Self-cleaning socket for microelectronic devices
US7491069B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 7, 2008 |
| Grant date | Feb 17, 2009 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 7, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01R3/00
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A self-cleaning socket for contacting terminals on a microelectronic device wherein the first end of compliant tubular contactors rotate and wipe against terminals urged downwardly against the first end of the contactors. A rotational wipe of a contactor against a mating terminal breaks through any surface contamination layers on the terminal, thereby producing good electrical contact therebetween. Rotation of the first end of a contactor is caused by a downward deflection of a collar supported by two or more helical legs along a midsection of the contactor. Deflection of the collar distorts the resilient helical legs, each of which exerts a force on the collar which add up to produce a torsional force on the collar, thereby providing a rotational wipe in response to a downward urging of a terminal against the contactor. A void along the axis of the tubular contactor provides a reservoir to hold debris dislodged from the terminal and to keep the debris from interfering with operation of the contactor.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.