Interconnect device

• US 10,321,593 B1
• Filed: 04/13/2017
• Issued: 06/11/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vorbeck Materials
• Original Assignee: Vorbeck Materials
• Inventors: Lettow, John S., Brooks, Louise, Boehmcke, Paige J., Swope, Bretton, Nariyoshi, Robyn
• Primary Examiner(s): Varghese, Roshn K
• Application Number:
  US15/487,429
• Time in Patent Office: 789 Days
• Field of Search: 361749, 439 44, 439 47, 439 48, 439 49, 439 50, 439 51, 439 52, 439 53, 439 77
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 12/59 for flexible printed circuits, flat or ribbon cables or like structures
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2107/00 Four or more poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/20 for testing or measuring purposes
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/142 Their counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 4/46 Clamping area between two screws placed side by side
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/028 Bending or folding regions of flexible printed circuits H05K1/0283 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09036 Recesses or grooves in insulating substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10242 Metallic cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10295 Metallic connector elements partly mounted in a hole of the PCB
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10409 Screws
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/365 by abutting, i.e. without alloying process
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0008 assembled by screws
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0013 assembled by resilient members
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 5/0247 Electrical details of casings, e.g. terminals, passages for cables or wiring

Abstract

Generally speaking, pursuant to various embodiments, interconnect apparatuses are provided herein to couple flexible circuits to control circuits. In some embodiments, the apparatus can include a first portion housing one or more control circuits and a second portion conductively coupled to a flexible circuit. In some embodiments, the first portion may be configured to be coupled to the second portion such that the control circuit can be conductively coupled to the flexible circuit when the first portion is coupled to the second portion. In some embodiments, the control circuit can be configured to capture temperature readings. In some embodiments, the control circuit can be configured to capture proximity readings. In some embodiments, the control circuit can be configured to include one or more communications devices.

Claims

1. An interconnect apparatus comprising:

a first portion housing a control circuit;

a second portion conductively coupled to a flexible circuit, the second portion comprising a first seat housing and a second seat housing coupled together to form a housing around a portion of the flexible circuit; and

wherein

the first portion is configured to be coupled to the second portion such that the control circuit is conductively coupled to the flexible circuit when the first portion is coupled to the second portion;

the flexible circuit is included in an apparel item;

the first seat housing comprising a lateral wall and a flange extending peripherally from the lateral wall; and

the flange comprising a longitudinal co-extensive lateral recess flanking the flexible circuit.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a housing shell and a support plate coupled together to form a hollow structure into which the control circuit is positioned.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the second portion comprises a guide;

the first seat housing comprises a void that exposes a portion of the flexible circuit and receives the guide;

the guide comprises a conducting element;

the conductive element conductively couples to the flexible circuit and the control circuit when the first portion couples to the second portion.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the flexible circuit comprises a conductive trace applied thereto;

and

the conductive trace comprises a conductive composition, the conductive composition comprises graphene sheets and a polymer.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion and/or the second portion comprises PET, PE, Kapton, and/or PVC.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the first portion and the second portion comprise a first interengaging element and a second interengaging element, respectively;

the first interengaging element and the second interengaging element are configured to engage each other and thereby orient the first portion relative to the second portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first portion comprises a housing shell coupled to a support plate;

the housing shell comprises a shelf spaced laterally inward from a lateral wall of the housing shell and forms a front-to-rear gap therebetween; and

the shelf receives the control circuit.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the first portion comprises a housing shell coupled to a support plate;

the support plate comprises a conduit and support element, the conduit receives a conductive element conductively coupled to the control circuit; and

the conduit and support element together provide

resting support for the control circuit; and

an air pocket beneath the control circuit to facilitate cooling of the control circuit.

9. An interconnect apparatus, comprising:

a first portion comprising a control circuit housed therein;

a second portion coupled to the first portion, the second portion comprising a first seat housing and a second seat housing coupled together and forming a housing around a portion of a flexible circuit, the first seat housing comprising a lateral wall and a flange extending peripherally from the lateral wall; and

a guide positioned within a void of the first seat housing and comprising a conducting element conductively coupled to the flexible circuit and the control circuit, the void exposing a portion of the flexible circuit to the guide;

wherein

the control circuit is positioned proximate to the flexible circuit;

the flexible circuit is included in an apparel item;

the void orients the guide to conductively couple the conductive element to the flexible circuit;

the flange comprising a longitudinal co-extensive lateral recess flanking the flexible circuit.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first portion comprises a housing shell and a support plate coupled together to form a hollow structure into which the control circuit may be positioned.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein

the flexible circuit comprises a conductive trace applied thereto;

the conductive trace comprises a conductive composition; and

the conductive composition comprises graphene sheets and a polymer.

12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein

the first portion and the second portion comprise a first interengaging element and a second interengaging element, respectively;

the first interengaging element and the second interengaging element are configured to engage each other and thereby orient the first portion relative to the second portion.

13. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first portion comprises a housing shell coupled to a support plate;

the housing shell comprises a shelf spaced laterally inward from a lateral wall of the housing shell and forms a front-to-rear gap therebetween; and

the shelf receives the control circuit.

14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein

the control circuit comprises a protruding conductive element comprising a cylindrical body, top surface, and bottom surface;

the first portion comprises a housing shell coupled to a support plate;

the support plate comprises a conduit and a support element each extending vertically from a surface of the support plate;

the protruding conducting elements extend through the conduit and conductively couple to the flexible circuit

the conduit is positioned opposite the support; and

the conduit and support element together provide

resting support for the control circuit; and

an air pocket beneath the control circuit to facilitate cooling of the control circuit.

15. An interconnect apparatus, comprising:

a first portion coupled to a second portion and comprising a housing shell coupled to a support plate thereby forming a hollow structure within which the control circuit is positioned, the second portion conductively coupled to a flexible circuit and comprising a first seat housing and a second seat housing coupled together thereby forming a housing around a portion of the flexible circuit;

a control circuit positioned within the first portion;

wherein

the flexible circuit is included in an apparel item;

the first seat housing comprising a lateral wall and a flange extending peripherally from the lateral wall; and

the flange comprising a longitudinal co-extensive lateral recess flanking the flexible circuit.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein

the second portion comprises a guide positioned in a void of the first seat housing, the void exposing a portion of the flexible circuit to the guide;

and

the guide comprises a conducting element conductively coupled to the flexible circuit and the control circuit when the first portion is coupled to the second portion.