Back light module

A backlight module comprising an optical component, a frame and an elastic member is presented. The frame has a first sidewall and a second sidewall. An end of the first sidewall is connected to an end of the second sidewall to form a corner portion. The first sidewall and the second sidewall are located at different sides of the optical component. The first sidewall and the second sidewall include a first angle therebetween. The elastic member is configured to be disposed on the frame. The elastic member includes a flange portion, a first extension portion and a second extension portion. The flange portion is configured to be disposed on the corner portion. The first extension portion extends along a first direction away from the flange portion and has a first surface. The second extension portion extends along a second direction away from the flange portion and has a second surface. A second angle is included between the first extension portion and the second extension portion. Wherein before the elastic member is disposed on the frame, the second angle is greater than the first angle; when the elastic member is disposed on the frame, the flange portion engages with the corner portion, the first surface is against an inner surface of the first sidewall, and the second surface is against an inner surface of the second sidewall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a backlight module. More specifically, the present invention relates to a backlight module with an elastic member at a corner portion of the backlight module.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Backlight module is a key component of a display device. When producing a thin or narrow frame display device, the space inside the back board or the case of the display device is limited, resulting in the reduced size or thickness of the components inside the display device. For example, the buffer material or packaging material of the display device has to be simplified or have its thickness reduced.

However, when the thickness of the internal components of the backlight module is reduced or the structure of the backlight module is simplified, it will also increase the difficulty of installation. For example, there are often light guide plates or optical films arranged in/on a conventional backlight module. Hence, a buffer material is often arranged between the light guide plate and the frame of the backlight module to protect the light guide plate and/or the optical films or to provide positioning. If the thickness of the buffer material is reduced, the buffer material will be soft. Due to the thinness and softness of the buffer material, it is not easy to stick it or position it on the inner wall of the frame during installation, or it is easy to have the buffer material interfere with the light guide plate, which leads to improper installation. In addition, if the buffer material arranged in the corner portion of the frame is not properly installed, it may lead to light leakage from the joint site on the side wall of the frame. Accordingly, it not only increases the difficulty of installation, but also increases the time cost to assemble the display device and leads to low production output and high cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One of the purposes of the present invention is to provide a backlight module to reduce the difficulty of installing the elastic member.

One of the purposes of the present invention is to provide a backlight module to facilitate the reproduction process of the backlight module.

The present invention provides a backlight module comprising an optical component, a frame and an elastic member. The frame has a first sidewall and a second sidewall. An end of the first sidewall is connected to an end of the second sidewall to form a corner portion. The first sidewall and the second sidewall are located at different sides of the optical component. The first sidewall and the second sidewall include a first angle therebetween. The elastic member is configured to be disposed on the frame. The elastic member includes a flange portion, a first extension portion and a second extension portion. The flange portion is configured to be disposed on the corner portion. The first extension portion extends along a first direction away from the flange portion and has a first surface. The second extension portion extends along a second direction away from the flange portion and has a second surface. A second angle is included between the first extension portion and the second extension portion. Wherein before the elastic member is disposed on the frame, the second angle is greater than the first angle; when the elastic member is disposed on the frame, the flange portion engages with the corner portion, the first surface is against an inner surface of the first sidewall, and the second surface is against an inner surface of the second sidewall.

The present invention provides a backlight module comprising an optical component, a frame and an elastic. The frame has a first sidewall and a second sidewall. An end of the first sidewall is connected to an end of the second sidewall to form a corner portion. The first sidewall and the second sidewall are located at different sides of the optical component. The elastic member is disposed on the frame. The elastic member includes a flange portion, a first extension portion and a second extension portion. The flange portion engages with the corner portion. The first extension portion extends along a first direction away from the flange portion and has a first surface against an inner surface of the first sidewall. The second extension portion extends along a second direction away from the flange portion and has a second surface against an inner surface of the second sidewall. Wherein a portion of the elastic member has an internal stress greater than other portions of the elastic member.

Accordingly, the elastic member can be fast and stably installed on the frame of the backlight module by the force of the flange portion of the elastic member engaging with the corner portion of the frame and the force of compressing the first extension portion and the second extension portion to reduce the time cost and increase the production output.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The connecting elements according to the present invention will be described in detail below through embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. A person having ordinary skill in the art may understand the advantages and effects of the present disclosure through the contents disclosed in the present specification.

It should be understood that, even though the terms such as “first”, “second”, “third” may be used to describe an element, a part, a region, a layer and/or a portion in the present specification, but these elements, parts, regions, layers and/or portions are not limited by such terms. Such terms are merely used to differentiate an element, a part, a region, a layer and/or a portion from another element, part, region, layer and/or portion. Therefore, in the following discussions, a first element, portion, region, layer or portion may be called a second element, portion, region, layer or portion, and do not depart from the teaching of the present disclosure.

The terms “comprise”, “include” or “have” used in the present specification are open-ended terms and mean to “include, but not limit to.”

Unless otherwise particularly indicated, the terms, as used herein, generally have the meanings that would be commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art. Some terms used to describe the present disclosure are discussed below or elsewhere in this specification to provide additional guidance to those skilled in the art in connection with the description of the present disclosure.

Refer toFIG. 1.FIG. 1illustrates the backlight module100comprising the optical component110, the frame120and the elastic member130. The optical component110can be the light guide plate10, such as a diffusing plate or a light-enhance plate, and/or the optical films20. In addition, the backlight module100can further comprise light source30or other components. The material of the frame120can be but not limited to metal or plastic. The frame120has the first sidewall121and the second sidewall122. The end1211of the first sidewall121is connected to the end1221of the second sidewall122to form the corner portion125. It should be noted that each two adjacent sidewalls of the frame120can be connected to form a corner portion. For example, a corner portion can be formed by connecting the sidewall122and the sidewall123to enable the disposing of an elastic member on the frame120.

As shown inFIG. 1, the first sidewall121and the second sidewall122are located at different sides of the optical component110and preferably perpendicular to each other. For example, the first sidewall121faces the first side1101of the optical component110and the second sidewall122faces the second side1102of the optical component110. On the other hand, the corner portion125is defined as an area extended from the connection site of the first sidewall121and the second sidewall122toward first sidewall121and the second sidewall122, and the area of the region can be adjusted according to production needs or limits. For example, the size of the corner portion125of the frame120can be adjusted according to the limitation of production tolerance or the size or shape of the elastic member130, but the reason for adjusting the size of the corner portion125is not limited to the examples mentioned above. The sidewall121and the second sidewall122include the first angle θ1. It should be noted that the first angle θ1is not limited to the embodiment shown inFIG. 1. More specifically, although the first angle θ1is a right angle in the embodiment, the first angle θ1can be changed according to the shape of the frame120. For example, if the shape of the frame120is a polygon, the first angle θ1can be an obtuse or an acute angle.

Refer toFIG. 2AandFIG. 2B. The elastic member130can be made of elastic materials such as rubber or silicone, preferably having a Shore hardness of 40 to 80 to have the proper effect of buffering and resilience. The elastic member130can be disposed on the frame120. The elastic member130includes the flange portion133, the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132. The flange portion133can engage with the corner portion125. For example, a slot can be formed at the corner portion125, and the size of the flange portion133can be slightly larger than the size of the slot of the corner portion125. Since the flange portion133is elastic and compressible, the flange portion133can be inserted into or stuck into the slot of the corner portion125by tight fitting. In another example, the flange portion133can engage with the corner portion125by structure matching, such as forming a groove or seam at the corner portion125(not shown inFIGS. 2A-2B) to combine the part of the first sidewall121and/or the second sidewall122located in the region of the corner portion125. As shown inFIGS. 1-2B, the flange portion133spans over where the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132are connected. The first extension portion131is extended along the first direction d1away from the flange portion133and has the first surface1311. The second extension portion132is extended along the second direction d2away from the flange portion133and has the second surface1321. The second angle θ2is included between the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132. For example, when producing the elastic member130, the first extension portion131, the second extension portion132and the flange portion133can be formed by transfer molding, injection molding or other ways to form an unibody. The first extension portion131and the second extension portion132is preferably a rectangular strip. The first extension portion131and the second extension portion132can also be cylindrical or triangular columnar.

FIGS. 3A to 3Cillustrate an example for disposing the elastic member on the frame. Refer toFIG. 3A. Before the elastic member130is disposed on the frame120, the second angle θ2between the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132of the elastic member130is larger than the first angle θ1between the first sidewall121and the second sidewall122. The difference between the first angle θ1and the second angle θ2is preferably larger than 0 degree and equal to or less than 60 degrees. The angle difference between the first angle θ1and the second angle θ2should be determined by the material characteristics of the elastic member130. For example, if the material of the elastic member130is tough and has good elasticity, the angle difference between the first angle θ1and the second angle θ2can be larger. As shown inFIG. 3B, when disposing the elastic member130, compress the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132first. For example, compress the free ends of the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132to make the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132close to each other by the flexibility of the elastic member130. In other words, when disposing the elastic member130on the on the frame120, the second angle θ2is smaller than the first angle θ1to facilitate installation. The way to compress the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132can be but not limited to implementing by fixtures or manpower. After compressing the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132, dispose the flange portion133toward the corner portion125. As shown inFIG. 3B, in an embodiment, the corner portion125is lower in height than other portions of the first sidewall121and the second sidewall122to form the notch1251, and the flange portion133is adapted to engage with the notch1251. When engaged with the notch1251, the outer edge136of the flange portion133is preferably aligned with the outer edge126of the sidewall120. In addition, it is also possible to reduce the gap between the elastic member130and the frame120after the flange portion133is engaged with the notch1251, and the connection stability can be increased by using the compressible characteristics of the flange portion133and the tight fitting configuration during installation.

Refer toFIG. 3C. After the flange portion133is engaged with the notch1251and releases the force to compress the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132, the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132will spring back by the elastic properties of the elastic member130. The first surface1311of the first extension portion131will be against the inner surface1211of the first sidewall121. The second surface1321of the second extension portion132will be against the inner surface1221of the second sidewall122. More specifically, when the elastic member130is disposed on the frame120, the angle between the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132is limited by the first sidewall121and the second sidewall122and is unable to fully bounce back to the second angle θ2, and the elastic potential energy is accumulated. Therefore, the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132will apply a force to the first sidewall121and the second sidewall122to increase the friction between the first extension portion131and the first sidewall121and/or the second extension portion132and the second sidewall122. In other words, the elastic member130is disposed on the frame120not only by engaging the flange portion133with the notch1251, but also by the force applied from the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132to firmly fix the elastic member130on the frame. In an embodiment, the elastic member130or the sidewalls121,122can further increase the friction between the first extension portion131and the first sidewall121and/or the second extension portion132and the second sidewall122by physical or chemical means, such as increasing the roughness of the contact surface or coating polyurethane or silicone films on the contact surface. It should be noted that the contact surface can be located on at least one of the elastic member130and sidewalls121,122.

After the elastic member130is disposed on the frame120, an internal stress, such as compressive stress or tensile stress, is formed inside the elastic member130by compressing the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132to cause a portion of the elastic member130to have an internal stress larger than other portions of the elastic member130. For example, the connection site between the side of the first extension portion131opposite to the first sidewall121and the flange portion133will produce compressive stress from being compressed by the first sidewall121. Or, tensile stress will be produced at the connection site between the side of the first extension portion131facing the first sidewall121and the flange portion133due to the compression of the elastic member130. In an embodiment, the flange portion133located at the connection site between an end of the first extension portion131and an end of the second extension portion132has an internal stress larger than other portions of the elastic member130, such as the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132. Accordingly, the flange portion133can be a source of support for the compression of the first sidewall121and/or second sidewall122by the first extension portion131and/or second extension portion132.

FIG. 4AtoFIG. 4Dare cross-section views of the backlight module. Refer to the backlight module100shown inFIGS. 4A and 4B. The first extension portion131further has the top end1314and the bottom end1316. The top end1314is closer to the light-emitting surface A of the optical component110than the bottom end1316. The thickness of the first extension portion131near the bottom end1316is greater than the thickness of the first extension portion131near the top end1314. For example, the cross section of the first extension portion131is triangular (shown inFIG. 4A) or trapezoidal (shown inFIG. 4b). In another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 4C, the first extension portion131further has the third surface1312opposite to the first surface1311, and the third surface1312has a stepped configuration. The first extension portion131has the first step1317near the bottom end1316and the second step1318near the top end1314. The height of the first step1317is substantially equal or similar to the height of the light guide plate10. In other words, the top end of the first step1317is aligned with the light emitting surface of the light guide plate10. By this setting, the elastic member130can be retracted at the second step1318to create a larger space to accommodate other component such as optical films20. It should be noted that the second extension portion132can also have a stepped configuration. But the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132can use a difference configuration, depending on the type or structure of the optical component110integrated to the backlight module100. In an embodiment, the first extension portion131and the second extension portion132can be arranged without a stepped configuration, as shown inFIG. 4D.

In an embodiment, the shape of the elastic member can be changed according to the arrangement site of the elastic member and the optical component near the elastic member. Refer toFIG. 5AandFIG. 5B. The backlight module200comprises the light source210, the optical component220, the frame230, the first elastic member240and the second elastic member250. The frame230has the first sidewall231, the second sidewall232and the third sidewall233. The end2311of the first sidewall231is connected with the end2321of the second sidewall232to form the first corner portion235. The end2322of the second sidewall232is connected with the end2331of the third sidewall233to form the second corner portion236. Wherein the first sidewall231and the second sidewall232are located at different side of the light source210. The second sidewall232and the third sidewall233are located at different side of the optical component220. The first elastic member240and the second elastic member250are respectively disposed on the frame230. Refer toFIG. 6AandFIG. 6B. The first elastic member240includes the first flange portion243, the first extension portion241and the second extension portion242. The first flange portion241is engaged with the first corner portion235. The first extension portion241is extended along the first direction d1away from the first flange portion243. The second extension portion242is extended along the second direction d2away from the first flange portion243. Refer toFIG. 7AandFIG. 7B. The second elastic member250includes the second flange portion253, the third extension portion251and the fourth extension portion252. The second flange portion253is engaged with the second corner portion236. The third extension portion251is extended along the third direction d3away from the second flange portion253. The fourth extension portion252is extended along the fourth direction d4away from the second flange portion253. It should be noted that the first direction d1and the second direction d2are merely for explaining that the first extension portion241and the second extension portion242are extended along different directions away from the first flange portion243, and the third direction d3and the fourth direction d4are merely for explaining that the third extension portion251and the fourth extension portion252are extended along different directions away from the second flange portion253instead for limiting the extending direction of the extension portions241,242,251, and252. After the first elastic member240and the second elastic member250are disposed on the frame, the first flange portion243has an internal stress larger than other portions of the first elastic member240. The second flange portion253has an inner stress larger than other portions of the second elastic member250. More specifically, the way to dispose the first elastic member240and the second elastic member250can be similar to the embodiment mentioned above—by compressing the extension portions241,242,251, and252and engaging them with corner portions235,236, then releasing the extension portions241,242,251, and252to make the extension portions241,242,251, and252lie against the corresponding inner surfaces of the sidewall231,232, and233.

Since the first elastic member240and the second elastic member250are located at different sites corresponding to the frame230or the optical component220, the structure or the shape of the first elastic member240is different from the second elastic member, and the length of the extension portions241,242,251, and252has different configurations. For example, refer toFIG. 6AandFIG. 6B. The first flange portion243is extended along the first direction d1, wherein the length W of the extended first flange portion243is shorter than the length L of the first extension portion241. It should be noted that the extended first flange portion243is adapted to dispose on the first corner portion235. In an embodiment, referring toFIG. 7AandFIG. 7B, the length L3of the third extension portion251is longer than the length L4of the fourth extension portion252. With different configurations of the structure of the flange portions243and253and the length of the extension portions241,242,251, and252, the optical components210and220arranged in the frame230will be well protected and the configurations will provide a proper appearance. In an embodiment, the color of the elastic member can be adjusted according to the color of the frame or the appearance of the backlight module or product. For example, the elastic member can be dark, white, gray or other suitable colors. However, the reason to choose the color of the elastic member should not be limited by the embodiment mentioned above.

In an embodiment, the elastic member can be disposed on the frame with an adhesive (not shown in the figures). The adhesive can be disposed at any portion of the elastic member against the frame. Preferably, the adhesive can be disposed on the first extension portion which is longer than the second extension portion. More specifically, the adhesive is disposed on the first surface of the first extension portion. When the first surface is against the first sidewall of the frame, the adhesive is disposed between the first surface and the inner surface of the first sidewall and supports the elastic member to be fixed on the frame. In an embodiment, when the length of the first extension portion is equal to the length of the second extension portion, an adhesive is disposed between the first surface and the inner surface of the first sidewall, or between the second surface and the inner surface of the second sidewall. Accordingly, since the adhesive is only disposed on one of the extension portions of the elastic member, the cost to dispose adhesive on the elastic member or dispose the elastic member on the frame can be reduced.

Although the present invention discloses the aforementioned embodiments, it is not intended to limit the invention. Any person who is skilled in the art in connection with the present invention can make any change or modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the claims in the invention.