Electrical connector with retention clip

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to an electrical connector for electrically connecting a central processing unit (CPU) chip with a printed circuit board (PCB), and particularly to an electrical connector with an operational lever and a retention clip.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] CPU sockets are widely used for electrically connecting CPUs with PCBs. A CPU socket usually comprises a base, and a cover slidably engaged on the base. An actuator actuates the cover to slide along the base, such that contact pins of the CPU are pushed to electrically mate with a multiplicity of contacts secured in the base. This kind of electrical connector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,280,223 and 6,338,639.

[0005] FIG. 7 shows a conventional electrical connector 9. The connector 9 comprises a base 90, and an actuator 94 actuating the cover 92 to slide along the base 90. The cover 92 defines a plurality of passages 921 in a rectangular array. A plurality of passageways 901 is defined in the base 90, corresponding to the passages 921 of the cover 92. A plurality of terminals (not shown) is received in the corresponding passageways 901 of the base 90. An extending portion 93 extends from a rear end of the base 90. The extending portion 93 comprises a projection 932, with a hook portion 934 inwardly formed from a top of the projection 932. The actuator 94 comprises an arch-shaped cam protrusion 940, a semi-cylindrical protruding portion 946, and an operational lever 942.

[0006] Referring also FIGS. 8 and 9, in use of the electrical connector 9, the actuator 94 is firstly oriented to an open position with the cover 92 being in an open position. This enables pins of a CPU (not shown) to be inserted through the passages 921 of the cover 92 into the passageways 901 of the base 90 with zero insertion force (ZIF). Then, the actuator 94 is rotated to a closed position and is retained by the hook portion 934 of the extending portion 93, with the cover 92 sliding to a closed position. Thus, the CPU is electrically connected with the terminals of the base 90, and accordingly is electrically connected with a PCB (not shown).

[0007] In the electrical connector 9, the actuator 94 is usually rotated to the open position by means of manual operation. If a force of rotating the actuator 94 is insufficient, the cover 92 is driven only part of the way toward the open position. When the CPU is then attached on the cover 92, the pins of the CPU are received in the passageways 901 and interfere with the terminals of the base 90. The pins and the terminals are thus liable to sustain damage. As a result, the electrical connection between the CPU and the PCB is disrupted or may even fail altogether.

[0008] Therefore, a new electrical connector which overcomes the above-mentioned problems is desired.

[0009] An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector having a coil spring which rotates under force from an operational lever, whereby the operational lever can only be retained in a first position or in a second position.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector configured so that the operational lever of the connector can accurately be retained in the second position.

[0011] To achieve the above objects, an electrical connector in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is for connecting a central processing unit (CPU) with a printed circuit board (PCB). The connector comprises an insulative base, a cover mounted on the base, a plurality of terminals received in the base, and an actuator. The base comprises an extending portion extending from an end portion thereof. The extending portion comprises a receiving space with a receiving groove, a receiving recess, and a receiving slot. The extending portion defines a projection protruding from an end thereof with a hook portion inwardly formed from a top of the projection. The actuator actuates the cover to slide along the base, and comprises an operational lever and an axle engaged with the operational lever. A coil spring is attached around the axle. The coil spring comprises a main body received in the receiving groove, a first end, and a second end fastened in the receiving slot. The first end of the coil spring is attached to a cutout of the operational lever and rotates under force form the operational lever. As a result, the operational lever can only be retained in a first position or in a second position. An U-shaped retention clip is locked around the periphery of the projection so that the operational lever of the connector can accurately be retained in the second position.

[0012] Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0022] Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe the present invention in detail.

[0023] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an electrical connector 1 in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention is used for electrically connecting an electronic package such as a central processing unit (CPU) (not shown) with a circuit substrate such as a printed circuit board (PCB) (not shown). The electrical connector 1 comprises an insulative base 10 fixed on the PCB, a rectangular cover 20 slidably mounted on the base 10, and an actuator 30 actuating the cover 20 to slide along the base 10.

[0024] The cover 20 comprises a main body (not labeled) and a broad first end portion 22. A rectangular opening (not labeled) is defined in a middle of the main body. A plurality of passages 201 is defined in the main body around the opening, the passages 201 being arranged in a rectangular array. A top hole 220 is defined in a middle of the first end portion 22.

