Tear resistant flexible substrate
AssigneeMotorola, Inc.
InventorsBenjamin J. Holmes, Randall P. Chambers
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flexible circuit having improved tear resistance is provided. A flexible circuit, made of polyimide film, includes at least one extension which needs to be folded. To prevent tearing, an annular piece of metal, like an exposed copper pad for example, is placed at the apex of the bend angle. A second metal is then deposited atop the annular piece of metal, thereby reinforcing the annular piece of metal. The reinforced annular piece of metal helps to prevent the flexible circuit from tearing when shearing forces are applied to the extension. Experimental results have shown that the invention provides as much as a 285% increase in tear resistance when compared to prior art flexible circuits.
Claims13
A flexible circuit substrate, comprising:
- a. at least a first and at least a second layer of flexible material coupled together to form a central member;
- b. at least one extension extending from the central member;
- c. at least one parting line disposed between the central member and the at least one extension, the at least one parting line ending at a termination point;
- d. an annular member comprising a first metal, the annular member being disposed to curve around the termination point;
- and
- e. a second metal deposited upon the first metal.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.