Segmented Flat Cable for Hinge Assembly Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional flat cables are not suitable for use with reduced-size hinge assemblies in electronic devices, as they tend to twist or tangle, leading to damage and interference with pivoting mechanisms, particularly in mobile phones and notebook computers with two-dimensional pivoting structures.
Innovation Solution
A signal transmission flat cable with a flexible circuit substrate and a cluster section of independently bendable flat cables, cut along paralleled lines, allowing the cable to extend through one-dimensional or two-dimensional pivoting mechanisms without damaging or hindering the operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a conventional flat cable is used with reduced-size hinge assemblies, then the cable can transmit signals, but the cable tends to twist or tangle and damage during pivoting mechanism operation
Solution Approach 1:
The flat cable is divided into multiple independent flexible circuit substrates arranged in parallel, forming a cluster section. Each substrate can bend and move independently, preventing the twisting and tangling that occurs with conventional unified flat cables when passing through pivoting mechanisms.
2Volume of moving object
If the hinge assembly size is reduced to meet compact device design requirements, then device miniaturization is achieved, but the cable cannot pass through without adversely affecting pivoting mechanism operation
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the flat cable into multiple independent flexible circuit substrates, the cable cluster can navigate through smaller hinge assemblies without requiring larger clearance, thus enabling compact device design while maintaining reliable operation through the pivoting mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible circuit substrates are designed to be dynamically flexible, allowing them to adapt their shape and position as they pass through the pivoting mechanism, ensuring reliable signal transmission even when the hinge assembly size is reduced.
3Reliability
If a miniaturized flat cable or cluster of very fine conductors is used, then signal transmission is achieved, but the hinge assembly size cannot be reduced further
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses multiple flexible circuit substrates in parallel rather than very fine conductors, maintaining robust signal transmission capability while the segmented structure allows the hinge assembly to be reduced in size, as each substrate can independently navigate the pivoting mechanism.
Data Source
AI summary
A signal transmission cable is adapted to pass through a hinge assembly and includes a flexible circuit substrate. A first connection section is formed at a first end of the flexible circuit substrate and has a plurality of signal transmission lines provided thereon. A second connection section is formed at a second end of the flexible circuit substrate and has a plurality of signal transmission lines provided thereon. The cable further has a cluster section formed on the flexible circuit substrate between the first and the second connection sections, and has a plurality of signal transmission lines provided thereon to respectively connect at two ends to the signal transmission lines on the first and the second connection sections. The cluster section includes a plurality of clustered flat cables formed by cutting the flexible circuit substrate along a plurality of parallel cutting lines extended in the lengthwise direction of the flexible circuit substrate.