Display device including camera module

A display device including a camera module; a display panel; and a side cover part covering at least a portion of a side of the display panel and including a camera module cut-out receiving portion for coupling the camera module to the side cover part such that the coupled camera module does not protrude to an outside of the side cover part.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 and 35 U.S.C. §365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2013-0011694 filed on Feb. 1, 2013 and 10-2013-0011695 filed on Feb. 1, 2013, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a display device including a camera module. In particular, the display device outputs a received image signal on a screen. The display device includes all devices displaying an image input such as a monitor displaying an image received from a computer and a TV displaying audio and video transmitted from a broadcasting station.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

A related art display device has a main function for displaying an image on a display panel, but recently has various additional functions. For example, a display device may include a camera to allow video calls or may provide various functions based on information obtained by capturing an image through the camera.

However, when a display device includes a camera, the camera is installed to be protruded outward from the display panel to be seen from the user's position, or is installed behind the display panel. Therefore, the design of the display device is less elegant and the size of the display panel is thicker.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments provide a display device including a camera module that does not protrude toward the outside thereof to achieve a better appearance and does not increase the thickness thereof.

In one embodiment, a display device including a camera module includes: a display module including a display panel; a side cover part covering at least a portion of a side of the display module; and the camera module coupled to the side cover part, wherein the side cover part includes a camera module receiving part having a portion cut and the camera module includes a case and a lens in the case and is coupled to the camera module receiving part.

In another embodiment, a display device including a camera module includes: a display panel; a backlight unit assembly disposed at a bottom of the display panel and providing light to the display panel; a side cover part covering at least a portion of a side part of the backlight unit assembly; and the camera module coupled to the side cover part, wherein as seen from the top of the display panel, the camera module does not protrude toward an outside of the display panel.

In further another embodiment, a display device includes: a display panel; and a camera module disposed at a bottom of the display panel, wherein as seen from the top of the display panel, the camera module does not protrude toward an outside of the display panel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Hereinafter, a configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings.

As shown inFIG. 1, the display device according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a display panel100and an external case or cover500. As shown inFIG. 2, the display device includes a backlight unit assembly200providing light to the display panel100.

In addition, the display panel100may be a liquid crystal panel including an upper substrate101, a lower substrate102, an upper polarizing plate103, and a lower polarizing plate104. Referring toFIGS. 2 and 10, the display panel100includes the upper substrate101and the lower substrate102facing each other and maintaining a uniform cell gap. Further, a liquid crystal layer may be formed between the upper substrate101and the lower substrate102.

For reference, as shown inFIG. 10, a portion of each component constituting the display panel100is exaggerated in order to describe a configuration of the display panel100. Accordingly, some configurations, which are difficult to show inFIG. 2, are shown inFIG. 10.

Further, a color filter is disposed on the upper substrate101to realize red (R), green (G), and blue (B) colors. The color filter may include a plurality of pixels including R, G, and B sub-pixels and generates an image corresponding to R, G, or B color when light is applied.

A predetermined transistor for turning on/off liquid crystal by each pixel, for example, a thin film transistor (TFT), may be formed on the lower substrate102. Accordingly, the upper substrate101may be referred to as a color filter substrate, and the lower substrate102may be referred to as a TFT substrate.

Additionally, an upper optical layer such as the upper polarization film103may be disposed on the top of the upper substrate101, and a lower optical layer such as the lower polarization film104may be disposed on the bottom of the lower substrate102.

The upper polarization film103polarizes light passing through the display panel100and the lower polarization film104polarizes light emitted from a backlight unit assembly200described later.

In addition, referring toFIG. 2, the display panel100is divided into a display area110for displaying an actual image and a non-display area120for displaying no image. Here, the non-display area120is formed along the edge of the display panel100, and a light shielding layer105is provided in the non-display area120as shown inFIG. 10. The light shielding layer105includes a layer having light screening performance and is referred to as a black matrix. The light shielding layer105may be provided between the upper substrate101and the lower substrate102.

Further, as shown inFIG. 2, the display panel100includes a first area121on the top of a portion where a camera module400described later is installed and a second area122at the middle of the first area121. In more detail, the first area121is formed at a position corresponding to the camera module400in the non-display area120, and the second area122is formed at a position corresponding to a lens420(FIGS. 7 and 8) of the camera module400in the middle of the first area121.

The first area121is formed by removing the upper polarization layer103and the lower polarization layer104from the non-display area120. Accordingly, the non-display area120includes the upper substrate101, the lower substrate102, and the light shielding layer105.

In addition, the second area122is formed by removing the light shielding layer105from the central portion of the first area121. That is, the second area122is an area where the black matrix, i.e., the light shielding layer105, is removed from the first area121. Accordingly, the second area122includes the upper substrate101and the lower substrate102.

In addition, the second area122is formed at a portion corresponding to the lens420of the camera module400so as to prevent light transmission blocking due to the light shielding layer105while an image is captured.

Further, the backlight unit assembly200is provided at the bottom of the display panel100. The backlight unit assembly200includes a bottom cover240(FIG. 5), a circuit substrate disposed on a top surface of the bottom cover240, a light source mounted on the circuit substrate, and a backlight unit220for converting a light from the light source into a surface light source and providing it to the display panel100.

