U.S. patent application number 10/921942 was filed with the patent office on 2005-02-24 for module with fpc and manufacturing method for the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to TOPPOLY OPTOELECTRONICS CORP.. Invention is credited to Chuang, Meng Ju.
Application Number | 20050041401 10/921942 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34192415 |
Filed Date | 2005-02-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050041401 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chuang, Meng Ju |
February 24, 2005 |
Module with FPC and manufacturing method for the same
Abstract
The FPC that is designed to have the special shape, an elastic
portion, can shorten its length by elastic force after it is turned
over to the reverse side of the light source unit for achieving the
purposes without wasting any space of the LCD module and incurring
the inconvenience of user.
Inventors: |
Chuang, Meng Ju; (Hsinchu,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LOWE HAUPTMAN GILMAN AND BERNER, LLP
1700 DIAGONAL ROAD
SUITE 300 /310
ALEXANDRIA
VA
22314
US
|
Assignee: |
TOPPOLY OPTOELECTRONICS
CORP.
Chu-Nan
TW
|
Family ID: |
34192415 |
Appl. No.: |
10/921942 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
361/749 ;
174/7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H05K 1/147 20130101;
G02F 1/13452 20130101; H05K 1/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
361/749 ;
174/007 |
International
Class: |
H05K 001/00; H01R
004/66 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 21, 2003 |
TW |
92122965 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A flexible printed circuit board (FPC), including an elastic
portion, wherein the FPC has a first axial length when no force is
applied, and wherein when a pulling force is applied to the FPC,
the elastic portion is extended along an extending direction such
that the FPC has a second axial length longer than the first axial
length.
2. The FPC according to claim 1, wherein when the pulling force is
released, the axial length of the FPC changes from the second axial
length into a third axial length shorter than the second axial
length due to elastic force.
3. The FPC according to claim 1, wherein the elastic portion
includes jag, tooth, rectangle, step or combinations thereof.
4. The FPC according to claim 1, wherein the material of said FPC
is selected from the group consisting of polymer and polyester.
5. The FPC according to claim 1, wherein the FPC comprises signal
lines.
6. The FPC according to claim 1, wherein the FPC comprises power
lines.
7. A method for manufacturing a module with flexible printed
circuit board (FPC), comprising: providing a first device and a
second device on the first device; providing a first flexible
printed circuit board (FPC) to connect an edge of the first device,
wherein the first FPC includes an elastic portion; providing a
second FPC to connect an edge of the second device; connecting the
first and second FPCs at a connection end while the elastic portion
of the first FPC is extended along an extending direction by a
pulling force; and turning over the first and second FPCs and the
connection end to a reverse side of the first device while the
extended elastic portion of the first FPC is restored or
shortened.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first and second
FPCs are connected by bonding or soldering.
9. A module with flexible printed circuit board (FPC), comprising:
a first device; a second device on said first device; a first
flexible printed circuit board (FPC) connected to said first
device, wherein the first FPC includes an elastic portion; and a
second FPC connected to said second device, wherein the first and
second FPCs are connected at an connection end, and wherein the
connection end, a part of the first FPC, and a part of the second
FPC are positioned under a reverse side of the first device.
10. The module with FPC according to claim 9, wherein the elastic
portion includes jag, tooth, rectangle, step or combinations
thereof.
11. The module with FPC according to claim 9, wherein the material
of said first and second FPCs are selected from the group
consisting of polymer and polyester.
12. The module with FPC according to claim 9, wherein the first
device is a light source unit.
13. The module with FPC according to claim 12, wherein the first
device is a backlight unit.
14. The module with FPC according to claim 13, wherein the first
device is an LED unit.
15. The module with FPC according to claim 9, wherein the second
device is a panel.
16. The module with FPC according to claim 15, wherein the second
device is an LCD panel.
17. The module with FPC according to claim 9, wherein the first and
second FPCs are connected by bonding or soldering.
