Patent Grant
11189981
This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0145094, filed on Nov. 22, 2018, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Embodiments of the invention relate to a device with which a flexible printed circuit board (“FPCB”) is coupled to another component and to a method of inserting a FPCB. More particularly, embodiments of the invention relate to a device which secures a rigidity of a FPCB when the FPCB is inserted to a connector of a display panel, to simplify insertion of the FPCB into the connector, and to a method of inserting the FPCB using the device.
Flexible printed circuit boards (“FPCB”) are used for internal wirings of advanced electronic devices such as smart phones, personal digital assistants (“PDAs”), notebooks, and digital cameras.
Electronic devices are fitted with elements that operate while transmitting and receiving signals, to and from a controller, respectively. Such elements are connected to the controller through a FPCB. That is, each element is connected to a FPCB, and a connector which is connected to the controller is provided as a connection member by which the FPCB and the connector are connected to each other.
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a device for inserting a flexible member such as a flexible printed circuit board (“FPCB”) into a component such as a connector of a display panel, which secures a rigidity of the FPCB in an inserting direction during insertion of the FPCB to the connector of the display panel, and to a method of inserting the FPCB using the device.
According to an embodiment, a device for inserting a flexible printed circuit board into a connector includes: a gripper to which the flexible printed circuit board is securable; a deformer movably connected to the gripper; and a transporter connected to the gripper and the deformer. Movement of the deformer relative to the gripper which has the flexible printed circuit board secured thereto, applies a transformation force from the deformer to a portion of the flexible printed circuit board to bend the portion of the flexible printed circuit board about edges of the gripper, and transportation of the transporter transports the gripper together with the flexible printed circuit board which has the portion bent about the edges of the gripper, toward the connector, and inserts the flexible printed circuit board into the connector.
The gripper may include: a first pressing portion facing a second pressing portion. Securing of the flexible printed circuit board by the gripper may dispose the first pressing portion contacting a first surface of the flexible printed circuit board; and may dispose a second pressing portion contacting a second surface of the flexible printed circuit board which is opposite to the first surface.
The gripper may have a width less than a width of the flexible printed circuit board.
The device may further include: a first actuator connected to the gripper. Actuation of the first actuator may press the first pressing portion against the first surface of the flexible printed circuit board, and press the second pressing portion against the second surface of the flexible printed circuit board.
The first actuator may apply a substantially equal force to the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion.
The deformer may include: a slider movable with respect to the gripper; and a first actuator connected to the slider.
The slider may have a width greater than a width of the gripper.
A width of the slider may be less than or substantially equal to a width of the flexible printed circuit board.
The slider may include: a first stroke and a second stroke which face each other with respect to each of the first pressing portion and the second pressing portion of the gripper disposed therebetween. The first stroke may be spaced apart from the first pressing portion and the second stroke may be spaced apart from the second pressing portion.
A height difference between the slider and the first pressing portion may be less than a distance between the first stroke and the first pressing portion or a distance between the second stroke and the first pressing portion.
The transformation force applied from the first stroke may be equal to the transformation force applied from the second stroke.
The transporter may include: a base frame coupled to the gripper and the deformer; a transportation frame movably coupled to the base frame; a first linear guide which slidably couples the base frame and the transportation frame to each other; a transportation buffer connected between the transportation frame and the base frame; and a driver with which a driving force is provided to the transportation frame.
The transporter may further include: a second linear guide which slidably couples the base frame to the gripper.
The gripper may include: a holder with which the flexible printed circuit board is secured to the gripper.
The holder secures the flexible printed circuit board to the gripper by using one of a vacuum force and an electrostatic force.
According to another embodiment, a device for inserting a flexible printed circuit board into a connector includes: a gripper to which the flexible printed circuit board is securable; a transporter movably connected to the gripper; and a rotator connected to the gripper and by which the gripper is rotatable by a predetermined angle. Transportation of the transporter transports the gripper together with the flexible printed circuit board which is secured to the gripper, toward the connector.
Transportation of the gripper together with the flexible printed circuit board which is secured to the gripper may dispose a fore-end portion of the flexible printed circuit board into an inlet of the connector, and rotation of the rotator may rotate the gripper together with the flexible printed circuit board which has the fore-end portion disposed in the inlet of the connector, by the predetermined angle.
The transportation of the gripper together with the flexible printed circuit board which is secured to the gripper may further dispose the fore-end portion of the flexible printed circuit board at an insertion end position of the connector, and counter-rotation of the rotator may counter-rotate the gripper together with the flexible printed circuit board which has the fore-end portion at the insertion end position of the connector, by the predetermined angle.
A method of inserting a flexible printed circuit board into a connector includes: a gripper securing a flexible printed circuit board thereto; a deformer transforming a portion of the flexible printed circuit board relative to the gripper; and a transporter transporting the gripper together with the flexible printed circuit board which has the portion transformed relative to the gripper, to insert the flexible printed circuit board into the connector.
In the method, the deformer transforming a portion of the flexible printed circuit board may include: the deformer moving relative to the gripper and toward the flexible printed circuit board which is secured to the gripper, to apply a force to the flexible printed circuit board which is secured to the gripper and bend the portion of the flexible printed circuit board relative to edges of the gripper.
The foregoing is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative embodiments and features described above, further embodiments and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.
A more complete appreciation of the invention will become more apparent by describing in detail embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:
Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the invention may be modified in various manners and have several embodiments, embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be mainly described in the specification. However, the scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments and should be construed as including all the changes, equivalents and substitutions included in the spirit and scope of the invention.
In the drawings, thicknesses of a plurality of layers and areas are illustrated in an enlarged manner for clarity and ease of description thereof. When a layer, area, or plate is referred to as being related to another element such as being “on” or “below” another layer, area, or plate, it may be directly on the other layer, area, or plate, or intervening layers, areas, or plates may be present therebetween. Conversely, when a layer, area, or plate is referred to as being related to another element such as being “directly on” or “directly below” another layer, area, or plate, intervening layers, areas, or plates may be absent therebetween.
The spatially relative terms “below,” “beneath,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe the relations between one element or component and another element or component as illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation, in addition to the orientation illustrated in the drawings. For example, in the case where a device illustrated in the drawing is turned over, the device positioned “below” or “beneath” another device may be placed “above” another device. Accordingly, the illustrative term “below” may include both the lower and upper positions. The device may also be oriented in the other direction and thus the spatially relative terms may be interpreted differently depending on the orientations.
Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, the element may be “mechanically connected” or “physically connected” to the other element, or “electrically connected” to the other element with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms, including “at least one,” unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. “At least one” is not to be construed as limiting “a” or “an.” “Or” means “and/or.” As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
It will be understood that, although the terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and the like may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. Thus, “a first element” discussed below could be termed “a second element” or “a third element,” and “a second element” and “a third element” may be termed likewise without departing from the teachings herein.
“About” or “approximately” as used herein is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation for the particular value as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, considering the measurement in question and the error associated with measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, “about” may mean within one or more standard deviations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10% or 5% of the stated value.
Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense unless clearly defined at the present specification.
Some of the parts which are not associated with the description may not be provided in order to specifically describe embodiments of the invention. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.
A flexible printed circuit board (“FPCB”) of a display device is connectable to a connector in an insertion manner, by which the FPCB is insertable into the connector while the FPCB is in a relatively flat state to facilitate ease of insertion in to the connector. For example, insertion of the FPCB into the connector to connect the FPCB and the connector to each other may include insertion of a distal end or a fore-end portion of the FPCB to a corresponding end portion of the connector.
However, maintaining the relatively flat state of the FPCB and insertion of the FPCB into the connector may be difficult due to a flexible and relatively thin structure of the FPCB. Accordingly, insertion of the FPCB into the connected may be incomplete and/or a connection therebetween may not be sufficient to allow transmission and receiving of signals to and from the connector.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to
Referring to
The device 100, the FPCB 110, the connector 105 and/or components thereof may be disposed in plane defined by a first direction and a second direction which crosses the first direction. A thickness of the device 100, the FPCB 110, the connector 105 and/or components thereof may extend along the third direction which crosses each of the first and second directions. In
The FPCB 110 is connectable to the connector 105 in an insertion manner.
The gripper 120 secures the FPCB 110. That is, the gripper 120 grips and secures a position of the FPCB 110 within the device 100 so that the FPCB 110 does not move during insertion of the FPCB 110 into the connector 105.
In such an embodiment, the gripper 120 may include a first pressing portion 122 that contacts the FPCB 110 at one surface thereof and a second pressing portion 124 that contacts the FPCB 110 at another surface thereof so as to face the first pressing portion 122 with the FPCB 110 therebetween. That is, the gripper 120 secures a position of the FPCB 110 by pressing the first pressing portion 122 against an upper surface of the FPCB 110, and pressing the second pressing portion 124 against a back surface of the FPCB 110 which is opposite to the upper surface thereof. Referring to the top plan view (a) of
The transformation unit 130 may apply a force to the FPCB 110 deform or bend the FPCB 110. In such an embodiment, the transformation unit 130 may include a slider 132 and the first actuator 150 as illustrated in
The slider 132 may contact one surface of the FPCB 110 to apply a transformation force thereto, and the first actuator 150 may move the slider 132 in a direction perpendicular to the one surface of the FPCB 110 (e.g., vertical in the cross-sectional view (c) of
The slider 132 may include a first stroke 134 that is spaced apart from the first pressing portion 122 and transforms a first side of the FPCB 110; and a second stroke 136 that is spaced apart from the first pressing portion 122 and transforms a second side of the FPCB 110 which is opposite to the first side thereof, along the horizontal direction in both the top plan view (a) and the cross-sectional view (c) of
As shown along the horizontal direction in both the top plan view (a) and the cross-sectional view (c) of
As shown along the horizontal direction in both the top plan view (a) and the cross-sectional view (c) of
As illustrated in the cross-sectional view (c) of
The first actuator 150 may be connected to the slider 132 which includes or defines each of the first stroke 134 and the second stroke 136. Actuation of the first actuator 150 may apply a substantially equal transformation force to each of the first stroke 134 and the second stroke 136. In an embodiment, actuation of the first actuator 150 moves the slider 132 together with each of the first stroke 134 and the second stroke 136.
The device 100 with which a FPCB 110 is insertable into a connector 105 may include a second actuator 126 connected to the gripper 120, as illustrated in
The second actuator 126 may press the first pressing portion 122 against a first surface of the FPCB 110, and press the second pressing portion 124 against a second surface of the FPCB 110 which is opposite to the first surface thereof. That is, the second actuator 126 allows the first pressing portion 122 to contact the upper surface of the FPCB 110 and presses the first pressing portion 122 thereagainst, and allows the second pressing portion 124, facing the first pressing portion 122, to contact the back surface of the FPCB 110 and presses the second pressing portion 124 thereagainst.
Actuation of the second actuator 126 may apply a substantially equal force to the first pressing portion 122 and the second pressing portion 124 to secure the FPCB 110 therebetween within the device 100.
As illustrated in
Under actuation and control of the driver 146, the transportation frame 141 may be movable toward and away from the connector 105 along a movement base 147 which is connected to the driver 146. The transportation frame 141 and the base frame 143 may be movably coupled to each other. That is, the transportation frame 141 may be coupled to the base frame 143 through the first linear guide 142 at a side thereof. The transportation frame 141 may be slidably coupled to the base frame 143 through the first linear guide 142.
The transportation frame 141 may further include a support member 145 protruding from a side thereof, and the transportation buffer 144 may be secured between an end portion of the base frame 143 and the support member 145.
The gripper 120 and the transformation unit 130 may be secured on a same side of the base frame 143. Accordingly, when the base frame 143 moves toward the connector 105 in a sliding manner, the gripper 120 having the FPCB 110 secured thereto and the transformation unit 130 that transforms a part of the FPCB 110 to be bent, may each move toward the connector 105 in a sliding manner together with the base frame 143.
The first linear guide 142 may couple the base frame 143 and the transportation frame 141 to each other, so that the transportation frame 141 is movable in a sliding manner with respect to the base frame 143. That is, when the insertion of the FPCB 110 to the connector 105 is completed by the sliding movement of the transportation frame 141 relative to the base frame 143, transportation of the base frame 143 is stopped, and the first linear guide 142 may allow the transportation frame 141 to move in a sliding manner with respect to the base frame 143. In an embodiment, while maintaining a position of the base frame 143 which is stopped, the transportation frame 141 may be movable in a sliding manner with respect to the base frame 143 by the first linear guide 142 disposed therebetween.
The transportation buffer 144 may be disposed between the transportation frame 141 (at the support member 145), and the base frame 143, to buffer a transportation force of the transportation frame 141. The transportation buffer 144 may include a spring or a rubber material. The transportation buffer 144 may include a hydraulic actuator or an air pressure actuator.
The driver 146 may provide a driving force to the transportation frame 141 by using the movement base 147. That is, the driver 146 may control or actuate the movement base 147 to provide the driving force to the transportation frame 141 which moves the transportation frame 141. In another embodiment, the driver 146 may provide a driving force to the transportation frame 141 without using the movement base 147. In an embodiment, for example, the driver 146 may be implemented as a robot arm which provides a driving force to the transportation frame 141 without providing a force through the movement base 147. Even where the driver 146 provides a driving force to the transportation frame 141 without using movement of the movement base 147, the transportation frame 141 may still move along the movement base 147 in a transportation direction (e.g., horizontal in
In an embodiment, the transportation unit 140 may further include a second linear guide 510 with which the base frame 143, to which the gripper 120 and the transformation unit 130 are secured, is movable in a sliding manner.
The second linear guide 510 may be disposed between the gripper 120 and the base frame 143, and may couple the gripper 120 and the base frame 143 to each other, while maintaining the secured state of the transformation unit 130 relative to the base frame 143.
The transportation buffer 144 that is coupled to a side of the base frame 143 and the support member 145 of the transportation frame 141 may have a rigidity less than a shear strength of the FPCB 110. As used herein, the shear strength of the FPCB 110 means a strength that causes, when the FPCB 110 receives a compressive force, transformation or deformation of the FPCB 110 in a direction perpendicular to the compressive force, and the rigidity of the transportation buffer 144 means a minimum rigidity at which the transportation buffer 144 causes displacement in a direction substantially the same as a direction of an external force applied thereto.
The first linear guide 142 and/or the second linear guide 510 may be movable in a direction parallel to an inserting direction of the FPCB 110, such as being parallel to the transportation direction (e.g., horizontal in
Referring to the top plan view in
Referring to
A width of the first pressing portion 122 may be less than the width of the FPCB 110, and a width of the transformation unit 130 may be less than or substantially equal to the width of the FPCB 110.
The width of the FPCB 110 may be greater than or substantially equal to a width of the base frame 143.
A length direction of the FPCB 110 in
A fore-end portion (e.g., uppermost edge in
The distal ends of the first pressing portion 122 and of the second pressing portion 124 corresponding to the intermediate point of the FPCB 110 or less, and the fore-end portion of the transformation unit 130 corresponding to distal ends, disposes a length portion of the FPCB 110 extended further the distal ends and the transformation unit 130 to be exposed outside the distal ends and the transformation unit 130. In
In an embodiment, the gripper 120 may include a holder for securing the FPCB 110 in a position relative to the gripper 120. The holder may hold and secure the FPCB 110 in a vacuum scheme as illustrated in
Referring to
The pad portion 710 may have or define an inlet 702 provided in plurality and with which air is moved to create a vacuum force at the pad portion 710.
The elastic portion 720 may have or define a communication path 722 which is in fluid or air communication with the inlet 702, and may buffer movement of the pad portion 710 due to a holding force.
The vacuum generator 730 may generate a vacuum and introduce and/or remove air through the inlet 702 and the communication path 722. The vacuum generator 730 may be in fluid and/or air communication with the inlet 702 and the communication path 722.
Operation of the gripper 120 of the above-described structure in
In an embodiment the structure in
Referring to
The holding member 805 may include a holding surface 830 on one side, and a holding electrode 811 on another side.
The holding substrate 810 may be spaced apart from the holding member 805, and may be charged with electric charges having a polarity opposite to a polarity of the holding electrode 811. In an embodiment, for example, when a positive charge (+) is generated at the holding electrode 811, a negative charge (−) may be generated at the holding substrate 810. A holding surface 810a of the holding substrate 810 may face the holding surface 830 of the holding member 805.
The holding power unit 820 may apply a predetermined voltage between the holding substrate 810 and the holding member 805.
In an embodiment, the holder having the above-described structure may place the FPCB 110 between the holding member 805 and the holding substrate 810, and the holding power unit 820 applies a predetermined voltage between the holding electrode 811 and the holding substrate 810.
Accordingly, a positive charge is generated in the holding electrode 811 of the holding member 805, and a negative charge is generated in the holding substrate 810.
The holding surface 830 of the holding member 805 and the holding substrate 810 are constrained by a Coulomb force, and thus the holding substrate 810 is secured relative to the holding surface 830 of the holding member 805 by an electrostatic force.
Accordingly, the FPCB 110 located between the holding member 805 and the holding substrate 810 is held relative to the holder in the described above manner. In an embodiment, the holding member 805 and the holding substrate 810 may correspond to the first pressing portion 122 and the first pressing portion 122, without being limited thereto.
Referring to
That is, the gripper 120 secures the FPCB 110 by pressing the first pressing portion 122 against the upper surface of the FPCB 110 and pressing the second pressing portion 124 against the back surface of the FPCB 110, with a force provided from the second actuator 126 (see
In such an embodiment, while the FPCB 110 secured by the gripper 120, the FPCB 110 is spaced apart from the connector 105 by a predetermined distance (vertical in the top plan view (a) and the side view (b) of
The width of the first pressing portion 122 located at the upper surface of the FPCB 110 may be less than the width of the FPCB 110. The width of the transformation unit 130 may be less than or substantially equal to the width of the FPCB 110.
Referring again to
As described above with respect to
Referring to the cross-sectional view (c) in
While the width portion of the FPCB 110 extends further than edges of the gripper 120 to be exposed outside the gripper 120, the transformation unit 130 transforms a portion of the FPCB 110 (1120).
The slider 132 of the transformation unit 130 moves toward the upper surface of the first pressing portion 122 of the gripper 120, and applies a force to the width portion of the FPCB 110 so that the width portion of the FPCB 110 may be bent. The width portion of the FPCB 110 which is bent, may otherwise be referred to as a back-end portion of the FPCB 110.
In an embodiment, actuation of the transformation unit 130 by a force provided from the first actuator 150 moves the slider 132 in a perpendicular direction (arrows in the side view (b) and the cross-sectional view (c) of
Accordingly, although the FPCB 110 has a relatively small thickness, since opposite edge portions of a back-end portion of the FPCB 110 are transformed and bent by the transformation unit 130, the FPCB 110 may become substantially taut without wrinkles. Accordingly, the FPCB 110 which is substantially taut may achieve a rigidity along an inserting direction (e.g., along a length of the FPCB 110) and may be applied with a sufficient inserting force for inserting the FPCB 110 into the connector 105.
While the gripper 120 including the FPCB 110 secured thereto and having a rigidity along an inserting direction thereof, and the transformation unit 130, are each secured to the base frame 143, the transportation unit 140 transports the gripper 120 together with the FPCB 110 secured thereto, along the inserting direction (arrow in the top plan view (a) of
That is, in the transportation unit 140, as the driver 146 provides a driving force to the transportation frame 141, the transportation frame 141 together with the gripper 120 having the FPCB 110 secured thereto, slides toward the connector 105, as illustrated the arrow in the top plan view (a) in
In such an embodiment, the first actuator 150 may allow the slider 132 of the transformation unit 130 to be spaced apart from the FPCB 110 by such a range that a height difference H between the transformation unit 130 and the gripper 120 is less than a distance W1 between the first stroke 134 of the transformation unit 130 and the first pressing portion 122 of the gripper 120. That is, the first actuator 150 moves the slider 132 away from the FPCB 110, as the fore-end portion of the FPCB 110 which is initially inserted into the connector 105, approaches an insertion end position of the connector 105. In such a case, a separation distance between the slider 132 and the FPCB 110 is less than the distance W1 between the first pressing portion 122 and the first stroke 134.
In addition, the first actuator 150 may allow the slider 132 of the transformation unit 130 to be spaced apart from the FPCB 110 by such a range that the height difference H between the transformation unit 130 and the gripper 120 is less than a distance W2 between the second stroke 136 of the transformation unit 130 and the first pressing portion 122 of the gripper 120. That is, the first actuator 150 moves the slider 132 away from the FPCB 110, as the fore-end portion of the FPCB 110 which is initially inserted into the connector 105, approaches the insertion end position of the connector 105. In such a case, the separation distance between the slider 132 and the FPCB 110 is less than the distance between the first pressing portion 122 and the second stroke 136.
When the FPCB 110 secured to the gripper 120 is inserted into the connector 105 and the fore-end portion of the FPCB 110 reaches the insertion end position in the connector 105, insertion of the FPCB 110 into the connector 105 is completed. When the insertion is completed, movement of the FPCB 110 is stopped by reaching the insertion end position of the connector 105. In an embodiment, a physical feature of the connector 105 may define the insertion end position, without being limited thereto.
While the FPCB 110 has stopped moving, sliding movement of the gripper 120 that secures the FPCB 110 also stops, and sliding movement of the transformation unit 130 that has transformed a portion of the FPCB 110 to be bent also stops.
In such an embodiment, while the sliding movement of the gripper 120 and the transformation unit 130 is stopped, the transportation frame 141 continues to slide toward the connector 105 in accordance with an inertia force due to the sliding movement toward the connector 105. However, sliding movement of the base frame 143 to which the gripper 120 and the transformation unit 130 having the stopped sliding movement are secured, stops together with the gripper 120 and the transformation unit 130. The first linear guide 142 allows continued movement the transportation frame 141 in a sliding manner with respect to the base frame 143 that has stopped moving.
The transportation buffer 144 coupled between an end portion of the base frame 143 and the support member 145 of the transportation frame 141 buffers a transportation force of the transportation frame 141 which is generated in accordance with the continued sliding movement toward the connector 105 described above. That is, the transportation buffer 144 buffers the transportation force of the transportation frame 141 which is generated when the transportation frame 141 continues to move in the sliding manner with respect to the base frame 143 that has stopped moving, so that an insertion force that is met or exceeded to insert the FPCB 110 into the connector 105 is less than a transformation force that is applied to the FPCB 110 by actuation of the first actuator 150 to bend the FPCB 110.
A compressive force is applied to the FPCB 110 when the FPCB 110 contacts the insertion end position of the connector 105. A shear strength of the FPCB 110 causes transformation or deformation of the FPCB 110 in a direction perpendicular to the compressive force. In an embodiment, the transportation buffer 144 may have a rigidity less than the shear strength of the FPCB 110 that causes transformation of the FPCB 110 in the direction perpendicular to the compressive force received by the FPCB 110 when the FPCB 110 contacts the insertion end position in the connector 105.
Taken along a same direction, a sliding force which is met or exceeded for sliding the transportation frame 141 with respect to the base frame 143 by using the first linear guide 142 may be less than a transformation force of the FPCB 110 at a point in time at which insertion of the FPCB 110 ends, and may be greater than an insertion force which is met or exceeded to insert the FPCB 110 into the connector 105. Each of the sliding force, the transformation force and the insertion force may include a component extended along the inserting direction (e.g., the vertical direction in the top plan view (a) and the side view (b) of
Accordingly, even though the transportation frame 141 continues to slide according to the continued sliding movement toward the connector 105 described above and overruns a position of the FPCB 110 toward a distal end thereof along the inserting direction after insertion of the FPCB 110 into the connector 105 ends, the FPCB 110 may not be deformed or damaged by the continued sliding of the transportation frame 141 to which the gripper 120 and the transformation unit 130 having the stopped sliding movement are secured.
Referring to
As shown in the top plan view (a), the side view (b) and the cross-sectional view (c) of
The transportation unit 140 (see
The rotation unit 160 may rotate the gripper 120 together with the FPCB 110 secured thereto, about a rotation axis, by a predetermined angle from an initial position of the gripper 120. In such an embodiment, the rotation unit 160 may include, for example, a motor that provides a rotational force to rotate the gripper 120, and may be connected to the first pressing portion 122 and/or the second pressing portion 124 of the gripper 120. Accordingly, the rotation unit 160 may rotate the first pressing portion 122 together with the second pressing portion 124 of the gripper 120 and the FPCB 110 secured thereto, in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction about the rotation axis.
While a fore-end portion of the FPCB 110 is initially inserted into an inlet of the connector 105 ({circle around (1)}, as illustrated in the top plan view (a) of
As shown in the side view (b) of
Accordingly, although the FPCB 110 has a relatively small thickness, a back-end portion of the FPCB 110 is bent by rotation of the gripper 120, the FPCB 110 may become substantially taut without wrinkles. Accordingly, the FPCB 110 which is substantially taut may achieve a rigidity along an inserting direction (e.g., along a length of the FPCB 110) and may be applied with a sufficient inserting force for inserting the FPCB 110 into the connector 105.
While the gripper 120 and the FPCB 110 having the back-end portion thereof which is bent at the predetermined angle in accordance with the rotation of the gripper 120 are each in a state of being rotated by the predetermined angle, the transportation unit 140 continuously inserts the FPCB 110 to a back-end portion of the connector 105, e.g., an insertion end position in the connector 105.
The continuous insertion of the FPCB 110 to the back-end portion of the connector 105 may include the rotation unit 160 counter-rotating the gripper 120 having the FPCB 110 secured thereto, until the fore-end portion of the FPCB 110 initially inserted into the inlet of the connector 105 reaches the insertion end position in the connector 105, so that a bent state of the back-end portion of the FPCB 110 is restored into a flat state.
When the fore-end portion of the FPCB 110 reaches the insertion end position in the connector 105, the insertion of the FPCB 110 into the connector 105 is completed. While the insertion of the FPCB 110 into the connector 105 is completed, the gripper 120 respectively moves the first pressing portion 122 and the second pressing portion 124 away from the FPCB 110, thereby releasing the FPCB 110 and disposing the FPCB 110 in a secure connection with the connector 105.
As such, in one or more of the device with which a FPCB is inserted into a connector, and a method thereof according to the invention, the rigidity of the FPCB may be secured in the inserting direction during insertion of the FPCB into the connector such that insertion of the FPCB into the connector may be simplified.
As set forth hereinabove, in one or more embodiment of the device with which a FPCB is inserted into a connector according to the invention, the FPCB may be transformed to secure rigidity thereof in the inserting direction, such that a sufficient insertion force may be applied to the FPCB during insertion of the FPCB into the connector.
While the invention has been illustrated and described with reference to the embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2018-0145094 | Nov 2018 | KR | national |
| Number | Name | Date | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7553183 | Taketomi et al. | Jun 2009 | B2 |
| 9214749 | Li | Dec 2015 | B2 |
| 20130083505 | Kobayashi | Apr 2013 | A1 |
| 20140045383 | Fujii | Feb 2014 | A1 |
| Number | Date | Country |
|---|---|---|
| H7-42044 | Jul 1995 | JP |
| 11185894 | Jul 1999 | JP |
| 200435018 | Feb 2004 | JP |
| 4996226 | May 2012 | JP |
| 2014-35795 | Feb 2014 | JP |
| 1020070023823 | Feb 2007 | KR |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20200169054 A1 | May 2020 | US |
