DE202004007207U1 - Flexible circuit substrate, comprises conductive track layer divided into repeated sections that are folded e.g. in zigzag - Google Patents

Abstract

The circuit substrate includes a film substrate which comprises at least one layer of conductive tracks, and is divided into sections (1) that are folded about fold lines (2). The conductive tracks repeat themselves in a repeating pattern corresponding to the size of the sections. The section may be folded in a zigzag fashion.

Description

The The invention relates to a circuit carrier, in particular a flexible one Circuit carriers.

Circuit carriers, such as using the conventional Technology are usually manufactured as a plate-shaped element educated. These have a very large extension in at least one direction and accordingly a big one Space requirements, usually in two directions. There are now cases where the available standing space is very small, but you still have a lot of conductor tracks the circuit carrier would like to accommodate.

A coil system is known in which a large number of individual coils are arranged coaxially one behind the other, the coil turns being connected to a narrow printed circuit board which is arranged along the coil ( DE 102442611 ).

The The invention is based on the object of creating a circuit carrier, which with a simple structure and simple manufacturing possibilities cramped space in the electronic device, in which it is to be used.

to solution of this task the invention a circuit carrier with the features mentioned in claim 1. Further training of the Invention are the subject of the dependent protection claims.

By the circuit substrate can be folded to the different space conditions in the electronic device, in which it is to be installed. The production can continue with the available ones Technologies happen. Only after applying the different ones The conductor tracks need to be folded.

According to the invention, a flexible film substrate can be used. There is no flexibility to make particularly high demands since the fold lines are defined can be and therefor can be ensured that the folding is actually limited to the fold lines.

In Further development of the invention can be provided that the Conductor tracks arranged on the film substrate in a regular repeat to repeat. It can be provided that the size of the sections, that are formed between the fold lines corresponds to the repeat. There may also be some offset.

In A development of the invention can provide that the sections are folded in a zigzag fashion, i.e. the fold at the fold lines always done in the opposite direction.

In particular can be provided that the formed between the fold lines Sections then lie on top of each other after folding. The fold in this case it always takes place in the opposite direction 180 degrees.

It it can be provided that the sections and / or the conductor track patterns after congruent lay on top of each other. Again, if desired, some offset may be present if so for the electronic components to be displayed are necessary or useful is.

to Mechanical assurance of congruence can be found in the sections that are formed between the fold lines, corresponding to the repeat aligned recesses may be provided. For example there may be a circular hole in the middle of each section be so that after folding a large number of sections Component, for example a coil core, through this recess can be put through. This allows a very precise alignment of the individual conductor tracks on the circuit carrier and ensure.

For example can the conductor tracks represent a coil that after folding the circuit carrier has a very small footprint.

at the conductor tracks can also be EMC shielding or about resistance, Trade capacitors, batteries or other components.

To the It can be provided that the folding lines facilitate the folding a series of small holes is formed, which thereby weaken the material and so when folding the Specify the line.

Further Features, details and advantages the invention result from the claims, the wording of which Reference is made to the content of the description, the following Description of a preferred embodiment of the invention as well based on the drawing. Here show:

1 part of a circuit carrier with six sections folded in a zigzag shape;

2 a section of a circuit carrier before producing the fold;

3 the scarf on an enlarged scale girder in the area of a folding line.

2 shows a section of a film substrate, which is divided into individual sections 1 is divided. The sections 1 are marked by folding lines 2 separated from each other. All sections 1 with the exception of possibly the first and last section are the same size. In the middle of each section 1 is a circular hole 3 arranged, in the example shown, centrally between the two longitudinal edges 4 of the film substrate and in the middle between the two fold lines 2 is arranged. The substrate can be structured and processed using conventional circuit board technology. For example, it can be a two-layer structure in which the two layers of conductor tracks are connected via plated-through holes and a galvanic process.

The conductor tracks, which are not shown here, can form a coil, for example. This means that on every section 1 a plurality of coaxial or spirally arranged conductor tracks are applied, which are connected to one another in a corresponding manner. These printed conductors are arranged in a recurring pattern, the pattern possibly also extending over two adjacent sections.

The sections 1 with the conductor tracks and the holes 3 are by the fold lines 2 separated from each other. The 3 shows a section of the substrate in the area of a fold line 2 , One can see that along the fold lines there are a multitude of small holes 5 is present that weaken the material at this point. An exact folding line is achieved due to the weakening of the material. It does not have to be circular holes, other shapes are also possible, for example slots. After the production of the film substrate with the corresponding conductor tracks, the film substrate is folded in a zigzag manner, see 1 ,

1 shows the beginning of the folding of the film substrate. The individual sections 1 are then placed on top of one another so that the sections lie flat against one another. Due to the recurring repeat and the exact definition of the fold lines through the holes 5 the conductor tracks formed on the sections lie congruently on one another. The series of holes can be used for mechanical securing 3 serve, which also lie exactly on top of each other and can be secured by an inserted coil core.

The The advantage of this construction is that the dimensions are very great are small. Using standardized technology and standardized materials can this solution for example for a switching power supply can be used, which is in the demand for ever smaller sizes and effective resource conservation.

As Films come in polyimide and LCP, but also polycarbonate, PET, PEN and other temperature dependent Slides in question. The individual design of the layout allows a wide variety of electromagnetic requirements fulfilled become.

Are natural other types of folding are also possible, for example in the Art that the sections are not on top of each other, and of course also other types of hole arrangement.

Claims (12)

Circuit carrier, with a film substrate, which has at least one layer of conductor tracks and is divided into sections ( 1 ) divided around fold lines ( 2 ) are folded. circuit support according to claim 1, wherein the conductor tracks in a regular repeat to repeat. Circuit carrier according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the size of the sections ( 1 ) corresponds to the repeat. Circuit carrier according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sections ( 1 ) are folded zigzag. Circuit carrier according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sections ( 1 ) lie on top of each other after folding. Circuit carrier according to one of the preceding claims, in which the sections ( 1 ) and / or the conductor tracks lie congruently on one another. Circuit carrier according to one of the preceding claims, in which, in order to mechanically ensure congruence in the sections ( 1 ) Recessing recesses corresponding to the repeat ( 3 ) are provided. circuit support according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conductor tracks represent a coil. circuit support according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the conductor tracks represent an EMC shield. Circuit carrier according to one of the preceding existing claims, in which the conductor tracks represent a resistor. Circuit carrier according to one of the preceding claims, in which the folding lines ( 2 ) through a series of holes ( 5 ) are formed. circuit support according to one of the preceding claims, with a battery or an accumulator.