Source: {"pile_set_name": "USPTO Backgrounds"}

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic component assembly formed of an intermediate connector and a unit body, wherein the unit body including electronic components is connected to a circuit board through the intermediate connector.
2. Description of the Related Art
An electronic component assembly of this type is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Kokai No. 08-31532. As shown in FIG. 3, this conventional electronic component is assembly comprises, an intermediate connector 52 provided on a circuit board 51 and a unit body 53 connected to the intermediate connector 52.
The intermediate connector 52 comprises a plate-shaped housing 54 provided in parallel to the circuit board 51 and a plurality of terminals 55 arranged through the housing 54 in two dimensional directions. Each terminal 55 comprises a lower projecting portion 55A connected to a corresponding circuit of the circuit board 51 by soldering and an upper female receiving portion 55B projecting from the upper surface of the housing 54.
The unit body 53 comprises a connector member 56 and an electronic component 57, such as an IC, mounted on the connector member 56. The connector member 56 comprises a plate-shaped housing 56A provided in parallel to the intermediate connector 51 and having a size equal to that of intermediate connector 51, and pin-like terminals 58 provided through the housing 56A. The lower part of each terminal 58 projects from the lower face of the housing 56A and the upper part thereof is connected to the electronic component 57 by a soldering ball 59. The electronic component 57 and the connector member 56 are supported by a fixing jig 60 to make the unit body 53.
Recently, there is a demand for a small electronic component assembly, especially a thin electronic component assembly. It is desirable that the electronic component assembly contains many components and contacts with minimized height.
In FIG. 3, however, the connector member 56 of the unit body 53 has only one electronic component 57 on the upper face thereof. Such an electronic component assembly does not meet the requirements for mounting a plurality of components and diversitfying the function. If other components are mounted in the vicinity of the electronic component 57, a space for wiring many connection terminals of the components is required, thus increasing the size of the assembly.