Floating Socket Connector

Abstract

To provide board mounted and bus mounted power connectors.SOLUTION: A socket connector 20 is configured to mount to a component such as a printed circuit board. The socket connector 20 includes: a base 30 having a passageway 42 and a channel extending outwardly from the passageway 42; a barrel 50 including a wall 56 having a flange 58 outwardly extending therefrom; at least one biasing member 34 engaging the flange 58 and surrounding the wall 56; and a contact 52 secured within the barrel 50. The wall 56 is secured within the passageway 42 and the flange 58 is secured within the channel. The barrel 50 is configured to move within the base 30 to align a centerline of a pin inserted into the socket connector 20 with a centerline of a hole in the component.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Related Applications This application claims domestic priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 423,285, filed November 17, 2016, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 428,753, filed December 1, 2016, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 450,641, filed January 26, 2017, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 460,323, filed February 17, 2017, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 504,827, filed May 11, 2017. The contents of each of the above U.S. provisional patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to the field of connectors, and more particularly to board mounted and bus mounted power connectors. [Background technology]

[0003] Power connectors are used in devices that consume large amounts of power and, as a result, use high currents. In some cases, multiple connectors are mounted in arrays on printed circuit boards and bus bars. In larger arrays of power connectors, aligning the male pins with the female socket connectors can be difficult due to tolerance buildup. High power systems also generate heat, and the resulting expansion of the system when carrying high currents can cause relative movement between the male pins and the female socket connector. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] The socket connector is configured to be mounted within a hole in a component such as a printed circuit board. The socket connector includes a base, a cylindrical portion including a passage extending therethrough and a channel extending outward from the passage, a wall having a passage therethrough and a flange extending outward from the wall, at least one biasing member engaging the flange and surrounding the wall, and a contact secured within the passage in the cylindrical portion. The wall of the cylindrical portion is secured within the passage in the base, and the flange of the cylindrical portion is secured within the channel in the base. The cylindrical portion is configured to move within the base to align the centerline of a pin inserted into the socket connector with the centerline of the hole in the component. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0005] The present invention is illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements and in which:

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a socket connector. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the socket connector. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the socket connector. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a socket connector. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the socket connector of FIG. [Figure 6] 5 is a side view showing the socket connector of FIG. 4 engaged with a pin. [Figure 7] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a socket connector engaged with a component such as a printed circuit board. [Figure 8] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a socket connector engaged with a component such as a printed circuit board. [Figure 9] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a socket connector engaged with a component such as a printed circuit board. [Figure 10] 1 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of a socket connector engaged with a component such as a printed circuit board. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a side view showing the base of the socket connector of FIG. 1. [Figure 12] 2 is a side view showing a cylindrical portion of the socket connector of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing contacts of a socket connector. [Figure 14] FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. [Figure 16] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing two socket connectors mounted by pins to components such as bus bars and printed circuit boards. [Figure 17] FIG. 1 is an end view showing a socket connector with pins installed. [Figure 18] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an alignment tool used to surface mount a socket connector to a component. [Figure 19] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing the socket connector, components, and alignment tool. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The following Detailed Description describes exemplary embodiments and is not intended to be limiting to the explicitly disclosed combination(s). Thus, unless otherwise indicated, features disclosed herein can be combined together to form additional combinations that, for brevity's sake, have not been separately shown.

[0008] The floating socket connector 20, when used with the pins 200 mounted therein, connects the components 300 together to form an electrical connection. For example, the socket connector 20, when used with the pins 200, may be used to connect a printed circuit board or flex circuit to a bus bar or a pair of bus bars that may be arranged in parallel, or to connect a first printed circuit board or flex circuit to a second printed circuit board or flex circuit. In one embodiment, the socket connector 20 is a power connector. As can be seen from the figure, the socket connector 20 provides a floating connection structure. By "floating connection structure," it is meant that the socket connector 20 and the pins 200 can move relative to one another. This floating design allows for a certain degree of misalignment between the socket connector 20 and the pins 200, and the socket connector 20 automatically compensates for the misalignment while maintaining electrical contact.

