High density packaging of electronic components in three-dimensional modules

Claim 2

A high density three-dimensional modular package of electrical components comprising a plurality of electrical component packs, each of said packs including connector means supported thereon, circuit board means having a plurality of sockets formed therein receiving said connector means, a connector block having a first set of connector pins projecting from one surface thereof and received in sockets of said circuit board means, said connector block having a second set of connector pins electrically connected with said first set and extending from another surface of said connector block, each set of said pins being arranged in a plurality of rows along their respective surfaces to provide a high density of pins per unit of volume, wherein: said circuit board means comprises a pair of circuit boards, and said connector means comprises rigid pins having a pressure fit relationship with the sockets of said circuit boards.

Claim 3

A package as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second sets of connector pins are rigid and said first set has a pressure fit relationship with one of said circuit boards.

Claim 4

A functional module for use in a modular assembly comprising a support member including an electrical system having a plurality of electrical terminals, and a plurality of connector pins, said connector pins each including a base portion supporting each of said pins on said support member in electrical contact with one of said terminals, each of said connector pins further includiNg a rigid connector portion extending from said base portion and adapted to be pressure fit in an electrical socket, said pins being spaced along said support member with the connector portions of adjacent pins being offset one from the other to define a plurality of rows of pins, and said module having a flatpack configuration with said connector portions of said connector pins lying in planes parallel to the plane of the flatpack, said base portion of each of said connector pins being bifurcated to define a pair of arms which engage opposed surfaces on said module, said support member including a support ledge having a reduced thickness and projecting therefrom and with said electrical terminals extending into said ledge, said bifurcated arms of said base portions of said connector pins being received over said ledge.

Claim 5

A functional module for use in a modular assembly comprising a support member including an electrical system having a plurality of electrical terminals, and a plurality of connector pins, said connector pins each including a base portion supporting each of said pins on said support member in electrical contact with one of said terminals, each of said connector pins further includiNg a rigid connector portion extending from said base portion and adapted to be pressure fit in an electrical socket, said pins being spaced along said support member with the connector portions of adjacent pins being offset one from the other to define a plurality of rows of pins, and said module having a flatpack configuration with said connector portions of said connector pins lying in planes parallel to the plane of the flatpack, said base portion of each of said connector pins being bifurcated to define a pair of arms which engage opposed surfaces on said module, said support member including a support ledge having a reduced thickness and projecting therefrom and with said electrical terminals extending into said ledge, said bifurcated arms of said base portions of said connector pins being received over said ledge.

Claim 6

A functional module for use in a modular assembly comprising a support member including an electrical system having a plurality of electrical terminals and a plurality of connector pins, said connector pins each including a base portion supporting each of said pins on said support member in electrical contact with one of said terminals, each of said connector pins further including a rigid connector portion extending from said base portion and adapted to be pressure fit in an electrical socket, said module having a flatpack configuration with said connector portions of said connector pins lying in planes parallel to the plane of the flatpack, said base portion of each of said connector pins being bifurcated to define a pair of arms which engage opposed surfaces on said module and said support member including a support ledge having a reduced thickness and projecting therefrom and with said electrical terminals extending into said ledge, said bifurcated arms of said base portions of said connector pins being received over said ledge.

Claim 7

A functional module for use in a modular assembly comprising a support member including an electrical system having a plurality of electrical terminals and a plurality of connector pins, said connector pins each including a base portion supporting each of said pins on said support member in electrical contact with one of said terminals, each of said connector pins further including a rigid connector portion extending from said base portion and adapted to be pressure fit in an electrical socket, said module having a flatpack configuration with said connector portions of said connector pins lying in planes parallel to the plane of the flatpack, said base portion of each of said connector pins being bifurcated to define a pair of arms which engage opposed surfaces on said module and said support member including a support ledge having a reduced thickness and projecting therefrom and with said electrical terminals extending into said ledge, said bifurcated arms of said base portions of said connector pins being received over said ledge.

Claim 8

A high density three-dimensional modular package of electrical components comprising a plurality of electrical component packs each having a flatpack configuration and arranged in a cordwood relationship, each of said flatpacks including an electrical system having a plurality of electrical terminals, a plurality of rigid connector pins projecting from opposite ends of each of said flatpacks in plane parallel to the planes of said flatpacks, means connecting each of said connector pins in electrical contact with one of the electrical terminals on its associated flatpack, and a pair of circuit boards each having a plurality of sockets formed therein, each of said connector pins projecting from one end of said flatpacks being received in a pressure fitting relationship in a corresponding socket in one of said circuit boards, each connector pin projecting from said one end of said flatpacks and its corresponding socket having abutting surface contact providing an electrical connection therebetween, each of said connector pins projecting from the other end of said flatpacks being received in a pressure fitting relationship in a corresponding socket in the other of said circuit boards, and each of said connector pins projecting from the other end of said flatpacks also having abutting surface contact with its corresponding socket providing an electrical connection therebetween whereby said flatpacks are each detachably plugged into said circuit board means and readily removable therefrom, wherein each of said flatpacks has a support ledge portion having a reduced thickness projecting therefrom and said electrical terminals extending into said ledge and said rigid connector pins comprising bifurcated arms received over said ledge at least one of which is electrically connected with said electrical terminal.

Claim 9

A high density three-dimensional modular package of electrical components comprising a plurality of electrical component packs each having a flatpack configuration and arranged in a cordwood relationship, each of said flatpacks including an electrical system having a plurality of electrical terminals, a plurality of rigid connector pins projecting from opposite ends of each of said flatpacks in plane parallel to the planes of said flatpacks, means connecting each of said connector pins in electrical contact with one of the electrical terminals on its associated flatpack, and a pair of circuit boards each having a plurality of sockets formed therein, each of said connector pins projecting from one end of said flatpacks being received in a pressure fitting relationship in a corresponding socket in one of said circuit boards, each connector pin projecting from said one end of said flatpacks and its corresponding socket having abutting surface contact providing an electrical connection therebetween, each of said connector pins projecting from the other end of said flatpacks being received in a pressure fitting relationship in a corresponding socket in the other of said circuit boards, and each of said connector pins projecting from the other end of said flatpacks also having abutting surface contact with its corresponding socket providing an electrical connection therebetween whereby said flatpacks are each detachably plugged into said circuit board means and readily removable therefrom, wherein each of said flatpacks has a support ledge portion having a reduced thickness projecting therefrom and said electrical terminals extending into said ledge and said rigid connector pins comprising bifurcated arms received over said ledge at least one of which is electrically connected with said electrical terminal.

Claim 10

A package as defined in claim 5 further including a connector block having a first set of connector pins projecting from one surface thereof and received in sockets in one of said circuit boards and having a second set of connector pins projecting from the opposed surface thereof and received in sockets in the otheR of said circuit board means, said connector block having additional connector pins electrically connected with said first and second sets thereof and extending from a third surface thereof, each of said pins of the connector block being arranged in a plurality of rows along their respective surfaces to provide a high density of pins per unit of volume.

Claim 11

A package as defined in claim 5 further including a cover assembly positioned over said flatpacks, said cover assembly including a heatsink means supported thereon including fin portions positioned between the flatpacks for conducted heat removal.