Display Device FPC Substrate Fixing Structure

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Solution Overview

Problem

In display devices using a backlight unit with a flexible printed circuit (FPC) substrate, the positional displacement of LEDs due to external forces and restoring forces leads to inhomogeneous brightness distribution, causing display quality issues and potential peeling of the FPC substrate from the chassis.

Innovation Solution

A display device design that includes a fixing member, an FPC substrate, and a spacer fixed on the FPC substrate, where the FPC substrate is sandwiched between the fixing member and the spacer, preventing peeling by suppressing the restoring force and maintaining accurate LED positioning relative to the light guide plate.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the FPC substrate is fixed to the chassis using a double-stick tape, then the device can be assembled easily and the structure can be simplified, but the FPC substrate peels off when external force is applied due to the restoring force

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly easeVSAvoidfixing reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing structure is segmented into multiple fixing members distributed at different positions on the chassis. Each fixing member independently secures a portion of the FPC substrate, distributing the stress and preventing peeling. This segmentation allows the substrate to be fixed reliably while maintaining assembly simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer acts as a counterweight element that applies a counteracting force to balance the restoring force of the FPC substrate. By positioning the spacer between the substrate and the chassis, it creates a mechanical equilibrium that prevents the substrate from peeling off when external forces are applied.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #8Anti-weight (Counterweight)

2Length of stationary object

If the LED is positioned close to the end face of the light guide plate to thin the display device, then the device thickness is reduced, but the brightness distribution becomes inhomogeneous when the LED shifts position

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidLED positioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing members and spacer are installed beforehand to create a pre-established positioning structure. This preliminary action ensures that the LED maintains its correct positional relationship with the light guide plate end face before any external forces are applied, preventing brightness distribution issues while enabling thin device design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer serves as an intermediary element between the FPC substrate and the chassis, providing a mechanical reference that maintains the correct distance and position of the LED relative to the light guide plate. This intermediary structure ensures consistent brightness distribution while allowing the device to remain thin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Device complexity

If the FPC substrate is made flexible to enable space-saving design, then the device structure becomes more compact, but the substrate is prone to peeling when bent and subjected to external forces

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure compactnessVSAvoidsubstrate position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The fixing members combine multiple functions: mechanical attachment, position stabilization, and stress distribution. By merging these functions into a single fixing structure, the flexible FPC substrate can maintain its compact design while achieving stable positioning that prevents peeling under external forces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The spacer acts as a mediator that provides a mechanical reference and physical barrier between the FPC substrate and the chassis. This intermediary element stabilizes the substrate position without restricting its flexibility, allowing the device to remain compact while preventing substrate peeling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7980714B2Display device
Publication Date: 2011.07.19 NEC LCD TECH CORP
  • US7980714B2 patent drawing
  • US7980714B2 patent drawing
  • US7980714B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A display device including a display panel which displays an image and a backlight unit which illuminates a light to the display panel, include the backlight unit with a fixing member fixed on a device casing; a flexible printed circuit substrate which is fixed on the fixing member; and a spacer which is fixed on the flexible printed circuit substrate, wherein the flexible printed circuit substrate in an end part of the display panel is sandwiched between the fixing member and the spacer.