Elastomeric Connectors suit portable and handheld devices.
Press Release Summary:
Gold STAX(TM) zero-insertion-force connectors are composed of alternating layers of conductive and non-conductive silicone rubber. Interconnection is made by deflecting elastomeric connector between mirror image pad patterns on mating substrates. Gold-coated particles embedded within low-durometer silicone create thousands of conductive paths, providing multiple points of contact to substrate interface. Pitch of conductive layers is 0.005 in.
Original Press Release:
Gold STAX(TM) Elastomeric Connectors Eliminate Reliability and Availability Issues of Mechanical Connectors for Board-To-Board and LCD-To-Board Interconnections in Portable/Handheld Devices
North Attleboro, MA, November 2003 - Tyco Electronics Elastomeric Technologies(TM) new Gold STAX(TM) connectors provide designers of portable and handheld devices with superior performance and more flexibility over traditional mechanical stacking connectors in board-to-board interconnections, without the costs and worries of modification.
The Gold STAX is ideal for devices such as the next generation of color LCDs for cell phones that are moving from Chip-on-Flex (COF) to Chip-on-Glass (COG) manufacturing techniques with 8-15 I/O positions on the LCD glass and lead-free solutions. It is a zero-insertion-force (ZIF) connector composed of alternating layers of conductive and non-conductive silicone rubber that require no soldering. Interconnection is made by deflecting the elastomeric connector between mirror image pad patterns on mating substrates.
Applications include direct connection of chip-on-glass (COG) LCD substrates, as well as board-to-board connections in a wide range of portable/handheld devices including PDAs, test meters, medical monitoring devices, GPS units, radar detectors and digital camera modules.
Gold STAX(TM) connectors feature gold-coated particles embedded within a low durometer silicone, eliminating concerns over any potential corrosion of materials exposed to the environment. In addition, they provide lower contact resistance between irregular surfaces than traditional compression-style connectors or wire-based elastomeric connectors, while extending the working range of deflection to 5 - 65%.
Within each of the conductive layers, the gold-coated particles create thousands of conductive paths. Each conductive layer provides multiple points of contact to the substrate interface. The pitch of the Gold STAX conductive layers is only 0.127mm (0.005"), allowing multiple conductive layers for making contact to each substrate. This is what is known as redundant redundancy.
The reliability and performance benefits of Gold STAX(TM) are complemented with freedom of design without the constraints of availability of pin counts, specific mating heights, or overall size. There is no need to compromise the end product at the design stage in order to accommodate available connectors. Since no tooling is required, OEMs can get a custom component with off the shelf pricing and availability.
Pricing for Gold STAX connectors is as low as $0.01/ contact in 250,000 piece annual volumes, with prototypes available in 48 hours and full production in 4 weeks.
For additional details, contact Tyco Electronics, Elastomeric Technologies(TM) product office, 2405 Maryland Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090. Tel: 1-800-989-STAX or 215-657-6202 (x4453); Fax: 215-784-4522; Web: www.elastomerictech.com.
E-mail: etiapplicationeng@tycoelectronics.com.
Elastomeric Technologies, STAX and Tyco are trademarks of Tyco Electronics.
About Tyco Electronics:
Tyco Electronics is the world's largest passive electronic components manufacturer; a world leader in cutting-edge wireless, active fiber optic and complete power systems technologies; and is also rapidly developing extensive networking and building technology installation services. Tyco Electronics provides advanced technology products from over forty well-known and respected brands, including Agastat, Alcoswitch, AMP, AMP NETCONNECT, Buchanan, CII, CoEv, Critchley, Elcon, Elo TouchSystems, M/A-COM, Madison Cable, OEG, OneSource Building Technologies, Potter & Brumfield, Raychem, Schrack, Simel and TDI Batteries.
