CA1215785A - Thin electronic apparatus laminated with two flexible bases - Google Patents
Thin electronic apparatus laminated with two flexible basesInfo
- Publication number
- CA1215785A CA1215785A CA000446457A CA446457A CA1215785A CA 1215785 A CA1215785 A CA 1215785A CA 000446457 A CA000446457 A CA 000446457A CA 446457 A CA446457 A CA 446457A CA 1215785 A CA1215785 A CA 1215785A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- layers
- electronic
- display
- display electrodes
- electronic apparatus
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/78—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites
- H01H13/785—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard characterised by the contacts or the contact sites characterised by the material of the contacts, e.g. conductive polymers
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K1/00—Printed circuits
- H05K1/02—Details
- H05K1/14—Structural association of two or more printed circuits
- H05K1/147—Structural association of two or more printed circuits at least one of the printed circuits being bent or folded, e.g. by using a flexible printed circuit
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H13/00—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch
- H01H13/70—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard
- H01H13/702—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches
- H01H13/703—Switches having rectilinearly-movable operating part or parts adapted for pushing or pulling in one direction only, e.g. push-button switch having a plurality of operating members associated with different sets of contacts, e.g. keyboard with contacts carried by or formed from layers in a multilayer structure, e.g. membrane switches characterised by spacers between contact carrying layers
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2201/00—Contacts
- H01H2201/022—Material
- H01H2201/026—Material non precious
- H01H2201/028—Indium tin oxide [ITO]
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2203/00—Form of contacts
- H01H2203/03—Form of contacts printed on casing
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2209/00—Layers
- H01H2209/024—Properties of the substrate
- H01H2209/03—Properties of the substrate elastomeric
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2209/00—Layers
- H01H2209/046—Properties of the spacer
- H01H2209/052—Properties of the spacer elastomeric
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2209/00—Layers
- H01H2209/068—Properties of the membrane
- H01H2209/074—Properties of the membrane elastomeric
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
- H01H2219/01—Liquid crystal
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2219/00—Legends
- H01H2219/002—Legends replaceable; adaptable
- H01H2219/01—Liquid crystal
- H01H2219/011—Liquid crystal with integrated photo- or thermovoltaic cell as power supply
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2229/00—Manufacturing
- H01H2229/024—Packing between substrate and membrane
- H01H2229/03—Laminating
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2231/00—Applications
- H01H2231/05—Card, e.g. credit card
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
- H01H2239/00—Miscellaneous
- H01H2239/01—Miscellaneous combined with other elements on the same substrate
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
- H05K2201/04—Assemblies of printed circuits
- H05K2201/041—Stacked PCBs, i.e. having neither an empty space nor mounted components in between
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to printed circuits covered by H05K1/00
- H05K2201/10—Details of components or other objects attached to or integrated in a printed circuit board
- H05K2201/10007—Types of components
- H05K2201/10128—Display
- H05K2201/10136—Liquid Crystal display [LCD]
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H05—ELECTRIC TECHNIQUES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H05K—PRINTED CIRCUITS; CASINGS OR CONSTRUCTIONAL DETAILS OF ELECTRIC APPARATUS; MANUFACTURE OF ASSEMBLAGES OF ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS
- H05K3/00—Apparatus or processes for manufacturing printed circuits
- H05K3/36—Assembling printed circuits with other printed circuits
- H05K3/361—Assembling flexible printed circuits with other printed circuits
Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
An electronic calculator has first and second lay-ers of flexible material integrally laminated together along an off-set portion of one of the layers by a bond extending around the peripheries of the layers, whereby space is pro-vided between the layers. A sealed display enclosure is formed in a part of the space between the layers, and display electrodes are disposed within the display enclosure, which contains a liquid crystal medium. The first layer includes a transparent portion through which the display electrodes are visible from the exterior of the electronic calculator and a keyboard area provided with key symbols at the exterior of the electronic calculator, key contacts being provided on spaced apart areas of opposed surfaces of the layers, and the display electrodes forming parts of a calculator circuit accommodated in the space between the electrodes.
The calculator circuit includes key contacts and conductors formed on the opposed surfaces of the layers and a data pro-cessing chip accommodated in the space and connected to the display electrodes and the key contacts by the conductors.
An electronic calculator has first and second lay-ers of flexible material integrally laminated together along an off-set portion of one of the layers by a bond extending around the peripheries of the layers, whereby space is pro-vided between the layers. A sealed display enclosure is formed in a part of the space between the layers, and display electrodes are disposed within the display enclosure, which contains a liquid crystal medium. The first layer includes a transparent portion through which the display electrodes are visible from the exterior of the electronic calculator and a keyboard area provided with key symbols at the exterior of the electronic calculator, key contacts being provided on spaced apart areas of opposed surfaces of the layers, and the display electrodes forming parts of a calculator circuit accommodated in the space between the electrodes.
The calculator circuit includes key contacts and conductors formed on the opposed surfaces of the layers and a data pro-cessing chip accommodated in the space and connected to the display electrodes and the key contacts by the conductors.
Description
The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus and, more par-ticularly to a thin electronic appara-tus, for example, an electronic calculator or the like, laminated from two flexible bases or layers.
In recent years, techniques for electronic appara-tus such as an electronic calculator, for example, the minia-turization, the lighting, the reduction of thickness, the low-cost, and the high reliability of the electronic appara-tus, have been developed. However, conventional electronic apparatus is packaged in a housing, and it may be impossible to reduce the thickness of the conventional electronic appara-tus. For making the electronic apparatus thinner, in place of a hard base or a flexible base, a housing which serves as a circuit board is proposed and disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,231,098, issued on October 28, 1980, by Akira Tanimoto, en-titled "CASING OF ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR". In particular, the housing for the electronic calcula-tor or the like in U.S. Patent 4,231,098 is made of an insulating material such as a plastic, key electrodes and a conductive material for a key wiring pattern being directly formed on an inner sur-face of the housing, so that a-printed base can be elimina-t-ed. Accordingly, a keyboard can be thinner. But this prior electronic apparatus may not be suitable for mass production and it may be impossible to reduce the price of the electron-ic apparatus.
An object of the present invention is to provide a thin electronic apparatus e.g. an electronic calculator, laminated from two flexible bases or layers for mass-produc-tion and low-cost.
The present invention provides an electronic appa-ratus, comprising first and second flexible layers, integral-~y laminated with electrical components contained between the first and second layers. Preferably one of the layers comprises a transparent portion.
The present invention further provides an electro-nic apparatus, comprising first and second flexible laminar members, the laminar members being integrally laminated by a bond extending around the peripheries of opposed surfaces of the laminar members and electrical components contained in a space between the laminar members.
Preferably, the electrical components include dis-play electrodes and one of the laminar members comprises a transpar~nt display portion thro~gh which the display electrodes are visible from the exterior of the electronic apparatus. Conduc-tor means may be formed on the opposed surfaces of the firs-t and second laminar members for connect-ing the electronic components. The electrical components may display electrodes, the first and second layers being bonded together around the display elec-trodes to form a seal-ed display enclosure containing the display electrodes, and one of the first and second laminar members comprising a transparent portion through which the display electrodes are visible from the exterior of the electronic apparatus.
Also, the electrical components may comprise data processing means for controlling the display electrodes, and conductors formed on one of the laminar members for connecting the data processing means to the display electrodes.
Preferably, one of the first and second laminar members is formed with an off-set peripheral portion bonded to the other of the laminar members, whereby the space is provided between the laminar members for accommodating the electrical components.
In a preferred embodiment, one oE the first and second laminar members is formed with off-set portions ex-tendi~g around the periphery thereof and around the display electrodes and is bonded to the other of the laminar members along the elongate por-tions, whereby the display enclosure is formed and additional space is provided between the oppos-ed surfaces of the laminar members for accommodating the electrical components.
The invention still further provides a first and second layer of flexible material integrally laminated toge-ther along an off-set portion of one of the layers by a bond extending around the peripheries of the layers, whereby space is provided between the layers, means forming a sealed dis-play enclosure in a part of the space between the layers, display electrodes disposed within the display enclosure, the display enclosure containing a liquid crystal medium, and the first layer including a transparent portion through which the display electrodes are visible from the exterior of the electronic calculator and a keyboard area provided with key symbols at the exterior of the electronic calcula-tor, key contacts provided on spaced apart areas of opposed surfaces of the layers, the display electrodes forming parts of a calculator circuit accommodated in the space between the electrodes, the calculator circuit including key con-tacts and conductors formed on the opposed surfaces of the layers and data processing means accommodated in the space and connec-ted to the display electrodes and the key contacts by the conductors.
