Connecting an electronic component to a printed circuit board

Abstract

An electronic component is connected to a circuit board by forming a connector pin on the electronic component, the connector pin having a proximate end secured to the electronic component, a distal end with a fork lock, and a compliant portion between the proximate and distal ends. A multi-width through-hole is formed on a circuit board having a circuit board thickness greater than a length of the connector pin, with a first portion that is narrower than each of the compliant portion and the fork lock and extends partially through the circuit board and a second portion that extends beyond the first portion and is wider than the first portion. The connector pin is inserted into the first portion of the through-hole and the fork lock is moved beyond the first portion into the second portion of the through-hole.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of connecting a component to a circuit board, comprising:
 forming a connector pin on an electronic component having a proximate end secured to the electronic component, a distal end with a fork lock, and a compliant portion between the proximate and distal ends;   forming a multi-width through-hole on a circuit board having a circuit board thickness greater than a length of the connector pin, the multi-width through hole including a first portion that is narrower than each of the compliant portion and the fork lock and extends partially through the circuit board and a second portion that extends beyond the first portion and is wider than the first portion; and   inserting the connector pin into the first portion of the through-hole and moving the fork lock beyond the first portion into the second portion of the through-hole.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming an internal shoulder in the circuit board that tapers outwardly from the first portion to the second portion of the through hole;   forming the fork lock with a tapered portion having a profile matching the tapered internal shoulder of the through hole; and   seating the tapered portion of the fork lock against the tapered shoulder of the through hole when the fork lock is moved beyond the narrower first portion and into the wider second portion of the through-hole.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 plating the through hole with a layer of electrically conductive layer covering the first and second portions of the through hole.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming the compliant portion of the connector pin with opposing legs that are inwardly flexible.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 forming the fork lock with outwardly-extending fork members coupled to the legs, such that the fork members move with the flexing of the legs.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 forming the compliant portion of the connector pin with a flexible eyelet with surrounding connector pin material that flexes inwardly.