Flexible Circuit Having an Integrally Formed Battery

Abstract

A method and apparatus of forming a battery enabled flexible circuit. The invention includes forming a first insulating layer and positioning a battery on the first insulating layer, the battery having at least a first and a second terminal. A second insulating layer is then formed on the first insulating layer and the battery. The second insulating layer has vias that are in electrical contact with at least one of the first and the second terminals.

1 . An apparatus providing a battery as an integral part of a circuit, the apparatus comprising:
 a first insulating layer;   at least one battery positioned on the first insulating layer, wherein the at least one battery having at least first and second terminals;   a second insulating layer formed on the first insulating layer and the at least one battery, the first and second insulating layers forming a flexible circuit board; and   an electrical circuit, at least part of the electrical circuit mounted on the mounted on the second insulating layer opposing the at least one battery.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a conductive layer formed on the first insulating layer for providing at least first and second conductive paths, wherein at least one of the first and second terminals of the at least one battery is in electrical contact with at least one of the first and second conductive paths respectively; and   vias formed in the second insulating layer, the vias being in electrical contact with at least one of the first and second terminals.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the conductive material further comprises copper or a copper alloy. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second insulating layers are a resilient material. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the resilient material is fiberglass. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the resilient material is polyimide. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second insulating layers each include one or more layers laminated together. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the first and/or second insulating layer is a polyimide material. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second insulating layers include one or more layers formed by sputter deposition of a polyimide material. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second insulating layers include one or more layers formed by chemical vapor deposition of a polyimide material. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of batteries embedded in one or more insulating or conductive layers. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of batteries are laminated in one or more insulating or conductive layers. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of batteries positioned in multiple insulating or conductive layers. 
   
   
       14 . A processor comprising:
 a receiving unit for receiving an input signal;   a processing unit connected to the input unit for processing the input signal, the processing unit having a battery enabled circuit comprising:
 a first insulating layer;
 at least one battery positioned on the first insulating layer, wherein the at least one battery having at least first and second terminals; 
 
 a second insulating layer formed on the first insulating layer and the at least one battery, the first and second insulating layers forming a flexible circuit board; and 
 an electrical circuit, at least part of the electrical circuit mounted on the second insulating layer opposing the at least one battery; and 
   an output, connected to the processing unit, for transmitting a modified input signal.   
   
   
       15 . The processor of  claim 14  further comprising:
 a conductive layer formed on the first insulating layer for providing at least first and second conductive paths, wherein at least one of the first and second terminals of the at least one battery is in electrical contact with at least one of the first and second conductive paths respectively; and   vias are formed in the second insulating layer, the vias being in electrical contact with at least one of the first and second terminals.   
   
   
       16 . The processor of  claim 14  further comprising a plurality of batteries positioned in multiple insulating or conductive layers. 
   
   
       17 . The processor of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of batteries are laminated in one or more insulating or conductive layers. 
   
   
       18 . The processor of  claim 14 , wherein the first and second insulating layers include one or more layers laminated together. 
   
   
       19 . The processor of  claim 18 , wherein the first and/or second insulating layer is a polyimide material.