The invention also provides a method of manufactur-ing an electronic apparatus which includes the steps of, providing first and second layers of flexible material, form-ing a conductor pattern and an electrode pattern on one of the layers, providing at least one circuit element on the one layer, and integrally laminating the layers with the circuit element and the patterns therebetween.
The present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of an embodiment given hereinafter.
It should be understood, however, that the detailed descrip-tion of and specific examples, while indicating a preferred embodiment of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
Figure 1 shows an exploded sectional view of an electronic calculator of an embodiment of the present in-vention;
Figure 2 shows a sectional view of Figure 1 after a liquid crystal material is filled into a display portion and the display portion is closed; and Figures 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c) show sectional views of the liquid crystal display portion of the electronic cal-culator of Figures 1 and 2.
Referring now to Figure 1, there is illustrated an exploded sectional vie~ of an electronic calculator according to an embodiment of the present invention, which comprises an upper flexible base or laminar member 1, key symbols 2, a display window 3, display segment electrodes 4, a filter 5 for protec-ting, solar batteries or cells and a display window 3. A lower flexible base or laminar mem-ber 10 is provided with display electrodes 8, an electronic component 12 such as an LSI chip, terminals 7 for connecting the electronic component 12, key contacts 6, a key wiring pattern 6', or solar batteries 9, for which a single, larger solar battery may be substituted, and a shielding member 11 for connecting or laminating the upper flexible base 1 and the lower flexible base 10 along peripheral off-set por-tions of the upper flexible base 1.
The upper flexible base 1 is made of a flexiblefilm lor a flexible sheet). The key symbols 2, the display window 3, the display segment electrodes ~, and the filter 5 are formed on the upper flexible base 1. Also, key con-tacts (not shown in Figure 1) are provided on the undersur-face of the upper flexible base 1 so as to correspond to the positions of the key symbols 2. The display segment electrodes 4 are made of indium or the like and provided on the undersurface of the upper flexible base 1. The indium may be printed or coated in a pattern, or unnecessary parts of indium may be eliminated by etching or the like after the indium is printed or coated onto the whole surface of the upper flexible base 1~
In the upper flexible base 1, it is necessary for the filter 5 for protecting the display windows 3 and the solar battery 9 to be transparent, so that, preferably, the filter 5 is made of a transparent member such as a poly-ester strip. The upper surface of the upper flexible base 1 except the display window 3 and the filter 5 may be colour-ed by printing thereon, and a-t the same time, the key symbols
In recent years, techniques for electronic appara-tus such as an electronic calculator, for example, the minia-turization, the lighting, the reduction of thickness, the low-cost, and the high reliability of the electronic appara-tus, have been developed. However, conventional electronic apparatus is packaged in a housing, and it may be impossible to reduce the thickness of the conventional electronic appara-tus. For making the electronic apparatus thinner, in place of a hard base or a flexible base, a housing which serves as a circuit board is proposed and disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,231,098, issued on October 28, 1980, by Akira Tanimoto, en-titled "CASING OF ELECTRONIC CALCULATOR". In particular, the housing for the electronic calcula-tor or the like in U.S. Patent 4,231,098 is made of an insulating material such as a plastic, key electrodes and a conductive material for a key wiring pattern being directly formed on an inner sur-face of the housing, so that a-printed base can be elimina-t-ed. Accordingly, a keyboard can be thinner. But this prior electronic apparatus may not be suitable for mass production and it may be impossible to reduce the price of the electron-ic apparatus.
An object of the present invention is to provide a thin electronic apparatus e.g. an electronic calculator, laminated from two flexible bases or layers for mass-produc-tion and low-cost.
The present invention provides an electronic appa-ratus, comprising first and second flexible layers, integral-~y laminated with electrical components contained between the first and second layers. Preferably one of the layers comprises a transparent portion.
The present invention further provides an electro-nic apparatus, comprising first and second flexible laminar members, the laminar members being integrally laminated by a bond extending around the peripheries of opposed surfaces of the laminar members and electrical components contained in a space between the laminar members.
Preferably, the electrical components include dis-play electrodes and one of the laminar members comprises a transpar~nt display portion thro~gh which the display electrodes are visible from the exterior of the electronic apparatus. Conduc-tor means may be formed on the opposed surfaces of the firs-t and second laminar members for connect-ing the electronic components. The electrical components may display electrodes, the first and second layers being bonded together around the display elec-trodes to form a seal-ed display enclosure containing the display electrodes, and one of the first and second laminar members comprising a transparent portion through which the display electrodes are visible from the exterior of the electronic apparatus.
Also, the electrical components may comprise data processing means for controlling the display electrodes, and conductors formed on one of the laminar members for connecting the data processing means to the display electrodes.
Preferably, one of the first and second laminar members is formed with an off-set peripheral portion bonded to the other of the laminar members, whereby the space is provided between the laminar members for accommodating the electrical components.
In a preferred embodiment, one oE the first and second laminar members is formed with off-set portions ex-tendi~g around the periphery thereof and around the display electrodes and is bonded to the other of the laminar members along the elongate por-tions, whereby the display enclosure is formed and additional space is provided between the oppos-ed surfaces of the laminar members for accommodating the electrical components.
The invention still further provides a first and second layer of flexible material integrally laminated toge-ther along an off-set portion of one of the layers by a bond extending around the peripheries of the layers, whereby space is provided between the layers, means forming a sealed dis-play enclosure in a part of the space between the layers, display electrodes disposed within the display enclosure, the display enclosure containing a liquid crystal medium, and the first layer including a transparent portion through which the display electrodes are visible from the exterior of the electronic calculator and a keyboard area provided with key symbols at the exterior of the electronic calcula-tor, key contacts provided on spaced apart areas of opposed surfaces of the layers, the display electrodes forming parts of a calculator circuit accommodated in the space between the electrodes, the calculator circuit including key con-tacts and conductors formed on the opposed surfaces of the layers and data processing means accommodated in the space and connec-ted to the display electrodes and the key contacts by the conductors.
The invention also provides a method of manufactur-ing an electronic apparatus which includes the steps of, providing first and second layers of flexible material, form-ing a conductor pattern and an electrode pattern on one of the layers, providing at least one circuit element on the one layer, and integrally laminating the layers with the circuit element and the patterns therebetween.
The present invention will become apparent from the detailed description of an embodiment given hereinafter.
It should be understood, however, that the detailed descrip-tion of and specific examples, while indicating a preferred embodiment of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
Figure 1 shows an exploded sectional view of an electronic calculator of an embodiment of the present in-vention;
Figure 2 shows a sectional view of Figure 1 after a liquid crystal material is filled into a display portion and the display portion is closed; and Figures 3(a), 3(b), and 3(c) show sectional views of the liquid crystal display portion of the electronic cal-culator of Figures 1 and 2.
Referring now to Figure 1, there is illustrated an exploded sectional vie~ of an electronic calculator according to an embodiment of the present invention, which comprises an upper flexible base or laminar member 1, key symbols 2, a display window 3, display segment electrodes 4, a filter 5 for protec-ting, solar batteries or cells and a display window 3. A lower flexible base or laminar mem-ber 10 is provided with display electrodes 8, an electronic component 12 such as an LSI chip, terminals 7 for connecting the electronic component 12, key contacts 6, a key wiring pattern 6', or solar batteries 9, for which a single, larger solar battery may be substituted, and a shielding member 11 for connecting or laminating the upper flexible base 1 and the lower flexible base 10 along peripheral off-set por-tions of the upper flexible base 1.
The upper flexible base 1 is made of a flexiblefilm lor a flexible sheet). The key symbols 2, the display window 3, the display segment electrodes ~, and the filter 5 are formed on the upper flexible base 1. Also, key con-tacts (not shown in Figure 1) are provided on the undersur-face of the upper flexible base 1 so as to correspond to the positions of the key symbols 2. The display segment electrodes 4 are made of indium or the like and provided on the undersurface of the upper flexible base 1. The indium may be printed or coated in a pattern, or unnecessary parts of indium may be eliminated by etching or the like after the indium is printed or coated onto the whole surface of the upper flexible base 1~
In the upper flexible base 1, it is necessary for the filter 5 for protecting the display windows 3 and the solar battery 9 to be transparent, so that, preferably, the filter 5 is made of a transparent member such as a poly-ester strip. The upper surface of the upper flexible base 1 except the display window 3 and the filter 5 may be colour-ed by printing thereon, and a-t the same time, the key symbols
2 can be printed thereon.
On the other hand, the display electrodes 8, the terminals 7 for wiring the electronic component 12, the key ~L2~
contacts 6, and the key wiring pat-tern 6' are provided in the form of indium on the upper surface of the lower flexible base 10 in the same way as the display segment electrodes 4 on the upper flexible base 1.
The shielding mem~er 11 is provided on -the peri-pheral edge of the upper surface of the lower flexible base 10 and also around the periphery of a liquid crystal pack-aging portion 14', i.e. a sealed display portion or enclo-sure as shown in Figure 2, the off-set portions of the upper flexible base 1 being correspondingly shaped and providing a space between the bases 1 and 10 for accommodating the electrical components.
The solar batteries 9, e.g. amorphous solar cells, are also formed by a grow discharge on indium electrodes.
If the solar batteries are alternatively manufactured sepa-rately from the remainder of the electronic apparatus, they may be attached to the electrodes.
The electronic component 12 is electrically connected with the terminals 7 on the lower flexible base 10 by a hot melt adhesive or by pressure via a conductive rubber.
Although as described above, the shielding member 11 is provided on the upper surface of the lower flexible base 10, the shielding member 11 may alternatively be pro~
vided on the under surface of the upper flexible base 1.
The upper and the lower flexible bases 1 and 10 are integrally connected and laminated via the shielding member 11 provided on the upper or lower flexible base 1 or 10, and after that, a liquid crystal medium 14 is filled into the display portion 14' and the display portion 14' is closed.
Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the electronic calculator of Figure 1 after the liquid crystal material is filled into the display portion 14' and the display por-tion 14' is closed. In Figure 2, reference numeral 13 desig-nates a spacer.
Figures 3~a), 3(b), and 3(c) show sectional views of the display portion 14' of the electronic calculator.
~Z~57~5 ~ike re~erence characters designate like or corresponding parts. In Figures 3(a), 3(b), and 35c), reference numeral 18 designates common display electrodes corresponding to the electrodes 8 of Figure 1 and reference numeral 19 desig-nates display segment electrodes corresponding to the electrodes 4 of Figure 1.
In Figure 3(a), a polarization filter 15 is pro-vided on the upper surEace of the upper flexible base 1, and a polarization filter 17 mounted a reflector 16 is pro-vided on the undersurface of the lower flexible base 10.
The segment electrodes 19 and the common electrodes 18 are provided on the undersurface of the upper flexible base 1 and the upper surface of the lower flexible base 10, res-pectively.
In Figure 3(b), the polarization filter 15 is pro-vided on the undersurface of the upper flexible base 1. The polarization filter 17 is provided on the upper surface of the lower flexible base 10. The reflector 16 is provided on the undersurface of the lower flexible base 10.
In Figure 3(c), the polarization filter 15 is pro-vided on the undersurface of the upper flexible base 1. The reflector 16, mounted beneath the polariza-tion filter 17 and the common electrodes 18, is provided on the upper sur-face of the lower flexible base 10.
A display unit other than those shown as examples in Figures 3~a~, 3(b), and 3(c) may be employed in the appa-ratus of the present invention.
The flexibility of the above embodiment of the present invention is high. If, however, the electronic appa-ratus is required to be stiffened, a hard plate such as a stainless plate or an aluminium plate or the like may additionally be adhered to the undersurface of the lower ~lexible base 10.
In the above embodiment, although the contacts, the wiring pattern, and the electrodes are formed by indium (a transparent conductive material), the contacts, the wiring pattern, and the electrodes except those positioned at the display portion may alternatively be formed by an opaque conductive material.
The electrodes and the circui-t pattern are pre-ferably provided at the same time, so that the manufacturing process can be simplifiedO The manufacturing process can be carried out continuously.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure Erom the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifica-tions are intended to be included within the scope of thefollowing claims.
On the other hand, the display electrodes 8, the terminals 7 for wiring the electronic component 12, the key ~L2~
contacts 6, and the key wiring pat-tern 6' are provided in the form of indium on the upper surface of the lower flexible base 10 in the same way as the display segment electrodes 4 on the upper flexible base 1.
The shielding mem~er 11 is provided on -the peri-pheral edge of the upper surface of the lower flexible base 10 and also around the periphery of a liquid crystal pack-aging portion 14', i.e. a sealed display portion or enclo-sure as shown in Figure 2, the off-set portions of the upper flexible base 1 being correspondingly shaped and providing a space between the bases 1 and 10 for accommodating the electrical components.
The solar batteries 9, e.g. amorphous solar cells, are also formed by a grow discharge on indium electrodes.
If the solar batteries are alternatively manufactured sepa-rately from the remainder of the electronic apparatus, they may be attached to the electrodes.
The electronic component 12 is electrically connected with the terminals 7 on the lower flexible base 10 by a hot melt adhesive or by pressure via a conductive rubber.
Although as described above, the shielding member 11 is provided on the upper surface of the lower flexible base 10, the shielding member 11 may alternatively be pro~
vided on the under surface of the upper flexible base 1.
The upper and the lower flexible bases 1 and 10 are integrally connected and laminated via the shielding member 11 provided on the upper or lower flexible base 1 or 10, and after that, a liquid crystal medium 14 is filled into the display portion 14' and the display portion 14' is closed.
Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the electronic calculator of Figure 1 after the liquid crystal material is filled into the display portion 14' and the display por-tion 14' is closed. In Figure 2, reference numeral 13 desig-nates a spacer.
Figures 3~a), 3(b), and 3(c) show sectional views of the display portion 14' of the electronic calculator.
~Z~57~5 ~ike re~erence characters designate like or corresponding parts. In Figures 3(a), 3(b), and 35c), reference numeral 18 designates common display electrodes corresponding to the electrodes 8 of Figure 1 and reference numeral 19 desig-nates display segment electrodes corresponding to the electrodes 4 of Figure 1.
In Figure 3(a), a polarization filter 15 is pro-vided on the upper surEace of the upper flexible base 1, and a polarization filter 17 mounted a reflector 16 is pro-vided on the undersurface of the lower flexible base 10.
The segment electrodes 19 and the common electrodes 18 are provided on the undersurface of the upper flexible base 1 and the upper surface of the lower flexible base 10, res-pectively.
In Figure 3(b), the polarization filter 15 is pro-vided on the undersurface of the upper flexible base 1. The polarization filter 17 is provided on the upper surface of the lower flexible base 10. The reflector 16 is provided on the undersurface of the lower flexible base 10.
In Figure 3(c), the polarization filter 15 is pro-vided on the undersurface of the upper flexible base 1. The reflector 16, mounted beneath the polariza-tion filter 17 and the common electrodes 18, is provided on the upper sur-face of the lower flexible base 10.
A display unit other than those shown as examples in Figures 3~a~, 3(b), and 3(c) may be employed in the appa-ratus of the present invention.
The flexibility of the above embodiment of the present invention is high. If, however, the electronic appa-ratus is required to be stiffened, a hard plate such as a stainless plate or an aluminium plate or the like may additionally be adhered to the undersurface of the lower ~lexible base 10.
In the above embodiment, although the contacts, the wiring pattern, and the electrodes are formed by indium (a transparent conductive material), the contacts, the wiring pattern, and the electrodes except those positioned at the display portion may alternatively be formed by an opaque conductive material.
The electrodes and the circui-t pattern are pre-ferably provided at the same time, so that the manufacturing process can be simplifiedO The manufacturing process can be carried out continuously.
The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure Erom the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifica-tions are intended to be included within the scope of thefollowing claims.
Claims (28)
PROPERTY OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. An electronic data processing apparatus, comprising an external casing formed by first and second flexible layers which are integrally laminated together and which have an electrical circuit pattern located between said first and second layers and provided on one of said layers, and means for inputting data into said apparatus.
2. An electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 1, wherein one of said layers comprises a transparent portion.
3. An electronic data processing apparatus, comprising an external casing formed by first and second flexible laminar members;
said laminar members being integrally laminated by a bond extending around the peripheries of opposed surfaces of said laminar members; and an electrical circuit pattern components contained in a space between said laminar members and formed on one of said laminar members.
said laminar members being integrally laminated by a bond extending around the peripheries of opposed surfaces of said laminar members; and an electrical circuit pattern components contained in a space between said laminar members and formed on one of said laminar members.
4. An electronic data processing apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said electrical circuit pattern includes display electrodes and one of said laminar members comprises a transparent display portion through which said display electrodes are visible from the exterior of said apparatus.
5. An electronic data processing apparatus as claimed in Claim 3 or 4, wherein said electrical circuit pattern includes at least one solar cell and one of said laminar members includes a filter through which solar energy can impinge on said solar cell.
6. An electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, including conductor means formed on said opposed surfaces of said first and second laminar members for connecting said electronic components.
7. An electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said electrical circuit pattern comprises display electrodes, said first and second layers being bonded together around said display electrodes to form a sealed display enclosure containing said display electrodes and one of said first and second laminar members comprising a transparent portion through which said display electrodes are visible from the exterior of said electronic apparatus.
8. An electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 7, wherein said electrical circuit pattern comprises data processing means for controlling said display electrodes, and conductors formed on one of said laminar members for connecting said data processing means to said display electrodes.
9. An electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein said transparent portion is provided with a polarization filter.
10. An electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, 4 or 6, wherein key contacts are provided on said opposed surfaces of said laminar members.
11. An electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein the other of said laminar members is provided with a reflector facing said transparent portion.
12. An electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, 4 or 6, wherein one of said first and second laminar members is formed with an off-set peripheral portion bonded to the other of said laminar members, whereby said space is provided between said laminar members for accommodating electrical components.
13. An electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 7 or 8, wherein one of said first and second laminar members is formed with off-set portions extending around the periphery thereof and around said display electrodes and is bonded to the other of said laminar members along said elongate portions, whereby said display enclosure is formed and additional space is provided between said opposed surfaces of said laminar members for accommodating electrical components.
14. An electronic apparatus as claimed in Claim 3, 4 or 6, wherein a sheet of stiffening material is secured to one of said laminar members.
15. An electronic calculator, having an external casing comprising first and second layers of flexible material integrally laminated together along an off-set portion of one of said layers by a bond extending around the peripheries of said layers, whereby space is provided between said layers, means forming a sealed display enclosure in a part of said space between said layers, display electrodes disposed within said display enclosure, said display enclosure containing a liquid crystal medium; and said first layer including a transparent portion through which said display electrodes are visible from the exterior of said electronic calculator and a keyboard area provided with key symbols at the exterior of said electronic calculator;
key contacts provided on spaced apart areas of opposed surfaces of said layers, said display electrodes forming parts of a calculator circuit accommodated in said space between said layers, said calculator circuit including key contacts and conductors formed on said opposed surfaces of said layers and data processing means accommodated in said space and connected to said display electrodes and said key contacts by said conductors.
key contacts provided on spaced apart areas of opposed surfaces of said layers, said display electrodes forming parts of a calculator circuit accommodated in said space between said layers, said calculator circuit including key contacts and conductors formed on said opposed surfaces of said layers and data processing means accommodated in said space and connected to said display electrodes and said key contacts by said conductors.
16. An electronic calculator as claimed in Claim 15, wherein said display electrodes, said key contacts and said conductors comprises indium.
17. An electronic calculator as claimed in Claim 15, wherein said transparent portion is provided with a polarization filter.
18. An electronic calculator as claimed in Claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein a reflector is provided in said display enclosure opposite said transparent portion.
19. An electronic calculator as claimed in Claim 15, 16 or 17, wherein an additional layer of stiffening material is secured to one of said first and second layers.
20. A method of manufacturing an electronic apparatus which includes the steps of:
providing first and second layers of flexible material;
forming a conductor pattern and an electrode pattern on one of said layers;
providing at least one circuit element on said one layer; and integrally laminating said layers, with said circuit element and said patterns therebetween to form an external casing of said electronic apparatus.
providing first and second layers of flexible material;
forming a conductor pattern and an electrode pattern on one of said layers;
providing at least one circuit element on said one layer; and integrally laminating said layers, with said circuit element and said patterns therebetween to form an external casing of said electronic apparatus.
21. Electronic data processing apparatus having first and second flexible external casing portions laminated together, an electrical circuit wiring pattern located between the casing portions and formed on one of them, and means for inputting data into the apparatus.
22. Electronic apparatus according to Claim 21 in which the first flexible casing portion has a transparent portion.
23. Electronic apparatus according to Claim 22 which has a display means located at the said transparent portion of the first flexible casing means, the display means having first and second display electrodes, the first display electrodes being formed on the first flexible casing portion and the second display electrodes being formed on the second flexible casing means.
24. Electronic apparatus according to Claim 21, 22 ox 23, in which a circuit component is mounted on one of the flexible casing means and is connected to the said wiring pattern.
25. Electronic apparatus according to Claim 21, 22 or 23, in which the said data input means comprises key means.
26. Electronic apparatus according to Claim 21, 22 or 23 having a rigid plate secured to the outer side of one of the said casing means.
27. Electronic apparatus according to Claim 21, 22 or 23, which is an electronic calculator.
28. A method of manufacturing electronic data processing apparatus comprising providing first and second flexible external casing portions, forming an electrical circuit wiring pattern on one of the casing portions, and securing the two casing portions together with the wiring pattern between them.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP58020388A JPS59144968A (en) | 1983-02-08 | 1983-02-08 | Thin type electronic instrument |
| JP58-20388 | 1983-02-08 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1215785A true CA1215785A (en) | 1986-12-23 |
Family
ID=12025634
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000446457A Expired CA1215785A (en) | 1983-02-08 | 1984-01-31 | Thin electronic apparatus laminated with two flexible bases |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPS59144968A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1215785A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3403799A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2135523B (en) |
Families Citing this family (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE3422273A1 (en) * | 1984-06-15 | 1985-12-19 | Fichtel & Sachs Ag, 8720 Schweinfurt | OPTOELECTRONIC UNIT |
| JPS6184788A (en) * | 1984-10-01 | 1986-04-30 | Kyodo Printing Co Ltd | Ic card |
| DE3529341A1 (en) * | 1985-08-16 | 1987-02-19 | Telefunken Electronic Gmbh | Solar cell module |
| FR2614120A1 (en) * | 1987-04-17 | 1988-10-21 | C P Clare Electronique | Electronic keyboard |
| DE8713052U1 (en) * | 1987-09-29 | 1987-12-17 | Kroemker, Ronald, 4904 Enger, De | |
| DE8809536U1 (en) * | 1988-07-26 | 1989-03-02 | Helfrecht, Manfred, 8598 Waldershof, De | |
| DE3905657A1 (en) * | 1989-02-24 | 1990-08-30 | Telefunken Electronic Gmbh | Flexible supporting film |
| EP0418351B1 (en) * | 1989-04-05 | 1995-01-11 | Josef BÖCK | Telephone |
| DE19828978A1 (en) * | 1998-06-29 | 1999-12-30 | Giesecke & Devrient Gmbh | Data medium with user panel containing push-button circuit, e.g. pocket calculator in chip card form with display field and separate foil key board |
| EP1134694A1 (en) * | 2000-03-16 | 2001-09-19 | Infineon Technologies AG | Document with integrated electronic circuit |
Family Cites Families (7)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JPS50105095A (en) * | 1974-01-22 | 1975-08-19 | ||
| DE2540011C3 (en) * | 1974-09-09 | 1979-08-23 | Sharp K.K., Osaka (Japan) | Electronic calculator |
| JPS5355932A (en) * | 1976-10-29 | 1978-05-20 | Sharp Corp | Electronic apparatus |
| DE2946726C2 (en) * | 1979-11-20 | 1982-05-19 | Ruwel-Werke Spezialfabrik für Leiterplatten GmbH, 4170 Geldern | Printed circuit board with rigid and flexible areas and process for their manufacture |
| GB2101411B (en) * | 1981-06-04 | 1985-06-05 | Standard Telephones Cables Ltd | Flexi-rigid printed circuit boards |
| JPS58116272U (en) * | 1982-01-30 | 1983-08-08 | 日本メクトロン株式会社 | flexible circuit board |
| US4558427A (en) * | 1982-03-03 | 1985-12-10 | Casio Computer Co., Ltd. | Sheet-like compact electronic equipment |
-
1983
- 1983-02-08 JP JP58020388A patent/JPS59144968A/en active Pending
-
1984
- 1984-01-31 CA CA000446457A patent/CA1215785A/en not_active Expired
- 1984-02-03 DE DE19843403799 patent/DE3403799A1/en active Granted
- 1984-02-07 GB GB08403143A patent/GB2135523B/en not_active Expired
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| DE3403799A1 (en) | 1984-08-16 |
| GB2135523A (en) | 1984-08-30 |
| GB2135523B (en) | 1987-04-23 |
| GB8403143D0 (en) | 1984-03-14 |
| JPS59144968A (en) | 1984-08-20 |
| DE3403799C2 (en) | 1990-03-01 |
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| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| MKEX | Expiry |