JP2006098811A - Display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To suppress rising of a display panel with respect to a structure of pressing a flexible substrate connected to the display panel, from a viewing side. <P>SOLUTION: A display device 1 includes a display panel 10 and a flexible substrate 30 connected to the display panel. The flexible substrate 30 is bent to the side opposite to the viewing side (the rear side) of the display panel. The display device 1 is provided also with a rib 24 for pressing the flexible substrate 30. In this form, the rib 24 is formed on a frame 20 wherein the display panel 10 is stored. The rib 24 presses the flexible substrate 30 from the viewing side to prevent rising to the viewing side of the display panel 10 by an elastic force (repulsive force) of the bent flexible substrate 30. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a structure for pressing a flexible substrate connected to a display panel from the viewing side.

  As image display devices for personal computers, TVs, and other various monitors, or liquid crystal display devices such as an image display unit of a mobile phone (for example, Patent Document 1) and an image display unit of a car navigation system, there are remarkable ones. Various types of liquid crystal display devices are known, and transmissive liquid crystal display devices, reflective liquid crystal display devices, transflective liquid crystal display devices, and the like are known.

  For example, a transmissive liquid crystal display device displays an image using transmitted light from the back side. Typically, a transmissive liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel and a backlight unit disposed on the back surface thereof. The liquid crystal display panel displays an image by controlling the transmitted light. The liquid crystal display panel can control the amount of transmitted light by enclosing a liquid crystal between two glass substrates and controlling an electric field applied to the liquid crystal.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view schematically showing a configuration of a conventional liquid crystal display device mounted on a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone. 5A is a view of the liquid crystal display device 60 as viewed from the viewing side (front side), and FIG. 5B is a view of the liquid crystal display device 60 as viewed from the non-viewing side (back side). . The liquid crystal display device 60 includes a liquid crystal display panel 61, a frame 62 that houses the liquid crystal display panel 61, and a flexible substrate (hereinafter referred to as FPC: Flexible Printed Circuit) 64 connected to one side 63 of the liquid crystal display panel 61. A backlight unit (not shown) is disposed on the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel 61 inside the frame 62. The backlight unit and the liquid crystal display panel are fixed by a light-shielding double-sided tape.

  The FPC 64 is connected to one side 63 of the liquid crystal display panel 61 and is bent on the opposite side of the frame 62. Further, the FPC 64 is fixed to the opposite side of the frame 62 with double-sided tape or the like. The FPC 64 includes a connection portion 65 connected to a substrate on which a control circuit is mounted at one end opposite to the connection portion with the liquid crystal display panel 61. The FPC 64 transmits a control signal, a power source, and the like from the control circuit to the liquid crystal display panel 61.

The FPC 64 is physically and electrically connected to the substrate end of the liquid crystal display panel 61 by an ACF (Anisotropic Conductive Film). The frame 62 includes a hook 66 that locks the liquid crystal display panel 61. The hooks 65 are respectively formed at two corners on the side where the liquid crystal display panel 61 and the FPC 64 are connected. The hook 66 is in contact with the viewing side corner portion of the substrate constituting the liquid crystal display panel 61 and locks the liquid crystal display panel 61 that is about to float to the viewing side.
JP 2001-320465 A

  As described above, in the conventional liquid crystal display device 60, the FPC 64 is wound from the viewing side to the non-viewing side of the frame 20. For this reason, a repulsive force in the visual recognition direction due to the elasticity of the FPC 64 is applied to the liquid crystal display panel 61. There is a problem that the liquid crystal display panel 61 floats when the adhesive strength of the light shielding double-sided tape that bonds the liquid crystal display panel 61 and the backlight unit is weak, or when the adhesive area of the light shielding double-sided tape is small. If the liquid crystal display panel 61 floats and jumps out of the frame, the liquid crystal display panel 61 may be damaged due to contact with an external object.

  On the other hand, the liquid crystal display panel 61 can be prevented from being lifted by forming the hook 66 on the frame 62 as in the conventional liquid crystal display device 60. However, when the liquid crystal display panel 61 is locked only by the hook 66, a large force is applied to the substrate of the liquid crystal display panel 61. Furthermore, the conventional hook 66 contacts and locks the corner of the substrate of the liquid crystal display panel 61. Since the corners of the substrate are weak in strength, there is a problem that the substrate is easily damaged by the hook 65 engaging the substrate.

  The present invention has been made in the background as described above, and an object of the present invention is to effectively suppress the display panel to which the FPC is connected to the viewing side.

  A display device according to the present invention includes a display panel, a frame that accommodates the display panel, a flexible substrate that is connected to the display panel and extends from an end of the display panel, and is bent on the non-viewing side of the display panel; And a pressing portion that presses the flexible substrate from the viewing side at the extending portion from the display panel end. By pressing the flexible substrate from the viewing side, the force to the viewing side applied to the display panel can be reduced, and the floating of the display panel can be suppressed.

  The pressing portion is preferably formed integrally with the frame. Thus, a simple configuration can be achieved without increasing the number of parts. Moreover, it is preferable that the said press part presses the bending part of the said flexible substrate. Thereby, a flexible substrate can be reliably pressed with a simple structure.

  Preferably, the pressing portion is formed along one side of the frame, and the flexible substrate passes through a space between the pressing portion and the bottom surface of the frame. Thereby, the flexible substrate can be protected from contact with other components, and disconnection of the flexible substrate can be prevented. Alternatively, it is possible to easily arrange the flexible substrate on the non-viewing side of the frame.

  The frame includes a wall portion standing on the bottom surface, one end of the pressing portion is connected to the wall portion, and a space is provided between the other end of the pressing portion and a wall portion adjacent to the other end. Is preferably formed. Thereby, for example, the flexible substrate can be inserted into the space between the pressing portion and the bottom surface from the space between the pressing portion and the adjacent wall portion, and the manufacturing efficiency of the display device Can be increased.

  It is preferable that the pressing portion further includes a locking portion that locks the substrate of the display panel on the viewing side. This can more reliably prevent the display panel from being lifted. Furthermore, it is preferable that the locking portion locks an intermediate portion on one side of the substrate. Thereby, damage to the substrate can be suppressed. Further, it is preferable that the pressing portion is formed integrally with the frame, and one end of the pressing portion is separated from the frame. As a result, elasticity is generated in the pressing portion, and breakage of the substrate can be more effectively suppressed.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the floating to the visual recognition side of the display panel to which FPC was connected can be suppressed effectively.

  Hereinafter, embodiments to which the present invention can be applied will be described. For clarity of explanation, the following description and drawings are omitted and simplified as appropriate. In addition, in each drawing, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to the same element and the duplication description is abbreviate | omitted as needed for clarification of description.

  The display device of this embodiment includes a display panel and a flexible substrate connected to the display panel. The flexible substrate is bent on the non-viewing side (back side) of the display panel. The display device further includes a rib for pressing the flexible substrate. In this embodiment, the rib is formed on a frame that accommodates the display panel. When the rib presses the flexible substrate from the viewing side, the display panel is prevented from being lifted to the viewing side by the elastic force (repulsive force) of the bent flexible substrate.

  For easy understanding of the present invention, first, the overall configuration of the display device of this embodiment will be briefly described. FIG. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing the overall configuration of the display device 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 1A is a view of the display device 1 viewed from the viewing side (front side), and FIG. 1B is a view of the display device 1 viewed from the non-viewing side (back side). The display device 1 can typically be mounted on a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone. The display device 1 includes a liquid crystal display panel 10 that displays an image in a display area 11, a frame 20 that houses the liquid crystal display panel 10, and a flexible substrate (hereinafter referred to as FPC: Flexible Printed Circuit) 30 connected to the liquid crystal display panel 10. I have. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the frame 20 houses a backlight unit on the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel 10 (see FIG. 4).

  Various types of liquid crystal display panel 10 can be used. For example, an active type liquid crystal display panel having a switch element in each pixel, a passive type liquid crystal display panel having no switch element, or a liquid crystal display panel of a transmissive type, a reflective type or a transflective type. It can also be used. Further, any liquid crystal display panel such as a TN (Twisted Nematic) mode, an STN (Super Twisted Nematic) mode, or an IPS (In Plane Switching) can be used. In addition to the liquid crystal display panel, other types of display panels such as an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display panel and an inorganic EL display panel can be used.

  The FPC 30 is connected to one side of the liquid crystal display panel 10 and is bent toward the non-viewing side of the liquid crystal display panel 10. Two bosses 21 are formed on the non-viewing side surface of the frame 20, and the FPC 30 is positioned by fitting with an opening 31 formed in the FPC 30. Further, the FPC 30 is fixed to the opposite side of the frame 20 with double-sided tape or the like. The FPC 30 includes a control circuit board connection portion 32 connected to a substrate (control circuit board) on which a control circuit is mounted at one end opposite to the connection portion with the liquid crystal display panel 10. The FPC 30 includes a plurality of wirings formed on a flexible insulating substrate, and transmits a control signal, a power source, and the like from the control circuit substrate to the liquid crystal display panel 10.

  Next, the configuration of the frame 20 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view schematically showing the configuration of the frame 20 as viewed from the viewing side. The frame 20 is typically formed of resin. The frame 20 includes a rectangular accommodating space so as to accommodate the rectangular liquid crystal display panel 10. The frame 20 includes a rectangular bottom surface 22 and walls 23 a, 23 b, and 23 c erected on each of the three sides of the bottom surface 22. On the other side of the bottom surface 22, a wall portion having an opening in the middle is formed. That is, the walls 23d and 23e are erected at each end of one side.

  Further, ribs 24 are formed on one side where the wall portions 23d and 23e are formed. The rib 24 is an example of a pressing portion and has a function of pressing the flexible substrate 30. This point will be described in detail later. The rib 24 is formed continuously with the wall portion 23d, and extends linearly from the wall portion 23d to the other end of the side (or toward the wall portion 23e or the wall portion 23c).

  A space 25 is formed between the rib 24 and the bottom surface 22, and the flexible substrate 30 penetrates the space 25 and is bent to the back side (anti-viewing side) of the frame 30. One end of the rib 24 is not connected to other portions, and a space 26 is formed between the rib 24 and the wall portion 23e or the wall portion 23c. In the manufacturing process of the display device 1, the flexible substrate 30 is inserted from the space 26 into the space 25. By forming the space 26 as the insertion opening, the manufacturing efficiency of the display device 1 can be improved.

  Referring to FIG. 3, FIG. 3A is a plan view of the display device 1 viewed from the viewing side, FIG. 3B is a side view of the display device 1 viewed from the rib 24 side, and FIG. It is a side view of the display apparatus 1 from the wall part 23c side. As shown in FIGS. 3B and 3C, the flexible substrate 30 penetrates the space 25 between the rib 24 and the bottom surface 22 from the liquid crystal display panel 10 side, and the back side (anti-viewing side) of the frame 20. It has been bent.

  Referring to FIG. 3A, the rib 24 is formed with a hook 241 that protrudes toward the liquid crystal display panel 10 as an example of a locking portion. The hook 241 locks the substrate of the liquid crystal display panel 10 to prevent the liquid crystal display panel 10 from being lifted to the viewing side. The hook 241 is separated from both corners of the substrate on one side of the substrate constituting the liquid crystal display panel 10, and locks the substrate at an intermediate portion corresponding to the corner.

  By hooking the substrate intermediate portion with the hook 241, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of cracking and chipping of the substrate as compared with the conventional hook that locks the corner portion of the substrate. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 3, the hook 241 locks the central portion including the center of the substrate, but the substrate is locked at the intermediate portion away from the corner, so that the substrate can be effectively cracked or chipped. Can be suppressed. The display device 1 can also include two or more hooks spaced apart from each other.

  FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a portion indicated by a section line IV-IV in FIG. Each component of the backlight unit 40 is disposed on the non-viewing side of the liquid crystal display panel 10. On the bottom surface 22 of the frame 20, optical members are stacked in the order of the reflection sheet 401, the light guide plate 402, the prism sheets 403 and 404, and the diffusion sheet 405. Further, an LED 406, which is an example of a light source, is disposed on the bottom surface 22 so as to face the side surface of the light guide plate 402. The backlight unit 40 is fixed in the frame 20 with a double-sided tape (not shown) or the like. The liquid crystal display panel 10 and the backlight unit 40 are fixed by a light-shielding double-sided tape (not shown).

  The light emitted from the LED 406 enters the light guide plate 402 from the side surface of the light guide plate 402. Incident light is repeatedly reflected and propagates in the light guide plate 402. On the viewing side or the non-viewing side of the light guide plate 402, a dot pattern or the like that changes the light reflection angle is formed, and a part of the light is emitted from the viewing side surface of the light guide plate 402 toward the liquid crystal display panel 10. To do. The light emitted from the non-viewing side of the light guide plate 402 is reflected by the reflection sheet 401 and reenters the light guide plate 402.

  Light emitted from the light guide plate 402 is collected by the prism sheets 403 and 404 and then diffused by the diffusion sheet 405. These optical sheets improve the in-plane brightness of the display area and at the same time prevent display unevenness in the surface. In addition, as for optical sheets such as the prism sheets 403 and 404 and the diffusion sheet 405, other optical sheets can be used instead of or in addition to these. In addition to the LED 406, other light sources such as a cold cathode tube can be used.

  The liquid crystal display panel 10 includes a viewing-side transparent substrate 101 and an anti-viewing-side transparent substrate 102. The viewing-side transparent substrate 101 and the non-viewing-side transparent substrate 102 can be formed of glass or resin. A space between the viewing-side transparent substrate 101 and the non-viewing-side transparent substrate 102 is maintained at a predetermined interval by bead spacers or columnar spacers, and liquid crystal is sealed between the two substrates 101 and 102. Polarizing plates 103 and 104 are respectively disposed on the viewing-side surface of the viewing-side transparent substrate 101 and the anti-viewing-side transparent substrate 102.

  The polarizing plates 103 and 104 transmit only the linearly polarized light component parallel to the transmission axis direction among the incident light and absorb other light components. The polarizing plates 103 and 104 are arranged so that the transmission axes of the polarizing plates 103 and 104 are at a predetermined angle. The polarizing plates 103 and 104 may be formed on the inner surface side (liquid crystal side) of the viewing-side transparent substrate 101 and the non-viewing-side transparent substrate 102.

  An alignment film is formed on each inner surface of the viewing-side transparent substrate 101 and the non-viewing-side transparent substrate 102 to control the alignment and tilt of the liquid crystal. Furthermore, typically, electrodes are formed of ITO (Indium Tin Oxide) on the inner surfaces of the viewing-side transparent substrate 101 and the non-viewing-side transparent substrate 102, and an electric field is applied to the liquid crystal by the selected electrode. It is possible to display an image by controlling the amount of light transmitted through the liquid crystal in each pixel. Note that the pixel structure of the liquid crystal display panel is a well-known technique and will not be described in detail here.

  A driver IC 110 is mounted on the opposite side of the viewing-side transparent substrate 101 on the side to which the flexible substrate 30 is connected. The driver IC 110 outputs a signal to the electrode of the liquid crystal display panel 10 and controls the amount of transmitted light and image display by controlling the electric field strength applied to the liquid crystal. The driver IC 110 of this embodiment is directly installed on the edge of the viewing-side transparent substrate 101 by COG (Chip On Glass) technology. The driver IC 110 can be directly formed on the viewing-side transparent substrate 101 using a photolithography technique. Alternatively, the driver IC 110 can be mounted on the flexible substrate 30.

  The FPC 30 is electrically and physically connected to the non-viewing side of the viewing-side transparent substrate 101. A plurality of connection wirings are formed on the viewing-side transparent substrate 101, and the wirings on the FPC 30 and the electrodes of the driver IC 110 are connected. The FPC 30 and the viewing-side transparent substrate 101 and the connection wiring thereon can typically be electrically and physically connected by an ACF (Anisotropic Conductive Film).

  The FPC 30 extends from the substrate end 106 of the connected viewing-side transparent substrate 101 and is bent toward the non-viewing side. The rib 24 abuts on the FPC 30 at the extension 303 of the FPC 30 and presses the FPC 30 from the viewing side. In the example of FIG. 4, the extending portion 303 includes a bent portion 304 that is bent and a portion that is connected to the bent portion 304 from the substrate end 106.

  More specifically, the rib 24 includes a side surface 242 inclined with respect to the display surface (main surface) of the liquid crystal display panel 10 (viewing-side transparent substrate 101), and the side surface 242 is a bent portion in the FPC extension portion 303. 304 is pressed. When the FPC 30 and the rib 24 are in surface contact with each other, a force can be effectively applied to the FPC 30 and disconnection in the FPC 30 can be prevented. In FIG. 4, an arrow 51 indicates a direction in which the rib 24 presses the FPC 30. The rib 24 presses the bent portion 304 of the FPC from the viewing side to the non-viewing side toward the liquid crystal display panel 10 side. Here, the side surface 242 extends in the direction of the side where the rib 24 is formed.

  When the rib 24 presses the FPC 30 from the viewing side, the force (arrow 52) that causes the FPC 30 to lift the liquid crystal display panel 10 to the viewing side can be reduced, and the floating of the liquid crystal display panel 10 can be suppressed. Further, the rib 24 protects the liquid crystal display panel 10 and the FPC 30 from contact with external components, and has an effect of preventing the liquid crystal display panel 10 from being damaged and the FPC 30 from being disconnected.

  Here, for example, the rib 24 includes a side surface substantially parallel to the display surface (main surface) of the liquid crystal display panel 10, and the FPC extension 303 can be pressed by the side surface. In this case, the pressing direction is a direction substantially perpendicular to the display surface from the viewing side to the non-viewing side. However, preferably, as shown in this embodiment, the rib 24 includes a side surface 242 inclined with respect to the display surface, and the side surface 242 presses the FPC bent portion 304. With this configuration, the rib 24 that reliably presses the FPC 30 from the viewing side can be easily manufactured.

  As already described with reference to FIG. 3, hooks 241 are formed on the ribs 24. The hook 241 is formed so as to protrude at the end portion of the rib 24 on the liquid crystal display panel 10 side. The hook 241 abuts on the viewing-side transparent substrate 101 on the side opposite to the viewing side, and locks the liquid crystal display panel 10 that is about to float to the viewing side. In FIG. 4, the hook 241 is in contact with the viewing-side transparent substrate 101. However, in a normal state, the hook 241 is in contact with the viewing-side transparent substrate 101 or between the hook 241 and the viewing-side transparent substrate 101. A gap may be formed.

  In addition to the pressing of the FPC 30 by the ribs 24, the liquid crystal display panel 10 can be more effectively prevented from floating by further including a hook 241 for locking the liquid crystal display panel 10. Further, even when the hook 241 and the viewing-side transparent substrate 101 are in contact with each other in a normal state, the rib 24 presses the FPC 30, so that the force (arrow 53) applied by the hook 241 to the viewing-side transparent substrate 101 is applied. It is reduced and the crack of the visual recognition side transparent substrate 101 can be prevented. Further, as described with reference to FIG. 2, one end of the rib 24 is separated from the frame 20 and is not connected to other portions and is in a free state. As a result, moderate elasticity is generated in the rib 24, and damage to the viewing-side transparent substrate 101 can be prevented.

  In FIG. 3, the FPC 30 is connected to the non-viewing side of the viewing-side transparent substrate 101, but the FPC 30 can also be connected to the viewing side of the viewing-side transparent substrate 101 or the non-viewing-side transparent substrate 102. is there. As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment.

It is a perspective view which shows typically the structure of the display apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is a perspective view showing typically the composition of the frame concerning this embodiment. It is a figure which shows typically the structure of the display apparatus which concerns on this embodiment. It is sectional drawing which shows typically the structure of the part designated by the IV-IV cutting line in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows typically the structure of the liquid crystal display device in a prior art.

Explanation of symbols

1 display device, 10 liquid crystal display panel, 11 display area, 20 frames,
20 flexible substrate, 21 boss, 22 bottom surface, 23a-e wall,
24 ribs, 25 spaces, 26 spaces, 30 flexible substrates, 31 openings,
32 control circuit board connection part, 40 backlight unit,
60 liquid crystal display device, 61 liquid crystal display panel, 62 frame,
63 One side of the liquid crystal display panel, 65 connection part, 66 hook,
101 viewing side transparent substrate, 102 anti-viewing side transparent substrate 103, 104 polarizing plate, 106 substrate end of viewing side transparent substrate, 241 hook,
242 Rib side surface, 303 extension portion, 304 bent portion, 401 reflective sheet,
402 Light guide plate, 403 prism sheet, 405 diffusion sheet

Claims (7)

A display panel;
A frame for housing the display panel;
A flexible substrate connected to the display panel and extending from an end of the display panel and bent on the non-viewing side of the display panel;
A pressing portion that presses the flexible substrate from the viewing side in the extending portion from the display panel end; and
A display device.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing portion is formed integrally with the frame.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing portion presses a bent portion of the flexible substrate. The pressing portion is formed along one side of the frame,
The flexible substrate passes through the space between the pressing portion and the bottom surface of the frame.
The display device according to claim 1, 2 or 3. The frame includes a wall portion erected on the bottom surface,
One end of the pressing portion is connected to the wall portion, and a space is formed between the other end of the pressing portion and the wall portion adjacent to the other end.
The display device according to claim 4.   The display device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing portion further includes a locking portion that locks the substrate of the display panel on the viewing side. The display device according to claim 6, wherein the locking portion locks an intermediate portion on one side of the substrate.

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