3m Innovative Properties Company

Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company

John S Burg

Alexander R Mathews

Frank E Bumb, Jr

Kwang-Ho Chu

Lane A Freshwater

Ronald K Revell

Steven R Brindle

Hirochika Enn

A compliant interconnect assembly to electrically connect a first electronic device to a second electronic device comprises a contact set including an electrically insulating flexible film having at least one conductive contact suspended therein. The interconnect assembly also includes a compressible interposer as an electrically insulating elastomer sheet matrix for at least one electrically conducting elastic column to provide a localized conductive path through the thickness of the elastomer sheet. The electrically conducting elastic column comprises a central pillar of conductive spheroidal particles having a first average particle size. The central pillar has a first end opposite a second end. At least the first end has a particulate cap bonded to it including particles having a second average particle size that is less than the first average particle size. The compliant interconnect assembly is formed when the contact set lies adjacent to the compressible interposer to provide engagement between the at least one conductive contact and the at least one conducting elastic column for electrically connecting the first electronic device and the second electronic device abutting opposite sides of the compliant interconnect assembly.

Low contact force, dual fraction particulate interconnect

Closely spaced electrical contacts are increasingly difficult to place in the manufacture of connectors and a strip molded onto stamped contact elements provide locating and alignment of the contact elements to make the same easily located in molded housing or tooling for molding. Wire support surfaces molded as part of the strip insure placement of conductors for connection with the contact elements.

Overmolded electrical contact for the manufacture of connectors

Growing community of inventors

Cedar Park, TX, United States of America

John S Burg