Connector and manufacturing method thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to a connector and a method for manufacturing the connector. An interposer includes a housing having a flat plate shape and a plurality of contacts, the housing including a plurality of contact accommodating portions penetrating through the housing in a thickness direction, the plurality of contact points being respectively accommodated in the plurality of contact accommodating portions of the housing. Each contact piece comprises two metal terminals which are oppositely arranged in the thickness direction, a tubular tube body which is easy to elastically deform and is coupled with the two metal terminals, and liquid metal which is filled in the tube body. The two metal terminals are electrically connected to each other by a liquid metal. The two metal terminals are configured to approach each other in the thickness direction with the elastic deformation of the tube body.

Description

[0001] Incorporation by reference

[0002] This application is based on and claims priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-202411, filed on November 30, 2023, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a connector and a method of manufacturing the same. Background Art

[0004] As shown in Figure 13 Patent Document 1 (Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2012-174617) discloses a socket 100 for an electronic component, which is configured to connect an electronic component (e.g., a semiconductor package) to a circuit board. The socket 100 for an electronic component includes a housing 103 and a plurality of terminals 104. The housing 103 includes a side wall 101 and a bottom wall 102, and the plurality of terminals 104 are disposed through the bottom wall 102 of the housing 103.

[0005] Each terminal 104 includes a contact portion 105 and a connection portion 106. The contact portion 105 is configured to contact an electrode of the electronic component, and the connection portion 106 is configured to be connected to a land of the circuit board. The contact portion 105 is bent into a convex shape so that the contact portion 105 makes reliable electrical contact with the electrode of the electronic component, and the contact portion 105 is supported by an arm-like portion 107 that can be easily elastically deformed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the structure of Patent Document 1 described above, the arm-like portion 107 needs to be bent significantly to increase the stroke of the contact portion 105, which hinders the miniaturization of the terminal 104. Therefore, there is room for improvement in reducing the pitch of the socket 100 for an electronic component.

[0007] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique for reducing the pitch of a connector.

[0008] The present invention provides a connector including a housing having a flat plate shape and a plurality of contacts. The housing includes a plurality of contact receiving portions penetrating the housing in the thickness direction, and the plurality of contact points are respectively received in the plurality of contact receiving portions of the housing. Each contact includes two metal terminals disposed opposite to each other in the thickness direction, a tubular coupling member that is easily elastically deformable and couples the two metal terminals, and a conductive fluid filling the coupling member. The two metal terminals are electrically continuous with each other through the conductive fluid, and the two metal terminals are configured to approach each other in the thickness direction as the coupling member elastically deforms.

[0009] According to the content of this case, the pitch of the connector can be reduced.

[0010] Through the detailed description and the accompanying drawings given below, the above and other objects, features, and advantages of the content of this case will be more fully understood. The accompanying drawings are given only for illustration and should not be regarded as limiting the content of this case. Description of the Drawings

[0011] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the intermediate plate (first embodiment);

[0012] Figure 2 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the intermediate plate (first embodiment);

[0013] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the contact member (first embodiment);

[0014] Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the intermediate plate (first embodiment);

[0015] Figure 5 is a side cross-sectional view of the intermediate plate (first embodiment);

[0016] Figure 6 is a side cross-sectional view of the intermediate plate (first embodiment);

[0017] Figure 7 is the manufacturing process of the intermediate plate (first embodiment);

[0018] Figure 8 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the intermediate plate (second embodiment);

[0019] Figure 9 is the manufacturing process of the intermediate plate (second embodiment);

[0020] Figure 10 is a partially cut-away perspective view of the intermediate plate (third embodiment);

[0021] Figure 11 is a partial plan view of the intermediate plate (third embodiment);

[0022] Figure 12 is the manufacturing process of the intermediate plate (third embodiment); and

[0023] Figure 13 is a view showing a Figure 5 simplified version of Patent Document 1. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0024] Although the present case will be described below through the first to third embodiments, the content of the present case defined by the scope of the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. In addition, not all elements described in the embodiments are necessary to solve the problems. The following description content and drawings are appropriately shortened and simplified for clarification. In the drawings, the same reference symbols represent the same structural elements, and their redundant descriptions are omitted as needed.

[0025] (First Embodiment)

[0026] The following refers to Figures 1 to 7 Describe the first embodiment of the content of the present case. Figure 1 The interposer 1 according to the first embodiment of the content of the present case is shown. The interposer 1 is a specific example of a connector. The interposer 1 generally connects the Land Grid Array (LGA) package 2 to the rigid board 3. Therefore, the interposer 1 is also referred to as an LGA socket.

[0027] The LGA package 2 is a specific example of an electronic component. The LGA package 2 is a semiconductor package in which a plurality of pads 2a are arranged in a grid pattern.

