Electrical connector

Abstract

The application discloses an electric connector for testing a chip, which comprises a base, a plurality of conductive terminals arranged on the base, a positioning member, a sliding plate and a driving member; each of the conductive terminals comprises two elastic arms which extend upwards and pass through the sliding plate; the positioning member is provided with a hollow part which is configured to accommodate the chip inserted from top to bottom and position the chip in the horizontal direction; the sliding plate is configured to hold the positioning member and carry the chip; the driving member is configured to drive the sliding plate to move relative to the base in the horizontal direction between a first position and a second position; when the sliding plate is located at the first position, one of the elastic arms is away from the other elastic arm to increase the distance between the two elastic arms; when the sliding plate is located at the second position, the two elastic arms are close to each other. The positioning member and the sliding plate can respectively position the chip in the horizontal and vertical directions relative to the conductive terminals, so that the two elastic arms can accurately electrically connect the chip.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of connector technology, and specifically relates to an electrical connector. Background Technology

[0002] The ball-clamp connector includes multiple conductive terminals, each of which includes two elastic arms. One end of each elastic arm is electrically connected to a circuit board, and the other end is used to clamp the solder balls of a chip for signal transmission or chip testing between the circuit board and the chip. In related technologies, it is difficult to position the chip relative to the conductive terminal as the two elastic arms move closer or further apart, making it difficult for the conductive terminals to electrically connect to the chip. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application provides an electrical connector designed to improve the technical problem of difficult electrical connection of conductive terminals to chips.

[0004] This application provides an electrical connector for testing a chip. The electrical connector includes a base, a plurality of conductive terminals disposed on the base, a positioning member, a sliding plate, and a driving member. Each conductive terminal includes two elastic arms that extend upward and pass through the sliding plate. The positioning member has a cutout configured to receive a chip inserted from top to bottom and to position the chip in a horizontal direction. The sliding plate is configured to hold the positioning member and carry the chip. The driving member is configured to drive the sliding plate to move horizontally between a first position and a second position relative to the base. When the sliding plate is in the first position, one of the elastic arms moves away from the other elastic arm to increase the distance between the two elastic arms. When the sliding plate is in the second position, the two elastic arms move closer to each other.

[0005] In the aforementioned electrical connector, the base can position the slide plate and positioning element relative to the conductive terminals. When the slide plate is in the first position, the distance between the two elastic arms increases, allowing the chip to be inserted from top to bottom into the cutout, placing the chip on the slide plate. At this time, the cutout positions the chip horizontally, and the slide plate positions the chip vertically. The positioning element and slide plate can respectively position the chip relative to the conductive terminals in the horizontal and vertical directions. When the slide plate is in the second position, the two elastic arms move closer together to clamp the chip, at which point the conductive terminals are electrically connected to the chip. During the horizontal movement of the slide plate, the positioning element and slide plate can respectively position the chip relative to the conductive terminals in the horizontal and vertical directions, enabling the two elastic arms to accurately electrically connect the chip.

[0006] In some embodiments, the chip has a plurality of solder balls, each solder ball being held by two elastic arms of each conductive terminal; the positioning member includes a limiting portion extending from the inner wall surface of the cutout portion; the limiting portion includes two limiting surfaces, the limiting surfaces abutting against opposite sides of the solder balls along a first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the movement direction of the slide plate.

[0007] In some embodiments, the positioning member has two limiting portions, which are spaced apart on the inner wall surface of the hollow portion along the moving direction of the slide plate.

[0008] In some embodiments, the chip has multiple rows of solder balls, which are spaced apart along the moving direction of the slide plate. Each row of solder balls includes at least one solder ball spaced apart along a first direction. Each limiting portion has a stepped groove, and a limiting surface is provided on the side of the stepped groove. Two limiting surfaces arranged opposite to each other along the first direction are defined as a limiting surface group. The stepped groove has at least two limiting surface groups along the moving direction of the slide plate. Each limiting surface group is configured to abut against the opposite sides of a row of solder balls along the first direction.

[0009] In some embodiments, the side of the slide plate facing the positioning member is provided with a pad portion and a clearance groove. The pad portion is configured to carry the chip, and the clearance groove is configured to accommodate the limiting portion so that there is a gap between the limiting portion and the chip.

[0010] In some embodiments, the skateboard is connected to a first elastic member in the horizontal direction. When the skateboard is in a first position, the first elastic member elastically deforms and rebounds, which can drive the skateboard to a second position.

[0011] In some embodiments, the direction of movement of the skateboard forms a non-zero angle with the length direction and the width direction of the base.

