Display device

Abstract

A display device comprises: a display panel, comprising: a first signal pad portion comprising a plurality of first signal pads; a second signal pad portion comprising a plurality of second signal pads; and a first dummy pad portion arranged between the first signal pad portion and the second signal pad portion and comprising at least one first dummy pad; and a flexible circuit board, comprising: a first terminal portion comprising a plurality of first terminals; a second terminal portion comprising a plurality of second terminals; and a first cutout portion arranged between the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, the flexible circuit board being pressed to the display panel so that the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals are electrically connected to the plurality of first signal pads and the plurality of second signal pads, respectively, and the first cutout portion overlaps with the first dummy pad portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an electronic device and more particularly to a display device including a flexible circuit board. Background Art

[0002] Recently, flat panel display devices such as liquid crystal display devices or organic light emitting display devices have been widely used. The flat panel display device may include a display panel that displays an image and a flexible circuit board that provides a signal to the display panel. As a method of connecting the flexible circuit board to the display panel, a method of inserting an anisotropic conductive film between the display panel and the flexible circuit board and pressing the flexible circuit board to the display panel by applying heat and pressure may be used. Summary of the invention

[0003]

Technical issues

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a display device including a flexible circuit board having reduced stretch dispersion.

[0005] However, the objects of the present invention are not limited to the aforementioned objects, and various extensions may be made without departing from the scope of the idea and field of the present invention.

[0006]

Technical solution

[0007] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the present invention, a display device may include: a display panel, including: a first signal pad portion including a plurality of first signal pads; a second signal pad portion including a plurality of second signal pads; and a first dummy pad portion arranged between the first signal pad portion and the second signal pad portion and including at least one first dummy pad; and a flexible circuit board, including: a first terminal portion including a plurality of first terminals; a second terminal portion including a plurality of second terminals; and a first cutout portion arranged between the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, the flexible circuit board being pressed to the display panel so that the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals are electrically connected to the plurality of first signal pads and the plurality of second signal pads, respectively, and the first cutout portion overlaps with the first dummy pad portion.

[0008] In an embodiment, the number of the plurality of first terminals may be equal to the number of the plurality of second terminals.

[0009] In an embodiment, the number of the plurality of first terminals may be different from the number of the plurality of second terminals.

[0010] In an embodiment, the display panel may further include: a third signal pad portion including a plurality of third signal pads; and a second dummy pad portion arranged between the second signal pad portion and the third signal pad portion and including at least one second dummy pad, and the flexible circuit board may further include: a third terminal portion including a plurality of third terminals electrically connected to the plurality of third signal pads, respectively; and a second cutout portion arranged between the second terminal portion and the third terminal portion and overlapping with the second dummy pad portion.

[0011] In an embodiment, the number of the plurality of first terminals, the number of the plurality of second terminals, and the number of the plurality of third terminals may be equal.

[0012] In an embodiment, the number of the plurality of first terminals, the number of the plurality of second terminals, or the number of the plurality of third terminals may be different.

[0013] In an embodiment, the plurality of first terminals may be arranged in the first direction, and a width of the first cutout portion in the first direction may be equal to a width of the second cutout portion in the first direction.

[0014] In an embodiment, the display panel may further include: a third signal pad portion including a plurality of third signal pads; and a blank portion arranged between the second signal pad portion and the third signal pad portion, and the flexible circuit board may further include: a third terminal portion including a plurality of third terminals electrically connected to the plurality of third signal pads, respectively; and a second cutout portion arranged between the second terminal portion and the third terminal portion and overlapping with the second blank portion.

[0015] In an embodiment, a plurality of first terminals may be arranged in a first direction, and a width of the first cutout portion in the first direction may be greater than a sum of a width of each of the plurality of first terminals in the first direction and gaps between adjacent first terminals among the plurality of first terminals.

[0016] In an embodiment, a width of the first cut portion in the first direction may be less than about 2000 μm.

[0017] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of first terminals may extend in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a width of the first cutout portion in the second direction may be equal to a width of each of the plurality of first terminals in the second direction.

[0018] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of first terminals may extend in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a width of the first cutout portion in the second direction may be smaller than a width of each of the plurality of first terminals in the second direction.

[0019] In an embodiment, each of the plurality of first terminals may extend in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and a width of the first cutout portion in the second direction may be greater than a width of each of the plurality of first terminals in the second direction.

[0020] In an embodiment, a planar shape of the first cutout portion may be a rectangle, a semicircle, a triangle, a trapezoid, or a pentagon.

[0021] In an embodiment, the flexible circuit board may further include: a driving chip electrically connected to the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals.

[0022] In an embodiment, the display device may further include: an anisotropic conductive layer disposed between the display panel and the flexible circuit board, the anisotropic conductive layer electrically connecting the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals to the plurality of first signal pads and the plurality of second signal pads, respectively.

[0023] In an embodiment, the flexible circuit board may further include a base layer on which the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals are arranged, the base layer being stretched according to external pressure.

[0024] In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose of the present invention, a display device may include: a display panel, including: a first signal pad portion including a plurality of first signal pads; a second signal pad portion including a plurality of second signal pads; and a blank portion arranged between the first signal pad portion and the second signal pad portion; and a flexible circuit board, including: a first terminal portion including a plurality of first terminals; a second terminal portion including a plurality of second terminals; and a cutout portion arranged between the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, the flexible circuit board being pressed to the display panel so that the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals are electrically connected to the plurality of first signal pads and the plurality of second signal pads, respectively, and the cutout portion overlaps with the blank portion.

[0025] In an embodiment, the number of the plurality of first terminals may be equal to the number of the plurality of second terminals.

[0026] In an embodiment, the number of the plurality of first terminals may be different from the number of the plurality of second terminals.

[0027]

Beneficial Effects

[0028] In a display device according to an embodiment, the flexible circuit board may include a cutout portion arranged between a first terminal portion and a second terminal portion, and may be pressed to the display panel so that the cutout portion overlaps with a dummy pad portion of the display panel, thereby reducing the stretching discreteness of the flexible circuit board during the process of pressing the flexible circuit board to the display panel by applying heat and pressure.

[0029] However, the effects of the present invention are not limited to the aforementioned effects, and various extensions can be made without departing from the scope of the idea and field of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment.

[0031] Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a display panel according to an embodiment.

[0032] Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a flexible circuit board according to an embodiment.

[0033] Figure 4a and Figure 4b is a plan view illustrating a portion of a flexible circuit board according to an embodiment.

[0034] Figure 4c , Figure 4d , Figure 4e and Figure 4f is a plan view illustrating a portion of a flexible circuit board according to an embodiment.

[0035] Figure 5 is a plan view illustrating a state in which a display panel and a flexible circuit board are separated according to an embodiment.

[0036] Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating a state in which a display panel and a flexible circuit board are pressed according to an embodiment.

[0037] Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along line II' in FIG.

[0038] Figure 8 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a display panel according to an embodiment.

[0039] Fig. 9 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a flexible circuit board according to an embodiment.

[0040] Fig.10 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a display panel according to an embodiment.

[0041] Fig.11 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a display panel according to an embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Hereinafter, a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0043] Figure 1is a plan view illustrating a display device according to an embodiment. Figure 2 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a display panel 100 according to an embodiment. Figure 3 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a flexible circuit board 200 according to an embodiment.

[0044] Reference Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 3 The display device according to the embodiment may include a display panel 100 and a flexible circuit board 200. The display panel 100 may display an image, and the flexible circuit board 200 may be electrically connected to the display panel 100 to provide a signal or voltage, etc. to the display panel 100.

[0045] The display panel 100 may include a display area DA and a peripheral area PA. The display panel 100 may include a plurality of pixels PX arranged in the display area DA. In an embodiment, the pixels PX may be arranged in a substantially matrix form along a first direction DR1 and a second direction DR2 substantially orthogonal to the first direction DR1. The display area DA may display an image formed by light emitted from each of the pixels PX.

[0046] The peripheral area PA may be arranged outside the display area DA. In an embodiment, the peripheral area PA may surround the display area DA. The display panel 100 may include a pad portion arranged in the peripheral area PA. In an embodiment, the pad portion may be arranged in the second direction DR2 from the display area DA.

[0047] In an embodiment, the pad portion may include a first signal pad portion 121, a second signal pad portion 122, and a first dummy pad portion 131. The first dummy pad portion 131 may be arranged between the first signal pad portion 121 and the second signal pad portion 122. For example, the first dummy pad portion 131 may be arranged in the first direction DR1 from the first signal pad portion 121, and the second signal pad portion 122 may be arranged in the first direction DR1 from the first dummy pad portion 131.

[0048] The first signal pad portion 121 may include a plurality of first signal pads SP1 arranged on the substrate 110. The first signal pads SP1 may be arranged along the first direction DR1, and each of the first signal pads SP1 may extend in the second direction DR2. In an embodiment, a gap between adjacent first signal pads SP1 in the first direction DR1 may be uniform.

[0049] The second signal pad portion 122 may include a plurality of second signal pads SP2 arranged on the substrate 110. The second signal pads SP2 may be arranged along the first direction DR1, and each of the second signal pads SP2 may extend in the second direction DR2. In an embodiment, the gaps between the adjacent second signal pads SP2 in the first direction DR1 may be uniform. In an embodiment, the gaps between the adjacent second signal pads SP2 may be substantially equal to the gaps between the adjacent first signal pads SP1.

[0050] A signal or voltage, etc. may be provided from the flexible circuit board 200 to the first signal pad SP1 and the second signal pad SP2, and the first signal pad SP1 and the second signal pad SP2 may be electrically connected to the pixel PX to provide the signal or voltage, etc. to the pixel PX. In an embodiment, the first signal pad SP1 and the second signal pad SP2 may provide a data signal to the pixel PX. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and in another embodiment, the first signal pad SP1 and the second signal pad SP2 may provide a scan signal or a power supply voltage, etc. to the pixel PX.

[0051] In an embodiment, the number of the first signal pads SP1 may be equal to the number of the second signal pads SP2. In another embodiment, the number of the first signal pads SP1 may be different from the number of the second signal pads SP2.

[0052] The first dummy pad portion 131 may include at least one first dummy pad DP1 arranged on the substrate 110. Hereinafter, it will be described that the first dummy pad portion 131 includes a plurality of first dummy pads DP1. The first dummy pads DP1 may be arranged along the first direction DR1, and each of the first dummy pads DP1 may extend in the second direction DR2. In an embodiment, the gap between the adjacent first dummy pads DP1 in the first direction DR1 may be uniform. In an embodiment, the gap between the adjacent first dummy pads DP1 may be equal to the gap between the adjacent first signal pads SP1 and / or the gap between the adjacent second signal pads SP2.

[0053] A signal or voltage, etc. may not be provided to the first dummy pad DP1 from the flexible circuit board 200, and the first dummy pad DP1 may not be electrically connected to the pixel PX. The first dummy pad DP1 may shield electrical interference between the first signal pad SP1 and the second signal pad SP2.

[0054] In an embodiment, the flexible circuit board 200 may include a first terminal portion 221, a second terminal portion 222, and a first cutout portion 231. The first cutout portion 231 may be disposed between the first terminal portion 221 and the second terminal portion 222. For example, the first cutout portion 231 may be disposed in a first direction DR1 from the first terminal portion 221, and the second terminal portion 222 may be disposed in the first direction DR1 from the first cutout portion 231.

[0055] In an embodiment, the flexible circuit board 200 may further include a driving chip 250. The driving chip 250 may convert a signal applied from an external device. For example, the driving chip 250 may convert an image signal applied from an external device into a data signal to be provided to the display panel 100.

[0056] The first terminal portion 221 may include a plurality of first terminals TN1 arranged on the base layer 210. The first terminals TN1 may be arranged along the first direction DR1, and each of the first terminals TN1 may extend in the second direction DR2. In an embodiment, the gap G21 between the first terminals TN1 adjacent in the first direction DR1 may be uniform. Further, the width W211 of each of the first terminals TN1 in the first direction DR1 and the width W212 in the second direction DR2 may be uniform.

[0057] The second terminal portion 222 may include a plurality of second terminals TN2 arranged on the base layer 210. The second terminals TN2 may be arranged along the first direction DR1, and each of the second terminals TN2 may extend in the second direction DR2. In an embodiment, the gap G22 between the second terminals TN2 adjacent in the first direction DR1 may be uniform. Further, the width W221 of each of the second terminals TN2 in the first direction DR1 and the width W222 in the second direction DR2 may be uniform.

[0058] In an embodiment, the gap G22 between adjacent second terminals TN2 may be substantially equal to the gap G21 between adjacent first terminals TN1. Further, the width W221 of each of the second terminals TN2 in the first direction DR1 and the width W222 of each of the second terminals TN2 in the second direction DR2 may be substantially equal to the width W211 of each of the first terminals TN1 in the first direction DR1 and the width W212 of each of the first terminals TN1 in the second direction DR2.

[0059] The first and second terminals TN1 and TN2 may be electrically connected to the driving chip 250 , and signals or voltages, etc. may be provided to the first and second terminals TN1 and TN2 from the driving chip 250 . In an embodiment, the first and second terminals TN1 and TN2 may receive data signals from the driving chip 250 .

[0060] The first terminal TN1 and the second terminal TN2 may be electrically connected to the first signal pad SP1 and the second signal pad SP2, respectively. In an embodiment, the first terminal TN1 and the second terminal TN2 may correspond to the first signal pad SP1 and the second signal pad SP2, respectively. In such an embodiment, the number of the first terminals TN1 and the second terminals TN2 may be equal to the number of the first signal pads SP1 and the number of the second signal pads SP2, respectively.

[0061] In an embodiment, the number of the first terminals TN1 may be equal to the number of the second terminals TN2. In another embodiment, the number of the first terminals TN1 may be different from the number of the second terminals TN2.

[0062] The first cutout portion 231 may have a shape in which a portion of the flexible circuit board 200 is cut. In an embodiment, the first cutout portion 231 may have a shape in which a portion of an edge of the flexible circuit board 200 adjacent to and between the first and second terminal portions 221 and 222 enters the flexible circuit board 200.

[0063] In an embodiment, the width W311 of the first cutout portion 231 in the first direction DR1 may be greater than the sum of the width W211 of each of the first terminals TN1 in the first direction DR1 and the gap G21 between the adjacent first terminals TN1. In other words, the width W311 of the first cutout portion 231 in the first direction DR1 may be greater than the spacing of the first terminals TN1 corresponding to the sum of the width W211 of the first terminals TN1 in the first direction DR1 and the gap G21 between the adjacent first terminals TN1. In an embodiment, the spacing of the first terminals TN1 may be about 25 μm or less. As described above, the width W221 of each of the second terminals TN2 in the first direction DR1 may be substantially equal to the width W211 of each of the first terminals TN1 in the first direction DR1, and the gap G22 between the adjacent second terminals TN2 may be substantially equal to the gap G21 between the adjacent first terminals TN1, so the width W311 of the first cutout portion 231 in the first direction DR1 may be greater than the sum of the width W221 of each of the second terminals TN2 in the first direction DR1 and the gap G22 between the adjacent second terminals TN2.

[0064] In an embodiment, the width W311 of the first cutout portion 231 in the first direction DR1 may be less than about 2000 μm. When the width W311 of the first cutout portion 231 in the first direction DR1 is greater than about 2000 μm, the base layer 210 may be bent, and thus, the flexible circuit board 200 may be deformed.

[0065] In an embodiment, the width W312 of the first cutout portion 231 in the second direction DR2 may be substantially equal to the width W212 of each of the first terminals TN1 in the second direction DR2. As described above, the width W222 of each of the second terminals TN2 in the second direction DR2 may be substantially equal to the width W212 of each of the first terminals TN1 in the second direction DR2, and thus the width W312 of the first cutout portion 231 in the second direction DR2 may be substantially equal to the width W222 of each of the second terminals TN2 in the second direction DR2.

[0066] Figure 4a and Figure 4b is a plan view illustrating a portion of a flexible circuit board 200 according to an embodiment.

[0067] Reference Figure 4a In an embodiment, the width W312A of the first cutout portion 231A in the second direction DR2 may be smaller than the width of each of the first terminals TN1 in the second direction DR2. For example, the width W312A of the first cutout portion 231A in the second direction DR2 may be greater than or substantially equal to a value obtained by subtracting 50 μm from the width of each of the first terminals TN1 in the second direction DR2, and may be smaller than the width of each of the first terminals TN1 in the second direction DR2. As described above, the width of each of the second terminals TN2 in the second direction DR2 may be substantially equal to the width of each of the first terminals TN1 in the second direction DR2, and thus the width W312A of the first cutout portion 231A in the second direction DR2 may be smaller than the width of each of the second terminals TN2 in the second direction DR2.

[0068] Reference Figure 4b In an embodiment, the width W312B of the first cutout portion 231B in the second direction DR2 may be greater than the width of each of the first terminals TN1 in the second direction DR2. For example, the width W312B of the first cutout portion 231B in the second direction DR2 may be greater than the width of each of the first terminals TN1 in the second direction DR2, and may be less than or substantially equal to a value obtained by adding 50 μm to the width of each of the first terminals TN1 in the second direction DR2. As described above, the width of each of the second terminals TN2 in the second direction DR2 may be substantially equal to the width of each of the first terminals TN1 in the second direction DR2, and thus the width W312B of the first cutout portion 231B in the second direction DR2 may be greater than the width of each of the second terminals TN2 in the second direction DR2.

[0069] Refer again Figure 3 In an embodiment, the first cutout portion 231 may have a rectangular planar shape. In such an embodiment, a width W311 of the first cutout portion 231 in the first direction DR1 may be substantially equal to or different from a width W312 of the first cutout portion 231 in the second direction DR2.

[0070] Figure 4c , Figure 4d , Figure 4e and Figure 4f is a plan view illustrating a portion of a flexible circuit board 200 according to an embodiment.

[0071] Reference Figure 4c , Figure 4d , Figure 4e and Figure 4f In an embodiment, the first cutout portions 231C, 231D, 231E, and 231F may have a planar shape of a semicircle, a triangle, a trapezoid, or a pentagon. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the first cutout portion 231 may have a planar shape of a semicircle, a triangle, a trapezoid, or a pentagon. Figure 3 , Figure 4c , Figure 4d , Figure 4e and Figure 4f The shape shown in the figure is different from the shape.

[0072] Figure 5 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the display panel 100 and the flexible circuit board 200 are separated according to an embodiment. Figure 6 is a plan view illustrating a state in which the display panel 100 and the flexible circuit board 200 are pressed according to an embodiment. Figure 7 It is along Figure 6 A cross-sectional view taken along line II' in FIG.

[0073] Reference Figure 5 , Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the flexible circuit board 200 may be pressed to the display panel 100 so that the first terminal TN1 and the second terminal TN2 are electrically connected to the first signal pad SP1 and the second signal pad SP2, respectively, and the first cutout portion 231 overlaps the first dummy pad portion 131. In a plan view, the first terminal TN1 and the second terminal TN2 may overlap the first signal pad SP1 and the second signal pad SP2, respectively.

[0074] In an embodiment, the display device may further include an anisotropic conductive layer 300 disposed between the display panel 100 and the flexible circuit board 200. The anisotropic conductive layer 300 may electrically connect the first terminal TN1 and the second terminal TN2 of the flexible circuit board 200 to the first signal pad SP1 and the second signal pad SP2 of the display panel 100, respectively. In an embodiment, the anisotropic conductive layer 300 may be formed on the substrate 110 to cover the first signal pad SP1 and the second signal pad SP2, and the flexible circuit board 200 may be pressed to the display panel 100 by applying heat and pressure with the anisotropic conductive layer 300 interposed between the flexible circuit board 200 and the display panel 100, so that the first terminal TN1 and the second terminal TN2 are electrically connected to the first signal pad SP1 and the second signal pad SP2, respectively.

[0075] The base layer 210 of the flexible circuit board 200 may include a material that is stretched according to heat and / or pressure applied from the outside. In an embodiment, the base layer 210 may include polyimide (PI). When the flexible circuit board 200 is pressed to the display panel 100 by applying heat and pressure, the base layer 210 may be stretched in the first direction DR1 and / or the second direction DR2. For example, when the flexible circuit board 200 is pressed to the display panel 100, the base layer 210 may be stretched in the first direction DR1, and thus, the gap between the first terminals TN1 adjacent in the first direction DR1 and the gap between the second terminals TN2 adjacent in the first direction DR1 may be increased. In other words, after the flexible circuit board 200 is pressed to the display panel 100, the gap between the first terminals TN1 adjacent in the first direction DR1 and the gap between the second terminals TN2 adjacent in the first direction DR1 may be respectively greater than the gap between the first terminals TN1 adjacent in the first direction DR1 and the gap between the second terminals TN2 adjacent in the first direction DR1 before the flexible circuit board 200 is pressed to the display panel 100. Therefore, when manufacturing the flexible circuit board 200 , a gap between the first terminals TN1 adjacent in the first direction DR1 and a gap between the second terminals TN2 adjacent in the first direction DR1 may be designed in consideration of the stretch rate of the base layer 210 according to heat and pressure.

[0076] The total elongation TE of the flexible circuit board 200 due to heat and pressure may be determined according to Equation 1 below.

[0077] [Equation 1]

[0078]

[0079] In Equation 1, n represents the number of terminals TN1 and TN2 arranged adjacent to each other, A represents the average stretch amount of one pitch of the terminals TN1 and TN2, and a represents the stretch dispersion of one pitch of the terminals TN1 and TN2. Referring to Equation 1, as the number of terminals TN1 and TN2 arranged adjacent to each other increases, the total stretch amount TE of the flexible circuit board 200 may also increase, and the stretch dispersion of the flexible circuit board 200 may also increase. When the stretch dispersion of the flexible circuit board 200 increases, the degree of alignment between the terminals TN1 and TN2 of the flexible circuit board 200 and the signal pads SP1 and SP2 of the display panel 100 may decrease.

[0080] In the comparative example of the related art, the flexible circuit board may not include the cutout portion, and therefore, when the total number of terminals included in the flexible circuit board is N, the total stretch amount of the flexible circuit board may be However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the flexible circuit board 200 may include the first cutout portion 231, and therefore, when the number of each of the first terminal TN1 and the second terminal TN2 included in the flexible circuit board 200 is N / 2, the total stretch amount of the flexible circuit board 200 may be Therefore, according to the embodiment of the present invention, the stretch dispersion of the flexible circuit board 200 may be reduced, and the degree of alignment between the terminals TN1 and TN2 of the flexible circuit board 200 and the signal pads SP1 and SP2 of the display panel 100 may be improved.

[0081] Figure 8 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a display panel 1100 according to an embodiment. Fig. 9 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a flexible circuit board 1200 according to an embodiment.

[0082] Reference Figure 8 and Fig. 9 , the display device according to the embodiment may include a display panel 1100 and a flexible circuit board 1200. Reference will be omitted Figure 8 and Fig. 9 The display panel 1100 and the flexible circuit board 1200 described above are similar to those of the reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 Components of the display panel 100 and the flexible circuit board 200 are described as being substantially the same or similar to the description of the components.

[0083] The display panel 1100 may include a pad portion, and the pad portion may include a plurality of signal pad portions and a plurality of dummy pad portions arranged between the signal pad portions. In an embodiment, the pad portion may include a first signal pad portion 121, a second signal pad portion 122, a third signal pad portion 123, a first dummy pad portion 131, and a second dummy pad portion 132. The first dummy pad portion 131 may be arranged between the first signal pad portion 121 and the second signal pad portion 122, and the second dummy pad portion 132 may be arranged between the second signal pad portion 122 and the third signal pad portion 123. For example, the second dummy pad portion 132 may be arranged in the first direction DR1 from the second signal pad portion 122, and the third signal pad portion 123 may be arranged in the first direction DR1 from the second dummy pad portion 132. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the pad portion may include three or more dummy pad portions arranged between the signal pad portions.

[0084] The third signal pad portion 123 may include a plurality of third signal pads SP3 arranged on the substrate 110. The third signal pads SP3 may be arranged along the first direction DR1, and each of the third signal pads SP3 may extend in the second direction DR2. In an embodiment, the gaps between the third signal pads SP3 adjacent in the first direction DR1 may be uniform. In an embodiment, the gaps between the adjacent third signal pads SP3 may be substantially equal to the gaps between the adjacent first signal pads SP1 and the gaps between the adjacent second signal pads SP2.

[0085] In an embodiment, the number of first signal pads SP1, the number of second signal pads SP2, and the number of third signal pads SP3 may be equal. In another embodiment, the number of first signal pads SP1, the number of second signal pads SP2, or the number of third signal pads SP3 may be different.

[0086] The second dummy pad portion 132 may include at least one second dummy pad DP2 arranged on the substrate 110. Hereinafter, it will be described that the second dummy pad portion 132 includes a plurality of second dummy pads DP2. The second dummy pads DP2 may be arranged along the first direction DR1, and each of the second dummy pads DP2 may extend in the second direction DR2. In an embodiment, the gap between the adjacent second dummy pads DP2 in the first direction DR1 may be uniform. In an embodiment, the gap between the adjacent second dummy pads DP2 may be substantially equal to the gap between the adjacent first signal pads SP1, the gap between the adjacent second signal pads SP2, and / or the gap between the adjacent third signal pads SP3.

[0087] The flexible circuit board 1200 may include a plurality of terminal portions and a plurality of cutout portions arranged between the terminal portions. In an embodiment, the flexible circuit board 1200 may include a first terminal portion 221, a second terminal portion 222, a third terminal portion 223, a first cutout portion 231, and a second cutout portion 232. The first cutout portion 231 may be arranged between the first terminal portion 221 and the second terminal portion 222, and the second cutout portion 232 may be arranged between the second terminal portion 222 and the third terminal portion 223. For example, the second cutout portion 232 may be arranged in the first direction DR1 from the second terminal portion 222, and the third terminal portion 223 may be arranged in the first direction DR1 from the second cutout portion 232. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the flexible circuit board 1200 may include three or more cutout portions arranged between the terminal portions.

[0088] The third terminal portion 223 may include a plurality of third terminals TN3 arranged on the base layer 210. The third terminals TN3 may be arranged along the first direction DR1, and each of the third terminals TN3 may extend in the second direction DR2. In an embodiment, the gap G23 between the third terminals TN3 adjacent in the first direction DR1 may be uniform. Further, each of the third terminals TN3 may have a uniform width W231 in the first direction DR1 and a uniform width W232 in the second direction DR2.

[0089] In an embodiment, the gap G23 between adjacent third terminals TN3 may be substantially equal to the gap between adjacent first terminals TN1 and the gap between adjacent second terminals TN2. Further, the width W231 of each of the third terminals TN3 in the first direction DR1 and the width W232 in the second direction DR2 may be substantially equal to the width of each of the first terminal TN1 and the second terminal TN2 in the first direction DR1 and the width in the second direction DR2, respectively.

[0090] The first terminal TN1, the second terminal TN2, and the third terminal TN3 may be electrically connected to the first signal pad SP1, the second signal pad SP2, and the third signal pad SP3, respectively. In an embodiment, the first terminal TN1, the second terminal TN2, and the third terminal TN3 may correspond to the first signal pad SP1, the second signal pad SP2, and the third signal pad SP3, respectively. In such an embodiment, the number of the first terminal TN1, the number of the second terminal TN2, and the number of the third terminal TN3 may be equal to the number of the first signal pad SP1, the number of the second signal pad SP2, and the number of the third signal pad SP3, respectively.

[0091] In an embodiment, the number of the first terminals TN1, the number of the second terminals TN2, and the number of the third terminals TN3 may be equal. In another embodiment, the number of the first terminals TN1, the number of the second terminals TN2, or the number of the third terminals TN3 may be different.

[0092] The second cutout portion 232 may have a shape in which a portion of the flexible circuit board 1200 is cut. In an embodiment, the second cutout portion 232 may have a shape in which a portion of an edge of the flexible circuit board 1200 adjacent to and between the second terminal portion 222 and the third terminal portion 223 enters the flexible circuit board 1200.

[0093] In an embodiment, the width W321 of the second cutout portion 232 in the first direction DR1 may be substantially equal to the width of the first cutout portion 231 in the first direction DR1. In another embodiment, the width W321 of the second cutout portion 232 in the first direction DR1 may be different from the width of the first cutout portion 231 in the first direction DR1.

[0094] In an embodiment, the width W322 of the second cutout portion 232 in the second direction DR2 may be substantially equal to the width of the first cutout portion 231 in the second direction DR2. In another embodiment, the width W322 of the second cutout portion 232 in the second direction DR2 may be different from the width of the first cutout portion 231 in the second direction DR2.

[0095] The flexible circuit board 1200 may be pressed to the display panel 1100 so that the first terminal TN1, the second terminal TN2, and the third terminal TN3 are electrically connected to the first signal pad SP1, the second signal pad SP2, and the third signal pad SP3, respectively, and the first cutout portion 231 and the second cutout portion 232 respectively overlap the first dummy pad portion 131 and the second dummy pad portion 132. In a plan view, the first terminal TN1, the second terminal TN2, and the third terminal TN3 may overlap the first signal pad SP1, the second signal pad SP2, and the third signal pad SP3, respectively.

[0096] In an embodiment, since the flexible circuit board 1200 includes a plurality of cutout portions 231 and 232, the stretch discreteness of the flexible circuit board 1200 can be further reduced, and the alignment between the terminals TN1, TN2, and TN3 of the flexible circuit board 1200 and the signal pads SP1, SP2, and SP3 of the display panel 1100 can be further improved.

[0097] [Table 1]

[0098]

[0099] Table 1 illustrates the stretch discreteness of the flexible circuit board according to the number of cutout portions of the flexible circuit board. Referring to Table 1, the stretch discreteness of the flexible circuit board according to the embodiment of the present invention in which the flexible circuit board includes at least one cutout portion is relatively small compared to the comparative example of the prior art in which the flexible circuit board does not include the cutout portion. Further, as the number of cutout portions included in the flexible circuit board increases, the stretch discreteness of the flexible circuit board can be reduced.

[0100] Fig.10 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a display panel 2100 according to an embodiment.

[0101] Reference Figure 3 and Fig.10 , the display device according to the embodiment may include a display panel 2100 and a flexible circuit board 200. Reference will be omitted Figure 3 and Fig.10 The display panel 2100 and the flexible circuit board 200 described above are similar to those described in reference Figure 2 and Figure 3 Components of the display panel 100 and the flexible circuit board 200 are described as being substantially the same or similar to the description of the components.

[0102] In an embodiment, the pad portion of the display panel 2100 may include a first signal pad portion 121, a second signal pad portion 122, and a blank portion 140. The blank portion 140 may be disposed between the first signal pad portion 121 and the second signal pad portion 122. For example, the blank portion 140 may be disposed in the first direction DR1 from the first signal pad portion 121, and the second signal pad portion 122 may be disposed in the first direction DR1 from the blank portion 140.

[0103] The pad may not be arranged in the blank portion 140. In an embodiment, an alignment mark or the like for aligning the display panel 2100 and the flexible circuit board 200 may be arranged in the blank portion 140.

[0104] The flexible circuit board 200 may be pressed to the display panel 2100 so that the first and second terminals TN1 and TN2 are electrically connected to the first and second signal pads SP1 and SP2, respectively, and the first cutout portion 231 overlaps the blank portion 140. In a plan view, the first and second terminals TN1 and TN2 may overlap the first and second signal pads SP1 and SP2, respectively.

[0105] Fig.11 is a plan view illustrating a portion of a display panel 3100 according to an embodiment.

[0106] Reference Fig. 9 and Fig.11, the display device according to the embodiment may include a display panel 3100 and a flexible circuit board 1200. Reference will be omitted Fig. 9 and Fig.11 The display panel 3100 and the flexible circuit board 1200 described with reference to Figure 8 and Fig. 9 Components of the display panel 1100 and the flexible circuit board 1200 are described as being substantially the same or similar to the description of the components.

[0107] In an embodiment, the pad portion of the display panel 3100 may include a first signal pad portion 121, a second signal pad portion 122, a third signal pad portion 123, a first dummy pad portion 131, and a blank portion 140. The first dummy pad portion 131 may be disposed between the first signal pad portion 121 and the second signal pad portion 122, and the blank portion 140 may be disposed between the second signal pad portion 122 and the third signal pad portion 123. For example, the blank portion 140 may be disposed in the first direction DR1 from the second signal pad portion 122, and the third signal pad portion 123 may be disposed in the first direction DR1 from the blank portion 140.

[0108] The pad may not be arranged in the blank portion 140. In an embodiment, an alignment mark or the like for aligning the display panel 3100 and the flexible circuit board 1200 may be arranged in the blank portion 140.

[0109] The flexible circuit board 1200 may be pressed to the panel 3100 so that the first terminal TN1, the second terminal TN2, and the third terminal TN3 are electrically connected to the first signal pad SP1, the second signal pad SP2, and the third signal pad SP3, respectively, and the first cutout portion 231 and the second cutout portion 232 respectively overlap the first dummy pad portion 131 and the blank portion 140. In a plan view, the first terminal TN1, the second terminal TN2, and the third terminal TN3 may overlap the first signal pad SP1, the second signal pad SP2, and the third signal pad SP3, respectively.

[0110] [Industrial Applicability]

[0111] The display device according to the embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a display device included in a computer, a notebook computer, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a smart tablet, a PMP, a PDA, an MP3 player, or the like.

[0112] Although the display device according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the illustrated embodiment is an example and may be modified and changed by a person skilled in the art without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention described in the appended claims.

[0113] [Description of Reference Numerals]

[0114] 100, 1100, 2100, 3100: Display panel

[0115] 121: first signal pad portion 122: second signal pad portion

[0116] 123: third signal pad portion 131: first dummy pad portion

[0117] 132: second dummy pad portion 140: blank portion

[0118] 200, 1200: Flexible circuit board 210: Base layer

[0119] 221: first terminal portion 222: second terminal portion

[0120] 223: third terminal portion 231: first cutout portion

[0121] 232: Second cutout portion 250: Driver chip

[0122] 300: Anisotropic conductive layer

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: A display panel, comprising: a plurality of signal pad portions and at least one dummy pad portion, the plurality of signal pad portions comprising: a first signal pad portion comprising a plurality of first signal pads and a second signal pad portion comprising a plurality of second signal pads, the at least one dummy pad portion comprising: a first dummy pad portion disposed between the first signal pad portion and the second signal pad portion and comprising at least one first dummy pad; and A flexible circuit board, comprising: a plurality of terminal portions and at least one cutout portion, the plurality of terminal portions comprising: a first terminal portion comprising a plurality of first terminals and a second terminal portion comprising a plurality of second terminals, the at least one cutout portion comprising a first cutout portion arranged between the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion, the flexible circuit board being pressed to the display panel so that the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals are electrically connected to the plurality of first signal pads and the plurality of second signal pads, respectively, and the first cutout portion overlaps the first dummy pad portion, The stretch dispersion of the flexible circuit board decreases as the total stretch amount of the flexible circuit board decreases, and the total stretch amount of the flexible circuit board decreases as the number of terminals of one of the plurality of terminal parts decreases.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The number of the plurality of first terminals is equal to the number of the plurality of second terminals.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The number of the plurality of first terminals is different from the number of the plurality of second terminals.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of signal pad portions further include: a third signal pad portion including a plurality of third signal pads, and the at least one dummy pad portion further includes: a second dummy pad portion arranged between the second signal pad portion and the third signal pad portion and including at least one second dummy pad, and Wherein, the multiple terminal parts further include: a third terminal part including multiple third terminals respectively electrically connected to the multiple third signal pads, and the at least one cut-out part further includes: a second cut-out part arranged between the second terminal part and the third terminal part and overlapping with the second dummy pad part.

5. The display device according to claim 4, wherein: The number of the plurality of first terminals, the number of the plurality of second terminals, and the number of the plurality of third terminals are equal.

6. The display device according to claim 4, wherein: The number of the plurality of first terminals, the number of the plurality of second terminals, or the number of the plurality of third terminals is different.

7. The display device according to claim 4, wherein: The plurality of first terminals are arranged in a first direction, and Wherein, the width of the first cutout portion in the first direction is equal to the width of the second cutout portion in the first direction.

8. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of signal pad portions further include: a third signal pad portion including a plurality of third signal pads, and the display panel further includes: a blank portion arranged between the second signal pad portion and the third signal pad portion, and Wherein, the plurality of terminal portions further include: a third terminal portion including a plurality of third terminals respectively electrically connected to the plurality of third signal pads, and the at least one cutout portion further includes: a second cutout portion arranged between the second terminal portion and the third terminal portion and overlapping with the blank portion.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The plurality of first terminals are arranged in a first direction, and The width of the first cutout portion in the first direction is greater than the sum of the width of each of the plurality of first terminals in the first direction and the gaps between adjacent first terminals among the plurality of first terminals.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein: The width of the first cutout portion in the first direction is less than 2000 μm.

11. The display device according to claim 9, wherein: Each of the plurality of first terminals extends in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and The width of the first cutout portion in the second direction is equal to the width of each of the plurality of first terminals in the second direction.

12. The display device according to claim 9, wherein: Each of the plurality of first terminals extends in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and The width of the first cutout portion in the second direction is smaller than the width of each of the plurality of first terminals in the second direction.

13. The display device according to claim 9, wherein: Each of the plurality of first terminals extends in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and The width of the first cutout portion in the second direction is greater than the width of each of the plurality of first terminals in the second direction.

14. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The planar shape of the first cutout portion is a rectangle, a semicircle, a triangle, a trapezoid or a pentagon.

15. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The flexible circuit board further includes a driving chip electrically connected to the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals.

16. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: An anisotropic conductive layer is disposed between the display panel and the flexible circuit board, and the anisotropic conductive layer electrically connects the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals to the plurality of first signal pads and the plurality of second signal pads, respectively.

17. The display device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein: The flexible circuit board further includes a base layer on which the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals are arranged, the base layer being stretched according to external pressure.

18. A display device comprising: A display panel, comprising: a plurality of signal pad portions and a blank portion, the plurality of signal pad portions comprising: a first signal pad portion comprising a plurality of first signal pads and a second signal pad portion comprising a plurality of second signal pads, the blank portion being arranged between the first signal pad portion and the second signal pad portion; and A flexible circuit board, comprising: a plurality of terminal parts and at least one cutout part, the plurality of terminal parts comprising: a first terminal part comprising a plurality of first terminals and a second terminal part comprising a plurality of second terminals, the at least one cutout part comprising a first cutout part arranged between the first terminal part and the second terminal part, the flexible circuit board being pressed to the display panel so that the plurality of first terminals and the plurality of second terminals are electrically connected to the plurality of first signal pads and the plurality of second signal pads, respectively, and the first cutout part overlaps the blank part, The stretch dispersion of the flexible circuit board decreases as the total stretch amount of the flexible circuit board decreases, and the total stretch amount of the flexible circuit board decreases as the number of terminals of one of the plurality of terminal parts decreases.

19. The display device according to claim 18, wherein: The number of the plurality of first terminals is equal to the number of the plurality of second terminals.

20. The display device according to claim 18, wherein: The number of the plurality of first terminals is different from the number of the plurality of second terminals.

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