Flexible Circuit Board Pad Segmentation for OLED Portability

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing organic light emitting display devices have large flexible circuit boards that hinder portability, increase manufacturing costs, and complicate the module manufacturing process, due to unnecessary size and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A flexible circuit board design with lead terminals that only provide the necessary electric power and control signals for operational driving, while separate test pads are used for testing, reducing the overall size and isolating test pads from external components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible circuit board includes lead terminals for both driving and testing functions, then the display panel can be operated and tested, but the size of the flexible circuit board increases unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidflexible circuit board size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the pad region into two distinct areas: a first pad region for driving signals and a second pad region for test signals. This segmentation allows the flexible circuit board to be sized according to driving requirements only, while test functionality is provided through a separate test probe that contacts the second pad region directly on the display panel, eliminating the need for test lead terminals on the flexible circuit board.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the test function from the flexible circuit board by providing test pads directly on the display panel substrate. This allows testing to be performed independently of the flexible circuit board, removing the unnecessary burden of including test lead terminals on the flexible circuit board and thus reducing its size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible circuit board is made larger to include all necessary lead terminals, then all functions can be supported, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefunctional capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the pad region into two distinct areas: a first pad region for driving signals and a second pad region for test signals. This segmentation allows the flexible circuit board to be sized according to driving requirements only, while test functionality is provided through a separate test probe that contacts the second pad region directly on the display panel, eliminating the need for test lead terminals on the flexible circuit board.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the test function from the flexible circuit board by providing test pads directly on the display panel substrate. This allows testing to be performed independently of the flexible circuit board, removing the unnecessary burden of including test lead terminals on the flexible circuit board and thus reducing its size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the flexible circuit board includes unnecessary lead terminals, then all pads can be accessed, but the module manufacturing process becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepad accessibilityVSAvoidmodule manufacturing process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the pad region into two distinct areas: a first pad region for driving signals and a second pad region for test signals. This segmentation allows the flexible circuit board to be sized according to driving requirements only, while test functionality is provided through a separate test probe that contacts the second pad region directly on the display panel, eliminating the need for test lead terminals on the flexible circuit board.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the test function from the flexible circuit board by providing test pads directly on the display panel substrate. This allows testing to be performed independently of the flexible circuit board, removing the unnecessary burden of including test lead terminals on the flexible circuit board and thus reducing its size.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This design reduces the size of the flexible circuit board, enhancing portability and storage convenience, lowering component costs, and simplifying the manufacturing process, thereby decreasing defect rates.

Implementation Method 1

The flexible circuit board is electrically coupled to the display panel through a compression process using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression: Compression

Implementation Method 2

The flexible circuit board is electrically coupled to the display panel through a compression process using an anisotropic conductive film (ACF)

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnisotropic conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS7982395B2Organic light emitting display device

Publication Date: 2011.07.19 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

An organic light emitting display device includes a display panel provided with a pad region having a plurality of pads. A flexible circuit board having lead terminals is coupled into the pad region. The pad region includes a plurality of first pads electrically coupled to the flexible circuit board through the lead terminals and a plurality of second pads electrically isolated from the flexible circuit board.