Conductive Interposer Protects Printed Ink Traces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conductive ink traces on electronic devices are susceptible to wear and damage during mating and unmating of contacts, as they directly engage with contacts, leading to potential destruction of the circuit.
Innovation Solution
A conductive interposer is mechanically and electrically coupled to the substrate, providing a separable contact interface that eliminates direct contact with the conductive ink trace, reducing wear and damage by acting as a intermediary between the contact and the circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If contacts directly engage with printed conductive ink traces, then device size is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the conductive traces are susceptible to wear and damage during mating and unmating
Solution Approach 1:
A conductive interposer is introduced as an intermediary component between the removable contact and the printed conductive ink trace on the substrate. The interposer includes a contact interface that receives the removable contact and a circuit board interface that interfaces with the printed conductive ink trace, thereby protecting the trace from direct contact engagement and wear while maintaining electrical connectivity
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical connection system is segmented into distinct functional components: the removable contact, the conductive interposer (which includes separate contact interface and circuit board interface portions), and the printed conductive ink trace. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function while protecting the fragile printed trace from mechanical wear
2Reliability
If conventional circuit boards with conductive traces are used, then wear properties are good and contacts are not damaged during mating, but device size increases and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a conventional circuit board throughout the entire device, the invention applies conductive ink traces locally only where electrical connections are needed on the substrate. The conductive interposer provides the rigid structural support and wear-resistant contact interface only at the specific location where contact mating occurs, combining the advantages of both approaches in different locations
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a dielectric substrate having a first surface, a conductive circuit deposited on the first surface and having a printed conductive ink trace on the first surface, and a conductive interposer mechanically coupled to the substrate. The conductive interposer is electrically coupled to the conductive circuit. The conductive interposer has a separable contact interface configured to be mechanically and electrically connected to a removable contact. Optionally, the conductive interposer may include a main body and a flexible element extending between the main body and the conductive circuit. The flexible element electrically connects the conductive circuit with the main body.