GB2331188A

GB2331188A - Cable and hinge containing cable for laptop computer

Info

Publication number: GB2331188A
Application number: GB9813539A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Byung Yong Choi
Original assignee: Daewoo Telecom Ltd
Current assignee: Daewoo Telecom Ltd
Priority date: 1997-04-25
Filing date: 1998-06-23
Publication date: 1999-05-12
Also published as: GB9813539D0

Abstract

A cable 100 has two offset parallel parts 110, 120, joined by a bridging part 130. Each parallel part may end in a connector 110a, 120a. A hinge may include a hollow bushing 200 having slits 203 205. The bridging part of the cable may be rolled and inserted into the bushing with the parallel parts 110, 120 of the cable extending through the slits. When the hinge operates the parallel parts may roll round the bushing. The bushing may be supported in the hinge between a lap-top computer body 17 and its display 19.

Description

2331188 CONDUCTIVE CABLE FOR PORTABLE COMPUTER, APPARATUS FOR GUIDING THE

CABLE AND METHOD FOR MOUNTING THE CABLE USING THE APPARATUS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable computer, and more particularly relates to a conductive cable for portable computer, an apparatus for guiding the conductive cable and a method for mounting the conductive cable using the apparatus on portable computer.

Discussion of Related Art Recently, portable computers, such as laptop or notebook computers, have become popular and are in widespread usage in many countries. The increased demand for such computers has been partially due to the compact size of these computers which make them ideal for travel or in applications where work space is limited.

In order to maximize space efficiency and facilitate portability of these laptop and notebook computers, such portable computers have typically a suitcase like construction 1 that includes a base having a keyboard, and a cover including a computer screen, the cover pivots or folds down into a closed position over a base.

Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a conventional portable computer 10, in a exploded perspective view, comprising a base 17 having data input devices such as a keyboard 13, touch pads and so on, and a cover 19 which is pivotally joined to the base 17 usually through some form of hinge mechanism and closed to the base 17 so as to protect key elements thereupon.

The base 17 further comprises a computer's central processing unit (CPU), a power supply such as a battery and various storage devices such as a floppy or hard disk, and these electronic components are connected electrically to a main printed circuit board (PCB) 21.

The cover 19 also further includes an LCD panel 23 for displaying information inputted by means of data input means and an LCD driving circuit mounted therein so as to connect the main PCB 21 of the base with the LCD panel 23 electrically. And each connector 27 and 29 is established on the main PCB 21 of the base 17 and the LCD driving circuit of the cover 19 to be connected with each other electrically by means of a conductive cable 25.

2 The conductive cable 25, extended along a centerline with a predetermined width, has connecting parts 31 at both ends to connect the main PCB to the LCD driving circuit, and further includes a circuit pattern 33 thereinto. This conductive cable 25 is typically a thin, flat, flexible but yet somewhat stiff cable, taking account of the fact the cable is mounted between the cover 19 and the base 17, which are joined pivotally with each other by means of hinge mechanism.

Meanwhile, a plurality of protruding members 35, located along the rear sides of base 17 and cover 19 for coming in contact with each other when joined, have a pivotal hole 39 respectively, in which pivotal hinges 37 are inserted.

In the above configuration, after fitting the protruding members 35 together and positioning the pivotal holes 39 in a straight line, the pivotal hinges 37 are inserted therethrough, thus joining the cover to the base 17. Here, one end of the conductive cable 25 is lead through a cable guide slot 43, formed between one side of the protruding members 35 on the base 17, into the inside of the base 17 and connected with the connector 27 on the main PCB 21, and the opposed end of the cable 25 is lead into the inside of the cover and connected with the connector 29 on the LCD driving circuit.

However, as the conventional conductive cable 25 extends 3 along a center-line integrally and the connectors 31 are formed at both ends of the cable oppositely, it is indispensable to design the connectors 27 of main PCB 21 inside the base 17 and the connector 29 of LCD driving circuit inside the cover 19 to be positioned oppositely in a straight line, which causes a problem that limits designs for arranging the main PCB 21, base 17 and cover 19.

