Abstract:
A liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a frame unit thereof are proposed. The frame unit includes a frame and a back plate unit. The frame includes a cover plate and a rib connected to the cover plate. The cover plate props the upper surface of a liquid crystal panel in the LCD device flexibly. The rib props the lateral side of the liquid crystal panel flexibly. The back plate unit includes a bottom plate and a side plate connected to the bottom plate. The bottom plate supports an optical component of the LCD device. The side plate works with the rib to prop the liquid crystal panel. An alignment method of the liquid crystal panel is proposed as well. The advantages of the present invention are that the thickness of a bezel of the LCD device is greatly reduced, production costs of the LCD device are decreased, and a design of an extremely narrow bezel is implemented.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention. 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to liquid crystals, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display (LCD) device and a frame unit thereof and an alignment method of a liquid crystal panel. 
         [0003]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0004]    Conventionally, a liquid crystal panel is usually disposed on a backlight module to a form an LCD device. A rib on a housing of the backlight module is used tier propping the liquid crystal panel horizontally. A cover plate on the housing is used for fixing the liquid crystal panel vertically. The cooperation of the rib and the cover plate implements the positioning of the liquid crystal panel. 
         [0005]    However, the thickness of the bezel of the LCD device increases because of the rib on the housing, which is disadvantageous of designing an extremely narrow bezel of the LCD device. Also, the liquid crystal panel cannot be accurately positioned due to the housing of the backlight module, which is disadvantageous of implementing automated assembly for the LCD device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and an aspect of the present invention is to provide an LCD device and a frame unit thereof and an alignment method of a liquid crystal panel for minimizing the thickness of the bezel of the LCD device and for implementing automated assembly for the LCD device. 
         [0007]    According to the present invention, a frame unit for a liquid crystal display (LCD) device comprising a frame and a back plate unit is provided. The frame comprises a cover plate and a rib perpendicular to the cover plate. The cover plate is used for propping a upper surface of a liquid crystal panel of the LCD device flexibly The rib is used for propping a lateral side of the liquid crystal panel flexibly. The back plate unit comprises a bottom plate and a side plate, the bottom plate used for supporting an optical component of the LCD device, and the side plate working with the rib to prop the liquid crystal panel. The rib comprises a first rib, a second rib, and a connecting portion connected to the first rib and the second rib, the first rib is disposed closely to the lateral side of the side plate, the connecting portion is disposed close to the end surface of the side plate, and the second rib extends from the connecting portion in the direction against the side plate and is connected to the cover plate. 
         [0008]    In one aspect of the present invention, the frame unit further comprises a housing. The housing comprises a vertical portion and a support portion. The vertical portion is inserted between the rib and the side plate, and the support portion props a lower surface of the liquid crystal panel. 
         [0009]    In another aspect of the present invention, a containing tank is formed among the support portion, the second rib, and the cover plate for containing and fixing the liquid crystal panel. 
         [0010]    In another aspect of the present invention, a buffer material is disposed between the second rib and the lateral side of the liquid crystal panel, between the cover plate and the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel, and between the support portion and the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel. 
         [0011]    In still another aspect of the present invention, the frame is numerous in quantity, and the plurality of frames are spaced from one another. 
         [0012]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, the plurality of frames are L-shaped and are disposed on a plurality of coner of the liquid crystal panel. 
         [0013]    According to the present invention, a liquid crystal display device comprising at frame unit is provided. The frame unit comprises a frame, and a back plate unit. The frame comprises a cover plate and a rib perpendicular to the cover plate. The cover plate is used for propping a upper surface of a liquid crystal panel of the LCD device flexibly. The rib is used for propping a lateral side of the liquid crystal panel flexibly. The back plate unit comprises a bottom plate and a side plate. The bottom plate is used for supporting an optical component of the LCD device, and the side plate working with the rib to prop the liquid crystal panel. 
         [0014]    In one aspect of the present invention, the rib comprises a first rib, a second rib, and a connecting portion connected to the first rib and the second rib, the first rib is disposed closely to the lateral, side of the side plate, the connecting portion is disposed close to the end surface of the side plate, and the second rib extends from the connecting portion in the direction against the side plate and is connected to the cover plate. 
         [0015]    In another aspect of the present invention, the frame unit further comprises a housing, the housing comprises a vertical portion and a support portion, the vertical portion is inserted between the rib and the side plate, and the support portion props a lower surface of the liquid crystal panel. 
         [0016]    In another aspect of the present invention, a containing tank is formed among the support portion, the second rib, and the cover plate for containing and fixing the liquid crystal panel. 
