Flexible PCB Interface Module for Compact Substrate Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional interface modules, such as touch panel and display modules, have a limited ability to reduce their dimensions due to the surface area occupied by traces on the substrate, and the line width of these traces is rigidly restricted, preventing a decrease in the occupied surface area.
Innovation Solution
The interface module design includes a substrate with column and row electrodes and a flexible print circuit board with connection portions that are electrically connected to the electrodes, allowing the flexible print circuit board to be bent and attached to the backside, thereby reducing the module's dimensions by utilizing the electrodes on multiple sides of the substrate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traces are formed on the edge of the substrate to electrically connect electrodes to integrated circuit, then electrical connection is achieved, but the dimension of the interface module cannot be reduced due to occupied surface area
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible print circuit board is bent along a bending line to extend from the first side to the second side of the substrate, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness) to route connections. This allows electrical connection between electrodes on opposite sides without occupying edge surface area, resolving the contradiction between achieving electrical connection and reducing occupied surface area.
2Reliability
If conventional trace routing is used on the substrate edge, then electrical connection is established, but the line width has rigid restrictions preventing surface area decrease
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible print circuit board is used instead of rigid substrate traces, allowing the connection path to be bent and routed through three-dimensional space. This flexibility enables the connection to achieve electrical connectivity while minimizing the projected surface area occupation, overcoming the rigid line width restrictions of conventional traces.
Data Source
AI summary
An interface module is provided. The interface module includes a substrate and a flexible print circuit board. The substrate includes a first side, a second side, a plurality of column electrodes and a plurality of row electrodes, wherein the first side is perpendicular to the second side, the column electrodes are formed on the substrate and arranged along the first side, and the row electrodes are formed on the substrate and arranged along the second side. The flexible print circuit board includes a first connection portion and a second connection portion, wherein the first connection portion is electrically connected to the column electrodes at the first side, and the second connection portion is electrically connected to at least a portion of the row electrodes at the second side.