Abstract:
The provided is a new structure of a plasma display module, in which a plasma display panel (PDP) and a chassis can be separated promptly and easily. The plasma display module includes a PDP which displays images, a chassis which is disposed adjacent to a rear surface of the PDP, a hinge coupled to the chassis. An adhesive member such as a double-sided tape is disposed between the hinge and the rear surface of the PDP. During coupling and decoupling processes of the PDP and the chassis, the hinge rotates in order to prevent interference between the PDP and the chassis. The present invention also provides a method of combining a PDP and a chassis, and a method of separating a chassis from a PDP.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application makes reference to, incorporates the same herein, and claims all benefits accruing under 35 U.S.C. § 119 from an application for PLASMA DISPLAY MODULE, METHOD OF ADHERING PLASMA DISPLAY PANEL TO CHASSIS AND METHOD OF SEPARATING PLASMA DISPLAY PANEL TO CHASSIS earlier filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on the 2 Nov. 2006 and there duly assigned Serial No. 10-2006-0107993. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a plasma display module, a method of combining a plasma display panel (PDP) and a chassis, and a method of separating a chassis from a PDP. More particularly, the present invention relates to a plasma display module in which a chassis can be easily and promptly separated from a PDP of the plasma display module, a method of combining a PDP and a chassis, and a method of separating a chassis from a PDP. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A plasma display module is a flat panel display device which displays images using a gas discharge effect. Due to its thin and large screen having a wide viewing angle and a high-definition, the plasma display module recently has received much attention as a large-scale flat panel display device. The plasma display module includes a plasma display panel (PDP) on which images are displayed using a gas discharge effect, and a chassis which supports the PDP. A plurality of circuit boards to drive the PDP are installed on the rear surface of the chassis, and the circuit boards and the PDP are electrically connected by a plurality of signal transmitting means such as tape carrier packages (TCPs) or flexible printed circuits (FPCs). 
         [0006]    It is necessary to inspect the plasma display module, in which the PDP and the chassis are assembled together, in order to investigate whether a defect has occurred in the TCPs or FCPs which includes a plurality in integrated circuits (ICs). If a defect is detected in the TCPs or FCPs during the inspection, the chassis has to be separated from the PDP in order to repair the defect. 
         [0007]    In the contemporary technology, a chassis is assembled with a PDP through a double-sided tape. Therefore, in order to separate the chassis from the PDP, it is necessary to remove the double-sided tape or to weaken the strength of the double-sided tape. In this case, heating process is mostly employed to weaken the strength of the double-sided tape. In other words, the plasma display module is heated at a certain temperature until the strength of the double-sided tape is weakened and the chassis is easily separated from the PDP. The heating method, however, requires a large amount of time, and can produce smoke and odor during the process. The PDP or the chassis can be damaged due to the heat, and the chassis has to be replaced after the heating process. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The provided is a plasma display module that includes the plasma display panel, the chassis, and a hinge coupled to each of the chassis and the plasma display panel through an adhesive member, a method of combining a plasma display panel (PDP) and a chassis, and a method of separating a chassis from a PDP. 
         [0009]    According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plasma display module that includes a plasma display panel having a front surface and a rear surface where an image is displayed on the front surface, a chassis arranged adjacent to the rear surface, a hinge having a first arm and a second arm where the second arm is coupled to the chassis, and an adhesive member disposed between the rear surface of the plasma display panel and the first arm of the hinge to attach the first arm of the hinge on the rear surface of the plasma display panel. 
         [0010]    The plasma display module may further include a coupling member that couples the second arm of the hinge onto the chassis. The coupling member may include a screw boss disposed between the second arm of the hinge and the chassis, and a screw having a screw body and a screw head. The screw boss has an internal screw thread and is fixed on the chassis. The screw body passes through the second arm of the hinge, and is coupled into the internal screw thread of the screw boss. The coupling member may further include a washer disposed between the screw head and the second arm of the hinge. 
