Abstract:
A display device is disclosed. The display device may include a display panel and cover. A first cover may be configured to be connected to the display panel and a second cover may be connected to the first cover to cover the display panel. The first cover and the second cover may cover a back side of the display panel. A plurality of first holders may be disposed on the first cover and a plurality of second holders may be disposed on the second cover corresponding to the plurality of first holders to couple the second cover to the first cover. The first cover may include a first frame and a second frame connected to each other. Distal ends of the first and second frames may have prescribed shapes configured to couple to each other to form a low profile cover for the display device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to Korean Application No. 10-2014-0006505 filed on Jan. 20, 2014, whose entire disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device which allows a plurality of covers to be securely connected together by surface contact. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    As the functions of display devices, such as personal computers, laptops, mobile phones, TVs, etc., have become diversified, display devices are implemented in the form of a multimedia player having comprehensive functions such as capturing still and video images, playing music or video files, playing games, receiving broadcasts, and the like. 
         [0006]    Display devices may be divided into mobile terminals and stationary terminals according to mobility. Mobile terminals may be divided into handheld terminals and vehicle mount terminals according to whether or not a user can carry it with them. 
         [0007]    In order to support and increase the functionality of display devices, the improvement of structural parts and/or software parts of the display devices can be taken into account. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a view illustrating the relationship of connection between the first and second frames of the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first frame of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is front and side views of the first frame of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the second frame of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is front and side views of the second frame of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the first and second frames of  FIG. 3  connected together; 
           [0017]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are views illustrating the effects of the first and second frames of  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 11  is a view illustrating the relationship of connection between the frame and back cover of the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 12 and 13  are views illustrating the first holder of the frame of  FIG. 11  and the second holder of the back cover of  FIG. 11 ; and 
           [0020]      FIGS. 14 and 15  are views showing the operation of the first holder of  FIG. 11 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    The above objects, characteristic, and merits of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may be modified in various ways and may have some embodiments. Hereinafter, some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described in detail. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. Furthermore, a detailed description of the known functions or elements pertinent to the present disclosure will be omitted if it is deemed to make the gist of this document unnecessarily vague. Ordinal numbers (for example, first and second) used in the course of a description of this specification are only identification symbols for distinguishing one element from the other element. 
         [0022]    Hereinafter, a display device related to the present disclosure will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The suffixes ‘module’ and ‘unit’ for the elements used in the following description are given or used in common by considering facilitation in writing this disclosure only but fail to have meanings or roles discriminated from each other. 
         [0023]    The display device to be described in this specification may include a cellular phone, a smartphone, a laptop computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, personal digital assistants (PDA), a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigation system and/or so on. 
         [0024]    Except for a case applicable to a mobile terminal only, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the configurations according to an embodiment described in this disclosure is applicable to such a stationary terminal as a digital TV, a desktop computer and the like. 
         [0025]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The display device  10  may include a display panel  20 , auxiliary equipment  30 , a frame  40 , and a back cover  50 . 
         [0026]    The display panel  20  may comprise a liquid crystal panel. However, the present disclosure is not limited to it and the display panel  20  may be a plasma display panel (PDP), a field emission display (FED), or an organic light emitting display (OLED). Although shown in a simplified form, the display panel  20  may comprise various types of devices, such as an optical layer or a protective board, for displaying images and protecting the inside. The auxiliary equipment  30  may be various types of electronic devices provided to operate the display device  10 . 
         [0027]    The frame  40  may be a part that is provided outside the display panel  20  and/or the auxiliary equipment  30  and accommodates the display panel  20  and/or the auxiliary equipment  30 . The frame  40  may constitute the overall shape of the display device  10 . The frame  40  may be made of an Al-containing material. The frame  40  may be molded by press working. The frame  40  may cover the sides of the display device  10 , and hence, may also be referred to as a side or bottom cover/cabinet. 
         [0028]    The back cover  50  may be a component that shields the rear surface portion of the display device  10 . The back cover  50  may be attached to the frame  40 . The back cover  50  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be connected to the frame via holders ( 80  and  90  of  FIG. 11 ) corresponding to the back cover  50  and the frame  40 . Using the holders ( 80  and  90  of  FIG. 11 ) according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the back cover  50  can be easily assembled/reassembled and, once assembled, remain securely connected to the frame  40 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of the display device of  FIG. 1 . The display device  10  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise the frame  40  and the back cover  50 . 
