JP2009300854A - Liquid crystal display panel, electronic equipment and display panel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid crystal display panel with a favorable yield and high reliability while reducing the generation of cracks, electronic equipment and a display panel. <P>SOLUTION: The liquid crystal display panel 100 comprises: a first substrate 110 having a pixel region 101 where a plurality of switching elements are arrayed and an adjoining region 102 adjacent to the pixel region 101 and partially containing a terminal forming region 103 where a terminal 111 for external connection is manufactured; and a second substrate 120 disposed opposing the first substrate 110 through a liquid crystal layer; a first polarizing plate 130 attached to the first substrate 110, extended from the pixel region 101 to the adjoining region 102 on the first substrate 110 and having a figure with a cutout 131 at a position corresponding to the terminal forming region 103; and a second polarizing plate 140 attached to the second substrate 120. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display panel, an electronic device, and a display panel, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display panel, an electronic device, and a display panel that can reduce generation of cracks in a substrate.

  FIG. 9 is a side view showing a conventional liquid crystal display panel 600. The liquid crystal display panel 600 has a structure in which a liquid crystal layer is sandwiched between a first substrate 610 on which a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) as a number of switching elements is formed and a second substrate 620 on which a color filter is formed. Yes. And the 1st polarizing plate 630 and the 2nd polarizing plate 640 are affixed on the outer side of each board | substrate, and it covers the pixel area | region 601 in which the pixel is formed in order to display an image.

  As shown in the figure, the first substrate 610 is larger than the second substrate 620 and has a size such that one side of the first substrate 610 protrudes from the second substrate. A terminal formation region 603 in which an external connection terminal 611 for connection is formed is provided. The external connection terminal 611 is usually electrically connected to an external connection substrate such as a driving integrated circuit (driver IC) or a flexible printed circuit board for connection to an electronic device incorporating a liquid crystal display panel. Such connection is generally performed by thermocompression bonding using anisotropic conductive particles.

Patent Document 1 discloses a liquid crystal display panel having the structure described above (FIG. 4). Moreover, what extended the polarizing plate stuck to the 1st board | substrate to the adjacent area | region is also disclosed (FIG. 3).
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-175059

  In recent years, in order to make a display panel including a liquid crystal display panel thinner and lighter, it is required to make the first substrate and the second substrate thinner. However, when the first substrate and the second substrate are made thin, there is a concern that the strength is lowered and the substrate is cracked or chipped. In particular, in FIG. 9, the point A on the first substrate 610 is bonded to the second substrate 620 and is a pixel region 601 that has high rigidity and is not easily bent, and an adjacent region 602 that has a low rigidity and is easily bent by the first substrate 610 alone. Since it is located at the boundary, stress concentration occurs when vibration or external force is applied, and defects are likely to occur. In actuality, at the time of manufacturing and handling, cracks occur at the peripheral edge of the first substrate 610 from the point A to the point B located at the boundary where the first polarizing plate 630 is attached, as indicated by the broken line in the figure. May occur.

  When cracks are generated in this way, the wiring formed on the first substrate is disconnected, resulting in a defective product. As a result, the yield is lowered, resulting in an increase in cost and the reliability of the product itself may be lowered.

  In this regard, cited document 1 describes a polarizing plate attached to the first substrate that is extended to a position corresponding to the adjacent region, but it is not realistic to adopt such a configuration. This is because, as described above, the driving integrated circuit and the external connection substrate are connected by thermocompression bonding, and the temperature at that time is approximately 180 ° C. On the other hand, a polarizing plate generally uses a polyvinyl alcohol film sandwiched between triacetate films, and can only withstand temperatures of about 80 ° C. to 90 ° C. Therefore, when thermocompression bonding is performed with a polarizing plate attached, the temperature cannot be withstood and deformation or discoloration occurs. Although it is conceivable to attach a polarizing plate after thermocompression bonding, it is technically difficult to attach a polarizing plate to the first substrate in a state where a complicated shape driving integrated circuit or external connection substrate is connected. If the pasting fails, the disposal cost becomes high.

  The present invention has been made in view of such a viewpoint, and an object of the present invention is to reduce the occurrence of cracks in a substrate in a liquid crystal display panel, an electronic device, and a display panel. An electronic device and a display panel are provided.

  Of the inventions disclosed in the present application, the outline of typical ones will be briefly described as follows.

  (1) a first substrate provided with a pixel region in which a plurality of switching elements are arranged, and an adjacent region adjacent to the pixel region, including a terminal formation region in which an external connection terminal is formed; A second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate via a liquid crystal layer; and the pixel region on a surface of the first substrate opposite to a surface on which the pixel region and the adjacent region are provided. A liquid crystal display panel comprising: a polarizing plate extending in a position corresponding to the adjacent region and having a notch at a position corresponding to the terminal formation region.

  (2) In (1), the polarizing plate has a shape that extends at least on a boundary between the pixel region and a position corresponding to the adjacent region and at a peripheral edge of the first substrate. A liquid crystal display panel characterized by that.

  (3) In (1), the notch is provided in a U shape on one side of the polarizing plate.

  (4) In the liquid crystal display panel according to (1), the notch is provided in an island shape on the polarizing plate.

  (5) The liquid crystal display panel according to (1), wherein corners of the notches are rounded.

  (6) In the liquid crystal display panel according to (1), at least one of a driving integrated circuit and an external connection substrate is electrically connected to the terminal formation region by thermocompression bonding.

  (7) An electronic device comprising (1).

  (8) a first substrate provided with a pixel region in which a plurality of switching elements are arranged, and an adjacent region adjacent to the pixel region, including a terminal formation region in which an external connection terminal is formed; A second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate via a liquid crystal layer; and the pixel region on a surface of the first substrate opposite to a surface on which the pixel region and the adjacent region are provided. To the polarizing plate through an adhesive layer and a polarizing plate extending in a position corresponding to the adjacent region and having a U-shaped cutout at a position corresponding to the terminal forming region. A backlight to be attached; a driving integrated circuit electrically connected to the first substrate in the terminal formation region; and an external connection substrate electrically connected to the first substrate in the terminal formation region; It is characterized by including Crystal display panel.

  (9) a first substrate provided with a pixel region in which a plurality of switching elements are arranged, and an adjacent region adjacent to the pixel region, including a terminal formation region in which an external connection terminal is formed; A second substrate having a size smaller than that of the first substrate disposed to face the first substrate, and a surface of the first substrate opposite to a surface on which the pixel region and the adjacent region are provided. And a polarizing plate extending from the pixel region to a position corresponding to the adjacent region and having a notch at a position corresponding to the terminal formation region. .

  (10) In (9), the polarizing plate has a shape extending at least on the boundary between the pixel region and a position corresponding to the adjacent region and at a position on the peripheral edge of the first substrate. A display panel characterized by that.

  (11) The display panel according to (9), wherein the notch is provided in a U shape on one side of the polarizing plate.

  (12) In the display panel according to (9), the notch is provided in an island shape on the polarizing plate.

  (13) The display panel according to (9), wherein a corner of the notch is rounded.

  (14) In the display panel according to (9), at least one of a driving integrated circuit and an external connection substrate is electrically connected to the terminal formation region by thermocompression bonding.

  (15) The display panel according to (9), wherein an OLED layer is disposed on the first substrate.

  (16) The display panel according to (15), wherein the polarizing plate is a circularly polarizing plate.

  According to the invention disclosed in the above application, since the first substrate is reinforced by the polarizing plate, the occurrence of cracks can be reduced, and the polarizing plate in the terminal formation region is provided with a notch. Therefore, the driving integrated circuit and the external connection substrate can be electrically connected without any problem.

  A preferred first embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a side view of a liquid crystal display panel 100 according to the present embodiment. In addition, the ratio of the dimension of the illustrated member is exaggerated for the purpose of explanation, and does not accurately reflect the actual dimension of the member.

  The liquid crystal display panel 100 includes TFTs that are a plurality of switching elements, a first substrate 110 on which external connection terminals 111 are formed, and a color filter that is opposed to the first substrate 110 via a liquid crystal layer (not shown). The second substrate 120, the first polarizing plate 130 attached to the first substrate, and the second polarizing plate 140 attached to the second substrate 120 are included. Further, a backlight 150 is attached to the liquid crystal display panel 100 via an adhesive layer (not shown) on the first polarizing plate 130, and the driving integrated circuit 160 and the external connection substrate 170 are electrically connected to the external connection terminals 111. It is connected. In the present specification, as described above, the color filter is described as being arranged on the second substrate. However, the color filter may be arranged on the first substrate (color filter-on-TFT configuration). . Further, in this specification, a configuration in which the second polarizing plate 140 different from the first polarizing plate 130 is disposed on the second substrate 120 will be described. The second polarizing plate 140 includes the second substrate 120 and the liquid crystal. You may incorporate by the application | coating etc. in the position between layers.

  A region denoted by reference numeral 101 in the drawing is a pixel region in which TFTs are arranged on the first substrate 110 and an image can be displayed. An area indicated by reference numeral 102 adjacent to the pixel area 101 is an adjacent area. In the adjacent region 102, the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120 do not face each other, and the surface of the first substrate 110 on the second substrate 120 side is exposed. A terminal forming region 103 in which external connection terminals 111 are formed is provided on the surface of the adjacent region 102 on the second substrate 120 side. The first polarizing plate 130 is attached to the surface of the first substrate 110 opposite to the surface on which the pixel region 101 and the adjacent region 102 are provided.

  In the present embodiment, the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120 are glass, but various plastics may be used as long as they are transparent substrates and can be used. The first polarizing plate 130 and the second polarizing plate 140 are preferably attached to the first substrate 110 and the second substrate 120 by being attached with an adhesive, but an appropriate attachment method such as thermal bonding may be used. . Further, the driving integrated circuit 160 and the external connection substrate 170 are arranged on the external connection terminal 111 via a paste or sheet containing anisotropic conductive particles, and then the terminal formation region 103 of the first substrate 110 is formed. The first substrate 110 is pressed and heated so as to be sandwiched by jigs from both sides, and is electrically connected to the external connection terminal 111 by thermocompression bonding.

  In addition, the driving method of the liquid crystal display panel 100 in the present embodiment is not particularly limited, and any known driving method such as an IPS (In Plane Switching) method, a VA (Vertical Alignment) method, or a TN (Twisted Nematic) method is used. May be. What is shown is a so-called transmissive liquid crystal display having a backlight 150, but may be a reflective liquid crystal display. Further, although shown as a so-called active liquid crystal display in which a TFT array is formed on the first substrate, a passive liquid crystal display may be used.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view taken along the line XX in FIG. In the figure, the planar shape of the first polarizing plate 130 appears. The first polarizing plate 130 extends from the pixel region 101 to a position corresponding to the adjacent region 102, and is approximately the same size as the rectangular first substrate 110. Then, a position corresponding to the terminal formation region 103, that is, a portion of the first substrate 110 that is just behind the external connection terminal 111 (not shown) so that the first polarizing plate 130 does not exist is U-shaped on one side. The notch 131 is provided. The corner portion 132 of the notch 131 is rounded with a predetermined size as shown.

  When the first polarizing plate 130 has such a shape, since the first polarizing plate 130 is attached to the first substrate 110 even in the adjacent region 102, the first substrate 110 is reinforced, and vibration or external force is applied. Also, cracks are less likely to occur. In particular, the first polarizing plate 130 is also a point C on the boundary between the pixel region 101 and the adjacent region 102 and the peripheral portion of the first substrate 110, which is likely to be a starting point when cracks are generated due to stress concentration. Therefore, the generation of cracks can be effectively reduced.

  On the other hand, since the first polarizing plate 130 does not exist at a position corresponding to the terminal formation region 103, the heat of the driving integrated circuit 160 and the external connection substrate 170 is attached after the first polarizing plate 130 is attached to the first substrate 110. Even if the pressure bonding is performed, the first polarizing plate 130 is not deformed or discolored. It is preferable to provide a gap d between the first polarizing plate 130 and the terminal formation region 103 so that the first polarizing plate 130 is not deformed or discolored during thermocompression bonding. The value of the gap d is usually about 1 to 5 mm, but may be appropriately set depending on conditions.

  Further, it is preferable that the corner portion 132 of the notch portion 131 is rounded with a predetermined size. By doing so, stress concentration at the corner portion 132 can be relaxed, and cracks starting from the corner portion 132 can be prevented. The roundness is usually about 1 to 5 mm in radius, but may be appropriately set depending on conditions.

  Here, although the first polarizing plate 130 is approximately the same size as the first substrate 110, it may be slightly smaller than the first substrate 110. Even in such a case, it is desirable that the first polarizing plate 130 extend as close to the point C as possible.

  Thus, according to the liquid crystal display panel 100 according to the present embodiment, the occurrence of cracks can be reduced even when vibration or external force is applied, and the integrated circuit 160 for driving and the substrate for external connection 170 can be reduced. Thermocompression bonding can be performed without problems.

  FIG. 3 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 2 in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

  Also in the liquid crystal display panel 200 according to the present embodiment, the first polarizing plate 230 extends from the pixel region 201 to the adjacent region 202 as in the first embodiment. An island-shaped notch 231 is provided so that the first polarizing plate 230 does not exist at a position corresponding to the terminal formation region 203. The corner 232 of the notch 231 is also rounded to a predetermined size as shown.

  Even if the first polarizing plate 230 has such a shape, generation of cracks can be reduced. In particular, in the present embodiment, not only the occurrence of cracks at point C in the figure but also the occurrence of cracks at positions corresponding to point D in FIG. 2 can be effectively reduced.

  FIG. 4 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 2 in the preferred third embodiment of the present invention.

  In the liquid crystal display panel 300 according to the present embodiment, two adjacent regions 302 a and 302 b are adjacent to two sides of the rectangular pixel region 301. The adjacent region 302a is provided with a terminal formation region 303a, the adjacent region 302b is provided with terminal formation regions 303b and 303c. The terminal formation region 303a includes a driving integrated circuit and an external connection substrate, and the terminal formation region 303b. , 303c are electrically connected to driving integrated circuits. The first polarizing plate 330 extends from the pixel region 301 to two adjacent regions 302a and 302b, and is notched portions 331a, 331b, and 331c at positions corresponding to the three terminal forming regions 303a, 303b, and 303c, respectively. have.

  As described above, a plurality of adjacent regions 302a and 302b may exist, and a plurality of terminal forming regions 303a, 303b, and 303c and a plurality of cutout portions 331a, 331b, and 331c may be provided. In addition, a plurality of terminal formation regions can be provided in one notch. Needless to say, the notches 331a, 331b, and 331c may be island-shaped instead of U-shaped.

  FIG. 5 is a plan view corresponding to FIG. 2 in the preferred fourth embodiment of the present invention.

  In the liquid crystal display panel 400 according to the present embodiment, the notch portion 431 of the first polarizing plate 430 is formed from two adjacent sides of the first polarizing plate 430 as illustrated in accordance with the arrangement of the terminal formation region 403. The first polarizing plate 430 is provided so as to cut off the corners. Even if it does in this way, although an effect is inferior to 1st Embodiment, generation | occurrence | production of a crack can be reduced effectively.

  Note that the shape of the notch is not limited to the shape described above, and may be any shape as long as it is provided at a position corresponding to the terminal formation region. One or a plurality of driving integrated circuits may be provided, or may be provided outside the liquid crystal display panel.

  FIG. 6 is a side sectional view showing a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a plan view showing the same embodiment as viewed from the lower side in the drawing of FIG.

  In the present embodiment, the configuration of the OLED (organic LED) display panel is shown instead of the configuration of the liquid crystal display panel described in the first to fourth embodiments.

  The OLED display panel 500 includes a TFT, which is a plurality of switching elements, a first substrate 510 on which external connection terminals 511 are formed, and a second substrate on which a desiccant 521 disposed opposite to the first substrate 510 is disposed. 520 (also referred to as a sealing substrate) and a polarizing plate 530 attached to the first substrate 510. Here, for example, in the case of an OLED display panel having a weak blue intensity, it is also effective to use a blue-enhanced circularly polarizing film that reuses blue light as the polarizing plate 530. An OLED layer 512 is disposed on the first substrate 510, and light emitted from the OLED layer 512 passes through the first substrate 510 and the polarizing plate 530 and is emitted. The first substrate 510 and the second substrate 520 are substrates made of glass, for example, and a sealing gas is sealed between the first substrate 510 and the second substrate 520 and bonded together by a sealing material 522. The external connection terminal 511 of the first substrate 510 is electrically connected to an external connection substrate 570 such as a driving integrated circuit 560 and a flexible printed circuit board. A circuit IC 571 is mounted.

  Also in the configuration of such an OLED display panel, the first substrate 510 and the second substrate 520 have different sizes, and the first substrate 510 and the first substrate 510 overlap with the second substrate 520 (pixel region 501) and the first substrate 510. Since there is a possibility that the substrate is cracked or chipped at the boundary portion of the region (adjacent region 502) where the second substrate 520 of the substrate 510 does not overlap, the pixel region 501 and the adjacent region in the first substrate may be generated. On the surface opposite to the surface on which the region 502 is provided, the pixel region 501 extends from the pixel region 501 to a position corresponding to the adjacent region 502, and at a position corresponding to the terminal formation region 503 where the external connection terminal 511 is formed. By disposing the polarizing plate 530 having the shape in which the notch 531 is provided, the same effects as those described in the first to fourth embodiments can be obtained.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an electronic apparatus provided with the liquid crystal display panel 100 according to the present invention, in which (a) is a mobile phone, (b) is a personal computer, and (c) is a liquid crystal television. In any of the electronic devices, since the occurrence of cracks in the liquid crystal display panel 100 is reduced, it can be manufactured with high yield and has high reliability.

  According to the liquid crystal display panel, electronic device, and display panel according to the present invention described above, the generation of cracks in the substrate can be reduced, yield is high, and reliability is high.

1 is a side view of a liquid crystal display panel according to a preferred first embodiment of the present invention. It is a plane arrow line view in the XX cross section of FIG. It is a top view corresponding to Drawing 2 in a suitable 2nd embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view corresponding to Drawing 2 in a suitable 3rd embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view corresponding to Drawing 2 in a suitable 4th embodiment of the present invention. It is side surface sectional drawing which shows suitable 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows suitable 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the electronic device provided with the liquid crystal display panel which concerns on this invention. It is a side view which shows the conventional liquid crystal display panel.

Explanation of symbols

  100, 200, 300, 400, 600 Liquid crystal display panel 101, 201, 301, 501, 601 Pixel area, 102, 202, 302a, 302b, 502, 602 Adjacent area, 103, 203, 303a, 303b, 303c, 403 , 503, 603 Terminal formation region, 110, 510, 610 First substrate, 111, 511, 611 External connection terminal, 120, 520, 620 Second substrate, 130, 230, 330, 430, 630 First polarizing plate, 131, 231, 331 a, 331 b, 331 c, 431, 531 Notch, 132, 232 Corner, 140, 640 Second polarizing plate, 150 Back light, 160, 560 Driving integrated circuit, 170, 570 External connection substrate 500 OLED display panel, 530 Plate, 512 OLED layer, 521 a desiccant, 522 sealant, 571 peripheral circuits IC.

Claims (16)

A first substrate provided with a pixel region in which a plurality of switching elements are arranged, and an adjacent region adjacent to the pixel region, including a terminal forming region in which an external connection terminal is formed;
A second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate via a liquid crystal layer;
The surface of the first substrate opposite to the surface on which the pixel region and the adjacent region are provided extends from the pixel region to a position corresponding to the adjacent region, and corresponds to the terminal formation region. A liquid crystal display panel, characterized in that a polarizing plate having a shape in which a notch is provided at a position is disposed.   2. The polarizing plate has a shape extending at least on a boundary between the pixel region and a position corresponding to the adjacent region and at a position on a peripheral edge of the first substrate. A liquid crystal display panel as described in 1.   The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the notch is provided in a U shape on one side of the polarizing plate.   The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein the notch is provided in an island shape on the polarizing plate.   The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein corners of the notch portions are rounded.   The liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1, wherein at least one of a driving integrated circuit and an external connection substrate is electrically connected to the terminal formation region by thermocompression bonding.   An electronic apparatus comprising the liquid crystal display panel according to claim 1. A first substrate provided with a pixel region in which a plurality of switching elements are arranged, and an adjacent region adjacent to the pixel region, including a terminal forming region in which an external connection terminal is formed;
A second substrate disposed opposite to the first substrate via a liquid crystal layer;
The surface of the first substrate opposite to the surface on which the pixel region and the adjacent region are provided extends from the pixel region to a position corresponding to the adjacent region, and corresponds to the terminal formation region. A polarizing plate having a U-shaped cutout at the position;
A backlight attached to the polarizing plate via an adhesive layer;
A driving integrated circuit electrically connected to the first substrate in the terminal formation region;
An external connection substrate electrically connected to the first substrate in the terminal formation region;
A liquid crystal display panel comprising: A first substrate provided with a pixel region in which a plurality of switching elements are arranged, and an adjacent region adjacent to the pixel region, including a terminal forming region in which an external connection terminal is formed;
A second substrate having a size smaller than that of the first substrate disposed to face the first substrate;
The surface of the first substrate opposite to the surface on which the pixel region and the adjacent region are provided extends from the pixel region to a position corresponding to the adjacent region, and corresponds to the terminal formation region. A polarizing plate having a shape with a notch at a position;
A display panel comprising:   10. The polarizing plate has a shape extending at a position at least on a boundary between the pixel region and a position corresponding to the adjacent region and located at a peripheral edge of the first substrate. Display panel according to.   The display panel according to claim 9, wherein the notch is provided in a U shape on one side of the polarizing plate.   The display panel according to claim 9, wherein the notch is provided in an island shape on the polarizing plate.   The display panel according to claim 9, wherein a corner of the notch is rounded.   The display panel according to claim 9, wherein at least one of the driving integrated circuit and the external connection substrate is electrically connected to the terminal formation region by thermocompression bonding.   The display panel according to claim 9, wherein an OLED layer is disposed on the first substrate. The display panel according to claim 15, wherein the polarizing plate is a circularly polarizing plate.

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