         [0011]    The adhesive member may be attached on a lateral edge portion of the rear surface of the plasma display panel. Only one adhesive member may be attached on the first arm of the hinge. 
         [0012]    The hinge may include a pivot disposed between the first arm and the second arm. Each of the first arm and the second arm has a first portion and a second portion. Each of the first portion of the first arm and the first portion of the second arm may be rotatably connected to the pivot. The adhesive member may be attached on the second portion of the first arm, and the second portion of the second arm may be coupled to the chassis. 
         [0013]    The first arm may have a shape of a flat plate, and the second arm may have a cross-sectional shape of an L-shape. Each of the first arm and the second arm may have a cross-sectional shape of an L-shape. Each of the first portion of the first arm and the first portion of the second arm may have a shape of an arc, and each of the second portion of the first arm and the second portion of the second arm may have a shape of a flat plate. The hinge may be made of a material including aluminum. 
         [0014]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of combining a PDP and a chassis. The method includes steps of attaching a first surface of an adhesive member on a rear surface of the plasma display panel, attaching a second surface of the adhesive member on a first arm of a hinge, and coupling a second arm of the hinge onto the chassis. An image is displayed on a front surface of the plasma display panel. 
         [0015]    The step of coupling the second arm of the hinge onto the chassis may include a step of engaging a coupling member on both of the chassis and the second arm of the hinge. 
         [0016]    According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of separating a chassis and a plasma display panel from a plasma display module that includes the plasma display panel, the chassis, and a hinge coupled to each of the chassis and the plasma display panel through an adhesive member. The method includes steps of decoupling the chassis from the hinge, and decoupling the hinge from the plasma display panel. The chassis is disposed adjacent to a rear surface of the plasma display panel and an image is displayed on the front surface. 
         [0017]    The step of decoupling the chassis from the hinge may include a step of releasing a coupling member that couples a second arm of the hinge onto the chassis. 
         [0018]    The method may further includes a step of removing the adhesive member from the plasma display panel. 
         [0019]    According to the plasma display module described above, a chassis can be separated from a PDP of the plasma display module by unscrewing the screw which couple the hinge onto the chassis. Thus, a defect of the plasma display module can be repaired promptly and easily, and damage of the PDP through heating process can be prevented. Furthermore, the chassis can be reused. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0020]    A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof, will be readily apparent as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference symbols indicate the same or similar components, wherein: 
           [0021]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view for describing a system for separating a chassis from a plasma display panel (PDP); 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a plasma display module constructed as an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  is a rear view of the plasma display module of  FIG. 2  showing an arrangement of hinges, which is constructed as an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a rear view of a plasma display module of  FIG. 2  showing another arrangement of hinges, which is constructed as another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the plasma display module of  FIG. 2 , which is cut along line V-V; 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a hinge constructed as another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a hinge constructed as another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of the plasma display module of  FIG. 2 , which is cut along line V-V, in order to illustrate a method for separating a chassis from a PDP, which is constructed as another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a method of combining a PDP and a chassis, which is constructed as an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a method of separating a chassis from a PDP, which is constructed as another embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0031]    Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view for describing a system for separating chassis  2  from plasma display panel (PDP)  1 . Referring to  FIG. 1 , plasma display module includes PDP  1 , chassis  2 , and double-sided tape  3  that connects chassis  2  to PDP  1 . In order to separate chassis  2  from plasma display panel (PDP)  1 , the plasma display module is arranged in a manner that PDP  1  is disposed upward. Heating lamp  5  is placed under the lower surface of the plasma display module (under chassis  2 ), and the plasma display module is heated up to 480° C. for 12 to 15 minutes by heating lamp  5 . PDP  1  is lifted when the adhesive strength of double-sided tape  3  is weakened. 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view of a plasma display module  100  constructed as an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 3  is a rear view of the plasma display module of  FIG. 2  showing an arrangement of hinges, which is constructed as an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 4  is a rear view of a plasma display module of  FIG. 2  showing another arrangement of hinges, which is constructed as another embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the plasma display module of  FIG. 2 , which is cut along line V-V shown in  FIG. 2 . 
