Flexible Board Plating Lead Wire Width Reduction for Short Circuit Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing method of connecting flexible boards to electrooptic devices is prone to short circuits between adjacent terminals due to the insertion angle, leading to abnormal operation or failure of connected devices.
Innovation Solution
The flexible board design features plating lead wires with a width smaller than the wires, arranged in a staggered manner, and power-source-side terminals configured as dummy terminals to prevent short circuits, reducing the risk of electrical shorts and ensuring reliable operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the flexible board is inserted at an angle into the connector, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates due to short circuits between adjacent terminals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the plating lead wires narrower than the signal wires only in the critical insertion region. This localized dimensional variation provides electrical isolation for adjacent terminals during angled insertion while maintaining normal wire dimensions elsewhere for signal integrity and manufacturing consistency.
Solution Approach 2:
The plating lead wires serve as an intermediary structure between adjacent signal wires and terminals. By reducing their width, they act as electrical isolators that prevent short circuits between neighboring terminals during insertion, while still maintaining their function of providing electrical connection and gold plating.
2Reliability
If the width of plating lead wires is reduced, then the reliability is improved by preventing short circuits, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the width parameter of plating lead wires specifically in the insertion region, making them narrower than signal wires. This parameter variation is strategically applied only where electrical isolation is needed, balancing short circuit prevention with manageable manufacturing precision requirements.
3Reliability
If the plating lead wires are made narrower, then the reliability is improved, but the area occupied by the wires decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The narrower width of plating lead wires is applied locally only in the insertion region where electrical isolation is critical. In other regions, the wires maintain normal dimensions to preserve sufficient conductive area for electrical connection and gold plating functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design effectively reduces the occurrence of short circuits between adjacent terminals, enhancing the reliability of electrooptic and electronic devices by maintaining electrical integrity even when inserted at an angle.
Implementation Method 1
The plurality of plating lead wires are used to apply a predetermined potential for plating the plurality of terminals with gold, gold plating, or the like to the plurality of terminals during the manufacture of the flexible board
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure is directed to flexible boards, electrooptic devices having flexible boards, and electronic devices. In one example, wires are disposed longitudinally along the length of a flexible board. Terminals are arranged laterally across the width of the flexible board near an end of the flexible board, the terminals being electrically connected to the wires. Plating lead wires are electrically connected to the terminals and extend longitudinally from the terminals to a lateral edge of the flexible board. The width of the plating lead wires is less than the width of the wires. In certain embodiments, at least a portion of the terminals are alternatingly displaced on the flexible board in a staggered manner. This abstract is intended only to aid those searching patents, and is not intended to be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims in any manner.