US6093035A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Contact for use in an electrical connector
Assignee: FCI Americas Technology LLC
•
Filing: 1996-12-31
•
Granted: 2000-07-25
•
Expires: 2016-12-31
Abstract
Abstract Electrical connectors capable of being mounted on circuit substrates by BGA techniques are disclosed. Also disclosed is a method for manufacturing such connectors. There is at least one recess on the exterior side of the connector elements. A conductive contact extends from adjacent the interior side of the into the recess on the exterior side of the housing. A controlled volume of solder paste is introduced into the recess. A fusible conductive element, in the form of solder balls is positioned in the recess. The connector is subjected to a reflow process to fuse the solder ball to the portion of the contact extending into said recess. Contacts are secured in the insulative housing of the connector by deformable sections that minimize stress imposed on the housing, thereby reducing warpage. Solder resist areas are formed on central portions of the contacts to promote uniformity of solder volume. As a result of these features, substantial coplanarity of the BGA array along the mounting interface of the connector is achieved.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy A. Lemke
- 👤 Timothy W. Houtz
- 👤 Charles M. Gross
- 👤 Kenneth A. Neidert
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 11:59
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R43/00; H01R43/02; H01R43/0256; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/716; H01R43/20; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/34; H05K3/341; H05K3/3421; H05K3/3426; H05K3/3465; H05K3/3478; Y; Y02; Y02E; Y02E60/00; Y02E60/10
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A contact for an electrical connector mountable on a substrate, comprising: a medial portion; a contact engaging portion extending from the medial portion, said contact engaging portion being adapted to engage a mating contact; a solder terminal portion extending from the medial portion in a direction away from said contact engaging portion; a formed body of solder fused on the terminal portion before the connector mounts on the substrate; and said medial portion having a coating thereon for resisting solder wicking from the terminal portion to the contact engaging portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A contact for an electrical connector mountable on a substrate, comprising: a medial portion; a contact engaging portion extending from the medial portion, said contact engaging portion being adapted to engage a mating contact; a solder terminal portion extending from the medial portion in a direction away from said contact engaging portion; a formed body of solder fused on the terminal portion before the connector mounts on the substrate; and said medial portion having a coating thereon for resisting solder wicking from the terminal portion to the contact engaging portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The contact of claim 1, wherein the coating comprises a layer of nickel.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The contact of claim 1, further comprising at least one lateral notch adjacent the solder terminal portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The contact of claim 1, wherein the media portion comprises a width of about 0.1 mm to about 1 mm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The contact of claim 1, wherein the solder terminal portion comprises a plating of a solder wettable material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The contact of claim 5, wherein the solder wettable material plating comprises about 10 μin to about 10 μin in thickness.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
The contact of claim 5, wherein the solder terminal portion comprises a width of about 0.1 mm to about 0.25 mm from a tip of said terminal portion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The contact of claim 1, wherein the contact engaging portion comprises a metal plating selected from gold, palladium or a palladium alloy.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The contact of claim 8, wherein the metal plating on the contact engaging portion comprises a thickness of from about 10 μin to about 100 μin.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
12 words
The contact of claim 2, wherein the layer of nickel is oxidized.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The contact of claim 2, wherein the contact comprises a metallic member and wherein the layer of nickel is electroplated thereon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
The contact of claim 2, wherein the layer of nickel comprises about 10 μin to about 100 μin in thickness.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The contact as recited in claim 1, wherein said formed body of solder is a solder ball.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
55 words
A contact for an electrical connector, comprising: a medial portion of a non-solderable material; a mating portion extending from said medial portion for engaging a mating contact; a mounting portion made substantially of a solderable material and extending from said medial portion opposite said mating portion; and a fusible element secured to said mounting portion.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
A contact for an electrical connector, comprising: a medial portion of a non-solderable material; a mating portion extending from said medial portion for engaging a mating contact; a mounting portion made substantially of a solderable material and extending from said medial portion opposite said mating portion; and a fusible element secured to said mounting portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The contact as recited in claim 14, wherein said fusible element comprises a solder ball.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The contact as recited in claim 14, wherein said mounting portion comprises a tab.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The contact as recited in claim 16, wherein said tab is angled relative to said medial portion.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The contact as recited in claim 17, wherein said tab is substantially perpendicular to said medial portion.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The contact as recited in claim 14, wherein said mounting portion has a proximal end adjacent said medial portion and a distal end receiving said fusible element.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The contact as recited in claim 14, wherein the contact comprises a layer of nickel.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The contact as recited in claim 20, wherein said solderable material comprises a layer of solder wettable material.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The contact as recited in claim 21, wherein said solder wettable material comprises one of gold, tin and tin alloy.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The contact as recited in claim 21, wherein said solder wettable material resides on all surfaces of said mounting portion.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The contact as recited in claim 20, wherein said mating portion comprises a plating of one of gold, palladium and palladium alloy.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
73 words
A carrier strip comprising: a strip of material having an edge; at least one contact extending from said edge and comprising: a mounting portion extending from said edge and having a layer of solderable material substantially thereon, said mounting portion adapted to receive a fusible element; a medial portion extending from said mounting portion, said medial portion having a layer of non-solderable material thereon; and a mating portion extending from said medial portion.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
73 words
A carrier strip comprising: a strip of material having an edge; at least one contact extending from said edge and comprising: a mounting portion extending from said edge and having a layer of solderable material substantially thereon, said mounting portion adapted to receive a fusible element; a medial portion extending from said mounting portion, said medial portion having a layer of non-solderable material thereon; and a mating portion extending from said medial portion.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The carrier strip as recited in claim 25, wherein said solderable material occupies all surfaces of said mounting portion.
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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) | 2003-07-25 | 2004-01-24 | 2004-07-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-07-25 | 2008-01-24 | 2008-07-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-07-25 | 2012-01-24 | 2012-07-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |