US5759047A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Flexible circuitized interposer with apertured member and method for making same
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1996-05-24
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Granted: 1998-06-02
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Expires: 2016-05-24
Abstract
Abstract A flexible circuitized interposer (50) and method of making same wherein the interposer includes at least one flexible circuitized substrate (53) having a dielectric (e.g., polyimide) layer (54) with a conductor (55) and plated elements (56), e.g., copper pad, including possibly with dendrites (57) thereon for enhanced connection, an apertured support member (58) aligning with the conductor, and a support member (60) having the apertured member thereon. When the interposer is engaged, the flexible circuitized substrate (53) is depressed within the aperture (59). Various alternatives, including a support (60") formed with compressible portions (69) that extend into respective apertures (59) in the support member (58), and an interim, compressible support (60""), are disclosed. The support member may also be metallic, e.g., for use as an electrical ground shield. Flexure is also enhanced by utilization of patterns of one or more apertures (64) in the flexible substrate relative to and substantially surrounding the positioned conductors (56). Electrical assemblies including a pair of circuitized substrates electrically interconnected by the defined interposers are also described.
Inventors
- 👤 William Louis Brodsky
- 👤 Glenn Lee Kehley
- 👤 Glenn Edward Myrto
- 👤 John Henry Sherman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 20:02
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/02; H01R13/22; H01R13/24; H01R13/2407; H01R13/2414; H01R12/00; H01R12/50; H01R12/59; H01R12/62; H01R12/70; H01R12/71; H01R12/712; H01R12/714; H01R13/648; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/02; H05K1/11; H05K1/118; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/325; H05K3/326; H10; H10W; H10W70/00; H10W70/60; H10W70/62; H10W70/644; H10W90/00; H10W90/701; H05K1/03; H05K1/0313; H05K1/0353; H05K1/036; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/01; H05K2201/0104; H05K2201/0133; H05K2201/03; H05K2201/0332; H05K2201/0364; H05K2201/0373; H05K2201/09; H05K2201/09009; H05K2201/09063; H05K2201/09081; H05K2201/09109; H05K2201/10; H05K2201/10227; H05K2201/10378; H05K2201/10613; H05K2201/10621; H05K2201/10734; H10W90/721; H10W90/724
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
215 words
An interposer for electrically interconnecting first and second conductors on first and second circuitized substrates, respectively, said interposer comprising: at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being electrically coupled to said first conductor on said first circuitized substrate and including a first layer of dielectric material having at least one conductive member thereon adapted for engaging said second conductor on said second circuitized substrate to provide an electrical connection with said second conductor; an apertured member including at least one aperture therein, said apertured member being positioned adjacent said at least one flexible circuitized substrate such that said at least one aperture is aligned with said at least one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate on an opposite side of said flexible circuitized substrate from said conductive member, said apertured member being a separate member from said at least one flexible circuitized substrate; and a support member positioned adjacent said apertured member and having said apertured member positioned thereon, said at least one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being depressed within said aperture of said apertured member during the engagement between said conductive member and said first conductor of said first circuitized substrate while said apertured member is positioned on said support member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
215 words
An interposer for electrically interconnecting first and second conductors on first and second circuitized substrates, respectively, said interposer comprising: at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being electrically coupled to said first conductor on said first circuitized substrate and including a first layer of dielectric material having at least one conductive member thereon adapted for engaging said second conductor on said second circuitized substrate to provide an electrical connection with said second conductor; an apertured member including at least one aperture therein, said apertured member being positioned adjacent said at least one flexible circuitized substrate such that said at least one aperture is aligned with said at least one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate on an opposite side of said flexible circuitized substrate from said conductive member, said apertured member being a separate member from said at least one flexible circuitized substrate; and a support member positioned adjacent said apertured member and having said apertured member positioned thereon, said at least one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being depressed within said aperture of said apertured member during the engagement between said conductive member and said first conductor of said first circuitized substrate while said apertured member is positioned on said support member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The interposer of claim 1 wherein said support member is of substantially rigid construction.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The interposer of claim 2 wherein said support member is comprised of dielectric material.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The interposer of claim 2 wherein said support member is comprised of metallic material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The interposer of claim 1 wherein said support member is of compressible construction.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The interposer of claim 5 wherein said support member is comprised of elastomeric material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The interposer of claim 6 wherein said elastomeric material of said support member is silicone rubber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
37 words
The interposer of claim 5 wherein said support member includes a stepped portion for extending through said aperture within said apertured member to engage said layer of dielectric material on an opposite side from said conductive member.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The interposer of claim 5 wherein said support member is comprised of first and second support member layers, a first of said support member layers being compressible and a second of said support member layers being substantially rigid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The interposer of claim 9 wherein said second of said support member layers is comprised of dielectric material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
11 words
The interposer of claim 10 wherein said dielectric material is polyimide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
The interposer of claim 1 further including a conductive through hole extending through said flexible circuitized substrate, said apertured member and said support member to provide an electrically conductive path through said interposer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The interposer of claim 1 further including conductive dendritic elements positioned on said conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The interposer of claim 13 further including conductive dendritic elements on said second conductor of said second circuitized substrate for engaging said dendritic elements on said conductive member.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
38 words
The interposer of claim 1 wherein said layer of dielectric material of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate includes a plurality of openings therein spaced in a predetermined pattern relative to said at least one conductive member.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
20 words
The interposer of claim 15 wherein said openings form a substantially circular pattern around said at least one conductive member.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
55 words
The interposer of claim 15 wherein said aperture of said apertured member is positioned adjacent said pattern of openings of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate and occupies a greater area of said apertured member then said pattern of openings within said layer of dielectric material of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
222 words
An interposer for electrically interconnecting first and second conductors on first and second circuitized substrates, respectively, said interposer comprising: at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being electrically coupled to said first conductor on said first circuitized substrate and including a first layer of dielectric material having at least one conductive member thereon adapted for engaging said second conductor on said second circuitized substrate to provide an electrical connection with said second conductor; and an apertured member including a layer of dielectric material having an aperture therein, said aperture being positioned adjacent said at least one flexible circuitized substrate such that said aperture is aligned with said at least one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate on an opposite side of said flexible circuitized substrate from said conductive member, said apertured member being a separate member from said at least one flexible circuitized substrate, said apertured member further including a conductor member extending through said dielectric material for providing an electrically conductive path through said dielectric material of said apertured member, said conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate being electrically coupled to said conductor member and adapted for being depressed within said aperture of said apertured member during said engagement between said conductive member and said second conductor of said second circuitized substrate.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
222 words
An interposer for electrically interconnecting first and second conductors on first and second circuitized substrates, respectively, said interposer comprising: at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being electrically coupled to said first conductor on said first circuitized substrate and including a first layer of dielectric material having at least one conductive member thereon adapted for engaging said second conductor on said second circuitized substrate to provide an electrical connection with said second conductor; and an apertured member including a layer of dielectric material having an aperture therein, said aperture being positioned adjacent said at least one flexible circuitized substrate such that said aperture is aligned with said at least one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate on an opposite side of said flexible circuitized substrate from said conductive member, said apertured member being a separate member from said at least one flexible circuitized substrate, said apertured member further including a conductor member extending through said dielectric material for providing an electrically conductive path through said dielectric material of said apertured member, said conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate being electrically coupled to said conductor member and adapted for being depressed within said aperture of said apertured member during said engagement between said conductive member and said second conductor of said second circuitized substrate.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
The interposer of claim 18 wherein said first layer of dielectric material of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate includes a plurality of openings therein spaced in a predetermined pattern relative to said at least one conductive member.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
20 words
The interposer of claim 19 wherein said openings form a substantially circular pattern around said at least one conductive member.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
55 words
The interposer of claim 20 wherein said aperture of said apertured member is positioned adjacent said pattern of openings of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate and occupies a greater area of said apertured member than said pattern of openings within said layer of dielectric material of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
The interposer of claim 18 wherein said conductor member extending through said dielectric material of said apertured member is a plated through hole.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
24 words
The interposer of claim 18 further including conductive dendritic elements positioned on said conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate member.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
28 words
The interposer of claim 23 further including conductive dendritic elements on said second conductor of said second circuitized substrate for engaging said dendritic elements on said conductive member.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of making an interposer for electrically interconnecting first and second conductors on first and second circuitized substrates, respectively, said method comprising: providing at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being electrically coupled to said first conductor on said first circuitized substrates and including a first layer of dielectric material having at least one conductive member thereon adapted for engaging said second conductor on said second circuitized substrate to provide an electrical connection with said second conductor; providing an apertured member including at least one aperture therein, and positioning said apertured member adjacent said at least one flexible circuitized substrate such that said at least one aperture is aligned with said one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate on an opposite side of said flexible circuitized substrate from said conductive member, said apertured member being a separate member from said at least one flexible circuitized substrate; and providing a support member adjacent said apertured member and positioning said apertured member on said support member such that said at least one flexible circuitized substrate may be depressed within said aperture of said apertured member during said engagement between said conductive member and said second conductor of said second circuitized substrate when said apertured member is positioned on said support member.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