[0009] The pin 200 is conventional and is formed from a body 202 having opposite ends 202 a, 202 b and an outer surface 202 d that defines an outer diameter. A centerline 204 of the pin 200 extends along the length of the pin 200 between the ends 202 a, 202 b and defines a longitudinal axis.

[0010] The components 300 are conventional. Each component 300 has first and second surfaces 300a, 300b and a through hole 302 therethrough, through which the floating socket connector 20 may be mounted. A centerline 304 of the through hole 302 extends along the height of the component 300 between the surfaces 300a, 300b and defines a longitudinal axis. In one embodiment, the first and second surfaces 300a, 300b are planar.

[0011] The socket connector 20 includes a base 30, a contact assembly 32 mounted within the base 30, and at least one biasing member 34. All components of the socket connector 20 are formed of a conductive material, such as a metal. The base 30 is attached to a component 300 as described herein. The contact assembly 32 is configured to move relative to the base 30, and therefore relative to the component 300 to which the base 30 is attached.

[0012] In one embodiment, as shown in Figures 7-9, the base 30 is annular and has a generally U-shaped cross-section. The base 30 includes a vertical outer wall 36, a first wall 38 extending inward from an end of the outer wall 36, and a second wall 40 extending inward from an opposite end of the outer wall 36. In some embodiments, the first wall 38 and the second wall 40 are perpendicular to the vertical outer wall 36. The inner surfaces 38c, 40c of the first wall 38 and the second wall 40 form a passageway 42 therethrough, which extends from the first end 30a of the base 30 to the second end 30b of the base 30. A centerline 44 of the base 30 extends along the length of the base 30 between the ends 30a, 30b and defines a longitudinal axis. Surfaces 36c, 38b, 40a of outer wall 36, first wall 38, and second wall 40 each define a channel 46 that communicates with passageway 42 and extends outwardly therefrom. Channel 46 has a height extending in the same direction as centerline 44 that is less than the height of passageway 42 extending in the same direction as centerline 44. In one embodiment, surfaces 38b, 40a of channel 46 are parallel to one another, and surface 36c is perpendicular to surfaces 38b, 40a. In one embodiment, channel 46 is adjacent to but spaced from second end 30b of base 30. In some embodiments, walls 36, 38, 40 are annular such that passageway 42 and channel 46 are cylindrically shaped.

[0013] In some embodiments, such as those shown in Figures 1, 2, 9, and 11, the outer surface 36d of the outer wall 36 has serrations.

[0014] In some embodiments, such as those shown in Figures 1, 2, 9, and 11, the lip 48 extends outward from the outer surface 36d of the outer wall 36 proximate the first end 30a.

[0015] 10, the second wall 40 extends outwardly rather than inwardly from the outer wall 36. As a result, the channel 46 is open to the second end 30b of the base 30.

[0016] The contact assembly 32 includes a barrel 50 , contacts 52 , and a cap 54 .

[0017] The cylindrical portion 50 is formed by a vertical wall 56 and a flange 58 extending outwardly from an outer surface 56d of the vertical wall 56. An inner surface 56c of the wall 56 forms a passageway 60 that extends from a first end 50a of the cylindrical portion 50 to a second end 50b of the cylindrical portion 50. A centerline 62 of the cylindrical portion 50 extends along the length of the cylindrical portion 50 between its ends 50a, 50b and defines a longitudinal axis.

[0018] In some embodiments, the wall 56 and the flange 58 have a circular cross-section. The flange 58 can be located anywhere along the outer surface 56d of the wall 56. As shown in the drawings, the flange 58 is located adjacent to but spaced from the first end 56a of the wall 56.

[0019] 7, 9, and 10, flange 64 extends inwardly from inner surface 56c of wall 56 and is spaced from flange 58 to define passageway 60. In one embodiment, flange 64 extends inwardly from wall 56 at first end 56a of wall 56, thus defining first end 60a of passageway 60. In some embodiments, flange 64 is annular. Flange 64 may be omitted.

[0020] 8, flange 66 extends outwardly from outer surface 56d and is spaced apart from flange 58. In one embodiment, flange 66 extends outwardly from wall 56 at second end 56b of wall 56. In some embodiments, flange 66 is annular. Flange 66 may be omitted.

