Flexible Flat Cable With Foldable Conducting Wires
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flexible flat cables require multiple connectors for connections, leading to decreased space utilization and productivity, especially in complex and narrow electronic device spaces, as they are typically designed with conducting wires on a single surface.
Innovation Solution
A flexible flat cable design featuring a base film with foldable conducting wires and terminals, allowing the cable to be folded and connected using a single connector, with separate conducting wires processing different signals or powers independently, and including a cover film and reinforcing film for structural support and exposure of terminals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If conventional flexible flat cables are designed with conducting wires on a single surface, then the cable structure is simple, but multiple connectors are required for connections, leading to decreased space utilization and productivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines two separate cable functions into a single flexible flat cable by providing two distinct conducting wire groups (first and second conducting wires) on opposite surfaces of the same base film. Each conducting wire group can be independently connected to connectors, allowing the single cable to perform the function of two separate cables while maintaining structural simplicity through the shared base film support
2Ease of operation
If multiple connectors are installed on opposite ends of flexible flat cables for connections, then connection functionality is achieved, but space utilization decreases due to the number of connectors required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate cable connections into a single cable assembly where the first and second conducting wire groups are both supported by the same base film. This allows both conducting wire groups to be connected to connectors at their respective ends, achieving full connection functionality while reducing the total number of separate cable assemblies needed, thereby improving space utilization
3Ease of operation
If two flexible flat cables are used to achieve connection through them, then connection functionality is achieved, but the number of components increases, leading to decreased space utilization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the functionality of two separate flexible flat cables into a single integrated cable structure. The base film supports both the first conducting wire group (with first and third terminals) and the second conducting wire group (with second and fourth terminals), allowing both wire groups to be connected to external devices simultaneously. This integration reduces the total component count while maintaining independent connection capabilities for both wire groups
Data Source
AI summary
A flexible flat cable capable of increasing space utilization in electronic devices by including a folding portion and by forming an independent conducting wire portion. The flexible flat cable includes a base film provided to extend in a first direction and configured to be foldable, a first conducting wire provided to extend in the first direction on the base film and including a first terminal provided at one end thereof and a first folding area terminal provided at the other end thereof, and a second conducting wire disposed next to the first conducting wire in the first direction, and including a second terminal provided at one end thereof and a second folding area terminal provided at the other end thereof, the second folding area terminal arranged spaced apart from the first folding area terminal of the first conducting wire in the first direction.