JP6860883B2 - Flexible flat cable - Google Patents

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 flexed region moves continuously.

Today, flexible flat cables (FFC) are used as wiring materials 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. Has been done.

This flexible flat cable is made of a resin film (insulating film) having an insulating property such as polyethylene terephthalate having an adhesive layer formed on both sides of a plurality of flat conductors arranged in parallel with each other at predetermined intervals. It has a covered structure. Specifically, the conductors exposed at both ends of the flexible flat cable are inserted into the terminals (contacts) of the mating connector attached to the printed circuit board, and then the lock mechanism of the connector is closed to obtain the connector. The tip of the terminal contacts the conductor of the flexible flat cable.

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

The flexible flat cable for connecting the slide device is arranged along the slide rail opened upward, or is arranged in the surplus space around the slide device.

As a technique for connecting a flexible flat cable to a slide device, there are, for example, those described in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-248431) and Patent Document 2 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-321846). .. These patent documents disclose a technique for absorbing an extra length of a flat cable generated by a slide of a slide device by bending it into a U shape and folding it back.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-248431 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-31824

When the flexible flat cable is arranged along the slide rail, the flexible flat cable is bent (that is, a bending region is formed) and housed in the slide rail. Then, as the connected slide device slides on the slide rail, the bending region of the flexible flat cable is continuously moved. In this way, the flexible flat cable arranged in the slide rail is formed with a straight line region and a bending region.

At this time, there is a difference in reaction force between the linear region and the flexing region of the flexible flat cable, and if the shape of the flexing region is reduced in order to narrow the occupied space of the flexible flat cable, the reaction force of the flexing region is increased accordingly. Is relatively large compared to the linear region. Then, the balance of the reaction force is lost, and the flexible flat cable is distorted or pops out from the slide rail.

To avoid this, the resin film that makes up the flexible flat cable is changed to a flexible material or made thinner to improve flexibility, and the reaction force in the flexion region is reduced to prevent popping out. Can be considered.

However, in such a flexible flat cable, in order to improve the flexibility of the straight region, the linear region having improved flexibility is deformed by the external force of the slide of the slide device, and the bending region is repeatedly moved. As a result, stress is concentrated in the linear region and the service life is reduced.

It is possible to provide a member that applies tension so that the linear region of the flexible flat cable does not deform, or a member that regulates deformation, but this will increase the number of parts and assembly cost. Not desirable.

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

In order to solve the above problems, the flexible flat cable of the present invention according to claim 1 exposes a plurality of flat plate-shaped conductors arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, and exposes both ends of the plurality of conductors. A cable body having a long insulating member that sandwiches the plurality of conductors from both sides and covers them, and a bent portion provided along the length direction of the cable body and extending in the length direction of the cable body. There are joined is formed on Rutotomoni said insulating member, wherein in the deflection region of the cable body is e Bei a plate-like structure that extends in the width direction of the cable body is elastically deformed, and the plate-like structure, the width One end of the direction is joined to the insulating member, and the bent portion located in the middle of the width direction has a cross-sectional shape that is bent in a valley fold when viewed from the insulating member .

The flexible flat cable of the present invention according to claim 2 exposes a plurality of flat plate-shaped conductors arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, and both ends of the plurality of conductors, and exposes the plurality of conductors from both sides. A cable body having a long insulating member that sandwiches and covers them, and a bent portion that is provided along the length direction of the cable body and extends in the length direction of the cable body are formed and the insulation is formed. A plate-like structure that is joined to a member and elastically deforms in a flexing region of the cable body to expand in the width direction of the cable body, and the plate-shaped structure is bent at both ends in the width direction. Each portion is joined to the insulating member, and a space is formed between the middle portion in the width direction and the insulating member .

The flexible flat cable of the present invention according to claim 3 exposes a plurality of flat plate-shaped conductors arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, and both ends of the plurality of conductors, and exposes the plurality of conductors from both sides. A cable body having a long insulating member that sandwiches and covers them, and a bent portion that is provided along the length direction of the cable body and extends in the length direction of the cable body are formed and the insulation is formed. It is characterized by having a plate-like structure integrally formed with a member, which is elastically deformed in a bending region of the cable body and spreads in the width direction of the cable body.

In the flexible flat cable of the present invention according to claim 4 , in the invention according to claim 3 , the plate-like structure is integrated with the insulating member at one end in the width direction and is located in the middle of the width direction. The bent portion is bent in a valley fold when viewed from the insulating member.

According to the present invention, the bent portion formed in the plate-like structure is elastically deformed so as to maintain a bent shape in the straight region and improve the bending strength, and in the flexed region, expand in the width direction of the cable body. Improves flexibility. As a result, a flexible flat cable can be obtained in which the linear region is not deformed even if the shape of the flexing region is reduced and the flexing region is repeatedly used so as to move continuously.

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 region in the flexible flat cable of FIG. (A) is a cross-sectional view showing a linear region of the flexible flat cable of FIG. 2, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a bending region of the flexible flat cable of FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which formed the flexing region in the flexible flat cable of FIG. 1, connected to a slide device, and arranged in a slide rail. Regarding the flexible flat cable according to another embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a linear region, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a bending region. Regarding the flexible flat cable according to still another embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a linear region, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a bending region. Regarding the flexible flat cable according to still another embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a linear region, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a bending region. Regarding the flexible flat cable according to still another embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a linear region, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a bending region. Regarding the flexible flat cable according to still another embodiment of the present invention, (a) is a cross-sectional view showing a linear region, and (b) is a cross-sectional view showing a bending region.

Hereinafter, embodiments as an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the drawing for demonstrating the embodiment, the same constituent elements are in principle given the same reference numerals, and the repeated description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 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 flexing region is formed in the flexible flat cable of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 (a) is FIG. FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing a linear region of the flexible flat cable of FIG. 2, FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view showing a flexing region of the flexible flat cable of FIG. 2, and FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state which connected to and arranged in the slide rail.

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

The conductor 11 which is a power supply 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 flat plate-shaped annealed copper foil and is made of two sheets. It is sandwiched from both sides by an insulating film and is coated with a plurality of films at once. The insulating film 12 has, 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 are laminated with the conductor 11 sandwiched between them.

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 heat fusion is provided over substantially the entire length of the cable body 10 having such a configuration. The plate-shaped structure 20 is formed with a bent portion 21 extending in the length direction of the cable body 10. In the case of illustration, the bent portion 21 has a curved shape so that both sides are separated from the cable main body 10 when viewed in a cross section in the width direction of the plate-shaped structure 20. Then, a flat region located between the bent portions 21 on both sides is joined to the insulating film 12 (see FIG. 3A).

The materials constituting the flexible flat cable 1, such as the conductor 11, the insulating film 12, the reinforcing plate 13, and the plate-shaped structure 20, are not limited to those shown in the present embodiment, and the functions required for each member are not limited to those shown in the present embodiment. Various materials are applicable. Further, the bonding between the insulating film 12 and the plate-shaped structure 20 is not limited to heat fusion, and may be, for example, bonding with an adhesive or tape.

By the way, in the flexible flat cable 1 having the above structure, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A, the bent portion 21 formed in the plate-shaped structure 20 maintains a bent shape in the straight line region S. There is. On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3B, in the bending region R formed by bending the flexible flat cable 1, the cable body 10 is elastically deformed so as to expand in the width direction. It becomes almost flat.

When one side of the flexible flat cable 1 is fixed and the other side is moved in the length direction to continuously move the flexing region R, at the portion where the flexing region R shifts to the straight region S, Both sides of the plate-shaped structure 20 that had been flat until then return to bending in the width direction, and the bent portion 21 is formed. On the other hand, at the transition from the straight line region S to the bending region R, elastic deformation is performed so that both sides of the plate-like structure 20 that has been bent until then (that is, the bent portion 21) spread in the width direction of the cable body 10. And become flat.

Then, in the linear region S, the bending strength is improved by the bending portion 21 formed in the plate-shaped structure 20, and in the bending region R, the bending portion 21 of the plate-shaped structure 20 is elastically deformed in the width direction of the cable body 10. Flexibility is improved by spreading and flattening.

Therefore, according to the flexible flat cable 1 of the present embodiment provided with 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 flexible region R is repeatedly used so as to move continuously, the linear region S will not be deformed.

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

In FIG. 4, the slide rail 2 is a linear rail having an inverted convex cross section and having a shape of opening upward, and two upper end portions are separated from each other by being bent inward at a right angle in the longitudinal direction. The prevention piece 2a is formed. Further, the slide device 3 has its legs 3a fitted into the slide rail 2 via bearings, rollers and the like (not shown). As a result, the slide device 3 moves on the slide rail 2 due to the rolling of the bearing, the rotation of the roller, and the like.

Further, the flexible flat cable 1 is laid along the inside of the slide rail 2, one terminal portion is fitted to a connector provided on the slide device 3, and the other terminal portion supplies power to the slide device 3. It is fitted to a connector provided in an electric device (not shown) for supplying a signal or 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 from FIG. 4 It is also possible to install the device 3 in a state where it is laid down 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 slide device 3 can slide and move on the slide rail 2, and is folded back through the bending region R at two locations. The straight line regions S of the above are arranged so as to face each other vertically.

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

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

In the flexible flat cable 1 described above, the plate-shaped structure 20 is joined to the insulating film 12, but the plate-shaped structure 20 is integrally formed with the insulating film 12 along the length direction of the cable body 10. It may have been done. The plate-shaped structure 20 at this time can adopt various shapes as long as the bent portion 21 extending in the length direction of the cable body 10 and elastically deforming as described above is formed.

As an 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 viewed from the insulating film 12. It is conceivable to adopt a cross-sectional shape that is bent into a valley fold. At this time, the bent portion 21 is in a bent state as shown in FIG. 5A in the linear region S to improve the bending strength, and in the bending region R, as shown in FIG. 5B. The cable body 10 is elastically deformed so as to spread in the width direction to improve flexibility.

Further, even in the flexible flat cable 1 in which the plate-shaped structure 20 is bonded to the insulating film 12, the plate-shaped structure 20 is not limited to the shapes shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 described above, and the cable body 10 is not limited to the shapes shown in FIGS. As long as the bent portion 21 extending in the length direction of the above and elastically deforming as described above is formed, various shapes can be adopted.

For example, in the plate-shaped structure 20 shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, curved bent portions 21 are formed on both sides when viewed in a cross section in the width direction, and a region located between the bent portions 21 is an insulating film. Although it has a shape joined to 12, the bent portion 21 does not have to 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 have to be formed at two locations as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and may be formed at one location. In this case, the formed portion of the curved bent portion 21 may be an end portion in the width direction, but may be a central portion in the width direction or the whole (that is, a shape in which the whole is curved when viewed in a cross section in the width direction).

Further, as shown in FIG. 6, it is conceivable to adopt a cross-sectional shape in which the bent portion 21 located 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 becomes a straight line along the length direction of the cable body 10. Then, in the linear region S, the bent portion 21 is in a bent state as shown in FIG. 6A to improve the bending strength, and in the bending region R, as shown in FIG. 6B. The cable body 10 is elastically deformed so as to spread in the width direction to improve flexibility.

Further, the bonding position of the plate-shaped structure 20 with respect to the insulating film 12 may not be in the middle of the plate-shaped structure 20 in the width direction, but may be one end in the width direction as shown in FIG. In this case, the bent portion 21 is located in the middle in the width direction, and has a cross-sectional shape that is bent in a valley fold when viewed from the insulating film 12. Even in the plate-shaped structure 20 having such a shape, the bent portion 21 is in a bent state as shown in FIG. 7A in the linear region S to improve the bending strength, and in the bending region R, the bending strength is improved. As shown in FIG. 7B, the cable body 10 is elastically deformed so as to spread in the width direction to improve flexibility.

When the bonding position of the plate-shaped structure 20 with respect to the insulating film 12 is set to one end in the width direction of the plate-shaped structure 20, the opposite side in the width direction is not limited to the shape shown in FIG. 7, for example. , As shown in FIG. 5, the shape may be such that it merges with the end portion of the insulating film 12 in the width direction, or as shown in FIG. 8, it may be shaped so as to be separated from the insulating film 12.

Further, the joining position of the plate-shaped structure 20 with respect to the insulating film 12 may be both ends of the plate-shaped 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 intermediate portion of the plate-shaped structure 20 in the width direction and the insulating film 12. Also at this time, the bent portion 21 is in a bent state as shown in FIG. 9A in the linear region S to improve the bending strength, and in the bending region R, as shown in FIG. 9B. , The cable body 10 is elastically deformed so as to spread in the width direction, and the flexibility is improved.

Although the invention made by the present inventor has been specifically described above based on the embodiments, the embodiments disclosed in the present specification are exemplary in all respects and are limited to the disclosed technology. is not it. That is, the technical scope of the present invention is not limitedly interpreted based on the description in the above-described embodiment, but should be interpreted according to the description of the claims, and the scope of claims. All changes are included as long as they do not deviate from the description technology and the technology equivalent to the above and the gist of the claims.

For example, in the above description, the plate-shaped structure 20 is provided on one side of the cable body 10, but may be provided on both sides. Further, regardless of which surface of the cable body 10 the plate-shaped structure 20 is provided, there is no restriction in the direction in which the flexible flat cable 1 is flexed, and the plate-shaped structure 20 is on the outside in the flexing region R. It may be bent so as to be inside, or it may be bent so as to be inside.

Further, the plate-shaped 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-shaped structure 20 can be provided only within that range.

The flexible flat cable of the present invention can be used not only by laying it on a slide rail, but also as a wiring material for a wide range of electrical connections such as various electronic devices and industrial devices.

1 Flexible flat cable 2 Slide rail 2a Detachment prevention piece 3 Slide device 3a Leg 10 Cable body 11 Conductor 12 Insulation film (insulation member)
13 Reinforcing plate 20 Plate-like structure 21 Bending part R Bending region S Straight area

Claims (4)

A plurality of flat plate-shaped conductors arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, and a long insulating member that exposes both ends of the plurality of conductors and covers the plurality of conductors by sandwiching the plurality of conductors from both sides. Cable body and
The cable body is provided along the longitudinal direction is joined to Rutotomoni said insulating member bent portion is formed and which extends in the longitudinal direction of the cable body, said at deflection region of the cable body is elastically deformed the cable A plate-like structure that extends in the width direction of the main body,
Bei to give a,
The plate-shaped 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 is bent in a valley fold when viewed from the insulating member.
A flexible flat cable that features that. A plurality of flat plate-shaped conductors arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, and a long insulating member that exposes both ends of the plurality of conductors and covers the plurality of conductors by sandwiching the plurality of conductors from both sides. Cable body and
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 joined to the insulating member, and the cable is elastically deformed in the bending region of the cable body. A plate-like structure that extends in the width direction of the main body,
With
The plate-shaped structure is
The bent portions located at both ends in the width direction are joined to the insulating member, respectively, and a space is formed between the middle portion in the width direction and the insulating member.
A flexible flat cable that features that. A plurality of flat plate-shaped conductors arranged in parallel at predetermined intervals, and a long insulating member that exposes both ends of the plurality of conductors and covers the plurality of conductors by sandwiching the plurality of conductors from both sides. Cable body and
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 integrally formed with the insulating member, and the cable body is elastically deformed in the flexing region of the cable body. A plate-like structure that extends in the width direction of the cable body,
Flexible flat cable featuring. The plate-shaped structure is
It has a cross-sectional shape that is integrated with the insulating member at one end in the width direction, and the bent portion located in the middle of the width direction is bent in a valley fold when viewed from the insulating member.
The flexible flat cable according to claim 3.

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