Abstract:
An improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit which includes: a flexible first layer (56); at least one protrusion (118) on the flexible first layer (56) that has an electrical contact (100); a second layer (54) having at least one electrical contact (134); and a spring device (124) coupled to the flexible first layer (56) and to the second layer (54) for pressing the electrical contact (100) on a protrusion (118) on the flexible first layer (56) to the electrical contact (134) on the second layer (54) to electrically connect the electrical contact (100) on the protrusion (118) to the electrical contact (134) on the second layer (54). In a specific embodiment the spring device (124) for pressing the electrical contact (100) on the protrusion (118) of the flexible first layer (56) to the electrical contact (134) on the second layer (54) includes relief device (132) for allowing the flexible first layer (56) to deform during assembly of the improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit. In an alternate specific embodiment the electrical contacts (100) on the protrusions (118) on the flexible first layer (56) and the corresponding electrical contacts (134) on the second layer (54) are coated with gold. In another alternate specific embodiment the improved electrical interconnect system includes an alignment apparatus coupled to the flexible first layer (56) and the second layer (54) and the spring device (124) for aligning the flexible first layer (56) with the second layer (54) and the spring device (124). The improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit provides higher interconnect density, reduced cost and increased reliability compared to conventional interconnect systems.
Abstract:
A supported conductive network (SCN), which can be flexible or rigid, can have self-aligning conductors (14) which connect with corresponding conductors (6) of other networks. The conductive network (10) can be fabricated into densely packed contact clusters for use as electrical interconnectors or circuits. The method and apparatus for making the conductive network (10) involve forming a sheet of conduct material (22) into ridges (24) and troughs (26) one of which defines the conductive network and the other of which is waste material and then mechanically removing the waste material. The conductive network thus formed is supported by a dielectric layer (12).
Abstract:
A laminar power bus (26) is provided. The laminar power bus includes a plurality of interfacing sheets (32, 34, 36, 52, 54). Power is transferred from a power supply to a chip carrier via a first and second conductive sheets (34, 36) adhered to opposite sides of an insulating sheet (32). Apertures (48) through the second conductive sheet (36), and a concentrically aligned apertures (46) through the insulating sheet (32) permits depressions forming protrusions (38) in the first conductive sheet (34) to protrude through the second conductive sheet (36) and extend beyond the plane of the first conductive sheet (34). Additional depressions in the second conductive sheet (36) forming protrusions (42) extending away from the insulating sheet (52). The protrusions (38, 42) in the first and second conductive sheets (34, 36) are arranged in a pattern corresponding to a pattern of metal pads (40, 44) for receiving electrical power on the substrate (22) of the chip carrier. The laminar power bus is connected to the substrate (22) of the chip carrier.
Abstract:
An improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit which includes: a flexible first layer (56); at least one protrusion (118) on the flexible first layer (56) that has an electrical contact (100); a second layer (54) having at least one electrical contact (134); and a spring device (124) coupled to the flexible first layer (56) and to the second layer (54) for pressing the electrical contact (100) on a protrusion (118) on the flexible first layer (56) to the electrical contact (134) on the second layer (54) to electrically connect the electrical contact (100) on the protrusion (118) to the electrical contact (134) on the second layer (54). In a specific embodiment the spring device (124) for pressing the electrical contact (100) on the protrusion (118) of the flexible first layer (56) to the electrical contact (134) on the second layer (54) includes relief device (132) for allowing the flexible first layer (56) to deform during assembly of the improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit. In an alternate specific embodiment the electrical contacts (100) on the protrusions (118) on the flexible first layer (56) and the corresponding electrical contacts (134) on the second layer (54) are coated with gold. In another alternate specific embodiment the improved electrical interconnect system includes an alignment apparatus coupled to the flexible first layer (56) and the second layer (54) and the spring device (124) for aligning the flexible first layer (56) with the second layer (54) and the spring device (124). The improved electrical interconnect system for a flexible circuit provides higher interconnect density, reduced cost and increased reliability compared to conventional interconnect systems.
Abstract:
A semiconductor device si so configured that the circuit patterns formed on both sides of a copper-clad double-sided laminated board are connected to each other by through holes, and IC chips are mounted on the front side, and further, external-connection terminals are provided on the reverse side. In this semiconductor device, the connection terminals are copper core bumps on the land parts of the through holes which are made in diebond patterns. A method of manufacturing semiconductor devices in which copper core bumps are formed on circuit patterns formed on a circuit board, by plating using resist patterns. In this manufacturing method, the parts, where the bumps are to be formed, of the circuit patterns formed by the resist patterns are treated by the same kind of pattern etching as the one used for forming the circuit patterns.
Abstract:
An integrated circuit chip (26, 34) is connected to a circuit trace by providing a raised feature on a circuit trace (17, 28) which is coated with a material capable of forming an electrical connection (23, 32), as well as an attachment when the pad (25, 33) of an integrated circuit chip (26, 34) is brought into engagement with it. This material may be solder (23) or it may be a Z-axis adhesive (32) which becomes conductive at areas where it is compressed. The raised feature or bump (18, 31) on the circuit trace (17, 28) may be produced by providing a mandrel (10) having a recess (12) complementary to the raised feature (18, 31) to be provided, and suitably plating the circuit trace (17, 28) on the mandrel (10) including the recessed area (12). Upon subsequent lamination of a dielectric layer (19, 30) and removal from the mandrel (10), there is produced a circuit trace (17, 28) on a dielectric with a raised feature (18, 31) which can be used to attach to an integrated circuit chip (26, 34).
Abstract:
Shaped contacts (40, 42) for interconnecting circuits or for use in an integrated circuit test probe are electroplated as integral parts of circuit traces (34) upon a stainless steel mandrel (10). A shaped, hardened steel indentation tool makes indentations (24a, 24b) of predetermined shape in the surface of the mandrel (10), which is provided with a pattern of dielectric, such as Teflon (12), or photoresist. Areas of the steel mandrel, including the indentations (24a, 24b), are electroplated with a pattern of conductive material (34, 36, 38), and a dielectric substrate is laminated to the conductive material. The circuit features formed by the indentations define raised contacts of a conical or pyramidal shape, having free ends with a small area that allows higher pressures to be applied to a surface against which the contacts are pressed. This enables the contacts to penetrate foreign materials, such as oxides, that may form on the surface of the pads, to which the contacts are to be connected to ensure a good contact without any need for wiping action.