Patent Publication Number: US-2010110056-A1

Title: Connector, connector assembly, and display apparatus having the same

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority from and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2008-107238, filed on Oct. 30, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a connector that is easily grounded, a connector assembly, and a display apparatus having the connector assembly. 
     2. Discussion of the Background 
     A liquid crystal display (LCD) typically includes a display panel to display images, a backlight assembly to supply light to the 1 display panel, and a driving circuit to apply driving signals to the display panel. 
     The driving circuit includes a gate driver to drive gate lines in the display panel, a data driver to drive data lines in the display panel, and a printed circuit board to supply control signals and power voltage to the gate and data drivers. The printed circuit board includes a connector assembly mounted thereon, and the printed circuit board is connected to a cable to receive the power voltage and control signals. 
     The connector assembly electrically connects the printed circuit board and the cable. The connector assembly may include a male connector and a female connector coupled to the male connector. When the power voltage is applied to the printed circuit board while the coupled male and female connectors are not grounded, momentary over-current may occur, which may cause the driving circuit to be damaged. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a connector that may prevent circuit damage due to over-current. 
     The present invention also provides a connector assembly that includes the connector. 
     The present invention also provides a display apparatus that includes the connector assembly. 
     Additional features of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
     The present invention discloses a connector that includes a body extending in a first direction and including at least one side surface to be coupled with an external device, and a plurality of terminals including a conductive material. The terminals are arranged on the body, extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and are arranged in the first direction to receive a voltage and a control signal from the external device. At least one terminal of the terminals has a length in the second direction greater than a length of remaining terminals in the second direction, and the at least one terminal receives a ground voltage. The at least one terminal of the terminals extends longer than the remaining terminals from the at least one side surface, and divides the terminals into plural groups to prevent signal interference between the terminals. 
     The present invention also discloses a connector assembly that includes a first connector in which a recess is formed, and a second connector coupled with the first connector via the recess. In addition, at least one of the first connector and the second connector includes a s body extending in a first direction and including at least one side surface to be coupled with an external device, and a plurality of terminals including a conductive material. The terminals are arranged on the body, extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and arranged in the first direction to receive a voltage and a control signal from the external device. In the terminals, at least one terminal has a length in the second direction greater than a length of remaining terminals in the second direction, and receives a ground voltage. The at least one terminal of the terminals extends longer than the remaining terminals from the at least one side surface, and divides the terminals into plural groups to prevent signal interference between the terminals. 
     The present invention also discloses a connector assembly that includes a body extending in a first direction and including at least one side surface to be coupled with an external device, and a plurality of connection pins including a conductive material. The connection pins are arranged on the body, extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and are arranged in the first direction to receive a voltage and a control signal from the external device. In addition, the connector assembly includes a signal transmission member coupled with the connection pins to transmit the voltage and the control signal, and at least one connection pin of the connection pins has a length in the second direction greater than a length of remaining connection pins in the second direction. The at least one connection pin receives a ground voltage. 
     The present invention also discloses a connector assembly that includes a first connector and a second connector coupled with the first connector. The first connector includes a body extending in a first direction and including at least one side surface to be coupled with an external device, and a plurality of first terminals including a conductive material. The first terminals are arranged on the body, extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and are arranged in the first direction to receive a voltage and a control signal from the external device. The second connector includes a second body in which a recess is formed, a plurality of second terminals including a conductive material, and a plurality of ground terminals. The second terminals are arranged in the recess, extend in the second direction, and are arranged in the first direction to correspond to the first terminals, respectively, and the plurality of ground terminals are spaced apart from the second terminals and arranged at an entrance of the recess to correspond to the second terminals, respectively. 
