The present invention relates to a structure provided with a conductive body.
There has been a disclosure regarding a technique of electrically connecting a front surface and a back surface of a molded object having a through hole, by forming a conductive body extending through the through hole of the molded object.
For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a method of electrically connecting a front surface and a back surface of an insulating substrate. This electric connection is made by first forming a conductive film in a through hole of the insulating substrate, then, filling the through hole with a conductive paste, and further plating a surface of the through hole.
However, in the case of the technique of Patent Literature 1, in some cases, a front surface and the back surface of a molded object are electrically disconnected. For example, in the case of the technique of Patent Literature 1, when an external pressure is applied to a through hole of an insulating substrate, a force is applied to an attachment part between the insulating substrate and a conductive paste that is filled in the through hole. In a case where the external pressure is greater than an adhesion force between the conductive paste and the insulating substrate, the conductive paste is displaced relative to the insulating substrate. This may cause a crack to the front surface of the insulating substrate, along an outer shape of the conductive paste. Further, the above displacement may cause peel-off of the conductive paste from a conductive film that is formed in the through hole. As a result, in the technique of Patent Literature 1, electrical connection cannot be maintained between the front surface and the back surface of the insulating substrate.
The present invention is attained in view of the above problem. A main object of the present invention is to provide a structure capable of maintaining electrical connection even in a case where an external pressure is applied.
In order to solve the above problem, a structure of the present invention includes: an insulating body having a first through hole; a conductive body electrically connecting two surfaces having respective openings of the first through hole, the conductive body being provided on an inner wall of the first through hole; and a filler being filled in the first through hole, the filler being made of a substance that is deformed by an external pressure more easily than the insulating body.
A structure of the present invention includes: an insulating body having a first through hole; a conductive body electrically connecting two surfaces having respective openings of the first through hole, the conductive body being provided on an inner wall of the first through hole; and a filler being filled in the first through hole, the filler being made of a substance that is deformed by an external pressure more easily than the insulating body.
This allows the structure to maintain electrical connection between two surfaces respectively having openings of the first through hole.
(a) of
(a) to (d) of
(Molded Object)
In the present specification, a molded object means an insulating resin structure molded into a given shape by use of a mold, or the like. The molded object 2 is not specifically limited in shape. In view of processing, the shape may be a plate-like shape or a bent-plate-like shape that allows a thickness of the molded object 2 to be substantially uniform by offsetting the shape of a surface of one side of the molded object. Note, however, that the molded object 2 may have a portion that is greater in thickness than the other portions, and in such a case, a part of the shape of the molded object may have a depression in the portion that is greater in thickness so that the thickness of the above portion of the molded object becomes substantially the same as the thickness of portions around the above portion (in a technical term in the field of molding, such a technique is called relief).
In the molded object 2, the through hole 1 is provided so as to penetrate the molded object 2 in a thickness direction. For convenience of explanation, respective surfaces having openings of the through hole 1 in the molded object 2 are referred to as a front surface 7 and a back surface 8. Further, in the molded object 2, depressions (first depressions) 11 are provided. These depressions are depressed inward from the respective surfaces (the front surface 7 and the back surface 8) of the molded object 2. The through hole 1 is formed so that the openings are provided in the depressions 11, respectively. For convenience of explanation, an opening of the through hole 1 on a front surface 7 side is referred to as an opening 5, while an opening of the through hole 1 on a back surface 8 side is referred to as an opening 6. The shapes of the depressions 11 are not specifically limited. The shapes of the depressions 11 each can be a circular shape, or may alternatively be, for example, an ellipsoidal shape, a polygonal shape (including a triangular shape and a rectangular shape), or a combined shape of a circular shape or an ellipsoidal shape and a polygonal shape.
A material constituting the molded object 2 can be, for example, resin, glass, or ceramics. However, the material of the molded object 2 is not limited to these material.
(Conduction Pattern)
In the present specification, the conduction pattern means a film-like or plate-like conductive body formed into a given shape. The conduction pattern 3 is provided on the molded object 2, and extends from the front surface 7 to the back surface 8 of the molded object 2 through the through hole 1. In other words, the conduction pattern 3 is provided on an inner wall of the through hole 1, and electrically connects the two surfaces (the front surface 7 and the back surface 8) having the openings of the through hole 1.
In one aspect, the conduction pattern 3 can be formed by using an LDS (Laser Direct Structuring) method as described in Non-Patent Literature 1. That is, the conduction pattern 3 can be formed by: first, mixing an organic metal in a resin constituting the molded object 2; and then, carrying out laser irradiation on a region where the conduction pattern 3 is to be formed on the molded object 2. As a result of the laser irradiation, a plating is deposited on a section where the laser irradiation is carried out, or the section where the laser irradiation becomes rough at a fine level and consequently, a plating is bound to the section where the laser irradiation is carried out. This results in formation of the conduction pattern 3.
A material of the conduction pattern 3 is not specifically limited. As such a material, any conductive substance (e.g., metal such as copper plating or nickel plating) may be used.
(Through Hole)
In the present specification, the through hole means a hole penetrating the molded object in a thickness direction. The shape of each opening of the through hole 1 is not specifically limited. The shape of each opening may be a circular shape, or may alternatively be, for example, an ellipsoidal shape, a polygonal shape (including a triangular shape or a rectangular shape), or a combined shape of a circular shape or an ellipsoidal shape and a polygonal shape.
(Elastic Body)
In the present specification, the elastic body means a member made of a substance that can be deformed more easily in response to an external pressure than the molded object 2. Preferably, the elastic body is made of a substance that has a higher Young's modulus than the molded object 2. Examples of the substance constituting the elastic body 4 encompass silicone, rubber, and elastomer such as synthetic rubber. However, the substance constituting the elastic body 4 is not limited to these substances. The elastic body 4 is filled in the through hole 1 as illustrated in
As described above, the elastic body 4 is made of a member whose portion farther from the inner wall of the through hole 1 deforms more as compared to a portion closer to the inner wall of the through hole 1 at the time when an external pressure is applied to the elastic body 4. As a result, force concentrates on the portion of the elastic body 4 which portion is farther from the inner wall of the through hole 1, while substantially no force is applied to the portion of the elastic body 4 which portion is closer to the inner wall of the through hole 1. Accordingly, the portion of the elastic body 4 which portion is closer to the inner wall of the through hole 1 substantially does not deform. Therefore, a shear is not produced between the conduction pattern 3 and the elastic body 4. Consequently, the conduction pattern 3 and the elastic body 4 are not detached from each other. This makes it possible to prevent disconnection of the conduction pattern 3. As a result, electrical connection between the front surface 7 and the back surface 8 of the molded object can be maintained.
Further, as illustrated in
(Applications of Conduction Pattern)
In Embodiment 1, the conduction pattern 3 can be used for various applications.
For example, in one aspect, the conduction pattern 3 can be used as an antenna. That is, the conduction pattern 3 can be used as an antenna by providing, on the front surface 7 side or the back surface 8 side, a feeding section 13 for the conduction pattern 3.
The feeding section 13 may be provided to any position on the molded object 2 except positions of the depression 11 and the through hole 1. For example, the feeding section 13 may be provided at a position, as illustrated in
Further, in another aspect, the conduction pattern 3 can be used for electrically connecting the front surface 7 and the back surface 8 of the molded object 2. For example, by (i) providing, as the external component 14, a ground made of a plate or the like on the front surface 7 side, and also providing, as the external component 14, a circuit substrate on the back surface 8 side, and (ii) connecting the conduction pattern 3 on the front surface 7 side with the ground made of a plate or the like, and also connecting the conduction pattern 3 on the back surface 8 side with the circuit substrate, the ground and the circuit substrate can be connected via the conduction pattern 3.
A connection between the conduction pattern 3 and the external component 14 (e.g., a ground made of a plate or the like) on the front surface 7 side and a connection between the conduction pattern 3 and the external component 14 (e.g., a circuit substrate) on the back surface 8 side each may be formed at any position on the molded object 2 except the positions in the depression 11 and the through hole 1. In this structure, even in a case where the external component 14 is provided in the vicinity of the opening of the through hole 1 and the elastic body 4 deforms, the deformed elastic body 4 never protrudes from the back surface 8 (or the front surface 7) of the molded object 2. Therefore, even when an external pressure is applied, it is possible to prevent a physical contact between the elastic body 4 and the external component 14 connected to the back surface 8 (or the front surface 7). In addition, such a connection may be provided to either one of the front surface 7 and the back surface 8.
In addition, in a still another aspect, the conduction pattern 3 may be used for preventing static electricity.
As illustrated in
As described above, provision of the member 21 with the depression 22 makes it possible to prevent the elastic body 4 from having a contact (interfering) with the member 21 at the time when the elastic body 4 deforms.
Further, the member 21 may be arranged to have not the depression 22 but a through hole.
By providing the through hole 23 in the member 21 as described above, it is possible to prevent the elastic body 4 from having a contact (interfering) with the member 21 at the time when the elastic body 4 deforms.
Alternatively, it is possible to provide no member (e.g., the member 21) that is different from the molded object 2, at a position facing the through hole. This arrangement also makes it possible to prevent the elastic body 4 from having a contact (interfering) with another member.
Embodiment 2 has discussed an arrangement where the structure 20 is arranged not to have the depressions 11 on the surfaces (the front surface 7 and the back surface 8) of the molded object 2. However, the present invention is not limited to this arrangement. In other words, the structure 20 may be arranged to have a depression 11 on a surface (the front surface 7 and the back surface 8) of the molded object 2.
As illustrated in
Further, in a case where the conduction pattern 3 is formed by an LDS method as described in Non-Patent Literature 1, it becomes easy to carry out laser irradiation. This makes it possible to precisely adjust the conduction pattern 3 in the through hole 1.
The following discusses an example of the structure according to Embodiment 3, with reference to
As illustrated in
Further, as illustrated in (a) to (c) of
The elastic body 4 and the conduction pattern 3 are adhered to each other by use of an elastic body 4 that is adhesive. This makes it possible to improve a waterproof property.
The through hole 1 of the structure 30 according to Embodiment 3 has a shape tapering from the opening 5 toward the opening 6 of the through hole 1. However, the shape of the through hole 1 is not limited to this.
As illustrated in
[Others]
(a) to (d) of
The conduction pattern 3 of each of the structures according to Embodiments 1 to 3 is not specifically limited, as long as the conduction pattern 3 is continuously provided from the opening 5 to the opening 6 on the inner wall of the through hole 1. The conduction pattern 3 may be provided only on one side of the through hole 1 as illustrated in
Further, the depression 11 of each of the structure 10 and the structure 30 may be provided to both or either one of the front surface 7 side and the back surface 8 side.
Further, in the structure 20, the member 21 where the depression 22 or the through hole 23 is formed may be formed on both or either one of the front surface 7 side and the back surface 8 side of the molded object 2.
Further, the elastic body 4 may be provided so as to fully fill the through hole 1 or partially fill the through hole 1.
Further, the elastic body 4 has adhesiveness that makes the elastic body 4 supported by an insulating body. Here, note that the elastic body 4 may be made of a substance having elasticity that produces outward force from the elastic body 4.
In addition, a method of forming the conduction pattern 3 is not limited to an LDS method. The method may be any method as long as the conduction pattern 3 that is continuous from the opening 5 to the opening 6 can be formed by the method. For example, it is possible to employ an MID (Molded Interconnect Devices) method according to which the conduction pattern 3 is formed on an insulating body that is a molded body made of resin or the like.
A structure of the present invention includes: an insulating body having a first through hole; a conductive body electrically connecting two surfaces having respective openings of the first through hole, the conductive body being provided on an inner wall of the first through hole; and a filler being filled in the first through hole, the filler being made of a substance that is deformed by an external pressure more easily than the insulating body.
In the above arrangement, the filler is filled in the first through hole having the inner wall where the conductive body is provided. The filler is made of a substance that is deformed by an external pressure more easily than the insulating body. Accordingly, when an external pressure is applied to the structure, only the filler deforms. Consequently, an excess force is not applied to a contact section between the conductive body and the filler. This makes it possible to prevent the occurrence of a damage such as a crack to the insulating body and the conductive body. Therefore, the structure can maintain an electrical connection between the two surfaces having the respective openings of the first through hole.
Further, preferably, the structure is arranged such that the filler is made of an elastic body.
In to the above arrangement, when an external pressure is applied to the structure, the filler deforms. However, when the external pressure becomes smaller, the shape of the filler can be restored.
Further, preferably, the structure of the present invention is arranged such that a portion of the filler farther from the inner wall of the through hole is arranged to deform more easily than a portion of the filler closer to the inner wall of the through hole, when an external pressure is applied.
In the above arrangement, force concentrates on the portion of the filler which portion is farther from the inner wall of the first through hole, while substantially no force is applied to the portion of the filler which portion is closer to the inner wall of the first through hole. Accordingly, the portion of the filler which portion is closer to the inner wall of the first through hole substantially does not deform. Therefore, a shear is not produced between the conductive body and the filler. Consequently, the conductive body and the filler are not detached from each other. This makes it possible to prevent disconnection of the conductive body. As a result, electrical connection between front and back surfaces of the insulating body can be maintained.
Further, preferably, the structure of the present invention is arranged such that: the insulating body has a first depression that is depressed inward from a surface of the insulating body; and the first through hole has one of the openings in the first depression.
In the above arrangement, when the filler deforms, it is possible to prevent protrusion of the filler from a surface (at least either one of two surfaces) of the insulating body. Therefore, even in a case where an external component is provided in the vicinity of an opening of the first through hole, it is possible to prevent a contact between the external component and the filler.
The structure of the present invention may be arranged to further include: a separate member having a second depression or a second through hole, the separate member being provided so that the second depression or the second through hole faces the first through hole of the insulating body.
In the above arrangement, the separate member has a second depression or a second through hole. This makes it possible to prevent the filler from coming in contact with the separate member at the time when the filler deforms. Preferably, the structure of the present invention may be arranged such that at least a part of the inner wall of the first through hole of the insulating body is formed into a tapering shape.
In the above arrangement, the inner wall of the first through hole is formed into a tapered shape. This allows the filler to be filled in the first through hole more easily. The arrangement also makes it easier to form the conductive body in a finely adjusted manner in the first through hole.
The present invention is not limited to the description of the embodiments above, but may be altered as appropriate by a skilled person within the scope of the claims. That is, the present invention encompasses an embodiment based on a proper combination of technical means modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims.
The present invention is applicable in an electronics device production field.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2012-153107 | Jul 2012 | JP | national |
2012-154170 | Jul 2012 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2013/068269 | 7/3/2013 | WO | 00 |