Display Device FPC Extension Folding for Thickness Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing liquid crystal display devices face challenges in reducing thickness due to the increased number of flexible printed circuit boards (FPCs) required for stacked function panels, which also leads to higher component costs and space constraints from the connectors.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves a display device with a panel laminated body where FPCs are connected via extension portions that extend outwardly from the side area, allowing these extension portions to be electrically connected and folded, thereby reducing the thickness and number of connectors, and utilizing a single connector for multiple FPCs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple FPCs are provided for stacked function panels, then the functionality of the display device is enhanced, but the thickness of the entire device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing multiple FPCs inside a common FPC holder structure. The extension portions of multiple FPCs are inserted into the holder, allowing them to be nested together in the thickness direction rather than extending separately, thus reducing overall device thickness while maintaining multiple functions
Solution Approach 2:
The FPC holder serves multiple functions: it holds extension portions of multiple FPCs, provides a common mounting structure for connectors, and enables space-saving arrangement. This multi-functional design reduces the need for separate components for each FPC, thereby reducing thickness
2Reliability
If multiple connectors are provided for multiple FPCs, then each FPC can be independently connected, but the component cost and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple connector functions into a single common connector mounted on the FPC holder. Multiple FPCs are electrically connected to this single connector through their extension portions, eliminating the need for multiple separate connectors and reducing component cost and complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The single common connector serves multiple FPCs simultaneously, making it a universal connection interface. This multi-functional connector reduces the total number of connectors needed while maintaining reliable electrical connections for all FPCs
3Ease of operation
If FPCs extend in the long-side direction, then connection to panels is achieved, but the folded arrangement on the back-face side increases device thickness
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the arrangement dimension by using extension portions that extend in the short-side direction rather than the long-side direction. This dimensional change allows FPCs to be folded and arranged in the thickness direction within the FPC holder, reducing the device footprint and improving thickness characteristics
Data Source
AI summary
A display device includes a panel laminated body including a panel laminated body including a plurality of panels stacked together, flexible printed circuit boards each being connected to a corresponding one of respective short sides of the plurality of panels disposed in one of side portions of the panel laminated body, and an extension portion formed in at least a part of the flexible printed circuit boards so as to extend outwardly from a side area of the panel laminated body in a short-side direction of the panels in the side area. At least a pair of the extension portions is electrically connected together in a state where the pair of the extension portions is superimposed on each other and is folded in the side area of the panel laminated body.