Socket Connector Actuating Mechanism for Horizontal Plate Movement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing socket connectors for IC package testing often cause damage to contact terminals due to the pivotable movement of translational shafts, leading to slanted movement of the moving plate and breakage of interconnections.
Innovation Solution
A socket connector design featuring a lid, first and second operating levers with cam sections and bearing sections, allowing the moving plate to move horizontally, eliminating pivotable movement and ensuring smooth, horizontal actuation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If translational shafts are used to directly drive the moving plate, then the moving plate can be actuated, but the pivotable movement causes the moving plate to move slantly and damages the contact terminals
Solution Approach 1:
A guide section is introduced as an intermediary component between the translational shaft and the moving plate. The guide section receives the driving force from the translational shaft and converts it into pure horizontal movement, while the moving plate is guided by guide rails to maintain horizontal orientation. This intermediary mechanism eliminates the direct pivotable connection that caused slanted movement and contact terminal damage.
2Productivity
If pivotable shafts are used to drive the moving plate, then the moving plate can move, but the movement becomes slanted and causes damage
Solution Approach 1:
The actuating mechanism is segmented into distinct functional components: the translational shaft for providing driving force, the guide section for converting movement type, and the guide rails for constraining the moving plate's path. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally, ensuring horizontal movement without slanting that would damage contact terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide section acts as a mediator that receives rotational input from the translational shaft and transforms it into linear horizontal displacement, which then drives the moving plate through the guide rails. This intermediary transformation eliminates the harmful pivotable movement while preserving the productivity benefit of mechanical actuation.
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 horizontal movement of the moving plate protects contact terminal interconnections, preventing damage and ensuring reliable testing of IC packages.
Implementation Method 1
The first operating lever has a cam section engaged with a bearing section formed on the moving plate so as to drive the moving plate to move in a substantially horizontal direction
Data Source
AI summary
A socket connector includes a socket body, a moving plate movably mounted upon the socket body, and an actuating mechanism. The actuating mechanism comprises a lid, a first operating lever, and a second operating lever. The first and second operating levers are disposed between the lid and moving plate with opposite tilted angles. The first operating lever has a cam section engaged with a bearing section formed on the moving plate so as to drive the moving plate to move in a substantially horizontal direction.