Flexible Flat Cable Folding Structure for Compact Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing flexible flat cables face challenges in reducing the occupied area and repulsive forces when folded, leading to difficulties in storage and routing.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a contact portion within or outside the bent portions of the flexible flat cable to bring the first and second portions into close contact, thereby reducing the occupied area and repulsive forces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If the flexible flat cable is folded to reduce occupied area, then the storage space is reduced, but repulsive force generates that works to open the bent portion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoccupied areaVSAvoidrepulsive force

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the harmful repulsive force that causes the cable to unfold into a beneficial clamping force. By positioning contact portions at specific intervals along the cable, the repulsive force generated during folding is transformed into a clamping force that presses the cable against itself, maintaining the folded state without requiring additional fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable is divided into multiple sections with contact portions positioned at specific intervals. This segmentation allows different portions of the cable to interact independently, with each contact portion managing the repulsive force locally, thereby enabling the entire cable to maintain a compact folded configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If the cable is folded compactly, then storage becomes easier, but the cable may unfold due to repulsive force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage easeVSAvoidfolded state stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The repulsive force that threatens to unfold the cable is converted into a beneficial clamping force. The contact portions positioned at specific intervals transform the destabilizing repulsive force into a stabilizing clamping force that maintains the folded configuration, eliminating the need for additional fastening mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable structure is designed to be self-maintaining. The contact portions and bent portions work together to automatically maintain the folded state through the conversion of repulsive force into clamping force, without requiring external fasteners, adhesives, or complex locking mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20260038710A1Flexible flat cable

Publication Date: 2026.02.05 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES LTD

AI summary

A flexible flat cable according to an embodiment includes at least one bent portion including a first portion and a second portion provided to face the first portion, and a contact portion configured to bring the first portion and the second portion into close contact with each other.