Patent Publication Number: US-2011076864-A1

Title: Connector and display apparatus having the same

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application relies for priority upon Korean Patent Application No. 2009-93288 filed on Sep. 30, 2009, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a connector and a display apparatus having the same. 
     2. Discussion of the Related Art 
     Instead of a conventional cathode ray tube (CRT), various display apparatuses such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display panel (PDP), and an electrophoretic display (EPD) have been extensively used for a computer monitor, a television, and so on. 
     The display apparatuses include a display panel to display images. The display apparatuses can use a converter to convert image signals into driving signals. The image signals are generated from a controller, which controls the images, and the converter is connected with the controller through a connector. 
     As the size and the resolution of the display panel are increased, large signals are transferred between the display panel and the controller at a high data rate. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a connector capable of securely fixing a flexible substrate, and a display apparatus having the connector capable of securely fixing a flexible substrate. 
     In one aspect, a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention receives a flexible substrate to transfer signals from the flexible substrate to an external device. The connector includes a housing, a first support part, and a second support part. The housing has a receiving space to receive the flexible substrate. The first support part has a first concave-convex part protruding toward the receiving space. The second support part has a second concave-convex part protruding toward the first concave-convex part. 
     Concave and convex parts of the first concave-convex part and convex and concave parts of the second concave-convex part engage the flexible substrate to fix the flexible substrate, and at least one of the first and second support parts electrically contacts the flexible substrate. 
     At least one of the first and second support parts is connected with a terminal connection part having one end exposed to an exterior. The terminal connection part includes a conductor, and at least one of the first and second support parts connected with the terminal connection part includes a conductor. 
     The flexible substrate is inserted into the receiving space and received in the receiving space, and the convex parts of the first and second support parts overlap with at least one of two surfaces of the flexible substrate extending in parallel to an insertion direction of the flexible substrate. 
     The first concave-convex part may be offset from a position of the second concave-convex part when viewed in the insertion direction of the flexible substrate. 
     The first and second concave-convex parts may each include a plurality of concave and convex parts, and a number of the concave and convex parts of the second concave-convex part may correspond to a number of the concave and convex parts of the first concave-convex part. 
     A connection part connecting the first support part with the second support part may be provided between the first and second support parts. The first and second support parts and the connection part may be integrated with each other. 
     The second support part may be integrated with the housing. 
     The first concave-convex part is provided at one end of the first support part. The connector further includes a fixing member which is contacted with another end of the first support part to apply an force on the other end of the first support part. The force is in a direction opposite to a protrusion direction of the first concave-convex part (i.e., away from the receiving space) to move the first concave-convex part in a direction toward the receiving space, thereby reducing a space between the first and second concave-convex parts. 
     In another aspect, the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is adaptable for a display apparatus. The display apparatus including the connector includes a printed circuit board, a flexible substrate, and a display panel. The printed circuit board may output a driving signal. The connector is mounted on the printed circuit board. The flexible substrate is inserted into the connector and coupled with the connector. The display panel is connected with the flexible substrate and receives the driving signal through the connector and the flexible substrate to display an image on a front surface. The flexible substrate may have a thickness of about 15 μm to about 18 μm. 
     At least one of the first and second support parts is connected with a terminal connection part having an end exposed to an exterior. The terminal connection part may be connected with the printed circuit board. 
     The printed circuit board may be provided at a rear surface of the display panel, or provided at a side portion of the display panel in parallel to the front surface of the display panel. 
     If the printed circuit board is provided at a side portion of the display panel, the connector may be provided on a top surface of the printed circuit board or a bottom surface of the printed circuit board. 
     As described above, if the flexible substrate is simply fitted into the connector, the flexible substrate can be electrically connected with the connector. Accordingly, the connector can be securely connected with the flexible substrate without an additional bonding process. 
