Compliant pressure lid for processor socket hardware

A processor socket assembly, comprising:

• a compliant lid configured to press a processor against a socket along a vertical direction, wherein the lid comprises:
• a top surface and a bottom surface opposite the top surface, wherein the top surface is planar and is configured to face away from the processor, and wherein the bottom surface is configured to face the processor;
• and
• first, second, third and fourth segments surrounding a central opening so that the first segment is opposite the third segment and the second segment is opposite the fourth segment, wherein the central opening is configured to expose at least a portion of the processor and wherein the first segment joins a first corner of the compliant lid to a second corner of the compliant lid, wherein the first, second, third and fourth segments define a continuous outer perimeter of the compliant lid, and wherein the compliant lid defines a first enclosed opening positioned in part in the first segment and in part in the second segment.

A method for engaging a processor to a socket using a compliant lid comprising top and bottom surfaces, first, second, third and fourth corners, and first, second, third and fourth segments surrounding a central opening, the first segment joining the first corner to the second corner, the second segment joining the second corner to the third corner, the third segment joining the third corner to the fourth corner and the fourth segment joining the fourth corner to the first corner, the method comprising:

• placing the processor on the socket;
• placing the compliant lid on the processor so that:
• the processor is sandwiched between the socket and the compliant lid,
• the bottom surface of the compliant lid faces the processor, and
• the top surface of the compliant lid faces away from the processor, wherein the top surface defines a plane;
• causing the bottom surface of the compliant lid to press against the processor so that force applied at a midpoint of the first segment is larger than force applied at the first corner, wherein causing the bottom surface of the compliant lid to press against the processor comprises applying force on the top surface of the compliant lid, wherein the first, second, third and fourth segments define a continuous outer perimeter of the compliant lid in the plane.