Flexible PCB with Folded Portions for Wearable Mounting Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable electronic devices, such as head-mounted displays, face challenges with size and weight, limiting the mounting area for components and compromising wearing comfort due to the need for compact yet functional printed circuit boards.
Innovation Solution
A flexible printed circuit board design with a rigid portion connected to a first PCB and flexible portions extending in different directions, allowing for a compact form factor and increased mounting area by reducing connector space, enabling miniaturization and improved wearing comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a rigid printed circuit board is used, then structural stability is maintained, but the mounting area is reduced and device miniaturization is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The printed circuit board is divided into multiple flexible portions (first flexible portion, second flexible portion, third flexible portion) that can independently bend and fold. This segmentation allows each portion to be compacted into a smaller volume while maintaining the overall mounting area when deployed, resolving the contradiction between device miniaturization and mounting area availability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible printed circuit board transitions from a two-dimensional planar structure to a three-dimensional folded structure. By bending and folding the flexible portions in multiple directions, the board occupies less volume when compacted while preserving its full mounting area when flattened, effectively utilizing spatial dimensions to resolve the size contradiction.
2Volume of moving object
If connector space is reduced for miniaturization, then device size decreases, but connection reliability may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible portions are designed with bending areas that allow dynamic folding and unfolding. This dynamic structure enables the connectors to maintain optimal spacing and alignment during device operation while allowing compact configuration during storage or transport, preserving connection reliability without requiring excessive connector space.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible printed circuit board uses thin, flexible substrates that can be bent and folded without compromising electrical connections. This flexibility allows the board to accommodate compact connector arrangements while maintaining signal integrity and connection reliability through the flexible medium.
3Area of stationary object
If the printed circuit board is made flexible, then mounting area increases and device miniaturization is enabled, but structural stability may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible printed circuit board is segmented into multiple portions with distinct bending characteristics. Each flexible portion can be designed with specific stiffness properties to maintain stability in certain areas while allowing flexibility in others, balancing structural stability with mounting area requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible printed circuit board employs composite material structures combining rigid and flexible materials. This composite construction allows different regions of the board to have varying levels of rigidity, maintaining overall structural stability while enabling local flexibility for mounting and miniaturization purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device according to an embodiment includes: a housing including a frame, a first temple connected to one side of the frame, and a second temple connected to the other side of the frame, a first printed circuit board (PCB) positioned in the first temple, and a flexible printed circuit board electrically connected to the first PCB, and the flexible printed circuit board includes a first rigid portion connected to the first PCB, a first flexible portion extending from the first rigid portion in a first direction, and a second flexible portion extending from the first rigid portion in a second direction different from the first direction, the second flexible portion being bent in a first bending area to overlap at least a portion of the first flexible portion.