IP Library Granted Patent US 8,034,658
Granted Patent B2
US 8,034,658 · App. 12/619,350 · Granted Oct 11, 2011

Electronic module with a conductive-pattern layer and a method of manufacturing same

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,034,658
App. No.
12/619,350
Granted
Oct 11, 2011
Kind
B2
Abstract

This publication discloses an electronic module and a method for manufacturing an electronic module, in which a component ( 6 ) is glued ( 5 ) to the surface of a conductive layer, from which conductive layer conductive patterns ( 14 ) are later formed. After gluing the component ( 6 ), an insulating-material layer ( 1 ), which surrounds the component ( 6 ) attached to the conductive layer, is formed on, or attached to the surface of the conductive layer. After the gluing of the component ( 6 ), feed-throughs are also made, through which electrical contacts can be made between the conductive layer and the contact zones ( 7 ) of the component. After this, conductive patterns ( 14 ) are made from the conductive layer, to the surface of which the component ( 6 ) is glued.

Claims (51)

1. A method for manufacturing an electronic module, the method comprising:

providing a conductive layer;

providing a component having a contact surface and contact zones;

gluing the component, from the side of the contact surface, to a first surface of the conductive layer;

making an insulating-material layer, which surrounds the glued component, on the first surface of the conductive layer;

making feed-throughs that penetrate said insulating-material layer for connecting the contact zones of the component electrically to the conductive layer; and

making conductive patterns from the conductive layer.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein gluing the component further comprises:

spreading an adhesive layer on the first surface of the conductive layer; and

pressing the contact surface of the component into the adhesive layer.

3. A method according to claim 1 , wherein gluing the component further comprises:

spreading adhesive layers on the contact surface of the component and the first surface of the conductive layer; and

pressing the adhesive layers against each other.

4. A method according to claim 2 or 3 , wherein at least one component is glued to the conductive layer and an adhesive layer is spread on areas of the surface of the conductive layer, in such a way that the surface of the conductive layer is essentially free of adhesive outside of a connection zone of said at least one component.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein gluing the component further comprises:

spreading an adhesive layer on the contact surface of the component; and

pressing the adhesive layer on the surface of the component against the conductive layer.

6. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising

making at least one alignment mark on the conductive layer, for alignment of a component, such that the component is glued to the conductive layer aligned relative to the at least one alignment mark.

7. A method according to claim 6 , wherein the at least one alignment mark comprises a through hole which penetrates the conductive layer.

8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein making conductive patterns from the conductive layer comprises removing part of the material of the conductive layer, so that the remaining material forms the conductive patterns.

9. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising making openings in the conductive layer and the adhesive layer at the position of the contact zones of the component, in order to form feed-throughs.

10. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising attaching a support layer to the conductive layer, wherein the support layer is removed after the manufacture of the insulating-material layer, but before the manufacture of the conductive patterns.

11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the insulating-material layer surrounding the component is manufactured by attaching an insulating-material layer, in which recesses or cavities for a component or components have been made, to the conductive layer.

12. A method according to claim 11 , further comprising attaching a second insulating-material layer, which is unified and which covers the component, to the surface of the first insulating-material layer attached to the conductive layer.

13. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising manufacturing a second conductive-pattern layer on the opposite surface of the insulating-material layer.

14. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising gluing a separate component, which is not connected to a circuit-board structure, to the conductive layer.

15. A method according to claim 1 , wherein more than one component is embedded in the electronic module in a corresponding manner.

16. A method according to claim 15 , wherein the components embedded in the module are connected electrically to each other, in order to form a functional totality.

17. A method according to claim 1 , wherein a first module is manufactured along with at least one second module and the manufactured modules are attached to each other one on top of the other, so that the modules are aligned relative to each other.

18. A method according to claim 17 , wherein holes for feed-throughs are made through the modules that are attached on top of each other and conductors are made in the holes thus created, in order to connect the electronic circuits on each of the modules to each other to form a functional totality.

19. The method of claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer is a part of a film containing a plurality of layers.

20. The method of claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer has an insulating surfacing.

21. The method of claim 1 , wherein the conductive layer forms part of a multilayer film that includes an insulating polymer layer.

22. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gluing comprises applying adhesive material locally at a connection zone between the component and the conductive layer whereby the surface of the conductive layer is substantially free of the adhesive material outside the connection zone of the component.

23. A method for manufacturing an electronic module, the method comprising:

providing a film containing a conductive layer with an insulating surface;

providing a component having a contact surface and contact zones;

gluing the component, from the side of the contact surface, to the insulating surface;

making an insulating-material layer, which surrounds the glued component, on the insulating surface;

making feed-throughs that penetrate the insulating-material layer for connecting the contact zones of the component electrically to the conductive layer; and

making conductive patterns from the conductive layer.

24. The method of claim 23 , wherein the gluing comprises applying adhesive material locally at a connection zone between the component and the film whereby the insulating surface of the film is substantially free of the adhesive material outside the connection zone of the component.

25. A method for manufacturing an electronic module, the method comprising:

providing a multilayer film, said film including a conductive layer and an insulating layer;

providing a component having a contact surface and contact zones;

gluing the component, from the side of the contact surface, to the insulating layer of the multilayer film;

making an insulating-material layer, which surrounds the glued component, on the insulating layer of the multilayer film;

making feed-throughs that penetrate the insulating-material layer for connecting the contact zones of the component electrically to the conductive layer of the multilayer film; and

making conductive patterns from the conductive layer of the multilayer film.

26. The method of claim 25 , wherein the gluing comprises applying adhesive material locally at a connection zone between the component and the multilayer film whereby the insulating layer of the multilayer film is substantially free of the adhesive material outside the connection zone of the component.

Assignments (6)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE ASSIGNOR NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 052853 FRAME: 0153. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Mar 29, 2021
From: R2 SOLUTIONS LLC
To: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056832/0001 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 053654 FRAME 0254. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST GRANTED PURSUANT TO THE PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT PREVIOUSLY RECORDED. Recorded Dec 30, 2020
From: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP
To: R2 SOLUTIONS LLC
Reel/Frame 054981/0377 →
STATEMENT REGARDING SECURITY INTEREST INCORRECTLY RECORDED AGAINST PATENTS Recorded Oct 20, 2020
From: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC; R2 SOLUTIONS LLC
To: IMBERATEK, LLC
Reel/Frame 054134/0172 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS Recorded Jul 8, 2020
From: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP
To: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC; AMERICAN VEHICULAR SCIENCES LLC; BONUTTI SKELETAL INNOVATIONS LLC; CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT LLC; INNOVATIVE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; LIFEPORT SCIENCES LLC; LIMESTONE MEMORY SYSTEMS LLC; MOBILE ENHANCEMENT SOLUTIONS LLC; MONARCH NETWORKING SOLUTIONS LLC; NEXUS DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; PARTHENON UNIFIED MEMORY ARCHITECTURE LLC; R2 SOLUTIONS LLC; SAINT LAWRENCE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; STINGRAY IP SOLUTIONS LLC; SUPER INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGIES LLC; TELECONFERENCE SYSTEMS LLC; UNIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 053654/0254 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 5, 2020
From: ACACIA RESEARCH GROUP LLC; AMERICAN VEHICULAR SCIENCES LLC; BONUTTI SKELETAL INNOVATIONS LLC; CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS EQUIPMENT LLC; INNOVATIVE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; LIFEPORT SCIENCES LLC; LIMESTONE MEMORY SYSTEMS LLC; MERTON ACQUISITION HOLDCO LLC; MOBILE ENHANCEMENT SOLUTIONS LLC; MONARCH NETWORKING SOLUTIONS LLC; NEXUS DISPLAY TECHNOLOGIES LLC; PARTHENON UNIFIED MEMORY ARCHITECTURE LLC; R2 SOLUTIONS LLC; SAINT LAWRENCE COMMUNICATIONS LLC; STINGRAY IP SOLUTIONS LLC; SUPER INTERCONNECT TECHNOLOGIES LLC; TELECONFERENCE SYSTEMS LLC; UNIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES LLC
To: STARBOARD VALUE INTERMEDIATE FUND LP, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 052853/0153 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 18, 2020
From: GE EMBEDDED ELECTRONICS OY
To: IMBERATEK, LLC
Reel/Frame 051838/0444 →