215 words
A method of making an interposer for electrically interconnecting first and second conductors on first and second circuitized substrates, respectively, said method comprising: providing at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being electrically coupled to said first conductor on said first circuitized substrates and including a first layer of dielectric material having at least one conductive member thereon adapted for engaging said second conductor on said second circuitized substrate to provide an electrical connection with said second conductor; providing an apertured member including at least one aperture therein, and positioning said apertured member adjacent said at least one flexible circuitized substrate such that said at least one aperture is aligned with said one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate on an opposite side of said flexible circuitized substrate from said conductive member, said apertured member being a separate member from said at least one flexible circuitized substrate; and providing a support member adjacent said apertured member and positioning said apertured member on said support member such that said at least one flexible circuitized substrate may be depressed within said aperture of said apertured member during said engagement between said conductive member and said second conductor of said second circuitized substrate when said apertured member is positioned on said support member.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 25 further including bonding said at least one flexible circuitized substrate to said adjacent apertured member using an adhesive.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 25 further including bonding said apertured member to said adjacent support member using an adhesive.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 25 further including joining said at least one flexible circuitized substrate to said adjacent apertured member using a lamination process.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 25 further including joining said apertured member to said adjacent support member using a lamination process.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 25 further including providing at least one electrically conductive, plated through hole through said support member.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 30 wherein said plated through hole is provided in said support member by drilling a hole within said support member and thereafter plating said hole with electrically conductive material.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 30 further including providing a conductor member within said at least one flexible circuitized substrate electrically connected to said at least one conductive member and thereafter joining said conductor member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate using a transient liquid phase process.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
216 words
A method of making an interposer for electrically interconnecting first and second conductors on first and second circuitized substrates, respectively, said method comprising: providing at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being electrically coupled to said first conductor on said first circuitized substrate and including a first layer of dielectric material having at least one conductive member thereon adapted for engaging said second conductor on said second circuitized substrate to provide an electrical connection with said second conductor; providing an apertured member including at least one aperture therein, and positioning said apertured member adjacent said at least one flexible circuitized substrate such that said at least one aperture is aligned with said one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate on an opposite side of said flexible circuitized substrate from said conductive member, said apertured member being a separate member from said at least one flexible circuitized substrate; providing a conductor extending through said apertured member and electrically coupling said conductor to said conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized member; and positioning said apertured member such that said at least one flexible circuitized substrate may be depressed within said aperture of said apertured member during engagement between said conductive member and said second conductor of said second circuitized substrate.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
216 words
A method of making an interposer for electrically interconnecting first and second conductors on first and second circuitized substrates, respectively, said method comprising: providing at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being electrically coupled to said first conductor on said first circuitized substrate and including a first layer of dielectric material having at least one conductive member thereon adapted for engaging said second conductor on said second circuitized substrate to provide an electrical connection with said second conductor; providing an apertured member including at least one aperture therein, and positioning said apertured member adjacent said at least one flexible circuitized substrate such that said at least one aperture is aligned with said one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate on an opposite side of said flexible circuitized substrate from said conductive member, said apertured member being a separate member from said at least one flexible circuitized substrate; providing a conductor extending through said apertured member and electrically coupling said conductor to said conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized member; and positioning said apertured member such that said at least one flexible circuitized substrate may be depressed within said aperture of said apertured member during engagement between said conductive member and said second conductor of said second circuitized substrate.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 33 further including bonding said at least one flexible circuitized substrate to said adjacent apertured member using an adhesive.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 33 further including joining said at least one flexible circuitized substrate to said adjacent apertured member using a lamination process.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 33 further including providing at least one electrically conductive, plated through hole through said apertured member.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 36 wherein said plated through hole is provided in said aperture by drilling a hole within said apertured member and thereafter plating said hole with electrically conductive material.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method of claim 36 further including providing a conductor member within said at least one flexible circuitized substrate electrically connected to said at least one conductive member and thereafter joining said conductor member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate to said conductor member of said apertured member using a transient liquid phase process.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
216 words
An electrical assembly comprising: first and second circuitized substrates including thereon first and second conductors, respectively; and an interposer including at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being electrically coupled to said first conductor on said first circuitized substrate and including a first layer of dielectric material having at least one conductive member thereon adapted for engaging said second conductor on said second circuitized substrate to provide an electrical connection with said second conductor, an apertured member including at least one aperture therein, said apertured member being positioned adjacent said at least one flexible circuitized substrate such that said at least one aperture is aligned with said at least one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate on an opposite side of said flexible circuitized substrate from said conductive member, said apertured member being a separate member from said at least one flexible circuitized substrate, and a support member positioned adjacent said apertured member and having said apertured member positioned thereon, said at least one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being depressed within said aperture of said apertured member during the engagement between said conductive member and said first conductor of said first circuitized substrate while said apertured member is positioned on said support member.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
216 words
An electrical assembly comprising: first and second circuitized substrates including thereon first and second conductors, respectively; and an interposer including at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being electrically coupled to said first conductor on said first circuitized substrate and including a first layer of dielectric material having at least one conductive member thereon adapted for engaging said second conductor on said second circuitized substrate to provide an electrical connection with said second conductor, an apertured member including at least one aperture therein, said apertured member being positioned adjacent said at least one flexible circuitized substrate such that said at least one aperture is aligned with said at least one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate on an opposite side of said flexible circuitized substrate from said conductive member, said apertured member being a separate member from said at least one flexible circuitized substrate, and a support member positioned adjacent said apertured member and having said apertured member positioned thereon, said at least one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being depressed within said aperture of said apertured member during the engagement between said conductive member and said first conductor of said first circuitized substrate while said apertured member is positioned on said support member.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
223 words
An electrical assembly comprising: first and second circuitized substrates including thereon first and second conductors, respectively; and an interposer including at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being electrically coupled to said first conductor on said first circuitized substrate and including a first layer of dielectric material having at least one conductive member thereon adapted for engaging said second conductor on said second circuitized substrate to provide an electrical connection with said second conductor, and an apertured member including a layer of dielectric material having an aperture therein, said aperture being positioned adjacent said at least one flexible circuitized substrate such that said aperture is aligned with said at least one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate on an opposite side of said flexible circuitized substrate from said conductive member, said apertured member being a separate member from said at least one flexible circuitized substrate, said apertured member further including a conductor member extending through said dielectric material for providing an electrically conductive path through said dielectric material of said apertured member, said conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate being electrically coupled to said conductor member and adapted for being depressed within said aperture of said apertured member during said engagement between said conductive member and said second conductor of said second circuitized substrate.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
223 words
An electrical assembly comprising: first and second circuitized substrates including thereon first and second conductors, respectively; and an interposer including at least one flexible circuitized substrate adapted for being electrically coupled to said first conductor on said first circuitized substrate and including a first layer of dielectric material having at least one conductive member thereon adapted for engaging said second conductor on said second circuitized substrate to provide an electrical connection with said second conductor, and an apertured member including a layer of dielectric material having an aperture therein, said aperture being positioned adjacent said at least one flexible circuitized substrate such that said aperture is aligned with said at least one conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate on an opposite side of said flexible circuitized substrate from said conductive member, said apertured member being a separate member from said at least one flexible circuitized substrate, said apertured member further including a conductor member extending through said dielectric material for providing an electrically conductive path through said dielectric material of said apertured member, said conductive member of said at least one flexible circuitized substrate being electrically coupled to said conductor member and adapted for being depressed within said aperture of said apertured member during said engagement between said conductive member and said second conductor of said second circuitized substrate.
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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) | 2001-06-01 | 2001-12-01 | 2002-06-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-01 | 2005-12-01 | 2006-06-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-01 | 2009-12-01 | 2010-06-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |