Abstract:
A liquid crystal display module ( 60 ) includes a liquid crystal panel ( 30 ) and a frame ( 20 ) for holding the liquid crystal panel. The frame includes a base portion ( 25 ), four sidewalls ( 21, 22, 23, 24 ) provided on the base portion. The four sidewalls and the base portion cooperatively define a receiving space. One of the four sidewalls includes an elastic clasp ( 231 ) thereat, for elastically retaining the liquid crystal panel in the receiving space. With the configuration, a reducing cost, thickness and weightiness are obtained and the liquid crystal display module may be easily and conveniently assembled or disassembled.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a frame for holding a liquid crystal panel, and a liquid crystal display device using the frame.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Because a liquid crystal display device (LCD) has the merits of being thin, light in weight, and drivable by a low voltage, it is extensively employed in various electronic devices.  
         [0003]     Referring to  FIG. 9 , a typical liquid crystal display module  10  includes a liquid crystal panel  100 , a backlight module  101 , a bottom frame  122 , and a top frame  124 . The bottom frame  122  is generally made of metal, and has a plurality of protrusions  136 . The top frame  124  is generally made of plastic, and has a plurality of holes  138 .  
         [0004]     The liquid crystal panel  100  is disposed on the backlight module  101 . The liquid crystal panel  100  and the backlight module  101  are accommodated in the bottom frame  122 . The protrusions  136  of the bottom frame  122  mate in the holes  138  of the top frame  124 , whereby the liquid crystal panel  100  and the backlight module  101  are held in the bottom frame  122 .  
         [0005]     Both the top frame  124  and the bottom frame  122  are necessary for holding the liquid crystal panel  100  and the backlight module  101  in place. This increases a thickness and weight of the liquid crystal display module  10 , and adds to costs.  
         [0006]     To overcome the problems described above, an adhesive tape is employed for combining a liquid crystal panel and a bottom frame. In such case, no top frame is needed, and cost of the liquid crystal display module is reduced.  
         [0007]     The adhesive tape is usually adhesive on both sides thereof. One side of the adhesive tape is attached on the liquid crystal panel, and the other side of the adhesive tape is attached on the bottom frame. On occasions, the liquid crystal display module may need to be disassembled, for example when the frame or the liquid crystal panel needs to be replaced. In disassembly, the adhesive tape has to be torn out and damaged. In this process, some surplus adhesive tape may be left on the liquid crystal panel and contaminate the liquid crystal panel.  
         [0008]     Therefore, a new frame and a liquid crystal display device employing the frame are desired, in order to overcome the above-described problems.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0009]     In one embodiment, a frame for holing a liquid crystal panel includes a base portion and four sidewalls provided on the base portion. The four sidewalls and the base portion cooperatively define a receiving space. One of the four sidewalls includes an elastic clasp thereat, for elastically retaining the liquid crystal panel in the receiving space.  
         [0010]     In another embodiment, a liquid crystal display module includes a liquid crystal panel and a frame for holding the liquid crystal panel. The frame includes a base portion, four sidewalls provided on the base portion. The four sidewalls and the base portion cooperatively define a receiving space. One of the four sidewalls includes an elastic clasp thereat, for elastically retaining the liquid crystal panel in the receiving space.  
         [0011]     The frame and the liquid crystal display module provided herein have the following advantages. The clasp is employed to fix the liquid crystal panel in the frame, no typical top frame is needed, and a reducing cost, thickness and weightiness are obtained. On the other hand, the liquid crystal panel may be directly fixed in or taken out of the frame by applying a force onto the clasp, which make the liquid crystal display module be easily and conveniently assembled or disassembled.  
         [0012]     Other advantages, and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a frame according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of a circled portion II of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a circled portion III of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 4  is an exploded, isometric view of a liquid crystal display module according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0017]      FIG. 5  is an assembled view of the liquid crystal display module of  FIG. 4 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along line VI-VI of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII of  FIG. 5 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 8  is similar to  FIG. 7 , but in respect of a liquid crystal display module according to a third embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of part of a conventional liquid crystal display module. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a frame  20  according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a rectangular base portion  25 , a first sidewall  21 , a second sidewall  22  opposite to the first sidewall  21 , a third sidewall  23 , and a fourth sidewall  24  opposite to the third sidewall  23 . The base portion  25  itself is frame-like, comprising four beam portions surrounding a large central opening. The four sidewalls  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  extend from the base portion  25 . The sidewalls  21 ,  22 ,  23 ,  24  define a receiving space for accommodating a backlight module and a liquid crystal panel.  
         [0023]     Each of the third sidewall  23  and the fourth sidewall  24  includes a clasp  231  thereon. The two clasps  231  are arranged symmetrically opposite each other.  
         [0024]     Referring to  FIG. 2 , each clasp  231  includes an elastic arm  232 , and a clasp end  233  disposed at a free end of the elastic arm  232 . The clasp end  233  protrudes slightly into the receiving space. The clasp end  233  can be pushed to move outwardly in a direction substantially perpendicular to the third sidewall  23 , with the elastic arm  232  bending accordingly. The clasp end  233  includes a body  235 , and a first protrusion  234  extending perpendicularly inwardly from the body  235 . The first protrusions  234  of the clasps  231  cooperate with the base portion  25  for preventing movement of the liquid crystal panel and the backlight module in vertical directions. Also, the bodies  235  of the clasps  231  are used for preventing the liquid crystal panel and the backlight module from moving in horizontal directions.  
         [0025]     Referring to  FIG. 3 , the second sidewall  22  has two arc parts  221 , each projecting slightly into the receiving space. There is a gap  222  defined between each arc part  221  and the base portion  25 , for ensuring that the arc part  221  can elastically deform substantially in an outward direction under applied external force.  
         [0026]     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a liquid crystal display module  60  according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a liquid crystal panel  30  and the frame  20 . The liquid crystal panel  30  generally includes a glass substrate  31 , and a polarizer  32  and a driver integrated circuit (driver IC)  33  disposed on the glass substrate  31 .  
         [0027]     A process of assembling the liquid crystal panel  30  and the frame  20  together comprises the following steps: applying a force to the clasp  231  of the sidewall  23  to make the clasp  231  of the sidewall  23  bend outwardly; putting the liquid crystal panel  30  on the base portion  25 , and pushing one side of the liquid crystal panel  30  against the clasp  231  of the sidewall  24 , and positioning another side of the liquid crystal panel  30  so that it abuts against one of the two arc parts  221 ; pressing down the liquid crystal panel  30  so that it is received in the receiving space; and removing the pressing force, whereby the two clasps  231  resiliently rebound inwardly. Thus, the clasps  231  the two arc parts  221  of the frame  20 , and the first sidewall  21  cooperate to hold the liquid crystal panel  30  in the frame  20 .  
         [0028]     An assembly of the liquid crystal panel  30  and the frame  20  is shown in  FIGS. 5, 6  and  7 . The liquid crystal panel  30  is accommodated in the frame  20 . The clasps  231  of the frame  20  hold two opposite sides of the liquid crystal panel  30 , whereby the clasps  231  provide horizontal elastic forces to prevent the liquid crystal panel  30  from moving in horizontal directions. In addition, the first protrusions  234  of the clasps  231  cooperate with the base portion  25  to prevent movement of the liquid crystal panel  30  in vertical directions. Furthermore, the arc parts  221  prevent the liquid crystal panel  25  from moving in horizontal directions.  
         [0029]     When the liquid crystal panel  30  is taken out of the frame  20 , a force is applied to either or both of the clasps  231 , so that either or both of the clasps  231  bend outwardly. Then the liquid crystal panel  30  can be readily removed from the frame  20  without being damaged.  
         [0030]     The liquid crystal display module  60  has the following advantages. Because the two clasps  231  are employed to fix the liquid crystal panel  30  in the frame  20 , no top frame portion is needed. This reduces the cost, thickness and weight of the liquid crystal display module  60 . Further, the liquid crystal panel  30  may be directly fixed in or taken out of the frame  20  by applying a force to either or both of the clasps  231 . This makes assembly and disassembly of the liquid crystal display module  60  easy and convenient.  
         [0031]     A liquid crystal display module  90  according to the third embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 8 . The liquid crystal display module  90  includes a liquid crystal panel  80  and a frame  70 . The frame  70  includes a rectangular, generally flat base portion  85 , and a second sidewall  82  having a second protrusion  821  extending inwardly therefrom. The second protrusion  821  is located immediately above a receiving space of the frame  70 , and may be rigid. There is a gap between the second protrusion  821  and the base portion  85 , and a height H of the gap is larger than a thickness of the liquid crystal panel  80 . Thus one side of the liquid crystal panel  80  may be received in the gap. Then the second protrusion  821  helps prevent movement of the liquid crystal panel  80  in vertical directions.  
         [0032]     The frame according to any of the above-described embodiments may be configured for use with liquid crystal display modules having different sizes. In alternative embodiments, the frame may include only one clasp and one arc part cooperating with the clasp. Such embodiments are advantageous when the frame is configured for use with a liquid crystal display module having a relatively small size.  
         [0033]     It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.