Abstract:
A backlight assembly and a display device including the backlight assembly are provided for one or more embodiments, where the display device is slim, lightweight, and requires low manufacturing costs because the device integrates a receiving container and a light generating unit cover member. According to an embodiment, the backlight assembly includes a first light generating unit, a wire electrically connected to the first light generating unit, a first fixing member including a groove to fix the first light generating unit and a wire outlet, and a receiving container comprising a light generating unit cover member. The first fixing member includes a protruding portion extending outwardly from the receiving container and the wire outlet formed on the protruding portion.

Description:
This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0088287, filed on Sep. 8, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a backlight assembly and a display device having the same and, in particular for example, to a backlight assembly and a display device having a light generating unit, a receiving container having a light generating unit cover member, and a fixing member fixing an end portion of the light generating unit. 
     2. Related Art 
     Flat panel displays are widely used in products, such as cell phones, monitors, and televisions. The flat panel display, for example a liquid crystal display (LCD), comprises a liquid crystal display panel, a light generating unit, a light guide plate, an optical sheet, a top chassis, and a bottom chassis. The light generating unit generally comprises a lamp, a lamp reflector, and a lamp cover. The LCD device, with a configuration of these elements, is manufactured at an increased cost and complexity. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present invention, in accordance with one or more embodiments, provides a backlight assembly and a display device including the backlight assembly, where the display device is slim, lightweight, and requires low manufacturing costs, because the device integrates a receiving container and a light generating unit cover member. 
     Additional features of embodiments of the present invention are set forth in the description that follows and, in part, is apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of embodiments of the present invention. 
     The present invention, in one embodiment, discloses a backlight assembly including a first light generating unit, a wire electrically connected to the first light generating unit, a first fixing member including a groove to fix a first end portion of the first light generating unit and a wire outlet drawing out the wire from the first fixing member, and a receiving container comprising a light generating unit cover member. The first fixing member includes a protruding portion extending outwardly from the receiving container and the wire outlet formed on the protruding portion. 
     The present invention, in one embodiment, discloses a display device including a display panel, a first lamp including a first electrode at an end portion thereof, a wire electrically connected to the electrode, a lamp holder disposed in the bottom chassis fixing an end portion of the first lamp and guiding the wire, the lamp holder including a protruding portion extending outwardly from the bottom chassis, a wire outlet formed on the protruding portion drawing out the wire from the lamp holder, and a bottom chassis comprising a lamp cover. 
     It should be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of embodiments of the present invention as claimed. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other aspects, features, and advantages of embodiments of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail the exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing an LCD device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a lamp holder accommodated in a bottom chassis as shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing another lamp holder accommodated in a bottom chassis, as shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 2 , according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing lamps accommodated in a bottom chassis, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a lamp holder accommodated in a bottom chassis, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II′, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a lamp holder accommodated in a bottom chassis, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III′, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a lamp holder accommodated in a bottom chassis, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the lamp holder accommodated in a bottom chassis, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, as shown in  FIG. 10 , e.g., in another angle. 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view showing an LCD device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV′, according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view showing a backlight assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. 
     It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions and/or sections, these elements, components, regions and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region or section from another element, component, region or section. Thus, a first element, component, region or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “lower” than other elements or features would then be oriented “above” or “upper” relative to the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
       FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing an LCD device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 2  is a perspective view showing a lamp holder accommodated in a bottom chassis, as shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing another lamp holder accommodated in a bottom chassis, as shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 2 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the LCD device includes an LCD panel  600 , a light generating unit  200 , a light guiding unit  300 , a mold frame  500 , a top chassis  700 , and a bottom chassis  100 . The LCD panel  600  includes a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate  601  and a color filter substrate  602 . The LCD panel  600  may include a printed circuit board (PCB)  603  and a flexible printed circuit  604  electrically connecting the PCB  603  to the TFT substrate  601 . The PCB  603  generates signals for driving the LCD panel  600 , and the flexible printed circuit  604  delivers the signals to the TFT substrate  601 . Meanwhile, the PCB  603  and the flexible printed circuit  604  may be substituted by a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) generating signals to drive the LCD panel  600  and delivering the signals to the TFT substrate  601 . 
     The mold frame  500  receives the LCD panel  600 . The mold frame  500  includes a plate  501  having an opening and a plurality of sidewalls  502  extended from the plate  501 . The plate  501  may include a groove for fixing the LCD panel  600 . The mold frame  500  is coupled to the bottom chassis  100  to accommodate the light generating unit  200  and the light guiding unit  300 . The PCB  603  may be fixed to an outer surface of the sidewall  502 . 
     The light generating unit  200  includes a first lamp  201 , a second lamp  202 , a first lamp holder  203 , a second lamp holder  204 , first wires  205 , and second wires  206 . The light guiding unit  300  includes a light guide plate  301  and a plurality of optical sheets  302 . The light guide plate  301  includes a light incident surface receiving light generated from the lamps  201 ,  202  and a light emitting surface emitting the light to the LCD to the plurality of optical sheets  302 . The plurality of optical sheets  302  is disposed over the light guide plate  301  receiving the light emitted from the light guide plate  301 , improving the quality of the light such as uniformity and delivering the improved light to the LCD panel  600 . 
     The bottom chassis  100  includes a base plate  103  and a lamp cover  104 . The lamp cover  104  is integrally formed with the bottom chassis  100  by extending a portion of the base plate  103  and bending the extended portion of the base plate  103 . The bottom chassis  100  including the integrally formed lamp cover  104  simplifies the assembly process, in comparison with a bottom chassis with a separate type lamp cover, and does not require additional parts for coupling the lamp cover to the bottom chassis, such as screws or adhesive tapes. The bottom chassis  100  may be divided into a first bottom chassis  101  and a second bottom chassis  102 . In the assembly process of the LCD device, the upper portion of the lamp cover  104  may be blocked during the step of disposing the light generating unit  200  and the light guiding unit  300 . The divisional type bottom chassis with the lamp cover integrally formed therewith makes the assembly process easier. The assembly process includes the steps of disposing a light generating unit and a light guiding unit in a first divided bottom chassis and coupling a second divided bottom chassis to the first divided bottom chassis to accommodate the light generating unit and the light guiding unit. The first divided bottom chassis and the second divided bottom chassis may be coupled to each other by an adhesive tape, a fixing member such as a hook integrally formed on the divided bottom chassis or an additional fixing part such as screws. In the assembling process described above, the light generating unit  200  and the light guiding unit  300  is disposed in the first divided bottom chassis before coupling the first and second bottom chassis, so the upper portion of the lamp cover  104  does not block the light generating unit  200  and the light guiding unit  300  during the assembling process. 
     The bottom chassis  100  may include a plurality of sidewalls  105  extended from the base plate  103  to fix the light guiding unit  300  and develop intensity of the bottom chassis  100 . The bottom chassis  100  may include a groove formed on the upper surface of the lamp cover  104 . The groove is substantially parallel with the first lamp  201  and accommodates the first wires  205 . 
     A reflective sheet  400  may be disposed on an inner surface of the bottom chassis  100  to reflect the light emitted from the lamp  201 ,  202  to the inner surface of the lamp cover  104  and the light emitted from the light guide plate  300  to the opposite direction of the LCD panel  600 . Meanwhile, the bottom chassis  100  may be made of a material with good reflectivity to develop the reflectivity of the bottom chassis  100 . It may be possible to coat the inner surface of the bottom chassis  100  with a reflective material. 
     The top chassis  700  is disposed over the LCD panel  600  and coupled to the bottom chassis  100 . Meanwhile, the top chassis  700  may be coupled to the mold frame  500 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the first lamp holder  203  fixes end portions of the first and second lamps  202 ,  203  and guides the first wires  205 . The first lamp holder  203  is disposed in an edge portion of the lamp cover  104  and includes a protruding portion  207 . The protruding portion  207  is exposed outwardly from the upper surface of the lamp cover  104  and a wire outlet  208  formed on the upper surface of the first lamp holder  203 . One end of the first wires  205  are connected to an electrode of the first and second lamp  201 ,  202  and another end of the first wires  205  are electrically connected to a lamp driving unit providing power to drive the first and second lamp  201 ,  202 . The first wires  205  are passed through the wire outlet  208  and bent to the direction where the second lamp holder  204  is disposed. 
