Surface mount compatible connector system with mechanical integrity

摘要

An electrical component for mechanical mounting and electrical connection with respect to plated through holes of a printed circuit board compatibly with a surface mount attaching process includes an electrically non-conducting body, plural generally elongate contacts extending from the body for insertion into such plated through holes, and the component having a reservoir for retaining solder type material for melting, for flow into respective plated through holes, and for re-solidifying mechanically and electrically to couple the component to such printed circuit board. Preferably the component is a connector, such as a header, and the contact pins or leads thereof provide interface connection between the printed circuit board and a separate or portable connector. A method for attaching such an electrical component to a printed circuit board compatibly with surface mount attaching processes and an apparatus to carry out such method also are part of the invention.