Circuit element coupling devices and methods for flexible and other circuits
AssigneeSoligic, Inc.
InventorsMichael J. Tate, David G. Sime
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Embodiments relate to coupling and/or holding devices for electrically and/or mechanically contacting circuit elements, such as power sources, sensors, transducers and other devices. In one embodiment, a coupling device comprises a substrate having at least one printed conductive element and at least one fold, flap, slit, slot, perforation or other alteration configured to encourage contact between a circuit element, such as a battery, sensor, transducer or other element, and the at least one printed conductive element.
Claims55
A coupling device comprising:
- a flexible substrate having at least one opening formed therein to receive a battery such that a first terminal of the battery contacts a first portion of a first surface of the substrate and a second terminal of the battery contacts a second portion of the first surface of the substrate;
- and
- a first conductive element formed on the first portion of the first surface of the substrate to contact the first terminal of the battery, and a second conductive element formed on the second portion of the first surface of the substrate to contact the second terminal of the battery.
A method of forming a coupling device comprising:
- forming circuitry on a first surface of a flexible substrate, the circuitry comprising first and second electrically conductive contacts;
- forming at least one cut in the flexible substrate;
- and
- inserting a battery into the at least one cut such that a first terminal of the battery is in communication with the first electrically conductive contact and a second terminal of the battery is in communication with the second electrically conductive contact.
A circuit comprising:
- a plurality of coupling devices configured to be coupled together, at least one of the plurality comprising
- a flexible substrate having at least one opening formed therein to receive a circuit element such that a first terminal of the circuit element contacts a first portion of a first surface of the substrate and a second terminal of the circuit element contacts a second portion of the first surface of the substrate, and
- a first conductive element formed on the first portion of the first surface of the substrate to contact the first terminal of the first circuit element, and a second conductive element formed on the second portion of the first surface of the substrate to contact the second terminal of the battery.
A coupling device comprising:
- a flexible substrate having at least one opening formed therein to receive a circuit element such that a first terminal of the circuit element contacts a first portion of the substrate and a second terminal of the circuit element contacts a second portion of the substrate;
- and
- a first conductive element formed on the first portion of the substrate to contact the first terminal of the circuit element, and a second conductive element formed on the second portion of the substrate to contact the second terminal of the circuit element.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.