Flat panel display and a method thereof

A flat panel display including a first mold frame and a bottom chassis. The first mold frame includes a first base plate with an inside region opened and a plurality of first coupling members protruding from a rear side of the first base plate. The bottom chassis includes a second base plate, a plurality of sidewalls extending from the second base plate and a plurality of second coupling members formed on the plurality of sidewalls and coupled with the plurality of first coupling members.

This application claims priority to Korean Patent application No. 2006-0080674 filed on Aug. 24, 2006, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119, the contents of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a flat panel display, and more particularly, to a flat panel display including a coupling structure for a mold frame and a bottom chassis.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Among flat panel displays, a liquid crystal display (“LCD”) is more widely used due to its features such as lightweight, slim structure, low power consumption, full-color, high resolution and the like. Recently, an LCD is used in a computer, notebook, personal digital assistant (“PDA”), phone, television (“TV”), audio/video equipment or the like. Such an LCD controls light transmission quantities according to image signals applied to a plurality of control switches arranged in a matrix form, thereby displaying desired images on a panel of the LCD.

A conventional LCD includes a mold frame for supporting an LCD panel and receiving a plurality of optical sheets and a bottom chassis coupled with the mold frame. Since the mold frame covers the bottom chassis to be coupled therewith, a sidewall of the mold frame should extend as much as a length of a sidewall of the bottom chassis. Thus, the material cost of the mold frame is increased, and as a result, the manufacture cost of the LCD is also increased. In addition, since the sidewall of the mold frame covers the sidewall of the bottom chassis and thus a contact area between a top chassis and the bottom chassis is very narrow, there is a limit to improving electromagnetic interference (“EMI”).

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment provides a flat panel display including a coupling structure for a mold frame and a bottom chassis capable of improving electromagnetic interference (“EMI”) together with reducing the material costs of the mold frame and/or the bottom chassis.

In an exemplary embodiment there is provided a flat panel display including a first mold frame and a bottom chassis. The first mold frame includes a first base plate with an inside region opened and a plurality of first coupling members protruding from a rear side of the first base plate. The bottom chassis includes a second base plate, a plurality of sidewalls extending from the second base plate and a plurality of second coupling members formed on the plurality of sidewalls and coupled with the plurality of first coupling members.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of a portion of the plurality of sidewalls of the bottom chassis may include a first bending surface bent and extending in a first direction from the second base plate, a second bending surface bent and extending in a second direction from the first bending surface and a third bending surface bent and extending in a third direction from the second bending surface.

In an exemplary embodiment, the bottom chassis may further include a second mold frame coupled to a remaining portion of the plurality of sidewalls of the bottom chassis. The second mold frame includes a first sidewall, a second sidewall formed to be bent from the first sidewall and a third sidewall formed to be bent from the second sidewall.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second coupling member may be formed on the second bending surface of the bottom chassis.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second bending surface may be formed parallel to the second base plate.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second coupling member is formed on the second sidewall of the second mold frame.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first coupling members may include a coupling plate including a coupling groove formed therein. Each of the second coupling members may include a hook plate extending in a direction from the bottom chassis towards the first mold frame and a hook protruding from the hook plate. The hook of the second coupling member is coupled with the coupling groove of the first coupling member.

In an exemplary embodiment, each of the first coupling members may include a protrusion and each of the second coupling members includes a coupling hole into which the protrusion is inserted.

In an exemplary embodiment, the coupling hole may be formed corresponding to the shape of the protrusion and the coupling hole has a polygonal or circular shape.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protrusion may include a first protrusion having a first body vertically extending from the rear side of the first base plate, a first head formed at a distal end of the first body, a second head arranged crossing the first head, and a third head arranged crossing the first head and opposing to the second head.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second and third heads may be respectively formed on opposing surfaces of the first head and arranged spaced apart from the first body and the first head by a predetermined length.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second and third heads may be integrally formed into a single unit, and the second and third heads integrally formed may be coupled into a groove formed in a distal end of the first head.