     As a result, the assembling process of the display apparatus including the connector can be simplified. Therefore, the manufacturing time and cost of the display apparatus can be reduced. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a portion of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2A  is a sectional view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention which is not connected with a flexible substrate; 
         FIG. 2B  is a sectional view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention which is connected with a flexible substrate; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view showing a portion of the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention when the flexible substrate is fitted into a receiving space of the connector; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing a portion of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a sectional view showing a portion of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention when a flexible substrate is fitted into a receiving space of the connector; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic view showing a display apparatus including the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 7A to 7E  are sectional views showing mounting positions of the connector according to the positions of a printed circuit board in the display apparatus according to embodiments of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, a connector and a display apparatus having the same according to embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
     The present invention may be embodied in many different forms and is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The size of the layers and regions in the drawings along with the embodiments may be simplified or exaggerated for purposes of explanation or emphasis. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a portion of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2A  is a sectional view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention which is not connected with a flexible substrate, and  FIG. 2B  is a sectional view showing a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention which is connected with the flexible substrate. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A, and  2 B, the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is used to transfer signals between a flexible substrate  400  and an external device. The connector includes a housing  100  having a receiving space to receive the flexible substrate  400 , a terminal part  200  disposed inside the housing  100 , and a fixing member  300  to fix the flexible substrate  400  by applying a force on a portion of the terminal part  200  to move the portion of the terminal part  200 . 
     The flexible substrate  400  supplies various signals including an image signal to an external device and/or receives various signals from an external device. The flexible substrate  400  has a planar shape. The flexible substrate  400  provides a driving signal to the display panel in the display apparatus such that the display panel is driven. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, according to an embodiment, the flexible substrate  400  may include a flexible flat cable used in the display apparatus or other apparatuses. 
     The flexible substrate  400  includes an insulation film  410  and a metallic layer  420  formed on the insulation film  410 . 
     The metallic layer  420  may have various patterns according to required circuits. The metallic layer  420  includes conductive metal such as copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), gold (Au), or chrome (Cr). The metallic layer  420  may be formed as a single layer or a multi-layer including the metal. According to an embodiment, the metallic layer  420  may include an alloy of the metal. In addition, the metallic layer  420  may be formed at one side or both sides of the insulation film  410 . An integrated circuit may be formed on both sides of the insulation film  410 . 
     The insulation film  410  includes an insulation material such as polymer. The polymer serving as the insulation film  410  includes, for example, polyimide, polyester, and so on. 
     In addition, a protective layer  430  may be formed on a portion of the metallic layer  420  to protect the metallic layer  420 . However, the protective layer  430  is not formed where the flexible substrate  400  contacts the connector in order to electrically connect the flexible substrate  400  with the connector. For example, if the contact part between the flexible substrate  400  and the connector is an end part, the protective layer  430  is not formed at the end part so that the metallic layer  420  is exposed to an exterior. 
     The housing  100  forms an external appearance of the connector and includes an insulation material. The housing  100  has a rectangular parallelepiped shape extending substantially lengthwise in a direction. The housing  100  is not limited to the insulation material, but may include polymer such as teflon, polyethylene, or polypropylene. The housing  100  may have a single structure, or, according to an embodiment, may be the assembly of several pieces. 
     A first opening  101  is formed at a front surface of the housing  100 . The housing  100  has a receiving space to receive the flexible substrate  400 . The receiving space is formed from the front surface of the housing  100  toward a rear surface thereof through the first opening  101 . 
     A direction from a bottom surface toward a top surface of the flexible substrate  400  is referred to as an upper direction, and a direction opposite to the upper direction is referred to as a lower direction. In addition, a surface of the housing  100  on which the first opening  101  allowing the insertion of the flexible substrate  400  is formed is referred to as the front surface, and a surface opposite to the front surface is referred to as the rear surface. A direction in which the flexible substrate  400  is inserted is referred to as a direction toward the rear surface (or a rear direction) and a direction opposite to the direction toward the rear surface is referred to as the direction toward the front surface direction (or a front direction). In addition, directions perpendicular to the upper and lower directions and the front and rear directions are referred to as left and right directions. 
     The housing  100  includes an upper housing  110  and a lower housing  120  facing the upper housing  110  while interposing the receiving space therebetween. Sidewalls are formed at left and right sides of the upper and lower housings  110  and  120  to connect the upper housing  110  with the lower housing  120 . 
