Combination circuit board and segmented conductive bus substrate

Abstract

A combination circuit board ( ) and segmented bus structure ( ) defines a composite circuit board/bus assembly ( ) upon which an electrical circuit may be assembled. The various segments ( ) of bus structure ( ) may be variously configured to achieve one or more assembly, performance, testing, and/or reliability goals. For example, one bus segment configuration provides integral connector tabs ( and ) for mechanical and/or electrical connection to interconnecting wires or electrical terminals of one or more external devices. Another bus segment configuration ( ) provides for mechanical and high current electrical interconnections between one or more bus segments ( ) and one or more electrical components ( ) and/or conductive film patterns( ) formed on top surface ( ) of the circuit board ( ). Still another bus segment configuration provides integral tabs ( and ) for electrical connection to and mechanical attachment of electrical components ( ) from one or more of such tabs ( and ) extending through the circuit board ( ) to other such tabs ( and ) or other circuit structures. Yet another bus structure ( ) provides for highly efficient heat sinking capability and/or electrical connection for electrical components ( ) mounted either directly to one or more bus segments ( ) and for electrical components ( ) mounted to a substrate ( ) that is itself mounted directly to one or more bus segments ( ).