JP2001085810A - Flexible printed board - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flexible printed board, for while the contact pattern of a contact section can be inspected easily for misalignment and defectless/ defective products can be discriminated rationally. SOLUTION: A flexible printed board has a bridge conductor pattern 210 for inspection, which is extended in parallel with an edge 111 of the printed board in a state of contacting with the edge 111 and formed on an insulating film 101, so that the width of the pattern 210 becomes substantially equal to the allowable deviation of the forming position of the extended center line of a contact pattern 112 and first and second electrode pads 112 and 222, which are respectively connected to both ends of the pattern 210 in the extending direction of the pattern 210 and formed on the insulting film 101, so that the pads 112 and 222 are expanded at positions which are farther from the edge 111 of the printed board than the conductor pattern 210, and with which a probe for continuity inspection can be brought into contact.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flexible printed circuit board having a contact portion which can be directly inserted into a female connector provided in an electronic unit and for electrically connecting two electronic units. The present invention relates to a flexible printed circuit board capable of easily inspecting a displacement of a contact pattern of a portion.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art This type of flexible printed circuit board is
In electronic equipment and mechatronics equipment that are required to be small and light, between a fixed unit that is at least relatively fixed and a movable unit that is movable at least relative to the fixed unit, or from a fixed unit and a fixed unit It is widely used for wiring between removable units.

For example, this type of flexible printed circuit board is used between a main electronic circuit board and a head unit in a storage device such as a CD-R / W drive, and is used in a notebook personal computer. It is used between the main circuit board and the liquid crystal panel and between the power supply circuit board and the battery pack. Further, in a printer or a scanner, it is used between a main circuit board and an ink head unit or an image sensor unit. Furthermore, relatively small robots and robot toys are used for their joints.

FIG. 2 shows an example of a conventional flexible printed circuit board. Referring to FIG. 2, flexible printed board 600 is formed by etching a copper foil formed on a flexible insulating film 601 to form a conductor pattern 602. The flexible printed circuit board 600 has a contact portion 6 that can be inserted into the receiving hole of the insulator 701 of the female connector 700 provided in the first electronic unit 800 among the first and second electronic units 800 and 900.
It has ten. Note that a transparent insulating cover film is usually formed on the surface of the insulating film 601 by printing or the like so as to cover the conductor pattern 602. However, the cover film is not formed in the region of the contact portion 610 and the end region (not shown) on the left side in the drawing for the purpose of securing electrical connection.

The contact portion 610 is connected to the insulator 7
01, and extends in the insertion direction (up-down direction in the figure) when inserted into the receiving hole, and fits into the hole side surfaces 701a and 701b of the receiving hole when inserted into the receiving hole, so that the female portion of the contact portion 610 is formed. An edge 611 of the insulating film 601 serving as a positioning reference line for the connector 700;
11 and a plurality of contact patterns 612 extending in parallel (in the vertical direction in the figure) with a distance and capable of contacting the plurality of contacts 702 of the female connector 700. Note that a plate having an insulating property or an electromagnetic shielding property is provided on the back surface of the area of the contact portion 610 where the contact pattern 612 is not formed, for the purpose of securely fitting the insulator 701 into the receiving hole. It may be pasted. In addition, a conductor pattern including a contact pattern is also printed on the back side surface, and may be configured as a so-called double-sided board.

Then, the flexible printed circuit board 600
Connects the contact pattern 612 and the contact 702 by inserting the contact portion 610 into the receiving hole of the insulator 701 while soldering the left end of the conductor pattern 602 in the drawing to the contact of the second electronic unit 900. By doing so, the first and second electronic units 800 and 900 are electrically connected.

Each of the plurality of contact patterns 612 has a center line extending from an edge 611 as a reference SA0, SB0.
Are located at predetermined positions SA1 to SA3 and SB1 to SB3, and adjacent contact patterns are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

As a result, the plurality of contact patterns 6
12 respectively, when the contact portion 610 is inserted into the receiving hole of the insulator 701, the hole side surface 70
A corresponding one of the plurality of contacts 702 embedded in the insulator 701 is correctly contacted so as to be at a predetermined position with reference to 1a and 701b.

In this embodiment, the hole side surfaces 701a, 701b
Are the references for the plurality of contacts 702, and the two end sides 611 of the contact portion 610 are the references SA0 and SB0 of the plurality of contact patterns 612, respectively.
a or 701b and one of the two end sides 611 in some cases.

[0010] As a specific example of dimensions, the contact pattern 612 has SA1 and SB1 of 0.80 m each.
m, the mutual pitch is 0.75 mm, the width is 0.50 mm,
The distance between each other is 0.30 mm. Contact 70
The pitch of each other is also 0.75 mm.

[0011]

By the way, the flexible printed circuit board including the example shown in FIG.
After a plurality of conductor patterns are collectively formed on a large-sized insulating film material corresponding to a plurality of substrates, a predetermined outer shape (outline) is formed by punching using a mold, and the individual substrates are mass-produced.

For this reason, although the printing position of the pattern is relatively accurate, it is actually difficult to obtain a desired position of the edge 611 due to the accuracy of the punching process. That is, regarding the plurality of contact patterns 612,
Although the pitch between the contact patterns is relatively accurate, the positions of the reference SA0 and SB0 themselves are inaccurate,
Therefore, the positions SA1 to SA3 and SB1 to SB3 of the extension center lines of the plurality of contact patterns 612 may be incorrect. Such a flexible printed circuit board is a defective product.

When the contact portion 610 of the defective flexible printed circuit board is inserted into the receiving hole of the insulator 701, the plurality of contact patterns 612 do not contact the corresponding ones of the plurality of contacts 702 correctly. It goes without saying that they do not.

As a countermeasure for this, conventionally, a contact pattern 612 adjacent to an end side 611 is provided with a redundant portion 6 having a specific shape.
12a and 612b are provided, and the inspector visually observes the interval between these redundant portions 612a and 612b and each end side 611, and judges a non-defective / defective product based on the presence / absence of this interval. .

In such a visual inspection, it is difficult for even a skilled inspector to quickly and continuously obtain a precise inspection result. Therefore, it is not suitable for rational mass production of good products. In addition, with a large amount of visual inspection,
The inspector may be tired and harm health.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a flexible printed circuit board which can easily inspect the displacement of a contact pattern of a contact portion and can reasonably judge good / defective products.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a flexible printed circuit board which can easily inspect the positional deviation of a contact pattern of a contact portion and can reasonably judge good / defective products.

[0018]

According to the present invention, a conductive pattern (10) is formed on a flexible insulating film (101).
2), at least one contact portion insertable into a receiving hole of a female connector (700) provided in at least one of the first and second electronic units (800) and (900). A flexible printed circuit board for electrically connecting the first and second electronic units (800) and (900), wherein the contact portion (110) is provided in the receiving hole. It extends in the insertion direction when inserted, and fits into the hole side surfaces (701a, 701b) of the receiving hole when inserted into the receiving hole, thereby positioning the contact portion with respect to the female connector (700). An edge (111) of the insulating film (101) serving as a reference line;
A contact pattern (112) extending parallel to and spaced apart from the contact pattern of the female connector (700);
12) In the flexible printed circuit board whose extension center line is at a predetermined position with respect to the edge (111), it extends in contact with and parallel to the edge (111), and A bridge conductor pattern for inspection (210) formed on the insulating film (101) so as to have substantially the same width dimension as the allowable formation position displacement dimension of the extending center line of (112); The bridge conductor pattern (210) is connected to one end and the other end in the extending direction of the bridge conductor pattern (210).
First and second electrode pads (112) formed on the insulating film (101) so as to spread at a position far from 1) and capable of contacting a continuity test probe.
And 222) are obtained.

According to the present invention, a conductive pattern (102) is formed on a flexible insulating film (101), and the number of the first and second electronic units (800) and (900) is reduced. And at least one contact portion (110) that can be inserted into the receiving hole of the female connector (700) provided on one of the two, and electrically connects between the first and second electronic units (800) and (900). The contact portion (110) extends in the insertion direction when inserted into the receiving hole, and the contact portion (110) when inserted into the receiving hole. An edge (111) of an insulating film (101) that fits into the hole side surfaces (701a, 701b) and serves as a reference line for positioning the contact portion with respect to the female connector (700); A contact pattern (112) extending parallel to the end side (111) at a distance and capable of contacting the contacts of the female connector (700); In the flexible printed circuit board inspection method for inspecting a displacement of the formation of the contact pattern (112) with respect to a flexible printed circuit board whose center line is to be located at a predetermined position with respect to the edge (111), An inspection bridge conductor pattern (210) extending in contact with and parallel to (111) and having substantially the same width dimension as the allowable formation position deviation dimension of the extending center line of the contact pattern (112). And one end and the other end in the extending direction of the inspection bridge conductor pattern (210), respectively. First and second electrode pads spread at a position remote from said end edge (111) than the test bridge conductor pattern (210) (1
12 and 222) on the insulating film (101) in advance, and the first and second
The continuity test probe is brought into contact with the first and second electrode pads (112 and 222).
12 and 222), wherein an inspection step is performed to determine whether the positional deviation of the formation of the contact pattern (112) is within or outside the allowable range by detecting conduction / non-conduction between the flexible printed circuit board and the flexible printed circuit board. Is obtained.

Note that the reference numerals in parentheses are merely examples given for easy understanding, and the present invention is not limited to these.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a flexible printed circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a flexible printed circuit board 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is formed by etching a copper foil formed on an insulating film 101 in the same manner as in the conventional example shown in FIG. The contact portion 110 is formed by forming the pattern 102 and can be inserted into the receiving hole of the insulator 701 of the female connector 700 provided in the first electronic unit 800.

The contact portion 110 extends in the insertion direction (vertical direction in the figure) when inserted into the receiving hole of the insulator 701 as in the conventional example, and extends into the receiving hole when inserted into the receiving hole. The edge 1 of the insulating film 101 which fits the side surfaces 701a and 701b and serves as a reference line for positioning the contact portion 110 with respect to the female connector 700.
And a plurality of contact patterns 11 extending in parallel (in the vertical direction in the figure) with a distance from the end side 111 and capable of contacting the plurality of contacts 702 of the female connector 700.
2 is provided. Then, the flexible printed circuit board 100 is configured such that the left end of the conductive pattern 102 in the drawing is the second end.
The first and second electronic units 80 are soldered to the contacts of the electronic units 900 by inserting the contact portions 110 into the receiving holes of the insulator 701 and connecting the contact patterns 112 and the contacts 702.
0 and 900 are electrically connected.

As in the conventional example, each of the plurality of contact patterns 112 has a center line extending at predetermined positions SA1 to SA3, SB with the side 111 as the reference SA0, SB0.
1 to SB3, and adjacent contact patterns are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Accordingly, when the contact portion 110 is inserted into the receiving hole of the insulator 701, each of the plurality of contact patterns 112
A plurality of contacts 702 embedded in the insulator 701 so as to be in a predetermined position with reference to the hole side surfaces 701a and 701b in advance are properly contacted.

In this embodiment, as in the prior art, the hole side surface 70
1a and 701b each have a plurality of contacts 70
2 and the contact portion 11
0 are the reference SA0 and SB0 of the plurality of contact patterns 112, respectively, but one side surface 701a or 701b of one hole and the two side edges 111
In some cases. As a specific example of dimensions, the contact pattern 112 has SA1 and SB1 of 0.80 mm each, a mutual pitch of 0.75 mm,
The width is 0.50 mm and the distance between each other is 0.30 mm. The mutual pitch of the contacts 702 is also 0.75 mm.

In the present embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board 100 has a bridge conductor pattern 210 for inspection, a first electrode pad, and a second electrode 222.

The inspection bridge conductor pattern 210 extends in parallel with and in contact with the end side 111 and has a width W substantially equal to the allowable displacement of the extending center line of the contact pattern 112. As the insulating film 101
Is formed on. The allowable formation position deviation dimension of the center line of the extension of the contact pattern 112 is, for example, 0.
15 mm.

First electrode pad and second electrode 222
Are connected to one end and the other end in the extending direction of the inspection bridge conductor pattern 210, respectively, and spread on the insulating film 101 so as to spread at a position farther from the edge 111 than the inspection bridge conductor pattern 210. It is formed, and a continuity inspection probe (not shown) can be brought into contact therewith.

The first electrode pad is also used as one of the contact patterns 112. However, the first electrode pad is not used as one of the contact patterns,
Like the second electrode pad, it may be formed exclusively. However, the combined use can effectively use the limited space on the surface of the insulating film.

When one of the contact patterns is also used as the first electrode pad, the second electrode pad may be formed near the tip (lower side in the figure) of the contact portion 110. That is, the second electrode pad is also arranged in parallel with the plurality of contact patterns. By doing so, as a continuity inspection probe, a connector-type probe device having substantially the same shape as that of the female connector 700 is used, and the same inspection operation as inserting the flexible printed circuit board 100 into the connector 700 is performed. Can be implemented.

When one of the contact patterns 112 is also used as the first electrode pad, it is preferable that the contact pattern be a ground pattern. By doing so, when the flexible printed circuit board is used, the inspection bridge conductor pattern and the second electrode pad also work as a part of the ground pattern. That is, a large area ground pattern can be secured in a limited space on the insulating film surface, which is reasonable.

In this embodiment, two sets each including the edge 111, the inspection bridge conductor pattern 210, the contact pattern 112 as the first electrode pad, and the second electrode pad 222 are provided.

In the flexible printed circuit board 100, the center line of the contact pattern 112 should be located at a predetermined position with respect to the side 111.

Hereinafter, the flexible printed circuit board 10 for inspecting the formation position shift of the contact pattern 112 will be described.
An inspection method of 0 will be described.

First, a preliminary step is performed. This step is also one of the manufacturing steps of the flexible printed circuit board 100. In the pre-process, a width dimension W extending parallel to and in contact with the end side 111 and substantially the same as the allowable formation position deviation dimension (for example, 0.15 mm) of the extension center line of the contact pattern 112 is set. The inspection bridge conductor pattern 210 is connected to one end and the other end of the inspection bridge conductor pattern 210 in the direction in which the inspection bridge conductor pattern 210 extends.
Contact pattern 112 as a first electrode pad and second electrode pad 22 extending at a position far from 11
2 is formed on the insulating film 101 in advance. In this preliminary step, two sets each including the edge 111, the inspection bridge conductor pattern 210, the contact pattern 112 as the first electrode pad, and the second electrode pad 222 are formed.

More specifically, as in the conventional example, the flexible printed circuit board 100 is formed by forming a plurality of conductive patterns on a large-sized insulating film material corresponding to the plurality of substrates at once, and then using a mold. It is made into a predetermined outer shape (outline) by punching and mass-produced as individual substrates. In this example, the contact pattern 112, the inspection bridge conductor pattern 210, and the second electrode pad 222 are all formed as the conductor pattern 102 on the insulating film 101 in the same step.

In this manufacturing process, the punched position of the edge 111 may be incorrect. In particular, if the punching position of the edge 111 is shifted more than the allowable forming position shift dimension 0.15 mm of the extending center line of the contact pattern 112, the flexible printed circuit board 100 is defective. In such a defective flexible printed circuit board 100, at least the right or left inspection bridge conductor pattern 210 in the drawing does not exist depending on the direction of the positional shift. If not present, contact pattern 11 as first electrode pad
There is no continuity between the second electrode pad 222 and the second electrode pad 222. Conversely, if there is no conduction, the positional deviation exceeds the allowable dimension, and the flexible printed circuit board 100 is defective.

Next, in the inspection step, a continuity inspection probe (not shown) is brought into contact with the contact pattern 112 as the first electrode pad and the second electrode pad 222, and the contact pattern 112 as the first electrode pad and Conduction / non-conduction between the second electrode pad 222 is detected. Then, if the conduction / non-conduction is performed, it is determined that the formation position deviation of the contact pattern 112 is within the allowable range or out of the allowable range. In the inspection process, by detecting and judging two sets, it is possible to inspect the positional deviation in either of the left and right directions in the drawing. Further, it is possible to know the tendency regarding the direction of the positional deviation, which is useful for verifying a defect in the punching process or a processing error.

[0039]

The flexible printed circuit board according to the present invention extends in contact with and parallel to the edge and has substantially the same width as the allowable formation positional deviation of the extending center line of the contact pattern. The inspection bridge conductor pattern formed on the insulating film, and connected to one end and the other end in the extending direction of the inspection bridge conductor pattern, respectively, and at a position farther from the edge than the inspection bridge conductor pattern And the first and second electrode pads formed on the insulating film so as to be spread by the contact portion and with which the continuity inspection probe can be brought into contact. Inspection can be performed, and good / defective products can be reasonably judged. Further, it can be designed and manufactured in the same size as a conventional flexible printed circuit board.

Further, in the method for inspecting a flexible printed circuit board according to the present invention, the flexible printed circuit board extends in parallel with the edge.
And an inspection bridge conductor pattern having substantially the same width dimension as the allowable forming position deviation dimension of the extending center line of the contact pattern, and being connected to one end and the other end in the extending direction of the inspection bridge conductor pattern, respectively. A pre-process of forming in advance on the insulating film first and second electrode pads, each of which extends at a position farther from the end than the inspection bridge conductor pattern, and a first and second electrode pad An electrical contact inspection probe to detect electrical continuity / non-conduction between the first and second electrode pads, thereby determining whether the positional deviation of the contact pattern is within or outside the allowable range. Therefore, the displacement of the contact pattern of the contact portion can be easily inspected, and a good / defective product can be reasonably determined. Further, it can be manufactured in exactly the same manufacturing process as a conventional flexible printed circuit board.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a main part of a flexible printed circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a main part of a conventional flexible printed circuit board.

[Explanation of symbols]

100, 600 Flexible printed circuit board 101, 601 Insulating film 102, 602 Conductor pattern 110, 610 Contact part 111, 611 Edge 112, 612 Contact pattern (also as:
(First electrode pad) 210 bridge conductor pattern for inspection 222 second electrode pad 612a, 612b redundant portion 700 female connector 701 insulator 701a, 701b side surface of hole 702 contact 800 first electronic unit 900 second electronic unit

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Hironori Ujiie 2-5-26-Nishi 24-Kita-Kita, Obihiro-shi, Hokkaido Maruwa Works Obihiro Second Plant (72) Inventor Ryoichi Murayama 1-chome Tanigawa, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture 5F at Yamagata Mitsumi Co., Ltd. at 1059 (reference) 5E317 AA06 AA09 BB03 BB11 CD29 GG16 5E338 AA12 AA16 CC01 CD13 CD33 EE31

Claims (9)

[Claims] A conductive pattern is formed on a flexible insulating film, and at least one insertable into a receiving hole of a female connector provided in at least one of the first and second electronic units. A flexible printed circuit board having one contact portion for electrically connecting between a first electronic unit and a second electronic unit, wherein the contact portion extends in an insertion direction when inserted into the receiving hole. There is an edge of the insulating film that acts as a reference line for positioning the contact portion with respect to the female connector by fitting into the hole side surface of the receiving hole when inserted into the receiving hole, and A contact pattern extending in parallel at a distance and capable of contacting the contact of the female connector, wherein the contact pattern has a center line extending with respect to the edge. In the flexible printed circuit board at the position, the contact pattern extends in parallel with the end side, and has substantially the same width dimension as the allowable forming position displacement dimension of the extending center line of the contact pattern. A bridge conductor pattern for inspection formed on the insulating film, connected to one end and the other end in the extending direction of the bridge conductor pattern for inspection, and each of the edge sides of the bridge conductor pattern for inspection. A flexible printed circuit board having first and second electrode pads formed on the insulating film so as to spread at a position far from the first electrode and capable of contacting a continuity test probe. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first electrode pad is also used as one of the plurality of contact patterns.
A flexible printed circuit board according to claim 1. 3. The flexible printed circuit board according to claim 2, wherein the second electrode pad is formed on the insulating film so as to be in parallel with the contact pattern. 4. The flexible printed circuit board according to claim 2, wherein the contact pattern that is also used as the first electrode pad is a ground pattern. 5. The flexible printed circuit board according to claim 1, further comprising two sets each including the edge, the inspection bridge conductor pattern, and the first and second electrode pads. 6. The contact pattern, the inspection bridge conductor pattern, and the first and second bridge patterns.
6. The flexible printed circuit board according to claim 1, wherein all of the electrode pads are formed on the insulating film in the same step as the conductor pattern. 7. The flexible printed circuit board according to claim 1, wherein said contact portion includes a plurality of said contact patterns. 8. A conductive pattern formed on a flexible insulating film, at least one of which can be inserted into a receiving hole of a female connector provided in at least one of the first and second electronic units. A flexible printed circuit board having one contact portion for electrically connecting between a first electronic unit and a second electronic unit, wherein the contact portion extends in an insertion direction when inserted into the receiving hole. There is an edge of the insulating film that acts as a reference line for positioning the contact portion with respect to the female connector by fitting into the hole side surface of the receiving hole when inserted into the receiving hole, and A contact pattern extending in parallel at a distance and capable of contacting the contact of the female connector, wherein the contact pattern has a center line extending with respect to the edge. In a flexible printed circuit board inspection method for inspecting a position shift of the contact pattern for a flexible printed circuit board that should be located at a position, the contact pattern extends in parallel with the edge, and An inspection bridge conductor pattern having substantially the same width dimension as the allowable formation position displacement dimension of the extension center line, and connected to one end and the other end in the extending direction of the inspection bridge conductor pattern, respectively; A pre-process in which first and second electrode pads extending farther from the edge than the inspection bridge conductor pattern are formed on the insulating film in advance; and the first and second electrodes are formed. A continuity inspection probe is brought into contact with the pad to detect continuity / non-conduction between the first and second electrode pads. Inspection method of a flexible printed circuit board and having an inspection step of determining allowable in / unacceptable formation positional deviation of the contact pattern Te. 9. In the preliminary step, two sets each including the edge, the inspection bridge conductor pattern, and the first and second electrode pads are formed. In the inspection step, two sets are formed. The inspection method for a flexible printed circuit board according to claim 8, wherein the detection and the determination are performed.