Connector and manufacturing method of them

Abstract

To provide a technique related to a narrow pitch of a connector.SOLUTION: An interposer 1 includes: a housing 4 that has a flat shape, and includes a plurality of contact housing chambers 6 that is penetrated to a plate thickness direction; and a plurality of contacts 5 that is housed into each of the plurality of contact housing chambers 6 of the housing. Each contact 5 includes: two metal terminals (10 and 11) that are arranged so as to be opposite each other in the plate thickness direction; a cylinder-like tube 12 that couples the two metal terminals (10 and 11) and is easily elastically deformed; and a liquid metal 13 that is filled into the tube 12. The two metal terminals (10 and 11) are conducted each other via the liquid metal 13. The two metal terminals (10 and 11) are constructed so as to be approached each other in the plate thickness direction in accordance with an elastic deformation of the tube 12.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector and a method for manufacturing the same.

Background Art

[0002] As shown in FIG. 13 of the present application, Patent Document 1 discloses an electronic component socket 100 for connecting an electronic component such as a semiconductor package to a circuit board. The electronic component socket 100 includes a housing 103 having a side wall 101 and a bottom wall 102, and a plurality of terminals 104 disposed through the bottom wall 102 of the housing 103.

[0003] Each terminal 104 has a contact portion 105 that can contact an electrode of an electronic component and a connection portion 106 that can be connected to a land of a circuit board. The contact portion 105 is bent in a convex shape so that the contact portion 105 can surely make electrical contact with the electrode of the electronic component, and is supported by an arm-shaped portion 107 that is easily elastically deformed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the configuration of Patent Document 1 described above, since it is necessary to greatly bend the arm-shaped portion 107 in order to obtain a stroke of the contact portion 105, there is a limit to the downsizing of the terminal 104 itself. Therefore, there remains room for improvement regarding the narrow pitch of the electronic component socket 100.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a technique related to narrowing the pitch of a connector.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A housing that is flat and has a plurality of contact accommodation chambers penetrating in the plate thickness direction, A plurality of contacts respectively accommodated in the plurality of contact accommodation chambers of the housing, including, Each contact, Two metal terminals arranged to face each other in the plate thickness direction, An easily elastically deformable cylindrical connecting member connecting the two metal terminals, A conductive fluid filled in the connecting member, including, The two metal terminals are electrically connected to each other through the conductive fluid, The two metal terminals are configured to approach each other in the plate thickness direction with elastic deformation of the connecting member. A connector is provided. Each metal terminal may have a press-fitting portion press-fitted into the connecting member. Each metal terminal may have a large-diameter portion having a larger diameter than the press-fitting portion. Each metal terminal has a contact portion exposed to the outside from the housing, and the press-fitting portion and the contact portion may be arranged back to back with the large-diameter portion interposed therebetween. Each metal terminal has a contact portion exposed to the outside from the housing, and the press-fitting portion and the contact portion may protrude in opposite directions from the large-diameter portion. The contact portion may have a smaller diameter than the large-diameter portion. The plurality of contacts may include a long contact having a dimension in the plate thickness direction of a first length and a short contact having a dimension in the plate thickness direction of a second length shorter than the first length. The two metal terminals include a first metal terminal and a second metal terminal. On the inner peripheral surface of each contact accommodation chamber, a plurality of inward protruding portions into which the large-diameter portion of the first metal terminal is press-fitted and a receiving portion for receiving the large-diameter portion of the second metal terminal are formed. By press-fitting the large-diameter portion of the first metal terminal into the plurality of inward protruding portions, the contact may be held by the housing. The two metal terminals include a first metal terminal and a second metal terminal. On the inner peripheral surface of each contact accommodation chamber, 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. By the large-diameter portion of the first metal terminal and the large-diameter portion of the second metal terminal being located between the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion in the plate thickness direction, the contact may be held by the housing. When the first metal terminal is rotated with respect to the first receiving portion, it may be switched between a passable state in which the large-diameter portion of the first metal terminal can pass through the first receiving portion in the plate thickness direction and a non-passable state in which the large-diameter portion of the first metal terminal cannot pass through the first receiving portion in the plate thickness direction. There may be a gap between the inner peripheral surface of each contact accommodation chamber and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member of each contact. A method of manufacturing a connector is provided, in which either one of the two metal terminals is attached to the connecting member, the conductive fluid is filled in the connecting member, and the other of the two metal terminals is attached to the connecting member. A method of manufacturing a connector is provided, in which either one of the two metal terminals is attached to the connecting member, the conductive fluid is filled in the connecting member, the other of the two metal terminals is attached to the connecting member, and the large-diameter portion of the first metal terminal is press-fitted against the plurality of inward protruding portions. A method of manufacturing a connector is provided, in which either one of the two metal terminals is attached to the connecting member, the conductive fluid is filled in the connecting member, the other of the two metal terminals is attached to the connecting member, the first metal terminal passes through the first receiving portion, and after passing through, the first metal terminal is rotated to switch from the passable state to the non-passable state.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, narrowing of the pitch of the connector can be achieved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described through the first to third embodiments, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Also, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are essential as means for solving the problems. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings are appropriately omitted and simplified. In each drawing, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations are omitted as necessary.

[0011] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. FIG. 1 shows an interposer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. The interposer 1 is a specific example of a connector. The interposer 1 typically connects an LGA package 2 (Land Grid Array) to a rigid substrate 3. Therefore, the interposer 1 is also called an LGA socket.

[0012] 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 lands 2a are arranged in a grid pattern.

[0013] The rigid substrate 3 is a specific example of a circuit board. The rigid substrate 3 is a substrate in which a plurality of lands 3a are arranged in a grid pattern. The rigid substrate 3 is typically a paper phenolic board or a glass epoxy board.

[0014] In this embodiment, the number of cores of the interposer 1 is typically from 3000 to 10000. However, the number of cores of the interposer 1 may be 3000 or less, or may be 10000 or more.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, 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 with respect to the housing 4. Alternatively, the housing 4 itself may have a function of positioning the LGA package 2 with respect 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 millimeter or less as an example.

[0016] <Housing 4> As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 4 is flat and has a plurality of contact accommodation chambers 6 penetrating in the plate thickness direction. Hereinafter, the plate thickness direction of the housing 4 is also referred to as the vertical direction. The vertical direction includes the upper side when viewing the LGA package 2 from the interposer 1 and the lower side when viewing the interposer 1 from the LGA package 2. The vertical direction, the upper side, and the lower side are terms used for convenience of explanation and do not limit the posture during use of the interposer 1. The housing 4 has a housing upper surface 4a facing upward and a housing lower surface 4b facing downward. Therefore, each contact accommodation chamber 6 opens to the housing upper surface 4a and the housing lower surface 4b. Each contact accommodation chamber 6 extends in a cylindrical shape along the vertical direction. Specifically, the inner peripheral surface 6a of the contact accommodation chamber 6 is a perfect circle in plan view.

[0017] At the lower end of the inner peripheral surface 6a of each contact accommodation chamber 6, an annular contact receiving flange 7 protruding radially inward is formed. The contact receiving flange 7 has a flange upper surface 7a facing upward and a flange lower surface 7b facing downward. The flange lower surface 7b is flush with the housing lower surface 4b. The inner peripheral surface of the contact receiving flange 7 is a perfect circle in plan view.

[0018] The housing 4 is made of an insulating material that is easily elastically deformed, such as silicone rubber. Thereby, the housing 4 can be flexibly deformed following the warpage of the LGA package 2 or the rigid substrate 3. However, alternatively, the housing 4 may be formed of an insulating material that is difficult to elastically deform, such as LCP (Liquid Crystal Polymer).

[0019] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each contact 5 includes an upper terminal 10, a lower terminal 11, a tube 12, and a liquid metal 13.

[0020] <Upper terminal 10 · Lower terminal 11> The upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 are a specific example 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 typically 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.

[0021] <Upper terminal 10> As shown in FIG. 4, the upper terminal 10 has 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 in this order downward. The contact portion 15 protrudes upward from the large-diameter portion 17. The press-fitting portion 16 protrudes downward from the large-diameter portion 17. That is, the contact portion 15 and the press-fitting portion 16 protrude from the large-diameter portion 17 in opposite directions. Therefore, the contact portion 15 and the press-fitting portion 16 are arranged back-to-back with the large-diameter portion 17 interposed therebetween.

[0022] 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 protrudes upward.

[0023] 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 protrudes downward.

[0024] The large-diameter portion 17 is formed in a columnar shape having an outer peripheral surface 17a that is a perfect circle in plan view. 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 equal to the diameter of the cylindrical portion 15a of the contact portion 15. Also, 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 equal to the diameter of the cylindrical portion 16a of the press-fitting portion 16.

[0025] <Lower terminal 11> The lower terminal 11 has 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 in this order upward. The contact portion 20 protrudes downward from the large-diameter portion 22. The press-fitting portion 21 protrudes upward from the large-diameter portion 22. That is, the contact portion 20 and the press-fitting portion 21 protrude from the large-diameter portion 22 in opposite directions. Therefore, the contact portion 20 and the press-fitting portion 21 are arranged back-to-back with the large-diameter portion 22 interposed therebetween.

[0026] 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 protrudes downward.

[0027] 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 protrudes upward.

[0028] The large-diameter portion 22 is formed in a columnar shape having an outer peripheral surface 22a that is a perfect circle in plan view. 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 equal to the diameter of the cylindrical portion 20a of the contact portion 20. Also, the diameter of the large-diameter portion 22 is larger than the diameter of the cylindrical portion 21a of the press-fitting portion 21. However, the diameter of the large-diameter portion 22 may be equal to the diameter of the cylindrical portion 21a of the press-fitting portion 21.

[0029] <Tube 12> The tube 12 is a specific example of a flexible tubular connecting member. The tube 12 is made of a material that is easily elastically deformed, such as silicone rubber, for example. The tube 12 is arranged to extend in the vertical direction. The tube 12 connects the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 by being arranged between the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11.

[0030] Specifically, the press-fitting portion 16 of the upper terminal 10 is press-fitted into the upper end portion 12a of the tube 12. Thereby, the upper terminal 10 is held by the upper end portion 12a of the tube 12. Further, the upper end portion 12a of the tube 12 is in contact with the large-diameter portion 17 in the vertical direction. Thereby, the positioning of the upper terminal 10 in the vertical direction with respect to the tube 12 is realized.

[0031] Similarly, the press-fitting portion 21 of the lower terminal 11 is press-fitted into the lower end portion 12b of the tube 12. Thereby, the lower terminal 11 is held by the lower end portion 12b of the tube 12. Further, the lower end portion 12b of the tube 12 is in contact with the large-diameter portion 22 in the vertical direction. Thereby, the positioning of the lower terminal 11 in the vertical direction with respect to the tube 12 is realized.

[0032] <Liquid metal 13> The liquid metal 13 is a specific example of a conductive fluid. The liquid metal 13 is filled in the tube 12. Specifically, the liquid metal 13 is filled in the internal space S which is partitioned in the vertical direction by the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 and partitioned in the radial direction by the tube 12.

[0033] Typically, the liquid metal 13 is composed of a metal having the following properties. · Being liquid when it is from 5 to 35 degrees. · Having a small electrical resistance. · Being difficult to vaporize even when heated by energization.

[0034] As an example of the liquid metal 13 having the above properties, a liquid metal containing Ga (gallium) and Sn (tin) can be mentioned. Further, as an example of the liquid metal 13, a liquid metal containing a eutectic alloy of Ga (gallium), In (indium) and Sn (tin) can be mentioned. As this kind of liquid metal, Galinstan (registered trademark) is commercially available. Galinstan has a boiling point of 1300 degrees or more, a melting point of -19 degrees, and is a liquid metal at room temperature (22 degrees). Further, Galinstan forms an oxide film at the contact interface with air, and the oxide film functions as a sealing portion to suppress the vaporization of the liquid metal.

[0035] Among the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11, the portions in contact with the liquid metal 13, that is, the press-fitting portion 16 of the upper terminal 10 and the press-fitting portion 21 of the lower terminal 11, may be plated with In or Sn as the main component for the purpose of improving the wettability and contact resistance with the liquid metal 13.

[0036] The viscosity of the liquid metal 13 can be appropriately adjusted within a range that does not inhibit the fluidity of the liquid metal 13. Therefore, the liquid metal 13 may be, for example, in a paste form.

[0037] With the above configuration, the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 are always in a conductive state with each other via the liquid metal 13. Also, the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 can approach each other in the vertical direction with the elastic deformation of the tube 12 while maintaining the conductive state with respect to each other. Typically, when the tube 12 bulges outward in the radial direction, the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 can approach each other while maintaining the conductive state with respect to each other. Further, when the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 approach each other, the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 receive a repulsive force to separate from each other due to the elastic restoring force of the tube 12 itself.

[0038] <Assembly of the Interposer 1> Next, refer to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the contact 5 is housed in the contact housing chamber 6. As shown in FIG. 4, the contact 5 is housed in the corresponding contact housing chamber 6 by moving downward toward the corresponding contact housing chamber 6.

[0039] The contact 5 is held by the contact receiving flange 7 in a state of being housed in the contact housing chamber 6. Specifically, the contact 5 is held by the contact receiving flange 7 when the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 of the contact 5 contacts the flange upper surface 7a of the contact receiving flange 7 in the vertical direction.

