Receiving container and display device having the same, and method thereof

A receiving container includes a frame member and a first reinforcing member. The frame member is formed of a plastic material. The frame member includes a bottom part of which a center portion is opened and sidewalls respectively extending from peripheral edges sides of the bottom part. The first reinforcing member is separably disposed internally within at least one of the sidewalls, and disposed substantially parallel to a length direction of the at least one of the sidewalls, the first reinforcing member reinforcing a strength of the at least one of the sidewalls.

This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2008-43328, filed on May 9, 2008, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a receiving container and a display device having the receiving container. More particularly, embodiments of the present invention relate to a receiving container to receive modules employed in a flat display device and a display device having the receiving container.

2. Description of the Related Art

A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device unlike a cathode ray tube (“CRT”) or a plasma display panel (“PDP”) requires a separate light source for displaying images. The LCD device includes a LCD panel and a backlight assembly. The LCD panel selectively transmits light generated by the backlight assembly based on a display signal to display the images.

A cold cathode fluorescent lamp (“CCFL”) is generally used as the light source of the backlight assembly. The backlight assembly includes a direct-type backlight assembly and an edge-type backlight assembly. In the direct-type backlight assembly, the light source is disposed directly under the display panel. In the edge-type backlight assembly, a liquid guide plate is disposed directly under the display panel and the light source is disposed adjacent to a side of the light guide plate.

Compared to the CRT, the LCD device is thinner and lighter, and consumes less power. In order to maximize the advantages of the LCD device, technical solutions for reducing the thickness and the weight of the LCD device are being developed.

The liquid crystal display panel and the light source are generally received in a receiving container including a metallic chassis.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Since the LCD device includes a light source received in a receiving container including a metallic chassis, there are technical difficulties in manufacturing an LCD device with a relatively slim thickness and light weight. For example, a weight of the receiving container including the metallic chassis contributes to a total weight of the LCD device, such as being about a half of the total weight of the LCD device. In order to reduce the total weight of the LCD device, the weight of the receiving container including the metallic chassis may be reduced.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide a receiving container capable of reducing weight and thickness of a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) device, and the number of modules employed in the LCD device.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention also provide a display device having the receiving container.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a receiving container. The receiving container includes a frame member and a first reinforcing member.

The frame member may be formed of a plastic material. The frame member includes a bottom part of which a center portion is opened and sidewalls respectively extending from peripheral edges of the bottom part. The first reinforcing member may be separably or removably disposed within at least one of the sidewalls and substantially parallel to a length direction of the at least one of the sidewalls, to reinforce strength of at least one of the sidewalls.

At least one of sidewalls may include a first internal receiving space in which the first reinforcing member is received.

The first reinforcing member may be disposed on an internal surface of the at least one of the sidewalls, and the first reinforcing member and at least one of the sidewalls may be combined with each other by a screw.

The bottom part of the frame member includes an edge part and center parts. The edge part may be defined by the peripheral edges of the bottom part, and internal sides defining the opened center portion of the bottom part. The center parts divide the opened center portion into a plurality of sub-openings. The receiving container may further include second reinforcing members disposed substantially parallel to the center parts and to a plane of the bottom part of the frame member, the second reinforcing member reinforcing strengths of the center parts.

The receiving container may further include grounding members. The grounding members may respectively overlap an entire of the sub-openings. The grounding members may include a metallic material and have a substantially mesh shape.

The frame member may further include a plurality of lamp socket receivers formed as a single and continuous body with the bottom part of the frame member. Each of the lamp socket receivers may include a contact hole extending through the bottom part of the frame member, and a lamp socket supporter protruding from a rear surface of the bottom part of the frame member, covering the contact hole and supporting a lamp socket inserted into the contact hole.

In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a display device. The display device includes a back receiving container, a backlight assembly, a display panel assembly, and a front receiving container.

The back receiving container includes a back frame member and a first reinforcing member. The back frame member may be formed of a plastic material. The back frame member includes a bottom part of which a center portion is opened and sidewalls respectively extending from external sides of the bottom part. The bottom part of the frame member may include an edge part and center parts. The edge part may be defined by the external sides of the bottom part and internal sides defining the opened center portion of the bottom part. The center parts may divide the opened center portion into a plurality of sub-openings. The first reinforcing member may be detachably coupled with at least one of the sidewalls and disposed substantially parallel to a length direction of the at least one of the sidewalls to reinforce strength of the at least one of the sidewalls. The backlight assembly is received in the back receiving container and generates light. The display panel assembly is disposed on the backlight assembly and displays images using the light. The front receiving container exposes a display area of the display panel assembly and combines with the back receiving container.

Two sidewalls which are opposite to each other may respectively have first internal receiving spaces. Each of the first receiving spaces may receive the first reinforcing member.

Alternatively, the first reinforcing member may be disposed on an internal surface of the at least one of the sidewalls, and the first reinforcing member and the at least one of the sidewalls may be combined with each other by a screw.

The back receiving container may further include a second reinforcing member disposed substantially parallel to at least one of the center parts and to a plane of the bottom of the back frame member to reinforce strengths of at least one of the center parts.

