Light emitting module connecting apparatus, light unit having the same, and display device

A light unit and a display device having the light unit are provided. The light unit comprises a plurality of light emitting modules each comprising a board and a light emitting device on the board, a bottom cover under the light emitting modules, a module connecting member that electrically interconnects the light emitting modules using an elastic body and is fixed on the bottom cover, and an optical sheet unit above the light emitting module.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0133131 (filed on Dec. 18, 2007), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a light emitting module connecting apparatus, a light unit having the same, and display device.

A display device generally used comprises a cathode ray tube (CRT), a liquid crystal display (LCD) device using an electric field and optical effect, a plasma display panel (PDP) using gas discharge, and electro luminescence display (ELD) using an electric field light emitting effect. Among these displays, studies for the LCD device are under active development.

The LCD device is used for a monitor of a laptop computer, a monitor of a desktop computer, and a large scale information display device.

Since the LCD device is a device of a light receiving characteristic displaying an image by controlling an amount of light illuminated to an LCD panel, it illuminates light onto the LCD panel using a backlight unit.

SUMMARY

Embodiments provide a light emitting module connecting apparatus comprising a module connecting member interconnecting light emitting modules, a light emitting unit having the same, and a display device.

Embodiments provide a light emitting module connecting apparatus comprising a module connecting member that interconnects light emitting modules using a spring manner, a light emitting unit having the same, and a display device.

Embodiments provide a light emitting module connecting apparatus comprising a module connecting member that is integrated with a guide pin that interconnects light emitting modules using a spring manner, a light emitting unit having the same, and a display device.

Embodiments provide a light emitting module connecting apparatus comprising a module connecting member that electrically interconnects adjacent light emitting modules by elastically pressing end portions of the adjacent light emitting modules, a light emitting unit having the light emitting module connecting apparatus, and a display device.

An embodiment provides a light emitting module connecting apparatus comprising: a contact spring portion electrically interconnecting between a light emitting modules while pressing a part of the light emitting modules with predetermined elastic force; and a holder protruding downward from the contact spring portion.

An embodiment provides a light unit comprising: a plurality of light emitting modules comprising a board and a light emitting device on the board; a bottom cover under the light emitting modules; a module connecting member that electrically interconnects the adjacent light emitting modules using a spring manner and is fixed on the bottom cover; and an optical sheet unit above the light emitting module.

An embodiment provides a display device comprising: a plurality of light emitting modules comprising a board and a light emitting device on the board; a bottom cover under the light emitting modules; a module connecting member that electrically interconnects the light emitting modules using an elastic body and is fixed on the bottom cover; an optical sheet unit above the light emitting module; and a display panel above the optical sheet unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a first embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 1, a display device100comprises a bottom cover110, a light emitting module120, a first module connecting member130, an optical sheet unit140, and a display panel150.

The bottom cover110, light emitting module120, first module connecting member130, and optical sheet unit140may define a light unit.

The bottom cover110may be formed of metal such as, for example, aluminum (Al), magnesium (Mg), zinc (Zn), titanium (Ti), tantalum (Ta), hafnium (Hf), and niobium (Nb), and the like. However, these materials do not limit the present invention. Further, the bottom cover110may be formed in a chassis or housing through an injection molding process.

The bottom cover110is provided with a groove111formed in a pot shape, a container shape, a base tube shape, or the like. An inner surface112defining an inner wall of the groove111may be vertical or inclined with respect to a bottom surface. Here, the inner surface112may be coated with a reflective material (e.g., Ag) or a reflective sheet. The bottom cover110may not be provided with the groove111and/or the inner surface112. That is, the bottom cover110is not specifically limited.

A bottom portion115of the bottom cover110may be flat or provided with protrusions and grooves.

A plurality of light emitting modules120and at least one first module connecting member130are disposed in the grooves111of the bottom cover110.

The light emitting module120comprises a board121and light emitting devices122. A plurality of boards121are arranged in at least one row and/or column. One row and column is realized by an electrical connection of the boards121.

A module unit of the light emitting module120may be one board121. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

The light emitting devices122are disposed on the board121. The light emitting devices122are arranged in at least one row and/or column or in a zigzag pattern. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this.

The light emitting devices122may be color light emitting diodes (LEDs) or white LEDs. The white LED may be realized by a color LED chip and an LED using phosphors, an LED using a plurality of color LED chips (e.g., red/green/blue LED chips). The color LED may be realized by combining LED chips having different colors, ultraviolet LED chips, and phosphors.

The light emitting device122may be mounted on the board121in the form of a chip type or a package type. As a light source of the light emitting module120, a light emitting device, cold cathode fluorescent lamp, or a combination of the light emitting device and the cold cathode fluorescent lamp may be used.

A reflective sheet126or reflective material may be coated on the board121. The reflective sheet121is provided with insertion holes (not shown) in which the light emitting devices are inserted. The first module connecting member130is formed of resin material such as PPA or an insulation material. The first module connecting member130comprises a contact spring structure.

The first module connecting members130are fixed between the light emitting modules120to electrically interconnect the light emitting modules120and prevent the light emitting modules120from moving.

A reflective material such as aluminum is coated on a portion of the first module connecting member130. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

An optical sheet unit140is disposed above the light emitting modules120and the display panel150is disposed on the optical sheet unit140.

The first module connecting member130is fixed to the bottom portion115of the bottom cover110to support the undersurface of the optical sheet unit140.

The optical sheet unit140comprises a diffusing sheet (not shown) and/or a prism sheet (not shown). The diffusion sheet diffuses the light emitted from the light emitting devices122and the prism sheet collets the diffused light on the light emitting region. The prism sheet may selectively comprise a horizontal or/and vertical prism sheets and one or more sheets of illumination enhancing films, and the like.

The display panel150displays information using the light emitted from the optical sheet unit140. The display panel150may be, for example, an LCD panel. However, the present invention is not limited to this.

FIG. 2is an enlarged view of a portion A ofFIG. 1. The following will describe the module connecting member with reference toFIGS. 1 and 2.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom portion115of the bottom cover110is provided with a receiving groove113, a holder hole114, and fixing protrusion grooves116.

The first module connecting member130comprises a guide pin132, a contact spring portion133, and a holder139. The guide pin132, contact spring portion133, and holder139are integrally formed of resin material through an injection molding process.

The receiving groove113of the bottom portion115is formed on the holder hole114. A lower portion of the contact spring portion133is received in the receiving groove113of the bottom portion115. The holder hole114is located at a center region of the first module connecting member130and sized to receivable the holder139of the first module connecting member130.

The fixing protrusion grooves116are formed at both sides of the holder hole114in a circular shape or a polygonal shape. The fixing protrusion grooves116may be provided in the form of a hole or a groove.

The guide pint132is located on an upper portion of the first module connecting member130, the contact spring portion133is located at the middle portion of the first module connecting member130, and the holder139is located on a lower portion of the first module connecting member130.

The guide pin132is formed above the contact spring portion133and protrudes in a form of a circular cone shape, a polygonal cone shape, a circular column shape, and a polygonal column shape, and the like. An upper end of the guide pint132is formed in a pin shape or a hemispherical shape. The present disclosure is not limited to this configuration.

The guide pint132supports the optical sheet unit140to prevent the optical sheet unit140from drooping.

The contact spring portion133comprises a central boss131, first and second module guide protrusions134and135branched off from the boss131to both sides, and contact springs136disposed on respective inner surfaces of the first and second module guide protrusions134and135and contacting each other.

The first and second module guide protrusions134and135are branched off from upper and lower portions of the both sides of the boss131toward the modules and formed in, for example, a “⊃” and “⊂” shapes.

The lower portions of the first and second module guide protrusions134and135are disposed in the receiving groove113of the bottom cover110. A gap of the first module guide protrusion134is in parallel with the board121. A gap of the second module guide protrusion135is in parallel with the board121. The gap of the first module guide protrusion134and the second module guide protrusion135may be corresponded to the board121thickness. In this case, end portions of the boards121are slidably inserted in the respective inner portions of the first and second module guide protrusions134and135.

The contact springs136are formed in the respective inner portions of the respective first and second module guide protrusions134and135and are connected to each other.

The contact springs136may be formed on upper and/or lower portions of the respective inner portions of the first and second module guide protrusions134and135. These locations correspond to the contact terminals123of the boards121.

The contact springs136press the end portions of the boards121downward and upward in the inner portions of the first and second module guide protrusions134and135. Namely, when the boards121are inserted into the inner portions of the first and second module guide protrusions134and135, the contact springs136presses the connecting terminals123formed on the end portions of the boards121and are electrically connected to the connecting terminals123.

The connecting terminals123are formed on the end portion of the board121of the light emitting module120. The connecting terminals123are a circuit pattern and formed on a top surface of the board121or on both the top surface and undersurface of the board121. The connecting terminals123are arranged in a width direction of the board121and the number of the connecting terminals123may vary in accordance with a driving manner or a kind of the LED chip.

The contact springs136of the contact spring portion133are arranged to correspond to the connecting terminals of the board121.

The holder139is shaped to extend downward from the boss131of the contact spring portion133. A fixing plate137is formed on a lower end of the holder139.

The fixing plate137extends from a lower end of the holder139horizontally outward. The fixing plate137closely contacts an undersurface of the bottom portion115of the bottom cover110. Fixing protrusions138are formed on opposite end portions of the fixing plate137and protrude upward. The fixing protrusions138are engaged with the fixing protrusion grooves116of the bottom portion115of the bottom cover110.

Here, the fixing plate137and the contact spring portion133are respectively disposed on undersurface and top surface of the bottom portion115of the bottom cover110.

Although the holder139is described such that it is inserted into the holder hole114and fixed by rotating, the holder139may be variously modified. For example, a lower end portion of the holder139may be formed using a hooking manner, a screw-coupling manner.

FIGS. 3 through 5are views illustrating a coupling order of the first module connecting member according to the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 and 2. In more detail,FIG. 3is a view illustrating a state before the first module connecting member is connected,FIG. 4is a view illustrating a state where the first module connecting member is coupled to the bottom cover, andFIG. 5is a view illustrating a state where the first module connecting member is coupled to the light emitting module.

Referring toFIG. 3, the holder139of the first module connecting member130is adjusted to correspond to the holder hole114of the bottom portion115of the bottom cover110. The holder hole114is shaped and sized such that the holder139and the fixing plate137can be inserted therein. For example, the size of the holder hole114in the frontward and backward direction is sized such that the fixing plate137can be inserted based on the holder hole114and the size in the leftward and rightward direction is sized such that the holder139can be inserted based on the holder hole114.

The first module connecting member130is rotated about an axis of the guide pin132by 90° and, in this state, the fixing plate137of the holder139is inserted through the holder hole114and is rotated by +90° or −90°. Accordingly, the first module connecting member130is connected to the bottom cover as shown inFIG. 4. That is, the first module connecting member130is not specifically limited to the rotated degree.

Referring toFIG. 4, the fixing plate137of the first module connecting member130closely contacts the undersurface of the bottom portion115of the bottom cover110and the fixing protrusions138protruding upward from the fixing plate137are engaged with the fixing protrusion grooves116of the bottom portion115.

The lower portions of the first and second module guide protrusions134and135closely contacts on the receiving groove113of the bottom portion115. Therefore, the first and second module guide protrusions134and135are disposed in parallel with the boards121of the light emitting modules120.

The first and second module guide protrusions134and135of the first module connecting member130are coupled as shown inFIG. 5when the boards121of the light emitting modules120are inserted.

As shown inFIGS. 4 and 5, the first module connecting member130is fixed on the bottom portion115of the bottom cover110, and the light emitting modules120are coupled to both sides of the first module connecting member130.

The contact springs136of the contact spring portion133electrically contact the connecting terminals123while pressing the connecting terminals123. The contact springs136electrically interconnects the boards121inserted into the first and second module guide protrusions133and134. In addition, the contact springs136presses the end portions of the light emitting modules120upward and/or downward and thus the removal of the light emitting modules120can be prevented.

The first module connecting member130electrically interconnects the adjacent light emitting modules120without performing a separate soldering process and prevents the light emitting modules120from moving.

The first module connecting member130interconnects the light emitting modules120and fixes the light emitting modules120on the bottom cover110. In addition, since the first module connecting member130can supports the optical sheet unit140, the assembling process can be simplified and there may be no need to use separate guide pins and connectors.

FIG. 6is a side sectional view of a display device according to a second embodiment. In the description of the second embodiment, components identical to those of the foregoing embodiment will refer to the foregoing embodiment and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

Referring toFIG. 6, a display device110A is designed such that light emitting modules120are interconnected by first and second connecting members130and130A.

