US5605477A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Flexible etched circuit assembly
Assignee: Whitaker LLC
•
Filing: 1995-01-13
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Granted: 1997-02-25
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Expires: 2015-01-13
Abstract
Abstract An electrical connector assembly (10) is mounted on a printed circuit board (18) and includes a flexible etched circuit (FEC) (15) with electrical traces thereon. The FEC (15) is part of an electrical circuit which includes electrical components (22,24), electrical contacts (23), a ground path (12, 12a), and an electrical connection (90). The FEC can include various electrical components (22,24), for example, in order to filter the electrical circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeff C. Wu
- 👤 Bobby G. Ward
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:36
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/14; H05K1/147; H01; H01R; H01R12/00; H01R12/70; H01R12/77; H01R12/79; H01R13/00; H01R13/648; H01R13/658; H05K1/0213; H05K1/0216; H05K1/023; H05K1/0233; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/714; H01R13/66; H01R13/719; H05K1/141; H05K1/18; H05K1/189; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/05; H05K2201/056; H05K2201/08; H05K2201/083; H05K2201/086; H05K2201/10; H05K2201/10007; H05K2201/10015; H05K2201/10189; H05K2201/10431; H05K2201/1059; H05K2201/10613; H05K2201/10621; H05K2201/10636; H05K2201/10734; H05K2203/00; H05K2203/04; H05K2203/0455; H05K2203/10; H05K2203/101; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/306; H05K3/308; H05K3/32; H05K3/34; H05K3/3494; H05K3/36; H05K3/361; H05K3/363; H05K3/46; H05K3/4688; H05K3/4691; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
145 words
An electrical connector assembly for use with a printed circuit board (PCB) having electrical traces thereon, including a connector housing with electrical contacts therein, said electrical connector assembly comprising: a flexible etched circuit. (FEC) member having electrical traces and at least one electrical component disposed on a first side thereof in electrical connection with at least one of said FEC traces and at least one of said electrical contacts, a ground circuit on a second side of said FEC member, said FEC member further includes at least one electrically conductive hole therethrough for electrical connection between said electrical component and said ground circuit, thereby forming an electrical circuit between said electrical component, said ground plane, and said at least one electrical contact; and plane, and said at least one electrical contact; and wherein said FEC member is at least partially wrapped around a ferrite plate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
145 words
An electrical connector assembly for use with a printed circuit board (PCB) having electrical traces thereon, including a connector housing with electrical contacts therein, said electrical connector assembly comprising: a flexible etched circuit. (FEC) member having electrical traces and at least one electrical component disposed on a first side thereof in electrical connection with at least one of said FEC traces and at least one of said electrical contacts, a ground circuit on a second side of said FEC member, said FEC member further includes at least one electrically conductive hole therethrough for electrical connection between said electrical component and said ground circuit, thereby forming an electrical circuit between said electrical component, said ground plane, and said at least one electrical contact; and plane, and said at least one electrical contact; and wherein said FEC member is at least partially wrapped around a ferrite plate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the FEC member is mounted to said connector housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said at least one electrical contact comprises a pin member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector assembly of claim 3, wherein said pin passes through said FEC member for electrical contact therewith.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector assembly of claim 3, wherein said pin passes through a plate which supports said FEC member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one said electrical component is disposed between said housing and said FEC member for electrical connection with said at least one electrical contact.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector assembly of claim 6, wherein said FEC member is at least partially wrapped around a plate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The connector assembly of claim 7, wherein said plate is a ferrite plate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connector assembly of claim 6, wherein said at least one electrical contact comprises a pin member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein said pin passes through said FEC member for electrical contact therewith.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector assembly of claim 9, wherein said pin passes through a plate which supports said FEC member.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said FEC member comprises a rigid-flex circuit having at least one circuit trace thereon in electrical connection with said at least one electrical contact.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein said at least one electrical contact comprises a compliant pin section for engagement with said rigid-flex circuit.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein a rigid portion of said rigid-flex circuit is disposed against a portion of said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein said rigid-flex circuit comprises a pair of rigid portions or one rigid portion.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The connector assembly of claim 15, wherein a plate member is disposed between said rigid portions.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The connector assembly of claim 16, wherein said plate member is a ferrite plate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one conductive finger is formed on said housing for providing a ground path from said FEC member.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said FEC member includes at least one stiffener for mounting electrical components adjacent thereto.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The connector assembly of claim 19, wherein said stiffener is mounted on a side opposite to said at least one electrical component, relative to said FEC member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said FEC member is connected to said PCB traces by solder.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
18 words
The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said FEC member connected to said PCB traces by spring means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said FEC member connected to said PCB traces by a ball-shaped contact.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
23 words
The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said FEC member is connected to said PCB electrical traces by solder with a via hole.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said FEC member a multi-circuit FEC member having multiple FEC member layers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said FEC member connected to said PCB traces with a self-regulating temperature source power finger.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The connector assembly of claim 1, wherein said FEC member includes at least one trace having a cladding of high magnetic permeability for electrically connecting said FEC member to said PCB traces as a self-regulating temperature source.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connector assembly of claim 12, wherein said rigid-flex member comprises a second electrical component connected to said trace.
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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) | 2000-02-25 | 2000-08-26 | 2001-02-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-25 | 2004-08-26 | 2005-02-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-25 | 2008-08-26 | 2009-02-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |