly from positioning portion  230 . A pair of the diagonal third positioning bores  233  each receives a spring (not labeled). The positioning portion  230  comprises a first abutting wall  235  abutting the first assembly member  22  and a lower second abutting wall  236 . A pair of first recessing portions  238  is defined at the opposite edges of the first abutting wall  235 . A pair of second recessing portions  237  is defined at the opposite edges of the second abutting wall  236 . In assembly, the second assembly member  23  engages with the first housing  20 , first contact  21  and the first assembly member  22 . A pair of first recessing portions  238  of different positioning portions  230  engages with first housing  20 . The first abutting walls  235  abut against the bases  220 , and each of the first positioning posts  221  engages with one first positioning bore  231 .  
         [0032]     Referring to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the third assembly member  24  is formed with a plurality of grooves  241  arranged in two rows in a longitudinal direction. A pair of first engaging bore  242  is defined on the third assembly member  24  according to the second positioning posts  234 . Four clasping arms  244  project downwardly at corner portions of a lower surface of the third assembly member  24 . Two pairs of second engaging bores  243  are defined at the lower surface of the third assembly member  24  corresponding to the third positioning bores  233  of the second assembly member  23 . In assembly, the third assembly member  24  engages with an assembled member shown in  FIG. 6 . The third assembly member  24  mounts on the second assembly member  23 , and the grooves  241  each receive one first contact  21  therein. The first engaging bores  242  engage with the second positioning posts  234 , thus the four second engaging bores  243  are opened against the third positioning bore  233 . Two of the second engaging bores  243  corresponding the diagonal third positioning bores  233  receives free end of the springs. The four clasping arms  244  engage with the second recessing portions  237  of the second assembly member  23  and clasp the third assembly member  24  with the second assembly member  23 , thus the third assembly member  24  is capable of moving downwardly towards the second assembly member  23 . pair of supporting portions  250  respectively extends towards each other from a bottom portion of an inner sidewall of the forth assembly member  25 . A pair of third positioning posts  2500  respectively vertically project from middle portions of the supporting portions  250 . A first engaging wall  251  is defined adjacent to the transfer member  3  at a lower surface of the forth assembly member  25 . A second engaging wall  252  is defined opposite to the first engaging wall  251  at an upper surface of the forth assembly member  25 . A plurality of first receiving holes  253  is defined at corner portions of the first engaging wall  251 . A pair of first engaging posts  254  symmetrically and downwardly projects from the first engaging wall  251  in a longitudinal direction. Every two second receiving holes  255  are defined at a corner portion of the second engaging wall  252 , and a second engaging post  256  upwardly projects from each corner portion. The forth assembly member  25  also defines a pair third recessing portions  258  at longitudinal ends thereof. A pair of third receiving holes  257  is defined at opposite inner walls of each third recessing portion  258 . The locking members  26  have configurations of mirror imaged Z shape, and engage with the forth assembly member  25 . A lower end  261  of the mirror imaged Z-shaped locking member  26  engages the third receiving portion  257 . The locking member  26  defines a pair of forth receiving holes (not labeled) corresponding to the third receiving holes  257  and a forth recessing portion  260  at a free end of the lower end  261 . A first bolt  28  passes through the third receiving holes  257  and the forth receiving holes thereby securing the locking member  26  with the forth assembly member  25 . In assembly, the assembled member in  FIG. 8  is inserted into the cavity of forth assembly member  25  in an up-to-down direction, of which the second abutting wall  236  abuts the supporting portion  250 , and the third positioning posts  2500  respectively couple with the second positioning bore  232 . A higher end  262  of the locking member  26  abuts a top surface of the third assembly member  24 . A plurality of springs is received in the second receiving hole  255 .  
