US5502631A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit elements that are ultrasonically welded together
Assignee: AUE Inst Ltd
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Filing: 1994-10-07
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Granted: 1996-03-26
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Expires: 2014-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A new and improved electronic circuit and a method of producing the same is provided in which at least one electronic element is ultrasonically welded to a printed circuit board to create the electronic circuit. Proper alignment between terminals of a conductive circuit pattern on the circuit board and terminal units on the connecting surface of the electronic element is ensured by a variety of techniques: (i) small protuberances on the terminal units, (ii) raised sections on the bottom surface of the terminal units placed to engage indented portions of the board, and (iii) corresponding posts (on the electronic elements) and holes (formed on the circuit board). The ultrasonic welding of the element to the printed circuit board is typically conducted at a frequency range between 25-30 megahertz which produces a vibration which grinds the terminal units of the electronic element to the terminals of the circuit pattern while also welding the element and circuit board together. Electronic circuits formed in accordance with the inventive concept disclosed herein can be comprised of stacked or interlocking combinations of weldable electronic elements. Such structures can improve rigidity and vary spacial relationships of electronic circuits.
Inventors
- 👤 Yoshio Adachi
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 12:22
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/303; B; B23; B23K; B23K20/00; B23K20/10; H05K3/32; H05K3/328; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/10; H05K2201/10431; H05K2201/10507; H05K2201/1053; H05K2201/10537; H05K2201/10568; H05K2201/10613; H05K2201/10621; H05K2201/10636; H05K2201/10734; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/02; H05K2203/0285; H05K2203/16; H05K2203/166; H05K2203/167; H10; H10W; H10W72/00; H10W72/071; H10W72/072; H10W72/07221; H10W72/07227; H10W72/20; H10W72/281; H10W72/285; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
An ultrasonically welded electronic circuit comprising: a circuit board formed of ultrasonically weldable material; a conductive circuit pattern formed on the circuit board; and at least one electronic element comprising an ultrasonically weldable exterior region, at least one terminal unit on a contact surface of the element for electrically coupling the element to a conductive circuit pattern of a circuit board, and alignment means for aligning the electronic element to the circuit board so as to ensure correct positioning of the electronic element and reliable electrical coupling, wherein the ultrasonically weldable exterior region is ultrasonically welded to the circuit board.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
An ultrasonically welded electronic circuit comprising: a circuit board formed of ultrasonically weldable material; a conductive circuit pattern formed on the circuit board; and at least one electronic element comprising an ultrasonically weldable exterior region, at least one terminal unit on a contact surface of the element for electrically coupling the element to a conductive circuit pattern of a circuit board, and alignment means for aligning the electronic element to the circuit board so as to ensure correct positioning of the electronic element and reliable electrical coupling, wherein the ultrasonically weldable exterior region is ultrasonically welded to the circuit board.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The ultrasonically welded electronic circuit according to claim 1, wherein the alignment means comprises at least one small protuberance, the small protuberance being provided on the at least one terminal unit for ensuring an electrically reliable connection between the electronic element and the conductive circuit pattern.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An ultrasonically welded electronic circuit according to claim 1, wherein the alignment means of the electronic element comprises a raised section of material surrounding the at least one terminal unit received by a corresponding indented surface on the circuit board.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ultrasonically welded electronic circuit according to claim 1, wherein the alignment means comprises a plurality of posts on the electronic element received by a corresponding plurality of hollowed regions on the circuit board.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ultrasonically welded electronic circuit according to claim 1 wherein the circuit board is formed of a thermoplastic resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
96 words
An ultrasonically welded electronic circuit comprising: a circuit board formed of ultrasonically weldable material; a conductive circuit pattern formed on the circuit board; and at least one electronic element comprising an ultrasonically weldable exterior region, at least one terminal unit on a contact surface of the element for electrically coupling the element to another electronic element, and alignment means for aligning the electronic element to said another electronic element so as to ensure correct positioning of the electronic element and reliable electrical coupling, wherein the ultrasonically weldable exterior region is ultrasonically welded to the circuit board.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
96 words
An ultrasonically welded electronic circuit comprising: a circuit board formed of ultrasonically weldable material; a conductive circuit pattern formed on the circuit board; and at least one electronic element comprising an ultrasonically weldable exterior region, at least one terminal unit on a contact surface of the element for electrically coupling the element to another electronic element, and alignment means for aligning the electronic element to said another electronic element so as to ensure correct positioning of the electronic element and reliable electrical coupling, wherein the ultrasonically weldable exterior region is ultrasonically welded to the circuit board.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The ultrasonically welded electronic circuit according to claim 6, wherein the alignment means comprises at least one small protuberance, the small protuberance being provided on the at least one terminal unit for ensuring an electrically reliable connection between the electronic element and the conductive circuit pattern.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
An ultrasonically welded electronic circuit according to claim 6, wherein the alignment means of the electronic element comprises a raised section of material surrounding the at least one terminal unit received by a corresponding indented surface on the circuit board.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
An ultrasonically welded electronic circuit according to claim 6, wherein the alignment means comprises a plurality of posts on the electronic element received by a corresponding plurality of hollowed regions on the circuit board.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
An ultrasonically welded electronic circuit according to claim 6 wherein the circuit board is formed of a thermoplastic resin.
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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) | 1999-03-26 | 1999-09-25 | 2000-03-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-03-26 | 2003-09-25 | 2004-03-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-03-26 | 2007-09-25 | 2008-03-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |