Resistance element with improved linearity and method of making the same
AssigneeBourns, Inc.
InventorDelbert Lowell Singleton
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A highly accurate resistance element formed by depositing a plurality of conductive pads at spaced intervals along a substrate, depositing the resistance element in intimate electrical contact with the pads, sensing the electrical resistance between successive pairs of pads, and trimming away resistance material from the element between selected pairs of pads until predetermined resistance values between each pair are achieved. In a preferred embodiment a portion of each pad is offset from the resistance element and adapted to receive a probe from a laser trimmer. The element can be advantageously employed in potentiometers.
Claims10
In a potentiometer having an insulative substrate, a resistance element deposited thereon, a collector, a wiper means electrically connecting said element and collector, and termination means associated respectively with said element and collector, wherein the improvement comprises:
- resistance adjusting means for trimming said resistance element including a plurality of spaced conductive pads fixedly distributed along said substrate in intimate electrical contact with said resistance element, each of said pads presenting a contact area for a trimming probe, and
- said resistance element being trimmed to predetermined resistance values between each of said pads.
A highly accurate electrical resistor comprising:
- an insulative substrate,
- a resistance element deposited on said substrate, and
- resistance adjusting means for trimming said resistance element including a plurality of spaced conductive pads fixedly distributed along said substrate in intimate electrical contact with said resistance element, each of said pads presenting a contact area for a trimming probe,
- said resistance element being trimmed to predetermined resistance values between each of said pads.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.