MICROENGINEERED ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS

摘要

A miniature, multi-element electrical connector fabricated using micro-electro-mechanical systems technology is described. Shaped elastic cantilever elements 12 are formed on the female part 11 by deposition of conducting material on a surface that has been previously shaped to define a localised contact area and a sloped entrance face. The cantilevers 12 are then undercut. A similar process is used to construct a sloping face on the male part 10 for easy insertion. An etching process is used to fabricate an interlocking alignment system 20, 21, 22 on the two parts. Erosion of a convex corner is used to form a tapered entrance 22 to this alignment system.