Abstract:
At least one mounting member having a guide groove mounted on a side of a chassis base for supporting a plasma display panel, and at least one printed circuit board slidingly mounted along the guide groove. Such mounting of a printed circuit board enables enhancement of production efficiency. By forming a ground electrode on the PCB along a position contacting the guide groove, grounding of the PCB is enhanced and electromagnetic interference thereof is minimized.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2003-55829 filed on Aug. 12, 2003 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   Generally, the present invention relates to a plasma display device. More particularly, the present invention relates to a plasma display device having an enhanced mounting structure of a printed circuit board to a chassis base. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   As is well known in the art, a plasma display device realizes a desired image using plasma discharge. Such a plasma display device generally includes a plasma display panel (PDP) for realizing the desired image through plasma discharge, which is activated by an external power source; a chassis base for firmly holding the PDP and for forming structural strength of a plasma display device; a driving circuit for driving the PDP; and a power supply circuit. 
   The driving circuit and the power supply circuit are mounted to the side opposite of the PDP on the chassis base. The side of the chassis base to which the PDP is mounted is called a front side, and the side of the chassis base to which the circuits are mounted is called a rear side. 
   The driving circuit and the power supply circuit, which include a plurality of circuital elements such as a resistor, a capacitor, and an integrated circuit (IC), are usually manufactured and mounted to the chassis base in the form of a printed circuit board (PCB). 
     FIG. 1  illustrates how a PCB is mounted to a chassis base according to the prior art. 
   As shown in  FIG. 1 , a plurality of mounting bosses  110  are formed at a rear side of chassis base  100 , for mounting of PCB  150 . Mounting holes  160  are formed at PCB  150  for engagement with mounting bosses  110 . Screw fasteners  162  are engaged with bosses  110  through mounting holes  160  while mounting bosses  110  and mounting holes  160  are aligned, so PCB  150  becomes firmly mounted to chassis base  100 . 
   For the grounding of circuits, PCB  150  has grounding holes  170  separate from mounting holes  160 . Grounding bosses  120  corresponding to grounding holes  170  are formed at chassis base  100  and become tightly fitted to grounding holes  170 . A copper land  172  is formed around grounding hole  170  of PCB  150 , so the circuit on PCB  150  may be grounded through grounding boss  120 . 
   According to a plasma display device of the prior art, production efficiency of a plasma display device may be deteriorated and production cost may be increased because numerous bosses including bosses  110  for mounting PCB  150  have to be formed at chassis base  100 . Furthermore, mounting of PCB  150  to chassis base  100  is only enabled by screw-engaging many screw fasteners to the bosses. 
   Also according to a plasma display device of the prior art, PCB  150  is grounded through a few contact points between PCB  150  and chassis base  100 , wherein connection between the contact points depends on contact between grounding bosses  120  and copper land  172  of grounding holes  170 . Therefore, if the contact area between PCB  150  and chassis base  100  is increased, the grounding effect of PCB  150  may be enhanced and electromagnetic interference (EMI) by circuits of PCB  150  may be better shielded. 
   Because a chassis base must provide sufficient strength, research has been conducted to search for ways to strengthen the chassis base. An example of such research is found in Laid Open Japanese Patent publication 2002-099218 (filing no.: 2000-288523). 
   If the strength of a chassis base is enhanced the mechanical reliability of a plasma display device becomes efficiently enhanced. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The motivation for the present invention is to provide a plasma display device that allows for the easy mounting of a PCB to a chassis base, sufficient contact area between the PCB and the chassis base for grounding of the PCB, and enhanced strength of the chassis base. 
   An exemplary PDP according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a PDP a chassis base for supporting the PDP, a plurality of mounting members mounted on a side of the chassis base, and at least one PCB mounted to the chassis base via the plurality of mounting members, wherein at least one mounting member of the plurality of mounting members has a guide groove for guiding at least one PCB. 
   In a further embodiment, a ground electrode is formed on at least one side of the front and rear sides of the PCB at a position in contact with the guide groove. 
   In another further embodiment, at least one mounting member includes first and second mounting members across from, and generally parallel to, each other, the first and second mounting members respectively including first and second guide grooves, and the PCB is slidingly inserted along the first and second guide grooves. 
   In this case, a ground electrode may be formed on at least one side of the PCB at positions in contact with the first and second guide grooves. In particular, the ground electrode may be formed on at least one side of the front and rear sides of the PCB along edges inserted along the first and second guide grooves. 
   In yet another embodiment, at least one mounting member includes third and fourth mounting members, the third and fourth mounting members being inserted between the first and second mounting members and generally vertical thereto, the third and fourth mounting members being generally parallel to each other. Furthermore, at least one PCB includes, between the first and second mounting members, at least one first PCB inserted between the third and fourth mounting members and at least one second PCB inserted outside the area between the third and fourth mounting members. 
