Flexible Printed Circuit Board Insertion Device Using Gripper and Deformer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs) face difficulties in maintaining a flat state during insertion into connectors due to their flexible and thin structure, leading to incomplete connections and insufficient signal transmission.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising a gripper, a deformer, and a transporter secures the FPCB, applies a transformation force to bend it, and transports it into the connector, ensuring rigidity and complete insertion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the FPCB is inserted directly into the connector without deformation, then the insertion process is simple, but the FPCB cannot maintain rigidity and flat state during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The FPCB is deformed into a bent state before insertion, and this deformation is maintained during the insertion process. The gripping member holds the deformed FPCB in a predetermined position, ensuring it maintains rigidity and flat state during insertion into the connector, thereby resolving the contradiction between insertion simplicity and structural stability.
2Reliability
If the FPCB is deformed to maintain rigidity during insertion, then the connection reliability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping member serves multiple functions: it grips the FPCB, maintains its deformed state, holds it in a predetermined position, and ensures proper orientation during insertion. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional components, thereby improving connection reliability while minimizing device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping member acts as an intermediary between the FPCB and the insertion device, providing the necessary support and control to maintain FPCB rigidity during insertion without requiring complex structural modifications to the FPCB itself or the connector.
3Ease of operation
If the FPCB is kept flexible for easy handling, then the ease of operation is improved, but the insertion completeness and signal transmission are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The FPCB transitions from a flexible state during handling to a rigid deformed state during insertion. The gripping member dynamically adjusts to hold the FPCB in the predetermined deformed position, ensuring both ease of handling before insertion and insertion completeness during the insertion process.
Data Source
AI summary
A device for inserting a flexible printed circuit board into a connector includes: a gripper to which the flexible printed circuit board is securable; a deformer movably connected to the gripper; and a transporter connected to the gripper and the deformer. Movement of the deformer relative to the gripper, applies a transformation force from the deformer to a portion of the flexible printed circuit board to bend the portion about edges of the gripper, and transportation of the transporter transports the gripper together with the flexible printed circuit board which has the portion of the flexible printed circuit board which is bent about the edges of the gripper, toward the connector, and inserts the flexible printed circuit board into the connector.