         [0030]    As described above, the frame  40  may constitute the overall shape of the display device  10 . The frame  40  may comprise a first frame  42  and a second frame  44 . The first frame  42  may be referred to as a side cover, and the second frame  44  may be referred to as a bottom cover. 
         [0031]    The first frame  42  may be molded into a shape corresponding to at least three sides of the rectangular frame  40 . For example, the frame  42  may be a part corresponding to the top side and left and right sides of the frame  40 , and part of the first frame  42  may extend to the bottom side. The first frame  42  may comprise at least one locking groove ( 64  of  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0032]    The second frame  44  may be molded into a shape corresponding to at least one side of the rectangular frame  40 . For example, the frame  42  may be a part corresponding to the bottom side of the frame  40 . The second frame  44  may be attached to the first frame  42  and constitute the overall shape of the frame  40 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  is a view illustrating the relationship of connection between the first and second frames of the display device of  FIG. 1 . As shown therein, the frame  40  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be formed by connecting together a first connecting portion  60  of the first frame  42  and a second connecting portion  70  of the second frame  44 . 
         [0034]    The first connecting portion  60  may be located at either end of the first frame  42 . This means that the first connecting portion  60  may be configured at either end of the first frame  42  to correspond to the second connecting portion  70  of the second frame  44 . There may be partial overlap between the first connecting portion  60  of the first frame  42  and the second connecting portion  70  of the second frame  44 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the first frame of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 5  is front and side views of the first frame of  FIG. 4 . As shown therein, the first connecting portion  60  of the first frame  42  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a connecting surface  62  and a locking groove  64 . 
         [0036]    The connecting surface  62  may be shaped like a rectangular groove (or recess) with length L and depth D 1  and provided on the surface of the first connecting portion  60 . The length and/or height of the connecting surface  62  may correspond to a locking rib ( 72  of  FIG. 7 ) of the second connecting portion  70 . This means that, once the first and second connecting portions  60  and  70  are connected together, the connecting surface  62  and the locking rib ( 72  of  FIG. 7 ) are fastened together. 
         [0037]    The locking groove  64  may be a through hole formed in the first frame  42 . The locking groove  64  may be shaped like a rectangular hole with height D 2 . The locking groove  64  may have depth W corresponding to the thickness of the first frame  42  at the corresponding position. This means that the locking groove  64  penetrates into the first frame  42 . While the locking groove as described above is a hole, the locking groove  64  may also be a groove or recess which has a depth W greater than the height H of the connecting surface  62 . The shape of the locking groove  64  may correspond to a locking protrusion ( 74  of  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the second frame of  FIG. 3 .  FIG. 7  is front and side views of the second frame of  FIG. 6 . As shown therein, the second connecting portion  70  of the second frame  44  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a locking rib  72 , a locking protrusion  74 , and a fastening hole  76 . 
         [0039]    The locking rib  72  may be a part extending from the second connecting portion  70 . For example, the locking rib  72  may be a part that protrudes from the second connecting portion  70  in the shape of a rectangle with length L and/or height D 1 . 
         [0040]    The locking rib  72  may have a structure corresponding to the connecting surface  62  of the first connecting portion  60 . This means that the length and/or height of the locking rib  72  may substantially correspond to the length and/or height of the connecting surface  62 . 
         [0041]    The locking protrusion  74  may have a structure protruding inward by W 2  from the locking rib  72 . The locking protrusion  74  may have a structure corresponding to the connecting hole  64  of the first connecting portion  60 . This means that the height D 2  and/or depth W 2  of the locking protrusion  74  may correspond to the height D 2  of the locking groove  64  and/or the size of a penetrated region. 
         [0042]    The fastening hole  76  may be a through hole formed in the second frame  44 . After fastening the first and second frames  42  and  44  first, the first and second frames  42  and  44  and/or the auxiliary equipment  30  may be fastened to each other by connecting a screw ( 76  of  FIG. 8 ) to the fastening hole  76 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the first and second frames of  FIG. 3  connected together. As shown therein, the display device  10  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a frame  40  with the first and second frames  42  and  44  connected together. 
         [0044]    The first and second frames  42  and  44  may be easily and securely connected via a corresponding hook-like connecting member. This means that the locking rib  72  and locking protrusion  74  of the second frame  44  are connected to the first frame  42 . 