[0028] The rigid board 3 is a specific example of a circuit board. The rigid board 3 is a board in which a plurality of pads 3a are arranged in a grid pattern. The rigid board 3 is generally a phenolic paper board or a glass epoxy board.

[0029] In this embodiment, the number of interposers 1 is generally 3,000 to 10,000. However, the number of interposers 1 can be less than 3,000 or greater than 10,000.

[0030] As Figure 1 and Figure 2 shown, the interposer 1 includes a housing 4 and a plurality of contacts 5 held by the housing 4. The interposer 1 may further include a positioning guide for positioning the LGA package 2 relative to the housing 4. Alternatively, the housing 4 may have the function of positioning the LGA package 2 relative to the housing 4. In this embodiment, the plurality of contacts 5 are arranged in a grid pattern. The pitch of the plurality of contacts 5 is set to 1 mm or less, for example.

[0031] <Housing 4>

[0032] As Figure 2As shown, the housing 4 has a flat plate shape and includes a plurality of contact member receiving portions 6 that penetrate the housing in the thickness direction. The thickness direction of the housing 4 is also referred to as the vertical direction hereinafter. The vertical direction includes an upward direction and a downward direction. The upward direction is the direction of observing the LGA package 2 from the interposer 1, and the downward direction is the direction of observing the interposer 1 from the LGA package 2. The vertical direction and the up and down directions are terms used for convenience of description, and they do not limit the position of the interposer 1 during actual use. The housing 4 includes an upward-facing housing upper surface 4a and a downward-facing housing lower surface 4b. Therefore, each contact member receiving portion 6 forms an opening in the housing upper surface 4a and the housing lower surface 4b. Each contact member receiving portion 6 has a columnar shape extending in the vertical direction. Specifically, when viewed from above, the inner peripheral surface 6a of the contact member receiving portion 6 has a true circular shape.

[0033] At the lower end of the inner peripheral surface 6a of each contact member receiving portion 6, an annular contact member receiving flange 7 that protrudes radially inward is formed. The contact member receiving flange 7 has an upward-facing flange upper surface 7a and a downward-facing flange lower surface 7b. The flange lower surface 7b is flush with the housing lower surface 4b. When viewed from above, the inner peripheral surface of the contact member receiving flange 7 has a true circular shape.

[0034] The housing 4 is made of an insulating material that is easily elastically deformable, such as silicone rubber. Thus, the housing 4 can be flexibly deformed along the curves of the LGA package 2 and the rigid plate 3. Alternatively, the housing 4 may be made of an insulating material that is not easily elastically deformable, such as Liquid Crystal Polymer (LCP).

[0035] As Figure 3 and Figure 4 shown, each contact member 5 includes an upper terminal 10, a lower terminal 11, a tube body 12, and a liquid metal 13.

[0036] <The upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11>

[0037] The upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 are specific examples of metal terminals. The upper terminal 10 is a specific example of a first metal terminal. The lower terminal 11 is a specific example of a second metal terminal. The upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 are generally made of copper or a copper alloy. The upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 are arranged to face each other in the vertical direction. The upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 are configured as separate components.

[0038] <The upper terminal 10>

[0039] As Figure 4As shown, the upper terminal 10 includes a contact portion 15, a press-fitting portion 16, and a large-diameter portion 17. The contact portion 15, the large-diameter portion 17, and the press-fitting portion 16 are connected together downward in this order. The contact portion 15 projects upward from the large-diameter portion 17. The press-fitting portion 16 projects downward from the large-diameter portion 17. In other words, the contact portion 15 and the press-fitting portion 16 project from the large-diameter portion 17 in opposite directions from each other. Therefore, the contact portion 15 and the press-fitting portion 16 are arranged back to back, and the large-diameter portion 17 is interposed therebetween.

[0040] The contact portion 15 includes a cylindrical portion 15a having a straight outer peripheral surface in the vertical direction and a hemispherical portion 15b that bulges upward.

[0041] Similarly, the press-fitting portion 16 includes a cylindrical portion 16a having a straight outer peripheral surface in the vertical direction and a hemispherical portion 16b that bulges downward.

[0042] The large-diameter portion 17 is cylindrical, and its outer peripheral surface 17a is a true circle when viewed from above. The diameter of the large-diameter portion 17 is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 15a of the contact portion 15. However, the diameter of the large-diameter portion 17 may be the same as the diameter of the cylindrical portion 15a of the contact portion 15. In addition, the diameter of the large-diameter portion 17 is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 16a of the press-fitting portion 16. However, the diameter of the large-diameter portion 17 may be the same as the diameter of the cylindrical portion 16a of the press-fitting portion 16.

