Patent Publication Number: US-2015070856-A1

Title: Electronic device

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2013-188504, filed Sep. 11, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     FIELD 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to an electronic device. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Electronic devices may comprise a flexible printed circuit board. 
     There is a risk that the flexible printed circuit board is damaged if, for example, the flexible printed circuit board is bent. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A general architecture that implements the various features of the invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is an exemplary perspective view illustrating a portable computer according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an exemplary plan view illustrating a part of a first portion in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is an exemplary sectional view illustrating a part of the first portion in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary sectional view illustrating a part of a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is an exemplary perspective view illustrating a connector to which the FPC is attached in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is an exemplary sectional view illustrating a part of a printed circuit board (PCB) and the FPC in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is an exemplary sectional view partially illustrating the PCB and the FPC that is inserted into the connector in the first embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is an exemplary sectional view illustrating a PCB and an FPC according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is an exemplary sectional view illustrating a PCB and an FPC according to a third embodiment; and 
         FIG. 10  is an exemplary sectional view partially illustrating the PCB and the FPC that is attached to a connector in the third embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In general, according to one embodiment, an electronic device comprises a component, a connector, a flexible printed circuit board and a tab. The component comprises a first face, a second face opposite the first face, and an edge connecting the first face and the second face. The connector is configured to face the first face. The flexible printed circuit board comprises a first portion configured to face the second face, a second portion configured to face the first face, a bent third portion between the first portion and the second portion and configured to face the edge, and a terminal provided to the second portion and configured to be connected to the connector. The tab comprises an attachment portion and the extension portion. The attachment portion is configured to be attached to the flexible printed circuit board. The extension portion extends from the attachment portion toward the terminal along the flexible printed circuit board. 
     Hereinafter, described is a first embodiment with reference to  FIG. 1  to  FIG. 7 . In the specification, basically, the user side is defined as the front side, the side farther from the user is defined as the rear side, the left side when viewed from the user is defined as the left direction, the right side when viewed from the user is defined as the right direction, the upper side when viewed from the user is defined as the upward direction, and the lower side when viewed from the user is defined as the downward direction. A plurality of expressions are made for constituent components according to the embodiment and description of the constituent components in some cases. Other expressions that are not described are not inhibited for the constituent components and the description thereof. Furthermore, other expressions are not inhibited for constituent components and description thereof for which a plurality of expressions are not made. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a portable computer  10 . The portable computer  10  is an example of an electronic device. Note that the electronic device is not limited to the portable computer  10 , and may be various apparatuses such as personal computers, television receivers, tablet devices, recorders, printers, game machines, and car navigation systems. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the portable computer  10  comprises a first portion  11  and a second portion  12 . The first portion  11  can be also referred to as a unit, a module, a base, or a main body, for example. The second portion  12  can be also referred to as a unit, a module, a display, a monitor, or a displaying portion, for example. 
     The first portion  11  comprises a first housing  20 , a keyboard  21 , a touch pad  22 , a pair of speakers  23 , and a plurality of external connection connectors  24 . The keyboard  21  and the touch pad  22  can be also referred to as input portions. The external connection connectors  24  can be also referred to as components or electronic components, for example. 
     The keyboard  21 , the touch pad  22 , and the speakers  23  are provided on an upper face  20   a  of the first housing  20 . The keyboard  21 , the touch pad  22 , and the speakers  23  may be arranged on other places. The external connection connectors  24  are opened on a side face  20   b  of the first housing  20 . The external connection connectors  24  are universal serial bus (USB) connectors, HDMI (registered trademark) output terminals, red-green-blue (RGB) connectors, and earphone jacks, for example. 
     The first housing  20  comprises a top cover  27  and a bottom cover  28 . The top cover  27  is placed over the bottom cover  28  in the thickness direction and is attached to the bottom cover  28  with screws and craws, for example. The top cover  27  forms the upper face  20   a  of the first housing  20 . The top cover  27  and the bottom cover  28  form the side face  20   b  of the first housing  20  in corporation. 
