Component assembly for surface mounting
A component assembly ( 10 ) used for picking and placing the component assembly includes a component ( 14 - 30 ) having a geometry incapable of being picked and placed or having a geometry that is unstable when placed through a reflow oven. The assembly includes a support member such as a detachable clip ( 11 ) having a pick and placeable surface such as a top flat surface ( 12 ). The clip attaches to the component to modify a center of gravity to form a stable component assembly once attached to the support member. The component assembly can further include conductive elements (such as a center conductor ( 17 ) of a coaxial cable ( 16 ) and at least one ground conductor ( 15 )) used for registration with apertures or other surface locations on a substrate ( 19 ).
1. A component assembly used for pick and placing, comprising:
a coaxial cable connector having a geometry incapable of being picked and placed and having a geometry that is unstable when placed through a reflow oven; and
a support clip having a pick and placeable surface and attached to the coaxial cable connector to modify a center of gravity to form a stable component assembly once attached to the support clip, the support clip for connecting the coaxial cable to a substrate, and the support clip being detachable from the coaxial cable connector before and after reflow.
2. The component assembly of claim 1 , further comprising conductive elements used for registration with apertures on the substrate.
3. The component assembly of 2 , wherein the conductive elements comprise at least one ground conductor and a center conductor of a coaxial cable.
4. The component assembly of claim 1 , wherein the pick and placeable surface is a top flat surface on the support clip that attaches to the component.
5. The component assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support clip is made of a material that withstands reflow oven temperatures.
6. The component assembly of claim 1 , wherein the coaxial cable connector comprises a main body, a center conductor, and a bracket that forms a portion of a ground plane and further mates with the support clip.
7. The component assembly of claim 1 , wherein the support clip modifies the center of gravity by adding a mass and a geometry for stability.
8. The component assembly of claim 7 , wherein the support clip is made of a plastic material that fails to degrade after being placed through a reflow oven.
9. The component assembly of claim 7 , wherein the support clip includes protrusions for registering and placing the component assembly within a particular location on the substrate.
10. The component assembly of claim 7 , wherein the support clip is reusable.