JP2003158355A - Connection structure of flexible printed board and electronic apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection structure of a flexible printed board wherein circuit boards and a flexible printed board can be connected easily and the connection is not easily released even if force like impact is applied, and an electronic apparatus. SOLUTION: When the flexible printed board 1 is connected with the circuit boards 50, 60, first connectors 51, 61 are attached on the circuit boards 50, 60, and second connectors 21, 31 to be connected with the first connectors 51, 61 are attached on end portions 2, 3 of the flexible printed board 1. The first connectors 51, 61 are engaged with the second connectors 21, 31 in a protruded and recessed manner in a direction intersecting the circuit boards 50, 60.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flexible printed circuit board connection structure and electronic equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of a mobile phone, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 6-3
A structure having a folding structure described in Japanese Patent No. 11216 is known. In the mobile phone described in this publication,
As shown in FIG. 7, a first housing including an antenna and a receiver, and a second housing including a transmitter, a dial button, and the like can be folded by rotating with each other by a hinge portion 103. Circuit boards (not shown) are mounted on the first housing and the second housing, respectively, and are electrically connected to each other by, for example, the flexible printed board 105 shown in FIG. Has been done. As shown in FIGS. 6B and 7, the flexible printed circuit board 105 includes a hinge portion 103 having a central portion 1 of the hinge portion 103.
The hinge portion 103 is wound in the cavity formed in 04.
It is attached along the inner diameter of. By doing so, the pulling and slack of the flexible printed circuit board 105 when the first housing and the second housing rotate and open and close with each other are absorbed.

[0003]

By the way, the end portion of the flexible printed circuit board 105 and the circuit board are simply fixed by soldering, or, as shown in FIG. 8, the connector 110a in which the inserted portion 110a is formed in a concave shape. 110 is provided on the circuit board, and the end portion of the flexible printed board 105 is horizontally inserted into the connector 110 and fixed by soldering.

However, in any case, the flexible printed circuit board 10 is arranged in the horizontal direction with respect to the board surface of the circuit board.
Since the ends of the flexible printed circuit board 5 are connected, the flexible printed circuit board 105 is easily detached from the circuit board when a large force is applied to the flexible printed circuit board 105 due to an impact such as a drop. Was there. In addition, since the connections are made by soldering, when the opening and closing operations are frequently performed, the soldering must be carefully performed so that the solder does not peel off, which is a troublesome operation.

An object of the present invention is to connect a circuit board and a flexible printed board easily, and the connection structure of the flexible printed board which is not easily disconnected even if a force such as an impact is applied, and this connection structure. It is to provide an electronic device provided with.

[0006]

In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a flexible printed board connection structure for connecting a flexible printed board to a circuit board, wherein a first connector is attached to the circuit board. And a second connector connected to the first connector is attached to an end of the flexible printed circuit board, and the first connector and the second connector are fitted in a concavo-convex shape in a direction intersecting with the circuit board. It is characterized by In the present invention, the end portion of the flexible substrate has at least 1
It is characterized in that it is folded back more than once, and the second connector is attached to the folded back portion.

Furthermore, the present invention is an electronic device in which a first housing and a second housing are rotatably connected via a hinge portion, and the electronic equipment is provided in the first housing. The circuit board and the circuit board provided in the second housing are electrically connected by a flexible printed board, and the first connector is attached to at least one of the circuit boards. A second connector is attached to an end portion of the board, and the first connector and the second connector are fitted in a concavo-convex shape in a direction intersecting with the circuit board. Further, the present invention is characterized in that the second connector is pressed in the direction in which the second connector is fitted into the first connector by the inner wall surface of the housing on the side including the second connector. The present invention also provides the second
A fold-back portion formed by folding the end of the flexible printed board at least once is interposed between the connector and the inner wall surface of the housing. Also,
The present invention is characterized in that the folded-back portion is folded back at least once from the center line of the second connector on the side opposite to the hinge portion.

[0008]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A connection structure of a flexible printed circuit board 1 and an electronic device 8 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. First, the connection structure of the flexible printed circuit board 1 in the present embodiment will be described. The flexible printed circuit board 1 shown in FIG. 1 is one in which a wiring pattern of a conductive wire 10 made of copper foil or the like is printed on a base film made of resin or the like.

At both ends 2 and 3 of the flexible printed circuit board 1, second connectors 21 and 31 are respectively connected to a first circuit board 50 and a second circuit board 60 which will be described later.
Is attached. Further, at one end 2 of the flexible printed circuit board 1, a film formed to have the same width as that of the second connector 21 is connected to the other end 3 from the center line O1 (see FIG. 3) of the second connector 21. Is folded once at the bending line 25 on the opposite side to form a folded portion 25a.

On the other hand, the other end 3 has two parallel folding lines 3 formed on the film formed to have the same width as the second connector 31.
5, 36 are provided between the second connector 31 and the one end 2. As shown in FIG. 4, the other end 3 is folded back once from the center line O2 of the second connector 31 along a bending line 35 on the one end 2 side, and further from the center line O2. At the bending line 36 on the side opposite to the end portion 2 of the
And the folded portion 36a.

Both ends 2 of the flexible printed circuit board 1,
A band-shaped portion 4 formed in a band shape is formed between the portions 3. The film width of the strip portion 4 is formed narrower than the respective end portions 2 and 3, and connects the substantially central portion 22 of the one end portion 2 and the side end portion 32 of the other end portion 3. Further, the extending direction of the band-shaped portion 4 is changed at the turning points 41a and 41b and the turning points 42a and 42b. Flexible printed circuit board 1
The wiring pattern printed on is a large number of conductors 1 made of copper foil.
0 is the second connector 21 attached to one end 2.
, And the terminals 33 of the second connector 31 attached to the other end 3 of the second connector 31 are connected to each other. They are arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals. At one end 2 and the other end 3, the conductors 10 are bent at appropriate angles, while the terminals (2) attached to the ends (2, 3) of the flexible printed circuit board (1) at predetermined positions ( 33).

Next, referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, a connection structure between one end portion 2 of the flexible printed board 1 and the first circuit board 50 will be described. First circuit board 50
Is a plate-shaped glass epoxy substrate on which a wiring pattern made of copper foil or the like is printed to form a desired circuit (not shown). As shown in FIG.
A first connector 51 is attached to the end portion 50a. The first connector 51 is formed with a concave groove 51a that opens in a direction orthogonal to the circuit board 50, and a convex portion 51b is provided at the bottom of the concave groove 51a. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the second connector 21 attached to the one end 2 of the flexible printed board 1 has the protrusion 51.
The concave groove 21a which fits in b is formed.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, by pressing the second connector 21 against the first connector 51, the concave groove 21a of the second connector 21 and the convex portion 51 of the first connector 51 are pressed.
b means that the second connector 21 itself fits in the direction A1 orthogonal to the circuit board 50, and the second connector 21 itself is the first connector 51.
Is fitted in the concave groove 51a. Due to the concavo-convex fitting of the first connector 51 and the second connector 21, the first circuit board 5
The wiring printed on 0 and the wiring printed on the flexible printed circuit board 1 are electrically connected.

Next, the connection structure between the other end 3 of the flexible printed board 1 and the second circuit board 60 will be described with reference to FIG. Similar to the first circuit board 50, the second circuit board 60 is, for example, one in which a desired circuit is assembled by printing a wiring pattern of copper foil or the like on a glass epoxy substrate formed in a flat plate shape. At its end 60a,
The first connector 61 is attached. The first connector 61 is formed with a concave groove 61a that opens in a direction orthogonal to the circuit board 60, and a convex portion 61b is provided at the bottom of the concave groove 61a. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4,
The second connector 31 attached to the other end 3 of the flexible printed board 1 is formed with a groove 31a that fits into the protrusion 61b.

As shown in FIG. 4, the other end 3 of the flexible printed board 1 is bent along the bending lines 35 and 36, and is folded back twice to be folded back 35a.
36a are formed. Then, the second connector 31 is pressed against the first connector 61 in a state where the other end 3 is folded back twice in this way. By doing so, the concave groove 31a of the second connector 31 and the convex portion 51b of the first connector 51 are fitted into the concave and convex in the direction B1 orthogonal to the circuit board 60, and the second connector 31 itself is the first connector 61.
The wiring printed on the second circuit board 60 and the wiring printed on the flexible printed board 1 are electrically connected to each other by being fitted into the concave groove 61a.

Next, the electronic equipment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
The mobile phone 8 shown in FIG. 5 will be described as an example. The mobile phone 8 shown in FIG. 5 includes a first casing 8a including a receiver 81, a display 82 including a liquid crystal screen, and a transmitter 85.
Second housing 8 including dial portion 86, antenna 87, etc.
and b. The first casing 8a and the second casing 8b are rotatably connected to each other via a hinge portion 8c, and the first casing 8a and the second casing 8b can be folded or opened. It can be opened and closed with.

In the hinge portion 8c between the first casing 8a and the second casing 8b, the strip portion 4 of the flexible printed circuit board 1 is provided with a hinge shaft (not shown) provided on the hinge portion 8c. It is wound around and provided at one end 2 thereof.
Is extended to the first casing 8a side and is included in the first casing 8a, and the other end portion 3 is extended to the second casing 8b side and the second casing 8b. (See FIGS. 3 and 4). The first circuit board 50 is provided in the first housing 8a, and the second circuit board 60 is provided in the second housing 8b. Further, the end portion 50a of the first circuit board 50 is installed on the hinge portion 8c side in the first housing 8a, and then the first connector 51 is attached. Similarly, the end portion 60 of the second circuit board 60
The a is installed on the hinge portion 8c side in the second housing 8b, and then the first connector 61 is attached.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first connector 51 attached to the first circuit board 50 and the one end 2 of the flexible printed board 1 extending toward the first housing 8a are attached. The second connector 21 thus formed is the circuit board 5
The projections and recesses are fitted in the direction A1 orthogonal to 0 and electrically connected.

At this time, the one end 2 of the flexible printed circuit board 1 is folded back once at the bending line 25 on the side opposite to the hinge portion 8c from the center line of the connectors 21 and 51 to form the folded portion 25a. The folded-back portion 25a is interposed between the second connector 21 and the inner wall surface 80a of the first housing 8a. Further, the inner wall surface 80a of the housing 8a is pressed in the direction A1 in which the second connector 21 is fitted in the first connector 51, and therefore the folded portion 2
By being sandwiched between the second connector 21 and the inner wall surface 80a of the first housing 8a, a repulsive force for returning to the original shape is given to the 5a. As a result, the second connector 21
Is double-pressed by the inner wall surface 80a of the housing 8a and the repulsive force of the folded portion 25a in the first connector 51 in the fitting direction A1.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the first connector 61 attached to the second circuit board 60 and the other end portion of the flexible printed board 1 extending to the second casing 8b side. The second connector 31 attached to 3 is
The circuit board 60 is recessed and fitted in a direction B1 orthogonal to the circuit board 60 to be electrically connected.

At this time, as shown in the drawing, the other end 3 is formed into a bending line 35 located on the hinge portion 8c side from the center lines of the connectors 31 and 61 and a bending line 36 located on the opposite side of the hinge portion 8c. And folded back to form a folded back portion 35a and a folded back portion 36a. These folded back portions 35a and 36a are interposed between the second connector 31 and the inner wall surface 80b of the second housing 8b. There is. Further, the inner wall surface 80b of the housing 8b is pressed in the direction B1 in which the second connector 31 is fitted into the first connector 61, and the folded-back portions 35a and 36a have the second connector 31 and the second connector 31.
By being sandwiched between the inner wall surface 80b of the housing 8b of
Repulsive force is applied to return to the original shape. As a result, the second connector 31 is doubly pressed in the direction B1 in which the first connector 61 is fitted in the concavo-convex direction by the pressing force of the inner wall surface 80b of the housing 8b and the repulsive force of the folded portions 35a and 36a. ing. In this way, the first housing 8a
The first circuit board 50 provided inside and the second circuit board 60 provided inside the second housing 8b are electrically connected by the respective end portions 2 and 3 of the flexible printed board 1. It is connected.

According to this embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. In order to electrically connect the circuit boards 50 and 60 and the flexible printed circuit board 1 to each other, the circuit boards 50 and 6 do not require the labor-intensive soldering work as in the related art.
The recesses 51 of the first connectors 51 and 61 attached to the 0.
a, 61a, the end portion 2 of the flexible printed circuit board 1,
Since it is only necessary to fit the second connectors 21 and 31 attached to the connector 3 to the concave and convex portions, the flexible printed circuit board 1 and the circuit boards 50 and 60 can be easily connected.

Further, the ends 2 and 3 of the flexible printed circuit board 1 are not connected to the circuit boards 50 and 60 so as to be inserted laterally with respect to the board surfaces, but to the board surfaces. The first connector 5 in the orthogonal directions A1 and B1.
The first connector 61 and the second connector 21 are connected to each other by fitting the first connector 61 and the second connector 31 together. Therefore, the first housing 8
When a and the second housing 8b are bent, the forces in the pulling directions A2 and B2 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 act on the ends 2 and 3 of the flexible substrate 1. The force in the directions A2 and B2 is directly applied to the first connector 5
Since the connection between the first and the first connectors 61 and 61 and the second connector 21 and 31 does not work in the disconnecting direction, the flexible printed circuit board 1 becomes difficult to separate from the circuit boards 50 and 60.

The second connectors 51 and 61 are connected to the housing 8
By the inner wall surfaces 80a and 80b of a and 8b, the second connectors 21 and 31 are pressed against the first connectors 51 and 61 in the directions A1 and B1 in which the first connectors 51 and 61 are fitted in a concavo-convex manner. The folded-back portions 25a, 35a, 36a are interposed between the second connectors 21, 31 and the inner wall surfaces 80a, 80b of the housings 8a, 8b, and the second connectors 21, 3 are provided.
By being sandwiched between 1 and the inner wall surfaces 80a and 80b of the housings 8a and 8b, a repulsive force for returning to the original shape is applied. Therefore, the second connectors 21 and 31 are biased in the directions A1 and B1 in which the second connectors 21 and 31 are fitted into the first connectors 51 and 61 in a concavo-convex manner. For this reason, even if a large impact such as a drop is applied to the mobile phone 8, the first connector is not attached to the second connectors 21 and 41.
Since the urging force is applied in the directions A1 and B1 in which the connectors 51 and 61 are always fitted, the first connectors 51 and 61 and the second connector 51
The connection with the connectors 21 and 31 is difficult to disconnect. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the flexible printed circuit board 1 from coming off the circuit boards 50 and 60. In addition, the flexible printed circuit board 1
End portions 2 and 3 of the second connector 21 and 31 are folded back at least once, and the inner wall surfaces 80a and 8b of the second connectors 21 and 31 and the housings 8a and 8b are folded.
Since the above effect can be obtained by interposing it between 0b and 0b, the number of parts is not increased and it does not take time and effort.

Further, the folded portions 25a, 35a, 3
6a is folded back from the center lines O1 and O2 of the connectors 21 and 31 to the side opposite to the hinge portion 8c or to the hinge portion 8c side. Therefore, even if the end portions 2 and 3 of the flexible printed circuit board 1 are pulled toward the hinge portions 8c on the sides A2 and B2, the folded-back portions 25a and 35 of the respective end portions 2 and 3 are formed.
Since the force is buffered by the extension of a and 36a, the concave-convex fitting between the first connectors 51 and 61 and the second connectors 21 and 31 is unlikely to come off. Therefore, the connection between the flexible printed circuit board 1 and the circuit boards 50 and 60 becomes more difficult to disconnect.

Further, as described above, the end portions 2 and 3 of the flexible printed circuit board 1 are attached to the connector 2 at least once.
By folding back from the center lines O1 and O2 of 1, 31 on the side opposite to the hinge portion 8c or on the hinge portion 8c side, the distance between the end portions 22, 32 of the band-shaped portion 4 and the second connector 21, 31 is increased. be able to. Therefore, when the large number of conducting wires 10 formed on the strip-shaped portion 4 are guided to the respective joining terminals (33) of the second connectors 21 and 31, they can be wired without difficulty.

The present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist of the present invention. In the present embodiment, the electronic device of the present invention has been described by taking the mobile phone 8 as an example, but the electronic device is not limited to the mobile phone 8 and includes the first and second casings. Is rotatably connected via a hinge portion, and the circuit board provided in the first housing and the circuit board provided in the first housing are electrically connected by the flexible printed board 1. Any device may be used as long as it is a device.

Further, in the present embodiment, one end 2 of the flexible printed board 1 is folded back once, and the other end 3 is folded back twice to form the second connector 2 in each.
Although 1, 31 are attached, the present invention is not limited to this. The second connectors 21 and 31 may be attached to only one of the ends 2 and 3 of the flexible printed circuit board 1. In short, this second connector 21, 31
It suffices that the end portions 2 and 3 to which is attached are folded back from the center lines O1 and O2 of the connectors 21 and 31 on the side opposite to the hinge portion 8c.

Further, concave grooves 51a and 61a are formed in the first connectors 51 and 61 attached to the circuit boards 50 and 60,
Although the second connectors attached to the ends 2 and 3 of the flexible printed circuit board 1 are fitted in the concave and convex grooves 51a and 61a in a concavo-convex manner, the present invention is not limited to this.
Any shape may be used as long as the connectors 51 and 61 and the second connectors 21 and 31 are connected by concave and convex fitting. Further, in the present embodiment, the first connectors 51 and 61 and the second connectors 21 and 31 are mated in the directions A1 and B1 orthogonal to the circuit board, but the invention is not limited to this. Instead, it is sufficient that the circuit boards 50 and 60 are fitted in a concavo-convex manner in a direction intersecting with each other.

Further, in this embodiment, both end portions 2 and 3 of the flexible printed circuit board 1 are folded back to form folded-back portions 25a, 35a and 36a, and the folded-back portion 25 is formed.
a, 35a, 36a are the second connectors 21, 31 and the housing 8
Although it is interposed between the inner wall surfaces 80a and 80b of the a and 8b, it is not limited to this. For example, the directions A1 and B1 in which the first connectors 51 and 61 are engaged with the concave and convex portions.
In addition, the second connectors 21, 31 may only be pressed by the inner wall surfaces 80a, 80b of the casings 8a, 8b, or the second connectors 21, 31 may be pressed.
Connectors 21, 31 and inner wall surfaces 80a of the housings 8a, 8b,
The second connector 21, 31 is connected to the first connector 5 with a cushion or the like made of an elastic body interposed between the first connector 5 and the connector 80b.
It is also possible to further press in the directions A1 and B1 in which the projections and recesses are fitted into the projections 1 and 61. In short, the directions A1 and B1 in which the second connectors 21 and 31 are fitted into the first connectors 51 and 61 by projections and depressions
It just needs to be pressed.

[0031]

According to the present invention, the first connector is attached to the circuit board and the second connector is attached to the end portion of the flexible printed board.
Since the connector is attached, it is possible to easily connect the flexible printed circuit board and the circuit board by simply fitting the first connector and the second connector into concavity and convexity without soldering. Further, even if a horizontal pulling force is applied to the end of the flexible printed circuit board with respect to the circuit board, the first connector and the second connector are mated in a concavo-convex manner in a direction intersecting the circuit board. It is difficult for them to come off, so the flexible printed circuit board and circuit board cannot be easily disconnected.

Further, according to the present invention, even in an electronic device in which the first casing and the second casing are bent via the hinge portion, the flexible printed circuit board and the circuit board have concave and convex connectors respectively. It can be easily connected just by fitting. Further, since the first connector and the second connector are fitted in the concave and convex in the direction intersecting with the circuit board, even if the flexible printed board is pulled,
The connectors are hard to disconnect, and the flexible printed circuit board and the circuit board are not easily disconnected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a flexible printed circuit board according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a flexible printed circuit board and a circuit board according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a connection structure of a flexible printed board according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of a flexible printed circuit board connection structure of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an electronic device according to an example of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional flexible printed circuit board.

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing an example of a conventional flexible printed circuit board and an electronic device.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing an example of a conventional flexible printed circuit board connection structure.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flexible printed circuit board 2 One end part 21 (attached to one end part) 2nd connector 25a (folded part of one end part) 3 other end part 31 (attached to the other end part) 2 connectors 35a and 35b (at the other end) folded-back portion 50 (first) circuit board 51 (first circuit board mounted) first connector 60 (second) circuit board 61 (second) First connector 8 attached to circuit board 8 Electronic device (mobile phone) 8a First casing 8b Second casing 8c Hinge portions A1, B1 Direction O1, O2 in which second connector is fitted to first connector Connector centerline

Continued front page    F-term (reference) 5E023 AA04 AA16 BB23 CC22 CC27                       DD07 DD30 GG06 HH08                 5E338 AA12 BB51 EE27 EE32                 5E344 AA10 AA12 BB04 CC25 CD18                       DD08 EE17 EE21                 5E348 AA03 AA28 EF16

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A flexible printed board connection structure for connecting a flexible printed board to a circuit board, wherein a first connector is attached to the circuit board, and the first connector is provided at an end of the flexible printed board. A connection structure of a flexible printed circuit board, wherein a second connector to be connected to the circuit board is attached, and the first connector and the second connector are fitted to each other in a direction intersecting the circuit board. 2. The flexible printed board connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the end portion of the flexible printed board is at least 1.
A connection structure of a flexible printed circuit board, which is folded back more than once, and the second connector is attached to the folded back portion. 3. An electronic device in which a first housing and a second housing are rotatably connected via a hinge portion, the circuit board being provided in the first housing. A circuit board provided in the second housing is electrically connected by a flexible printed circuit board, and a first connector is attached to at least one of the circuit circuit boards, and an end portion of the flexible printed circuit board. A second connector is attached to the electronic device, and the first connector and the second connector are fitted to each other by protrusions and recesses in a direction intersecting the circuit board. 4. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein the inner wall surface of the housing on the side including the second connector,
An electronic device in which the second connector is pressed in a direction in which the second connector is fitted. 5. The electronic device according to claim 3, wherein a folded-back portion is formed between the second connector and the inner wall surface of the housing, and the folded-back portion is formed by folding back an end portion of the flexible printed board at least once. An electronic device characterized by being interposed. 6. The electronic device according to claim 5, wherein the folded-back portion is folded back at least once from the center line of the second connector on the side opposite to the hinge portion.