Torsion spring mechanism supportive of a flexible printed circuit

摘要

Disclosed is a torsion spring mechanism that supports and guides a flexible printed circuit for use in an electronic device with a sliding motion. The spring mechanism includes a first segment and a second segment that are joined by a torsion spring. The torsion spring has a predetermined spring constant and is capable of exerting a force. When the force of the torsion spring is unreleased the sliding housing is closed and when the force of the torsion spring is released the sliding housing is opened. An electrically conducting flexible printed circuit is at least partially supported by both the first and second segments while freely traversing the torsion spring length with an unsupported portion enough to provide adequate movement of the flexible printed circuit about the torsion spring length. In this way, a spring compartment within the device being approximately 5 millimeters in depth may support and protect the unidirectional torsion spring mechanism and flexible printed circuit.