Abstract:
A liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal display panel which has first and second drain lines groups, a control circuit board which has a control unit, a first and second drain drivers groups connected to the corresponding first and second drain lines groups, a back light unit, a metal frame, and a shield member which shields against EMI. Both of the first and second drain drivers groups are arranged at a same peripheral side of the liquid crystal display panel. The control unit supplies first and second signals to the drain drivers groups via flexible printed circuits which are connected to the control circuit board. The control circuit board is sandwiched between the metal frame and the shield member, and the metal frame is arranged between the control circuit board and the liquid crystal display panel.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/987,465, filed Nov. 14, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/449,835, filed Nov. 26, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,604, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to an liquid crystal display device. More specifically, the invention relates to a back light unit for a liquid crystal display panel.  
         [0003]     A liquid crystal display panel is comprised the pair of opposed substrates and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the pair of substrates, wherein an array of pixels is formed in a horizontal plane of the liquid crystal display panel. In this case, a back light unit is needed, and such a back light unit is arranged in the back of the liquid crystal display panel. Thus, each pixel has only the function to control the amount of light switching by controlling the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules.  
         [0004]     This back light includes a lamp tube, a diffusing plate and a reflector for supplying the light and uniformalizing the light irradiation of a liquid crystal display panel. A cold cathode fluorescent tube (CFL), whose length is almost equal to the length in a parallel direction of the liquid crystal display panel and which is supplied with a voltage by electrodes attached at both ends of the tube, is used as the lamp tube.  
         [0005]     However, a liquid crystal display unit&#39;s life span is determined by a lamp tube&#39;s short life span. Although replacement of the lamp tube in the back light unit is not easy, all lamps should be replaced to maintain the brightness of the back light unit.  
         [0006]     In addition, an electrode material inside the cold cathode fluorescent tube tends to adhere on the inner wall of the lamp tube due to sputtering which occurs while lighting, and so the lamp tube tends to become dark more and more due to the adhesion materials over time. That is, the adhesion materials become an alloy (amalgam) of the mercury inside the cold cathode fluorescent tube, and so the lamp tube&#39;s life span shortens more and more by consuming mercury.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     The present invention was accomplished in recognition of the above problems, and, accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display panel in which the liquid crystal display unit&#39;s life span can be increased without the need to replace the lamp tube or the back light unit.  
         [0008]     The above objects are achieved by a liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal display panel for modulating light to form an image, and a back light unit having a lamp tube which is discharged by an electrode and is disposed behind said liquid crystal display panel, wherein said electrode is formed outside of said lamp tube.  
         [0009]     Further, the above objects are achieved by a liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal display panel having a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer interposed between said pair of substrates, and a back light unit having a lamp tube which is discharged by a pair of electrodes and is disposed behind said liquid crystal display panel, wherein said pair of electrodes are formed outside of said lamp tube and are disposed opposite to each other.  
         [0010]     Further, the above objects are achieved by a liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal display panel having a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer interposed between said pair of substrates, and a back light unit including a plurality of lamp tubes which are discharged by a pair of electrodes comprising a power supply electrode and a ground electrode which are disposed at a location opposite to a display area of said liquid crystal display panel, wherein said pair of electrodes are formed outside of said lamp tube and are formed opposite to each other.  
         [0011]     Further, the above objects are achieved by a liquid crystal display device comprising, a liquid crystal display panel for modulating light to form an image, a back light unit including a plurality of lamp tubes which are discharged by a plurality of electrodes, wherein said electrodes are formed on said lamp tubes, and one of the electrodes is formed between a pair of electrodes.  
         [0012]     Further, the above objects are achieved by a liquid crystal display device comprising, a liquid crystal display panel having a pair of substrates, a liquid crystal layer interposed between said pair of substrates, and a back light unit having a lamp tube which is discharged by a power supply electrode and a ground electrode formed outside of said lamp tube, wherein said lamp tube has an elbow-shaped bend and is disposed at a location opposite to a display area of said liquid crystal display panel.  
