Abstract:
A lamp socket includes a lamp connection unit which is electrically connected to a lamp, a power connection unit which is disposed below and adjacent to the lamp connection unit along a longitudinal axis and is electrically connected to an electric source which supplies power to the lamp, and a fastening member which is disposed on the power connection unit, wherein the power connection unit comprises at least one sub-component which has a surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which is larger than the largest surface area of the lamp connection unit perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and wherein the sub-component of the power connection unit with the largest surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is located proximate to the lamp connection unit.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2006-0057874, filed on Jun. 27, 2006, and all the benefits accruing therefrom under 35 U.S.C. §119, the contents of which in its entirety are herein incorporated by reference. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a lamp socket, a backlight assembly including the lamp socket, and a liquid crystal display including the backlight assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a lamp socket capable of easy assembly and a reduction in manufacturing costs, a backlight assembly including the lamp socket, and a liquid crystal display including the backlight assembly. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Liquid crystal displays are one of the most commonly used flat panel displays. Liquid crystal displays, which include two panels having a plurality of electrodes thereon and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the two panels, control the transmittance of incident light by applying voltages to the electrodes to rearrange liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer. The liquid crystal molecules may be oriented to allow light to pass therethrough, may be oriented to block light from passing therethrough, or may be oriented to allow only a portion of the light to pass therethrough. 
         [0006]    Liquid crystal displays include a backlight assembly for supplying light to the liquid crystal layer. The backlight assembly typically includes lamps, various types of optical sheets, and a housing unit for receiving the lamps and the optical sheets. Conventionally, sockets are used to fasten the lamps into the housing unit. With respect to conventional liquid crystal displays using a plurality of lamps arranged in an ordered fashion, an alignment plate is used for securing the sockets coupled with the lamps to the housing unit. The sockets are secured to the housing unit with an alignment plate after being inserted into holes formed in the housing unit. 
         [0007]    According to the above-described conventional liquid crystal displays, an alignment plate is separately used to secure sockets to a housing unit, thereby complicating the liquid crystal display assembly process. Furthermore, the arrangement of sockets may need to be changed according to the type of liquid crystal display used, which requires the fabrication of a new alignment plate configured for the arrangement of sockets, thereby resulting in an increase in both manufacturing costs and manufacturing time. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present invention provides a lamp socket capable of achieving easy assembling and a reduction in manufacturing costs. 
         [0009]    The present invention also provides a backlight assembly including the lamp socket. 
         [0010]    The present invention also provides a liquid crystal display including the backlight assembly 
         [0011]    These and other aspects of the present invention will be described in or be apparent from the following description of the exemplary embodiments. 
         [0012]    According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a lamp socket includes a lamp connection unit which is electrically connected to a lamp, a power connection unit which is disposed below and adjacent to the lamp connection unit along a longitudinal axis and is electrically connected to an electric source which supplies power to the lamp, and a fastening member which is disposed on the power connection unit, wherein the power connection unit comprises at least one sub-component which has a surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which is larger than the largest surface area of the lamp connection unit perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and wherein the sub-component of the power connection unit with the largest surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is located proximate to the lamp connection unit. 
         [0013]    According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a lamp socket includes a power connection unit which is electrically connected to an electric source which supplies power to a lamp, a lamp connection unit which is disposed above and adjacent to the power connection unit along a longitudinal axis and is electrically connected to the lamp, and a fastening member which is disposed on the lamp connection unit, wherein the lamp connection unit comprises at least one sub-component which has a surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which is larger than the largest surface area of the power connection unit perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and wherein the sub-component of the lamp connection unit with the largest surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is located proximate to the power connection unit. 
         [0014]    According to still another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a backlight assembly includes at least one lamp, a housing unit which receives the at least one lamp and has socket holes corresponding to ends of the at least one lamp, and lamp sockets which are inserted into the socket holes and are connected to the lamps, wherein each of the lamp sockets comprises a lamp connection unit which is electrically connected to a lamp, a power connection unit which is disposed below and adjacent to the lamp connection unit along a longitudinal axis and is electrically connected to an electric source which supplies power to the lamp, and a fastening member which is disposed on the power connection unit and is secured to the socket hole, wherein the power connection unit comprises at least one sub-component which has a surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which is larger than the largest surface area of the lamp connection unit perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and wherein the sub-component of the power connection unit with the largest surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is located proximate to the lamp connection unit. 
