TOP CHASSIS AND DISPLAY DEVICE HAVING THE SAME

A display device includes a display panel comprising a pixel region; a protective film on the display panel; and a top chassis on the display panel and defining a first open surface which exposes the pixel region and a second open surface which protrudes from an end of the first open surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods of accomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the present invention will only be defined by the appended claims. Thus, in some embodiments, well-known structures and devices are not shown in order not to obscure the description of the invention with unnecessary detail. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. In the drawings, the thickness of layers and regions are exaggerated for clarity.

Embodiments described herein will be described referring to plan views and/or cross-sectional views by way of ideal schematic views of the invention. Accordingly, the exemplary views may be modified depending on manufacturing technologies and/or tolerances. Therefore, the embodiments of the invention are not limited to those shown in the views, but include modifications in configuration formed on the basis of manufacturing processes. Therefore, regions exemplified in figures have schematic properties and shapes of regions shown in figures exemplify specific shapes of regions of elements and not limit aspects of the invention.

FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view of a display device1000according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring toFIG. 1, the display device1000includes a display panel200, a protective film900, and a top chassis100. The display device1000may further include a polarizing film800, a light source assembly, and a bottom chassis150.

The display panel200is a panel that displays images. Examples of the display panel200include a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel, an electrophoretic display panel, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel, a light-emitting diode (LED) panel, an inorganic electroluminescent (EL) display panel, a field emission display (FED) panel, a surface-conduction electron-emitter display (SED) panel, a plasma display panel (PDP), and a cathode ray tube (CRT) display panel. A case where the display device1000according to the current embodiment is an LCD will be described below as an example. In addition, a case where the display panel200is an LCD panel will be described as an example. However, the display device1000and the display panel200according to the present invention are not limited to these examples, and various types of display devices and display panels can be used as the display device1000and the display panel200.

The display panel200may include a first substrate210, a second substrate220which faces the first substrate210, a liquid crystal layer, and a flexible circuit board240which is attached to the first substrate210.

The first substrate210may include a pixel region and a non-pixel region. The pixel region of the first substrate210is where images are displayed, and the non-pixel region of the first substrate210is where no images are displayed. A driver230may be formed in the non-display region of the first substrate210to transmit various signals (such as a driving signal) required to display an image in the pixel region.

The pixel region of the first substrate210may be overlapped by the second substrate220. However, the non-pixel region of the first substrate210may be exposed without being overlapped by the second substrate220.

The second substrate220may face the first substrate210. The liquid crystal layer may be located between the first substrate210and the second substrate220. A sealing member such as a sealant may be placed between the first and second substrates210and220along the periphery of the first and second substrates210and220, thereby bonding the first and second substrates210and220together.

The first substrate210and the second substrate220may be rectangular parallelepipeds. Although the first substrate210and the second substrate220are illustrated inFIG. 1as being rectangular parallelepipeds for ease of description, their shape can vary according to the shape of the display panel200.

The flexible circuit board240may be attached to the first substrate210and may output various signals to the driver230of the non-pixel region.

The polarizing film800may include a first polarizing film810and a second polarizing film820. Each of the first polarizing film810and the second polarizing film820may be located directly on the display panel200. Specifically, the first polarizing film810may be on a first surface of the display panel200, and the second polarizing film820may be on a second surface of the display panel200which is opposite the first surface of the display panel200. The first and second surfaces of the display panel200may be opposite surfaces which face each other. The first polarizing film810and the second polarizing film820may be rectangular parallelepipeds. Although the first polarizing film810and the second polarizing film820are illustrated inFIG. 1as being rectangular parallelepipeds for ease of description, their shape can vary according to the shape of the display panel200.

The protective film900may be on the second polarizing film820to protect the display panel200and the second polarizing film820. Specifically, the protective film900may be provided to prevent the display panel200and the second polarizing film820from being damaged during a process of manufacturing the display device1000. Also, the protective film900may be provided to protect the display panel200and the second polarizing film820from the external environment after the process of manufacturing the display device1000. A film detaching member910may be attached to an end of the protective film900. The film detaching member910may be used to detach the protective film900from the second polarizing film820. The film detaching member910will be described later.

