Flexible Cable Reinforcing Portions Prevent Snapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible cables in electronic devices, such as televisions and computers, are prone to snapping due to bending stresses, which can lead to connectivity issues and increased manufacturing costs.

Innovation Solution

The flexible cable design incorporates reinforcing portions made of polyimide or similar materials, which are affixed to the cable to increase rigidity and prevent snapping, while maintaining electrical connectivity through strategically positioned conductor patterns and cover portions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If reinforcing plates are added to prevent conductor patterns from snapping, then reliability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable durabilityVSAvoidcable structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing plate is integrated with the insulating layer to form a unified structure. The insulating layer serves dual purposes: electrical insulation and structural reinforcement when combined with the reinforcing plate, thereby reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable employs a composite structure combining flexible base material with rigid reinforcing plates and insulating layers. This composite design provides both the flexibility needed for cable bending and the structural strength to prevent conductor snapping, resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If reinforcing plates are added to prevent conductor patterns from snapping, then reliability improves, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable durabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcing plate is combined with the insulating layer into a single integrated component. This merging reduces the number of separate parts that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while still providing the necessary reinforcement to prevent conductor snapping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The insulating layer is designed to serve multiple functions: electrical insulation, mechanical protection, and structural reinforcement when integrated with the reinforcing plate. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, simplifying manufacturing and reducing costs while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8758028B2Television and electronic apparatus

Publication Date: 2014.06.24 DYNABOOK INC

AI summary

According to one embodiment, an electronic apparatus includes a housing, a connector, and a component connected to the connector. The component includes a first and third electrically conductive portion on a first surface, a second electrically conductive portion on a second surface, and a first and second cover portions. The second electrically conductive portion is connected to the first electrically conductive portion. The third electrically conductive portion is kept in contact with a terminal of the connector, and connected to the second electrically conductive portion. The first and second cover portions cover at least a part of the first and second electrically conductive portion.