US6575774B2
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Power connector for high current, low inductance applications
Assignee: Intel Corp
•
Filing: 2001-06-18
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Granted: 2003-06-10
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Expires: 2021-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A connector capable of handling high current, for example, from a voltage regulator module. The connector includes a housing and a plurality of contacts in the housing. The plurality of contacts include power contacts, ground contacts, and signal contacts. The power and ground contacts are arranged in an alternating pattern in the housing. The signal contacts are located at each end of the alternating pattern of power contacts and ground contacts and may be significantly smaller than the power contacts and ground contacts. Each power contact and ground contact include two wide blade-like mating surfaces facing each other but offset and two or more solder tails allowing electrical connection to an electronic circuit. The two mating surfaces and the solder tails comprise a single piece.
Inventors
- 👤 Yun Ling
- 👤 Daniel Tong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 13:10
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/46; H01R13/53; H01R13/02; H01R13/10; H01R13/11
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
A connector capable of handling high current comprising: a housing; and a plurality of contacts in the housing, the plurality of contacts comprising power contacts and ground contacts, the power and ground contacts arranged in an alternating pattern, each power contact and ground contact comprising: two blade-like mating surfaces facing each other in an off-center alignment; and at least two solder tails allowing electrical connection to an electronic circuit, wherein the mating surfaces and the at least two solder tails comprise a single piece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
A connector capable of handling high current comprising: a housing; and a plurality of contacts in the housing, the plurality of contacts comprising power contacts and ground contacts, the power and ground contacts arranged in an alternating pattern, each power contact and ground contact comprising: two blade-like mating surfaces facing each other in an off-center alignment; and at least two solder tails allowing electrical connection to an electronic circuit, wherein the mating surfaces and the at least two solder tails comprise a single piece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of contacts are arranged in a row in the housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the two blade-like mating surfaces facing each other in an off-center alignment with space between them.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector according to claim 1 , comprising at least two solder tails under each mating surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector according to claim 1 , wherein each power contact and ground contact are bottom-loaded into the housing.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector according to claim 1 , wherein each power contact and ground contact are retained in the housing through interference fit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connector according to claim 1 , wherein the power contacts and the ground contacts are located in close proximity to each other allowing low loop inductance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
40 words
The connector according to claim 1 , further comprising a wall at the top of the housing, the wall protecting the tips of each power and ground contact thereby preventing each power contact and ground contact from stubbing and buckling.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connector according to claim 1 , further comprising signal contacts, the signal contacts being located at each end of the alternating pattern of power contacts and ground contacts.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector according to claim 9 , where the signal contacts are significantly smaller than the power contacts and ground contacts.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
104 words
A voltage regulator module (VRM) connector comprising: a housing; and a plurality of contacts in the housing, the plurality of contacts comprising power contacts, ground contacts, and signal contacts, the power and ground contacts arranged in an alternating pattern, the signal contacts being located at each end of the alternating pattern of power contacts and ground contacts, each power contact and ground contact comprising: two wide blade-like mating surfaces facing each other in an off-center alignment; and at least two solder tails allowing electrical connection to an electronic circuit, wherein the mating surfaces and the at least two solder tails comprise a single piece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
104 words
A voltage regulator module (VRM) connector comprising: a housing; and a plurality of contacts in the housing, the plurality of contacts comprising power contacts, ground contacts, and signal contacts, the power and ground contacts arranged in an alternating pattern, the signal contacts being located at each end of the alternating pattern of power contacts and ground contacts, each power contact and ground contact comprising: two wide blade-like mating surfaces facing each other in an off-center alignment; and at least two solder tails allowing electrical connection to an electronic circuit, wherein the mating surfaces and the at least two solder tails comprise a single piece.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector according to claim 11 , where the signal contacts are significantly smaller than the power contacts and ground contacts.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector according to claim 11 , comprising at least two solder tails under each mating surface.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector according to claim 11 , wherein the two blade-like mating surfaces facing each other in an off-center alignment with space between them.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connector according to claim 11 , wherein the power contacts and the ground contacts are located in close proximity to each other allowing low loop inductance.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
40 words
The connector according to claim 11 , further comprising a wall at the top of the housing, the wall protecting the tips of each power and ground contact thereby preventing each power contact and ground contact from stubbing and buckling.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The connector according to claim 11 , wherein each power contact and ground contact is approximately 0.27″ wide and capable of handling approximately 15 amperes to 20 amperes of current.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5618187A
Cited
US6129555A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2006-06-09 | 2006-12-09 | 2007-06-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-06-09 | 2010-12-09 | 2011-06-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-06-09 | 2014-12-09 | 2015-06-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |