Patent Publication Number: US-11653449-B2

Title: Flexible circuit film and display apparatus having the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/215,111, filed Mar. 29, 2021, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/425,996, filed May 30, 2019, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,980,118, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/582,226, filed Apr. 28, 2017, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 10,321,568, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/549,780, filed on Nov. 21, 2014, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 9,647,050, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0067589, filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jun. 3, 2014, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Field 
     Exemplary embodiments relate to a flexible circuit film and a display apparatus including the flexible circuit film having improved reliability. 
     Discussion of the Background 
     A flat display apparatus such as a liquid crystal display apparatus, an organic electroluminescent display apparatus or the like is able to achieve a large-screen display with a high resolution by increasing a pixel resolution or a displaying area. For example, a liquid crystal display apparatus may include an array substrate including pixel electrodes arranged in a matrix configuration, an opposing substrate facing the array substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the array substrate and the opposing substrate. The liquid crystal display apparatus may further include a driver supplying a voltage to the pixel electrodes. For example, the driver may include a circuit part controlling an image signal. 
     As a size of the flat display panel increases, required signal lines also increase. Furthermore, required circuit boards included in a circuit part for providing electrical signals to the signal lines also increase. For example, a circuit part may include at least three circuit boards. 
     SUMMARY 
     Exemplary embodiments provide a flexible circuit film capable of reducing physical damage and increasing reliability of a display apparatus, which may be included when circuit boards are connected to each other. 
     Exemplary embodiments also provide a display apparatus including the flexible circuit film. 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a flexible circuit film that includes a first flexible film, a second flexible film facing the first flexible film, a plurality of wirings arranged between the first flexible film and the second flexible film and extending in a first direction from a first terminal end portion to a first bend, then extending in a second direction crossing the first direction between the first bend and a second bend, and then extending in an opposing direction to the first direction from the second bend to a second and opposite terminal end portion and a guide film including a material having higher rigidity than that of the first and second flexible films and arranged on the first flexible film at locations corresponding to the first and second terminal end portions of the wirings, the guide film including a tear-preventing portion overlapping the first and second bends of a shortest one of the wirings. 
     At least two of the wirings may have different widths from each other. The wirings may include a power supply line, a ground line and a plurality of image signal supplying lines, and at least one of the power supply line and the ground line may have a width greater than that of each of the image signal supplying lines. The second flexible film may include a terminal groove exposing one of the first and second terminal end portions of the wirings. The second flexible film may also include a protective portion extending in an arranging direction of the wirings and partially covering the one of the first and second terminal end portions of the wirings. The tear-preventing portion may extend in both the first direction and in the second direction. The first and second flexible films may have a U-shape that includes a base portion that corresponds to a portion of the wirings that extend in the second direction and two branches extending from opposite ends of the base portion and corresponding to portions of the wirings extending in the first direction and opposing the first direction, the first and second flexible films including an inner edge having two inner corners that correspond to an inner portion of the U-shape where the branches meet the base, the tear-preventing portion overlapping the each of the two corners arranged at the inner edge of the flexible films having the U-shape. 
     According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display apparatus that includes a display panel and a driver including a plurality of printed circuit boards including a driving chip and a flexible circuit film electrically connecting the printed circuit boards, the driver being configured to apply electrical signals to the display panel, wherein the flexible circuit film may include a first flexible film, a second flexible film facing the first flexible film, a plurality of wirings arranged between the first flexible film and the second flexible film and extending in a first direction from a first terminal end portion to a first bend, then extending in a second direction crossing the first direction between the first bend and a second bend, and then extending in an opposing direction to the first direction from the second bend to a second and opposite terminal end portion, and a guide film including a material having higher rigidity than that of the first and second flexible films and arranged on the first flexible film at locations corresponding to the first and second terminal end portions of the wirings, the guide film including a tear-preventing portion overlapping the first and second bends of a shortest one of the wirings. 
     The plurality of printed circuit boards may include a first printed circuit board and a second printed circuit board that are arranged in the first direction, the flexible circuit film may electrically connect the first printed circuit board to the second printed circuit board. The driver may include a host line configured to transfer externally provided electrical signals to one of the printed circuit boards. The driver may include a plurality of flexible circuit films that electrically connects to each other ones of the printed circuit boards that are adjacent to each other and not directly connected to the host line. The host line and the flexible circuit film may be connected to a same one of the printed circuit boards. At least two of the wirings may have different widths. The wirings may include a power supply line, a ground line and a plurality of image signal supplying lines, and at least one of the power supply line and the ground line has a width that is greater than that of each of the image signal supplying lines. The second flexible film may include a terminal groove exposing one of the first and second terminal end portions of the wirings. The second flexible film may also include a protective portion extending in an arranging direction of the wirings and partially covering the one of the first and second terminal end portions of the wirings. The tear-preventing portion may overlap at least two of the wirings at one of the first and second bends. 
     The display panel may also include an array substrate that includes a plurality of data lines extending in the first direction and arranged in the second direction, a plurality of gate lines extending in the second direction and arranged in the first direction and a plurality of pixel electrodes electrically connected to the data lines. The display panel may extend a greater distance along the second direction than along the first direction. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A more complete appreciation of the invention, and many of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein: 
         FIG.  1    is a plan view illustrating a display apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  2    is an enlarged plan view illustrating the flexible circuit film of the display apparatus of  FIG.  1    according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG.  3 A  is a front view illustrating the flexible circuit film of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  3 B  is a rear view illustrating the flexible circuit film of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view taken in the line I-I′ of  FIG.  3 B ; 
         FIGS.  5 A to  5 D  are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of manufacturing the flexible circuit film illustrated in  FIG.  4   ; 
         FIG.  6 A  is a front view illustrating a flexible circuit film according to a second exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG.  6 B  is a rear view illustrating the flexible circuit film of  FIG.  6 A ; and 
         FIG.  7    is a plan view illustrating a display apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Exemplary embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments are shown. 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIG.  1    is a plan view illustrating a display apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment. Referring to  FIG.  1   , a display apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment may include a display panel  110  and a driver  200 . Examples of the display panel  110  may include an organic electroluminescent display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, an electrowetting display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, a microelectromechanical system display panel, a plasma display panel and the like. 
     For example, the display panel  110  may include a liquid crystal display panel, which includes an array substrate  101 , an opposing substrate  103  facing the array substrate  101 , and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the array substrate  101  and the opposing substrate  103 . The array substrate  101  may include a plurality of gate lines GL extending in a first direction D 1 , a plurality of data lines DL intersecting with the gate lines GL and extending in a second direction DE, a plurality of switching elements TFT electrically connected to the gate lines GL and the data lines DL, and a plurality of pixel electrodes PE electrically connected to the switching elements TFT. The array substrate  101  or the opposing substrate  103  may further include a common electrode (not shown) forming an electric field with the pixel electrodes PE. The display panel  110  has a first length in the first direction D 1  greater than a second length in the second direction D 2 . 
     In another embodiment, the display panel  110  may include an organic electroluminescent display panel, which includes a plurality of organic electroluminescent structures that emit light. For example, each of the organic electroluminescent structures may include a first electrode, a second electrode facing the first electrode, and an organic electroluminescent element interposed between the first electrode and the second electrode. The organic electroluminescent element may include a hole injection layer, a hole transfer layer, an organic light-emitting layer, an electron transfer layer, an electron injection layer or the like. 
     The driver  200  may include a plurality of printed circuit boards  230  and a plurality of flexible circuit films  300  electrically connecting the printed circuit boards  230  to each other. The printed circuit boards  230  may include a driving chip  231  for providing electrical signals to the gate lines GL and the data lines DL. The printed circuit boards  230  may be arranged adjacent to the display panel  110 . For example, the printed circuit boards  230  may be arranged to face a side or edge of the display panel  110  that extends in the first direction Dl. For example, a first printed circuit board  230   a,  a second printed circuit board  230   b,  a third printed circuit board  230   c  and a fourth printed circuit board  230   d  may be arranged to face a side of the display panel  110  that extends in the first direction D 1 . 
     At least one of the printed circuit boards  230  may be connected to a host line  210  to receive electrical signals from an external device. The host line  210  may provide power signals, image signals and the like. More specifically, the host line  210  may provide gamma power signals, gate driving signals, data driving signals and the like. 
     The printed circuit boards adjacent to a center portion of the display panel  110  may be connected directly to the host line  210 . For example, the second printed circuit board  230   b  and the third printed circuit board  230   c  may receive electrical signals directly from individual host lines  210 , respectively. 
     The remaining printed circuit boards that are not directly connected to the host line  210  receive electrical signals from the host line  210  via the second printed circuit board  230   b  or the third printed circuit board  230   c  and the flexible circuit films  300 . For example, the first printed circuit board  230   a  is arranged adjacent to the second printed circuit board  230   b  in an opposing direction to the first direction D 1 , and receives electrical signals from the host line  210  via second printed circuit board  230   b  and flexible circuit film  300 . This is because in the present invention, printed circuit boards adjacent to each other may receive or provide electrical signals via the flexible circuit film  300 . Thus, electrical signals provided by the host line  210  may be transferred to all printed circuit boards  230  arranged in the opposing direction to the first direction D 1  by traveling through the second printed circuit board  230   b.    
     The fourth printed circuit board  230   d  is arranged adjacent to the third printed circuit board  230   c  in the first direction D 1 , and receives electrical signals from the host line  210  via third printed circuit board  230   c  and flexible circuit film  300 . This is because in the present invention, the printed circuit boards adjacent to each other may receive or provide electrical signals to each other via the flexible circuit film  300 . Thus, electrical signals provided by the host line  210  may be transferred to all printed circuit boards arranged in the first direction D 1  via the third printed circuit board  230   c.    
     According to the above, electrical signals provided from an external device through the host line  210  can be transferred to the printed circuit boards  230  through the flexible circuit film  300 . Thus, electrical signals may be appropriately applied to the data lines DL and the gate lines GL, even in a large-screen display apparatus. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  2   ,  FIG.  2    is an enlarged plan view illustrating the flexible circuit film  300  of the display apparatus of  FIG.  1    according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG.  2   , the flexible circuit film  300  may electrically connect the first printed circuit board  230   a  and the second printed circuit board  230   b  to each other. The first printed circuit board  230   a  may include a first driving chip  231   a  and a first connecting portion  233   a.  The second printed circuit board  230   b  may include a second driving chip  231   b  and a second connecting portion  233   b.  The flexible circuit film  300  may be connected to the first connecting portion  233   a  and to the second connecting portion  233   b.    
     The flexible circuit film  300  may include a flexible part  310  and a guide film  320 . The flexible part  310  may have a bent shape to connect to the first connecting portion  233   a  to the second connecting portion  233   b.  For example, the flexible part  310  may have a U-shape. More specifically, the flexible part  310  may extend in the second direction D 2  to correspond to one of the branches  372  of the U-shape, then have a bend to extend in the first direction D 1  to correspond to a base  371  of the U-shape, and then have a second bend to extend in a direction opposite to the second direction D 2  to correspond to an other of the branches  373  of the U-shape. 
     The guide film  320  may be attached to the flexible part  310  to be adjacent to the first and second connecting portions  233   a  and  233   b.  The guide film  320  may include a relatively more rigid material than that of the flexible part  310 . For example, the guide film  320  may include polyethylene terephthalate. 
     The guide film  320  may include tear-preventing portions  321   a  and  321   b  to prevent the flexible part  310  from being torn. For example, the tear-preventing portion  321   a  and  321   b  may overlap with an inner edge  377  (see  FIG.  3 B ), including the inner corners  378  and  379  of the U-shape flexible circuit film  300 . For example, each tear-preventing portion  321   a  and  321   b  may have an L-shape. Thus, the flexible part  310  may be prevented from being physically damaged, for example, by being torn when the flexible circuit film  300  is coupled to the first connecting portion  233   a  and to the second connecting portion  233   b.    
     The guide film  320  may further include a handling portion  325   a  and  325   b  to guide the flexible circuit film  300  when the flexible circuit film  300  is coupled to the first connecting portion  233   a  and to the second connecting portion  233   b.  The handling portions  325   a  and  325   b  may be a portion grabbed by an operator when the flexible circuit film  300  is coupled to the first connecting portion  233   a  and the second connecting portion  233   b.  The flexible circuit film  300  will be explained more fully with reference to  FIGS.  3 A,  3 B and  4   . 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  3 A,  3 B and  4   ,  FIG.  3 A  is a front view illustrating the flexible circuit film of  FIG.  2   ,  FIG.  3 B  is a rear view illustrating the flexible circuit film of  FIG.  2    and  FIG.  4    is a cross-sectional view taken in the line I-I′ of  FIG.  3 B . Referring to  FIGS.  3 A,  3 B and  4   , the flexible circuit film  300  may include a flexible part  310  and a guide film  320 . The flexible part  310  may include a first flexible film  311 , a second flexible film  313  and a plurality of wirings  317 . 
     The first flexible film  311  and the second flexible film  313  may include an insulating material having flexibility. The first flexible film  311  and the second flexible film  313  may have a proper transparency. The wirings  317  have been omitted in  FIG.  3 A  for ease of explanation. For example, the first flexible film  311  and the second flexible film  313  may have a U-shape to cover the wirings  317 . This U-shape includes a base portion  371  (see  FIG.  3 B ) and two branch portions  372  and  373  extending from opposite ends of base portion  371 . The U-shape flexible circuit film also includes an inner edge  377  of the U-shape and two corners  378  and  379  where the branches  372  and  373  meet the base  371  along the inner edge  377 . 
     The wirings  317  may be arranged between the first flexible film  311  and the second flexible film  313 . For example, the wirings  317  may include a conductive material. For example, the wirings  317  may include copper, silver, or the like. The wirings  317  may have flexibility to be capable of bending with the flexible films  311  and  313 . 
     The wirings  317  may extend and bend to have a U-shape. For example, the wirings  317  extend in the second direction D 2  along first branch  372 , and include a first bend  381  to extend in the first direction D 1  along base  371 , and include a second bend  382  to extend in a direction opposite to the second direction D 2  along second branch  373 . The wirings  317  may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a distance between the first flexible film  311  and the second flexible film  313 . 
     The wirings  317  may include a power supply line  351 , a ground line, image signal supplying lines  353  and the like. A width of the power supply line  351  may be greater than a width of each of the image signal supplying lines  353 . Furthermore, a width of the ground line may be greater than a width of each of the image signal supplying lines  353 . Specifically, the power supply line  351  may apply a gamma power, and a width of the power supply line  351  supplying a gamma power may be about 200 μm to about 250 μm. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  3 A and  4   , the guide film  320  may be arranged on the first flexible film  311 . For example, the guide film  320  may be arranged on a rear surface of the first flexible film  311 . The guide film  320  may include a more rigid material than that of the flexible films  311  and  313 . For example, the guide film  320  may include polyethylene terephthalate when the flexible films  311  and  313  include polyamide or polyimide. 
     The guide film  320  may be arranged to correspond to ends of the branch portions  372  and  373  of the first flexible film  311 . For example, the guide film  320  may overlap with ends of the wirings  317 . The guide film  320  may include tear-preventing portions  321   a  and  321   b  that may overlap with an inner edge  377  of the U-shape of the flexible part  310  and the flexible circuit film  300 . For example, the tear-preventing portions  321   a  and  321   b  may each have an L-shape. The tear-preventing portion  321   a  and  321   b  may extend along the inner edge  377  of the U-shape in the first direction D 1 , the second direction D 2  or opposing direction thereof In addition, the tear-preventing portions  321   a  and  321   b  may overlap with bent portions  381  and  382  of the shortest (i.e. innermost) one of the wirings  317 . 
     According to the above, as the guide film  320  of the flexible circuit film  300  includes the tear-preventing portions  321   a  and  321   b,  the flexible part  310  of the flexible circuit film  300  may be prevented from being physically damaged. For example, when the flexible circuit film  300  is coupled to a printed circuit board  230 , a corner (or bent) portion  378  and  379  at the inner edge  377  of the flexible part  310  of flexible circuit film  300  may be prevented from being torn by an operator. 
     The guide film  320  may further include handling portions  325   a  and  325   b  that the operator can grab when the flexible circuit film  300  is coupled to the printed circuit board  230 . The handling portions  325   a  and  325   b  may extend in the second direction D 2 . The handling portions  325   a  and  325   b  may overlap continuously with at least two wirings in an arranging direction of the wirings  317 . The tear-preventing portions  321   a  and  321   b  and the handling portions  325   a  and  325   b  of the guide film  320  may be integrally formed with each other. 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  3 B and  4   , the second flexible film  313  may cover the wirings  317  arranged on the first flexible film  311 . The second flexible film  313  may include a terminal groove CN exposing opposing ends of the wirings  317 . Terminal portions TMa and TMb of the wirings  317 , which are exposed through the terminal grooves CN, may contact and form an electrical connection to a connecting portion on the printed circuit board  230 . The second flexible film  313  may further include a protective portion  314  that protects ends of the terminal portions TMa and TMb of the wirings  317 . The protective portion  314  may extend in the arranging direction of the wirings  317  and be arranged on ends of the terminal portions TMa and TMb of the wirings  317  so that the terminal groove CN may have an appropriate width. 
     According to the above, ends of the wirings  317  are partially covered by the protective portion  314 . Thus, even if an external impact is applied to the flexible circuit film  300 , the ends of the wirings  317  may be prevented from being separated from the first flexible film  311 . 
     The tear-preventing portions  321   a  and  321   b  of the flexible circuit film  300  each has an L-shape in  FIG.  3 A . However,  FIG.  3 A  is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting thereof, as the tear-preventing portion  321   a  and  321   b  may instead have different shapes that can protect an inner edge  377  of the flexible circuit film  300  having a U-shape. For example, the tear-preventing portions  321   a  and  321   b  may have a fan shape spanning about  270  degrees of an inner angle as in  FIG.  6 A . Furthermore, the handling portions  325   a  and  325   b  of the flexible circuit film  300  may instead have a rectangular shape in  FIG.  3 A . However,  FIG.  3 A  is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting thereof, as the handling portion  325   a  and  325   b  may also have different shapes that can secure ends of the flexible circuit film  300 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  5 A to  5 D ,  FIGS.  5 A to  5 D  are cross-sectional views illustrating a method of manufacturing the flexible circuit film illustrated in  FIG.  4   . Referring now to  FIG.  5 A , a guide film  320  is provided on a first flexible film  311 . The first flexible film  311  may have a U-shape. The first flexible film  311  may include an insulating material having flexibility. The guide film  320  may be arranged on a first surface of the first flexible film  311  to overlap with an end of the first flexible film  311 . The guide film  320  may include a more rigid material than that of the first flexible film  311 . The guide film  320  may further include a tear-preventing portion and a handling portion. 
     Referring to  FIG.  5 B , wirings  317  may be provided on a second surface of the first flexible film  311 . The wirings  317  may be arranged to form a U-shape on the first flexible film  311 , may be arranged to be parallel to each other, and may have different widths. The wirings  317  may include a power supply line, a ground line, image signal supplying lines or the like. For example, at least one of the power supply line and the ground line may have a width greater than that of each of the image signal supplying lines. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5 C , a second flexible film  313  may be provided on the first flexible film  311  including the wirings  317 . The second flexible film  313  may entirely cover the wirings  317 . 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5 D , a portion of the second flexible film  313  is removed to expose ends of the wirings  317 . For example, a terminal groove CN exposing terminal portions of the wirings  317  may be formed at ends of the second flexible film  313 , however a protective portion  314  of the second flexible film  313  may still be arranged on ends of the terminal portions of the wirings  317 . 
     In the embodiment, the guide film  320  is provided on a first surface of the first flexible film  311  before the wirings  317  are provided. In another embodiment, the guide film  320  may be provided on the first surface of the first flexible film  311  after the wirings  317  are provided on a second surface of the first flexible film  311 , and after the second flexible film  313  is provided on the wirings  317 . 
     Turning now to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B ,  FIG.  6 A  is a front view illustrating a flexible circuit film  360  according to a second exemplary embodiment and  FIG.  6 B  is a rear view illustrating the flexible circuit film of  FIG.  6 A . 
     Referring now to  FIGS.  6 A and  6 B , a flexible circuit film  360  according to the second exemplary embodiment is substantially same as the flexible circuit film illustrated in 
       FIGS.  3 A and  3 B  except for a shape of a guide film  320  and a position of a power supply line  351 . Thus, any duplicative explanation may be omitted. 
     The flexible circuit film  360  may include a flexible part  310  and a guide film  320 . The flexible part  310  may include a first flexible film, a second flexible film and a plurality of wirings. The first flexible film and the second flexible film may each include an insulating material having flexibility. The first flexible film and the second flexible film may have, for example, a U-shape to cover the wirings. The flexible circuit film  360  having a U-shape has a base portion  371  and two branch portions  372  and  373 . In addition, flexible circuit film  360  has an inner edge  377  having inner corners  378  and  379 . The wirings of the flexible part  310  are omitted in  FIG.  6 A  for ease of explanation. 
     The wirings may be arranged between the first flexible film and the second flexible film, may include a conductive material such as copper, silver, or the like, and may have flexibility to be capable of bending with the flexible films. 
     The wirings may extend and bend to have a U-shape that includes a base and branches extending perpendicularly from opposite ends of the base. For example, one of the branches of the wirings extend in a second direction D 2  corresponding to first branch  372  to connect to the base at a first bend  381 , and then the base extends in a first direction D 1  perpendicular to the second direction D 2  to the second branch at a second bend  382 , and then the second branch extends in a direction opposite to the second direction D 2  from the second bend to correspond to the second branch  373 . The wirings may be arranged to be spaced apart from each other by a distance between the first flexible film and the second flexible film. 
     The wirings may include a power supply line  351 , a ground line, and image signal supplying lines  353  or the like. A width of the power supply  351  may be greater than a width of each of the image signal supplying lines  353 . Also, a width of the ground line may be greater than a width of each of the image signal supplying lines  353 . The power supply line  351  may be used to apply a gamma power, and a width of the power supply line  351  supplying a gamma power may be about 200 μm to about 250 μm. 
     In the second embodiment, the power supply line  351  and the ground line may be arranged adjacent to an outer edge or an inner edge of the flexible part  310  having a U-shape. For example, the power supply line  351  may be arranged adjacent to the inner edge  377  of the flexible part  310  having the U-shape. Because the power supply line  351  having a relatively greater width is arranged adjacent to the inner edge  377  of the flexible part  310  having the U-shape where the inner edge is otherwise relatively easily damaged, electrical characteristics of the wirings may be maintained, even if an external impact is applied to the flexible part  310 . 
     The guide film  320  may be arranged on the first flexible film. For example, the guide film  320  may be arranged on a rear surface of the first flexible film. The guide film  320  may include a more rigid material than that of the flexible films. 
     The guide film  320  may be arranged at an edge of the first flexible film. For example, the guide film  320  may overlap with ends of the wirings corresponding to terminal ends of the branches. The guide film  320  may include tear-preventing portions  321   a  and  321   b  that may overlap with portions of the inner edge  377  of the U-shape of the flexible part. The tear-preventing portions  321   a  and  321   b  may extend from the inner edge  377  of the U-shape in the first direction D 1 , the second direction D 2  or opposing directions thereof. For example, the tear-preventing portions  321   a  and  321   b  may overlap with the bends of the shortest one of the wirings. Furthermore, the tear-preventing portion  321   a  and  321   b  may further overlap with the bends of the longest one of the wirings. The guide film  320  may further include a handling portion  325   a  and  325   b  that overlaps the bend portions of the wirings  381  and  382  at the outer edge  387  of the U-shape. Specifically, the tear-preventing portions  321   a  and  321   b  and the handling portions  325   a  and  325   b  of the guide film  320  may be integrally formed with each other and may overlap with bent portions  381  and  382  of all the wirings. 
     According to the above, because the guide film  320  of the flexible circuit film includes the tear-preventing portion  321   a  and  321   b,  the flexible part  310  of the flexible circuit film may be prevented from being physically damaged. For example, when the flexible circuit film is coupled to a printed circuit board, the bent portions  381  and  382  of the inner edges  377  of the flexible part may be prevented from being torn by an operator. Furthermore, when the flexible circuit film is coupled to the printed circuit board, the bent portions  381  and  382  of the outer edges  387  of the flexible part may be prevented from being torn by an operator. 
     The second flexible film may cover the wirings arranged on the first flexible film. The second flexible film may include terminal grooves exposing opposing ends of the wirings. Terminal portions TMa and TMb of the wirings, which are exposed through the terminal grooves CN, may contact and electrically connect to a connecting portion of the printed circuit board. The second flexible film may further include a protective portion  314  that protects ends of the terminal portions TMa and TMb of the wirings and may extend in an arranging direction of the wirings. 
     According to the above, ends of the wirings are partially covered by the protective portion  314 . Thus, even if an external impact is applied to the flexible circuit film, the ends of the wirings may be prevented from being separated from the first flexible film. 
     Turning now to  FIG.  7   ,  FIG.  7    is a plan view illustrating a display apparatus according to a second exemplary embodiment. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  7   , a display apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment is substantially same as the display apparatus illustrated in  FIG.  1    except for including just one host line  210  connected to the chain of printed circuit boards  230 . Thus, any duplicative explanation may be omitted. 
     The display apparatus according to the exemplary embodiment includes a display panel  110  and a driver. Examples of the display panel  110  may include an organic electroluminescent display panel, a liquid crystal display panel, an electrowetting display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, a microelectromechanical system display panel, a plasma display panel and the like. In the embodiment, the display panel includes a liquid crystal display panel. 
     The display panel  110  includes an array substrate  101 , an opposing substrate  103  facing the array substrate  101 , and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the array substrate  101  and the opposing substrate  103 . The array substrate  101  may include a plurality of gate lines GL extending in a first direction D 1 , a plurality of data lines DL intersecting with the gate lines GL and extending in a second direction D 2 , a plurality of switching elements TFT electrically connected to the gate lines GL and the data lines DL, and a plurality of pixel electrodes PE electrically connected to the switching elements TFT. The array substrate  101  or the opposing substrate  103  may further include a common electrode (not shown) that forms an electric field with the pixel electrodes PE. The display panel  110  has a first length in the first direction D 1  that is greater than a second length in the second direction D 2 . 
     The driver may include a plurality of printed circuit boards  230 , and a plurality of flexible circuit films  300  electrically connecting the printed circuit boards  230  to each other to deliver signals from the host line  210  to each of the printed circuit boards  230 . The printed circuit boards  230  may include a driving chip  231  for providing electrical signals to the gate lines GL and the data lines DL. The printed circuit boards  230  may be arranged adjacent to the display panel  110 . For example, the printed circuit boards  230  may be arranged to face a side of the display panel  110  in the first direction Dl. As illustrated in  FIG.  7   , a first printed circuit board  230   a,  a second printed circuit board  230   b,  and a third printed circuit board  230   c  may be arranged to face a side of the display panel  110  that extends in the first direction D 1 . 
     At least one of the printed circuit boards  230  may be connected to a host line  210 , for receiving electrical signals from an external device. The host line  210  may provide a power signal, image signals or the like. More specifically, the host line  210  may provide a gamma power signal, a gate driving signal, a data driving signal or the like. As illustrated in  FIG.  7   , the second printed circuit board  230   b  may be arranged at a center portion of the display panel  110  and may be directly connected to the host line  210  to receive electrical signals from the host line  210 . 
     The remaining printed circuit boards  230   a  and  230   c  that are not directly connected to the host line  210  receive electrical signals from the host line  210  via the second printed circuit board  230   b  and a flexible circuit film  300 . For example, the first printed circuit board  230   a  is arranged adjacent to the second printed circuit board  230   b  in an opposing direction to the first direction D 1 , and receives electrical signals from the host line  210  via the second printed circuit board  230   b  and the flexible circuit film  300 . The printed circuit boards adjacent to each other may receive or provide electrical signals via the flexible circuit film  300 . Thus, electrical signals provided by the host line  210  may be transferred to all printed circuit boards arranged in the opposing direction to the first direction D 1  by way of the second printed circuit board  230   b  and the flexible circuit films  300 . 
     The third printed circuit board  230   c  is arranged adjacent to the second printed circuit board  230   b  in the first direction D 1 , and receives electrical signals from the host line  210  via the second printed circuit board  230   b  and the flexible circuit film  300 . The printed circuit boards adjacent to each other may receive or provide electrical signals through the flexible circuit film  300 . Thus, electrical signals provided by the host line  210  may be transferred to all printed circuit boards arranged in the first direction D 1  by way of the second printed circuit board  230   b.    
     According to the above, electrical signals provided from an external device through the host line  210  can be transferred to the printed circuit boards  230  through flexible circuit film  300   s.  Thus, the received electrical signals may be appropriately applied to the data lines DL and the gate lines GL, even in a large-screen display apparatus. 
     In the flexible circuit films and the display apparatuses according to the exemplary embodiments, the flexible circuit films electrically connecting printed circuit boards includes a tear-preventing portion that overlaps with an inner edge of a U-shape and protects wirings. Thus, the flexible circuit films may be prevented from being torn, and a reliability of a device employing the flexible circuit films may be improved. 
     Furthermore, ends of the wirings of the flexible circuit films, which correspond to terminal portions connected to a printed circuit board, are covered by a protective portion. Thus, ends of the wirings may be prevented from being lifted or damaged by an external impact. Thus, a reliability of a device employing the flexible circuit films may be improved. 
     Furthermore, because widths of a power supply line and a ground line, to which higher voltages are applied, are greater than widths of image signal supplying lines, to which a lower voltage is applied, an electrical stability of the wirings may be improved. 
     The foregoing is illustrative and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although a few exemplary embodiments have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings, aspects, and advantages of the invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this disclosure.