     The present invention discloses a display apparatus that includes a gate driver to output a gate voltage, a data driver to output a data voltage, a display panel to display an image in response to the gate voltage and the data voltage, a timing controller to apply a control signal to the gate driver and the data driver, a driving circuit board on which the timing controller is mounted, a first connector mounted on the driving circuit board and connected to the driving circuit board, the first connector comprising a recess, and a second connector coupled with the first connector via the recess. At least one of the first connector and the second connector includes a body extending in a first direction and including at least one side surface to be coupled with an external device, and a plurality of terminals including a conductive material. The terminals are arranged on the body, extend in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and are arranged in the first direction to receive a voltage and a control signal from the external device. In the terminals, at least one terminal has a length in the second direction greater than a length of remaining terminals in the second direction, and receives a ground voltage. The at least one terminal of the terminals extends longer than the remaining terminals from the at least one side surface, and divides the terminals into plural groups to prevent signal interference between the terminals. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a plan view showing a second connector shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 3B  is a partially-enlarged view showing a portion “A” shown in  FIG. 3A . 
         FIG. 4  is a sectional view showing a coupled state of the connector assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5A  is a plan view showing a second connector according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5B  is a partially-enlarged view showing a portion “B” shown in  FIG. 5B . 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a connector assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8A  is a sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of first and second connectors shown in  FIG. 7 . 
         FIG. 8B  and  FIG. 8C  are sectional views of the coupling process of the first and second connectors shown in  FIG. 8A . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS 
     The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements. 
     It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may 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 only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms, “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “includes” and/or “including”, when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     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 invention 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. 
     Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of a display apparatus according to the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a display apparatus includes a display panel  100 , a gate driver  210 , a data driver  220 , a timing controller  230 , a driving circuit board  240 , a connector assembly  250 , a backlight assembly  300 , and a mold frame  400 . 
     The display panel  100  includes a thin film transistor substrate  110 , a color filter substrate  120 , and a liquid crystal layer  130  interposed between the thin film transistor substrate  110  and the color filter substrate  120 . 
     The thin film transistor substrate  110  includes gate lines  111  extending in a direction, data lines  112  extending in another direction that crosses the gate lines  111 , thin film transistors  115  that are each connected to a corresponding gate line of the gate lines  111  and a corresponding data line of the data lines  112 , and pixel electrodes  117  respectively connected to the thin film transistors  115 . The color filter substrate  120  includes a common electrode (not shown) that forms an electric field in cooperation with the pixel electrodes  117 , and a color filter (not shown) that displays colors. The liquid crystal layer  130  has a dielectric anisotropy and is aligned between the thin film transistor substrate  110  and the color filter substrate  120 . The liquid crystal layer  130  adjusts light transmittance from the backlight assembly  300 . 
     The gate driver  210  has a chip shape and may be mounted on the thin film transistor substrate  110  by a chip on glass (COG) method. The gate driver  210  applies a gate-on signal or a gate-off signal to the gate lines  111 . Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , the gate driver  210  may be directly formed on the thin film transistor substrate  110  through a thin film process. 
     The data driver  220  is mounted on a first signal transmission film  225  through a tape carrier package (TCP). The data driver  220  is electrically connected to the thin film transistor substrate  110  and a source circuit board  227  through the first signal transmission film  225 . The source circuit board  227  generates data signals in response to the control signals from the driving circuit board  240  and transmits the data signals to the data driver  220 . The source circuit board  227  may include a gray-scale voltage generator to generate the data signals. The data driver  220  provides the data lines  113  with the data signals. 
     The timing controller  230  is mounted on the driving circuit board  240 . The timing controller  230  applies the control signals to the gate driver  210  and the data driver  220 . The timing controller  230  provides image data to the data driver  220  to display images. 
     The driving circuit board  240  is a printed circuit board (PCB) on which a plurality of signal transmission lines is formed. The timing controller  230 , the connector assembly  250  and various electric devices are mounted on the driving circuit board  240 . The driving circuit board  240  receives the power voltage and various signals from the outside, which are transmitted through the connector assembly  250 . The driving circuit board  240  provides the power voltage and the various signals to the timing controller  230 . The driving circuit board  240  is electrically connected to the source circuit board  227  through a second signal transmission film  245 . The second signal transmission film  245  may be a flexible flat cable, and both ends thereof are connected to the driving circuit board  240  and the source circuit board  227 , respectively. The control signals and the image data from the driving circuit board  240  are transmitted through the source circuit board  227  to the gate driver  210  and the data driver  220 . The driving circuit board  240  applies the power voltage to the gate driver  210  and the data driver  220 . 
     The connector assembly  250  includes a first connector mounted on the driving circuit board  240  and a second connector coupled with a signal transmission member  280 . The connector assembly  250  electrically connects the driving circuit board  240  and an external system (not shown) coupled with the signal transmission member  280 . Thus, the driving circuit board  240  may receive the power voltage, the clock signal, the control signal, and the image data from the external system. Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , the driving circuit board  240  and the source circuit board  227 , which are connected to each other through the second signal transmission film  245 , may be electrically connected to each other using the connector assembly  250  and the signal transmission member  280  as described above, instead of the second signal transmission film  245 . A structure and function of the connector assembly  250  will be described below in detail with reference to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 ,  FIG. 5 , and  FIG. 6 . 
     The backlight assembly  300  is positioned under the display panel  100  to provide the display panel  100  with light. The backlight assembly  300  includes a light source  310 , a reflection sheet  320 , a diffusion sheet  340 , a prism sheet  350 , and a protection sheet  360 . 
     The light source  310  includes a plurality of lamps, and generates the light to be applied to the display panel  100 . Each lamp is supported and held by lamp holders (not shown) positioned at both ends of each lamp, and the power voltage is applied to the lamps through the lamp holders. The reflection sheet  320  is disposed under the light source  310  and reflects the light emitted from the light source  310 , which may reduce the loss of light in the display apparatus. The diffusion sheet  340  is disposed above the light source  310  and diffuses the light from the light source  310  to compensate for differences in brightness between the lamps. The prism sheet  350  condenses the light passing through the diffusion sheet  340  and provides the display panel  100  with the condensed light. The protection sheet  360  protects the prism sheet  350  from external impacts and may prevent the prism sheet  350  from being damaged. 
     The backlight assembly  300  shown in  FIG. 1  is a direct-illumination type, where the light source  310  is disposed under the display panel  100  to provide the light to the display panel  100 . However, the backlight assembly is not limited to a direct-illumination type. Alternatively, the backlight assembly  300  may be an edge-illumination type, where the light source  310  is disposed at a side portion of the display panel  100  and provides the light to the display panel  100  through a separate light guiding member. 
     The mold frame  400  includes an insulating material such as plastic. The mold frame  400  receives the display panel  100  and the backlight assembly  300  to protect them from external impacts. 
     Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of the connector assembly will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3 , and  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of a connector assembly according to the present invention, 
       FIG. 3A  is a plan view showing a second connector shown in  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3B  is a partially-enlarged view showing a portion “A” shown in  FIG. 3A , and  FIG. 4  is a sectional view showing a coupled state of the connector assembly shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3A ,  FIG. 3B , and  FIG. 4 , the connector assembly  250  includes the first connector  253  mounted on the driving circuit board  240  and the second connector  270  coupled to the first connector  253 . 
     The first connector  253  includes a first body  255  in which a recess  257  is formed and a first terminal part  260  arranged inside the recess  257 . 
     The first body  255  includes insulating material and has a rectangular shape. A length of the first body  255  in a first direction D 1  is greater than a length in a second direction D 2  substantially perpendicular to the first direction D 1 . The recess  257  is formed in the first body  255  and recessed in the second direction D 2 . 
     The first terminal part  260  includes a plurality of terminals disposed inside the recess  257 , arranged in the first direction D 1 , and spaced apart from each other by a uniform interval. The first terminal part  260  includes a plurality of first power terminals  262  to which a ground voltage is applied and a plurality of first signal terminals  264  to which the driving voltage, the clock signal, the control signal, and the image data are applied. The first power terminals  262  have a greater length than a length of the first signal terminals  264 . Thus, the first power terminals  262  are closer to an entrance of the recess  257  in the first signal terminals  264 . In addition, the length of the first power terminals  262  may be the same as the length of the first signal terminals  264 . Terminals for the first terminal part  260 , for example, the first power terminals  262  and first signal terminals  264 , may include conductive material such as copper or copper alloy. 
     The first power terminals  262  may be arranged between one or more of the first signal terminals  264 , which may prevent signal interference or a surge in voltage or current between the first signal terminals  264 . The first power terminals  262  may divide the first signal terminals  264  into plural groups according to their functions. For example, the first signal terminals  264  are divided into the groups that include a first group R 1 , a second group R 2 , a third group R 3 , a fourth group R 4 , a fifth group R 5 , a sixth group R 6 , a seventh group R 7 , and an eighth group R 8 . Further, the first power terminals  262  may prevent display defects caused by the signal interference or the surge in voltage or current between the first signal terminals  264 . The first terminal part  260  is electrically connected to signal lines  267  arranged on the driving circuit board  240 . 
     The second connector  270  includes a second body  271  inserted into the recess  257 , a second terminals part  272  arranged on a surface of the second body  271 , and a plurality of connection pins  278  connected to the second terminal part  272 . 
     The second body  271  includes insulating material and has a rectangular shape. A length of the second body  271  in the first direction D 1  is greater than a length in the second direction D 2 . The length of the second body  271  in the first direction D 1  corresponds to the length of the recess  257  in the first direction D 1 . The second body  271  has a first width W 1  in the second direction D 2 , which corresponds to a depth of the recess  257 . 
     The second terminal part  272  includes a plurality of terminals arranged on a lower surface of the second body  271  inserted into the recess  257 . Particularly, the second terminal part  272  includes a plurality of second power terminals  274  to which the ground voltage is applied and a plurality of second signal terminals  276  to which the driving voltage, the clock signal, the control signal, and the image data are applied. The second power terminals  274  have a greater length than a length of the second signal terminals  276 . For instance, the second power terminals  274  extend from a first side  279  of the second body  271 , the first side  279  extending in a direction substantially parallel to the first direction D 1 , to have a first length L 1 , and the second signal terminals  276  extend from the first side  279  of the second body  271  to have a second length L 2  shorter than the first length L 1 . Terminals for the second terminal part  272 , for example, the second power terminals  274  and the second signal terminals  276 , may include conductive material such as copper or copper alloy. 
     The second power terminals  274  may be arranged between one or more of the second signal terminals  276 , and may prevent signal interference or a surge in voltage or current between the second signal terminals  276 . The second terminal part  272  is electrically connected to the connection pins  278 . 
     The connection pins  278  are located at the first side  279  of the second body  271  and protrude from the first side  279  of the second body  271 . The connection pins  278  may include conductive material. 
     When the first connector  253  and the second connector  270  are coupled with each other, the first terminal part  260  and the second terminal part  272  are electrically connected to each other. When the first connector  253  and the second connector  270  are coupled with each other, the first power terminals  262  make contact with the second power terminals  274  before the first signal terminals  264  make contact with the second signal terminals  276 , in order to drain unstable voltage or over-current to the ground. Accordingly, the connector assembly  250  may prevent the driving circuit board  240  from being damaged by surges in voltage or current. In addition, the connector assembly  250  drains dummy data signals remaining in the external system or the driving circuit board  240  to the ground, which may prevent a malfunction of the display panel. 
     The connector assembly  250  is coupled with the signal transmission member  280 . The signal transmission member  280  is coupled with the connection pins  278  of the second connector  270 . The signal transmission member  280  includes a flexible cable corresponding to the connection pins  278 . For instance, the flexible cable may include a plurality of insertion holes to which the connection pins  278  are inserted, respectively. 
     Hereinafter, another exemplary embodiment of the second connector of the connector assembly will be described with reference to  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B .  FIG. 5A  is a plan view showing an exemplary embodiment of a second connector according to the present invention, and  FIG. 5B  is a partially-enlarged view showing a portion “B” shown in  FIG. 5B . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5A  and  FIG. 5B , a second connector  270  includes a second body  271  that has a length in a first direction D 1  that is greater than a length in a second direction D 2  substantially perpendicular to the first direction D 1 , a second terminal part  272  arranged on a surface of the second body  271  and having a plurality of terminals, and a plurality of connection pins  278  connected with the second terminal part  272 . 
     The second terminal part  272  includes a plurality of second power terminals  274  to which the ground voltage is applied and a plurality of second signal terminals  276  to which the driving voltage, the clock signal, the control signal, and the image data are applied. The second power terminals  274  extend from a first side  279  of the second body  271 , which is substantially parallel to the first direction D 1 , to have a first length L 1 , and the second signal terminals  276  extend from the first side  279  of the second body  271  to have a second length L 2  less than the first length L 1 . Terminals for the second terminal part  272 , for example, the second power terminals  274  and the second signal terminals  276 , may include conductive material such as copper or copper alloy. 
     The second body  271  has a width corresponding to the length of the second terminal part  272  in the second direction D 2 . In detail, the second body  271  has a first width W 1  corresponding to the first length L 1  of the second power terminals  274  in an area where the second power terminals  274  are arranged, and has a second width W 2  corresponding to the second length L 2  of the second signal terminals  276  in an area where the second signal terminals  276  are arranged. The second body  271  may have the first width W 1  in a plurality of areas according to the positions of the second power terminals  274 . 
     Hereinafter, another exemplary embodiment of the connector assembly will be described.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of a connector assembly according to the present invention. In  FIG. 6 , the same reference numerals denote the same elements in  FIG. 2  described above, and thus detailed descriptions of the same elements will be omitted. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a connector assembly includes a third body  290  mounted on the driving circuit board  240  and a plurality of connection pins  292  coupled with the third body  290 . 
     The third body  290  includes insulating material and has a rectangular shape that has a length in a first direction D 1  that is greater than a length in a second direction D 2  substantially perpendicular to the first direction D 1 . The third body  290  insulates the connection pins  292  from each other and fixes the connection pins  292  thereto. 
     The connection pins  292  include a conductive material such as copper, copper alloy, or the like, and the connection pins  292  are coupled with the third body  290  such that a portion of each connection pin is exposed. The connection pins  292  include a plurality of power connection pins  294  to which the ground voltage is applied and a plurality of signal connection pins  296  to which the driving voltage, the clock signal, the control signal, and the image data are applied. The power connection pins  294  are more exposed than the signal connection pins  296 . For example, the power connection pins  294  are exposed outside the third body  290  by a first length L 1 , and the signal connection pins  296  are exposed outside the third body  290  by a second length L 2  less than the first length L 1 . The connection pins  292  are electrically connected to signal lines  267  arranged on the driving circuit board  240 . Thus, the connection pins  292  may electrically connect the signal transmission member  280  and the signal lines  267 . 
     The signal transmission member  280  includes a flexible cable (not shown) coupled with the connection pins  292 . The signal transmission member  280  includes a plurality of insertion holes into which the connection pins  292  are inserted, respectively. The signal transmission member  280  transmits the ground voltage, the driving voltage, the clock signal, the control signal, and the image data to the connection pins  292  from exterior. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing another exemplary embodiment of a connector assembly according to the present invention,  FIG. 8A  is a sectional view showing a cross-sectional structure of first and second connectors shown in  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 8B  and  FIG. 8C  are sectional views of the coupling process of the first and second connectors shown in  FIG. 8A . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 ,  FIG. 8A ,  FIG. 8B , and  FIG. 8C , a connector assembly  250  includes a first connector  253  mounted on the driving circuit board  240  and a second connector  270  coupled with the first connector  253 . 
     The first connector  253  includes a first body  255  in which a recess  257  is formed in a side surface of the first body  255 , a first terminal part  260  arranged inside the recess  257 , a ground member  500  coupled with a surface of the first body  255 , and a ground terminal part  510  arranged inside the recess  257  and spaced apart from the first terminal part  260 . 
     The first body  255  includes an insulating material and has a rectangular shape that has a length in a first direction D 1  that is greater than a length in a second direction D 2  substantially perpendicular to the first direction D 1 . 
     The first terminal part  260  includes a plurality of first power terminals (not shown) to which the ground voltage is applied and a plurality of first signal terminals (not shown) to which the driving voltage, the clock signal, the control signal, and the image data are applied. The first power terminals and the first signal terminals of the first terminals part  260  are arranged on the inner surface of the first body  255 , which defines the recess  257 . In addition, the terminals of the first terminal part  260  extend in the second direction D 2  and are arranged in the first direction D 1  such that the terminals of the first terminal part  260  are spaced apart from each other by a uniform distance. The terminals of the first terminal part  260  have a third length L 3 . 
     The ground member  500  includes a conductive material and is arranged on at least one outer surface of the first body  255 , so that the ground member  500  may ground static electricity occurring when the first and second connectors  253  and  270  are coupled with each other. 
     The ground terminal part  510  is arranged at an entrance of the recess  257  to be spaced apart from the first terminal part  260 . The ground terminal part  510  includes a plurality of ground terminals, which are spaced apart from the first power terminals and the first signal terminals. The ground terminal part  510  is connected to the ground member  500  to form a ground path. The ground terminal part  510  conducts static electricity flowing from the exterior so that the static electricity does not flow into the first terminal part  260 . Thus, the ground terminal part  510  may prevent damage of the first terminal part  260  and the driving circuit board  240 . 
     The ground terminal part  510  may be integrally formed with the ground member  500 . That is, the ground terminal part  510  may be formed by extending the end portions of the ground member  500  so that the end portions of the ground member  500  correspond to the terminals of the first terminal part  260 . In addition, the ground terminal part  510  extends from the ground member  500  and wraps around the end portion of the first body  255 , so that the ground terminal part  510  is disposed adjacent to the entrance of the recess  257 . 
     The second connector  270  includes a second body  271  inserted into the recess  257  and a second terminal part  272  arranged on a surface of the second body  271 . 
     The second body  271  includes insulating material and has a rectangular shape that has a length in the first direction Dl that corresponds to the recess  257 . 
     The second terminal part  272  includes conductive material. The second terminal part  272  includes a plurality of terminals corresponding to the terminals of the first terminal part  260 , which extend in the second direction D 2  and is arranged in the first direction D 1  to be spaced apart from each other by a uniform distance. The second terminal part  272  includes a plurality of second power terminals to which the ground voltage is applied and a plurality of second signal terminals to which the driving voltage, the clock signal, the control signal, and the image data are applied. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8B , when the second connector  270  is coupled with the first connector  253 , the second terminal part  272  makes contact with the ground terminal part  510  to form a ground path, thereby grounding static electricity. Then, as shown in  FIG. 8C , the second terminal part  272  makes contact with the first terminal part  260  to transmit the driving voltage, the clock signal, the control signal, and the image data to the first connector  253 . The second terminal part  272  has a third length L 3  corresponding to the first terminal part  260 . 
     Although not shown in the figures, if the second terminal part  272  extends over the third length L 3  to make contact with the ground terminal part  510 , the various signals from the exterior and the image data may be grounded. 
     However, the length of the second terminal part  272  may have other lengths besides the third length L 3  as long as the second terminal part  272  does not simultaneously contact the first terminal part  260  and the ground terminal part  510  when the second connector  270  is coupled with the first connector  253 . 
     It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.