Electrical connector with a solder ball locking structure

• US 7,128,622 B2
• Filed: 10/17/2005
• Issued: 10/31/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Chou Hsuan Tsai
• Original Assignee: Chou Hsuan Tsai
• Inventors: Tsai, Chou Hsuan
• Primary Examiner(s): Harvey, James R.
• Application Number:
  US11/252,693
• Publication Number:
  US 20060084328A1
• Time in Patent Office: 379 Days
• Field of Search: 439/66, 439/70, 439/71, 439/83, 439/874, 439/875, 439/876
• US Class Current: 439/874
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/7076 for connection between PCB and component, e.g. display
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10189 Non-printed connector
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10916 Terminals having auxiliary metallic piece, e.g. for soldering
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10984 Component carrying a connection agent, e.g. solder, adhesive
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/041 Solder preforms in the shape of solder balls
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/3426 characterised by the leads
• CPC Class Codes: Y02P 70/50 Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product

Abstract

An electrical connector includes a base, solder balls, terminals and locking members. The base is formed with terminal slots and solder ball slots. The terminal slots respectively communicate with the solder ball slots via channels. The solder balls are respectively disposed in the solder ball slots. Each solder ball has a bottom protruding beyond a bottom of the base. Each ball contacts a bottom surface of the solder ball slot disposed between the terminal slot and the solder ball. The terminals are respectively disposed in the terminal slots and electrically connected to the solder balls. The terminals have contacts extending in a direction toward tops of the terminal slots. The locking members are separated from the terminals and respectively inserted into the solder ball slots. Each locking member locks up at one side of the solder ball to prevent the solder ball from escaping out of the solder ball slot.

Claims

1. An electrical connector, comprising:

a base formed with terminal slots and solder ball slots, which respectively correspond to and are located under the terminal slots, wherein the terminal slots respectively communicate with the solder ball slots via channels;

solder balls respectively disposed in the solder ball slots, wherein each of the solder balls has a bottom protruding beyond a bottom of the base, each of the solder balls is disposed on and in contact with a bottom surface of the solder ball slot, and the bottom surface of the solder ball slot is disposed between the terminal slot and the solder ball;

terminals respectively disposed in the terminal slots and electrically connected to the solder balls, the terminals having contacts extending in a direction toward tops of the terminal slots; and

locking members, which are separated from the terminals and respectively inserted into the solder ball slots, each of the locking members locking up at one side of the solder ball to prevent the solder ball from escaping out of the solder ball slot.

2. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the locking members has an L shape and comprises a transversal part and a longitudinal part, and the transversal part locks up at the one side of the solder ball.

3. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the locking members has an inverse U shape and comprises a transversal part and two longitudinal parts connected to the transversal part, and the transversal part locks up at the one side of the solder ball.

4. The electrical connector according to claim 3, wherein the transversal part of the locking member has a projection protruding toward the solder ball.

5. The electrical connector according to claim 1, wherein the terminal has at least one connecting piece extending to the solder ball slot via the channel to contact the solder ball.