Flexible Circuit Board Slide Structure for Foldable Waterproofing
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Solution Overview
Problem
As electronics become slimmer, the space available to accommodate a bent portion of the flexible printed circuit board becomes smaller, leading to less curvature and stress concentration from frequent folding, which can cause breakage and compromise waterproofing.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device incorporates a flexible printed circuit board that is bent and partially elastic, with a slide structure and magnetic coupling to accommodate deformation, ensuring operational reliability and waterproofing even with frequent folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the flexible printed circuit board is made thinner to accommodate slimmer device design, then the device thickness is reduced, but the curvature radius decreases and stress concentration increases leading to breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a slide structure that allows the flexible printed circuit board to dynamically adjust its position and curvature radius during folding operations. The circuit board can slide along the folding axis within a guide structure, enabling it to adapt to varying curvature requirements and reduce stress concentration during repeated folding cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a slide structure as an intermediary mechanism between the flexible printed circuit board and the housing. This slide structure includes a guide structure and a slide member that mediates the movement of the circuit board, allowing it to adjust its curvature radius during folding while reducing direct stress on the board itself.
2Length of moving object
If the flexible printed circuit board is bent with small curvature radius to fit slim device, then device thickness is reduced, but stress concentration from frequent folding causes breakage
Solution Approach 1:
The slide structure enables the flexible printed circuit board to dynamically change its effective curvature radius during folding operations. By allowing the board to slide within the guide structure, the system can optimize the bending radius to minimize stress concentration while maintaining the slim device profile.
Solution Approach 2:
The slide structure acts as a cushioning mechanism that absorbs and distributes the stress generated during folding operations. The guide structure and slide member provide a controlled environment for the circuit board's movement, preventing abrupt stress concentrations that would lead to breakage.
3Reliability
If the waterproof structure is rigid to maintain sealing, then waterproofing is ensured, but the structure cannot accommodate frequent folding motion and becomes misaligned
Solution Approach 1:
The waterproof structure is integrated with the slide mechanism, allowing it to dynamically adjust its position during folding operations. The waterproof seal can move along with the flexible printed circuit board within the guide structure, maintaining its sealing function while accommodating the folding motion that would otherwise cause misalignment.
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 solution helps prevent breakage of the flexible printed circuit board and maintains waterproofing functionality by efficiently disposing the circuit board and batteries, allowing the device to be slimmed down while maintaining structural integrity and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible printed circuit board may be formed in a bent shape (e.g., bendable to bent more than once) that is at least partially elastic (e.g., resilient) to accommodate a deformed length of the flexible printed circuit board
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a hinge, a first housing and a second housing rotatably connected to each other by the hinge, a flexible display disposed in the first housing and the second housing, a first circuit board disposed in the first housing, a flexible circuit board which is electrically connected to the first circuit board and extends from the first housing and across the hinge, and a slide structure which is connected to the flexible circuit board and is slidably connected with the first housing, wherein the slide structure slides together with a portion of the flexible circuit board in the first housing while the electronic device is being folded or unfolded via the hinge.