Abstract:
An exemplary liquid crystal display device ( 1 ) includes a liquid crystal module ( 10 ), a circuit board ( 12 ), a chassis ( 16 ), and a stabilizing clip ( 18 ). The circuit board and the liquid crystal module are received in the chassis. The circuit board includes a power socket ( 122 ). The liquid crystal module includes a plug ( 104 ) electrically connecting with the power socket. The stabilizing clip is detachably engaged with the chassis and the power socket, whereby movement of the plug relative to the power socket is restricted or eliminated.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to liquid crystal display (LCD) devices, and more particularly to a liquid crystal display device with a stabilizing clip for stabilizing a power output connection thereof.  
       GENERAL BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Liquid crystal display devices are commonly used as display devices for compact electronic apparatuses, because they not only provide good quality images with little power but also are very thin. The liquid crystal molecules in a liquid crystal display device do not emit any light themselves. The liquid crystal molecules have to be lit by a light source, such as a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) or a hot cathode fluorescent lamp (HCFL), so as to clearly and sharply display text and images. In general, a power cord electrically connects the light source with an internal power socket located at a circuit board of the liquid crystal display device. Thereby, the power socket can channel electric power to the light source.  
         [0003]     Referring to  FIG. 7  and  FIG. 8 , a typical liquid crystal display device  8  includes a pair of light sources (not visible), and two pairs of power connection assemblies  80  for conveying electric power to the light sources respectively. The light sources are linear illuminators such as cold cathode fluorescent lamps. Each light source includes a first end and an opposite second end. Each power connection assembly  80  includes a power socket  81 , a plug  83 , and a lead  85 . A first end of one lead  85  in each pair of power connection assemblies  80  electrically connects with the first end of one corresponding light source, and a first end of the other lead  85  in each pair of power connection assemblies  80  connects with the second end of the corresponding light source. An opposite second end of each lead  85  in each pair of power connection assemblies  80  is terminated by a corresponding plug  83 . Each plug  83  is connected in a corresponding power socket  81 . In operation, each pair of power sockets  81  obtains electric power for the corresponding light source via a power line within the liquid crystal display device  8 , and the electric power is conveyed to the light source via the plugs  83  and the leads  85 . Thereby, the light source is activated and provides light beams for the liquid crystal display device  8 . However, the plug  83  is liable to loosen or disconnect when the liquid crystal display device  8  is subjected to vibration or shock during operation. As a result, the connection between the plug  83  and the power socket  81  may become faulty or may even be lost altogether. When this happens, a display provided by the liquid crystal display device  8  may be impaired. Furthermore, there is a risk of shorting and an outbreak of fire.  
         [0004]     What is needed, therefore, is a liquid crystal display device that can overcome the above-described deficiencies.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     An exemplary liquid crystal display device includes a chassis, a circuit board, a liquid crystal module, and a stabilizing clip. The circuit board and the liquid crystal module are received in the chassis. The circuit board includes a power socket. The liquid crystal module includes a plug electrically connecting with the power socket. The stabilizing clip is detachably engaged with the chassis and the power socket, whereby movement of the plug relative to the power socket is restricted or eliminated.  
         [0006]     Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, all the views are schematic. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]      FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of a liquid crystal display device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the liquid crystal display device including two stabilizing clips.  
         [0008]      FIG. 2  is a partly assembled view of the liquid crystal display device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0009]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a circled portion III of  FIG. 2 .  
         [0010]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged, isometric view of one of the stabilizing clips of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0011]      FIG. 5  is a fully assembled view of the liquid crystal display device of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged view of a circled portion VI of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 7  is an isometric view of a conventional liquid crystal display device.  
         [0014]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged view of a circled portion VIII of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0015]     Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe the preferred embodiments in detail.  
         [0016]     Referring to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , a liquid crystal display device  1  according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal module  10 , a circuit board  12 , a heat sink  14 , a chassis  16 , and a pair of stabilizing clips  18 . The circuit board  12  is arranged at a back surface  101  of the liquid crystal module  10 . The chassis  16  covers the liquid crystal module  10  and the circuit board  12 . The heat sink  14  connects with a center portion of the circuit board  12 . The stabilizing clips  18  are fixed to the chassis  16 , adjacent to the circuit board  12 .  
         [0017]     Also referring to  FIG. 3 , the circuit board  12  includes two pairs of power sockets  122  mounted on a same lateral side (not labeled) thereof. The power sockets  122  are arranged in a line along the side of the circuit board  12 , and are oriented parallel to each other. Each power socket  122  is substantially rectangular, and includes two curved cutouts  124  at two adjacent corners (not labeled) thereof that are nearest to the heat sink  14 . The circuit board  12 , in general, is a printed circuit board (PCB).  
         [0018]     The liquid crystal module  10  includes a pair of light sources (not visible), two pairs of leads  102 , and two pairs of plugs  104 . The light sources are linear illuminators, and preferably are cold cathode fluorescent lamps. Each light source includes a first end and an opposite second end. A first end of one lead  102  in each pair of leads  102  connects with the first end of one corresponding light source, and a first end of the other lead  102  in each pair of leads  102  connects with the second end of the corresponding light source. An opposite second end of each lead  102  in each pair of leads  102  is terminated by a corresponding plug  104 . Each plug  104  is connected in an outer end of a corresponding power socket  122 , said outer end being opposite to the cutouts  124  of the power socket  122 . In operation, each pair of power sockets  122  obtains electric power for the corresponding light source via a power line within the liquid crystal display device  1 , and the electric power is conveyed to the light source via the plugs  104  and the leads  102 . Thereby, the light source is activated and provides light beams for the liquid crystal display device  1 .  
         [0019]     The chassis  16  is substantially rectangular, and includes an offset back wall  162 , two first side walls  164 , and two second side walls  166 . The first side walls  164  are integrally formed with the back wall  162 , and extend from two opposite first edges (not labeled) of the back wall  162  respectively. The second side walls  166  extend from two opposite top and bottom edges of the back wall  162  respectively. The first side walls  164  and the second side walls  166  cooperatively define a first housing (not labeled) for accommodating the liquid crystal module  10 . The back wall  162  defines a second housing (not labeled) adjacent to the first housing, for accommodating the circuit board  12  and associated components thereof. The back wall  162  includes two first hatches  167  positioned along one of the first edges thereof. Each first hatch  167  is located to correspond to one of the pairs of power sockets  122  of the circuit board  12 . The first side wall  164  that is adjacent to the first hatches  167  defines the following voids adjacent to each first hatch  167 : a groove  163 , a pair of first holes  165 , and a second hole  168 . The groove  163  is located between the first hatch  167  and the first and second holes  165 ,  168 , and acts as a passage for the corresponding leads  102 . The second hole  168  is located between and in alignment with the pair of first holes  165 . The second hole  168  comprises a long portion (not labeled) adjacent to the groove  163 , and a short portion (not labeled) distal from the groove  163  and in communication with the long portion. The chassis  16  can be manufactured by a stamping method.  
         [0020]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , each stabilizing clip  18  includes a first plate  182 , a second plate  184 , a connection plate  186 , and a flange  188 . The connection plate  186  perpendicularly interconnects the first plate  182  and the second plate  184 , thereby defining a step thereat. The flange  188  extends perpendicularly down from a distal edge of the second plate  184 . The first plate  182  defines two parallel second hatches  183  therein, each second hatch  183  corresponding to one power socket  122  connected with one plug  104 . Each second hatch  183  is bounded by three first protrusions  185  at three corners thereof respectively. Two of the first protrusions  185  correspond to the two cutouts  124  of the respective power socket  122 , and the other first protrusion  185  corresponds to one side of the respective plug  104 . In particular, said other first protrusions  185  of the second hatches  183  are generally adjacent to each other. A pair of spaced second protrusions  187  extends coplanarly down from the flange  188 , the second protrusions  187  corresponding to two first holes  165  of the first side wall  164 . A third protrusion  189  extends coplanarly down from the flange  188  between the second protrusions  187 , the third protrusion  189  corresponding to one second hole  168  of the first side wall  164 . The third protrusion  189  includes a neck (not labeled) and two flukes (not labeled) below the neck. The stabilizing clips  18  can be made from fireproof Mylar™, which is relatively inexpensive.  
         [0021]     Each stabilizing clip  18  can be installed as follows. First, a corresponding pair of power sockets  122  is connected with its corresponding pair of plugs  104 . Then the first plate  182  is inserted into a corresponding first hatch  167  of the chassis  12 , so that the first plate  182  is located above the power sockets  122  and plugs  104 . The second protrusions  187  are then received in the corresponding first holes  165 , and the third protrusion  189  is received through the long portion of the corresponding second hole  168 . Second, the stabilizing clip  18  is moved in a direction away from the circuit board  12 . The neck of the third protrusion  189  is received in the short portion of the second hole  168 , and the flukes of the third protrusion  189  are positioned under the respective first side wall  164 . Thereby, the third protrusion  189  is engaged in the second hole  168 . Third, the first plate  182  is pressed down. Each power socket  122  with its corresponding plug  104  is received through a corresponding one of the second hatches  183 , with two of the first protrusions  185  snugly fitting in the cutouts  124  of the power socket  122 , and the other first protrusion  185  limiting the plug  104 . All three first protrusions  185  of both second hatches  183  keep the first plate  182  snugly in position, whereby the first plate  182  is prevented from being accidentally lifted up. Further, said other first protrusions  185  of the second hatches  183  prevent the stabilizing clip  18  from accidentally moving back toward the circuit board  12 . Thus the stabilizing clips  18  can be fixed to the chassis  16  and the power sockets  122  and plugs  104 , whereby a stability of the connections between the leads  102  and the power sockets  122  via the plugs  104  is firmly enhanced. Further, the stabilizing clip  18  covers and protects the leads  102 .  
         [0022]     Detachment of each stabilizing clip  18  is essentially the reverse of the above-described installation procedure.  
         [0023]     In assembly of the liquid crystal display device  1 , the chassis  16  is covered over the liquid crystal module  10 , the circuit board  12 , and the heat sink  14 . The second housing (not labeled) accommodates the circuit board  12 , the heat sink  14 , and associated components of the circuit board  12 . The first housing (not labeled) accommodates the liquid crystal module  10 . The heat sink  14  thereby interconnects the circuit board  12  and the chassis  16 , for conducting heat of the circuit board  12  to the chassis  16 . The chassis  16  then dissipates the heat to the ambient environment.  
         [0024]     In summary, the liquid crystal display device  1  includes the stabilizing clips  18  which can enhance the stability of the connections between the power sockets  122  of the circuit board  12  and the plugs  104  of the liquid crystal module  10 . With this configuration, the risk of loosening of the plugs  104  from the power sockets  122  is reduced or even eliminated, and the risk of the plugs  104  disconnecting from the power sockets  122  is reduced or even eliminated. Moreover, the stabilizing clips  18  can be made from fireproof Mylar™ which is relatively inexpensive. These advantages enable the liquid crystal display device  1  to provide stable and reliable operation at low cost.  
         [0025]     It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.