JPH10228244A - Liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a part maker side to achieve communization of parts, standardization, of processing and assembling and unionization of a display device, etc., to enable a set marker side to achieve reduction of a design load and facilitation of assembling and to improve productivity by adopting a simply connectable solid connector. SOLUTION: In the solid rod-shaped connector 2, many connecting conductors 21 surrounding its peripheral surface in a belt shape are provided on a position answering to arrangement of a display electrode. An anisotropitc conductive sheet 3 is heat press-fixed between an upper glass substrate 11 and the connector 2 to stick both to each other, and connects electrically individual display electrode to individual connecting conductor 21 on the upper surface of the connector 2. Then, a liquid crystal display unit integrating a liquid crystal display panel 1 with the connector 2 is placed on a mother board 4, and a wiring pattern on the mother board 4 is soldered with the connecting conductor 21 of the lower surface side of the connector 2 by a soldering iron, a hot wind or a reflow fireplace, etc.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display device in which at least a liquid crystal display panel and a connector for connection to an external motherboard can be integrally unitized.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A large number of display electrode terminal groups provided on an edge of a glass substrate of a liquid crystal display panel are connected to electrode groups provided on a motherboard having an external circuit for supplying display information and power. Various connector structures are used. The main examples of frequently used connector structures are as follows: (1) Zebra rubber (a thin white rubber sheet with a thin insulating property and a thin black rubber sheet with a conductive property are alternately stacked and cut out in a bar shape perpendicular to the stacking direction. Is pressed by the electrode terminal surface on the lower surface of the liquid crystal display panel and the electrode group on the upper surface of the motherboard, and the corresponding electrodes are connected by elastic contact of the conductive rubber portion. (2) An edge of a flexible sheet substrate (a thin and flexible substrate made of a polyimide resin or a polyester resin, on which multiple lead wires are formed between both edges) is anisotropically formed. A structure in which the electrode terminals of a liquid crystal display panel are heated and pressed or a silver paste is applied and solidified by heating via an electrically conductive sheet (ACF), and the other edge is connected to an electrode group on a motherboard. Etc.

[0003] These conventional techniques have the following problems. In the conventional example (1), the connector is flexible and easily deformed, and a metal plate or a frame member made of resin (which requires a molding die) is used to maintain the shape and the crimping force. Also, when the pitch of the liquid crystal display panel is extremely small, connection becomes difficult. In the conventional example (2), the FPC and the like are punched by a mold, and the liquid crystal display panel must be supported by another structure, which causes a cost increase. As a problem common to each of the conventional examples, a connector or an auxiliary component that matches the design specification of the liquid crystal display panel or motherboard to be used is required. The set maker is of course responsible for designing the motherboard, but the design of the structure of the liquid crystal display panel, its supporting members and connectors is determined by mutual consideration of the circumstances of both the set maker and the component maker of the liquid crystal display panel. Therefore, around the display, the design time and load are large, the customizability of each set is high, and it is difficult for component manufacturers to standardize the shape and specifications of parts, which is extremely desirable, and the processability and ease of handling are also high. It was inferior and the cost tended to be expensive.

In the conventional example, the connection method of the display electrodes is troublesome and it is difficult to unitize the display electrodes. In addition, since flexible parts are used and the customizability of each set is large, the connection of the SMD (Surface Mount Device) is difficult. As described above, simple automatic processing using a robot and a solder reflow furnace cannot be performed.
Both set makers and parts makers had the disadvantage that productivity and cost reduction could not be as expected.

A liquid crystal display device often includes an LED lamp element, an EL panel, and the like as a backlight for illuminating a display. However, since these are separate from the liquid crystal display panel, they are similar to the liquid crystal display panel. , And separate retention and connection problems. Conventionally, backlight components are
In many cases, a part of the holding device for the liquid crystal display panel is used, and in many cases, the backlight power supply and the blinking control signal are supplied via a connector separate from that for the liquid crystal display panel.

Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-282419, "Liquid Crystal Display" discloses such a conventional example. In this prior art example (3), as shown in FIG. 1, guides having a U-shaped cross section are provided on the lower surface of both opposite edges of the liquid crystal display panel so as to face each other, and both edges of the EL backlight panel are inserted into recesses thereof. And hold it on the back of the LCD panel. The display electrodes of the liquid crystal display panel are connected to a flexible conductive film, and the conductive film turns from the upper surface of the U-shaped guide to the outer side surface,
This structure is sandwiched between the lower surfaces of the U-shaped guides and crimped to a drive circuit board (that is, a motherboard). However, this document does not describe the connection of the drive electrodes of the EL backlight panel.

In the above prior art example (3), a backlight supporting structure is disclosed. Since the structure also supports a liquid crystal display panel, a part of the components is commonly used.
It seems that the connection of the display and the connection of the backlight are also separate, which is not satisfactory as a streamlined structure. In addition, it is difficult to automate the connection work.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display panel, an illuminating device, and a component maker that supplies them and related components, by standardizing and facilitating processing and assembly of the components, and by using a display device. Liquid crystal display device that can reduce the design load and facilitate assembly on the set maker side, and can be applied comprehensively, improve productivity and reduce costs on the set manufacturer side. It is to provide a configuration of.

[0009]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(1) It is composed of a liquid crystal display panel and a solid rod-shaped connector made of insulating resin having a large number of independent connection conductors on the surface, and each of the connection conductors extends over the upper, side, and lower surfaces of each connector. The plurality of connectors are fixed to lower surfaces of opposing sides of an upper glass substrate of the liquid crystal display panel, and individual connection conductors on the upper surface are connected to individual display electrodes of the liquid crystal panel. Thereby, all of the above elements are electrically and mechanically integrated, and on the lower surface of each of the connectors, each of the connection conductors can be conductively bonded to a pattern on an external motherboard. A liquid crystal display device characterized in that: (2) The side surface of the liquid crystal panel or the connector is
The illuminator that illuminates the liquid crystal display panel or an auxiliary device for the illuminant is held, and the driving terminal of the illuminant is connected to a part of the connection conductor, so that the liquid crystal display panel is And the illuminant, its accessory device, and the connectors are both electrically and mechanically integrated, and the connection conductor is connected to the display electrode, the illuminant or the illuminant. The liquid crystal display device according to the above (1), wherein the device connected to the accessory device can be simultaneously and conductively bonded to a pattern on an external motherboard.

[0010]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 3 is a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a first example of a collective board serving as a base of a connector used in the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of a collective board of the second example, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a single connector cut out from the collective board of the first example, and FIG.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

A first embodiment of the present invention will be described. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a liquid crystal display panel, which includes, as main structures, an upper glass substrate 11 and a lower glass substrate 12 sandwiching a liquid crystal layer. Although not shown because of a well-known structure, a number of display electrodes are drawn out and exposed on the lower surface of both edges of the upper glass substrate 11. 2 is a rod-shaped connector,
A large number of connection conductors 21 surrounding the peripheral surface in a strip shape are provided at positions corresponding to the arrangement of the display electrodes.
Reference numeral 3 denotes an anisotropic conductive sheet which is heat-pressed between the upper glass substrate 11 and the connector 2 to fix them together, and electrically connects each display electrode and each connection conductor 21 on the upper surface of the connector 2. Connecting. As another means for performing this connection and fixation, silver paste or another conductive adhesive may be applied on the display electrode at multiple points and bonded.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a motherboard on which a circuit for generating information for liquid crystal display, a power supply, and the like are mounted, and lead wires from the circuits are arranged at positions corresponding to individual connection conductors 21 of a connector mounted on the upper surface side. It is a wiring pattern. A liquid crystal display unit in which the liquid crystal display panel 1 and the connector 2 are integrated is placed on the motherboard 4, and the wiring pattern on the motherboard and the connection conductor 21 on the lower surface side of the connector 2 are connected with a soldering iron, hot air, or a reflow furnace. It is soldered using such as. Reference numeral 5 denotes a state where the connection solder is wet. In this step, the circuit on the motherboard 4 and each display electrode of the liquid crystal display panel 1 are electrically connected with sufficient mechanical strength. (Use of conductive adhesive is also possible)

Reference numeral 6 denotes a light emitting body, for example, a chip LED. The LEDs separated from the wafer are die-bonded and wire-bonded on a small substrate, the front surface is molded with a transparent resin, and the drive terminals are drawn out to the rear surface of the small substrate. The luminous body 6 is located on the inner side surface of the connector 2 (the center side of the liquid crystal display surface), and its back terminal is provided with a vacant connection conductor 21 which is not connected to the display electrode, and is previously soldered thereto by reflow. Have been. The luminous body 6 is supplied with power from the motherboard through the connection conductor, and is controlled on / off. Reference numeral 7 denotes a light guide plate, which enhances a lighting effect by incident light from the side. The liquid crystal display panel 1, the connector 2, the light-emitting body 6, and the light guide plate 7, which is an auxiliary device thereof, can be unitized by the component manufacturer.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the present example includes an EL (electroluminescence) panel 8 attached to the back of the liquid crystal display panel 1 as a light emitter for display illumination. The drive electrode is led to the connector via the surface of the liquid crystal display panel 1 by a lead wire or a conductive paint. A liquid crystal driver IC 13 is mounted on a glass substrate of the liquid crystal display panel 1 by a COG (chip-on-glass) technique or the like, and is also included in the components of the liquid crystal display panel 1. The other components and the processing method are essentially common to the first embodiment, and have the same element numbers and names. Hereinafter, the same applies to other examples.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 3, this embodiment also includes an EL panel 8 as a light emitter for display illumination.
Both edges of the panel 8 are inserted and positioned in grooves 22 provided on the inner side surface of the connector 2. The driving terminals of the EL panel 8 (which may be equipped with a driving circuit)
The connection conductors 21 are connected to the vacant ones by solder 9 (or may be connected to an anisotropic conductive sheet sandwiched between a liquid crystal display panel and a connector by using a conductive adhesive). Similarly, the lighting is controlled from the motherboard side.

Next, a method of manufacturing the connector used in the present invention will be described. In FIG. 4, reference numeral 20 denotes a collective substrate,
For example, it is a printed wiring board material made of epoxy resin containing glass. In the collective substrate 20, the elongated holes 2 arranged at predetermined intervals are provided.
3 and a large number of through holes 24 are previously formed.
On the front and back surfaces, copper foil patterns of connection conductors 21 (dotted and shown) are formed at the same pitch as the display terminals of the liquid crystal display panel, and a conductive film on the inner surface of each through hole 24 (this is also a connection conductor 21). To become a part of). The connection conductor 21 is subjected to flash gold plating or solder plating. If this is cut by a slicer or the like along a cutting line 25 passing through the central axis of the through hole, a large number of rod-shaped connectors having a length determined by the interval between the long holes 23 can be economically obtained with less waste of material. FIG. 6 shows a single connector obtained by this manufacturing method. A surface without irregularities due to through holes is suitable for connection.

Another example of a method for manufacturing a connector made of glass epoxy used in the present invention will be described. In FIG. 5, the collective substrate 20 is
Only, the conductor for connection is patterned on the front and back,
The divided conductive films are printed on the inner surface of the elongated hole 23 which is a through hole so as to be connected to each of them.
If necessary, a groove 22 is formed on the back surface of the substrate in parallel with the elongated hole 23 by router processing (end milling or the like). This serves as a groove for inserting and positioning a luminous body such as an EL panel. When this is cut, it is separated into a connector having a length equal to the interval between the cutting lines 25 and having no unevenness on each surface. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the connector obtained by this manufacturing method as viewed from the front and back.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, in the present example, a liquid crystal display unit having more unity is formed by using a connector 2 formed in a more complicated shape. In order to give the connector a less complicated shape, in addition to processing the collective substrate in advance with a router, press, slicer, etc., a resin molded body with a higher degree of design freedom and a three-dimensional and complicated surface wiring pattern Has already been established as, for example, a MID (Molded Interconnected Device: described in, for example, Electronics Packaging Technology January 1994) technology, and is also applicable to the present invention.

In the practice of the present invention, the material of the connector,
Shape, manufacturing method, type of luminous body and other accessories to be retained,
How to connect with LCD panel, luminous body and motherboard,
Matters such as selection of elements to be unitized (for example, in some cases including the motherboard in the unit or conversely, the connector may be connected to the motherboard before the liquid crystal display panel) are described above. It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to various embodiments.

[0020]

According to the present invention, all or most of the following effects can be achieved by employing a solid connector which can be easily connected, which greatly contributes to the display industry. (1) It is easy to unitize display-related parts, reduce the number of custom-made parts for each set, standardize and standardize parts and machining and assembly work on the part manufacturer side, reduce manufacturing costs, and improve productivity. I do. (2) The connection between the liquid crystal display unit and the motherboard can be easily performed and the illuminants can be processed together in a lump, and the assembly work on the set maker side is also advantageous. (3) Both the set maker and the component maker reduce the design load and the delivery time. (4) Material cost and processing cost of connector are low, yield is high,
There is almost no need for investment in molds and equipment, and the cost effect is large. Also, the degree of freedom in shape is high. (5) Since the connector is solid and the liquid crystal display panel is fixed, the support frame for the liquid crystal display panel or the like can be eliminated or simplified. An ultra-thin display structure is also possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view of a collective substrate serving as a base of the first example of the connector used in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a collective board serving as a base of a second example of the connector used in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a single connector cut out from the collective board of the first example.

FIG. 7 is a two-sided perspective view of a single connector cut out from the collective board of the second example.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a main part according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Liquid crystal display panel 11 Upper glass substrate 12 Lower glass substrate 13 Liquid crystal driver IC 2 Connector 20 Assembly board 21 Connection conductor 22 Groove 23 Slot 24 Through hole 25 Cutting line 3 Anisotropic conductive sheet 4 Motherboard 5 Connection solder 6 Light-emitting body 7 light guide plate 8 EL panel 9 illuminant connection solder

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] March 13, 1998

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

JP-A-3-282419 “Liquid crystal display device” discloses such a conventional example. In this prior art example (3), as shown in FIG. 1, guides having a U-shaped cross section are provided on the lower surface of both opposite edges of the liquid crystal display panel so as to face each other, and both edges of the EL backlight panel are inserted into recesses thereof. And hold it on the back of the LCD panel. The display electrodes of the liquid crystal display panel are connected to a flexible conductive film, and the conductive film turns from the upper surface of the U-shaped guide to the outer side surface,
The structure is sandwiched between the lower surfaces of the U-shaped guides and pressed against a drive circuit board (that is, a motherboard). However, this document does not describe the connection of the drive electrodes of the EL backlight panel.

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A liquid crystal display panel and an insulating resin solid, substantially rod-shaped connector having a large number of independent connection conductors on its surface, each of said connection conductors being a top surface and a side surface of each of said connectors. , Formed over the lower surface,
The plurality of connectors are fixed to lower surfaces of opposing sides of the glass substrate of the liquid crystal display panel, and individual connection conductors on the upper surface are connected to individual display electrodes of the liquid crystal panel. A liquid crystal display device, wherein the components are electrically and mechanically integrated, and the connection conductors are conductively bonded to a pattern on a motherboard on a lower surface of each connector. . 2. A side face of the liquid crystal panel or the connector holds a light emitter for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel or a device attached to the light emitter, and a drive terminal of the light emitter is connected to the connection conductor. The liquid crystal display panel, the illuminant, its attachments, and the connectors are electrically and mechanically integrated with each other, and the connection conductors 2. The liquid crystal according to claim 1, wherein both the one connected to the display electrode and the one connected to the luminous body or its attached device are simultaneously and conductively bonded to a pattern on a motherboard. Display device. 3. The chip-shaped LED which illuminates the liquid crystal display panel from a lower side surface, wherein the light-emitting body is a chip-shaped LED.
The liquid crystal display device according to claim 2, wherein the ED is directly connected to the connection conductor of the connector. 4. An EL panel for illuminating the liquid crystal display panel from a lower rear surface, wherein the EL panel is inserted and held in a groove provided on a side surface of the connector. 3. The liquid crystal display device according to 2. 5. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the connector is formed by cutting a glass epoxy resin substrate on which a printed wiring process of the connection conductor has been performed. 6. The liquid crystal display device according to claim 1, wherein the connector comprises a MID substrate on which a wiring pattern has been formed.