Hinge-Coaxial Flexible Substrate Routing for Foldable Chassis
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Solution Overview
Problem
In electronic apparatuses with rotatably connected first and second chassis, routing wiring members along the rotation shaft of hinges increases the width of that portion, leading to a deteriorated appearance quality and potential stress on flexible substrates, which can shorten their service life.
Innovation Solution
The electronic apparatus includes a rotating body in the first chassis that coaxially rotates with the hinge, guiding a flexible substrate through a substrate opening that extends in the direction the chassis are stacked in a folded form. This configuration ensures the flexible substrate is not excessively convex and undergoes moderate bending, minimizing stress and maintaining service life.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the wiring member is routed along the rotation shaft of the hinges, then the electrical connection between first chassis and second chassis is ensured, but the width of that portion is increased by the width of the wiring member, resulting in deteriorated appearance quality
Solution Approach 1:
The wiring member is extracted from the rotation shaft area and routed through the side surface of the first chassis, separating the electrical connection function from the hinge rotation mechanism to eliminate the width increase at the rotation shaft
Solution Approach 2:
The routing path of the wiring member is changed from a linear path along the rotation shaft to a three-dimensional path through the side surface opening, utilizing the depth dimension of the chassis to achieve both compact routing and good appearance
2Shape
If the wiring member is routed across the opposing side surfaces of the first chassis and the second chassis, then the appearance quality is improved, but a flexible substrate must be used instead of a wire-like member due to relative rotation
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible substrate is used as the wiring member to accommodate the relative rotation between first and second chassis while maintaining electrical connection, replacing rigid wire-like members with a flexible thin film structure that can bend and deform during rotation
3Shape
If a cover is provided between the first chassis and the second chassis to make the flexible substrate invisible, then the appearance quality is improved, but the path change of the flexible substrate is restricted, applying load and shortening service life
Solution Approach 1:
The opening for the flexible substrate is designed to be movable relative to the cover, allowing the opening position to change dynamically during rotation to accommodate the path change of the flexible substrate without restricting its movement and preventing excessive load
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic apparatus includes: a first chassis and a second chassis; a hinge connecting the second chassis to the first chassis in a relatively rotatable manner; an electrical device including a display provided in the first chassis; a printed circuit board provided in the second chassis; and a flexible substrate for electrically connecting the electrical device and the printed circuit board, the first chassis including a rotating body that rotates coaxially with the hinge by a rotational movement with respect to the second chassis and has the flexible substrate passed therethrough, and the rotating body including: a first opening guiding the flexible substrate to the electrical device; a second opening guiding the flexible substrate to the printed circuit board; and a substrate opening through which the flexible substrate passes.