Display module

Details Display module Display module

1999-12-17

2003-07-29

Parker, Kenneth (Department: 2871)

Liquid crystal cells, elements and systems

Particular structure

Having significant detail of cell structure only

C029S883000, C368S088000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06600530

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates, in general, to display modules and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for improving continuity between a substrate and a display assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Without limiting the scope of the invention, its background is described in connection with display modules used in mobile phones.
Typically in Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) devices a contact is made between a conductive pad located on an LCD and electrodes located on an LCD driver. For example, a semiconductor device, such as a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), uses a conductive elastomer interconnect. A steel frame is used to adhere the LCD and the LCD driver in a position that allows for minimum resistance between the conductive pad and the electrodes through the conductive elastomer interconnect. Variations in the position of the LCD and the LCD driver may create a discontinuity resulting in an increase in resistance across the conductive path. An increase in resistance across the conductive path affects the quality of the display.
Reference is now made to
FIG. 1
, where a prior art display module is illustrated and denoted generally as
10
. Display module
10
comprises a substrate
12
having a electrode pad
14
comprising multiple electrodes
16
and a display assembly
18
having a conductive pad
20
. A conductive elastomer
22
is positioned between electrode pad
14
and conductive pad
20
. A steel frame
24
is used to secure substrate
12
to display assembly
18
and to maintain the integrity of the electrical connection between electrode pad
14
and conductive pad
20
.
Substrate
12
is an electronic component, for example, a Printed Circuit Board (PCB), used to drive display assembly
18
. Substrate
12
comprises electrode pad
14
having several electrodes
16
for receiving and transmitting electrical signals. Electrodes
16
may be formed from copper, gold-nickel plated copper or other similar materials. Display assembly
18
, which may be an LCD for displaying visual information, includes conductive pad
20
formed of a transparent conductive film such as Indium-Tin Oxide (ITO). Conductive elastomer
22
is a flexible material comprising a plurality of flexible conductive wires. Conductive elastomer
22
interposed between electrode pad
14
and conductive pad
20
creates a conductive path between display assembly
18
and substrate
12
.
The manufacture of steel frame
24
allows for a minimal y-axis variation. Variations in the steel frames y-axis may create a discontinuity or increase resistance across the conductive path formed by electrode pad
14
, conductive pad
20
and conductive elastomer
22
. Product use, for example, as a result of typical wear and tear, may also increase y-axis variations causing a further decrease in the quality of the electrical connection. In order to maintain a strong connection between electrode pad
14
and conductive pad
20
, steel frame
24
must maintain a compression between 10% to 30% of elastomer
22
.
As may be seen, therefore, an improved apparatus that eliminates y-axis variation in a display module used in mobile phones could provide a commercially useful article and improve the quality of the display module.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention presents a display module exhibiting improved continuity between a conductive pad located on a display assembly and an electrode pad located on a substrate.
A display module is presented comprising a display assembly having a first side for displaying visual information and a second side. The second side comprises a first area having an adhesive layer and a second area having a through connection to a conductive pad. The display module further comprises a substrate having a first side for receiving the display assembly, wherein the first side comprises a first surface area for bonding to the adhesive layer and a second surface area comprising an electrode pad having multiple electrodes for receiving electrical signals. The display module further comprises a conductive elastomer positioned within the through connection. The conductive elastomer establishes conductive continuity between the conductive pad and the electrode pad when the display assembly is bonded to the substrate.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3861135 (1975-01-01), Seeger et al.
patent: 3991463 (1976-11-01), Squitieri et al.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Display module does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Display module, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Display module will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3063854