Flat Flexible Cable With Integrated Power Wire
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cable and connector assemblies face challenges in efficiently transmitting high-frequency signals and high electrical currents while maintaining a low manufacturing cost, as they often require multiple power cables and complex configurations, especially with the increasing demands of electronic devices like USB Type-C connectors.
Innovation Solution
A flat flexible cable assembly with a paddle card and input-output connector, featuring parallel-arranged conductor wires with an integrated power wire wider than twice the signal wires, and a paddle card with transferring circuits, allowing for high-frequency and high-current transmission with fewer power conductor wires and reduced cable width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If optical fiber cable is used to transmit high-frequency signals, then signal transmission speed is improved, but cost increases and additional power cable is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines power transmission and high-frequency signal transmission into a single flat flexible cable assembly. The cable integrates both power conductors and signal conductors with impedance control, eliminating the need for separate optical fiber and power cables. This merging approach reduces the overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to transmit both power and high-frequency signals simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The flat flexible cable is designed to perform multiple functions: it transmits both electrical power and high-frequency signals through its integrated conductor structure. The cable can adapt to different connector types (USB Type-C, micro USB, etc.) and supports various current specifications (2A, 3A, 5A), making it a universal solution for different power and signal transmission requirements.
2Power
If multiple power cables are combined to meet high current requirements, then current transmission capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple power transmission functions into a single integrated cable assembly. The flat flexible cable contains multiple conductors that can be configured to support different current specifications (2A, 3A, 5A) without requiring separate cable assemblies. The integrated design simplifies the overall system while maintaining high current transmission capability.
3Power
If more power conductor wires are used to fulfill high current transmitting requirement, then current transmission capability is improved, but cable width increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the width of different conductors within the cable based on their specific function. Power conductors have larger cross-sectional areas to handle higher currents, while signal conductors have controlled impedance with smaller dimensions. This differentiated design allows the cable to meet high current transmission requirements while minimizing the overall cable width by optimizing each conductor's dimensions according to its specific role.
4Power
If USB Type-C connector with high current specification is used, then power transmission capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The flat flexible cable is designed as a universal solution that can adapt to different connector types and power specifications. The same cable assembly can support USB Type-C connectors with 2A, 3A, or 5A current specifications, as well as other connector types like micro USB. This universality allows manufacturers to use the same cable design for multiple applications, reducing per-unit manufacturing costs while maintaining high power transmission capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An assembly of cable and connector includes a flat flexible cable, an input-output connector and a paddle card. The flat flexible cable has parallel conductor wires, an insulated layer wrapped around the conductor wires. The conductor wires have at least one first integrated power wire and signal wires. A width of the first integrated power wire is larger than two times the width of one signal wire. The input-output connector has terminals separated into an upper-side terminal and a lower-side terminal. A number of the terminals is larger than a number of the conductor wires. The paddle card has a base board, and transferring circuits distributed on the base board. The transferring circuits has first pads on one side of the base board which are correspondingly connected to the conductor wires, and second pads on the other side of the base board which are correspondingly connected to the terminals.