JP2016085952A - Flat cable, image forming apparatus equipped with the same, and method of bending flat cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a flat cable which is bent so as to bend in the extending direction and can suppress mixing of high frequency noise from one signal line to other signal lines of the flat cable.SOLUTION: A flat cable has a first bending line which extends from one long side to the other long side and a pair of second bending lines which extend from the intersection between one long side and the first bending line to the other long side and extend radially across the first bending line in an expanded state, and is bent along the first bending line and the pair of second bending lines, so as to allow the bending shape of the first bending line to be one shape of mountain shape and valley shape, and each bending shape of the pair of second bending lines to be the other shape of mountain shape and valley shape.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a flat cable that is bent so that its extending direction is bent, an image forming apparatus including the flat cable, and a flat cable bending method.

  In an electronic apparatus such as an image forming apparatus, there is a case where connection between electrical members is performed using a flexible flat cable (hereinafter simply referred to as a flat cable) having excellent flexibility.

  Here, the flat cable can be bent and used. For this reason, even if the connectors of one electrical component and the other electrical component (connectors for connecting the flat cable) are not arranged on the same line, the flat cable is bent, thereby bending the extension direction of the flat cable. By doing so, the said electrical equipment member can be connected via a flat cable (for example, refer FIG. 8 of patent document 1).

  For example, as shown in FIG. 9, if the flat cable 1000 is bent along a fold line (thick line in FIG. 9) inclined by about 45 ° with respect to the long side of the flat cable 1000, the extending direction of the flat cable 1000 is changed. It can be bent at a substantially right angle.

JP 2006-236812 A

  As shown in FIG. 9, the flat cable 1000 is provided with a plurality of signal lines 1001 extending along the longitudinal direction of the flat cable 1000. Further, the plurality of signal lines 1001 are arranged at intervals in the short direction of the flat cable 1000.

  For this reason, when the flat cable 1000 is bent by the bending method shown in FIG. 9, each signal line 1001 of the flat cable 1000 is connected to another signal line 1001 other than itself in the overlapping portion of the flat cable 1000 that is overlapped by bending. It overlaps (intersects) everything. Therefore, for example, when a high-frequency signal is transmitted through the predetermined signal line 1001, there is a problem that high-frequency noise generated by the transmission of the high-frequency signal is likely to be mixed in the signals of all the signal lines 1001. Thus, noise countermeasures such as installing a ferrite core in the flat cable 1000 must be taken.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and in a flat cable bent so that the extending direction is bent, high-frequency noise from other signal lines is mixed in each signal line of the flat cable. An object of the present invention is to provide a flat cable that can be suppressed, an image forming apparatus including the flat cable, and a method of bending the flat cable.

  To achieve the above object, a flat cable according to a first aspect of the present invention is a flat cable that includes a plurality of signal lines and is bent so that the extending direction is bent, and the flat cable is deployed. The first fold line extending from the one long side of the flat cable toward the other long side opposite to the one long side, and the other long side from the intersection of the one long side and the first fold line And a pair of second fold lines extending radially across the first fold line. The bending shape of the first fold line is one of a mountain shape and a valley shape, and each bending shape of the pair of second fold lines is the other shape opposite to the one shape of the mountain shape and the valley shape. Thus, it is bent along the first fold line and the pair of second fold lines.

  An image forming apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the flat cable and an electrical member to which the flat cable is connected.

  A flat cable bending method according to a third aspect of the present invention includes a step of preparing a flat cable including a plurality of signal lines, and the other side length of the flat cable from the one side long side opposite to the one side long side. The bent shape of the first fold line extending toward the side is one of a mountain shape and a valley shape, extends from the intersection of the one side long side and the first fold line toward the other side long side, and the first The first fold line and the pair of second fold lines so that the bent shape of the pair of second fold lines extending radially across the fold line is the other shape opposite to the one of the mountain shape and the valley shape. And a step of bending the flat cable along the line.

  In the present invention, as described above, the first fold line and the pair of second fold lines become a mountain shape (or valley shape) and the pair of second fold lines become a valley shape (or mountain shape). By bending the flat cable along the two bend lines, it is possible to bend the extending direction of the flat cable without overlapping (intersecting) each signal line of the flat cable with other signal lines. For this reason, even if high-frequency noise occurs in a predetermined signal line (signal line for transmitting a high-frequency signal) of a flat cable, the predetermined signal line does not overlap with other signal lines. It is possible to suppress the high-frequency noise from being mixed in.