   In this case, a ground electrode may be formed on at least one side of the front and rear sides of the first and second PCB&#39;s at positions in contact with the first and second guide grooves. 
   In a still further embodiment, first and second fitting grooves are respectively formed at the third and fourth mounting members, wherein the first and second fitting grooves face a side of the chassis base, at least one second PCB is inserted into a fitting groove of the first and second fitting grooves, the ground electrode of the first PCB contacts the first and second mounting members, and the ground electrode of the second PCB respectively contacts at least one of the third and fourth mounting members and at least one of the first and second mounting members. 
   In this case, the ground electrode of the first PCB may be formed on at least one side of front and rear sides of the first PCB along edges inserted along the first and second guide grooves, and the ground electrode of the second PCB may be formed on at least one side of the front and rear sides of the second PCB along edges inserted along the first and second guide grooves and along an edge of at least one of the first or second fitting grooves. 
   In the above embodiments of the present invention, the ground electrode may be formed on the PCB along each edge thereof such that EMI may be maximally shielded. 
   In addition, in the above embodiments of the present invention, the ground electrode may be formed on the rear side of the PCB such that spatial usage of a PCB may be maximized. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates how a PCB is mounted to a chassis base according to the prior art. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a plasma display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion A in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of a portion B in  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 5   a  is a perspective view showing a front side of a PCB of a plasma display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5   b  is a perspective view showing a rear side of a PCB of a plasma display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates that a PCB is attached with screws to a mounting member in a plasma display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , a PDP according to an embodiment of the present invention includes PDP  205 , chassis base  200  for supporting PDP  205 , a plurality of mounting members  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240  mounted on a side of chassis base  200 , and at least one PCB  250 ,  290  mounted to chassis base  200  via the plurality of mounting members  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 . 
     FIG. 2  illustrates first, second, third, and fourth mounting members  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240  as an example of the plurality of mounting members. However, the present invention should not be understood as limited to a specific number of mounting members. 
   At least one mounting member of the plurality of mounting members  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240  has a guide groove for guiding at least one PCB  250 ,  290 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , first and second guide grooves  310 ,  320  are formed at first and second mounting members  210 ,  220  according to the present embodiment. 
   The method of attaching mounting members  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240  are mounted to chassis base  200  is not limited under an embodiment of the present invention. It is sufficient that mounting members  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240  are firmly attached to chassis base  200  by any attachment technique i.e., welding or by being integrally formed when the chassis base is manufactured. 
   First and second mounting members  210 ,  220  are attached opposite of each other and are generally parallel with each other. Therefore, as shown in  FIG. 3 , first and second guide grooves  310 ,  320  are also across from, and generally parallel to, each other. PCB&#39;s  250 ,  290  are slidingly inserted along such first and second guide grooves  310 ,  320 . 
   First, second, third, and fourth mounting members  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240  are formed of a conductive material. Therefore, a contact to any of first, second, third, and fourth mounting members  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240  becomes electrically equivalent to a contact to chassis base  200 . In addition, according to an embodiment of the present invention, chassis base  200  is used as an overall ground electrode. 
   In addition, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , first, second, third, and fourth mounting members  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240  respectively include bottom plates  210   a ,  220   a ,  230   a ,  240   a  fixed to chassis base  200  and vertical plates  210   b ,  220   b ,  230   b ,  240   b  generally vertical with respect to bottom plates  210   a ,  220   a ,  230 ,  240   a . Vertical plates  210   b ,  220   b ,  230   b ,  240   b  are bent to form first and second guide grooves  310 ,  320  and first and second fitting grooves  410 ,  420 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 4 , third and fourth mounting members  230 ,  240  are disposed between first and second mounting members  210 ,  220  and are generally vertical thereto. Third and fourth mounting members  230 ,  240  are generally parallel to each other. 
   First and second fitting grooves  410 ,  420  are respectively formed at third and fourth mounting members  230 ,  240 , and face the sides of chassis base  200 . Therefore, first and second fitting grooves  410 ,  420  are formed back-to-back and parallel to each other. 
   As a detailed example,  FIG. 2  shows that a plurality of PCB&#39;s, for example the first and second PCB&#39;s  290 ,  250 , are mounted to chassis base  200  by being inserted along first and second guide grooves  310 ,  320 . In further detail, between first and second mounting members  210 ,  220 , first PCB  290  is inserted between third and fourth mounting members  230 ,  240 , and second PCB  250  is disposed exterior to fourth mounting member  240 . Second PCB  250  is further inserted into second fitting groove  420  of fourth mounting member  240 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 5   a , various circuital elements  510  such as a resistor, a capacitor, and an integrated circuit (IC) are mounted on a front side of first and second PCB&#39;s  290 ,  250 . 
   Mounting holes  530  are formed at first and second PCB&#39;s  290 ,  250  such that a screw fastener may pass through the holes. 
   As shown in  FIG. 5   b , ground electrode  520  is formed on a rear side of first and the second PCB&#39;s  290 ,  250 . Ground electrode  520  may consist of a copper layer. As shown in  FIG. 5   b , ground electrode  520  may be formed along each edge of first and second PCB&#39;s  290 ,  250  on the rear side thereof. Ground electrode  520  formed along each edge of the PCB may have a generally rectangular shape as shown in  FIG. 5   b.    
   However, it is notable that the drawings show only examples of ground electrode  520  as being formed on the rear side of first and second PCB&#39;s  290 ,  250 , and the scope of the present invention should not be understood as limited to that embodiment. 
   Regarding grounding of first PCB  290  between third and fourth mounting members  230 ,  240 , it suffices that the ground electrode is formed along each edge inserted into first and second guide grooves  310 ,  320 . Regarding a grounding of second PCB  250 , it suffices that the ground electrode is formed along each edge inserted to first and second guide grooves  310 ,  320  and second fitting groove  420 . 
   In addition, when an additional PCB (not shown) is disposed to the left in the drawing of third mounting member  230 , it suffices that a ground electrode of the additional PCB is formed along each edge inserted into first and second guide grooves  310 ,  320  and first fitting groove  410 . 
   Such a ground electrode of first PCB  290  respectively contacts first and second mounting members  210 ,  220 , and such a ground electrode of second PCB  250  respectively contacts fourth mounting member  240  and first and second mounting members  210 ,  220 . 
   First, second, third, and fourth mounting members  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240  and first and second PCB&#39;s  290 ,  250  may be mounted to chassis base  200 , as discussed below. 
   First and second mounting members  210 ,  220  are mounted on chassis base  200 , and then first PCB  290  is slidingly inserted along opposing first and second guide grooves  310 ,  320  of first and second mounting members  210 ,  220 . Subsequently, third and fourth mounting members  230 ,  240  are mounted on chassis base  200 , and then second PCB  250  is slidingly inserted along first and second guide grooves  310 ,  320 . During mounting, second PCB  290  becomes inserted into second fitting groove  420  of fourth mounting member  240 . 
   First and second PCB&#39;s  290 ,  250  may be fixed to at least one of first, second, third, and fourth mounting members  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240  or to chassis base  200 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, second PCB  250  (and also the first PCB although not shown) is fixed to chassis base  200  by inserting screw fastener  300  through the mounting hole  530  (refer to  FIG. 5   b ), as shown in  FIG. 6 . 
   However, the scope of the present invention should not be understood to be limited to such a screw engagement, since PCB&#39;s  290 ,  250  may be fixed with chassis base  200  in various other manners, i.e., by tightly fitting first and the second PCB&#39;s  290 ,  250  to first and second mounting members  210 ,  220 . 
   In the above description, PCB&#39;s  290 ,  250  are described to be slidingly engaged with chassis base  200  via mounting members. However, it is noted that a person of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that a different number of PCB&#39;s may be slidingly engaged therewith. For example, various numbers of PCB&#39;s may be slidingly mounted to chassis base  200  via the mounting members. 
   According to an embodiment of the present invention, a PCB is slidingly mounted to a chassis base, and accordingly, the number of bosses for mounting the PCB may be reduced. Therefore, the process for mounting a PCB may be simplified and production efficiency of a plasma display device is thereby enhanced. 
   In addition, since the ground electrode is formed on the surface of a PCB side, the contact area between the ground electrode and the PCB is increased and grounding of a PCB is more ensured. Furthermore, a ground electrode of a surface shape may also reduce EMI of a PCB. 
   A PCB is firmly attached to the chassis because first and second mounting members respectively having first and second guide grooves are attached across, and generally parallel to, each other, and the PCB is inserted along the first and second guide grooves. In this case, grounding of the PCB may be enhanced since a ground electrode is formed on the PCB such that it contacts each of the guide grooves. In particular, when the ground electrode is formed along each edge of the PCB, grounding is enhanced and EMI is reduced. 
   According to an embodiment of the present invention, third and fourth mounting members are included between the first and second mounting members such that the third and fourth mounting members are generally vertical to the first and second mounting members and generally parallel to each other. Therefore, PCB&#39;s may be disposed both between the third and fourth mounting members and exterior thereto. In this case, the third and fourth mounting members may respectively have fitting grooves such that a PCB may be inserted. Therefore, grounding, prevention of loosening, and shielding EMI of the PCB may be simultaneously enhanced. 
   The ground electrode may be formed on a rear side of such a PCB, and in this case, utility of a front side of the PCB on which circuital elements are mounted may be enhanced. 
   In an embodiment of the present invention, the mounting members are bent to form bottom and vertical plates and the vertical plates are further bent to form grooves, which enhances the strength of the chassis base. 
   While this invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and exemplary embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, to the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.