     The second portion  12  is attached to a rear end of the first portion  11  with a hinge  31 . The second portion  12  can be moved rotationally with respect to the first portion  11  by approximately 180°, for example, between a closed position and an opened position. At the closed position, the second portion  12  is placed over the first portion  11  and the second portion  12  covers the upper face  20   a  of the first housing  20 . At the opened position, the second portion  12  is aligned with the first portion  11  and the upper face  20   a  of the first housing  20  is exposed. 
     The second portion  12  comprises a second housing  33  and a display  34 . The second housing  33  accommodates the display  34 . A display opening  36  is provided on a front face  33   a  of the second housing  33 . The display opening  36  may be closed by a transparent glass plate or acrylic plate, for example. 
     The display  34  is a liquid crystal display (LCD), for example. The display  34  is not limited thereto and may be another device that displays images, such as a plasma display, an organic electro luminescent (EL) display (GELD), or an electronic paper. 
     The display  34  comprises a screen  34   a  exposed through the display opening  36 . The display  34  displays images on the screen  34   a . Note that in the specification, examples of the images include still images, moving images, colors, and characters. 
       FIG. 2  is a plan view illustrating a part of the first portion  11  excluding the top cover  27 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first portion  11  comprises a printed circuit board (hereinafter, referred to as PCB)  41 , a smart card module  42 , an integrated circuit (IC)  43 , a connector  44 , and various components such as a capacitor. The PCB  41  is an example of a component and can be also referred to as a wall, a plate, or a member, for example. The connector  44  can be also referred to as a component, an attachment portion, a connection portion, or a coupling portion, for example. 
     The bottom cover  28  comprises a bottom wall  46  and a side wall  47 . Each of the bottom wall  46  and the side wall  47  can be also referred to as a wall, an outer shell, or apart of the housing, for example. The bottom wall  46  forms the bottom face of the first housing  20 . The side wall  47  is erected from the peripheral edge of the bottom wall  46  so as to form a part of the side face  20   b  of the first housing  20 . 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view illustrating a part of the first portion excluding the top cover  27 , taken along line F 3 -F 3  in  FIG. 2 . As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the PCB  41  comprises an upper face  51 , a lower face  52 , and an edge  53 . The upper face  51  is an example of a first face. The lower face  52  is an example of a second face and is located at the side opposite to the upper face  51 . The edge  53  can be also referred to as a surface, a portion, an end, an intermediate portion, a coupling portion, or a connection portion, for example. The edge  53  connects the upper face  51  and the lower face  52 . 
     The first housing  20  accommodates the PCB  41  and the smart card module  42 . The PCB  41  and the smart card module  42  are located between the top cover  27  and the bottom cover  28 . The PCB  41  is fixed to a boss provided on the bottom wall  46  by a screw, for example. The lower face  52  of the PCB  41  faces the bottom wall  46 . The edge  53  faces the side wall  47 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the external connection connectors  24 , the IC  43 , and the connector  44  are attached to the upper face  51  of the PCB  41 . In other words, the connector  44  faces the upper face  51 . It is to be noted that the connector  44  is not limited to be attached thereto and may be mounted on another substrate or a component that faces the upper face  51 , for example. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the connector  44  is closer to the edge  53  of the PCB  41 . The connector  44  comprises an insertion portion  56 . The insertion portion  56  is opened in the direction which the edge  53  faces to which the connector  44  is adjacent. That is to say, the insertion portion  56  is opened toward the side wall  47 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the smart card module  42  comprises a reading and writing module  61  and a flexible printed circuit board (hereinafter, referred to as FPC)  62 . The reading and writing module  61  can be also referred to as a component, an electronic component, a member, or a module, for example. The FPC  62  can be also referred to as a cable, a wiring, or a connection portion, for example. The “flexible printed circuit board” indicates a component in which an insulating layer having flexibility covers a conductive layer forming a wiring. Examples of the “flexible printed circuit board” include a flexible flat cable (FFC) and a flex-rigid printed circuit board (rigid flexible board). 
     The reading and writing module  61  is located between the PCB  41  and the bottom wall  46 . That is to say, the smart card module  42  faces the lower face  52  of the PCB  41 . For example, a smart card (IC card) is inserted into the reading and writing module  61  and the reading and writing module  61  inputs and outputs information to/from the smart card. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , a slot  64  is provided on the side face  20   b  of the first housing  20 . The reading and writing module  61  is communicatively connected with the slot  64 . The smart card is inserted into the reading and writing module  61  through the slot  64 . 
     The FPC  62  connects the reading and writing module  61  and the connector  44  electrically. The FPC  62  is connected to the connector  44 , so that the smart card module  42  is connected to the PCB  41  electrically. 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view illustrating a part of the FPC  62 . As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the FPC  62  comprises a first insulating layer  66 , a conductive layer  67 , and a second insulating layer  68 . In other drawings, the FPC  62  is illustrated in a simplified manner and the first insulating layer  66 , the conductive layer  67 , and the second insulating layer  68  are omitted. 
     The first and second insulating layers  66  and  68  are made of polyimide, for example. The conductive layer  67  is made of copper, for example. Each of the first insulating layer  66 , the conductive layer  67 , and the second insulating layer  68  may be made of another material. The conductive layer  67  is located between the first insulating layer  66  and the second insulating layer  68  so as to form a wiring. 
     A terminal  71  is provided on the end of the FPC  62 . The terminal  71  is an example of a terminal and a first end and can be also referred to as a portion, a connection portion, an insertion portion, an engagement portion, a support portion, or a fitting portion, for example. The first insulating layer  66  is not provided on the terminal  71  and the terminal  71  is a portion on which the conductive layer  67  is exposed. The terminal  71  is inserted into the insertion portion  56  of the connector  44  so as to be connected to the connector  44  electrically. That is to say, the conductive layer  67  of the FPC  62  is connected to a conductive portion of the connector  44  electrically. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the FPC  62  comprises a first portion  73 , a second portion  74 , and a third portion  75 . The first portion  73  can be also referred to as a base portion, an extension portion, or a wiring portion, for example. The second portion  74  can be also referred to as an end, an end portion, an extension portion, or a wiring portion, for example. The third portion  75  is an example of a third portion and a bent section and can be also referred to as a bent portion, a curved portion, a bending portion, or a wraparound portion, for example. 
     The first portion  73  is a portion extending from the reading and writing module  61 . That is, the first portion  73  faces the lower face  52  of the PCB  41 . Abase end  73   a  of the first portion  73  is fixed to the reading and writing module  61 . Note that the first portion  73  deforms elastically so as to be movable with respect to the PCB  41 . The base end  73   a  of the first portion  73  is an example of a second end, and can be also referred to as a portion, a connected portion, a fixed portion, a supported portion, or an attached portion, for example. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the first portion  73  extends from the reading and writing module  61  in the direction along the edge  53  to which the connector  44  is adjacent. The first portion  73  is bent perpendicularly at a plurality of places. A part of the first portion  73  that is the closest to the edge  53  to which the connector  44  is adjacent extends in the direction orthogonal to the edge  53 . It is to be noted that the first portion  73  is not limited to extend in this manner and may extend from the reading and writing module  61  straight, for example. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , at least a part of the second portion  74  faces the upper face  51  of the PCB  41 . The terminal  71  is provided on the second portion  74 . With this, at least a part of the second portion  74  is inserted into the insertion portion  56  of the connector  44 . 
     The third portion  75  is located between the first portion  73  and the second portion  74 . The third portion  75  corresponds to a portion of the FPC  62  that is bent elliptically by approximately 180° in the thickness direction, for example. It is to be noted that the third portion  75  is not limited thereto. The third portion  75  warps around the edge  53  of the PCB  41  so as to connect the first portion  73  and the second portion  74 . 
     The third portion  75  projects to the outer side relative to the edge  53  of the PCB  41  when viewed from the thickness direction of the PCB  41 . In other words, the FPC  62  is installed around through places deviated from the upper face  51  and the lower face  52  of the PCB  41 . 