[0043] <Lower terminal 11>

[0044] The lower terminal 11 includes a contact portion 20, a press-fitting portion 21, and a large-diameter portion 22. The contact portion 20, the large-diameter portion 22, and the press-fitting portion 21 are connected together upward in this order. The contact portion 20 projects downward from the large-diameter portion 22. The press-fitting portion 21 projects upward from the large-diameter portion 22. In other words, the contact portion 20 and the press-fitting portion 21 project from the large-diameter portion 22 in opposite directions from each other. Therefore, the contact portion 20 and the press-fitting portion 21 are arranged back to back, and the large-diameter portion 22 is interposed therebetween.

[0045] The contact portion 20 includes a cylindrical portion 20a having a straight outer peripheral surface in the vertical direction and a hemispherical portion 20b that bulges downward.

[0046] Similarly, the press-fitting portion 21 includes a cylindrical portion 21a having a straight outer peripheral surface in the vertical direction and a hemispherical portion 21b that bulges upward.

[0047] The large-diameter portion 22 is cylindrical, and its outer peripheral surface 22a is a perfect circle when viewed from above. The diameter of the large-diameter portion 22 is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 20a of the contact portion 20. However, the diameter of the large-diameter portion 22 may be the same as the diameter of the cylindrical portion 20a of the contact portion 20. In addition, the diameter of the large-diameter portion 22 is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 21a of the press-fit portion 21. However, the diameter of the large-diameter portion 22 may be the same as the diameter of the cylindrical portion 21a of the press-fit portion 21.

[0048] <Pipe body 12>

[0049] The pipe body 12 is a specific example of a flexible tubular coupling member. The pipe body 12 is made of a material such as silicone rubber that is easily elastically deformable. The pipe body 12 is arranged to extend in the vertical direction. The pipe body 12 is provided between the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 so as to connect the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11.

[0050] Specifically, the press-fit portion 16 of the upper terminal 10 is press-fitted into the upper end portion 12a of the pipe body 12. Thus, the upper terminal 10 is held by the upper end portion 12a of the pipe body 12. In addition, the upper end portion 12a of the pipe body 12 contacts the large-diameter portion 17 in the vertical direction. Thus, the positioning of the upper terminal 10 with respect to the pipe body 12 in the vertical direction is achieved.

[0051] Similarly, the press-fit portion 21 of the lower terminal 11 is press-fitted into the lower end portion 12b of the pipe body 12. Thus, the lower terminal 11 is held by the lower end portion 12b of the pipe body 12. In addition, the lower end portion 12b of the pipe body 12 contacts the large-diameter portion 22 in the vertical direction. Thus, the positioning of the lower terminal 11 with respect to the pipe body 12 in the vertical direction is achieved.

[0052] <Liquid metal 13>

[0053] The liquid metal 13 is a specific example of a conductive fluid. The liquid metal 13 is filled in the pipe body 12. Specifically, the liquid metal 13 is filled in the internal space S, which is defined by the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 in the vertical direction and by the pipe body 12 in the radial direction.

[0054] The liquid metal 13 is usually made of a metal having the following characteristics:

[0055] - Liquid at 5°C to 35°C

[0056] - Having a low resistance

[0057] - Not easily evaporated even when flowing through current heating

[0058] An example of the liquid metal 13 having the above properties is a liquid metal containing gallium (Ga) and tin (Sn). In addition, an example of the liquid metal 13 is a liquid metal that is a eutectic alloy containing gallium (Ga), indium (In), and tin (Sn). As such a liquid metal, Galistan (registered trademark) is commercially available. Galistan is a metal that is liquid at room temperature (22 °C), has a boiling point of 1300 °C or higher, and a melting point of -19 °C. In addition, Galistan forms an oxide film at the interface in contact with air, which serves as a sealing portion to control the evaporation of the liquid metal.

[0059] The portions of the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 that come into contact with the liquid metal 13, namely the press-fitting portion 16 of the upper terminal 10 and the press-fitting portion 21 of the lower terminal 11, may be coated with a plating mainly composed of In or Sn to improve the wettability and contact resistance with the liquid metal.

[0060] The viscosity of the liquid metal 13 can be appropriately adjusted within a range that does not impede the fluidity of the liquid metal 13. Therefore, in one example, the liquid metal 13 may be paste-like.

[0061] In the above structure, the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 are electrically continuous with each other at all times through the liquid metal 13. In addition, by maintaining continuity with each other, the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 can approach each other in the vertical direction as the tube body 12 elastically deforms. Generally, when the tube body 12 expands radially outward, the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 approach each other and are electrically continuous with each other. In addition, when the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 approach each other, a repulsive force is applied to the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 to separate them from each other by the elastic restoring force of the tube body 12.

[0062] <Assembly of the intermediate sheet 1>

[0063] Please refer to again Figure 4 . Figure 4 shows a state where the contact member 5 is accommodated in the contact member accommodating portion 6. As Figure 4 shown, the contact member 5 moves downward to the corresponding contact member accommodating portion 6 and is thus accommodated in the corresponding contact member accommodating portion 6.

[0064] The contact member 5 is held by the contact receiving flange 7 in a state of being accommodated by the contact member accommodating portion 6. Specifically, the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 of the contact member 5 contacts the upper surface 7a of the flange of the contact receiving flange 7 in the vertical direction, so that the contact member 5 is held by the contact receiving flange 6.

[0065] In this state, the contact portion 20 of the lower terminal 11 passes through the contact receiving flange 7 in the vertical direction and is exposed downward beyond the lower surface 4b of the housing 4.

[0066] On the other hand, the contact portion 15 of the upper terminal 10 projects upward beyond the upper surface 4a of the housing 4. In one example, the contact portion 15 of the upper terminal 10 is located above the upper surface 4a of the housing 4, while the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 is located below the upper surface 4a of the housing 4. In other words, the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 is completely accommodated in the contact member accommodating portion 6.

[0067] In addition, there is a gap G between the inner peripheral surface 6a of the contact member accommodating portion 6 and the outer peripheral surface 12c of the tube body 12. The gap G allows the tube body 12 to expand radially outward.

[0068] <Use of the intermediate sheet 1>

[0069] Figure 5 Shows the behavior of the contact member 5 during the use of the intermediate sheet 1. As Figure 5 shown, the intermediate sheet 1 is mounted on the rigid plate 3 for use. In one example, the intermediate sheet 1 includes a hold-down (not shown), and is fixed to the rigid plate 3 by welding the hold-down to the rigid plate 3. As Figure 5 shown, in the state where the intermediate sheet 1 is mounted on the rigid plate 3, the contact portion 20 of the lower terminal 11 of each contact member 5 contacts the pad 3a of the rigid plate 3. In this state, among some of the plurality of contact members 5, the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 will be separated upward from the contact member receiving flange 7 to bear the bending of the rigid plate 3.

[0070] To connect the LGA package 2 to the rigid plate 3 in this state, the LGA package 2 is pressed onto the intermediate sheet 1 by operating a fixture (not shown). Then, each pad 2a of the LGA package 2 contacts the contact portion 15 of the upper terminal 10 of the corresponding contact member 5 and pushes the contact portion 15 downward. In other words, the upper terminal 10 moves toward the lower terminal 11. As described above, when the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 maintain continuity with each other through the liquid metal 13, the upper terminal 10 moves toward the lower terminal 11 as the tube body 12 elastically deforms. In this way, each pad 2a of the LGA package 2 is electrically connected to the corresponding pad 3a of the rigid plate 3 through the upper terminal 10, the liquid metal 13, and the lower terminal 11 of the contact member 5 in sequence.

[0071] On the other hand, to separate the LGA package 2 from the rigid plate 3, it is only necessary to operate the above-mentioned fixture to lift the LGA package 2 upward from the rigid plate 3. As described above, the upper terminal 10 is pushed back upward by the elastic restoring force of the tube body 12 and returns to the Figure 4 state shown.

[0072] As described above, in each contact 5 of the present embodiment, the current path length from each pad 2a of the LGA package 2 to the corresponding pad 3a of the rigid board 3 is significantly shorter because the current path length is straight in the vertical direction. In addition, the cross-sectional area of each contact 5 is substantially unchanged from the contact portion 15 of the upper terminal 10 to the contact portion 20 of the lower terminal 11. This achieves good high-frequency characteristics.

[0073] In addition, the cross-sectional area of each contact 5 does not locally decrease from the contact portion 15 of the upper terminal 10 to the contact portion 20 of the lower terminal 11. This achieves good electrical conductivity and good thermal conductivity.

[0074] In addition, the structure of each contact 5 is simple, which helps to reduce the size of the interposer 1.

[0075] Note that, as Figure 6 shown, when viewed from above, the dimension 5H of each contact 5 in the vertical direction is designed to increase toward the center of the interposer 1. Specifically, the plurality of contacts 5 includes a longer contact 5P and a shorter contact 5Q. The dimension 5H of the longer contact 5P in the vertical direction is a first length, while the dimension 5H of the shorter contact 5Q in the vertical direction is a second length and is shorter than the first length. When viewed from above, the longer contact 5P is disposed at the center of the interposer 1. When viewed from above, the shorter contact 5Q is disposed at the periphery of the interposer 1. By changing the length of the tubular body 12 of each contact 5, the distance between the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 in each contact 5 is adjusted. This allows for bearing the bending of the LGA package 2 and the rigid board 3 when connecting the LGA package 2 to the rigid board 3.

[0076] <Manufacturing method>

[0077] Please refer to Figure 7 , and the method of manufacturing the interposer 1 is described below. First, a plurality of contacts 5 are manufactured (S100). Specifically, the lower terminal 11 is press-fitted into the tubular body 12 (S110), the liquid metal 13 is introduced into the tubular body 12 (S120), and the upper terminal 10 is press-fitted into the tubular body 12 (S130).

[0078] However, it should be noted that first, the upper terminal 10 can be press-fitted into the tube body 12, then the liquid metal 13 is introduced into the tube body 12, and then the lower terminal 11 is press-fitted into the tube body 12. In addition, after the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 are press-fitted into the tube body 12, the liquid metal 13 can be introduced into the tube body 12. In this case, a temporary fluid path can be formed to introduce the liquid metal 13 between the upper terminal 10 or the lower terminal 11 and the tube body 12. In addition, after the liquid metal 13 is introduced into the tube body 12, the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 can be press-fitted into the tube body 12. In this case, it is effective to slightly increase the viscosity of the liquid metal 13. After manufacturing a plurality of contacts 5 (S100), each contact 5 is received in a corresponding contact receiving portion 6 (S140).

[0079] The first embodiment has been described above. The above first embodiment has the following features.

[0080] The intermediate sheet 1 (connector) includes a housing 4 having a flat plate shape and a plurality of contacts 5, and the plurality of contacts 5 are respectively received in a plurality of contact receiving portions 6 of the housing 4. The housing 4 includes a plurality of contact receiving portions 6 penetrating the housing in the thickness direction. Each contact 5 includes two metal terminals (10, 11) disposed opposite to each other in the thickness direction, a tubular tube body 12 (coupling member) that is easily elastically deformed and couples the two metal terminals (10, 11), and a liquid metal 13 (conductive fluid) filling the tube body 12. The two metal terminals (10, 11) are electrically continuous with each other through the liquid metal 13. The two metal terminals (10, 11) are configured to approach each other in the thickness direction as the tube body 12 elastically deforms. Such a structure realizes narrowing of the pitch of the intermediate sheet 1.

[0081] In addition, each metal terminal (10, 11) includes a press-fitting portion (16, 21) press-fitted into the tube body 12. When connecting the two metal terminals (10, 11) through the tube body 12, such a structure realizes good workability.

[0082] In addition, each metal terminal (10, 11) includes a large-diameter portion (17, 22) whose diameter is larger than that of the press-fitting portion (16, 21). When the press-fitting portion (16, 21) is press-fitted onto the tube body 12, such a structure realizes positioning of the press-fitting portion with respect to the tube body 12.

[0083] In addition, each metal terminal (10, 11) includes a contact portion (15, 20) exposed outward from the housing 4. The press-fitting portion (16, 21) and the contact portion (15, 20) are disposed back to back, and the large-diameter portion (17, 22) is interposed therebetween. Such a structure realizes each metal terminal (10, 11) with a simple structure.

[0084] In addition, each metal terminal (10, 11) includes a contact portion (15, 20) exposed outward from the housing 4. The press-fitting portions (16, 21) and the contact portions (15, 20) protrude from the large-diameter portions (17, 22) in opposite directions. Such a structure realizes each metal terminal (10, 11) with a simple structure.

[0085] In addition, the diameter of the contact portion (15, 20) is smaller than the diameter of the large-diameter portion (17, 22). Such a structure helps to reduce the weight of the intermediate plate 1.

[0086] In addition, there is a gap G between the inner peripheral surface 6a of each contact member receiving portion 6 and the outer peripheral surface 12c of the tube body 12 of each contact member 5. Such a structure allows the tube body 12 to elastically deform outward in the radial direction.

[0087] In addition, the intermediate plate 1 is manufactured by attaching either one of the two metal terminals (10, 11) to the tube body 12, filling the tube body 12 with the liquid metal 13, and attaching the other of the two metal terminals (10, 11) to the tube body 12. Such a method allows for reducing the manufacturing cost of the intermediate plate 1.

[0088] (Second Embodiment)

[0089] The following refers to Figure 8 and Figure 9 to describe the second embodiment of this case. Hereinafter, the differences between this embodiment and the above-mentioned first embodiment will be mainly described, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0090] In the above-mentioned first embodiment, as Figure 4 shown, in the state where the contact member 5 is received in the contact member receiving portion 6, the contact member 5 can be easily pulled upward from the contact member receiving portion 5. Therefore, when the intermediate plate 1 is placed upside down, there is a possibility that the contact member 5 may inadvertently fall off from the housing 4.

[0091] On the other hand, in this embodiment, as Figure 8 shown, the contact member 5 is held by the housing 4 by press-fitting. Specifically, a plurality of inwardly protruding portions 30 are formed at the upper end portion of the inner peripheral surface 6a of each contact member receiving portion 6. In this embodiment, the plurality of inwardly protruding portions 30 includes three inwardly protruding portions 30. Alternatively, the plurality of inwardly protruding portions 30 may include two, four or more inwardly protruding portions 30. As Figure 8As shown, when viewed from above, the three inward protrusions 30 are provided at regular intervals. Before elastic deformation, the diameter of the circle passing through the radially inner vertices of the three inward protrusions 30 is smaller than the diameter of the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10. At the lower end portion of the inner peripheral surface 6a of each contact member receiving portion 6, a contact member receiving flange 7 is formed as in the above-described first embodiment. The contact member receiving flange 7 is a specific example of a receiving portion for receiving the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11.

[0092] Next, as Figure 8 shown, in a state where the contact member 5 is accommodated in the contact member receiving portion 6, the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 is press-fitted into the three inward protrusions 30. In this state, the three inward protrusions 30 elastically deform radially outward, and the elastic restoring force acts radially inward on the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10. By the elastic restoring force, the contact member 5 is held by the housing 4.

[0093] In order to connect the LGA package 2 to the rigid board 3 in the Figure 8 shown state, the LGA package 2 is pressed against the interposer 1 by operating a jig (not shown). Then, each pad 2a of the LGA package 2 comes into contact with the contact portion 15 of the upper terminal 10 of the corresponding contact member 5 and pushes the contact portion 15 downward. In other words, the upper terminal 10 moves downward toward the lower terminal 11. By the movement of the upper terminal 10, the above-described press-fitting is released, and the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 moves downward below the three inward protrusions 30. When the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 moves downward below the three inward protrusions 30, the three inward protrusions 30 return to the state before press-fitting and are slightly opposed to the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 in the vertical direction. This relative relationship prevents the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 from moving upward beyond the three inward protrusions 30, which prevents the contact member 5 from falling out of the contact member receiving portion 6.

[0094] Next, please refer to Figure 9 , a method of manufacturing the interposer 1 will be described below. Steps S100 to S130 are the same as steps S100 to 130 in the above-described first embodiment, and thus will not be described again below. In the present embodiment, step S140 of accommodating each contact member 5 in the corresponding contact member receiving portion 6 is different from step S140 in the above-described first embodiment. Specifically, step S140 in the present embodiment includes step S150 of passing the lower terminal 11 through the three inward protrusions 30 and step S160 of press-fitting the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 into the three inward protrusions 30.

[0095] The second embodiment has been described above. The above-described second embodiment has the following features.

[0096] The two metal terminals (10, 11) include an upper terminal 10 (the first metal terminal) and a lower terminal 11 (the second metal terminal). On the inner peripheral surface 6a of each contact accommodating portion 6, a plurality of inward protrusions 30 and a contact receiving flange 7 (receiving portion) are formed. The large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 is press-fitted onto the inward protrusions 30, and the contact receiving flange 7 receives the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11. The large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 is press-fitted onto the plurality of inward protrusions 30, thereby fixing the contact 5 by the housing 4. Such a structure improves the manipulation of the intermediate piece 1. In addition, since the press-fit is released when the upper terminal 10 moves toward the lower terminal 11, the upper terminal 10 is allowed to move toward the lower terminal 11.

[0097] In addition, the intermediate piece 1 is manufactured by attaching either one of the two metal terminals (10, 11) to the tube body 12, filling the tube body 12 with the liquid metal 13, attaching the other of the two metal terminals (10, 11) to the tube body 12, and press-fitting the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 onto the plurality of inward protrusions 30. Such a method allows the manufacturing cost of the intermediate piece 1 to be reduced.

[0098] (Third Embodiment)

[0099] The following refers to Figures 10 to 12 Describe the third embodiment. Hereinafter, the differences between this embodiment and the above-described second embodiment will be mainly described, and redundant descriptions will be omitted.

[0100] In the above-described second embodiment, as Figure 8 shown, the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 is press-fitted onto the three inward protrusions 30, thereby fixing the contact 5 by the housing 4.

[0101] On the other hand, in this embodiment, as Figure 10 shown, the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 is located below the three inward protrusions 30, so that the contact 5 is held by the housing 4. In this embodiment, the three inward protrusions 30 are a specific example of the first receiving portion for receiving the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10. The contact receiving flange 7 is a specific example of the second receiving portion for receiving the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11. The large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 and the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 are located between the three inward protrusions 30 and the contact receiving flange 7 in the vertical direction, thereby fixing the contact 5 by the housing 4.

[0102] Specifically, on the outer peripheral surface 17a of the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10, three upper concave portions 31 are formed corresponding to the three inwardly protruding portions 30. When viewed from above, the three upper concave portions 31 are formed at regular intervals. Similarly, on the outer peripheral surface 22a of the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11, three lower concave portions 32 are formed corresponding to the three inwardly protruding portions 30. When viewed from above, the three lower concave portions 32 are formed at regular intervals.

[0103] Figure 11 A passing position allowing the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 to pass through the three inwardly protruding portions 30 in the vertical direction and a non-passing position not allowing the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 100 to pass through the three inwardly protruding portions 30 in the vertical direction are shown.

[0104] At Figure 11 the shown passing position, the three upper concave portions 31 of the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 are respectively aligned with the three inwardly protruding portions 30, and the three upper concave portions 31 of the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 and the three inwardly protruding portions 30 are not respectively opposite to each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, in this passing position, the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 is allowed to pass through the internal space of the three inwardly protruding portions 30 without contacting the three inwardly protruding portions 30.

[0105] At Figure 11 the non-passing position in, the contact member 5 rotates 30 degrees from the passing position. In this position, the three inwardly protruding portions 30 are opposite to the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 in the vertical direction. Therefore, in this non-passing position, the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 is not allowed to pass through the internal space of the three inwardly protruding portions 30 without contacting the three inwardly protruding portions 30.

[0106] In this way, in the present embodiment, by rotating the upper terminal 10 relative to the three inwardly protruding portions 30, the upper terminal 10 can be simply switched between the passing position and the non-passing position.

[0107] As Figure 10 shown, since the three lower concave portions 32 are also formed in the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11, by aligning the three lower concave portions 32 with the three inwardly protruding portions 30, the large-diameter portion 22 on the lower terminal 11 is allowed to pass through the internal space of the three inwardly protruding portions 30 without contacting the three inwardly protruding portions 30.

[0108] In such a structure, in order to accommodate the contact 5 in the contact receiving portion 6, first, the contact 5 is inserted into the contact receiving portion 5 so that the three recesses 32 formed in the large diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 are aligned with the three inwardly protruding portions 30. Next, at a position where the three upper recesses 31 formed in the large diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 are aligned with the three inwardly protruding portions 30, the upper terminal 10 is pushed downward so that the large diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 passes through the internal space of the three inwardly protruding portions 30. Then, as Figure 10 shown, the tubular body 12 elastically deforms and expands slightly outward in the radial direction. In this state, the upper terminal 10 rotates relative to the three inwardly protruding portions 30 so that the position of the upper terminal 10 is switched from the passing position to the non-passing position. After that, the downward load on the upper terminal 10 is released. Then, the upper terminal 10 rises under the action of the elastic restoring force of the tubular body 12, and the large diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 collides with the three inwardly protruding portions 30. Thereby, the large diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 and the large diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 are located between the three inwardly protruding portions 30 and the contact receiving flange 7, so that the contact 5 is fixedly held by the housing. Note that, in this embodiment, the contact 5 is in a preloaded state at the position where the contact 5 is fixedly held by the housing 4. Specifically, as Figure 10 shown, in a state where the large diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 collides with the three inwardly protruding portions 30, elastic energy remains in the tubular body 12 and continues to push the upper terminal 10 upward. This prevents the contact 5 from moving in the contact receiving portion 6 during the operation of the spacer 1. However, note that at the position where the contact 5 is fixedly held by the housing 4, the contact 5 is not necessarily in a preloaded state.

[0109] Next, referring to Figure 12 , a method of manufacturing the spacer 1 will be described below. Steps S100 to S130 are the same as steps S100 to 130 in the above-described first embodiment, and thus will not be described again below. In this embodiment, the step S140 of accommodating each contact 5 into the corresponding contact receiving portion 6 is different from the step S140 in the above-described first embodiment. Specifically, step S140 in this embodiment includes a step S200 of passing the large diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 through the three inwardly protruding portions 30, a step S210 of passing the large diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 through the three inwardly protruding portions 30, and a step S220 of rotating the upper terminal 10 relative to the three inwardly protruding portions 30 and thereby switching the upper terminal 10 from the passing position to the non-passing position.

[0110] The third embodiment has been described above. The above-described third embodiment has the following features.

[0111] The two metal terminals (10, 11) include an upper terminal 10 (the first metal terminal) and a lower terminal 11 (the second metal terminal). On the inner peripheral surface 6a of each contact receiving portion 6, three inwardly protruding portions 30 (the first receiving portion) for receiving the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 and a contact receiving flange 7 (the second receiving portion) for receiving the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 are formed. The large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 and the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 are located between the three inwardly protruding portions 30 and the contact receiving flange 7 in the vertical direction, so that the contact 5 is held by the housing 4. Such a structure improves the manipulation of the intermediate piece 1.

[0112] In addition, by rotating the upper terminal 10 relative to the three inwardly protruding portions 30, the upper terminal 10 is switched between a passing position that allows the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 to pass through the three inwardly protruding portions 30 in the vertical direction and a non-passing position that does not allow the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 100 to pass through the three inwardly protruding portions 30 in the vertical direction. In this way, it is easy to achieve a structure in which the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 and the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 are located between the three inwardly protruding portions 30 and the contact receiving flange 7 in the vertical direction.

