Display device

A display device including a display panel displaying images, a protective member disposed on a front surface of the display panel and protecting the display panel and a support frame supporting both the display panel and the protective member The support frame includes a guide part protruded in a direction perpendicular to a plate surface of the protective member and fixing the protective member such that the protective member is prevented from moving in a direction parallel to the plate surface. The support frame is adhered to edges of the protective member.

This application claims priority to Korean patent application number 10-2005-0089176 filed on Sep. 26, 2005, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly to a display device having an improved support structure, that is, simple and includes a small thickness.

(b) Description of the Related Art

The rapid development of semiconductor technology has led to the rapid increase in demand for lightweight and compact display devices having improved performance, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs).

The LCD has advantageous characteristics such as a small size, light weight, and low power consumption. Accordingly, the LCD has replaced the conventional cathode ray tube (CRT). Recently, the LCD has been widely used in information processing apparatuses and middle-sized and large-sized display apparatuses, for example, television sets and monitors, as well as small-sized display apparatuses such as mobile phones and personal digital assistants (PDAs).

A mobile phone, for example, is manufactured in a folder type for convenience of a user, and a dual display device in which two display panels are attached to the front and rear surfaces of a folder of the mobile phone is widely used.

However, when the two display panels are used, the overall thickness of the mobile phone increases and thus portability deteriorates. Accordingly, the display device must decrease in both size and weight.

In general, the mobile phone includes a casing forming an appearance of the mobile phone and a display device disposed in the casing. In a conventional mobile phone, a protective window for protecting a display panel of the display device is attached to the casing. Accordingly, the protective window and the display panel are separated from each other by at least 1 mm, which prevents the mobile phone from being reduced in thickness.

In order to reduce the gap between the protective window and the display panel, a support structure for supporting the protective panel and the display panel may be changed, which in turn complicates or weakens the device.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An exemplary embodiment provides a display device having an improved support structure, including simplicity and a small thickness.

Exemplary embodiments provide a display device including a display panel displaying images, a protective member disposed on a front surface of the display panel and protecting the display panel and a support frame supporting both the display panel and the protective member. The support frame includes a guide part protruded in a direction perpendicular to a plate surface of the protective member and fixing the protective member such that the protective member is prevented from moving in a direction parallel to the plate surface. The support frame is adhered to edges of the protective member.

Exemplary embodiments include an adhesive member interposed between the edges of the protective member and the support frame. The adhesive member adheres the edges of the protective member and the support frame to each other.

In exemplary embodiments, the support frame may include a first support part supporting a surface of the display panel and a second support part supporting a surface of the protective member.

In exemplary embodiments, the first support part and the second support part form a step difference such that the protective member is spaced apart from the display panel.

In exemplary embodiments, an interval between the protective member and the display panel may be in a range of about 0.2 millimeter (mm) to about 0.6 millimeter (mm).

Exemplary embodiments provide a display device including a display panel displaying images, a protective member disposed on a front surface of the display panel and protecting the display panel and a support frame supporting the display panel and the protective member together. The support frame includes a first support part supporting a surface of the display panel and a second support part supporting a surface of the protective member.

In exemplary embodiments, the support frame may further include a guide part protruded in a direction perpendicular to a plate surface of the protective member and fixing the protective member such that the protective member is prevented from moving in a direction parallel to the plate surface.

In exemplary embodiments, the guide part may be disposed adjacent to a corner of the protective member.

In exemplary embodiments, the guide part may be disposed adjacent to a side surface of the protective member.

In exemplary embodiments, there may be further included an adhesive member interposed between edges of the protective member and the support frame and adhering the edges of the protective member and the support frame to each other.

In exemplary embodiments, the adhesive member may have a thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm.

In exemplary embodiments, the first support part and the second support part form a step difference.

In exemplary embodiments, the second support part may be positioned higher than the display panel by about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm.

In exemplary embodiments, an interval between the protective member and the display panel may be in a range of about 0.2 mm to about 0.6 mm.

In exemplary embodiments, the protective member includes a transparent material.

In exemplary embodiments, the display panel may be a liquid crystal display panel.

Exemplary embodiments provide an information processing apparatus including a housing and a display device disposed in the housing. The display device includes a display panel displaying images, a protective member disposed on a front surface of the display panel and protecting the display panel and a support frame supporting both the display panel and the protective member. The support frame includes a first support part supporting a lower surface of the display panel and a second support part supporting a lower surface of the protective member. The first support part and the second support part form a step difference.

According to the aspects of the present invention, it is possible to obtain an improved support structure, that is, simplicity and a small thickness.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Now, a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings. In the attached drawings, a small-sized display device using two display panels, that is, a display device used for a dual folder type mobile phone, is schematically shown as the exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The embodiments of the present invention are only exemplary, and the present invention is not limited thereto.

For clarity, portions that are not related to the present invention will be omitted. In addition, like elements are denoted by like reference numerals in the whole specification. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity.

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.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. As shown inFIG. 1, a display device100includes a main display panel200for displaying images, a protective member500disposed on the front surface of the main display panel200, a backlight assembly700for supplying light to the rear surface of the main display panel200, a support frame400for supporting the protective member500and the main display panel200on the backlight assembly700, and an adhesive member550for adhering the protective member500and the support frame400to each other. The display device100further includes a support member600coupled to the support frame400to receive the backlight assembly700, a printed circuit board (PCB)800disposed on the rear surface of the support member600and a sub-display panel300that is supported by the printed circuit board800to face the main display panel200. Here, the printed circuit board800includes a first printed circuit board810and a second printed circuit board820.

The display device100further includes a first flexible printed circuit film (FPC)860for connecting the main display panel200and the first printed circuit board810, a second FPC870for connecting the first printed circuit board810and the second printed circuit board820, a third FPC880for connecting the sub-display panel300and the second printed circuit board820, and a driving integrated circuit chip650that is mounted on one side of the main display panel200connected to the first FPC860to control the main display panel200.

The driving integrated circuit chip650is surrounded by a protective film651. Although the first and second FPCs860and870are shown disconnected or separate inFIG. 1for convenience sake, the first and second FPCs860and870are actually connected. A driving integrated circuit chip (not shown) for controlling the sub-display panel300may be mounted on the third FPC880.

Although the main display panel200and the sub-display panel300are shown inFIG. 1, these are only exemplary and the present invention is not limited thereto. InFIG. 1, a transmissive or transflective type of liquid crystal display (LCD) is shown as the main display panel200and a reflective type LCD is shown as the sub-display panel300. However, these are only exemplary and the present invention is not limited thereto. In an alternative exemplary embodiment, a light receiving display panel and/or an organic light emitting display panel may be used in a display device.

The size (considered as an area or dimensions) of the main display panel200is larger relative to that of the sub-display panel300facing the main display panel200. In exemplary embodiments, the display device100may be used for a folder type mobile phone, in which the main display panel200is located on the inner surface of a folder of the mobile phone and the sub-display panel300is located on the outer surface of the folder of the mobile phone. When the folder is closed, a relatively small amount of information, such as the time, can be obtained through the sub-display panel300having the relatively smaller size, and when the folder is opened, a relatively large amount of information can be obtained through the main display panel200, having the relatively larger size.

The first and second printed circuit boards810and820transmit signals to the main display panel200and the sub-display panel300through the first, second and third FPCs860,870and880, respectively. A device connector821is mounted on one end of the second printed circuit board820. The device connector821, may be considered as a mobile phone connector where the device is a mobile phone. In exemplary embodiments, the first and second printed circuit boards810and820receive the signals, which depend on opening and closing of the folder of the mobile phone, through the mobile phone connector821.

The backlight assembly700for supplying the light to the main display panel200is interposed between the main display panel200and the sub-display panel300. In the exemplary embodiment ofFIG. 1, since the reflective type of LCD is shown as the sub-display panel300, the sub-display panel300need not receive the light from the backlight assembly700.

The backlight assembly700includes a light source unit710for emitting the light, a light guide plate720for guiding the light emitted from the light source unit710to the main display panel200, a reflection sheet740disposed on the rear surface of the light guide plate720, and an optical sheet730interposed between the light guide plate720and the main display panel200to improve brightness and uniformly diffuse the light, all of which are received and fixed by the support frame400and the support member600.

Although a light emitting diode (LED)711mounted on a light source circuit board712is shown as the light source unit710inFIG. 1, the LED is only exemplary and the present invention is not limited thereto. In alternative exemplary embodiments, a linear light source or a surface light source using the LED711may be used. Three LEDs711are illustrated inFIG. 1, however, the number of the LEDs is only exemplary and the present invention is not limited thereto. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the number of LEDs711may vary as needed. The light source circuit board712is connected to the first printed circuit board810to receive a light source control signal from the first printed circuit board810and to drive the LED711.

The protective member500is disposed on the front surface of the main display panel200and protects the main display panel200. The protective member500may include, but is not limited to, a transparent material such as glass or acrylic resin, such that images displayed by the main display panel200can be externally viewed.

The support frame400supports the edges of the main display panel200and the protective member500. The support frame400supports the protective member500and the main display panel200in a state such that the protective member500is spaced apart from the main display panel200. In exemplary embodiments, an interval between the protective member500and the main display panel200is in a range of about 0.2 millimeter (mm) to about 0.6 millimeter (mm). When the interval between the protective member500and the main display panel200is less than 0.2 mm, the protective member500may come in contact with the main display panel200by external pressure applied to the protective member500. When the protective member500and the main display panel200come in contact with each other, damage such as a scratch may occur in the main display panel200. In contrast, when the interval between the protective member500and the main display panel200is greater than 0.6 mm, the overall thickness of the display device100increases.

The support frame400includes a first support part410for supporting the main display panel200and a second support part420for supporting the protective member500. The support frame400further includes guide parts431and432that are protruded from the second support part420in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plate surface of the protective member500. The guide parts431and432fix the protective member500to prevent the protective member500from moving in a direction parallel to the plate surface.

FIG. 2shows the display device100in which all the elements except the protective member500are assembled for convenience of description.

As shown inFIG. 2, the guide parts431and432are formed adjacent to the side surfaces of the protective member500and at corners of the protective member500. However, this structure is only exemplary and the present invention is not limited to thereto. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the guide parts431and/or432may be formed only at any one of the corners and any of a number of side surfaces of the protective member500.

As shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, the first support part410and the second support part420are arranged to form a step including a difference in height between surfaces of the first and second support parts410and420supporting the main display panel200and protective member500, respectively. The main display panel200and the protective member500can be stably supported. A supporting surface of the second support part420is positioned higher than a supporting surface of the first support part410relative to a bottom surface of the support frame400. In an exemplary embodiment, the supporting surface of the second support part420is positioned higher than an upper surface of the main display panel200supported by the first support part410by about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm.

The adhesive member550is interposed between the edges of the protective member500and the second support part420of the support frame400to adhere the edges of the protective member500and the support frame400to each other. In exemplary embodiments, a double sided tape may be used as the adhesive member550, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Any of a number of various methods for adhering the protective member500and the support frame400to each other may be used as it suitable for the purpose described herein.

In exemplary embodiments, the thickness C of the adhesive member550may be in a range of about 0.1 mm to about 0.5 mm. When the thickness of the adhesive member550is less than 0.1 mm, the protective member500and the main display panel200may come in contact with each other and thus the main display panel200may be damaged. When the thickness of the adhesive member550is greater than 0.5 mm, the overall thickness of the display device100increases. In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive member550has a substantially constant thickness C and a step B exists between the supporting surface of the second support part420of the support frame400and the upper surface of the main display panel200supported by the first support part410. An interval A is considered to be a distance between a lower surface of the protective member500and the upper surface of the main display panel200and may be in a range of about 0.2 mm to about 0.6 mm.

The first printed circuit board810and the second printed circuit board820are sequentially disposed on the rear surface of the support member600. An opening825is formed in the second printed circuit board820, and the sub-display panel300is disposed in the opening825. The third FPC880(shown inFIG. 1) for connecting the sub-display panel300and the second printed circuit board820is attached to the rear surface of the second printed circuit board820.

FIG. 4shows the display device100used in an exemplary embodiment of a mobile phone. The mobile phone includes a front casing910and a rear casing920coupled to the front casing910. The display device100is disposed in a space formed by the front casing910and the rear casing920. A front screen911for displaying images formed by the main display panel200of the display device100is formed on the front casing910and a rear screen921for displaying images formed by the sub-display panel300is formed on the rear casing920. The front screen911is in contact with the protective member500of the display device100. The protective member500that faces the front screen911of the front casing910is fixed to the display device100instead of the front casing910. The protective member500is spaced apart from the main display panel200by a minimum interval.

Advantageously, the overall thicknesses of the display device100and the mobile phone including the same can be minimized. Additionally, since the support frame400supports the main display panel200and the protective member500, the entire support structure can also be simplified.

Referring again toFIGS. 3A and 3B, each of the main display panel200and the sub-display panel300includes first display plates210and310, second display plates230and330, and polarizers (not shown) attached to the outer surfaces of the first display plates210and310and the second display plates230and330.

Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of an internal structure of the main display panel200, such as an LCD panel, and elements for driving the same will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6. The structure of the main display panel200is essentially the same as that of the sub-display panel300, and their detailed description will be omitted.

As shown inFIGS. 5 and 6, the first display plate210includes a plurality of signal lines G1to Gnand D1to Dm. The first display plate210and the second display plate230include a plurality of pixels PX that are connected to a plurality of the signal lines G1to Gnand D1to Dmand arrayed substantially in a matrix.

The signal lines G1to Gnand D1to Dminclude a plurality of gate lines G1to Gnfor transmitting gate signals (sometimes, referred to as a “scan signal”) and a plurality of data lines D1to Dmfor transmitting data signals. The gate lines G1to Gnextend substantially in parallel to each other and substantially in a row direction. The data lines D1to Dmextend in substantially in parallel to each other and substantially in a column direction.

Each of the pixels PX includes a switching device Q connected to any one of the signal lines G1to Gnand D1to Dm, a liquid crystal capacitor CLCconnected thereto, and a storage capacitor CST. In exemplary embodiments, the storage capacitor CSTmay be omitted as needed.

In exemplary embodiments, the switching device Q may be a three-port device, such as a thin film transistor disposed in the first display plate210. The thin film transistor has a control port connected to one of the gate lines G1to Gnan input port connected to one of the data line D1to Dm, and an output port connected to the liquid crystal capacitor CLCand the storage capacitor CST.

The driving integrated circuit chip650(shown inFIG. 1) includes a signal controller60, a gate driver40and a data driver50connected to the signal controller60, and a gray voltage generator80connected to the data driver50.

The signal controller60controls the operations of the gate driver40and the data driver50. The gate driver40applies gate signals constructed by a combination of a gate-on voltage Vonand a gate-off voltage Voffto the gate lines G1to Gn, and the data driver50applies data voltages to the data lines D1to Dm. The gray voltage generator80generates two grayscale voltage sets corresponding to transmittance of the pixel and supplies the two grayscale voltage sets to the data driver50as the data voltages. One grayscale set has a positive value with respect to a common voltage Vcomand the other grayscale set has a negative value with respect to the common voltage Vcom.

As shown inFIG. 6, two ports of the liquid crystal capacitor CLCare a pixel electrode218of the first display plate210and a common electrode239of the second display plate230. A liquid crystal layer220is interposed between the two electrodes218and239serves as a dielectric member. The pixel electrode218is connected to the switching device Q, and the common electrode239is disposed on substantially the entire surface of the second display plate230to receive the common voltage Vcom. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the common electrode239may be disposed on the first display plate210and/or at least one of the two electrodes218and239may be formed substantially in a shape of a line or bar. A color filter235for applying color to the transmitted light is formed on the second display plate230. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the color filter235may be formed on the first display plate210.

The storage capacitor CSTmay have an auxiliary function for the liquid crystal capacitor CLCmay be constructed by overlapping a separate signal line (not shown) and the pixel electrode218provided to the first display plate210with an insulating member interposed therebetween, and a predetermined voltage such as the common voltage Vcomis applied to the separate signal line. In alternative exemplary embodiments, the storage capacitor CSTmay be constructed by overlapping the pixel electrode218and the gate line G1to Gndisposed just above with an insulating member interposed therebetween.

When the thin film transistor (which is a switching element) is turned on, an electric field is generated between the pixel electrode218and the common electrode239. Due to the electric field, alignment angles of a liquid crystal layer220interposed between the first display plate210and the second display plate230change, so that transmittance of light changes. As a result, desired images can be obtained. The structure and the driving method of the main display panel200also apply to the sub-display panel300.

Although the exemplary embodiments and the modified examples of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments and examples, but may be modified in various forms without departing from the scope of the appended claims, the detailed description, and the accompanying drawings of the present invention. Therefore, it is natural that such modifications belong to the scope of the present invention.

In exemplary embodiments according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a display device having an improved support structure including simplicity and a small thickness.

A protective member for protecting a display panel is integrally formed with the display device and is spaced apart from a main display panel by a minimum interval. Advantageously, it is possible to minimize the overall thicknesses of the display device and a mobile phone including the same.

Additionally, since a support frame supports the display panel and the protective member together, it is possible to simplify the whole support structure.