         [0017]    In still another aspect of the present invention, as buffer material is disposed between the second rib and the lateral side of the liquid crystal panel, between the cover plate and the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel, and between the support portion and the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel. 
         [0018]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, the frame is numerous in quantity, and the plurality of frames are spaced from one another. 
         [0019]    According to the present invention, an alignment method of a liquid crystal panel of an LCD device is provided. The alignment method adopts a frame unit as mentioned above. The frame is numerous in quantity, and the alignment method comprises steps of disposing the liquid crystal panel on a back plate unit; and pressing cover plates of the plurality of frames on the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel, and propelling the liquid crystal panel to a predetermined position on the back plate unit with ribs of the plurality of frames to implement positioning of the liquid crystal panel. 
         [0020]    A cover plate on a frame of the frame unit is used for propping the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel in the LCD device flexibly in the embodiments of the present invention. A rib on the frame is used for propping a lateral side of the liquid crystal panel flexibly. Such a design allows the liquid crystal panel to be positioned accurately, which is good for implementing automated assembly for the LCD device. Also, it is unnecessary to use the rib of the housing to position the liquid crystal panel horizontally. In other words, the thickness of the betel of the LCD device is reduced, thereby implementing the design of the narrow bezel. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  shows a schematic diagram of part of an LCD device using a frame unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  showing a schematic diagram of part of an LCD device using a frame unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0023]      FIG. 3   a  shows an assembly diagram of an LCD device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 3   b  shows a schematic diagram of the completed LCD device as shown in  FIG. 3   a.    
           [0025]      FIG. 4  shows a flow chart of an alignment method of the liquid crystal panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0026]    The present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       Embodiment One 
       [0027]    Refer to  FIG. 1  showing a schematic diagram of part of an LCD device using a frame unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0028]    In this embodiment, the LCD device comprises a liquid crystal panel  10  and as frame unit. The frame unit comprises, but is not limited to a frame  11  and a back plate unit  12 . 
         [0029]    Specifically, one or more frames  11  are used. Each of the one or more frames  11  comprises a cover plate  111  and a rib  112  connected to the cover plate  111 . The cover plate  111  props the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel  10 , and for producing better effects on fixation, the bottom surface of the cover plate  111  is parallel to the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel  10 . The rib  112  is perpendicular to the cover plate  111 . The rib  112  props a lateral side of the liquid crystal panel  10  flexibly. Further, the rib  112  comprises a first rib  1121 , a second rib  1122 , and a connecting, portion  1123  connected to the first rib  1121  and the second rib  1122 . The second rib  1122  is connected to one end of the cover plate  111 . One end of the connecting portion  1123  is connected to one end of the second rib  1122  which is away from the cover plate  111 , and the other end of the connecting portion  1123  is connected to the first rib  1121 . Of course, the cover plate  111  can solder the rib  112 , or the cover plate  111  and solder the rib  112  have a monocoque-style form. Actually, the formation of the cover plate  111  and the rib  112  is not limited here. The frame  11  is a stepwise-shaped frame. Specifically, the first rib  1121  and the second rib  1122  are disposed in the direction perpendicular to the cover plate  111  or are disposed at a specific tilting angle. The connecting portion  1123  is parallel to the cover plate  111 . Actually, the dispositions of the first rib  1121 , the second rib  1122 , and the connecting portion  1123  are not limited here. 
         [0030]    The back plate unit  12  comprises a bottom plate  121  and a side plate  122 . Correspondingly, the first rib  1121  is disposed closely to the lateral side of the side plate  122 . The connecting portion  1123  is disposed close to the end surface of the side plate  122 . The second rib  1122  extends from the connecting portion  1123  in the direction against the side plate  122  and is connected to the cover plate  111 . The bottom plate  121  is used for supporting an optical component (not shown) of the LCD device. The side plate  122  may be close to and parallel to the first rib  1121  so that the side plate  122  can work with the rib  112  to prop the liquid crystal panel  10 . In other words, a support plate (not shown) may be formed on the end surface of the side plate  122  which is far away from the bottom plate  121 . As long as the support plate supports the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel  10  directly and the support plate works with the rib  112 , the liquid crystal panel  10  can be successfully propped. 
         [0031]    Of course, the frame unit may further comprise a housing  13  in another embodiment. Specifically, the housing  13  comprises a vertical portion  131  and a support portion  132  connected to the vertical portion  131 . The vertical portion  131  is inserted between the first rib  1121  and the side plate  122 . The vertical portion  131 , the first rib  1121 , and the side plate  122  may cooperate closely to one another to strengthen the structure oil the frame unit. Unlike the first embodiment, the support portion  132  substitutes for the support plate of the side plate  122  to prop the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel  10 . In other words, the liquid crystal panel  10  is supported by the support portion  132  and the connecting portion  1123  which touches the support portion  132 . Preferably, a containing tank  14  is formed among the support portion  132 , the second rib  1122 , and the cover plate  111 . The liquid crystal panel  10  is contained and used inside the containing tank  14 . 
         [0032]    In addition, to firmly fix the liquid crystal panel  10 , a buffer material  15  is disposed between the support portion  132  and the liquid crystal panel  10 , between the second rib  1122  and the liquid crystal panel  10 , and between the cover plate  111  and the liquid crystal panel  10 , respectively. For example, an elastic material such as rubber and elastic particles can be used as the buffer material  15  and is attached to the support portion  132 , the second rib  1122 , and the cover plate  111  directly. The elastic material is not limited here. 
         [0033]    Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 1  shows the positioning of the frame unit and the liquid crystal panel  10 . The cover plate  111  presses the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel  10  using the buffer material  15 . The support portion  132  supports the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel  10  using the buffer material  15 . The lateral side of the liquid crystal panel  10  props the second rib  1122  using the buffer material  15 . Since the second rib  1122  works with the lateral side of the liquid crystal panel  10  directly, the thickness of the frame unit is only the thickness of the second rib  1122  which props the liquid crystal panel  10 . So the thickness of the bezel is greatly reduced. Also, both of the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel  10  and the lateral side of the liquid crystal panel  10  prop the frame  11 , so the liquid crystal panel  10  can be propelled to a predetermined position with the second rib  1122  of the frame  11 . Therefore, the liquid crystal panel  10  can be accurately positioned. Further, automated assembly for the LCD device can be implemented. 
         [0034]    The cover plate  111  on the frame  11  is used for propping the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel  10  flexibly. The rib  112  on the frame  11  is used for propping the lateral side of the liquid crystal panel  10  flexibly. The design of this embodiment allows the liquid crystal panel  10  to be positioned accurately, which is good for implementing automated assembly for the LCD device. Also, it is unnecessary to use the rib  112  of the housing  13  to position the liquid crystal panel  10  horizontally, which means that the thickness of the bezel of the LCD device is reduced. As a result, the LCD device comprising an extremely narrow bezel is implemented. 
       Embodiment Two 
       [0035]    Refer to  FIG. 2  showing a schematic diagram of part of an LCD device using a frame unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0036]    In this embodiment, the LCD device comprises a liquid crystal panel  20  and a frame unit. The frame unit comprises, but is not limited, to, a frame  21  and a back plate unit  22 . 
         [0037]    The frame  21  comprises a cover plate  211  and a rib  212  which is perpendicular to each other. The back plate unit  22  comprises a bottom plate  221  and a side plate  222  connected to the bottom plate  221 . The bottom plate  221  is connected to the side plate  222 . What is worth of noting is that the rib  212  is parallel to a vertical portion  231  and the side plate  222  in the second embodiment while the frame  11  is stepwise-shaped frame in the first embodiment. That is, the rib  212  is not formed by a first rib, a second rib, and a connecting portion which are connected to one another. The rib  212  and the cover plate  211  are perpendicular to each other. Since the components used in the second embodiment are the same as those used in the first embodiment, no details of the components in the second embodiment are provided. 
         [0038]    In this embodiment, a support plate (not shown) is formed on the end of the side plate  222  which is far away from the bottom plate  221 . The lower surface of the liquid crystal panel  20  is supported by the support plate directly. Also, the cooperation of the support plate and the rib  212  prop the liquid crystal panel  20  together. In another embodiment, the frame unit further comprises a housing  23  for propping the liquid crystal panel  20 . For example, the housing  23  comprises a vertical portion  231  and a support portion  232  connected to the vertical portion  231 . The support portion  232  supports the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel  20 . The housing  23  used in this embodiment are the same as that used in the first embodiment. Since, the structure of the housing  13  is elaborated, the structure of the housing  23  will not be further described below. Preferably, a containing tank  24  is formed among the support portion  232 , the rib  213 , and the cover plate  211 . The liquid crystal panel  20  is contained and fixed in the containing tank  24 . 
         [0039]    In addition, to firmly fix the liquid crystal panel  20 , a buffer material  25  is disposed between the support portion  232  and the liquid crystal panel  20 , between the rib  212  and the liquid crystal panel  20 , and between the cover plate  211  and the liquid crystal panel  20 , respectively. For example, the buffer material  25  can be an elastic material such as rubber and elastic particles and is attached to the support portion  232 , the cover plate  211 , and the liquid crystal panel  20  directly. The elastic material is not limited here. 
         [0040]    Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 2  shows the positioning of the frame unit and the liquid crystal panel  20 . The cover plate  211  presses the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel  20  using the buffer material  25 . The support portion  332  supports the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel  20  using the buffer material  25 . A lateral side of the liquid crystal panel  20  props the rib  212  using the buffer material  25 . Since the rib  312  works with the lateral side of the liquid crystal panel  20  directly, the thickness of the frame unit is only the thickness of the rib  212  which props the liquid crystal panel  20 . So the thickness of the bezel is greatly reduced. Also both of the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel  20  and the lateral side of the liquid crystal panel  20  prop the frame  21 , so the liquid crystal panel  20  can be propelled to a predetermined position with the rib  212  of the frame  21 . Therefore, the liquid crystal panel  20  is accurately positioned. Further, automated assembly of the LCD device is implemented. 
         [0041]    The cover plate  211  on the frame  21  is used for propping the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel  20  flexibly. The rib  212  on the frame  21  is used for propping the lateral side of the liquid crystal panel  20  flexibly. This design allows the liquid crystal panel  20  to be positioned accurately, which is good for implementing automated assembly for the LCD device. Also, it is unnecessary to use the rib  212  of the housing  23  to position the liquid crystal panel  20  horizontally. In other words, the thickness of the bezel of the LCD device is reduced, thereby implementing, the LCD device comprising an extremely narrow bezel. 
         [0042]    For further information, please refer to  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b .  FIG. 3   a  shows an assembly diagram of an LCD device according to another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3   b  shows a schematic diagram of the completed LCD device as shown in  FIG. 3   a.    
         [0043]    As mentioned above, the frame unit comprises a frame  31  and a back plate unit (not shown). 
         [0044]    A plurality of frames  31  are used in  FIGS. 3   a  and  3   b . The plurality of frames  31  are L-shaped. The plurality of frames  31  are distributed over the lateral side of the liquid crystal panel or over a plurality of coners and are spaced from one another. Preferably, four frames  31  are used. Also, the liquid crystal panel comprises four corners. The four frames are distributed over the our corners of the liquid crystal panel, respectively. Moreover, considering the positioning of the L-shaped frame  31  on the liquid crystal panel, the plurality of frames  31  may be stripe-shaped. Actually, the shape of the plurality of frames  31  is not limited here. 
         [0045]    Further, an LCD device is provided in the present invention. The LCD device comprises a liquid crystal panel and an above-mentioned frame unit. The frame unit comprises a frame, a back plate unit, etc. As mentioned above, a cover plate disposed on the frame is used for propping, the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel flexibly. A rib disposed on the frame is used for propping a lateral side of the liquid crystal panel flexibly. A bottom plate disposed on the back plate unit is used for supporting an optical component of the LCD device. The side plate disposed on the back plate unit works with the rib for propping the liquid crystal panel. Further, as housing can be disposed in another embodiment. The housing comprises a vertical portion and a support portion. The vertical portion is inserted between at rib and a side plate. The support portion props the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel. Since the components used in this embodiment are the same as those used in the above-mentioned embodiments, there will be no further details provided below. 
         [0046]    Refer to  FIG. 4  showing a flow chart of an alignment method of the liquid crystal panel according to an embodiment of the present invention. The above-mentioned frame unit is used in the alignment method of the liquid crystal panel. The frame unit comprises a frame and a back plate unit. Actually, one or more frames may be used. The alignment method comprises steps of 
         [0047]    Step S 401 : Dispose as liquid crystal panel on a back plate unit, 
         [0048]    Step S 402 : The cover plates of a plurality of frames press the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel. The ribs of the plurality of frames propel the liquid crystal panel to a predetermined position on the back plate unit. In this way, the liquid crystal panel can be positioned. 
         [0049]    In the above-mentioned embodiments, the side plate works with the. rib to prop the liquid crystal panel together as described in Step S 402 . In another embodiment, the housing disposed on the frame unit directly supports the lower surface of the liquid crystal panel. Since the operation of the housing is elaborated in the above-mentioned embodiment, there will be no further details provided below. 
         [0050]    According to the alignment method of the liquid crystal panel, the liquid crystal panel is disposed on the back plate unit. The cover plates of the plurality of frames press the upper surface of the liquid crystal panel. The ribs of the plurality of frames propel the liquid crystal panel to a predetermined position to implement accurate positioning of the liquid crystal panel, which is good for implementing automated assembly for the LCD device. Also, it is unnecessary to use the rib of the housing to position the liquid crystal panel horizontally. In other words, the thickness of the bezel of the LCD device is reduced, which implements the design of the extremely narrow bezel of the liquid crystal panel. 
         [0051]    While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements made without departing from the scope of the broadest interpretation of the appended claims.