ZIF socket having actuation member for reduced stress

An electrical socket for supporting an integrated circuit chip to electrically connect to a circuit board, comprising:

• a dielectric base defining an array of terminal passageways and a receiving chamber in a top surface thereof;
• a plurality of conductive contacts received in the terminal passageways;
• a cover slidably mounted on the dielectric base, the cover defining an array of pin holes vertically aligned with the terminal passageways adapted for insertion of pins of the integrated circuit chip therethrough and an through aperture corresponding to said receiving chamber;
• and
• an actuation member moving the cover with respect to the dielectric base in a lengthwise direction, the actuation member comprising a cam shaft received in said receiving chamber, said cam shaft having an axis parallel to the lengthwise direction and a cam member, the cam member providing a driving side and a plane side opposite to the driving side, the driving side having a start portion at one end thereof, an end portion at the other end thereof, and a tip portion between said start portion and said end portion;
• wherein
• said driving side extends in an oblique manner relative to said lengthwise direction, and includes a transversely straight section at the end portion of the driving side so as to maintain the cover at a stable/immoveable position relative to the base at a final moment of rotation of said actuation member;
• wherein the distance from said tip portion of the driving side to the plane side is a maximum distance, while the distance from said end portion of the driving side to the plane side is smaller than the maximum distance.