     The shape of the receiving space of the housing  100  is substantially identical to the shape of an end of the flexible substrate  400 . If the flexible substrate  400  has the shape of a rectangular plane extending longer in the left and right directions than the front and rear directions, the receiving space has a narrow width at the upper and lower portions thereof and has a wide width at left and right portions thereof such that the receiving space has substantially the same shape of the rectangular plane corresponding to the shape of the flexible substrate  400 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the flexible substrate  400  has the shape of a plane extending in the left and right directions, wherein the length of the flexible substrate  400  is longer in the left and right directions than in the front and rear directions. However, since  FIGS. 2A and 2B  are sectional views taken perpendicularly to the left and right directions, the length of the flexible substrate  400  appears to be shorter in the left and right directions. 
     A portion of the upper housing  110  provided at the rear surface is removed, thereby forming a second opening  103  at the portion of the upper housing  110  provided at the rear surface to allow the fixing member  300  to be movable. The second opening  103  provides an area in which the fixing member  300  is movable to fix the flexible substrate  400  when the flexible substrate  400  is inserted into the receiving space of the housing  100 . 
     The upper housing  110  includes a first support wall  111  having a comb-shaped groove part on a bottom surface of the upper housing. The first support wall  111  is integrally formed with the upper housing  110  while facing the lower housing  120 . Similar to the upper housing  110 , the lower housing  120  includes a second support wall (not shown) having a comb-shaped groove part on an upper surface of the lower housing  120 . The second support wall is integrally formed with the lower housing  120  and faces the upper housing  110 . 
     The terminal part  200  is electrically connected with the flexible substrate  400  in order to receive electrical signals from the flexible substrate  400 . The entire portion or at least a portion of the terminal part  200  includes a conductive material in order to make electrical contact with the flexible substrate  400 . 
     The terminal part  200  includes a first support part  210 , a second support part  220 , a connection part  230  connecting the first support part  210  with the second support part  220 , and a terminal connection part  240  having a first end connected with the second support part  220  and a second end exposed to an exterior. The second end is disposed opposite to the first end. A plurality of first support parts  210  may be positioned between a plurality of protrusions in grooves of the comb-like structure in the housing. 
     The first support part  210  has a first concave-convex part  211  protruding toward the receiving space. The second support part  220  has a second concave-convex part  221  protruding toward the first concave-convex part  211 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of first and second support parts  210  and  220  are provided in order to transfer various signals. 
     The first support part  210  is interposed between the comb-shaped groove parts of the first support wall  111 . The first support part  210  extends in the front and rear directions. The first support part  210  includes, at a first end thereof, the first concave-convex part  211  protruding in the direction toward the receiving space, that is, the lower direction. 
     The second support part  220  is interposed between the comb-shaped groove parts of the second support wall. The second support part  220  extends in the front and rear directions. The second support part includes, at a first end thereof, the second concave-convex part  221  protruding in the direction toward the receiving space, that is, the upper direction. 
     The first and second concave-convex parts  211  and  221  have concave parts and convex parts. If a predetermined area protrudes from neighboring areas, the predetermined area corresponds to a convex part. If a predetermined area is recessed from neighboring areas, the predetermined area corresponds to a concave part. 
     The concave and convex parts of the first concave-convex part  211  are engaged with the convex and concave parts of the second concave-convex part  221  such that the flexible substrate  400  is firmly fixed. In other words, the concave and convex parts of the first concave-convex part  211  correspond to the convex and concave parts of the second concave-convex part  221 , respectively, such that the concave part of the first concave-convex part  211  is engaged with the convex part of the second concave-convex part  221 , and the convex part of the first concave-convex part  211  is engaged with the concave part of the second concave-convex part  221  while interposing the flexible substrate  400  between the concave and convex parts. Accordingly, although the first concave-convex part  211  and the second concave-convex part  221  have different shapes, the concave parts have a complementary shape to mate with the convex parts such that the concave parts are engaged with the convex parts. 
     The connection part  230  connects the first support part  210  with the second support part  220 . The connection part  230  connects a middle portion of the first support part  210 , which extends in the front and rear directions, with an end of the second support part  220 . The end of the second support part connected to the connection part is a second end of the second support part  220 , which is disposed opposite to the first end. 
     The second support part  220  includes a terminal connection part  240  extending therefrom and having an end exposed at the rear surface of the housing  100  to be connected with an external device. In the terminal connection part  240 , a portion exposed to an exterior at the rear surface of the housing  100  corresponds to a terminal  241 . The terminal  241  may be connected with an external device through a soldered connection. 
     In the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first support part  210 , the second support part  220 , the connection part  230 , and the terminal connection part  240  include a conductive material and are integrated with each other. 
     The end of the first support part  210  positioned closer to the rear surface, that is, the second end of the first support part  210  that extends to the vicinity of the second opening  103 , includes at an edge thereof a curved part  213  having an arc shape. The curved part  213  of the first support part  210  supports the rotational motion of the fixing member  300 . 
     The fixing member  300  moves the first end of the first support part  210  by imposing a force on the second end of the first support part  210  through a leverage action. In other words, the fixing member  300  moves the first end of the first support part  210  toward the receiving space, that is, in the lower direction by imposing a force on the second end of the first support part  210  in the upper direction. Accordingly, the space between the first concave-convex part  211  of the first support part  210  and the second concave-convex part  221  of the second support part  220  is narrowed, and the flexible substrate  400  is secured by the pressure of the first concave-convex part  211  in the lower direction. 
     The fixing member  300  includes a body  310  having a plurality of grooves to receive the terminal part  200  and a pivot part  320  having, for example, an island, oval-cylindrical shape and connecting inner facing surfaces of the grooves with each other while passing through the grooves in the transverse directions. The pivot part  320  is connected with the body  310  and has, for example, an oval sectional shape. The pivot part  320  is interposed between the second end of the first support part  210  and the terminal connection part  240 . 
     If the flexible substrate  400  is not connected with the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, the body  310  protrudes through the second opening  103  of the housing  100  in the upper direction as shown in  FIG. 2A . In order to connect the flexible substrate  400  with the connector, a force is imposed on the protruding portion of the body  310  in the rear direction. If a force is imposed on the protruding portion of the body  310  in the rear direction, the protruding portion of the body  310  rotates about the pivot part  320 , so that the body  310  is positioned at the rear side of the terminal part  200  as shown in  FIG. 2B . 
     In more detail, referring to  FIG. 2A , if the flexible substrate  400  is not connected with the connector, the pivot part  320  is arranged such that the major axis of the oval sectional shape thereof is substantially parallel to a line extending in the front and rear directions. If the flexible substrate  400  is connected with the connector, the pivot part  320  having the oval shape is rotated. Accordingly, as shown in  FIG. 2B , the major axis of the oval sectional shape is parallel to or substantially parallel to a line extending in the upper and lower directions. Accordingly, the second end of the first support part  210  receives a force acting in the upper direction, so that the second end of the first support part  210  is pushed away from the second support part  220 , and the first end of the first support part  210  is moved in the lower direction toward the second support part, wherein the connection part  230  acts as a lever. Therefore, the distance between the first ends of the first and second support parts  210  and  220  is reduced, so that the flexible substrate  400  interposed between the first ends is securely fixed. 
     In this case, a portion of an outer surface of the pivot part  320  has a radius of curvature substantially identical to that of the curved part  213  of the first support part  210 . If the pivot part  320  is rotated, the outer surface of the pivot part  320  is securely engaged with the outer surface of the curved part  213  of the first support part  210 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fixing member  300  includes insulation materials. The fixing member  300  may include, for example, a material the same as that of the housing  100 . 
       FIG. 3  is a sectional view showing the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention when the flexible substrate  400  is inserted into the receiving space of the connector and the first concave-convex part  211  is engaged with the second concave-convex part  221  and showing a portion of the first support part  210 , the second support part  220 , and the flexible substrate  400 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the first concave-convex part  211  includes two convex parts and concave parts formed between the two convex parts and outside the convex parts. In addition, the second concave-convex part  221  includes one convex part corresponding to the center concave part of the first concave-convex part  211 . Accordingly, when the first concave-convex part  211  is engaged with the second concave-convex part  221  while interposing the flexible substrate  400  between the first and second concave-convex parts  211  and  221 , the first concave-convex part  211  applies a pressure in the lower direction toward the second concave-convex part  221 , and the second concave-convex part  221  applies a pressure in the upper direction toward the first concave-convex part  211 . The first and second concave-convex parts  211 ,  221  may contact each other to the extent possible with the flexible substrate  400  interposed between the first and second concave-convex parts  211 ,  221 . 
     According to an embodiment, since the flexible substrate  400  has a flexibility, the flexible substrate  400  is bent along the surface of the first concave-convex part  211  and the second concave-convex part  221  due to the engagement between the first concave-convex part  211  and the second concave-convex part  221 . Accordingly, the contact surface between the first and second concave-convex parts  211  and  221  and the flexible substrate  400  expands. 
     If the flexible substrate  400  is pulled in the front direction, since the contact surface between the first and second concave-convex parts  211  and  221  and the flexible substrate  400  becomes expanded, a frictional force is increased between the first and second concave-convex parts  211  and  221  and the flexible substrate  400 . In addition, since the flexible substrate  400  is bent along the surface of the first and second concave-convex parts  211  and  221  while making contact with the surface of the first and second concave-convex parts  211  and  221 , even if the flexible substrate  400  is pulled in the front direction, a force is dispersed in various directions due to the inclination angles and curvature of the convex and concave parts. Therefore, the effect of a force acting in the front direction is substantially reduced at the flexible substrate  400 . Accordingly, even if a force acts from the rear surface to the front surface, the flexible substrate  400  cannot be easily separated from the first and second concave-convex parts  211  and  221 , so that the flexible substrate  400  is securely fixed between the first and second concave-convex parts  211  and  221 . 
     Since the flexible substrate  400  is bent along the surfaces of the first and second concave-convex parts  211  and  221 , the convex parts of the first and second support parts  210  and  220  overlap with an extending plane, which is at least one of two surfaces of the flexible substrate  400  in parallel to the insertion direction of the flexible substrate  400 . 
     The concave and convex parts of the second concave-convex part  221  may vary in size and number such that the second concave-convex part  221  is engaged with the first concave-convex part  211 . Particularly, the second concave-convex part  221  may have a plurality of convex parts. The shape of the second concave-convex part  221  corresponds to the shape of the first concave-convex part  211 . The first concave-convex part  211  also may have a plurality of convex parts. According to an embodiment, the first concave-convex part  211  may have a plurality of concave and convex parts, and the convex and concave parts may have various sizes. Accordingly, the second concave-convex part  221  engaged with the first concave-convex part  211  may have a plurality of convex and concave parts. The concave parts of the second concave-convex part  221  engaged with the convex parts of the first concave-convex part  211  may have different sizes and vice versa. 
     The first support part  210 , the second support part  220 , the connection part  230 , and the terminal connection part  240  include a conductive material, so that electrical signals are transferred to an external device connected with the terminal connection part  240  from the terminal connection part  240  through the first support part  210 , the second support part  220 , and the connection part  230 . 
     If the metallic layer  420  of the flexible substrate  400  is formed at an upper portion of the flexible substrate  400 , the first concave-convex part  211  is electrically connected with the metallic layer  420 , so that electrical signals are transferred between the flexible substrate  400  and the external device connected with the terminal connection part  240 . 
     If the metallic layer  420  of the flexible substrate  400  is formed at a lower surface of the flexible substrate  400 , the second concave-convex part  221  is electrically connected with the metallic layer  420 , so that electrical signals are transferred between the flexible substrate  400  and the external device connected with the terminal connection part  240 . 
     Although the first support part  210 , the second support part  220 , and the connection part  230  are integrated with each other according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first support part  210  may be separated from the second support part  220  according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  shows a portion of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. Particularly,  FIG. 4  is a perspective view showing the connector, according to an embodiment of the present invention, coupled with the flexible substrate  400 . 
     Similar to the embodiment described in connection with  FIGS. 1-3 , the first support part  210  is disposed at the comb-shaped groove part of the first support wall  111 . The first support part  210  extends in the front and rear directions, and is provided at a first end thereof with the first concave-convex part  211  protruding in the direction of the receiving space, that is, the lower direction. 
     The connection part  230  is provided at a middle portion of the first support part  210  to connect the first support part  210  with the terminal connection part  240 . The connection part  230  electrically connects the first support part  210  with the terminal connection part  240 . The terminal connection part  240  has a first end connected with the connection part  230  and a second end extending in the rear direction, in which the second end is positioned opposite to the first end. A portion of the second end of the terminal connection part  240  is exposed at the rear surface of the housing  100  to form the terminal  241 . An external device may be soldered to the terminal  241  so that the external device is electrically connected with the first support part  210 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second support part  220  extends in the front direction, so that one end of the second support part  220  protrudes toward the front surface of the housing  100 . The second support part  220  includes the second concave-convex part  221  protruding toward the receiving space at a position corresponding to that of the first concave-convex part  211 . A terminal  241  may also be provided at the front surface of the second support part  220  such that the terminal  241  is connected with an external device if necessary. 
     The first support part  210 , the connection part  230 , and the terminal connection part  240  may be integrated with each other. In addition, at least one of the second support part  220  and the first support part  210  includes a conductive material, so that the second support part  220  or the first support part  210  is electrically connected with the metallic layer  420  of the flexible substrate  400  through the contact with the metallic layer  420 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, if the metallic layer  420  at the upper portion of the flexible substrate  400  is exposed to connect the first concave-convex part  211  with the metallic layer  420  of the flexible substrate  400 , only the first support part  210  needs to be made of a conductive material. In this case, since the second concave-convex part  221  need not have a conductivity, the second concave-convex part  221  may have a non-conductive material. The second concave-convex part  221  may be integrated with the housing  100 . If the metallic layer  420  at the lower portion of the flexible substrate  400  is exposed to electrically connect the second concave-convex part  221  with the metallic layer  420  of the flexible substrate  400 , only the second support part  220  needs to be made of a conductive material. If all of the metallic layers  420  at the upper and lower portions of the flexible substrate  400  are exposed to supply different electrical signals, the first and second support parts  210  and  220  may include a conductive material. In this case, the terminal  241  of the terminal connection part  240  connected with the first support part  210  and the terminal  241  formed at the second support part  220  are connected with external devices, respectively, to transfer signals. 
       FIG. 5  shows a portion of a connector according to an embodiment of the present invention, and is a sectional view showing the connector, according to an embodiment of the present invention, coupled with the flexible substrate  400 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , according to an embodiment of the present invention, when the first concave-convex part  211  of the first support part  210  is coupled with the second concave-convex part  221  of the second support part  220  while interposing the flexible substrate  400  between the first concave-convex part  211  and the second concave-convex part  221 , the first concave-convex part  211  is offset from the second concave-convex part  221 . 
     In more detail, in the concave and convex parts of the first and concave-convex parts  211 ,  221 , assuming that normal lines at a vertex of each concave part and at a vertex of each convex part are axes a and b of the concave part and the convex part, respectively, the axis a of the concave part of the first concave-convex part  211  does not overlap with the axis b of the convex part of the second concave-convex part  221 . Accordingly, the first concave-convex part  211  and the second concave-convex part  221  are provided at different positions with respect to the direction in which the flexible substrate  400  is inserted. 
     Although the first concave-convex part  211  is engaged with the second concave-convex part  221  while interposing the flexible substrate  400  between the first concave-convex part  211  and the second concave-convex part  221 , the first concave-convex part  211  is offset from the second concave-convex part  221 , so that a frictional force between the flexible substrate  400 , the first concave-convex part  211 , and the second concave-convex part  221  is maximized. Accordingly, although a force is imposed on the flexible substrate  400  in the front direction, the flexible substrate  400  is not easily withdrawn out of the connector. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, if the flexible substrate  400  is fitted into the connector, the flexible substrate  400  is electrically connected with the connector. Accordingly, although the flexible substrate  400  has a thickness of about 50 μm or less, the flexible substrate  400  may be effectively fixed, so that the flexible substrate  400  is not be easily separated from the connector. 
     In addition, the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention increases friction between the connector and the flexible substrate  400  while enhancing the electric connection with the flexible substrate  400 , so that the connector is securely connected with the flexible substrate  400  without bonding. Accordingly, the connector is connected with the flexible substrate  400  without a bonding scheme such as outer lead bonding (OLB). The bonding scheme such as the OLB requires not only high-price bonding equipment, but an alignment time between a substrate and a printed circuit board when the substrate is bonded with the printed circuit board. In contrast, the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention is connected with the flexible substrate if the flexible substrate is simply fitted into the connector. Accordingly, the connection procedure is simpler, manufacturing cost is reduced, and manufacturing time is reduced. 
     The connector according to the embodiments of the present invention transfers electrical signals and is adaptable to many fields to transfer electrical signals without limitation to and from the flexible substrate  400 . For example, the connector according to the embodiments of the present invention is used to transfer electrical signals from a printed circuit board to a display panel in a display apparatus. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic view showing a display apparatus including the connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display panel  10 , a printed circuit board  20 , a flexible substrate  30  interposed between the display panel  10  and the printed circuit board  20 , and a connector  40  mounted on the printed circuit board  20  and connected with the flexible substrate  30 . In addition, a backlight unit  50  ( FIG. 7 ) is provided on the rear surface of the display panel  10  to supply light to the display panel  10 . 
     The printed circuit board  20  includes a driving circuit to output driving signals. The driving circuit converts driving signals, which are supplied from a controller, into driving signals used to realize images in the display panel  10 . 
     The connector  40  according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the printed circuit board  20 . The terminal connection part  240  is provided on at least one of the first and second support parts  210  and  220  of the connector  40  and soldered with the printed circuit board  20 , so that electrical signals are transferred between the connector  40  and the printed circuit board  20 . 
     The flexible substrate  30  transfers electrical signals output from the printed circuit board  20  to the display panel  10 . To this end, one end of the flexible substrate  30  is bonded with a side of the display panel  10 . An opposite end of the flexible substrate  30  is coupled with the connector  40  of the printed circuit board  20 . 
     The flexible substrate  30  may have various thicknesses allowing the connection with the connector  40 . For example, the flexible substrate  30  may have a thickness in the range of about 15 μm to about 18 μm. 
     In the display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, since the flexible substrate  30  is simply fitted into the connector  40  mounted on the printed circuit board  20 , the flexible substrate  30  can be easily coupled with the connector  40  regardless of the position of the printed circuit board  20 . 
       FIGS. 7A to 7E  are sectional views showing various mounting positions according to the positions of the printed circuit board  20  in the display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flexible substrate  30  may be bent in various positions according to the positions of the printed circuit board  20 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7A to 7D , the backlight unit  50  is provided at a rear surface of the display panel  10 , and the printed circuit board  20  is provided at a lateral side of the backlight unit  50 , which is also a side portion of the display panel  10 . The printed circuit board  20  is fixed with the backlight unit  50  in parallel to a front surface of the display panel  10 . 
     Assuming that a surface of the printed circuit board  20  facing in the same direction as that of the front surface of the display panel  10  is referred to as a front surface of the printed circuit board  20 , and a surface of the printed circuit board  20  opposite to the front surface of the display panel  10  is referred to as a rear surface,  FIGS. 7A and 7B  are views showing the connector  40  formed on the front surface of the printed circuit board  20 , and  FIGS. 7C and 7D  are views showing the connector  40  formed on the rear surface of the printed circuit board  20 . In addition, the connector  40  may be provided on the front surface of the printed circuit board  20  or the rear surface in such a manner that the connector  40  is spaced relatively close to the display panel  10  (see  FIGS. 7A and 7C ) or spaced relatively away from the display panel  10  (see  FIGS. 7B and 7D ). 
     Referring to  FIG. 7E , the printed circuit board  20  is provided on the rear surface of the backlight unit  50 . In this case, the connector  40  is mounted on the rear surface of the printed circuit board  20 . 
     As described above, the mounting position of the connector  40  may vary according to the positions of the printed circuit board  20 . The display panel  10  can be connected in various positions with the printed circuit board  20  through the flexible substrate  30 . This is possible because the flexible substrate  30  is simply fitted into the connector  40 . 
     Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that the present invention should not be limited to these exemplary embodiments but various changes and modifications can be made by one ordinary skilled in the art within the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.