         [0034]    The plasma display module  100  of  FIG. 2  includes plasma display panel (PDP)  10 , chassis  30 , a plurality of hinges  40 , a plurality of adhesive members  50 , heat sink sheet  60 , a plurality of circuit boards (not shown), and a plurality of signal transmitting means  20 . 
         [0035]    PDP  10  is formed by combining front panel  11  and rear panel  12 . Although not shown in  FIG. 2 , if PDP  10  is a 3-electrode surface discharge type, front panel  11  includes a front substrate, a plurality of pairs of sustain electrodes, a first dielectric layer, and a protection layer, and rear panel  12  includes a rear substrate, a plurality of address electrodes, a second dielectric layer, a fluorescent layer, and a barrier rib. Alternatively, PDP  10  may be a 2-electrode panel, a direct current (DC) type, or a double-substrate two-electrode type. When a predetermined pulse voltage is applied to PDP  10 , a discharge occurs from each discharge cell, and thus ultraviolet (UV) rays are generated. The UV rays excite the fluorescent layer to generate visible light, and thereby PDP  10  displays an image. 
         [0036]    PDP  10  is combined with chassis  30 . In a method of combining PDP  10  and chassis  30 , a double-sided tape, which can be one of adhesive members  50 , can be directly attached between PDP  10  and chassis  30 . In order to improve coupling and decoupling processes between PDP  10  and chassis  30 , adhesive members  50 , however, are not directly attached between PDP  10  and chassis  30  in the present invention. PDP  10  and chassis  30  are coupled to each other through hinges  40  and adhesive members  50  that are attached between PDP  10  and hinges  40 . In more detail, pieces of adhesive members  50  are attached on a portion of a rear surface of PDP  10  that is closer to the lateral edges of the rear surface, for example, near the left or right edges of the rear surface of PDP  10 . Here, the rear surface of PDP  10  is referred to as a surface of PDP  10  that does not display an image, while a front surface of PDP  10  is referred to as a surface that displays an image. The size and the number of the pieces of adhesive members  50  are determined in order that adhesive members  50  can sufficiently support PDP  10 . According to the current embodiment, adhesive member  50  can be a double-sided tape, and two pieces of the double-sided tape are attached on each of the left and right portion of the rear surface of PDP  10 . The present invention, however, is not limited thereto. One piece or more than three pieces of the double-sided tape can be attached on the rear surface of PDP  10 , and any type of adhesives can be used as long as the adhesive is appropriate to hold the PDP and chassis. 
         [0037]    Hinges  40  are coupled with chassis  30  in positions corresponding to the positions of the pieces of adhesive members  50 . According to an embodiment of the present invention, each of hinges  40  may include pivot  43 , first arm  41 , and second arm  42 . First arm  41  is a flat rectangular plate, and is attached on adhesive members  50 . Second arm  42  is an L-shaped plate and is coupled with chassis  30  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Herein, the L-shaped plate means a flat plate bent at around right angle. Therefore, a cross-sectional view of the L-shaped plate has a L-shape. First and second arms  41  and  42  are connected to each other through pivot  43 . Each of first arm  41  and second arm  42  has a first portion and a second portion. Each of the first portion of first arm  41  and the first portion of second arm  42  is rotatably connected to pivot  43 . Adhesive member  50  is attached on the second portion of first arm  41 , and the second portion of second arm  42  is coupled to the chassis. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6  shows cross-sectional view of hinge  140  that is constructed as another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 6 , hinge  140  may include first and second arms  141  and  142 , each of which has a cross-sectional view of L-shape. First and second arms  141  and  142  are connected to each other by pivot  143 . 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of hinge  240  that is constructed as another embodiment of the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 7 , hinge  240  includes first arm  241  second arm  242 . A first portion of first arm  241  has a shape of an arc. A first portion of second arm  242  also may have a shape of an arc. The first portions of first and second arms  241  and  242  are connected to each other by pivot  243 . Therefore, the coupled first portions of first and second arms  241  and  242  have a semicircle shape. In the present invention, the shape of the first arm and the shape of the second arm, however, can be different. For example, a first arm may have a L-shape, while a second arm may have an arc shape, depending on a design of a chassis and a plasma display module. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6 , and  7 , hinges  40 ,  140  and  240  can be a thin and rigid plate such as an aluminum plate, a zinc-coated steel plate, or a steel plate. The size and the number of hinges  40 ,  140  and  240  are determined by the corresponding size and number of the pieces of adhesive members  50 . For example, if two pieces of double-sided tapes (adhesive members  50 ) are attached on each of the left and right portions of the rear surface of PDP  10 , two hinges (hinges  40 ,  140 , or  240 ) are formed on positions corresponding to the positions of the pieces of the double-sided tapes. First portions of the hinges (hinges  40 ,  140 , or  240 ) are attached on the pieces of the double-sided tapes, and second portions of the hinges are coupled with chassis  30 . 
         [0041]    The second portion of each of hinges (hinges  40 ,  140 , or  240 ) and chassis  30  are coupled by a coupling member such as screw  33  and screw boss  31 . 
         [0042]    The coupling of the second portion of each of hinges  40  and chassis  30  will now be described in detail with reference to  FIG. 5 . Referring  FIG. 5 , screw boss  31  is formed on a rear surface of chassis  30  and screw  33  is coupled with screw boss  31 . Herein a rear and front surfaces of chassis  30  are consistently defined the same directions as the rear and front surfaces of PDP  10 . Therefore, the rear surface of PDP  10  faces the front surface of chassis  30 . Screw  33  has a screw body and a screw head. The screw body passes through the second portion of hinge  40 . An internal screw thread is formed inside screw boss  31  and screw body is coupled with the internal screw thread. Therefore, screw  33  can be coupled with screw boss  31 . Also, in order to improve coupling strength, washer  32  can be included between the screw head of screw  33  and the second portion of hinge  40 . 
         [0043]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , two pairs of screw  33  and screw boss  31  can be formed in a horizontal direction (perpendicular to a lateral edge of PDP  10 ) at each of hinges  40  coupled to chassis  30 . Here, the horizontal direction is referred to as a direction that is perpendicular to the lateral edge of PDP  10  as described referring to  FIG. 2 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 4 , three sets of two pairs of screw  33  and screw boss  31 , which are formed in a horizontal direction, can be formed in a vertical direction (parallel to a lateral edge of PDP  10 ) at each of hinges  40 .  FIGS. 3 and 4  show only examples how screw  33  and screw boss  31  can be arranged in a second portion of hinge  40 , and the present invention is not limited to the arrangement shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The number and the positions of screw  33  and screw boss  31  can vary in accordance with the size and the number of the pieces of adhesive member  50 . 
         [0044]    In this embodiment, the coupling by a pair of screw  33  and screw boss  31  is described, but the present invention is not limited thereto. A variety of coupling members, such as a one-touch locking device and a rivet, can also be used. 
         [0045]    Heat sink sheet  60  can be disposed on the rear surface of PDP  10  in order to radiate heat generated by PDP  10 . Filter  13  can be disposed on the front surface of PDP  10  in order to prevent reflection of external light and block electromagnetic waves. The circuit boards are combined to the rear surface of chassis  30 . Although not shown in the drawings, the circuit boards may include a power supply board, a logic board, an address-electrode driving board, an X-electrode driving board, and a Y-electrode driving board. The address-electrode driving board, the X-electrode driving board and the Y-electrode driving board generate voltage pulses that are applied to the address electrodes, a plurality of X electrodes, and a plurality of Y electrodes, respectively. The generated voltage pulses are applied to each of the electrodes by signal transmitting means  20  such as tape carrier packages (TCPs) or flexible printed circuits (FPCs). Signal transmitting means  20  are included in PDP  10  by being electrically connected to electrode terminals of the PDP  10 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 9  is a flowchart of a method of combining a PDP and a chassis, constructed as an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart of  FIG. 9  will be described in referring to  FIG. 5 . 
         [0047]    In step S 10 , a double-sided tape (adhesive member  50 ) is attached on the rear surface of PDP  10 . A first surface of the double-sided tape is attached on the left and right portion of the rear surface of PDP  10 . The size and the number of the pieces of the double-sided tape can vary as described above. 
         [0048]    In step S 20 , a first portion of hinge  40  is attached on a second surface of the double-sided tape. Herein, the second surface of the double-sided tape is an opposite surface of the first surface of the double-sided tape. Then, in step S 30 , a second portion of hinge  40  is rotated about pivot  43 , so that hinge  40  does not interfere with chassis  30  while being coupled with PDP  10 . Chassis  30  is disposed behind PDP  10 , and the second portion of hinge  40  is reversely rotated so as to be coupled with boss  31  fixed on chassis  30  using screw  33 . 
         [0049]    After PDP  10  and chassis  30  are combined as described above, the circuit boards of chassis  30  and a plurality of electrode terminals of PDP  10  are electrically connected by signal transmitting means  20  shown in  FIG. 2 , such as TCPs or FPCs. A plurality of X-electrode and Y-electrode signal transmitting means  21  may be connected through left and right side portions of PDP  10 . Chassis  30  and a plurality of address electrode signal transmitting means  22  may be connected through top and bottom portions of PDP  10  and chassis  30 . Assembly of the plasma display module  100  is completed during these steps. 
         [0050]    When the assembly of plasma display module  100  is completed, inspection is performed on plasma display module  100  in order to investigate whether a defect has occurred. Because a plurality of integrated circuits (ICs) such as address-electrode driving chips are included in the TCPs, a defect may occur. If a defect is detected from the TCPs or FCPs during the inspection of plasma display module  100 , chassis  30  has to be separated from plasma display module  100  in order to fix the defect. 
         [0051]      FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of plasma display module  100  of  FIG. 2  cut along line V-V, when hinge  40  and chassis  30  are decoupled in order to separate PDP  10  from chassis  30 , which is constructed as an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 10  is a flowchart of a method for separating a chassis from a PDP, which is constructed as an embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0052]    The flowchart of  FIG. 10  will be described referring to  FIG. 8 . In step S 100 , screw  33  is unscrewed, so that a second portion of hinge  40  and chassis  30  are decoupled. Then, in step S 200 , the second portion of hinge  40  is rotated, so that hinge  40  does not interfere with chassis  30  while being separated from PDP  10 . Chassis  30  is then separated from PDP  10 . 
         [0053]    In step S 300 , in order to separate hinge  40  from PDP  10 , double-sided tape (adhesive member  50 ) is removed from PDP  10 . Since the double-sided tape has high shear-strength and tensile-strength, the double-sided tape can be removed by peeling one end of the double-sided tape, while holding the end of the double-sided tape, and by pulling the double-sided tape towards the other end of the double-sided tape. 
         [0054]    As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a chassis can be separated from a PDP of a plasma display module by unscrewing a plurality of screws which couple a plurality of hinges onto a chassis. Thus, it is not necessary to heat the plasma display module in order to separate the chassis from the PDP. As a result, repair time is short, and damage of the PDP, due to the heat, can be prevented. Furthermore, the chassis can be reused. 
         [0055]    While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. The exemplary embodiments should be considered in descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. Therefore, the scope of the invention is defined not by the detailed description of the invention but by the appended claims, and all differences within the scope of the invention will be construed as being included in the present invention.