KR102045403B1 - Flexible printed circuit board having folding means - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a flexible circuit board having a folding means. The present invention is a plate-shaped main body 10, the folding portion 20 which extends from one side of the main body 10 and can be folded in the outer surface direction of the main body 10, and folding means 30 ). The folding means 30 protrudes from the side of the folding portion 20 and a locking groove 33 is formed so that the folding portion 20 is folded in the outer surface direction of the main body 10. Side of the is inserted into the locking groove 33 to maintain the folded state. In the flexible circuit board of the present invention, the folding means 30 is integrally provided, and the folding means 30 fixes the folded portion of the flexible circuit board on both sides. Therefore, the folded state of the flexible circuit board can be stably maintained without a separate component such as an adhesive tape.

Description

Flexible printed circuit board having folding means

The present invention relates to a flexible circuit board, and more particularly, to a flexible circuit board having a locking structure to maintain a folded state.

FPCB (Flexible Circuit Board) is an abbreviation of Flexible Printed Circuit Board. It is a flexible PCB made of polyimide, which is a flexible material. Such flexible printed circuit boards can be bent, miniaturized, and lightweight, and thus are attracting attention as replacements for existing rigid PCBs, and are highly applicable to advanced equipment such as satellite equipment, military equipment, and medical equipment. In addition, the demand for small mobile devices such as smart phones has increased recently, and the application range of flexible printed circuit boards has been expanded to various home appliances.

Flexible circuit boards can be used in various shapes to fit the internal environment of the electronic device because of the ability to bend or fold. For example, the flexible printed circuit board may be installed in a bent state to reduce the length of folding or remaining for turning.

However, the flexible printed circuit board basically has a tendency to be unfolded, so it may not be bent or folded and is often unfolded again. In order to solve this problem, the flexible circuit board is maintained in a folded or curved state by using a double-sided tape. However, since a double-sided tape is required, workability decreases and the number of parts increases. In addition, the use of double-sided tape has the disadvantage that it is difficult to rework.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2009-93692

The present invention is to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, an object of the present invention is to use a structure of the flexible printed circuit board itself without a separate adhesive tape to maintain a folded or curved state. .

According to a feature of the present invention for achieving the object as described above, the present invention is a plate-shaped main body, and a folded portion that extends from one side of the main body and can be folded in the direction of the outer surface of the main body, the folding portion Protruding from a side surface and a locking groove is formed so that the folding portion is folded toward the outer surface of the main body and includes folding means for inserting the side of the main body into the locking groove to maintain a folded state, and the folding means and the folding portion The reinforcing base is formed at the part to be connected.

The folding means is composed of a pair of spaced apart from each other, the locking groove is recessed in a direction facing each other in the pair of folding means.

The width between the innermost sides of the pair of locking grooves facing each other is greater than the width of the main body, and the width between the inlets of the pair of locking grooves facing each other is smaller than the width of the main body.

The folding means includes a hook hook protruding from the side of the folded portion, a hook groove recessed in the hook hook to hang the side of the main body, and an inclined guide is formed on an outer surface of the hook hook.

The reinforcing base is formed in a wider width than the hook hook.

A folding line is formed between the folded portion and the main body.

The fold line extends at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the direction in which the main body and the fold portion extend.

The end of the main body corresponding to the opposite side of the folded portion is provided with a connector PCB end, the connector PCB end is coupled to the mating connector.

The connector PCB end is composed of a pair of a portion of the main body is bent to extend side by side, the connector PCB end is provided with a connection terminal is pressed.

The folding means includes a first hook hook and a second hook hook continuously provided along the direction in which the folding means protrude, and the first hook groove and the second hook hook respectively have a first hook groove and a second hook groove. Is formed.

The outer side of the folding means is formed with a recessed groove.

The flexible circuit board with the folding means according to the present invention as described above has the following effects.

In the present invention, the flexible circuit board is provided with a folding means integrally, the folding means is fixed to the folded portion of the flexible circuit board on both sides. Therefore, since the folded state of the flexible circuit board can be stably maintained without a separate part such as an adhesive tape, the number of parts is reduced and workability is improved.

And the inclined guide provided in the folding means in the present invention induces the edge of the flexible circuit board naturally caught in the process of folding the flexible circuit board. Therefore, it is easier to fold and fix the flexible circuit board.

1 is a perspective view showing a state in which an embodiment of a flexible circuit board having a folding means according to the present invention is kept folded.
Figure 2 is a side view of the side of the flexible circuit board with a folding means of Figure 1 provided.
3 is a plan view showing an unfolded state before the flexible circuit board having the folding means of FIG. 1 is folded.
Figure 4 is a use state showing a state in which the flexible circuit board with the folding means of Figure 1 is connected to the connector folded.
Figure 5 is a plan view showing another embodiment of a flexible circuit board with a folding means according to the present invention.
Figure 6 is an enlarged plan view showing the configuration of the locking means in another embodiment of a flexible circuit board having a folding means according to the present invention.
7 (a) to 7 (c) is a working state diagram showing the process of folding the flexible circuit board of Figure 3 in sequence.

Hereinafter, some embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail through exemplary drawings. In adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same reference numerals are assigned to the same components as much as possible even though they are shown in different drawings. In addition, in describing an embodiment of the present invention, if it is determined that the detailed description of the related known configuration or function is to interfere with the understanding of the embodiment of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, in explaining the component of the Example of this invention, terms, such as 1st, 2nd, A, B, (a), (b), can be used. These terms are only for distinguishing the components from other components, and the nature, order or order of the components are not limited by the terms. If a component is described as being "connected", "coupled" or "connected" to another component, that component may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but between components It will be understood that may be "connected", "coupled" or "connected".

The flexible circuit board (hereinafter referred to as the "flexible circuit board") provided with the folding means 30 of the present invention may be used in the interior of an electronic device, for example, a battery pack for an automobile. Flexible circuit boards can be bent or folded freely due to their characteristics. Therefore, in the process of being installed inside the car battery pack, the operator can be installed while folding the flexible circuit board in various directions to suit the internal environment, the present invention can be stably maintained in the folded state of the flexible circuit board.

First, the configuration of the present invention, as shown in Figure 1, the main body 10 forms the skeleton. The main body 10 is a plate-like structure extending in the longitudinal direction of the flexible circuit board, there may be formed a variety of circuit patterns, including the ground portion. In the present invention, for convenience of description, the main body 10 is described differently from the folding part 20 and the connector PCB end 50, but in practice, the main body 10, the folding part 20 and the connector PCB end are described. All of 50 are integral with one another continuously.

The main body 10 has a plurality of bends (11, 12, 13). The bends 11, 12, and 13 are portions in which the direction in which the main body 10 is bent and extended is changed, and the entire length of the flexible circuit board may be shortened through the bends 11, 12 and 13. . If the overall length of the flexible printed circuit board is shortened through the bends 11, 12, and 13, the space occupied by the flexible printed circuit board is reduced and more efficient installation can be achieved. Of course, the bends 11, 12 and 13 may be used in an unfolded state without being bent according to the internal environment of the product. In the present embodiment, the bends 11, 12, and 13 are formed of the first bend 11, the second bend 12, and the third bend 13, which is just one example. The number and positions of the bends 11, 12, 13 may be changed.

The main body 10 has a first folded surface 17. The first folded surface 17 is a portion which is folded to face the folded portion 20 when the folded portion 20 to be described below is folded with respect to the main body 10. The first folded surface 17 is a part of the main body 10 and is connected to the third bent portion 13.

There is a fold line 18 at a position adjacent to the first fold surface 17. The fold line 18 is a portion that serves as a reference for the foldable portion 20 to be folded with respect to the main body 10, and may be formed in a concave-convex shape so that the foldable portion 20 can be easily folded. The fold line 18 may be composed of one or a plurality, in this embodiment a plurality of fold line 18 extends side by side.

In this embodiment, the fold line 18 extends inclined at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to the direction in which the main body 10 and the fold portion 20 extend. Accordingly, after the folding part 20 is completely folded based on the folding line 18, the extension direction is changed to 90 degrees. Referring to FIG. 3, after the folding unit 20 extending in the left direction is folded based on the folding line 18, the folding unit 20 extends downward.

The folded portion 20 is connected to the main body 10. The foldable portion 20 is a portion folded from the main body 10, and thus the connection direction of the flexible printed circuit board may be changed by the foldable portion 20. According to the internal structure of the product folded portion 20 can be used in a state in which the extension direction is changed, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 by the folding portion 20 the extension direction of the flexible circuit board is changed by 90 degrees Can be. It is connected to a specific part inside the product of the folded part 20, so that the flexible part can be electrically connected between the specific part and the connector 100 to be described below.

The folded portion 20 has a round portion 22. The round part 22 is a part in which the folded part 20 is bent in a curved shape, and the round part 22 may be formed according to the outer surface shape of the product to which the flexible circuit board is in close contact. Of course, depending on the shape of the product, the round part 22 may be omitted, or may be composed of a plurality.

The folded portion 20 has a second folded surface 27. The second folded surface 27 is a portion that is connected to the first folded surface 17, when the folded portion 20 is folded in the direction of the outer surface of the main body 10, the second folded surface 27 is It is placed so as to face the one folded surface 17 to be stacked. Referring to FIG. 1, it is shown that the second folded surface 27 is positioned above the first folded surface 17, and the folded portion 20 is bent based on the folded line 18. .

The folding unit 20 is provided with a folding means (30). The folding means 30 is to keep the folded portion 20 is folded in the outer surface direction of the main body 10. The folding means 30 protrudes from the side of the folding portion 20 and the locking groove 33 is formed, so that the folding portion 20 is folded in the outer surface direction of the main body 10, the main body 10 ) Is inserted into the locking groove 33 to maintain the folded state.

Looking in more detail with respect to the folding means 30 with reference to the enlarged portion of Figure 3, the folding means 30 is a hook hook 35 protruding from the side of the folding portion 20, and the hook hook Contained in the inner side of the (35) comprises a locking groove 33 for hanging the side of the main body (10). The hook hook 35 protrudes from the side of the folding means 30, more precisely from the side of the second folding surface 27. And the locking groove 33 is formed in the recessed portion inward of the locking hook (35).

The locking hook 35 has an inclined guide 34. The inclined guide 34 extends inclined to the upper surface of the hooking hook 35, and the side of the main body 10 is naturally caught in the inclined guide 34 while the folding unit 20 is folded. 33) It can be caught inside.

In the present embodiment, the folding means 30 is composed of a pair spaced apart from each other. A pair of folding means 30 is recessed in the locking groove 33 in a direction facing each other. Therefore, both side surfaces of the main body 10 are positioned between the pair of folding means 30 to be caught in the locking grooves 33, respectively. Since a pair of folding means 30 is fixed by walking both sides of the main body 10, the folded state of the folded portion 20 can be more firmly maintained.

There is a reinforcement base 31 at a portion where the folding means 30 and the folding portion 20 are connected. The reinforcing base 31 is a part formed in a wider width than the hook hook 35, and may be viewed as a part connecting the hook hook 35 and the folded part 20. When the hook hook 35 is bent, a large bending load may be applied to a portion in which the hook hook 35 is folded, and the hook hook 35 may be damaged, and the reinforcing base 31 may reinforce it.

On the other hand, as shown in Figure 2, the width l1 between the innermost of the pair of engaging grooves 33 facing each other is larger than the width l3 of the main body 10, a pair of facing each other The width l2 between the inlets of the locking groove 33 is smaller than the width l3 of the main body 10. Accordingly, a state where both ends of the main body 10 are caught in the pair of locking grooves 33 can be stably maintained.

4, the connector PCB end 50 is provided at the end of the main body 10 corresponding to the opposite side of the foldable part 20. The connector PCB stage 50 is a portion that is coupled to the mating connector 100, the connector connecting portion 53 provided in the connector PCB stage 50 is a portion of the connector PCB stage 50 is bent to extend side by side It is composed of a pair (55, 56), the connector connection portion 53 may be provided with a connection terminal (not shown) is crimped. Reference numeral 51 denotes a bent portion between the pair of connector connecting portion 53. 4 illustrates a state in which the connector connecting portion 53 is inserted into the insertion hole 110 of the mating connector 100.

Figure 5 shows another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Figure 5, the fold line 18 does not extend inclined at an angle of 45 degrees, and the longitudinal direction between the fold portion 20 and the main body 10 and It may be formed in an orthogonal direction. In this case, when the folded portion 20 is bent in the main body 10 direction, the entire length of the flexible circuit board is overlapped in the direction of shortening.

Meanwhile, FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the folding means 30 may include a first hooking hook 35a and a second hooking hook 35b continuously along the direction in which the folding means 30 protrudes. In addition, a first catching groove 33a and a second catching groove 33b are formed in the first catching hook 35a and the second catching hook 35b, respectively. Therefore, both sides of the main body 10 are caught in either the first catching groove 33a or the second catching groove 33b, or continuously in the first catching groove 33a and the second catching groove 33b. Can take The user may selectively use either or both of the first locking groove 33a or the second locking groove 33b according to the internal structure of the product.

If only the second locking groove 33b is used, the first locking groove 33a and the first locking hook 35a are not necessary. Therefore, the user may remove the first locking hook 35a from the locking means based on the cutting groove 38.

Hereinafter, a process of folding a flexible circuit board using the present invention will be described.

7 sequentially illustrates a process of folding the flexible circuit board. First, FIG. 7A illustrates a flexible printed circuit board having a flat plate shape. In other words, it is a flexible printed circuit board that is not folded yet. In this state, the flexible printed circuit board is folded or bent in order to apply the flexible printed circuit board to the product.

In a state as shown in FIG. 7A, the folded portion 20 of the flexible printed circuit board may be folded and overlapped with the main body 10. To this end, the worker must first bend the foldable part 20 based on the fold line 18. In FIG. 7 (b), a state in which the foldable part 20 is bent is about 90 degrees. Since the fold line 18 extends at an angle of 45 degrees, after the fold portion 20 is folded based on the fold line 18, the fold portion 20 is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the main body 10. Is extended.

In the process of folding the folding part 20, the folding means 30 hangs both sides of the main body 10. More precisely, after the second folded surface 27 of the folded portion 20 moves in a direction facing the first folded surface 17 of the main body 10, the folding means located on both sides of the second folded surface 27. 30 is located at a position adjacent to both side edges of the first folded surface 17. Then, when the worker bends the folding means 30 so that both side edges of the first folding surface 17 are fitted into the locking grooves 33 of the folding means 30, the folding part 20 is the main body 10. It may be fixed in a folded state in the outer direction.

At this time, the operator may be bent after holding the folding means 30 separately to allow the main body 10 to be fitted to the folding means 30, the end portion of the folding portion 20 provided with the folding means 30 The end of the folded portion 20 may be bent so as to face downward than the outer surface of the main body 10 so that both ends of the main body 10 may be naturally inserted into the locking groove 33.

In addition, the hook hook 35 has an inclined guide 34 so that the side of the main body 10 is naturally in the locking groove 33 inside the inclined guide 34 while the folding portion 20 is folded. Can take

Subsequently, the flexible circuit board may be installed in a limited space inside the product by bending the plurality of bending parts 11, 12, 13 provided in the main body 10. Finally, a part of the main body 10 may be bent. By doing so, a pair of connector PCB stage 50 extends next to each other. This appearance is shown in Figure 7 (c). When the connector PCB terminal 50 is inserted into the insertion hole 110 of the mating connector 100 in a state in which the connection terminal is compressed to the connector PCB terminal 50, the mating connector 100 may be electrically connected to the mating connector 100.

In the foregoing description, the present invention is not necessarily limited to these embodiments, although all of the components constituting the embodiments according to the present invention are described as being combined or operating in combination. In other words, within the scope of the present invention, all of the components may be selectively operated in combination with one or more. In addition, the terms "comprise", "comprise" or "having" described above mean that the corresponding component may be inherent unless specifically stated otherwise, and thus excludes other components. It should be construed that it may further include other components instead. All terms, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art unless otherwise defined. Terms used generally, such as terms defined in a dictionary, should be interpreted to coincide with the contextual meaning of the related art, and shall not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense unless explicitly defined in the present invention.

The above description is merely illustrative of the technical idea of the present invention, and those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains may make various modifications and changes without departing from the essential characteristics of the present invention. Therefore, the embodiments disclosed in the present invention are not intended to limit the technical spirit of the present invention but to describe the present invention, and the scope of the technical idea of the present invention is not limited by these embodiments. The protection scope of the present invention should be interpreted by the following claims, and all technical ideas within the equivalent scope should be interpreted as being included in the scope of the present invention.

In the above-described embodiment, the folding means 30 has been exemplified as a pair, but only one folding means 30 may be provided in the folding part 20. Of course, the folding means 30 may be composed of a plurality of pairs.

10: main body 11, 12, 13: bending part
17: first folding surface 18: folding line
20: folded portion 27: second folded surface
30: folding means 31: base portion
33: engaging groove 34: inclined guide
35: Hook Hook 50: Connector PCB End
53: connector connection

Claims (11)

The main body of the plate,
A folded portion extending from one side of the main body and being foldable in an outer surface direction of the main body;
And a folding means protruding from the side of the folding portion and having a locking groove formed therein so that the side of the main body is inserted into the locking groove to maintain the folded state when the folding portion is folded toward the outer surface of the main body.
The flexible circuit board is provided with a folding means is formed in the reinforcing base portion is connected to the folding means and the folding portion.
The flexible circuit board of claim 1, wherein the folding means comprises a pair spaced apart from each other, and the pair of folding means includes folding means for recessing the locking grooves in a direction facing each other.
The width between the innermost sides of the pair of engaging grooves facing each other is greater than the width of the main body, the width between the inlets of the pair of engaging grooves facing each other is smaller than the width of the main body Flexible circuit board with folding means.
The method of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the folding means
A hook hook protruding from the side of the folded portion;
A locking groove which is recessed inside the locking hook and hangs the side of the main body,
A flexible circuit board having folding means for forming an inclined guide on the outer surface of the hook.
5. The flexible circuit board of claim 4, wherein the reinforcing base is provided with folding means formed in a wider width than the hooking hook.
The flexible circuit board of claim 1, further comprising folding means formed between the folding portion and the main body.
The flexible circuit board of claim 6, wherein the fold line extends at an angle of 45 degrees with respect to a direction in which the main body and the fold portion extend.
The flexible circuit board of claim 1, wherein a connector PCB end is provided at an end portion of the main body corresponding to the opposite side of the folding part, and the connector PCB end is provided with folding means coupled to a mating connector.
9. The flexible circuit board of claim 8, wherein the connector PCB end is formed of a pair of portions of the main body that are bent to extend in parallel with each other, and the connector PCB end is provided with a folding means in which connection terminals are compressed.
The hooking device of claim 1, wherein the first locking hook and the second locking hook are continuously provided in the folding means along the direction in which the folding means protrudes, respectively. And a folding means in which a second catching groove is formed.
The flexible circuit board of claim 1, wherein the outer side of the folding means includes folding means formed by cutting grooves.

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