[0012] In some embodiments, the electrical connector includes a pressure member rotatably disposed on a base, the pressure member being configured to connect a drive member; when the slide plate is in a first position, the pressure member rotates away from the cutout portion to allow chip insertion or chip removal; when the slide plate is in a second position, the pressure member rotates towards the cutout portion.

[0013] In some embodiments, the pressure member is connected to a second elastic member. When the slide plate is in the first position, the second elastic member elastically deforms and rebounds, which can drive the pressure member to rotate to the hollowed-out portion.

[0014] In some embodiments, the driving member includes a first driving part and a second driving part, the driving member being movable in a vertical direction relative to the base, the first driving part being configured to push the sliding plate to move, and the second driving part being configured to press down the pressing member so that the pressing member can rotate.

[0015] In some embodiments, the slide plate is provided with at least one row of mounting holes, each row of mounting holes including a plurality of mounting holes spaced apart along the moving direction of the slide plate, each mounting hole being capable of accommodating two elastic arms. Along the moving direction of the slide plate, the two elastic arms of each conductive terminal are respectively disposed in two adjacent mounting holes, and a partition wall is provided between each two adjacent mounting holes. When the slide plate is in a first position, the partition wall causes one elastic arm of each conductive terminal to move away from the other elastic arm. When the slide plate is in a second position, the partition wall causes one elastic arm of each conductive terminal to move closer to the other elastic arm. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present application showing an electrical connector connecting a chip.

[0017] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 An exploded 3D view of the CEC connector shows the connection state of the drive component with the slide plate and the pressure component.

[0018] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Exploded 3D view of CEC connectors.

[0019] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 A 3D view of the connector holding the solder ball.

[0020] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A partially enlarged view of the middle limiting part shows the state when the two elastic arms hold the solder ball.

[0021] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional view of the positioning component.

[0022] Figure 7 yes Figure 1 Sectional view at point AA.

[0023] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A magnified view of a portion of the spacer surface when it is against the solder ball.

[0024] Explanation of main component symbols 100. Electrical connector; 10. Base; 11. First elastic element; 12. Second elastic element; 13. Third elastic element; 20. Conductive terminal; 21. Flexible arm; 30. Driving component; 31. First driving unit; 32. Second driving unit; 40. Positioning component; 41. Hollowed-out part; 42. Limiting part; 421. Stepped groove; 4211. Limiting surface; 423. Gap; 50. Slide plate; 51. Pad section; 52. Clearance groove; 53. Mounting hole; 54. Partition wall; 60. Pressing parts; 200. Chip; 2001. Solder ball; X, direction of movement; Y, primary direction; Z, vertical direction; L, length direction. Detailed Implementation

[0025] To further illustrate the technical means and effects adopted by this application to achieve the intended purpose, the following description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and embodiments, is provided. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments.

[0026] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. The terminology used herein in the specification of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application.

[0027] The following detailed description of some embodiments of this application is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described below can be combined with each other.

[0028] Please see Figure 1 This application provides an electrical connector 100 for testing a chip 200. Please refer to... Figures 3 to 5 The lower surface of the chip 200 is provided with multiple solder balls 2001. When the electrical connector 100 clamps the solder balls 2001, the electrical connector 100 is electrically connected to the chip 200. When the electrical connector 100 releases the solder balls 2001, the electrical connector 100 is disconnected from the chip 200. The performance of the chip 200 is tested by electrically connecting the electrical connector 100 to the chip 200.

[0029] Please see Figures 1 to 3 In this embodiment, the electrical connector 100 includes a base 10 and a plurality of conductive terminals 20, all of which are disposed on the base 10. Please refer to... Figure 4 and Figure 5 Each conductive terminal 20 includes two elastic arms 21 that are mechanically and electrically connected to each other. Each conductive terminal 20 holds a solder ball 2001 through the two elastic arms 21 to electrically connect to the chip 200.

[0030] The electrical connector 100 also includes a drive member 30, a positioning member 40, and a slide plate 50. The drive member 30 is disposed on the base 10 and is movable relative to the base 10 in the vertical direction Z. The positioning member 40 engages with the slide plate 50, which is disposed on the base 10, enabling the base 10 to position the slide plate 50 and the positioning member 40 relative to the conductive terminal 20 in the vertical direction Z and the horizontal direction. When the drive member 30 moves relative to the base 10 in the vertical direction Z, the drive member 30 is configured to drive the slide plate 50 to move relative to the base 10 in the horizontal direction between a first position and a second position, i.e., the movement direction X of the slide plate 50 is parallel to the horizontal direction.

[0031] The positioning member 40 has a cutout portion 41, which is configured to receive a chip 200 inserted from top to bottom and to position the chip 200 horizontally. The slide plate 50 is configured to carry the chip 200 and to position the chip 200 vertically in the Z direction. Please refer to... Figure 4 and Figure 5 Two elastic arms 21 in each conductive terminal 20 extend upward and pass through the slide plate 50 to correspond to a solder ball 2001 on the lower surface of the chip 200.

[0032] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5 When the slide plate 50 moves between the first position and the second position, the positioning member 40 can drive the chip 200 to move together with the slide plate 50. An elastic arm 21 in a conductive terminal 20 also moves with the slide plate 50, so that the solder ball 2001 on the lower surface of the chip 200 and the elastic arm 21 remain in correspondence during the movement of the slide plate 50.

[0033] When the slide plate 50 is in the first position, one of the elastic arms 21 moves away from the other elastic arm 21 to increase the distance between the two elastic arms 21. The elastic arm 21 refers to the elastic arm 21 in a conductive terminal 20. In use, the slide plate 50 is moved to the first position by the drive member 30, and the chip 200 is inserted from top to bottom into the cutout portion 41, so that the chip 200 is placed on the slide plate 50. At this time, the cutout portion 41 positions the chip 200 in the horizontal direction, and the slide plate 50 positions the chip 200 in the vertical Z direction. The positioning member 40 and the slide plate 50 can respectively position the chip 200 relative to the conductive terminal 20 in the horizontal and vertical Z directions, so that the solder balls 2001 on the lower surface of the chip 200 can be accurately inserted between the two elastic arms 21.

[0034] Please see Figure 5When the drive unit 30 drives the slide plate 50 to the second position, the two elastic arms 21 move closer to each other to clamp the solder ball 2001. At this time, the conductive terminal 20 is electrically connected to the chip 200. The slide plate 50 and the positioning unit 40 have a clear division of labor, which can prevent the chip 200 from horizontally shifting and vertically jittering during the horizontal movement of the positioning unit 40 and the slide plate 50. The positioning is bidirectional and has high positioning accuracy.

[0035] Please see Figures 1 to 3 In some embodiments, the electrical connector 100 further includes a pressure member 60, which is rotatably connected to the base 10 and configured to connect to the drive member 30, allowing the pressure member 60 to rotate towards or away from the cutout portion 41 under the drive of the drive member 30. Driving the slide plate 50 and the pressure member 60 simultaneously via the drive member 30 improves the testing efficiency of the chip 200. When the slide plate 50 is in the first position, the pressure member 60 rotates away from the cutout portion 41 so that the chip 200 can be inserted into or removed from the cutout portion 41; when the slide plate 50 is in the second position, the pressure member 60 rotates towards the cutout portion 41 to press the chip 200 against the slide plate 50, so that the slide plate 50 and the pressure member 60 position the chip 200 in the vertical Z direction.

[0036] In some embodiments, the drive member 30 can move in the vertical direction Z under the drive of an external force to drive the slide plate 50 and the pressure member 60 to move. The external force includes the pressing force of a power structure (such as a piston cylinder) or the pressing force of an operator, which is not limited in this application.

[0037] Please see Figures 1 to 3 In some embodiments, the slide plate 50 is connected to a first elastic element 11 in the horizontal direction. The pressing element 60 is connected to a second elastic element 12. The driving element 30 is connected to a third elastic element 13 in the vertical Z direction. The first elastic element 11, the second elastic element 12, and the third elastic element 13 are all fixed to the base 10. When the driving element 30 is pressed, the third elastic element 13 is elastically compressed, and the driving element 30 moves toward the base 10; at this time, the first elastic element 11 is elastically compressed, and the slide plate 50 is in the first position; the second elastic element 12 is elastically compressed, and the pressing element 60 moves away from the hollowed-out portion 41. Please refer to... Figure 4 and Figure 5When the pressure is released, the third elastic element 13 rebounds, causing the drive element 30 to move away from the base 10; at this time, the first elastic element 11 rebounds, causing the slide plate 50 to move to the second position, and the second elastic element 12 rebounds, causing the pressure plate to rotate to the hollow part 41. The first elastic element 11 and the third elastic element 13 are springs. The second elastic element 12 is a torsion spring or a spring arranged in the vertical Z direction. Utilizing the spring's rebound force, the slide plate 50 automatically resets (from the first position to the second position), thereby achieving the positioning of the chip 200 (the pressure element 60 presses the chip 200 against the slide plate 50) and the electrical connection between the chip 200 and the electrical connector 100 (the two elastic arms 21 clamp the solder balls 2001), enabling rapid positioning and testing of the chip 200.

