Patent FR2345181B3 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US6281844B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6281844B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electrical component and an electrical circuit module having connected ground planes
Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson AB
•
Filing: 1999-11-03
•
Granted: 2001-08-28
•
Expires: 2019-11-03
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to an electrical component (CO) as well as a device (DEV) comprising such an electrical component (CO) and an electric circuit module (MO). A ground plane ( 4 ) of the component (CO) and a ground plane ( 2 ) of the circuit module (MO) are brought into contact via projections ( 4 ″) provided on the ground plane ( 4 ) of the component (CO) and/or on the ground plane of the circuit module (MO). The provision of the projections ( 4 ″) and the recesses ( 4 ′) therebetween provide heat sinks between the projections ( 4 ″) when they are soldered to the ground plane ( 2 ) of the circuit module (MO). Through-holes ( 8 ′) and additional non-ground conductors ( 2 ′) can be provided between pads ( 14 ) of the ground plane ( 2 ) of the circuit module (MO) allowing an efficient use of the available space. The invention is particularly useful when a patch antenna needing a large ground plane is connected to a multilayer circuit board. Another embodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of spacer elements which are arranged between the ground planes ( 2, 4 ) of the circuit module (MO) and of the component (CO), such that the ground planes ( 2, 4 ) can be kept flat. This allows a design of the configuration of the ground plane of the circuit module (MO) independently from a configuration of the component (CO).
Inventors
- 👤 Walter Kodim
- 👤 Frank Bäuerlein
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 10:56
CPC Classifications
H; H05; H05K; H05K1/00; H05K1/18; H01; H01Q; H01Q9/00; H01Q9/04; H01Q9/0407; H01Q19/00; H01Q19/10; H05K3/00; H05K3/30; H05K3/32; H05K3/34; H05K3/341; H05K1/02; H05K1/0213; H05K1/0237; H05K1/0243; H05K2201/00; H05K2201/03; H05K2201/0332; H05K2201/0364; H05K2201/0373; H05K2201/10; H05K2201/10431; H05K2201/10568; H05K2201/10613; H05K2201/10954; H05K2201/10969; H05K2201/20; H05K2201/2036; Y; Y02; Y02P; Y02P70/00; Y02P70/50
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 44
Claim 1
Independent Claim
155 words
An electrical component (CO) comprising: a base ( 3 ); and a ground plane ( 4 ) having a front surface and a back surface, said back surface of the ground plane ( 4 ) being connected to a surface of the base ( 3 ), and said front surface of said ground plane ( 4 ) being adapted to be connected with a ground plane ( 2 ) of an electrical circuit module (MO); wherein said front surface of said ground plane ( 4 ) is provided with a plurality of projections ( 4 ″) and recesses ( 4 ′) between the projections ( 4 ″) arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern; and wherein said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) is mechanically and electrically connected with the ground plane ( 2 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO) only at specific locations of said projections ( 4 ″).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
155 words
An electrical component (CO) comprising: a base ( 3 ); and a ground plane ( 4 ) having a front surface and a back surface, said back surface of the ground plane ( 4 ) being connected to a surface of the base ( 3 ), and said front surface of said ground plane ( 4 ) being adapted to be connected with a ground plane ( 2 ) of an electrical circuit module (MO); wherein said front surface of said ground plane ( 4 ) is provided with a plurality of projections ( 4 ″) and recesses ( 4 ′) between the projections ( 4 ″) arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern; and wherein said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) is mechanically and electrically connected with the ground plane ( 2 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO) only at specific locations of said projections ( 4 ″).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The electrical component (CO) according to claim 1 , wherein said electrical component (CO) is a patch antenna ( 3 , 4 , 11 ).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The electrical component (CO) according to claim 2 , wherein said patch antenna is a ceramic patch antenna including a ceramic substrate ( 3 ) having on a first side a conducting layer ( 11 ) and on a second side opposite said first side said ground plane ( 4 ).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The electrical component (CO) according to claim 1 , wherein said electrical component (CO) is a filter or a power amplifier.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The electrical component (CO) according to claim 1 , wherein at the specific locations of the projections ( 4 ″) a conductive adhesive or solder is provided.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The electrical component (CO) according to claim 1 , wherein the arrangement pattern of said projections ( 4 ″) is a regular grid pattern.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
65 words
The electrical component (CO) according to claim 1 , wherein the arrangement pattern of said projections ( 4 ″) is an irregular grid pattern, where distances (dx ν , dy ν ) in a first or second direction of the grid between individual projections ( 4 ″) are different to each other and increase or decrease in said first or second direction of the grid.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
138 words
A device (DEV) comprising an electrical circuit module (MO) having a ground plane ( 2 ) and at least one electrical component (CO) said at least one electrical component (CO) comprising: a base ( 3 ); and a ground plane ( 4 ) having a front surface and a back surface, said back surface of the ground plane ( 4 ) being connected to a surface of the base ( 3 ), and said front surface of said ground plane ( 4 ) being adapted to be connected with a ground plane ( 2 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO); wherein the ground plane ( 2 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO) and said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) are mechanically and electrically connected only via the projections ( 4 ″).
