Structure for protecting and guiding flat cable of traveling module

Abstract

A structure for protecting and guiding a flat cable connected between a traveling module and a protective cover of a scanner is disclosed. The protective structure includes an anti-bending member mounted onto the traveling module for preventing the flat cable from being over-bent at its first end. A guide channel member is disposed on the protective cover under the flat cable and along the moving direction of the traveling module for guiding the flat cable during moving of the traveling module and preventing the flat cable from being swung left and right. The second end of the flat cable is extended into the protective cover via a protective sheath fitted on the cover for preventing the second end of the flat cable from excess bending angle and keep the flat cable smoothly moving without deflection.

1. A structure for protecting and guiding a flat cable, said structure comprising a housing, a cover and a traveling module movable in said housing with respect to said cover and a  said flat cable having a first end connected to said traveling module and a second end extending and fixed to said cover, an anti-bending member mounted on said traveling module under said flat cable for preventing the  said flat cable from being over-bent, said anti-bending member including a fixing board fixed to said traveling module and an arch shaped section extending from said fixing board whereby the flat cable is positioned with respect to the arch shaped section of said anti-bending member, and a protective sheath mounted on said cover with said second end of said flat cable extending into said cover via said protective sheath and a guide channel member formed on said cover under said flat cable and along a moving direction of said traveling module. 
     
     
       2. The structure according to  claim 1 , wherein said guide channel member comprises a guide channel base seat having two lateral edges and two vertical guide walls respectively formed on said lateral edges of said base seat and each of said guide walls formed with arch shaped inner wall surfaces. 
     
     
       3. A method comprising:
   limiting a bending angle of a cable of an optical device with an anti - bending member mounted on a traveling module in said optical device, wherein said cable contacts an upper surface of said anti - bending member; and        inhibiting an excess side deflection of said cable with a guide channel member rigidly attached to said optical device.     
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 3 , wherein said anti- bending member comprises an arch shaped member located at a first end of said cable.   
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 4 , wherein said first end of said cable is positioned over a convex surface of said arch shaped member. 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 3  further comprising:
   limiting said bending angle of said cable with a protective sheath rigidly attached to said optical device.     
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , wherein said cable extends through said protective sheath and attaches to said optical device. 
     
     
       8. An apparatus comprising:
   means for limiting a bending angle of a flat cable of a scanner, wherein said means for limiting a bending angle is mounted on a traveling module within a housing of said scanner, and wherein said means for limiting a bending angle is located under said flat cable; and        means for inhibiting a side deflection of said flat cable of said scanner, wherein said means for inhibiting a side deflection is attached to said housing.     
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said means for limiting a bending angle of a first end of said flat cable comprises an arch shaped member mounted on said traveling module. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said means for inhibiting a side deflection of said flat cable comprises a guide channel member configured to receive an intermediate portion of said flat cable. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 8  further comprising a second means for limiting a bending angle of a second end of said flat cable with a protective sheath attached to said housing, wherein a first end of said flat cable is attached to said traveling module. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said means for inhibiting a side deflection of said flat cable comprises a guide channel member fixedly attached to said housing. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein said travelling module is configured to travel above said guide channel member. 
     
     
       14. A structure for protecting and guiding a cable, said structure comprising:
   an anti - bending member mounted on a traveling module under a first end of said cable and configured to inhibit said cable from being over - bent during a movement of said traveling module in a housing; and        a protective sheath attached to a fixed portion of said housing, wherein said protective sheath is configured to support a second end of said cable.     
     
     
       15. The structure for protecting and guiding said cable of  claim 14 , wherein said anti- bending member includes an arch shaped section, and wherein said first end of said cable wraps around a convex surface of said arch shaped section.   
     
     
       16. The structure for protecting and guiding said cable of  claim 14  further comprising a guide channel member positioned along a moving direction of said traveling module and configured to inhibit a lateral deflection of said cable. 
     
     
       17. The structure for protecting and guiding said cable of  claim 16 , wherein said guide channel member inhibits said lateral deflection of said cable as said traveling module moves said cable back and forth along said moving direction. 
     
     
       18. The structure for protecting and guiding said cable of  claim 16 , wherein said guide channel member comprises a guide channel base seat having two lateral edges and two vertical guide walls respectively formed on said lateral edges of said base seat. 
     
     
       19. The structure for protecting and guiding said cable of  claim 18 , wherein each of said guide walls is formed with arch shaped inner wall surfaces. 
     
     
       20. The structure for protecting and guiding said cable of  claim 16 , wherein said guide channel member is configured to support an intermediate portion of said cable.