In an exemplary embodiment, each head may taper in a direction from the rear side of the first base plate towards the distal end.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protrusion may include a second protrusion including at least two second bodies vertically extending from the rear side of the first base plate and a head respectively formed at a distal end of each of the second bodies.

In an exemplary embodiment, the second bodies may be spaced apart from each other, and each of the heads may taper in a direction from the rear side of the first base plate towards the distal end.

In an exemplary embodiment, the protrusion may include a third protrusion including a third body vertically extending from the rear side of the first base plate and a head formed at a distal end of the third body.

In an exemplary embodiment, the head may taper in a direction from the rear side of the first base plate towards the distal end.

In an exemplary embodiment, the flat panel display may further include a display panel disposed over the first mold frame and displaying images, and a top chassis coupled with the bottom chassis and covering the flat panel display panel. A sidewall of the top chassis is coupled to a sidewall of the bottom chassis and the sidewall of the top chassis contacts the sidewall of the bottom chassis.

In an exemplary embodiment, the flat panel display panel may include a liquid crystal display panel.

In an exemplary embodiment, the flat panel display may further include a backlight unit providing light to the liquid crystal display panel.

An exemplary embodiment provides a method of forming a panel display. The method includes forming first coupling members on a first mold frame, forming second coupling members on a bottom chassis and coupling the first mold frame to the bottom chassis. The first coupling members protrude in a direction from a rear side of the first mold frame towards the bottom chassis. The bottom chassis includes a second base plate and a sidewall portion parallel to the second base plate and the second coupling members are formed on the sidewall portion. A first coupling member of the first mold frame is coupled to a second coupling member of the bottom chassis.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For example, an implanted region illustrated as a rectangle will, typically, have rounded or curved features and/or a gradient of implant concentration at its edges rather than a binary change from implanted to non-implanted region. Likewise, a buried region formed by implantation may result in some implantation in the region between the buried region and the surface through which the implantation takes place. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the actual shape of a region of a device and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

All methods described herein can be performed in a suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”), is intended merely to better illustrate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention as used herein. Unless defined otherwise, technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as is commonly understood by one of skill in the art to which this invention belongs.

FIG. 1Ais an exploded perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystal display “LCD”) according to the present invention;FIG. 1Bis a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I of a middle mold frame shown inFIG. 1A; andFIGS. 1C and 1Dare cross-sectional views taken along lines II-II and III-III, respectively, of a bottom chassis shown inFIG. 1A.

Referring toFIGS. 1A to 1D, the LCD includes a bottom chassis900having a predetermined receiving space therein and a middle mold frame800coupled with the bottom chassis900.

The middle mold frame800includes a first base plate810with a predetermined region opened and a plurality of first coupling members840protruding from a rear side (e.g., bottom) of the first base plate810. The first base plate810of the middle mold frame800is a substantially rectangular plate with a predetermined thickness. An inside of the base plate810is also open in a substantially rectangular shape, such that the middle mold frame800is formed in a generally quadrangular frame shape. In the illustrated embodiment, the first coupling member840is formed to protrude from the rear side of the first base plate810. In an alternative embodiment, the first coupling member840may be formed to protrude on extensions of sidewalls of the first base plate810.

The bottom chassis900includes a second base plate910and a plurality of sidewalls920extending from the second base plate910. Each of the sidewalls920is formed with a plurality of second coupling members940. The second coupling members940are coupled to the first coupling members840formed on the rear side of the first base plate810of the middle mold frame800.

FIG. 1Cis a sectional view of a long sidewall924among the sidewalls920of the bottom chassis900andFIG. 1Dis a sectional view of a short sidewall925among the sidewalls920of the bottom chassis900.

Referring toFIG. 1C, each of two opposite long sidewalls924of the bottom chassis900includes a first bending surface921bent and extending from the second base plate910in a first direction, e.g., to be inclined upward at a predetermined angle with respect to the second base plate910, a second bending surface922bent and extending from the first bending surface921in a second direction, e.g., in a direction substantially parallel with a left and right extending direction (or, a x-axis direction) of the second base plate910, and a third bending surface923bent and extending from the second bending surface922in a third direction, e.g., downward in a normal direction (or, a z-axis direction) to the second base plate910and substantially perpendicular to the second base plate910. In an exemplary embodiment, the second bending surface922of the long sidewall924of the bottom chassis900, which is formed substantially in parallel with the second base plate910, may function as a support surface for seating the first base plate810of the middle mold frame800thereon.

