JP2000208179A - Connection mechanism for element including glass substrate - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection structure for an element including a glass substrate allowing repair when a defective connection is found in the element, and allowing reduction in a production cost. SOLUTION: An end part 1a of a PDP(Plasma Display Panel) 1 inserted in a second receiving cavity 13 is elastically sandwiched and held between an elastic member 23 and a cover 18 in a closing state. The elastic member 23 has thin metal wires 26 arranged in a matrix state, extending along the thickness direction of an insulative rubber sheet, e.g. a silicone rubber sheet. The thin metal wire 26 is a brass wire coated with gold, for example. The thin metal wires 26 of the elastic member 23 are brought into pressure-contact with a transparent electrode 6 of the PDP 1 to be electrically connected to the transparent electrode 6. When the cover 18 is opened to release the press of the elastic member 23 to the PDP 1, the PDP 1 can be easily inserted or pulled out.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a mechanism for connecting a device including a glass substrate (a glass substrate itself or a display panel such as a liquid crystal display, a plasma display, or an electroluminescence display as a structure including the glass substrate).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a display panel, for example, a plasma display panel (PDP) has rapidly spread in recent years because a flat type display utilizing light emission accompanying gas discharge has a simple panel structure and is suitable for upsizing. Have been doing. A display panel of this type and, for example, an FPC (flexible p
In a “rinted circuit”, an anisotropic conductive film is sandwiched between two opposing surfaces, and the two are bonded to each other via the anisotropic conductive film. That is, the anisotropic conductive film is made of a material in which conductive particles such as C and Ni are dispersed in an adhesive. Secure state.

[0003]

However, there is a case where the display panel and the FPC are displaced from each other at the time of joining. In this case, it is necessary to remove the FPC from the display panel and reconnect. However, when the FPC is peeled off, the transparent electrode provided on the surface of the display panel may be peeled off from the display panel. If the transparent electrode is peeled off, the display panel cannot be used and will be discarded. For this reason, the production yield was low and the production cost was high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a connection structure for an element including a glass substrate, which can repair the connection failure of the glass substrate when the connection failure is found and reduce the manufacturing cost. The purpose is to provide.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems As means for solving the problems to achieve the above object, the aspect of the invention described in claim 1 is as follows.
A body having a receiving cavity for receiving an end of an element including a glass substrate having an electrode portion on the surface; and a resiliently abutting an electrode portion of the glass substrate of the element inserted into the receiving cavity, and into the receiving cavity. An elastic member for holding an end of the element, wherein the elastic member contains a conductive material.

In this aspect, the elastic member containing the conductive material elastically presses the end of the element including the glass substrate inserted into the receiving cavity, so that the force for holding the element in the receiving cavity is increased. As well as being obtained, electrical conduction between the conductive material and the electrode portion of the glass substrate of the element is reliably achieved. Further, by releasing the pressing by the elastic member, the element can be easily attached to and detached from the receiving cavity. Therefore,
When a connection failure of the glass substrate is found, the element can be removed and repaired easily.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the elastic member includes conductive thin metal wires extending along the thickness direction of the insulating rubber sheet arranged in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. A glass substrate as set forth in claim 1 is provided. In this embodiment, a narrow pitch connection can be reliably achieved by pressing an insulating rubber sheet on which a large number of fine metal wires are arranged against the electrode portion of the glass substrate. Since conduction is ensured by the conductive thin metal wire, the conduction resistance can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where conductive rubber is used as the elastic member. Further, since the thin metal wire is flexible, it does not break even if it is slightly deformed during pressurization.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the insulating rubber sheet includes a silicone rubber sheet. Silicone rubber has high electrical insulation properties, and it is possible to arrange thin metal wires at a narrow pitch. Further, since it is flexible, even if it is pressed against the glass substrate, it is not damaged. In addition, since the compression restoring property is high, the holding force on the glass substrate after desorption does not decrease. Further, since it has excellent heat resistance, it can be suitably used as a mechanism for holding a glass substrate of a display panel, such as a PDP, which has a relatively high temperature.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the second or third aspect, the fine metal wire includes a brass wire having a gold film formed on a surface thereof. A brass wire has a small electric resistance and can be made thin. Further, by forming a gold coating on the surface by, for example, plating, the electric resistance can be further reduced.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a connector as a connection mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention connects a PDP as an element including a glass substrate, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the PDP.