The front receiving container may include a front frame member and a third reinforcing member. The front frame member may be formed of a plastic material. The front frame member may include a bottom part and sidewalls. A center portion of the bottom part may be opened to expose the display area of the display panel assembly. The bottom part of the front frame member supports an edge portion of the display panel assembly. The sidewalls of the front frame member may extend from external sides of the bottom part of the front frame member and respectively correspond to the sidewalls of the back frame member. The third reinforcing member may be separably disposed internally within at least one sidewall of the front frame member which is substantially perpendicular to the two sidewalls of the back frame member, the third reinforcing member being disposed substantially parallel to a length direction of the at least one sidewall of the front frame member. The at least one sidewall of the front frame member may include a second internal receiving space formed therein. The second internal receiving space may receive the third reinforcing member.

The display panel assembly includes a display panel, a panel driving board, and a source flexible printed circuit film.

The display panel may have the display area on which the images are displayed using the light. The panel driving board may be disposed on a rear surface of the bottom part of the back frame member adjacent to the sidewall of the back frame member having the first reinforcing member. The panel driving board may output a control signal to control image display of the display panel. The source flexible printed circuit film may electrically connect the panel driving board and the display panel with each other.

The back receiving container may further include a plurality of grounding members. The grounding members may be formed of a metallic material. The grounding member may respectively cover the sub-openings and have a mesh shape. Each of the grounding members may have a connection member protruding from an end thereof. The connection member of each grounding member may make contact with adjacent grounding member.

The display device may further include a protective cover. The protective cover may cover the panel driving board disposed on the rear surface of at least one of the grounding members. The protective cover may be electrically connected to a grounding terminal of the panel driving board and at least one of the grounding members.

A portion of the sidewall of the back frame member at which the first reinforcing member is disposed may be removed to expose a portion of the first reinforcing member. The back receiving container may further include a conductive connection member. The conductive connection member may electrically connect the exposed first reinforcing member and the protective cover with each other.

The conductive connection member may include one of a conductive adhesive film attached to the first reinforcing member and the protective cover and a combining screw combining the first reinforcing member with the protective cover.

The display panel assembly may further include a signal transferring board and a connection flexible printed circuit film.

The signal transferring board may be electrically connected to the source flexible printed circuit film. The signal transferring board may be disposed on an external surface of the sidewall of the back frame member at which the first reinforcing member is disposed. The signal transferring board receives the control signal and applies the data signal for displaying the image to the display panel. The connection flexible printed circuit film may electrically connect the signal transferring board and the panel driving board with each other.

The back frame member may further include a plurality of lamp socket receivers integrally formed with the bottom part of the back frame member. Each of the lamp socket receivers may include a contact hole passing through the bottom part of the back frame member and a lamp socket supporter protruding from a rear surface of the bottom part of the back frame member to cover the contact hole.

The backlight assembly may include a reflective member, a plurality of lamps and a plurality of lamp sockets. The reflective member may be disposed on a front surface of the bottom part of the back frame member to cover the sub-openings. The lamps may be disposed on the reflective member. The lamps may be substantially parallel to the first reinforcing member. The lamp sockets may respectively combine with end portions of the lamps. The lamp sockets may be inserted into the contact holes of the lamp socket receivers and supported by the lamp socket supporters of the lamp socket receivers. The lamp sockets may have portions respectively exposed by the lamp socket receivers.

The backlight assembly may further include a power supplying board disposed on the rear surface of the back receiving container and electrically connected to the lamp sockets.

According to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, since the receiving container is formed of the plastic material, the weight of the display device may be advantageously reduced.

Further, since the lamp socket receivers for arranging the lamp sockets are formed as a single and continuous unit with the receiving container formed of the plastic material, the number of modules employed in the display device may be advantageously reduced.

Furthermore, since the back frame member is formed of the plastic material, the current leakage from the lamps to the back frame member may be reduced or effectively prevented. Advantageously, a distance between the lamps and the bottom part of the back frame member may be reduced so that the display device may have an overall thin thickness.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment a display device in accordance with the present invention.FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a back receiving container illustrated inFIG. 1.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, a display device100includes a back receiving container101, a backlight assembly103, a display panel assembly, and a front receiving container107.

The back receiving container101includes a back frame member110, a first reinforcing member121and a second reinforcing member125.

The back frame member110may be formed substantially of a plastic material so that the display device100may be lighter than a conventional display device employing a receiving container formed of a metal. In an exemplary embodiment, the back frame member110may be formed by a molding method. The back frame member110includes a bottom part and sidewalls. The bottom part may include an edge part112and a plurality of center parts.

The edge part112may have a substantially rectangular frame shape. In one exemplary embodiment, the edge part112may have a substantially rectangular plate shape of which a center portion is substantially opened in a rectangular shape. The edge part112may have internal sides which define an outline of the opened center portion of the edge part112, and external sides which define an outline of the edge part112. The internal sides and the external sides may form a rectangle, respectively. As in the illustrated embodiment, the internal sides and the external sides may have two long sides and two short sides, respectively.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the sidewalls of the back receiving container110include a first sidewall111, a second sidewall113, a third sidewall115, and a fourth sidewall117. The first and second sidewalls111and113are extended from the two long sides of the external sides of the edge part112, respectively. The third and fourth sidewalls115and117are extended from the two short sides of the external sides of the edge part112, respectively.

