Array connector

• US 5,071,359 A
• Filed: 04/27/1990
• Issued: 12/10/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Circuit Components Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Rogers Corporation (Rogers Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: St. Lawrence, Mike, Arnio, Barbara E., Simpson, Scott S., Owens, Mark J., Burdick, Lynn E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Abrams, Neil
• Application Number:
  US07/515,830
• Time in Patent Office: 592 Days
• Field of Search: 439/65, 439/66, 439/91, 439/74, 439/591, 29/830, 174/262-266
• US Class Current: 439/91
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2101/35 Surface treated articles
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/12 Copper or alloys thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/172 wherein at least one of the layers is non-metallic
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/42 Plastics B23K2103/16 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 2103/50 Inorganic material, e.g. metals, not provided for in B23K2103/02 – B23K2103/26
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/382 by boring
• CPC Class Codes: B23K 26/40 taking account of the properties of the material involved
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 21/486 Via connections through the substrate with or without pins
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/49827 Via connections through the substrates, e.g. pins going through the substrate, coaxial cables H01L23/49822, H01L23/49833, H01L23/4985, H01L23/49861 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00 Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/0002 Not covered by any one of groups H01L24/00, H01L24/00 and H01L2224/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/22 Contacts for co-operating by abutting
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09563 Metal filled via plated through-hole filled with insulating material H05K2201/0959
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09736 Varying thickness of a single conductor; Conductors in the same plane having different thicknesses
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/42 Plated through-holes or plated via connections

Abstract

Connector and processes for preparing same for demateably interconnecting arrays of contact pads. The connector has a preformed elastomeric sheet-form member provided with a series of apertures through each of which an electrically conductive plated metal deposit extends. An integral end of the deposits protrudes outwardly beyond a surface of the sheet-form member, forming contact surfaces for demateably engaging the pads.

Claims

1. In a sheet-form, demateable interposer member for insertion between, conforming to, and forming electrical connection with high density patterns of electrical contacts on opposed surfaces, useable for example to connect printed circuits with a computer chip package, the sheet-form body and individual plated electrically conductive elements extending through the thickness of the sheet-form body, terminating beyond opposite faces of the body for electrical engagement with respective contacts of said patterns,

the improvement wherein,

with said sheet-form body member being comprised of a compliant elastomeric substance selected to conform under compression to minor variations in the planarity of said opposed surfaces when the opposed surfaces are clamped together with the interposer member placed in between,

said plated electrical elements comprise a uniform x, y array of electrically independent, miniature plated copper members comprising profiled posts plated in substantially straight holes pre-drilled through the thickness of said thin compliant sheet-form body member,

said holes and plated posts being about 0.004 inch or less in diameter, present at spacings of about 0.008 inch or less,

said profiled posts of said uniform array characterized by having at each end of each miniature plated post, integral, plated copper enlarged portions overlying the surface of said thin conformable sheet-form body member substantially symmetrically about the periphery of each pre-drilled hole, sufficiently to hold the respective miniature plated metal contact member axially in place in the thin conformable sheet-form body member during handling as it is inserted or removed from between said arrays of contacts.

2. The connector of claim 1 wherein said apertures are at an acute angle to the direction of thickness of said sheet-form member.

3. The connector of claim 2 wherein said angle is 15 degrees or less.

4. The connector of claim 3 wherein said angle is 5 to 15 degrees.

5. The connector of claim 1 wherein said metal deposits comprise integral solid plugs that fill said apertures.

6. The connector of claim 1 wherein said metal deposits are confined to the walls of said apertures.

7. The connector of claim 6 wherein said electrical contacts formed of said protruding ends of said deposit are annular.

8. The connector of claim 1 wherein the ratio of the pitch to compliant sheet-form member thickness is from about 0.8 to about 1.7.

9. The connector of claim 1 wherein the compliant sheet form member has a Durometer value of about 30 to about 60.

10. The connector of claim 9 wherein said elastomeric sheet-form member comprises silicone.

11. The connector of claim 1 wherein the thickness of said compliant sheet-form member is 5 mils or less.