[0040] At this time, the contact portion 20 of the lower terminal 11 penetrates the contact receiving flange 7 in the vertical direction and is exposed downward beyond the lower housing surface 4b of the housing 4.

[0041] On the other hand, the contact portion 15 of the upper terminal 10 is exposed upward beyond the upper housing surface 4a of the housing 4. As an example, the contact portion 15 of the upper terminal 10 is located above the upper housing surface 4a of the housing 4, and the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 is located below the upper housing surface 4a of the housing 4. That is, the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 is in a state of being completely accommodated in the contact accommodation chamber 6.

[0042] Also, there is a gap G between the inner peripheral surface 6a of the contact accommodation chamber 6 and the outer peripheral surface 12c of the tube 12. This gap G allows the tube 12 to bulge radially outward as described above.

[0043] <Use of the interposer 1> FIG. 5 shows the behavior of the contacts 5 when the interposer 1 is in use. As shown in FIG. 5, the interposer 1 is mounted on the rigid substrate 3 and used. The interposer 1 includes, as an example, a hold-down (not shown), and is fixed to the rigid substrate 3 by soldering the hold-down to the rigid substrate 3. As shown in FIG. 5, in the state where the interposer 1 is mounted on the rigid substrate 3, the contact portion 20 of the lower terminal 11 of each contact 5 is in contact with the land 3a of the rigid substrate 3. At this time, in some of the plurality of contacts 5, the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 may float upward from the contact receiving flange 7 in order to absorb the warp of the rigid substrate 3.

[0044] In this state, to connect the LGA package 2 to the rigid substrate 3, an unillustrated clamp is operated to press the LGA package 2 against the interposer 1. Then, each land 2a of the LGA package 2 comes into contact with the contact portion 15 of the upper terminal 10 of the corresponding contact 5 and presses down the contact portion 15. That is, the upper terminal 10 moves toward the lower terminal 11. At this time, as described above, while the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 maintain the conductive state with respect to each other via the liquid metal 13, the upper terminal 10 moves toward the lower terminal 11 with the elastic deformation of the tube 12. Thus, each land 2a of the LGA package 2 is electrically connected to the corresponding land 3a of the rigid substrate 3 through the upper terminal 10, the liquid metal 13, and the lower terminal 11 of the contact 5 in this order.

[0045] On the other hand, to disconnect the LGA package 2 from the rigid substrate 3, the above-described clamp is operated to simply move the LGA package 2 upward away from the rigid substrate 3. As a result, the upper terminal 10 is pushed back upward by the elastic restoring force of the tube 12 itself as described above and returns to the state shown in FIG. 4.

[0046] As described above, according to each contact 5 of the present embodiment, the current path length from each land 2a of the LGA package 2 to the corresponding land 3a of the rigid substrate 3 is extremely short because the current path is straight along the vertical direction. In addition, the cross-sectional area of each contact 5 hardly changes from the contact portion 15 of the upper terminal 10 to the contact portion 15 of the lower terminal 11. Therefore, excellent high-frequency characteristics are realized.

[0047] In addition, the cross-sectional area of each contact 5 does not locally become smaller from the contact portion 15 of the upper terminal 10 to the contact portion 15 of the lower terminal 11. Therefore, excellent conductivity and excellent heat conduction characteristics are realized.

[0048] Furthermore, since the configuration of each contact 5 is simple, it can be said that it contributes to the reduction in height of the interposer 1.

[0049] Note that, as shown in FIG. 6, the dimension 5H of each contact 5 in the vertical direction is configured to increase as it approaches the center of the interposer 1 in a plan view. That is, the plurality of contacts 5 includes a long contact 5P whose dimension 5H in the vertical direction is the first length, and a short contact 5Q whose dimension 5H in the vertical direction is the second length shorter than the first length. The long contact 5P is disposed at the center of the interposer 1 in a plan view. The short contact 5Q is disposed at the outer peripheral edge of the interposer 1 in a plan view. By changing the length of the tube 12 of each contact 5, the distance between the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 in each contact 5 is adjusted. Thereby, when the LGA package 2 is connected to the rigid substrate 3, warpage of the LGA package 2 and the rigid substrate 3 can be absorbed.

[0050] <Manufacturing method> Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 7, a method for manufacturing the interposer 1 will be described. First, a plurality of contacts 5 are manufactured (S100). Specifically, the lower terminal 11 is press-fitted into the tube 12 (S110), the tube 12 is filled with the liquid metal 13 (S120), and the upper terminal 10 is press-fitted into the tube 12 (S130).

