Compact flexible circuit configuration

Abstract

A flexible probe constructed using a flexible circuit having a small cross-sectional profile. In the various disclosed embodiments of the flexible circuit, a flexible substrate includes a plurality of conductive traces that extend along opposite surfaces of the substrate. Light emitting devices (or other electronic devices) are mounted at spaced-apart intervals along the length of the conductive traces using a conductive adhesive/solder. A conductor couples a terminal on the outwardly facing side of each of the light emitting devices to the conductive trace that is disposed on the opposite side of the substrate. In one embodiment, this conductor comprises a short conductive bar that extends between the terminals of pairs of the light emitting devices that are mounted on opposite sides of the flexible substrate so that the pair of light emitting devices are connected in series. In another embodiment, the flexible substrate includes an outwardly extending arm of the conductive trace that wraps around the edge of the flexible substrate to connect to the light emitting device mounted on the opposite side thereof. In each embodiment, a substantially smaller cross-sectional profile is achieved compared to a previous approach in which the conductive traces providing power to a light emitting device were located on the same side of the flexible substrate and fly wires were used to connect the light emitting devices to the conductive traces.