Patent Publication Number: US-2023156984-A1

Title: Display apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2021-0156314 filed on Nov. 15, 2021 in the Republic of Korea, the entire contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference into the present application. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Technical Field 
     The present disclosure relates to a display apparatus, and more particularly, to a display apparatus having a structure to effectively cope with an external impact. 
     Description of Related Art 
     As the world enters a full-fledged information era, a display apparatus that visually expresses an electrical information signal has developed rapidly. In response thereto, various display apparatuses having excellent performance, thinness, light weight, and low power consumption have been developed. 
     Such display apparatuses include a liquid crystal display apparatus (LCD), a quantum dot (QD) display apparatus, a field emission display apparatus (FED), an electro-wetting display apparatus (EWD), an organic light-emitting display apparatus (OLED), etc. 
     The display apparatus can be miniaturized so that the apparatus can be carried by a user. Further the display apparatus has been developed to be mounted on a movable apparatus such as a vehicle. Thus, the user can use the display apparatus on the vehicle more conveniently. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     When a display apparatus is mounted on a movable apparatus such as a vehicle, an impact that can be received from the outside by a movement can be transmitted to the display apparatus. 
     Due to the external impact, the display apparatus can be deformed or, in severe cases, can be damaged due to the external impact. When the damage is severe, fragments of the display apparatus can injure the user on board the vehicle. 
     Even when such display apparatus is not damaged, when the display apparatus receives the external impact, a malfunction, a failure, and the like of the display apparatus can occur due to the external impact. 
     In particular, in a case of a display apparatus having a slim structure or a display apparatus having a display having a flexible structure that is bent, the effect of the external impact can be greater. 
     The display apparatus can have a chip on film (COF). A driving apparatus for driving the display apparatus can be embedded in the chip on film. The chip on film can be made of a thin flexible material. Therefore, the chip on film is efficient to increase convenience of assembly and to reduce a space occupied by parts. 
     The chip on film can be vulnerable to an external impact because it is formed to be thin. Due to such external impact, the chip on film can be damaged. Therefore, a development of a technology that can suppress or minimize the damage of the chip on film resulted from the external impact is desired. 
     Therefore, a purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a display apparatus having a structure that can effectively cope with such external impact. 
     Further, a purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a display apparatus having a structure that can suppress or minimize the chip on film from being damaged due to the external impact. 
     Further, a purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a display apparatus having a buffer capable of suppressing or minimizing the impact applied directly to the chip on film by mitigating the external impact applied to the chip on film. 
     Another purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a display apparatus which can address the above-identified and other limitations and disadvantages associated with the related art. 
     Purposes of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned purpose. Other purposes and advantages of the present disclosure that are not mentioned can be understood based on following descriptions, and can be more clearly understood based on embodiments of the present disclosure. Further, it will be easily understood that the purposes and advantages of the present disclosure can be realized using means shown in the claims and combinations thereof. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a display apparatus can include a display panel, a guide panel, a printed circuit board, and a chip on film (COF). 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an image or a video can be reproduced on the display panel. The guide panel can be disposed in the rear of (or back of or behind) the display panel. The printed circuit board can be mounted on the guide panel and electrically connected to the display panel. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, one side of the chip on film can be electrically connected to the display panel, and another side thereof can be electrically connected to the printed circuit board. The chip on film can be disposed such that a portion thereof is bent to surround the guide panel. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the display apparatus can further include a cover glass, a first adhesive layer, a touch sensor, a second adhesive layer, a back plate, and a metal plate. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover glass can be disposed in front of the display panel to protect the display panel. The touch sensor can be disposed in the rear of the cover glass and disposed in front of the display panel, and can recognize a touch input of a user. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the first adhesive layer can be disposed between the cover glass and the touch sensor. The first adhesive layer can adhere the touch sensor to the cover glass as one face thereof is adhered to the cover glass and the other face thereof is adhered to the touch sensor. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the second adhesive layer can be disposed between the touch sensor and the display panel. The second adhesive layer can adhere the touch sensor to the display panel as one face thereof is adhered to the touch sensor and the other face thereof is adhered to the display panel. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the back plate can be disposed in the rear of the display panel. The back plate can be attached to a rear face of the display panel to suppress the display panel from being bent and damaged. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the metal plate can be disposed in the rear of the back plate and disposed in front of the guide panel. The metal plate can be placed in contact with a rear face of the back plate, and can serve as a heat sink for cooling the display panel by dissipating heat generated from the display panel to the outside. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the chip on film can be disposed such that a portion thereof is bent to surround a lower end of the guide panel. In this regard, in the guide panel, a buffer for alleviating an impact applied to the chip on film is formed in a portion of the lower end of the guide panel surrounded by the chip on film. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the chip on film can include a plurality of chip on films, and the plurality of chip on films can be disposed at positions spaced apart from each other at a bottom of the guide panel. The buffer can include a plurality of buffers disposed at an end of the guide panel in a number corresponding to the number of the chip on films. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the buffers can be disposed at positions spaced apart from each other at the bottom of the guide panel, and each buffer can be disposed at a position corresponding to each chip on film. 
     According to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the buffer can include a buffer space and a buffer bar. The buffer space can be defined at an end of the guide panel. The buffer bar can include a plurality of buffer bars disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the buffer space, and the buffer bar can be elastically deformable when subjected to the impact. 
     Further, in the display apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the plurality of buffer bars are disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction of the guide panel, so that, when the guide panel moves in the vertical direction by the external impact and collides with the chip on film, the buffer bars can be elastically deformed to suppress the impact applied to the chip on film. Accordingly, even when the guide panel moves by the external impact and collides with the chip on film, as the impact applied to the chip on film is alleviated by the buffer bar, a damage of the chip on film can be effectively suppressed. 
     Further, in the display apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the node can be formed such that the cross-sectional area thereof decreases toward a central portion. Because of such structure, the damage to the buffer bar at the abrupt step can be effectively suppressed by preventing the formation of the abrupt step at the boundary between the node and the body. 
     Further, in the display apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, an impact force occurred on the chip on film as the guide panel collides with the chip on film is alleviated by the deformation and the movement of the buffer bar. Accordingly, the damage to the chip on film by the external impact can be significantly suppressed. 
     Further, in the display apparatus according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, the driving chip is disposed on the linear portion far from the lower end of the guide panel without being disposed on the bent portion, so that, even when the guide panel and the chip on film come into contact with each other due to the external impact, the contact between the guide panel and the driving chip is avoided, thereby effectively suppressing the damage to the driving chip. 
     Effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other effects as not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from following descriptions. 
     The purposes, solutions, and effects of the disclosure as described above does not specify essential features of claims. Thus, the scope of claims is not limited by the purposes, solutions, and effects of the disclosure as described above. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description given hereinbelow and the accompanying drawings which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  1    is an exploded perspective view showing a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a rear face perspective view showing a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  3    is a view showing a comparative example for comparison with a display apparatus of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  4    is a partial cross-sectional view showing a comparative example for comparison with a display apparatus of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  5    is a partial view showing a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  6    is a partial cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a body of a buffer bar in a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  7    is a partial cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a node of a buffer bar in a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  8    is a view showing a deformed state of a buffer bar in a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  9    is a side cross-sectional view showing a buffer bar in a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTIONS OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Advantages and features of the present disclosure, and how to achieve them will become apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments as disclosed below, but will be implemented in a variety of different forms. Only these embodiments make the present disclosure complete, and are constructed to fully inform those having common knowledge in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs of a scope of the disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is only defined by the scope of the claims. 
     A shape, a size, a ratio, an angle, a number, etc. disclosed in the drawings for illustrating embodiments of the present disclosure are exemplary, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The same reference numerals refer to the same elements herein. Further, in describing the present disclosure, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known element can unnecessarily obscure gist of the present disclosure, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. As used herein, the singular forms “a” and “an” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, and “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of the stated features, integers, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and/or portions thereof. 
     In interpreting a numerical value, the value is interpreted as including an error range unless there is no separate explicit description thereof. 
     It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected to, or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers can be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “between” two elements or layers, it can be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or one or more intervening elements or layers can also be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when a first element or layer is referred to as being present “on” or “beneath” a second element or layer, the first element can be disposed directly on or beneath the second element or can be disposed indirectly on or beneath the second element with a third element or layer being disposed between the first and second elements or layers. 
     Further, as used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, or the like is disposed “on” or “on a top” of another layer, film, region, plate, or the like, the former can directly contact the latter or still another layer, film, region, plate, or the like can be disposed between the former and the latter. As used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, or the like is directly disposed “on” or “on a top” of another layer, film, region, plate, or the like, the former directly contacts the latter and still another layer, film, region, plate, or the like is not disposed between the former and the latter. Further, as used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, or the like is disposed “below” or “under” another layer, film, region, plate, or the like, the former can directly contact the latter or still another layer, film, region, plate, or the like can be disposed between the former and the latter. As used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, or the like is directly disposed “below” or “under” another layer, film, region, plate, or the like, the former directly contacts the latter and still another layer, film, region, plate, or the like is not disposed between the former and the latter. 
     In descriptions of temporal relationships, for example, temporal precedent relationships between two events such as “after”, “subsequent to”, “before”, etc., another event can occur therebetween unless “directly after”, “directly subsequent” or “directly before” is not indicated. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms “first”, “second”, “third”, and so on can be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section described below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
     The features of the various embodiments of the present disclosure can be partially or entirely combined with each other, and can be technically associated with each other or operate with each other. The embodiments can be implemented independently of each other and can be implemented together in an association relationship. 
     In descriptions of temporal relationships, for example, temporal precedent relationships between two events such as “after”, “subsequent to”, “before”, etc., another event can occur therebetween unless “directly after”, “directly subsequent” or “directly before” is not indicated. The features of the various embodiments of the present disclosure can be partially or entirely combined with each other, and can be technically associated with each other or operate with each other. The embodiments can be implemented independently of each other and can be implemented together in an association relationship. Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “under,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, can be used herein for ease of explanation to describe one element or feature’s relationship to another element or feature as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the apparatus in use or in operation, in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, when the apparatus in the drawings can be turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” or “under” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example terms “below” and “under” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The apparatus can be otherwise oriented for example, rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations, and the spatially relative descriptors used herein should be interpreted accordingly. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms including technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this inventive concept belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. Further, all the components of each display apparatus according to all embodiments of the present disclosure are operatively coupled and configured. 
       FIG.  1    is an exploded perspective view showing a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  2    is a rear face perspective view showing a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     A display apparatus according to an embodiment can be mounted on a cockpit of a vehicle, for example, to provide an image or a video necessary for driving to a driver and a passenger of the vehicle. However, the present disclosure may not be limited thereto, and the display apparatus can be used while being carried by a user without being mounted in the vehicle. Hereinafter, for example, the display apparatus mounted in the vehicle will be described. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  and  2   , the display apparatus according to an embodiment can include a display panel  100 , a guide panel  200 , a printed circuit board  300 , and a chip on film (COF)  400 . 
     The image or the video can be displayed or reproduced on the display panel  100 . The reproduced image or video can be navigation information necessary for the driving, an image filmed by a camera mounted on the vehicle, or other various contents necessary for the driver or the passenger. 
     The guide panel  200  can be disposed in the rear of the display panel  100 . The guide panel  200  can be disposed at the rearmost portion of the display apparatus. Various parts of the display apparatus including the display panel  100  can be mounted on the guide panel  200 . Further, the guide panel  200  itself can be mounted on the cockpit of the vehicle. To this end, the guide panel  200  can have a necessary coupling structure such as a screw hole and the like. 
     The printed circuit board  300  can be mounted on the guide panel  200  and can be electrically connected to the display panel  100 . The printed circuit board  300  can include an apparatus for communication with an external apparatus such as the camera and a main control module of the vehicle, an apparatus for driving the display panel  100  such that the display panel  100  reproduces the image or the video, and the like, can include a circuit, and can include various other active and passive elements. 
     One side of the chip on film  400  can be electrically connected to the display panel  100  and the other side (or another side) of the chip on film  400  can be electrically connected to the printed circuit board  300 . The chip on film  400  can be partially bent to surround the guide panel  200 . However, in  FIG.  1   , a development view of the chip on film  400  in an unfolded state is shown for a clear description. 
     The chip on film  400  can be formed in a thin form and can be made of a flexible material so as to be bendable. The chip on film  400  can electrically connect the display panel  100  and the printed circuit board  300  to each other. The chip on film  400  can be provided with various active elements and passive elements and can be provided with a driving circuit for driving the display panel  100 . 
     The driving circuit for driving the display panel  100  can be distributed on the printed circuit board  300  and the chip on film  400 . The chip on film  400  can include a driving chip  401  that forms at least a portion of the driving circuit of the display panel  100 . The chip on film  400  can include a plurality of chip on films. The chip on films  400  can be disposed to be spaced apart from each other. 
     The display apparatus according to an embodiment can further include a cover glass  10 , a first adhesive layer  20 , a touch sensor  30 , a second adhesive layer  40 , a back plate  50 , and a metal plate  60 . Such parts can be formed in a thin form to manufacture a display panel of a slim form. 
     The cover glass  10  can be disposed in front of the display panel  100  to protect the display panel  100 . The cover glass  10  can be made of a transparent material, so that light irradiated from the cover glass  10  can pass through the cover glass  10 . 
     The touch sensor  30  can be disposed in the rear of the cover glass  10  and disposed in front of the display panel  100 , and can recognize a touch input of a user. The touch sensor  30  can recognize, for example, the input of the user in a capacitive manner. 
     When the user inputs information using a hand, a pen, or the like on the cover glass  10 , the touch sensor  30  can recognize the input of the user and the user can manipulate the display apparatus through the same. 
     The first adhesive layer  20  can be disposed between the cover glass  10  and the touch sensor  30 . The first adhesive layer  20  can adhere the touch sensor  30  to the cover glass  10  as one face thereof is adhered to the cover glass  10  and the other face thereof is adhered to the touch sensor  30 . 
     The second adhesive layer  40  can be disposed between the touch sensor  30  and the display panel  100 . The second adhesive layer  40  can adhere the touch sensor  30  to the display panel as one face thereof is adhered to the touch sensor  30  and the other face thereof is adhered to the display panel  100 . 
     The first adhesive layer  20  and the second adhesive layer  40  can be made of a transparent material having good adhesion, for example, an optically clear adhesive (OCA). However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     The back plate  50  can be disposed in the rear of the display panel  100 . The back plate  50  can be attached to a rear face of the display panel  100  to suppress the display panel  100  from being bent and damaged. For example, the back plate  50  can serve to reinforce rigidity of the display panel  100 . 
     The back plate  50  can be formed in a shape of a film, for example, and can be attached to the display panel  100 . However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
     The metal plate  60  can be disposed in the rear of the back plate  50  and disposed in front of the guide panel  200 . The metal plate  60  can be disposed to be in contact with a rear face of the back plate  50 , and can serve as a heat sink for cooling the display panel  100  by dissipating heat generated from the display panel  100  to the outside. 
     The metal plate  60  can be easily manufactured via sheet metal processing or the like, and can be made of a material having a high heat transfer rate and excellent resistance, for example, an aluminum material. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. 
       FIG.  3    is a view showing a comparative example for comparison with a display apparatus of the present disclosure.  FIG.  3    shows a cross-section of a portion of the comparative example that is a contrast to a portion taken along a line AA′ in  FIG.  2    showing the display apparatus of the present disclosure. 
     For clear description,  FIG.  3    has omitted the illustration of the chip on film  400 .  FIG.  4    is a partial cross-sectional view showing a comparative example for comparison with a display apparatus of the present disclosure. 
     The printed circuit board  300  can be mounted on a rear face of the guide panel  200 . The display panel  100  can be disposed in front of the guide panel  200 . Therefore, in order for the chip on film  400  to be electrically connected to the printed circuit board  300  and the guide panel  200 , both ends of the chip on film  400  must be coupled to the printed circuit board  300  and the guide panel  200 , respectively. 
     Therefore, the chip on film  400  should extend beyond the back plate  50  and the metal plate  60  between the guide panel  200  and the display panel  100 , and further, should extend beyond the guide panel  200 . 
     Because of such structure, when the display apparatus is assembled, as shown in  FIG.  4   , the chip on film  400  can be disposed to extend beyond the back plate  50 , the metal plate  60 , and the guide panel  200  along a lower end of the guide panel  200 . 
     Looking at lower ends of the back plate  50 , the metal plate  60 , and the guide panel  200 , the lower end of the guide panel  200  can be placed at the lowest position. This is because a length in a downward direction of the back plate  50  is greater than those of the metal plate  60  and the guide panel  200 . 
     Accordingly, in the chip on film  400 , a portion extending beyond the back plate  50 , the metal plate  60 , and the guide panel  200  can be bent at a portion corresponding to the lower end of the guide panel  200 . Further, because of such structure, the chip on film  400  can be disposed to protrude from a lower end of the display panel  100 . 
     A length of the chip on film  400  protruding from the lower end of the display panel  100 , for example, a protrusion length is a length from the lower end of the display panel  100  to a lower end of the portion where the chip on film  400  is bent. 
     The protrusion length of the chip on film  400  is a length of a portion exposed from the lower end of the display panel  100 . Accordingly, when the user views a front face of the display panel  100 , the portion corresponding to the protrusion length comes into sight of the user, which can deteriorate aesthetics of the display apparatus. 
     Therefore, in order to increase the aesthetics of the display apparatus, the portion corresponding to the protrusion length of the chip on film  400  is invisible using black ink or the like on the cover glass  10 , which becomes a bezel. 
     Further, as an area of the bezel increases, the aesthetics of the display apparatus can be reduced accordingly, and an unnecessary area of the display apparatus can be increased. Therefore, it is necessary to reduce the protrusion length of the chip on film  400  as much as possible in order to reduce the area of the bezel. 
     In order to reduce the protrusion length of the chip on film  400 , the chip on film  400  can be disposed very close to the lower end of the guide panel  200  and be bent so as to extend beyond the guide panel  200 . For this reason, a bent portion  410  of the chip on film  400  can be disposed at a position extremely adjacent to the lower end of the guide panel  200  in a vertical direction. 
     Because the bent portion  410  of the chip on film  400  is disposed at the position extremely adjacent to the lower end of the guide panel  200 , the chip on film  400  can be vulnerable to an external impact. 
     The description will be made with reference to  FIGS.  3  and  4    again. A buffer  210  to be described below is not formed at the lower end of the guide panel  200  in the comparative example. Therefore, in the comparative example, a portion corresponding to the chip on film  400  at the lower end of the guide panel  200  can be formed in a shape of a filled plate without a special structure as shown in  FIG.  3   . 
     In this regard, referring to  FIG.  4   , the bent portion  410  of the chip on film  400  can be disposed extremely adjacent to the lower end of the guide panel  200 . 
     In such structure, when the external impact is applied to the display apparatus during the operation of the vehicle, the guide panel  200  can move by the external impact. When the guide panel  200  moves in the downward direction, the chip on film  400  disposed extremely adjacent to the lower end of the guide panel  200  can collide with the lower end of the guide panel  200 . 
     When the lower end of the guide panel  200  collides with the chip on film  400  continuously and repeatedly, the chip on film  400  can be damaged or deformed, and thus, the circuits and the various elements disposed on the chip on film  400  can be damaged. 
     Such damage and deformation of the chip on film  400  can cause malfunction or operation stop of the display apparatus. Therefore, there is a need for a structure that can prevent the guide panel  200  from being damaged by colliding with the chip on film  400 . Hereinafter, a structure of a display apparatus according to an embodiment having such a structure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG.  5    is a partial view showing a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.  FIG.  5    is a view taken along the line AA′ in  FIG.  2   .  FIG.  6    is a partial cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a body  2121  of a buffer bar  212  in a display apparatus according to an embodiment.  FIG.  7    is a partial cross-sectional view showing a cross-section of a node  2122  of the buffer bar  212  in the display apparatus according to an embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  5 - 7   , the chip on film  400  can be disposed such that the portion thereof is bent to surround the lower end of the guide panel  200 . In this regard, in the guide panel  200 , the buffer  210  for alleviating the impact applied to the chip on film  400  can be formed in a portion surrounded by the chip on film  400 . 
     In this regard, the buffer  210  can be disposed in the portion where the chip on film  400  is bent. Accordingly, the bent portion  410  of the chip on film  400  can be disposed adjacent to a lower end of the buffer  210  disposed in the guide panel  200 . 
     The chip on film  400  can include the plurality of chip on films, and the plurality of chip on films  400  can be disposed at positions spaced apart from each other at the bottom of the guide panel  200 . The buffer  210  can be disposed at the end of the guide panel  200 , and the number of buffers  210  can correspond to the number of the chip on films  400 . 
     The buffers  210  can be disposed at positions spaced apart from each other at the bottom of the guide panel  200 . Further, each buffer  210  can be disposed at a position corresponding to each of chip on film  400 . 
     The chip on film  400  can include a bent portion  410  and a linear portion  420 . The bent portion  410  can be disposed at the end of the guide panel  200  and can be formed in a bent shape to surround a portion of the buffer bar  212 . 
     The bent portion  410  can be disposed below the buffer bar  212 . In particular, a lower end of the bent portion  410  can be disposed to be extremely adjacent to a lower end of the buffer bar  212  in order to reduce the area of the bezel. 
     The linear portion  420  can be connected to the bent portion  410 . The linear portion  420  can be disposed at the bottom of the guide panel  200  in a non-bent form. The linear portion  420  can be disposed to overlap front and rear faces of the guide panel  200  at the bottom of the guide panel  200 . 
     The buffer  210  can include a buffer space  211  and the buffer bar  212 . The buffer space  211  can be defined at the end of the guide panel  200 . Compared with the above-described comparative example, the buffer space portion  211  can be defined by removing a lower portion of the guide panel  200 . The buffer space  211  can provide a space in which the buffer bar  212  is able to move when subjected to the external impact. 
     The buffer bar  212  can include a plurality of buffer bars, and the plurality of buffer bars  212  can be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the buffer space  211  and can be elastically deformable when subjected to the impact. 
     The buffer bars  212  can be formed in a shape of a bar and can be disposed such that a longitudinal direction thereof intersects the vertical direction of the guide panel  200 . In this regard, for example, the buffer bar  212  can be integrally formed with the guide panel  200  via injection molding or the like. 
     The buffer bar  212  can include the plurality of buffer bars, and the plurality of buffer bars  212  can be disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction of the guide panel  200 . In this regard, a space in which the plurality of buffer bars  212  are spaced apart from each other can define the buffer space  211 . 
     The plurality of buffer bars  212  are disposed so as to be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction of the guide panel  200 , so that, when the guide panel  200  moves in the vertical direction by the external impact and collides with the chip on film  400 , the buffer bars  212  can be elastically deformed to suppress the impact applied to the chip on film  400 . Accordingly, even when the guide panel  200  moves by the external impact and collides with the chip on film  400 , as the impact applied to the chip on film  400  by the buffer bar  212  is alleviated, a damage of the chip on film  400  can be effectively suppressed. 
     The buffer bar  212  can include the body  2121  and the node  2122 . The body  2121  can have a larger cross-sectional area than the node  2122 . The cross-sectional area of the node  2122  can be smaller than that of the body  2121 , and the node  2122  can include a plurality of nodes disposed at spacings along the longitudinal direction of the buffer bar  212 . 
     Because of such structure, when the guide panel  200  moves as the external impact is applied thereto, the buffer bar  212  comes into contact with the chip on film  400 . The buffer bar  212  in contact with the chip on film  400  moves in the buffer space  211  due to elastic deformation of the node  2122 , and accordingly, the impact applied to the chip on film  400  is able to be effectively suppressed. 
     When the guide panel  200  moves as the external impact is applied to the display apparatus, the elastic deformation can occur mainly on the node  2122 . Therefore, when there is an abrupt step at a boundary between the node  2122  and the body  2121 , such step can become a notch. When the buffer bar  212  is continuously and repeatedly elastically deformed, the buffer bar  212  can be damaged at the notch. 
     The node  2122  can be formed such that the cross-sectional area thereof decreases toward a central portion  2122   a . Because of such structure, the damage to the buffer bar  212  at the abrupt step can be effectively suppressed by preventing the formation of the abrupt step at the boundary between the node  2122  and the body  2121 . 
       FIG.  8    is a view showing a deformed state of the buffer bar  212  in the display apparatus according to an embodiment.  FIG.  8    is a view taken along the line AA′ in  FIG.  2   . 
       FIG.  8    shows that, as the external impact is applied on the display apparatus, the guide panel  200  moves, and thus, the buffer bar  212  and the bent portion  410  of the chip on film  400  come into contact with each other to deform the buffer bar  212 . For clarity of description, the illustration of the chip on film  400  is omitted in  FIG.  8   . 
     The node  2122  can be at least partially elastically deformed by the external impact. In  FIG.  8   , for example, a state in which the nodes  2122  disposed at both edges of the buffer  210  among the nodes  2122  are all deformed by the external impact. 
     However, depending on a magnitude of the external impact applied to the display apparatus, a location where the external impact is applied, and a direction in which the external impact is applied, deformed shapes of the buffer bar  212 , the number of the buffer bars  212  to be deformed, and the like can vary. 
     In the display apparatus according to an embodiment, the buffer bar  212  can be elastically deformed in the direction intersecting with the longitudinal direction thereof when being subjected to the impact. Further, the chip on film  400  can be disposed such that at least portion thereof moves in the direction in which the buffer bar  212  is deformed. Therefore, when the guide panel  200  moves by the external impact, at least a portion of the buffer bar  212  can be elastically deformed to move in the buffer space  211 . 
     When the external impact is applied to the display apparatus, the guide panel  200  moves due to the impact. Accordingly, the bent portion  410  of the chip on film  400  disposed at the position extremely close to the lower end of the guide panel  200  can come into contact with the lower end of the guide panel  200 . In this regard, the chip on film  400  and the buffer bar  212  disposed at the lower end of the guide panel  200  can come into contact with each other. 
     At least some of the plurality of the buffer bars  212  can be deformed and move in the buffer space  211  when subjected to the impact. 
     When the chip on film  400  comes into contact with the buffer bar  212 , the buffer bar  212  is pressed by the chip on film  400 , and the node  2122  is elastically deformed by such pressing force. Accordingly, the buffer bar  212  can move in the buffer space  211 . 
     An impact force occurred on the chip on film  400  as the guide panel  200  collides with the chip on film  400  is alleviated by the deformation and the movement of the buffer bar  212 . Accordingly, the damage to the chip on film  400  by the external impact can be significantly suppressed. 
       FIG.  9    is a side cross-sectional view showing the buffer bar  212  in the display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG.  9   , as described above, one side of the chip on film  400  can be coupled to the display panel  100 , and the other side thereof can be coupled to the printed circuit board  300  mounted on the rear face of the guide panel  200 . The chip on film  400  can be disposed such that the lower end of the bent portion  410  is extremely close to the lower end of the guide panel  200 . 
     In this regard, in the guide panel  200 , the buffer  210  can be disposed at a location corresponding to the location at which the chip on film  400  is disposed. 
     In one example, the chip on film  400  can include the driving chip  401  that drives the display panel  100 . The driving chip  401  can include, for example, an integrated circuit for controlling at least some of operations of the display panel  100 . 
     The driving chip  401  can protrude from the chip on film  400  more than other portions of the chip on film  400 . Because of such protruding structure, in the chip on film  400 , the driving chip  401  is less durable than other elements and thus is able to be relatively easily damaged by the external impact. Therefore, in order to suppress the driving chip  401  from being damaged by the external impact, the driving chip  401  needs to be disposed at a safer position against the external impact. 
     Accordingly, the driving chip  401  can be mounted on the linear portion  420  and disposed to be spaced apart from the end of the guide panel  200 . The damage of the chip on film  400  can mainly occur in the portion where the guide panel  200  pressurizes the chip on film  400  as the lower end of the guide panel  200  and the chip on film  400  are in contact with each other. Therefore, the damage of the chip on film  400  can occur mainly in the bent portion  410 . 
     In the display apparatus according to an embodiment, the driving chip  401  is disposed on the linear portion  420  far from the lower end of the guide panel  200  without being disposed on the bent portion  410 , so that, even when the guide panel  200  and the chip on film  400  come into contact with each other due to the external impact, the contact between the guide panel  200  and the driving chip  401  is avoided, thereby effectively suppressing the damage to the driving chip  401 . 
     The display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be described as follows. 
     An aspect of the present disclosure provides a display apparatus including a display panel for displaying or reproducing an image or a video, a guide panel disposed in the rear of the display panel, a printed circuit board mounted on the guide panel and electrically connected to the display panel, and a chip on film (COF) having one side electrically connected to the display panel and the other side (or another side) electrically connected to the printed circuit board, wherein a portion of the chip on film is bent to surround the guide panel, wherein, a buffer for alleviating an impact applied to the chip on film is formed in a portion of the guide panel surrounded by the chip on film. 
     In one implementation, the chip on film includes a plurality of chip on films, and the buffer includes a plurality of buffers disposed at an end of the guide panel in a number corresponding to the number of the chip on films. 
     In one implementation, the buffer includes a buffer space defined at an end of the guide panel, and a buffer bar including a plurality of buffer bars disposed to be spaced apart from each other in the buffer space, wherein the buffer bar is elastically deformable when subjected to the impact. 
     In one implementation, the buffer bar includes a body, and a node having a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the body, wherein the node includes a plurality of nodes at spacings along a longitudinal direction of the buffer bar. 
     In one implementation, the node is formed such that the cross-sectional area thereof decreases toward a central portion. 
     In one implementation, at least a portion of the node is elastically deformed by the external impact. 
     In one implementation, the chip on film includes a bent portion disposed at the end of the guide panel and formed in a bent shape to surround the portion of the buffer bar, and a linear portion connected to the bent portion. 
     In one implementation, the chip on film includes a driving chip for driving the display panel, and the driving chip is mounted on the linear portion and disposed to be spaced apart from the end of the guide panel. 
     In one implementation, the buffer bar is elastically deformed in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction when subjected to the impact, and at least a portion of the chip on film moves in the deformation direction of the buffer bar. 
     In one implementation, at least some of the plurality of the buffer bars are deformed and moved in the buffer space when subjected to the impact. 
     In one implementation, the display apparatus further includes a cover glass, a touch sensor disposed in the rear of the cover glass and disposed in front of the display panel, wherein the touch sensor recognizes a touch input of a user, a back plate disposed in the rear of the display panel, and a metal plate disposed in the rear of the back plate and disposed in front of the guide panel. 
     In one implementation, the display apparatus further includes a first adhesive layer disposed between the cover glass and the touch sensor, and a second adhesive layer disposed between the touch sensor and the display panel. 
     The present disclosure as described above is not limited to the above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present disclosure belongs that various substitutions, modifications and changes can be made within the scope not departing from the technical ideas of the present disclosure. Therefore, the scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the following claims, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be construed as being included in the scope of the present disclosure.