Abstract:
Exemplary embodiments relate to a liquid crystal display and a method thereof. The liquid crystal display may include a display panel having a liquid crystal layer interposed between a first substrate and a second substrate, and a bezel having a lower surface, sidewalls formed perpendicularly to the lower surface, and sub-sidewalls adjacent to the sidewalls. The display panel may be received in the bezel so that the first substrate may correspond to the lower surface, and side surfaces of the first substrate may correspond to the sidewalls.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is related to co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, entitled “LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY,” which was filed on Oct. 17, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Exemplary embodiments relate to a liquid crystal display and a manufacturing method thereof, and more particularly, to a liquid crystal display including a display panel received in a bezel and a manufacturing method thereof. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Generally, a liquid crystal display (LCD) may include a display panel in which a liquid crystal may be injected between two substrates disposed opposite to each other, a back light unit positioned in a lower portion of the display panel and used as a light source, and a LCD drive integrated circuit (IC) for driving the liquid crystal of the display panel. 
         [0006]    Further, a pixel region may be defined by a plurality of gate lines and data lines arranged on the substrates in a matrix type. A thin film transistor controlling signals supplied to each pixel and a pixel electrode connected to the thin film transistor may be formed on one substrate with a portion intersecting the gate lines with the data lines, and a color filter and a common electrode may be formed on the other substrate. Further, each polarizing plate may be formed on a rear surface of the substrates and the back light unit may be disposed on a lower portion of the polarizing plates as a light source. 
         [0007]    The LCD drive IC for driving the liquid crystal may be mounted around the pixel region of the display panel. The LCD drive IC may include a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted with components for generating scan signals and data signals, for example, and a driving circuit for providing signals to a display panel. Further, the LCD drive IC may convert external electrical signals into scan signals and data signals, which may then be output to the gate lines and data lines. 
         [0008]    However, display panels formed with the substrates may typically be made of glass, which may cause problems, e.g., breakage against impact from external forces. In other words, as portable devices, e.g., a cellular phone, become smaller, a thickness of the display panel may be thinner, which may cause the display panel to be susceptible to impact (even to a small impact). Thus, there has been a demand for the development of a bezel capable of protecting the display panel. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    Example embodiments are therefore directed to a liquid crystal display, and a manufacturing method thereof, which substantially overcome one or more of the problems due to the limitations and disadvantages of the related art. 
         [0010]    It is therefore a feature of the exemplary embodiments to provide a liquid crystal display with a bezel capable of safely protecting a display panel from impact. 
         [0011]    It is therefore another feature of the exemplary embodiments to provide a liquid crystal display with a bezel having sidewalls to improve strength and rigidity of the liquid crystal display. 
         [0012]    At least one of the above and other features of example embodiments may provide a liquid crystal display including a display panel having a liquid crystal layer interposed between a first substrate and a second substrate, and a bezel having a lower surface, sidewalls formed perpendicularly to the lower surface and sub-sidewalls adjacent to the sidewalls. The display panel may be received in the bezel so that the first substrate may correspond to the lower surface, and side surfaces of the first substrate may correspond to the sidewalls. 
         [0013]    At least one of the above and other features of example embodiments may provide a method of manufacturing a liquid crystal display. The method may include providing a display panel having a liquid crystal layer interposed between a first substrate and a second substrate, providing a bezel having a lower surface, forming sidewalls perpendicular to the lower surface of the bezel, forming sub-sidewalls adjacent to the sidewalls, and placing the display panel into the bezel so that the first substrate may correspond to the lower surface, and side surfaces of the first substrate may correspond to the sidewalls. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]    The above and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art by describing in detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
           [0015]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal display according to an exemplary embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the display panel as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along line A 1 -A 2  in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  illustrates a cross-sectional view for a stage of manufacturing method of a bezel as shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of a bezel according to another exemplary embodiment; 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of a bezel according to another exemplary embodiment; and 
           [0021]      FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate cross-sectional views taken along line B 1 -B 2  in  FIG. 6 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0022]    Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0002533, filed on Jan. 9, 2007, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and entitled: “Liquid Crystal Display,” is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
         [0023]    Example embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. Exemplary embodiments may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates an exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal display (LCD) according to an exemplary embodiment. The liquid crystal display LCD may include a display panel  100  and a bezel  300  for receiving the display panel  100 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exploded perspective view of the display panel  100  as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the display panel  100  may include a lower substrate  110  and an upper substrate  120  disposed opposite to each other, and a liquid crystal layer  130  interposed between the lower substrate  110  and the upper substrate  120 . It should be appreciated that other layers and/or elements may be disposed between the lower substrate  110  and the upper substrate  120 . 
         [0027]    A plurality of gate lines  111  and data lines  112  may be arranged on the lower substrate  110  in a matrix. One skilled in the art should appreciate that the gate lines  111  and the data lines  112  may be arranged in other arrangements. Pixel electrodes  115  may be formed on pixel regions  113  defined by the gate lines  111  and the data lines  112  intersecting each other. A thin film transistor  114  may supply signals to the pixel electrodes  115 . The thin film transistor  114  may be formed on the lower substrate  110  with portions intersecting the gate lines  111  with the data lines  112 . 
         [0028]    A color filter  121  and a common electrode  122  may be formed on the upper substrate  120 . Further, polarizing plates  116  and  123  may be installed on rear sides of the lower substrate  110  and the upper substrate  120 , respectively, and a back light unit (not shown) may be disposed on a lower portion of the polarizing plate  116  as a light source. 
         [0029]    A LCD drive integrated circuit (IC)  140  for driving liquid crystal of the display panel  100  may be mounted on surroundings of the pixel region  113  on the lower substrate. The LCD drive IC  140  may include a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted with components that may generate scan signals, data signals and other signals, and a driving circuit for supplying signals to the display panel  100 . The LCD drive IC  140  may also convert the external electrical signals (via a pad part  150 ) into scan signals and data signals, and may supply the signals to the gate lines  111  and data lines  112 . It should be appreciated that the LCD drive IC  140  may include other components besides the ones mentioned above. 
         [0030]    The pad part  150  may be connected to a flexible printed circuit (FPC) (not shown) in a film form, and the external signals may input through the FPC. 
         [0031]    The bezel  300  may be configured to receive the lower substrate  110  of the display panel  100 . The bezel  300  may include sidewalls  320 ,  330  and  340  extending from an edge of a lower surface  310  and perpendicular to the lower surface  310 . Moreover, the bezel  300  may further include sub-sidewalls  321 ,  331  and  341 , which may be bonded to the sidewalls  320 ,  330  and  340 . 
         [0032]    A receiving space  350  for receiving the display panel  100  may be formed by the lower surface  310  and the side walls  320 ,  330  and  340 . The display panel  100  may be received so that the lower surface  310  may correspond to the lower substrate  110 , and a side surface of the lower substrate  110  may correspond to the sidewalls  320 ,  330  and  340 . One skilled in the art should appreciate that the lower substrate  110  may be attached to the lower surface  310  by an adhesive tape and/or an adhesion. It should further be appreciated that other attachment mechanisms may be employed to attach the lower substrate  110  to the lower surface  310 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-sectional view of a bezel  300  according to an exemplary embodiment (taken along line A 1 -A 2  in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0034]    The bezel  300  may be manufactured by bending metal, for example, which may be formed by using a plate shape or a mold. It should be appreciated that other techniques may be employed to form the bezel  300 . The side walls  320 ,  330  and  340  may be integrally formed with the lower surface  310 , or the side walls  320 ,  330  and  340  may be separately assembled after being manufactured in a separate structure. 
         [0035]    The sub-sidewalls  321 ,  331  and  341  may be bonded to outer side surfaces and/or inner side surfaces of the side walls  320 ,  330  and  340  by welding. For example, after the formation of the sidewalls  320 ,  330  and  340  (via bending the bezel  300 ), the sub-sidewalls  321 ,  331  and  341  may be bonded to the sidewalls  320 ,  330  and  340  by welding (as shown in  FIG. 3 ); or the sidewalls  320 ,  330  and  340  and the sub-sidewalls  321 ,  331  and  341  may be bonded together by welding and then bent to form the lower surface  310  (as shown in  FIG. 4 ). 
         [0036]    Although the above exemplary embodiments describe joining the sidewalls  320 ,  330  and  340  and sub-sidewalls  321 ,  331  and  341  by a welding technique, it should be appreciated that other techniques, such as, soldering, brazing, adhering and/or riveting may be employed to secure the walls together. 
         [0037]    When the sub-sidewalls  321 ,  331  and  341  are bonded to the sidewalls  320 ,  330  and  340 , the bezel  300  may produce a sturdy (or high strength) structure. Further, when the sidewalls  320 ,  330  and  340  and the sub-sidewalls  321 ,  331  and  341  are bonded (e.g., welded) and then bent to the lower surface  310 , manufacturing may be simplified, e.g., reduce time and expenses, while maintaining relatively high strength. 
         [0038]    Although the above exemplary embodiments may describe the sidewalls  320 ,  330  and  340  being formed on three surfaces so that the FPC may be easily provided to the pad part  150 , it should be appreciated that the sidewalls may also be configured on four surfaces. 
         [0039]      FIG. 5  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a bezel. 
         [0040]    A bezel  400  may include a lower surface  410 , four sidewalls  420 ,  430 ,  440  and  450  extending from an edge of the lower surface  410  and perpendicular to the lower surface  410 , and sub-sidewalls  421 ,  431 ,  441  and  451  bonded to each of the four sidewalls  420 ,  430 ,  440  and  450 . 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 5 , a height of one sidewall  450  and sub-sidewall  451  may be formed to be equal to or lower than that of the lower substrate  110  so that a FPC (not shown) may be easily inserted to a pad part  150 , while at the same time, all side surfaces of the display panel  100  may remain protected. However, it should be appreciated that in other exemplary embodiments, the height of each of the sidewalls  420 ,  430 ,  440  and  450  may have different heights or that all the sidewalls  420 ,  430 ,  440  and  450  may be the same height. 
         [0042]    Accordingly, the bezel  300  (of  FIGS. 3 and 4 ) and bezel  400  (of  FIG. 5 ) may have a double structure configuration (e.g., the sidewalls and the sub-sidewalls may be bonded to each other by welding) so that the bezels  300  or  400  may not be easily deformed by stress and may provide a sturdy (high strength) structure. 
         [0043]      FIG. 6  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a bezel; and  FIGS. 7 and 8  illustrate cross-sectional views taken along line B 1 -B 2  in  FIG. 6 . 
         [0044]    A bezel  500  may include a lower surface  510 , sidewalls  520 ,  530 , and  540  extending from an edge of the lower surface  510  and perpendicular to the lower surface  510 , and sub-sidewalls  521 ,  531  and  541  bonded to portions of the sidewalls  520 ,  530  and  540  and the lower surface  510 . 
         [0045]    A receiving space  550  for receiving the display panel  100  may be formed by the lower surface  510  and the sidewalls  520 ,  530  and  540 . The display panel  100  may be received so that the lower substrate  110  may correspond to the lower surface  510  and the side surface of the lower substrate  110  may correspond to the sidewalls  520 ,  530  and  540 . One skilled in the art should appreciate that the lower substrate  110  may be attached to the lower surface  510  by an adhesive tape and/or an adhesion. It should further be appreciated that other attachment mechanisms may be employed to attach the lower substrate  110  to the lower surface  510 . 
         [0046]    The bezel  500  may be manufactured by bending metal, for example, which may be formed by using a plate shape or using a mold. It should be appreciated that other techniques may be employed to form the bezel  500 . The side walls  520 ,  530  and  540  may be integrally formed with the lower surface  510  or the side walls  520 ,  530  and  540  may be separately assembled after being manufactured in a separate structure. 
         [0047]    The sub-sidewalls  521 ,  531  and  541  may be bonded to outer side surfaces or inner side surfaces of the sidewalls  520 ,  530  and  540  by welding. For example, after the formation of the sidewalls  520 ,  530  and  540  by bending the bezel  500 , the sub-sidewalls  521 ,  531  and  541  may be bonded to the outer side surfaces and/or the inner side surfaces of the sidewalls  520 ,  530  and  540  and the lower surface  510  by welding; or the sidewalls  520 ,  530  and  540  and the sub-sidewalls  521 ,  531  and  541  may be bonded together by welding and then bent to form the lower surface  510 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 7  illustrates an embodiment of the bezel  500 , viz., a bezel  500   a , in which sub-sidewalls  521 ,  531  and  541  are secured to the inner side surfaces of the sidewalls  520 ,  530  and  540  and the lower surface  510 .  FIG. 8  illustrates another embodiment of the bezel  500 , viz., a bezel  500   b , in which sub-sidewalls  521 ,  531  and  541  are secured to the outer side surfaces of the sidewalls  520 ,  530  and  540  and the lower surface  510 . 
         [0049]    In accordance with exemplary embodiments, the bezel  500  may include the edge portion of the lower surface  510  and the sidewall being formed of a double-wall structure e.g., the sub-sidewalls  521 ,  531  and  541  may be bonded to the portions of the sidewalls  520 ,  530  and  540  and the lower surface  51 , e.g., by welding. Therefore, as an entire area of the sidewalls increases, the strength of the sidewalls may be improved by the increase of a value of inertia moment, as illustrated in the Equations 1 and 2. 
         [0000]    
       
         
           
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       Ix 
                       _ 
                     
                      
                     
                       [ 
                       
                         Inertia 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         Moment 
                       
                       ] 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       bh 
                       3 
                     
                     12 
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   [ 
                   
                     Equation 
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     1 
                   
                   ] 
                 
               
             
             
               
                 
                   
                     
                       Iy 
                       _ 
                     
                      
                     
                       [ 
                       
                         Inertia 
                          
                         
                             
                         
                          
                         Moment 
                       
                       ] 
                     
                   
                   = 
                   
                     
                       bh 
                       3 
                     
                     12 
                   
                 
               
               
                 
                   [ 
                   
                     Equation 
                      
                     
                         
                     
                      
                     2 
                   
                   ] 
                 
               
             
           
         
       
     
         [0050]    Where, b represents width of a sidewall and h represents height of a sidewall. 
         [0051]    In particular, because the edge portion may be supported by the sub-sidewalls  521 ,  531  and  541  in an L-shape, the edge portion may provide a rigid (high strength) structure, and may not be easily deformed by stress. [Reference Document: “Statics and Mechanics of Materials”, Chapter 8 Inertia Moment of Area, Written by F. H. Cheng, which is translated by Woo Kim, Seung-Kyu Koo, Doo-Byung Bae, Kwang-Seong Woo and Eui-Seung Hwang]. 
         [0052]    Exemplary embodiments may provide a bezel having a double-wall structure, e.g., sub-sidewalls bonded to sidewalls or portions of the sidewalls and the lower surface by welding. The sidewalls having the double-wall structure may have a rigid structure (high strength), and may not be easily deformed. Therefore, the impact transferred to the display panel may be reduced, and thus, making it possible to safely protect the display panel and prevent and/or reduce deformation of the sidewalls. 
         [0053]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exemplary embodiments. As used herein, the term “bezel” may mean any structure that may support a display panel and/or may safely protect the display panel from impact. 
         [0054]    In the figures, the dimensions of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity of illustration. It will also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Further, it will be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “under” or “above” another layer, it can be directly under or directly above, and one or more intervening layers may also be present. In addition, it will also be understood that when a layer is referred to as being “between” two layers, it can be the only layer between the two layers, or one or more intervening layers may also be present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
         [0055]    Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which exemplary embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
         [0056]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed herein, and although specific terms are employed, they are used and are to be interpreted in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purpose of limitation. Accordingly, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that various changes in form and details may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.