Flanged terminal pins for DC/DC converters

Abstract

A dc/dc converter is mounted to a printed circuit board with rigid terminal pins which extend into a converter substrate to provide electrical connection to circuitry on the substrate. A terminal pin includes a flange which abuts the printed circuit board and spaces the converter substrate from the printed circuit board. Connection to the printed circuit board is made by solder provided between the flange and the circuit board.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A terminal pin comprising: 
 an elongated pin for insertion into a printed circuit board;    a flange having a shoulder to abut the printed circuit board into which the pin is inserted; and    preapplied solder on the shoulder of the flange.    
     
     
         2 . A terminal pin as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the solder is in a paste.  
     
     
         3 . A terminal pin as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the solder is a preform.  
     
     
         4 . A terminal pin as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the solder is coated on the shoulder.  
     
     
         5 . A circuit module comprising: 
 a circuit substrate having circuitry thereon; and    at least one rigid terminal pin attached to the circuit substrate, the pin being electrically connected to the circuitry, the terminal pin including a flange having a shoulder to abut a printed circuit board into which the pin is inserted, the shoulder of the flange having preapplied solder thereon.    
     
     
         6 . A circuit assembly as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the circuitry implements a dc/dc converter.