Flexible PCB Connection Assembly for Foldable Hinge Twist Relief

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Solution Overview

Problem

The service life of flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) in foldable electronic devices is shortened due to excessive width, leading to significant distortion during folding, which affects their structural integrity and functionality.

Innovation Solution

The FPC is designed with strip-shaped holes to separate it into multiple transmission segments with small widths, aligned with the fastening parts, reducing twist and distortion by ensuring each segment has a stable connection and minimal overlap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If the FPC width is increased to accommodate more signals, then the signal transmission capability is improved, but the FPC becomes prone to distortion and twist during folding, reducing its service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignal transmission capabilityVSAvoidFPC service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The FPC is divided into multiple transmission segments by introducing strip-shaped holes that extend in the width direction. These holes separate the continuous FPC structure into discrete segments, allowing each segment to independently accommodate folding deformation without causing twist or distortion across the entire FPC width, thus maintaining reliability while preserving signal transmission capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The strip-shaped holes are strategically positioned at specific locations where twist and distortion are most likely to occur during folding. By concentrating structural modifications at these critical locations rather than uniformly across the entire FPC, the design locally enhances flexibility and twist resistance while maintaining the overall signal transmission capability of the FPC

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the FPC width is increased to support more functions, then the functional capability is improved, but the FPC experiences significant twist during folding, reducing its service life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidFPC service life
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The FPC is divided into multiple transmission segments by introducing strip-shaped holes that extend in the width direction. These holes separate the continuous FPC structure into discrete segments, allowing each segment to independently accommodate folding deformation without causing twist or distortion across the entire FPC width, thus maintaining reliability while preserving signal transmission capability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The strip-shaped holes are strategically positioned at specific locations where twist and distortion are most likely to occur during folding. By concentrating structural modifications at these critical locations rather than uniformly across the entire FPC, the design locally enhances flexibility and twist resistance while maintaining the overall signal transmission capability of the FPC

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4694583A1Electronic device and circuit connection assembly
Publication Date: 2026.02.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4694583A1 patent drawingFigure 1~4
  • EP4694583A1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP4694583A1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

This application provides an electronic device and a circuit connection assembly. The electronic device includes a first fastening part, a rotating part, a second fastening part, and at least one layer of flexible printed circuit board. The second fastening part and the first fastening part are respectively located on two sides of the rotating part in a first direction. Two ends of the flexible printed circuit board in the first direction are respectively connected to the first fastening part and the second fastening part. At least some portions that are on the flexible printed circuit board and that are located between the first fastening part and the second fastening part are connected to the rotating part. The flexible printed circuit board is provided with at least one strip-shaped hole, the strip-shaped hole extends in the first direction, and at least a portion of the strip-shaped hole is located between the first fastening part and the second fastening part. In this application, the flexible printed circuit board is provided with the strip-shaped hole, so that portions that are on the flexible printed circuit board and that are located between the first fastening part and the second fastening part can be separated into a plurality of transmission segments with small widths, to avoid excessive twist of the flexible printed circuit board in a process in which the flexible printed circuit board is bent, thereby prolonging a service life of the flexible printed circuit board.