Fci Americas Technology Inc.

Rex W Keller

John W Wilson

Gerald R Nieman

Ghyath Issak

The invention includes an interposer, BGA connector, or other connection device that provides electrical contact with a ball grid array connector. The inventive interposer includes a housing with contacts. The contacts have a first end and a second end. The interposer also includes a first body and a second body of reflowable, electrically conductive material disposed on the first end of at least one of the contacts. The first body and the second body provide an electrical contact between the interposer and a single body of reflowable, electrically conductive material of the ball grid array connector.

Ball grid array connection device

A system and method for mechanically and electrically connecting an electronic component and a circuit substrate using a Zero Insertion Force (ZIF) socket. The ZIF socket having a plurality of press-fit contact assemblies and a housing with middle plate that is selectively movable between a contact and non-contact position. Each contact assembly being secured to the ZIF socket housing by press-fitting the lower portion of the contact assembly such that each contact assembly is anchored to an aperture in the housing bottom by compressive force. The ZIF socket is mounted to the circuit substrate and the electronic component is mounted on to the ZIF socket. The contact assemblies of the ZIF socket are selectively movable between a contact and non-contact position. The press-fit contact assemblies form a seal to prevent solder wick-up.

Ball attached zero insertion force socket

A socket assembly comprising a base having a plurality of electrical contacts connectable to a circuit board, and a cover having a plurality of apertures. The cover is movable between a rearward (open) position, and a frontward (closed) position. In the open position, the apertures receive male contacts from an electronic component, for example a pin grid array package, such that the male contacts encounter no frictional resistance to their insertion into the apertures. In the closed position, the male contacts are held in a position of electrical connection with the contacts in the base. As the cover moves from the open to the closed position, it pushes the male contacts and base contacts together in a manner such that the base contacts &ldquo;wipe&rdquo; against the male contacts, thus removing debris and contaminants from the electrical contact region. In the closed position, electrical connection between the male contact and the base contact exists over a continuous length of their respective surfaces, thus providing a large electrical contact region for good conduction of electrical impulses.

Socket assembly

A socket for connecting an electrical component to a circuit substrate is disclosed. The electrical component has a terminal extending along a terminal axis therefrom. The socket includes a base, a contact secured to the base to electrically connect the terminal to the circuit substrate, a cover attached to the base, and an actuator. The contact includes a beam portion elongated along a beam axis, and a contact mating portion flexibly connected to an end of the beam portion and defining a contact plane at an angle with the beam axis. The contact mating portion has a contact aperture therein to receive the terminal. The cover has a lead-in aperture for receiving the terminal and allowing the terminal to enter the contact aperture. The actuator is operatively coupled to the contact, for causing the contact mating portion to rotate and to engage the terminal.

Zero insertion force socket

A socket for connecting an electrical component to a circuit substrate is disclosed. The electrical component has a terminal extending along a terminal axis therefrom. The socket includes a base, a contact secured to the base to electrically connect the terminal to the circuit substrate, a cover attached to the base, and an actuator. The contact includes a beam portion elongated along a beam axis, and a mating portion flexibly connected to the beam portion. The mating portion includes a first contact mating element having a first contact aperture, and a second contact mating element that is flexibly connected to the first contact mating element and has a second contact aperture. The cover has a lead-in aperture for receiving the terminal and allowing the terminal to enter one of the contact apertures. The actuator is operatively coupled to the contact, for causing the contact mating elements to rotate and to engage the terminal.

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Glendale, AZ, United States of America

Rex W Keller