Patent Publication Number: US-2022225509-A1

Title: Supporter for electronic component

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a supporter, and more particularly, to a supporter for an electronic component. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Various display devices used for multimedia devices such as televisions, mobile phones, tablet computers, navigation units, and game consoles have been developed. The display device may include a display module for displaying an image and sensing an external input, a polarizing layer disposed on the display panel, and a window. The display module may include a display panel for displaying an image and an input sensing unit for sensing an external input. 
     Also, the display device may include an electronic component for providing driving signals necessary to display an image of the display panel. The electronic component is electrically connected to the display panel and transmits the driving signals to the display panel. 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The present invention provides a supporter for an electronic component, which is capable of preventing an electronic component from being damaged and fixing a display panel and an electronic component. 
     Technical Solution 
     In order to achieve the objects of the present invention, a supporter for an electronic component according to an embodiment includes: an adsorption plate which is adsorbed to a top surface of a first electronic component among the first electronic component and a second electronic component, where the first electronic component and the second electronic component are spaced apart from each other on a plane; and a support including a first support part which supports a bottom surface of the second electronic component and a connection part which connects the adsorption plate and the first support part, and, on the plane, about 70 percentages (%) or more to about 90% or less of an area of the first support part overlaps the second electronic component. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first support part may include: a first support portion having a first length extending in a first direction and which supports the bottom surface of the second electronic component; a second support portion extending in a thickness direction of the second electronic component and connected to the connection part and a first end of the first support portion; and a third support portion adjacent to a second end of the first support portion and facing the second support portion in the first direction. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first length of the first support portion may be greater than a width of the second electronic component in the first direction. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, one portion of the connection part may overlap the first support portion on the plane, and the one portion of the connection part may overlap the first support portion by about 10% or less and more than 0% of the first support portion on the plane. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first support part may further include a fourth support portion extending in the first direction, facing the connection part and connected to the third support portion. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the fourth support portion may overlap the first support portion by about 10% or less and more than 0% of the first support portion on the plane. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the thickness direction, a distance between the fourth support portion and the first support portion may be greater than a thickness of the second electronic component. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the support may further include: a second support part spaced apart from the first support part on the plane and which supports the bottom surface of the second electronic component; and a body part disposed between the first support part and the second support part and having a first end connected to the first support part and a second end connected to the second support part. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, on the plane, about 70% or more to about 90% or less of an area of the second support part may overlap the second electronic component on the plane. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second support part may include: a first portion having a second length extending in the first direction and which supports the bottom surface of the second electronic component; a second portion extending in the thickness direction and being adjacent to a first end of the first portion; and a third portion adjacent to a second end of the first portion to face the second portion in the first direction. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the second length of the first portion may be greater than a width of the second electronic component in the first direction. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the connection part may have a curved shape. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the adsorption plate may be made of a silicon material. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a display device including the supporter for an electronic component may include: the first electronic component and the second electronic component; and a plurality of circuit boards disposed between the first electronic component and the second electronic component and spaced apart from each other in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The support and the adsorption plate may be disposed between two circuit boards, which are adjacent to each other in the second direction, among the circuit boards. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first electronic component of the display device may be provided as a display panel which displays an image, and the second electronic component of the display device may be provided as a driving circuit board. 
     Advantageous Effects 
     According to the embodiment of the present invention, the display panel corresponding to the first electronic component and the driving circuit board corresponding to the second electronic component are fixed to each other through the supporter. As a result, when the display device moves, one of the display panel and the driving circuit board, which are connected by the connection circuit board, may be prevented from individually moving. 
     Also, the supporter may support the bottom surface of the driving circuit board, and about 10% or less and more than 0% of the supporter may be covered by the top surface of the driving circuit board. As a result, more driving elements may be disposed on the top surface of the driving circuit board. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the display device and a supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view illustrating the supporter in  FIG. 2  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG. 2  according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG. 2  according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4B  is a perspective view illustrating the supporter in  FIG. 2  according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating the display device and a supporter according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating the display device and a supporter according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating the supporter in  FIG. 7  according to still another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     In this specification, it will also be understood that when one component (or region, layer, portion) is referred to as being ‘on’, ‘connected to’, or ‘coupled to’ another component, it can be directly disposed/connected/coupled on/to the one component, or an intervening third component may also be present. 
     Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Also, in the figures, the dimensions of components are exaggerated for clarity of illustration. 
     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 of first and second are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one component from other components. For example, a first element referred to as a first element in one embodiment can be referred to as a second element in another embodiment. The terms of a singular form may include plural forms unless referred to the contrary. 
     Also, ““under”, “below”, “above”, “upper”, and the like are used for explaining relation association of components illustrated in the drawings. The terms are relative concepts and described with respect to the direction indicated in the drawings. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art. Terms as defined in a commonly used dictionary should be construed as having the same meaning as in an associated technical context, and unless defined apparently in the description, the terms are not ideally or excessively construed as having formal meaning. 
     The meaning of ‘include’ or ‘comprise’ specifies a property, a region, a fixed number, a step, a process, an element and/or a component but does not exclude other properties, regions, fixed numbers, steps, processes, elements and/or components. 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1B  is a cross-sectional view of the display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1A , the display device includes a display panel DP, connection circuit boards FPCB 1  and FPCB 2 , and a driving circuit board MPCB. Although not separately shown, the display device may further include a chassis member or a molding member and may further include a backlight unit according to the kind of the display panel DP. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the display panel DP may be a light emitting display panel. However, the embodiment of the present invention is not particularly limited to the kind of the display panel DP. For example, the display panel DP may be an organic light emitting display panel or a quantum dot light emitting display panel. The organic light emitting display panel may include a light emitting layer containing an organic light emitting material. The quantum dot light emitting display panel may include a light emitting layer containing a quantum dot, a quantum rod, and the like. Hereinafter, the display panel DP will be described as an organic light emitting display panel. 
     The display panel DP may include a first display substrate  100  and a second display substrate  200  facing the first display substrate  100  and spaced apart from the first display substrate  100 . A predetermined cell cap may be defined between the first display substrate  100  and the second display substrate  200 . The cell gap may be maintained by a sealant SLM (refer to  FIG. 1B ) that couples the first display substrate  100  to the second display substrate  200 . A gray scale display layer for image generation may be disposed between the first display substrate  100  and the second display substrate  200 . The gray scale display layer may include a liquid crystal layer, an organic light emitting layer, and an electrophoretic layer according to the kind of display panel. Hereinafter, in this specification, the display panel DP will be described as a first electronic component. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the display panel DP may display an image through a display surface DP-IS. The display surface DP-IS is parallel to a plane defined by a first direction DR 1  and a second direction DR 2 . The display surface DP-IS may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. The non-display area NDA is defined along an edge of the display surface DP-IS. The display area DA may be surrounded by the non-display area NDA. In an embodiment of the present invention, the non-display area NDA may be disposed at only one side area adjacent to the connection circuit boards FPCB 1  and FPCB 2 . 
     A normal direction of the display surface DP-IS, i.e., a thickness direction of the display panel DP, indicates a third direction DR 3 . In this specification, an expression of “when viewed on a plane, on a plane, or an area on a plane” may represent a case when viewed in the third direction DR 3 . Hereinafter, a front surface (or a top surface) and a rear surface (or a bottom surface) of each of layers or units are distinguished by the third direction DR 3 . However, the first to third directions DR 1 , DR 2 , and DR 3  are intended to be illustrative in this embodiment. Hereinafter, first to third directions may be directions indicated by the first to third directions DR 1 , DR 2 , and DR 3 , respectively, and designated by the same reference numerals, respectively. 
     Although the display panel DP having a flat display surface is illustrated in an embodiment of the present invention, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. The display device may include a curved display surface or a three-dimensional display surface in another embodiment. The three-dimensional display surface may include a plurality of display areas indicating different directions from each other. 
     The driving circuit board MPCB may be provided as a printed circuit board having a rigid property. The driving circuit board MPCB provides an electrical signal necessary for driving the display panel DP. For example, a signal control unit SC for generating an electrical signal to be provided to the display panel DP may be mounted on the driving circuit board MPCB. The signal control unit SC may receive image data and a control signal from an external graphic control unit (not shown) and provide the received image data and control signal to the display panel DP through the first and second connection circuit boards FPCB 1  and FPCB 2 . 
