Foldable FPC Reinforcing Plate for Easy Hinge-Cable Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inconvenience of having to disassemble the entire device for replacing a faulty flexible printed circuit in foldable electronic devices, such as foldable mobile phones, due to the lack of a convenient and reliable method for replacing the circuit without damaging the display or body structures.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a reinforcing plate with a support sheet and flexible region on the flexible printed circuit, which allows for easy disassembly and replacement without disassembling the display or body structures, by dispersing fastening forces and utilizing adhesive or magnetic fastening methods to ensure stability and flexibility during the process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the flexible printed circuit is firmly fastened to ensure stability, then reliability is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates because the entire device must be disassembled for replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing plate is divided into a support sheet and a flexible region, where the support sheet provides firm fastening to ensure stability, while the flexible region allows deformation and easy separation for repair. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by differentiating functions within the same component.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the reinforcing plate have different properties: the support sheet area provides strong adhesion for stability, while the flexible region provides low adhesion for easy removal. This local differentiation allows the same component to simultaneously ensure reliability and ease of repair.
2Ease of repair
If the flexible printed circuit is made replaceable without disassembly, then ease of repair is improved, but strength of the through-shaft section deteriorates due to repeated unfolding and folding
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing plate is pre-installed on the through-shaft section before the flexible printed circuit is assembled. This preliminary reinforcement protects the through-shaft section from damage during repeated unfolding and folding, enabling easy replacement without compromising strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing plate combines a rigid support sheet with a flexible region, creating a composite structure that provides both strength protection and flexibility for replacement. This composite design allows the through-shaft section to maintain strength while enabling easy repair.
3Strength
If a reinforcing plate with large area is used to ensure strength, then strength is improved, but ease of repair deteriorates due to large fastening force
Solution Approach 1:
The reinforcing plate is segmented into a support sheet and a flexible region, where the support sheet provides the necessary strength through its rigid structure, while the flexible region allows easy deformation and removal. This segmentation resolves the contradiction between strength and ease of repair.
Solution Approach 2:
The reinforcing plate has different local qualities: the support sheet area provides high strength through rigid material, while the flexible region provides low fastening force through its deformable nature. This local differentiation allows the plate to be both strong and easy to remove.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates the replacement of the flexible printed circuit without disassembling the device, preventing damage to the display and body structures, thereby extending the device's lifetime and improving repair convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The flexible region enables the reinforcing plate to be flexibly deformed when the flexible printed circuit is moved. Specifically, the flexible region of the reinforcing plate enables the reinforcing plate to be deformed and bent in at least a length direction of the electronic device.
Implementation Method 2
The support sheet that faces away from the through-shaft section is fastened to the middle cover.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device includes a first body, a second body, a middle cover, and a flexible printed circuit. The flexible printed circuit includes a through-shaft section, a reinforcing plate is provided on a surface of the through-shaft section, the reinforcing plate includes a support sheet and a flexible region, and the support sheet is stacked on and fastened to a surface of the through-shaft section. The flexible region is provided on the support sheet or divides the support sheet into a plurality of sheet bodies. The first body and the second body are rotatably connected to two opposite sides of the middle cover, respectively. The flexible printed circuit extends from the first body to the second body, to connect the first body and the second body, and the reinforcing plate is located in the middle cover and is fastened to the middle cover.