         [0013]     Further, the above objects are achieved by a back light unit to supply light for a liquid crystal display panel, which back light unit comprises a lamp tube which is discharged by a power supply electrode and a ground electrode formed on a surface of the outside of said lamp tube, wherein said power supply electrode is positioned on the central portion of said lamp tube.  
         [0014]     Further, the above objects are achieved by a back light unit to supply light for a liquid crystal display panel, which back light unit comprises a lamp tube which is discharged by a power supply electrode and a ground electrode formed on a surface of the outside of said lamp tube, wherein said power supply electrode and said ground electrode are divided into two or more pairs, and said power supply electrode or said ground electrode are disposed side by side with respect to each other.  
         [0015]     According to the constitution of this invention, the liquid crystal display unit&#39;s life span can be increased without changing the lamp tube or the back light unit. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of essential portions illustrating a liquid crystal display panel;  
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a liquid crystal display module;  
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a plan view of essential portions illustrating a pixel and peripheries thereof in a liquid crystal display unit of an active matrix-type liquid crystal display;  
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the back light unit;  
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the lamp tube in the back light unit;  
         [0021]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are longitudinal and cross sectional views of a lamp tube in a back light unit, respectively;  
         [0022]      FIGS. 7A, 7B  and  7 C are graphs illustrating the relationships among the brightness of the back light unit and the distance from the center to the edge of the lamp tube;  
         [0023]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are a plan view and a sectional view, respectively, illustrating the back light unit;  
         [0024]      FIG. 9  is a graph illustrating the relationships among the average brightness of the back light unit and the frequency of a power supply unit;  
         [0025]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating the resin frame of the upper side of the back light unit;  
         [0026]      FIG. 11  is a plan view of the underside of the back light unit;  
         [0027]      FIG. 12  is a front view and FIGS.  12 ( a ) to  12 ( d ) are side views of the liquid crystal display panel;  
         [0028]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view of the liquid crystal display panel of embodiment 2;  
         [0029]     FIGS.  14 A( 1 ),  14 B( 1 ) and  14 C( 1 ) are sectional views taken on lines  14   a ( 1 )- 14   a ( 1 ),  14   b ( 1 )- 14   b ( 1 ) and  14   c ( 1 )- 14   c ( 1 ) in  FIGS. 14A, 14B  and  14 C, respectively;  
         [0030]      FIGS. 15A, 15B ,  15 C and  15 D are plan views illustrating electrode arrangements of the lamp tube of embodiment 4;  
         [0031]      FIGS. 16A, 16B ,  16 C and  16 D are plan views illustrating electrode arrangements of the lamp tube of embodiment 4;  
         [0032]      FIGS. 17A, 17B  and  17 C are plan views illustrating the electrode arrangements of the lamp tube of embodiment 5;  
         [0033]      FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the back light unit of embodiment 6;  
         [0034]      FIG. 19  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the back light unit of embodiment 7; 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0035]     Further objects and features of the present invention will become obvious from the following description when taken in conjunction with the drawings.  
         [0000]     &lt;A Liquid Crystal Display System&gt; 
         [0036]      FIG. 1  is a plan view of essential portions of a liquid crystal display panel.  FIG. 1  is drawn corresponding to an actual geometrical arrangement. This embodiment illustrates an In Plane Switching (IPS) mode liquid crystal display with a wide viewing angle.  
         [0037]     A liquid crystal display panel  1  is composed of substrates  1 A,  1 B and a liquid crystal layer interposed between substrates  1 A,  1 B. In this case, the substrate  1 A is formed to be larger than the substrate  1 B. Substrate  1 A and  1 B are arranged so that the lower side and right side almost match, as shown in  FIG. 1 . As a result, the left side and upper side of the substrate  1 A form extended free areas compared with the substrate  1 B, and a gate driver  15  and a drain driver  16  are formed on these areas.  
         [0038]     A plurality of pixels are arranged in the form of a matrix in the area where each of the substrates  1 A,  1 B overlap. A typical pixel  2  has a gate line  3  extending in the direction x of  FIG. 1  and arranged in the direction y, and a drain line  4  extending in the direction y of  FIG. 1  and arranged in the direction x. This pixel  2  has a switching element TFT switched by at least supplying timing data through a gate line  3 , and a pixel electrode supplied with image data through a drain line  4  and a TFT. In addition, each pixel  2  has a counter electrode and a storage capacitor Cstg, since this embodiment&#39;s display operates in the In-Plane Switching mode. And, the left edge of each gate line  3  extends outside the substrate  1 B and is connected with the output terminal of a gate driver  5  formed on the substrate  1 A.  
         [0039]     In  FIG. 1 , two or more gate drivers  5  are formed. The gate lines  3  are divided into plural groups disposed adjacent to each other, and these groups are connected to a respective adjoining gate driver  5 . Moreover, the upper end of each a drain line  4  is extended outside the substrate  1 B and is connected with the output terminal of a drain driver  6  formed on the substrate  1 A. In this case, similarly, the drain lines  4  are divided into plural groups disposed adjacent to each other, and these groups are connected to a respective adjoining drain driver  6 . On the other hand, the gate drivers  5  and the drain drivers  6  may be formed on a printed circuit board  10  (a control circuit board  10 ) which is disposed adjacent to the liquid crystal display panel  1 .  
         [0040]     A control unit  12  which is provided to supply the input signal to a gate driver  5  and a drain driver  6  is formed on the printed circuit board  10 , in addition to a power supply circuit  11 . And, the signal from this control unit  12  is supplied to the gate drivers  5  and drain drivers  6  through a flexible printed circuit (a flexible printed gate circuit  15  and a flexible printed drain circuit  16 A and  16 B). That is, a connection terminal is opposed to each input of a gate driver  5 , and the flexible printed circuit (the flexible printed gate circuit  15 ) is connected with the connection terminal. A part of the flexible printed gate circuit  15  is overlapped on the control circuit board  10 , and the overlapped portion is connected with a control circuit board on the board  10  through a connection port  18 . The output signal from a control unit  12  formed on the control circuit board  10  is output to each gate driver  5  through the wiring layer on the control circuit board  10 , the connection port  18  and the flexible printed gate circuit  15 .  
         [0041]     Moreover, a connection terminal is opposed to each input of a drain driver  6 , and the flexible printed circuits  16 A and  16 B are connected with the connection terminal. A part of the flexible printed drain circuits  16 A and  16 B are overlapped on the control circuit board  10 , and the overlapped portions are connected with a control circuit board  10  through connection ports  19 A and  19 B. The output signal from a control unit  12  formed on the control circuit board  10  is output to each drain driver  6  through the wiring layer on the control circuit board  10 , the connection ports  19 A and  19 B and the flexible printed drain circuits  16 A and  16 B.  
         [0042]     The flexible printed drain circuit is divided into flexible circuits  16 A and  16 B, as shown in  FIG. 1 , for the sake of preventing heat expansion with the increase in length in the direction x caused by enlarging the liquid crystal display panel  1 . And, the output from the control unit  12  is input to a drain driver  6  through the connection ports  19 A and  19 B of the flexible printed drain circuits  16 A and  16 B. In addition, the image data is input from the image data source  22 , via a cable  23  and an interface  24 , to the control unit  12 .  
         [0043]     The liquid crystal display panel  1 , the flexible printed gate circuit  15 , and the flexible printed drain circuits  16 A,  16 B, along with the control circuit board  10 , are flatly arranged in  FIG. 1 , however these circuits can be bent at right angles to the liquid crystal display panel  1  for reducing the display frame area outside the display area of the liquid crystal display panel  1 . Reducing the display frame area contributes to the ability to extend the display area.  
         [0000]     &lt;A Liquid Crystal Display Module&gt; 
         [0044]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a liquid crystal display module. The liquid crystal display module is composed of a liquid crystal display panel  400 , a back light unit  300 , a lower resin frame  500 , an inner frame  700 , and an upper frame  800 . In this embodiment, a back light unit  300  and a reflector are formed on the lower resin frame  500 . Moreover, it is possible for the lower resin frame  500  and the back light unit  300  to be molded as one. In that case, the lower resin frame  500  and back light unit  300  are able to be functionally distinguished, though they are difficult to be physically distinguished.  
         [0000]     &lt;A Liquid Crystal Display Panel&gt; 
         [0045]     The liquid crystal display panel  400  is composed of the gate drivers  5 , the drain drivers  6 , a liquid crystal display panel  1 , the flexible printed gate circuit  15 , and the flexible printed drain circuit  16  ( 16 A,  16 B). The output from a control circuit on the circuit board  10  is input to a gate driver  5  and a drain driver  6  through the flexible printed gate circuit  15  and the flexible printed drain circuits  16 A,  16 B. The output of a respective driver is input to a gate line  2  and a drain line  3  of the liquid crystal display panel  1 . Here, a liquid crystal display panel  1  is composed of a plurality of pixels arranged in a display area in the form of a matrix. The arrangement of each pixel is shown in  FIG. 3 . A gate line  3  and a counter signal line  50  are formed in the direction x on the surface of the substrate  1 A. And, the area enclosed by adjacent drain lines  2  formed in the direction y and the lines  3  and  50  form a pixel area.  
         [0046]     The counter electrode  50 A is formed of three parallel counter electrode members which do not connect with a gate line  3 . Both side counter electrode members are disposed adjacent to a drain line  3 , and the remaining counter electrode member is formed at the center of the pixel area. A gate line  3 , a counter signal line  50 , and a counter electrode  50 A are formed on the surface of the substrate  1 A, and these lines are covered by an insulated layer which consists of silicon nitride (SiN) for instance. The insulated layer is disposed between layers of a drain line  2 , a gate line  3  and a counter signal line  50 , and functions as a gate insulated layer for a thin-film transistors TFT, and in the capacity Cstg it functions as a dielectric substance film. The semiconductor layer  51  is formed adjacent to a drain line  2  on a gate line  3  in the area where the thin-film transistors TFT is disposed on the surface of the insulated layer, and it consists of amorphous silicon for instance. The details of the thin-film transistors TFT and the use of a black matrix are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,754,266.  
         [0000]     &lt;A Back Light Unit&gt; 
         [0047]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the back light unit according to this invention. The back light unit  300  is arranged in the back of the liquid crystal display panel  400 . The back light unit  300  is referred to as a direct back light type. The light sources  35  are arranged in the direction x of  FIG. 4 , are arrayed in parallel in the direction y of  FIG. 4 , and are spaced at equal intervals from each other (In  FIG. 4 , there are eight light sources).  
         [0048]     The reflector  36  is arranged between the light sources  35  and the lower resin frame  500  for irradiating light from the light sources  35  onto the liquid crystal display panel  400 . The reflector  36  is formed to have a wave-like configuration in the direction y of  FIG. 4 . The part where light sources  35  are formed is concave and a convexity is formed between each of the light sources  35 . The reflector  36  is formed to an efficient shape to cause more light from each light sources  35  to be irradiated onto the liquid crystal display panel. In this case, the opposite sides  37  of the frame  500  have slits  38  spaced in the direction y of  FIG. 4 . The opposite ends of each light source  35  are set in oppositely disposed slits  38 , which prevents the light sources  35  from shifting in the direction y.  
         [0049]     In this example, six electrodes are arranged on each discharge tube  35  and are spaced on the discharge tube  35  in the direction x of  FIG. 4  at intervals. Each electrode is composed of a ring of aluminum foil. A discharge tube  35  is inserted in the rings which form those electrodes. In embodiment 1, the electrodes are not fixed to a discharge tube  35 . Therefore, each electrode can move in position in the direction x of  FIG. 4 . Each electrode is mutually connected by a conductive line which is supplied the ground potential or the power supply voltage. That is, the respective electrodes of the light sources  35  which are aligned in the direction y are connected together so as to be supplied with a suitable voltage.  
         [0050]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating a lamp tube are used in the back light unit. The ground potential electrodes  35   d  are formed at the center of a discharge tube  35   a  and at both ends thereof, and the high voltage electrodes  35   c  are formed between them. The ground potential electrodes  35   d ( 2 ) and  35   d ( 3 ) are electrically separated and grounded through a conductive wire.  
         [0051]      FIG. 6A  is a longitudinal sectional view of a lamp tube in the back light unit.  FIG. 6B  is a sectional view of  FIG. 6A  taken on the line  6   b - 6   b . Glass tube  35   p  is a cylindrical glass tube having both ends closed, and is 2.6 mm in outside diameter, 2.0 mm in inside diameter, and 390 mm in length for instance. A fluorescent material  35   q  is spread on the inner wall of glass tube  35   p , and a Ne+Ar (5%) mixture gas and mercury with a gas pressure 60 Torr are enclosed in the glass tube  35   p  for instance.  
         [0052]     The 800 Vp-p high cycle sine wave voltage of several MHz (1.5 MHz or more) is applied by the light sources  35  to the high voltage electrodes  35   c . As a result, an electrical discharge is generated in a discharge tube  35   a  and activates the fluorescent material  35   q , so that ultraviolet rays and visible light are generated. This electrical discharge is generated between the ground potential electrode  35   d ( 1 ) and the high voltage electrode  35   c ( 1 ), between the high voltage electrode  35   c ( 1 ) and the ground potential electrode  35   d ( 2 ), between the ground potential electrode  35   d ( 3 ) and the high voltage electrode  35   c ( 2 ), between the high voltage electrode  35   c ( 2 ) and the ground potential electrode  35   d ( 3 ).  
         [0053]     It is not the high voltage electrodes  35   c , but the ground potential electrodes  35   d , that are arranged at both ends of a discharge tube  35   a . As a result, an improvement in the efficiency of the electrical discharge can be achieved. The reason for this is that the high cycle electric field on the edge of a discharge tube becomes useless, when the high voltage electrodes  35   c  are arranged at both ends of a discharge tube  35   a . That is, only half of the electric field contributes to the electrical discharge with such an arrangement. Thus, the ground potential electrodes  35   d  are arranged at both ends of a discharge tube  35   a  for avoiding a waste of energy.  
         [0054]     Moreover, the ground potential electrodes  35   d  are arranged at the center of a discharge tube  35   a  in the form of electrodes  35   d ( 2 ) and  35   d ( 3 ). The reason for this is that the electrical discharge is strongly caused between one of the high voltage electrodes  35   c ( 1 ) or  35   c ( 2 ) and the ground potential electrode  35   d , when the ground potential electrode at the center is composed of one electrode. Therefore, the ground potential electrode arranged at the center between two high voltage electrodes is divided to pair with each high voltage electrode to ensure that the electrical discharge will be uniform.  
         [0055]      FIGS. 7A, 7B  and  7 C are graphs illustrating the relationships among the brightness of the back light unit and the distance from the center to the edge of the lamp tube. A discharge tube having a length of 390 mm was used. The arrangement of the electrodes was like that shown in  FIG. 5 .  FIG. 7A  shows a case using 800 Vp-p,  FIG. 7B  shows a case using 900 Vp-p,  FIG. 7C  shows a case using 1000 Vp-p. Almost uniform brightness is ascertained from  FIGS. 7A, 7B  and  7 C, excluding the area near the electrode.  
         [0056]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are a plan view and a sectional view, respectively, illustrating the back light unit.  FIG. 8B  is the sectional view of  FIG. 8A  taken on the line b-b. The eight light sources  35  extend in the direction x of  FIG. 8A  and are arranged in parallel in the direction y at almost equal intervals in the back light unit  300 , which is disposed opposite to the liquid crystal display panel  400 . In this case, the light irradiation is not uniform in the area between the light sources, or in the area which is formed by the electrodes. However, this inconvenience can be canceled by use of a diffusing plate  60  arranged between the back light unit  300  and the liquid crystal display panel  400 . Moreover, the diffusing plate  60  can change the means which makes at least the illuminance of light from a back light onto the liquid crystal display panel more uniform.  
         [0057]      FIG. 9  is a graph illustrating the relationships among the average brightness of the back light unit and the frequency of a power supply unit.  FIG. 9  shows that brightness improves by increasing the frequency. In the back light unit  300  of embodiment 1, since the electrodes are arranged outside the discharge tube, mercury inside the tube is not consumed. Therefore, light sources  35  will have a long life span, and the liquid crystal display&#39;s life span can be improved as well.  
         [0058]     The ground potential electrodes  35   d  and the high voltage electrodes  35   c  of light sources  35  can be moved in the direction x of  FIG. 8A , and the brightness between the high voltage electrodes  35   c  and the ground potential electrodes  35   d  of each of the light sources  35  can be adjusted by such movement. Therefore, a back light unit  300  with uniform side illuminance can be achieved.  
         [0000]     &lt;A Resin Frame&gt; 
         [0059]     The lower resin frame  500  forms a part of the liquid crystal display module and houses the back light unit  300 . Here, the lower resin frame  500  has the shape of an open box which only a bottom and sides. A diffusing plate  60 , with which the back light unit  300  is covered forms the top side. The diffusing plate diffuses light from each of the light sources  35  of the back light unit  300 . As a result, uniform light for which brightness is not biased can be irradiated onto the liquid crystal display panel  400 . In this case, the thickness of the lower resin frame  500  is small. The decreased mechanical strength resulting from the small thickness can be reinforced by the inner frame  700 .  
         [0060]     High cycle power supply substrate  40  (for instance, AC/AC invertor) provided to supply the high cycle voltage to light sources  35  is installed in the back of this lower resin frame  500 . The wiring from this high cycle power supply substrate  40  is connected with the high-pressure side electrode and earth side electrode of each of the light sources  35 .  
         [0061]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating the resin frame  500  of the back light unit. The lower resin frame  500  has projections  500 A, which project in parallel at each vicinity and extend in the direction x, and side parts  500 B. The lower resin frame  500  and the inner frame  700  increase the strength of the module. Moreover, the height of the projection  500 A of the lower resin frame  500  is formed to be higher than the height of the high cycle power supply substrate  40 . The side part  500 B is arranged to be adjacent to the control circuit board  10 . Therefore, the area of the control circuit board  10 , having a complex arrangement of circuit components, can be enlarged. Moreover, the inner frame  700  is formed between the control circuit board  10  and the liquid crystal display panel  400 . That is, the inner frame  700  operates as a shield against electromagnetic waves. The projection  500  is given full effect even if it is formed in the direction y.  
         [0000]     &lt;The High Cycle Power Supply Substrate&gt; 
         [0062]      FIG. 11  shows the underside of the back light unit. The high cycle power supply substrate  40  has a respective transformer  71  for each of the light sources  35  of the back light unit  300 . It is also possible that this transformer  71  is/are formed from one, a couple of 8 tubes, to four, a couple of 2 tubes. Moreover, the high cycle power supply substrate  40  is arranged through a shield board  72 , installed at the back of the lower resin frame  500 . A part of shield board  72  (forming part of the high cycle power supply substrate  40 ) has an open area  72 A. The purpose of this is to avoid the generation of an electric current on the shield board  72  by transformer  71 . Moreover, the high cycle power supply substrate  40  has a wiring layer for the shield. And, a DC/AC invertor  40  is formed to a height such that it does not protrude above projections  500 A.  
         [0000]     &lt;An Inner Flame&gt; 
         [0063]     The inner frame  700  is arranged between the liquid crystal display panel  400  and the diffusing plate (not shown in  FIG. 2 ). The inner frame  700  has an open side  42  formed in the display area of the liquid crystal display panel  400  and is composed of a thin metallic board. The lower resin frame  500  is fixed via a diffusing plate on the inner frame  700 . A spacer  44  for positioning the liquid crystal display panel  100  is formed on a part of the inner frame  700  where the liquid crystal display panel  400  is mounted. As a result, the liquid crystal display panel  100  can be arranged on the inner frame  700  at an accurate position. And, the inner frame  700  has sides  46  united with each other. That is, the open side  42  is arranged at the inner frame  700  with the bottom formed of a metallic floor of the box.  
         [0064]     A diffusing plate is arranged between the inner frame  700  and the lower resin frame  500 . The inner wall of side  46  of the inner frame  700  is opposed to the outside wall on the side of the lower resin frame  500 . The inner frame  700  becomes part of the back light unit along with the lower resin frame  500 . The mechanical strength can be improved without enlarging the thickness of the lower resin frame  500 . That is, the inner frame  700  and the lower resin frame  500  have an improved mechanical strength and a strength against a diagonal twist. Moreover, the projection  500 A contributes a resistance to diagonal twist too. As a result, the display area of a liquid crystal display can be wider and still maintain enough strength. Moreover, the mechanical strength of the inner frame is better and the handling of the module is easier than in a module in which the frame has a narrow side.  
         [0065]     In embodiment 2, a control circuit board  10  and DC/DC converter substrate  11  are arranged on side  46  of the inner frame  700 . As a result, the display area of the liquid crystal display panel  400  can be expanded. The control circuit on the circuit board  10  is connected respectively through the flexible printed gate circuit  15 , the flexible printed drain circuit  16 A,  16 B, and a connection port  18 ,  19 A, and  19 B. As a result, the electromagnetic waves generated from the control circuit can be shielded from other circuits.  
         [0000]     &lt;An Upper Frame&gt; 
         [0066]     The upper frame  800  has the function to fix the liquid crystal display panel  400 , the inner frame  700 , and the diffusing plate with the lower resin frame  500 . A liquid crystal display module is composed of the upper frame  800  and the lower resin frame  500  and intervening elements. The upper frame  800  has open side  48  which corresponds to the display area the liquid crystal display panel  400 . Moreover, the upper frame  800  functions as a shield against EMI.  
         [0067]      FIG. 12  is the front view and FIGS.  12 ( a ) to  12 ( d ) are side views of the liquid crystal display panel. The lower resin frame  500  has projections  500 A which function to increase panel strength.  
         [0068]      FIG. 13  is a sectional view of the liquid crystal display panel of an embodiment 2 as seen on the line  8   b - 8   b  of  FIG. 8A . The embodiment 2 differs from embodiment 1 in that the back light unit  300  is covered with a diffusing plate  50 , and an electromagnetic shield board  51  is arranged on the liquid crystal display panel unit  400  side of the diffusing plate  50 . The shield board is for shielding the electromagnetic waves generated from light sources  35  of the back light unit  300 . For instance, the electromagnetic shield board  51  is made of a transparent conductive sheet or a metallic mesh. As a result, EMI (electromagnetic wave interference) of light sources  35  driven with the high cycle voltage can be prevented. And, a reflector  36  made of a metallic material also can prevent EMI.  
         [0069]     A diffusing plate  52  is arranged on the liquid crystal display panel unit  400 . As a result, the light irradiation onto the liquid crystal display panel unit  400  from the back light unit  300  becomes more uniform due to the presence of the diffusing plate  52  and the diffusing plate  50 . Either the lower resin frame  500  or the reflector  36  may be made of a metallic material and be covered by the electromagnetic shield board  51  for completely shielding against EMI.  
         [0070]      FIGS. 14A, 14B , and  14 C are a sectional views of a lamp tube in a back light unit according to an embodiment 3. In  FIG. 14A , an electrode of the light sources  35  has a ring shape and is formed on a discharge tube. A section along line  14   a ( 1 )- 14   a ( 1 ) is shown in  FIG. 14A ( 1 ). In  FIG. 14B , the electrode is formed partially around the discharge tube. A section along line  14   b ( 1 )- 14   b ( 1 ) is shown in  FIG. 14B ( 1 ). In  FIG. 14C , the electrode is a ring shape and has an interval or space between the electrode and the discharge tube. A section along line  14   c ( 1 )- 14   c ( 1 ) is shown in  FIG. 14C ( 1 ).  
         [0071]      FIGS. 15A, 15B ,  15 C and  15 D are diagrams illustrating various electrode arrangements of the lamp tube according to an embodiment 4.  FIGS. 16A, 16B ,  16 C and  16 D are diagrams illustrating further electrode arrangements of the lamp tube according to embodiment 4.  
         [0072]     The ground potential electrode  35   d  and the high voltage electrode  35   c  are formed at opposite ends of a discharge tube in  FIG. 15A . The length of the discharge tube  35   a  is limited, but a light source  35  can function by itself by increasing the voltage of the power supply.  
         [0073]      FIG. 15B  shows a single high voltage electrode  35   c  formed at the center of a discharge tube  35   a  and the ground potential electrodes  35   d  formed at each end.  
         [0074]     In  FIG. 15C , the ground potential electrodes  35   d  are formed at the center of a discharge tube  35   a  and both ends, respectively, and the high voltage electrodes  35   c  are formed between respective pairs of ground potential electrodes  35   d.    
         [0075]      FIG. 15D  shows a single ground potential electrode  35   d  formed at the center of a discharge tube  35   a  and the high voltage electrodes  35   c  formed at opposite ends.  
         [0076]      FIG. 16A  shows high voltage electrodes  35   c  formed at the center of a discharge tube  35   a  and at both ends of the tube, and the ground potential electrodes  35   d  formed respectively between pairs of the high voltage electrodes  35   c.    
         [0077]      FIG. 16B  shows the ground potential electrodes  35   d  formed at the center of a discharge tube  35   a  and both ends, respectively, and the high voltage electrodes  35   c  formed between respective ground potential electrodes  35   d , with the ground potential electrode  35   d  at the center being divided into two spaced electrodes.  
         [0078]      FIG. 16C  shows a ground potential electrode  35   d  formed at the center of a discharge tube  35   a , and high voltage electrodes  35   c  formed at each end, with the ground potential electrode  35   d  at the center being divided into two spaced electrodes.  
         [0079]      FIG. 16D  shows high voltage electrodes  35   c  formed at the center of a discharge tube  35   a  and at both ends, respectively, and ground potential electrodes  35   d  formed between respective high voltage electrodes  35   c , with each ground potential electrode  35   d  being divided into two spaced electrodes.  
         [0080]     The electrode at least needs to couple the ground potential electrodes  35   d  and the high voltage electrodes  35   c . And, the number of electrodes is selected according to the length of a discharge tube and/or the voltage of the power supply.  
         [0081]      FIGS. 17A, 17B  and  17 C are diagrams illustrating electrode arrangements of the lamp tube according to an embodiment 5.  FIG. 17A  corresponds in general arrangement to  FIG. 15A ,  FIG. 17B  corresponds in general arrangement to  FIG. 15B , and  FIG. 17C  corresponds in general arrangement to  FIG. 16B .  
         [0082]     The ground potential electrodes have an assistance electrode  70  whose width is smaller than the electrodes  35   d , and the assistance electrodes  70  are formed adjacent the ground potential electrodes  35   d . When the ground potential electrodes  35   d  and the high voltage electrodes  35   c  are discharged, an assistance electrode  70  prevents a brightness increase in the direction x. The assistance electrode is available to form two or more. The assistance electrode  70  will cause the electrical discharge of the lamp to be uniform by adjusting the minuteness in the direction x.  
         [0083]      FIG. 18  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the back light unit of an embodiment 6. The main difference from the embodiment of  FIG. 4  is in the bending of the discharge tube  35   a . In this regard, the discharge tube  35   a  is composed of one consecutive tube.  
         [0084]     Using the discharge tube  35   a  which is wound back and forth, it is possible to reduce the number of tubes used for display panel, since the amount of the light irradiation is larger than that of a straight tube. As a result, manufacturing and assembly become easy.  FIG. 19  shows another embodiment in which two or more discharge tubes  35   a  are wound in pairs.  
         [0085]     According to these embodiments, the liquid crystal display unit has a life span which is increased without the need to replace the lamp tube or the back light unit. Concretely, the electrodes of the light source which control the liquid crystal display according to this invention are arranged outside the tube, whereby the consumption of mercury inside the tube is reduced.