         [0015]    According to a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a backlight assembly includes at least one lamp, a housing unit which receives the at least one lamp and has socket holes corresponding to ends of the at least one lamp, and lamp sockets which are inserted into the socket holes and are connected to the at least one lamp, wherein each of the lamp sockets comprises a power connection unit which is electrically connected to an electric source which supplies power to a lamp, a lamp connection unit which is disposed above and adjacent to the power connection unit along a longitudinal axis and is electrically connected to the lamp, and a fastening member which is disposed on the lamp connection unit and is secured to the socket hole, wherein the lamp connection unit comprises at least one sub-component which has a surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which is larger than the largest surface area of the power connection unit perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and wherein the sub-component of the lamp connection unit with the largest surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is located proximate to the power connection unite. 
         [0016]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel which displays an image signal, and a backlight assembly including at least one lamp, a housing unit which receives the at least one lamp and has socket holes corresponding to ends of the at least one lamp, and lamp sockets which are inserted into the socket holes and are connected to the at least one lamp, wherein each of the lamp sockets comprises a power connection unit which is electrically connected to an electric source which supplies power to a lamp, a lamp connection unit which is disposed above and adjacent to the power connection unit along a longitudinal axis and is electrically connected to the lamp, and a fastening member which is disposed on the lamp connection unit and is secured to the socket hole, wherein the lamp connection unit comprises at least one sub-component which has a surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which is larger than the largest surface area of the power connection unit perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and wherein the sub-component of the lamp connection unit with the largest surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is located proximate to the power connection unit which supplies light to the liquid crystal panel. 
         [0017]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention a method of manufacturing a lamp socket includes; forming a lamp connection unit which is electrically connected to a lamp, forming a power connection unit which is disposed below and adjacent to the lamp connection unit along a longitudinal axis and is electrically connected to an electric source which supplies power to the lamp, and forming a fastening member which is disposed on the power connection unit, wherein the forming a power connection unit comprises forming at least one sub-component to have a surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which is larger than the largest surface area of the lamp connection unit perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and wherein the sub-component of the power connection unit with the largest surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is formed proximate to the lamp connection unit. 
         [0018]    According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention a method of manufacturing a lamp socket includes; forming a power connection unit which is electrically connected to an electric source which supplies power to a lamp, forming a lamp connection unit which is disposed above and adjacent to the power connection unit along a longitudinal axis and is electrically connected to the lamp, and forming a fastening member which is disposed on the lamp connection unit, wherein the forming a lamp connection unit comprises forming at least one sub-component to have a surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis which is larger than the largest surface area of the power connection unit perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and wherein the sub-component of the lamp connection unit with the largest surface area perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is formed proximate to the power connection unit. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in more detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings in which: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystal display according to the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a top front perspective view illustrating a first exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket according to the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view, as seen from below, of the exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a top perspective view illustrating the assembly of an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit and a lamp with the exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit and the exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 2 , in an assembled state; 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a front perspective view, as seen from below, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit, an exemplary embodiment of an inverter printed circuit board, and the exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 2 , in an assembled state; 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit, an exemplary embodiment of an inverter printed circuit board, and the exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 2  in an assembled state; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit with a relatively thin thickness and an exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 2 , in an assembled state; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9A  is a top front perspective view illustrating a second exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket according to the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9B  is a front perspective view, as seen from below, of the exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 9A ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9C  is a front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit and the second exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 9A , in an assembled state; 
           [0031]      FIG. 9D  is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit, an exemplary embodiment of an inverter printed circuit board, and the second exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 9A , in an assembled state; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10A  is a top front perspective view illustrating a third exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket according to the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 10B  is a front perspective view, as seen from below, of the third exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 10C  is a front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit and the third exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 10A , in an assembled state; 
           [0035]      FIG. 10D  is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit, an exemplary embodiment of an inverter printed circuit board, and the third exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 10A , in an assembled state; 
           [0036]      FIG. 11A  is a top front perspective view illustrating a fourth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket according the present invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 11B  is a front perspective view, as seen from below, of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 11A ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 11C  is a front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit and the fourth exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 11A , in an assembled state; 
           [0039]      FIG. 11D  is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit, an exemplary embodiment of an inverter printed circuit board, and the fourth exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 11A , in an assembled state; 
           [0040]      FIG. 12A  is a top elevated front perspective view illustrating a fifth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket according to the present invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 12B  is a front perspective view, as seen from below, of the fifth exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 12A ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 12C  is a front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit and the fifth exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 12A , in an assembled state; 
           [0043]      FIG. 12D  is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit, an exemplary embodiment of an inverter printed circuit board, and the fifth exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 12A , in an assembled state; and 
           [0044]      FIG. 13A  is a top front perspective view illustrating a sixth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket according to the present invention; 
           [0045]      FIG. 13B  is a front perspective view, as seen from below, of the sixth exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 13A ; 
           [0046]      FIG. 13C  is a front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit and the sixth exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 13A , in an assembled state; and 
           [0047]      FIG. 13D  is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit, an exemplary embodiment of an inverter printed circuit board, and the sixth exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 13A , in an assembled state. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0048]    Aspects, advantages and features of the present invention and methods of accomplishing the same may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete and will fully convey the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art, and the present invention will only be defined by the appended claims. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification. 
         [0049]    It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on” another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may be present therebetween. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on” another element, there are no intervening elements present. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
         [0050]    It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another element, component, region, layer or section. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the present invention. 
         [0051]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” or “includes” and/or “including” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, regions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. 
         [0052]    Spatially relative terms, such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. 
         [0053]    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 this invention belongs. 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 the present disclosure, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
         [0054]    Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to cross section illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments of the present invention. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, exemplary embodiments of the present invention should not be construed as limited to the particular shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to include deviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing. For example, a region illustrated or described as flat may, typically, have rough and/or nonlinear features. Moreover, sharp angles that are illustrated may be rounded. Thus, the regions illustrated in the figures are schematic in nature and their shapes are not intended to illustrate the precise shape of a region and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         [0055]    A first exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket according to the present invention, an exemplary embodiment of a backlight assembly including the lamp socket, and an exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystal display including the backlight assembly will now be described more fully with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 8 . 
         [0056]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a first exemplary embodiment of a liquid crystal display  100  according to the present invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , a liquid crystal display  100  includes a liquid crystal panel assembly  130 , a backlight assembly  140 , and an upper housing unit  110 . 
         [0057]    The liquid crystal panel assembly  130  includes a liquid crystal panel  136  including a thin film transistor (“TFT”) array panel  133  and a common electrode panel  134 , liquid crystals (not shown), gate tape carrier packages  131 , data tape carrier packages  132 , and a printed circuit board  135 . 
         [0058]    In the liquid crystal panel  136 , the TFT array panel  133  includes gate lines (not shown), data lines (not shown), an array of TFTs (not shown), pixel electrodes (not shown), and other various components. The common electrode panel  134  includes black matrices (not shown), a common electrode (not shown), and other various components, and is disposed opposite to the TFT array panel  133 . 
         [0059]    The gate tape carrier packages  131  are respectively connected to the gate lines in the TFT array panel  133 , and the data tape carrier packages  132  are respectively connected to the data lines in the TFT array panel  133 . 
         [0060]    In one exemplary embodiment driving devices for processing gate driving signals and data driving signals are mounted on the printed circuit board  135  to apply the gate driving signals and the data driving signals to the gate tape carrier packages  131  and the data tape carrier packages  132 , respectively. Alternative exemplary embodiments include configurations wherein the driving devices are mounted on the TFT array panel  133 . 
         [0061]    The backlight assembly  140  includes optical sheets  141 , an optical plate  142 , lamps  143 , and a reflective plate  144 . 
         [0062]    The lamps  143  may be light emitting diodes (“LEDs”), cold cathode fluorescent lamps (“CCFLs”), external electrode fluorescent lamps (“EEFLs”), or various other types of light emitting devices. The lamps  143  generate light using a lamp driving voltage applied to the lamps  143  from an external source (not shown). According to the present exemplary embodiment the lamps  143  are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance and positioned in parallel to each other in the same plane. The lamps  143  may form a structure which supplies light directly to the liquid crystal panel  136 . In order to achieve uniformity of brightness by uniformly distributing a discharge gas in the lamps  143 , the lamps  143  may be arranged horizontally with respect to the liquid crystal panel  136 . Lamp sockets  200  are securely inserted into socket holes  162  formed in a lower housing unit  160 . The lamp sockets  200  are positioned to correspond to end portions of the lamps  143  and securely support the lamps  143 . The lamp sockets  200  will be descried in more detail below. 
         [0063]    The optical plate  142  may be disposed on the lamps  143 , and serves to enhance the brightness uniformity of light generated from the lamps  143 . The optical plate enables a more uniform distribution of light to the liquid crystal panel  136 . 
         [0064]    The reflective plate  144  is disposed below the lamps  143  and reflects light upward from below the lamps  143 . In one exemplary embodiment the reflective plate  144  may be formed integrally with the bottom surface of the lower housing unit  160 . If the lower housing unit  160  is made of a highly reflective material, exemplary embodiments of which include aluminum (Al) or aluminum alloy, the lower housing unit  160  itself can serve as the reflective plate  144 . 
         [0065]    The optical sheets  141  are disposed on the optical plate  142 , and serve to diffuse and focus light coming from the lamps  143 . Exemplary embodiments of the optical sheets  141  include a diffusion sheet, a first prism sheet, a second prism sheet, and various other sheets with similar properties. 
         [0066]    In the exemplary embodiment wherein the optical sheets include a diffusion sheet, the diffusion sheet is disposed above the lamps  143  and serves to enhance the brightness and brightness uniformity of incident light from the lamps  143 . 
         [0067]    In the exemplary embodiment wherein the optical sheets include a prism sheet, the first prism sheet is disposed on the diffusion sheet. Exemplary embodiments of the prism sheet include triagonal prism patterns (not shown) uniformly arranged on a surface of the first prism sheet to focus light diffused from the diffusion sheet and to output the focused light. In one exemplary embodiment the first prism sheet may be a brightness enhancement film (“BEF”). 
         [0068]    In the exemplary embodiment wherein the optical sheets include a prism sheet the second prism sheet is disposed on the first prism sheet, and is a multi-layered, reflective, polarization prism sheet for focusing, polarizing, and outputting light. In one exemplary embodiment the second prism sheet may be a dual brightness enhancement film (“DBEF”). In the exemplary embodiment where the first prism sheet provides sufficient brightness and viewing angle, the second prism sheet may be omitted. 
         [0069]    The backlight assembly  140  includes a receiving frame  150  and the lower housing unit  160  for receiving the optical sheets  141 , the optical plate  142 , the lamps  143 , and the reflective plate  144 . 
         [0070]    The liquid crystal panel assembly  130  is disposed on the optical sheets  141 , and is received in the lower housing unit  160  in a state in which it is supported by the receiving frame  150 . The receiving frame  150  has sidewalls extending from the edges of a bottom surface. In one exemplary embodiment the receiving frame  150  is structured such that the liquid crystal panel assembly  130  can be supported by stepped portions or projections formed inside the sidewalls. The lower housing unit  160  has a substantially flat bottom surface, and receives the optical sheets  141 , the optical plate  142 , the lamps  143 , the reflective plate  144 , and the liquid crystal panel assembly  130  in an area defined by sidewalls extending from the edges of its bottom surface. The lower housing unit  160  also serves to prevent bending of the optical sheets  141 . In one exemplary embodiment the printed circuit board  135  of the liquid crystal panel assembly  130  is folded along an outer edge of the lower housing unit  160  so that it is disposed on a sidewall or a rear surface of the lower housing unit  160 . The shape of the lower housing unit  160  can be changed according to how the optical sheets  141 , the optical plate  142 , the lamps  143 , the reflective plate  144 , or the liquid crystal panel assembly  130  are placed in the lower housing unit  160 . 
         [0071]    The lower housing unit  160  is coupled to the upper housing unit  110  so that a periphery of an upper surface of the liquid crystal panel assembly  130  received in the lower housing unit  160  is covered. A window for exposing the liquid crystal panel assembly  130  to the outside is disposed on an upper surface of the upper housing unit  110 . 
         [0072]    Exemplary embodiments of the coupling between the upper housing unit  110  and the lower housing unit  160  can be accomplished by hooking (not shown) and/or screwing (not shown). The coupling between the upper housing unit  110  and the lower housing unit  160  may also be achieved in various other ways. 
         [0073]    Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 2 through 7 .  FIG. 2  is a top front perspective view illustrating a first exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket ( 200 ) according to the present invention,  FIG. 3  is a front perspective view, as seen from below, of the exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket of  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4  is a top front perspective view illustrating the assembly of an exemplary embodiment of the lower housing unit and a lamp with the exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 5  is a front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the lower housing unit and the exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 2 , in an assembled state,  FIG. 6  is a front perspective view, as seen from below, illustrating an exemplary embodiment of the lower housing unit, an exemplary embodiment of an inverter printed circuit board, and the exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 2 , in an assembled state, and  FIG. 7  is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit, an exemplary embodiment of the inverter printed circuit board, and the exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 2 , in an assembled state. 