         [0045]    After connecting the first and second frames  42  and  44  by fastening the locking rib  72  and the locking protrusion  76 , the screw  76  may be connected to the fastening hole  76 . The screw  76 , after passing through the fastening hole  76 , may be connected to a fastening groove  36  of the auxiliary equipment  30 . Once the screw  76  is connected, the first and second frames  42  and  44  and/or the auxiliary equipment  30  can be securely fixed. Also, the first and second frames  42  and  44  can remain securely connected using only a few screws  76 , owing to the unique connection structure of the first and second frames  42  and  44 . 
         [0046]      FIGS. 9 and 10  are views illustrating the effects of the first and second frames of  FIG. 3 . As shown in these drawings, the first and second frames  42  and  44  can be securely connected by the connection structure of the first and second frames  42  and  44  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0047]    A tensile force F 1  along the X axis, a first torque F 2  along the Z-X axis, and/or a second torque F 3  along the Y-X axis may be applied to the connected first and second frames  42  and  44 . For example, this means that an external force may be applied in the course of placing an assembled display device  10  on a table or moving the display device  10 . 
         [0048]    When the tensile force F 1  is applied, the first and second frames  42  and  44  may remain fastened by the locking protrusion  74 . That is, the tensile force F 1  may be offset by the locking protrusion  74  that is bent upward from the locking rib  72  and protrudes by W in the thickness direction of the first frame  72 . 
         [0049]    When the first and second torques F 2  and F 3  are applied, the first and second frames  42  and  44  may remain fastened by the locking rib  72  and/or the locking protrusion  74 . This means that the first torque F 2  may be offset by the locking rib  72  and/or locking protrusion  74  fastened to the connecting surface  62 . 
         [0050]      FIG. 11  is a view illustrating the relationship of connection between the frame and back cover of the display device of  FIG. 1 . As shown therein, the frame  40  and back cover  50  of the display device  10  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be connected via a first holder  80  on the side of the frame  40  and a second holder  90  on the side of the back cover  50 . Using the first and second holders  80  and  90  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the frame  40  and the back cover  50  can remain securely fastened and be easily separated and reconnected for repairs, etc. 
         [0051]    The first holder  80  may be located on the side of the frame  40 . For example, the first holder  80  may be located on the first frame  42  of the frame  40 . The first holder  80  may be provided on a portion  71  of the second frame  44  that extends along a rear of the display part  20  to cover a portion of the rear of the display panel  20 . The first holder  80  may be connected to a connecting long hole  41  provided in the frame  40 . 
         [0052]    The connecting long hole  41  may be an oval connecting hole. A head  84  extending from the body of the first holder  80  may pass through and be connected to the connecting long hole  41 . As the connecting long hole  41  is shaped like an oval, the head  84  may move back and forth along the connecting long hole  41 . When the head  84  moves back and forth, the first holder  80  may likewise move back and forth. Accordingly, the first and second holders  80  and  90  may be easily connected even if their positions do not exactly correspond to each other. 
         [0053]    The second holder  90  may be located on the side of the back cover  50 . For example, the second holder  90  may be placed on the outer periphery of the back cover  50 . The position of the second holder  90  may correspond to the position of the first holder  80  of the frame  40 . For example, the second holder  90  may be positioned away from the edge on the surface that covers the rear of the display panel and corresponding to the first holder  80  positioned on the protruding portion  71  of the second frame  44 . The second holder  90  may comprise a base end portion  94  extending from the back cover  50  and a circular body  92  connected to the base end portion  94 . The base end portion  94  and the circular body  92  may be formed integral with the back cover  50 . For example, the base end portion  94  and the circular body  92  may be components which are injection molded, along with the back cover  50 . 
         [0054]    The circular body  92  may have a shape corresponding to a circular connecting portion  82  of the first holder  80 . For example, the circular body  92  may be cylindrical. Since the cylindrical circular body  92  is connected to the corresponding cylindrical circular connecting portion  82 , there will be room for the first and second holders  80  and  90  to move in the lengthwise direction of the circular body  92 . Accordingly, the first and second holders  80  and  90  may be connected more easily. The circular body  92  and connecting portion  82  may have other shapes such as oval or diamond shaped cross-sections. In certain embodiments, the circular body  92  may have a ball-type shape and the connecting portion  82  may be shaped to secure while allowing small movements. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 12 and 13  are views illustrating the first holder of the frame of  FIG. 11  and the second holder of the back cover of  FIG. 11 . As shown in these drawings, the first and second holders  80  and  90  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be fastened by connecting the circular body  92  to the circular connecting portion  82 . 
         [0056]    As shown in  FIG. 12 , the first holder  80  and the second holder  90  may be connected to or formed in the frame  40  and the back cover  50 , respectively. The operator, if they want to connect the back cover  50  to the frame  40 , may move the back cover  50  to approach the frame  40 . Accordingly, the circular body  92  of the back cover  50  may approach the circular connecting portion  82  of the frame  40 . 
         [0057]    As shown in (a) of  FIG. 13 , the circular body  92  may come into contact with the outer edge or opening of the circular connecting portion  82 . The maximum diameter of the circular body  92  may be greater than the diameter BW 1  of the opening of the circular connecting portion  82 . 
         [0058]    When the operator presses the back cover  50 , the pressing force may be applied to the circular body  92 . When the pressure is applied to the circular body  92 , the circular connecting portion  82  may be deformed due to the circular body  92  contacting it. That is, the circular connecting portion  82  may be elastically deformed, making the diameter of the entry of the circular connecting portion  82  greater than BW 1 . 
         [0059]    As shown in (b) of  FIG. 13 , when the circular connecting portion  82  is elastically deformed due to the application of pressure on the back cover  50 , the circular body  92  may be inserted into the circular connecting portion  82 . When the circular body  92  is inserted into the circular connecting portion  82 , the diameter of the entry of the circular connecting portion  82  may return to the original diameter BW 2 . Once the diameter of the entry of the circular connecting portion  82  returns to the original diameter, the circular body  92  can remain connected to the circular connecting portion  82  unless a considerable amount of external force is applied. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 14 and 15  are views showing the operation of the first holder of  FIG. 11 . As shown in these drawings, the first holder  80  according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise a neck extending from the body of the first holder  80  and a head  84  formed on the edge of the neck. The width of the neck may be LW 2 , and the width of the head  84  may be LW 1 . The width of the connecting long hole  41  may be LW 3 . LW 2  may be less than LW 3 , and LW 1  may be greater than LW 3 . 
         [0061]    As shown in (a) and (b) of  FIG. 15 , the first holder  80  may be moved backward or forward. This means that the neck is freely movable within the connecting long hole  41  because the length of the connecting long hole  41  is greater than the width of the neck extending from the body of the first holder  80 . When the neck moves, this will result in causing the whole first holder  80  to move forward or backward. Accordingly, the first and second holders  80  and  90  may be connected even if they are not precisely positioned. 
         [0062]    As broadly described and embodied herein, provided is a display device which allows first and second frames to be securely connected together by surface contact. 
         [0063]    An exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display device comprising: a display panel; and a frame configured to be connected to the display panel and have at least one first frame and a second frame connected to each other, the at least one first frame comprising at last one connecting surface, and the second frame comprising at least one locking rib configured to have a shape corresponding to the at least one connecting surface and come into surface contact with a locking groove. 
         [0064]    The connecting surface may be a region where at least a part of the first frame differs in height from at least another part of the first frame in the lengthwise direction of the first frame, and the locking rib may be configured to extend from the second frame in the lengthwise direction of the first frame so as to correspond to the at least a part of the frame. 
         [0065]    The first frame may comprise at least one locking grooves configured to penetrate into at least part of the first frame, and the second frame comprises at least one locking protrusion configured to have a shape corresponding to the at least one locking groove and be inserted into the at least one locking groove. 
         [0066]    The at least one locking protrusion may be configured to protrude than the at least one locking rib in the thickness direction of the second frame. 
         [0067]    The first frame and the second frame may be configured to form a frame by connecting the at least one connecting surface and the at least one locking rib together. 
         [0068]    The display device may further comprise: a back cover configured to be connected to the opposite side of the display panel with respect to the first and second frames; at least one first holder configured to be spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance; and at least one second holder configured to be formed at a position corresponding to the at least one first holder and connected to the at least one first holder. 
         [0069]    The display device may comprise: a cylindrical body configured to be formed on either one of the at least one first holder and the at least one second holder; and a cylindrical connecting portion configured to be formed on the other one of the at least one first holder and the at least one second holder to correspond to the cylindrical body, into which the cylindrical body is inserted. 
         [0070]    The cylindrical connecting portion may be configured to be connected to a connecting long hole so as to be movable in the lengthwise direction. 
         [0071]    A display device according to the present disclosure has the advantage of allowing first and second frames to be securely connected together by surface contact. 
         [0072]    Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments. 
         [0073]    Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.