Electricity: conductors and insulators – Conduits – cables or conductors – Preformed panel circuit arrangement
Reexamination Certificate
2000-03-02
2001-12-25
Gaffin, Jeffrey (Department: 2841)
Electricity: conductors and insulators
Conduits, cables or conductors
Preformed panel circuit arrangement
C174S250000, C174S255000, C361S741000, C361S747000, C439S488000, C439S495000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06333467
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a flexible printed wiring board. More particularly, the present invention relates to a flexible printed wiring board which can be connected to a connector in a reliably set manner of terminals without deviations or errors.
2. Description Related to the Prior Art
It has been recently suggested to reduce sizes and thicknesses of electronic instruments. Density of circuits used for them are increased by use of integrated circuits (IC), large-scale integration (LSI), parts of chips and the like. Printed circuit boards are used with flexible printed wiring board which connects them with one another. It has been also suggested to increase density of patterned lines included in the flexible printed wiring board.
The flexible printed wiring board includes a terminal section in which ends of the patterned lines are uncovered externally. A connector has an insertion slot, in which the terminal section is inserted and retained by a retaining mechanism of the connector fixedly, so as to connect the patterned lines with respectively contact points of the connector. If the patterned lines are disposed in a high density in the flexible printed wiring board, there arises a problem in that an uncovered area of the patterned lines is small at the terminal section. Thus failure in the contact is likely to occur. It is known that terminals of the terminal section are provided with a great width typically in the flexible printed wiring board with great density, because portions of the patterned lines at the terminal section are disposed in a zigzag manner.
However, the arrangement of the terminals of the terminal section at a small pitch in a zigzag is likely to result in failure in the connection, particularly when the terminal section is inserted only a small amount, or with an inclination to the insertion direction.
JP-A 07-170040 discloses a construction with signs provided in the patterned lines in the flexible printed wiring board for the purpose of acceptable insertion of the terminal section into the connector. The use of signs in the patterned lines are certainly effective in checking an amount of the insertion of the terminal section. However a problem lies in that it is difficult to check straightness of the terminal section relative to the connector.
JP-A 09-129323 discloses a construction with positioning projections and positioning holes in each of the connector and the flexible printed wiring board for the purpose of acceptable insertion of the terminal section into the connector. However there is a problem in that the connector and the flexible printed wiring board must have a great size due to the projections and holes. At the time of connection or disconnection of the flexible printed wiring board, portions having the projections and holes must be eliminated. So efficiency in the connecting or disconnecting operation is low.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a flexible printed wiring board of which a terminal section can be inserted in a connector at a proper amount of insertion and in a proper direction of the insertion.
In order to achieve the above and other objects and advantages of this invention, a flexible printed wiring board connectable with a connector includes at least first and second flexible insulator layers. A patterned line array of plural lines are covered between the first and second insulator layers, the plural lines being arranged crosswise to a line longitudinal direction thereof. A terminal section is defined by extending the first insulator layer and the patterned line array from the second insulator layer in the line longitudinal direction, for partially uncovering the patterned line array for external connection. At least one indicia is disposed on at least one of the first and second insulator layers and close to the terminal section, and adapted to positioning the terminal section in the connector.
In a preferred embodiment, the at least one indicia is disposed on the first insulator layer.
The at least one indicia is directed crosswise to the line longitudinal direction.
The first insulator layer comprises a base film for supporting the patterned line array. Furthermore, a reinforcer plate is secured to a surface of the base film opposite to the patterned line array, for reinforcing the terminal section. The at least one indicia is disposed on the reinforcer plate.
The connector includes a connector inner wall, which has a wall edge, and on which the terminal section is set crosswise to the wall edge. Plural contact points are disposed on the connector inner wall in an array along the wall edge, for contacting the terminal section. When the terminal section is set on the connecter inner wall, the at least one indicia is directed substantially parallel to the wall edge.
The at least one indicia has a predetermined color distinct from a color of the first or second insulator layer.
The predetermined color is a light color.
In a preferred embodiment, the at least one indicia is line-shaped.
The at least one indicia is two indicia arranged in the line longitudinal direction, a space between the two indicia being adapted to positioning the terminal section in the connector.
In another preferred embodiment, the at least one indicia is plural indicia arranged crosswise to the line longitudinal direction.
In still another preferred embodiment, the at least one indicia is a colored portion having a size associated with the terminal section in the reinforcer plate.
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Fuji Photo Film Co. , Ltd.
Gaffin Jeffrey
Patel I B
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