LIF Socket Contact Curved Section for Pin Insertion
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional LIF sockets face issues with inadequate flexibility of contacts, high resistance during pin insertion and withdrawal, and breakage due to offset pins, resulting in difficult assembly and increased risk of spring arm damage.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a housing with passages and contacts featuring planar bodies, extending arms with curved contacting sections and smooth surfaces, which enhance elasticity and facilitate easy pin insertion and withdrawal, while guiding offset pins back to the correct position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spring arms are made shorter and stiffer for structural stability, then contact reliability improves, but flexibility and ease of pin insertion deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The contacting section of the spring arm is designed with a curved configuration featuring a smooth curved surface. This curvature allows pins to be easily inserted and withdrawn by reducing friction and guiding the pin along a smooth path, while the spring arm maintains adequate length and flexibility for elastic deformation and reliable contact.
2Ease of operation
If spring arms are made longer and more flexible for better elasticity, then ease of pin insertion improves, but structural stability and contact reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The spring arm is segmented into different functional sections: a base section for structural support, an extending section for flexibility, and a curved contacting section for easy pin insertion. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while working together as a unified structure that provides both flexibility and reliability.
3Ease of operation
If curved contacting sections are added to improve pin insertion, then manufacturing complexity increases, but pin insertion ease and contact reliability improve
Solution Approach 1:
The curved contacting section is merged with the spring arm as an integrated structure rather than a separate component. This integration maintains the simplicity of the overall contact structure while incorporating the curvature needed for easy pin insertion, avoiding the need for additional parts or complex assembly steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The improved design allows for easier and more reliable insertion and removal of IC package pins, enhancing assembly efficiency and reducing the risk of contact damage by increasing the elasticity of spring arms and providing a smooth curved surface for pin alignment.
Implementation Method 1
the spring arms are forced to deflect elastically, which enables the pins to contact with the contacting sections
Data Source
AI summary
A LIF socket (10) for electrically connecting an IC package and a PCB includes an insulative housing (20) having a supporting surface (202) and a mounting surface (204) opposite to the supporting surface. A number of passages (206) extend from the mounting surface. Each passage has a leading section (208). A number of contacts (30) are disposed in corresponding passages, respectively. Each contact has a planar body (302), a pair of arms (304) extending from two lateral sides of the planar body towards the supporting surface, and a soldering pad (306) angled with respect to the planar body. The arm is formed with a curved contacting (3080) section at a distal end thereof.