Self-aligning socket connector

Abstract

Disclosed is an improved IC socket comprising a socket body having a seat surface formed its compartment, on which seat surface an IC package can be put, terminals aligned in confronting relation and mounted in the socket body, each terminal has a contact portion to make contact or engage with a selected lead of the IC package, and an actuator member for displacing the contact portions of the terminals between the withdrawing position in which the contact portions of the terminals are apart from the seat surface of the socket body and the advancing position in which the contact portions of the terminals are so close to the seat surface of the socket body as to permit the contact portions to engage with the leads of the IC package. The contact portion of each terminal comprises a first contact element having an engagement surface confronting the upper surface of the lead and a second contact element having an oblique engagement surface confronting the lower edge of the end of the lead. With this arrangement the IC package can be automatically put in centering position relative to the terminals of the socket.

Description

technical field [0001] The present invention relates to an integrated circuit (IC) socket having terminals extending from opposite longitudinal sides thereof for engaging leads of an integrated circuit package. Background technique [0002] An integrated circuit socket has terminals for contacting or connecting with leads of an integrated circuit package, and is used in various tests including burn-in tests. There are various IC sockets such as those shown in Unexamined Patent Publication Nos. 9-266024, 10-50441, 11-54233 and others. Such an IC socket includes a socket body in which a seat surface is formed, an IC package is placed thereon, and a plurality of terminals are arranged oppositely and mounted on the socket body, each terminal having a selected lead bond with the IC package. The contact portion of the terminal, and an actuating element, are used to switch the contact portion of the terminal between the retracted position and the forward position. In the retracte...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0006] Referring to FIG. 10(a), the IC assembly is placed closer to the left longitudinal side, at which position each right lead 106 is pressed against the contact portion 107 of the opposite terminal, causing the lead 106 to deform more or less, or causing incomplete friction contact or unstable contact

On the contrary, the left lead 106 of the IC package is almost separated from the contact portion 107 of the terminal on the opposite side, resulting in incomplete contact between the lead 106 and the terminal 107, as shown in FIG. 10(b)

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