[0113] In addition, the intermediate piece 1 is manufactured by attaching either one of the two metal terminals (10, 11) to the tube body 12, filling the tube body 12 with the liquid metal 13, attaching the other of the two metal terminals (10, 11) to the tube body 12, passing the upper terminal 10 through the three inwardly protruding portions 30, and rotating the upper terminal 10 after passing through to switch from the passing position to the non-passing position. Such a method allows the manufacturing cost of the intermediate piece 1 to be reduced.

[0114] Those of ordinary skill in the art can combine the first embodiment to the third embodiment as needed.

[0115] It is apparent from the content of the present case described that the embodiments of the content of the present case can be varied in many ways. These variations should not be regarded as departing from the spirit and scope of the present case, and all such modifications that are obvious to those skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A connector, characterized in that: The connector comprises: a housing having a flat plate shape and including a plurality of contact accommodating portions penetrating the housing in a thickness direction; and A plurality of contacts are respectively accommodated in the plurality of contact accommodating portions of the housing, wherein each of the plurality of contacts comprises: two metal terminals, arranged opposite to each other in the thickness direction; a coupling member in a tubular shape, which can be easily elastically deformed and couple the two metal terminals; and a conductive fluid filling the coupling member, The two metal terminals are electrically continuous with each other through the conductive fluid, and The two metal terminals are configured to approach each other in the thickness direction along with elastic deformation of the coupling member.

2. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The two metal terminals each include a press-fit portion to be press-fitted into the coupling member.

3. The connector according to claim 2, characterized in that: The two metal terminals each include a large diameter portion having a diameter greater than a diameter of the press-fit portion.

4. The connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The two metal terminals each include a contact portion exposed outward from the housing, and the press-fit portion and the contact portion are disposed back to back with the large diameter portion interposed therebetween.

5. The connector according to claim 3, characterized in that: The two metal terminals each include a contact portion exposed outward from the housing, and the press-fit portion and the contact portion protrude from the large diameter portion in directions opposite to each other.

6. The connector according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that: The contact portion has a diameter smaller than that of the large diameter portion.

7. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The plurality of contacts include longer contacts and shorter contacts, wherein the longer contacts have a first length in the thickness direction, and the shorter contacts have a second length in the thickness direction, and the second length is smaller than the first length.

8. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The two metal terminals include a first metal terminal and a second metal terminal, A plurality of inwardly projecting portions and a receiving portion are formed on each inner circumferential surface of the plurality of contact accommodating portions, the large diameter portion of the first metal terminal being press-fitted into the plurality of inwardly projecting portions, and the receiving portion is used to receive the large diameter portion of the second metal terminal, and The large diameter portion of the first metal terminal is press-fitted into the plurality of inward protrusions, so that the contact is held by the housing.

9. The connector according to claim 6, characterized in that: The two metal terminals include a first metal terminal and a second metal terminal, A first receiving portion for receiving the large diameter portion of the first metal terminal and a second receiving portion for receiving the large diameter portion of the second metal terminal are formed on each inner peripheral surface of the plurality of contact accommodating portions, and The large diameter portion of the first metal terminal and the large diameter portion of the second metal terminal are located between the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion in the thickness direction, so that the contact is held by the housing.

10. The connector according to claim 9, characterized in that: By rotating the first metal terminal relative to the first receiving portion, the first metal terminal switches between a passing position and a non-passing position, wherein the passing position allows the large diameter portion of the first metal terminal to pass through the first receiving portion in the thickness direction, and the non-passing position does not allow the large diameter portion of the first metal terminal to pass through the first receiving portion in the thickness direction.

11. The connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: There is a gap between each inner peripheral surface of the plurality of contact accommodating portions and an outer peripheral surface of each of the coupling members of the plurality of contacts.

12. A method for manufacturing the connector according to claim 1, characterized in that: The method comprises: attaching either one of the two metal terminals to the coupling member; filling the coupling member with the conductive fluid; and The other of the two metal terminals is attached to the coupling member.

13. A method for manufacturing the connector according to claim 8, characterized in that: The method comprises: attaching either one of the two metal terminals to the coupling member; filling the coupling member with the conductive fluid; attaching the other of the two metal terminals to the coupling member; and The large diameter portion of the first metal terminal is press-fitted into the plurality of inward protrusions.

14. A method for manufacturing the connector according to claim 10, characterized in that: The method comprises: attaching either one of the two metal terminals to the coupling member; filling the coupling member with the conductive fluid; attaching the other of the two metal terminals to the coupling member; passing the first metal terminal through the first receiving portion; and After the first metal terminal passes through, the first metal terminal is rotated to switch from the passing position to the non-passing position.

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