Abstract:
Provided are a lamp socket structured to realize a slimmer display device, and a display device having the lamp socket. The lamp socket includes: a body portion; a connection terminal for connection of the lamp socket to a terminal of a lamp; a compliant portion which connects the body portion and the connection terminal and includes a first portion connected to the connection terminal and a second portion connected to the body portion; and one or more fixing portions which extend from the body portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion at least partially overlap each other.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0001560 filed on Jan. 8, 2009 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates generally to flat panel displays. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a lamp socket and a display device for use in flat panel displays. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Liquid crystal displays (LCDs) are among the most widely used types of flat panel displays. Generally, an LCD includes a pair of substrates having electrodes, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the substrates. In an LCD, voltages are applied to electrodes to generate an electric field. This electric field aligns molecules of the liquid crystal. As a result, a desired image is displayed on the LCD. 
         [0006]    Being non-self-luminous, LCDs commonly utilize a backlight assembly, which includes light sources (i.e., light-emitting devices), to display an image. A backlight assembly provides a light source illuminating the display panel from behind, often providing uniform light to the entire surface of the display panel. Backlight assemblies are often classified into direct-type backlight assemblies and edge-type backlight assemblies, according to the positions of their light sources. In direct-type backlight assemblies, light sources are disposed directly behind a display panel. In edge-type backlight assemblies, light sources are disposed behind one or more sides of a display panel, and light emitted from the light sources is delivered to the entire display panel using a light guide plate. 
         [0007]    Recently, a lot of research is being conducted to develop large and ultra-slim display devices. In display devices with direct-type backlight assemblies, light sources are typically disposed under a diffusion plate. Thus, it is structurally difficult to make the display device as slim as desired. In particular, the thickness of display devices with direct-type backlight assemblies is greatly affected by the shape and arrangement of lamps (i.e., light sources) and the way in which the lamps are fixed to lamp sockets. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    Aspects of the present invention provide a lamp socket structured to realize an ultra-slim display device. 
         [0009]    Aspects of the present invention also provide a display device having a lamp socket structured to realize an ultra-slim display device. 
         [0010]    However, aspects of the present invention are not restricted to those set forth herein. The above and other aspects of the present invention will become more apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains by referencing the detailed description of the present invention given below. 
         [0011]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lamp socket including: a body portion; a connection terminal for connection of the lamp socket to a terminal of a lamp; a compliant portion which connects the body portion and the connection terminal and includes a first portion connected to the connection terminal and a second portion connected to the body portion; and one or more fixing portions which extend from the body portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion at least partially overlap each other. 
         [0012]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a display device including: a lamp configured to emit light; a circuit board; a lamp socket mounted on the circuit board; and a housing supporting the circuit board and the lamp socket, wherein the lamp socket includes: a body portion; a connection terminal for connection of the lamp socket to a terminal of the lamp; a compliant portion which connects the body portion and the connection terminal and includes a first portion connected to the connection terminal and a second portion connected to the body portion; and one or more fixing portions which extend from the body portion, wherein the first portion and the second portion at least partially overlap each other. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The above and other aspects and features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a first perspective view of a lamp socket according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of the lamp socket shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the lamp socket shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view showing an enlarged version of a region A of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a view for explaining bending characteristics of a first connection terminal and a first elastic portion included in the lamp socket of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a balance board on which the lamp socket of  FIG. 1  is mounted; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a rear perspective view of the balance board shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a lamp socket according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a front view of the lamp socket shown in  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a balance board on which the lamp socket of  FIG. 8  is mounted; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective of a region of the balance board shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a front view of a lamp socket according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a front view of a lamp socket according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a front view of a lamp socket according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a front view of a lamp socket according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the display device shown in  FIG. 16 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of accomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the present invention will only be defined by the appended claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. 
         [0032]    Spatially relative terms, such as “below”, “beneath”, “lower”, “above”, “upper”, and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. 
