Flexible Circuit Board Fixing Member for Impact Stability

Solution Overview

Problem

Flexible circuit boards in electronic devices are prone to separation or lifting due to external impacts, which can cause damage to connectors and affect the device's appearance.

Innovation Solution

A fixing member with a first supporting area coupled to the internal structure and a second supporting area extending from it, allowing the flexible circuit board to pass through, with openings and gaps to accommodate displacement while preventing lift and damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the flexible circuit board is allowed to move freely to accommodate external impacts, then the device can better withstand shocks, but the circuit board may separate or lift causing damage to connectors

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedamage from external impactsVSAvoidconnector connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing member is divided into multiple functional areas: a first supporting area that provides fixed support to prevent lifting, and a second supporting area with openings that allows controlled displacement. This segmentation enables the structure to simultaneously prevent separation and accommodate impact movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the fixing member have different mechanical properties. The first supporting area provides rigid support to prevent lifting, while the second supporting area with openings allows flexibility and displacement. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between stability and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If the flexible circuit board is tightly fixed to prevent separation, then connector reliability is improved, but the circuit board cannot accommodate displacement during external impacts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector connection reliabilityVSAvoiddamage from external impacts

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing member is divided into multiple functional areas: a first supporting area that provides fixed support to prevent lifting, and a second supporting area with openings that allows controlled displacement. This segmentation enables the structure to simultaneously prevent separation and accommodate impact movements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the fixing member have different mechanical properties. The first supporting area provides rigid support to prevent lifting, while the second supporting area with openings allows flexibility and displacement. This local differentiation of mechanical properties resolves the contradiction between stability and flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If adhesive is applied to fix the flexible circuit board, then separation is prevented, but the adhesive may deteriorate under external impacts causing lift

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnector connection reliabilityVSAvoidadhesive bonding strength under impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing member is installed beforehand to provide mechanical support and constraints to the flexible circuit board, preventing excessive displacement before external impacts occur. This preliminary mechanical constraint reduces the stress on adhesive bonds during subsequent impacts.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fixing member acts as an intermediary structure between the flexible circuit board and the housing, providing mechanical support and distributing impact forces. This intermediary structure protects the adhesive bond from direct exposure to high impact stresses.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250211666A1Electronic device comprising fixing member

Publication Date: 2025.06.26 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

According to an embodiment disclosed in the present document, an electronic device may be provided. The electronic device may comprise: a housing; an inner structure disposed in the housing; a fixing member including a first support region coupled to one surface of the inner structure and a second support region extending from the first support region; and a flexible circuit board arranged across the one surface of the inner structure in a first direction. A part of the flexible circuit board may pass through a passage formed between the second support region and the one surface of the inner structure.