Flexible circuit service connector
US6193544A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 4, 1999 |
| Grant date | Feb 27, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 4, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10T29/49156
- WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A flexible circuit can be cut and spliced to replace a device connected to a removable portion of the circuit. The cut and splice procedure is facilitated by three components, including a service segment integrated into the flexible circuit, a slider assembly that attaches to the flexible circuit within the service segment and a contact assembly that connects to the slider assembly. The service segment is configured with a number of contact pads protected by a detachable insulation layer, which is removed prior to attaching the slider assembly. The flexible circuit can be cut anywhere within a cut zone portion of the service segment in order to detach the removable portion. The slider assembly snaps onto the service segment and provides a convenient straightedge guide within the cut zone. The slider assembly also provides rigid support to the severed end of the remaining flexible circuit, forming a splice plug in conjunction with the contact pads. The contact assembly has a socket that houses contacts corresponding to the contact pads. These contacts are soldered at one end to a replacement flexible circuit. The slider assembly attaches to the contact assembly with the splice plug …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.