Meanwhile, in the conventional portable computer 10, as the cover 19 is repeatedly opened and closed against the base 17 in the range of large angles, the conductive cable 25 is also bent in the range of maximum 1800, a relatively large angle, accordingly. But since the conventional portable computer 10 does not include a guiding member for protecting the cable 25, the durability of the cable 25 can be outstandingly declined or, in the worst case, the cable circuit pattern can be seriously damaged due to frictional contact or its bending stress on the hinged region between the cover 19 and the base 17.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a conductive cable for portable computer, an apparatus for guiding the cable and a method for mounting the cable using 4 the apparatus on computer that substantially obviates one or more of the problems, limitations, and disadvantages of the related art.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a conductive cable for portable computer through which two connectors on main PCB and on LCD driving circuit can be connected simply, without changing the arrangement of electrical elements, even in case that the connectors on main PCB and LCD driving circuit are designed to be located at different angles from each other, not on a straight line.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus for guiding the cable which prevents the conductive cable, connecting main PCB in a base and LCD driving circuit in a cover of the portable computer, from. being damaged due to frictional contact or its bending stress, during opening and closing the cover.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for mounting the cable using the guiding apparatus on the portable computer.

To accomplish the objects of the invention, there is provided a conductive cable for portable computer in accordance with the invention, into which a circuit pattern is laid out, comprising: a first extension part including a first 5 connector for connecting to a connector on main PCB of a base; a second extension part, extended in parallel from a different centerline of the first extension part, including a second connector, located on the end corresponding to the opposite end of the first connector in the diagonal direction, for connecting to a connector on LCD driving circuit of a cover; and a rolling part, positioned in the perpendicular direction between the extension parts, for interconnecting the two parts electrically and physically.

To accomplish the objects of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for guiding the conductive cable in accordance with an embodiment of the invention comprising: a bushing, positioned on the same center-line with a pivotal hole of protruding members in the rear of. a base, for receiving a rolling part of conductive cable; a fixing member for fixing the bushing onto the base; and a cable guide slot for leading an end of the cable, passed out through the bushing, into the inside of the base.

To accomplish the objects of the invention, there is also provided an apparatus for guiding the conductive cable in accordance with another embodiment of the invention comprising: a pivotal spool, onto which a rolling part of conductive cable is rolled up, of which one end is put into a 6 pivotal hole on protruding members in the rear of a base and the other end is inserted into a pivotal hole of a cover, thus independently rotating; a pair of pivotal pins, put between both ends of the pivotal spool, one is an end of pivotal hinge, inserted into the pivotal hole in the rear of the base, and the other is located on one side of the cover; a protecting band, put onto the rolling part of the cable rolled up onto the outer surface of the pivotal spool, for preventing the cable from getting loose, and at the same time for preventing the rolled region from being contacted frictionally; and a cable guide slot formed at the bottom side of the protruding members, passing through the inside of the base.

To accomplish the objects of the invention, a method for mounting the conductive cable using the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention comprising: a step of rolling up the first and second extension parts 3600 in the opposite direction with each other, centering around the rolling part; a step of inserting the rolling part into the bushing, arranging the first and second extension parts to be lead into first and second slits of the bushing respectively; a step of leading the first extension part, passed out through the first slit, through the cable 7 guide slot into the inside of the base, and connecting the first connector formed at the end to the connector on main PCB; and a step of leading the second extension part, passed out through the second slit, into the inside of the cover, and connecting the second connector to the connector on LCD driving circuit.

To accomplish the objects of the invention, a method for mounting the conductive cable using the apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention comprising: a step of positioning the pivotal spool on the rolling part of the cable in the longitudinal direction; a step of rolling up the first and second extension parts 3600 in the opposite direction with each other onto the outer surface of the pivotal spool; a step of putting the protecting band onto the outer surface of the rolling part rolled up onto the pivotal spool; a step of leading the first connector of the first extension part through the cable guide slot into the inside of the base, and connecting to the connector on main PCB; and a step of leading the second connector of the second extension part into the inside of the cover, and connecting the connector on LCD driving circuit.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are 8 exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ATTACHED DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view showing a conventional portable computer including a base, a cover and a conductive cable; Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a conductive cable for portable computer in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view showing a portabl computer in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is an enlarged perspective view showing the apparatus for guiding the conductive cable shown in Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing how the conductive cable is inserted into the guiding apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a partial sectional view showing an assembling state of main PCB in the base and LCD driving circuit in the cover, where the cable is mounted using the apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing a portable 9 e computer in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 8 is an enlarged perspective view showing the apparatus for guiding the conductive cable shown in Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a perspective view showing how the conductive cable is inserted into the guiding apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 10 is a partial sectional view showing an assembling state of main PCB in the base and an LCD driving circuit in the cover, where the cable is mounted using the apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

As depicted in Fig. 2, a conductive cable 100 in accordance with the present invention includes a first extension part 110 and a second extension part 120 which are extended in parallel from two deferent center-1ines spaced at a predetermined distance, the circuits of the first and second extension parts 110 and 120 are interconnected, electrically, through a rolling part 130 located in the middle between the 10 two parts 110 and 120 in the perpendicular direction.

The conductive cable 100 further comprises a first connector 110a, at the end of the first extension part 110, connecting to a connector 27 of a main PCB 21 mounted inside a base 17, and a second connector 120a, at the end of the second extension part 120, connecting to another connector 29 of a LCD driving circuit, not depicted, of a cover 19.

The rolling part 130 is formed with a predetermined width in the middle, where the two extension part 110 and 120 meet, in the perpendicular direction against the direction that the extension parts 110 and 120 are extended.

The conductive cable 100 is a thin, flat, flexible but yet somewhat stiff cable having a circuit pattern 140 running therethrough to interconnect the fixst connector 110a of the first extension part 110 and the second connector 120a of the second extension part 120.

Referring to Figs. 3 and 4, the apparatus for guiding the conductive cable in accordance with an embodiment of the invention comprises a bushing 200, a fixing member 210 and a cable guide slot 220. The bushing 200 is positioned on the same center-line with a pivotal hole 39 of protruding members to receive the rolling part 130, rolled up, of the conductive cable 100. The fixing member 210 fixes the bushing 11 to the base 17. The cable guide slot 220 leads an end of the cable 100, passed out through the bushing 200, into the inside of the base 17- The cylindrical bushing 200 having a hole 201 of a predetermined internal diameter comprises a first slit 203, a second slit 205 and a bracket 215 on its circumference. The first slit 203 of a predetermined width, cut lengthwise on one side of circumference of the bushing 200, leads the first extension part 110 of the cable 100, inserted into the hole 201, into the base 17. The second slit 205 of a predetermined width, cut lengthwise on the opposite side of circumference of the bushing 200, leads the second extension part 120 of the cable 100, inserted into the hole 201, to the cover 19.

The fixing member 210 is comprised of the bracket 215, having a threaded hole 213, protruded forward or backward from one side of circumference of the bushing 200 between the first and second slit 203 and 205, and a screw 217 for fixing the bushing 200 to the base 17 through the threaded hole 213.

The cable guide slot 220 is formed wider slightly than the width of the cable 100 on the base 17 where meets the first slit 203 of the bushing 200.

Referring now to Fig. 5, a perspective view showing how the conductive cable is inserted into the guiding apparatus in 12 accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, as conductive cable comprises a first extension part 110 and a second extension part 120, extended in parallel from two deferent center-lines spaced at a predetermined distance, and a rolling part 130, located in the middle between the two parts 110 and 120 in the perpendicular direction, for interconnecting the two parts 110 and 120 in a body, the first extension part 110 and the second extension part 120 can be rolled 360' in the opposite direction with each other. Then the rolling part 130 being rolled up is inserted into the hole 201 of the bushing 200, positioning the first extension part 110 toward the first slit 203 and the second extension part 120 toward the second slit 205. Accordingly, the first extension part 110 is lead through the first slit 203 of the bushing 200 into the base 17 and the second extension part 120 is lead through the second slit 205 of the bushing 200 into the cover 19.

In Fig. 6, after the first extension part 110 of the cable 100 drew from the first slit 203 of the bushing 200, as above explained in Fig. 5, is lead through the cable guide slot 220 into the inside of the base 17, the first connector 110a formed at the end of the first extension part 110 is connected with the connector 27 on the main PCB 21. Likewise, 13 after the second extension part 120 of the cable 100 drew from the second slit 205 of the bushing 200 is lead to the inside of the base 17, the second connector 120a formed at the end of the second extension part 120 is connected with the connector 29 on the LCD driving circuit.

After connecting the first connector 110a and the second connector 120a with the connector 27 of the main PCB 21 and the connector 29 of the LCD driving circuit respectively, the bracket 215 of the bushing 200 is fastened to the base 17 by means of screw 217 which passes through the threaded hole 213.

And after assembling the cover 19 and the protruding members 35 in the rear of the base 17 and positioning the pivotal holes 39 in a straight line, a pivotal hinge 37 is inserted into the pivotal hole.39 to fix the cover 19 to the base 17 rotatably.

As above described, since the rolling part 130 of the conductive cable 100 is being rolled up inside the bushing 200 and only the first extension part 110 and the second extension part 120 are exposed outside to connect into the inside of the base 17 and the cover 19 respectively, no wear and fold on the cable between the base 17 and the cover 19 occurs even when the cover 19 is opened and closed frequently.

Referring to Figs. 7 and 8, showing the apparatus for 14 guiding the conductive cable in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus comprises a pivotal spool 300, mounted independently on the same centerline with the pivotal hinge 37, for receiving the rolling part 130 of the cable 100, pivotal pins 310, put between both ends of the pivotal spool 300, acting as a pivot, a protecting band 320 for preventing the cable 300, rolled onto the outer surface of the pivotal spool 300, from getting loose, and at the same time for preventing the rolled region from being contacted frictionally, and a cable guide slot 330 for leading one end of the cable 100 into the inside of the base 17.

The pivotal spool 300 is wider than the width of the rolling part 130 of the cable 100 and has a cylindrical form, of which outer diameter is smaller than the internal diameter of the pivotal hole 39 on the protruding members 35. And extension ridges 303 are formed around the ends of the pivotal spool 300, of which outer diameter is larger than that of the center of the member 300 and smaller than the internal diameter of the pivotal hole 39 on the protruding members 35. And a pair of grooves 305 of predetermined depth are formed on the center of the ends to receive the pivotal pins 310.

One pivotal pin 310 is formed on the end of the pivotal hinge 37 put into the pivotal hole 39 on the protruding 15 members 35 in the rear of the base 17 and the other pin 310 is on one side of the cover 19 on the same center-line of the pivotal hole 39.

The protecting band 320 has a tube-like form, preferably made of rubber having elasticity. The internal diameter is determined to the extent that it can come in contact closely with the rolling part 130 of the cable 100 rolled around the circumference of the pivotal spool 300. And the length is determined at least to the same with the spaced length between 10 the first extension part 110 and the second extension part 120.

The cable guide slot 330, formed at the bottom side of the protruding members 35 where the pivotal spool 300 is inserted, has a-t least the same length with the width of the is first extension part 110 of the cable 100.

In Fig. 9, a perspective view showing how the conductive cable is inserted into the guiding apparatus in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, as conductive cable comprises a first extension part 110 and a second extension part 120, extended in parallel from two deferent centerlines spaced at a predetermined distance, and a rolling part 130, located in the middle between the two parts 110 and 120 in the perpendicular direction, for 16 interconnecting the two parts 110 and 120 in a body, the first extension part 110 and the second extension part 120 are rolled 3600 in the opposite direction with each other around the circumference of the pivotal spool 300 being located in the longitudinal direction. Here, the first connector 110a of the first extension part 110 and the second connector 120a of the second extension part 120 are located opposite with each other. Then the protecting band 320 is put onto the outer surface of the rolling part 130 between the first extension part 110 and the second extension part 120.

Referring to Fig. 10, a partial sectional view showing an assembling state of a main PCB in the base and an LCD driving circuit in the cover, where the cable is mounted using the apparatus, in accordance with an another.embodiment of the present invention, the first connector 110a of the extension part 110 is lead through the cable guide slot 330 into the inside of the base 17 and connected to the connector 27 on the main PCB 21, where the rolling part 130 of the cable 100 is inserted into the pivotal spool 300. And the second connector 120a of the second extension part 120 is lead to the inside of the cover 19 and connected to the connector 29 on the LCD driving circuit. At this point, one end of the pivotal spool 300 is put into the pivotal hole 39 on the protruding members 17 so that the pivotal pin 310 formed on an end of the pivotal hinge 37 can be inserted into the groove 305 on an end of the pivotal spool 300 and the other pivotal pin 310 on the cover 19 can be inserted into the groove on the other end of the pivotal spool 300. Then, the cover 19 is joined to the base 17 rotatably by assembling the protruding members 35 in the rear of the base 17 and the cover 19 using hinge means.

is In the above structure, since the pivotal spool 300 is rotatably moved in the pivotal direction during opening and closing the cover 19, the cable 100 rolled up around the pivotal spool 300 is not bent or twisted during opening and closing the cover 19. And as the protecting band 320 is put onto the outer surface of the rolling part 130 between the first extension part 110 and the second extension part 120, the base 17 and the cover 19 of the hinged region are not frictionally contacted during opening and closing the cover 19.

As explained above, according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to urevent the conductive cable from being bent and contacted frictionally during opening and closing the cover since the conductive cable which connects the main PCB of the base to the LCD driving circuit of the cover is guided into the inside 18 of the bushing or guided as rolled up around the outer circumference of the pivotal spool, thus preventing durability decline of the conductive cable and damage of cable circuit pattern due to frictional contact and its bending stress.

Furthermore, it is possible to simply connect the connector on main PCB and the connector on LCD driving circuit, even when they are located at different angles from each other, without changing the arrangement of electrical elements, since the connecting parts of the conductive cable is designed to be located opposite to each other in the diagonal direction.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the conductive cable for portable computer,. the apparatus for guiding the conductive cable and the method for mounting the conductive cable using the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

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Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A conductive cable for a portable computer having a circuit pattern laid out thereinto comprising: a first extension part, including a first connector formed on an end, for connecting to a connector on main PCB of a base; a second extension part, extended in parallel from a different center-line of the first extension part, including a second connector formed on an end corresponding to the opposite end of the first connector in the diagonal direction, for connecting to another connector on LCD driving circuit of a cover; and a rolling part, formed with a predetermined width in the middle, where the two extension parts meet, in the perpendicular direction against the direction that the extension parts are extended, for interconnecting the two parts electrically and physically.

2. An apparatus for guiding a conductive cable on a portable computer comprising: a bushing, positioned on the same center-line with a pivotal hole of protruding members in the rear of a base, for 20 receiving a rolling part of a conductive cable; fixing member for fixing the bushing onto the base; and cable guide slot for leading an end of the cable, passed out through the bushing, into the inside of the base.

is

3. The apparatus for guiding the conductive cable on portable computer according to claim 2, wherein the busing of cylindrical form comprising: a hole of a predetermined internal diameter, formed thereinto; a first slit of a predetermined width, cut lengthwise on one side of circumference of the bushing, passing through the hole; and a second slit of a predetermined width,.cut lengthwise on the opposite side of circumference of the bushing, passing through the hole.

