Integrated FPC Layout for Main Board Space Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing circuit boards in electronic devices require multiple connectors and flexible printed circuits (FPCs) that occupy a large area and incur high hardware costs, limiting their ability to support complex functionalities and compatibility with different display technologies.
Innovation Solution
The circuit board design combines a screen FPC with a main and sub-board FPC into a single connection point, relocating certain circuit modules from the main board to the sub-board, optimizing signal input terminals, and reducing the number of connectors and FPCs to improve area utilization and reduce costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate FPCs (screen FPC and main-subboard FPC) are used to connect different components, then the connectivity and functionality are ensured, but the occupied area on the main board increases and hardware costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the screen FPC and main-subboard FPC into a single integrated FPC structure. This FPC simultaneously connects the main board to both the sub-board and the screen, eliminating the need for two separate FPCs and reducing the occupied area on the main board while maintaining all necessary connectivity functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated FPC performs multiple functions: it serves as both the screen connection interface and the main-subboard connection interface. By designing the FPC with multi-functional capabilities, the patent reduces the number of separate components needed while ensuring all connectivity requirements are met.
2Reliability
If two separate connectors are arranged on the main board for different FPCs, then the connection reliability is ensured, but the hardware costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges two separate connectors into a single integrated connector structure on the main board. This unified connector interfaces with the integrated FPC, reducing the total number of connectors from two to one while maintaining connection reliability through proper signal routing and physical design.
Solution Approach 2:
The single connector on the main board is designed to handle multiple connection functions simultaneously, serving both the sub-board connection and screen connection through the integrated FPC. This multi-functional connector reduces hardware costs while ensuring reliable connections for all interfaces.
3Device complexity
If circuit modules are kept on the main board, then the signal transmission is simplified, but the occupied area on the main board increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts certain circuit modules from the main board and relocates them to the sub-board. This extraction reduces the occupied area on the main board while the integrated FPC maintains simplified signal transmission by providing direct connectivity between the main board and the relocated modules on the sub-board.
Data Source
AI summary
A screen flexible circuit board (FPC) is combined with a main and sub-board FPC, so that two board to board (BTB) connectors on a main board are combined into one, thereby reducing the area on the main board occupied by the BTB connectors, saving the area on the main board, and improving the area utilization of the main board. In addition, quantities of FPCs and main board BTB connectors are reduced, so that hardware costs are reduced.