Three axis sensor package on flexible substrate

• US 6,169,254 B1
• Filed: 07/20/1994
• Issued: 01/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Honeywell Incorporated (Honeywell International Inc.)
• Inventors: Spielberger, Richard K., Pant, Bharat B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cuneo, Kamand
• Application Number:
  US08/277,847
• Time in Patent Office: 2,358 Days
• Field of Search: 174/254, 174/260, 174/117.F, 174/117.FF, 174/52.1, 174/52.2, 174/52.4, 174/52.3, 174/250, 439/67, 439/68, 439/77, 361/749, 361/811, 324/247, 600/381, 604/65, 604/66, 604/67
• US Class Current: 174/254
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 33/0206 Three-component magnetometers
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48091 Arched
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2224/48227 connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 23/5387 Flexible insulating substrates H01L23/5388 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01L 2924/00014 the subject-matter covered by the group, the symbol of which is combined with the symbol of this group, being disclosed without further technical details
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/05 Insulated conductive substrates, e.g. insulated metal substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/118 specially for flexible printed circuits, e.g. using folded portions
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/181 associated with surface mounted components
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 1/189 characterised by the use of a flexible or folded printed circuit H05K3/326 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/056 Folded around rigid support or component
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/09018 Rigid curved substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/10151 Sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2201/2009 Reinforced areas, e.g. for a specific part of a flexible printed circuit
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 2203/302 Bending a rigid substrate; Breaking rigid substrates by bending
• CPC Class Codes: H05K 3/0058 Laminating printed circuit boards onto other substrates, e.g. metallic substrates H05K1/0281 takes precedence

Abstract

Apparatus for mounting and making electrical connections to sensor devices for use in three axis sensing including a flexible circuit and a substrate shaped so that when a portion of the flexible tape is secured to the substrate the sensor devices can be mounted on the substrate for sensing in the desired three directions. The sensors are connected to conductors in the flexible tape by wirebonds or by other means.

Claims

1. Apparatus having electrical connections to a plurality of sensor devices for sensing magnetic field components in a plurality of directions, with each said sensing device having a length, a width, a diagonal, and a sensing direction lying in a plane of each said sensing device, comprising:

an elongated flexible tape having a first surface, a second surface parallel to said first surface and conductors;

a substrate having a shape and stiffness greater than the stiffness of said flexible tape, a portion of said first surface secured to said substrate and conforming to at least a portion of said shape with a first portion of said second surface lying in a first plane which includes a desired first sensing direction;

a first sensor device mounted to said first portion;

a second portion of said second surface lying in a second plane which includes a desired second sensing direction, said second plane perpendicular to said first plane;

a second sensor device mounted to said second portion; and

means for making said electrical connections between said sensor devices and said conductors, wherein the apparatus is configured to be inserted into an elongated passageway having a diameter smaller than an inch, wherein the diagonal of the sensor device is larger than the diameter of the passageway, and wherein the apparatus is formed in a device which is adapted to be movable in an induced magnetic field, thereby enabling the plurality of sensor devices to sense the magnetic field components.

2. Apparatus of claim 1 wherein said shape of said substrate includes a ninety degree bend.

3. Apparatus having electrical connections to a plurality of sensor devices for sensing magnetic field components in a plurality of directions, with each of said sensor devices having a sensing direction lying in a plane of each of said sensor devices, said apparatus with said sensor devices adapted for insertion into an elongated passageway, comprising:

an elongated flexible tape having a first surface, a second surface parallel to said first surface, and conductors;

a substrate having a shape and stiffness greater than the stiffness of said flexible tape, a portion of said first surface secured to said substrate and conforming to at least a portion of said shape with a first portion of said second surface lying in a first plane which includes a desired first sensing direction for mounting a first sensor device, and a second portion of said second surface lying in a second plane which includes a desired second sensing direction for mounting a second sensor device, said second plane perpendicular to said first plane, wherein said substrate comprises a first elongated portion having a first surface parallel to said first plane, and a second portion that tapers from narrow to wide in a direction away from said first portion and terminates in a second surface parallel to said second plane; and

means for making said electrical connections between said sensor devices and said conductors.

4. Apparatus having electrical connections to a plurality of sensor devices for sensing magnetic field components in a plurality of directions, with each said sensing device having a sensing direction lying in a plane of each said sensing device, said apparatus with said sensor devices for insertion into an elongated passageway, comprising:

an elongated flexible tape having a first surface, a second surface parallel to said first surface, and conductors;

a substrate having a shape and stiffness greater than the stiffness of said flexible tape, a portion of said first surface secured to said substrate and conforming to at least a portion of said shape with a first portion of said second surface lying in a first plane which includes a desired first sensing direction for mounting a first sensor device, and a second portion of said second surface lying in a second plane which includes a desired second sensing direction for mounting a second sensor device, said second plane perpendicular to said first plane, wherein said substrate has a first planar portion having a third surface parallel to said first plane, a second planar portion having a fourth surface parallel to said second plane, and a planar twist portion extending between said first planar portion and said second planar portion; and

means for making said electrical connections between said sensor devices and said conductors.

