Patent Application
20110275227
The subject matter herein relates generally to an electrical connector and, more particularly, to a connector assembly for coupling a voltage regulator module (VRM) to a circuit board.
VRM's are typically used in electronic devices to control a voltage through the device. The VRM is coupled to a circuit board, such as a motherboard, of the device to transfer power and electrical signals therebetween. Generally, a plurality of contacts are individually soldered to the VRM. The VRM is then soldered to the contacts in a position that is perpendicular to the circuit board. The individual contacts do not provide any surface for pressing the VRM onto the circuit board. Moreover, because the contacts are arranged individually, the contacts are subject to misalignment. For example, during installation of the VRM, the contacts may bend or reposition in a non-co-planar configuration; thereby creating difficultly in securing the VRM to the circuit board.
Thus, a need remains for a connector that alleviates twisting of the contacts. A need remains for a connector that provides a co-planar surface to which the VRM is coupled.
In one embodiment, a connector for interconnecting a first and a second circuit board is provided. The connector includes contact members having a main body with a top, a bottom, a front, and a rear. A base extends along the bottom of the main body. The base is configured to be surface mounted to the first circuit board. An electrical contact extends forwardly from the main body. The electrical contact is configured to be through hole mounted to the second circuit board. The connector also includes a housing having a top, a bottom, a front, and a rear. The housing has slots formed therein. The contact members are secured in corresponding slots of the housing so that the bases of the contact members are held coplanar along the bottom of the housing for mounting to the first circuit board. The electrical contacts of the contact members extend from the front of the housing for mounting to the second circuit board.
In another embodiment, a voltage regulator module (VRM) assembly is provided. The VRM assembly includes a VRM circuit board having vias and a VRM component coupled to the VRM circuit board. A connector is provided including a housing having slots formed therein. Contact members are secured in corresponding slots of the housing. Each contact member has an electrical contact being through hole mounted to a corresponding via in the VRM circuit board. Each contact member has a base that is held coplanar along a bottom of the housing for surface mounting to a motherboard.
In another embodiment, an electronic assembly is provided. The electronic assembly includes a circuit board having electrical pads. A voltage regulator module (VRM) is provided including a VRM circuit board having vias and VRM components coupled to the circuit board. A connector is provided including a housing having slots formed therein. Contact members are secured in corresponding slots of the housing. Each contact member has an electrical contact being through hole mounted to a corresponding via in the VRM circuit board. Each contact member has a base that is held coplanar along a bottom of the housing for surface mounting to a motherboard.
The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of certain embodiments will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural of said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.
The electrical contacts 68 of the connector 56 are through hole mounted to the vias 62 of the VRM 54 to secure the VRM 54 to the connector 56. The VRM 54 and the circuit board 52 are secured to the connector 56 to form an electrical interface between the VRM 54 and the circuit board 52. The electrical interface enables a transfer of power and/or data signals between the electrical components 58 and the voltage regulators 60. The bases 70 of the contact members 66 are held coplanar along a bottom 72 of the housing 64 for mounting the connector 56 to the circuit board 52. In the exemplary embodiment, the base 70 of each contact member 64 is soldered to a corresponding electrical pad 74 of the circuit board 52. The bases 70 are mounted to the electrical pads 74 so that the electrical contacts 68 are aligned in a coplanar relationship.
The base 126 of the contact member 104 extends along the bottom 112 of the housing 102. The base 126 extends at least a depth 134 of the housing 102. In the exemplary embodiment, a front 136 of the base 126 extends past the front 106 of the housing 102 and a rear 138 of the base 126 extends past the rear 108 of the housing 102. The front 136 and the rear 138 of the base 126 may extend any suitable distance from the front 106 and the rear 108 of the housing 102. Optionally, the front 106 and the rear 108 of the housing 102 may extend past the front 136 and the rear 138 of the base 126, or the front 106 and the rear 108 of the housing 102 may be flush with the front 136 and the rear 138 of the base 126. The base 126 provides a planar surface 140 for supporting the connector 100 on the circuit board 52.
The vias 62 of the VRM 54 are secured to the corresponding electrical contacts 128 of each contact member 104 so that the connector 100 provides an electrical interface between the circuit board 52 and the VRM 54 to enable power and/or data signals to be passed between the circuit board 52 and the VRM 54 through the contact members 104.
As the VRM 54 is connected to the electrical contacts 128, pressure may be applied to the pressing surface 132 of the contact members 104. The electrical contacts 128 are configured to provide a reduced interference fit in the vias 62 in order to minimize the force required to couple the VRM 54 to the connector 100. An amount of force transferred to the connector 100 is thereby reduced, alleviating connector twist and improving the co-planarity of the electrical contacts 128.
A protrusion 232 extends from the rear 224 of the main body 216. The protrusion 232 is configured to be received in the slot 214 (shown in
The base 226 of the contact member 204 extends along the bottom 212 of the housing 202. The base 226 extends at least a depth 234 of the housing 202. In the exemplary embodiment, a front 236 of the base 226 extends past the front 206 of the housing 202 and a rear 238 of the base 226 extends past the rear 208 of the housing 202. The front 236 and the rear 238 of the base 226 may extend any suitable distance from the front 206 and the rear 208 of the housing 202. Optionally, the front 206 and the rear 208 of the housing 202 may extend past the front 236 and the rear 238 of the base 226, or the front 206 and the rear 208 of the housing 202 may be flush with the front 236 and the rear 238 of the base 226. The base 226 provides planar surface/surfaces 240 for supporting the connector 200 on the circuit board 52.
The base 226 of the contact member 204 is coupled to the circuit board 52. The base 226 may be soldered to the circuit board 52 and/or coupled using any suitable mechanism for securing electrical components. The housing 202 aligns the electrical contacts 228 of each contact member 204 in a co-planar relationship for coupling the VRM 54 to the connector 200. In an exemplary embodiment, the housing 202 aligns the electrical contacts 228 to a co-planarity of a minimum of 0.004 inches per 2 inches.
The vias 62 of the VRM 54 are secured to corresponding electrical contacts 228 of each contact member 204 so that the connector 200 provides an electrical interface between the circuit board 52 and the VRM 54 to enable power and/or data signals to be passed between the circuit board 52 and the VRM 54 through the contact members 204.
As the VRM 54 is connected to the electrical contacts 228, pressure may be applied to the rear 208 of the housing 202. The electrical contacts 228 are configured to provide a reduced interference fit in the vias 62 in order to minimize the force required to couple the VRM 54 to the connector 200. An amount of force transferred to the connector 200 is thereby reduced, alleviating connector twist and improving the co-planarity of the electrical contacts 228.
It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described embodiments (and/or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments of the invention without departing from their scope. While the dimensions and types of materials described herein are intended to define the parameters of the various embodiments of the invention, the embodiments are by no means limiting and are exemplary embodiments. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The scope of the various embodiments of the invention should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. In the appended claims, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects. Further, the limitations of the following claims are not written in means-plus-function format and are not intended to be interpreted based on 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph, unless and until such claim limitations expressly use the phrase “means for” followed by a statement of function void of further structure.
This written description uses examples to disclose the various embodiments of the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the various embodiments of the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the various embodiments of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if the examples have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if the examples include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.
