Flexible Printed Circuit Biasing for Camera Mounting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The assembly of sensitive electronic components, such as cameras, in electronic devices is challenging due to the risk of damage from foam pads used for biasing, which can cause over-compression and crack the image sensor chip if not handled carefully.
Innovation Solution
A flexible printed circuit is bent to form a spring structure that serves as a biasing mechanism, providing a controlled and adjustable force to secure components against the display cover layer without direct contact, thereby minimizing the risk of damage and facilitating assembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a foam pad is used to bias the camera against the camera window, then the camera is held securely in position, but the image sensor chip may be over-compressed and cracked
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board acts as an intermediary between the camera and the display assembly. It provides a biasing force to hold the camera in position while its flexibility prevents excessive compression force from being transmitted to the image sensor chip, thus protecting it from damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible printed circuit board changes the mechanical parameters of the biasing system by providing a controlled, flexible biasing force rather than the rigid and potentially excessive force from a foam pad. The flexibility of the FPCB allows it to adapt to the camera's position while limiting maximum compression force.
2Reliability
If a foam pad is used to bias the camera, then the camera is held against the display surface, but assembly becomes difficult due to the risk of damaging the camera
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board serves as a mediator that simplifies assembly by providing a built-in, adjustable biasing mechanism. The assembly process involves fewer steps and less careful handling compared to foam pad assembly, as the FPCB's flexibility naturally accommodates positioning variations without risking camera damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible printed circuit board provides self-adjusting biasing functionality. During assembly, the FPCB automatically adapts to the camera's position and provides appropriate holding force without requiring precise manual adjustment or special handling procedures, thereby simplifying the assembly process.
3Force
If the electrical component overlaps the flexible printed circuit, then the biasing structure can be formed, but an air gap must be maintained to avoid damage
Solution Approach 1:
The air gap acts as an intermediary space between the electrical component and the flexible printed circuit board. This gap allows the FPCB to provide biasing force through its flexibility while preventing direct contact that could transmit damaging forces to the electrical component, especially during assembly or operation.
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
The flexible printed circuit biasing structure ensures accurate mounting of components while reducing the risk of damage and simplifying the assembly process by providing a controlled biasing force, which can counteract forces that might otherwise dislodge or damage sensitive components.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible printed circuit may have a bend. Due to the presence of the bend, the flexible printed circuit serves as a biasing structure that imparts a biasing force to the electrical component.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device may have electrical components such as input-output devices. An electrical component may be mounted on a flexible printed circuit. The flexible printed circuit may have a bend that forms a flexible printed circuit spring to bias the electrical component in a desired direction. The electronic device may have a display with a display cover layer. In an inactive display area, opaque masking material may be formed on the display cover layer. A light window may be formed in the opaque masking layer. The flexible printed circuit spring may bias the electrical component against the display cover layer in alignment with the light window. An air gap under the electrical component may separate the component from a planar portion of the flexible printed circuit that is overlapped by the electrical component. The electrical component may be a camera, a light sensor, or other device.