Stiffener-Integrated Flexible PCB Blistering Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Attaching a stiffener to a photosensitive resin composition on a flexible printed circuit board during the reflow process often results in insufficient adhesiveness, leading to blistering due to inadequate adherence between the thermosetting adhesive and the photosensitive thermosetting resin composition.

Innovation Solution

A method involving laminating a stiffener, a bonding material, and a cured photosensitive resin composition film in a specific order on a flexible printed circuit board, ensuring sufficient reflow heat resistance by using a thermosetting adhesive and a photosensitive resin composition containing reactive groups and carboxyl groups for enhanced adhesiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a stiffener is attached to a photosensitive resin composition during the reflow process, then the supporting property of the mounting part is improved, but blistering occurs due to insufficient adhesiveness between the thermosetting adhesive and the photosensitive thermosetting resin composition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesupporting propertyVSAvoidadhesiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by forming a protective film on the flexible printed circuit board before attaching the stiffener. This protective film is designed to be removed after the reflow process, allowing the stiffener to be securely attached to the photosensitive resin composition without causing blistering. The protective film prevents adverse reactions during the reflow process while enabling strong adhesion between the stiffener and the resin composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses an intermediary substance (the protective film) between the stiffener and the photosensitive resin composition during the reflow process. This intermediary film acts as a mediator that prevents direct contact between the thermosetting adhesive and the photosensitive resin composition, thereby preventing blistering while still allowing the stiffener to be securely attached after the film is removed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If a cover lay film is used to protect wiring during soldering, then flame retardancy and protection are improved, but costs increase due to expensive molds and manual positioning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflame retardancy and protectionVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical punching and molding system with a photolithography-based system. Instead of using expensive molds and manual positioning for cover lay film production, the invention uses photoresist and UV exposure to create the protective film pattern. This substitution of mechanical processes with optical/chemical processes significantly reduces manufacturing costs while maintaining the protective functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the manufacturing parameters from mechanical (punching, molding) to optical/chemical (photolithography, UV curing). This parameter change enables the production of cover lay films with complex patterns without requiring expensive molds, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining flame retardancy and protective properties.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Manufacturing precision

If a photosensitive resin composition is used instead of a cover lay film, then micropattern formation is improved, but adhesiveness to stiffener deteriorates during reflow process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemicropattern formationVSAvoidadhesiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by forming a protective film on the flexible printed circuit board before attaching the stiffener. This protective film is designed to be removed after the reflow process, allowing the stiffener to be securely attached to the photosensitive resin composition without causing blistering. The protective film prevents adverse reactions during the reflow process while enabling strong adhesion between the stiffener and the resin composition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach prevents blistering during the reflow process by securing strong adhesiveness between the stiffener and the photosensitive resin composition, maintaining the required characteristics of the photosensitive cover lay film while ensuring reflow heat resistance.

Implementation Method 1

a photosensitive resin composition containing (E) a thermosetting resin containing a reactive group reactive with a carboxyl group and (F) a carboxyl group-containing resin

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotopolymerization: Photopolymerisation

Implementation Method 2

laminating (B) a bonding material and (A) a stiffener in this order on (C) a photosensitive resin composition cured film

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesion: Adhesive

Data Source

PatentUS8828525B2Flexible printed circuit board integrated with reinforcing plate, and method for manufacturing flexible printed circuit board integrated with reinforcing plate
Publication Date: 2014.09.09 KANEKA CORP
  • US8828525B2 patent drawing
  • US8828525B2 patent drawing
  • US8828525B2 patent drawing

AI summary

An object of the present invention is to provide (i) a stiffener-integrated flexible printed circuit board in which a defect such as a blistering is not generated during a reflow process even though a stiffener is attached to a photosensitive resin composition, and (ii) a method for manufacturing the stiffener-integrated flexible printed circuit board. The object can be attained by causing a stiffener-integrated flexible printed circuit board to have a structure in which (A) a stiffener (6), (B) a bonding material (5), (C) a cured film obtained by curing a photosensitive resin composition (4), and (D) a flexible printed circuit board (1) are laminated in this order.