4. The apparatus for guiding the conductive cable on portable computer according to claim 2, wherein the fixing member comprising: a bracket having a threaded hole, protruded forward or backward from one side of circumference of the bushing between the first slit and the second slit; and 21 a screw for fixing the bushing to the base through threaded hole.

is

5. An apparatus for guiding a conductive cable on a portable computer comprising: a pivotal spool, onto which a rolling part of conductive cable is rolled up, of which one end is put into a pivotal hole on protruding members in the rear of a base and the other end is inserted into a pivotal hole of a cover, thus independently rotating; a pair of pivotal pins, put into both ends of the pivotal spool when assembling the pivotal spool, one is formed on an end of a pivotal hinge, inserted into the p-Jvotal hole in the rear of the base, and the other is located on one side of the cover; a protecting band, put onto the outer surface of the rolling part of the cable rolled up onto the outer surface of the pivotal spool, for preventing the cable from getting loose, and at the same time for preventing the rolled region from being contacted frictionally; and a cable guide slot, formed at the bottom side of the protruding members where one end of the pivotal spool is inserted, passing through the inside of the base. 22

6. The apparatus for guiding the conductive cable on portable computer according to claim 5, wherein the pivotal spool, of cylindrical form having predetermined length and outer diameter, includes extension ridges, formed around both ends of the member, of which outer diameter is larger than that of the center of the member, and a pair of grooves of predetermined depth formed on the center of end sides of the extension ridges to receive the pivotal pins.

7. The apparatus for guiding the conductive cable on portable computer according to claim 5, wherein the protecting band is made of rubber having elasticity.

8. The apparatus for guiding the conductive cable on portable computer according to claim 5, wherein the protecting band has a tube-like form.

9. The apparatus for guiding the conductive cable on portable computer according to claim 5, wherein the protecting band has a predetermined internal diameter to come in contact closely with the rolling part of the cable rolled around the circumference of the pivotal spool, and its length is determined at least to the same with the spaced length between 23 the first and second extension parts.

10. In a portable computer having a base, a cover and a conductive cable connecting components in the base and the cover, the conductive cable includes first and second extension parts, having first and second connectors located on the opposite ends with each other in the diagonal direction, are extended in parallel from two deferent center-lines spaced at a predetermined distance, and a rolling part formed in the middle, where the two extension parts meet, in the perpendicular direction against the direction that the extension parts are extended, the two extension parts and the rolling part are formed in a body, a method for mounting the conductive cable using an apparatus for guiding the conductive cable on portable computer, the method compri-sing: a step of rolling up the first and second extension parts 3600 in the opposite direction with each other, centering around the rolling part; a step of inserting the rolling part into the bushing, arranging the first and second extension parts to be lead into a first and second slits of the bushing respectively; a step of leading the first extension part, passed out through the first slit, through the cable guide slot into the 24 is inside of the base, and connecting the first connector formed at the end to the connector on main PCB; and a step of leading the second extension part, passed out through the second slit, into the inside of the cover, and connecting the second connector to the connector on LCD driving circuit.

11. In a portable computer having a base, a cover and a conductive cable connecting components in the base and the cover, the conductive cable includes first and second extension parts, having first and second connectors located on the opposite ends with each other in the diagonal direction, are extended in parallel from two deferent center-lines spaced at a predetermined distance, and a rolling part formed in the middle, where the two extension parts meet, in the perpendicular direction against the direction that the extension parts are extended, the two extension parts and the rolling part are formed in a body, a method for mounting the conductive cable using an apparatus for guiding the conductive cable on portable computer, the method comprising:

a step of positioning the pivotal spool on the rolling part of the cable in the longitudinal direction; a step of rolling up the first and second extension parts, 360' in the opposite direction with each other onto the outer surface of the pivotal spool; a step of putting the protecting band onto the outer surface of the rolling part rolled up onto the pivotal spool; a step of leading the first connector of the first extension part through the cable guide slot into the inside of the base, and connecting to the connector on main PCB; and a step of leading the second connector of the second extension part into the inside of the cover, and connecting the connector on LCD driving circuit.

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