Flat Cable Routing for Rotatable Electronic Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic apparatuses with rotatable chassis face challenges in maintaining the shape of S-shaped extra length portions in flat cables, leading to potential stress, noise, and protrusion issues due to tolerance in curved portions, making initial assembly difficult and requiring thorough inspection and possible reassembly.
Innovation Solution
The electronic apparatus incorporates a flat cable with a route length absorbing portion formed by a first extending portion, a second extending portion through a first curved portion, and a third extending portion through a second curved portion, where the second extending portion is fixed, maintaining an appropriate route to absorb changes in rotation angle between chassis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an S-shaped extra length portion is provided in the flat cable to absorb route length changes, then the flat cable can accommodate rotation angle changes between chassis, but the shape cannot be maintained due to tolerance in curved portions, leading to stress, noise, and protrusion issues
Solution Approach 1:
The flat cable is divided into multiple extending portions (first, second, third) with distinct functions. The second extending portion is fixed to provide stability, while the first and third extending portions with curved portions provide flexibility for route length absorption. This segmentation allows different parts of the cable to have different degrees of freedom, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and shape maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The second extending portion is pre-fixed in position before assembly, establishing a stable reference point. This preliminary action ensures that the curved portions can deform to absorb route length changes while the fixed portion maintains the overall cable routing geometry, preventing severe local curvature and noise generation.
2Ease of operation
If multiple curved portions are used to absorb route length changes, then flexibility is improved, but initial position setting for assembly becomes difficult and inspection complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the cable into distinct extending portions with the second portion being fixed, the patent simplifies the assembly process. The fixed second extending portion provides a clear reference for initial position setting, reducing assembly complexity while the first and third portions maintain the necessary flexibility for routing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the flexibility function to specific curved portions (in the first and third extending portions) while keeping the second extending portion fixed. This separation of functions reduces overall system complexity by clearly defining which parts provide flexibility and which parts provide stability, making inspection easier.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the flat cable is made thin and flexible for high routing freedom, then routing adaptability is improved, but the cable may protrude from chassis gaps when stress is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The second extending portion is pre-fixed in position to establish a stable anchor point within the chassis. This preliminary fixation prevents the thin, flexible cable from protruding by providing a firm reference that maintains the cable's position even when the first and third portions deform to accommodate rotation angle changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable is segmented into fixed and flexible portions, where the fixed second extending portion prevents protrusion while the flexible first and third portions maintain routing freedom. This segmentation allows the thin cable to be both flexible for routing and stable for preventing protrusion.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes: a first chassis; a second chassis; a hinge connecting the first chassis and the second chassis relatively rotatably; and a flat cable provided across the first chassis and the second chassis. In the first chassis, the flat cable forms: a first extending portion extending toward a first edge of the first chassis connected to the second chassis; a second extending portion extending from the first extending portion through a first curved portion toward a side opposite to the first edge; and a third extending portion extending from the second extending portion through a second curved portion toward the first edge. The second extending portion is fixed.