The light source assembly may be located under the display panel200. The light source assembly may include light source units500, a light guide plate600, a reflective sheet700, one or more optical sheets300, and a mid frame400. Each of the light source units500includes light sources520which emit light and a circuit board510on which the light sources520are placed. The light guide plate600guides light emitted from the light source unit500. The reflective sheet700is located under the light guide plate600and changes the path of light proceeding downward from the light guide plate600. The optical sheets300are on the light guide plate600and modulate optical characteristics of output light. The mid frame400accommodates the light source units500, the light guide plate600, the reflective sheet700, and the optical sheets300.

InFIG. 1, an edge-type light source assembly in which the light sources520are located on sides of the light guide plate600is illustrated as an example of the light source assembly. However, the light source assembly is not limited to the edge-type light source assembly. A direct-type light source assembly in which the light sources520are located under the light guide plate600is also applicable as the light source assembly.

The bottom chassis150may accommodate the optical sheets300, the light guide plate600, the light source units500, and the reflective sheet700. The bottom chassis150may be made of a conductive material such as metal.

The display device1000may further include the top chassis100which covers edges of the display panel200and surrounds side surfaces of the display panel200and the light source assembly. The top chassis100for the display device1000according to the current embodiment will now be described in more detail with reference toFIG. 2.

FIG. 2is a perspective view of the top chassis100for the display device1000shown inFIG. 1.

The top chassis100includes a base plate130and a plurality of sidewalls140which extends from the base plate130. The base plate130defines a first open surface110which exposes the pixel region of the display panel200and a second open surface120which protrudes from an end of the first open surface110. Each of the sidewalls140may extend from the base plate130in a direction, for example, in a vertical direction. Although not shown inFIG. 2, at least one of the sidewalls140may include a coupling portion coupled to the mid frame400.

InFIG. 2, the first open surface110is illustrated as being rectangular for ease of description. However, the shape of the first open surface110is not limited to the rectangular shape. The first open surface110can also have a circular shape or another polygonal shape. In addition, inFIG. 2, an end of the first open surface110from which the second open surface120protrudes is a vertex of a rectangle. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The end of the first open surface110from which the second open surface120protrudes can also be a side of the rectangle or a portion of a side of the rectangle. In addition, edges of the second open surface120are illustrated inFIG. 2as being straight for ease of description. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. The edges of the second open surface120can also be curved.

The top chassis100, the protective film900and the film detaching member910will now be described in more detail with reference toFIG. 3which is a plan view of the display device1000shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 4which is a cross-sectional view of the display device1000taken along the line IV-IV′ ofFIG. 3.

Referring toFIG. 4, the top chassis100may be on the display panel200and the protective film900. The top chassis100is on the edges of the display panel200, that is, the non-pixel region and side surfaces of the mid frame400. The base plate130of the top chassis100defines the first open surface110which exposes the pixel region and the second open surface120which protrudes from an end of the first open surface110. In the current embodiment, the first open surface110is shaped like a rectangle, and an end of the first open surface110is a vertex of the rectangle. In addition, the second open surface120extends from the open surface110with a uniform width. In the current embodiment, the second open surface120not only exposes the whole of an end of the protective film900which faces the second open surface120but also extends further in a direction in which it protrudes from the first open surface110.

The display device1000may further include the film detaching member910. The film detaching member910may be attached to the protective film900and may be at least partially exposed through the second open surface120.

Specifically, the film detaching member910may include an adhering portion911and a protruding portion912. The adhering portion911of the film detaching member910may be attached to an end of the protective film900. Here, the adhering portion911may be attached onto the protective film900which faces the second open surface120. An adhesive layer960may be formed between the adhering portion911of the film detaching member910and the protective film900. The protruding portion912of the film detaching member910may extend from the adhering portion911in the direction in which the second open surface120protrudes. In addition, the protruding portion912may extend upward from an end of the adhering portion911to contact the base plate130of the top chassis100. Here, the protruding portion912and the adhering portion911may form an obtuse angle. In addition, at least a portion of the protruding portion912may protrude further than a surface of the top chassis100. Although not shown inFIG. 4, at least a portion of the protruding portion912may be attached to the top chassis100, and an adhesive layer970may be formed between the portion of the protruding portion912and the top chassis100.

Since the display device1000according to the current embodiment includes the second open surface120defined by the top chassis100, the film detaching member910attached to an end of the protective film900is exposed, and the protective film900can be easily removed using the protruding portion912of the film detaching member910. That is, the protective film900used to prevent the display panel200from being damaged during the process of manufacturing the display device1000does not need to be removed before the top chassis100and the display panel200are coupled to each other. Instead, the protective film900can be arbitrarily removed by a consumer after the completion of the display device1000. Therefore, a process of removing the protective film900during the manufacture of the display device1000and a process of attaching another protective film900onto the top chassis100after the completion of the display device1000can be omitted. Accordingly, this can reduce the time required to manufacture the display device1000. Furthermore, since it is not necessary to attach another protective film900onto the top chassis100, the material cost of the display device1000can be saved.

FIG. 5is a plan view of a display device2000according to another embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view of the display device2000taken along the line VI-VI′ ofFIG. 5. For simplicity, elements substantially identical to those of the display device1000shown inFIGS. 1 through 4are indicated by like reference numerals, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

Referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, a base plate131of a top chassis defines a first open surface110which exposes a pixel region and a second open surface121which protrudes from an end of the first open surface110. The second open surface121may protrude from an end of the first open surface110only to a distance at which it exposes the whole of an end of a protective film900which faces the second open surface121. Here, when the second open surface121protrudes only to a distance at which it exposes the whole of an end of the protective film900, a longitudinal section of the end of the protective film900which faces the second open surface121is aligned with a longitudinal section of the second open surface121, as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. The second open surface121is substantially identical to the second open surface120ofFIGS. 1 through 4except that the second open surface121protrudes from an end of the first open surface110only to a distance at which it exposes the whole of an end of the protective film900which faces the second open surface121, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, referring toFIGS. 5 and 6, the display device2000may further include a film detaching member920which is attached to the protective film900and is at least partially exposed through the second open surface121. The film detaching member920may include an adhering portion921and a protruding portion922. The protruding portion922and the adhering portion921may form a right angle. The film detaching member920is substantially identical to the film detaching member910ofFIGS. 1 through 4except that the protruding portion922and the adhering portion921form a right angle, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 7is a plan view of a display device3000according to another embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 8is a cross-sectional view of the display device3000taken along the line VIII-VIII′ ofFIG. 7. For simplicity, elements substantially identical to those of the display device1000shown inFIGS. 1 through 4are indicated by like reference numerals, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

Referring toFIGS. 7 and 8, a base plate132of a top chassis defines a first open surface110which exposes a pixel region and a second open surface122which protrudes from an end of the first open surface110. The second open surface122may exposes only part of an end of a protective film900which faces the second open surface122. The second open surface122is substantially identical to the second open surface120ofFIGS. 1 through 4except that the second open surface122exposes only part of an end of the protective film900which faces the second open surface122, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, referring toFIGS. 7 and 8, the display device3000may further include a film detaching member930which is attached to the protective film900and is at least partially exposed through the second open surface122. The film detaching member930may include an adhering portion931and a protruding portion932. The protruding portion932and the adhering portion931may form an acute angle. The film detaching member930is substantially identical to the film detaching member910ofFIGS. 1 through 4except that the protruding portion932and the adhering portion931form an acute angle, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

As described above, in the display devices1000through3000according to the various embodiments of the present invention, an angle formed by the adhering portion911,921or931and the protruding portion912,922or932of the film detaching member910,920or930may vary according to the distance to which the second open surface120,121or122defined by the top chassis100protrudes. Therefore, the top chassis100and the film detaching members910through930of the display devices1000through3000according to the various embodiments of the present invention may be structured flexibly to meet various design needs and/or the needs for the processing environment.

FIG. 9is a plan view of a display device4000according to another embodiment of the present invention. For simplicity, elements substantially identical to those of the display device1000shown inFIG. 3are indicated by like reference numerals, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

Referring toFIG. 9, a base plate133of a top chassis defines a first open surface110which exposes a pixel region and a second open surface123which protrudes from an end of the first open surface110. A width of the second open surface123may be reduced toward the first open surface110. The second surface123is substantially identical to the second open surface120ofFIGS. 1 through 4except that the width of the second open surface123is reduced toward the first open surface110, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 10is a plan view of a display device5000according to another embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 11is a cross-sectional view of the display device5000taken along the line X-X′ ofFIG. 10. For simplicity, elements substantially identical to those of the display device1000shown inFIGS. 1 through 4are indicated by like reference numerals, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

Referring toFIGS. 10 and 11, a base plate134of a top chassis defines a first open surface110which exposes a pixel region and a second open surface124which protrudes from an end of the first open surface110. The base plate134may include a flat plate134a; and a protruding plate134bprotruding upward from a region of the flat plate134a; which is adjacent to the second open surface124. Specifically, the protruding plate134bmay be formed on the flat plate134a; to be adjacent to a longitudinal section of the second open surface124. The protruding plate134bmay be shaped like a rectangular parallelepiped plate, and a cross section of the protruding plate134bmay be shaped like a quadrilateral. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and the protruding plate134band the cross section of the protruding plate134bcan have various shapes. The base plate134is substantially identical to the base plate130ofFIGS. 1 through 4except that the base plate134includes the flat plate134a; and the protruding plate134b, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

In addition, referring toFIGS. 10 and 11, the display device5000may further include a film detaching member940which is attached to s protective film900and is at least partially exposed through the second open surface124. The film detaching member940may include an adhering portion941and a protruding portion942. The protruding portion942and the adhering portion941may form a right angle. An end of the protruding portion942may be attached to side surfaces of the flat plate134a; and the protruding plate134bof the base plate134, and a height of a longitudinal section of the protruding portion942may be equal to or smaller than a height of a top surface of the protruding plate134b. In one embodiment, an adhesive layer970may be formed between the end of the protruding portion942and the side surfaces of the flat plate134a; and the protruding plate134bof the base plate134. The film detaching member940is substantially identical to the film detaching member910ofFIGS. 1 through 4except that the protruding portion942and the adhering portion941form a right angle, that an end of the protruding portion942is attached to the side surfaces of the flat plate134a; and the protruding plate134bof the base plate134, that a height of a top end of the protruding portion942is equal to or smaller than that of the top surface of the protruding plate134band that the adhesive layer970is formed between the end of the protruding portion942and the side surfaces of the flat plate134a; and the protruding plate134bof the base plate134, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

In the display device5000according to the current embodiment of the present invention, the protruding portion942of the film detaching member940does not protrude onto the base plate134but is fixed to the side surface of the protruding plate134b. Thus, it may be easy to handle the display device5000.

FIG. 12is a plan view of a display device6000according to another embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 13is a plan view of a modified embodiment of the display device6000shown inFIG. 12. For simplicity, elements substantially identical to those of the display device1000shown inFIG. 3are indicated by like reference numerals, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

Referring toFIGS. 12 and 13, the display device6000according to the current embodiment includes a display panel which includes a pixel region, a protective film900which is on the display panel, and a top chassis which is on the display panel, defines an open surface115exposing the pixel region, and includes an openable surface125protruding from an end of the open surface115.

A base plate135of the top chassis may define the open surface115which exposes the pixel region and include the openable surface125which protrudes from an end of the open surface115. The openable surface125may include one or move cover portions. The cover portions may be formed on both sides of a centerline125cwhich extends from an end of the open surface115. That is, a first cover portion125amay be formed on a side of the centerline125c, and a second cover portion125bmay be formed on the other side of the centerline125c. Each of the first and second cover portions125aand125bmay further include a hinge portion125d. The first and second cover portions125aand125bmay be opened in both directions from the centerline125c.

In addition, referring toFIGS. 12 and 13, the display device6000may further include a film detaching member910which is attached to the protective film900. The film detaching member910may be disposed under the openable surface125. Specifically, referring toFIG. 12, the film detaching member910may not be exposed when the openable surface125is closed. Referring toFIG. 13, the film detaching member910may be exposed when the openable surface125is open. The film detaching member910is substantially identical to the film detaching member910ofFIGS. 1 through 4except that the film detaching member910is or is not exposed according to whether the openable surface125is open or closed, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 14is a plan view of a display device7000according to another embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 15is a cross-sectional view of the display device7000taken along the line XV-XV′ ofFIG. 14. For simplicity, elements substantially identical to those of the display device1000shown inFIGS. 1 through 4are indicated by like reference numerals, and thus a repetitive description thereof will be omitted.

Referring toFIGS. 14 and 15, a film detaching member may be integrated with a protective film905. That is, the protective film905may include a panel protecting portion905aand a film detaching portion905bwhich is integrated with the panel protecting portion905aand protrudes from a surface of the panel protecting portion905a.

Embodiments of the present invention provide at least one of the following characteristics.

First of all, a process of removing a protective film used to prevent a display panel from being damaged during a process of manufacturing a display device and a process of attaching another protective film onto a top chassis can be omitted. Accordingly, the time required to manufacture the display device can be reduced.

Furthermore, since it is not necessary to attach another protective film onto the top chassis, the material cost of the display device can be saved.