[0021] The contact 52 is generally hollow and generally conforms to the shape of the inner surface 56c of the wall 56 of the cylindrical portion 50. The contact 52 may be formed from a gold-plated alloy.

[0022] 13-15, the contact 52 is formed from an annular connector 68 having a plurality of separate flexible beams 70 cantilevered therein to define a passageway 72 extending from the first end 52a of the contact 52 to the second end 52b of the contact 52. A centerline 74 of the contact 52 extends along the length of the contact 52 between the ends 52a, 52b and defines a longitudinal axis.

[0023] The connecting portion 68 has first and second ends 68a, 68b, an inner surface 68c, and an outer surface 68d. In one embodiment, the connecting portion 68 is discontinuous around its periphery such that a slot 76 is provided.

[0024] In some embodiments, connecting portion 68 has a plurality of spaced apart protrusions 78 extending from second end 68b thereof. In one embodiment, protrusions 78 extend in a longitudinal direction parallel to centerline 76. Each protrusion 78 has a length that is significantly shorter than the length of connecting portion 68. In one embodiment, protrusions 78 extend in the same plane as connecting portion 68. In one embodiment, protrusions 78 have a curved shape that matches the curved shape of connecting portion 68.

[0025] In some embodiments, the connecting portion 68 has a plurality of spaced-apart depressions or protrusions 80a, 80b disposed thereon. In one embodiment, the protrusions 80a, 80b are shaped as spherical domes. In one embodiment, the protrusions 80a, 80b are elongated. The protrusions 80a, 80b may be aligned around the outer periphery of the connecting portion 68. The protrusions 80a, 80b may alternate between protrusions 80a extending outward from the outer surface 68d of the connecting portion 68 and protrusions 80b extending inward from the inner surface 68c of the connecting portion 68. Other patterns of outwardly extending protrusions 80a and inwardly extending protrusions 80b may be disposed around the outer periphery of the connecting portion 68. The number of outwardly extending protrusions 80a may be different from the number of inwardly extending protrusions 80b.

[0026] The beams 70 extend from the first end 68a of the connecting portion 68. Each beam 70 is parallel to and radially spaced apart from the centerline 74. The beams 70 are spaced apart from one another around the periphery of the connecting portion 68.

[0027] In one embodiment, each beam 70 has a first portion 82 extending at an angle from the connector 68 at a corner 84 and a second portion 86 extending at an angle from the end of the first portion 82 at a corner 88. The first portion 82 is angled inward toward the centerline 74, and the second portion 86 is angled outward from the centerline 74. The corners 88 may be radiused. In one embodiment, the corners 88 meet at the outer periphery of the contact 52 and define an inner diameter. The inner diameter defined by the corners 88 is smaller than the inner diameter of the pin 200.

[0028] In one embodiment, each beam 70 has a recess 90 along its inner surface 70c that is spaced from the free end 86a of the second portion 84. The recess 90 has elongated side edges 92, 94 that extend parallel to the centerline 74 of the contact point 52 and side edges 96, 98 at opposite ends of the side edges 92, 94. The recess 90 extends along a portion of the first portion 82, along the corner 84, and along a portion of the second portion 88. As shown in FIG. 17 , the recess 90 allows the outer periphery of the body 202 of a pin 200 to be received therein to provide two points of contact with each beam 70.

[0029] The contacts 52 may be stamped from a flat sheet of material and rolled to the desired shape. The contacts 52 may be machined to the desired shape.

[0030] 7, 9, and 10, the cap 54 has an annular first wall 100 defining a central passageway 102 and a second wall 104 extending radially outward from the first wall 100 and perpendicular to the first wall 100. In one embodiment, the cap 54 further has an annular third wall 106 (see FIG. 8) extending perpendicularly from the second wall 104 and generally parallel to the first wall 100.