         [0033]    Hereinafter, a lamp socket  100  according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 5 .  FIG. 1  is a first perspective view of the lamp socket  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a second perspective view of the lamp socket  100  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3  is a front view of the lamp socket  100  shown in  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view showing an enlarged version of a region A of FIG.  1 .  FIG. 5  is a view for explaining bending characteristics of a first connection terminal  110   a  and a first elastic portion  130   a  included in the lamp socket  100  of  FIG. 1 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the lamp socket  100  fixes each of lamps  70  (see  FIG. 16 ) and supplies power to each of the lamps  70 . The lamp socket  100  includes a body portion  150 , first connection terminal  110   a,  second connection terminal  110   b,  first elastic portion  130   a,  second elastic portion  130   b,  stop portion  120 , and fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d.  The lamp socket  100  may be made of a conductive material such as metal. The body portion  150 , the first connection terminal  110   a,  the second connection terminal  110   b,  the first elastic portion  130   a,  the second elastic portion  130   b,  the stop portion  120 , and the fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d  may be integrated with each other, that is, they may be formed from a single metal sheet. 
         [0035]    The first connection terminal  110   a  and the second connection terminal  110   b  fix a terminal of each of the lamps  70  and supply power to each of the lamps  70 . The first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  press toward each other with a terminal of each of the lamps  70  interposed therebetween, thereby fixing the terminal of each of the lamps  70 . The first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  extend from the body portion  150 . The first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  are formed between the body portion  150  and the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b , respectively. 
         [0036]    The first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  are connected respectively to the first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b,  hold a terminal of each of the lamps  70  similar to a pair of tongs, and thus fix the terminal of each of the lamps  70  to the lamp socket  100 . Accordingly, each of the lamps  70  can be easily fixed to or removed from the lamp socket  100 . The first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  are connected to, and integrally formed with, the body portion  150 . 
         [0037]    The body portion  150  maintains the basic framework of the lamp socket  100 . The first connection terminal  110   a,  the second connection terminal  101   b,  the stop portion  120 , and the fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d  are connected to the body portion  150 . 
         [0038]    The body portion  150  may be shaped like a box that has a space surrounded by four sidewalls. The body portion  150  may be formed by bending a single metal board. The stop portion  120 , the first connection terminal  110   a,  and the second connection terminal  110   b  extend from an upper end of the body portion  150 , and the fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d  extend from a lower end of the body portion  150 . 
         [0039]    The first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  deliver sufficient elastic forces to the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b,  respectively. Specifically, to adequately hold a terminal of each of the lamps  70 , the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  should have sufficient elasticity, or flexibility. When the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  do not have sufficient elasticity, it is not easy to insert or remove a terminal of each of the lamps  70  into or from the lamp socket  100 . Furthermore, each of the lamps  70  can easily slip off of the lamp socket  100 . 
         [0040]    To have sufficient elasticity, the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  may be made of a sufficiently elastic or compliant material, and/or may be appropriately shaped. 
         [0041]    The first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  may be made of a metal material. However, it is desirable to shape the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  such that they can maintain appropriate rigidity and elasticity. In the configuration shown, the first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  are formed such that they can deliver appropriate rigidity and elasticity to the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b.    
         [0042]    To make a display device  1  (see  FIG. 17 ) ultra-slim, a height of the lamp socket  100  is preferably minimized. However, to minimize the height of the lamp socket  100 , lengths of the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  should be reduced, and when the lengths of the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  are reduced, they are often made less compliant. To solve this problem, the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  may respectively have first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  which, in this configuration, are bent at least twice in order make them more flexible. 
         [0043]    In the configuration of  FIGS. 2-3 , each of the first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  is formed in a general “S” shape. When each of the first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  is bent in an “S” shape, the height of the lamp socket  100  can be reduced, and the first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  can deliver sufficient elastic forces to the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b,  respectively. To minimize the height of the lamp socket  100 , the first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  may also be formed at least partially within the body portion  150 . In fact, if each of the first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  extends from the upper end of the body portion  150 , at least one end thereof may be formed within the body portion  150 . 
         [0044]    Each of the first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  may be formed by bending an end of the body portion  150  into a general “S” shape. The first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  substantially function as springs. Therefore, an end of the body portion  150  may be bent at least three times to form more compliant/flexible first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b.    
