Display device

A display device includes a display panel, a top chassis partially surrounding a top surface of the display panel and having first and second inserting holes, a bottom chassis configured to accommodate the display panel and having third and fourth inserting holes, and at least one fixing member extending through the third inserting hole, the first inserting hole, the second inserting hole and the fourth inserting hole to thereby couple the bottom chassis and the top chassis to each other.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. §119 from an application earlier filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on 23 Oct. 2014 and there duly assigned Serial No. 10-2014-0144388.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display device improved in coupling force between a top chassis and a bottom chassis.

Description of the Related Art

A liquid crystal display (LCD) is a type of flat panel displays (FPDs), which is most widely used these days. An LCD includes two substrates including electrodes formed thereon and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. Upon applying voltage to two electrodes, liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer are rearranged, thereby adjusting an amount of transmitted light.

A liquid crystal display (LCD), which is a passive light emitting device, includes a display panel configured to display images, a mold frame on which the display panel is mounted, and a backlight assembly configured to provide light to the display panel. The mold frame may be coupled to the bottom chassis, which forms a framework of the backlight assembly, using a coupling structure such as a hook.

Meanwhile, LCD devices having slimmer structures and lighter weight have been developed to improve product competitiveness. In particular, studies have been conducted to develop an LCD device reduced in overall size by reducing a width of a bezel, that is, a distance between an outer edge of the LCD device and an adjacent side of an active area that actually displays an image. In order to achieve such a narrow bezel, a side wall portion of a bottom chassis has been reduced in thickness. In accordance with the reduced thickness of the side wall portion of the bottom chassis, coupling force of a hook or screw coupling structure between a top chassis and the bottom chassis may be weakened and a hook formed on the bottom chassis or the top chassis may be broken to cause coupling defects. In particular, coupling force between the top chassis and the bottom chassis may be weakened in a z-axis direction (a thickness direction). Further, the top chassis may become loosened off from the bottom chassis between coupling points where the hook or screw is formed.

Accordingly, there is a demand for a coupling structure that can improve coupling force between a top chassis and a bottom chassis.

It is to be understood that this background of the technology section is intended to provide useful background for understanding the technology and as such disclosed herein, the technology background section may include ideas, concepts or recognitions that were not part of what was known or appreciated by those skilled in the pertinent art prior to a corresponding effective filing date of subject matter disclosed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of embodiments of the present invention are directed to a display device that is improved in coupling force between a top chassis and a bottom chassis and is enhanced in device strength.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a display device includes: a display panel; a top chassis configured to partially surround a top surface of the display panel and having first and second inserting holes; a bottom chassis configured to accommodate the display panel and having third and fourth inserting holes; and at least one fixing member extending through the third inserting hole, the first inserting hole, the second inserting hole, and the fourth inserting hole to thereby couple the bottom chassis and the top chassis to each other.

The fixing member may include: a wire; and coupling units disposed at both end portions of the wire and extending through the top chassis and the bottom chassis.

The coupling unit may include: a locking projection disposed at one end portion of the wire and locked to one of the bottom chassis and the top chassis; and a bolt unit extending from another end portion of the wire and having a screw groove.

The coupling unit may further include a nut unit engaged with the bolt unit.

A guide groove may be formed on a surface of at least one of the top chassis and the bottom chassis. The wire may be disposed in the guide groove.

A mounting groove may be formed on a surface of at least another of the top chassis and the bottom chassis. One of the coupling units may be disposed in the mounting groove.

The bottom chassis may have a bottom portion and a side wall portion bent from the bottom portion,

The side wall portion may have the third inserting hole and the fourth inserting hole.

The display device may further include a mold frame coupled to the bottom chassis.

The mold frame may include a support on which the display panel is disposed. The support may have fifth and sixth inserting holes.

The fixing member may extend through the third inserting hole, the fifth inserting hole, the first inserting hole, the second inserting hole, the sixth inserting hole, and the fourth inserting hole to thereby couple the bottom chassis, the top chassis, and the mold frame together.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a display device may prevent loosening of a top chassis, improve coupling force between a top chassis and a bottom chassis in a z-axis direction, minimize assembly allowance, and remove unnecessary structure of hook or screw coupling, thereby improved in intrinsic strength of the top chassis and the bottom chassis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be made clear from embodiments described below in detail with reference to 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 scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. The present invention is merely defined by the scope of the claims. Therefore, well-known constituent elements, operations and techniques are not described in detail in the embodiments in order to prevent the present invention from being obscurely interpreted. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as being “connected” to another element, the element is “directly connected” to the other element, or “electrically connected” to the other element with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Hereinafter, a display device according to an exemplary embodiment will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view illustrating a display device according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 2is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ ofFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the display device may include a display panel200configured to display images, a backlight assembly400configured to supply light to the display panel200, a top chassis100provided in a form of surrounding the display panel200, and a mold frame300on which the display panel200is mounted.