5. Apparatus having electrical connections to a plurality of sensor devices for sensing magnetic field components in a plurality of directions, with each of said sensor devices being planar and having a length, a width, a diagonal and a sensing direction lying in a plane of each of said sensor devices, comprising:

an elongated substrate having a first surface which includes a desired first direction of measurement and a desired second direction of measurement, a second surface including a desired third direction of measurement;

an elongated flexible tape having conductors, said flexible tape secured to said first surface and to said second surface with at least a first sensor device mounted to said flexible tape at said first surface for sensing in said desired first direction and at least a second sensor device mounted to said flexible tape at said second surface for sensing in said desired third direction; and

means for making said electrical connections between said sensor devices and said conductors, wherein the apparatus is configured to be inserted into an elongated passageway having a diameter smaller than an inch, wherein the diagonal of the sensor device is larger than the diameter of the passageway, and wherein the apparatus is formed in a device which is adapted to be movable in an induced magnetic field, thereby enabling the plurality of sensor devices to sense the magnetic field components.

6. Apparatus of claim 5 wherein a third sensing device is mounted to said flexible tape at said first surface for sensing in said second desired direction.

7. Apparatus having electrical connections to first, second and third sensor devices for sensing magnetic field components in first, second and third mutually perpendicular directions, with each of said sensor devices being planar and having a length, a width, a diagonal, and a sensing direction lying in a plane of each of said sensor devices, comprising:

an elongated substrate having a first surface which includes said first and said second mutually perpendicular directions, a second surface which includes said third mutually perpendicular direction;

an elongated flexible tape having a width, and conductors, said flexible tape secured to said first surface and to said second surface with said first sensor device and said second sensor device mounted to said flexible tape at said first surface for sensing in said first and said second mutually perpendicular directions and said third sensor device mounted to said flexible tape at said second surface for sensing in said third mutually perpendicular direction; and

means for making said electrical connections between said sensor devices and said conductors, wherein the apparatus is configured to be inserted into an elongated passageway having a diameter smaller than an inch, and wherein the apparatus is formed in a device which is adapted to be movable in an induced magnetic field, thereby enabling the first, second, and third sensor devices to sense the magnetic field components.

8. Apparatus of claim 7 wherein said first surface is located on a first substrate portion, said second surface is located on a second substrate portion and said substrate further comprises a 90 degree twist portion connecting said first substrate portion and said second substrate portion.

9. Apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means for making electrical connections is wirebond means.

10. Apparatus of claim 8 wherein each of said sensing devices has a length, a width and a diagonal measurement and said diagonal measurement is larger than said diameter.

11. Apparatus having electrical connections to first, second and third sensor devices for sensing magnetic field components in first, second and third mutually perpendicular directions, with each of said sensing devices being planar and having a sensing direction lying in a plane of each of said sensing devices, said apparatus with said sensor devices adapted for insertion into an elongated passageway having a diameter, comprising:

an elongated substrate having a first surface which includes said first and said second mutually perpendicular directions, a second surface which includes said third mutually perpendicular direction, and a twist connecting said first surface and said second surface;

an elongated flexible tape having a width, and conductors, said flexible tape secured to said first surface and to said second surface with said first sensor device and said second sensor device mounted to said flexible tape at said first surface for sensing in said first and said second mutually perpendicular directions and said third sensor device mounted to said flexible tape at said second surface for sensing in said third mutually perpendicular direction; and

means for making said electrical connections between said sensor devices and said conductors.

12. Apparatus of claim 11 wherein each of said sensing devices has a length, a width and a diagonal measurement and said diagonal measurement is larger than said diameter.

13. Apparatus having electrical connections to a plurality of sensor devices for sensing magnetic field components in a plurality of directions, with each of said sensor devices being planar and having a length, a width, a diagonal and a sensing direction lying in a plane of each of said sensor devices, comprising:

an elongated substrate having a first surface which includes a desired first direction of measurement and a desired second direction of measurement, a second surface including a desired third direction of measurement, wherein said substrate has a 90 degree twist portion connecting said first surface and said second surface;

an elongated flexible tape having conductors, said flexible tape secured to said first surface and to said second surface with at least a first sensor device mounted to said flexible tape at said first surface for sensing in said desired first direction and at least a second sensor device mounted to said flexible tape at said second surface for sensing in said desired third direction; and

means for making said electrical connections between said sensor devices and said conductors.

14. Apparatus having electrical connections to first, second and third sensor devices for sensing magnetic field components in first, second and third mutually perpendicular directions, with each of said sensor devices being planar and having a sensing direction lying in a plane of each of said sensor devices, comprising:

an elongated substrate having a first surface which includes said first and said second mutually perpendicular directions, a second surface which includes said third mutually perpendicular direction, wherein said first surface is located on a first substrate portion and said second surface is located on a second substrate portion, and wherein said substrate further comprises a 90 degree twist portion connecting said first substrate portion and said second substrate portion;

an elongated flexible tape having a width, and conductors, said flexible tape secured to said first surface and to said second surface with said first sensor device and said second sensor device mounted to said flexible tape at said first surface for sensing in said first and said second mutually perpendicular directions and said third sensor device mounted to said flexible tape at said second surface for sensing in said third mutually perpendicular direction; and

means for making said electrical connections between said sensor devices and said conductors.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said means for making electrical connections is wirebond means.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein each of said sensor devices has a length, a width, and a diagonal measurement, and wherein said diagonal measurement is larger than said diameter.