     Each of the first and second connection circuit boards FPCB 1  and FPCB 2  may be provided as a flexible printed circuit board having a flexible property. Each of the first and second connection circuit boards FPCB 1  and FPCB 2  electrically connects the display panel DP and the driving circuit board MPCB. For example, the first connection circuit board FPCB 1  and the second connection circuit board FPCB 2  may be spaced apart from each other on a plane and face each other in the second direction DR 2 . Each of the first and second connection circuit boards FPCB 1  and FPCB 2  may have one end electrically connected to the display panel DP and the other end electrically connected to the driving circuit board MPCB. 
     Hereinafter, in this specification, the driving circuit board MPCB will be described as a second electronic component, and the first and second connection circuit boards FPCB 1  and FPCB 2  will be described as a third electronic component. Although two connection circuit boards are illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the embodiment of the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, one connection circuit board may be provided in another embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1B , the first and second connection circuit boards FPCB 1  and FPCB 2  may be bonded to each of the display panel DP and the driving circuit board MPCB by a conductive adhesive member ACF. For example, the conductive adhesive member may be an anisotropic conductive film. 
     A driving chip DC may be mounted on the first connection circuit board FPCB 1 . The driving chip DC may provide driving signals to the display panel DP in response to an electrical signal provided from the signal control unit SC mounted on the driving circuit board MPCB. Although not shown, the driving chip DC may be also mounted on the second connection circuit board FPCB 2 . 
       FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the display device and a supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3A  is a perspective view illustrating the supporter according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view taken along line of  FIG. 2  according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line of  FIG. 2  according to another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4B  is a perspective view illustrating the supporter in  FIG. 2  according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , a supporter SPR is additionally illustrated in addition to components of the display device in  FIG. 1A . 
     As described above, as each of the first and second connection circuit boards FPCB 1  and FPCB 2  is provided as the flexible circuit board, one of the driving circuit board MPCB and the display panel DP may independently move in the third direction DR 3  when the display device moves. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, the supporter SPR may prevent one of the driving circuit board MPCB and the display panel DP, which are connected by the first and second connection circuit boards FPCB 1  and FPCB 2 , from individually moving. Particularly, the supporter SPR may prevent the display panel DP and the driving circuit board MPCB from moving in the third direction DR 3 . 
     Hereinafter, in this specification, a structure in which the supporter SPR is connected to the display panel DP corresponding to the first electronic component and the driving circuit board MPCB corresponding to the second electronic component will be described. 
     Specifically, referring to  FIG. 3A , the supporter SPR may include an adsorption plate APU and a support SPU. The adsorption plate APU may include or be made of a silicon or rubber material and have a circular shape on the plane. The adsorption plate APU may adsorbed a top surface of the display panel DP. The top surface of the display panel DP may represent a top surface of the second display substrate  200 . As described above, the display panel DP may be fixed to the supporter SPR by the adsorption plate APU. 
     The support SPU may include a connection part CN and a support part SN. The support SPU may have a rigid property and include or be made of, e.g., plastic. The connection part CN may have a shape extending in the first direction DR 1  and have a first end connected to the adsorption plate APU. 
     The support part SN according to an embodiment of the present invention includes first to fourth support portions S 1 , S 2 , S 3 , and S 4 . The first support portion S 1  may have a shape extending in the first direction DR 1  and support a bottom surface of the driving circuit board MPCB. The first support portion S 1  may have a top surface that directly contacts the driving circuit board MPCB to support the driving circuit board MPCB (See  FIG. 3B ). The first support portion S 1  may be spaced apart from the connection part CN in the third direction DR 3 , and one portion of the connection part CN may overlap the first support portion S 1 . 
     The second support portion S 2  may extend in the third direction DR 3  and be disposed between the connection part CN and a first end of the first support portion S 1 . The second support portion S 2  has a first end connected adjacently to a second end of the connection part CN and a second end connected to the first end of the first support portion S 1 . 
     The third support portion S 3  extends in the third direction DR 3 . The third support portion S 3  may face the second support portion S 2  in the first direction DR 1  and have the substantially same length as the second support portion S 2  in the third direction DR 3 . 
     The fourth support portion S 4  extends in the first direction DR 1 . The fourth support portion S 4  may be spaced apart from the first support portion S 1  in the third direction DR 3  by the third support portion S 3  and overlap one portion of the first support portion S 1  on the plane. Particularly, the fourth support portion S 4  may face the connection part CN in the first direction DR 1 . The fourth support portion S 4  may be spaced apart from the connection part CN in the first direction DR 1 . 
     According to the present invention, the connection part CN and the first to fourth support portions S 1 , S 2 , S 3 , and S 4  of the support part SN may have an integrated shape (i.e., monolithic). 
     Referring to  FIG. 3B , a length of the first support portion S 1  in the first direction DR 1  may be defined as a first length D 1 . A width of the driving circuit board MPCB in the first direction DR 1  may be defined as a second length D 2 . In the third direction DR 3 , a spaced distance between the fourth support portion S 4  and a top surface of the first support portion S 1  may be defined as a third length D 3 . In the first direction DR 1 , a spaced distance between the fourth support portion S 4  and the connection part CN may be defined as a fourth length D 4 . 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, in the first direction DR 1 , the first length D 1  of the first support portion S 1  may be greater than the second length D 2  that is the width of the driving circuit board MPCB. Also, in the third direction DR 3 , the third length D 3  that is the spaced distance between the fourth support portion S 4  and the top surface of the first support portion S 1  may be greater than a thickness of the driving circuit board MPCB. The driving circuit board MPCB may be spaced at least a portion apart from the fourth support portion S 4  and the connection part CN in the third direction DR 3 . 
     The fourth length D 4  that is the spaced distance between the fourth support portion S 4  and the connection part CN in the first direction DR 1  may be equal to or greater than the second length D 2  that is the width of the driving circuit board MPCB in the first direction DR 1 . 
     According to the present invention, when the driving circuit board MPCB is disposed on the first support portion S 1 , about 70 percentages (%) or more to about 90% or less of an area of the first support portion S 1  may overlap the driving circuit board MPCB on the plane. That is, about 70% or more to about 90% or less of an area of a top surface of the first support portion S 1  may contact a bottom surface of the driving circuit board MPCB to support the driving circuit board MPCB. 
     Here, a top surface of the driving circuit board MPCB represents a surface on which the connection circuit boards FPCB 1  and FPCB 2  are disposed, and the bottom surface of the driving circuit board MPCB represents a surface opposite to the top surface of the driving circuit board MPCB. Also, the top surface of the first support portion S 1  represents a surface supporting the driving circuit board MPCB, and a bottom surface of the first support portion S 1  represents a surface opposite to the top surface of the first support portion S 1 . 
     According to the above description, the top surface of the driving circuit board MPCB may have an area covered by the fourth support portion S 4  and the connection part CN, which is about 10% or less and more than 0%. As a result, when the display device moves, the fourth support portion S 4  and the connection part CN may prevent circuit elements or circuit lines disposed on the top surface of the driving circuit board MPCB from being damaged. Also, as the area of the driving circuit board MPCB, which is covered by the fourth support portion S 4  and the connection part CN, is equal to or less than about 10% and more than 0%, more driving elements may be disposed on the top surface of the driving circuit board MPCB. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4A , a supporter SPR- 1  in which a structure of a connection part CNa is deformed is illustrated. The supporter SPR- 1  in  FIG. 4A  may have the substantially same structure as the supporter SPR in  FIG. 3B  except for the deformed structure of the connection part CNa. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 4A , the connection part CNa may have a curved shape. That is, the connection part CNa may have hardness capable of connecting a support part SN and an adsorption plate APU and also have a property that is bent by an external physical force at a certain level. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4B , a supporter SPR- 2  in which a partial structure of a support part SNb is deformed is illustrated. The supporter SPR- 2  in  FIG. 4B  may have the substantially same structure as the supporter SPR in  FIG. 3A  except for the deformed structure of the support part SNb. 
     The support part SNb in  FIG. 4B  may have a structure from which the fourth support portion S 4  is omitted in comparison with the support part SN in  FIG. 3A . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  is a perspective view illustrating a display device and a supporter according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , a structure in which two driving circuit boards MPCB 1  and MPCB 2  are electrically connected to a display panel DP is disclosed. A first driving circuit board MPCB 1  and a second driving circuit board MPCB 2  may be spaced apart from each other on the plane and electrically connected to the display panel DP. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , a first supporter SPRa may be connected to the first driving circuit board MPCB 1  and the display panel DP and prevent the first driving circuit board MPCB 1  and the display panel DP from moving when the display device moves. A second supporter SPRb may be connected to the second driving circuit board MPCB 2  and the display panel DP and prevent the second driving circuit board MPCB 2  and the display panel DP from moving when the display device moves. 
     Also, each of the first supporter SPRa and the second supporter SPRb in  FIG. 6  may have the same structure as the supporter SPR in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating a display device and a supporter according to another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 8  is a perspective view illustrating the supporter in  FIG. 7  according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a supporter SPRz may include two supports for supporting two portions of a driving circuit board MPCB. The two supports may be spaced apart from each other on the plane and support the driving circuit board MPCB. 
     Specifically, referring to  FIG. 8 , the supporter SPRz additionally includes a second support part Pz and a body part BD in addition to the adsorption plate APU, the connection part CN, and the support part SN in  FIG. 3A . Hereinafter, the support part SN described in  FIG. 3A  will be described as a first support part. 
     Firstly, since the adsorption plate APU, the connection part CN, and the support part SN in  FIG. 8  may have the substantially same structure as those in  FIG. 3A , a description thereof will be omitted. 
     A second support part Pz includes first to third portions P 1 , P 2 , and P 3 . The first portion P 1  may have a shape extending in the first direction DR 1  and support a bottom surface of the driving circuit board MPCB. The first portion P 1  may have a top surface that directly contacts the driving circuit board MPCB to support the driving circuit board MPCB. 
     According to the present invention, a length D 5  of the first portion P 1  in the first direction DR 1  may be greater than a width of the driving circuit board MPCB in the first direction DR 1 . That is, when the driving circuit board MPCB is disposed on the first portion P 1 , about 70% or more to about 90% or less of an area of the first portion P 1  may overlap the driving circuit board MPCB corresponding to the second electronic component on the plane. 
     The second portion P 2  includes a first sub-portion extending in the third direction DR 3  and a second sub-portion extending in the first direction DR 1 . The first sub-portion of the second portion P 2  connects a first end of the first portion P 1  and the second sub-portion of the second portion P 2 . The second sub-portion of the second portion P 2  may face the first portion P 1 . For example, the second sub-portion of the second portion P 2  may overlap the first portion P 1  by about 10% or less and more than 0% on the plane. 
     The third portion P 3  includes a first sub-portion extending in the third direction DR 3  and a second sub-portion extending in the first direction DR 1 . The first sub-portion of the third portion P 3  connects a second end of the first portion P 1  and the second sub-portion of the third portion P 3 . The second sub-portion of the third portion P 3  may face the second sub-portion of the second portion P 2  in the first direction DR 1  and face the first portion P 1  in the third direction DR 3 . For example, the second sub-portion of the third portion P 3  may overlap the first portion P 1  by about 10% or less and more than 0% on the plane. 
     The body part BD has a shape extending in the second direction DR 2  and is disposed between the first support part SN and the second support part Pz. The body part BD has a first end connected to the first support part SN and a second end connected to the second support part Pz. The body part BD may be integrated (i.e., monolithic) with the first support part SN and the second support part Pz. 
     Each of the first support part SN and the second support part Pz may be disposed between two adjacent connection circuit boards among a plurality of connection circuit boards. That is, on the plane, each of the first support part SN and the second support part Pz may not overlap the connection circuit boards. 
     The present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof. While specific terms were used, they were not used to limit the meaning or the scope of the present invention described in claims, but merely used to explain the present invention. Accordingly, a person having ordinary skill in the art will understand from the above that various modifications and other equivalent embodiments are also possible. Hence, the real protective scope of the present invention shall be determined by the technical scope of the accompanying claims. 
     INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY 
     The technology of supporting the display panel and the circuit board by using the supporter provides convenience in movement of the display panel and the circuit board, which are coupled to each other. Thus, the present invention that provides the supporter for fixing the display panel and the circuit board has a high industrial applicability.