         [0045]    In this embodiment, fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d  support the body portion  150  and fix the lamp socket  100 . Here, fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d  extend downward from the lower end of the body portion  150  and are bent outward from the body portion  150 . One or more fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d  may be formed under the body portion  150  and may be bent radially from the body portion  150 . 
         [0046]    The fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d  are integrally formed with the body portion  150  and may also function as terminals to which power is supplied from an external source. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the stop portion  120  is formed at the front (as viewed in  FIG. 1 ) of the body portion  150 . The stop portion  120  extends from the upper end of the body portion  150 . The stop portion  120  is plate-shaped, and helps to both maintain the framework of the lamp socket  100 , and prevent the movement of a terminal of each of the lamps  70 . Specifically, the stop portion  120  includes a terminal insertion groove  125  which is cut into an upper end thereof. 
         [0048]    The stop portion  120  prevents a terminal of a lamp  70 , which is fixed between the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b,  from slipping downward. Therefore, the terminal of each of the lamps  70  is inserted into the terminal insertion groove  125  and fixed by the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b.  The terminal insertion groove  125  may be formed as a generally “U” shaped cutout in the stop portion  120 . 
         [0049]    A distance D between highest and lowest points of each of the first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  may be any suitable distance, but in particular can be approximately 30 to 50% of a total height H of the lamp socket  100 . This imparts sufficient flexibility to the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  while also significantly reducing the total height H of the lamp socket  100 . 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the lamp socket  100  includes a first blocking portion  115   a  and a second blocking portion  115   b  which prevent terminals of the lamps  70  from slipping upward. Each of the first and second blocking portions  115   a  and  115   b  is formed on a side of one of the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b.  Specifically, the first blocking portion  115   a  is formed on a side of the first connection terminal  110   a  and protrudes toward the second connection terminal  110   b.  The second blocking portion  115   b  is formed on a side of the second connection terminal  110   b  and protrudes toward the first connection terminal  110   a.    
         [0051]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , each of the first and second blocking portions  115   a  and  115   b  may be formed by bending an end of one of the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b.  Specifically, the first and second blocking portions  115   a  and  115   b  diverge from ends of the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  at first and second sections  116   a  and  116   b  and thus are misaligned with the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b,  respectively. Therefore, a terminal of each of the lamps  70 , interposed between the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b,  is disposed under the first and second blocking portions  115   a  and  115   b.  In this manner, the first and second blocking portions  115   a  and  115   b  prevent the terminal of each of the lamps  70  from slipping upward. 
         [0052]    Bending characteristics of the first connection terminal  110   a  and the first elastic portion  130   a  will now be described with reference to  FIG. 5 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , since the first connection terminal  110   a  extends from the first elastic portion  130   a,  its height can be lowered while its actual length remains unchanged. 
         [0053]    The first elastic portion  130   a  includes a first portion  131   a  connected to the first connection terminal  110   a  and a second portion  132   a  connected to the body portion  150  (see  FIG. 3 ). The first and second portions  131   a  and  132   a  at least partially overlap each other. The first and second portions  131   a  and  132   a  may substantially be integrally formed with the first connection terminal  110   a  and the body portion  150 . As can be seen, elastic forces can be transmitted between the first and second portions  131   a  and  132   a  of the first elastic portion  130 . 
         [0054]    When a terminal of each of the lamps  70  is inserted into the lamp socket  100 , the first connection terminal  110   a  is moved from its initial {circle around (a)} position to a {circle around (b)} position (positions shown are illustrative, and not necessarily shown to scale). Here, a force applied to the first connection terminal  110   a  to move the first connection terminal  110   a  from the {circle around (a)} position to the {circle around (b)} position is stored in the first elastic portion  130   a  in the form of elastic potential energy. The first elastic portion  130   a  is thus a kind of spring, and the elastic energy stored in the first elastic portion  130   a  allows the terminal of each of the lamps  70  to be inserted into or removed from the lamp socket  100  with an appropriate force. In other terms, first elastic portion  130   a  acts as a type of spring. Thus, when a terminal of lamp  70  is inserted into the lamp socket  100 , pushing first connection terminal  110   a  leftward when viewed as in the perspective of  FIG. 5 , the elastic portion  130   a  exerts an opposing force that pushes terminal  110   a  against the terminal of lamp  70 , securing the terminal. 
