Apple Wants to Get Rid of Motherboard Cables
A substantial number of Apple patents filed these days deal with changes to the miniaturization of components that allow Apple to shrink the size of its mobile devices.
There have been some rather wacky ideas such as cutting the audio plug in half, but there have been rather ingenious thoughts that prove how serious Apple is about its product design as well. Most of these approaches relate to ideas that apparently have been sparked by the need of a more compact design, even if a specialized manufacturer does not offer it.
A new patent application that describes a multi-pane circuit board may be one such example. To save space, Apple seems to be thinking about replacing traditional cables that connect circuit boards with flexible circuit boards. The purpose of these flexible boards is to transmit data and power between two boards - and to reduce the bill of materials and assembly cost of the circuit boards in its mobile devices.
From the patent application: "The flexible [board] can be deflected or twisted to connect first circuitry on the multi-plane rigid circuit board to second circuitry associated with another device component. The flexible member can be formed as an integral component of the multi-plane rigid circuit board, i.e., the flexible member and the multi-plane rigid circuit and the flexible member share a common substrate."
The document frequently refers to design advantages and mentions specifically that "the advantages of the invention are numerous." However, Apple refers to only one particular advantage: replacing flex cables.
Where's this article?
Is Tom's baiting us now?
well they just filed the patent, its gonna be years befor etheyre actually granted it. it's a good idea nonetheless, apple is good at brining innovation to the table, even though its at a very high price
It's Apple, so the Patent Office is just waiting to rush it through. Never mind that these flexible boards exist today- and they can be off to sue people who think up flexible e-reader displays without a hiccup.
Now that that's out of the way:
It's a good idea. I hate having to buy new screens when the flexible cable breaks on an iPod touch while you're trying to fix it.
LOL
Doesn't matter, it could be 40 years ago, if Apple patents it first then the 100 billion calculators sold in that time don't count - that's how the law has been twisted.
Are the newer style SLI/Crossfire connectors considered a flexible circuit board?
Not like we, the consumer, will see any of these savings.
These companies now days churning out one ridiculous patent after another just to keep the patent trolling wheel rolling.
The technology in the patent has been in use for at least 30 years in modern electronics.
flexcables are long been used, but this patent seems to do with no extra connectors,looks like the copper layer and the board material are the connectors,and can be interconnected without the need of a separate connector.
Jeez our patent system is broken.
But we just signed patent reform!!!!
/s