Stacked Light Adjustment Panels With Non-Overlapping Flexible Printed Circuits
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light adjustment devices face challenges in reducing the number of flexible printed circuits when multiple light adjustment panels are stacked, as overlapping flexible printed circuits complicate coupling and increase device size.
Innovation Solution
The light adjustment device is designed with a panel unit where multiple light adjustment panels are stacked, each panel having terminal groups at opposing ends that are oriented to avoid overlap, allowing flexible printed circuits to be extended in different directions without superimposition, thus reducing the number of required circuits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple light adjustment panels are stacked with flexible printed circuits coupled to each panel, then electrical connections between panels are established, but the flexible printed circuits overlap each other making coupling difficult and increasing device size
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by positioning terminal groups at different locations on adjacent light adjustment panels. Specifically, first terminal groups are positioned at first locations on first light adjustment panels while second terminal groups are positioned at second locations on second light adjustment panels, where the locations differ between adjacent panels. This asymmetric arrangement prevents flexible printed circuits from overlapping when panels are stacked, enabling straightforward coupling while maintaining reliable electrical connections.
2Reliability
If flexible printed circuits are extended to couple multiple stacked panels, then electrical connections are achieved, but the number of required circuits increases and device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by having multiple terminal groups (first and second terminal groups) on the same light adjustment panel. This allows a single flexible printed circuit to potentially serve multiple connection purposes, and enables adjacent panels to share common electrical connection paths through the stacked arrangement, thereby reducing the total number of flexible printed circuits required compared to having separate circuits for each terminal group.
3Ease of manufacture
If terminal groups are positioned to avoid overlap of flexible printed circuits, then coupling becomes easier and device size is reduced, but the arrangement of terminals becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the terminal groups into distinct first terminal groups and second terminal groups, with each group positioned at specific locations on the light adjustment panels. This segmentation allows for systematic arrangement where first terminal groups are at first locations and second terminal groups are at second locations, creating a modular pattern that simplifies the stacking and coupling process while maintaining manageable complexity through repetition of the segmented structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A light adjustment device includes a panel unit in which a plurality of light adjustment panels are stacked in a first direction, each light adjustment panel including a first substrate and a second substrate, the first substrate including two or more terminal groups; and flexible printed circuits each coupled to one of the terminal groups of one of the light adjustment panels. When the panel unit is viewed in the first direction, a plurality of the terminal groups coupled to the flexible printed circuits are provided at each of an end part of the light adjustment panel in a second direction intersecting the first direction and an end part of the light adjustment panel in a third direction opposite the second direction, and the plurality of flexible printed circuits are not superimposed on each other.