How to use soft flat cable digital tubes to create a ring-shaped digital display?
Publish Time: 2025-08-21
To achieve a ring-shaped digital display, soft flat cable digital tubes, with their exceptional flexibility and ductility, are an ideal choice for overcoming the limitations of traditional straight-line digital tubes. Unlike rigid circuit boards, soft flat cable digital tubes can precisely conform to complex curves, enabling digital displays in wraparound, circular, or other artistic layouts.
1. Structural Design of Ring Layouts
The first step in creating a ring display is determining the overall structure. Typically, a ring display consists of multiple digital tube segments evenly spaced around the circumference. The design requires determining the ring diameter, number of digits, character size, and viewing angle. For example, a ring clock would require 12 digits (1-12), each occupying a 30-degree central angle. To ensure visual uniformity, it is recommended to secure each digital tube to an adjustable support frame or pre-bend the soft flat cable into segments of equal length. The orientation of the digits also needs to be considered during structural design. If all digits face radially outward or inward, the LED pin orientation needs to be adjusted during the PCB design phase. If the digits are desired to be arranged tangentially, each segment of flexible flat cable needs to be rotated to ensure consistent reading orientation. Furthermore, a ring structure can employ a rigid-flex design: flexible flat cable is used in the curved segments, while a rigid board is used for the main lines connecting the power supply and controller to enhance overall stability.
2. Segmented Wiring and Connection Technology
Because a single flexible flat cable is limited in length and difficult to wind in a complete circle, a segmented splicing method is often used to achieve a ring layout. Each segment of flexible flat cable carries one or more digits, and the segments are connected via flexible cables or FPC adapter boards. The key is to ensure smooth, electrically continuous connections between segments without affecting the overall aesthetics.
3. Drive and Control System Design
Soft flat cable digital tubes typically use a common cathode or common anode structure. Their drive method is similar to traditional digital tubes, but the ring layout complicates wiring and requires a driver chip with multiple outputs. To achieve dynamic effects (such as rotating digits, breathing lights, and gradient displays), animation algorithms can be incorporated into the control program. For example, PWM dimming can be used to achieve gradual brightness changes, or timer interrupts can be used to control the lighting of digits one by one, creating a swirling, flowing visual effect. Furthermore, sensors (such as photosensors or infrared sensors) can be integrated to achieve adaptive brightness adjustment, enhancing the user experience.
4. Molding and Fixing Process
Although soft flat cable is flexible, it requires a mold or support structure to maintain its ring shape. Common methods include using a 3D-printed ring guide to embed the soft flat cable in place, or using a memory metal ring as a frame to attach the soft flat cable to it via gluing or snap-fitting. For small-batch production, a heat gun can be used to heat the soft flat cable at a low temperature to soften it, then bend it along the mold to form it, retaining its shape after cooling. During the fixing process, avoid excessive bending that could break the internal wiring. A bend radius of at least 5mm is generally recommended, and reinforcements should be added at the bend. A transparent silicone sleeve or PMMA protective cover can be applied to the surface for dust and water resistance and enhanced overall quality.
5. Application Scenarios and Optimization Suggestions
Ring-shaped soft flat cable digital tube displays are widely used in high-end clocks, smart appliance status rings, automotive ambient displays, and art installations. To enhance visual consistency, it is recommended to use LEDs from the same batch to ensure consistent color temperature and brightness. Furthermore, a calibration function should be implemented in the software to compensate for brightness across each segment.
In summary, the key to achieving ring-shaped digital displays using soft flat cable digital tubes lies in precise structural design, reliable electrical connections, efficient drive control, and a stable molding process. With the advancement of flexible electronics technology, this innovative display format will play an even greater role in human-computer interaction and spatial aesthetics.
