Solder-bearing contacts and method of manufacture thereof and use in a solder ball grid array connector
US6543129B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 7, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 8, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 31, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49179
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
The present invention provides a method of forming a solder ball on a portion, e.g., one end, of a contact. In one exemplary embodiment, the contact is a terminal pin which is intended for use in an electrical connector and more particularly, for use in a solder ball grid array (SBGA) connector. Generally and according to one embodiment, the method includes providing the contact along with a solder-holding clip having a body with an opening. The body has a solder-holding conformation adjacent the opening and a solder mass is held by the conformation. The contact is then positioned proximate to the body opening and heat is applied to the solder mass causing the solder to reflow so that the solder flows into a spherical shape. This results in a solder ball being formed on the portion of the contact. Subsequent to forming the solder ball, the solder-holding clip is separated from the contact leaving a contact with a solder ball affixed thereto. Preferably, a series of solder-holding clips are provided along a carrier strip of material so that a number of solder balls may be formed on corresponding contacts during a single reflow operation.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.