     A center portion C of the third portion  75  corresponds to a portion that is the farthest from the PCB  41  when viewed from the thickness direction of the PCB  41 . In other words, the center portion C of the third portion  75  corresponds to a top of the third portion  75  in the direction along the upper face  51  or the lower face  52  of the PCB  41 . 
     The third portion  75  is closer to the terminal  71  rather than the base end  73   a  of the first portion  73 . In other words, a distance between the center portion C of the third portion  75  and the terminal  71  is shorter than a distance between the center portion C of the third portion  75  and the base end  73   a  of the first portion  73 . 
     The third portion  75  comprises an inner face  75   a  and an outer face  75   b . The inner face  75   a  is a surface of the first insulating layer  66 . The inner face  75   a  faces the edge  53 . The outer face  75   b  is a front face of the second insulating layer  68  and is located at the side opposite to the inner face  75   a . The outer face  75   b  faces the side wall  47 . In other words, the third portion  75  is located between the edge  53  of the PCB  41  and the side wall  47  of the bottom cover  28 . 
     A reinforcing plate  81  is attached to the terminal  71  of the FPC  62 . The reinforcing plate  81  is an example of a reinforcing member, and can be also referred to as a rigid member, a spacer, a bonded member, or a member, for example. The reinforcing plate  81  is made of polyimide, for example. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the reinforcing plate  81  is bonded to the second insulating layer  68  with an adhesive, for example. In other words, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the reinforcing plate  81  is bonded to the outer face of a portion of the second portion  74  on which the terminal  71  is provided. The reinforcing plate  81  is inserted into the insertion portion  56  of the connector  44  together with the terminal  71 . 
     A tab  83  is attached to the FPC  62 . The tab  83  can be also referred to as a member, a component, a pulling portion, a guide portion, a covering portion, or a protection portion, for example. The tab  83  is made of polyimide like the first and second insulating layers  66  and  68 , for example, and is a tape having elasticity. It is to be noted that the tab  83  is not limited thereto and may be made of another material. 
     The tab  83  comprises an attachment portion  85  and an extension portion  86 . The attachment portion  85  can be also referred to as an adhered portion, a fixed portion, or an end portion, for example. The extension portion  86  can be also referred to as a free portion, a pulled portion, a guide portion, an operated portion, a bolded portion, a protection portion, a covering portion, a bent portion, or a curved portion, for example. 
     The attachment portion  85  corresponds to an end portion of the tab  83 , for example. The attachment portion  85  is attached to the outer face of the first portion  73  that faces the bottom wall  46  with an adhesive  88 , for example. That is to say, the attachment portion  85  is attached to the second insulating layer  68 . In other words, the attachment portion  85  is bonded to the FPC  62  between the center portion C of the third portion  75  and the base end  73   a  of the first portion  73 . 
     The attachment portion  85  is separated from the reinforcing plate  81 . The third portion  75  that is bent and wraps around the edge  53  is formed between the terminal  71  to which the reinforcing plate  81  is attached and a portion of the FPC  62  to which the attachment portion  85  is attached. 
     The portion of the first portion  73  to which the attachment portion  85  is attached is separated from the third portion  75 . That is to say, the attachment portion  85  is attached to a portion of the FPC  62  that is separated from the bent portion thereof. It is to be noted that the portion of the first portion  73  to which the attachment portion  85  is attached may be bent. In this case, a curvature radius of the third portion  75  is smaller than a curvature radius of the portion of the first portion  73  to which the attachment portion  85  is attached. 
     In another expression, the attachment portion  85  is attached to the portion of the FPC  62  that is deviated from the bent portion facing the edge  53 . In still another expression, the attachment portion  85  is attached to the portion of the PCB  41  deviated from the portion that is the farthest from the edge  53  in the direction in which the edge  53  is directed. 
     The extension portion  86  extends from the attachment portion  85  to the terminal  71  side. As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the extension portion  86  extends from the attachment portion  85  toward the terminal  71  of the FPC  62  along the FPC  62 . It is to be noted that the extension portion  86  may extend in the direction intersecting with the FPC  62  partially. That is to say, the extension portion  86  may be bent. 
     The FPC  62  ahead of the attachment portion  85  is shorter than the tab  83 . That is to say, a length L1 from the portion of the FPC  62  to which the attachment portion  85  is attached to the terminal  71  is smaller than a length L2 from the attachment portion  85  to the end of the extension portion  86  of the tab  83 . It is to be noted that the length L1 of the FPC  62  may be larger than the length L2 of the tab  83 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the extension portion  86  of the tab  83  is bent by approximately 180° along the third portion  75  of the FPC  62 . The extension portion  86  covers the outer face  75   b  of the third portion  75 . Furthermore, the extension portion  86  covers the second portion  74  and the connector  44 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the connector  44  to which the FPC  62  is attached. As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the extension portion  86  of the tab  83  is fixed to the upper face  51  of the PCB  41  by a tape  91 , for example. It is to be noted that the extension portion  86  is not limited to be fixed in this manner and may be fixed to the PCB  41  by being hooked on a claw or by being inserted into a hole, for example. 
     Hereinafter, described is an example of a method of attaching the FPC  62  to the connector  44 . It is to be noted that the method of attaching the FPC  62  to the connector  44  is not limited to that as will be described below. 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view illustrating a part of the PCB  41  and the FPC  62 . As indicated by two-dotted lines in  FIG. 6 , the FPC  62  extending along the lower face  52  of the PCB  41  is bent by approximately 180°. With this, a part of the FPC  62  is curved and the third portion  75  is formed. 
     The FPC  62  has elasticity, so that the FPC  62  generates a repulsion force of trying to return to the straight state if it is bent. The FPC  62  is bent by being pressed by the tab  83  held by an operator, for example. That is to say, the operator can press the FPC  62  through the tab  83 . It is to be noted that the FPC  62  may be bent by being held by the operator directly. 
     The terminal  71  of the bent FPC  62  is set to the insertion portion  56  of the connector  44 . In other words, the front end of the FPC  62  is hooked by the insertion portion  56 . In this case, the terminal  71  may be inserted into the insertion portion  56  partially. 
       FIG. 7  is a sectional view partially illustrating the PCB  41  and the FPC  62  that is inserted into the connector  44 . As indicated by an arrow in  FIG. 7 , the operator pulls the extension portion  86  of the tab  83 , for example. With this, the extension portion  86  presses the outer face  75   b  of the third portion  75  toward the insertion portion  56  of the connector  44 . Furthermore, the FPC  62  pulled by the tab  83  is fed out, so that the terminal  71  located at the end of the FPC  62  advances into the insertion portion  56  of the connector  44 . This causes the terminal  71  to be inserted into the insertion portion  56 . 
     The tab  83  may be pulled while pressing the FPC  62  that tries to return to the straight state by the repulsion force. That is to say, the tab  83  is used for guiding the terminal  71  of the FPC  62  to the insertion portion  56  of the connector  44 . 
     When the terminal  71  of the FPC  62  is inserted into the insertion portion  56  of the connector  44 , the extension portion  86  covers the second portion  74 , the third portion  75 , and the connector  44 . In this state, the extension portion  86  is fixed to the PCB  41  by the tape  91 . With the above-mentioned operations, the FPC  62  is attached to the connector  44 . 
     In the portable computer  10  according to the first embodiment, the attachment portion  85  of the tab  83  is attached to the first portion  73 . The portion of the FPC  62  to which the attachment portion  85  is attached is made thicker by the tab  83  so as to be hardened. The portion to which the attachment portion  85  is attached is provided not on the third portion  75  that is bent but on the first portion  73 . This can suppress generation of stress concentration due to the bending of the FPC  62  on an end of the portion to which the attachment portion  85  is attached (boundary portion of the FPC  62  between a region to which the attachment portion  85  is attached and another region). 
     The extension portion  86  of the tab  83  extends toward the terminal  71  from the attachment portion  85 . With this, when the FPC  62  is attached to the connector  44 , for example, steep bending of the FPC  62  and generation of stress concentration due to it can be suppressed. This can suppress damage of the FPC  62  due to the stress concentration. 
     As the distance between the attachment portion  85  and the terminal  71  as the portion on which the FPC  62  is supported by the connector  44  is smaller, there may arise a higher risk that stress concentration is easy to be generated on the end of the portion of the FPC  62  to which the attachment portion  85  is attached. For coping with this, the attachment portion  85  is fixed to the FPC  62  between the center portion C of the third portion  75  and the base end  73   a  of the first portion  73  which is a position farther from the second portion  74  on which the terminal  71  is provided. To be more specific, the attachment portion  85  is attached to the first portion  73 . 
     The tab  83  is attached to the FPC  62  at the position farther from the terminal  71 , so that a portion of the FPC  62  between the attachment portion  85  and the terminal  71  is easy to be deformed elastically when the tab  83  is operated for attaching the terminal  71  to the connector  44 . A force is released by the elastic deformation and stress is difficult to be concentrated on a local place of the FPC  62 . This can suppress damage of the FPC  62  due to the stress concentration. 
     The attachment portion  85  of the tab  83  is attached to the FPC  62  at a position farther from the reinforcing plate  81 . With this, when the tab  83  is operated, stress concentration on the end of the portion of the FPC  62  to which the reinforcing plate  81  is attached can be suppressed. This can suppress damage of the FPC  62 . 
     The length L2 of the extension portion  86  of the tab  83  is larger than the length L1 of the FPC  62  from the attachment portion  85  to the terminal  71 . With this, the tab  83  can press the FPC  62  so as to guide the terminal  71  to the connector  44 . This can prevent the operator from touching the FPC  62  directly and prevent scratches and contaminants from being generated on the FPC  62 , for example. 
     The extension portion  86  of the tab  83  covers the third portion  75  of the FPC  62 . With this, generation of scratches and contaminants on the third portion  75  of the FPC  62  due to scrape against other components can be suppressed, for example. This can suppress damage of the FPC  62 . 
     The extension portion  86  of the tab  83  covers the outer face  75   b  of the third portion  75 . With this, the extension portion  86  can press the outer face  75   b  of the third portion  75 , so that the FPC  62  is attached to the connector  44  by the tab  83  easily. 
     The extension portion  86  of the tab  83  is fixed to the PCB  41  by the tape  91 . With this, separation of the tab  83  from the third portion  75  due to an elastic force of the tab  83  can be suppressed, for example. 
     The attachment portion  85  of the tab  83  is separated from the third portion  75  that is bent. With this, stress concentration on the end of the portion of the FPC  62  to which the attachment portion  85  is attached due to the bending can be further suppressed. 
     The first portion  73  is movable with respect to the PCB  41 , so that the FPC  62  can be moved when the tab  83  is operated. With this, a force is released by the movement and stress is difficult to be concentrated on a local place of the FPC  62 . This can suppress damage of the FPC  62  due to the stress concentration. 
     It is to be noted that the attachment portion  85  is not limited to be attached to the first portion  73  and may be attached to another place. For example, the attachment portion  85  may be attached to the third portion  75 . The attachment portion  85  is attached between the center portion C of the third portion  75  and the first portion  73 , for example. 
     Hereinafter, described is a second embodiment with reference to  FIG. 8 . In description of the following plurality of embodiments, reference numerals same as those of the constituent components that have been already described denote constituent components having the same or similar functions as those of the constituent components that have been already described and overlapped explanation thereof is omitted in some cases. In addition, all the functions and characteristics of the plurality of constituent components denoted with the same reference numerals are not necessarily common and the constituent components may have different functions and characteristics in accordance with the respective embodiments. 
       FIG. 8  is a sectional view illustrating the PCB  41  and the FPC  62  according to the second embodiment. As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the attachment portion  85  in the second embodiment is attached to the second portion  74  of the FPC  62 . The attachment portion  85  is separated from the reinforcing plate  81 . The extension portion  86  extends from the attachment portion  85  in the direction toward the terminal  71  along the FPC  62 . 
