Patent ID: 12204210

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described based on the drawings. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and appropriate design changes can be made within the scope of satisfying a configuration of the present disclosure. In addition, in the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the same portions or portions having the same function in common in different drawings, and iteration descriptions thereof will be omitted. In addition, each configuration described in the embodiments and modification examples may be appropriately combined or changed without departing from the gist of the present disclosure. In order to make the descriptions easier to understand, in the drawings referred to below, the configuration is illustrated in a simplified or schematic form, or some configuration members are omitted. In addition, a dimensional ratio between the configuration members illustrated in each drawing does not necessarily indicate an actual dimensional ratio.

First Embodiment

FIG.1is a schematic view illustrating a cross-section of a part of a liquid crystal display device201and a liquid crystal module101according to the present embodiment. The liquid crystal display device201includes the liquid crystal module101, polarizing plates81and82, and a backlight80. The liquid crystal module101includes a liquid crystal display panel10, a control device50, and a flexible circuit substrate60. The liquid crystal display panel10includes a TFT substrate11, a counter substrate20, and a liquid crystal layer30.

FIG.2is a schematic diagram illustrating a configuration of the TFT substrate11. The TFT substrate11includes a substrate12, a plurality of source bus lines SL, a plurality of gate bus lines GL, and a plurality of pixels PX.

The substrate12has, for example, a rectangular shape including a side12cand a side (third side)12dfacing each other, and a side12eand a side12ffacing each other. In addition, the substrate12has a main surface12aincluding a display region12hand a non-display region12glocated around the display region12h. The non-display region12gincludes a mounting region12madjacent to the side12d. The substrate12is, for example, a light-transmitting substrate, such as a glass substrate or a resin substrate.

The plurality of gate bus lines GL, the plurality of source bus lines SL, and the plurality of pixels PX are disposed in the display region12h. Specifically, the plurality of gate bus lines GL extend in an x-axis direction and are disposed at predetermined intervals in a y-axis direction. The plurality of source bus lines SL extend in the y-axis direction and are disposed at predetermined intervals in the x-axis direction. The pixel PX is disposed in a region surrounded by a pair of adjacent gate bus lines GL and a pair of adjacent source bus lines SL. The plurality of pixels PX are arranged two-dimensionally in the x-axis direction and the y-axis direction. The source bus line SL and the gate bus line GL extend to the non-display region12g.

FIG.3is a schematic circuit diagram illustrating a configuration of the pixel PX. The pixel PX includes a pixel electrode PE and a TFT. A gate electrode G of the TFT is coupled to the gate bus line GL, a source electrode S is coupled to the source bus line SL, and a drain electrode D is coupled to the pixel electrode PE.

Each of the gate bus lines GL is coupled to the gate electrode G of the TFT of the pixel PX arranged in the x-axis direction among the plurality of pixels PX. Each of the source bus lines SL is coupled to the source electrode S of the TFT of the pixel PX arranged in the y-axis direction among the plurality of pixels PX.

As illustrated inFIG.2, at least one gate driver13and at least one source driver14are disposed in the non-display region12gof the substrate12. For example, the gate driver13is disposed in a region adjacent to the side12eof the non-display region12g, and is coupled to one end of each of the plurality of gate bus lines GL.

The source bus line SL is disposed in the mounting region12madjacent to the side12dof the non-display region12gand is coupled to the source driver14. As illustrated inFIG.1, the mounting region12mis not covered with the counter substrate20.

The gate driver13may be configured with, for example, a plurality of TFTs and monolithically formed on the substrate12. Alternatively, the gate driver13is an IC having a resin-sealed package shape or a bare chip and may be mounted on the substrate12. The source driver14is an IC having a resin-sealed package shape or a bare chip and may be mounted on the substrate12.

As illustrated inFIG.1, the counter substrate20is disposed to face the main surface12aof the TFT substrate11, and the liquid crystal layer30is disposed between the counter substrate20and the TFT substrate11. For example, a color filter, a common electrode, and the like are disposed on the counter substrate20. The color filter and the common electrode may be disposed on the TFT substrate11. A seal25is disposed between the counter substrate20and the TFT substrate11to surround the liquid crystal layer30.

The polarizing plate81and the polarizing plate82are disposed to sandwich the liquid crystal display panel10so as to cover at least the display region12h. The backlight80is disposed adjacent to the polarizing plate81.

The control device50receives an image signal from a host apparatus including an arithmetic device, such as a CPU or a GPU, generates a gate signal and a display data signal, and outputs the generated signals to the gate driver13and the source driver14of the liquid crystal display panel10. In the liquid crystal module of the present embodiment, the control device50is supported on the TFT substrate11, and thereby, a picture-frame of a display device can be narrowed and a thickness can be reduced. Hereinafter, a structure and disposition of the control device50will be described with reference toFIGS.1,4A, and4B.

FIG.4Ais a schematic plan view of a part of the liquid crystal module101, andFIG.4Bis a schematic plan view of the liquid crystal module101before the control device50is supported on the TFT substrate11. InFIGS.4A and4B, some of components are indicated by oblique lines, mesh, or the like corresponding toFIG.1for easy understanding. Hereinafter, the same applies to the corresponding drawings. The control device50includes a rigid substrate51and a timing controller52.

The rigid substrate51is a printed circuit board formed of a resin, such as polyimide or epoxy, and does not have flexibility. The rigid substrate51is formed of a material different from the material of the substrate12that constitutes the TFT substrate11. The rigid substrate51has a main surface51a, a main surface51blocated on an opposite side of the main surface51a, and a side (first side)51cand a side51dfacing each other. The rigid substrate51is, for example, a general circuit substrate called a PCB and includes one or a plurality of layers on which conductive circuit patterns are formed. The timing controller52is mounted on a main surface51aof the rigid substrate51.

The flexible circuit substrate60includes one or a plurality of layers on which conductive circuit patterns are formed and has flexibility. In addition, the flexible circuit substrate60has a first end60cand a second end60d.

The first end60cof the flexible circuit substrate60is coupled to the vicinity of the side51con the main surface51aof the rigid substrate51. In the examples illustrated inFIGS.4A and4B, three flexible circuit substrates60are coupled to the rigid substrate51.

The second end60dof the flexible circuit substrate60is coupled to the vicinity of the side12din the mounting region12mof the TFT substrate11. As illustrated inFIG.1, a coupling position of the second end60dis closer to the side12dthan a position at which the source driver14is mounted in the mounting region12m.

As illustrated inFIGS.1and4A, the flexible circuit substrate60is bent between the first end60cand the second end60d. The flexible circuit substrate60may be bent so as not to be folded. As a result, a part of the rigid substrate51is located above the mounting region12mof the TFT substrate11, and the vicinity of the side51dof the rigid substrate51is supported by the mounting region12m. The rigid substrate51may be coupled to the TFT substrate11at a position farther from the side12dthan a position to which the second end60dof the flexible circuit substrate60is coupled. The main surface51aof the rigid substrate51faces the TFT substrate11.

The liquid crystal module101may further include a coupling member70such that the source driver14mounted on the TFT substrate11does not interfere with the control device50and the rigid substrate51. The coupling member70has an upper surface70aand a lower surface70b, and the upper surface70ais coupled to the vicinity of the side51dof the main surface51aof the rigid substrate51. In addition, the lower surface70bis coupled to the mounting region12mof the TFT substrate11. The coupling member70has a height greater than a height of the source driver14. Accordingly, the source driver14may not come into contact with the rigid substrate51.

As long as the coupling member70has the height described above, the coupling member70may be, for example, a double-sided tape in which a base material portion is thick and the upper surface70aand the lower surface70bhave adhesiveness. Alternatively, the coupling member70may have a structure in which a double-sided tape is disposed on a base material portion having no adhesiveness and on the upper surface70aand the lower surface70b.

According to the liquid crystal module101and the liquid crystal display device201, a part of the rigid substrate51of the control device50is disposed above the mounting region12mexposed from the counter substrate20of the liquid crystal display panel10. The mounting region12mis an indispensable region for disposing the source driver14or for disposing a wiring pattern for coupling the gate driver13, the source driver14, and the flexible circuit substrate60to each other. By using a space above the mounting region12mfor disposing the control device50, the non-display region12gof the liquid crystal module101and the liquid crystal display device201can be effectively used, and a portion of the control device50protruding from the non-display region12gof the TFT substrate can be reduced.

In addition, since the mounting region12mis not covered with the counter substrate20, a space in a thickness direction of the liquid crystal module101and the liquid crystal display device201is also effectively used by disposing a part of the control device50above the mounting region12m.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, there is provided a liquid crystal module in which a picture-frame of a display device is narrow and a thickness of the display device can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the timing controller52is mounted on the main surface51aof the rigid substrate51, but the timing controller52may be mounted on the main surface51b. In addition, as illustrated inFIG.5, the first end60cof the flexible circuit substrate60may be coupled to the main surface51bof the rigid substrate51, that is, a surface that does not face the TFT substrate11.

Second Embodiment

FIGS.6A and6Bare schematic views illustrating cross-sections of parts of a liquid crystal display device202and a liquid crystal module102according to the present embodiment.FIG.7Ais a schematic plan view of a part of the liquid crystal module102, andFIG.7Bis a schematic plan view of the liquid crystal module102before the control device50is supported on the TFT substrate11. The liquid crystal display device202and the liquid crystal module102of the present embodiment are different from the liquid crystal display device201and the liquid crystal module101of the first embodiment in that a rigid substrate51′ of the control device50has at least one notch53in a side51d.

In a state where the vicinity of the side51dof the rigid substrate51′ is supported by the mounting region12m, the notch53is at a position corresponding to the source driver14mounted on the TFT substrate11, and at least a part of the source driver14is inserted into a space of the notch53. Accordingly, interference between the source driver14and the rigid substrate51′ of the control device50is suppressed, and a height of a coupling member70can be reduced. Accordingly, a position of the rigid substrate51′ in the height direction can be lowered, and a thickness of a display device can be reduced.

In the present embodiment, the rigid substrate51′ of the control device50has the notch53but may have an opening instead of the notch53.

Third Embodiment

FIG.8is a schematic view illustrating cross-sections of parts of a liquid crystal display device203and a liquid crystal module103according to the present embodiment.FIG.9Ais a schematic plan view of a part of the liquid crystal module103, andFIG.9Bis a schematic plan view of the liquid crystal module103before the control device50is supported on the TFT substrate11. The liquid crystal display device203and the liquid crystal module103of the present embodiment are different from the liquid crystal display device201and the liquid crystal module101of the first embodiment in that a source driver14is mounted on the flexible circuit substrate60instead of the TFT substrate11.

The flexible circuit substrate60has a main surface60aand a main surface60blocated on an opposite side of the main surface60a, the source driver14is mounted on the main surface60b, and the source driver14is electrically coupled to the flexible circuit substrate60.

Since the source driver14is not disposed in the mounting region12m, interference between the source driver14and the rigid substrate51of the control device50is prevented, and a height of the coupling member70can be reduced. Accordingly, a position of the rigid substrate51in the height direction can be lowered, and a thickness of a display device can be reduced.

Other Aspects

The liquid crystal display device and the liquid crystal module of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made therefrom. For example, the liquid crystal module of the present disclosure may be a liquid crystal module having various structures and drive methods. In addition, also in the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the first end60cof the flexible circuit substrate60may be coupled to the main surface51bof the rigid substrate51, that is, a surface of the rigid substrate51opposite to a surface facing the TFT substrate11. In addition, in each embodiment, the timing controller52may be mounted on the main surface51aor the main surface51b.

The liquid crystal module of the present disclosure can also be described as follows.

A liquid crystal module according to a first configuration includes a liquid crystal display panel including a TFT substrate having a main surface including a display region and a non-display region located around the display region and including a plurality of pixels arranged two-dimensionally in the display region, a counter substrate disposed to face the main surface of the TFT substrate, and a liquid crystal layer disposed between the TFT substrate and the counter substrate, a control device that includes a rigid substrate having a first side and a second side and includes a timing controller mounted on the rigid substrate, and a flexible circuit substrate that has a first end, which is coupled to a vicinity of the first side of the rigid substrate, and a second end and protrudes outside the rigid substrate, the TFT substrate has a third side and a mounting region that is adjacent to the third side in the non-display region and not covered with the counter substrate, the second end of the flexible circuit substrate is coupled to a vicinity of the third side in the mounting region of the TFT substrate, the flexible circuit substrate is bent between the first end and the second end, and a vicinity of the second side of the rigid substrate is supported on the mounting region.

According to the first configuration, a space above the mounting region is used for disposing the control device, and thus, a liquid crystal module, in which a picture-frame of a display device is narrow and a thickness of the display device can be reduced, can be realized.

According to the first configuration, in the liquid crystal module of a second configuration, the rigid substrate may be coupled to the TFT substrate at a position farther from the third side than a position to which the second end of the flexible circuit substrate is coupled.

According to the first configuration, in the liquid crystal module of a third configuration, the first end of the flexible circuit substrate may be coupled to a surface of the rigid substrate facing the TFT substrate.

According to the first configuration, in the liquid crystal module of a fourth configuration, the first end of the flexible circuit substrate may be coupled to a surface of the rigid substrate opposite to a surface facing the TFT substrate.

According to the first configuration, in the liquid crystal module of a fifth configuration, the liquid crystal display panel may further include at least one source driver mounted on the mounting region, and a coupling member that is located between the TFT substrate and the rigid substrate in the mounting region and has a height greater than a height of the source driver.

According to the first configuration, in the liquid crystal module of a sixth configuration, the liquid crystal display panel may further include at least one source driver mounted on the mounting region, the rigid substrate may have at least one opening or at least one notch provided on a second side, and a part of the at least one source driver may be inserted into the at least one opening or the at least one notch. Thereby, interference between the source driver and the rigid substrate can be prevented.

According to the first configuration, in the liquid crystal module of a seventh configuration may further include at least one source driver supported by and electrically coupled to the flexible circuit substrate. Thereby, interference between the source driver and the rigid substrate can be prevented.

The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2023-014280 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Feb. 1, 2023, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.