GB2154077A - Connecting a flexible circuit to a rigid circuit board - Google Patents

Connecting a flexible circuit to a rigid circuit board Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2154077A
GB2154077A GB08501076A GB8501076A GB2154077A GB 2154077 A GB2154077 A GB 2154077A GB 08501076 A GB08501076 A GB 08501076A GB 8501076 A GB8501076 A GB 8501076A GB 2154077 A GB2154077 A GB 2154077A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
connector portion
opening
circuit board
electrical conductor
folded
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB08501076A
Other versions
GB8501076D0 (en
Inventor
Mark E Bridges
Joseph P Palmer
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Eastman Kodak Co
Original Assignee
Eastman Kodak Co
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Eastman Kodak Co filed Critical Eastman Kodak Co
Publication of GB8501076D0 publication Critical patent/GB8501076D0/en
Publication of GB2154077A publication Critical patent/GB2154077A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K3/00—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
    • H05K3/10—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which conductive material is applied to the insulating support in such a manner as to form the desired conductive pattern
    • H05K3/12—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits in which conductive material is applied to the insulating support in such a manner as to form the desired conductive pattern using thick film techniques, e.g. printing techniques to apply the conductive material or similar techniques for applying conductive paste or ink patterns
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K3/00—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
    • H05K3/36—Assembling printed circuits with other printed circuits
    • H05K3/361—Assembling flexible printed circuits with other printed circuits
    • H05K3/363—Assembling flexible printed circuits with other printed circuits by soldering
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R12/00—Structural associations of a plurality of mutually-insulated electrical connecting elements, specially adapted for printed circuits, e.g. printed circuit boards [PCB], flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures, e.g. terminal strips, terminal blocks; Coupling devices specially adapted for printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures; Terminals specially adapted for contact with, or insertion into, printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables, or like generally planar structures
    • H01R12/50—Fixed connections
    • H01R12/59—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
    • H01R12/62—Fixed connections for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures connecting to rigid printed circuits or like structures
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K7/00—Constructional details common to different types of electric apparatus
    • H05K7/14—Mounting supporting structure in casing or on frame or rack
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01R—ELECTRICALLY-CONDUCTIVE CONNECTIONS; STRUCTURAL ASSOCIATIONS OF A PLURALITY OF MUTUALLY-INSULATED ELECTRICAL CONNECTING ELEMENTS; COUPLING DEVICES; CURRENT COLLECTORS
    • H01R4/00—Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one another; Means for effecting or maintaining such contact; Electrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation
    • H01R4/02—Soldered or welded connections
    • H01R4/027—Soldered or welded connections comprising means for positioning or holding the parts to be soldered or welded
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K1/00—Printed circuits
    • H05K1/02—Details
    • H05K1/03—Use of materials for the substrate
    • H05K1/0393—Flexible materials
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K1/00—Printed circuits
    • H05K1/02—Details
    • H05K1/11—Printed elements for providing electric connections to or between printed circuits
    • H05K1/118—Printed elements for providing electric connections to or between printed circuits specially for flexible printed circuits, e.g. using folded portions
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/04—Assemblies of printed circuits
    • H05K2201/048—Second PCB mounted on first PCB by inserting in window or holes of the first PCB
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/05—Flexible printed circuits [FPCs]
    • H05K2201/055—Folded back on itself
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/09—Shape and layout
    • H05K2201/09009—Substrate related
    • H05K2201/09063—Holes or slots in insulating substrate not used for electrical connections
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
    • H05K2201/09—Shape and layout
    • H05K2201/09009—Substrate related
    • H05K2201/09081—Tongue or tail integrated in planar structure, e.g. obtained by cutting from the planar structure
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
    • H05K3/00—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
    • H05K3/36—Assembling printed circuits with other printed circuits
    • H05K3/366—Assembling printed circuits with other printed circuits substantially perpendicularly to each other

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
  • Coupling Device And Connection With Printed Circuit (AREA)
  • Combinations Of Printed Boards (AREA)
  • Multi-Conductor Connections (AREA)

Abstract

A terminal portion (37) of a flexible circuit member (10) is folded upon itself and slid into an opening (34) in a circuit board (30) with the related electrical conductors (12, 14, 32, 33) on each piece in alignment and close proximity. The resilience of the folded portion (37) on the sides of the opening (34) holds it in place until a solder joint may be formed. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Circuit assembly The present invention relates to a circuit assembly and to a method of connecting a flexible circuit member to a circuit board preferably in preparation for a subsequent soldering operation, without requiring the use of a separate connector component.
Flexible circuit members have been used in electronic devices for connecting circuit boards together and for connecting circuit boards to other components within the apparatus. Many different connectors have been devised for making the requisite quality connections in a simple, inexpensive manner. However, all of the prior art devices for connecting flexible circuit members to circuit boards have required the use of separate connector components. Even though these connector components can be relatively simple and inexpensive they, nevertheless, add to the expense, complexity, and weight of the assembly as well as adding to the space requirements thereof.
Moreover, such connector components are often used to temporarily hold the flexible circuit member in place even though it is intended to be permanently soldered in cases not requiring disconnection or disassembly after the initial fabrication of the apparatus.
The use of separate connector components, even in instances where subsequent disconnection of the flexible circuit member is not necessary, appears to have resulted from the inability to satisfactorily connect the flexible circuit member with the circuit board temporarily until the joint could be made permanent, such as by soldering. As a result, an unnecessary component, and thus an added expense and an increased weight and space requirement, has been incorporated in flexible circuit member-to-circuit board connections heretofore known. An example of such a prior art connector is described in US Patent No. 4060889, and the art cited therein.
The present invention is intended to remedy these drawbacks. It solves the problem of how to join a flexible circuit member to a circuit board without the use of a separate connector element, whereby the electric conductors of the assembly are bought into alignment and held in contact until the assembly may be passed through a soldering operation.
The advantages offered by the invention are accomplished by utilizing the inherent resiliency of the flexible circuit member to hold the electrical conductors on the flexible circuit member in contact and alignment with the electrical conductors on the circuit board until and during the passage of the assembly through the soldering operation.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided circuit assembly comprising a circuit board having an opening therethrough intersecting one or more electrical conductors thereon, and comprising a resiliently flexible circuit member which has one or more electrical conductors thereon and has a connector portion with part of the or each electrical conductor thereon, the connector portion having a preferential fold region thereon whereby the connector portion is folded upon itself and is disposed in the opening in the circuit board with said part of the or each electrical conductor thereon disposed outwardly and respectively in alignment with, and in close proximity to, said one or more electrical conductors on the circuit board, the opening having a length at least equal to the width of the connector portion and a width at least equal to the folded thickness of the connector portion, the folded connector portion being retained in the opening by resilient force on sides of the opening.
In accordance with the present invention there is also provided a resiliently flexible circuit member for use in the circuit assembly of the present invention, the circuit member having one or more electrical conductors thereon, a portion of the flexible circuit member being configured to define a connector portion having part of the or each electrical conductor thereon, the connector portion having a preferential fold region thereon which enables the connector portion to be folded upon itself, with said part of the or each electrical conductor thereon disposed outwardly, and inserted into the opening in the circuit board of said circuit assembly, and the connector portion being so formed as to be engageable with an edge of the opening when the connector portion is folded and inserted therein to prevent disassociation of the connector portion from the circuit board.
In accordance with the present invention there is further provided a circuit board for use in the circuit assembly of the present invention, the circuit board having an opening therethrough intersecting one or more electrical conductors thereon, the opening being arranged for receipt and retention of the folded connector portion of said circuit assembly.
In accordance with the present invention there is still further provided a method of connecting a resiliently flexible circuit member having one or more electrical conductors thereon to a relatively rigid circuit board having one or more electrical conductors thereon, the circuit board having an opening therein intersecting the or each electrical conductor thereon, comprising the steps of forming the flexible circuit member with a connector portion having a part of the or each electrical conductor thereon and of a material sufficiently flexible to allow folding thereof, folding the connector portion upon itself with the or each electrical conductor thereon disposed outwardly, forming the opening in the circuit board with a length at least equal to the width of the connector portion and a width at least equal to the folded thickness of the connector portion, inserting the folded connector portion into the opening so that the or each electrical conductor on the connector portion is respectively aligned and in close proximity with the or each electrical conductor on the circuit board, and retaining the folded connector portion in the opening by the resilient force of the folded portion on the sides of the opening.
