Zero insertion force socket

Details Zero insertion force socket Zero insertion force socket

1999-11-24

2001-04-03

Paumen, Gary F. (Department: 2833)

Electrical connectors

With coupling movement-actuating means or retaining means in...

Including compound movement of coupling part

Reexamination Certificate

active

06210198

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of The Invention
The present invention relates to a zero insertion force socket for a CPU package which is fixed on a frame with the pins thereof inserted into the socket with substantially zero insertion force and being capable of in electrical connection with contacts received in the socket when the socket is changed from a loosened state to a tightened state.
2. Related Art
Conventional zero insertion force (ZIF) sockets are usually installed with an actuation mechanism for controlling insertion/withdrawal of a CPU package. This actuation mechanism is normally controlled by a handle which is operated in a horizontal manner thereby positioning the socket between a loosened state and a tightened state as disclosed in the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/131,140 which is assigned to the same assignee of the present application. In the loosened state the socket is prepared for insertion of the CPU package or withdrawal thereof with substantially zero insertion force. In the tightened state, the socket firmly secures pins of the CPU package therein preventing withdrawal of the CPU package. This ZIF socket works well if the CPU package is directly positioned thereon. However, if the CPU package is fixed in a frame with the pins thereof extending downward into the socket, the movement of the cover with respect to the base will force the pins of the CPU package to move thus damaging the pins of the CPU package due to the retention of the CPU package in the frame.
It is requisite to provide a new ZIF socket which can eliminate the damaging problem as described.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a zero insertion force socket which is operative to move contacts therein to be in contact with pins of a CPU package fixed on an external frame without moving the pins of the CPU package.
Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an electrical assembly having a CPU package fixed on a frame, with pins of the CPU package inserted into a socket with substantially zero insertion force and being in contact with contacts movably received in the socket.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, a socket comprises a base having a plurality of lower passageways each of which receives a contact which has an upper section extending upward beyond the base. A cover has a plurality of upper passageways each of which is in communication with one of the lower passageways and adjacent to a retention aperture which accommodates the upper section of the contact. The cover is movably engaged with the base so that when the cover is moved with respect to the base, each contact will be bent by the cover.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an electrical assembly comprises an electrical package fixed in a frame with a plurality of pins extending from the electrical package while not blocked by the frame. A socket comprises a cover movably engaged with a base, wherein the cover defines a plurality of upper passageways communicating with corresponding lower passageways defined in the base, and a plurality of contacts each are partially received in the lower passageway and partially engaged with the cover. Each pin of the electrical package is inserted into a communicated pair of the upper passageway and the lower passageway and remains stationary when the upper passageway is moved with respect to the communicated lower passageway.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4801273 (1989-01-01), Ikeya et al.
patent: 5556293 (1996-09-01), Pfaff
patent: 5697803 (1997-12-01), Kistner et al.

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