Patent Application
20110164390
The present disclosure relates to electrical interconnects for connecting electrical circuits.
Electrical interconnects are available for connecting electrical circuits.
The implementation will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which:
Referring to
For example, in some implementations, each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b is flexible.
For example, in some implementations, either one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b is made from Kapton™ polyimide film or other suitable material which provides an isolation functionality similar to polycarbonate or polyethylene terephthalate isolation sheet material.
For example, in some implementations, guiding holes 140a, 140b are provided in each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b for desired positioning on substrates which are being electrically connected.
The electrical interconnect 100 is configured to electrically connect the terminal of a first electrical circuit with the terminal of a second electrical circuit. For example, the electrical interconnect 100 includes ports 130a, 130b in the insulating layer 110a of the electrical interconnect 100 for facilitating electrical connection between the metallic strips 120a, 120b and an electrical circuit.
In this respect, there is also provided an electrical assembly 200 including the electrical interconnect 100 and first and second electrical circuits. The first electrical circuit is electrically coupled to the second electrical circuit by the electrical interconnect 100.
For example, with respect to each of the first and the second electrical circuits, each one of the first and the second electrical circuits is provided as at least a portion of any one of a printed circuit board or a transducer.
For example, and referring to
In one implementations, the electrical interconnect 100 includes insulating layers 110a, 110b and at least two elongated steel strips 120a, 120b disposed between each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b. For example, each one of the at least two elongated steel strips 120a, 120b is coupled (for example, adhered) to each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b. Each one of the at least two elongated steel strips 120, 120b includes a maximum thickness of less than 0.3 millimetres. Each one of the at least two elongated steel strips 120a, 120b defines an electrically conductive trace or line.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the at least two elongated steel strips 120a, 120b is obtained as a stamping out of a steel coil or plate.
In some of these implementations, for example, the minimum thickness of each one of the at least two elongated steel strips 120a, 120b is at least 0.05 millimetres.
In some of these implementations, for example, the thickness for each one of the at least two elongated steel strips 120a, 120b is between 0.05 millimetres and 0.3 millimetres.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b includes a maximum thickness of less than 0.3 millimetres.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b includes a minimum thickness of at least 0.02 millimetres.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b includes plastic. Suitable plastics include polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
In some of these implementations, for example, an end portion 122a (or 122b) of at least one of the at least two elongated steel strips 120a, 120b defines a spring contact 124a (or 124b). For example, for each one of the at least two elongated steel strips 120a, 120b including an end portion 122a (or 122b) defining a spring contact 124a (or 124b), the end portion 122a (or 122b) defining the spring contact 124a (or 124b) is resilient. For example, for each one of the at least one elongated steel strip including an end portion 122a (or 122b) defining a spring contact 124a (or 124b), the end portion 122a (or 122b) extends beyond the perimeter 126 of each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b.
For example, suitable steels for these implementations include SUS 302 stainless steel and SUS 304 stainless steel.
In another implementation, the electrical interconnect 100 includes insulating layers 110a, 110b and at least two elongated metallic strips 120a, 120b disposed between each one of the insulating layers 110a. 110b. For example, each one of the at least two elongated metallic strips 120a, 120b is coupled (for example, adhered) to each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b. For at least one of the at least two elongated metallic strips 120a, 120b, the elongated metallic strip 120a (120b) includes an end portion 122a (or 122b) defining a spring contact 124a (or 124b). Each one of the at least two elongated metallic strips 120a, 120b defines an electrically conductive trace or line.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the at least two elongated metallic strips 120a, 120b is obtained as a stamping out of a steel coil or plate.
In some of these implementations, for example, for each one of the at least one elongated metallic strip including an end portion 122a (or 122b) defining a spring contact 124a (or 124b), the end portion 122a (or 122b) defining the spring contact 124a (or 124b) is resilient.
In some of these implementations, for example, for each one of the at least one elongated metallic strip including an end portion 122a (or 122b) defining a spring contact 124a (or 124b), the end portion 122a (or 122b) extends beyond the perimeter 126 of each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the at least two elongated metallic strips 120a, 120b includes a maximum thickness of less than 0.3 millimetres.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the at least two elongated metallic strips 120a, 120b includes a minimum thickness of at least 0.05 millimetres.
In some of these implementations, for example, the thickness for each one of the at least two elongated metallic strips 120a, 120b is between 0.05 millimetres and 0.3 millimetres.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b includes a maximum thickness of less than 0.3 millimetres.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b includes a minimum thickness of at least 0.02 millimetres.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b includes plastic. Suitable plastics include polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the at least two metallic strips 120a, 120b includes any one of copper, steel (such as SUS 302 stainless steel or SUS 304 stainless steel), silver, gold, or any other conductive metal.
In another implementation, there is provided a process for assembling an electrical interconnect 100. In this respect, there is also provided an electrical interconnect 100 assembled in accordance with this process. The process includes:
(a) providing at least two elongated metallic strips 120a, 120b;
(b) securing each one of the at least two metal strips 120a, 120b between a pair of insulating layers 110a, 110b.
Each one of the at least two elongated metallic strips 120a, 120b defines an electrically conductive trace or line.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the at least two elongated metallic strips 120a, 120b is obtained as a stamping out of a steel coil or plate.
In some of these implementations, for example, the securing is effected by adhesion to one or both of the insulating layers 110, 110b, such as by using two-sided tape (such as two-sided tape supplied by Tesa SE of Hamburg, Germany).
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the at least two elongated metallic strips 120a, 120b includes a maximum thickness of less than 0.3 millimetres.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the at least two elongated metallic strips 120a, 120b includes a minimum thickness of at least 0.05 millimetres.
In some of these implementations, for example, the thickness for each one of the at least two elongated metallic strips 120a, 120b is between 0.05 millimetres and 0.3 millimetres.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b includes a maximum thickness of less than 0.3 millimetres.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b includes plastic. Suitable plastics include polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene.
In some of these implementations, for example, an end portion 122a (or 122b) of at least one of the at least two elongated metallic strips 120a, 120b defines a spring contact 124a (or 124b). For example, for each one of the at least one elongated metallic strip including an end portion 122a (or 122b) defining a spring contact 124a (or 124b), the end portion 122a (or 122b) defining the spring contact 124a (or 124b) is resilient. For example, for each one of the at least one elongated metallic strip including an end portion 122a (or 122b) defining a spring contact 124a (or 124b), the end portion 122a (or 122b) extends beyond the perimeter 126 of each one of the insulating layers 110a, 110b.
In some of these implementations, for example, each one of the at least two metallic strips 120a, 120b includes any one of copper, steel (such as SUS 302 stainless steel or SUS 304 stainless steel), silver, gold, or any other conductive metal.
In the above description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in order to practice the present disclosure. In other instances, well-known electrical structures and circuits are shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the present disclosure. Although certain dimensions and materials are described for implementing the disclosed example implementation, other suitable dimensions and/or materials may be used within the scope of this disclosure. All such modifications and variations, including all suitable current and future changes in technology, are believed to be within the sphere and scope of the present disclosure. All references mentioned are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