[0031] The contact 52 is secured within the passage 60 of the cylindrical portion 50 such that the second end 52a of the contact 52 is generally aligned with the second end 50b of the cylindrical portion 50, the first end of the contact 52 is spaced from the first end 50a of the cylindrical portion 50, and the centerlines 62, 74 are aligned. The outer surface 68d of the connecting portion 68 is adjacent to the inner surface 56d of the wall 56 of the cylindrical portion 50, and the outwardly extending protrusion 80a abuts the inner surface 56d of the wall 56. The cap 54 secures the cylindrical portion 50 and the contact 52 together. In one embodiment, the cap 54 is press-fit onto the cylindrical portion 50 and the contact 52. In one embodiment, the cap 54 is crimped onto the cylindrical portion 50 and the contact 52. The wall 100 of the cap 54 abuts and engages the inwardly extending protrusion 80a of the cylindrical portion 50. The wall 100 of the cap 54 has a diameter smaller than the diameter defined by the inwardly extending protrusion 80a. Thus, when the wall 100 of the cap 54 engages the connection portion 68, the protrusions 80a, 80b deform. The wall 104 engages the end 56b of the wall 56 of the cylindrical portion 50. In some embodiments, the end of the protrusion 78 abuts and engages the wall 104, forming an electrical path. In embodiments of the cap 54 that include a wall 106, the wall 106 engages the flange 66. In some embodiments, the flange 66 is secured within a recess in the wall 106.

[0032] In one embodiment, biasing member 34 is a wave spring. In one embodiment, biasing member 34 is a spring washer. In one embodiment, biasing member 34 is a thrust washer.

[0033] The contact assembly 32 is secured within the base 30. The wall 56 of the cylindrical portion 50 is secured within the passage 42 of the base 30. The wall 56 extends outward from the ends 30a, 30b of the base 30. The flange 58 of the cylindrical portion 50 is secured within the channel 46 of the base 30 and extends into the passage 42 of the base 30. The contact assembly 32 can be secured such that the first end 56a of the wall 56 is adjacent to the wall 38 of the base 30 or such that the second end 56b of the wall 56 is adjacent to the wall 38 of the base 30. The wall 56 has a smaller diameter than the passage 42 of the base 30, and the flange 58 has a smaller diameter than the channel 46 of the base 30 but a larger diameter than the passage 42 of the base 30. As a result, the contact assembly 32 can move relative to the base 30 but cannot be pulled outward from the first end 30a of the base 30.

[0034] 7-9 is used, in one embodiment, the first biasing member 34 is fixed between and abuts the flange 58 and the first wall 38, further surrounding the wall 56 of the cylindrical portion 50, and the second biasing member 34 is fixed between and abuts the flange 58 and the second wall 40, further surrounding the wall 56 of the cylindrical portion 50. In one embodiment, only the first biasing member 34 is provided, and the flange 58 engages with the second wall 40. In one embodiment, only the second biasing member 34 is provided, and the flange 58 engages with the first wall 38. The socket connector 20 of this embodiment is mounted to the component 300 either by surface mounting or by press-fitting the socket connector 20 into the through-hole 302. When surface mounted, either the first wall 38 or the second wall 40 of the base 30 is attached to the component 300, for example, by soldering the base 30 to conductive traces on the component 300, and the wall 56 of the cylindrical portion 50 is secured within the through-hole 302 of the component 300. The wall 56 of the cylindrical portion 50 has a diameter smaller than the diameter of the through-hole 302. Upon press-fit, the outer surface 36d of the wall 36 of the base 30 engages the wall, forming the through-hole 302 of the component 300. The through-hole 302 is plated and provides an electrical connection to the conductive traces on the component 300. Upon press-fit, the lip 48 prevents the socket connector 20 from moving further into the through-hole 302. If the wall 36 is serrated, the serrations dig into the wall, forming the through-hole 302. As a result, the contact assembly 32 can move relative to the base 30 and the component 300, but the base 30 cannot move relative to the component 300.

[0035] When the cylindrical portion 50 shown in FIG. 10 is used, in one embodiment, the first biasing member 34 is secured between and abuts the flange 58 and the first wall 38, further surrounding the wall 56 of the cylindrical portion 50, and the second biasing member 34 abuts the opposite side of the flange 58 and surrounds the wall 56 of the cylindrical portion 50. When mounted to the component 300 as described herein, the second biasing member 34 abuts and engages with the surface 300 a of the component 300. In one embodiment, only the first biasing member 34 is provided, and the flange 58 engages with the surface 300 a of the component 300. In one embodiment, only the second biasing member 34 is provided, and the flange 58 engages with the first wall 38. The socket connector 20 of this embodiment can simply be surface-mounted to the component 300. The second wall 40 of the base 30 is attached to the component 300, for example, by soldering, and the wall 56 of the cylindrical portion 50 is secured within the through-hole 302 of the component 300. The wall 56 of the cylindrical portion 50 has a diameter that is smaller than the diameter of the through-hole 302. As a result, the contact assembly 32 can move relative to the base 30 and relative to the component 300.