  As described above, in the present invention, in a flat cable that is bent so that the extending direction is bent, it is possible to prevent high-frequency noise from other signal lines from being mixed into each signal line of the flat cable.

The top view of the flat cable used by one Embodiment of this invention The perspective view of the flat cable by one Embodiment of this invention The top view of the flat cable by one Embodiment of this invention Figure when the flat cable shown in Fig. 3 is viewed from the back side The figure of the state which developed the flat cable by one embodiment of the present invention (figure showing the 1st fold line and a pair of 2nd fold lines) The figure at the time of drawing a mark line to the flat cable by one Embodiment of this invention 1 is a schematic view of an image forming apparatus using a flat cable according to an embodiment of the present invention. The figure when the image reading part of the image forming apparatus shown in FIG. 7 is viewed from above (the figure showing the installation position of the flat cable in the image forming apparatus) Diagram for explaining a conventional flat cable bending method

  First, with reference to FIGS. 1-6, the structure (shape) of the flat cable 1 by this embodiment is demonstrated.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the flat cable 1 used in this embodiment has a structure in which a plurality (several to several tens) of signal lines 3 are covered with a base 2 made of a resin film or the like. The base 2 is formed to have a substantially rectangular shape in plan view. The plurality of signal lines 3 extend along the longitudinal direction of the flat cable 1 (base 2), and are arranged at a predetermined interval in the lateral direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A plurality of terminals 4 connected to the signal line 3 are provided at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the base 2.

  In addition, the flat cable 1 is excellent in flexibility, and can be bent and used. Such a flat cable 1 is referred to as a flexible flat cable (FFC).

  Here, in this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the extending direction of the flat cable 1 is bent. Specifically, the flat cable 1 is bent along a first fold line 5 and a pair of second fold lines 6.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in a state where the flat cable 1 is unfolded (a state where the folded flat cable 1 is unfolded), the first fold line 5 extends from the one long side LS1 of the flat cable 1 to the one long side LS1. Extends toward the other long side LS2 on the opposite side. The pair of second fold lines 6 extends from the intersection of the first fold line 5 and the one long side LS1 toward the other long side LS2, and extends radially across the first fold line 5. In FIG. 5, the first fold line 5 is indicated by a one-dot chain line, and the pair of second fold lines 6 is indicated by a two-dot chain line.

  For example, in a state where the flat cable 1 is deployed, the first fold line 5 extends so as to be substantially perpendicular to the one side long side LS1 (the other side long side LS2). The pair of second fold lines 6 extend so that an inclination angle θ1 with respect to the first fold line 5 is about 45 °. As shown in FIG. 6, a mark line ML1 indicating the first fold line 5 and a mark line ML2 indicating the pair of second fold lines 6 are provided so that it is clear where the flat cable 1 should be bent. May be drawn in advance on the surface of the flat cable 1.

  The flat cable 1 is bent along the first fold line 5 so that the bent shape of the first fold line 5 is one of a mountain shape and a valley shape. Further, the flat cable 1 is bent along the pair of fold lines 6 so that each bent shape of the pair of second fold lines 6 is the other of the mountain shape and the valley shape opposite to the one shape. It has been. Thereby, the flat cable 1 will be in the state bent so that the extending | stretching direction might be bent (refer FIGS. 2-4).

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the flat cable 1 bent along the first fold line 5 and the pair of second fold lines 6 is provided with a protruding portion that protrudes from the surface of the flat cable 1. . The protruding portion is composed of a first portion 1a and a second portion 1b which are a part of the flat cable 1. In addition, the 1st part 1a is a part divided by one 2nd fold line 6 and the 1st fold line 5 among a pair of 2nd fold lines 6, and the 2nd part 1b is a pair of 2nd fold lines. It is a part divided by the other 2nd bending line 6 and the 1st bending line 5 among the lines 6 (refer FIG. 5).

  The first portion 1a and the second portion 1b are disposed to face each other. A space S is provided between the first portion 1a and the second portion 1b. For example, in order to provide the space S between the first part 1a and the second part 1b, the first part 1a and the second part 1b are bent so as to protrude in a direction away from each other. Alternatively, although not shown, a spacer may be disposed between the first portion 1a and the second portion 1b.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the pair of bent portions 1 c and 1 d that are portions of the flat cable 1 that are bent along the pair of second bend lines 6 are fixed to each other. For example, the pair of bent portions 1c and 1d are fixed to each other via an adhesive member 7 (see FIG. 4) such as a double-sided tape or an adhesive. The pair of bent portions 1c and 1d may be held in a state where a gap is generated between the pair of bent portions 1c and 1d without being fixed to each other.

  By the way, the bending angle θ2 (see FIG. 3) in the extending direction of the flat cable 1 increases as the inclination angles θ1 (see FIG. 5) of the pair of second bending lines 6 with respect to the first bending line 5 decrease (increase). Smaller). Therefore, by adjusting each inclination angle θ of the pair of second bending lines 6 with respect to the first bending line 5, the bending angle θ2 in the extending direction of the flat cable 1 can be set to a desired angle. For example, when each inclination angle θ1 of the pair of second bending lines 6 with respect to the first bending line 5 is about 45 °, the bending angle θ2 in the extending direction of the flat cable 1 is about 90 ° (flat cable 1 The direction of stretching is bent at a substantially right angle).

  Next, with reference to FIGS. 1-6, the bending method of the flat cable 1 by this embodiment is demonstrated.

  First, the flat cable 1 (refer FIG. 1) which is not bent is prepared. At this time, the mark lines ML1 and ML2 (see FIG. 6) may be drawn on the surface of the flat cable 1. Or you may prepare the flat cable 1 by which the mark lines ML1 and ML2 were drawn beforehand.

  When the mark lines ML1 and ML2 are not drawn on the flat cable 1, the first fold line 5 and the pair of second fold lines 6 (see FIG. 5) are virtually defined, and the flat cable 1 is Bend it. On the other hand, when the mark lines ML1 and ML2 are drawn on the flat cable 1, the flat cable 1 is bent along the mark lines ML1 and ML2.

  At this time, the bending shape of the first folding line 5 is one of a mountain shape and a valley shape, and each bending shape of the pair of second folding lines 6 is the other of the mountain shape and the valley shape opposite to the one shape. The flat cable 1 is bent along the first fold line 5 and the pair of second fold lines 6 so as to have a shape.

  Note that the bending order of the flat cable 1 is not particularly limited. That is, the flat cable 1 may be bent first along the first fold line 5, or the flat cable 1 may be bent first along the pair of second fold lines 6. In addition, the flat cable 1 is folded along one of the pair of second folding lines 6 and then the flat cable 1 is folded along the first folding line 5, and then the pair of second folding lines 6. The flat cable 1 may be bent along the other second bending line 6 of the lines 6.

  Thereafter, the pair of bent portions 1c and 1d are fixed to each other using the adhesive member 7 (see FIG. 4). At this time, a space S can be provided between the first portion 1a and the second portion 1b by bending the first portion 1a and the second portion 1b so as to protrude in a direction away from each other.

  Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 2-4, the flat cable 1 in which the extending | stretching direction was bent is obtained.

  Next, the configuration of the image forming apparatus 100 including the flat cable 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

  As illustrated in FIG. 7, the image forming apparatus 100 includes an image reading unit 101 and a printing unit 102.

  The image reading unit 101 reads a document and generates image data of the document. The image reading unit 101 includes a lamp 11, a mirror 12, a lens 13, and an image sensor 14. These members are accommodated in the frame of the image reading unit 101. Then, the image reading unit 101 irradiates the original placed on the contact glass 15 with the lamp 11 and A / D converts the output value of the image sensor 14 that receives the reflected light from the original, thereby obtaining the original of the original. Generate image data.

  The lamp 11, the mirror 12, and the lens 13 are unitized and housed in the frame of the image reading unit 101 as a moving unit 16 that can move in the sub-scanning direction orthogonal to the main scanning direction. The moving unit 16 moves in the sub-scanning direction (the direction from the left to the right when viewed from the front) when reading the document placed on the contact glass 15. The lamp 11 of the moving unit 16 irradiates the document placed on the contact glass 15 while moving in the sub-scanning direction.

  The printing unit 102 includes a paper feeding unit 103, a paper transport unit 104, an image forming unit 105, and a fixing unit 106. The paper feed unit 103 supplies the paper stored in the paper cassette PC to the paper transport path PP. The paper transport unit 104 transports paper along the paper transport path PP. The image forming unit 105 forms a toner image based on the image data, and transfers the toner image to a sheet. The fixing unit 106 heats and pressurizes the toner image transferred onto the paper and fixes the toner image.

