Angled Electrical Connector Contact Structure for LGA Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional Land Grid Array connectors have a limited contact region between the contacting end and the conductive pad of an IC module, leading to unreliable electrical connections, which affects the performance of the IC module.
Innovation Solution
An electrical connector with an insulative housing and contacts that include a base portion, a tail portion, a contact portion, and an intermediate portion forming a substantial 'L'-shape, with slots for increased resilience, allowing the contact portion to extend at angles and provide a larger contact region for improved connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional contact structure with a horizontally extended resilient portion and upwardly projecting contacting end is used, then the connector structure is simple, but the contact region between the contacting end and the conductive pad is insufficient, leading to unreliable electrical connection
Solution Approach 1:
The contact portion is configured to extend along a direction that forms an angle with respect to both the base portion and the intermediate portion, creating a three-dimensional angled structure. This dimensional change allows the contact portion to engage with the conductive pad at an optimized angle, significantly increasing the contact region and improving electrical connection reliability while maintaining structural efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The contact structure incorporates resilient portions with slots that enhance flexibility and elasticity. The angled contact portion can dynamically adjust its position and angle during assembly and operation, ensuring optimal contact pressure and area with the conductive pad, thereby improving connection reliability without requiring a overly complex rigid structure
2Reliability
If the contact region is increased to improve electrical connection, then the connection reliability improves, but the contact structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The contact is divided into distinct functional portions: a base portion for structural support, an intermediate portion for transition, and a contact portion for electrical engagement. This segmentation allows each portion to be optimized independently - the contact portion can be angled to maximize contact area while the base and intermediate portions maintain structural integrity, achieving improved reliability without excessive overall complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The angled configuration is applied specifically to the contact portion where it is most needed for optimal electrical engagement, while the base portion and intermediate portion maintain simpler geometries for structural support and transition. This localized application of complexity only where necessary increases contact region effectiveness without unnecessarily complicating the entire contact structure
Data Source
AI summary
An electrical connector (100) for mounting on a board (3) includes an insulative housing (2) defining a number of passageways (20) and a number of contacts (1) received in corresponding passageways. Each contact includes a base portion (10), a tail portion (12) extending from one side of the base portion and electrically connecting to the board, a contact portion (16) projecting beyond an upper opening (21) of the passageway, and an intermediate portion (15) interconnecting the contact portion and the base portion in such a manner that the contact portion extends along a direction defining an angle with respect to both the base portion and the intermediate portion.