     When the FPC  62  is attached to the connector  44 , the operator pulls the extension portion  86  of the tab  83 , for example. With this, the extension portion  86  pulls the second portion  74  on which the terminal  71  is provided toward the insertion portion  56  of the connector  44 . This causes the terminal  71  to be inserted into the insertion portion  56 . 
     With the portable computer  10  in the second embodiment, the attachment portion  85  is attached to the second portion  74  of the FPC  62 . With this, a force of pulling the tab  83  is easy to be transferred to the terminal  71 . This makes it possible to attach the terminal  71  to the connector  44  more stably. 
     Hereinafter, described is a third embodiment with reference to  FIG. 9  and  FIG. 10 .  FIG. 9  is a sectional view illustrating the PCB  41  and the FPC  62  according to the third embodiment. In third embodiment, a tab  100  instead of the reinforcing plate  81  and the tab  83  is attached to the FPC  62 . The tab  100  is an example of a tab. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 9 , the tab  100  comprises an attachment portion  101  and an extension portion  102 . The attachment portion  101  is attached to a portion of the second portion  74  on which the terminal  71  is provided with an adhesive, for example. The attachment portion  101  is attached to the second portion  74  at a position separated from the third portion  75 . The attachment portion  101  is inserted into the insertion portion  56  of the connector  44  together with the terminal  71 . The extension portion  102  extends from the attachment portion  101  in the direction toward the third portion  75  along the FPC  62 . 
     When the FPC  62  is attached to the connector  44 , the operator presses the extension portion  102  of the tab  100 , for example. With this, the extension portion  102  presses the second portion  74  on which the terminal  71  is provided toward the insertion portion  56  of the connector  44 . This causes the terminal  71  to be inserted into the insertion portion  56 . 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view partially illustrating the PCB  41  and the FPC  62  attached to the connector  44 . As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , when the FPC  62  is attached to the connector  44 , the extension portion  102  is bent along the third portion  75 . The bent extension portion  102  is made contact with the inner face of the side wall  47  of the bottom cover  28 . 
     The extension portion  102  is fixed to the side wall  47  while being pressed by the side wall  47 . The extension portion  102  may be fixed to the side wall  47  by being hooked on a claw or being inserted into a hole, for example. Furthermore, the extension portion  102  may be fixed to the bottom wall  46  or another component. The extension portion  102  that has been bent and fixed covers the outer face  75   b  of the third portion  75  of the FPC  62 . 
     With the portable computer  10  in the third embodiment, the attachment portion  101  of the tab  100  is attached to the second portion  74 . With this, generation of stress concentration on the end of the portion to which the attachment portion  101  is attached due to the bending of the FPC  62  can be suppressed. This can suppress damage of the FPC  62  due to the stress concentration. 
     Furthermore, the extension portion  102  covers the third portion  75 . With this, generation of scratches and contaminants on the third portion  75  of the FPC  62  due to scrape against other components can be suppressed, for example. This can suppress damage of the FPC  62 . 
     The extension portion  102  of the tab  100  extends from the attachment portion  101  in the direction toward the third portion  75 . The operator presses the extension portion  102 , so that the terminal  71  is attached to the connector  44  more easily. 
     According to at least one of the above-mentioned embodiments, the attachment portion of the tab is attached not to the third portion of the flexible printed circuit board that is bent but to the first portion facing the first face of the component or the second portion facing the second face of the component. This can suppress damage of the flexible printed circuit board. 
     While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions. 
     For example, the component is not limited to the PCB  41  and may be an optical disk drive (ODD), a part of the housing, or the like. In addition, the FPC  62  is not limited to be formed as a part of the smart card module  42  and may be formed as a part of another component or may be provided independently. The FPC  62  may be wired between two housings so as to connect a component accommodated in one housing and another component in the other housing, for example. 
     The extension portion  86  of the tab  83  and the extension portion  102  of the tab  100  may cover the inner face  75   a  of the third portion  75 . In other words, the extension portions  86  and  102  may be located between the edge  53  and the third portion  75  so as to prevent the third portion  75  from making contact with the edge  53 , for example.