The top chassis100may be coupled to a bottom chassis440to thereby cover an edge portion of the display panel200mounted on the mold frame300. The edge portion of the display panel200covered by the top chassis100is a non-display area in which images are not displayed. The top chassis100may have an opening at the center portion and the display panel200may be exposed through the opening. A coupling structure of the top chassis100and the bottom chassis440will be described below.

The display panel200is configured to display images. The display panel200may be a light-receiving type display panel and may be categorized into an LCD panel, an electrowetting display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) display panel, and the like. It is assumed that the LCD panel is used as an exemplary embodiment of the present invention for the purpose of descriptions, but other types of display devices can be used.

The display panel200may be provided in a quadrilateral panel form having two pairs of parallel sides. According to an exemplary embodiment, the display panel200may have a rectangular form having a pair of long sides and a pair of short sides. The display panel200may include a first substrate210, a second substrate220facing the first substrate210, and a liquid crystal layer (not illustrated) interposed between the first and second substrates210and220. The display panel200, when viewed in a plane, may have a display area that displays an image and a non-display area that surrounds the display area and does not display an image. The non-display area may be covered by the top chassis100.

The first substrate210may include a plurality of pixel electrodes (not illustrated) and a plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs) (not illustrated) electrically connected to the pixel electrodes in one-to-one correspondence. A data line may be connected to a source electrode of the TFT, a gate line may be connected to a gate electrode thereof, and a pixel electrode may be connected to a drain electrode thereof. Each TFT may function as a switch for a driving signal supplied to the corresponding pixel electrode. Further, the second substrate220may include a common electrode (not illustrated) forming an electric field that controls arrangement of the liquid crystals along with the pixel electrodes. The display panel200may be configured to drive the liquid crystal layer to display an image frontwards.

The display panel200may include: a driving chip (not illustrated) configured to apply a driving signal; a driving-chip mounting film (not illustrated) on which the driving chip is mounted; and a printed circuit board (PCB, not illustrated) electrically connected to the display panel200through the driving-chip mounting. The driving-chip mounting film may be a tape carrier package (TCP).

The driving-chip mounting film and the PCB may be bent from one end portion of the display panel200and disposed on a side surface of the mold frame300.

The driving chip may generate a driving signal for driving the display panel200in response to an external signal. The external signal may be supplied from the PCB and may include image signals, various control signals, and a driving voltage.

For instance, the gate PCB may be connected to the gate driving-chip mounting film. The gate PCB may supply an image signal to the gate driving chip. The data PCB may be connected to the data driving-chip mounting film. The data PCB may supply an image signal to the data driving chip.

The gate driving chip may receive the image signal and supply a gate driving signal to the gate line. The data driving chip may receive the image signal and supply a data driving signal to the data line.

Polarizers240may be disposed on the display panel200and include first and second polarizers241and242. The first and second polarizers241and242may be respectively disposed on the opposite sides of facing surfaces of the first and second substrates210and220. That is, the first polarizer241may be attached on an outer surface of the first substrate210, and the second polarizer242may be attached on an outer surface of the second substrate220. A transmissive axis of the first polarizer241may be substantially at right angles to a transmissive axis of the second polarizer242.

The mold frame300may be coupled to the bottom chassis440and accommodate the display panel200. The mold frame300may include a support310on which the display panel200is disposed and a protrusion320bent from the support310. The mold frame300may include a flexible material such as plastics so as to prevent damage on the display panel200.

The mold frame300may be provided along the edge portion of the display panel200and support the display panel200from the bottom of the display panel200. The mold frame300may be provided in areas corresponding to four sides or at least a part of the four sides of the display panel200. For example, the mold frame300may have a quadrilateral-loop form corresponding to the four sides of the display panel200, or may have a C-shape, that is, a quadrilateral open-loop form corresponding to three sides of the edge portion of the display panel200.

The backlight assembly400may include an optical sheet410, a light guide plate420, a reflective sheet430, the bottom chassis440, a light source unit450, and a fixing member460.

The light source unit450may include a light source451and a circuit board452on which the light source451is disposed. The light source unit450may be disposed at a corner portion or on a light incident side portion of the light guide plate420. In other words, the light source unit450may emit light from the corner portion or the light incident side portion of the light guide plate420.

The light source451may include at least one LED chip (not illustrated) and a package (not illustrated) for accommodating the LED chip. The light source451may have a light emitting surface in a direction where the light guide plate420is disposed.

The circuit board452may include, for example, a PCB or a metal PCB.

Such a light source unit450may be provided on one, two, or four side surfaces of the light guide plate420, in consideration of size and luminance uniformity of the display panel200. In some embodiments, the light source unit450may be formed on at least one corner portion of the light guide plate420.

Light emitted from the light source451may be incident on a light-incident side surface of the light guide plate420and emitted to the light emitting surface thereof. The light guide plate420may be configured to uniformly supply light supplied from the light source unit450to the display panel200. The light guide plate420may be disposed adjacent to the light source unit450and accommodated in the bottom chassis440. The light guide plate420may be provided, for example, in a quadrilateral panel form as the display panel200, but is not limited thereto. In some embodiments, when an LED is used as the light source451, the light guide plate420may have various forms including a predetermined groove and/or a protrusion according to a position of the light source451.

Although referred to as a “plate” for the purpose of description, the light guide plate420may be in a shape of a sheet or a film so as to achieve slimness of the display device. That is, light guide plate420is to be understood as having a concept that includes not only a plate but also a film for guiding light.

The light guide plate420may include a light-transmissive material. The light-transmissive material may include an acrylic resin, such as polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), or polycarbonate (PC) so as to guide light efficiently.

A pattern may be formed on at least one surface of the light guide plate420. For example, a scattering pattern (not illustrated) may be formed on a lower surface thereof, so as to scatter and/or reflect the guided light upwards.

The optical sheet410may be disposed on the light guide plate420and configured to diffuse and/or collect light directed from the light guide plate420. The optical sheets410may include a diffusion sheet, a prism sheet, a protective sheet, and other functional sheets.

The diffusion sheet is configured to disperse light incident from the light guide plate420to thereby prevent the light from being partly concentrated.

The prism sheet may include prisms having a triangular cross-section and formed in a predetermined array on one surface thereof. The prism sheet may be disposed on the diffusion sheet and may collect light diffused from the diffusion sheet in a direction perpendicular to the display panel200.

The protective sheet may be disposed on the prism sheet and may serve to protect a surface of the prism sheet and diffuse light to achieve uniform light distribution.

The reflective sheet430may be disposed between the light guide plate420and the bottom chassis440and reflect light emitted downwards from the diffusion plate420to be directed toward the display panel200, thereby improving light efficiency.

The reflective sheet430may include, for example, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and thus may have reflectivity. One surface of the reflective sheet430may be coated with a diffusion layer including, for example, titanium dioxide.

In some embodiments, the reflective sheet430may be formed of a material containing metal, such as silver (Ag).

The bottom chassis440may accommodate the reflective sheet430and the light guide plate420. A bottom portion441of the bottom chassis440may be parallel to the light guide plate420. The bottom chassis440may include metal materials having rigidity, such as stainless steel, or materials having good heat dissipation properties, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. According to an exemplary embodiment, the bottom chassis440is responsible for maintaining a framework of the display device and protecting a variety of components accommodated therein.

The fixing member460may couple the bottom chassis440to the top chassis100. Hereinafter, a coupling configuration of the bottom chassis440and the top chassis100using the fixing member460is described with reference toFIGS. 1 to 7.

FIG. 3is a schematic perspective view illustrating a fixing member ofFIG. 1.FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view illustrating a top chassis and a bottom chassis taken along line B-B′ ofFIG. 1.FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ ofFIG. 1.FIG. 6is an enlarged partial view illustrating “C” portion ofFIG. 1.FIG. 7is an enlarged partial view illustrating a top surface of the top chassis ofFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 1, 2, and 4, the top chassis100may have a side surface portion110and a top surface portion120bent from the side surface portion110. The top surface portion120may be respectively disposed at four corresponding sides of the display panel200. In other words, the side portions120refer to one of the four sides of the top chassis100that surrounds the display panel200.

The top chassis100may have first and second inserting holes121and122. In some embodiments, the top chassis may have, as illustrated inFIG. 7, first and second inserting holes121and122at each corner thereof. The top surface portion120may respectively have first and second inserting holes121and122at one end portion and at another end portion. Further, the number of the first and second inserting holes121and122formed on the top chassis100may be increased in accordance with the size of the display device.

The bottom chassis440may have a bottom portion441and a side wall portion442bent from the bottom portion441. The bottom chassis440may have third and fourth inserting holes443and444. In detail, the side wall portion442may have the third inserting hole443at an area overlapping the first inserting hole121and have the fourth inserting hole444at an area overlapping the second inserting hole122.

Referring toFIGS. 1, 2, and 3, at least one fixing member460may be employed to couple the bottom chassis440to the top chassis100. The fixing members460may include a wire461and coupling units462respectively disposed at both end portions of the wire461. The wire461extends through the top chassis100and the bottom chassis440.

The coupling unit462may include a locking projection462adisposed at one end portion of the wire461and locked at one of the bottom chassis440and the top chassis100; and a bolt unit462bdisposed at another end portion of the wire461and having a screw groove. The coupling unit462may further include a nut unit462cengaged with the bolt unit462b. Meanwhile, the fixing member460may further include a washer463.

Meanwhile, in some embodiments, the coupling unit462may respectively include only the bolt units462bat one end portion and at another end portion of the wire461, and may not include the locking projection462a. In other words, the locking projection462amay be replaced with a bolt and nut configuration.

The wire461may include metal materials that are bendable and the locking projection462amay include a structure that is fordable. When unfolded, the locking projection462amay have a size larger than a width (or diameter) of the third inserting hole443. The washer463may have an aperture at a center portion and increase friction between the locking projection462aand the third inserting hole443.

The bolt unit462bmay have, as general bolts, an exterior screw groove. The exterior screw groove of the bolt unit462bmay be engaged with the nut unit462cforming a screw connection. The nut unit462cmay include a nut to which the bolt unit462bcan be coupled. The nut unit462cmay have a size larger than a width of the fourth inserting hole444.

At least one of the top chassis100and the bottom chassis440may have, at one surface thereof, a guide groove123on which the wire461is disposed. In some embodiments, the top chassis100may have a guide groove123on the top surface thereof, as shown inFIG. 2. In some embodiments, the bottom chassis440may have a guide groove123on a bottom surface thereof.

At least one of the top chassis100and the bottom chassis440may have, at another surface thereof, a mounting groove445in which the coupling unit462is disposed. In some embodiments, as illustrated inFIG. 4, the bottom chassis440may have a first mounting groove445aunder the third inserting hole443and may have a second mounting groove445bunder the fourth inserting hole444.

The above-described coupling configuration of the top chassis100and the bottom chassis440using the fixing member460is described below in detail with reference toFIGS. 5 to 7.

The fixing member460may extend through the third inserting hole443, the first inserting hole121, the second inserting hole122, and the fourth inserting hole444, thereby coupling the bottom chassis440to the top chassis100. The wire461may be disposed at the guide groove123formed at one surface of the top chassis100. That is, the fixing member460may be disposed along the third inserting hole443, the first inserting hole121, the guide groove123, the second inserting hole122, and the fourth inserting hole444. The guide groove123may limit position of the wire461and prevent detachment of the wire461from one surface of the top chassis100.

Meanwhile, the locking projection462amay be disposed at the first mounting groove445a. The unfolded locking projection462ahas a size larger than the first mounting groove445a, and thus may be brought into contact with the bottom chassis440due to tensile force of the wire461. As illustrated inFIG. 5, the washer463may be further disposed in the first mounting groove445ato achieve strong fixation of the locking projection462ato the bottom chassis440. The washer463may have an aperture at a center portion thereof and may be brought into contact with the locking projection462asurrounding an outer side of the wire461. The fixing member460can be fixed to the first mounting groove445aonly using the locking projection462awithout the washer463.

The bolt unit462band the nut unit462cmay be disposed in the second inserting groove445b. The nut unit462chas a size larger than the size of the fourth inserting hole444, and thus may be brought into contact with the bottom chassis440due to tensile force of the wire461.

Meanwhile, the bolt unit462band the nut unit462cmay keep the wire461tensed, and adjust tensile force of the wire461. Tensile force of the wire461may be adjusted by adjusting tightness of engagement between the bolt unit462band the nut unit462c. In other words, the tensile force of the wire461may be increased in accordance with an increase in the tightness of engagement between the bolt unit462band the nut unit462c. With the tensile force of the wire461, the top chassis100and the bottom chassis440are brought into contact with each other.

As the fixing member460is disposed at the top chassis100and the bottom chassis440accordingly, coupling force between the top chassis100and the bottom chassis440is improved in a z-axis direction, and loosening of the top chassis100from the bottom chassis440can be prevented. Further, the coupling force between the top chassis100and the bottom chassis440may be adjusted by adjusting tightness of engagement between the bolt unit462band the nut unit462c. As the hook or screw that couples the top chassis100to the bottom chassis440is replaced with the fixing member460, coupling configuration of the top chassis100and the bottom chassis440may be simplified and assembly allowance may be minimized.

Meanwhile, the first to fourth inserting holes121,122,443, and444may have a diameter larger than that of the wire461.

Further, the number of the first to fourth inserting holes121,122,443, and444, the mounting groove445, and the fixing member460illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 7is not limited to the above description and may vary in consideration of coupling force and the size of the display device.

In contrast, in some embodiments, the bottom chassis440may have the guide groove123as described above. In this case, the top chassis100may have the mounting groove445. The wire461may be disposed at the guide groove123formed at the bottom surface of the bottom chassis440and the coupling unit462may be disposed at the mounting groove445formed at the top chassis100. Accordingly, the fixing member460may have a configuration that is the same as that illustrated inFIG. 5but is rotated by 180 degrees, and disposed at the top chassis100and the bottom chassis440.

Hereinafter, an order of installing the fixing member460to the top chassis100and to the bottom chassis440is described with reference toFIGS. 8A to 8D.

FIGS. 8A to 8Dare schematic views illustrating a method of installing a fixing member to a bottom chassis and a top chassis according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 8A to 8D, a locking projection462aconnected to one end portion of a wire461may be inserted to the first and third inserting holes121and443in a folded state, and the wire461may be inserted to the first and third inserting holes121and443along the locking projection462a. After passing through the third inserting hole443, the locking projection462amay pass through an aperture of a washer463and become unfolded. As the wire461is pulled toward a top surface of the top chassis100, the unfolded locking projection462aand the washer463may be brought into contact with each other in the first mounting groove445a, and are fixed to the bottom chassis440. The wire461may be mounted on a guide groove123, and a bolt unit462bconnected to another end portion of the wire461may be inserted to the second and fourth inserting holes122and444. The bolt unit462binserted to the second mounting groove445bis engaged with the nut unit462c. As the bolt unit462bis tightly engaged with the nut unit462c, the loose wire461may be tightened to maintain a tensed state. In other words, as the bolt unit462bis engaged with the nut unit462c, tensile force may be generated in the wire461. The generated tensile force of the wire461may strongly couple the top chassis100to the bottom chassis440.

Hereinafter, another exemplary embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 9 to 11. The same descriptions repeated according to an exemplary embodiment will be omitted for conciseness.

FIG. 9is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a display device according to another exemplary embodiment.FIG. 10is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a bottom chassis, a mold frame, and a top chassis ofFIG. 9.FIG. 11is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a fixing member, the bottom chassis, the mold frame, and the top chassis ofFIG. 9.

Referring toFIGS. 9 to 11, the mold frame300may include a support310on which a display panel200is disposed, and a protrusion320. The support310may have fifth and sixth inserting holes311and312. In detail, the support310may have the fifth inserting hole311at an area overlapping the first and third inserting holes121and443, and may have the sixth inserting hole312at an area overlapping the second and fourth inserting holes122and444.

Accordingly, the fixing member460may extend through the third inserting hole443, the fifth inserting hole311, the first inserting hole121, the second inserting hole122, the sixth inserting hole312, and the fourth inserting hole444to thereby couple the top chassis100, the mold frame300, and the bottom chassis440together.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that various embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, and that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present teachings. Accordingly, the various embodiments disclosed herein are not intended to be limiting of the true scope and spirit of the present teachings. Various features of the above described and other embodiments can be mixed and matched in any manner, to produce further embodiments consistent with the invention.