The first module connecting member130refers to the foregoing embodiment and a detailed description thereof will be omitted herein.

The second connecting member130A does not comprise a guide pin and is coupled between the light emitting modules120in the form of the contact spring type.

The first module connecting members130are disposed at locations where they can effectively support the optical sheet unit140and the second module connecting member130A are disposed at locations where the first module connecting members130are not disposed.

FIG. 7is a view illustrating a coupling state of the second module connecting member ofFIG. 6.

Referring toFIG. 7, the second module connecting member130A comprises a contact spring portion133and a holder139and formed of a resin or insulation material such as PPA through an injection molding process. In addition, a reflective material is coated or attached on a top surface of the contact spring portion133.

The contact spring portion133is disposed between the adjacent light emitting modules120and electrically interconnects adjacent boards121.

In addition, the contact spring portion133presses the end portions of the boards121upward and/or downward to prevent the boards121from moving.

The holder139is coupled to a bottom portion of a bottom cover to support the contact spring portion133.

The first and second module connecting member130and130A interconnects a plurality of light emitting modules120through a contact manner and thus there is no need to use a separate soldering process. The first and second module connecting members130and130A can effectively fix the light emitting modules120and can be made to be slim. Therefore, the first and second module connecting members130and130A do not interfere with the light emitted.

In the second embodiment, the module connecting member130A may comprise a guide pin and a contact spring portion. In this case, the boards may be coupled to the bottom cover by screws.

FIGS. 8 through 10are views of a third module connecting member according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 8is a side sectional view of a third module connecting member andFIGS. 9 and 10are views illustrating a coupling process of the third module connecting member.

Referring toFIG. 8, a third module connecting member230is shaped such that legs protrude from both sides of a plate. That is, the third module connecting member230comprises a contact spring portion235and a holder239. The third module connecting member230may be formed of a resin material such as PPA through an injection molding process. However, the material is not specifically limited.

The contact spring portion235is formed in a plate shape. A reflective material may be deposited on a top surface of the contact spring portion235. A contact spring236is coupled to an undersurface of the contact spring portion235.

A center of the contact spring236is fixed and both sides of the contact spring236are formed of contact members236A having predetermined elastic force.

Seat guide protrusions234may be formed on opposite ends of the contact spring portions235.

The holder239is a hook type and may be formed with one or a plurality of legs. A hook step238is formed on an end portion of the holder239.

Referring toFIG. 9, the third module connecting member230is coupled between a plurality of light emitting modules220. The holder239of the third module connecting member230corresponds to the holder holes214formed in a bottom portion215of the bottom cover.

Here, the holder hole214may be formed through the bottom portion215of the bottom cover and the board221of the light emitting module220.

Connecting terminals223of the boards221correspond to the contact spring236of the contact spring portion230. The numbers of the contact springs236and the connecting terminals223may vary in accordance with a driving type or a kind of the LED chip.

Referring toFIG. 9, the holder239of the module connecting member230is inserted into the holder holes214of the bottom portion215and the hook step238of the holder239is hooked on an undersurface of the bottom portion215. Accordingly, the module connecting member230is coupled to the bottom portion215of the bottom cover. A groove may be formed on the undersurface of the bottom portion215and the hook step238of the holder239may be received in the groove.

The contact spring portion235is coupled between the plurality of light emitting modules220. The contact spring236electrically contacts the connecting terminals223of the boards221while pressing the connecting terminals. The contact members236A of the contact spring236contact the grooves223A of the connecting terminals223. Therefore, the contact spring236and the connecting terminals223may contact each other in a protrusion/groove shape. This contact structure may improve the electrical contact reliability

The seat guide protrusions234formed on the opposite ends of the contact spring portion235press end portions of the reflective sheet236.

The third module connecting member230may be used together with the first module connecting member or independently used.

According to the embodiments, by providing the second and third connecting members, the electrical connection and fixing between the light emitting modules can be simultaneously realized and thus there is no need to use a separate connector and a screw, thereby reducing the number of processes.

The display device according to the embodiment can interconnect the light emitting modules by selectively using the first, second, and/or third module connecting members. The module connecting members having the guide pin structure are basically distributed between the light emitting modules and the module connecting members not having the guide pin are properly mixed and disposed between the light emitting modules.