[0025] The base 10 defines a plurality of passageways 101 corresponding to the passages 201 of the cover 20, and comprises a broad second end portion 11 corresponding to the first end portion 22 of the cover 20. A plurality of conductive terminals (not shown) is received in the passageways 101 of the base 10. A receiving recess 110 is defined in a middle of the second end portion 11, corresponding to the top hole 220 of the cover 20. An arched slot 112 is defined in a center of a rear end of the second end portion 11, in communication with the receiving recess 110. An extending portion 12 extends from a middle of the rear end of the second end portion 11.

[0026] The extending portion 12 comprises a first end wall 120 adjoining the second end portion 1, a second end portion 121 opposite to the first end wall 1200, a first sidewall 122 interconnecting the first and second end walls 120, 121, and a second sidewall 123 opposite to the first sidewall 122 and interconnecting the first and second end walls 120, 121. The first end wall 120 defines a locating recess 1201 offset from a middle portion thereof, the locating recess 1201 being in communication with the slot 112. The second end wall 121 defines a locating blind hole 1210 in alignment with the locating recess 1201. The second end wall 121 comprises a projection 1212 protruding from an end thereof and spaced apart from the locating hole 1210. A hook portion 1214 is inwardly formed from a top of the projection 1212. A guiding groove 1220 is defined in a junction of the second end wall 121 and the first sidewall 122. A securing slot 1221 is defined on a bottom face of the extending portion 12, corresponding to the guiding groove 1220. A slope 1230 is formed on a top face of the second sidewall 123. The first and second sidewalls 122, 123, and the second end wall 121 cooperatively define a receiving space (not labeled) therebetween. A transverse connection wall 124 is formed between the first and second sidewalls 122, 123, the connection wall 124 adjoining the first end wall 120. A connection slot 1240 is defined in the connection wall 124, the connection slot 1240 intercommunicating between the locating recess 1201 and the receiving space. The receiving space comprises a receiving groove 127 intercommunicating between the connection slot 1240 and the locating hole 1210, a receiving recess 128 intercommunicating between the guiding groove 1220 and the receiving groove 127, and an L-shaped receiving slot (not labeled) defined below and in communication with the receiving recess 128, and being in communication with the receiving groove 127. A retention clip 60 is mounted around the projection 1212. The retention clip 60 is U-shaped in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, in alternative embodiments, the retention clip 60 may have any other suitable shape. The retention clip 60 comprises a base portion 61, a first extending wall 62 and a second extending wall 63 respectively extending perpendicularly from two opposite ends of the base portion 61. The first extending wall 62 is engaged with a top face of the projection 1212, and the second extending wall 63 is received in the securing slot 1221.

[0027] The actuator 30 comprises an axle 33 and an operational lever 32. The axle 33 and the operational lever 32 are separate parts in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, the axle 33 and the operational lever 32 can be integrally formed as a single piece. The operational lever 32 comprises a handle 320, an L-shaped operational arm 321 extending perpendicularly from one end of the handle 320, an end portion 322 extending perpendicularly from a distal end of the operational arm 321. The operational arm 321 defines a cutout 3210 in one end thereof adjacent the handle 320. The end portion 322 comprises a hollow column 3220 at a free end thereof, the hollow column 3220 engagingly receiving the axle 33. The axle 33 has an arch-shaped cam protrusion 330 formed at one free end thereof, and a semi-cylindrical protruding portion 332 formed adjacent the operational lever 32. The cam protrusion 330 is retained in both the top hole 220 of the cover 20 and the receiving recess 110 of the base 10. The protruding portion 332 is received in the locating recess 1201 of the extending portion 12. A coil spring 34 is mounted around an opposite free end of the axle 33. The coil spring 34 comprises a main body 340 located in the receiving groove 127 of the extending portion 12, an L-shaped first end 342 extending outwardly from one end of the main body 340, and an L-shaped second end 344 extending outwardly from an opposite end of the main body 340 and received in the receiving slot 126 of the extending portion 12. The first end 342 defines a free end 3420 thereof, the free end 3420 being received in the cutout 3210 of the operational lever 32.

[0028] Referring particularly to FIG. 3, in use of the electrical connector 1, the actuator 30 is oriented to and retained in a first position. In this position, the operational lever 32 abuts against the slope 1230 of the extending portion 12, with the first end 342 of the coil spring 34 resiliently pressing on the operational lever 32 under tension of the coil spring 34. The CPU is then engaged on the cover 20, with pins of the CPU (not shown) being received through the passages 201 of the cover 20 into the passageways 101 of the base 10. The pins are received in the passageways 101 with zero insertion force (ZIF).

[0029] Referring to FIG. 4, the actuator 30 is rotated to a second position, in order to drive the cover 20 to slide along the base 10 so that the pins of the CPU engage with the terminals of the base 10. In the second position, the operational lever 32 is received in the receiving recess 128 and the guiding groove 1220 of the extending portion 12, the first end 342 of the coil spring 34 resiliently pressing on the operational lever 32 under increased tension of the coil spring 34, and the hook portion 1214 of the projection 1212 retains the operational arm 321 of the actuator 30 thereunder. Furthermore, the retention clip 60 is fittingly engaged with the projection 1212 of the extending portion 12. The base portion 61 of the retention clip 60 leans on the periphery of the projection 1212, the first extending wall 62 pressing on the top face of the projection 1212, and the second extending wall 63 is received in the securing slot 1221. Thus, the CPU is electrically connected with the PCB via the terminals of the base 10.

[0030] The first end 342 of the coil spring 34 rotates under force from the operational lever 32 from the first position to the second position, with the coil spring 34 undergoing steadily increasing tension during such rotation. Accordingly, the operational lever 32 can only be retained in the first position or the second position, and not in any intermediate position. Thus, the CPU can only be inserted into and removed from the electrical connector 1 when the actuator 30 is in the first position. This eliminates the possibility of the pins of the CPU interfering with the terminals of the base 10 during insertion or removal of the CPU. The pins of the CPU and the terminals of the base 10 can maintain their mechanical integrity. In addition, the retention clip 60 is provided for fittingly engaging with the projection 1212 of the extending portion 12. When the retention clip 60 is engaged with the projection 1212, the base portion 61 of the retention clip 60 leans on the periphery of the projection 1212, the first extending wall 62 pressing on the top face of the projection 1212, and the second extending wall 63 is received in the securing slot 1221. Thus the retention clip 60 is tightly fixed on the projection 1212, in order to insure reliable connection between the operational arm 321 of the actuator 30 and the hook portion 1214 of the projection 1212 so that the stable and reliable electrical connection between the CPU and the PCB is ensured.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, an electrical connector 1′ in accordance with the alternative embodiment of the present invention has a structure similar to that of the connector 1 of the preferred embodiment. In the alternative embodiment, the retention clip 60′ comprises a base portion 61′ and a first extending wall 62′ and a second extending wall 63′ extends perpendicularly from two opposite ends of the base portion 61′. The first extending wall 62′ has a hook 621′ formed at a distal end thereof. A slope (not labeled) is formed on an inner face of the first extending wall 62′. The length of the second end wall 121′ of the extending portion 12′ is shorter than that of the preferred embodiment.

[0032] When the retention clip 60′ is engaged with the projection 1212′ and the operational arm 321′ of the actuator 30′, the slope of the first extending wall 62′ is tightly fixed on a top face of the operational arm 321′, the hook 621′ of the first extending wall 62′ being fastened a side of the operational arm 321′, and the second extending wall 63′ is received in the securing slot 1221′, with a sidewall of the base portion 61′ being contacting a side of the projection 1212′. Thus the retention clip 60′ is tightly fixed on the projection 1212′ and the operational arm 321′, in order to insure reliable connection between the operational arm 321′ of the actuator 30′ and the hook portion 1214′ of the projection 1212′ so that the stable and reliable electrical connection between the CPU and the PCB is ensured.

[0033] Although the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is not to be construed as being limited thereto. Various alterations and modifications can be made to the embodiments without in any way departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention as defined in the appended claims.