Floating and self-aligning suspension system to automatically align and attach a connector to an assembly
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsNader N. Abazarnia, Jeffrey H. Luke, Nader Shahriari
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A floating and self-aligning suspension system to automatically align and attach a connector to an assembly is disclosed. The floating and self-aligning suspension system includes a frame and a biasing mechanism attached to the frame. A connector is mounted to the frame and the biasing mechanism permits the frame and connector to move relative to another structure to allow the connector to self-align and attach to an assembly.
Claims31
A floating and self-aligning suspension system, comprising:
- a frame including first and second base members extending substantially parallel to one another and a stanchion member extending from each end of the first and second base members;
- at least two plunger assemblies attached to each of the first and second base members and extending from the first and second base members in a direction substantially opposite to the stanchion members to permit movement of the frame along a first axis relative to an assembly;
- at least one other plunger assembly attached to each stanchion member and extending from each stanchion member to permit movement of the frame along at least a second axis relative to the assembly;
- and
- a connector mounted to the frame, wherein the frame is movable along at least the first and second axes for self alignment and attachment of the connector to the assembly.
A system for testing an integrated circuit, comprising:
- a motherboard;
- a socket mounted on the motherboard to connect to a plurality of pins of the integrated circuit;
- a floating and self-aligning suspension system;
- and
- a connector mounted to the floating and self-aligning suspension system, wherein the floating and self-aligning suspension system permits the connector to move along at least one axis for self-alignment and attachment to a tab extending from the integrated circuit.
A floating and self-aligning suspension system, comprising
- a frame;
- a biasing mechanism mounted to the frame to permit the frame to move relative to another structure;
- and
- a connecter mounted to the frame and movable with the frame for self-alignment and attachment to an assembly.
A method of making a floating and self-aligning suspension system, comprising:
- forming an inner frame;
- attaching a biasing arrangement to the inner frame;
- mounting a connector to the inner frame;
- forming an outer frame;
- and
- disposing the inner frame within the outer frame, wherein the biasing arrangement permits the inner frame to move relative to the outer frame.
A method of making a test system for an integrated circuit, comprising:
- providing a motherboard;
- mounting a socket on the motherboard to receive an array of signal pins of an integrated circuit to be tested;
- and
- forming a floating and self-aligning suspension system to align and connect a connector to a tab of the integrated circuit, wherein the tab extends from the integrated circuit in a direction different from the array of pins.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.