Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
     Flexible circuit assemblies (“flex circuits”) are commonly used to make connections between electronic components, such as printed circuit boards (PCBs). In many applications that use flex circuits to interconnect PCBs, such as within a computer chassis, there is often a need to disconnect the flex circuit from the PCBs. By way of example, a flex circuit is disconnected from a PCB when the PCB is to be removed from the chassis for servicing. After servicing, the PCB is returned to the chassis and is reconnected to the flex circuit. Unfortunately, connecting and/or disconnecting the flex circuit can be difficult. For instance, if the PCB, flex circuit and adjacent components are located too close together, it may be difficult for an operator to access the flex circuit. More specifically, there may be insufficient clearance within a chassis for the hand of an operator to be able to grasp and manipulate the flex circuit and/or PCB. 
     SUMMARY 
     An embodiment of a system comprises a flex circuit assembly, a support structure and a printed circuit board (PCB). The flex circuit assembly has a flex cable, a first connector and a retention member. The first connector is attached to and electrically interconnected with a first end of the flex cable, and the retention member extends outwardly from the flex cable. The support structure defines an orifice and has an anchor, the orifice being sized and shaped to receive the retention member such that a portion of the retention member can be inserted into the orifice to form an interference fit, thereby mechanically supporting the flex circuit assembly. The PCB has a second connector and a shaft, the second connector being sized and shaped to electrically interconnect with the first connector. The shaft is rotatably mounted to the PCB and has a distal end configured to engage the anchor of the support structure such that, as the distal end of the shaft engages the anchor and the shaft is rotated, the second connector is aligned with and moved toward mating engagement with the first connector. 
     Another embodiment of a system comprises: a flex cable having a first end and a second end; a first connector attached to and electrically communicating with the first end of the flex cable; a second connector attached to and electrically communicating with the second end of the flex cable; and a first retention member extending outwardly from the flex cable, the first retention member having a post and a cap, the post having a first end located adjacent to the flex cable and as second end to which the cap is attached, the cap including multiple segments, each of which extends outwardly from the second end of the post, each of the segments being deflectable toward the post in response to a biasing force. 
     Another embodiment of a system comprises: a chassis having an anchor; a flex circuit assembly sized and shaped to be mounted at least partially within the chassis, the assembly having a flex cable, a first connector, the first connector being attached to and electrically interconnected with a first end of the flex cable; and an electronic component sized and shaped to be mounted at least partially within the chassis, the electronic component having a second connector and a shaft, the second connector being sized and shaped to electrically interconnect with the first connector of the flex circuit assembly, the shaft being rotatably mounted to the electronic component and having a distal end configured to engage the anchor of the chassis such that, as the distal end of the shaft engages the anchor and the shaft is rotated, the second connector is aligned with and moved toward mating engagement with the first connector. 
     Another embodiment of a system for electronically interconnecting components comprises a flex cable having a first end and a second end; a first connector attached to and electrically communicating with the first end of the flex cable; a second connector attached to and electrically communicating with the second end of the flex cable; and a means for supporting the first end of the flex cable such that the first connector is positioned for electrically engaging a first of the components. 
     An embodiment of a method for electrically interconnecting components comprises: providing a flex cable having a connector attached to a first end thereof; providing a support structure; and forming an interference fit between the support structure and a portion of the flex cable such that the first end of the flex cable is supported by the support structure. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a partially cut-way, perspective view of an embodiment of a flex circuit assembly. 
     FIG. 2 is a partially cut-way, perspective view of the embodiment of the flex circuit assembly of FIG. 1, showing the rear of the flex circuit assembly. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a retention member. 
     FIG. 4 is a partially cut-away, perspective view of the embodiment of the flex circuit assembly of FIG. 1 aligned with a support structure. 
     FIG. 5 is a partially cut-away, perspective view of the embodiments of the flex circuit assembly and support structure of FIG. 3, with the flex circuit assembly mounted to the support structure. 
     FIG. 6 is a flowchart depicting an embodiment of a method for electrically interconnecting components. 
     FIG. 7 is a flowchart depicting an embodiment of a method for electrically interconnecting components. 
     FIG. 8 is a partially cut-away, perspective view of an embodiment of a printed circuit board assembly aligned with an embodiment of a flex circuit assembly that is mounted to a support structure. 
     FIG. 9 is a partially cut-away, perspective view of a representative computer chassis mounting an embodiment of the printed circuit board assembly to a flex circuit assembly and associated support structure. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Systems and methods described herein potentially enable electrical connections between flex circuits and electronic components to be made at locations that are difficult for operators to reach. By way of example, some embodiments accommodate electrical interconnecting of components that may be located in an area of insufficient clearance for an operator to conveniently grasp and/or position a flex circuit and/or component. 
     As shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment of a flex circuit assembly  100  includes a flex cable  102 . For ease of illustration, only a portion of the flex cable is shown in FIG.  1 . Flex cable  102  is attached to a connector  104  at one of its ends, with another connector (not shown) typically being attached at the other of its ends. Connector  104  is sized and shaped to mate with a corresponding connector of a component, such as a circuit assembly, e.g., a printed circuit board (PCB), so that the component can electrically communicate with the flex cable. Similarly, the other end of the flex cable and corresponding connector are configured to electrically communicate with another component so that the components attached to the flex cable can electrically communicate with each other. Various types of connectors, e.g., a fine pitch, surface-mount compatible connector, such as a “Mictor” series connector manufactured by Tyco, can be used. 
     In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, guide posts  106  and  107  are mounted adjacent to opposing end walls  108 ,  109  of the connector. The guide posts  106  and  107  are sized and shaped to be received within corresponding orifices (not shown) of a mating connector, which typically is attached to the component to which the flex cable is to be connected. The guide posts assist in aligning the connector of the flex cable with the connector of the component so that the connectors can electrically communicate with each other. Clearly, various shapes, sizes and numbers of guide posts can be used. In some embodiments, guide posts may even be omitted. 
     A bolster plate  110  that supports guide posts  106 ,  107  is located at end  112  of the flex cable, with the bolster plate  110  and the connector  104  being positioned on opposite sides of the flex cable. In addition to supporting the guide posts, the bolster plate  110  supports, e.g., stiffens, the flex cable so that the flex cable is more resistant to bending. This tends to improve the integrity of the solder joints that typically are used to attach the flex cable  102  to the connector  104 . 
     As shown more clearly in FIG. 2, retention members  113  and  114  are supported by and extend outwardly from the bolster plate  110 . Retention members can, however, be attached to a flex circuit assembly in various manners. By way of example, retention members can be directly adhered to a flex circuit assembly, such as with high strength adhesive. Alternatively, one or more mechanical fasteners can be used. For instance, fasteners can be inserted through a flex cable to clamp the retention members to the flex cable. Clearly, any fastener that extends through a flex cable should be positioned so that the fastener does not interfere with internal circuitry/conductors of the flex cable. 
     In FIG. 3, an embodiment of a retention member  300  is shown that includes a post  310  and a cap  312 . Post  310  is generally cylindrical in shape and extends from a first end  314 , which attaches to a bolster plate (not shown in FIG.  3 ). The second end  316  is attached to cap  312 . Cap  312  includes multiple segments, the ends of which are movable toward the post  310 . Specifically, the embodiment of the cap of FIG. 3 includes four segments (segments  318 ,  320  and  322  of which are shown), each of which is generally triangular in shape. The apex of each segment is attached in a vicinity of the second end  316  of the post. 
     Since only the apex of each segment is fixed to the post  310 , the base of each segment can be deflected toward the post. For example, segments can be deflected inwardly toward the post as the cap is inserted through an orifice that has a smaller diameter than that of the cap. After being inserted into such an orifice, continued insertion of the retention member can enable the segments to return to their unbiased positions so that an interference fit is formed with the structure defining the orifice. 
     Referring now to FIG. 4, mounting of an embodiment of a flex circuit assembly  402  to a support structure  410  will be described. In FIG. 4, a support structure  410  is depicted that is generally configured as a plate. Support structure  410  can be a portion of a chassis or other component that is adapted to mount the flex circuit assembly. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4, support structure  410  includes holes  412  and  414  that are used to receive mechanical fasteners for mounting the support structure to a chassis. 
     Support structure  410  also includes mounting holes  420  and  422 , each of which is adapted to receive a retention member of the flex circuit assembly  402 . Specifically, hole  420  is adapted to receive retention member  421 , and hole  422  is adapted to receive retention member  423 . 
     As the respective caps  424 ,  426  of the retention members  421 ,  423  are directed through the holes  420 ,  422 , the segments of the caps are deflected inwardly toward their respective posts. Once inserted through the holes, the segments return to their unbiased positions and form interference fits with the support structure  410  so that the flex circuit assembly  402  is mounted to the support structure as shown in FIG.  5 . 
     Note that the holes can vary in size so that, in some embodiments, the flex circuit assembly is able to move or “float” in a limited manner, while still maintaining the interference fit. This is particularly useful in applications where components are to be blind-mated, since it is often required that at least one of the components is able to float in order to compensate for manufacturing dimensional tolerances, for example. 
     Also note in FIG. 5 that the support structure  410  includes protruding portions  428 ,  430  that extend outwardly from a centerline of the support structure. As shown in FIG. 8, protruding portions  428 ,  430  serve as mounts for an anchor  610 . As will be described in detail below, the anchor  610  is configured to receive the distal end of a shaft that is used to align and engage the connector of the flex circuit assembly with a corresponding connector of an electronic component. 
     An embodiment of a method for electrically interconnecting components is depicted in the flowchart of FIG.  6 . As shown in FIG. 6, the method may be construed as beginning at block  602 , where a flex circuit assembly is provided. In block  604 , a support structure is provided that is used to support at least a portion of the flex circuit assembly. In particular, as depicted in block  606 , an interference fit is formed between the support structure and a portion of the flex circuit assembly. Typically, the portion of the flex circuit assembly forming the interference fit is located near a connector of the flex circuit assembly. This enables the connector to supported so that the connector is readily accessible for interconnecting with a corresponding connector of a component. 
     Continuing with the flowchart of FIG. 7, some embodiments of a method may further include providing a component, such as depicted in block  608  For instance, the component can be an electronic component such as a printed circuit board. In block  610 , an alignment feature of the support structure is engaged with an alignment feature of the component. Note, representative alignment features will be described in detail later with respect to FIGS. 8 and 9. In block  612 , the component is electrically interconnected with the flex cable of the flex circuit assembly. Specifically, engagement of the corresponding alignment features facilitates electrical interconnection of the component and the flex cable. 
     Reference is now made to FIG. 8, which depicts support structure  410  and flex circuit assembly  402  of FIG. 5 positioned for engaging a connector of a component. In particular, the component depicted is a PCB  810  that includes an alignment feature for engaging a corresponding alignment feature of the anchor  610 . Note, the anchor  610  is generally configured as a bar that extends between the protruding portions  428 ,  430  of the support structure  410 . The alignment feature anchor  610  is an orifice  812  located at an intermediate portion of the anchor. The alignment feature  812  is adapted to engage an alignment feature of PCB  810 , which is configured as the distal end  814  of a shaft  820 . 
     As shown in FIG. 8, shaft  820  extends generally across the PCB  810 . The distal end  814  is located in a vicinity of connector  822 , which is adapted to mate with the connector  823  of the flex circuit assembly  402 . Mounts, e.g., mounting blocks  824 ,  826 , are used to support the shaft  820  and allow the shaft to rotate so that the distal end  814  can engage within the orifice  812 . In some embodiments, the distal end  814  and the orifice  812  are threaded so that when the distal end engages the orifice and the shaft is rotated, such as by use of a handle  828 , rotation of the shaft draws the connectors  822 ,  823  into mating engagement with each other. 
     Note that in FIG. 8 the shaft  820  is located on the underside of PCB  810 , i.e., the side that does not include the electrical traces and attached components. Clearly, the shaft could be located in various other positions. Typically, however, the shaft is located adjacent to the connector that is to engage the flex circuit assembly. 
     In FIG. 9, a portion of a representative chassis  900  is shown, in which component  810  is mounted. Specifically, component  810  is electrically interconnected with flex circuit assembly  402 . Note that the flex circuit assembly  402  is located at a generally central portion of the interior of the chassis  900 . This is a location that would be difficult for an operator to access by hand, particularly when a top cover of the chassis, which is not depicted in FIG. 10 for clarity, is installed. Typically, component  810  is supported within the chassis  900  by one or more of various support components (not shown), such as card guides or sliding rails, for example. Shaft  820  provides additional structural support for component  810  since, in the installed position depicted in FIG. 9, the shaft engages anchor  610 , which is attached to support structure  410  of the chassis. 
     In order to remove component  810  from the chassis  900 , an operator rotates handle  828 , such as in the direction indicated by arrow A, to disengage the distal end  814  of the shaft from the anchor  610 . After the shaft disengages the anchor, the component  810  and accompanying shaft can be slid out of the chassis. The component  810  can be remounted within the chassis by reversing the above-mentioned process. 
     It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present invention are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments of the invention without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the invention. By way of example, the embodiments described herein incorporate shafts with threaded distal ends that engage threaded orifices of corresponding support structures. However, in other embodiments, mechanical interfaces other than threads can be used. For instance, hardware that activates on quarter turn operation could be used. Additionally or alternatively, the single shaft structures described here could be substituted with various combinations of mechanical linkages, such as linkages that operate by rotation and/or longitudinal and/or transverse displacement. By way of example, an over-center draw latch, a level action assembly, or a cam action assembly could be used. As another example, the distal end of the shaft could include an orifice that receives an externally-threaded protrusion of the anchor. 
     All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and the present invention and protected by the following claims.

Technology Category: h