Flexible PCB Driving Chip Integration for Display Bezel Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing display apparatuses face challenges in efficiently integrating gate and source driving chips with the display panel, leading to increased bezel width and complex manufacturing processes.

Innovation Solution

The use of flexible printed circuit boards connected to the display panel, which include both gate and source driving chips, allows for a single package solution that simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces bezel width by aligning the chips in a specific direction and distributing them across multiple layers.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If gate and source driving chips are integrated into a single package on flexible printed circuit boards, then device complexity is reduced and manufacturing is simplified, but the arrangement and connection of multiple chips increases initial manufacturing precision requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomplexity of integrating gate and source driving chipsVSAvoidprecision of arranging chips in specific directions
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines gate driving chips and source driving chips into a single integrated package structure, where multiple driving chips are arranged in specific directions (first direction and second direction) on flexible printed circuit boards. This merging approach simplifies the overall device complexity by consolidating what would otherwise be separate components into one unified package, while the flexible PCB provides a structured framework that guides precise chip placement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent utilizes multi-layer flexible printed circuit boards to arrange driving chips in both first and second directions, effectively using two-dimensional spatial arrangement. This dimensional approach allows multiple chips to be organized systematically across different layers and directions, transforming a potentially complex three-dimensional placement problem into a more manageable two-dimensional grid structure that simplifies manufacturing while maintaining precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple flexible printed circuit boards are used to connect driving chips to the display panel, then ease of manufacture is improved, but the number of components increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of manufacturing processVSAvoidnumber of flexible printed circuit boards
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The flexible printed circuit boards serve multiple functions simultaneously: they act as connection substrates between the display panel and driving chips, provide structural support for mounting multiple driving chips in specific directions, enable signal transmission, and facilitate heat dissipation. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components for each function, thereby simplifying the overall device structure despite using multiple flexible PCBs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs flexible printed circuit boards as thin, flexible interconnection structures that can be easily manufactured and integrated. These flexible PCBs allow for bending and conformal mounting, enabling simplified assembly processes compared to rigid circuit boards, while their flexible nature allows them to accommodate the multi-directional arrangement of driving chips without adding excessive structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Length of stationary object

If driving chips are arranged in specific directions on flexible printed circuit boards, then bezel width is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebezel widthVSAvoidprecision of chip arrangement in directions
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the display apparatus into distinct functional regions by arranging driving chips in specific first and second directions on flexible printed circuit boards. This segmentation allows for optimized spatial utilization, placing driving chips in dedicated zones that minimize the bezel area required for component accommodation. The systematic directional arrangement ensures efficient packing, reducing the horizontal and vertical extents needed for the bezel.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

By utilizing multi-layer flexible printed circuit boards and arranging driving chips in both first and second directions, the patent effectively uses two-dimensional spatial distribution to minimize the projected area occupied by driving components. This dimensional arrangement allows chips to be stacked or distributed across layers and directions, reducing the single-plane footprint that would otherwise increase bezel width, while providing a structured framework for precise manufacturing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2977981B1Display apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP2977981B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP2977981B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2977981B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A display apparatus is provided. The display apparatus includes a display panel and a plurality of flexible printed circuit boards. The display panel includes a gate line and a data line. The plurality of flexible printed circuit boards is connected to one side of the display panel. Each of the plurality of flexible printed circuit board includes a gate driving chip configured to apply a gate signal to the gate line and a source driving chip configured to apply a data voltage to the data line.