US5052105A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Micro-cable interconnect
Assignee: Hutchinson Technology Inc
•
Filing: 1990-06-05
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Granted: 1991-10-01
•
Expires: 2010-06-05
Abstract
Abstract A micro-cable interconnect comprises a single exterior flexible insulative coating internally containing a plurality of terminally prepared, precisely spaced conductors. The conductors are arranged with a spacing and pitch to identically match spacing and pitch of interconnect zones operatively connected to an integrated circuit or connector, with the conductors constructed and arranged for bonding to the interconnect zones. A method of forming a micro-cable interconnect comprises the steps of: (a) providing a continuous formation of conductors of precisely controlled spacing and tension to identically match spacing of interconnect zones operatively connected to an integrated circuit or connector to which the conductors are constructed and arranged for attachment; (b) applying coating precursor to selected lengths of the formation of conductors and providing curing to the selected lengths to provide cured and uncured portions; and (c) cutting the conductors at the uncured portions to form micro-cable interconnect.
Inventors
- 👤 Hans A. Mische
- 👤 Wallace J. Devries
- 👤 John M. Hokanson
- 👤 Daniel J. Klima
- 👤 Steven P. Mertens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 16:37
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R43/00; H01R43/28; A; A61; A61B; A61B1/00; A61B1/00002; A61B1/00011; A61B1/00018; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49174; Y10T29/49204; Y10T29/49208; Y10T29/4922
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of forming a micro-cable interconnect comprising the steps of: (a) providing a continuous formation of conductors of precisely controlled spacing and tension to identically match spacing of interconnect zones operatively connected to an integrated circuit or connector to which said conductors are constructed and arranged for attachment; (b) applying synthetic resin coating precursor to selected lengths of said formation of conductors and providing curing to said selected lengths to provide cured and uncured portions; and (c) cutting said conductors at said uncured portions to form micro-cable interconnect adapted and arranged for connection to said connector or to said integrated circuit.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
102 words
A method of forming a micro-cable interconnect comprising the steps of: (a) providing a continuous formation of conductors of precisely controlled spacing and tension to identically match spacing of interconnect zones operatively connected to an integrated circuit or connector to which said conductors are constructed and arranged for attachment; (b) applying synthetic resin coating precursor to selected lengths of said formation of conductors and providing curing to said selected lengths to provide cured and uncured portions; and (c) cutting said conductors at said uncured portions to form micro-cable interconnect adapted and arranged for connection to said connector or to said integrated circuit.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein cured and uncured portions are formed in step (b) by applying UV curable coating precursor to said continuous formation of conductors, providing UV curing to selected areas of said coating precursor to provide cured and uncured coating portions, and removing uncured portions of coating
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method according to claim 1, additionally comprising pre-cleaning the conductor wires prior to step (a) to provide a uniform receptive surface for application of coating precursor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 3, wherein pre-cleaning comprises passing the conductor wires through a first cleaning section for removal of organic contamination, followed by DI water rinse.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
A method according to claim 2, wherein tension is provided by tension sensors for each conductor and spacing is provided by a fixed guide assembly to establish spacing for a mid-section of micro-cable interconnect and by a moving guide assembly to establish spacing for a fanned array at a terminal end of micro-cable interconnect.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the fixed guide assembly is made of shims with precise thickness dimensions, laminated together to form a laminate with varying thicknesses to establish precision slots within the laminate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the moving guide is formed of a guide plate with slots at acute angles to each other to guide the conductors into a fanned array and guide pins to hold the conductors in a direction perpendicular to the fanned array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 5, wherein the moving guide comprises means for moving each conductor linearly responsive to digital control.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein in step (b) the coating precursor application is by an dispensing the coating precursor onto the conductor wire droplets and curing is b UV irradiation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method according to claim 1, additionally comprising providing inspection for conductor spacing, planarity, continuity, coating consistency and coating edge quality, and optionally, final coating curing, immediately prior to step (c).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-09-30 | 1995-04-01 | 1995-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-09-30 | 1999-04-01 | 1999-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-09-30 | 2003-04-01 | 2003-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |