CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0143425, filed on Nov. 20, 2018, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. § 119, the content of which in its entirety is herein incorporated by reference.

1. TECHNICAL FIELD

Exemplary embodiments of the invention relate to a connector for a display device, and more particularly, to a connector for a display device that connects a flexible printed circuit board (“FPCB”) and a printed circuit board (“PCB”) that are used in the display device, e.g., a tablet and a smart phone.

2. DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

In general, a flat panel display device such as a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device or an organic light emitting diode (“OLED”) display device may include a touch unit that is formed on a display panel for displaying images in an on-cell type, or may include a touch panel that is disposed on the display panel.

In such flat panel display devices, an FPCB that is connected to the touch unit (a touch-type FPCB) is connected to the PCB that includes a driving integrated circuit (“IC”) through a connector so as to transmit an input signal of the touch unit to the driving IC.

Connectors of a zero insertion force (“ZIF”) type have been largely used, but due to release of the connector or a mold, they are replaced with a board to board (“B-to-B”) type.

SUMMARY

In the case of the touch-type FPCB, a display device is shipped in a state where the B-to-B type connector is coupled to the PCB, and thus defects that may occur after inspection may not be visually identified.

In addition, since the B-to-B type connector is coupled in a manner using a header and a socket, it is almost impossible to detect defects by appearances, and when there is an operational error after the product is shipped, the connector is detached to find that it is defective.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method that may visually detect a connection failure when connecting the touch-type FPCB to the PCB before shipping the product.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention may be directed to a connector for a display device that is capable of visually detecting defects when a flexible printed circuit board (“FPCB”) is connected to a printed circuit board (“PCB”) in the display device, e.g., a tablet and a smart phone.

According to an exemplary embodiment, a connector for a display device includes a first gaff-type connection portion disposed at one end portion of a flexible printed circuit board, and a second gaff-type connection portion disposed at one end portion of a printed circuit board and fitted to the first gaff-type connection portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first gaff-type connection portion may include a first web portion which extends from the flexible printed circuit board, a first flange portion bent from the first web portion, and a second web portion bent from the first flange portion. The second gaff-type connection portion may include a third web portion which extends from the printed circuit board, a second flange portion bent from the third web portion, and a fourth web portion bent from the second flange portion. The first web portion, the first flange portion, and the second web portion may be fitted to the third web portion, the second flange portion, and the fourth web portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the first web portion, the first flange portion, and the second web portion may include a first prominence portion which protrudes from a side surface thereof. At least one of the third web portion, the second flange portion, and the fourth web portion may define a first recessed portion fitted to the first prominence portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first prominence portion may include a plurality of first connection terminals arranged at regular intervals. The first recessed portion may include a plurality of first connection recesses arranged at regular intervals and which accommodates the plurality of first connection terminals.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of first connection recesses may have one of a polygonal columnar shape, a circular columnar shape, and a semicircular columnar shape.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the plurality of first connection terminals and the plurality of first connection recesses may be coated with a metal including a conductive material.

In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of each of the plurality of first connection terminals may be less than or substantially equal to a thickness of each of the first web portion, the first flange portion, and the second web portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the first web portion, the first flange portion, and the second web portion may define a second recessed portion recessed at a side surface thereof. At least one of the third web portion, the second flange portion, and the fourth web portion may include a second prominence portion which protrudes from a side surface thereof and may be fitted to the second recessed portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second prominence portion may include a plurality of second connection terminals which protrudes and is arranged at regular intervals. The second recessed portion may include a plurality of second connection recesses arranged at regular intervals and which accommodates the plurality of second connection terminals.

In an exemplary embodiment, at least one of the first web portion, the first flange portion, and the second web portion may define a fourth recessed portion recessed at an upper surface thereof. At least one of the third web portion, the second flange portion, and the fourth web portion may include a fourth prominence portion which protrudes from a side portion thereof and may be fitted to the fourth recessed portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the fourth prominence portion may include a plurality of fourth connection terminals which protrudes and is arranged at regular intervals. The fourth recessed portion may include a plurality of fourth connection recesses arranged at regular intervals and which accommodates the plurality of fourth connection terminals.

In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of each of the plurality of fourth connection terminals may be less than a thickness of each of the third web portion, the second flange portion, and the fourth web portion.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a connector for a display device includes a first connection portion disposed at a flexible printed circuit board, and a second connection portion disposed at a printed circuit board and fitted to the first connection portion. One of the first connection portion and the second connection portion includes a third prominence portion arranged at regular intervals. The other of the first connection portion and the second connection portion defines an accommodation recessed portion for accommodating the third prominence portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first connection portion and the second connection portion may have one of a plate shape and a gaff shape.

In an exemplary embodiment, the first connection portion may include an extension portion which extends from the flexible printed circuit board and has a plate shape. The second connection portion may include a third web portion which extends from the printed circuit board, a second flange portion bent from the third web portion, and a fourth web portion bent from the second flange portion, and define the accommodation recessed portion for accommodating the third prominence portion on the third web portion, the second flange portion, and the fourth web portion. The third prominence portion may be fitted to the accommodation recessed portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the third prominence portion may include a plurality of third connection terminals which protrudes and is arranged at regular intervals on the extension portion. The accommodation recessed portion may include a plurality of third connection recesses arranged at regular intervals and which accommodates the plurality of third connection terminals.

According to another exemplary embodiment, a connector for a display device includes a first flat-type connection portion which includes a plurality of fifth connection terminals arranged on at least one side thereof at regular intervals along a longitudinal direction, and a second flat-type connection portion which defines an accommodation recess for accommodating the first flat-type connection portion, and includes a plurality of sixth connection terminals in the accommodation recess, the plurality of sixth connection terminals contacting the plurality of fifth connection terminals.

In an exemplary embodiment, the fifth connection terminals may be arranged at regular intervals along the longitudinal direction in an alternating manner on one side and an opposite side of the first flat-type connection portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, a height and a width of the fifth connection terminal may be substantially equal to a height and a width of the sixth connection terminal, respectively.

In an exemplary embodiment, a width of the first flat-type connection portion along the longitudinal direction may be greater than a width of the accommodation recess along the longitudinal direction.

In an exemplary embodiment, a thickness of the first flat-type connection portion may be greater than or substantially equal to a depth of the accommodation recess.

In an exemplary embodiment, the connector for a display device may further include a securing portion which protrudes from one of the first flat-type connection portion and the second flat-type connection portion, and a securing hole defined at the other of the first flat-type connection portion and the second flat-type connection portion and accommodates the securing portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the securing portion may include a supporter which protrudes from one side of the first flat-type connection portion, and an elastic sub-securing portion which extends from the supporter and has a diameter which decreases along a direction away from the first flat-type connection portion.

In an exemplary embodiment, the supporter may be disposed in the securing hole, and the elastic sub-securing portion may protrude from one surface of the second flat-type connection portion.

The foregoing is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, exemplary embodiments and features described above, further aspects, exemplary embodiments and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

