METHOD AND ARTICLE FOR THE CONNECTION AND REPAIR OF FLEX AND OTHER CIRCUITS

摘要

An article and method for making and repairing connections between first and second circuits, such as flex circuits. The article (10) includes: a flexible dielectric substrate (12) having first and second edges 14/16, and a plurality of conductive circuit traces (18) arranged on or within the substrate, wherein each of the traces extends from proximate the first edge (14) to proximate the second edge (16). Each of the circuit traces (18) includes: a first connection feature (20) disposed proximate the first edge (14); a second connection feature (22) disposed proximate the second edge (16); and at least one third connection feature (24) disposed between the first and second edges (14/16). Each of the first, second, and third connection features (20/22/24) is a plated through hole, a plated blind via, or a mounting pad. This article (10) may be used to connect together the first and second circuits (50/60) using the first and second connection features (20/22), such as by soldering. If either of the two circuits needs to be subsequently detached (e.g., because of a component failure), the article (10) may be cut so as to present a set of third connection features (24) to which a new replacement circuit may be connected.