The backlight unit220includes a light guide plate and a plurality of optical sheets. The backlight unit220for converting a point light source into a surface light source, including the light guide plate and the plurality of optical sheets, may include a related art back light unit.

Moreover, although a display module including the liquid crystal display (LCD) panel and the backlight is used as a display module according to this embodiment, the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the display module may include a Plasma Display Panel (PDP) display module, an Electro Luminescent Display (ELD) module, a Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD) module, and an Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLED) display module.

In addition, as shown inFIGS. 2, 4 and 6, a side cover part300is disposed at a side of the display panel100and backlight unit assembly200. The side cover part300extends along at least a portion of the side of the display panel100and backlight unit assembly200, and covers the side of the display panel100and backlight unit assembly200.

In more detail, the side cover part300is disposed at the side of the backlight unit assembly200, extends along at least a portion of the side of the backlight unit assembly200, and covers the side of the backlight unit assembly200. Also, the display panel100is coupled to the top of the side cover part300.

As shown inFIGS. 2, 4, 6 and 9, the side cover part300includes a side part310extending to surround at least a portion of the side of the display panel100and a top part320extending toward the inside at the top end of the side part310. Also, the backside edge of the display panel100is coupled to the top of the top part320.

As shown inFIGS. 6, 8 and 9, an elastic pad330may be provided on the top of the top part320of the side cover part300. The elastic pad330is disposed between the display panel100and the top part320of the side cover part300and serves for sealing maintenance and shock absorption.

The side cover part300includes a camera module receiving part360as shown inFIG. 9for receiving the camera module400. The camera module receiving part360is formed by cutting off a portion of the side cover part300. In more detail, the camera module receiving part360may be formed by cutting a portion of the side part310and a portion of the top part320of the side cover part300.

A fixing part coupling part340is provided below the camera module receiving part360as shown inFIG. 9. The fixing part coupling part340has a groove form stepped toward the inside. The fixing part coupling part340is a portion to which a fixing part440of the camera module400is coupled, and has a form corresponding to the fixing part440.

In addition, the stepped depth of the fixing part coupling part340may be equal to or greater than the thickness of the fixing part440. This is to prevent the fixing part400, i.e., a part of the camera module400, from protruding toward the outside of the side cover part300. The coupling part340is also more elongated from side to side than the camera module receiving part360, and thus firmly fixes the camera module400to the side cover part300.

As shown inFIG. 9, the side cover part300includes a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) receiving part350extending from the camera module receiving part360toward the bottom. The FPCB receiving part350has a groove form stepped toward the inside, and extends from the fixing part coupling part340toward the bottom, and is a portion where an FPCB is seated.

In addition, as shown inFIGS. 3-5, a plate-shaped enhancement part370formed of a material having a greater stiffness at both sides of the camera module receiving part360is coupled to the side cover part300, so as to protect the camera module400from external forces in a vertical direction and prevent the display panel100from moving vertically.

Hereinafter, a configuration of the camera module400coupled to the camera module receiving part360will be described with respect toFIGS. 7-9.

As shown, the camera module400includes a case410, a lens420at the inside of the case410, and a buffer member430. The case410includes a lower case411and an upper case412coupled to the top of the lower case411.

Guide protrusions411avertically extending are provided at both ends of the lower case411in a left-to-right direction, and insertable guide grooves412ainto which the guide protrusions411aare insertable are provided at both ends of the upper case412in a left-to-right direction. The guide groove412ais elongated vertically. Further, the top of the guide protrusion411ais spaced a predetermined distance apart from the end of the guide groove412a.

Due to such a gap, as external force is applied to the upper case411downwardly, while the buffer member430absorbs the shock, the upper case412can downwardly move relatively with respect to the lower case411.

Further, in this embodiment, although the lower case411including the guide protrusion411aand the upper case412including the guide groove412aare described as one example, a guide protrusion may be provided at the upper case412and a guide groove provided at the lower case411.

As shown inFIG. 8, the lower case411includes a hook protrusion411band the upper case412includes a hook groove412binto which the hook protrusion411bis insertable. In addition, the vertical length of the hook groove412bis greater than that of the hook protrusion411b. When no external power is applied, the bottom of the hook protrusion411bcontacts the bottom of the hook groove412b.

Because the buffer member430is disposed between the upper case412and the lower case411and applies pressure to the upper case412upwardly and the lower case411downwardly, the hook protrusion411bprevents the upper case412from separating from the lower case411in the hook groove412b.

Moreover, when an external force is applied to the upper case412, because the upper case412can relatively move toward the lower case411, by making the vertical length of the hook groove412bgreater than the vertical length of the hook protrusion411b, the hook protrusion411bcan relatively move in the hook groove412b.

As shown inFIGS. 7-9, a fixing part440for coupling to the side cover part300is provided at the outside of the lower case410. The fixing part440protrudes and extends downwardly and extends toward the outside in a left-to-right direction. The fixing part440may have a roughly plate form having a predetermined thickness, and may be integrally formed with the lower case411.

As shown inFIG. 7, the lens420and the buffer member430are provided between the upper case412and the lower case411. As shown inFIG. 8, the lens420is disposed at the central portion in a left-to-right direction between the upper case412and the lower case411.

Also, the upper case412includes a transparent part provided at a portion corresponding to the lens420. The transparent part may be formed by cutting a portion of the upper case412or may be formed of a transparent material. This allows light to be incident to the lens420.

As shown inFIG. 7, the buffer members430are disposed at the left and right of the lens420. The buffer member430has one end supported by the upper case412and the other end supported by the lower case411. In addition, the buffer member430may be fixed at each of the upper case412and the lower case411, and may be fixed at one of the upper case412and the lower case411.

Further, the buffer member430absorbs and alleviates the impact applied to the upper case412downwardly. For example, the buffer member430may be a coil spring that extends in a vertical direction.

Accordingly, when a force is downwardly applied to the camera module400, the upper case412moves downwardly by a gap between the guide protrusion411aand the guide grove412aor a gap between the hook protrusion411band the hook groove412band absorbs impact. That is, the buffer member430is elastically deformed to absorb impact.

Moreover, the camera module400may further include a sensor unit for sensing a light passing through the lens and converting the sensed light into an electrical signal. The sensor unit may include a sensing chip for converting light into an electrical signal, and a circuit substrate receiving an electrical signal applied from the sensing chip.

Also, as shown inFIGS. 7-9, the circuit substrate may be connected to a FPCB450. That is, the FPCB450may connect a circuit substrate of a camera module to a main control module of a display device.

Moreover, as mentioned above and as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, the display panel100is disposed on the top of the camera module400, and the first area121is disposed at a position corresponding to the camera module400, and the second area122is disposed at a position corresponding to the transparent part or lens420of the camera module400.

That is, the first area121is disposed on the top of the camera module400and the transparent part and the second area122is disposed on the top of the lens420. In addition, the top of the camera module400contacts the bottom of the display panel100without a bonding material therebetween.

Accordingly, when a left-to-right direction force is applied to the display panel100, the camera module400may be damaged according thereto, or a coupling state may be poor. Thus, the camera module400may be spaced apart from the display panel100without contact.

Moreover, a display device including a camera module according to an embodiment of the present invention may further include an external case500as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2. The external case500covers the bottom and side part of the display panel100and backlight unit assembly200and the side cover part300. Accordingly, the display panel100and backlight unit assembly200and the side cover part300are received in the external case500. The external case500also protects the back light unit assembly200from shock and pressure applied from the outside.

Hereinafter, in relation to the display device including a camera module with the above configuration, a coupling process of the camera module400will be described.

While the side cover part300is coupled to the outside of the backlight unit assembly200, after the camera module400is positioned at the side of the camera module receiving part360formed at the side cover part300, by sliding the camera module400toward the side cover part300in a lateral direction, the camera module400is seated in the camera module receiving part360(seeFIGS. 3 and 9).

At this point, the fixing part440is seated on the fixing part coupling part340, and the FPCB450is seated on the FPCB receiving part350. In addition, the fixing part440and the fixing part coupling part340may be chemically fixed to each other by an adhesive material, and may be mechanically fixed to each other by a bolt or other fastenings.

When this coupling is completed, the fixing part440does not protrude toward the outside of the side part310of the side cover part300, and in more detail, the entire camera module400does not protrude toward the outside of the side part310of the side cover part300(seeFIGS. 3 and 6). Additionally, the entire camera module400does not protrude toward the top of the top part320.

Once the coupling of the camera module400is completed, the display panel100is coupled to the top of the side cover part300and the camera module400. In particular, the display panel100is attached to the top part320of the side cover part300. When an elastic pad330(FIGS. 6 and 9) is provided on the top of the top part320, the display panel100can be attached to the top of the elastic pad330.

In addition, the display panel100is fixed to the elastic pad330, but is not fixed to the camera module400. That is, the display panel100and the elastic pad330simply contact each other, or may be spaced a predetermined distance apart from each other.

Accordingly, when an external force is applied to the display panel100in a left-to-right direction, even if the display panel100moves a little in a left-to-right direction, the external force is not transmitted to the camera module400.

Further, the repair and part replacement of the camera module400are easy. For example, because the camera module400is not attached or fixed to the display panel100through an adhesive, the camera module400may be easily replaced and repaired without the damage of the display panel100.

Moreover, besides the above method, the display panel100may be first coupled to the side cover part300, and then may be coupled to the side cover part300by sliding the camera module400from the side.

In this instance, without separating the display panel100from the side cover part300and the backlight unit assembly200, the camera module400is separated so that its repair and replacement are possible.

In addition, according to the above structure, when a downward impact is applied to the display panel100, the elastic pad330absorbs the applied impact primarily and then the buffer member430in the camera module400absorbs the applied impact secondly, so that the camera module400is not damaged.

Additionally, as mentioned above, because the camera module400is coupled to a cut portion of the side cover part300covering the sides of the display panel100and the backlight unit assembly200, and also does not protrude toward the outside of the side part310and top part320of the side cover part300, without increasing the volume of a display device, the coupling of the camera module400is achieved.