Display device with flexible circuit board

Abstract

The present invention discloses a display device having a flexible circuit board. The display device includes: a flexible circuit board including a plurality of first substrate pads and a plurality of second substrate pads; a main circuit board connected to the flexible circuit board; and a display panel including a plurality of first display pads and a plurality of second display pads, wherein the plurality of first display pads are connected to the main circuit board via the flexible circuit board, and each of the plurality of first display pads at least partially overlaps with a corresponding substrate pad of the plurality of first substrate pads, and each of the plurality of second display pads at least partially overlaps with a corresponding substrate pad of the plurality of second substrate pads.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0015826, filed on February 10, 2020, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device having a flexible circuit board. Background Art

[0004] In a display device, after manufacturing a display panel, a circuit board is connected to the display panel. For example, a tape automated bonding (TAB) mounting method bonds a flexible circuit board to a display panel using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF). Summary of the Invention

[0005] The inventive concept is not limited to the above-mentioned concepts, and other concepts that are not described will be apparently understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

[0006] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, a display device includes: a flexible circuit board including a plurality of first substrate pads arranged along a first direction and a plurality of second substrate pads arranged along the first direction, wherein the plurality of second substrate pads can be spaced apart from the plurality of first substrate pads along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and each of the plurality of second substrate pads is arranged alternately with each of the plurality of first substrate pads; a main circuit board connected to the flexible circuit board; and a display panel including a plurality of first display pads and a plurality of second display pads. The plurality of first display pads can be connected to the main circuit board through the flexible circuit board, and each of the plurality of first display pads can at least partially overlap with a corresponding first substrate pad of the plurality of first substrate pads, and each of the plurality of second display pads can at least partially overlap with a corresponding second substrate pad of the plurality of second substrate pads. The widths of the plurality of first substrate pads and the plurality of second substrate pads along the first direction can be increased at equal intervals along the first direction in a direction away from the central axis of the flexible circuit board, and the spacing distances between adjacent first display pads of the plurality of first display pads along the first direction can be increased at equal intervals along the first direction in a direction away from the central axis, and the spacing distances between adjacent second display pads of the plurality of second display pads along the first direction can be increased at equal intervals along the first direction in a direction away from the central axis.

[0007] In an embodiment of the present invention, along the first direction, the width of the area where each of the plurality of first display pads overlaps with the corresponding first substrate pad among the plurality of first substrate pads can decrease along the first direction in a direction away from the central axis, and along the first direction, the width of the area where each of the plurality of second display pads overlaps with the corresponding second substrate pad among the plurality of second substrate pads can decrease along the first direction in a direction away from the central axis.

[0008] In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, widths of the plurality of first substrate pads and the plurality of second substrate pads may be symmetrical with respect to a central axis of the flexible circuit board along the first direction.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the spacing distance between adjacent substrate pads of a plurality of first substrate pads may decrease along a first direction away from the central axis, and the spacing distance between adjacent substrate pads of a plurality of second substrate pads may decrease along the first direction away from the central axis.

[0010] In an embodiment of the inventive concept, widths of the plurality of first display pads and the plurality of second display pads may be the same as each other along the first direction.

[0011] In an embodiment of the inventive concept, differences between widths of adjacent ones of the plurality of first substrate pads along the first direction may be the same as each other, and differences between widths of adjacent ones of the plurality of second substrate pads along the first direction may be the same as each other.

[0012] In an embodiment of the inventive concept, each of the plurality of first display pads may have the same width along the first direction, and each of the plurality of second display pads may have the same width along the first direction.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, a flexible circuit board may include an insulating layer, a plurality of substrate signal lines arranged on the insulating layer, and a solder resist layer having openings arranged therein, the openings being configured to expose a portion of the plurality of substrate signal lines. Each of the plurality of substrate signal lines may be connected to a corresponding first substrate pad among a plurality of first substrate pads or a corresponding second substrate pad among a plurality of second substrate pads through a corresponding opening.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the distance between a substrate signal line among the multiple substrate signal lines and a corresponding first display pad among the multiple first display pads or a corresponding second display pad among the multiple second display pads adjacent to the substrate signal line decreases along the first direction away from the central axis.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of first substrate pads may be connected to a corresponding first display pad among the plurality of first display pads by an anisotropic conductive film, and each of the plurality of second substrate pads may be connected to a corresponding second display pad among the plurality of second display pads by another anisotropic conductive film. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] The above and other features of the inventive concept will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0018] Figure 2A is a plan view illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0019] Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0020] Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display area of ​​a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0021] Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display area of ​​a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0022] Figure 4A is an enlarged plan view illustrating a portion of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0023] Figure 4B It is along Figure 4A A cross-sectional view taken along line II';

[0024] Figure 5A is a plan view illustrating a display pad region of a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0025] Figure 5B is a plan view illustrating a substrate pad region of a flexible circuit board according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept;

[0026] Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating a display pad and a substrate pad according to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept; and

[0027] Figure 7 is a plan view illustrating a display pad region of a display panel according to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Herein, it will be understood that when an element of a layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected” or “coupled” to another component, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present.

[0029] Throughout this specification, like reference numerals may refer to like elements.In the drawings, the thickness of layers, films, or regions may be exaggerated for clarity.

[0030] The term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0031] It will be understood that although terms such as "first" and "second" are used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. Terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first element referred to as a first element in one embodiment may be referred to as a second element in another embodiment without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0032] In addition, “under,” “below,” “above,” and “upper,” etc. are used to explain the relationship between parts or elements shown in the drawings. The terms are intended to be relative concepts and are described based on the directions shown in the drawings.

[0033] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present inventive concept will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Figure 2A is a plan view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Figure 2B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Figure 3A is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display area of ​​a display panel according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display panel according to an embodiment of the inventive concept.

[0035] Reference Figure 1 2 , the display device DD may include a display panel DP, a flexible circuit board FPCB, and a main circuit board MPCB.

[0036] According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the display device DD may further include a window covering the display panel DP, and a chassis member or a molding member coupled to the window to form an exterior appearance of the display device DD.

[0037] The display panel DP may be one of a liquid crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) display panel, and an electrowetting display panel. When the display panel DP is a liquid crystal display panel, the display device DD may further include a backlight unit disposed under the display panel DP.

[0038] The display panel DP may include a first display substrate 100 and a second display substrate 200. The second display substrate 200 may face the first display substrate 100. A grayscale display layer may be disposed between the first display substrate 100 and the second display substrate 200. The grayscale display layer may include a liquid crystal layer, an organic light emitting layer, and an electrophoretic layer depending on the type of the display panel DP.

[0039] like Figure 1 As shown in FIG, the display panel DP can display an image through the display surface DP-IS. The display surface DP-IS is parallel to the plane represented by the first direction axis DR1 and the second direction axis DR2. The display surface DP-IS may include a display area DA and a non-display area NDA. The non-display area NDA is arranged along the edge of the display surface DP-IS. The display area DA may be at least partially surrounded by the non-display area NDA. However, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In embodiments of the present invention, the non-display area NDA may be arranged only in a side area adjacent to the flexible circuit board FPCB. That is, the non-display area NDA may not surround all edges of the display area DA.

[0040] The vertical direction of the display surface DP-IS (that is, the thickness direction of the display panel DP) indicates the third directional axis DR3. Hereinafter, the front side (or top surface) and the back side (or bottom surface) of each component are distinguished based on the third directional axis DR3. However, the first to third directional axes DR1, DR2, and DR3 are illustrated merely as examples in the present disclosure. Hereinafter, the first to third directions may be directions indicated by the first to third directional axes DR1, DR2, and DR3, respectively, and marked with the same reference numerals.

[0041] Although a display panel DP having a flat display surface is illustrated, embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In embodiments of the present invention, the display device DD may include a curved display surface or a three-dimensional display surface. The three-dimensional display surface may include multiple display areas indicating different directions from each other.

[0042] The signal control unit SC may be mounted on the main circuit board MPCB. The signal control unit SC may be spaced apart from the flexible circuit board FPCB along the second direction DR2. The signal control unit SC receives image data and control signals from the external pattern control unit. The signal control unit SC may provide control signals to the display panel DP.

[0043] The flexible circuit board FPCB can be connected to each of the display pad area PDA of the display panel DP and the main pad area of ​​the main circuit board MPCB. The conductive adhesive member may include an anisotropic conductive film (ACF). Hereinafter, the conductive adhesive member may be referred to as an anisotropic conductive film (ACF).

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, a display device DD may include a plurality of flexible circuit boards (FPCBs). For example, the flexible circuit boards (FPCBs) may be spaced apart from each other along a first direction (DR1). However, embodiments of the present inventive concept are not limited thereto. In one embodiment of the present inventive concept, the flexible circuit board (FPCB) may include two types of flexible circuit boards that at least partially overlap.

[0045] According to an embodiment, the display pad area PDA may be disposed on the first display substrate 100. However, embodiments of the present inventive concept are not limited thereto. In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the display pad area PDA may be disposed on the second display substrate 200.

[0046] The flexible circuit board (FPCB) may include a driver chip DC. The flexible circuit board (FPCB) may transmit signals from the main circuit board (MPCB) to the driver chip DC, and transmit signals from the driver chip DC to the display panel DP. In an embodiment, the driver chip DC may be a data driver circuit. According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the flexible circuit board (FPCB) may transmit signals provided by the signal control unit SC to the display panel DP.

[0047] Figure 2A FIG1 is a plan view illustrating a planar arrangement relationship between signal lines GL1 to GLn, DL1 to DLm, PL-G, and PL-D and pixels PX11 to PXnm. The signal lines GL1 to GLn, DL1 to DLm, PL-G, and PL-D may include a plurality of gate lines GL1 to GLn, a plurality of data lines DL1 to DLm, and auxiliary signal lines PL-G and PL-D.

[0048] A plurality of gate lines GL1 to GLn may be arranged along a second direction DR2 while extending along a first direction DR1, and a plurality of data lines DL1 to DLm may intersect the plurality of gate lines GL1 to GLn in an insulated manner. The gate lines GL1 to GLn and the data lines DL1 to DLm may overlap each other. Auxiliary signal lines PL-G and PL-D may overlap the non-display area NDA and be connected to the corresponding gate lines GL1 to GLn and the corresponding data lines DL1 to DLm.

[0049] The second auxiliary signal lines PL-D connected to the data lines DL1 to DLm may be arranged on a different layer from the plurality of data lines DL1 to DLm. The data lines DL1 to DLm may be electrically connected to the corresponding second auxiliary signal lines PL-D through corresponding contact holes CH, respectively. The contact holes CH may pass through at least one insulating layer arranged between the data lines DL1 to DLm and the second auxiliary signal lines PL-D. Figure 2A , two contact holes CH are illustrated. Embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited to the two contact holes CH.

[0050] In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the contact hole CH may be optional and may be omitted. Alternatively, the data lines DL1 to DLm and the second auxiliary signal line PL-D may be arranged on the same layer. The data lines DL1 to DLm and the second auxiliary signal line PL-D that are connected to each other may be referred to as a single signal line. The data lines and the second auxiliary lines that are connected to each other may represent different parts of a single signal line. For example, the data lines may form a part of a single signal line. The second auxiliary lines connected to the data lines may form another part of a single signal line.

[0051] Pixels PX11 to PXnm may be arranged in the display area DA. Pixels PX11 to PXnm may not be arranged in the non-display area NDA. Each of the pixels PX11 to PXnm is connected to a corresponding gate line among a plurality of gate lines GL1 to GLn and a corresponding data line among a plurality of data lines DL1 to DLm. Each of the pixels PX11 to PXnm may include a pixel driving circuit and a display device.

[0052] According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the pixels PX11 to PXnm may be arranged in a matrix shape ( Figure 2A ). However, embodiments of the inventive concept are not limited thereto. The pixels PX11 to PXnm may be arranged in a diamond shape, and in this case, the arrangement structure of the pixels PX11 to PXnm may be referred to as a honeycomb structure.

[0053] like Figure 2AAs shown in FIG, two pad rows PD1 and PD2 may be arranged in each of the display pad areas PDA. Each of the two pad rows PD1 and PD2 may include a plurality of display pads arranged along a first direction DR1. The first display pad row PD1 may be spaced apart from the second display pad row PD2 along a second direction DR2 intersecting the first direction DR1. The second display pad row PD2 may be spaced further from the edge E-DP of the display panel DP than the first display pad row PD1 and arranged closer to the display area DA along the second direction DR2 than the first display pad row PD1. The first display pad row PD1 may include a plurality of display pads, which may be referred to as first display pads. The second display pad row PD2 may include a plurality of display pads, which may be referred to as second display pads. The first display pads arranged in the first display pad row PD1 and the second display pads arranged in the second display pad row PD2 may be arranged alternately with each other. The pads of the first display pad row PD1 and the second display pad row PD2 may be connected to corresponding second auxiliary signal lines PL-D, respectively.

[0054] The gate driving circuit GDC may be integrated with the display panel DP through an oxide silicon gate driver circuit (OSG) or an amorphous silicon gate driver circuit (ASG) process. The first auxiliary signal line PL-G may receive a gate signal from the gate driving circuit GDC.

[0055] Reference Figure 2B According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the flexible circuit board FPCB may be bent toward the back surface DP-BS of the display panel DP with a predetermined curvature. The main circuit board MPCB may be disposed on the back surface DP-BS of the display panel DP.

[0056] Figure 3A and Figure 3B is a cross-sectional view illustrating a display area DA of a display panel DP according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Figure 3A A cross-sectional view corresponding to a pixel PX of a liquid crystal display panel is shown, and Figure 3B A cross-sectional view corresponding to a pixel PX of an organic light emitting display panel is illustrated.

[0057] Reference Figure 3A According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the grayscale display layer of the display panel DP may include a liquid crystal layer. Therefore, the display panel DP may be a liquid crystal display panel. When the display panel DP is a liquid crystal display panel, the display device may further include a backlight unit disposed below the display panel DP.

[0058] A pixel PX of the liquid crystal display panel may include a transistor TR, a liquid crystal capacitor Clc, and a storage capacitor Cst.

[0059] The transistor TR may include a control electrode GE connected to a gate line, an active portion AL overlapping the control electrode GE, an input electrode SE connected to a data line, and an output electrode DE spaced apart from the input electrode SE. The liquid crystal capacitor Clc may include a pixel electrode PE and a common electrode CE. The storage capacitor Cst includes the pixel electrode PE and a portion of the storage line STL overlapping the pixel electrode PE.

[0060] The control electrode GE and the storage line STL may be disposed on one surface (e.g., the upper surface) of the first base substrate BS1. The first base substrate BS1 may be a glass substrate, a plastic substrate, or a substrate containing polyimide (PI). A first insulating layer 10 covering the control electrode GE and the storage line STL may be disposed on one surface of the first base substrate BS1. The first insulating layer 10 may include at least one of an inorganic material and an organic material.

[0061] The active portion AL overlapping the control electrode GE may be disposed on the first insulating layer 10. The active portion AL may include a semiconductor layer SCL and an ohmic contact layer OCL. The semiconductor layer SCL may be disposed on the first insulating layer 10, and the ohmic contact layer OCL may be disposed on the semiconductor layer SCL.

[0062] The semiconductor layer SCL may include amorphous silicon or polycrystalline silicon. The semiconductor layer SCL may also include a metal oxide semiconductor. The ohmic contact layer OCL may include a dopant doped at a higher density than the semiconductor layer SCL. The ohmic contact layer OCL may include two portions spaced apart from each other. In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the ohmic contact layer OCL may have a unitary shape.

[0063] The output electrode DE and the input electrode SE may be arranged on the active portion AL. The output electrode DE and the input electrode SE may be spaced apart from each other. A second insulating layer 20 covering the active portion AL, the output electrode DE, and the input electrode SE is arranged on the first insulating layer 10. A third insulating layer 30 may be arranged on the second insulating layer 20. Each of the second insulating layer 20 and the third insulating layer 30 may include at least one of an inorganic material and an organic material. The third insulating layer 30 may be a single organic layer that provides a flat surface. In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the third insulating layer 30 may include a plurality of color filters. A fourth insulating layer 40 may be arranged on the third insulating layer 30. The fourth insulating layer 40 may be an inorganic layer covering the color filters.

[0064] like Figure 3AAs shown in FIG, the pixel electrode PE may be disposed on the fourth insulating layer 40. The pixel electrode PE may be connected to the output electrode DE through a contact hole CH-L passing through the second insulating layer 20, the third insulating layer 30, and the fourth insulating layer 40. An alignment layer covering the pixel electrode PE may be disposed on the fourth insulating layer 40.

[0065] The second base substrate BS2 may be a glass substrate, a plastic substrate, or a substrate containing polyimide (PI). A black matrix layer BM may be disposed on the bottom surface of the second base substrate BS2. That is, openings corresponding to pixel regions may be disposed in the black matrix layer BM. Spacers CS may be disposed to at least partially overlap the black matrix layer BM.

[0066] An insulating layer covering the black matrix layer BM is disposed on the bottom surface of the second base substrate BS2. Figure 3A , the fifth insulating layer 50 providing a flat surface is exemplarily illustrated. According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the fifth insulating layer 50 may at least partially surround or overlap the black matrix layer BM. The fifth insulating layer 50 may include an organic material.

[0067] The common electrode CE may be disposed on the bottom surface of the second base substrate BS2. According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the common electrode CE may be disposed on the bottom surface of the fifth insulating layer 50. A common voltage may be applied to the common electrode CE. The common voltage has a value different from the pixel voltage.

[0068] Figure 3A A cross-sectional view of a pixel PX is exemplarily illustrated in FIG. The first display substrate 100 and the second display substrate 200 may be flipped along the third direction DR3 . In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, a color filter may be disposed on the second display substrate 200 .

[0069] Reference Figure 3A , a liquid crystal display panel in vertical alignment (VA) mode is described. However, according to some embodiments of the present inventive concept, a liquid crystal display panel in plane switching (IPS) mode, fringe field switching (FFS) mode, face-to-line switching (PLS) mode, super vertical alignment (SVA) mode, or surface stabilized vertical alignment (SS-VA) mode may also be applied.

[0070] Reference Figure 3B According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the grayscale display layer of the display panel DP may include an organic light-emitting layer. Therefore, the display panel DP may be an organic light-emitting display panel. The pixel PX of the organic light-emitting display panel may include a switching transistor T1, a driving transistor T2, and a light-emitting device OLED.

[0071] An organic light-emitting display panel may include a display substrate 100 and an encapsulation substrate 200. The display substrate 100 may include a first base substrate BS1, a circuit device layer DP-CL disposed on the first base substrate BS1, a display device layer DP-OLED disposed on the circuit device layer DP-CL, and a cover layer CL disposed on the display device layer DP-OLED. The encapsulation substrate 200 may include a second base substrate BS2, and a black matrix layer BM and a color conversion layer CCL disposed on the bottom surface of the second base substrate BS2. According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the black matrix layer BM may include portions spaced apart from each other. Furthermore, the color conversion layer CCL may be disposed between two portions of the black matrix layer BM.

[0072] The first base substrate BS1 may be a glass substrate, a plastic substrate, or a substrate containing polyimide (PI). The circuit device layer DP-CL may include at least one insulating layer and circuit devices. The circuit devices may include signal lines and pixel drive circuits. The circuit device layer DP-CL may be formed by coating or depositing an insulating layer, a semiconductor layer, and a conductive layer, and patterning the insulating layer, semiconductor layer, and conductive layer using a photolithography process.

[0073] In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the circuit device layer DP-CL may include a buffer layer BFL, a first insulating layer 10, a second insulating layer 20, and a third insulating layer 30. Each of the first insulating layer 10 and the second insulating layer 20 may be an inorganic layer, and the third insulating layer 30 may be an organic layer.

[0074] Figure 3B The diagram illustrates the arrangement relationship between the first semiconductor pattern OSP1, the second semiconductor pattern OSP2, the first control electrode GE1, the second control electrode GE2, the first input electrode SE1, the first output electrode DE1, the second input electrode SE2, and the second output electrode DE2, which constitute the switching transistor T1 and the driving transistor T2. The diagram also exemplarily illustrates the first to fourth through holes CH1, CH2, CH3, and CH4.

[0075] The display device layer DP-OLED may include a light-emitting device OLED. The display device layer DP-OLED may include an organic light-emitting diode as the light-emitting device. The display device layer DP-OLED may include a pixel defining layer PDL. For example, the pixel defining layer PDL may be an organic layer.

[0076] The first electrode AE ​​may be disposed on the third insulating layer 30. The first electrode AE ​​may be connected to the second output electrode DE2 through a fifth contact hole CH5 passing through the third insulating layer 30. A light emitting opening OP may be disposed in the pixel defining layer PDL. The light emitting opening OP of the pixel defining layer PDL may expose at least a portion of the first electrode AE.

[0077] like Figure 3B As shown in , the display panel DP may include a light-emitting area PXA and a non-light-emitting area NPXA disposed adjacent to the light-emitting area PXA. The non-light-emitting area NPXA may surround the light-emitting area PXA. In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the light-emitting area PXA may be defined corresponding to a partial area of ​​the first electrode AE ​​exposed by the light-emitting opening OP. The light-emitting area PXA may at least partially overlap with the first electrode AE.

[0078] The hole control layer HCL may be disposed in both the light-emitting region PXA and the non-light-emitting region NPXA. The hole control layer HCL may further include a hole transport layer and a hole injection layer. The light-emitting layer EML may be disposed on the hole control layer HCL. The light-emitting layer EML may be disposed in both the light-emitting region PXA and the non-light-emitting region NPXA. In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the light-emitting layer EML may be disposed in the light-emitting region PXA and may not be disposed in the non-light-emitting region NPXA. The light-emitting layer EML may include an organic material and / or an inorganic material. The light-emitting layer EML may generate a predetermined first color of light, such as blue light.

[0079] The electron control layer (ECL) may be disposed on the light-emitting layer (EML). The electron control layer (ECL) may include an electron transport layer (ETL) and an electron injection layer (EIL). The hole control layer (HCL) and the electron control layer (ECL) may be provided jointly to multiple pixels using an open mask. The second electrode (CE) may be disposed on the electron control layer (ECL). The second electrode (CE) may be commonly disposed on multiple pixels. A cover layer (CL) may be disposed on the second electrode (CE) to protect the second electrode (CE). The cover layer (CL) may include an organic material or an inorganic material.

[0080] The second base substrate BS2 may be spaced apart from the cover layer CL. The second base substrate BS2 may be a glass substrate, a plastic substrate, or a substrate containing polyimide (PI). The color conversion layer CCL may transmit the first color light according to the pixel PX, or convert the first color light into the second color light or the third color light. The color conversion layer CCL may include quantum dots.

[0081] In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, at least a portion of the encapsulation substrate 200 may be replaced by a thin film encapsulation layer. The black matrix layer BM and the color conversion layer CCL may be arranged on one surface of the thin film encapsulation layer. The thin film encapsulation layer may include an organic layer and at least one inorganic layer that seals the organic layer.

[0082] Figure 4A is an enlarged plan view illustrating a portion of a display device according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Figure 4B It is along Figure 4A A cross-sectional view taken along line II'. Figures 1 to 3B Elements that are identical or similar to those in the specification will be marked with identical or similar reference numerals, respectively, and to the extent that the description of an element has been omitted, it can be assumed that the description is at least similar to the description of the corresponding element already described elsewhere in this specification.

[0083] exist Figure 4A In the figure, the display pad area PDA included in the display panel DP and the substrate pad area FDA of the flexible circuit board FPCB connected to the display pad area PDA are illustrated by dotted lines. Figure 1 ). Each of the display pad area PDA and the substrate pad area FDA may include a plurality of pads. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the display pad area PDA may include a plurality of display pads, and the substrate pad area FDA may include a plurality of substrate pads corresponding to the plurality of display pads, respectively. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, each of the plurality of display pads may correspond to a corresponding one of the plurality of substrate pads.

[0084] Two pad rows PD1 and PD2 may be arranged in each of the display pad areas PDA. Each of the two pad rows PD1 and PD2 may include a plurality of display pads arranged along a first direction DR1. The first display pad row PD1 may be spaced apart from the second display pad row PD2 along a second direction DR2 that intersects the first direction DR1. The first display pads arranged in the first display pad row PD1 and the second display pads arranged in the second display pad row PD2 may be arranged alternately with each other. The display pads of the first display pad row PD1 and the second display pad row PD2 may be connected to corresponding second auxiliary signal lines PL-D, respectively.

[0085] exist Figure 4A and Figure 4B Relative to Figure 3A The liquid crystal display panel in FIG. 1 illustrates a first display substrate 100 .

[0086] Reference Figure 4B According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the display pads PD1-P and PD2-P may be connected to different auxiliary signal lines PL-D through contact holes CH-1 and CH-2 passing through the first to fourth insulating layers 10 to 40. Each of the first display pad PD1-P and the second display pad PD2-P is exposed from the first to fourth insulating layers 10, 20, 30, and 40. When the display pads PD1-P and PD2-P are omitted, an end portion of each of the auxiliary signal lines PL-D may be exposed from the first to fourth insulating layers 10 to 40.

[0087] The flexible circuit board FPCB may include an insulating layer IL, substrate signal lines SL, a solder resist layer SR, and substrate pads F- PD1 and F- PD2 .

[0088] An opening exposing at least a portion of the substrate signal line SL may be arranged in the solder resist layer SR. The first substrate pad F-PD1 and the second substrate pad F-PD2 may be respectively connected to different substrate signal lines SL exposed by the opening of the solder resist layer SR. According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the substrate signal lines SL may be connected to a corresponding substrate pad of the first substrate pad or a corresponding substrate pad of the second substrate pad through a corresponding opening. The display pads PD1-P and PD2-P may be electrically connected to the corresponding substrate pads F-PD1 and F-PD2 through an anisotropic conductive film ACF. According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of the first substrate pads may be connected to a corresponding display pad of the first display pad by an anisotropic conductive film ACF. In addition, each of the second substrate pads may be connected to a corresponding display pad of the second display pad by another anisotropic conductive film ACF. As Figure 4B As shown in , according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the first display pad PD1-P can be electrically connected to the first substrate pad F-PD1 through an anisotropic conductive film ACF. The second display pad PD2-P can be electrically connected to the second substrate pad F-PD2 through another anisotropic conductive film ACF.

[0089] Figure 5A is a plan view illustrating a display pad region of a display panel according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Figure 5B is a plan view illustrating a substrate pad region of a flexible circuit board according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Figure 6 1 is a plan view illustrating a display pad and a substrate pad according to an embodiment of the inventive concept. Figures 1 to 4B Elements that are identical or similar to those in the specification will be marked with identical or similar reference numerals, respectively, and to the extent that the description of an element has been omitted, it can be assumed that the description is at least similar to the description of the corresponding element already described elsewhere in this specification.

[0090] exist Figure 5A , the display pad area PDA included in the display panel DP is illustrated by dotted lines, and the display pad rows PD1 and PD2 included in the display pad area PDA are exemplarily illustrated.

[0091] In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, two pad rows PD1 and PD2 may be arranged in each of the display pad areas PDA. Each of the two pad rows PD1 and PD2 may include a plurality of display pads arranged along a first direction DR1. The first display pad row PD1 may be spaced apart from the second display pad row PD2 along a second direction DR2 intersecting the first direction DR1.

[0092] The display pads included in each of the two pad rows PD1 and PD2 may have the same width as each other. For example, the display pads may have the same width PW as each other along the first direction DR1.

[0093] According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, relative to the central axis CC of the display pad area PDA, the spacing distances between adjacent display pads of the two pad rows PD1 and PD2 may gradually increase at equal intervals along the first direction DR1 in a direction away from the central axis CC. According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the spacing distances between adjacent display pads of the first display pad row PD1 may gradually increase at equal intervals along the first direction DR1 in a direction away from the central axis CC. The spacing distances between adjacent display pads of the second display pad row PD2 may gradually increase at equal intervals along the first direction DR1 in a direction away from the central axis CC.

[0094] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, a spacing distance PF1 may be a distance between a first display pad P1 and a second display pad P2 along a first direction DR1. A spacing distance PF2 may be a distance between a second display pad P2 and a third display pad P3 along the first direction DR1. A spacing distance PF3 may be a distance between a third display pad P3 and a fourth display pad P4 along the first direction DR1. The difference between the spacing distance PF1 and the spacing distance PF2 may be the same as the difference between the spacing distance PF2 and the spacing distance PF3.

[0095] According to an exemplary embodiment of the inventive concept, the spacing distance PF2 along the first direction DR1 may be greater than the spacing distance PF1. In addition, the spacing distance PF3 along the first direction DR1 may be greater than the spacing distance PF2.

[0096] Therefore, according to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the spacing distance between adjacent ones of the display pads included in each of the two pad rows PD1 and PD2 may gradually increase at equal intervals in a direction away from the central axis CC along the first direction DR1.

[0097] According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, a difference in spacing distances between adjacent display pads of the first display pad row PD1 may be different from a difference in spacing distances between adjacent display pads of the second display pad row PD2. However, embodiments of the present inventive concept are not limited thereto.

[0098] exist Figure 5B , a substrate pad area FDA included in the flexible circuit board FPCB is illustrated by dotted lines, and substrate pads FD1-1, FD1-2, FD2-1, FD2-2, and FD2-3 included in the substrate pad area FDA and substrate signal lines SL connected thereto are exemplarily illustrated.

[0099] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the display panel may include a plurality of first display pads and a plurality of second display pads. Each of the plurality of first display pads may at least partially overlap with a corresponding substrate pad among the plurality of first substrate pads, and each of the plurality of second display pads may at least partially overlap with a corresponding substrate pad among the plurality of second substrate pads.

[0100] In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, each of the substrate pad areas FDA may include first substrate pads FD1-1 and FD1-2 connected to the first display pad row PD1 of the display pad area PDA, and second substrate pads FD2-1, FD2-2, and FD2-3 connected to the second display pad row PD2 of the display pad area PDA. Therefore, each of the first display pads may at least partially overlap with the corresponding first substrate pads FD1-1 and FD1-2, respectively, and each of the second display pads may at least partially overlap with the corresponding second substrate pads FD2-1, FD2-2, and FD2-3, respectively.

[0101] The first substrate pads FD1-1 and FD1-2 that are symmetrical with respect to the central axis CC of the substrate pad area FDA are denoted by the same reference numerals among the first substrate pads FD1-1 and FD1-2. Further, the second substrate pads FD2-1, FD2-2, and FD2-3 that are symmetrical with respect to the central axis CC are denoted by the same reference numerals among the second substrate pads FD2-1, FD2-2, and FD2-3.

[0102] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, each of the first substrate pads FD1-1 and FD1-2 and the second substrate pads FD2-1, FD2-2, and FD2-3 may be arranged along the first direction DR1. A plurality of first substrate pads FD1-1 and FD1-2 and a plurality of second substrate pads FD2-1, FD2-2, and FD2-3 may be spaced apart from each other along the second direction DR2. The first substrate pads FD1-1 and FD1-2 and the second substrate pads FD2-1, FD2-2, and FD2-3 may be arranged alternately with each other. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, each of the plurality of second substrate pads may be arranged alternately with each of the plurality of first substrate pads.

[0103] According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, each of the first substrate pads FD1-1 and FD1-2 and the second substrate pads FD2-1, FD2-2, and FD2-3 may have a width in the first direction DR1 that gradually increases at equal intervals along the first direction DR1 in a direction away from the central axis CC.

[0104] Therefore, unlike Figure 5A In the embodiment of the present inventive concept shown in , in which the “spacing distance” between adjacent display pads increases at equal intervals along the first direction DR1 in a direction away from the central axis CC, the “width” of each of the substrate pads included in the flexible circuit board FPCB may increase at equal intervals along the first direction DR1 in a direction away from the central axis CC.

[0105] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the first substrate pad FD2-1 may have a first width FW1 along the first direction DR1, the second substrate pad FD2-2 may have a second width FW2 along the first direction DR1, and the third substrate pad FD2-3 may have a third width FW3 along the first direction DR1. A difference between the first width FW1 and the second width FW2 may be the same as a difference between the second width FW2 and the third width FW3.

[0106] According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, a spacing distance between adjacent substrate pads may gradually decrease in a direction away from the central axis CC along the first direction DR1 .

[0107] In an embodiment, a spacing distance DF1 between the first substrate pad FD2-1 and the second substrate pad FD2-2 may be greater than a spacing distance DF2 between the second substrate pad FD2-2 and the third substrate pad FD2-3.

[0108] According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, each of the substrate pads arranged on the right side with respect to the central axis CC may have a width and a disposition relationship symmetrical with each of the substrate pads arranged on the left side with respect to the central axis CC.

[0109] Figure 6 The diagram shows the display pad (see Figure 5A ) and the substrate pad (refer to Figure 5B ) is a plan view of a coupled state. For the convenience of description, the display pad is indicated by shading, and the shading of the area where the display pad and the substrate pad overlap each other is relatively light.

[0110] like Figure 4B As described in

[15] , according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, bonding between a display pad and a substrate pad may be performed such that an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) is disposed between the display pad and the substrate pad, and the anisotropic conductive film (ACF) may bond the display pad and the substrate pad through a thermal pressing process. During this process, a movement phenomenon may occur in which the substrate pad of the relatively flexible flexible circuit board FPCB moves in a direction away from the central axis CC along a first direction DR1 due to thermal pressing.

[0111] Therefore, although the spacing distance between adjacent substrate pads gradually decreases along the first direction DR1 in a direction away from the center axis CC, and the spacing distance between the display pads gradually increases along the first direction DR1 in the same manner in a direction away from the center axis CC, misalignment between the substrate pads and the display pads may occur due to the movement phenomenon caused by thermal pressure.

[0112] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, since the spacing distance between the display pads increases in the direction away from the central axis CC along the first direction in the same manner as the substrate pads, and the width of each of the substrate pads increases at equal intervals along the first direction away from the central axis CC, misalignment caused by movement of the substrate pads during thermal pressing can be compensated. Thus, an electrically coupled display device DD with improved performance is provided.

[0113] According to an embodiment conceived in the present invention, although the spacing distance between the display pads increases along the first direction away from the central axis CC in the same manner as the substrate pads, and the width of each of the substrate pads increases at equal intervals along the first direction away from the central axis CC, due to the movement phenomenon of the substrate pads caused by thermal pressure, the areas where the display pads respectively overlap with the corresponding substrate pads may gradually decrease along the first direction away from the central axis CC.

[0114] According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, along the first direction DR1, the width of an area where each of the plurality of first display pads overlaps with a corresponding substrate pad among the plurality of first substrate pads may decrease in a direction away from the central axis CC along the first direction. In addition, along the first direction DR1, the width of an area where each of the plurality of second display pads overlaps with a corresponding substrate pad among the plurality of second substrate pads may decrease in a direction away from the central axis CC along the first direction.

[0115] For example, the first display pad PD2-1 and the first substrate pad FD2-1 may include a first overlapping area AR1 on a plane, the second display pad PD2-2 and the second substrate pad FD2-2 may include a second overlapping area AR2 on a plane, the third display pad PD2-3 and the third substrate pad FD2-3 may include a third overlapping area AR3 on a plane, and the fourth display pad PD2-4 and the fourth substrate pad FD2-4 may include a fourth overlapping area AR4 on a plane. According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first to fourth overlapping areas AR1, AR2, AR3, and AR4 may gradually decrease in order from the first overlapping area AR1 to the fourth overlapping area AR4 along the first direction DR1. According to an embodiment of the present invention, since the width of each of the substrate pads increases at equal intervals along the first direction away from the central axis CC, the overlapping area gradually decreasing along the first direction away from the central axis CC can be compensated.

[0116] According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the spacing distance between the substrate signal line and the display pad adjacent thereto may be gradually reduced in a direction away from the central axis CC along the first direction by a movement phenomenon of the substrate pad caused by thermal pressure.

[0117] For example, the first substrate signal line SL1 and the second display pad PD2-2 connected to the fifth substrate pad FD1-1 may have a first spacing distance LD1 therebetween. The second substrate signal line SL2 and the third display pad PD2-3 connected to the sixth substrate pad FD1-2 may have a second spacing distance LD2 therebetween. The third substrate signal line SL3 and the fourth display pad PD2-4 connected to the seventh substrate pad FD1-3 may have a third spacing distance LD3 therebetween. According to an embodiment of the present inventive concept, when the third spacing distance LD3 is the spacing distance between the substrate signal line and the display pad arranged at the outermost portion, the third spacing distance LD3 may be equal to or greater than approximately 5 μm. When the third spacing distance LD3 is less than approximately 5 μm, defects may occur due to electrical interference between the substrate signal line and the display pad.

[0118] Figure 7FIG is a plan view illustrating a display pad region of a display panel according to an embodiment of the present inventive concept. Figures 1 to 6 Elements that are identical or similar to those in the specification will be marked with identical or similar reference numerals, respectively, and to the extent that the description of an element has been omitted, it can be assumed that the description is at least similar to the description of the corresponding element already described elsewhere in this specification.

[0119] Reference Figure 7 In an embodiment of the present inventive concept, the flexible circuit board FPCB-A includes a plurality of pad pairs FD1-A, FD1-B, FD2-A, FD2-B, and FD2-C. The plurality of pad pairs FD1-A, FD1-B, FD2-A, FD2-B, and FD2-C may be symmetrical with respect to a central axis CC.

[0120] According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, substrate pads included in the plurality of pad pairs FD1 -A, FD1 -B, FD2 -A, FD2 -B, and FD2 -C may have the same width therebetween in the first direction DR1 .

[0121] Each of the pad pairs arranged in the same row (e.g., the first row pad pair FD1-A and FD1-B) may have a width along the first direction DR1 that gradually increases in a direction away from the center axis CC along the first direction. Furthermore, each of the second pad pairs FD2-A, FD2-B, and FD2-C may have a width along the first direction DR1 that gradually increases in a direction away from the center axis CC along the first direction. According to some embodiments of the present invention, the width of the pad pair FD1-B may be greater than the width of the pad pair FD1-A along the first direction DR1. Similarly, the width of the pad pair FD2-C may be greater than the width of the pad pair FD2-B along the first direction. Similarly, the width of the pad pair FD2-B may be greater than the width of the pad pair FD2-A along the first direction.

[0122] In addition, the spacing distance between the substrate pads included in each of the pad pairs FD1-A, FD1-B, FD2-A, FD2-B, and FD2-C may gradually decrease along the first direction in a direction away from the central axis CC. According to an embodiment of the inventive concept, the spacing distance between the two substrate pads included in the pad pair FD2-A may be greater than the spacing distance between the two substrate pads included in the pad pair FD2-B. Similarly, the spacing distance between the two substrate pads included in the pad pair FD2-B may be greater than the spacing distance between the two substrate pads included in the pad pair FD2-C.

[0123] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present inventive concept, the spacing distance between display pads can gradually increase along a direction away from the central axis in the same manner as the substrate pads, and the width of the substrate pads can increase at equal intervals along a direction away from the central axis. Therefore, misalignment caused by movement of the substrate pads due to thermal stress can be compensated. Thus, an electrically coupled display device with improved performance is provided.

[0124] While the inventive concept has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: a flexible circuit board comprising a plurality of first substrate pads arranged along a first direction and a plurality of second substrate pads arranged along the first direction, wherein the plurality of second substrate pads are spaced apart from the plurality of first substrate pads along a second direction intersecting the first direction, and each of the plurality of second substrate pads is alternately arranged with each of the plurality of first substrate pads; A main circuit board connected to the flexible circuit board; as well as The display panel includes a plurality of first display pads and a plurality of second display pads, wherein the plurality of first display pads are connected to the main circuit board through the flexible circuit board and each of the plurality of first display pads is at least partially overlapped with a corresponding first substrate pad among the plurality of first substrate pads, and each of the plurality of second display pads is at least partially overlapped with a corresponding second substrate pad among the plurality of second substrate pads. wherein the widths of the plurality of first substrate pads and the plurality of second substrate pads along the first direction increase at equal intervals along the first direction in a direction away from the central axis of the flexible circuit board, and Wherein the spacing distance between adjacent first display pads along the first direction of the plurality of first display pads increases at equal intervals along the first direction in a direction away from the central axis, and the spacing distance between adjacent second display pads along the first direction of the plurality of second display pads increases at equal intervals along the first direction in a direction away from the central axis.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein Along the first direction, a width of an area where each of the plurality of first display pads overlaps with a corresponding first substrate pad among the plurality of first substrate pads decreases in a direction away from the central axis along the first direction, and Wherein along the first direction, a width of an area where each of the plurality of second display pads overlaps with a corresponding second substrate pad among the plurality of second substrate pads decreases along the first direction away from the central axis.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein Along the first direction, widths of the plurality of first substrate pads and the plurality of second substrate pads are symmetrical with respect to the central axis of the flexible circuit board. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein: The spacing distance between adjacent substrate pads of the plurality of first substrate pads decreases along the first direction away from the central axis, and The spacing distance between adjacent substrate pads of the plurality of second substrate pads decreases along the first direction away from the central axis.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein Along the first direction, widths of the plurality of first display pads and the plurality of second display pads are the same as each other. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein: Along the first direction, differences between widths of adjacent substrate pads of the plurality of first substrate pads are the same as each other, and Wherein, along the first direction, differences between widths of adjacent substrate pads of the plurality of second substrate pads are the same as each other.

7. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of first display pads has the same width along the first direction, and Each of the plurality of second display pads has the same width along the first direction.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein The flexible circuit board includes an insulating layer, a plurality of substrate signal lines arranged on the insulating layer, and a solder resist layer having openings, wherein the openings are configured to expose a portion of the plurality of substrate signal lines. Each of the plurality of substrate signal lines is connected to a corresponding first substrate pad among the plurality of first substrate pads or a corresponding second substrate pad among the plurality of second substrate pads through a corresponding opening.

9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein A distance between a substrate signal line among the plurality of substrate signal lines and a corresponding first display pad among the plurality of first display pads or a corresponding second display pad among the plurality of second display pads adjacent to the substrate signal line decreases along the first direction away from the central axis.

10. The display device according to claim 1, wherein Each of the plurality of first substrate pads is connected to a corresponding first display pad of the plurality of first display pads by an anisotropic conductive film, and Each of the plurality of second substrate pads is connected to a corresponding second display pad among the plurality of second display pads by another anisotropic conductive film.

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