[0036] The pin 200 can be inserted into the contact 52 from either direction. That is, the pin 200 can be inserted into the contact 52 so that the pin 200 first passes through the connecting portion 68 and then engages the corner 88 of the contact 52, or the pin 200 can be inserted into the contact 52 so that the pin 200 first passes through the free end 86 a of the beam 70 and then engages the corner 88 of the contact 52. When the pin 200 engages the corner 88 of the contact 52, the beam 70 bends and generally straightens. The outwardly facing end 86 a of the second portion 86 can contact the inner surface 56 c of the wall 56 of the cylindrical portion 50. An electrical signal flows from the pin 200, through the beam 70, through the connecting portion 68, through the cylindrical portion 50 and cap 54, through the biasing member 34, through the base 30, and to the component 300.

[0037] The flange 58 of the cylindrical portion 50 is capable of radial translation and rotation within the channel 46 of the base 30. The biasing member 34 biases the flange 58 against the opposing walls 38, 40 of the cylindrical portion 50 to maintain electrical contact between the flange 58 and the base 30, and therefore the contacts 52. Because the contact assembly 32 is movable relative to the base 30, some degree of misalignment between the socket connector 20 and the pin 200 is automatically compensated for while maintaining electrical contact. When misalignment occurs, the centerline 204 of the pin 22 will not be aligned with the centerline 44 of the base 30 during insertion. When misalignment exists, the flange 58 allows the contact assembly 32 to move or float and engage the biasing member 34, compressing it.

[0038] In this regard, if two biasing members 34 are provided in the form of springs, the springs may have different spring characteristics to provide a harder spring and a softer spring. The softer spring will deflect first to provide tolerance, and the stronger spring will deflect after the softer spring has deflected to provide tolerance. For example, if wave springs are provided, one wave spring may have more waves than the other wave spring. For example, one wave spring may have 12 waves, while the other wave spring has 6 waves. In a preferred embodiment, the harder spring has twice as many waves as the softer spring.

[0039] An example implementation of a socket connector 20 using connector 300 is shown in FIG. 16. In FIG. 16, a pair of bus bars 300′ and a printed circuit board 300″ are provided. Each pin 200 is fixed to a corresponding one of the bus bars 300′ and is electrically isolated from the other corresponding bus bar 300′. Each pin 200 is received in a corresponding socket connector 20 mounted on the printed circuit board 300″ and makes electrical contact with the socket connector 20 as described herein. The contact assembly 32 moves relative to the base 30 to compensate for any tolerance stackup. Expansion movement caused by heat generation can also be accommodated by float between the contact assembly 32 and the base 30.

[0040] To facilitate surface mounting of the socket connector 20 to the component 300, an alignment tool 400 (see FIG. 18 ) is used. The alignment tool 400 includes a cylindrical inner wall 402, a cylindrical outer wall 404, and a bottom wall 406 that separates the cylindrical inner wall 402 from the cylindrical outer wall 404. The inner wall 402 and the outer wall 404 are parallel to each other and extend in the same direction from the bottom wall 406. The end of the cylindrical inner wall 402 may be closed by a wall 408. The cylindrical outer wall 404 has a plurality of fingers 410 extending from an inner surface of the outer wall 404. 19 , the socket connector 20 is placed on the alignment tool 400 so that the cylindrical inner wall 402 is secured within the passage 72 of the contact 52, the base 406 engages the second end 104 b of the wall 104 of the cap 54, and the fingers 410 on the cylindrical outer wall 404 engage the outer surface 56 d of the wall 56 of the cylindrical portion 50 and extend into the passage 42 of the base 30. The assembled socket connector 20 and alignment tool 400 are then secured within the through-hole 302 of the component 300 until the wall 38 or 40 of the base 30, which is surface-mounted to the component 300, engages the surface 300 a of the component 300. The cylindrical outer wall 404 is slightly smaller in size than the through-hole 302 so that the outer surface 402 d of the cylindrical outer wall 404 engages the wall to form the through-hole 302 in the component 300. After the wall 38 or 40 of the base 30 is surface mounted to the component 300, the aligned centerlines 62, 74 of the cylindrical portion 50 and the contacts 52 are aligned with the centerline 304 of the component 300. After the socket connector 20 is surface mounted to the component 300, the alignment tool 400 is removed from the socket connector 20 by pulling the alignment tool 400 from the opposite side of the through-hole 302.

