Electrical devices comprising conductive polymers
AssigneeRaychem Corporation
InventorMichael L. Jensen
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved means of making an electrical connection to a laminar electrode which is in contact with a conductive polymer element. A mat of conductive filaments is placed between the electrode and an apertured conductive member to which the electrical connection is made, and the electrode, the mat and the conductive member are bonded together by means of a polymer or other bonding agent. The presence of the mat between the electrode and conductive member reduces the danger of fracturing the electrode when the conductive member is bonded thereto by heat and pressure. The invention is particularly useful when an ultrasonic welding machine is used to press the conductive member through a layer of polymer to make contact with an electrode underneath the layer.
Claims27
An electrical device which comprises a conductive polymer element and a laminar electrode in physical contact with the conductive polymer element, said electrode having secured thereto an electrical connection means comprising
- (1) a laminar, self-supporting conductive member having apertures therein;
- (2) a filamentous member which comprises a plurality of conductive filaments, at least some of the conductive filaments physically contacting the electrode and being deformed from their natural configuration to conform at least partially with the surface of the electrode, at least some of the conductive filaments physically contacting the laminar conductive member and being deformed from their natural configuration to conform at least partially with the surface of the laminar conductive member, and at least some of the conductive filaments lying between and electrically connecting the electrode and the laminar conductive member;
- and
- (3) a bonding material which bonds to each other the electrode, the laminar conductive member and at least some of the conductive filaments.
A heat-recoverable electrical device which comprises a heat-recoverable laminar conductive polymer element and two laminar electrodes, each of said electrodes comprising a portion to which is secured an electrical connection means comprising
- (1) a laminar, self-supporting conductive member composed of a metal and having apertures therein;
- (2) a filamentous member which comprises a plurality of conductive filaments, at least some of the conductive filaments physically contacting the electrode and being deformed from their natural configuration to conform at least partially with the surface of the electrode, at least some of the conductive filaments physically contacting the laminar conductive member and being deformed from their natural configuration to conform at least partially with the surface of the laminar conductive member, and at least some of the conductive filaments lying between and electrically connecting the electrode and the laminar conductive member;
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- (3) a bonding material which bonds to each other the electrode, the laminar conductive member and at least some of the conductive filaments.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.