Printer FPC Routing Mechanism for Compact Space and Connection Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic component moving mechanisms, such as those in printers, face challenges in reducing space arrangement and preventing disconnection of connection lines when moving electronic components, as the bending of flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) leads to flexing resistance and potential disconnection.
Innovation Solution
The mechanism incorporates a holding portion, a position changing portion, and strategically positioned wiring portions that guide the movement of the holding portion, allowing the FPC to change its position while minimizing bending direction reversals and maintaining connection integrity by using multiple bent portions that are either stretched or bent in a consistent direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the FPC is configured to be pulled out below the carriage and the carriage moves across the bent portion, then space for arrangement structure is reduced, but the bending direction of the FPC is reversed which causes disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The FPC is divided into multiple segments with individual bent portions (first bent portion, second bent portion, third bent portion) instead of a single continuous bend. This segmentation allows each segment to be independently managed during carriage movement, preventing the reversal of bending direction that would cause disconnection while still achieving compact space arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The bent portions are designed to be dynamic rather than fixed, allowing them to flex and adapt during carriage movement. The multiple bent portions can dynamically adjust their configuration as the carriage moves between retracted and extended positions, maintaining connection integrity while enabling space reduction.
2Area of stationary object
If the carriage is positioned far from the control circuit unit, then space arrangement is improved, but the bent portion must be secured to the side of the carriage increasing space requirements
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging the bent portion only in the lateral direction (side of the carriage), the solution extends the FPC routing into the vertical dimension by pulling the FPC below the carriage. The multiple bent portions are distributed in three-dimensional space, allowing the bent portion to be positioned below rather than to the side, thereby reducing lateral space requirements.
3Area of stationary object
If the FPC is repeatedly bent in reversing directions during carriage movement, then space arrangement is achieved, but disconnection of the FPC occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The FPC is segmented into multiple sections with individual bent portions that can be independently managed. This segmentation prevents the cumulative stress of repeated bidirectional bending by allowing each segment to flex within its own range, thereby extending the operational life of the FPC connection.
Solution Approach 2:
The bending radius and angle parameters of each bent portion are optimized to reduce stress concentration. By carefully controlling the geometric parameters of each bent section, the fatigue resistance of the FPC is improved, allowing for repeated carriage movements without disconnection.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic component moving mechanism includes a holding portion holding an electronic component, a position changing portion, a first wiring portion, a second wiring portion, a third wiring portion, and a connection line. The third wiring portion protrudes from a leading end portion of the second wiring portion toward another side in the first direction. The connection line includes a first bent portion and a second bent portion in a case where the position of the holding portion is changed to a position on the other side. The first bent portion is folded back from the other side to the one side along the leading end portion of the third wiring portion, and the second bent portion is folded back from the one side to the other side between the first bent portion and a second end portion connecting the connection line and an external circuit.