         [0055]    Hereinafter, a balance board  10  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0056]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the balance board  10  receives a driving voltage from an inverter (not shown) and supplies a uniform driving current to each of the lamps  70 . The balance board  10  includes a plurality of lamp sockets  100 , each connected to a terminal of one of the lamps  70 . To supply a uniform driving current to each lamp  70 , the balance board  10  may include balance coils or capacitors. Thus, a driving voltage applied to the balance board  10  is provided to the lamps  70  via the balance coils or the capacitors. 
         [0057]    In the present specification, the balance board  10  including capacitors will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, the description of the balance board  10  may also be applied to a balance board including balance coils. 
         [0058]    The balance board  10  includes a circuit board  11 , lamp sockets  100 , and capacitors  12 . The circuit board  11  is made of an insulator, and the lamp sockets  100  are mounted on a surface of the circuit board  11 . The lamp sockets  100 , in particular the fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d,  may be adhered to the circuit board  11  using known surface mount technology. As described above, the fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d  can extend from the body portion  150  of each of the lamp sockets  100 . The number and size of the fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d  may vary according to a force required to fix each of the lamp sockets  100  to the circuit board  11 . 
         [0059]    The fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d  may be adhered to the surface of the circuit board  11  using a known floor dip method or a floor solder method. The surface mount technology enables the lamp sockets  100  to be affixed to the circuit board  11  with an automatic device. 
         [0060]    The capacitors  12  are mounted on the circuit board  11 . The capacitors  12  are used to supply a uniform driving current to the lamp sockets  100 , respectively. A terminal of each of the capacitors  12  is connected to one of the lamp sockets  100 , and the other terminal thereof is connected to a power source. The capacitors  12  may be connected to the lamp sockets  100 , respectively. The capacitors  12  are not necessarily mounted on the circuit board  11 . When desired, the capacitors  12  may be mounted on the lamp sockets  100 , respectively. Alternatively, each of the capacitors  12  may be formed at an end of one of the lamps  70 . 
         [0061]    The capacitors  12  may be, for example, multi-layer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs). An MLCC uses multiple layers of high-k ceramic materials as dielectrics that are interposed between electrodes. The MLCC may be small in size but have high capacitance. 
         [0062]    Hereinafter, a lamp socket  200  according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 8 through 11 .  FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the lamp socket  200  according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9  is a front view of the lamp socket  200  shown in  FIG. 8 .  FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a balance board  10 ′ on which the lamp socket  200  of  FIG. 8  is mounted.  FIG. 11  is an enlarged perspective of a region of the balance board  10 ′ shown in  FIG. 10 . For simplicity, elements substantially identical to those of the lamp socket  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment are indicated by like reference numerals, and thus their description will be omitted. 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , at least some of fixing portions  241   a  through  241   d  of the lamp socket  200  extend through circuit board  11  (see  FIG. 10 ), helping to fix them to the circuit board  11 . 
         [0064]    The lamp socket  200  includes a body portion  150 , a first connection terminal  110   a a second connection terminal  110   b,  a first elastic portion  130   a,  a second elastic portion  130   b,  a stop portion  120 , and the fixing portions  241   a  through  241   d.  The lamp socket  200  may be made of a conductive material such as a metal. The body portion  150 , the first connection terminal  110   a,  the second connection terminal  110   b,  the first elastic portion  130   a,  the second elastic portion  130   b,  the stop portion  120 , and the fixing portions  241   a  through  241   d  may be integrated with each other, that is, they may be formed by performing sheet metal working on a single sheet of metal. 
         [0065]    The first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  press against each other with a terminal of each of the lamps  70  interposed therebetween, thereby fixing the terminal of each of the lamps  70 . The first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  extend from the body portion  150 . The first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  are formed between the body portion  150  and the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b,  respectively. 
         [0066]    The body portion  150  maintains the basic framework of the lamp socket  200 . The first connection terminal  110   a,  the second connection terminal  101   b,  the stop portion  120 , and the fixing portions  241   a  through  241   d  are connected to the body portion  150 . 
         [0067]    The body portion  150  may be shaped like a box that has a space surrounded by four sidewalls. The body portion  150  may be formed by bending a single metal board. The stop portion  120 , the first connection terminal  110   a,  and the second connection terminal  110   b  extend from an upper end of the body portion  150 , and the fixing portions  241   a  through  241   d  extend from a lower end of the body portion  150 . 
         [0068]    The first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b  may respectively have first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  that are bent at least twice. A cross section of each of the first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  may be bent into an “S” shape. When each of the first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  is bent in an “S” shape, the height of the lamp socket  200  can be reduced, and the first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  can deliver sufficient elastic forces to the first and second connection terminals  110   a  and  110   b,  respectively. 
         [0069]    The fixing portions  241   a  through  241   d  support the body portion  150  and fix the lamp socket  200 . The fixing portions  241   a  through  241   d  extend downward from the lower end of the body portion  150  and are bent outward from the body portion  150 . One or more fixing portions  241   a  through  241   d  may be formed under the body portion  150  and may be bent radially from the body portion  150 . 
         [0070]    The fixing portions  241   a  through  241   d  are integrally formed with the body portion  150  and may function as terminals to which power is supplied from an external source. Some of the fixing portions  241   a  through  241   d  may be attached to the circuit board  11  using surface mount technology, and others of the fixing portions  241   a  through  241   d  may penetrate the circuit board  11  and thus be fixed to the circuit board  11 . 
         [0071]    Hereinafter, the balance board  10 ′ of the second exemplary embodiment will be described in further detail with reference to  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
         [0072]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the balance board  10 ′ includes a plurality of lamp sockets  200 , each connected to a terminal of one of the lamps  70 . To supply a uniform driving current to each lamp  70 , the balance board  10 ′ may include balance coils or capacitors. Thus, a driving voltage applied to the balance board  10 ′ is provided to the lamps  70  via the balance coils or the capacitors. 
         [0073]    The balance board  10 ′ includes a circuit board  11 , lamp sockets  200 , and capacitors  12 . Here, the fixing portions  241   b  and  241   d  of each of the lamp sockets  200  may be attached to the circuit board  11  using surface mount technology, and the fixing portions  241   a  and  241   c  of each of the lamp sockets  200  may extend through the circuit board  11  for more secure attachment to the circuit board  11 . 
         [0074]    Each of the lamp sockets  200  should not only supply power to a corresponding one of the lamps  70 , but also physically support both ends of the corresponding one of the lamps  70 . Therefore, to prevent the lamp sockets  200  from being disconnected from the circuit board  11  due to impact, at least some ( 241   a  and  241   c ) of the fixing portions  241   a  through  241   d  are mechanically coupled to the circuit board  11 . The lamp sockets  200  may be automatically assembled using an automatic machine. 
         [0075]    Hereinafter, a lamp socket  300  according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 12 .  FIG. 12  is a front view of a lamp socket  300  according to the third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For simplicity, elements substantially identical to those of lamp socket  100  are indicated by like reference numerals, and thus their description will be omitted. 
         [0076]    Referring to  FIG. 12 , the lamp socket  300  of the third embodiment includes a first auxiliary elastic portion  331   a  and a second auxiliary elastic portion  331   b  to increase the flexibility of a first connection terminal  310   a  and a second connection terminal  310   b , respectively. 
         [0077]    The lamp socket  300  includes a body portion  150 , first connection terminal  310   a , second connection terminal  310   b,  first elastic portion  130   a,  second elastic portion  130   b , first auxiliary elastic portion  331   a,  second auxiliary elastic portion  331   b,  stop portion  120 , and fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d.  The lamp socket  300  may be made of a conductive material such as a metal. The body portion  150 , the first connection terminal  310   a,  the second connection terminal  310   b,  the first elastic portion  130   a,  the second elastic portion  130   b,  the first auxiliary elastic portion  331   a,  the second auxiliary elastic portion  331   b,  the stop portion  120 , and the fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d  may be integrated with each other. That is, they may be formed by working a single metal sheet. 
         [0078]    The first and second connection terminals  310   a  and  310   b  press against each other with a terminal of a lamp  70  interposed therebetween, thereby fixing or securing the terminal. The first and second connection terminals  310   a  and  310   b  extend from the body portion  150 . The first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  are formed between the body portion  150  and the first and second connection terminals  310   a  and  310   b , respectively. 
         [0079]    A cross section of each of the first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  may be bent into an “S” shape. When each of the first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  is bent in an “S” shape, the height of the lamp socket  300  can be reduced, and the first and second elastic portions  130   a  and  130   b  can deliver sufficient elastic forces to the first and second connection terminals  310   a  and  310   b,  respectively. 
         [0080]    The first auxiliary elastic portion  331   a  may be formed between the first elastic portion  130   a  and the first connection terminal  310   a,  and the second auxiliary elastic portion  331   b  may be formed between the second elastic portion  130   b  and the second connection terminal  310   b.  The first and second auxiliary elastic portions  331   a  and  331   b  are used to confer added flexibility, so as to allow for more precise control of contact pressure between the first and second connection terminals  310   a  and  310   b.    
         [0081]    The first and second auxiliary elastic portions  331   a  and  331   b  may be bent, for example, into a “U” shape, as shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this example, and, when necessary, the first and second auxiliary elastic portions  331   a  and  331   b  may be bent any number of times to provide any degree of desired flexibility. 
         [0082]    The fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d  are integrally formed with the body portion  150  and may function as terminals to which power is supplied from an external source. Some of the fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d  may be adhered onto the circuit board  11  using surface mount technology, and the other ones of the fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d  may penetrate the circuit board  11  and thus be fixed to the circuit board  11 . 
         [0083]    Hereinafter, a lamp socket  400  according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 13 .  FIG. 13  is a front view of the lamp socket  400  according to the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For simplicity, elements substantially identical to those of the lamp socket  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment are indicated by like reference numerals, and thus their description will be omitted. 
         [0084]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , in lamp socket  400 , a first elastic portion  430   a  and a second elastic portion  430   b  are bent generally perpendicular to a first connection terminal  310   a  and a second connection terminal  310   b,  respectively. 
         [0085]    The lamp socket  400  includes a body portion  150 , first connection terminal  310   a , second connection terminal  310   b,  first elastic portion  430   a,  second elastic portion  430   b , a stop portion  120 , and fixing portions  141   a  through  141   d.  The lamp socket  400  may be made of a conductive material such as metal, and may be formed by working a single metal sheet. 
         [0086]    Since the first and second elastic portions  430   a  and  430   b  are formed perpendicular to the first and second connection terminals  310   a  and  310   b,  respectively, the total height of the lamp socket  400  can be reduced. 
         [0087]    Hereinafter, a lamp socket  500  according to a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 14 .  FIG. 14  is a front view of the lamp socket  500  according to the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For simplicity, elements substantially identical to those of the lamp socket  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment are indicated by like reference numerals, and thus their description will be omitted. 
         [0088]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , in the lamp socket  500 , a first elastic portion  530   a  and a second elastic portion  530   b  are bent generally obliquely to a first connection terminal  510   a  and a second connection terminal  510   b,  respectively. 
         [0089]    Since the first and second elastic portions  530   a  and  530   b  are formed obliquely to the first and second connection terminals  510   a  and  510   b,  respectively, the space in which the first and second elastic portions  530   a  and  530   b  are formed can be more effectively utilized. That is, the first and second elastic portions  530   a  and  530   b,  which are inserted into the lamp socket  500 , should be formed as long as possible to obtain sufficient elasticity. Here, if the first and second elastic portions  530   a  and  530   b  are formed obliquely to the first and second connection terminals  510   a  and  510   b  as shown, they are more flexible without adding to the overall height of lamp socket  500 . Accordingly, this embodiment provides a further approach to enhancing the space efficiency of lamp sockets without compromising performance. 
         [0090]    Hereinafter, a lamp socket  600  according to a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 15  is a front view of the lamp socket  600  according to the sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. For simplicity, elements substantially identical to those of the lamp socket  100  according to the first exemplary embodiment are indicated by like reference numerals, and thus their description will be omitted. 
         [0091]    Referring to  FIG. 15 , the lamp socket  600  includes a body portion  650  which is made of an insulator and houses a first connection terminal  610   a,  a second connection terminal  610   b,  a first elastic portion  630   a,  and a second elastic portion  630   b.    
         [0092]    The lamp socket  600  includes the first connection terminal  610   a,  second connection terminal  610   b,  first elastic portion  630   a,  and second elastic portion  630   b  within the body portion  650 . Here, body portion  650  is made of an insulator. A terminal insertion groove  625  is formed in the body portion  650 . An inverter  11  is inserted into a lower portion of the lamp socket  600 , and terminals  660  which may contact the inverter  11  are formed in the lower portion of the lamp socket  600 . 
         [0093]    Hereinafter, a display device incorporating exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 16 and 17 .  FIG. 16  is an exploded perspective view of such a display device  1 .  FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of the display device  1  shown in  FIG. 16 . 
         [0094]    The display device  1  of the present embodiment includes a display panel  30 , an upper housing  20 , a first frame  41 , optical sheets  50 , a diffusion plate  60 , a second frame  42 , the lamps  70 , balance boards  10   a  and  10   b,  a reflective sheet  80 , and a lower housing  90 . 
         [0095]    The display panel  30  includes a lower panel  31 , which has gate lines (not shown), data lines (not shown) and a thin-film transistor (TFT) array, and an upper panel  32  which has a black matrix and a common electrode and faces the lower panel  31 . The display panel  30  displays image information. 
         [0096]    The upper housing  20  forms the exterior of the display device  1  and has a space to accommodate the display panel  30 . In addition, an open window is formed in the center of the upper housing  20  to expose the display panel  30 . 
         [0097]    The upper housing  20  is coupled to the lower housing  90 . When necessary, the first and second frames  41  and  42 , which accommodate the display panel  30  and the optical sheets  50 , may be interposed between the upper housing  20  and the lower housing  90 . 
         [0098]    The optical sheets  50  diffuse and concentrate light that is received from the diffusion plate  60 . The optical sheets  50  are disposed on the diffusion plate  60  and housed within the upper and lower housings  20  and  90 . The optical sheets  50  include a first prism sheet, a second prism sheet, and a protective sheet. 
         [0099]    The first and second prism sheets refract light that passed through the diffusion plate  60  and concentrate the light, which is incident at a low angle, to the front of the display device  1 , thereby enhancing the brightness of the display device  1  within a range of effective viewing angles. 
         [0100]    The protective sheet is formed on the first and second prism sheets. The protective sheet not only protects surfaces of the first and second prism sheets, but also diffuses light in order for uniform distribution of the light. The configuration of the optical sheets  50  is not limited to the above example, and may vary according to specifications of the display device  1 . 
         [0101]    The diffusion plate  60  diffuses light, which is emitted from the lamps  70 , in all directions. The diffusion plate  60  prevents bright lines, which are bright portions formed after the shapes of the lamps  70 , from being seen from the front of the display device  1 . 
         [0102]    The lamps  70  may be cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs), hot cathode fluorescent lamps (HCFLs), or the like. When the lamps  70  are HCFLs, each of the HCFLs has two terminals at each of both ends thereof. Each of the terminals is inserted into one of lamp sockets  100  so as to be supplied with power. 
         [0103]    The lamp sockets  100  are mounted on a circuit board  11  to form each of the balance boards  10   a  and  10   b.  The balance boards  10   a  and  10   b  are inserted respectively into board insertion grooves  91   a  and  91   b  which are formed in a floor surface of the lower housing  90 . Here, an insulating pad (not shown) may be interposed between the balance boards  10   a  and  10   b  and the lower housing  90 . 
         [0104]    While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. Additionally, the dimensions and arrangement of the components shown in each embodiment are exemplary, and the invention contemplates various other such dimensions and arrangements for each embodiment shown or not shown. For example, it is understood that shapes described as “S” or “U” shapes need not have any particular set of dimensions, but rather that this description is merely that of a general shape. The exemplary embodiments should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.