     The second lamp holder  204 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , fixes other end portions of the first and second lamps  201 ,  202 , receiving the first wires  205 , and guiding the first wires  205  and the second wires  206 . The second lamp holder  204  is disposed in another edge portion of the lamp cover  104  and includes a protruding portion  209 . The protruding portion  209  is exposed outwardly from the upper surface of the lamp cover  104 . A wire inlet  210  formed on the upper surface of the second lamp holder  204 . The upper surface of the second lamp holder  204  may include a wire guiding groove  211  to guide the first wire  205  to the wire inlet  210 . A first wire outlet  213  and a second wire outlet  212  are formed on a side surface of the second lamp holder  204 . The first wires  205  enter the second lamp holder  204  by the wire inlet  210  and exit from the second lamp holder  204  by the first wire outlet  213 . The second wires  206  are connected to another electrode of the first lamp  203  and deliver power provided by the lamp driving unit. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line I-I′ of  FIG. 2 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 4 , the first lamp holder  203  includes a first lamp fixing groove  214  and a second lamp fixing groove  215 . The first lamp fixing groove  214  fixes an end portion of the first lamp  201 , and the second lamp fixing groove  215  fixes an end portion of the second lamp  202  disposed below the first lamp  201 . The depth of the second lamp fixing groove  215  is deeper than that of the first lamp fixing groove  214 , so the end portion of the second lamp  202  enters into the first lamp holder  203  more deeply than the end portion of the first lamp  201 . With this structure, the electrode of the first lamp  216 , the first wire connected thereto  205   a  and the end portion of the first lamp does not interfere with the first wire connected to the electrode of the second lamp  205   b.    
     In one aspect, both of the first wires  205   a ,  205   b  are passed through the wire outlet  208  formed directly on the upper surface of the first lamp holder  203  without interfering with each other and do not need an additional space for bypassing. Electrodes of the lamp and wires are generally coupled to each other by soldering. If the distance between the solder of each of the lamps gets closer, the possibility of causing a spark will increase. Also, the voltage may exceed the withstanding voltage of the solder because of the interference between the solder of each lamps. According to this exemplary embodiment, the end portion of the second lamp  202  enters into the first lamp holder  203  more deeply than the end portion of the first lamp  201 , so the possibility of causing a spark and exceeding the withstanding voltage of the solder will decrease with the extended distance between the solder of the first and the second lamp  201 ,  202 . 
     The second lamp holder  204  includes a first lamp fixing groove  218 , a second lamp fixing groove  219 , and the depth of the first lamp fixing groove  218  is deeper than that of the second lamp fixing groove  219 . The second wire outlet  212  is formed on a side surface of the second lamp holder  204 , so the second wire connected to the electrode of the first lamp  206   a  and the second wire connected to the electrode of the second lamp  206   b  do not interfere with each other. 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view showing lamps accommodated in a bottom chassis, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 5 , the lamp holder  203  includes a first lamp fixing groove  214  and a second lamp fixing groove  215 . The depth of the first lamp fixing groove  214  and the second lamp fixing groove  215  are substantially the same. The electrode of the first lamp  216  is shorter than the electrode of the second lamp  217 , so the first wire connected to the electrode of the first lamp  205   a , and the first wire connected to the electrode of the second lamp  205   b , do not interfere with each other. 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing a lamp holder accommodated in a bottom chassis, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II′, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6  and  FIG. 7 , a lamp cover  104  is integrally formed with a bottom chassis  100 . The lamp cover  104  includes a bottom portion  106 , a first bending portion  107 , and a second bending portion  108 . The bottom portion  106  includes an exposed portion  109 . The exposed portion  109  does not overlap with the second bending portion  108 . A lamp holder  203  is disposed on an edge of the bottom portion, and at least a portion of the lamp holder  203  overlaps with the exposed portion  109 . The lamp holder includes lamp fixing grooves  214 ,  215  and wire outlets  208 . The lamp fixing grooves  214 ,  215  and the wire outlets  208  face the same direction. First wires  205  are connected to electrodes of the first and second lamps  216 ,  217  and pass through the wire outlets  208 . The thickness of the lamp holder  203  is larger than that of the lamp cover  104 . More specifically, the thickness of the lamp holder  203  is larger than the sum of the thickness of the lamp cover and the diameter of the first wires  205 . 