[0038] In some embodiments, the driving member 30 includes a first driving portion 31 and a second driving portion 32. When the driving member 30 is pressed, it moves toward the base 10 under the action of the pressing force. The first driving portion 31 is configured to push the sliding plate 50 to move, causing the sliding plate 50 to move horizontally between a first position and a second position. The second driving portion 32 is configured to press down the pressing member 60, allowing the pressing member 60 to rotate relative to the base 10. In some embodiments, the first driving portion 31 is an inclined surface or an arc surface, and the second driving portion 32 is a downwardly extending push rod.

[0039] Please see Figures 4 to 6 In some embodiments, the positioning member 40 includes a limiting portion 42 extending from the inner wall surface of the hollow portion 41, each limiting portion 42 including two limiting surfaces 4211. Please refer to... Figure 7 and Figure 8 When the cutout portion 41 accommodates the chip 200, the limiting surface 4211 abuts against the opposite sides of the solder ball 2001 along the first direction Y to position the solder ball 2001 along the first direction Y. In the illustrated embodiment, the two limiting surfaces 4211 abut against the opposite sides of the solder ball 2001 along the first direction Y, while the two elastic arms 21 clamp the solder ball 2001 along the sliding block's moving direction X. The first direction Y is perpendicular to the sliding plate 50's moving direction X and parallel to the horizontal direction, so that the two limiting surfaces 4211 and the two elastic arms 21 avoid each other to prevent motion interference.

[0040] In some embodiments, the positioning member 40 is provided with two limiting portions 42, which are spaced apart on the inner wall surface of the hollow portion 41 along the moving direction X of the slide plate 50. When the slide plate 50 is in the first position, at least one solder ball 2001 at one corner of the chip 200 is positioned along the first direction Y by one limiting portion 42; when the slide plate 50 is in the second position, at least one solder ball 2001 at the other corner of the chip 200 is positioned along the first direction Y by the other limiting portion 42. By limiting the solder ball 2001 at two positions by the two limiting portions 42, it is possible to prevent the solder ball 2001 from shifting relative to the positioning member 40 due to the movement of the chip 200. This reduces the risk of the solder ball 2001 being misaligned with the conductive terminal 20 after movement, and ensures that the solder ball 2001 remains corresponding to the elastic arm 21, which is beneficial for the two elastic arms 21 to accurately clamp the solder ball 2001.

[0041] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the chip 200 is provided with multiple rows of solder balls 2001, which are spaced apart along the moving direction X of the slide plate 50. Each row of solder balls 2001 includes at least one solder ball 2001 spaced apart along the first direction Y.

[0042] Please combine Figure 6 The limiting portion 42 has a stepped groove 421, and a limiting surface 4211 is provided on the side of the stepped groove 421. Two limiting surfaces 4211 arranged facing each other along the first direction Y are defined as a limiting surface group, and the stepped groove 421 has at least two limiting surface groups arranged along the moving direction X of the slide plate 50. Each limiting surface group is configured to abut against the opposite sides of a row of solder balls 2001 along the first direction Y. In the illustrated embodiment, the stepped groove 421 has two limiting surface groups. By positioning the two rows of solder balls 2001 in the first direction Y using the two limiting surface groups, the relative position of the solder balls 2001 and the positioning member 40 in the first direction Y can be positioned more accurately.

[0043] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the slide plate 50 has a pad portion 51 and a relief groove 52 on the side facing the positioning member 40. The pad portion 51 is configured to carry the chip 200, and the relief groove 52 is configured to accommodate the limiting portion 42. The limiting portion 42 is avoided by the relief groove 52, and the height of the chip 200 in the vertical direction Z is increased by the pad portion 51, so that there is a gap 423 between the upper surface of the limiting portion 42 and the lower surface of the chip 200, preventing the limiting portion 42 from contacting the lower surface of the chip 200 and affecting the height positioning of the chip 200 in the vertical direction Z by the slide plate 50.

[0044] Please see Figure 4In some embodiments, the moving direction X of the slide plate 50 forms a non-zero angle with both the length direction L and the width direction of the base 10, causing the slide plate 50 to move obliquely relative to the length direction L of the base 10 under the drive of the drive member 30. In some embodiments, the moving direction X and the length direction L of the base 10 can form an angle α of any angle between 1° and 90°. In the illustrated embodiment, the angle α formed by the moving direction X and the length direction L of the base 10 is 45°.

[0045] Please see Figure 4 and Figure 5 In some embodiments, the slide plate 50 is provided with multiple rows of mounting holes 53. Each row of mounting holes 53 includes multiple mounting holes 53 spaced apart along the moving direction X of the slide plate 50. Each mounting hole 53 can accommodate two elastic arms 21. Along the moving direction X of the slide plate 50, the two elastic arms 21 in each conductive terminal 20 are respectively disposed in two adjacent mounting holes 53. A partition wall 54 is provided between each two adjacent mounting holes 53.

