Flexible Printed Circuit ESD Protection in Slim Display Apparatus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional display apparatuses face challenges in achieving slimness due to the thickness occupied by metal shields for protecting electrical elements, which also increases manufacturing costs and compromises the durability of portable devices by reducing the frame's rigidity.
Innovation Solution
A display apparatus using a flexible printed circuit with a combination, base, and connection portions, where the electrical element is mounted within a bent portion, eliminating the need for an additional metal shield while incorporating a protection portion and ground terminal for electrostatic discharge protection, thereby maintaining slimness and enhancing durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a metal shield is disposed to protect electrical elements, then electrostatic discharge protection is improved, but device thickness increases and slimness is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the metal shield component from the device structure. Instead of using a separate metal shielding layer, the invention integrates ESD protection functionality directly into the FPC structure through the connection portion configuration, thereby removing the thickness contribution of metal shields while maintaining protection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a ground terminal as an intermediary element that provides ESD protection without requiring metal shields. The ground terminal serves as a mediator between the electrical elements and the ground, offering a safe discharge path for electrostatic energy while maintaining device slimness through the flexible circuit's inherent structure
2Reliability
If a metal shield is disposed to protect electrical elements, then electrostatic discharge protection is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the metal shield component from the manufacturing process, eliminating the need for separate metal shield production, handling, and assembly operations. This extraction of unnecessary components directly reduces manufacturing complexity and cost
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple functions into the FPC structure itself. The connection portion simultaneously provides mechanical flexibility, electrical connection, and ESD protection functionality, eliminating the need for separate metal shield components and reducing overall manufacturing cost
3Ease of operation
If a hole is formed in the frame to accommodate electrical elements, then electrical element mounting is enabled, but frame rigidity deteriorates and durability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the electrical elements from the frame structure and relocates them to the FPC. By removing electrical elements from the frame, the need for holes in the frame is eliminated, thereby preserving frame integrity, rigidity, and durability while still enabling electrical element mounting through the flexible circuit
Solution Approach 2:
The FPC serves as an intermediary structure that provides mounting and support for electrical elements without requiring modifications to the frame. The flexible circuit acts as a mediator between the frame and electrical elements, enabling element placement while maintaining frame strength
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus is disclosed. In one aspect, the display apparatus includes: a panel assembly outputting an image. The apparatus also includes a flexible printed circuit made of a flexible material including a combination portion having at least a portion coupled to the panel assembly, a base portion disposed to face a lower side of the panel assembly, and a connection portion having at least a portion disposed to be bent to connect the combination portion and the base portion. The apparatus further includes an electrical element mounted on a surface facing the combination portion in the connection portion of the flexible printed circuit.