[0051] However, the upper terminal 10 may be press-fitted into the tube 12 first, then the tube 12 may be filled with the liquid metal 13, and thereafter the lower terminal 11 may be press-fitted into the tube 12. Also, the tube 12 may be filled with the liquid metal 13 after the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 are press-fitted into the tube 12. In this case, it is conceivable to secure a temporary flow path for filling the liquid metal 13 between the upper terminal 10 or the lower terminal 11 and the tube 12. Furthermore, after the tube 12 is filled with the liquid metal 13, the upper terminal 10 and the lower terminal 11 may be press-fitted into the tube 12 respectively. In this case, it would be effective to slightly increase the viscosity of the liquid metal 13. After manufacturing the plurality of contacts 5 (S100), each contact 5 is housed in a corresponding contact housing chamber 6 (S140).

[0052] The first embodiment has been described above. The first embodiment has the following features.

[0053] The interposer 1 (connector) includes a housing 4 that is flat and has a plurality of contact accommodation chambers 6 penetrating in the plate thickness direction, and a plurality of contacts 5 respectively accommodated in the plurality of contact accommodation chambers 6 of the housing. Each contact 5 includes two metal terminals (10, 11) arranged to face each other in the plate thickness direction, a tubular tube 12 (connecting member) that is easily elastically deformed and connects the two metal terminals (10, 11), and a liquid metal 13 (conductive fluid) filled in the tube 12. The two metal terminals (10, 11) are electrically connected to each other through the liquid metal 13. The two metal terminals (10, 11) are configured to approach each other in the plate thickness direction with the elastic deformation of the tube 12. According to the above configuration, the narrowing of the pitch of the interposer 1 can be realized.

[0054] Also, each metal terminal (10, 11) has a press-fitting portion (16, 21) press-fitted into the tube 12. According to the above configuration, good workability when connecting the two metal terminals (10, 11) with the tube 12 is realized.

[0055] Also, each metal terminal (10, 11) has a large-diameter portion (17, 22) with a larger diameter than the press-fitting portion (16, 21). According to the above configuration, positioning of the press-fitting portion (16, 21) with respect to the tube 12 when press-fitting the press-fitting portion (16, 21) into the tube 12 is realized.

[0056] Also, each metal terminal (10, 11) has a contact portion (15, 20) exposed to the outside from the housing 4. The press-fitting portions (16, 21) and the contact portions (15, 20) are arranged back to back with the large-diameter portion (17, 22) interposed therebetween. According to the above configuration, each metal terminal (10, 11) can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0057] Further, each of the metal terminals (10, 11) has contact portions (15, 20) that are exposed to the outside 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. According to the above configuration, each of the metal terminals (10, 11) can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0058] Also, the contact portions (15, 20) are smaller in diameter than the large-diameter portions (17, 22). According to the above configuration, it contributes to weight reduction of the interposer 1.

[0059] Also, there is a gap G between the inner peripheral surface 6a of each contact housing chamber 6 and the outer peripheral surface 12c of the tube 12 of each contact 5. According to the above configuration, elastic deformation of the tube 12 in the radially outward direction is allowed.

[0060] Also, the interposer 1 is manufactured by attaching either one of the two metal terminals (10, 11) to the tube 12, filling the tube 12 with the liquid metal 13, and attaching the other of the two metal terminals (10, 11) to the tube 12. According to the above method, the manufacturing cost of the interposer 1 can be suppressed.

[0061] (Second Embodiment) Next, with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences between the present embodiment and the above-described first embodiment, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0062] In the above-described first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, in a state where the contact 5 is housed in the contact housing chamber 6, the contact 5 can be easily pulled out upward from the contact housing chamber 6. Therefore, when the interposer 1 is turned upside down, there is a risk that the contact 5 may accidentally fall off from the housing 4.

[0063] In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the contact 5 is held in the housing 4 by press-fitting. Specifically, a plurality of inward projecting portions 30 are formed at the upper end of the inner peripheral surface 6a of each contact housing chamber 6. In the present embodiment, the plurality of inward projecting portions 30 includes three inward projecting portions 30. However, instead of this, the plurality of inward projecting portions 30 may include two or four or more inward projecting portions 30. As shown in FIG. 8, the three inward projecting portions 30 are arranged at equal intervals in a plan view. The diameter of the circle passing through the radially inner tops of the three inward projecting portions 30 before elastic deformation is smaller than the diameter of the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10. At the lower end of the inner peripheral surface 6a of each contact housing chamber 6, a contact receiving flange 7 is formed in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The contact receiving flange 7 is a specific example of a receiving portion for receiving the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11.

