Electrical connector with latches to automatic lock electronic package

1. Field of the invention

The present invention relates to an electrical connector, and more particularly to the electrical connector with latches to automatic lock an electronic package mounted to the electrical connector.

2. Description of Related Art

Chinese patent publication No. 2842789 issued to Zhu on Nov. 29, 2006 discloses an electrical connector used for connecting a package. The electrical connector is a Pin Gray Array (PGA) type connector which comprises an insulative base receiving a plurality of contacts, a cover mounted upon the base, and a lever driving the cover horizontally moved along the base. An electronic package is mounted upon an upper surface of the cover so that a plurality of terminal pins insert into the cover and electrically connect with the contacts of the base. The clamping force of the contacts acted between the electronic package and the electrical connector maybe not reliable to hold the electronic package during shock and vibration tests.

Therefore, an improved electrical connector is needed.

An object of the present invention is to provide an electrical connector with latches to automatic lock an electronic package mounted to the electrical connector.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an electrical connector used for locking an electronic package, comprises an insulative base having a plurality of contacts. A cover is mounted upon the base. An active device is mounted between the base and the cover for driving the cover moving horizontally along the base in an open position and a closed position. The cover and the base respectively have a first latch and a second latch disposed in a direction moving by the cover for locking the electronic package.

According to another aspect of the present invention, an electrical connector used for locking an electronic package, comprises an insulative base having a plurality of contacts. A cover is mounted upon the base and has an open position and a closed position respective to the base. A first latch is disposed on the cover for locking a first end of the electronic package when the cover located at the open position. A second latch is disposed on the base for locking a second end opposite to the first end when the cover located at the closed position.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an assembled, perspective view of an electrical connector assembled with an electronic package in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exposed, perspective view of the electrical connector and the electronic package shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a side view of FIG. 1 , wherein an active is at an open position and the electronic package initially mounted to the electrical connector; and

FIG. 4 is a side view similar to FIG. 3 , wherein the active device is at a closed position and the electronic package finally mounted to the electrical connector.

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4 , an electrical connector used for electrically connecting an electronic package 1 and a printed circuit board (PCB, not shown), comprises a base 2 , a plurality of contacts 3 received in the base 2 , a cover 4 , and the active device 5 .

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base 2 has a rectangular shape. The base 2 includes an accommodating area 21 defining a plurality of passageways 20 and an end portion 22 positioned at one end of the accommodating area 21 . The contacts 3 are received in the passageways 20 .

The cover 4 latches to the base 2 and can be horizontally moved with regard to the base 2 in an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the electronic package 1 is mounted to the cover 4 and in the closed position, the electronic package 1 is held by the contacts 3 . The cover 4 includes a supporting area 41 corresponding to the accommodating area 21 and a head portion 42 located at on end of the supporting area 41 corresponding to the end portion 22 . The supporting area 41 defines a plurality of through holes 410 corresponding to the passageways 20 of the base 2 to allow pins 10 of the electronic package 1 to insert into mating arms 31 of the contacts 3 such that establish an electrical connection between the electronic package 1 and the electrical connector. The active device 5 is received in a receiving portion which is defined between the end portion 22 of the base 2 and the head portion 42 of the cover 4 . In this embodiment, the active device 5 is a lever with a driving portion 51 driving the cover 4 moving with regard to the base 2 .

The cover 4 has a first latch 43 disposed at a side of the supporting area 41 adjacent the head portion 42 and the base 2 has a second latch 23 disposed at a side of the accommodating area 21 far away the end portion 22 . The first latch 43 and the second latch 23 are disposed in a direction the cover 4 moved so that to lock the electronic package 1 . The second latch 23 extends upwardly from the base 2 and higher than a top surface of the cover 4 . Referring to FIG. 3 , when the electrical connector located at the open position, the through holes 410 of the cover 4 align with the passageways 20 of the base 2 so that the electronic package 1 is mounted on the cover 4 , while the first latch 43 attaches corresponding end of the electronic package 1 . After that, the active device 5 drives the cover 4 moving to the closed position and the electronic package 1 also is be moved to the closed position. Referring to FIG. 4 , when the electrical connector located at the closed position, the electronic package 1 is inserted into the second latch 23 and latched by second latch 23 .

In this embodiment, the distance between the first latch 43 and the second latch 23 gradually become shorten when the electrical connector is moved from the open position to the closed position such that the electronic package 1 is automatic locked by the first latch 43 and the second latch 23 .

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.