Matrix circuit substrate, display apparatus, and manufacturing method of matrix circuit substrate

A matrix circuit substrate, having: a substrate body, having a first surface and a second surface which are opposite each other, and at least one sidewall located between the first surface and the second surface, the sidewall having at least one recess; multiple electrodes, disposed in a crisscross arrangement on the first surface; and at least one first conductive material, disposed in the recess to correspond to at least one of the electrodes, and electrically connected to the electrode. Additionally, a display apparatus having such substrate, and to a method for manufacturing such substrate.

The present invention relates to the field of display apparatus, and more in particular to matrix circuit substrates for use in such apparatus and their manufacture.

BACKGROUND

As progress is made in science and technology, information devices of all kinds are continuously evolving. This is especially true of the various types of display apparatus or touch display apparatus, which are applied in all sorts of electronic devices, such as mobile phones, flat-screen computers, ultrabooks and e-books. Both the display apparatus and the touch layer thereof are formed by a matrix circuit substrate.

In general, a matrix circuit substrate has electrodes distributed in a crisscross arrangement, and is electrically connected to a drive circuit board via a flexible printed circuit (flexible print circuit, FPC), and also connected to an external control chip. In the case of display apparatus, a connection with an external control chip via a flexible printed circuit allows the emission of light by each pixel of the display panel to be controlled in order to display a picture. Moreover, in the case of touch display apparatus, in addition to the requirement to connect the matrix circuit substrate of the display panel electrically to a drive circuit via a flexible printed circuit, the matrix circuit substrate of the touch layer must similarly be electrically connected to another flexible printed circuit, and similarly connected to an external control chip via this flexible printed circuit, in order to interact with the electrodes of the electrode layer, which react to the panel being touched by a user.

However, a drive circuit board has a definite volume, and the way in which it is configured is the main factor affecting the volume of the display apparatus and display panel. In the prior art, a drive circuit board is disposed at the back of the display panel, and the electrodes are connected electrically to the drive circuit board by a flexible printed circuit, in order to reduce the space occupied by the display apparatus as a whole. However, in the prior art, a space must be left around the periphery of the matrix circuit substrate for outer lead bonding (OLB); in other words, the crisscrossing electrodes on the matrix circuit substrate each extend and are brought together in the outer lead bonding space, in order to be connected electrically to the flexible printed circuit.

However, the space left around the periphery of the matrix circuit substrate for outer lead bonding in turn increases the width of the rim of the display apparatus, with the result that the display apparatus gives the visual impression of not being sufficiently compact and aesthetically pleasing. Moreover, a display panel and a touch panel each require a flexible printed circuit, so a touch display apparatus will have an increased volume. Furthermore, today's users are demanding that display devices or touch display devices are ever lighter and thinner.

Thus, it remains a challenge to provide a matrix circuit substrate and display apparatus which can have a narrower rim region by virtue of novel structural design, so as to form a lighter and thinner structure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of embodiments of the present invention to provide an alternative matrix circuit substrate, display apparatus and/or method for manufacturing a matrix circuit substrate. An advantage of embodiments of the present invention is a narrower rim region by virtue of a novel structural design, so as to form a lighter and thinner structure.

The present invention proposes a matrix circuit substrate, comprising a substrate body, multiple electrodes and at least one first conductive material. The substrate body has a first surface and a second surface which are opposite each other, and at least one sidewall located between the first surface and the second surface, the sidewall having at least one recess. The electrodes are disposed in a crisscross arrangement on the first surface. The first conductive material is disposed in the recess to correspond to at least one of the electrodes, and is electrically connected to the electrode.

It is an advantage of the present invention that, by disposing the first conductive material on (and partly inside) the side wall, space can be saved so as to make the rim region narrower as compared to prior art substrates in which an electrical connection element is disposed on the first surface of the substrate body. By forming a recess in a sidewall of the matrix circuit substrate and filling the recess with a first conductive material, an electrical connection is enabled between an electrical connection element and the first conductive material in a direction parallel to the sidewall.

The term “corresponding” is meant to indicate that the conductive material is physically arranged in such a way as to enable electrical contact between the conductive material and the targeted electrode.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the cross sectional area of the recess on the sidewall is larger than the cross sectional area of the electrode.

It is an advantage of this embodiment that it facilitates making further connections to the conductive material in the recesses, from the side. It is a further advantage of this embodiment that it reduces the risk of disengagement between the conductive material and the recess wall during machining and handling of the substrate.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the matrix circuit substrate further comprises an electrical connection element, which is electrically connected to the first conductive material.

It is an advantage of this embodiment that the specific geometry of the substrate, i.e. the presence of exposed conducting material connecting to the electrodes on the side of the substrate, is used to simplify electrical access to these electrodes.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the matrix circuit substrate further comprises a second conductive material, disposed on the sidewall between the electrical connection element and the first conductive material, to connect the first conductive material electrically to the electrical connection element.

It is an advantage of this embodiment that the overall conductivity of the path between the electrodes and the electrical conductive material is improved. Also, in this manner, geometric discrepancies between the sidewall (in particular, the exposed parts of the first conductive material) and the electrical connection element can easily be bridged.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the matrix circuit substrate further comprises a control circuit electrically connected to the electrical connection element.

It is an advantage of this embodiment that the various functions required for a display or touch screen can be combined in a compact arrangement.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the recess extends to the first surface.

It is an advantage of this embodiment that the first conductive material can be in direct contact with electrodes disposed on the first surface of the substrate.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the recess also extends to the second surface.

It is an advantage of this embodiment that the first conductive material can be in direct contact with further electrodes disposed on the second surface of the substrate.

In one embodiment of the present invention, at least one electrode extends to the juncture of the recess and the first surface, so as to be connected electrically with the first conductive material.

It is an advantage of this embodiment that the first conductive material can be in direct contact with electrodes in the most compact way.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the cross sectional area of the recess on the sidewall is smaller than the maximum cross sectional area of the recess in a direction parallel to the sidewall.

This geometric arrangement ensures that the first conductive material remains positively engaged, i.e. locked inside the recess.

The present invention also proposes a display apparatus, comprising a matrix circuit substrate and a display medium. The matrix circuit substrate comprises a substrate body, multiple electrodes and at least one first conductive material. The substrate body has a first surface and a second surface which are opposite each other, and at least one sidewall located between the first surface and the second surface, the sidewall having at least one first recess. The electrodes are disposed in a crisscross arrangement on the first surface. The first conductive material is disposed in the first recess to correspond to at least one of the electrodes, and is electrically connected to the electrode. The matrix circuit substrate drives the display medium.

The variations of the matrix circuit substrate according to embodiments of the invention, as described above, apply in the same manner to the display apparatus according to the invention which comprises such a matrix circuit substrate.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the display apparatus further comprises a counter substrate disposed opposite the matrix circuit substrate.

It is an advantage of this embodiment that the various functions required for a display or touch screen can be combined in a compact arrangement.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a sidewall of the counter substrate has at least one second recess, and the first conductive material is also disposed in the second recess.

This is one particularly advantageous way to allow interaction between the matrix circuit substrate and the counter substrate.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the counter substrate further includes a third conductive material, a sidewall of the counter substrate also having at least one second recess in which the third conductive material is disposed.

This is another particularly advantageous way to allow interaction between the matrix circuit substrate and the counter substrate.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the first conductive material is electrically connected to a circuit of the counter substrate.

This is yet another particularly advantageous way to allow interaction between the matrix circuit substrate and the counter substrate.

The present invention proposes another display apparatus, comprising a matrix circuit substrate, a counter substrate, at least one first conductive material and a display medium. The matrix circuit substrate has multiple electrodes disposed in a crisscross arrangement. The counter substrate is disposed opposite the matrix circuit substrate, and a sidewall of the counter substrate has at least one recess. The first conductive material is disposed in the recess of the counter substrate to correspond to at least one of the electrodes, and is electrically connected to the electrode. The matrix circuit substrate drives the display medium.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the cross sectional area of the recess on the sidewall is larger than the cross sectional area of the electrode.

The present invention also proposes a method for manufacturing a matrix circuit substrate, comprising the following steps: machining e.g. drilling a mother substrate to form at least one hole, wherein the mother substrate has multiple electrodes in a crisscross configuration; filling the hole with a first conductive material, wherein at least one electrode is electrically connected to the first conductive material; subtractive machining e.g. cutting the mother substrate to form at least one substrate body, each substrate body having a first surface and a second surface opposite each other and at least one sidewall located between the first surface and the second surface; and subtractive machining e.g. grinding the sidewall up to the hole, so that the hole forms a recess in the sidewall and the first conductive material is exposed on the sidewall.

It is an advantage of the method according to the present invention that the interconnections between the electrodes on the surface of the substrate and the controller can be formed in a fast and accurate manner, by drilling transverse holes prior to subtractive machining such as sawing or cutting and/or grinding the substrate to the required size. The matrix circuit substrate thus produced has the technical advantages described above.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the method for manufacturing a matrix circuit substrate further comprises the following step: curing the first conductive material with which the hole is filled.

The curing may be active (e.g., by applying heat) or passive. Curing includes vulcanizing and cross-linking. It is an advantage of this embodiment, that the cured conductive material will be able to withstand the subsequent machining steps (in particular, grinding) that are applied to the substrate.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the method for manufacturing a matrix circuit substrate further comprises the following step: joining an electrical connection element to the sidewall, so that the electrical connection element is electrically connected to the first conductive material.

It is an advantage of this embodiment that the specific geometry of the substrate, i.e. the presence of exposed conducting material connecting to the electrodes on the side of the substrate, is used to simplify electrical access to these electrodes.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of subtractive machining such as grinding the sidewall comprises grinding up to the hole to form a recess, the cross sectional area of the recess on the sidewall being larger than the cross sectional area of the electrode.

It is an advantage of this embodiment that it facilitates making further connections to the conductive material in the recesses, from the side. It is a further advantage of this embodiment that it reduces the risk of disengagement between the conductive material and the recess wall during machining and handling of the substrate.

Throughout the figures, like elements will be referred to with like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The matrix circuit substrate, display apparatus and method for manufacturing a matrix circuit substrate according to preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to the relevant drawings, in which identical elements are explained using identical reference symbols. The drawings of all the embodiments of the present invention are no more than schematic, and do not represent real dimensions and proportions.

FIG. 1Ais a partial schematic diagram of a matrix circuit substrate of a first embodiment of the present invention. AsFIG. 1Ashows, the matrix circuit substrate1comprises a substrate body11, multiple electrodes12and at least one first conductive material13. The materials of the matrix circuit substrate1may include resin, metal, ceramic, glass, plastic or other translucent materials, and the substrate may be used for all sorts of display panels, for example TFT substrates of liquid crystal display (LCD) panels, light-emitting diode (LED) display panels or organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display panels, e-paper (e-books), or touch substrates of touch panels. The substrate body11has a first surface111and a second surface112opposite each other, and at least one sidewall113. The first surface111and the second surface112are preferably substantially planar and are major surfaces of the substrate body11. The required degree of smoothness or flatness of the functional surface will be determined by the nature of the application of the substrate. The sidewall113is located along a periphery of the substrate, and extends between the first surface111and the second surface112, and preferably, the sidewall113is substantially perpendicular to the first surface111and second surface112. The electrodes12are disposed in a crisscross arrangement on the first surface111, to form a matrix circuit. If the matrix circuit substrate1of this embodiment is used in display apparatus (panels) of various types, the electrodes12may be data lines or scan lines. If the matrix circuit substrate1of this embodiment is used in a touch substrate, the electrodes12may be sensing electrodes which form an X-Y matrix (X-Y sensor).

FIG. 1Bis a schematic diagram of the substrate body, electrodes and first conductive material shown inFIG. 1A, viewed from another angle. Hereinafter,FIGS. 1A and 1Bwill be jointly referred to. In addition, the sidewall113in this embodiment is not a smooth surface; preferably, there is at least one recess114(a first recess) in the sidewall113, the recess114extending to the first surface111, i.e. the recess114is formed at the juncture115of the sidewall113and the first surface111. In this embodiment, multiple recesses114arranged in a linear manner are formed in the sidewall113of the substrate body11. In other embodiments, the recesses114could be arranged in the sidewall113in a non-linear, irregular manner, to give the sidewall113a more uneven surface. It must also be pointed out that in order to make the drawings concise,FIGS. 1A and 1Bof the present invention show the recesses114of the sidewall113on just one side. The skilled person will have no difficulty imagining the arrangement of the recess on other sides of the substrate, which may be completely similar and these additional features are within the scope of the present invention.

The first conductive material13is disposed in the recess114to correspond to at least one of the electrodes12, which means, in particular, that it is arranged in such a way as to enable electrical contact between the conductive material13and the said one of the electrodes12. The first conductive material13is exposed on the first surface111and the sidewall113. Each electrode12extends to the juncture of a recess114and the first surface111, i.e. to the distribution area of the recess114on the first surface111, so that the first conductive material13is electrically connected to the electrodes12separately, to form the matrix circuit substrate1.

Furthermore, the matrix circuit substrate1may further comprise an electrical connection element14, while the cross sectional area A of the recesses114on the sidewall113is larger than the cross sectional area A′ of the electrodes12(as shown inFIG. 1B); hence that part of the first conductive material13which is exposed on the surface of the sidewall113can be larger than the cross sectional area A′ of the electrodes12, so that the electrical connection element14can be electrically connected to the exposed part of the first conductive material13directly by being disposed on the sidewall113. Specifically, the matrix circuit substrate1can be made by following the sequence of steps shown inFIG. 2.

FIG. 2is a schematic flow chart of the method for manufacturing a matrix circuit substrate of one embodiment of the present invention. AsFIG. 2shows, the method for manufacturing a matrix circuit substrate1mainly comprises the following steps:

subtractive machining e.g. drilling a mother substrate to form at least one hole, wherein the mother substrate has multiple electrodes in a crisscross configuration (step S10); filling the hole with a first conductive material, wherein at least one electrode is electrically connected to the first conductive material (step S20); subtractive machining e.g. cutting the mother substrate to form at least one substrate body, each substrate body having a first surface and a second surface opposite each other and at least one sidewall located between the first surface and the second surface (step S30); and subtractive machining e.g. grinding the sidewall up to the hole, so that the hole forms a recess in the sidewall and the first conductive material is exposed on the sidewall (step S40).

FIG. 3Ais a schematic diagram of step S10shown inFIG. 2;FIG. 3Bis a schematic diagram of step S20shown inFIG. 2. Hereinafter,FIGS. 2, 3A and 3Bshall be jointly referred to. In step S10, a mother substrate10is first subtractively machined e.g. drilled to form at least one hole H, which may or may not run through the mother substrate10; the present invention does not impose any limitation in this respect. The mother substrate10has multiple electrodes12in a crisscross configuration. Of course, the present invention does not place restrictions on the sequence according to which the electrodes12are configured. The electrodes may be configured on the mother substrate10before or after drilling, and may be configured after step S20in which the hole H is filled with the first conductive material13; the present invention does not impose any limitation in this respect. In this embodiment, the electrodes12and the first conductive material13may be for example indium-tin oxide (ITO) or indium-zinc oxide (IZO), metal, graphene or other conductive materials, but are not limited to these. The first conductive material13and the electrodes12may be of the same or different materials, which may be for example a conductive oxide such as ITO or IZO, but are not limited to these.

AsFIG. 3Bshows, the electrodes12are electrically connected to the first conductive material13, either directly or indirectly. In this embodiment, a direct electrical connection between the electrodes and the first conductive material13is taken as an example. If the electrodes12are configured on the mother substrate10before or after drilling, the electrical connection between the electrodes12and the first conductive material13is established after the holes are filled with the first conductive material13(step S20). In other embodiments, if the electrodes12are only configured once the holes H have been filled with the first conductive material13in step S20, the electrical connection with the first conductive material is established after configuration of the electrodes12.

Furthermore, in other embodiments, the electrical connection between the electrodes12and the first conductive material13is indirect, which means that after configuration of the electrodes12is complete and the holes H have been filled with the first conductive material13, a gap remains between the first conductive material13and that end of the electrode12which is close to the first conductive material13, i.e. there is no direct contact between them. At this point, additional conductive material can be configured in the gap, the method used being for example but not limited to evaporation, sputtering, electroplating, printing, inkjetting, coating or dispensing, in order to establish an indirect electrical connection between the electrodes12and the first conductive material13via the additionally configured conductive material; the present invention does not impose any limitation in this respect.

Preferably, a step S22, in which the first conductive material13with which a hole H has been filled is cured, may be further included after step S20in which the hole is filled with the first conductive material13. The first conductive material13may not just be the abovementioned conductive materials, but may also be mixed with another coating, with the manner of curing being determined by the properties of the coating. For example, if a UV-cured coating is added, the first conductive material13may be cured directly by UV irradiation; in this embodiment, the first conductive material13is cured directly by drying with heat.

FIG. 3Cis a schematic diagram of step S30shown inFIG. 2; hereinafter,FIGS. 2, 3B and 3Cwill be jointly referred to. In step S30, the mother substrate10is cut to form at least one substrate body11; in this embodiment, the mother substrate10is cut (i.e. cut along the dotted lines inFIG. 3B) to form four substrate bodies11. It must be pointed out thatFIG. 3Cillustrates just one of these substrate bodies11.FIG. 3Dis a magnified schematic diagram of part of the substrate body shown inFIG. 3C. Referring toFIG. 3D, each substrate body11, as described above, has a first surface111and a second surface112which are opposite each other and sidewalls113which are formed by cutting the mother substrate10, the sidewalls13being located between the first surface111and the second surface112. In other embodiments, if the mother substrate10and the substrate body11are similar in size, the periphery of the mother substrate10is cut in step S30, so that the sidewall113of the substrate body11is close to the holes H.

FIG. 3Eis a schematic diagram of step S40shown inFIG. 2;FIG. 3Fis a magnified schematic diagram of part of the substrate body shown inFIG. 3E. Hereinafter,FIG. 2andFIGS. 3D to 3Fwill be jointly referred to. In step S40, the sidewalls113(as inFIG. 3D) are ground to the holes H, so that the holes H form recesses114in the sidewalls113(as inFIG. 3F). In other words, subtractive machining such as grinding is performed until the cross-section of holes H become incomplete circles (as inFIG. 3E), i.e. recesses114are formed in the sidewalls113, and the first conductive material13is exposed on the sidewalls113, at which point the matrix circuit substrate1is formed. Preferably, the process of subtractive machining e.g. grinding the holes H until they form recesses114can be split into two stages; specifically, the grinding process may consist of first performing coarse grinding up to the vicinity of the holes H or the edges of the holes H, and then grinding finely (polishing) until the cross sectional area A of the recesses114on the sidewall113is larger than the cross sectional area A′ of the electrodes12. Preferably, grinding may be continued up to ¼ to ½ of the hole H, i.e. not exceed ½ of the hole H, so that the first conductive material13, which was hardened in step S22, can be prevented from falling out as a result of the grinding process. In other words, the cross sectional area A of the recess114on the sidewall113(as inFIG. 3F) is smaller than the maximum cross sectional area AMAXof the recess114in a direction parallel to the sidewall113, as shown inFIG. 4, which is a schematic diagram of the maximum cross sectional area of the recesses shown inFIG. 1Bin a direction parallel to the sidewall. This figure shall be referred to in conjunction withFIG. 3D. Viewed from the first surface111, the holes H have a substantially round structure, while the maximum cross sectional area AMAXof the recess114in a direction parallel to the sidewall113is the recess114shown inFIG. 4, formed when the sidewall113is ground to the position of the diameter of the hole H, at which point the recess has the maximum cross sectional area AMAX. As the cross sectional area A of the recess114on the sidewall113(as shown inFIG. 1B) is smaller than the maximum cross sectional area AMAXof the recess114in a direction parallel to the sidewall113in this embodiment, the first conductive material113that was hardened in step S22can be prevented from falling out as a result of the grinding process.

AsFIG. 2shows, after grinding the sidewall113up to the hole H to form a recess114and exposing the first conductive material13on the sidewall113in step S40(as inFIG. 1B), a step S50may be further included: joining an electrical connection element14to the sidewall113(as inFIG. 1A), so that the electrical connection element14is electrically connected to the first conductive material13, wherein the electrical connection element14can correspond to multiple first connection materials13simultaneously. The electrical connection element14may be, for example, but is not limited to a data bus, flexible printed circuit (FPC), conductive clip or rigid-flex circuit board, and can be selected according to the apparatus in which the matrix circuit board1is used. Thus, compared to prior art in which an electrical connection element is disposed on the first surface of the substrate body, the design of the matrix circuit board1of the present invention in which the first conductive material13is disposed on the sidewall113can further produce the effect of making the rim region narrower.

FIG. 5is a schematic diagram of part of a matrix circuit substrate of a second embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 5, other components have been added to the matrix circuit substrate1of the first embodiment, so the reference symbols used for the latter are retained. AsFIG. 5shows, the matrix circuit substrate1may further comprise a control circuit15; one end of the electrical connection element14is electrically connected to the first conductive material13, while the other end of the electrical connection element14is electrically connected to the control circuit15, which is disposed on the second surface112of the substrate body11, and controls the conduction of each electrode12on the matrix circuit substrate1. The first and second surfaces111and112are major surfaces of the substrate1. The control circuit15may be for example but is not limited to a printed circuit board (PCB), glass circuit board, or circuit box. By disposing the first conductive material13on the sidewall113of the matrix circuit substrate1, not only can the width of the OLB be reduced (there may even be no OLB region), the operation of disposing the electrical connection element14on the sidewall113can be facilitated, reducing misalignment of the electrical connection element14. Thus, compared to prior art in which an electrical connection element is disposed on the first surface of the substrate body, the design of the matrix circuit board1of this embodiment in which the first conductive material13is disposed on the sidewall113can further produce the effect of saving space while making the rim region narrower.

Furthermore, asFIG. 5shows, the matrix circuit substrate1of this embodiment may further comprise a second conductive material16, disposed on the sidewall113between the electrical connection element14and the first conductive material13, for the purpose of connecting the first conductive material13electrically to the electrical connection element14. As an example, the second conductive material16in this embodiment is anisotropic conductive film (ACF).

A third embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference toFIG. 6, which provides a schematic diagram of part of a matrix circuit substrate. The recesses114aof the matrix circuit substrate1aof a third embodiment extend not only to the first surface111a, but also to the second surface112a, to form a structure in which the recesses114arun through the substrate body11a. The surfaces111aand112aare major surfaces of the substrate1a. Hereinafter,FIG. 2andFIG. 3Awill be jointly referred to. In the matrix circuit substrate1aof this embodiment, holes H which run through the mother substrate10can be formed in the step of subtractive machining e.g. drilling to form holes H (i.e. step S10shown inFIG. 2). Once the matrix circuit substrate1ahas been made, the recesses114aare a structure extending from the first surface111ato the second surface112a. In this embodiment, the area of contact between the first conductive material13aand the electrical connection element14acan be increased in order to ensure that the electrodes12acan be electrically connected to the electrical connection element14avia the first conductive material13a. In addition, the conduction of each electrode12acan similarly be controlled via a control circuit15a. Since the recesses114aof the matrix circuit substrate1aextend to the second surface112a, the first conductive material13awith which the recesses114aare filled similarly extends to the second surface112a; thus, apart from controlling the conduction of each electrode12ausing a control circuit15a, in other embodiments, an integrated control circuit can be further disposed directly on the second surface112a, and electrically connected to the first conductive material13aof the second surface112a. In other words, the integrated control circuit is disposed directly on the second surface112aof the substrate body11ausing Chip-On-Glass (COG) technology, and electrically connected to the first conductive material13a, so that the conduction of each electrode12acan be controlled via the integrated control circuit. Furthermore, for information regarding other related elements of the matrix circuit substrate1aof the third embodiment and the configuration in which they are connected to each other, the matrix circuit substrates1of the first and second embodiments may be referred to; details will not be repeated here.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference toFIG. 7, which provides a schematic sectional drawing of a display apparatus. The display apparatus D1of this embodiment comprises a matrix circuit substrate1and a display medium2. In this embodiment, as an example, the matrix circuit substrate1of the second embodiment is used in the display apparatus D1, emission of light by the display medium2being driven by the matrix circuit substrate1. Thus information regarding the characteristics of the related elements of the matrix circuit substrate1and the configuration in which they are connected to each other may be found above. Of course, in other embodiments, the matrix circuit substrates1and1aof the first or third embodiment may also be used in the display apparatus D1. The display medium2may be for example but is not limited to liquid crystal material, inorganic LEDs, organic LEDs, phosphor, electrophoretic substance, electroluminescent (EL) material or quantum dots. The display medium2in this embodiment is liquid crystal material, and the display apparatus D1is explained using the example of a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel.

In addition to the matrix circuit substrate1, the display apparatus D1also comprises a counter substrate3, arranged opposite the matrix circuit substrate1. In this embodiment, the counter substrate3is a color or monochromatic filter substrate; the example of a color filter (CF) substrate is used here. The matrix circuit substrate1may be a thin-film transistor (TFT) substrate, and the electrodes12may be data lines or scan lines. It may be that only the data lines or the scan lines have an electrical connection with the first conductive material13, but it may of course be the case that both the data lines and the scan lines have an electrical connection with the first conductive material13. In other embodiments, the counter substrate3may also be a packaging substrate of an OLED display panel or a top substrate of e-paper (an e-book); this embodiment does not impose any limitation in this respect. The display apparatus D1further comprises a connection element4, for example rim cement, for connecting the matrix circuit substrate1to the counter substrate3, so that the matrix circuit substrate1, counter substrate3and connection element4form a space in which the display medium2can be accommodated. In this embodiment, a backlight module5is further included, which may be for example but is not limited to a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), hot cathode fluorescent lamp (HCFL), or light emitting diode (LED).

In addition, in this embodiment, a sidewall311of a substrate body31of the counter substrate3may similarly have at least one recess312(second recess). Special attention must be drawn to the fact that in order to make the drawing concise, the sidewall311and the sidewall113shown inFIG. 7are marked on the side on which there are no recesses312or recesses114, and the counter substrate3further includes a third conductive material33disposed in the recess312. Of course, in other embodiments, the recess312may also be filled with the first conductive material13, in other words the recess312and the recess114may be filled with the same first conductive material13, or with the third conductive material33and the first conductive material13(which are different), respectively; the present invention does not impose any limitation in this respect. In addition, the electrical connection element14in this embodiment extends to the counter substrate3, and since the counter substrate3may similarly have recesses312filled with the third conductive material33, the counter substrate3may be used as a color filter substrate having an electrode layer, or a touch electrode layer may be added to the counter substrate3, so that the control circuit15can control the conduction of each electrode in the electrode layer or additional touch electrode layer of the counter substrate3via the electrical connection element14, so that the display apparatus D1may be used as a touch display apparatus.

A fifth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference toFIG. 8, which provides a schematic sectional drawing of a display apparatus. In this embodiment, as an example, the matrix circuit substrate1aof the third embodiment is used in the display apparatus D2, i.e. emission of light by a display medium2ais driven by the matrix circuit substrate1a. Thus information regarding the characteristics of the related elements of the matrix circuit substrate1aand the configuration in which they are connected to each other may be found above. In this embodiment, as an example, the matrix circuit substrate1ais a touch sensing substrate, electrodes12aare X-Y sensing electrodes, and, as an example, a counter substrate3ais a TFT substrate. The matrix circuit substrate1aand the counter substrate3aare disposed opposite each other, with a display medium2a, which is preferably OLEDs, disposed therebetween. A connection element4a, which is preferably conductive rim cement, is disposed around the periphery of the display medium2a, for the purpose of connecting the matrix circuit substrate1ato the counter substrate3a. Recesses114ain the matrix circuit substrate1aof this embodiment extend not only to the first surface111abut also to the second surface112a, so the first conductive material13ais electrically connected to the circuit of the counter substrate3a(i.e. the circuit of the TFT substrate itself). The first and second surfaces111aand112aare major surfaces of the substrate1a. Specifically, the electrodes12aof the matrix circuit substrate1amay be electrically connected to the counter substrate3aby means of the first conductive material13aand the connection element4a(conductive rim cement). Thus the circuit for liquid crystal control which is located on the counter substrate3a(TFT substrate) can share the control circuit15with the matrix circuit substrate1a(touch sensing substrate), to reduce material costs.

A sixth embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference toFIG. 9, which provides a schematic sectional drawing of a display apparatus. The display apparatus D3of this embodiment comprises a matrix circuit substrate1b, a display medium2b, a counter substrate3band at least one first conductive material13b. The matrix circuit substrate1bhas multiple electrodes12bdisposed in a crisscross arrangement. The counter substrate3bis disposed opposite the matrix circuit substrate1b. In this embodiment, the counter substrate3b, as an example, is a color filter substrate, while the matrix circuit substrate1b, as an example, is a TFT substrate. A sidewall311bof the counter substrate3bhas at least one recess312b; it must also be pointed out that in order to make the drawing concise, the sidewall311bis marked on the side which has no recesses312b. The first conductive material13bcorresponds to at least one of the electrodes12band is disposed in the recess312bof the counter substrate3b, and the first conductive material13bis electrically connected to the electrode12b. Specifically, by using conductive rim cement as the principal material of a connection element4bdisposed around the periphery of the display medium2b, and having the recess312bextend to the surface on the side close to the connection element4b, the electrodes12bon the matrix circuit substrate1bcan be electrically connected to the counter substrate3bvia the connection element4b(conductive rim cement), and further connected to other electrical elements via the first conductive material13bdisposed in the recess312bof the counter substrate3b. In this embodiment, the conduction of the electrodes12bis controlled so as to drive the display medium2bby means of an electrical connection between an electrical connection element14band a first conductive material13b, and by means of an electrical connection between a control circuit15band the electrical connection element14b. A feature which this embodiment has in common with the embodiments described above is that the cross sectional area of the recess312bon the sidewall311bis larger than the cross sectional area of the electrode12b; the matrix circuit substrate1of the first embodiment may be referred to for details. Information regarding other related elements and the technical features thereof can also be found above, and is not repeated here.

Of course, as is known by those skilled in the art, in other embodiments of the present invention, a substrate such as a touch sensing substrate, color filter substrate or TFT substrate may be added between the matrix circuit substrate1band the counter substrate3b. For example, the counter substrate3bcould be a touch sensing substrate, and the matrix circuit substrate1bcould be a TFT substrate, with a color filter substrate disposed between them.

In summary, in the matrix circuit substrate and display apparatus of embodiments of the present invention, by forming a recess in a sidewall of the matrix circuit substrate and filling the recess with a first conductive material, an electrical connection is enabled between an electrical connection element and the first conductive material in a direction parallel to the sidewall. In other words, the electrical connection element can be disposed directly on the sidewall via the electrical connection with the first conductive material. Thus, compared to prior art in which an electrical connection element is disposed on the first surface of the substrate body, the design of the matrix circuit board of the present invention in which the first conductive material is disposed on the sidewall can further produce the effect of saving space while making the rim region narrower.

Various exemplary aspects of the present invention are summarily defined by the following clauses.

1. A matrix circuit substrate, comprising:a substrate body, having a first surface and a second surface which are opposite each other, and at least one sidewall located between the first surface and the second surface, the sidewall having at least one recess;multiple electrodes, disposed in a crisscross arrangement on the first surface; andat least one first conductive material, disposed in the recess to correspond to at least one of the electrodes, and electrically connected to the electrode.

2. The matrix circuit substrate according to Clause 1, wherein the cross sectional area of the recess on the sidewall is larger than the cross sectional area of the electrode.

3. The matrix circuit substrate according to Clause 1 or 2, further comprising:an electrical connection element, which is electrically connected to the first conductive material.

4. The matrix circuit substrate according to Clause 3, further comprising:a second conductive material, disposed on the sidewall between the electrical connection element and the first conductive material, to connect the first conductive material electrically to the electrical connection element.

5. The matrix circuit substrate according to Clause 3 or 4, further comprising:a control circuit electrically connected to the electrical connection element.

6. The matrix circuit substrate according to any previous clause, wherein the recess extends to the first surface.

7. The matrix circuit substrate according to Clause 6, wherein the recess also extends to the second surface.

8. The matrix circuit substrate according to any previous Clause, wherein at least one of the electrodes extends to the juncture of the recess and the first surface, so as to be connected electrically with the first conductive material.

9. The matrix circuit substrate according to any previous clause, wherein the cross sectional area of the recess on the sidewall is smaller than the maximum cross sectional area of the recess in a direction parallel to the sidewall.

10. A display apparatus, comprising:a matrix circuit substrate according to any of the preceding clauses, further comprising:a display medium, driven by the matrix circuit substrate.

11. The display apparatus according to clause 10, further comprising:a counter substrate disposed opposite the matrix circuit substrate.

12. The display apparatus according to Clause 11, wherein a sidewall of the counter substrate has at least one second recess, and the first conductive material is also disposed in the second recess.

13. The display apparatus according to Clause 11 or 12, wherein the counter substrate further includes a third conductive material, a sidewall of the counter substrate also having at least one second recess in which the third conductive material is disposed.

14. The display apparatus according to any of the clauses 11 to 13, wherein the first conductive material is electrically connected to a circuit of the counter substrate.

15. A display apparatus, comprising:a matrix circuit substrate, having multiple electrodes disposed in a crisscross arrangement;a counter substrate disposed opposite the matrix circuit substrate, a sidewall of the counter substrate having at least one recess;at least one first conductive material, disposed in the recess of the counter substrate to correspond to at least one of the electrodes, and electrically connected to the electrode; anda display medium, driven by the matrix circuit substrate.

16. Display apparatus according to Clause 15, wherein the cross sectional area of the recess on the sidewall is larger than the cross sectional area of the electrode.

17. The display apparatus according to Clause 15 or 16, wherein the matrix circuit substrate further comprises an electrical connection element, which is electrically connected to the at least one first conductive material.

18. The Display apparatus according to Clause 17, wherein the matrix circuit substrate further comprises a second conductive material, disposed on the sidewall between the electrical connection element and the first conductive material, to connect the first conductive material electrically to the electrical connection element.

19. The Display apparatus according to Clause 17 or 18, wherein the matrix circuit substrate further comprises a control circuit electrically connected to the electrical connection element.

20. The Display apparatus according to any of the clauses 15 to 19, wherein the first recess extends to the first surface.

21. The display apparatus according to Clause 20, wherein the first recess also extends to the second surface.

22. The display apparatus according to any of the clauses 15 to 21, wherein at least one of the electrodes extends to the juncture of the recess and the first surface, so as to be electrically connected to the first conductive material.

23. Method for manufacturing a matrix circuit substrate, comprising the following steps:subtractive machining e.g. drilling a mother substrate to form at least one hole, wherein the mother substrate has multiple electrodes in a crisscross configuration;filling the hole with a first conductive material, wherein at least one of the electrodes is electrically connected to the first conductive material;subtractive machining e.g. cutting the mother substrate to form at least one substrate body, each substrate body having a first surface and a second surface opposite each other and at least one sidewall located between the first surface and the second surface; andsubtractive machining e.g. grinding the sidewall up to the hole, so that the hole forms a recess in the sidewall and the first conductive material is exposed on the sidewall.

24. Manufacturing method according to Clause 23, further comprising:curing the first conductive material with which the hole is filled.

25. Manufacturing method according to Clause 23, further comprising:joining an electrical connection element to the sidewall, so that the electrical connection element is electrically connected to the first conductive material.

26. Manufacturing method according to Clause 23, wherein the step of subtractive machining e.g. grinding the sidewall comprises grinding up to the hole to form a recess, the cross sectional area of the recess on the sidewall being larger than the cross sectional area of the electrode.

The above content is illustrative rather than restrictive. Any equivalent modification or change made to the present invention without departing from the scope thereof should be included in the attached claims.