[0041] The use of the terms "a," "an," "the," and "at least one," and similar referents in the context of the description of the invention (particularly in the context of the claims below) shall be construed to encompass both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of the term "at least one" followed by a list of one or more items (e.g., "at least one of A and B") shall be construed to mean one item selected from the listed items (A or B) or any combination of two or more of the listed items (A and B), unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having," "including," and "containing" shall be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to"), unless otherwise indicated. The recitation of ranges of values ​​herein, unless otherwise indicated herein, is intended to serve merely as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually set forth herein. All processes described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples or exemplary language (e.g., "such as") provided herein is intended merely to better clarify the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless specifically claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

[0042] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect those of ordinary skill in the art to adopt such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend that the invention may be practiced other than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. a socket connector including a first member at least partially formed of a conductive material and a second member at least partially formed of a conductive material, the first member including first and second opposing ends and defining a first member passage extending in a first direction through the first member, the first member configured to be attached to a first electrical component; the second member including first and second opposing ends and defining a second member passage extending in a first direction through the second member and opening to at least one of the first and second ends of the second member, the second member positioned within the first member passage and electrically and mechanically connected to the first member; the second member extending from the first member into a through hole of the first electrical component, the second member passage configured to receive a second electrical component; a removable alignment device formed of a non-conductive material, the removable alignment device having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a bottom wall separating one end of the inner wall from one end of the outer wall, the inner wall configured to be positioned at least partially within the second member passage, the outer wall configured to engage an outer surface of the second member and further configured to engage a wall of a through hole in the first electrical component; An assembly comprising:

2. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein an outer wall of the removable alignment device extends into a first member passage of the socket connector.

3. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein an outer wall of said removable alignment device has a plurality of fingers extending from said inner wall, said fingers engaging an outer surface of said second member of said socket connector.

4. 2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising a contact located within a second member passage of said socket connector, said contact located between said second member and an outer surface of an inner wall of said removable alignment device.

5. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the inner and outer walls of the removable alignment device are parallel to one another.

6. 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second members of the socket connector are electrically and mechanically connected by at least one biasing member positioned between the first and second members, and the second member can be moved relative to the first member by the biasing member.

7. The assembly of claim 1 , wherein the second member of the socket connector is movable relative to the first member.

8. 1. A method for installing a socket connector into a through-hole of a first electrical component using a removable alignment device, comprising: providing a socket connector including a first member formed at least in part from a conductive material and a second member formed at least in part from a conductive material, the first member including first and second opposing ends and defining a first member passage extending in a first direction through the first member, the first member configured to be attached to a first electrical component; the second member including first and second opposing ends and defining a second member passage extending in a first direction through the second member and opening into at least one of the first and second ends of the second member, the second member positioned within the first member passage and electrically connected to the first member; the second member extending from the first member into a through-hole of the first electrical component, the second member passage configured to receive a second electrical component; providing a removable alignment device formed of a non-conductive material, the removable alignment device having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a bottom wall spacing one end of the inner wall from one end of the outer wall, the inner wall configured to be positioned at least partially within the second member passageway, and the outer wall configured to engage an outer surface of the second member; inserting an inner wall of the removable alignment device into the second member passageway and engaging an outer wall of the removable alignment device with an outer surface of the second member; mounting the socket connector and inserted removable alignment device within the through-hole of the first electrical component to an extent that the first member engages a surface of the first electrical component, wherein an outer wall of the removable alignment device engages a wall of the through-hole of the first electrical component during the mounting step; removing the removable alignment device from the socket connector; A method for providing

9. 9. The method of claim 8, further comprising inserting an inner wall of the removable alignment device to such an extent that a bottom wall of the removable alignment device engages the socket connector.

10. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein when an outer wall of the removable alignment device engages an outer surface of the second member, the second member is substantially prevented from moving in a second direction relative to the first member, the first direction being different from a second direction, and when the removable alignment device disengages from the outer surface of the second member, the second member may move in the second direction relative to the first member.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the first direction is a longitudinal direction and the second direction is a radial direction, the radial direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

12. 1. A method for installing a socket connector into a through-hole of a first electrical component using a removable alignment device, comprising: providing a socket connector including a first member formed at least in part from a conductive material and a second member formed at least in part from a conductive material, the first member including first and second opposing ends and defining a first member passage extending in a first direction through the first member, the first member configured to be attached to a first electrical component; the second member including first and second opposing ends and defining a second member passage extending in a first direction through the second member and opening into at least one of the first and second ends of the second member, the second member positioned within the first member passage and electrically connected to the first member; the second member extending from the first member into a through-hole of the first electrical component, the second member passage configured to receive a second electrical component; providing a removable alignment device formed of a non-conductive material, the removable alignment device having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a bottom wall separating one end of the inner wall from the one end of the outer wall, the inner wall configured to be positioned at least partially within the second member passage, the outer wall configured to engage an outer surface of the second member, the outer wall having a plurality of fingers extending therefrom that engage the outer surface of the second member of the socket connector; inserting an inner wall of the removable alignment device into the second member passageway so that fingers of the removable alignment device engage an outer surface of the second member; mounting the socket connector and inserted removable alignment device within the through-hole of the first electrical component to an extent that the first member engages a surface of the first electrical component, wherein an outer wall of the removable alignment device engages a wall of the through-hole of the first electrical component during the mounting step; removing the removable alignment device from the socket connector; A method for providing

13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising inserting an inner wall of the removable alignment device to such an extent that a bottom wall of the removable alignment device engages the socket connector.

14. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein when an outer wall of the removable alignment device engages an outer surface of the second member, the second member is substantially prevented from moving in a second direction relative to the first member, the first direction being different from a second direction, and when the removable alignment device disengages from the outer surface of the second member, the second member may move in the second direction relative to the first member.

15. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the first direction is a longitudinal direction and the second direction is a radial direction, the radial direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

16. 1. A method for installing a socket connector into a through-hole of a first electrical component using a removable alignment device, comprising: providing a socket connector including a first member at least partially formed of a conductive material, a second member at least partially formed of a conductive material, and contacts, wherein the first member has first and second opposing ends and defines a first member passage extending in a first direction therethrough, the first member being configured to be attached to a first electrical component, the second member has first and second opposing ends and defines a second member passage extending in a first direction therethrough and opening into at least one of the first and second ends of the second member, the second member being located within the first member passage and electrically connected to the first member, the second member extending from the first member into a through hole of the first electrical component, the second member passage being configured to receive a second electrical component, and the contacts being located within the second member passage; providing a removable alignment device formed of a non-conductive material, the removable alignment device having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a bottom wall spacing one end of the inner wall from one end of the outer wall, the inner wall configured to be positioned at least partially within the second member passageway, and the outer wall configured to engage an outer surface of the second member; inserting an inner wall of the removable alignment device into the second member passageway and engaging an outer wall of the removable alignment device with an outer surface of the second member; mounting the socket connector and inserted removable alignment device within the through-hole of the first electrical component to an extent that the first member engages a surface of the first electrical component, wherein an outer wall of the removable alignment device engages a wall of the through-hole of the first electrical component during the mounting step; removing the removable alignment device from the socket connector; A method for providing

17. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising inserting an inner wall of the removable alignment device to such an extent that a bottom wall of the removable alignment device engages the socket connector.

18. 17. The method of claim 16, wherein when an outer wall of the removable alignment device engages an outer surface of the second member, the second member is substantially prevented from moving in a second direction relative to the first member, the first direction being different from a second direction, and when the removable alignment device disengages from the outer surface of the second member, the second member may move in the second direction relative to the first member.

19. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first direction is a longitudinal direction and the second direction is a radial direction, the radial direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

20. 1. A method for installing a socket connector into a through-hole of a first electrical component using a removable alignment device, comprising: A socket connector including a first member formed at least in part from a conductive material and a second member formed at least in part from a conductive material, the first member including opposing first and second ends and defining a first member passage extending in a first direction through the first member, the first member being configured to be attached to a first electrical component, and the second member including opposing first and second ends and defining a second member passage extending in a first direction through the second member and opening into at least one of the first and second ends of the second member. providing a socket connector, the socket connector including: a second member positioned within the first member passage and electrically connected to the first member; the second member extending from the first member into a through-hole of the first electrical component; the second member passage configured to receive a second electrical component; the first and second members of the socket connector being electrically and mechanically connected by at least one biasing member positioned between the first and second members; and the second member being movable relative to the first member by the biasing member; providing a removable alignment device formed of a non-conductive material, the removable alignment device having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a bottom wall spacing one end of the inner wall from one end of the outer wall, the inner wall configured to be positioned at least partially within the second member passageway, and the outer wall configured to engage an outer surface of the second member; inserting an inner wall of the removable alignment device into the second member passageway and engaging an outer wall of the removable alignment device with an outer surface of the second member; mounting the socket connector and inserted removable alignment device within the through-hole of the first electrical component to an extent that the first member engages a surface of the first electrical component, wherein an outer wall of the removable alignment device engages a wall of the through-hole of the first electrical component during the mounting step; removing the removable alignment device from the socket connector; A method for providing

21. 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising inserting an inner wall of the removable alignment device to such an extent that a bottom wall of the removable alignment device engages the socket connector.

22. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein when an outer wall of the removable alignment device engages an outer surface of the second member, the second member is substantially prevented from moving in a second direction relative to the first member, the first direction being different from a second direction, and when the removable alignment device disengages from the outer surface of the second member, the second member may move in the second direction relative to the first member.

23. 23. The method of claim 22, wherein the first direction is a longitudinal direction and the second direction is a radial direction, the radial direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

24. 1. A method for installing a socket connector into a through-hole of a first electrical component using a removable alignment device, comprising: providing a socket connector including a first member formed at least in part from a conductive material and a second member formed at least in part from a conductive material, the first member having first and second opposing ends and defining a first member passage extending in a first direction therethrough, the first member being configured to be attached to a first electrical component; the second member having first and second opposing ends and defining a second member passage extending in a first direction therethrough and opening into at least one of the first and second ends of the second member, the second member being positioned within the first member passage and electrically connected to the first member; the second member extending from the first member into a through-bore of the first electrical component, the second member passage being configured to receive a second electrical component, and the second member being movable relative to the first member; providing a removable alignment device formed of a non-conductive material, the removable alignment device having an inner wall, an outer wall, and a bottom wall spacing one end of the inner wall from one end of the outer wall, the inner wall configured to be positioned at least partially within the second member passageway, and the outer wall configured to engage an outer surface of the second member; inserting an inner wall of the removable alignment device into the second member passageway and engaging an outer wall of the removable alignment device with an outer surface of the second member; mounting the socket connector and inserted removable alignment device within the through-hole of the first electrical component to an extent that the first member engages a surface of the first electrical component, wherein an outer wall of the removable alignment device engages a wall of the through-hole of the first electrical component during the mounting step; removing the removable alignment device from the socket connector; A method for providing

25. 25. The method of claim 24, further comprising inserting an inner wall of the removable alignment device to such an extent that a bottom wall of the removable alignment device engages the socket connector.

26. 25. The method of claim 24, wherein when an outer wall of the removable alignment device engages an outer surface of the second member, the second member is substantially prevented from moving in a second direction relative to the first member, the first direction being different from a second direction, and when the removable alignment device disengages from the outer surface of the second member, the second member may move in the second direction relative to the first member.

27. 27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first direction is a longitudinal direction and the second direction is a radial direction, the radial direction being perpendicular to the longitudinal direction.

Images