     The wire outlets  208  are formed on an area of the side surface above the second bending portion  108  to prevent the first wires  205  from being damaged by the sharp edge of the second bending portion  108 . The lamp holder includes a coupling portion  224  contacting the bottom portion  106 , the first bending portion  107 , and the second bending portion  108 . According to this exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the first wires  205  do not require an additional bending portion after passing through the wire outlet  208 , because the wire outlet  208  aims in a direction where the first wires extend. 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view showing a lamp holder accommodated in a bottom chassis, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III′, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , a groove  220  is formed on an inner surface of the lamp holder. The groove  220  is disposed on an area between a lamp fixing portion including lamp fixing grooves  214 ,  215  and a wire guiding portion including wire outlets  208 . With this embodiment, a first wire  205  is not damaged by a sharp edge of the lamp cover  104  after passing through the lamp holder  203 . The lamp holder  203  is also coupled to the lamp cover  104  more stably. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a lamp holder accommodated in a bottom chassis, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 11  is a perspective showing the lamp holder accommodated in a bottom chassis, according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, for example as shown in  FIG. 10 , in another angle. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10  and  FIG. 11 , a lamp holder  203  includes a protruding portion  207  exposed outwardly from a lower surface of bottom chassis  100 . A wire outlet  208  is formed on a lower surface of the lamp holder  203 . Another lamp holder  204  also includes a protruding portion  209  exposed outwardly from the lower surface of the bottom chassis  100 . The lamp holder  204  includes a through hole and a wire guide groove  211 . An adhesive tape  221  is attached to the first wires  205  and the wire guide groove  211  to fix the first wires  205  to the wire guide groove  211  more stably. In one aspect, the wire guide groove  211  fixes and protects a bending portion of the first wires  230 . 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view showing an LCD device, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken along the line IV-IV′, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , a first lamp holder  203  fixes end portions of the first and second lamps  201 ,  202  and guides wires  231 ,  232  connected to corresponding ends of the first lamp  201  and the second lamp  202 . The first lamp holder  203  including a protruding portion  207  is disposed on an edge of the lamp cover  104 . The protruding portion  207  is exposed outwardly from the upper surface of the lamp cover  104  and a wire outlet  208  formed on the upper surface of the first lamp holder  203 . 
     A second lamp holder  204  fixes other end portions of the first and second lamps  201 , 202  and guides wires  233 , 234  connected to corresponding ends of the first lamp  201  and the second lamp  202 . The second lamp holder  204  includes a protruding portion exposed outwardly from the upper surface of the lamp cover  104  and a wire outlet formed on the upper surface of the second lamp holder  204 . 
     The wires  231 ,  232 ,  233 ,  234 , guided and passed through the first and second lamp holder  203 ,  204 , are extended from the first and second lamp holder  203 ,  204  and are substantially parallel with the first and second lamps  201 ,  202 . The wires  231 ,  232 ,  233 ,  234  meet in the upper surface of a lamp cover  104  and bend outwardly to be connected to a lamp driving unit providing power for driving the first and second lamps  201 , 202 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , the first and second lamp holders  203 ,  204  include a first lamp fixing groove  214 ,  218  and a second lamp fixing groove  215 ,  219 . The depth of the first lamp fixing groove  214 ,  218  and the second lamp fixing groove  215 ,  219  are substantially the same. The electrodes of the first lamp  216 ,  222  are shorter than the electrodes of the second lamp  217 ,  223 , so the wires connected to the electrodes of the first lamp  231 ,  233  and the wires connected to the electrodes of the second lamp  232 ,  234  do not interfere with each other. 
       FIG. 14  is an exploded perspective view showing a backlight assembly, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 14 , a board  240  including a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs)  241  mounted on a surface thereof is illustrated. The LEDs  241  face a light incident surface of a light guide plate  301 . First and second holder  243 ,  244  are disposed in the bottom chassis  100  and fix each end portion of the board  240 . Wires  245  are connected to the board  240  and a driving unit providing power for driving the LEDs  241 . The wires  245  electrically connect the board  240  to the driving unit and deliver power to provide by a driving unit. The first holder  243  includes a groove for fixing one end of the board  240 . The second holder  244  includes a groove for fixing another end of the board  240  and a wire outlet for guiding the wires  245 . The wire outlet is formed on a protruding portion of the second holder  244 . The protruding portion is exposed outwardly from the lower surface of the bottom chassis  100 . 
     Although embodiments of the present invention have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings and the exemplary embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto, but is defined by the appended claims. 
     Therefore, it should be noted that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the technical spirit and scope of the appended claims.