Abstract: A method for making a contact begins by providing a sheet of material. A portion of the sheet is deep drawn to form a cavity having at least one sidewall, the cavity extending away from a rim formed by a non-drawn portion of the sheet. At least one spring member is defined from the at least one sidewall and is bent such that at least a portion of the at least one spring member extends beyond the rim.

Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting to pads formed on a semiconductor device includes a substrate and an array of contact elements of conductive material formed on the substrate. Each contact element includes a base portion attached to the top surface of the substrate and a curved spring portion extending from the base portion and having a distal end projecting above the substrate. The curved spring portion is formed to curve away from a plane of contact and has a curvature disposed to provide a controlled wiping action when engaging a respective pad of the semiconductor device.

Abstract: A Flat Flex Connector (FFC) has connector flanges embedded in its insulated electrical traces. The flanges engage electrical circuits in a camera module such as a CMOS or CCD and are clamped into electrical engagement. The opposite end of the FFC makes electrical contact with another electrical device such as a semiconductor circuit. The assembly allows electrical connection of two or more devices in a confined space in which the electrical device are not easily aligned for electrical contact.

Abstract: A compliant, scalable, thermal-electrical-mechanical, flexible electrical connector. In one configuration, the flexible electrical connector comprises a flexible substrate, a first and second conductive layer, and a plating contiguously applied over the conductive layers and holes through the substrate. The first and second conductive layers are adhered to opposite sides of the flexible substrate and have a plurality of raised contact elements in registration with at least a subset of the holes. At least some contact elements on the first and second conductive layers that oppose each other are in electrical communication with one another by way of the plating.

Abstract: A compliant, scalable, thermal-electrical-mechanical, flexible electrical connector. In one configuration, the flexible electrical connector comprises a flexible substrate, a first and second conductive layer, and a plating contiguously applied over the conductive layers and holes through the substrate. The first and second conductive layers are adhered to opposite sides of the flexible substrate and have a plurality of raised contact elements in registration with at least a subset of the holes. At least some contact elements on the first and second conductive layers that oppose each other are in electrical communication with one another by way of the plating.

Abstract: A printed circuit board includes a dielectric layer and an area array of contact elements extending above a first surface of the dielectric layer. Each contact element includes a conductive portion disposed to engage a respective pad of a land grid array module for providing electrical connection to the land grid array module. The land grid array module can include a land grid array package or a second printed circuit board. In one embodiment, the contact elements are selected from the group of contact types including metal springs, bundled wires, metal in polymer, and solid metal tabs. In another embodiment, a contact element in the area array includes a base portion of conductive material and an elastic portion of conductive material formed integrally with the base portion whereby the elastic portion extends from the base portion and protrudes above the first surface of the dielectric layer.

Abstract: This invention pertains to flat flex cable (FFC) with embedded spring contacts at one or both ends, and in between the ends as needed, to engage electrical devices by inserting the spring contacts on an end of the FFC into a clamp or receptacle that secures the spring contacts into engagement with electrical contacts on the electrical device and with electrical contacts on a camera module as used in cell phones.

Abstract: An electrical interposer including first and second surfaces is provided. A plurality of compliant pins are connected to the first surface of the substrate, each of the compliant pins having a drawn body with at least one side wall extending along a longitudinal axis thereof substantially perpendicular to the substrate. A plurality of contact elements are connected to the substrate for making electrical contact with a device facing the second surface of the substrate. Electrical paths connect the compliant pins to the contact elements.

Abstract: An electrical connector for electrically connecting to pads of a land grid array formed on an electronic component includes a dielectric layer including opposing first and second surfaces, and a multiple number of contact elements extending above the first surface of the dielectric layer. Each contact element includes a conductive portion disposed to engage a respective pad of the land grid array for providing electrical connection to the land grid array. In particular, the multiple number of contact elements includes a first contact element and a second contact element whereby the first contact element has an operating property different than an operating property of the second contact element. In one embodiment, the operating property includes a mechanical or an electrical property. For example, the first contact element can have a larger elasticity than the second contact element.

Abstract: A scalable, low cost, reliable, compliant, low profile, low insertion force, high-density, separable and reconnectable electrical connection for high speed, high performance electronic circuitry and semiconductors. The electrical connection can be used to make, for example, electrical connections from one Printed Circuit Board (PCB) to another PCB, MPU, NPU, or other semiconductor device.

Abstract: An interposer and method for making same is disclosed. A metallic sheet is formed with a plurality of spring members. A first sheet of insulative material is provided on a top surface of the metallic sheet and a second sheet of insulative material is provided on a bottom surface of the metallic sheet. The insulative material sheets each include a plurality of flaps wherein each flap at least partially corresponds to a particular one of the spring members in the metallic sheet. A conductive material is located in a predefined pattern on the first and second insulative sheets having a conductive contact portion extending onto the flaps. Vias are connected to the conductive material and extend through metallic and insulative sheets to provide electrical connectivity.

Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting to pads of a land grid array includes a dielectric layer including opposing first and second surfaces, and a multiple number of contact elements formed on the first surface of the dielectric layer. Each contact element includes a base portion of conductive material and an elastic portion of conductive material formed integrally with the base portion. The elastic portion extends from the base portion and protrudes above the first surface of the dielectric layer. Each elastic portion of the multiple number of contact elements elastically engages a respective pad of the land grid array for providing electrical connection to the land grid array. In particular, each elastic portion has an elastic working range on the order of the electrical path length of the contact element.

Abstract: A connector for electrically connecting to pads of a land grid array formed on an electronic component includes a dielectric layer including opposing first and second surfaces, and a multiple number of contact elements extending above the first surface of the dielectric layer. Each contact element includes a conductive portion disposed to engage a respective pad of the land grid array for providing electrical connection to the land grid array. The connector further includes an electrical circuit formed on or within the dielectric layer. The electrical circuit is electrically connected to at least one of the multiple number of contact elements. In one embodiment, the electrical circuit includes an electrical component, such as a decoupling capacitor. In another embodiment, the electrical circuit operates to connect two contact elements together. For instance, the contact elements connecting to the ground potential can be connected together through the electrical circuit.