[0064] Then, in the state where the contact 5 is housed in the contact housing chamber 6 as shown in FIG. 8, the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 is press-fitted against the three inward projecting portions 30. In this state, the three inward projecting portions 30 are elastically deformed radially outward and act on the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 with a radially inward elastic restoring force. Due to this elastic restoring force, the contact 5 is held by the housing 4.

[0065] In the state shown in FIG. 8, to connect the LGA package 2 to the rigid substrate 3, an unillustrated clamp is operated to press the LGA package 2 against the interposer 1. Then, each land 2a of the LGA package 2 comes into contact with the contact portion 15 of the upper terminal 10 of the corresponding contact 5 and presses down the contact portion 15. That is, the upper terminal 10 moves toward the lower terminal 11. By this movement of the upper terminal 10, the above press-fitting is released, and the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 moves downward from the three inward protruding portions 30. When the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 moves downward from the three inward protruding portions 30, the three inward protruding portions 30 return to the state before press-fitting and come to face the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 slightly in the vertical direction. Due to this facing relationship, the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 is prevented from moving upward beyond the three inward protruding portions 30, thereby preventing the contact 5 from falling out of the contact housing chamber 6.

[0066] Next, with reference to FIG. 9, a method for manufacturing the interposer 1 will be described. Since steps S100 to S140 are the same as steps S100 to S140 of the first embodiment described above, the description thereof will be omitted. In this embodiment, step S140 of housing each contact 5 in the corresponding contact housing chamber 6 is different from step S140 of the first embodiment. That is, step S140 in this embodiment includes step S150 in which the lower terminal 11 passes through the three inward protruding portions 30 and step S160 of press-fitting the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 into the three inward protruding portions 30.

[0067] The second embodiment has been described above. The second embodiment has the following features.

[0068] That is, 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 accommodation chamber 6, a plurality of inward protrusions 30 into which the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 is press-fitted and a contact receiving flange 7 (receiving portion) for receiving the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 are formed. By press-fitting the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 into the plurality of inward protrusions 30, the contact 5 is held by the housing 4. According to the above configuration, the handleability of the interposer 1 is improved. Further, since the press-fitting 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.

[0069] Further, the interposer 1 is manufactured by attaching either one of the two metal terminals (10, 11) to the tube 12, filling the tube 12 with the liquid metal 13, attaching the other of the two metal terminals (10, 11) to the tube 12, and press-fitting the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 against the plurality of inward protrusions 30. According to the above method, the manufacturing cost of the interposer 1 can be suppressed.

[0070] (Third Embodiment) Next, with reference to FIGS. 10 to 12, the third embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the description will focus on the differences between the present embodiment and the above-described second embodiment, and overlapping descriptions will be omitted.

[0071] In the above-described second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the contact 5 is held by the housing 4 by press-fitting the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 against the three inward protrusions 30.

[0072] In contrast, in the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, since the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 is positioned below the three inwardly projecting portions 30, the contact 5 is held by the housing 4. In the present embodiment, the three inwardly projecting portions 30 are a specific example of a first receiving portion that receives the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10. The contact receiving flange 7 is a specific example of a second receiving portion that receives the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11. Then, since the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 and the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 are positioned between the three inwardly projecting portions 30 and the contact receiving flange 7 in the vertical direction, the contact 5 is held by the housing 4.

[0073] 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 so as to correspond to the three inwardly projecting portions 30. The three upper concave portions 31 are formed at equal intervals in a plan view. 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 so as to correspond to the three inwardly projecting portions 30. The three lower concave portions 32 are formed at equal intervals in a plan view.

[0074] FIG. 11 shows a passable state in which the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 can pass through the three inwardly projecting portions 30 in the vertical direction, and a non-passable state in which the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 cannot pass through the three inwardly projecting portions 30 in the vertical direction.

[0075] In the passable state of FIG. 11, the three upper concave portions 31 of the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 are aligned with the three inwardly projecting portions 30 respectively, and the three upper concave portions 31 and the three inwardly projecting portions 30 of the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 are in a positional relationship where they do not face each other in the vertical direction. Therefore, in this passable state, the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 can pass through the space inside the three inwardly projecting portions 30 without contacting the three inwardly projecting portions 30.

[0076] In the non-passable state of FIG. 11, the contact 5 is rotated 30 degrees from the passable state. At this time, the three inward protrusions 30 are in a positional relationship facing the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 in the vertical direction. Therefore, in this non-passable state, the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 cannot pass through the space inside the three inward protrusions 30 without contacting the three inward protrusions 30.

