Flat cable strain relief with controlled mechanical resistance
AssigneeKoninklijke Philips N.V.
InventorBrian Bernard MATHEWSON
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A flexible electronic pathway, such as a flat flexible cable or flexible circuit, includes a cut-out within the pathway to provide strain relief by balancing the stress over the termination area. The flexible electronic pathway allows relative movement between a first end and a second end in all three translation, all three rotation directions, and combinations thereof. The strain relief can provide for a controlled mechanical resistance to reduce the risk of damage and failure.
Claims20
A flexible electronic pathway, comprising:
- a flat conductor comprising:
- an electrical conductor;
- and
- an insulative substrate;
- and
- a cut-out within a portion of the flat conductor to provide strain relief, wherein the cut-out is surrounded by side lobes extending laterally in opposite directions from the axial path of the flat conductor;
- wherein the flexible electronic pathway allows a relative movement between a first end and a second end of the flat conductor.
A medical diagnostic imaging apparatus, comprising:
- a gantry with an aperture for receiving a subject;
- at least one detector head mounted to the gantry for receiving radiation;
- a subject location system for locating the at least one detector near the subject, wherein the subject location system comprises:
- a sensor array for sensing a condition associated with a location of the at least one detector relative to the subject;
- a distance measurement system for determining a distance from the at least one detector to the subject;
- and
- a flexible electronic pathway for providing electronic communications between the sensor array and the distance measuring system, wherein the flexible electronic pathway comprises:
- a flat conductor comprising:
- an electrical conductor;
- and
- an insulative substrate;
- and
- a cut-out within a portion of the flat conductor to provide strain relief, wherein the cut-out is surrounded by side lobes extending laterally in opposite directions from the axial path of the flat conductor;
- wherein the flexible electronic pathway allows a relative movement between a first end and a second end of the flat conductor.
A method of designing a flexible electronic pathway that comprises a flat conductor and a cut-out within the flat conductor to provide strain relief, such that the flexible electronic pathway allows relative movement between a first end and a second end of a flat conductor, comprising:
- determining a lobe angle, wherein the lobe angle defines a curved portion of the flat conductor surrounding the cut-out;
- and
- determining a lobe extension length, wherein the lobe extension length defines a straight portion of the flat conductor surrounding the cut-out.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.