Flexible Circuit Board Branching for Convex Ultrasonic Probes

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Solution Overview

Problem

The folding of planar flexible circuit boards into curved shapes for convex array ultrasonic probes often results in wrinkles, which occupy additional space, complicate the molding process, and reduce the reliability of electrical connections.

Innovation Solution

The ultrasonic probe design incorporates a flexible circuit board with a main board portion and connection portions that include multiple branches disposed on the sides of a curved backing part, allowing for efficient signal transmission and reduced wrinkles during folding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the planar flexible circuit board is folded along the arc edge of the convex array, then the circuit board can be adapted to the convex array structure, but wrinkles are generated which occupy larger space and increase molding difficulty

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to convex array structureVSAvoidspace occupied by wrinkles

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible circuit board is divided into multiple connection portions with branches that can independently conform to the curved surface, preventing wrinkle formation while maintaining adaptability to the convex array structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit board transitions from a planar two-dimensional structure to a three-dimensional branched structure that can wrap around the curved surface without creating wrinkles, effectively utilizing spatial arrangement to solve the folding problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the planar flexible circuit board is folded along the arc edge of the convex array, then the circuit board can be adapted to the convex array structure, but the wrinkles increase the difficulty of the subsequent molding process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to convex array structureVSAvoidmolding process difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the circuit board into multiple branched connection portions, the structure naturally conforms to the curved surface during molding, eliminating wrinkles and significantly reducing molding process difficulty

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The circuit board is pre-designed with a branched structure that anticipates the curvature requirements, allowing it to self-conform during assembly without requiring complex wrinkle removal or additional molding steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the planar flexible circuit board is folded along the arc edge of the convex array, then the circuit board can be adapted to the convex array structure, but the wrinkles reduce the reliability of the electrical connection inside the probe

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to convex array structureVSAvoidelectrical connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The branched connection portions distribute electrical connections across multiple segments, ensuring that even if one branch experiences stress, the overall electrical connection reliability is maintained

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The three-dimensional branched arrangement allows electrical connections to follow the curved surface geometry without creating stress concentrations, maintaining signal integrity and electrical connection reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS20250076259A1Ultrasonic probes and ultrasonic devices

Publication Date: 2025.03.06 WUHAN UNITED IMAGING HEALTHCARE CO LTD

AI summary

The present disclosure provides an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic device. The ultrasonic probe includes a backing part and a flexible circuit board. The backing part includes a curved top surface and a first side surface connected to one side of the top surface. The flexible circuit board includes a main board portion and a first connection portion. The main board portion is disposed on the top surface. One end of the first connection portion is connected with one side of the main board portion, and the other end of the first connection portion is configured to transmit an electrical signal. The first connection portion includes a plurality of branches. The plurality of branches of the first connection portion is disposed on the first side surface. The ultrasonic device includes the ultrasonic probe.