[0046] Thus, when the slide plate 50 is in the first position, the partition wall 54 causes one elastic arm 21 of each conductive terminal 20 to move away from the other elastic arm 21, increasing the distance between the two elastic arms 21 in each conductive terminal 20. When the slide plate 50 is in the second position, the partition wall 54 causes one elastic arm 21 of each conductive terminal 20 to move closer to the other elastic arm 21, bringing the two elastic arms 21 in each conductive terminal 20 closer to each other.

[0047] Furthermore, those skilled in the art should recognize that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of this application and are not intended to limit this application. Any appropriate changes and variations made to the above embodiments within the essential spirit and scope of this application fall within the scope of this application's disclosure.

Claims

1. An electrical connector for testing a chip, characterized in that: The electrical connector includes a base, a plurality of conductive terminals disposed on the base, a positioning element, a sliding plate, and a driving element; Each of the conductive terminals includes two elastic arms that extend upward and pass through the slide plate; The positioning member has a cutout portion, which is configured to accommodate the chip inserted from top to bottom and to position the chip in the horizontal direction. The skateboard is configured to hold the positioning element and carry the chip; The drive unit is configured to drive the slide plate to move horizontally relative to the base between a first position and a second position; When the skateboard is in the first position, one of the elastic arms moves away from the other elastic arm to increase the distance between the two elastic arms; when the skateboard is in the second position, the two elastic arms move closer to each other.

2. The electrical connector as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The chip has a plurality of solder balls, each of which is held by two elastic arms of each of the conductive terminals; The positioning element includes a limiting portion extending from the inner wall surface of the hollow portion; the limiting portion includes two limiting surfaces, which abut against opposite sides of the solder ball along a first direction, the first direction being perpendicular to the moving direction of the slide plate.

3. The electrical connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The positioning component is provided with two limiting parts, which are spaced apart on the inner wall surface of the hollow part along the moving direction of the slide plate.

4. The electrical connector as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that: The chip has multiple rows of solder balls, which are spaced apart along the moving direction of the slide plate. Each row of solder balls includes at least one solder ball spaced apart along the first direction. Each of the limiting portions is formed with a stepped groove, and the limiting surface is provided on the side of the stepped groove. Two limiting surfaces arranged opposite each other along the first direction are defined as a limiting surface group. The stepped groove is formed with at least two limiting surface groups along the moving direction of the slide plate. Each limiting surface group is configured to abut against the opposite sides of a row of solder balls along the first direction.

5. The electrical connector as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The slide plate has a pad portion and a clearance groove on the side facing the positioning member. The pad portion is configured to support the chip, and the clearance groove is configured to accommodate the limiting portion, so that there is a gap between the limiting portion and the chip.

6. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The skateboard is connected to a first elastic element in the horizontal direction. When the skateboard is in the first position, the first elastic element deforms elastically, and the rebound of the first elastic element can drive the skateboard to move to the second position.

7. The electrical connector as described in claim 1 or 6, characterized in that: The direction of movement of the skateboard forms a non-zero angle with the length direction and the width direction of the base.

8. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The electrical connector includes a pressure member rotatably disposed on the base, the pressure member being configured to connect to the drive member; When the slide plate is in the first position, the pressure member rotates away from the cutout portion so that the chip can be inserted or removed; when the slide plate is in the second position, the pressure member rotates towards the cutout portion.

9. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The pressure member is connected to a second elastic member. When the slide plate is in the first position, the second elastic member elastically deforms and rebounds, which can drive the pressure member to rotate to the hollow part.

10. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The driving member includes a first driving part and a second driving part. The driving member is capable of moving vertically relative to the base. The first driving part is configured to push the slide plate to move, and the second driving part is configured to press down the pressing member so that the pressing member can rotate.

11. The electrical connector as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The slide plate is provided with at least one row of mounting holes. Each row of mounting holes includes a plurality of mounting holes spaced apart along the moving direction of the slide plate. Each mounting hole can accommodate two elastic arms. Along the moving direction of the slide plate, the two elastic arms of each conductive terminal are respectively disposed in two adjacent mounting holes. There is a partition wall between each pair of adjacent mounting holes. When the slide is in the first position, the spacer wall causes one of the elastic arms of each conductive terminal to move away from the other elastic arm; When the slide is in the second position, the spacer wall causes one of the elastic arms of each of the conductive terminals to move closer to the other elastic arm.

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