Flexible PCB Wire Harness Layout for Circuit Order Reversal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for switching the arrangement order of circuit patterns in a wire harness with a flexible printed circuit board and connector increase manufacturing costs, particularly when multiple layers are required.
Innovation Solution
A wire harness design with a flexible printed circuit board featuring a single conductive layer and a connector, utilizing a bent portion in the intermediate region and a folded portion in the second region to reverse the arrangement order of circuit patterns without increasing costs, by forming a bent portion in the intermediate region and a folded portion in the second region to align conductive paths and contact portions accordingly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple layers are formed in the flexible printed circuit board to switch the arrangement order of circuit patterns, then the arrangement order can be changed, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a planar two-dimensional layout to a three-dimensional spatial arrangement. The flexible printed circuit board is folded at specific locations to create a folded portion, allowing circuit patterns to be rearranged in the vertical dimension while maintaining a single conductive layer, thus avoiding the cost of multiple layers
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses inversion by folding the flexible printed circuit board backward at the folded portion, which reverses the arrangement order of circuit patterns in the second region. This inverted arrangement allows the circuit patterns to match the terminal arrangement of the mating connector without requiring additional layers or complex routing
2Adaptability or versatility
If the flexible printed circuit board is formed into multiple layers to switch arrangement order, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dimensionality change to resolve the contradiction by utilizing the third dimension (folding) to achieve arrangement switching without adding layers. The single conductive layer is folded to create spatial separation and reordering, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving the desired adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible printed circuit board is segmented into multiple regions (first region, intermediate region, second region) connected by conductive paths. The intermediate region contains the folded portion that enables reordering, allowing the system to achieve adaptability through regional segmentation rather than through multiple layers throughout the entire board
Data Source
AI summary
A wire harness includes a flexible printed circuit board and a connector. The flexible printed circuit board includes a first region, a second region, and an intermediate region. Each of the plurality of circuit patterns includes a first contact portion, a second contact portion, and a conductive path. The intermediate region of the flexible printed circuit board is bent at a bent portion such that a direction of a first extending portion intersects a direction of a second extending portion. An arrangement order of the plurality of conductive paths in the first extending portion and an arrangement order of the plurality of conductive paths in the second extending portion are the same in a rotation direction when the bent portion is viewed in plan view.