         [0033]     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the fifth assembly member  27  comprises a third engaging wall  270  defined at a lower surface and a forth engaging wall defined at a top surface thereof. Four first coupling arms  272  vertically and downwardly project from corner portions of the third engaging wall  270 . A pair of first tabs  273  respectively extends downwardly from a middle portion of longitudinal side edges of the third engaging wall  270 . A plurality of third receiving holes  274  is defined on the third engaging wall  270  corresponding to the second receiving holes  255  of the forth assembly member  25 . Four forth positioning bores  275  are defined through the third engaging wall  270  corresponding to the second engaging posts  256 . Each first coupling arm  272  defines a first coupling hole  276  therethrough at a latitudinal direction. In assembly, the third receiving hole  274  corresponds to the second receiving hole  255  and receives free ends of spring therein. The forth positioning bore  275  couple with the second engaging post  256 . The first coupling arms  272  abuts the latitudinal sidewall of the forth assembly member  25 . Because of the springs received in the second receiving holes  255  and the third receiving holes  274 , the fifth assembly member  27  is capable of pressed down towards the forth assembly member  25 . When an external force is exerted on the fifth assembly member  27 , the spring is caused to distort, the fifth assembly member  27  is pressed on the forth assembly member  25 . A second bolt  29  is inserted through each pair of first coupling holes  276 , and is mounted below the lower ends  261  and is received in the forth recessing portion  260  of the locking member  26 . When the external force is removed, the fifth assembly member  27  restores itself under a restore force of the springs. In a restore operation, as the second bolts  29  couple with first coupling arms  272  and the forth recessing portions  260 , the second bolt  29  is taken along by the fifth assembly member  27  and causes the lower end  261  been raised. Because the locking member  26  couples with the first bolt  28  and is able to pivot around the first bolt  28 , as a principle of leverage, the higher end  262  moves downwardly and presses third assembly member  24 .  
         [0034]     Referring to  FIGS. 14, 15  and  16 , the transfer member  3  is a plan plate with a circuit. The transfer member  3  comprises a first interface  30  connecting with the first connector  2  and a second interface  31  connecting with the second connector  3 . A plurality of first conductive holes  300  is defined through the transfer member  3  corresponding the first soldering portions  211 . A plurality of golden fingers  301  is arranged in two rows in longitudinal direction, each golden finger  301  electrically connects a conductive holes  300 . A distance between adjacent golden fingers  301  is twice widths of the distance between the adjacent conductive holes  300 . A plurality of first engaging holes  32  is defined corresponding to the first receiving holes  253 , and a pair of second engaging holes  33  is defined corresponding to the first engaging post  254 . Four first positioning holes  34  are defined at corner portions of the transfer member  3 . In assembly, the first engaging posts  254  couples with the second engaging holes  33 . The first contacts  21  are respectively received in the corresponding conductive holes  300 , and solder with the conductive holes  300 . A plurality of screws is used to couple the first engaging holes  32  with the first receiving holes  253 .  
         [0035]     Referring to  FIG. 17 , the second connector  4  is a flat frame. The second connector  4  comprises a second housing  40  and a plurality of second contacts  41  received in the second housing  40 . The second contacts are arranged in two rows in a longitudinal direction corresponding to the golden fingers  301 . Each second contact  41  comprises a second contacting portion  410  at an upper portion and a second soldering portion at a lower portion  411 . Four second positioning holes  401  are defined corresponding to the first positioning holes  34  of the transfer member  3 . In assembly, the transfer member  3  secures with the second connector  4  by bolting the first positioning hole  34  with the second positioning hole  401 .  
         [0036]     When the IC chip (not labeled) is put in, the steps are given out hereinbelow. First, an external force is exerted on the higher ends  262  of locking member  26  to raise it, as a principle of leverage, the lower ends  261  are caused to move down thereby pressing the second bolts  29  and causing the fifth assembly member  27  moving down. Because of the first bolt  28 , the higher ends  262  respectively pivot around the corresponding first bolts  28 , and the third assembly member is exposed upwardly. Thus, the IC chip is easily to put in.  
         [0037]     After the IC chip is put in, the external force is removed. As a restore force of the springs received in the second receiving holes  255  and third receiving holes  274 , the fifth assembly member  27  restore to a normal status. With a pressure of the second bolt  29 , the lower ends  261  pivot around the first bolt  28  and the higher ends  262  are caused to press the IC chip. Mentioned hereinabove, there are springs received in the third positioning bores  233  and second engaging bores  243 . These springs are pressed to distort and the third assembly member  24  is lowed. So, the first contacting portions  210  of the first contacts  21  expose from the grooves  241  of the third assembly member  24  and electrically connect with IC chip thereby connecting with a PCB through the transfer member  3  and the second contacts  41 .  
         [0038]     It will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not be limited to the details given herein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 6