ELECTRONIC DEVICE INCLUDING DISPLAY MODULE HAVING MULTIPLE FPCBS

An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a frame, a first partition wall protruding from the frame in a first direction and dividing the frame into a first area and a second area, a second partition wall portion protruding from the frame in the first direction and dividing the frame into a second area and a third area, a first printed circuit board disposed in the first area, a battery disposed in the second area, a second printed circuit board disposed in the third area, and a display circuit including at least two flexible printed circuit boards. The flexible printed circuit boards include an overlapping area in which at least some areas overlap, the overlapping area being disposed in the second area, and, in the frame, an opening is formed in a portion facing the overlapping area.

BACKGROUND

The disclosure relates to an electronic device including a display module having a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs).

2. Description of Related Art

A display module including a touch screen configured to perform a touch function may include a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards having a flexible printed circuit board connected to the touch screen.

Depending on the type of display module, a display driver integrated circuit (DDIC) configured to drive the display may be disposed on one of a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards. In order to implement a display that responds at high speed, the area of the flexible printed circuit board on which the DDIC is disposed may also increase. Because of this, the position of the area where the plurality of flexible printed circuit boards overlaps each other may be changed.

On the other hand, as electronic devices are miniaturized and their thicknesses gradually become thinner, the internal spaces of electronic devices are also becoming narrower.

SUMMARY

In order to fix a battery disposed inside an electronic device to its original position, a mechanism for fixing the battery may exist. This mechanism may serve to stably fix the battery in its original position even when an external impact is applied to the electronic device.

As the size of a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards included in a display module increases, interference may occur between an area where the plurality of flexible printed circuit boards overlaps and the mechanism for fixing the battery.

In order to avoid this interference, a method of partially deforming the mechanism for fixing the battery may be used, but in this case, a problem in which the battery becomes vulnerable to impact may occur.

Aspects of the disclosure are to address at least the above-mentioned problems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantages described below. Accordingly, an aspect of the disclosure is to provide an electronic device which can avoid interference between an area where a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards included in a display module overlap and a mechanism for fixing a battery without deformation of the mechanism for fixing the battery, and include a structure capable of maintaining a thickness of the electronic device.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a frame, a first partition wall formed so as to protrude from the frame in a first direction and dividing the frame into a first area and a second area, a second partition wall portion formed so as to protrude from the frame in the first direction and dividing the frame into the second area and a third area, a first printed circuit board disposed in the first area of the frame, a battery disposed in the second area of the frame, a second printed circuit board disposed in the third area of the frame, and a display module including at least two flexible printed circuit boards and disposed on the frame in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the flexible printed circuit boards of the display module may include an overlapping area in which at least some areas are overlapped, the overlapping area may be disposed in the second area spaced apart from the first partition wall portion, and in the frame, an opening may be formed in a portion facing the overlapping area of the flexible printed circuit boards of the display module.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a frame, a first partition wall formed so as to protrude from the frame in a first direction and dividing the frame into a first area and a second area, a first printed circuit board disposed on the first area of the frame, a battery disposed on the second area of the frame, and a display module including at least two flexible printed circuit boards and disposed on the frame in a second direction opposite to the first direction, wherein the flexible printed circuit boards of the display module may include an overlapping area in which at least some areas are overlapped, the overlapping area may be disposed in the second area spaced apart from the first partition wall portion, and in the frame, an opening may be formed in a portion facing the overlapping area of the flexible printed circuit boards of the display module.

According to various embodiments of the disclosure, interference between a mechanism for fixing a battery and an area where a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards included in a display module overlap may be avoided. In addition, it is possible to solve the problem of increasing the thickness of the electronic device due to the overlapping of the plurality of flexible printed circuit boards.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, each of such phrases as “A or B,” “at least one of A and B,” “at least one of A or B,” “A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” and “at least one of A, B, or C,” may include any one or all possible combinations of the items enumerated together in a corresponding one of the phrases. As used herein, such terms as “1st” and “2nd,” or “first” and “second” may be used to simply distinguish a corresponding component from another, and does not limit the components in other aspect (e.g., importance or order). It is to be understood that if a component (e.g., a first component) is referred to, with or without the term “operatively” or “communicatively,” as “coupled with,” “coupled to,” “connected with,” or “connected to” another element (e.g., a second component), it denotes that the component may be coupled with the other component directly (e.g., wiredly), wirelessly, or via a third component.

FIG.2is an exploded perspective view of a display module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

An electronic device (e.g., electronic device101inFIG.1) having a structure according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include various types of display modules (e.g., display module160inFIG.1) having a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards (FPCBs). For example, a display module referred to in this disclosure may be a display module having a structure such as chips on glass (COG), chips on film (COF), and chips on plastic (COP). Here, the COG may refer to a display module having a structure in which a panel and a display driver IC (DDIC) are disposed on a substrate made of glass material. The COF may refer to a display module having a structure in which a panel is disposed on a substrate made of a glass material or a flexible material (e.g., polyimide), and a DDIC is disposed on a flexible printed circuit board. The COP may refer to a display module having a structure in which a panel and a DDIC are disposed on a substrate made of a flexible material.

Such a display module may include a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards (e.g., flexible printed circuit boards201,202, and203inFIG.2). A plurality of flexible printed circuit boards included in the display module may include a flexible printed circuit board (e.g., flexible printed circuit board201inFIG.2) connected to a touch screen (e.g., touch screen230inFIG.2), a flexible printed circuit board (e.g., flexible printed circuit board202inFIG.2) connected to a panel (e.g., panel220inFIG.2), and a flexible printed circuit board (e.g., flexible printed circuit board203inFIG.2) connected to a printed circuit board of an electronic device. Hereinafter, a display module200having a COF structure will be described as a representative example.

Referring toFIG.2, the display module200may include a structure in which a touch screen230, a panel220, a substrate210, a polarizing film240, and an adhesive member250are stacked. The structure of the display module200illustrated inFIG.2illustrates some of various components included in the display module200, and the display module200may include other components in addition to the components illustrated inFIG.2. Also, in some cases, some of the components illustrated inFIG.2may be omitted.

According to various embodiments, the substrate210may be a base on which various components of the display module200are stacked. The substrate210may be formed of various materials. For example, the substrate210may be formed of a glass material or a flexible material such as polyimide (PI) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

According to various embodiments, the panel220may be disposed on at least a portion of the substrate210. The panel220may include a plurality of pixels. A pixel may refer to a minimum unit for converting information into light according to an electrical signal. The pixels may emit light in a color of red, green, blue, or a combination thereof according to a signal from the DDIC. A pixel may include at least one light emitting device (e.g., an organic light emitting diode (OLED)) and a thin film transistor (TFT). A light emitting element may refer to an electric element that emits light according to an electrical signal. The TFT may adjust the brightness of the light emitting element by adjusting the amount of current applied to the light emitting element according to the electric signal transmitted to the TFT.

According to various embodiments, the polarizing film240may be disposed on at least a partial area on the panel220. The polarization film240may prevent reflection of light incident on the display module200from the outside.

According to various embodiments, the touch screen230may be disposed on the polarizing film240. The touch screen230enables the display module200to recognize a touch input. For example, the touch screen230may operate in a capacitive touch method that detects a change in an electrical signal caused by a user’s skin contact. The touch screen230may include an electrode made of a transparent material (e.g., transparent conducting oxide (TCO), carbon material, or conducting polymer). For example, the touch screen230may include a transparent electrode made of indium tin oxide (ITO) The transparent electrode included in the touch screen230may be disposed on a touchable portion to form a pattern.

According to various embodiments, the adhesive member250for fixing the polarizing film240and the touch screen230may be disposed between the polarizing film240and the touch screen230. The adhesive member250may be formed of a material having high light transmittance. For example, the adhesive member250may be an optical clear adhesive (OCA).

According to various embodiments, a first flexible printed circuit board201may be electrically connected to the touch screen230. In one embodiment, a touch integrated circuit (IC)222for controlling the touch screen230may be disposed on the first flexible printed circuit board201.

According to various embodiments, a second flexible printed circuit board202may be electrically connected to the panel220. In one embodiment, a display driver IC (DDIC)221may be disposed on the second flexible printed circuit board202.

According to various embodiments, a third flexible printed circuit board203may be electrically connected to a main printed circuit board of an electronic device.

FIG.3Ais an exploded perspective view of a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards included in a display module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.3Bis a perspective view of a state in which the plurality of flexible printed circuit boards illustrated inFIG.3Ais connected according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

According to various embodiments, a display module (e.g., display module200inFIG.2) may include a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards301,302, and303. For example, as illustrated inFIG.3A, the display module may include a first flexible printed circuit board301, a second flexible printed circuit board302and a third flexible printed circuit board303.

According to various embodiments, the first flexible printed circuit board301, the second flexible printed circuit board302, and the third flexible printed circuit board303may be disposed in a stack structure in a state where the display module is disposed in an electronic device. For example, as illustrated inFIG.3A, the third flexible printed circuit board303, the second flexible printed circuit board302, and the first flexible printed circuit board301may be sequentially stacked from the bottom.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated inFIG.3B, an overlapping area in which the first flexible printed circuit board301, the second flexible printed circuit board302, and the third flexible printed circuit board303all overlap may exist. Also, the first flexible printed circuit board301, the second flexible printed circuit board302, and the third flexible printed circuit board303may be electrically connected. In one embodiment, the first flexible printed circuit board301, the second flexible printed circuit board302, and the third flexible printed circuit board303may be electrically connected in an overlapping area310. Electrical connection can be made in a variety of ways. For example, the first flexible printed circuit board301, the second flexible printed circuit board302, and the third flexible printed circuit board303may be electrically connected through a soldering method, a socket method, and a clip method.

FIG.4is a cross-sectional view of a jelly roll structure of a battery included in an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

An electronic device (e.g., electronic device101inFIG.1) according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a battery (e.g., battery189inFIG.1) that supplies power to various electronic components (e.g., a processor (e.g., processor120inFIG.1)), a memory (e.g., memory130inFIG.1), and a display (e.g., display module160inFIG.1). The battery may be, for example, a Li-ion battery.

A lithium ion battery is a battery that can be charged using an external power source. Lithium-ion batteries are widely used in mobile electronic devices because of their high energy density, excellent preservation, and long life cycle. In addition, in the case of the lithium ion polymer battery, since it uses a solid or gel type electrolyte, unlike other batteries using a liquid electrolyte, the possibility of leakage of an electrolyte material is remarkably low.

According to various embodiments, the battery may include a jelly roll400. The jelly roll400may include a structure in which a cathode plate410and an anode plate420are overlapped and wound together. The cathode plate410and the anode plate420may be wound together with a separator430therebetween. According to another embodiment, the battery may include a stack type electrode assembly including a structure in which the cathode and anode plates are stacked. The cathode plate410may refer to an electrode from which electrons flow. Since a chemical reaction in which electrons are lost occurs in the cathode plate410, it may be understood as an electrode in which an oxidation reaction is performed. A cathode active material for cathode activation may be coated on at least one surface of the cathode plate410. The anode plate420may refer to an electrode in which electrons flow. Since a chemical reaction to obtain electrons occurs in the anode plate420, it can be understood as an electrode in which a reduction reaction occurs. An anode active material for anode activation may be coated on at least one surface of the anode plate420. As such, current may be generated through an oxidation-reduction reaction between the cathode plate410and the anode plate420disposed with the separator430interposed therebetween.

FIG.5Ais a plan view of a frame and a display module coupled to the frame according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.5Bis a plan view of a display module according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG.6Ais a cross-sectional side view of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.6Bis an enlarged view of portion S illustrated inFIG.6Aaccording to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.6Cis a schematic diagram of some of the components illustrated inFIG.6Baccording to an embodiment of the disclosure. In the following description, components identical or similar to those ofFIGS.3A and3Bwill be described using the same reference numerals.

According to various embodiments, an electronic device (e.g., the electronic device101inFIG.1) may include a frame501supporting various components included in the electronic device. The frame501may be formed of various materials. For example, the frame501may be formed of a metal material or a synthetic resin material.

According to various embodiments, the frame501may be partitioned into a first area501A, a second area501B, and a third area501C by a first partition wall510and a second partition wall520. Here, the areas are arbitrarily divided for explanation of the disclosure, and each area may not be visually distinguished. Also, areas may be connected to each other in some sections.

According to various embodiments, the first partition wall510and the second partition wall520may protrude from the frame501in a first direction (e.g., the -Y direction inFIG.6A). In one embodiment, the first partition wall510and the second partition wall520may be integrally formed with the frame501using the same material as the frame501. In another embodiment, the first partition wall510and the second partition wall520may be formed separately from the frame501and disposed on the frame501.

According to various embodiments, the second area501B may be an area divided by the first partition wall510and the second partition wall520. A battery630of an electronic device may be disposed in the second area501B. The battery630disposed in the second area501B may be fixed to the second area501B by the first partition wall510and the second partition wall520. For example, even when an impact is applied to the electronic device due to various factors, the first partition wall510and the second partition wall520stably support the battery630to prevent the battery630from being separated from the second area501B.

According to various embodiments, as illustrated inFIG.6A, a first printed circuit board610of an electronic device may be disposed in the first area501A. A second printed circuit board620of an electronic device may be disposed in the third area501C. On the first printed circuit board610disposed in the first area501A, an interface integrated circuit (IC) that may be electrically connected to an interface port (e.g., a charging port, a USB connection port, an earphone port) for connection with an external electronic device may be disposed. A processor, memory, power management circuit, etc. of an electronic device may be disposed on the second printed circuit board620disposed in the third area501C. In addition, electronic components serving various functions that may be performed through an electronic device may be disposed on the first printed circuit board610and the second printed circuit board620. The first printed circuit board610and the second printed circuit board620may be electrically connected by a connection member (e.g., connection member710inFIG.7).

Referring toFIG.6A, a display module550of an electronic device may be disposed in the frame501in a second direction (e.g., +Y direction inFIG.6A) opposite to the first direction.

Referring toFIGS.5A and5B, the overlapping area310of the plurality of flexible printed circuit boards301,302, and303of the display module550may be disposed on the second area501B spaced apart from the first partition wall510on which the battery630is disposed. As the size of the second flexible printed circuit board302on which the DDIC (e.g., DDIC221inFIG.2) is disposed increases to drive the display module550at high speed, the position of the overlapping area310where the plurality of printed circuit boards301,302, and303included in the display module550overlaps may be moved to the central portion of the frame501. In the case that the first partition wall510formed by protruding from the frame501and the overlapping area310are disposed at a position where they overlap each other, the thickness of the electronic device may increase, and the plurality of flexible printed circuit boards301,302, and303may be damaged due to the interference between the first partition wall510and the overlapping area310. In order to avoid this, in the case that a groove for compensating for the thickness of the overlapping area310is formed in the first partition wall510, the groove becomes a weak point of the first partition wall510supporting the battery630including a jelly roll (e.g., the jelly roll400inFIG.4), and a problem in that the battery630may be damaged by an external impact may occur. In the electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure, the above mentioned problem may be solved by disposing the overlapping area310in which the plurality of printed circuit boards301,302, and303overlaps spaced apart from the first partition wall510.

Referring toFIGS.5A,6B, and6C, in the frame501, an opening530may be formed on a portion of the frame501facing the overlapping area310of the plurality of flexible printed circuit boards301,302, and303. The opening530formed in the frame501may compensate for the thickness that may be increased by the overlapping area310. In addition, the opening530provides a space through which the overlapping area310communicates with each other, thereby preventing the overlapping area310from being damaged by an external impact. The size of the opening530may be greater than or equal to the size of the overlapping area310. For example, as illustrated inFIGS.5A,6B, and6C, the size of the opening530may be larger than that of the overlapping area310. In another embodiment, a portion of the frame501facing the overlapping area310may be formed thinner than other portions. As the thickness of the portion facing the overlapping area is formed thin, an increase in the thickness of an electronic device due to the overlapping area may be compensated for.

FIG.7is a view for explaining a disposition relationship of the first printed circuit board, second printed circuit board, and battery of an electronic device according to an embodiment of the disclosure. In the following description, the same reference numerals are used for components identical or similar to those ofFIGS.6A to6C.

Referring toFIG.7, according to various embodiments, the first printed circuit board610may be disposed in the first area501A of the frame501, and the second printed circuit board620may be disposed in the third area501C. The battery630may be disposed in the second area501B between the first area501A and the third area501C. A connection member710may electrically connect the first printed circuit board610and the second printed circuit board620. For example, the connection member710may be a flexible printed circuit board.

According to various embodiments, one end of the connection member710is connected to the first printed circuit board610and extends through the second area501B where the battery630is disposed, and the other end may be electrically connected to the second printed circuit board620.

According to various embodiments, a portion of the connection member710passing through the second area501B may pass through the first surface of the battery630or may pass through the second surface opposite to the first surface.

In the above, although a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards (e.g., the flexible printed circuit boards301,302, and303inFIG.3A) included in a display module (e.g., display module200inFIG.2) have been described as three, the structure disclosed herein can be applied even in the case that the number of flexible printed circuit boards included in the display module is two, four, or more.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a frame, a first partition wall formed so as to protrude from the frame in a first direction and dividing the frame into a first area and a second area, a second partition wall portion formed so as to protrude from the frame in the first direction and dividing the frame into the second area and a third area, a first printed circuit board disposed in the first area of the frame, a battery disposed in the second area of the frame, a second printed circuit board disposed in the third area of the frame, and a display module including at least two flexible printed circuit boards and disposed on the frame in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The flexible printed circuit boards of the display module may include an overlapping area in which at least some areas are overlapped, the overlapping area may be disposed in the second area spaced apart from the first partition wall portion, and in the frame, an opening may be formed in a portion facing the overlapping area of the flexible printed circuit boards of the display module.

In addition, the thickness of the portion facing the overlapping area of the flexible printed circuit boards of the display module may be thinner than other portions of the frame.

In addition, the opening formed in the frame may be formed in the second area at a position spaced apart from the first partition wall.

In addition, the flexible printed circuit boards of the display module may include a first flexible printed circuit board electrically connected to a touch screen, a second flexible printed circuit board electrically connected to a panel on which a light emitting element is disposed, and a third flexible printed circuit board connecting the second flexible printed circuit board and the first flexible printed circuit board, and the first flexible printed circuit board, the second flexible printed circuit board and the third flexible printed circuit board may be electrically connected to each other.

In addition, the overlapping area of the flexible printed circuit boards of the display module may be an area in which the first flexible printed circuit board, the second flexible printed circuit board, and the third flexible printed circuit board all overlap.

In addition, a display driver IC (DDIC) may be disposed on the second flexible printed circuit board of the display module.

In addition, the battery may include a jelly roll formed by winding an anode plate, a cathode plate, and a separator disposed between the anode plate and the cathode plate.

In addition, the electronic device may further include a connection member in which at least a portion electrically connects the first printed circuit board and the second printed circuit board through the battery.

An electronic device according to various embodiments of the disclosure may include a frame, a first partition wall formed so as to protrude from the frame in a first direction and dividing the frame into a first area and a second area, a first printed circuit board disposed on the first area of the frame, a battery disposed on the second area of the frame, and a display module including at least two flexible printed circuit boards and disposed on the frame in a second direction opposite to the first direction. The flexible printed circuit boards of the display module may include an overlapping area in which at least some areas are overlapped, the overlapping area may be disposed in the second area spaced apart from the first partition wall portion, and in the frame, an opening may be formed in a portion facing the overlapping area of the flexible printed circuit boards of the display module.

In addition, the thickness of the portion facing the overlapping area of the flexible printed circuit boards of the display module may be thinner than other portions of the frame.

In addition, the opening formed in the frame may be formed in the second area at a position spaced apart from the first partition wall.

In addition, the flexible printed circuit boards of the display module may include a first flexible printed circuit board electrically connected to a touch screen, a second flexible printed circuit board electrically connected to a panel on which a light emitting element is disposed, and a third flexible printed circuit board connecting the second flexible printed circuit board and the first flexible printed circuit board, and the first flexible printed circuit board, the second flexible printed circuit board and the third flexible printed circuit board may be electrically connected to each other.

In addition, the overlapping area of the flexible printed circuit boards of the display module may be an area in which the first flexible printed circuit board, the second flexible printed circuit board, and the third flexible printed circuit board all overlap.

In addition, a display driver IC (DDIC) may be disposed on the second flexible printed circuit board of the display module.

In addition, the battery may include a jelly roll formed by winding an anode plate, a cathode plate, and a separator disposed between the anode plate and the cathode plate.