ZERO INSERTION FORCE EDGE CONNECTORS

摘要

A ZIF connector block for establishing an electrical connection between the I/O pads of an edge-connected printed circuit board and a set of printed conductors. The connector has two opposing rows of contacts. The contacts are of two different lengths, both adjacent and opposite ones of the contacts having different lengths. An upper housing has a plurality of cams mounted thereon, each cam having a different cam surface profile. The surface profiles of the cams are staggered into two different lengths corresponding to the lengths of the contacts so that when the cams are actuated by imparting a vertical motion to the upper housing, the contacts will simultaneously engage the I/O pads in a staggered fashion. Moreover, the surface profiles of the cams are constructed so that after simultaneous engagement, the contacts perform sequential wipe cycles on the pads. The staggered and sequential wipe cycles promote the stability of the board within the connector without sacrificing electrical integrity.