Claim 10
Independent Claim
138 words
A device (DEV) comprising an electrical circuit module (MO) having a ground plane ( 2 ) and at least one electrical component (CO) said at least one electrical component (CO) comprising: a base ( 3 ); and a ground plane ( 4 ) having a front surface and a back surface, said back surface of the ground plane ( 4 ) being connected to a surface of the base ( 3 ), and said front surface of said ground plane ( 4 ) being adapted to be connected with a ground plane ( 2 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO); wherein the ground plane ( 2 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO) and said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) are mechanically and electrically connected only via the projections ( 4 ″).
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 8 , wherein said electrical component (CO) is a patch antenna ( 3 , 4 , 11 ).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
The device according to claim 9 , wherein said patch antenna is a ceramic patch antenna including a ceramic substrate ( 3 ) having on a first side a conducting layer ( 11 ) and on a second side opposite said first side said ground plane ( 4 ).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device according to claim 8 , wherein said electrical component (CO) is a filter or a power amplifier.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
71 words
The device according to claim 8 , wherein said projections ( 4 ″) are provided on the ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO), and said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO) comprises a conductor pad ( 14 ) pattern corresponding to the arrangement pattern of said projections ( 4 ″) of said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The device according to claim 8 , wherein said electrical circuit module (MO) is a printed circuit board.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device according to claim 8 , wherein said projections ( 4 ″) are provided with solder or a conductive adhesive.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device according to claim 8 , wherein the arrangement pattern of said projections ( 4 ″) is a regular grid pattern.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device according to claim 8 , wherein the arrangement pattern of said projections ( 4 ″) is an irregular grid pattern, where distances (dx ν , dy ν ) in a first or second direction of the grid between individual projections ( 4 ″) are different to each other and increase or decrease in said first or second direction of the grid.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
100 words
A device (DEV) comprising: an electrical circuit module (MO), wherein said electrical circuit module (MO) is a multilayer circuit board; and at least one electrical component (CO) connected at ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) thereof; wherein said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and/or said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO) comprises a plurality of projections ( 4 ″) arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern; and wherein said ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) are in electrical contact with each other via said projections ( 4 ″).
Claim 20
Independent Claim
100 words
A device (DEV) comprising: an electrical circuit module (MO), wherein said electrical circuit module (MO) is a multilayer circuit board; and at least one electrical component (CO) connected at ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) thereof; wherein said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and/or said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO) comprises a plurality of projections ( 4 ″) arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern; and wherein said ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) are in electrical contact with each other via said projections ( 4 ″).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device according to claim 17 , wherein said multilayer circuit board comprises a plurality of through-holes ( 8 ′) and blind-holes provided between said pads ( 14 ) and connecting individual layers of said multilayer circuit board.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device according to claim 17 , wherein said multilayer circuit board comprises a plurality of signal conductors ( 2 ′) not having a ground potential and being arranged between said conductor pads ( 14 ).
Claim 23
Independent Claim
158 words
A device (DEV) comprising: an electrical circuit module (MO); and at least one electrical component (CO) connected at ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) thereof; wherein said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and/or said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO) comprises a plurality of projections ( 4 ″) arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern on the ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO); wherein said ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) are in electrical contact with each other via said projections ( 4 ″); and said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO) comprises a conductor pad ( 14 ) pattern corresponding to the arrangement pattern of said projections ( 4 ″) of said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO), said conductor pads ( 14 ) being connected through conductor stripes ( 15 ).
Claim 24
Independent Claim
158 words
A device (DEV) comprising: an electrical circuit module (MO); and at least one electrical component (CO) connected at ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) thereof; wherein said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and/or said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO) comprises a plurality of projections ( 4 ″) arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern on the ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO); wherein said ground planes ( 2 ; 4 ) are in electrical contact with each other via said projections ( 4 ″); and said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO) comprises a conductor pad ( 14 ) pattern corresponding to the arrangement pattern of said projections ( 4 ″) of said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO), said conductor pads ( 14 ) being connected through conductor stripes ( 15 ).
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
38 words
The device according to claim 20 , wherein said multilayer circuit board comprises a plurality of through-holes ( 8 ′) and blind-holes provided between said pads ( 14 ) and connecting individual layers of said multilayer circuit board.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
36 words
The device according to claim 20 , wherein said multilayer circuit board comprises a plurality of signal conductors ( 2 ′) not having a ground potential and being arranged between said conductor pads ( 14 ).
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
105 words
A connecting means for connecting ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) of an electrical circuit module (MO) and at least one electrical component (CO), wherein said connecting means comprises a plurality of spacer elements ( 4 ″) connectable with both the ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and the ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO), said spacer element ( 4 ″) being arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern, and the ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) are electrically and mechanically connected only at the specific locations of said spacer elements ( 4 ″).
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
105 words
A connecting means for connecting ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) of an electrical circuit module (MO) and at least one electrical component (CO), wherein said connecting means comprises a plurality of spacer elements ( 4 ″) connectable with both the ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and the ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO), said spacer element ( 4 ″) being arranged according to a predetermined arrangement pattern, and the ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) are electrically and mechanically connected only at the specific locations of said spacer elements ( 4 ″).
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The connecting means according to claim 23 , wherein said spacer elements ( 4 ″) are provided with solder.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connecting means according to claim 23 , wherein a layer ( 16 ) is provided on which said spacer elements ( 4 ″) are attached.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
29 words
The connecting means according to claim 23 , wherein said layer ( 16 ) is conducting at least in areas where said spacer elements ( 4 ″) are attached.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The connecting means according to claim 23 , wherein said spacer elements ( 4 ″) are connected to each other through connection elements ( 17 ).
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The connecting means according to claim 27 , wherein said connection elements ( 17 ) are non-conducting.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
38 words
The connecting means according to claim 27 , wherein said connection elements ( 17 ) are conducting connecting elements ( 17 ) and are arranged such that they do not touch the upper layer of the circuit module.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
45 words
A connecting means according to claim 29 , wherein said conducting connecting elements ( 17 ) are either arranged centrally in the height direction of the spacer elements ( 4 ″) or are aligned with the top surface of the spacer elements ( 4 ″).
Claim 36
Independent Claim
125 words
A device (DEV) comprising an electrical circuit module (MO) having a ground plane ( 2 ) and at least one electrical component (CO), said electrical component (CO) comprising: a base ( 3 ); and a ground plane ( 4 ) having a front surface and a back surface; connecting means for connecting ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO) and the electrical component (CO); wherein said connecting means is provided between said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO), and said ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) are electrically and mechanically connected only at specific locations of spacer elements ( 4 ″).
Claim 37
Independent Claim
125 words
A device (DEV) comprising an electrical circuit module (MO) having a ground plane ( 2 ) and at least one electrical component (CO), said electrical component (CO) comprising: a base ( 3 ); and a ground plane ( 4 ) having a front surface and a back surface; connecting means for connecting ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) of the electrical circuit module (MO) and the electrical component (CO); wherein said connecting means is provided between said ground plane ( 4 ) of said electrical component (CO) and said ground plane ( 2 ) of said electrical circuit module (MO), and said ground planes ( 2 , 4 ) are electrically and mechanically connected only at specific locations of spacer elements ( 4 ″).
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device according to claim 31 , wherein at the spacer elements ( 4 ″) are provided with a conductive adhesive or solder.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 31 , wherein a layer ( 16 ) is provided on which said spacer elements ( 4 ″) are attached.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
28 words
The device according to claim 31 , wherein said layer ( 16 ) is conducting at least in areas where said spacer elements ( 4 ″) are attached.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device according to claim 31 , wherein said spacer elements ( 4 ″) are connected to each other through connection elements ( 17 ).
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device according to claim 35 , wherein said connection elements ( 17 ) are non-conducting.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device according to claim 35 , wherein said connection elements ( 17 ) are conducting connecting elements ( 17 ) and are arranged such that they do not touch the upper layer of the circuit module.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
44 words
A device according to claim 37 , wherein said conducting connecting elements ( 17 ) are either arranged centrally in the height direction of the spacer elements ( 4 ″) or are aligned with the top surface of the spacer elements ( 4 ″).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4450449A
Cited
US4937585A
Cited
US4912481A
Cited
US5210541A
Cited
US5248947A
Cited
EP0588465A1
Cited
US5448250A
Cited
US5517162A
Cited
US5410449A
Cited
US5635942A
Cited
US5517612A
Cited
JPH07183330A
Cited
DE19520700A1
Cited
US5559521A
Cited
US5773898A
Cited
JPH1093474A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-08-27 | 2005-02-26 | 2005-08-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-08-27 | 2009-02-26 | 2009-08-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-08-27 | 2013-02-26 | 2013-08-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |