Flexible connector with printed circuit lines encircling two axes
View Patent ↗The invention relates to a flexible connector formed from a single layer flexible film with printed circuit lines. The flexible connector comprises a first connection means, a second connection means, a first part extending from the first connection means, wherein the first part is adapted to form a coiled part encircling a first axis, a second part extending from the second connection means, wherein the second part is adapted to form a coiled part encircling a second axis, and a third part interconnecting the first and second parts. The invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such a flexible connector, and a communication apparatus provided with such a flexible connector and comprising a first member and a second member, wherein the first and second members are mechanically connected by a two-axis hinge, and wherein circuitry of the first and second members are connected by said flexible connector.
1. A flexible connector formed from a single layer flexible film with printed circuit lines, said flexible connector comprising a first connection means, and a second connection means, wherein said flexible connector further comprises
a first part extending from the first connection means, wherein said first part is adapted to form a coiled part encircling a first axis;
a second part extending from the second connection means, wherein said second part is adapted to form a coiled part encircling a second axis; and
a third part interconnecting said first and second parts.
2. The flexible connector of claim 1 , wherein said first, second and third parts comprise two or more strips having essentially the same shape, and intermediate parts, each having a first and a second dividing line, wherein said first and second dividing lines are parallel, said intermediate parts being arranged between each end of said strips to enable folding along the dividing lines such that said two or more strips form overlapping layers after folding.
3. The flexible connector of claim 2 , wherein said intermediate parts are provided with an adhesive.
4. The flexible connector of claim 3 , wherein said adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.
5. The flexible connector according to claim 1 , wherein said second part comprises a first elongated sub-part, a second curved sub-part, and a third elongated sub-part, which third elongated sub-part is adapted to form said coiled part, and said third part comprises a first curved sub-part, a second elongated sub-part, and a third curved sub-part.
6. A communication apparatus comprising a first member and a second member, wherein said first and second members are mechanically connected by a two-axis hinge, said communication apparatus further comprising a flexible connector formed from a single layer flexible film with printed circuit lines, said flexible connector comprising a first connection means adapted to be connected to circuitry in the first member of said communication apparatus, and a second connection means adapted to be connected to circuitry in the second member of said communication apparatus,
wherein said flexible connector further comprises
a first part extending from the first connection means, wherein said first part forms a coiled part encircling a first axis of said two-axes hinge;
a second part extending from the second connection means, wherein said second part forms a coiled part encircling a second axis of said two-axes hinge; and
a third part interconnecting said first and second parts.
7. The communication apparatus of claim 6 , wherein said first, second and third parts comprise two or more strips having essentially the same shape, and intermediate parts, each having a first and a second dividing line, wherein said first and second dividing lines are parallel, said intermediate parts being arranged between each end of said strips to enable folding along the dividing lines such that said two or more strips form overlapping layers after folding.
8. The communication apparatus of claim 7 , wherein said intermediate parts are provided with an adhesive.
9. The communication apparatus of claim 8 , wherein said adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive.
10. The communication apparatus according to claim 6 , wherein said second part comprises a first elongated sub-part, a second curved sub-part, and a third elongated sub-part, which third elongated sub-part is adapted to form said coiled part, and said third part comprises a first curved sub-part, a second elongated sub-part, and a third curved sub-part.