Referring toFIG. 1D, each of two opposite short sidewalls925of the bottom chassis900is formed to be bent from the second base plate910in a fourth direction, e.g., upward with respect to the second base plate910.

Each of the second coupling members940formed on the sidewalls920of the bottom chassis900includes a hook plate941(seeFIGS. 1A and 3A) extending upward toward an outer sidewall of the first base plate810of the middle mold frame800, and a hook942(seeFIGS. 1A and 3A) protruding from the hook plate941towards an inside of the bottom chassis900and the middle mold frame800.

FIG. 2Ais a partial enlarged view of the middle mold frame (“A” region) shown inFIG. 1A,FIG. 2Bis a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of the first coupling member shown inFIG. 1A,FIG. 2Cis a front view of the first coupling member shown inFIG. 1AandFIGS. 3A and 3Bare partial enlarged inner and outer views, respectively, showing the second coupling member (“B” region) formed on the bottom chassis shown inFIG. 1A.

Referring toFIGS. 2A to 2C, the middle mold frame800has no sidewall extending downward from the first base plate810contrary to a conventional mold frame, but a first coupling member840is formed on the rear side of the first base plate810defining a general frame structure of the middle mold frame800. The first coupling member840includes a rectangular coupling plate841and a coupling groove842formed in the coupling plate841with a predetermined size and depth as in the illustrated embodiments. The first coupling member840may be modified in various forms. The first coupling member840is coupled with the second coupling member940, which will be described in detail below.

The middle mold frame800of the illustrated embodiments has no sidewall extending downward, so that the material cost required for making the middle mold frame800and resultantly the manufacture cost of the LCD are decreased.

Referring toFIGS. 3A and 3B, a plurality of the second coupling members940are formed on the sidewall920of the bottom chassis900. Each second coupling member940includes the hook plate941and the hook942. Since the second coupling members940formed on the long sidewall924and the short sidewall925of the bottom chassis900have substantially the same configuration, only the second coupling member940formed on the long sidewall924will be described as an exemplary embodiment, and the description of the second coupling member940formed on the short sidewall925will be omitted for brevity.

The hook plate941is formed to extend in a direction opposite (e.g., upward) to the third bending surface923of the sidewall920. The hook942is formed to protrude from the hook plate941towards the inside of the middle mold frame800. An opening943having a predetermined shape may be formed in a lower end portion of the hook942. In an exemplary embodiment, the hook plate941of the second coupling member940is formed to have shape and size substantially corresponding to the coupling plate841of the first coupling member840and the hook942is also formed to have shape and size substantially corresponding to the coupling groove842of the first coupling member840.

As in the illustrated embodiment ofFIGS. 3A and 3B, the hook plate941is formed in a substantially rectangular shape corresponding to the coupling plate841and the hook942is also formed corresponding to the shape and size coupling groove842, e.g., in a rectangular shape. Although it has been described in the illustrated embodiment that the opening943is formed in the lower end portion of the hook942in order to relatively easily couple the first coupling member840of the mold frame800and the second coupling member940of the bottom chassis900with each other, the present invention is not limited thereto. In an alternative embodiment, an opening may be excluded.

The second coupling member940may be formed integrally with the sidewall920of the bottom chassis900. In one exemplary embodiment, the second coupling member940is formed integrally with the third bending surface923, by removing a certain portion of the sidewall920and then bending the portion. The portion may be removed by any of a number of processes, such as by punching or the like. As used herein, “integrally” is used to indicate formed to be a single unit or piece rather than combining separate elements. In an alternative embodiment, the second coupling member940may be separately prepared and then attached to the sidewall920of the bottom chassis900.

FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view showing an exemplary embodiment of a coupling state of the middle mold frame and the bottom chassis. Referring toFIG. 4, the second coupling member940formed on the sidewall920of the bottom chassis900is fastened and coupled to the first coupling member840formed on the rear side of the first base plate810of the middle mold frame800. The hook942of the hook plate941of the second coupling member940is fastened and coupled to the coupling groove842of the coupling plate841.

As in the illustrated embodiments, a sidewall of the middle mold frame800is excluded in order to reduce the material cost corresponding to a sidewall. Also, the middle mold frame800does not surround the sidewalls920of the bottom chassis900, thereby maximizing a contact area when a top chassis (not shown) is coupled with the bottom chassis900, while considerably improving electromagnetic interference (“EMI”).

Although the illustrated embodiments have described the coupling structure in which the first coupling member840is formed on the middle mold frame800and the second coupling member940is formed on the bottom chassis900, in an alternative embodiment, it is possible to couple the middle mold frame and the bottom chassis to each other using a coupling structure in which a first coupling member is formed on the bottom chassis900and a second coupling member is formed on the middle mold frame800.

FIG. 5is an exploded perspective view showing another exemplary embodiment of an LCD according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 5, the LCD includes a bottom chassis900, side mold frames820coupled to the bottom chassis900and a middle mold frame800coupled to the side mold frames820and the bottom chassis900.

The middle mold frame800includes a first base plate810with a predetermined region opened and a plurality of protrusions850formed on a rear side of the first base plate810. At least a portion of each protrusion850is elastic or can be elastically deformed. The first base plate810of the middle mold frame800is formed in a substantially rectangular plate shape with a predetermined thickness. An inside of the middle mold frame800is also open in a substantially rectangular shape, such that the middle mold frame800is formed in a generally quadrangular frame shape.

The bottom chassis900includes a second base plate910and a plurality of sidewalls920extending from the second base plate910. Among the side walls920of the bottom chassis, each of long sidewalls924includes a first bending surface921bent and extending in a first direction from the second base plate910, a second bending surface922bent and extending in a second direction from the first bending surface921and a third bending surface923bent and extending in a third direction from the second bending surface922. Among the sidewalls920of the bottom chassis900, each of short sidewalls925is bent and extending from the second base plate910in a fourth direction, e.g., upward with respect to the second base plate910.

The side mold frames820are respectively coupled to the short sidewalls925of the bottom chassis900. Each side mold frame820is formed in a general bar shape and is bent into a “U” shape corresponding a shape and/or dimensions of the long sidewall924of the bottom chassis900. Hooks824are formed on one sidewall of the side mold frame820and holes926are formed in the short sidewall925of the bottom chassis900, such that the hooks824are fastened to the holes926to couple the side mold frame820to the short sidewall925of the bottom chassis900. The structure of the side mold frame820will be described in more detail below with reference toFIGS. 7C and 7D.

As in the illustrated embodiments, the first base plate810of the middle mold frame800is seated on the second bending surfaces922of the long sidewalls924of the bottom chassis900and second sidewalls822of the side mold frames820, which will be described below. The plurality of protrusions850formed on the rear side of the first base plate810are inserted into and coupled to coupling holes950formed in the second bending surfaces922of the long sidewalls924of the bottom chassis900. The protrusions850are also inserted and coupled to coupling holes825formed in the second sidewalls822of the side mold frames820. The coupling holes825and950are formed in correspondence to the location, shape and number of protrusions850of the middle mold frame800.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bare side and perspective views, respectively, showing an exemplary embodiment of a protrusion according to the present invention andFIG. 6Cis an exploded perspective view showing another exemplary embodiment of a protrusion.

Referring toFIGS. 6A and 6B, a plurality of first protrusions860are formed on the rear side of the first base plate810of the middle mold frame800. Each first protrusion860includes a body extending downward and heads with elasticity formed at the end of the body. Each of the first protrusions860includes a first body861, a first head862, a second head863and a third head864.

The first body861of the first protrusion860is formed to extend in a substantially vertical direction from the rear side of the first base plate810of the middle mold frame800. The first head862is formed at an end of the first body861. The second head863is arranged to cross the first head862and the third head864is arranged to cross the first head862and to be opposite to the second head863.

The second and third heads863and864are respectively formed on opposing surfaces of the first head862to be spaced apart from the first body861and the first head862by a predetermined distance, thus having predetermined elasticity. Each head is formed to taper as it goes from the first base plate810of the middle mold frame800towards a distal end of the first protrusion860. Advantageously, the first protrusion860may be easily inserted into a coupling hole, which will be described in detail below. Also, when each head of the first protrusion860penetrates the coupling hole to complete the coupling of the middle mold frame800to the bottom chassis900, the first protrusion860restores to its original state to reinforce a coupling force in the coupling hole.

FIG. 6Cshows an exploded view of another exemplary embodiment of the first protrusion860. Although the second and third heads863and864are separately formed inFIGS. 6A and 6B, the second head863and the third head864are integrally formed as illustrated inFIG. 6C. As used herein, “integrally” is used to indicate formed to be a single unit or piece rather than combining separate elements. A groove865is formed at the distal end of the first head862. The integral second and third head863and864is coupled into the groove865.

FIGS. 7A and 7Bare perspective and sectional views, respectively, showing an exemplary embodiment of the bottom chassis which is formed with the coupling hole coupled with the protrusion,FIGS. 7C and 7Dare perspective and sectional views, respectively, showing an exemplary embodiment of the side mold frame formed with the coupling hole coupled with the protrusion andFIG. 8is a cross-sectional view showing an exemplary embodiment of a coupling state of the protrusion and the coupling hole.

Referring toFIGS. 7A and 7B, among the long sidewalls924extending from the second base plate910of the bottom chassis900, the coupling holes950are formed in the second bending surface922that supports the first base plate810of the middle mold frame800thereon. Although each of the coupling holes950is formed in a substantially circular shape in order to insert the protrusion850(seeFIG. 5) thereinto, the shape of the coupling holes950are not limited thereto and may be changed in various forms depending on the shape of the first protrusion. In exemplary embodiments, the location, shape and/or dimensions of the coupling holes950are designed to correspond to the location, shape and/or dimensions of the first protrusion. In one exemplary embodiment, the coupling holes950may include a rectilinear or polygonal shape.

Referring toFIGS. 7C and 71), the side mold frame820is coupled to the short sidewall925of the bottom chassis900. The side mold frame820includes a first sidewall821at an incline from the second base plate910, the second sidewall822bent from the first sidewall821in a substantially horizontal (e.g., parallel to the second base plate910) direction and a third sidewall823bent from the second sidewall822in a substantially vertically downward direction towards the second base plate910. The hooks824are formed on the third sidewall823of the side mold frame820and the holes926formed in the short sidewall925of the bottom chassis900such that the hooks824of the side mold frame820may be coupled to the holes926.

The coupling holes825are formed in the second sidewall822of the side mold frame820and the protrusions850formed along the short sidewall925of the middle mold frame800(seeFIG. 5) are inserted into and coupled to the coupling holes825.

FIG. 8shows an exemplary embodiment of a coupling state where the first protrusion860formed on the rear side of the first base plate810of the middle mold frame800is inserted into the coupling hole950formed in the second bending surface922among the long sidewall924of the bottom chassis900such that the middle mold frame800and the bottom chassis900are coupled with each other. The coupling process and structure of the middle mold frame800and the side mold frame820are substantially identical to those of the middle mold frame800and the bottom chassis900show inFIG. 8described in detail below. Thus, descriptions of a coupling process and structure of the middle mold frame800and the side mold frame820will be omitted.

As in the illustrated embodiment ofFIG. 8, of the process of coupling the first protrusion860to the coupling hole950, when the first body861and the heads862to864of the first protrusion860are inserted into the coupling hole950, a gap between the second and third heads863and864is narrowed to facilitate easier insertion through the coupling hole950. When the heads862to864completely penetrate the coupling hole950, the gap between the second and third heads863and864is restored into the original state, so that the ends of the respective heads are caught to the coupling hole950(e.g., contacting a lower or under surface of the second bending surface922and thus firmly coupled to the bottom chassis900.

FIGS. 9A and 9Bare plane and perspective views, respectively, showing another exemplary embodiment of the protrusion according to the present invention.

Referring toFIGS. 9A and 9B, a plurality of second protrusions870are formed on the rear side of the first base plate810of the middle mold frame.

Each of the second protrusions870includes four second bodies871to874vertically extending from a rear side of the first base plate810of the middle mold frame800, and four heads875to878respectively formed at distal ends of the second bodies871to874. The four second bodies871to874are spaced apart from each other. Each of the four heads875to878is formed to taper in a direction from an upper end of the second protrusion870towards the distal end. Although the number of the bodies or the heads is four in the illustrated embodiment, the numbers of the bodies and/or the heads are not limited thereto. In exemplary embodiments, the number of the bodies corresponds to the number of the heads, but the number may be two or more.

A process of inserting and coupling the second protrusions870of the illustrated embodiment and third protrusions of the following illustrated embodiment described below, into the coupling holes of the middle mold frame800and the bottom chassis900is substantially identical or similar to the process of inserting and coupling the first protrusions860into the coupling holes, as described above, so that the descriptions of the process of inserting and coupling the second protrusions870and third protrusions will be omitted.

FIGS. 10A and 10Bare front and side views, respectively, showing another exemplary embodiment of a protrusion according to the present invention andFIG. 11is a perspective view showing another exemplary embodiment of a bottom chassis formed with a coupling hole to which the protrusion shown inFIGS. 10A and 10Bis coupled.

Referring toFIGS. 10A and 10B, a plurality of third protrusions880are formed on the rear side of the first base plate810of the middle mold frame800.

Each of the third protrusions880includes a third body881vertically extending from a rear side of the first base plate810and a head882formed at a distal end of the third body881. The head882is formed to taper in a direction from the first base plate810to the distal end In an exemplary embodiment, the third protrusion880is made of material with predetermined elasticity so as to be easily inserted into a rectangular coupling hole950, such as is shown inFIG. 11.

FIG. 12is an exploded perspective view showing another exemplary embodiment of an LCD having a coupling structure of the mold frame and bottom chassis according to the present invention.

Referring toFIG. 12, the LCD includes a top chassis300, an LCD panel100, driving circuits220and240, a diffusion plate600, a plurality of optical sheets700, a lamp unit400, a middle mold frame800, side mold frames820and a bottom chassis900.

The bottom chassis900has a predetermined receiving space formed therein A backlight unit including the lamp unit400is arranged in the receiving space of the bottom chassis900. The side mold frames820are arranged corresponding to the short sidewalls925of the bottom chassis900.

The lamp unit400comprises a plurality of lamps410and a lamp supporter420. As the lamp410, a cold cathode ray lamp is effectively used. In an exemplary embodiment, the lamp410may be formed in an “I” shape, but its shape is not limited thereto and may be various. The lamp supporter420supports the lamp410and also supports the diffusion plate600. Although a direct-type backlight unit is illustrated as an exemplary embodiment of the backlight unit, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be applied to an edge-type backlight unit.

The diffusion plate600and the plurality of optical sheets700are placed on upper surfaces of the bottom chassis900and the side mold frame820, respectively. In exemplary embodiments, bosses or protrusions (not shown) may be formed on the upper surfaces of the bottom chassis900and/or the side mold frame820, while holes (not shown) may be formed in the diffusion plate600and/or the plurality of optical sheets700, in order to enhance a coupling force between the bottom chassis900, side mold frame820, diffusion plate600and/or the optical sheets700.

As illustrated inFIG. 12, the middle mold frame800is coupled to the bottom chassis900, thus fixing the diffusion plate600and the plurality of optical sheets700.

The bottom chassis900is installed to bottom parts of the middle mold frame800and the side mold frame820. The bottom chassis900is coupled with the middle mold frame800to close a receiving space formed between the bottom chassis900and the middle mold frame800.

The LCD panel100displaying images is arranged on (e.g., above) the middle mold frame800.

The driving circuits220and240are connected to the LCD panel100. The driving circuits220and240include a gate-side printed circuit board (“PCB”)224having a control integrated circuit (“IC”) mounted thereon, and applying a predetermined gate signal to a gate line of a TFT substrate120which faces a color filter substrate110, a data-side PCB244having a control IC mounted thereon and applying a predetermined data signal to a data line of the TFT substrate120, gate-side flexible PCBs222for connecting the TFT substrate120to the gate-side PCB224, and data-side flexible PCBs242for connecting the TFT substrate120to the data-side PCB244. The gate-side and data-side PCBs224and244are respectively connected to the gate-side and data-side flexible PCBs222and242so as to apply a gate driving signal and an external image signal thereto. In an exemplary embodiment, the gate-side and data-side PCBs224and244may be integrated to form a single PCB. Driving ICs (not shown) may be mounted on the flexible PCBs222and242to transmit a RGB (Red, Green and Blue) signal generated from the PCBs224and244and power to the LCD panel100.

The top chassis300is coupled to the bottom chassis900in order to cover a peripheral edge portion of the LCD panel100, e.g., a non-displaying region, and an outer side of the middle mold frame800. A sidewall350of the top chassis300may overlap the outer side of the middle mold frame800.

As described above in the exemplary embodiments, hooks (not shown) to be coupled to the coupling grooves (not shown) of the middle mold frame may be formed in the sidewalls of the bottom chassis900, as illustrated inFIGS. 1A to 4. Alternatively, a plurality of coupling holes950for allowing a plurality of protrusions850of the middle mold frame800to be inserted thereinto are formed in the support surfaces of the long sidewalls924of the bottom chassis900, allowing the first base plate810of the middle mold frame800to be placed thereon, as illustrated inFIG. 5. In addition, a plurality of coupling holes825may be formed in one sidewall of the side mold frame820so that the plurality of protrusions850formed on the middle mold frame800may be inserted therein, as illustrated inFIG. 5.

Since the middle mold frame800includes no sidewall extending downward towards the bottom chassis900, the middle mold frame800dose not cover the sidewalls920of the bottom chassis900. Thus, sidewalls of the top chassis300are essentially directly coupled to the sidewalls920of the bottom chassis900to be in contact therewith, thereby increasing a contact area between the bottom chassis900and the top chassis300.

Although the illustrated exemplary embodiments have been described based on an LCD among flat panel displays, a flat panel display provided with a coupling structure for coupling a flat panel display module and a case according to the present invention is not limited to the LCD. In one exemplary embodiment, the aforementioned coupling structure may be applied to various kinds of flat panel displays such as an organic light emitting device (“OLED”) using a principle (referred to as “electroluminescence”) in which when a light emitting material made of an organic material or conjugated polymer with a semiconductor property is interposed between two electrodes and a voltage is then applied thereto, light is generated from the organic material or polymer while a current flows into the light emitting material.

In one exemplary embodiment, the coupling structure of the illustrated embodiment may be applied to other types of flat panel displays such as a plasma display panel (“PDP”) in which a plurality of small cells are arranged between two substrates and gas (e.g., neon or argon) discharge is generated between (e.g., positive and negative) electrodes above and below the substrates. The cells cause self luminescence through ultraviolet rays generated by the gas discharge, thereby reproducing color images.

As claimed in the appended claims, the scope of the present invention should be understood to include various changes and modifications made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

As in the illustrated exemplary embodiments, a middle mold frame is arranged on an upper surface of a bottom chassis or on the upper surface of the bottom chassis and side mold frames. The middle mold frame may be coupled and fixed through coupling members of the middle mold frame and the bottom chassis. Advantageously, a sidewall of the middle mold frame is excluded, thereby reducing the material cost of a display device. In addition, since a sidewall of the middle mold frame is excluded, a contact area between the top chassis and the bottom chassis is increased, whereby EMI may be greatly improved.