Folded Flexible Circuit Board Layout for Multi-Level Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flexible circuit boards face yield issues due to their comb-like branching structure, leading to material wastage when cut into predetermined shapes.
Innovation Solution
A terminal-equipped flexible circuit board design where terminals are arranged in multiple levels without branching, allowing for efficient folding and minimizing material waste by extending in a longitudinal direction and folding in specific patterns to maintain a constant width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the leading end of the flexible circuit board is branched into a comb-like shape to connect terminal fittings, then the terminals can be arranged in multiple levels, but many portions are discarded when cutting out from base material, reducing yield
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional comb-like branching structure to a three-dimensional folded structure. The flexible circuit board is folded along fold lines to create multiple levels, allowing terminals to be arranged vertically without requiring horizontal branching. This dimensional change eliminates the need for comb-like structures while maintaining multi-level terminal arrangement capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible circuit board is divided into multiple regions by fold lines, creating distinct folded sections. Each folded section can accommodate terminals at different levels. This segmentation allows the board to achieve complex spatial arrangements through folding rather than branching, improving material utilization.
2Productivity
If the flexible circuit board is folded to arrange terminals in multiple levels, then material waste is reduced, but the structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the spatial configuration parameters of the flexible circuit board by introducing fold lines at specific positions. These fold lines create predetermined folding paths that simplify the manufacturing process. The parameter changes include fold line positions, folding directions, and the resulting three-dimensional arrangement, which optimize both yield and structural simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a terminal-equipped flexible circuit board provided with a flexible circuit board that is flexible and a plurality of terminals. The flexible circuit board extends in a longitudinal direction, the flexible circuit board includes a plurality of conductive paths, the plurality of terminals each include a conductive path connection portion that is connected to a conductive path and a terminal connection portion that extends in an extending direction from the conductive path connection portion and is connected to a partner terminal, the plurality of terminals are arranged on the flexible circuit board in a state in which the longitudinal direction of the flexible circuit board intersects the extending direction of the plurality of terminals, and the plurality of terminals are arranged in a plurality of levels in a state in which the flexible circuit board is folded.