Patent · US Expired

Photolithographically patterned spring contact

US5848685A · kind A · utility

84Cited by
6References
20Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 20, 1996
Grant dateDec 15, 1998
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 20, 2016

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH05K3/403
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A photolithographically patterned spring contact is formed on a substrate and electrically connects contact pads on two devices. The spring contact also compensates for thermal and mechanical variations and other environmental factors. An inherent stress gradient in the spring contact causes a free portion of the spring contact to bend up and away from the substrate. An anchor portion remains fixed to the substrate and is electrically connected to a first contact pad on the substrate. The spring contact is made of an elastic material and the free portion compliantly contacts a second contact pad, thereby electrically interconnecting the two contact pads.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.