Method of forming flexible electrical circuit connections
AssigneeOwens-Illinois, Inc.
InventorEugene J. Zielinski
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A system for the connection of flexible electrical circuits to electrical components, particularly gas discharge panels. Flexible circuits are used to carry electrical signals to and/or from various electrical components. In the case of gas discharge panels, the flexible circuits must be carefully and securely held in a fixed position to mate with thick film termination pads from the multiple thin film operating electrodes. The present invention discloses the utilization of a clip member as a major component of a total system for securing such flexible circuits to, as an example, a gas discharge panel.
Claims3
A method for attaching and holding flexible circuit members having multiple conductors terminating in pads to conductive mounting pad terminals of an electrical component which comprises the steps of:
- aligning the mounting pad terminals of said electrical component with said flexible circuit pads;
- adhesively adhering said mounting pad terminals to said flexible circuit pads;
- attaching force distribution members to the upper surface of said adhered flexible circuit;
- opening clip members which are dimensioned to fit over said flexible circuits, force distribution means and electrical component when opened;
- inserting said open clip members over said force distribution members and over said mounting pad terminals with substantially zero force applied to said flexible circuits and said force distribution members;
- closing said clip members;
- and
- mechanically holding said flexible circuits in position with the force applied by said closed clip member to said flexible circuits and said electrical component.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.