Referring to these figures, PDP 1 has a large number of small holes 2 formed in a matrix (for example, a grid interval of 0.5 mm).
And the first and second glass substrates 4 and 5 sandwiching the spacer 3 from both sides. Spacer 3 and first and second glass substrates 4 and 5
Mixed gas mainly containing Ne (containing a small amount of Xe, Ar, etc.) in a large number of minute discharge cells 10 partitioned by
Is sealed, for example, at 100 to 500 Torr.

The first glass substrate 4 includes a substrate body 4
a, a large number of first transparent electrodes 6 joined to the outer surface 4b of the substrate main body 4a and extending in the vertical direction in a row, and an engagement protrusion 11 described later. Similarly, the second glass substrate 5 includes a substrate body 5a and an outer surface 5b of the substrate body 5a.
And a plurality of second transparent electrodes 7 joined in a row and extending in the horizontal direction, and an engagement protrusion 11 described later. PD
In a plan view of P1, the first and second transparent electrodes 6, 7
Are orthogonal to each other at the position of the cell 10.

When an AC voltage (sustain voltage) lower than the discharge start voltage is applied to all the cells 10, the cells once started to discharge by the write pulse voltage are caused by the positive and negative wall charges generated at that time. Discharge light is emitted every half cycle of the alternating current and stored and displayed. The luminance is proportional to the frequency of the alternating current, and halftone display is possible. The first transparent electrode 6 is connected to the FPC 9 via a plurality of connectors 8 arranged on a pair of edges 1a and 1b of the PDP 1 facing the direction in which the transparent electrode 6 extends (vertically in FIG. 1). Similarly, the second transparent electrode 7 is connected to the FPC 9 via a plurality of connectors 8 arranged on a pair of edges 1c and 1d of the PDP 1 facing in the direction in which the transparent electrode 7 extends (in FIG. 1, the lateral direction). I have. The connector 8 for connecting the first transparent electrode 6 and the connector 8 for connecting the second transparent electrode 7 are used face down with respect to each other.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 designates the position of each glass substrate 4, 5 with respect to each connector 8, ie, the PDP 1
Are engaging projections as positioning means for positioning the positioning. A pair of engagement projections 11 is provided corresponding to each connector 8. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, which are cross-sectional views of the main parts of each glass substrate, the engagement projections 11 are provided on the outer surfaces 4b, 5a of the substrate bodies 4a, 5a of the glass substrates 4, 5.
b through a binder layer 12.

The thermal expansion coefficient of the engagement projection 11 is preferably in the range of 90 to 110% of the thermal expansion coefficient of the glass substrates 4 and 5. That is, the thermal expansion coefficient A of the engagement protrusion 11 is set to a level (90
% ≦ A / B ≦ 110%), the bonding strength can be increased. In addition, 95% ≦ A / B ≦ 105%
Is more preferably within the range.

Therefore, if the engaging projections 11 are made of glass, the engaging projections 11 and the substrate bodies 4a and 5a are made of the same material, and the joint strength of the two 11 and 4a and 5a is further improved. Can be enhanced strongly. Further, it is preferable to use a paste containing glass as the binder layer 12. In this case, as the engagement projection 11 and the substrate bodies 4a and 5a are substantially integrated, the higher the degree of adhesion, the higher the bonding strength, and the higher the bonding strength.

Next, referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6,
Connection mechanism of PDP as element including glass substrate and P
The connector 8 constituting the holding mechanism of the DP has an FPC on one side.
A connector main body 14 that defines a first receiving cavity 50 that receives the end of the PDP 9 and a second receiving cavity 13 that receives the end 1a of the PDP 1 is provided on the other side. FIG.
7, first receiving cavity 50 is formed between first surface 51 of main body 15 of connector main body 14 and inner surface 53 of cover 52 rotatably supported at one end of main body 15. A partition is formed between them. When the cover 52 is swung, the open position raised substantially perpendicular to the main body 14 as shown in FIG. 4 and the first surface of the main body 14 as shown in FIGS. It is displaced to a closed position facing 51. Numeral 54 denotes side walls integrally formed on the main body portion 14 so as to define both side portions of the first receiving cavity 50.
4 is provided with engagement grooves 57 that elastically engage with engagement protrusions 56 formed on both side edges 55 of the cover 52 to hold the cover 52 in the closed position.

In FIG. 6, reference numeral 58 denotes a plurality of contact members which are arranged in parallel in the width direction (longitudinal direction) of the main body 14, and as shown in FIG.
Numeral 8 is accommodated in each of the accommodation grooves 59 formed in the main body 14, and extends perpendicularly from one end of the main body 60 to the main body 60, and is retained in the accommodation groove 59 to hold itself. Piece 6
1, a first contact portion 62 having an L-shaped resilient branching from the vicinity of the base end of the holding piece 61, and a second contact portion 6 extending orthogonally from the other end of the main body 60.
And 3. As shown in FIG. 6, the first contact portion 62 is exposed at the back of the main body portion 51, and as shown in FIG. 7, the FPC 9 inserted into the first receiving cavity 50.
The electrical continuity is ensured by resiliently contacting the conductor patterns formed at the end portions. Also, the second
The contact portion 63 is electrically connected to the first or second transparent electrode 6, 7 of the PDP 1 inserted into the second receiving cavity 13 via a thin metal wire 26 of an elastic member 23 described later. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, each conductor of the FPC 9 inserted into the first receiving cavity 50 is connected to the corresponding first or second conductor of the PDP 1 through the corresponding contact member 58 and the corresponding thin metal wire 26 of the elastic member 23. Second transparent electrode 6,
7 will be electrically connected.

Referring to FIG. 5, FIG. 6 and FIG.
At both ends of 5, an engagement recess 64 is formed to engage with the engagement protrusion 11 of the PDP 1 inserted into the receiving cavity 13. As shown in FIG. 9, the engagement projection 11 engages with the engagement recess 64, so that the PDP 1 is accurately positioned at the proper insertion position, and the PDP 1 is prevented from being detached from the connector 8. .

On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the second receiving cavity 13 has a main body 15 of the connector main body 14 and a cover as a pressing member having a base end 17 connected to one end 16 of the main body 15. 18 is formed. Cover 18
Is formed integrally with the main body portion 15 by resin molding, and between the open position shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 and the closed position shown in FIGS. Is rotatable. A projection 20 is formed on an inner surface 19 near the base end 17 of the cover 18. As shown in FIG. 7, the projection 20 abuts on the second surface 21 of the main body 15 at right angles while the cover 18 is in the closed position, and the cover 18 is closed as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. Position.

Also, the cover 18 is formed integrally with the connector body 14 by a resin-formed base end 17 (constituting an urging means), which elastically urges the cover 18 toward the open position. The manufacturing cost can be reduced as compared with the case where components are provided. Note that the projection 20 is
And abut on the inner surface 19 of the cover 18. Reference numeral 22 denotes a positioning rib formed on the main body 15, and the positioning rib 22 abuts on the end face 1b of the PDP 1 inserted into the receiving cavity 13, thereby defining the PDP 1 at a regular insertion position.

The second surface 21 of the main body 15 elastically contacts the surface of the end 1a of the PDP 1 inserted into the receiving cavity 13 corresponding to the entrance to the receiving cavity 13, and
Elastic member 23 holding the end 1a of the first member 1 in the receiving cavity 13.
Is held. The elastic member 23 is accommodated in an accommodation hole 24 that extends long in a width direction (a direction orthogonal to the paper surface in FIGS. 4, 7, and 9) formed on the second surface 21.
A part protrudes from the receiving hole 24 into the receiving cavity 13.

The elastic member 23 is shown in FIGS. 10 (a) and 10 (b).
As shown in FIG. 2, the rubber sheet 25 includes an insulating rubber sheet 25 and a thin metal wire 26 as a conductive material extending along the thickness direction of the rubber sheet 25. The thin metal wires 26 are arranged in a matrix in a direction perpendicular to the thickness direction. The arrangement pitch P of the thin metal wires 26 is, for example, 0.5 mm.

Both ends of the fine metal wire 26 are projected from both sides of the rubber sheet 25 by minute amounts so as to be in contact with the transparent electrodes 7 and 8 of the PDP 1 and the second contact portion 63 of the contact member 58 so that conduction can be secured. is there. Rubber sheet 25
Examples of the material include silicone rubber. Silicone rubber has high electrical insulation properties, and it is possible to arrange thin metal wires at a narrow pitch. Further, since it is flexible, even if it is pressed against the glass substrates 4 and 5, it will not be damaged. In addition, since the compression restoring property is high, the holding force on the glass substrates 4 and 5 after detachment does not decrease. Further, since it has excellent heat resistance, it can be suitably used as a mechanism for holding the glass substrates 4 and 5 of the display panel such as the PDP 1 which becomes relatively hot. In addition, as the thin metal wire 26, as shown in FIG. 11, an example in which a gold coating 28 formed by plating on the surface of a brass wire 27 can be exemplified. If the brass wire 27 is used, the electric resistance is small and the wire can be thinned. Further, by providing the gold coating 28 on the surface, the electric resistance can be further reduced.

As shown in FIG. 5, a pair of support stays 29 are provided at both ends in the width direction of the second surface 21 of the main body 15.
The driving member 31 of the toggle mechanism 30 for opening and closing the cover 18 is swingably supported by the pair of support stays 29.
4 and 7, the toggle mechanism 30 includes a cover 1
8 comprises a leaf spring 33 as an elastic member disposed to face the outer surface 32 and the driving member 31 described above. The leaf spring 33 functions as a lever that presses and biases the cover 18. That is, the first end 34 of the leaf spring 33 contacts the base end 17 of the cover 18 to form the fulcrum A, and the leaf spring 33
The second end 35 abuts on the distal end 36 of the cover 18 to form an action point B. A flange 37 extends outwardly orthogonally from a tip end 36 of the cover 18, and a second end 35 of the leaf spring 33 is received by a corner formed by the cover 18 and the flange 37.

The drive member 31 is substantially L-shaped, and is supported by the pair of support stays 29 via a support shaft 38 so as to be swingable about the support shaft 38. The driving member 31 has a pressing portion 39 and a finger operating portion 40 arranged on both sides of the support shaft 38. When the finger operation unit 40 is swung with a finger, the position of the force point C at which the pressing unit 39 presses the leaf spring 33 is changed, so that a well-known toggle function is performed.
The pressing portion 39 presses the leaf spring 33 in accordance with the inverted posture of the finger operation portion 40 as shown in FIG.
The finger operating section 40 has a second pressing surface 42 that presses the leaf spring 33 in a supine position as shown in FIG.

In this embodiment, the first and second receiving cavities 5 are opened when the covers 52 and 18 are open as shown in FIG.
Insert the respective ends of the FPC 9 and the PDP 1 into 0,13. At this time, the engagement protrusions 11 included in the PDP 1
Are engaged with the engaging recesses 64 of the connector body 14 as shown in FIG. 9 to accurately position the PDP 1 with respect to the connector 8. Next, the covers 52 and 18 are closed, and FIG.
The ends of the FPC 9 and the PDP 1 are held in the corresponding receiving cavities 50 and 13 as shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 7, when the cover 18 is closed, the elastic member 23 elastically presses the end 1a of the PDP 1 inserted into the second receiving cavity 13, and the cover 18 and the elastic member 23 By elastically holding the end 1a of the PDP 1 by the above, a force for holding the PDP 1 in the second receiving cavity 13 is obtained. Moreover, the thin metal wire 26 of the elastic member 23 is connected to the second contact portion 63 of the contact member 58 and the PD.
Since both the transparent electrodes 6 (or 7) of P1 are pressed and contacted, electrical conduction between the contact member 58 and the transparent electrodes 6 and 7 of the PDP 1 is reliably achieved.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the cover 18 is opened and the pressing of the elastic member 23 against the PDP 1 is released, so that the end 1a of the PDP 1 is brought into the second receiving cavity 13
It can be easily attached and detached. Therefore, when a connection failure of the PDP 1 to the connector 8 is found,
P1 can be removed from the connector 8 for easy repair.

In particular, by pressing the elastic member 23 made of an insulating rubber sheet having a large number of fine metal wires 26 arranged at a narrow pitch against the transparent electrode plates 6 and 7, a narrow pitch connection can be reliably achieved. In addition, since conduction is ensured by the conductive thin metal wire 26, conduction resistance can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where conductive rubber is used as the elastic member. Further, since the thin metal wire 26 is flexible, it does not break even if it is slightly deformed during pressurization.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention.

[0032]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the end of the element including the glass substrate inserted into the receiving cavity is elastically pressed by the elastic member containing the conductive material, so that the element is received in the receiving cavity. As a result, the electrical continuity between the conductive material and the electrode portion of the glass substrate is reliably achieved. Also, by releasing the pressing by the elastic member,
The element can be easily attached to and detached from the receiving cavity. Therefore, when a connection failure of the glass substrate is found, the element can be removed and repaired easily.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, a narrow pitch connection can be reliably achieved by pressing an insulating rubber sheet on which a large number of fine metal wires are arranged against the electrode portion of the glass substrate. Since conduction is ensured by the conductive thin metal wire, the conduction resistance can be significantly reduced as compared with the case where conductive rubber is used as the elastic member. Further, since the thin metal wire is flexible, it does not break even if it is slightly deformed during pressurization.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the silicone rubber having excellent insulation properties is used, it is possible to arrange the fine metal wires at a narrow pitch. Further, since it is flexible, even if it is pressed against the glass substrate, it is not damaged. In addition, since the compression restoring property is high, the holding force on the glass substrate after desorption does not decrease. Further, since it has excellent heat resistance, it can be suitably used as a mechanism for holding a display panel, such as a PDP, which is relatively hot.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since a brass wire is used, thinning is possible, and since a gold coating is formed on the surface, electric resistance can be significantly reduced. For example, when used for a PDP or the like, power consumption can be reduced.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing a state in which a connector as a connection mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention connects a PDP as an element including a glass substrate.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a PDP.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional views of main parts of each glass substrate included in a PDP.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the connector with each receiving cavity opened.

FIG. 5 shows a connector with each receiving cavity opened and a P to be mounted.
It is an exploded perspective view of DP.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the connector as viewed from a direction opposite to that of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the connector showing a state in which each cover is closed and ends of the FPC and the PDP are held.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the connector with each cover closed.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the connector with each cover closed and an FPC and a PDP mounted thereon.

10A and 10B are a plan view and a sectional view of an elastic member for elastically contacting a transparent electrode of a glass substrate of a PDP to secure conduction.

FIG. 11 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a thin metal wire included in an elastic member.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 PDP 1a End part 4 1st glass substrate 5 2nd glass substrate 4a, 5a Substrate main body 4b, 5b Outer surface 6 1st transparent electrode 7 2nd transparent electrode 8 Connector (connection mechanism) 9 FPC 13 2nd Receiving cavity 14 Connector body 23 Elastic member 25 Rubber sheet 26 Fine metal wire 27 Brass wire 28 Coating

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A body having a receiving cavity for receiving an end of a device including a glass substrate having an electrode portion on a surface, and a body elastically contacting an electrode portion of a glass substrate of the device inserted into the receiving cavity. And an elastic member for holding an end of the element in the receiving cavity, wherein the elastic member includes a conductive material. 2. The glass according to claim 1, wherein the elastic member is formed by arranging conductive metal wires extending along the thickness direction of the insulating rubber sheet in a direction orthogonal to the thickness direction. A connection mechanism for elements including a substrate. 3. The connection mechanism of an element including a glass substrate according to claim 2, wherein said insulating rubber sheet includes a silicone rubber sheet. 4. The connection mechanism for an element including a glass substrate according to claim 2, wherein said thin metal wire includes a brass wire having a gold coating formed on a surface thereof.