[0077] Thus, in this embodiment, by simply rotating the upper terminal 10 with respect to the three inward protrusions 30, the state of the upper terminal 10 can be switched between the passable state and the non-passable state.

[0078] As shown in FIG. 10, since three lower recesses 32 are similarly formed in the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11, by aligning the three lower recesses 32 with the three inward protrusions 30, the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 can pass through the space inside the three inward protrusions 30 without contacting the three inward protrusions 30.

[0079] With the above configuration, to accommodate the contact 5 in the contact housing chamber 6, first, with the three lower recesses 32 formed in the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 aligned with the three inward projecting portions 30, insert the contact 5 into the contact housing chamber 6. Subsequently, with the three upper recesses 31 formed in the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 aligned with the three inward projecting portions 30, push down the upper terminal 10 so that the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 passes through the space inside the three inward projecting portions 30. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, the tube 12 elastically deforms so as to bulge slightly outward in the radial direction. In this state, by rotating the upper terminal 10 with respect to the three inward projecting portions 30, the state of the upper terminal 10 is switched from a passable state to a non-passable state. Then, remove the downward load on the upper terminal 10. Then, due to the elastic restoring force of the tube 12, the upper terminal 10 rises, and the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 abuts against the three inward projecting portions 30. As a result, the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 and the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 are positioned between the three inward projecting portions 30 and the contact receiving flange 7, and the contact 5 is held by the housing 4. In this embodiment, with the contact 5 held by the housing 4, the contact 5 is in a preloaded state. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 10, with the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 abutting against the three inward projecting portions 30, elastic energy remains in the tube 12 and continuously pushes up the upper terminal 10. Thereby, the contact 5 does not move violently within the contact housing chamber 6 during handling of the interposer 1. However, with the contact 5 held by the housing 4, the contact 5 does not necessarily have to be in a preloaded state.

[0080] Next, with reference to FIG. 12, a method for manufacturing the interposer 1 will be described. Since steps S100 to S140 are the same as steps S100 to S140 of the first embodiment described above, the description thereof will be omitted. In the present embodiment, step S140 of accommodating each contact 5 in the corresponding contact accommodation chamber 6 is different from step S140 of the first embodiment. That is, step S140 in the present embodiment includes step S200 in which the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 passes through the three inward protruding portions 30, step S210 in which the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 passes through the three inward protruding portions 30, and step S220 of rotating the upper terminal 10 with respect to the three inward protruding portions 30 to switch the state of the upper terminal 10 from a passable state to a non-passable state.

[0081] The third embodiment has been described above. The third embodiment has the following features.

[0082] 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 accommodation chamber 6, three inward 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. By positioning the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 and the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 between the three inward protruding portions 30 and the contact receiving flange 7 in the vertical direction, the contact 5 is held by the housing 4. According to the above configuration, the handleability of the interposer 1 is improved.

[0083] Further, when the upper terminal 10 is rotated with respect to the three inward protruding portions 30, the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 switches between a passable state in which it can pass through the three inward protruding portions 30 in the vertical direction and a non-passable state in which the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 cannot pass through the three inward protruding portions 30 in the vertical direction. According to the above configuration, the configuration in which the large-diameter portion 17 of the upper terminal 10 and the large-diameter portion 22 of the lower terminal 11 are positioned between the three inward protruding portions 30 and the contact receiving flange 7 in the vertical direction can be easily realized.

[0084] Further, the interposer 1 is manufactured by attaching either one of two metal terminals (10, 11) to the tube 12, filling the tube 12 with the liquid metal 13, attaching the other of the two metal terminals (10, 11) to the tube 12, passing the upper terminal 10 through three inward protrusions 30, and then rotating the upper terminal 10 after passing through to switch from a passable state to a non-passable state. According to the above method, the manufacturing cost of the interposer 1 can be suppressed.

Explanation of Signs

[0085] 1 Interposer (Connector) 2 LGA Package 2a Land 3 Rigid Substrate 3a Land 4 Housing 4a Upper Surface of Housing 4b Lower Surface of Housing 5 Contact 5H Dimension 5P Long Contact 5Q Short Contact 6 Contact Accommodation Chamber 6a Inner Peripheral Surface 7 Contact Receiving Flange (Receiving Portion, Second Receiving Portion) 7a Upper Surface of Flange 7b Lower Surface of Flange 10 Upper Terminal (Metal Terminal, First Metal Terminal) 11 Lower Terminal (Metal Terminal, Second Metal Terminal) 12 Tube (Connecting Member) 12a Upper End Portion 12b Lower End Portion 12c Outer Peripheral Surface 13 Liquid Metal (Conductive Fluid) 15 Contact Portion 15a Cylindrical Portion 15b Hemispherical Portion 16 Press-Fitting Portion 16a Cylindrical Portion 16b Hemispherical Portion 17 Large-Diameter Portion 17a Outer Peripheral Surface 20 Contact Portion 20a Cylindrical portion 20b Hemispherical portion 21 Press-fitting portion 21a Cylindrical portion 21b Hemispherical portion 22 Large-diameter portion 22a Outer peripheral surface 30 Inner protruding portion (first receiving portion) 31 Upper concave portion 32 Lower concave portion G Gap S Internal space

Claims

1. A housing that is flat and has a plurality of contact accommodation chambers penetrating in the plate thickness direction, and a plurality of contacts respectively accommodated in the plurality of contact accommodation chambers of the housing, including each contact comprises two metal terminals arranged to face each other in the plate thickness direction, a cylindrical connecting member that is easily elastically deformed and connects the two metal terminals, and a conductive fluid filled in the connecting member, including the two metal terminals are electrically connected to each other through the conductive fluid, the two metal terminals are configured to approach each other in the plate thickness direction with elastic deformation of the connecting member, Connector.

2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein each metal terminal has a press-fitting portion press-fitted into the connecting member, Connector.

3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein each metal terminal has a large-diameter portion that is larger in diameter than the press-fitting portion, Connector.

4. The connector according to claim 3, wherein each metal terminal has a contact portion exposed to the outside from the housing, the press-fitting portion and the contact portion are arranged back to back with the large-diameter portion interposed therebetween, Connector.

5. The connector according to claim 3, wherein each metal terminal has a contact portion exposed to the outside from the housing, the press-fitting portion and the contact portion protrude from the large-diameter portion in opposite directions from each other, Connector.

6. The connector according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the contact portion is smaller in diameter than the large-diameter portion, Connector.

7. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the plurality of contacts include a long contact having a dimension in the plate thickness direction of a first length and a short contact having a dimension in the plate thickness direction of a second length shorter than the first length, Connector.

8. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the two metal terminals include a first metal terminal and a second metal terminal, on the inner peripheral surface of each contact accommodation chamber, a plurality of inward protruding portions into which the large-diameter portion of the first metal terminal is press-fitted, and a receiving portion for receiving the large-diameter portion of the second metal terminal, are formed, by press-fitting the large-diameter portion of the first metal terminal into the plurality of inward protruding portions, the contact is held by the housing, Connector.

9. The connector according to claim 6, wherein the two metal terminals include a first metal terminal and a second metal terminal, On the inner peripheral surface of each contact housing chamber, a first receiving portion for receiving the large-diameter portion of the first metal terminal, a second receiving portion for receiving the large-diameter portion of the second metal terminal, are formed, and the large-diameter portion of the first metal terminal and the large-diameter portion of the second metal terminal are positioned between the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion in the plate thickness direction, whereby the contact is held by the housing, connector.

10. The connector according to claim 9, wherein when the first metal terminal is rotated with respect to the first receiving portion, the large-diameter portion of the first metal terminal can be switched between a passable state in which it can pass through the first receiving portion in the plate thickness direction and a non-passable state in which it cannot pass through the first receiving portion in the plate thickness direction, connector.

11. The connector according to claim 1, wherein there is a gap between the inner peripheral surface of each contact housing chamber and the outer peripheral surface of the connecting member of each contact, connector.

12. A method for manufacturing the connector according to claim 1, wherein either one of the two metal terminals is attached to the connecting member, the conductive fluid is filled into the connecting member, and the other of the two metal terminals is attached to the connecting member, manufacturing method.

13. A method for manufacturing the connector according to claim 8, wherein either one of the two metal terminals is attached to the connecting member, the conductive fluid is filled into the connecting member, and the other of the two metal terminals is attached to the connecting member, and the large-diameter portion of the first metal terminal is press-fitted into the plurality of inwardly projecting portions, manufacturing method.

14. A method for manufacturing the connector according to claim 10, wherein either one of the two metal terminals is attached to the connecting member, the conductive fluid is filled into the connecting member, and the other of the two metal terminals is attached to the connecting member, the first metal terminal passes through the first receiving portion, and after passing, the first metal terminal is rotated to switch from the passable state to the non-passable state, manufacturing method.

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