Flat panel display module

A flat panel display module is introduced herein, which principally includes an upper bezel, a liquid crystal panel, a frame, an optical film set and a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA), wherein various types electrical components mounted on the PCBA are capable of being completely or mostly accommodated within a caved structure constructed within the inside of the flat panel display module so as to reduce a thickness of the whole flat panel display module. Simultaneously, a better structural strength for the whole flat panel display module can be achieved therefore by closely stacking up the above-mentioned elements of the whole flat panel display module.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application claims priority to Taiwanese Patent Application No. 098125073 filed on Jul. 24, 2009.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a flat panel display module, and more particularly relates to a flat panel display module having the features of slimness and better structural strength.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Flat panel display module is widely used in electrical products, e.g. notebook computer, with slimness size and the whole size of the flat panel display module should be meet the requirement of the specifications of the electrical products. Thus, the aspect of the flat panel display module should be made of a slim and thin structure. For an example of liquid crystal display (LCD), it is composed of LCD panel, backlight unit, and a variety of electrical components on the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) and flexible printed circuits (FPC). Based on the flexible printed circuits (FPC), LCD panel and printed circuit board for the classification of the aspect of the LCD module, the aspect of the LCD module includes a bending type module and a plate type module. As shown inFIG. 1, it is a conventional schematic cross-sectional view of bending type display module1. The LCD panel10, the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)12, and the electrical components16mounted on the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)12of the bending type display module1are stacked at a perpendicular direction (all or portions) to form a stacked thickness “h1”. Two opposite end portions of a flexible printed circuit (FPC)14having a bending U-shape are electrically connected to the top surface of LCD panel10and the bottom surface of printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)12, respectively.

As shown inFIG. 2, it is a conventional schematic cross-sectional view of plate type display module2, which is different from the display module inFIG. 1. The LCD panel20and the electrical components26mounted on the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)22of the assembled plate type display module2are arranged in a side-by-side status. In another conventional case, there is a step height difference between the LCD panel20and the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)22of the assembled plate type display module2. A flexible printed circuit (FPC)24is disposed between the LCD panel20and the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)22. Two opposite end portions of a flexible printed circuit (FPC)24are electrically connected to the top surface of LCD panel20and the top surface of printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)22respectively to form a thickness “h2” of the plate type display module2. InFIG. 1andFIG. 2, the LCD panel10, the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)12, and the electrical components16of the bending type display module1are stacked so that the whole thickness “h1” of the bending type display module1is greater than the thickness of the whole thickness “h2” of the plate type display module2, which cannot meet the requirement of the specifications of the electrical products. In addition, although the whole thickness and weight of the plate type display module2is better than the bending type display module1, the LCD panel20and the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)22is arranged in a side-by-side status, resulting in unreliable protection for the elements. Therefore, the whole structural strength and yield rate of the assembled plate type display module2are inferior to these of the bending type display module1. Furthermore, the structure of the plate type display module2considerably occupies the space along the horizontal direction.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One objective of the present invention is to provide a flat panel display module having the features of slimness and thinness of the plate type display module and the better structural strength and yield rate of the bending type display module.

According to the above objective, the present invention sets forth a flat panel display module. The flat panel display module includes an upper bezel, a liquid crystal panel, a frame, an optical film set, and a printed circuit board assembly.

The upper bezel has a first plate surface and a second plate surface positioned in a non-coplanar status with the first plate surface, and the second plate surface forms an opening. The liquid crystal panel disposed under the first plate surface of the upper bezel. The optical film set disposed under the liquid crystal panel wherein a portion of the optical film set, the first plate surface of the upper bezel, the second plate surface of the upper bezel, and a portion of the liquid crystal panel construct a caved structure having an accommodated space. The caved structure further includes a first caved structure and a second caved structure. The printed circuit board assembly has at least one electrical component which is contained within the accommodated space of the caved structure. In one case, the electrical component includes an electrical connector, a flexible printed circuit, an active component, and/or passive component. The port unit of the electrical connector corresponds to or extends outside an opening of the second plate surface. The flexible printed circuit has a first end portion of the flexible printed circuit which is contained within the accommodated space of the first caved structure and electrically connected to the printed circuit board assembly, and the flexible printed circuit has a second end portion which is contained within the accommodated space of the second caved structure and electrically connected to the end portion of the liquid crystal panel. The frame has a first supporting portion which is contained within the first caved structure for supporting one portion of the liquid crystal panel, a second supporting portion for supporting the end portion of the optical film set, and a third supporting portion which is contained within the first caved structure for supporting the other portion of the optical film set.

The electrical components on the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA) can be accommodated within the caved structure. Therefore, the whole thickness of the assembled the flat panel display module is reduced. Moreover, the components within the flat panel display module are closely stacked and the printed circuit board assembly and electrical elements of flat panel display module are protected by the frame and upper bezel for forming a better structural strength.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Please refer toFIG. 3AandFIG. 3B.FIG. 3Ais a schematic exploded view of the components of a flat panel display module3according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 3Bis a schematic top view of the flat panel display module3after assembling the components shown inFIG. 3Aaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. For example, the flat panel display module3is liquid crystal display (LCD) module. As shown inFIG. 3A, the flat panel display module3includes an upper bezel29, liquid crystal panel30, a printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)32, and a backlight unit36having a frame35. The frame is a component of the backlight unit36. The upper bezel29has a hollow structure which is composed of four sidewalls. For example, the upper bezel29is made of metal material, e.g. steel, which is named front metal frame of front frame. Each of the sidewall of the upper bezel29has a first plate surface292and a second plate surface294. The first plate surface292is connected to the second plate surface294and the first plate surface292and the second plate surface294are positioned in a non-coplanar status. In one case, the first plate surface292and the second plate surface294are positioned in an inverse L-shape, and an opening296is formed in the second plate surface294.

The printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)32has a variety of electronic components thereon, such as a plurality of flexible printed circuits (FPC)34, tape carrier package, and/or chip-on-film (COF), an electrical connector37, active components or passive components (not shown). In one embodiment, the electrical connector37is a connector having a low voltage differential signal (LVDS) or display port connector and has a port unit372corresponding to the opening296of the upper bezel29for transmitting the predetermined signal to the electrical devices outside the flat panel display module3. In one case, the electrical connector37is a connector with surface mount technique (SMT) type or dual-in-line plug (DIP) type to be positioned on the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)32. The active component includes an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), timing controller (T-CON) and/or various driving chips. The passive component includes resistor, capacitor, or inductor. The backlight unit36includes an optical film set38and light source (not shown).

Please further refer toFIG. 3A,FIG. 3BandFIG. 4A.FIG. 4Ais a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the flat panel display module3along line A-A′ shown inFIG. 3Baccording to one embodiment of the present invention. The line A-A′ is along the electrical connector37of the flat panel display module3to clearly show the arrangement and cross-sectional structure of the electrical connector37. As shown inFIG. 4A, the liquid crystal panel30is positioned under the first plate surface292of the upper bezel29and the end portion of the liquid crystal panel30is covered with the first plate surface292and the second plate surface294of the upper bezel29. The frame35and the optical film set38are positioned under the liquid crystal panel30wherein the optical film set38has a plurality of optical films382and a light-guide plate (LGP)384under the optical films382. In one case, the optical films382is a diffusion plate and/or brightness enhanced film (or named prism film). The frame35is disposed on the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)32. The frame35has a first supporting portion352for supporting one portion of the liquid crystal panel30, a second supporting portion354for supporting the end portion of the light-guide plate (LGP)384of the optical film set38, and a third supporting portion356for supporting the other portion of the optical film382of the optical film set38. In one embodiment, the first double-sided tape312is used to adhere the second supporting portion354of the frame35to the under end portion of the light-guide plate (LGP)384. It should be noted that different fasten mode in the prior art for adhesion can be used. Since the above-mentioned components are closely stacked together, the flat panel display module3has better structural strength in comparison with conventional bending type display module. In another case, the frame35can be replaced with a shading component which is positioned to the light-guide plate (LGP)384.

The printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)32under the frame35has a first edge326, a second edge328, a first surface322, and a second surface324. The first edge326is adjacent to the opening296of the second plate surface294in the upper bezel29. The second edge328is opposite to the first edge326and adjacent to the light-guide plate (LGP)384of the optical film set38and the second supporting portion354of the frame35. The first surface322is disposed between the first edge326and the second edge328for supporting electrical components, e.g. the electrical connector37, to correspond to the end portion of the optical film set38. In one preferred embodiment, the electrical connector37is disposed to the end portion of the light-guide plate (LGP)384.

A portion of optical film set38, the first plate surface292and/or the second plate surface294of the upper bezel29, and a portion of liquid crystal panel30construct a caved structure with an accommodated space. The caved structure further is composed of the portion of optical film set38, the second plate surface294of the upper bezel29, and a portion of liquid crystal panel30to construct a first caved structure302for containing the first supporting portion352and the third supporting portion356of the frame35and the first caved structure302links to the opening296of the second plate surface294of the upper bezel29. The first plate surface292and the second plate surface294of the upper bezel29and the portion of liquid crystal panel30construct a second caved structure304. A channel306is formed by the second plate surface294of the upper bezel29and the end portion of liquid crystal panel30for linking the second caved structure304to the accommodated space of the first caved structure302so that the end portion of the frame35is extended from the first caved structure302to the second caved structure304. In other words, the portion of optical film set38, the first plate surface292of the upper bezel29, the second plate surface294of the upper bezel29, and the portion of liquid crystal panel30construct a caved structure with the accommodated space. As shown inFIG. 4A, a variety of electrical components, e.g. electrical connectors37, on the first surface322of the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)32can be accommodated within the first caved structure304formed by the optical film set38and the first caved structure302of the second plate surface294. Thus, the port unit372of the electrical connectors37corresponds to the opening296of the second plate surface294of the upper bezel29for electrically connecting the electrical devices outside the flat panel display module3. The opposite side of the electrical37and the opening296of the second panel plate294corresponds to the end portion of the optical film set38. Therefore, such a structure is capable of protecting the electrical connector37from external interference and reducing the whole thickness of the assembled flat panel display module3.

Please further refer toFIG. 3A,FIG. 3BandFIG. 4B.FIG. 4Bis a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the flat panel display module3along line B-B′ shown inFIG. 3Baccording to one embodiment of the present invention. The arrangement and cross-sectional structure of the frame35on the flat panel display module3are shown clearly. In comparison withFIG. 4A, the difference is: as shown inFIG. 4B, the first caved structure302contains the first supporting portion352and the third supporting portion356to exclude the electrical components and the second plate surface294has no opening. Further, besides the first double-sided tape312is used to adhere the second supporting portion354of the frame35to the under end portion of the light-guide plate (LGP)384, the cross-sectional bottom area of the first supporting352in the frame35is greater than that shown inFIG. 4Aso that the second double-sided tape314stably adheres the frame35to the first surface322of the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)32. In another cases, the frame35can be fastened on the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)32by screws and/or hook units. The rest arrangement of components inFIG. 4Bis the same as the arrangement inFIG. 4Aand thus omitted herein.

Please further refer toFIG. 3A,FIG. 3BandFIG. 4C.FIG. 4Cis a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the flat panel display module3along line C-C′ shown inFIG. 3Baccording to one embodiment of the present invention. The line C-C′ is along the flexible printed circuit (FPC)34on the flat panel display module3to clearly show the arrangement and cross-sectional structure of the flexible printed circuit (FPC)34. In comparison withFIG. 4A, the difference is: as shown inFIG. 4C, the flexible printed circuit (FPC)34is arranged in form of U-shape and has a first end portion342and a second end portion344. The first end portion342of the flexible printed circuit (FPC)34is contained within the accommodated space of the first caved structure302and electrically connected to the first surface322of the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)32. The second end portion344of the flexible printed circuit (FPC)34is contained within the accommodated space of the second caved structure304and electrically connected onto the end portion of the liquid crystal panel30. The flexible printed circuit (FPC)34is extended through the channel306to the first caved structure302and the second caved structure304. In addition, the second plate surface294of the upper bezel29has no opening and the second plate surface294covers the end portion of liquid crystal panel30, the end portion of frame35and the first edge326of the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)32so that flexible printed circuit (FPC)34is contained within the end portion of liquid crystal panel30, the end portion of frame35, the first caved structure302and the second caved structure304formed by the optical film set38and the second plate surface294, and the channel306. Therefore, such a structure is capable of protecting the flexible printed circuit (FPC)34from external interference and reducing the whole thickness of the assembled flat panel display module3. As shown inFIG. 4C, besides the first double-sided tape312is used to adhere the second supporting portion354of the frame35to the under end portion of the light-guide plate (LGP)384, the cross-sectional bottom area of the third supporting356in the frame35is greater than that shown inFIG. 4Aso that the third double-sided tape316stably adheres the frame35to the first surface322of the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)32. In another cases, the frame35can be fastened on the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)32by screws and/or hook units. The rest arrangement of components inFIG. 4Cis the same as the arrangement inFIG. 4Aand thus omitted herein.

Please refer toFIG. 5.FIG. 5is a schematic view of a flat panel display module3′ according to another embodiment of the present invention, which shows a partial schematic cross-sectional view of the flat panel display module3′ along line A-A′ shown inFIG. 3B. In comparison withFIG. 4A, the difference is: as shown inFIG. 5, the electrical connector37is positioned in the end portion of the first edge326of the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)32. The port unit372extends outside the opening296of the second plate surface294in the upper bezel29but the greater portion of the electrical connector37is contained within the accommodated space of the first caved structure302. The rest arrangement of components inFIG. 5is the same as the arrangement inFIG. 4Aand thus omitted herein.

It should be noted that a portion or the greater portion of the electrical connector37, frame35and the flexible printed circuit (FPC)34are accommodated within the caved structure including first and second caved structures302,304and/or channel306. However, a variety of electrical components, e.g. active components and/or passive components, on the printed circuit board assembly (PCBA)32can be accommodated within the caved structure, including first and second caved structures302,304and/or channel306, of the flat panel display module3,3′. Therefore, the whole thickness of the assembled the flat panel display module3,3′ is reduced so that thickness is the same as the thickness of the conventional plate type module for the purpose of thinness. Moreover, the components within the flat panel display module3,3′ are closely stacked and the printed circuit board assembly and electrical elements of flat panel display module are protected by the frame35and upper bezel29for forming a better structural strength.