Abstract:
The invention is embodied in a demountable TAB assembly. By using two springs in series, the present invention is able to maintain reliable contact between the TAB frame and the printed circuit board even if the elastomeric spring relaxes. The present invention also incorporates a novel TAB frame using contacts formed into an area-array. This area-array concept eliminated the need for fine line printed circuit board technology to support the TAB assembly.
Abstract:
A hardboard (12) and a flat flexible cable (14) each carry a number of electrically conductive leads or traces (16, 18) having main portions which extend parallel to the longitudinal axes (12a, 14a) thereof. Conjugate connector portions (16a, 18a) of the traces (16, 18) extend from the ends of the main portions thereof at an acute angle (.theta.), such that the connector portions (18a) of the cable (14) are aligned over the connector portions (16a) of the hardboard (12) for soldering when the cable (14) is mated to the hardboard (12). The cable (14) is stiff and difficult to move laterally, but may be shifted longitudinally with small effort. Longitudinal relative movement of the cable (14) and hardboard (12) causes parallel shifting of the angled connector portions (18a) of the cable (14) relative to the connector portions (16a) of the hardboard (12), thereby enabling precise lateral adjustment of the connector portions (16a, 18a) without lateral relative movement between the cable (14) and the hardboard (12).
Abstract:
A wiring module for electrically connecting a plurality of electric parts disposed on an equipment frame to a source of electric power, the module comprising an elongated insulating substrate formed to extend along a path adjacent to electric parts disposed on the frame. A pattern of wiring conductors extends along and integral with the insulating substrate for conducting electric current from the source of electric power to each of the electric parts to be connected. The insulating substrate has one or more edge portions provided with protrusions integrally formed with the substrate and extending laterally therefrom. The protrusions each are positioned on the insulating substrate at a location adjacent an electric part to be connected and at least a portion of the wiring conductors are integral with the protrusions to provide a contact on the protrusions for connection to corresponding electric parts.
Abstract:
An apparatus for printed wiring board assembly provides for the populating with components of a printed wiring board having at least one adjacent pair of pad rows onto which solder has been deposited. A curable adhesive strip is applied between the adjacent pair of pad rows. The adhesive strip has a first adhesive side which adheres to the printed wiring board and an opposed, second adhesive side onto which the components are selectively mounted so that the component's leads are aligned with the pad rows. A predetermined constant force is applied to the components and the adhesive strip is cured. The apparatus supports the printed wiring board and maintains a predetermined constant force on the components. A frame defining a generally U-shaped member has an upper and a lower surface. The U-shaped member has a slot therein for receiving the printed wiring board therein. An upper and a lower cover member are removably secured to the U-shaped member to generally enclose the printed wiring board. Resilient biasing is disposed between the printed wiring board and the cover members, whereby a predetermined constant force is maintained on the mounted components.
Abstract:
A unitary electronic circuit element has an interconnect surface at which it is provided with contact pads and is mounted on a circuit board using a flexible, sheet-form interconnect member that comprises dielectric material and runs of electrically conductive material. Each conductor run extends between a contact pad that is exposed at a first main face of the interconnect member and a termination point that is exposed at a second main face of the interconnect member. The interconnect surface of the electronic circuit element and the second main face of the interconnect member are placed in mutually confronting relationship, and the circuit element is attached to the second main face of the interconnect member by way of its interconnect surface, whereby electrically conductive contact is established between the contact pads of the circuit element and the corresponding termination points of the interconnect member. The circuit element is attached by way of its back face to a thermally conductive plate that has, at one main face, pressure pads that at least partially surround a circuit element receiving area of the plate. The first main face of the interconnect member and the main face of the circuit board are placed in mutually confronting relationship, with the contact pads of the interconnect member touching corresponding contact pads of the circuit board. The plate and the circuit board are clamped together, whereby the pressure pads supply contact force to maintain the contact pads of the interconnect member in electrically conductive pressure contact with the corresponding contact pads of the circuit board.
Abstract:
There is disclosed herein a spring battery retainer that is used to secure a small "coin" or "button" battery to a printed circuit (PC) card or the like. Use of the spring battery retainer provides for positive location of the battery, inexpensive electrical contacts for the battery terminals and positive spring compression that is necessary to insure hard contact with the cathode and the anode terminals of the battery. The battery is easily installed and removed by slightly lifting one end of the battery retainer and sliding the battery in or out. A bend in the spring battery retainer provides sufficient hold-down pressure so that the battery makes reliable contact with an electrical pad located on a PC board. The spring battery retainer is inserted into the PC card and then soldered to it in much the same way as a standard electrical component such as a resistor. The dimensions of the spring battery retainer can be varied so that coin or button batteries of various sizes can be securely fastened to a PC card.
Abstract:
There is disclosed an electronic assembly for use in calculators, watches and so forth. The assembly includes an integrated circuit element having a plurality of positioning apertures at the periphery thereof and a circuit board (preferably, a flexible circuit film) having a plurality of terminals to be electrically connected to the respective terminals of the integrated circuit element and also having a plurality of positioning apertures. The assembly further includes an upper casing and a lower casing one of which has a plurality of positioning projections to be received within the positioning apertures in the circuit element and a plurality of positioning projections to be received within the positioning apertures in the circuit board, for determining relative position of the integrated circuit element and the circuit board with respect to the casing. Preferably, the integrated circuit element has a plurality of signal terminals extending from one side and one or more power terminals extending from a second side thereof and in a direction different from that of the signal terminals, with the latter in direct contact with battery terminals when the assembly is completed. The package of the integrated circuit element may be of a polygonal configuration including a pentagon or more and the whole of the integrated circuit element including the power terminals shaped substantially into a rectangle.
Abstract:
This circuit system accommodates the interconnection of a plurality of modules, each containing a plurality of semiconductor chips, by means of a flexible printed circuit wiring assembly containing contact pads and an interconnection wiring pattern. The modules contain a set of contact pads corresponding to the pads on the flexible wiring assembly and alignment pins to bring the abutting pads into registration. The pads on the flexible wiring assembly have a plurality of contact bumps to make better contact with the module packs. Clamping means is provided to retain the module and exert pressure on the contact pads.
Abstract:
This disclosure describes an electrical connector for joining microcircuit or microcircuit modules, such as leadless integrated or hybrid circuit carriers to utilization means, such as printed or etched circuit boards or similar means. The electrical contacts through which the microcircuit and utilization means are connected are formed and etched in place on an elastomeric material, precisely located; the material acting as a restoring force to maintain connection. The connector when used in a system maintains transmission line mediums in a single environment.
Abstract:
Electrical components (10 or 30) are fastened to a mounting surface (16) of a printed circuit board (11) by forming a plurality of thermoplastic pins (20, 35) projecting from the mounting surface of the board adjacent to positions where components are to be located. The component is placed on the board so that portions of the component are located adjacent to portions of the pins, following which portions of the pins are heated and formed about portions of the component to form plastic locking sections (22 or 37) that fasten the component to the board in a desired position. The mounting surface (16) of the board may be formed with a pocket (18 or 33) that receives and positions the component at the desired location, so that component leads (17 or 32) extend along the mounting surface to positions overlapping lead-contact areas (14, 34) of printed contact patterns deposited on the mounting surface, after which the leads are attached to the contact areas, as by reflow soldering.