18. An LCD module with flexible printed circuit board (FPC),
comprising: a backlight unit; an LCD panel on the backlight unit; a
first FPC connected to the backlight unit, wherein the first FPC
includes an elastic portion; and a second FPC connected to the LCD
panel, wherein the first and second FPCs are connected at an
connection end, and wherein the connection end, a part of the first
FPC, and a part of the second FPC are positioned under a reverse
side of the backlight unit.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a module with flexible printed
circuit board (FPC), more particularly to a module with FPC that
has an elastic portion to avoid wasting the space of module.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] With the development of science and technology, the display
technology and the monitor play a very important role in the
development process of the information technology. The portable
devices and the display panel incorporated into each electric
apparatus or meter, such as the computer, television, mobile phone,
BP, and PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), provided large
information in our daily life and work. Especially, the LCD (liquid
crystal display), which has many advantages such as low power
consumption, low radiation, slim body and better display quality,
becomes the main product in the flat panel display market.
[0005] As illustrated in FIG. 1, an LCD module 1, which uses the
LED (Light Emitting Diode) as the light source, comprises of an LCD
panel 10, an LED back light source 20, a light source FPC (flexible
printed circuit board) 30, a panel FPC 40, a connector 50 and a PCB
(print circuit board) 60. The light source FPC 30 connected with
the panel FPC 40 by using the connector 50 and the plug-pull
method. However, in consideration of the reliability and the
thickness, another method is to connect the light source FPC 30 and
the panel FPC 40 by the bonding or soldering process, so as to
spare the space for the connector 50. Besides, the circuit on the
light source FPC 30 can supply the power to the LED back light
source 20, and the circuit on the panel FPC 40 can transmit the
signal to control the LCD panel 10. The above back light source 20
uses the LED as the light source. In fact, the light source for the
back light source 20 can also be CCFL (Cold Cathode Fluorescent
Lamp) or other similar luminous components.
[0006] Please refer to FIG. 2, the light source FPC 30 is connected
with the panel FPC 40 by the bonding or soldering process. One end
of the light source FPC 30 is connected with the back light source
20 and one end of the panel FPC 40 is connected with the LCD panel
10 respectively. The light source FPC 30 and the panel FPC 40
should be first positioned and then exactly connected by bonding or
soldering. After connection, the light source FPC 30 and the panel
FPC 40 are then turned over to the reverse side of the back light
source 20 as illustrated in FIG. 3. However, due to the relative
thickness of the LCD panel 10 and the backlight source 20, after
the connected light source FPC 30 and the panel FPC 40 are turned
over to the reverse side of the backlight source 20, the light
source FPC 30 extends from the panel FPC 40 by a length L'. Not
only the extra space is needed, but also the difficulty of the
design and the inconvenience of the user are increased.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In light of the state of the art described above, it is an
object of the present invention to provide a FPC that can be
applied to the LCD module without wasting any space and incurring
the inconvenience of user. The FPC is designed to have an elastic
portion formed by special shape. Thus, the distance between the two
connection ends of the FPC can be restored and shortened by elastic
force after it is turned over to the reverse side of the light
source unit, and it is easy and cheap to implement this
invention.
[0008] In view of the above and other objects which will become
apparent as the description proceeds, there is provided according
to a general aspect of the present invention a flexible printed
circuit board (FPC) including an elastic portion. The FPC has a
first axial length when no force is applied. When a pulling force
is applied to the FPC, the elastic portion is extended along an
extending direction such that the FPC has a second axial length
longer than the first axial length.
[0009] Based on the idea described above, when the pulling force is
released, the axial length of the FPC changes from the second axial
length into a third axial length shorter than the second axial
length due to elastic force.
[0010] Based on the aforementioned idea, the elastic portion
includes jag, tooth, arc, step or combinations thereof.
[0011] Based on the idea described above, the material of said FPC
is selected from the group consisting of polymer and polyester.
[0012] Based on the aforementioned idea, the FPC comprises signal
lines.
[0013] Based on the idea described above, the FPC comprises power
lines.
[0014] In view of the above and other objects which will become
apparent as the description proceeds, there is provided according
to a general aspect of the present invention a method for
manufacturing a module with flexible printed circuit board (FPC).
The method comprises providing a first device and a second device
on the first device; providing a first flexible printed circuit
board (FPC) to connect an edge of the first device, wherein the
first FPC includes an elastic portion; providing a second FPC to
connect an edge of the second device; connecting the first and
second FPCs at a connection end while the elastic portion of the
first FPC is extended along an extending direction by a pulling
force; and turning over the first and second FPCs and the
connection end to a reverse side of the first device while the
extended elastic portion of the first FPC is restored or
shortened.
[0015] Based on the idea described above, the first and second FPCs
are connected by bonding or soldering.
[0016] In view of the above and other objects which will become
apparent as the description proceeds, there is provided according
to a general aspect of the present invention a module with flexible
printed circuit board (FPC). The module comprises a first device; a
second device on said first device; a first flexible printed
circuit board (FPC) connected to said first device, wherein the
first FPC includes an elastic portion; and a second FPC connected
to said second device. The first and second FPCs are connected at a
connection end, and the connection end, a part of the first FPC,
and a part of the second FPC are positioned under a reverse side of
the first device.
[0017] Based on the idea described above, the first device can be a
light source unit, for example, a backlight unit such as an LED
unit.
[0018] Based on the aforementioned idea, the second device is a
panel, for example, an LCD panel.
[0019] In view of the above and other objects which will become
apparent as the description proceeds, there is provided according
to a general aspect of the present invention an LCD module with
flexible printed circuit board (FPC). The LCD module comprises a
backlight unit; an LCD panel on the backlight unit; a first FPC
connected to the backlight unit, wherein the first FPC includes an
elastic portion; and a second FPC connected to the LCD panel. The
second FPC includes an elastic portion, wherein the first and
second FPCs are connected at a connection end, and the connection
end, a part of the first FPC, and a part of the second FPC are
positioned under a reverse side of the backlight unit.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages
of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same
becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed
description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein:
[0021] FIG. 1 illustrates a view of conventional LCD module by
using a connector to connect the light source FPC and the panel FPC
on the PCB;
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a view of conventional LCD module to
connect the light source FPC and the panel FPC by the bonding or
soldering process before two FPCs are turned over to the reverse
side of the backlight source;
[0023] FIG. 3 illustrates a view of conventional LCD module to
connect the light source FPC and the panel FPC by the bonding or
soldering process after two FPCs are turned over to the reverse
side of the backlight source;
[0024] FIG. 4 illustrates a view of the light source FPC according
to the first embodiment of this invention, wherein no force is
applied on the light source FPC yet;
[0025] FIG. 5 illustrates a view of the light source FPC according
to the first embodiment of this invention, wherein the axial length
of the FPC is extended to the predetermined length when a force is
applied on the light source FPC;
[0026] FIG. 6 illustrates a view of LCD module to connect the light
source FPC and the panel FPC by the bonding or soldering process
before two FPCs are turned over to the reverse side of the
backlight unit according to the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 7 illustrates a view of LCD module to connect the light
source FPC and the panel FPC by the bonding or soldering process
after two FPCs are turned over to the reverse side of the backlight
unit according to the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 8 illustrates a view of the light source FPC according
to the second embodiment of this invention, wherein the shape of
the FPC comprises a rectangle; and
[0029] FIG. 9 illustrates a view of the light source FPC according
to the third embodiment of this invention, wherein the shape of the
FPC comprises a step.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0030] Some sample embodiments of the present invention will now be
described in greater detail. Nevertheless, it should be recognized
that the present invention can be practiced in a wide range of
other embodiments besides those explicitly described, and the scope
of the present invention is expressly not limited except as
specified in the accompanying claims.
[0031] The material of FPC is polymer or polyester. Such board has
flexibility, and can be curved to a predetermined shape without
damaging itself and the circuit thereon. Hence, the basic concept
of this invention is to design a special shape of FPC. The FPC
includes an elastic portion. When no force is applied, the FPC has
a first axial length. When a pulling force is applied to the FPC,
the elastic portion is extended along an extending direction such
that the FPC has a second axial length longer than the first axial
length.
[0032] The special-shaped FPC of the present invention can be a
light source FPC (that is, an FPC connected to a light source) used
in an LCD module.
[0033] The first embodiment of this invention is illustrated in
FIG. 4. It shows a light source FPC 35, including an elastic
portion E. The elastic portion can include jag, tooth, rectangle,
step, or combinations thereof. Although only one tooth is shown in
FIG. 4, in fact, a plurality of teeth in continuous or
non-continuous shape is also available for the present
invention.
[0034] When no force is applied, the light source FPC 35 has an
axial length A, as shown in FIG. 4. Referring to FIG. 5, when a
pulling force is applied to the light source FPC 35, the elastic
portion E is extended along an extending direction, such that the
FPC 35 has an axial length B longer than the axial length A. Such
extension will not damage the FPC 35 itself and the circuit
thereon.
[0035] The light source FPC 35 of FIG. 4 can be used in an LCD
module. FIG. 6 shows an LCD module including the light source FPC
35 of the present invention. The method for manufacturing the LCD
module is described below. First, the light source FPC 35 is
connected to an edge of a light source unit (for example, a
backlight unit) 20. A panel FPC 40 is connected to an edge of a
panel FPC 10.
[0036] Then, the light source FPC 35 is extended such that the
light source FPC 35 and the panel FPC 40 is connected (for example,
by bonding or soldering) at a connection end 411, as shown in FIG.
6. For example, the light source FPC 35 is extended to the axial
length B, as shown in FIG. 5. At this time, the elastic portion E
is extended.
[0037] Then, the light source FPC 35 and the panel FPC 40 are
turned over to a reverse side 210 of the light source unit 20, such
that the connection end 410 is connected to the reverse side 210.
At this time, the extended elastic portion of the light source FPC
35 is restored or shortened due to elastic force, for example,
shortened to its original axial length A.
[0038] As illustrated in the second (rectangle shape) and third
(step shape) embodiments in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, there is no
limitation on the shape of the light source FPC 35 according to
this invention. The light source FPC 35 with any geometric shape,
which can be flexible in the special direction, belongs in the
scope of this invention. Certainly, subject to the actual need,
such shape can be designed as several continuous or non-continuous
parts or the combination thereof.
[0039] In addition, the turned-over the panel FPC may protrude over
the light source FPC due to the different designs. In accordance
with the above concept, we can design the panel FPC in the shorter
length (size A), which can be extended to the predetermined length
(size B, size B>size A) without damaging itself and the circuit
thereon when it is connected on the light source FPC for bonding or
soldering. After the panel FPC is turned over, the length of such
board is short than size B due to the elastic force between two
ends thereof. Because the two ends thereof are fixed, the extended
length of the panel FPC can be reduced, and is roughly equal to the
extended length of the light source FPC.
[0040] This invention provides a FPC that can be applied to the LCD
module without wasting any space and incurring the inconvenience of
user. The FPC with the special shape, an elastic portion, can
shorten its length by restoring force after it is turned over, and
it is easy and cheap to implement this invention. Besides, this
invention can not only be applied to the LCD module, but also any
product which uses a FPC with the flexible property due to its
special shape falls within the claim of this patent.
[0041] In conclusion, the present invention provides a
special-designed FPC including an elastic portion. The special FPC
can be a light source FPC suitable for use in an LCD module. Before
the light source FPC is turned over to the reverse side of the
light source unit, the light source FPC is extended to connect with
a panel FPC. When the light source FPC is turned over to the
reverse side of the light source unit, the light source FPC is
restored to its original axial length. Thus, the light source FPC
does not protrude from the panel FPC, and the space of the LCD
module can be saved.
[0042] Although the specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that
various modifications may be made without departing from what is
intended to be limited solely by the appended claims.
* * * * *