Liquid crystal display module including hook assembly

A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel, a backlight unit under the liquid crystal display panel, a bottom frame under the backlight unit, a main frame surrounding portions of the liquid crystal display panel and the backlight unit, and a top frame covering top edge portions of the liquid crystal display panel. The top frame is connected to the main frame so that an inner side surface of the top frame is separated from an outer side surface of the main frame.

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Korean Patent Application No. 2005-0021652, filed Mar. 16, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display module, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display module including top, main and bottom frames.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

A liquid crystal display (LCD) device relies on optical anisotropy and polarizability of liquid crystal molecules to produce an image. Due to the optical anisotropy of liquid crystal molecules, refraction of light incident onto the liquid crystal molecules depends on the alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules. Liquid crystal molecules are aligned with directional characteristics resulting from their long, thin shapes. The alignment direction of the liquid crystal molecules can be controlled by applying an electric field thereto. An LCD panel includes two substrates and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. The liquid crystal molecules are aligned according to the direction of an electric field generated between electrodes disposed on both substrates of the LCD panel. By refracting and transmitting incident light and controlling the electric field applied to a group of liquid crystal molecules within particular pixel regions, a desired image can be obtained. However, because an LCD panel does not emit light, an LCD module or device requires an additional light source. Accordingly, an LCD module includes a backlight unit disposed below an LCD panel to supply light.

An LCD module according to a related art includes an LCD panel, a backlight unit, a top frame, a main frame and a bottom frame. The backlight unit is disposed under the LCD panel, and the main frame surrounds the LCD panel and the backlight unit. The bottom frame is combined with a bottom surface of the main frame. The top frame is combined with a top surface of the main frame to fix the LCD panel, the main frame and the bottom frame. The top frame covers top edge portions of the LCD panel.

A printed circuit board (PCB) is connected to the LCD panel through a flexible printed circuit board (FPC). The backlight unit includes a lamp (not shown) surrounded by a lamp holder, a reflective plate, a light guide plate on the reflective plate and a plurality of optical sheets covering the light guide plate.

In an LCD device according to the related art, assembling the main frame and the top frame is not easy. Moreover, when combining these two, the main frame may be scratched by the top frame. As a result, particles of the main frame may be generated and the top frame may be altered. A transformation of the top frame may cause an image distortion, including a ripple phenomenon.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a liquid crystal display module obviating problems or limitations of the related art. Accordingly, one objective of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display module in which the main frame and top frame are connected without generating particles or transformation.

In one aspect of the present invention, a liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal display panel, a backlight unit under the liquid crystal display panel, a bottom frame under the backlight unit, a main frame surrounding the liquid crystal display panel and the backlight unit, and a top frame covering top edge portions of the liquid crystal display panel. The top frame is connected to the main frame so that an inner side surface of the top frame is separated from an outer side surface of the main frame.

In another aspect, the present invention includes a method of making a liquid crystal display device in which the top frame is connected to the main frame so that an inner side surface of the top frame is separated from an outer side surface of the main frame.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a schematic cross-sectional view depicting a liquid crystal display module according to an embodiment of the present invention. InFIG. 1, the liquid crystal display (LCD) module includes an LCD panel130, a backlight unit120, a top frame150, a main frame110and a bottom frame140. The backlight unit120is disposed below the LCD panel130. The main frame110surrounds the LCD panel130and the backlight unit120. The bottom frame140is connected to a bottom surface of the main frame110to prevent an alteration in the main frame110. The top frame150is connected to a top surface of the main frame110to fix the LCD panel130, the main frame110and the bottom frame140. The top frame150covers a top edge portion of the LCD panel130and surrounds a top surface of the main frame110, inwardly surrounding a side surface of the main frame110.

A protrusion112at an inner side surface of the main frame110divides portions of the LCD panel130from the backlight unit120. The top frame150and main frame110are connected by a hook assembly, including a first hook114and a second hook152corresponding thereto. For example, the first hook114may be formed on an outer side surface of the main frame110and a corresponding second hook152may be formed on an inner side surface of the top frame150. The first hook114protrudes from the main frame110and the second hook152is indented on the top frame150. The top frame150is connected to the main frame110by inserting the first hook114into the second hook152.

The first hook114divides the main frame110into an upper portion110aand a lower portion110b. Since the outer side surface of the upper portion110ais separated from the inner side surface of the top frame150, the outer side surface of the main frame110does not contact the inner side surface of the top frame150, except in the hook assembly region.

A printed circuit board (PCB) may be connected to the LCD panel130through a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) (not shown). The backlight unit120may include a lamp (not shown) surrounded by a lamp holder and disposed at one side of the main frame, a reflective plate122, a light guide plate126on the reflective plate122and a plurality of optical sheets128covering the light guide plate126. Further, a lamp guide (not shown) may be disposed at one side of the reflective plate122to align the lamp.

FIG. 2is a magnified view of portion “C” inFIG. 1. InFIG. 2, the main frame110and the top frame150are connected by a hook assembly, and the bottom frame140is disposed below the main frame110and the top frame150. The hook assembly may include a first hook114protruding from the main frame110and a second hook152intended on the top frame150. The first hook114defines a border dividing the main frame110into an upper portion110aand a lower portion110b. The outer side surface of the upper portion110ais separated from the inner side surface of the top frame150. Accordingly, the outer side surface of the main frame110does not contact the inner side surface of the top frame150, except in the hook assembly region. The space between the outer side surface of the main frame and the inner side surface of the top frame150is defined by a separation space “D.” For example, a length of the first hook114is substantially the same as a separation distance between the side surface of the main frame110and the side surface of the top frame150. As a result, the second hook152of the top frame150does not scratch the upper portion110aof the main frame110when the top frame150and the main frame110are easily combined. The main frame110and the top frame150can be combined without generating particles or producing alterations in the main frame110resulting from scratches between the main frame110and the top frame150. Therefore, an image distortion exemplified by a ripple phenomenon may be prevented.

In an LCD device according to the present invention, the main frame and top frame are easily connected so that a side surface of the main frame is separated from a side surface of the top frame. Accordingly, particle generation and/or transformation due to scratches between the main frame and the top frame may be prevented.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations in the embodiments disclosed in the specification, claims and appended drawings may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover these modifications and variations provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.