Patent US4932883A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4932883A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Elastomeric connectors for electronic packaging and testing
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1989-07-20
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Granted: 1990-06-12
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Expires: 2009-07-20
Abstract
Abstract An elastomeric connector for permanently or temporarily (for testing purposes) connecting area array chips without solder balls or wire bonds comprising an elastomer base material having through-hole conductors deposited therein, and surface conductor tabs which are electrically connected to the through-hole conductors deposited thereon. The surface conductor tabs have an overhanging contact region extending past the periphery of the through-hole conductors. Upon contact between the input/output pads of a chip and the overhanging contact regions of the elastomeric connector when aligned and biased towards each other, a requisite pressure causes a reactionary force by the elastomer base which facilites contact and automatic wipe. The elastomeric connectors may replace solder balls in chip connection applications, or may replace buckling beam test probe heads in chip test applications.
Inventors
- 👤 Liang-Choo Hsia
- 👤 Thomas P. McAndrew
- 👤 Fred E. Stuebner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 22:32
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01R; G01R1/00; G01R1/02; G01R1/06; G01R1/067; G01R1/073; G01R1/07307; H; H05; H05K; H05K7/00; H05K7/02; H05K7/10; H05K7/1053; H05K7/1061
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
214 words
An elastomeric connector for connecting at least one input/output pad of a first electrical component located on the first surface of said elastomeric connector to at least one corresponding input/output pad of a second electrical component located on the second surface of said elastomeric connector comprising: an elastomeric base, at least one substantially linear through-hole conductor extending from said first surface of said elastomeric base to said second surface, at least one surface conductor tab located on said first surface of said elastomeric base, said surface conductor tab being connected to said substantially linear through-hole conductor at said first surface of said elastomeric base, said surface conductor tab having an overhanging contact region extending past the periphery of said through-hole conductor, said substantially linear through-hole conductor remains stationary while said first electrical component is urged against said overhanging contact region, said overhanging contact region being substantially parallel to said first surface of said elastomeric base is aligned with input/output pad of said first electrical component mounted on said first surface of said elastomeric connector; and said substantially linear through-hole conductor at said second surface of said elastomeric base being aligned with said input/output pad of said second electrical component located on said second surface of said elastomeric base to make direct surface engagement therewith.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
214 words
An elastomeric connector for connecting at least one input/output pad of a first electrical component located on the first surface of said elastomeric connector to at least one corresponding input/output pad of a second electrical component located on the second surface of said elastomeric connector comprising: an elastomeric base, at least one substantially linear through-hole conductor extending from said first surface of said elastomeric base to said second surface, at least one surface conductor tab located on said first surface of said elastomeric base, said surface conductor tab being connected to said substantially linear through-hole conductor at said first surface of said elastomeric base, said surface conductor tab having an overhanging contact region extending past the periphery of said through-hole conductor, said substantially linear through-hole conductor remains stationary while said first electrical component is urged against said overhanging contact region, said overhanging contact region being substantially parallel to said first surface of said elastomeric base is aligned with input/output pad of said first electrical component mounted on said first surface of said elastomeric connector; and said substantially linear through-hole conductor at said second surface of said elastomeric base being aligned with said input/output pad of said second electrical component located on said second surface of said elastomeric base to make direct surface engagement therewith.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric base is an integral part of said substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 1 wherein said input/output pads are arranged in an area array.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 2 wherein said input/output pads are arranged in an area array.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric base is a material that will deform 25 to 50 percent in thickness upon the application of a pressure of less than 180 lbs/square inch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 3 wherein said elastomeric base is a polyurethane polymer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 4 wherein said elastomeric base is a porous polyurethane polymer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The elastomer connector of claim 2 wherein said elastomeric base is a material that will deform 25 to 50 percent in thickness upon the application of a pressure of less than 180 lbs/square inch.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 1 wherein said electrical components located on said first surface of said elastomeric connector are semiconductor chips.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 3 wherein said electrical components located on said first surface of said elastomeric connector are semiconductor chips.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 1 wherein said substrate is a multilayered ceramic substrate.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 2 wherein said substrate is a multilayered ceramic substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 3 wherein said substrate is a multilayered ceramic substrate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 1 wherein said through-hole conductor are comprised of metal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 14 wherein said surface conductor tabs are comprised of metal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 1 wherein the thickness of said elastomeric base is at least approximately 5 mils.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 16 wherein the thickness of said surface conductor tabs is in the range of approximately 2 mils to approximately 5 mils.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
20 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 1 wherein said second electrical component is a space transformer of a chip test probe.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 2 wherein said second electrical component is a space transformer of a chip test probe.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 3 wherein said second electrical component is a space transformer of a chip test probe.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 14 wherein said second electrical component is a space transformer of a chip test probe.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
16 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 17 wherein said second electrical component of a chip test probe.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 1 wherein a non-oxidizing metal exists on the surface of said overhanging contact regions.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 28 wherein said means for mechanically retaining comprises a flat plate which contacts and exerts a biasing force on said electrical components in the direction of said substrate.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
13 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 24 wherein said flat plate is thermally conductive.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 1 wherein means for mechanically retaining said electrical components are provided so that at least one said input/output pad of at least one said electrical component contacts said overhanging contact region of said elastomeric connector.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 1 wherein said elastomeric base exerts a force so that said overhanging contact region each contact and wipe said corresponding input/output pad of said electric component.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
28 words
The elastomeric connector of claim 1 wherein said input/output pad of said second electrical component has an overhanging contact region extending past the periphery of said through-hole conductor.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-06-11 | 1993-12-11 | 1994-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-06-11 | 1997-12-11 | 1998-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-06-11 | 2001-12-11 | 2002-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |