JP2019160483A - Flexible flat cable - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a flexible flat cable in which a straight region is not deformed even when a bent region is used with a reduced shape. A plurality of flat conductors 11 arranged in parallel at a predetermined interval, and both ends of the plurality of conductors 11 are exposed, and the plurality of conductors 11 are sandwiched from both sides to cover them. The cable body 10 having the shape of the insulating film 12 and a bent portion 21 provided along the length direction of the cable body 10 and extending in the length direction of the cable body 10 are formed. The flexible flat cable 1 includes a plate-like structure 20 which elastically deforms and spreads in the width direction of the cable body 10. [Selection diagram] FIG.

Description

  The present invention relates to a flexible flat cable, and more particularly to a technique effective when applied to a flexible flat cable used so that a bent region continuously moves.

  Today, a flexible flat cable (FFC) is used as a wiring material for various devices such as various external storage devices (CD-ROM drive, DVD-ROM drive, etc.) such as digital cameras, printers, mobile phones, and personal computers. It has been.

  This flexible flat cable is a resin film (insulating film) having insulating properties such as polyethylene terephthalate on which adhesive layers are formed on both surfaces of a plurality of flat conductors arranged parallel to each other at a predetermined interval. It has a covered structure. Specifically, the conductor exposed at both ends of the flexible flat cable is inserted into the terminal part (contact) of the fitting type connector attached to the printed circuit board, and then the lock mechanism part of the connector is closed, The tip of the terminal part contacts the conductor of the flexible flat cable.

  In addition to the above-described devices, such a flexible flat cable supplies power to sliding devices (hereinafter simply referred to as “sliding devices”) such as seats and storage boxes of automobiles, vehicles, heavy equipment, airplanes, and the like. It is also used as a wiring material for signal communication. For example, in an automobile seat, the function of adjusting the seat position electrically (power seat), the function of warming the seat (seat heater), the function of blowing cool air from the seat (ventilation sheet), and the function of performing massage (massage seat) This is because various functions that require electrical operation such as) have been introduced.

  And the flexible flat cable for connection of a slide apparatus is arrange | positioned along the slide rail opened upwards, or is arrange | positioned in the surplus space around a slide apparatus.

  In addition, as a technique using a flexible flat cable for the connection of a slide apparatus, there exist some which were described in patent document 1 (Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-248431) and patent document 2 (Unexamined-Japanese-Patent No. 2004-312846), for example. . In these patent documents, a technique for absorbing the extra length of the flat cable generated by the sliding of the slide device by bending it into a U shape and turning it back is disclosed.

JP 2004-248431 A JP 2004-312846 A

  When the flexible flat cable is arranged along the slide rail, the flexible flat cable is folded (that is, formed with a bending region) and stored in the slide rail. As the connected slide device slides on the slide rail, the bending region of the flexible flat cable continuously moves. Thus, a linear area | region and a bending area | region are formed in the flexible flat cable arrange | positioned in a slide rail.

  At this time, there is a difference in the reaction force between the linear region and the bending region of the flexible flat cable. If the shape of the bending region is reduced in order to narrow the space occupied by the flexible flat cable, the reaction force of the bending region is increased accordingly. Is relatively larger than the straight line region. Then, the balance of reaction force is lost and the flexible flat cable is distorted or jumps out of the slide rail.

  In order to avoid this, the flexibility is improved by changing the resin film constituting the flexible flat cable to a flexible material or making it thin, and the reaction force in the flexure region is reduced to prevent jumping out. It is possible.

  However, in such a flexible flat cable, since the flexibility of the linear region is also improved, the linear region with improved flexibility is deformed against the external force of sliding of the slide device, and the movement of the bending region is repeated. As a result, stress concentrates in the linear region, resulting in a decrease in the service life.

  A member that applies tension or a member that restricts deformation can be provided so that the linear region of the flexible flat cable does not deform, but this increases the number of parts and assembly cost. Not desirable.

  The present invention has been made from the technical background described above, and is a flexible flat in which a linear region is not deformed even if it is repeatedly used so that the shape of the bending region is reduced and the bending region continuously moves. The purpose is to provide a cable.

  In order to solve the above problem, the flexible flat cable according to the first aspect of the present invention exposes both ends of the plurality of flat conductors arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, and the plurality of conductors, A cable main body provided with a long insulating member that covers the conductors from both sides and covers them, and a bent portion that is provided along the length direction of the cable main body and extends in the length direction of the cable main body And a plate-like structure that elastically deforms in the bending region of the cable body and spreads in the width direction of the cable body.

  A flexible flat cable according to a second aspect of the present invention is the flexible flat cable according to the first aspect, wherein the plate-like structure is joined to the insulating member.

  A flexible flat cable according to a third aspect of the present invention is the flexible flat cable according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the plate-like structure is formed with the bent portions spaced from the insulating member on both sides in the width direction. The region located between the parts has a cross-sectional shape joined to the insulating member.

  The flexible flat cable according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the flexible flat cable according to the second aspect, wherein the plate-like structure is formed by joining the bent portion positioned in the middle of the width direction to the insulating member. The both sides of this are the cross-sectional shape spaced apart from the said insulation member, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

  A flexible flat cable according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the flexible flat cable according to the second aspect of the present invention, wherein the plate-like structure is positioned at the middle in the width direction, with one end in the width direction being joined to the insulating member. The bent portion has a cross-sectional shape bent in a valley fold when viewed from the insulating member.

  The flexible flat cable according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the flexible flat cable according to the second aspect of the invention, wherein the plate-like structure has the bent portions positioned at both ends in the width direction joined to the insulating member, respectively. It is a cross-sectional shape in which a space is formed between the middle of the direction and the insulating member.

  A flexible flat cable according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is the flexible flat cable according to the first aspect, wherein the plate-like structure is formed integrally with the insulating member.

  The flexible flat cable according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the flexible flat cable according to the seventh aspect, wherein the plate-like structure is integrated with the insulating member at one end in the width direction, and is located in the middle in the width direction. The bent portion has a cross-sectional shape bent into a valley fold when viewed from the insulating member.

  According to the present invention, the bent portion formed in the plate-like structure maintains the bent shape in the linear region to improve the bending strength, and in the bent region, the bent portion is elastically deformed so as to spread in the width direction of the cable body. Flexibility. Thereby, even if it uses repeatedly so that the shape of a bending area | region may be made small and a bending area | region may move continuously, a flexible flat cable with which a linear area | region will not deform | transform is obtained.

It is a perspective view which shows the flexible flat cable which concerns on one embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the state which formed the bending area | region in the flexible flat cable of FIG. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the linear area | region of the flexible flat cable of FIG. 2, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the bending area | region of the flexible flat cable of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which formed the bending area | region in the flexible flat cable of FIG. 1, connected with the slide apparatus, and has arrange | positioned in the slide rail. About the flexible flat cable which concerns on other embodiment of this invention, (a) is sectional drawing which shows a linear area | region, (b) is sectional drawing which shows a bending area | region. (A) is sectional drawing which shows a linear area | region, (b) is sectional drawing which shows a bending area | region about the flexible flat cable which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. (A) is sectional drawing which shows a linear area | region, (b) is sectional drawing which shows a bending area | region about the flexible flat cable which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. (A) is sectional drawing which shows a linear area | region, (b) is sectional drawing which shows a bending area | region about the flexible flat cable which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. (A) is sectional drawing which shows a linear area | region, (b) is sectional drawing which shows a bending area | region about the flexible flat cable which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment as an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that components having the same function are denoted by the same reference symbols throughout the drawings for describing the embodiment, and the repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

  1 is a perspective view showing a flexible flat cable according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which a bending region is formed in the flexible flat cable of FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing a linear region of the flexible flat cable, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing a flexible region of the flexible flat cable in FIG. 2, and FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which connected to and has arrange | positioned in the slide rail.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a flexible flat cable (FFC) 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of conductors 11 arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, and these conductors 11. It has a cable body 10 composed of a long insulating film 12 (insulating member) that exposes both end portions (terminal portions) of a plurality of conductors 11 and covers other portions from both sides.

  A conductor 11 which is a power line for power supply and a signal line for signal (image signal, video signal, audio signal, control signal, etc.) communication is made of a flexible plate-like soft copper foil. A plurality of films are covered by an insulating film and covered from both sides. The insulating film 12 is made of, for example, a polyester resin (polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, polybutylene naphthalate, polytrimethylene terephthalate, polytrimethylene naphthalate, etc.) having an adhesive layer formed on the conductor 11 side. ), And the films 11 are laminated with the conductor 11 in between.

  Further, the terminal portion is reinforced with a reinforcing plate 13 made of, for example, a thick PET film, for insertion into a connector (not shown).

  A plate-like structure 20 joined to the insulating film 12 by thermal fusion is provided over almost the entire length of the cable body 10 having such a configuration. A bent portion 21 extending in the length direction of the cable body 10 is formed in the plate-like structure 20. In the illustrated case, the bent portion 21 has a curved shape such that both sides are separated from the cable body 10 when viewed in a cross-section in the width direction of the plate-like structure 20. And the flat area | region located between the bending parts 21 of this both sides is joined to the insulating film 12 (refer Fig.3 (a)).

  In addition, the material which comprises the flexible flat cable 1, such as the conductor 11, the insulating film 12, the reinforcement board 13, and the plate-shaped structure 20, is not limited to what is shown in this Embodiment, The function calculated | required by each member Various materials with can be applied. Further, the bonding between the insulating film 12 and the plate-like structure 20 is not limited to heat fusion, and may be bonding with an adhesive or a tape, for example.

  Now, in the flexible flat cable 1 having the above configuration, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, the bent portion 21 formed in the plate-like structure 20 maintains a bent shape in the linear region S. Yes. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 (b), the bending region R formed by bending the flexible flat cable 1 is elastically deformed so as to spread in the width direction of the cable body 10. Almost flat.

  When one side of such a flexible flat cable 1 is fixed and the other side is moved in the length direction and the bending region R is continuously moved, at the place where the bending region R is shifted to the linear region S, Until then, both sides in the width direction of the plate-like structure 20 that have been flattened return to bending, and the bent portions 21 are formed. On the other hand, at the location where the straight region S has shifted to the bending region R, elastic deformation is performed so that both sides in the width direction of the plate-like structure 20 that has been bent (that is, the bent portions 21) spread in the width direction of the cable body 10. And become flat.

  In the straight region S, the bending strength is improved by the bent portion 21 formed in the plate-like structure 20, and in the bent region R, the bent portion 21 of the plate-like structure 20 is elastically deformed, so that the width direction of the cable body 10 is increased. Flexibility is improved by spreading and flattening.

  Therefore, according to the flexible flat cable 1 of the present embodiment including the plate-like structure 20 in which the bent portion 21 extending in the length direction of the cable body 10 is formed, the shape of the bending region R is reduced to bend. Even if the bending region R is repeatedly used so as to continuously move, the linear region S will not be deformed.

  FIG. 4 shows a state in which the bending region R is formed in the flexible flat cable 1 of the present embodiment, and is connected to the slide device 3 and arranged in the slide rail 2.

  In FIG. 4, the slide rail 2 is a straight rail having a reverse convex cross section and opening upward, and two upper ends are detached at right angles toward the inside in the longitudinal direction. The prevention piece 2a is formed. Further, the slide device 3 has a leg portion 3a fitted into the slide rail 2 via a bearing, a roller or the like (not shown). Thereby, the slide device 3 moves on the slide rail 2 by rolling of the bearing, rotation of the roller, or the like.

  Further, the flexible flat cable 1 is laid along the slide rail 2, one terminal portion is fitted into a connector provided in the slide device 3, and the other terminal portion is connected to the slide device 3. Is fitted to a connector provided in an electric device (not shown) for supplying the signal and performing signal communication.

  In the case shown in FIG. 4, the slide device 3 is installed on the slide rail 2, but the positional relationship between the two is not limited to this. For example, the slide device 3 slides from FIG. 4. It can also be installed in a state where the device 3 is tilted sideways or in a state where both positions are reversed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the flexible flat cable 1 is formed with a bending region R so that the sliding device 3 can slide on the slide rail 2, and is folded back via the bending region R. Are arranged in such a shape that the straight regions S thereof are opposed to each other in the vertical direction.

  Then, the flexible flat cable 1 having one end attached to the slide device 3 is deformed so that the bending region R moves continuously as the slide device 3 slides on the slide rail 2. Thus, the bent portion 21 of the plate-like structure 20 is deformed as described above, and the bending strength is improved in the straight region S, and the flexibility is improved in the bending region R.

  Accordingly, even if the shape of the bending region R is reduced, the linear region S will not be deformed. Therefore, when the flexible flat cable 1 is laid on the slide rail 2, the slide function is maintained while maintaining the function and reliability as the rail. It is possible to reduce the size by reducing the thickness of the rail 2.

  Now, in the flexible flat cable 1 described above, the plate-like structure 20 is joined to the insulating film 12, but the plate-like structure 20 is integrally formed with the insulating film 12 along the length direction of the cable body 10. May be. And the plate-shaped structure 20 at this time can employ | adopt various shapes, as long as the bending part 21 extended in the length direction of the cable main body 10 and elastically deforming as mentioned above is formed.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the plate-like structure 20 is integrated with the insulating film 12 at one end in the width direction, and the bent portion 21 located in the middle in the width direction is seen from the insulating film 12. It is conceivable to adopt a cross-sectional shape bent into a valley fold. At this time, the bending portion 21 is bent in the straight region S as shown in FIG. 5A, and the bending strength is improved. In the bending region R, as shown in FIG. Flexibility is improved by elastic deformation so as to spread in the width direction of the cable body 10.

  Further, even in the flexible flat cable 1 in which the plate-like structure 20 is joined to the insulating film 12, the plate-like structure 20 is not limited to the shape shown in FIGS. As long as the bent portion 21 is formed that extends in the length direction and elastically deforms as described above, various shapes can be adopted.

  For example, in the plate-like structure 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, when viewed in a cross section in the width direction, curved bent portions 21 are formed on both sides, and an area located between the bent portions 21 is an insulating film. 12, the bent portion 21 may not be curved. That is, the bent portion 21 in the present application includes not only a curved shape such as an arc shape but also a bent shape (see FIGS. 5 to 9).

  Further, the curved bent portion 21 does not need to be formed at two places as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and may be at one place. In this case, the curved bent portion 21 may be formed at the end portion in the width direction, but may be the central portion or the whole in the width direction (that is, a shape that is entirely curved when viewed in the cross section in the width direction).

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, it is conceivable to adopt a cross-sectional shape in which a bent portion 21 positioned in the middle in the width direction is joined to the insulating film 12 and both sides thereof are separated from the insulating film 12. At this time, the bent portion 21 is linear along the length direction of the cable body 10. Then, the bent portion 21 is bent in the straight region S as shown in FIG. 6A, and the bending strength is improved. In the bent region R, as shown in FIG. Flexibility is improved by elastic deformation so as to spread in the width direction of the cable body 10.

  Furthermore, the joining position of the plate-like structure 20 with respect to the insulating film 12 may not be the middle in the width direction of the plate-like structure 20, but may be one end in the width direction as shown in FIG. In this case, the bent portion 21 is positioned in the middle in the width direction, and has a cross-sectional shape bent in a valley fold as viewed from the insulating film 12. Also in the plate-like structure 20 having such a shape, the bent portion 21 is bent in the straight region S as shown in FIG. 7A and the bending strength is improved. In the bent region R, As shown in FIG. 7 (b), the flexibility is improved by elastic deformation so as to spread in the width direction of the cable body 10.

  In addition, when the joining position with respect to the insulating film 12 of the plate-shaped structure 20 is made into the one end of the width direction of the plate-shaped structure 20, the opposite side of the width direction is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 5, the insulating film 12 may be merged with the end portion in the width direction, or may be separated from the insulating film 12 as shown in FIG. 8.

  Furthermore, the joining position of the plate-like structure 20 to the insulating film 12 may be both ends of the plate-like structure 20 in the width direction. At such a joining position, as shown in FIG. 9, a cross-sectional shape is formed in which a space is formed between the middle of the plate-like structure 20 in the width direction and the insulating film 12. Also at this time, the bending portion 21 is bent in the straight region S as shown in FIG. 9A and the bending strength is improved, and in the bending region R, as shown in FIG. 9B. The flexibility is improved by elastic deformation so as to spread in the width direction of the cable body 10.

  Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described based on the embodiment, the embodiment disclosed in this specification is an example in all respects and is limited to the disclosed technology. is not. That is, the technical scope of the present invention should not be construed restrictively based on the description in the above-described embodiment, but should be construed according to the description of the scope of claims. All modifications are included without departing from the technical scope equivalent to the described technique and the gist of the claims.

  For example, in the above description, the plate-like structure 20 is provided on one side of the cable body 10, but may be provided on both sides. In addition, no matter which surface of the cable body 10 the plate-like structure 20 is provided, there is no restriction on the direction in which the flexible flat cable 1 is bent, and the plate-like structure 20 is outside in the bending region R. Even if it bends, it may be bent so that it may become inside.

  In addition, the plate-like structure 20 may be provided along the length direction of the cable main body 10, and may not be provided over the entire length of the cable main body 10. That is, when the range in which the bending region R is formed when the flexible flat cable 1 is attached is known in advance, the plate-like structure 20 can be provided only within the range.

  The flexible flat cable of the present invention is not only laid on a slide rail but also used as a wiring material for a wide range of electrical connections such as various electronic devices and industrial equipment.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Flexible flat cable 2 Slide rail 2a Detachment prevention piece 3 Slide apparatus 3a Leg part 10 Cable main body 11 Conductor 12 Insulation film (insulation member)
13 Reinforcing plate 20 Plate-like structure 21 Bending portion R Bending region S Linear region

Claims (8)

A plurality of flat conductors arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, and a long insulating member that exposes both ends of the plurality of conductors and covers the conductors from both sides Cable body,
A bent portion provided along the length direction of the cable body and extending in the length direction of the cable body is formed, and is elastically deformed in the bending region of the cable body and spreads in the width direction of the cable body. A structure,
A flexible flat cable characterized by comprising: The plate-like structure is bonded to the insulating member,
The flexible flat cable according to claim 1. The plate-like structure is
The bent portion spaced from the insulating member is formed on both sides in the width direction, and a region located between the bent portions is a cross-sectional shape joined to the insulating member.
The flexible flat cable according to claim 2. The plate-like structure is
The bent portion located in the middle in the width direction is joined to the insulating member, and both sides in the width direction have a cross-sectional shape separated from the insulating member.
The flexible flat cable according to claim 2. The plate-like structure is
One end in the width direction is joined to the insulating member, and the bent portion located in the middle of the width direction has a cross-sectional shape bent in a valley fold when viewed from the insulating member.
The flexible flat cable according to claim 2. The plate-like structure is
The bent portions located at both ends in the width direction are respectively joined to the insulating member, and a cross-sectional shape in which a space is formed between the middle in the width direction and the insulating member.
The flexible flat cable according to claim 2. The plate-like structure is integrally formed with the insulating member.
The flexible flat cable according to claim 1. The plate-like structure is
The cross-sectional shape is integrated with the insulating member at one end in the width direction, and the bent portion located in the middle in the width direction is bent into a valley fold when viewed from the insulating member.
The flexible flat cable according to claim 7.

Images