  In the image forming apparatus 100, the flat cable 1 is disposed in the frame of the image reading unit 101 as shown in FIG. One end of the flat cable 1 is connected to the moving unit 16, and the other end of the flat cable 1 is connected to a control board 107 provided in the image forming apparatus 100. For example, the predetermined signal line 3 among the plurality of signal lines 3 of the flat cable 1 transmits a high-frequency signal. In this configuration, the moving unit 16 and the control board 107 correspond to “electrical members”.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the first fold line 5 has a mountain shape (or valley shape), and the pair of second fold lines 6 has a valley shape (or mountain shape). In addition, by bending the flat cable 1 along the pair of second folding lines 6, each signal line 3 of the flat cable 1 is not overlapped with another signal line 3 (without crossing), and the extending direction of the flat cable 1 Can be bent. For this reason, even if high-frequency noise occurs in the predetermined signal line 3 (signal line 3 for transmitting a high-frequency signal) of the flat cable 1, the predetermined signal line 3 does not overlap with the other signal lines 3. It is possible to suppress high-frequency noise from being mixed in the signal of the signal line 3.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the space S is provided between the first portion 1a and the second portion 1b. Here, when the space S is not provided between the first portion 1a and the second portion 1b (when the first portion 1a and the second portion 1b are in close contact), the first of the predetermined signal lines 3 is the first. Since the signal line portion located in the portion 1a and the signal line portion located in the second portion 1b are close to each other, the predetermined signal line 3 is affected by high-frequency noise from itself. Therefore, a space S is provided between the first portion 1a and the second portion 1b, and a signal line portion located in the first portion 1a and a signal line portion located in the second portion 1b among the predetermined signal lines 3. The predetermined signal line 3 is restrained from being affected by high frequency noise from itself.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, the pair of bent portions 1c and 1d are fixed to each other so that the bending angle in the extending direction of the flat cable 1 can be held so as not to change.

  Further, in the present embodiment, as described above, when the flat cable 1 is bent by drawing the mark lines ML1 and ML2 indicating the first fold line 5 and the pair of second fold lines 6 to the flat cable 1, respectively. Since it can be understood where the flat cable 1 should be bent, the bending operation of the flat cable 1 becomes easy.

  It should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the description of the above-described embodiment but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes meanings equivalent to the scope of claims for patent and all modifications within the scope.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flat cable 1a 1st part 1b 2nd part 1c, 1d Bending part 16 Movement unit (electric component)
100 Image forming apparatus 107 Control board (electrical parts)
LS1 Long side on one side LS2 Long side on the other side ML1, ML2 Mark line S Space

Claims (6)

A flat cable that includes a plurality of signal lines and is bent so that the extending direction is bent,
In a state where the flat cable is deployed, a first folding line extending from one long side of the flat cable toward the other long side opposite to the one long side, the one long side, and the A pair of second fold lines extending from the intersection with the first fold line toward the long side of the other side and extending radially across the first fold line;
The bending shape of the first fold line is one of a mountain shape and a valley shape, and each bending shape of the pair of second fold lines is the other shape of the mountain shape and the valley shape opposite to the one shape. The flat cable is characterized by being bent along the first fold line and the pair of second fold lines. When the flat cable is bent along the first fold line and the pair of second fold lines, one of the pair of second fold lines is divided by the second fold line and the first fold line. And the second part defined by the other second fold line and the first fold line of the pair of second fold lines are opposed to each other.
The flat cable according to claim 1, wherein a space is provided between the first portion and the second portion.   3. The flat cable according to claim 1, wherein a pair of bent portions, which are portions bent along the pair of second bend lines, of the flat cable are fixed to each other.   The flat cable according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein mark lines respectively indicating the first fold line and the pair of second fold lines are drawn. A flat cable according to any one of claims 1 to 4,
An image forming apparatus comprising: an electrical component to which the flat cable is connected. Preparing a flat cable including a plurality of signal lines;
The bent shape of the first fold line extending from one long side of the flat cable toward the other long side opposite to the one long side is one of a mountain shape and a valley shape, and the one side length The bending shape of the pair of second bending lines extending from the intersection of the side and the first bending line toward the other long side and extending radially across the first bending line is a mountain shape or a valley shape. A step of bending the flat cable along the first fold line and the pair of second fold lines so as to be the other shape opposite to the one shape. Bending method.

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