FIG. 3is a partial perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a combination of a back frame member and a first reinforcing member employed in the back receiving container illustrated inFIG. 2.FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ shown inFIG. 3. InFIG. 3, a portion of the first sidewall111is removed for illustrating the first reinforcing member121combined with the back frame member.FIGS. 3 and 4only illustrate the first reinforcing member121combined with the first sidewall111, but the first reinforcing member121may be combined with the second sidewall113in a substantially same method. The first reinforcing member121combined with the first sidewall111will be described hereinafter, and an explanation of the first reinforcing member121combined with the second sidewall113will be omitted.

Referring toFIGS. 3 and 4, since the back frame member110is formed of the plastic material, the back frame member110has a relatively light weight and small strength. In order to reinforce the small strength of the back frame member110, the first reinforcing member121is combined with the first sidewalls111. In one exemplary embodiment, the first reinforcing member121may include aluminum, having a substantially bar shape which is parallel to a length (e.g., longitudinal) direction of the first sidewall111. The first reinforcing member121may reinforce the strength of the first sidewall111.

The first reinforcing member121may be combined with the first sidewall111in various methods. In one exemplary embodiment, the first reinforcing member121may be fixed to an internal surface of the first sidewall111by a retaining member, such as a screw.

Alternatively, in exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the first sidewall111may have an internal receiving space to receive the first reinforcing member121, such as illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 3. The internal receiving space may be void of a material forming the first sidewall, such as may be referred to as a hollow area of the first sidewall111. In one exemplary embodiment, an end surface of the first sidewall111may have a hole or an open area connected to the internal receiving space. The first reinforcing member121may be slid to the internal receiving space through the hole, to be combined with the first sidewall111. The first reinforcing member121may have a length which is substantially equal to or smaller than that of the first sidewall111. The length of the first sidewall111is taken from a first end surface to a second end surface of the first sidewall111.

Referring toFIG. 4, the first sidewall111may include an external part111a, an internal part111b, an upper part111c, and a lower part hid which form the internal receiving space of the first sidewall111. The external part111a, the internal part111b, the upper part111c, and the lower part hid may be referred to as solely defining the internal receiving space of the first sidewall111. The external part111a, the internal part111b, the upper part111c, and the lower part hid may collectively form a single, continuous and indivisible unit, and be included as part of the back receiving container101. The internal receiving space of the first sidewall111may extend completely through the sidewall111, where the internal receiving space may be accessed from each distal end of the sidewall111. The internal receiving spaced may be considered completely surrounded or enclosed by the external part111a, the internal part111b, the upper part111c, and the lower part111d.

The external part111aand the internal part111bface to each other, and the first reinforcing member121is interposed between the external part111aand the internal part111b. The first reinforcing member121disposed in the first sidewall111is slidably disposed between the external part111aand the internal part111b, such that the first reinforcing member121is retained between the external part111aand the internal part111b. The first reinforcing member121may be solely retained by a friction or interference fit with the external part111aand the internal part111b, or may be retained with the assistance of the retaining member, such as the screw. The upper part111cfaces an upper end of the first reinforcing member121and connects an upper end of the external part111awith an upper end of the internal part111b. The lower part hid faces a lower end of the first reinforcing member121and connects a lower end of the external part111awith a lower end of the internal part111b. Inner surfaces of the external part111a, the internal part111b, the upper part111c, and the lower part hid may completely overlap an entire of the corresponding facing external surfaces of the first reinforcing member121.

The first reinforcing member121may have a size and a shape which are substantially the same as those of the internal receiving space of the first sidewall111, so that the first reinforcing member121may be combined with the first sidewall111. The first reinforcing member121may directly contact all or some of the internal surfaces of the external part111a, the internal part111b, the upper part111c, and the lower part111d.

As illustrated inFIGS. 2 and 4, a first combining member (e.g., a screw)123passing through the external part111amay further combine the first reinforcing member121with the first sidewall111. The first combining member123may only pass completely through the external part111aand only partially into the first reinforcing member121. Alternatively, the first combining member123may pass completely through both the external part111aand the first reinforcing member121, and then only partially in to the internal part111b.

Referring again toFIGS. 1 and 2, in order to reduce the weight of the back frame member110, the edge part112may have the rectangular plate shape of which the center portion is opened as described above. The center part of the bottom part of the back frame member110may go across the opened center portion of the edge part112. In one exemplary embodiment, the center part may connect two opposite sides of the internal sides of the edge part112with each other across the opened center portion of the edge part112. The center part may include a first center part114and a second center part116.

The first center part114may be parallel to both the third and fourth sidewalls115and117, and may be extended substantially parallel to a transverse direction of the back frame member110. InFIG. 2, two first center parts114extend across the opened center portion of the edge part112in the transverse direction of the back frame member110to connect two long sides of the internal sides of the edge part112. The first center part114may have a guide groove formed at an upper surface of the first center part114. The guide groove may extend partially through a thickness of the first center part114taken in a direction perpendicular to a bottom of the back frame member110, such as in the combining direction of the second combining member127shown by dotted lines line inFIG. 2. The guide groove may receive the second reinforcing member125. In one exemplary embodiment, the second reinforcing member125may include aluminum having a substantially bar shape which is parallel to the first center part114.

The second center part116may be parallel to both the first and second sidewalls111and113, and may be extended substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the back frame member110. InFIG. 2, the second center part116may be integrally formed with the first center part114, such that the second center part116and the first center part114form a single, continuous and indivisible unit. The second center part116may have a width taken in the transverse direction of the back frame member110which is larger than a width of the first center part114taken in the longitudinal direction of the back frame member110. The second center part116may connect two short sides of the internal sides of the edge part112across the opened center portion of the edge part112. The second center part116may have one or more of a rib protruding from an upper surface thereof, to reinforce the strength of the back frame member110. In one exemplary embodiment, the rib may extend in a length direction of the second center part116, and parallel to the longitudinal direction of the back frame member110.

The second reinforcing member125is disposed in the guide groove formed on the upper surface of the first center part114. The second reinforcing member125may longitudinally extend in a direction substantially parallel to a longitudinal direction of the first center part114. In an exemplary embodiment, the second reinforcing member125may be fixed to the first center part114by one or a plurality of a second combining member (e.g., screw)127to reinforce the strength of the first center part114.

The first center part114and the second center part116divide the opened center portion of the edge part112into a plurality of openings119, which may be hereinafter referred to as sub-openings.

FIG. 5is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a rear surface of the back receiving container illustrated inFIG. 2.

Referring toFIGS. 2 and 5, the back receiving container101may further include a plurality of grounding members131respectively covering the plurality of openings119. An edge portion of each grounding member131may overlap with and/or directly the edge part112, the first center part114and the second center part116. In one exemplary embodiment, each grounding member131may be combined with the edge part112, the first center part114and the second center part116by third combining members (e.g., screws) (not shown). Each of the grounding members131may include a metal material, such as aluminum, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The grounding members131may have a mesh shape or profile for reducing the weight of the back receiving container101. The mesh profile is used to indicate that the grounding members131are not solid members, but may have a reduced thickness at portions thereof, or portions thereof where openings completely penetrate the thickness and there is no material disposed. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiments ofFIGS. 1,2and5, the diagonally crossing lines shown as the grounding members131are first areas where material of the grounding members131is disposed, and second areas alternating with or between the crossing lines are absent the material of the grounding members131. In a plane view, an area occupied by the grounding members131is less than an area of a respective sub-openings of the back frame member110.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, since the back frame member110is formed of the plastic material by a molding method, various components may be easily formed in one body with the back frame member110, such that the various components collectively form a single, continuous and indivisible unit with the back frame member110. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 5, lamp socket receivers118may be integrally formed with back frame member110. The lamp socket receivers118receive lamp sockets143to apply driving voltages to the lamps141, respectively.

The lamp socket receivers118are formed at a portion of the edge part112which is adjacent to one of the third and fourth sidewalls115and117. Each of the lamp socket receivers118may include a contact hole118aand a socket supporter118b(FIG. 3).

The contact holes118apasses partially or entirely through the edge part112and are separated from one another by a predetermined distance. The contact holes118amay be arranged in a direction parallel to the third sidewall115or the fourth sidewall117.

As illustrated inFIGS. 4 and 5, the socket supporters118bare protruded from the rear surface of the edge part112to support the lamp sockets143inserted into the contact holes118a, respectively. The socket supporters118brespectively correspond to the contact holes118a. The socket supporters118bmay respectively include a bottom part separated from the rear surface of the edge part113and a sidewall connecting the bottom part with the rear surface of the edge part112. In exemplary embodiments, the socket supporters118bmay respectively have an opening to expose a lower end of the lamp socket143passing through the edge part112.

As described above, since the lamp socket receivers118respectively receiving the lamp sockets143are integrally formed with the back frame member110of the plastic material, and form a single and continuous body with the back frame member110, the display device in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention may advantageously not require a separate plate for arranging the lamp sockets143, such as may be employed in the conventional display device.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 6, the backlight assembly103is received in the back receiving container101and generates light. The backlight assembly103may include a reflective plate157, a plurality of lamps141and a plurality of lamp sockets143.

The reflective plate157reflects the light generated by the lamps141. The reflective plate157is disposed on a front surface of the bottom of the back frame member110. The front surface indicates a side of the back frame member110corresponding to a viewing side of the display device100or a side of the back frame member110where the display panel170is relatively disposed. The reflective plate157may cover or overlap an entire of or a portion of the edge part112, the first and/or second center parts114and116, and the openings119. As shown inFIG. 6, an edge of the reflective plate157is separated from an end edge of the edge part112. In an exemplary embodiment, the reflective plate157may include a flexible sheet. Alternatively, the reflective plate157may include a rigid plate.

The lamps141are extended in a direction parallel to the length direction of the first and second sidewalls111and113, and arranged in a direction parallel to the length direction of the third and fourth sidewalls115and117. The lamps141are disposed on the reflective plate157. The lamps141may include a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (“CCFL”). In exemplary embodiments, each of the lamps141may include a lamp tube and an electrode. The lamp tube may include a substantially straight glass tube, a fluorescent layer disposed on an inner surface of the straight glass tube and discharging gas sealed in the straight glass tube. The electrode may be disposed at an end portion of the lamp tube. The electrode may be electrically connected to the lamp socket143.

The lamp socket143transfers lamp driving voltage to the electrode. The lamp socket143is received in the lamp socket receiver118formed at the back frame member110, and is combined with the end portion of the lamp141. The lamp socket143may include a socket body144and a power applying member146.

In one exemplary embodiment, the socket body144may be formed of a plastic material, such as by using a molding method. The socket body114is inserted into the contact hole118aof the lamp socket receiver118, and is supported by the socket supporter118b. The socket body144is exposed by the opening of the socket supporter118b.

The power applying member146may include a conductive material. In one exemplary embodiment, the power applying member146may be formed of a metal. The power applying member146is fixed to the socket body144. The power applying member146may include a power applying terminal and a power receiving terminal. The power applying terminal is electrically connected to the electrode of the lamp141. The power receiving terminal may protrude over the socket body144to be exposed by the opening of the socket supporter118b.

Referring again toFIG. 3, the backlight assembly103may further include a power supplying plate140. The power applying plate140may include a printed circuit board (“PCB”) and a power output terminal142protruding from a side portion of the PCB. The power supplying plate140is disposed on the rear surface of the back frame member110, and may directly contact the rear surface of the back frame member110. The power output terminal142is inserted into the socket supporter118bthrough the opening of the socket supporter118bto make electric contact with the power receiving terminal of the power applying member146.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the back frame member110receiving the lamps141may be formed of the plastic material which is an insulating material. Advantageously, although the lamps141are closely disposed on the first and second center parts144and146of the back frame member110, current leakage from the lamps141to the first and second center parts144and146may reduced or effectively be prevented.

When the back frame member110is a chassis formed of a metal material and the lamps141are closely disposed on a bottom part of the chassis, the current leakage from the lamps141to the bottom part of the chassis may be caused. Advantageously, the present invention may reduce a distance between the lamps141and the reflective plate157disposed on the bottom part of the back frame member110.

Referring toFIGS. 1,6and7, the backlight assembly103may further include side frames145, an optical member150and a middle frame160.

The side frames145may be disposed adjacent to internal surfaces of the third and fourth sidewalls115and117of the back frame member110, respectively. Each of a plurality of the side frames145may directly contact the internal surfaces of the third and fourth sidewalls115and117. Each of the plurality of side frames145may include two sidewall portions which are supported by the edge part112of the back frame member110and an upper portion connecting upper ends of the two sidewall portions.

The lamp sockets143received in the lamp socket receivers118are disposed between the two sidewall portions of a respective side frame145. In an exemplary embodiment, one of the two sidewall portions may have holes to guide end portions of the lamps141into the lamp sockets143. The upper portion may have a stepped portion to support the optical member150.

The optical member150changes a distribution of light generated by the lamps141. The optical member150may be supported by the upper portions of the side frames145, and the first and second sidewalls111and113of the back frame member110. A lower surface of the optical member150may directly contact an upper surface of the upper portions of the side frames145and the first and second sidewalls111and113of the back frame member110.

The optical member150may include a diffusive plate151, a diffusive sheet153and a light concentrative sheet155, which are sequentially stacked from the upper surface of the upper portions of the side frames145and the first and second sidewalls111and113of the back frame member110. The diffusing plate151diffuses the light generated by the lamps141and improves the brightness uniformity of the light. The diffusive sheet153again diffuses the diffused light by the diffusive plate151. The light concentrating sheet155concentrates the diffused light and improves the front brightness of the light.

The middle frame160presses a peripheral edge portion of the optical member150to fix the optical member150to a predetermined receiving position, and supports the display panel assembly. In one exemplary embodiment, the middle frame160may include a bottom part and a sidewall part. The bottom part of the middle frame160may have a substantially rectangular frame shape, of which a center portion may be opened. The bottom part of the middle frame160may press the side portion of the optical member150and support the display panel assembly. The sidewall part of the middle frame160may be extended from an end (e.g., edge) portion of the bottom part of the middle frame160and towards the back receiving container101.

The display panel assembly is disposed on the backlight assembly103and displays images using the light provided by the backlight assembly103. The display panel assembly includes a display panel170, a panel driving board175and a source flexible printed circuit film177.

The display panel170displays the images using the light provided by the backlight assembly103. The display panel170may display the images based on a gate signal and a data signal generated by the panel driving board175.

The display panel170may be one of various flat display panels to be driven by the panel driving board175. In one exemplary embodiment, the display panel170may be a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) panel. The display panel170may include a lower substrate171, an upper substrate173which is opposite to the lower substrate171and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the lower substrate171and the upper substrate173.

The lower substrate171may include a lower base substrate, a gate line, a data line, a switching element, a pixel electrode, and a storage electrode. The gate line is formed on the lower base substrate and transfers the gate signal. The data line is insulated from the gate line and transfers the data signal. The switching element is electrically connected to the gate line and the data line and outputs the data signal to the pixel electrode based on the gate signal.

The upper substrate173may include red, green and blue color filters which are opposite to the pixel electrodes formed on the lower substrate171and a common electrode covering the color filters. An electric field between the pixel electrode and the common electrode is applied to the liquid crystal layer.

The panel driving board175outputs a control signal to control the display of the images. The source flexible printed circuit film177electrically connects the panel driving board175with the display panel170.

The display panel assembly may further include a data driver, a gate driver and a gate flexible printed circuit film.

The data driver outputs the data signal to the data line. The data driver may be disposed on the source flexible printed circuit film177. The source flexible printed circuit film177is electrically connected to the data line formed on the lower substrate171.

The gate driver outputs the gate signal to the gate line. The gate driver may be disposed on the gate flexible printed circuit film. The gate flexible printed circuit film is electrically connected to the gate line formed on the lower substrate171.

The liquid crystal layer is disposed between the lower substrate171and the upper substrate173. An arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer is changed based on the electric field between the pixel electrode and the common electrode. An amount of light passing through the liquid crystal layer is changed based on the arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules so that the display panel may display images.

FIG. 8is a partial perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a rear surface of the display device illustrated inFIG. 7.

Referring toFIGS. 7 and 8, the panel driving board175outputs the control signal to control the display of the images. The control signal may include a data control signal to control the data driver and a gate control signal to control the gate driver.

The panel driving board175may be disposed on the rear surface of the bottom part of the back frame member110. In one exemplary embodiment, the panel driving board175may be disposed under (e.g., overlapping) the edge part112adjacent to the first sidewall111, such as illustrated inFIG. 7. The panel driving board175may be fixed on the grounding member131.

The source flexible printed circuit film177electrically connects the panel driving board175with the display panel170. The source flexible printed circuit film177may extend along an external surface of the middle frame160adjacent to the first sidewall111of the back frame member110.

The display panel assembly may further include a signal transferring board174and a connection flexible printed circuit film176.

The signal transferring board174receives the gate control signal and the data control signal, and transfers the gate control signal and the data control signal to the gate driver and the data driver, respectively. The signal transferring board174may be disposed on the external surface of the middle frame160adjacent to the first sidewall111of the back frame member110, such that the signal transferring board174directly contacts the external surface of the middle frame160. The source flexible printed circuit film177may be bond to a side of the signal transferring board174.

The connection flexible printed circuit film176electrically connects the panel driving board175and the signal transferring board174with each other.

Referring again toFIG. 8, the display device100may further include a protective cover180. The protective cover180may cover the panel driving board175disposed on the grounding member131. The protective cover180may cover and overlap an entire of the panel driving board175, or may only cover and overlap a portion of the panel driving board175. The protective cover180may reduce or effectively prevent an occurrence of the panel driving board175receiving an unnecessary electromagnetic wave from an external device and/or discharge static electricity charged to the panel driving board175. In an exemplary embodiment, the protective cover180may be formed of a metal, such that the panel driving board175receiving the unnecessary electromagnetic wave and discharge the static electricity is reduced or effectively prevented.

As illustrated inFIG. 7, the protective cover180may include contact protrusions which contact with grounding terminals (not shown) of the panel driving board175. In one exemplary embodiment, the protective cover180may be fixed to the grounding member131by fixing member, such as a screw. When the protective cover180is fixed to the grounding member131by the screw, the protective cover180may electrically connect the panel driving board175and the grounding member131with each other.

Alternatively, the panel driving board175may include grounding terminals which make direct contact with the grounding member131. As illustrated inFIG. 8, a portion of the external part of the first sidewall111may be removed so that a portion of the first reinforcing member121may be exposed by the removed portion of the external part of the first sidewall111. Ground lines181may be extended from the protective cover180. The grounding lines181may be disposed at and contacting the exposed portion of the first reinforcing member121, so that the grounding lines181electrically connect the panel driving board175and the first reinforcing member121with each other.

Alternatively, the display device100may further include a conductive connection member185. The conductive connection member185may make contact with both the grounding lines181of the protective cover180and the exposed first reinforcing member121, to electrically connect the grounding lines181of the protective cover180and the first reinforcing member121with each other.

In an exemplary embodiment, the conductive connection member185may include a metallic adhesive tape. Alternatively, the conductive connection member185may include a combining member, such as a screw, which combines the grounding lines181with the first reinforcing member121. Alternatively, instead of the conductive connection member185, the first reinforcing member121may have a grounding hole (not shown) and an end of the grounding lines181may be received in the grounding hole of the first reinforcing member121so that the first reinforcing member121and the grounding lines181of the protective cover180may be electrically connected to each other.

The panel driving board175electrically connected to the protective cover180may be grounded to the first reinforcing member121. Advantageously, according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the static electricity induced to the panel driving board175and the signal transferring board174during manufacturing processes and assembling processes of the display device100is transferred to the grounding member131and the first reinforcing member121through the protective cover180, so that the static electricity originally induced to the panel driving board175and the signal transferring board174may be ultimately discharged.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, while connecting the connection flexible printed circuit film176with the panel driving board175and/or the signal transferring board174, damage of circuits formed on the panel driving board175and the signal transferring board174caused by the static electricity may be reduced or effectively prevented.

Referring again toFIGS. 1,6and7, the front receiving container107exposes a display area of the display panel170. The front receiving container107may be combined with the middle frame160and/or the back receiving container101. In an exemplary embodiment, the front receiving container107may include a chassis formed of a metal. Alternatively, the front receiving container107may include a front frame member formed of a plastic material and a third reinforcing member196.

The front frame member may include a bottom part192and a sidewall.

The bottom part192of the front frame member may have a substantially rectangular plate shape of which a center portion corresponding to the display area of the display panel170is opened. The bottom192of the front frame member may cover a peripheral area (e.g., edge) of the display panel170which surrounds the display area of the display panel170.

The sidewall of the first frame member is extended from an edge portion of the bottom192and towards the back receiving container101. The sidewall includes a first sidewall191, a second sidewall193, a third sidewall195, and a fourth sidewall197. The first to fourth sidewalls191,193,195, and197of the front frame member are adjacent to the first to fourth sidewalls111,113,115, and117of the back frame member110, respectively.

Each of the third and fourth sidewalls195and197of the front frame member may have an internal receiving space which is similar to that of each of the first and second sidewalls111and113of the back frame member110, such as to receive the third reinforcing member196. The third reinforcing member196is slid to the internal space of each of the third and fourth sidewalls195and197and is received in the internal space of each of the third and fourth sidewalls195and197.

The third and fourth sidewalls195and197may include an external part, an internal part, an upper part, and a lower part which form the internal receiving space of the third and fourth sidewalls195and197. The external part, the internal part, the upper part, and the lower part of the third and fourth sidewalls195and197may be referred to as solely defining the internal receiving space of the third and fourth sidewalls195and197, respectively. The external part, the internal part, the upper part, and the lower part may collectively form a single, continuous and indivisible unit, and be included as part of the front receiving container107.

The external part and the internal part face each other, and the third reinforcing member196is interposed between the external part and the internal part. The third reinforcing member196disposed in the third and fourth sidewalls195and197may be slidably disposed between the external part and the internal part, such that the third reinforcing member196is retained between the external part and the internal part. The first reinforcing member121may be solely retained by a friction or interference fit with the external part and the internal part, or may be retained with the assistance of the retaining member, such as the screw. The upper part faces an upper end of the third reinforcing member196and connects an upper end of the external part with an upper end of the internal part. The lower part faces a lower end of the third reinforcing member196and connects a lower end of the external part with a lower end of the internal part. Inner surfaces of the external part, the internal part, the upper part, and the lower part may completely overlap an entire of the corresponding facing external surfaces of the third reinforcing member196.

The third reinforcing member196may have a size and a shape which are substantially the same as those of the internal receiving space of the third and fourth sidewalls195and197, so that the third reinforcing member196may be combined with the third and fourth sidewalls195and197. Each of the third reinforcing members196may directly contact all or some of the internal surfaces of the external part, the internal part, the upper part, and the lower part of the third and fourth sidewalls195and197, respectively.

The third reinforcing member196is inserted into the internal receiving space of each of the third and fourth sidewalls195and197along a length direction of each of the third and fourth sidewalls195and197. The third reinforcing member196may have a size and a shape which are the substantially the same as those of each of the internal spaces of the third and fourth sidewalls195and197. The third reinforcing member196reinforces the strength of the front receiving container107.

Since the back receiving container101and the front receiving container107may be formed of a plastic material, the weight of the display device100in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be advantageously reduced.

The first, second and third reinforcing members121,125and196, formed of a metallic material, may reinforce the strength of the back frame member110and the front frame member including the plastic material. The first reinforcing member121and/or the grounding member131formed of the metallic material may ground the panel driving board175on which a circuit is formed, to reduce or effectively prevent interference by the electromagnetic waves and damage by static electricity to the panel driving board175.

In addition, since the back frame member110is formed of a plastic material, the lamp socket receiver118may be integrally formed with the back frame member110, such as to form a single body of the back frame member110including the lamp socket receiver118. Advantageously, the separate plate for arranging the lamp sockets143may be not required so that the manufacturing cost of the display device100may be reduced.

FIG. 9is a cross-sectional view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of a backlight assembly in accordance with the present invention.FIG. 10is a perspective view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a rear surface of the backlight assembly illustrated inFIG. 9.

Referring toFIGS. 9 and 10, in a backlight assembly300, a first reinforcing member321is disposed on an internal surface of each of a first sidewall311and a second sidewall313of a back frame member310, and a plurality of grounding members331are electrically connected to one another. The backlight assembly300is the substantially the same as or substantially similar to the backlight assembly103illustrated inFIGS. 1 to 8except for the above-mention technical features. Thus, any repetitive explanation will be omitted.

In an exemplary embodiment, the back frame member310may be formed by a molding method. The back frame member310includes a bottom part and sidewalls. The bottom part may include an edge part312and a plurality of center parts.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, each of the first sidewall311and the second sidewall313has a guide groove formed on an internal surface thereof. The first reinforcing member321is disposed in the guide groove. Each of a first center part314and a second center part316may have a groove connecting adjacent openings of the back frame member310.

The first reinforcing member321is disposed in the guide groove of each of the first and second sidewalls311and313. The first reinforcing member321may be exposed by the guide groove of each of the first and second sidewalls311and313.

As illustrated inFIG. 9, the first and second sidewalls311and313may have openings to expose the first reinforcing member321.

A grounding line381connected to a protective cover380may be disposed in the opening of a respective first and second sidewall311and313exposing the first reinforcing member321. The grounding line381and the first reinforcing member321may be combined with each other by a combining member, such as a screw385.

The backlight assembly300may further include a connection member335. In exemplary embodiments, the connection member335may be formed of a conductive material. The connection member335is disposed in the groove of each of the first and second center parts314and316, and connects adjacent grounding members331. As illustrated inFIG. 10, a plurality of connection members335are disposed in a plurality of grooves in the first center part314, and the connection members335are extended substantially in a transverse direction of the back frame member310. The second center part316also includes a plurality of connection members335disposed in a plurality of grooves formed therein. The connection members335of the second center part316are extended substantially in a longitudinal direction of the back frame member310. Advantageously, the grounding members331in adjacent openings of the back frame member310may be electrically connected to one another by the plurality of connection members335, so that the panel driving board may be more effectively grounded.

In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, since the back frame member310is formed of the plastic material by a molding method, various components may be easily formed in one body with the back frame member310, such that the various components collectively form a single, continuous and indivisible unit with the back frame member110. As illustrated in the exemplary embodiment, as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, lamp socket receivers may be integrally formed with back frame member310. The lamp socket receivers receive lamp sockets343to apply driving voltages to the lamps341, respectively. Each of the lamp socket receivers may include a contact hole and a socket supporter318b.

The backlight assembly300may further include a plurality of a side frame345, an optical member350and a middle frame360. The side frames345may be disposed adjacent to internal surfaces of sidewalls of the back frame member130, respectively. Each of the plurality of side frames345may include two sidewall portions which are supported by the edge part312of the back frame member310and an upper portion connecting upper ends of the two sidewall portions. The lamp sockets343received in the lamp socket receivers are disposed between the two sidewall portions of a respective side frame345. In an exemplary embodiment, one of the two sidewall portions may have holes to guide end portions of the lamps341into the lamp sockets343. The upper portion may have a stepped portion to support the optical member350.

The optical member350changes a distribution of light generated by the lamps141. The optical member350may be supported by the upper portions of the side frames345, and the first and second sidewalls311and313of the back frame member310. A lower surface of the optical member350may directly contact an upper surface of the upper portions of the side frames345and the first and second sidewalls311and313of the back frame member310.

The optical member350may include a diffusive plate351, a diffusive sheet353and a light concentrative sheet355, which are sequentially stacked from the upper surface of the upper portions of the side frames345and the first and second sidewalls311and313of the back frame member310.

The middle frame360presses a peripheral edge portion of the optical member350to fix the optical member350to a predetermined receiving position, and supports a display panel assembly.

The display panel assembly may include a display panel370, a panel driving board375and a source flexible printed circuit film377. The display panel370displays images using the light provided by the backlight assembly300. The display panel370may display the images based on a gate signal and a data signal generated by the panel driving board375. The display panel370may include a lower substrate371, an upper substrate373which is opposite to the lower substrate371and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the lower substrate371and the upper substrate373.

The display panel assembly may further include a signal transferring board374and a connection flexible printed circuit film376. The signal transferring board374receives a gate control signal and the data control signal, and transfers the gate control signal and the data control signal to a gate driver and a data driver, respectively. The signal transferring board374may be disposed on the external surface of the middle frame360adjacent to the first sidewall311of the back frame member310, such that the signal transferring board374directly contacts the external surface of the middle frame360. The source flexible printed circuit film377may be bond to a side of the signal transferring board374. The connection flexible printed circuit film376electrically connects the panel driving board375and the signal transferring board374with each other.

The backlight assembly300may include a front receiving container formed of a plastic material, and may include a front receiving container reinforcing member, similar to that of the front receiving container107of the exemplary embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 1-8. The front receiving container may include a bottom part392and a sidewall. The bottom part392of the front receiving container may have a substantially rectangular plate shape of which a center portion corresponding to the display area of the display panel370is opened. The bottom392of the front receiving container may cover a peripheral area (e.g., edge) of the display panel370which surrounds the display area of the display panel370.

The sidewall of the front receiving container is extended from an edge portion of the bottom392and towards the back frame member310of the backlight assembly300. The sidewall includes a plurality of sidewalls, including a first sidewall391, and a second, third and fourth sidewall (not shown). The first sidewall391and the second to fourth sidewalls of the front receiving container are all respectively adjacent to the sidewalls of the back frame member310, respectively.

According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the weight and the thickness of the display device may be reduced, and the number of components employed in the display device may be reduced.