Flexible Circuit Board Mounting via Reinforcement and Heat Fusion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mounting structures for flexible members, such as flexible antennas, in electronic devices face challenges in securely attaching these components to mounting members without causing deformation or separation, especially in limited spaces with varying surface shapes.

Innovation Solution

A mounting structure that uses reinforcement members, such as adhesive plates or films, to stabilize the flexible member by attaching them to the flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB) and then heat-fusing protrusion parts of the mounting member through the FPCB's through-holes, ensuring the flexible member remains fixed and functional.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a flexible member is mounted directly on a mounting member with a complexly shaped surface, then the mounting process is simple, but the flexible member deforms or separates from the mounting surface

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemounting process simplicityVSAvoidattachment stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A reinforcement member is introduced as an intermediary component between the flexible member and the mounting member. The reinforcement member has a first surface that contacts the flexible member and a second surface that contacts the mounting member, providing a stable attachment interface that prevents deformation and separation while maintaining mounting simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The mounting structure combines multiple materials with different properties: the flexible member (flexible), the reinforcement member (rigid or semi-rigid), and the mounting member (structurally stable). This composite structure leverages the strengths of each material to achieve both ease of manufacture and high reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If reinforcement members are added to stabilize the flexible member, then attachment stability improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment stabilityVSAvoidstructure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reinforcement member is designed as a thin plate-like structure that provides sufficient mechanical support and stability while maintaining a compact profile. This thin-film approach prevents excessive deformation of the flexible member without adding significant structural complexity or volume to the overall device

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Strength

If the flexible member is made more rigid to prevent deformation, then structural integrity improves, but flexibility and adaptability to complex surfaces deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidsurface adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The structure is segmented into three distinct functional layers: the flexible member (maintaining flexibility and surface adaptability), the reinforcement member (providing structural integrity and preventing deformation), and the mounting member (ensuring stable attachment). Each layer performs its specific function without compromising the others, allowing the flexible member to adapt to complex surfaces while maintaining overall structural strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution effectively prevents the separation of flexible members from the mounting surface, maintaining antenna performance and allowing for flexible design patterns, even on complexly shaped mounting surfaces, thereby enhancing the structural integrity and functionality of the flexible components.

Implementation Method 1

heat-fusing protrusion parts of the mounting member through the FPCB's through-holes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat fusion: Melting

Data Source

PatentEP2843913B1Mounting structure for a flexible printed circuit board
Publication Date: 2018.11.21 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP2843913B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2843913B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2843913B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

According to one exemplary embodiment, a mounting structure 100 may include a flexible member 110, at least one reinforcement member 120-1, 120-2 attached to the flexible member, and preventing the deformation of at least one portion of the flexible member, and a mounting member 130 for mounting the flexible member attaching the at least one reinforcement member. Various other exemplary embodiments are possible.