The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible circuit member and a circuit board constructed according to the present invention and ready for connecting according to the method of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective illustration of the assembly formed by the components shown in Fig. 1 after they have been connected and soldered according to the method of the present invention; Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a flexible circuit member and a circuit board constructed according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 5 is a sectional view of the assembled alternative embodiment of Fig. 4, similar to Fig. 3; and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another alternative embodiment of the connector portion.
Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a flat, elongate flexible circuit member 10, which comprises a plurality of electrical conductors 12 and 14 arranged in closely spaced parallel relation and encased in a dielectric covering. The dielectric covering generally completely encases each conductor to electrically insulate adjacent conductors. Flexible circuit members typically comprise a flat electric cab!e which may be formed by any conventional process, such as etching, collating, extruding, and fusing together of individual insulated wires.
The form of flexible multiconductor cable illustrated includes a plurality of flexible conductors 12 and 14 which are adhered on the face of a nonrigid insulating base strip 16, such as a Kapton (R.T.M.) insulating film. The conductors, 12 and 14, each generally uniformly spaced on the insulating strip and are provided with a protective insulating film 18 laid thereover, in a manner well known in the art. The conductors 12, 14 may be formed on the flexible support by means of photoetching of a metallic film deposited thereon. Each of the conductors 12, 14 is provided with a terminal contact portion 20 by stripping the end of the conductors 12, 14 of the protective insulating film 18.The exposed terminal portion 20 of each conductor 12, 14 may be strengthened and protected from oxidation by means of electroplating and the deposition of one or more noble metals thereon, also in a manner well known in the art.
A circuit board 30 may be constructed from any suitable type of base material such as copper-clad phenolic sheet material or epoxy-glass coppercoated circuit board base material, as is well known in the art. The specific details regarding the electrical conductors, terminal areas, and mounting ports normally etched or formed into the circuit board are not importantto the understanding of the present invention, and thus are not shown in detail in the drawings other than to indicate electrical conductors 32 and 33 thereon.
As indicated in Fig. 1, the circuit board 30 is provided with an opening 34 which opens through an edge 35 of the circuit board 30, as illustrated. The portion of the opening 34 at the edge of the circuit board 30 is provided with a re-entrant portion 38 to facilitate the insertion of a folded connector portion 37, and inward facing shoulders 39 which help retain the flexible circuit member 10 in the opening, as will be more thoroughly described below. The electrical conductors 32 and 33 on the circuit board 30 are arranged to terminate at the edges of the opening 34, and may be provided with terminal contact portions 36, similar to the contact portions 20 on the flexible circuit member 10, in a manner well known in the art.In the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1 two sets of electrical conductors 32, 33 are illustrated which are arranged to terminate adjacent the opposite sides of the opening 34. It will be noted that one terminal contact portion 36a is illustrated as common to both sides of the opening 34. The arrangement of the contact portions 36 along the sides or edges of the opening 34 is determined only by the necessity that they provide the necessary alignment and proximity with the corresponding terminal contact portions 20 on the connector portion 37 of the flexible circuit member 10 when it is folded and inserted into the opening 34.
The flexible circuit member 10 of the illustrated embodiment is formed with two sets of electrical conductors, 12 and 14, having terminal contact portions 20. The contact portions 20 are arranged in the connector portion 37 adjacent a preferred fold region 40 where the circuit member 10 will be folded. Strain relief holes 42 are provided in the base strip 16 of the flexible circuit member in the fold region 40 to facilitate and enhance the fold formed therein. The connector portion 37 adjacent the fold region is also provided with notches 44 and tabs 46 arranged to engage an end 47 and shoulders 39 of opening 34 in the circuit board 30 when the connector portion 37 of the flexible circuit member 10 is folded and inserted therein.As illustrated in Fig. 1, the two sets of electrical conductors 12 and 14 on the flexible circuit member 10 are arranged on the same surface of the base strip 1 6 so that, when it is folded, the terminal contact portions 20 of electrical conductors are disposed on the outer surfaces of the connector portion 37. Thus, when the flexible circuit member 10 is folded and inserted in opening 34 of the circuit board 30, the terminal contact portions 20 of the electrical conductors 12, 14 thereon are in alignment and close proximity with the terminal contact portions 36 of the electrical conductors, 33 and 32, on the circuit board 30. The dimensions of the connector portion 37 of the flexible circuit member 10, and the length and width of the opening 34 formed in the circuit board 30, are substantially alike so that the folded connector portion 37 of the flexible circuit member 10 accurately fits within the opening 34 and is retained therein bythe resilience of the material of the folded base strip 16 of the flexible circuit member 10. The alignment of connector portion 37 of the flexible circuit member 10 in the opening 34 of the circuit board 30 is assured by the notches 44 and tabs 46 which engage the edges of the slot 34 so that the electrical conductors are held in alignment and contact without the need for additional separate connector components.The effect of the resilient force of the flexible circuit member 10 and the notches 44 and tabs 46 is sufficient to maintain the terminal contact portions 20 on the flexible circuit member 10 in alignment with the terminal contact portions 36 on the circuit board 30 during further assembly operations such as the passage of the assembly through a mass soldering operation wherein the terminal contact portions 20,36 of the respective electrical conductors on the flexible circuit member 10 and the circuit board 30 are joined by solder fillets 50, as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3.Ideally, the respective terminal contact portions 20 on the connector portion 37 of the flexible circuit member 10 will be in physical contact with the terminal contact portions 36 on the circuit board 30; however, in practice, it will be sufficient if they are in alignment and close proximity since the solder fillets 50 are capable of bridging minor separations between the two. As is also well known in the art, the terminal contact portions 20, 36 on the flexible circuit member 10 and the circuit board 30 will be individually soldered to each other and not be bridged due to the non-wetting characteristic of the base material of the flexible circuit member 10 and the base material of the circuit board exposed between adjacent terminal elements.
The method of connecting a resiliently flexible circuit member to a relatively rigid circuit board proceeds as follows: A relatively rigid circuit board 30 is formed with at least one electrical conductor, 32 or 33, thereon. A flexible circuit member 10 is formed with at least one electrical conductor, 12 or 14, thereon. The flexible circuit member 10 has sufficient flexibility to permit it to be folded upon itself and is provided with a connector portion 37 of predetermined width and thickness. An opening 34 is formed through the circuit board 30 with a length at least equal to the width of the connector portion 37 of the flexible circuit member 10 and a width at least equal to the folded thickness of connector portion 37. The opening 34 is formed so as to contact the electrical conductor(s) on the circuit board 30.The connector portion 37 of the flexible circuit member 10 is folded in the preferred fold region 40 so that the electrical conductor(s) thereon is/are on the outer surface and adjacent the fold and the connector portion 37 is inserted, such as in the direction of arrow 41, into the opening 34 so that the electrical conductor(s) on the flexible circuit member 10 is/are aligned and in contact with the electrical conductor(s) on the circuit board 30. The folded connector portion 37 of the flexible circuit member 10 is retained in the opening 34 by the resilient force of the folded connector portion 37 on the sides of the opening 34. Thereafter, a solder joint may be formed between the electrical conductor on the connector portion 37 and the electrical conductor on the circuit board 30 where they contact each other at the opening 34.
An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figs. 4 and 5. In this embodiment, similar elements are indicated with reference numerals similar to those used in Figs.
1-3, with the prefix "1". Thus, the flexible circuit member is designated 110, and the circuit board is 130.
In this embodiment, the flexible circuit member 110 and the circuit board 130 are provided with respective sets of electrical conductors 114 and 132.
With the circuit configuration illustrated, terminal portions 136 on the circuit board 130 are arranged along one side of opening 134. Similarly, terminal portions 120 on the flexible circuit member 110 are disposed along one side of fold 140 of connector portion 137. In order to provide the method of assembly of the present invention, a portion 160 of the base material of flexible circuit member 110 extends beyond the fold 140 but does not have any electrical conductors thereon. Nevertheless, the folded connector portion 137 still provides the same ease of assembly as the construction of the embodiment of Figs.1~3.
A second alternative embodiment is shown in Fig.
6 wherein similar elements are indicated with reference Rumerals similar to those used in Figs.
1-3, with the prefix "2". In this embodiment, rather than using notches 44 and tabs 46 to retain the connector portion 237 in the opening in the circuit board (not shown) a pair of tabs 250 are punched out of each side of base strip 216 and are sufficiently deformed that they remain outside the plane of the strip 216. The facing edges of tabs 250 are spaced apart a distance substantially equal to the thickness of the circuit board thereby providing a restraining force in addition to the resilience of folded connector portion 237, to retain the alignment between terminal contact portions 220 and those on the circuit board (not shown) until the assembly has been soldered.
As used herein the terms "rigid" and "flexible" are employed in their relative sense and with regard to an intended utility. For example, when the term "flexible" is used for describing the circuit member in accordance with the invention, it is intended that the circuit member have the capacity to be bent within predetermined limits, such as being doubled upon itself, without fracture or fatigue. The particular circuit design will determine the required degree of flexibility. The term "rigid" as applied to the circuit board is intended to mean sufficiently rigid to permit direct assembly and connection of the flexible circuit member such as by wave soldering.
Further, while the present description has illustrated the flexible circuit member as comprising only electrical conductors, it is well known in the art that flat flexible cables can include active components such as resistors, capacitors, or diodes, and it will be understood that the present invention is intended to include such elements as well.

Claims (19)

1. Circuit assembly comprising a circuit board having an opening therethrough intersecting one or more electrical conductors thereon, and comprising a resiliently flexible circuit member which has one or more electrical conductors thereon and has a connector portion with part of the or each electrical conductor thereon, the connector portion having a preferential fold region thereon whereby the connector portion is folded upon itself and is disposed in the opening in the circuit board with said part of the or each electrical conductor thereon disposed outwardly and respectively in alignment with, and in close proximity to, said one or more electrical conductors on the circuit board, the opening having a length at least equal to the width of the connector portion and a width at least equal to the folded thickness of the connector portion, the folded connector portion being retained in the opening by resilient force on sides of the opening.
2. An assembly according to claim 1 wherein a solder joint is formed between the or each electrical conductor on the connector portion and the respective electrical conductor on the circuit board where they are in alignment at the opening.
3. An assembly according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the connector portion of the flexible circuit member is folded so that the point of cooperation between the or each electrical conductor thereon and the or each electrical conductor on the circuit board is adjacent the fold.
4. An assembly according to claim 1,2 or 3 wherein the connector portion is formed so as to cooperate with an edge of the opening in the circuit board to enhance the effect of the resilient force to retain the connector portion in the opening.
5. An assembly according to claim 1,2,3 or 4 wherein the folded connector portion is provided with tab portions arranged to engage the sides of the opening to hold the connector portion therein.
6. An assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein at least one electrical conductor is disposed on the outer surface of each side of the folded connector portion.
7. Assemblies according to claim 1 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
8. A resiliently flexible circuit member, for use in the circuit assembly according to claim 1, the circuit member having one or more electrical conductors thereon, a portion of the flexible circuit member being configured to define a connector portion having part of the or each electrical conductor thereon, the connector portion having a preferential fold region thereon which enables the connector portion to be folded upon itself, with said part of the or each electrical conductor thereon disposed outwardly, and inserted into the opening in the circuit board of said circuit assembly, and the connector portion being so formed as to be engageable with an edge of the opening when the connector portion is folded and inserted therein to prevent disassociation of the connector portion from the circuit board.
9. Circuit members according to claim 8 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
10. A circuit board for use in the circuit assembly according to claim 1, the circuit board having an opening therethrough intersecting one or more electrical conductors thereon, the opening being arranged for receipt and retention of the folded connector portion of said circuit assembly.
11. Circuit boards according to claim 10 substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying drawings.
12. A method of connecting a resiliently flexible circuit member having one or more electrical conductors thereon to a relatively rigid circuit board having one or more electrical conductors thereon, the circuit board having an opening therein intersecting the or each electrical conductor thereon, comprising the steps of forming the flexible circuit member with a connector portion having a part of the or each electrical conductor thereon and of a material sufficiently flexible to allow folding thereof, folding the connector portion upon itself with the or each electrical conductor thereon disposed outwardly, forming the opening in the circuit board with a length at least equal to the width of the connector portion and a width at least equal to the folded thickness of the connector portion, inserting the folded connector portion into the opening so that the or each electrical conductor on the connector portion is respectively aligned and in close proximity with the or each electrical conductor on the circuit board, and retaining the folded connector portion in the opening by the resilient force of the folded portion on the sides of the opening.
13. A method according to claim 12 including the step of forming a solder joint respectively between the or each electrical conductor on the connector portion and the or each electrical conductor on the circuit board where they are in alignment at the opening.
14. A method according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the step of folding the connector portion is such that the respective points of proximity between the or each electrical conductor on the connector portion and the or each electrical conductor on the circuit board are adjacent the fold.
15. A method according to claim 12,13 or 14 wherein the opening in the circuit board is formed so as to intersect an edge thereon, and the folded connector portion is inserted by sliding into the intersection of the opening with the edge of the circuit board.
16. A method according to claim 15 wherein the step of forming the opening is so conducted as to form a slot with a re-entrant opening at the edge of the circuit board to thereby facilitate the insertion of the folded connector portion.
17. A method according to claim 15 or 16 wherein the step of forming the connector portion of the folded flexible circuit member is so conducted as to form at least one tab portion thereon which is arranged to engage an edge of the opening to hold the or each electrical conductor on the connector portion in respective alignment with the or each electrical conductor on the circuit board.
18. A method according to any one of claims 12-17 wherein at least one electrical conductor is disposed on the outer surface of each side of the folded connector portion.
19. A method according to claim 12 substant as hereinbefore described.
GB08501076A 1984-01-16 1985-01-16 Connecting a flexible circuit to a rigid circuit board Withdrawn GB2154077A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US57129884A 1984-01-16 1984-01-16

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
GB8501076D0 GB8501076D0 (en) 1985-02-20
GB2154077A true GB2154077A (en) 1985-08-29

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Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
GB08501076A Withdrawn GB2154077A (en) 1984-01-16 1985-01-16 Connecting a flexible circuit to a rigid circuit board

Country Status (3)

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JP (1) JPS60163388A (en)
KR (1) KR850006300A (en)
GB (1) GB2154077A (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6452754B1 (en) * 1998-06-08 2002-09-17 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Flexible printed circuit board attachment structure and recording and reproducing device using the same
US11653451B2 (en) 2015-03-13 2023-05-16 Samsung Display Co., Ltd. Flexible circuit board and display device including the same

Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2044558A (en) * 1979-03-08 1980-10-15 Jaeger Connection between flexible and rigid conductor circuits

Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2044558A (en) * 1979-03-08 1980-10-15 Jaeger Connection between flexible and rigid conductor circuits

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6452754B1 (en) * 1998-06-08 2002-09-17 Alps Electric Co., Ltd. Flexible printed circuit board attachment structure and recording and reproducing device using the same
US11653451B2 (en) 2015-03-13 2023-05-16 Samsung Display Co., Ltd. Flexible circuit board and display device including the same
EP3383147B1 (en) * 2015-03-13 2023-08-09 Samsung Display Co., Ltd. Flexible circuit board

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
JPS60163388A (en) 1985-08-26
KR850006300A (en) 1985-10-02
GB8501076D0 (en) 1985-02-20

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