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US5448020A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

System and method for forming a controlled impedance flex circuit

Assignee: HP Inc
•
Filing: 1993-12-17
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Granted: 1995-09-05
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Expires: 2013-12-17
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Abstract

Abstract A system and method for providing a controlled impedance flex circuit includes providing an insulative flexible substrate having opposed first and second surfaces and having through holes extending from the first surface to the second surface. A pattern of conductive traces is formed on the first surface of the flexible substrate. A film of conductive adhesive is applied to the second surface and to the through holes. The through holes are aligned to contact ground traces in the pattern of conductive traces on the first surface. Thus, a ground plane is established for creating an environment for high frequency signal propagation. The conductive adhesive may be a b-stage epoxy or a thermoplastic material. In the preferred embodiment, a tape automated bonding frame is fabricated.

Inventors

  • 👤 Rajendra D. Pendse

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-05 15:52
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/0213; H05K1/0216; H05K1/0218; H10; H10W; H10W70/00; H10W70/40; H10W70/453; H10W70/60; H10W70/67; H10W70/688; H05K1/0219; H05K1/03; H05K1/0393; H05K1/09; H05K1/092; H05K1/095; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/07; H05K2201/0707; H05K2201/0715; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49002; Y10T29/49117; Y10T29/49124; Y10T29/49155; Y10T29/49165

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim 119 words
An interconnection system comprising: an insulative, flexible substrate having opposed first and second surfaces and having through holes extending from said first surface to said second surface; a pattern of conductive traces on said first surface of said flexible substrate; and a utility plane on said second surface of said flexible substrate, said utility plane being an electrically conductive adhesive extending along said second surface said utility plane having a plurality of conductive members formed of said electrically conductive adhesive, said conductive members being aligned with and extending through said through holes to electrically connect to selected traces of said pattern of conductive traces, thereby forming vias through said flexible substrate from said utility plane to said conductive traces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 119 words
An interconnection system comprising: an insulative, flexible substrate having opposed first and second surfaces and having through holes extending from said first surface to said second surface; a pattern of conductive traces on said first surface of said flexible substrate; and a utility plane on said second surface of said flexible substrate, said utility plane being an electrically conductive adhesive extending along said second surface said utility plane having a plurality of conductive members formed of said electrically conductive adhesive, said conductive members being aligned with and extending through said through holes to electrically connect to selected traces of said pattern of conductive traces, thereby forming vias through said flexible substrate from said utility plane to said conductive traces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 28 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said conductive traces are leads of a tape automated bonding frame, said leads having outer lead ends cantilevered from said flexible substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said conductive traces have inner lead ends and outer lead ends contained on said flexible substrate.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 12 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said adhesive is a b-stage epoxy.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 44 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a second substrate fixed to said flexible substrate by said utility plane, said second substrate being flexible and having a second pattern of conductive traces on a side of said second substrate opposite to said utility plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 25 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said utility plane is a ground plane extending across the entirety of said second surface of said flexible substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 21 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said conductive traces are metallic members and wherein said flexible substrate is a polyimide layer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 97 words
A flexible circuit comprised of: a layer of conductive traces; a layer of electrically conductive adhesive; and a flexible substrate having opposed first and second major surfaces and having at least one opening therethrough; said layer of conductive traces being disposed atop said first major surface, and including a first trace spanning a gap formed by said opening; said layer of electrically conductive adhesive being disposed atop said second surface; said layer of electrically conductive adhesive having a raised portion, said raised portion being aligned with and projecting into said opening, thereby electrically contacting said first trace.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 97 words
A flexible circuit comprised of: a layer of conductive traces; a layer of electrically conductive adhesive; and a flexible substrate having opposed first and second major surfaces and having at least one opening therethrough; said layer of conductive traces being disposed atop said first major surface, and including a first trace spanning a gap formed by said opening; said layer of electrically conductive adhesive being disposed atop said second surface; said layer of electrically conductive adhesive having a raised portion, said raised portion being aligned with and projecting into said opening, thereby electrically contacting said first trace.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4912547A Cited
US5142351A Cited
US5068708A Cited
US5208188A Cited
US5025114A Cited
US5367196A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1998-09-04 1999-03-06 1999-09-05 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2002-09-04 2003-03-06 2003-09-05 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2006-09-04 2007-03-06 2007-09-05 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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