BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
The invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description and examples with references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a conventional handheld electronic device; and
FIG. 2 is a partially exploded view of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of portion A of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 depicts the first circuit board, the second circuit board and the flexible print circuit of FIG. 3;
FIGS. 5 and 6 depict a conventional flexible print circuit disposed on a hinge;
FIG. 7 shows a flexible print circuit of the invention disposed on a hinge;
FIG. 8 depicts a coaxial cable assembled to the flexible print circuit of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is an assembled view of FIG. 8;
FIGS. 10 and 11 are assembled views of a coaxial cable and the flexible print circuit;
FIG. 12 is a cross section of an embodiment of an assembly of a cable and a flexible print circuit of the invention;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of an assembly of a cable and a flexible print circuit of the invention;
FIG. 14 is a cross section of another embodiment of an assembly of a cable and a flexible print circuit of the invention; and
FIG. 15 is a cross section of another embodiment of an assembly of a cable and a flexible print circuit of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 7, a flexible print circuit 30 disposed in a hinge position is N-shaped, conforming to the hinge. Two ends of the flexible print circuit 30 are connected to a first circuit board 15 and a second circuit board 25 respectively. Referring to FIG. 8, a coaxial cable 40 is flexed to an N-shape. Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, an assembly of a cable and a flexible print circuit comprises a flexible print circuit 30, a coaxial cable 40, a first joining element 50 and a second joining element 60. The first joining element 50 and the second joining element 60 are N-shaped. The second joining element 60 has a protruding accommodating portion 62 with which the coaxial cable 40 engages. The second joining element 60 is fixed to the first joining element 50, whereby the coaxial cable 40 is fixed between the first joining element 50 and the second joining element 60 as shown in FIG. 9.
An adhesive layer 36 is disposed at both ends of the N-shaped flexible print circuit 30 as shown in FIG. 10. The coaxial cable 40, along with the first joining element 50 and the second joining element 60 is fixed to the flexible print circuit 30 by the adhesive layer 36 as shown in FIG. 11.
Referring to FIG. 12, a gap 38 is formed between the first joining element 50 and the flexible print circuit 30 by the adhesive layer 36. The gap 38 reduces stress on the flexible print circuit 30 and increases lifetime thereof when the flexible print circuit 30 and the coaxial cable 40 flex at the hinge.
Although this embodiment discloses the flexible print circuit joined to only one coaxial cable, two or more coaxial cables can alternatively be joined to the flexible print circuit in such a structure according to requirements. FIG. 13 depicts two parallel coaxial cables 40 joined to the flexible print circuit 30.
Other embodiments of the invention are shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. As shown in FIG. 14, two coaxial cables (first and second cables) 40 and 40′ are positioned on two sides of the flexible print circuit 30. The first joining element 50 and a third joining element 50′ are fixed to two sides of the flexible print circuit 30 by the adhesive layers 36 to form a first gap 39 and a second gap 39′. The second joining element 60 and a fourth joining element 60′ fix the coaxial cables 40 and 40′ to the first joining element 50 and the third joining element 50′.
As shown in FIG. 15, two coaxial cables 40 and 40′ are on the same side of the flexible print circuit 30. The first joining element 50 is fixed to the flexible print circuit 30 by an adhesive layer 36 to form a first gap 39. The second coaxial cable 40′, along with the third joining element 50′ and the fourth joining element 60′ is fixed to the second joining element 60.
As a gap is formed between the first joining element and the flexible print circuit, stress on the flexible print circuit 30 is reduced when the coaxial cable 40 and the flexible print circuit 30 are flexed.
The assembly of cables and the flexible print circuit is applicable to handheld electronic devices, such as mobile phones, or PDAs. The coaxial cable can transmit power, blue tooth signals, wireless 802.1b signals and GPS, GSM or CDMA signals.
While the invention has been described by way of example and in terms of preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto. To the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements (as would be apparent to those skilled in the art). Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.
Patent Application
20080070645
