Abstract:
The present invention mainly relates to a liquid crystal display device comprising a housing and a panel module. The housing comprising a mold frame, a plurality of fixing pieces and a plurality of fixing structures being adapted to fix the fixing pieces to the mold frame, wherein the mold frame is adapted to hold and support the panel module, wherein each of the fixing pieces comprises a panel module fixing rib to hold the panel module, and a lateral fixing portion to be coupled to the mold frame. The present invention avoids using metal frames in the prior art and reduces weight of the liquid crystal display device; furthermore, the housing and mechanical strength are up to a standard of utility in this field.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention mainly relates to a liquid crystal display device, more particularly, to a housing used in a liquid crystal display device.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Nowadays, consumers require a liquid crystal display device to be in light weight and at low price. Thus, various designs of liquid crystal devices are directed to the reduction of their weight and cost. FIG. 1 illustrates that a liquid crystal display device comprising a housing  1  wherein the housing  1  comprises a mold frame  11  and a metal frame  12 . The mold frame  11  is adapted to hold and support a panel module  2 . The panel module  2  comprises a liquid crystal display panel and a plurality of sheets. The metal frame  12  comprises a panel module fixing rib  121  and a lateral fixing portion  122 . Besides, a shape of the metal frame  12  complies with a shape of the mold frame  11 . The metal frame  12  combines the mold frame  11  for fixing the liquid crystal display device; wherein the lateral fixing portion  122  is used in fixing lateral sides of the mold frame  11  and the panel module fixing rib  121  is used in holding the panel module  2 .  
           [0005]    Because the metal frame  12  wraps whole top lateral sides of the liquid crystal display device, volume and weight thereof cannot be reduced.  
           [0006]    Besides, cost rises due to using more materials. Additionally, in order to manufacture different sizes of liquid crystal display device, different sizes of mold of metal frame are needed. Thus, mold used to manufacture metal frame raises cost and inconvenience as well.  
           [0007]    Therefore, the present invention is directed to developing a novel and improved housing and a liquid crystal display device to make them lightly weight, less cost for manufacture and easier to apply, but also retaining mechanical strength.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0008]    One objective of the present invention is to provide a liquid crystal display device comprising a housing and a panel module. The housing comprising a mold frame, a plurality of fixing pieces and a plurality of fixing structures being adapted to fix the fixing pieces to the mold frame, wherein the mold frame is adapted to hold and support the panel module, wherein each of the fixing pieces comprises a panel module fixing rib to hold the panel module, and a lateral fixing portion to be coupled to the mold frame. The present invention avoids using metal frames in the prior art and reduces weight of the liquid crystal display device; furthermore, the housing and mechanical strength are up to a standard of utility in this field. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 is an exploded view illustrating a conventional housing of liquid crystal display device;  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 is an exploded view illustrating a housing of liquid crystal display device according to the first embodiment of the invention;  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 a  is a partial exploded view illustrating a housing of liquid crystal display device according to the second embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 3 b  is a perspective view illustrating the housing in FIG. 3 a;    
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 a  is a partial exploded view illustrating a housing of liquid crystal display device according to the third embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 4 b  is a perspective view illustrating the housing in FIG. 4 a;    
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 a  is a partial exploded view illustrating a housing of liquid crystal display device according to the fourth embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 5 b  is a perspective view illustrating the housing in FIG. 5 a;    
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 a  is a partial exploded view illustrating a housing of liquid crystal display device according to the fifth embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 6 b  is a perspective view illustrating the housing in FIG. 6 a ; and  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 a  is a partial exploded view illustrating a housing of liquid crystal display device according to the sixth embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 7 b  is a perspective view illustrating the housing in FIG. 7 a.   
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]    The preferred embodiments in the invention are described below.  
         [0017]    The First Embodiment  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 illustrates a liquid crystal display device comprising a panel module  2  and a housing  3 ; wherein the panel module  2  has generally a rectangular shape having four sides and four corners. The housing  3  comprises a mold frame  31 , a plurality of fixing pieces  32  and a plurality of fixing structures  33 . The mold frame  31  has an intended rectangular shape having a thickness and comprises four corners and four rims for holding and supporting the panel module  2 . One rim of the mold frame  31  may also be replaced by a lamp module; thus, the mold frame  31  comprises only two corners and three rims. Each fixing piece  32  comprises a panel module fixing rib  321  and a lateral fixing portion  322  to be coupled to the mold frame  31  and fix the liquid crystal display device. The panel fixing rib  321  is superimposed on partial edges of the panel module  2  to hold the panel module  2 , while the lateral fixing portion  322  is superimposed on the partial rims of the mold frame  31  to be coupled to the mold frame  31 . In the embodiment, the housing  3  comprises four fixing pieces  32  located at the four corners of the panel module  2  respectively. Each of the panel module fixing ribs  321  retains the two adjacent sides of the panel module  2  concurrently, while each of the lateral fixing portions  322  holds the two adjacent rims of the mold frame  31  concurrently. Each of the panel module fixing ribs  321  superimposed on the panel module  2  does not go beyond half way of a side of the panel module  2 , whereas each of the lateral fixing portions  322  superimposed on the mold frame  31  does not go beyond half way of a side of the mold frame  31 . The fixing structures  33  could be adapted to in fixing the liquid crystal display device to a system end.  
         [0019]    The Second Embodiment  
         [0020]    [0020]FIGS. 3 a  and  3   b  illustrate partial of a housing  4  of liquid crystal display device which is similar to the liquid crystal display device in the first embodiment and comprises a panel module (not shown). The housing  4  comprises a mold frame  41 , a plurality of fixing pieces  42  with a panel module fixing rib  421  and a lateral fixing portion  422  and fixing structures  43  and  44 .  
         [0021]    Two forms of the fixing structures  43  and  44  are applied in one housing  4  in the embodiment. The fixing structures  43  comprising at least one positioning pin  431  and a positioning hole  432 , wherein the positioning pin  431  is located on the mold frame  41 , more preferably located on lateral sides of the mold frame  41  and protrudes outward from the rim of the mold frame  41 , while the positioning hole  432  is located on the fixing piece  42  complying to positions of the positioning pin  431  on the mold frame  41 . Referring to FIG. 3 b , when coupling the fixing pieces  42  to the mold frame  41 , the positioning pin  431  protrudes out of the positioning hole  432 . More preferably, the poisoning pin  431  has a height and the fixing piece  42  has a thickness substantially equal to the height of the poisoning pin  431 . The poisoning hole  432  allows the positioning pin  431  inserted therethrough, and the positioning hole  432  has a diameter and the poisoning pin  431  also has a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the positioning hole  432 .  
         [0022]    The other fixing structure  44  in the embodiment comprising at least one tab  441  and a slot  442 , wherein the finger  441  is located on the fixing piece  42 , more preferably on the lateral fixing portion  422  and bending toward the mold frame  41 , and the slot  442  is located in the mold frame  41  complying to position of the tab  441  and having shape corresponding to the tab  441  for receiving it. Stopping the tab  441  by the slot  442  attains fixation. More preferably, the tab  441  is located at an end edge of the lateral fixing portion  422 , while the slot  442  is located where a bottom and one of the lateral sides of the mold frame  41  meets.  
         [0023]    The Third Embodiment  
         [0024]    [0024]FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  illustrate partial of a housing  5  of liquid crystal display device which is similar to the liquid crystal display device in the first embodiment and comprises a panel module (not shown). The housing  5  comprises a mold frame  51 , a plurality of fixing pieces  52  with a panel module fixing rib  521  and a lateral fixing portion  522  and fixing structures  53  and  54 . The fixing structure  53  comprising at least a positioning pin  531  and a positioning hole  532  is similar to the fixing structure  43  in the second embodiment.  
         [0025]    The liquid crystal display device also comprises fixing structures  54  in the embodiment. The fixing structure  54  is provided by a groove  541  located on the fixing piece  52 . The groove  541  is defined by the lateral fixing portion  522 , the panel module fixing rib  521  and a mold frame fixing rib  542 , and covers a lateral side of the mold frame  51 , the panel module (not shown) and a bottom of the mold frame  51 , respectively, whereby the mold frame  51  is adapted to be held therein (referring to FIG. 4 b ).  
         [0026]    The Forth Embodiment  
         [0027]    [0027]FIGS. 5 a  and  5   b  illustrate partial of a housing  6  of liquid crystal display device which is similar to the liquid crystal display device in the first embodiment and comprises a panel module (not shown). The housing  6  comprises a mold frame  61 , a plurality of fixing pieces  62  with a panel module fixing rib  621  and a lateral fixing portion  622  and fixing structures  63  and  64 . The fixing structure  63  comprising at least a positioning pin  631  and a positioning hole  632  is similar to the fixing structure  43  in the second embodiment.  
         [0028]    The liquid crystal display device also comprises fixing structures  64  in the embodiment. The fixing structure  64  comprising a bolt  641 , a through hole  642  located on the fixing piece  62  and a screw hole  643  located on the mold frame  61 , wherein the bolt  641  is adapted to engage in the screw hole  643  through the through hole  642 . The through hole  642  is defined by a window  644  extending from the lateral fixing portion  644  and the window  644  bends toward a bottom of the mold frame  61 . The screw hole  643  is located on the bottom of the mold frame  61  corresponding to complying with the through hole  642  of the window  644  and fixes the fixing piece  62  to the mold frame  61  along with the fixing structures  63  (referring to FIG. 5 b ).  
         [0029]    The Fifth Embodiment  
         [0030]    [0030]FIGS. 6 a  and  6   b  illustrate partial of a housing  7  of liquid crystal display device which is similar to the liquid crystal display device in the first embodiment and comprises a panel module (not shown). The housing  7  comprises a mold frame  71 , a plurality of fixing pieces  72  with a panel module fixing rib  721  and a lateral fixing portion  722  and fixing structures  73  and  74 . The fixing structure  73  comprising at least a positioning pin  731  and a positioning hole  732  is similar to the fixing structure  43  in the second embodiment.  
         [0031]    The liquid crystal display device also comprises multiple fixing structures  74  in the embodiment. The fixing structure  74  is similar to the fixing structure  64  in the fourth embodiment, which comprising a bolt  741 , a through hole  742  and a screw hole  743 , wherein the through hole  742  is located on the lateral fixing portion  722  of the fixing piece  72  and the screw hole  743  is located on a lateral side of the mold frame  71 . Positions of the through holes  742  are corresponding to complying with those of the through hole  742  and the bolt  741  cross through the through hole  742  to screw into the screw hole  743  (referring to FIG. 6 b ).  
         [0032]    The Sixth Embodiment  
         [0033]    [0033]FIGS. 7 a  and  7   b  illustrate partial of a housing  8  of liquid crystal display device which is similar to the liquid crystal display device in the first embodiment and comprises a panel module (not shown). The housing  8  comprises a mold frame  81 , a plurality of fixing pieces  82  with a panel module fixing rib  821  and a lateral fixing portion  822  and fixing structures  83  and  84 . The fixing structure  83  comprising at least a positioning pin  831  and a positioning hole  832  is similar to the fixing structure  43  in the second embodiment.  
         [0034]    The liquid crystal display device also comprises multiple fixing structures  84  in the embodiment. The fixing structure  84  comprises a receiving hole  841 , a slope  842 , a protrusion  843 , and a receiving part  844 . The receiving hole  841  and the slope  842  are located on the fixing piece  82 , more preferably on the lateral fixing portion  842 , while the protrusion  843  and the receiving part  844  are located on the mold frame  81  complying with the receiving hole  841  and the slope  842 . The receiving hole  841  is adapted to receive the protrusion  843 , and the protrusion  843  is guided by the slope  842  to successfully protrude out of the receiving hole  841  when assembling. At the same time, the receiving part  844  allows the slope  842  received therein (referring to FIG. 7 b ). Thus, the housing  8  is assembled by the fixing structures  84 .  
         [0035]    The First Test  
         [0036]    The liquid crystal display devices in the second to sixth embodiments are conducted to shock tests to assay mechanical strength. The liquid crystal display devices in the invention are mounted to a shock machine separately to be assayed as shown in Table 1:  
                                                         TABLE 1                                   Acceleration   Duration   Period               (G)   (m sec)   (times/axis)   Axis                                    Test 1    50   11   3                     Test 2   260    2   1                                
 
         [0037]    Check statuses of the liquid crystal display devices in the present invention in a common condition and a strict condition illustrated in Table 1. No new defects occur in the all liquid crystal display devices in the invention after such tests. Besides, functions and appearances are normal and the liquid crystal display devices are qualified and utilized in this field.  
         [0038]    The Second Test  
         [0039]    The liquid crystal display devices in the second to sixth embodiments are conducted to vibration tests to assay fixing strength of the housings. The liquid crystal display devices in the invention are mounted to a vibration machine separately to be assayed as shown in Table 2:  
                                     TABLE 2                                   Amount                                        Acceleration (G)   2           Frequency (Hz)   10-500           Period (minute/cycle)   30           Axis   Z           Amplitude (mm)   2           Duration (Hr/axis)   2                      
 
         [0040]    Check statuses of other elements in the liquid crystal display devices in the present invention after the tests illustrated in Table 2. Taking tape automatic bonding as an example, check statuses of chips at a long side and a short side, respectively. All chips are qualified. Besides, shifts of the mold frame are also qualified.  
         [0041]    Fixing pieces suitable in the invention can be deposited at four corners of the liquid crystal display device to fix the two adjacent sides or deposited in any positions on any side. Length, size and material are not limited; for example, a metal can be used as the material. Shapes and positions of the fixing structures in the present invention are not limited in the disclosures of the above embodiments either, and one of different kinds of fixing structures can be applied alone or combined with other kinds in one fixing piece. An advantage of the present invention is that a weight of a liquid crystal display device is reduced but a mechanical strength of the liquid crystal display device is not affected. Furthermore, the fixing pieces can lower the cost of manufacturing a metal frame in the prior art, and one size of the fixing piece in the invention can be applied in different sizes of liquid crystal display device. It avoids producing molds of metal frames in different sizes complying with different sizes of liquid crystal display device, and decreases costs thereby.  
         [0042]    While embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, various modifications and improvements can be made by persons skilled in the art. The embodiments of the present invention are therefore described in an illustrative but not restrictive sense. It is intended that the present invention is not limited to the particular forms as illustrated, and that all the modifications not departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention are within the scope as defined in the appended claims.