         [0074]    First, referring to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , together with  FIG. 1 , the lamp socket  200  includes a lamp connection unit  210  which is electrically connected to the lamp  143 , a power connection unit  220  which is disposed below the lamp connection unit  210  and electrically connected to a power source (not shown) for supplying power to the lamp  143 , and a fastening member  230 , which is disposed on the power connection unit  220  at the boundary between the lamp connection unit  210  and the power connection unit  220  and secures the lamp socket  200  to the lower housing unit  160 . 
         [0075]    The lamp connection unit  210  includes a first housing  212  made of an insulating material, a guide groove  214  formed in the first housing  212  to permit the lamp  143  to be inserted into the first housing  212 , and a lamp connection terminal  216  to electrically connect to the lamp  143 . The lamp connection terminal  216  has a pair of convexly curved opposing surfaces and is made of a conductive material. The lamp connection terminal  216  is electrically connected to the lamp  143  by elastically and securely gripping the lamp  143 . 
         [0076]    The power connection unit  220  includes a stepped structure protruding outwardly with respect to the lamp connection unit  210  and adjoining the lamp connection unit  210 . The power connection unit  220  may be electrically connected to an inverter printed circuit board for supplying power. In more detail, the power connection unit  220  includes a light-shielding plate  222  constituting the bottom portion of the stepped structure, a board support  224  disposed below the light-shielding plate  222 , a second housing  226  disposed below the board support  224 , and a power connection terminal  228  which is disposed in the second housing  226  and electrically may be connected to the inverter printed circuit board. 
         [0077]    The light-shielding plate  222  adjoins the lamp connection unit  210  and constitutes the bottom portion of the stepped structure. The fastening member  230  is disposed on the side of the light-shielding plate opposite the board support. The fastening member  230  extends upward away from the stepped structure of the power connection unit  220 . Therefore, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the lamp socket  200  can be easily and securely inserted into the socket hole  162  of the lower housing unit  160  using the fastening member  230  disposed on the light-shielding plate  222  without using an additional fastener. In one exemplary embodiment the fastening member  230  may have a hook-like shape with an outwardly protruding portion. One or more fastening members may be disposed on the light-shielding plate  222 . In the present exemplary embodiment, two fastening members are disposed to be opposite to each other with respect to the lamp connection unit  210 . Alternative exemplary embodiments include configurations wherein only one fastening member  230  or more than two fastening members  230  are used. Meanwhile, in order to prevent external light from passing through the socket hole  162 , light-shielding plate  222  may have a larger area than the socket hole  162 . 
         [0078]    As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a portion of the inverter printed circuit board is inserted into the power connection terminal  228  disposed in the second housing  226 , and the power connection terminal  228  is electrically connected to the lamp connection terminal  216  through the pair of convexly curved opposing surfaces made of a conductive material which run internally through the lamp socket down from the lamp connection terminal in the lamp connection unit to the power connection terminal in the power connection unit. Thus, lamp power from the inverter printed circuit board is supplied through the power connection terminal  228  and the lamp connection terminal  216  and into the lamp  143 . 
         [0079]    The board support  224  interposed between the power connection terminal  228  and the light-shielding plate  222  serves to support the inverter printed circuit board inserted into the power connection terminal  228 . 
         [0080]    Referring again to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , when the lamp socket  200  is inserted upward into the socket hole  162 , it is secured to the lower housing unit  160  by the fastening member  230  disposed on the power connection unit  220 . The lamp connection unit  210  of the lamp socket  200  is disposed inside the lower housing unit  160 , and the power connection unit  220  of the lamp socket  200  is disposed outside the lower housing unit  160 . 
         [0081]    Next, the lamp  143  is inserted into the lamp connection unit  210 , which has been insertedly disposed in the lower housing unit  160 , to electrically connect the lamp  143  to the lamp connection unit  210 . 
         [0082]    The lamp  143  includes a lamp tube  320  internally coated with a fluorescent material and lead lines  310  connected to both ends of the lamp tube  320 . Exemplary embodiments of the fluorescent material coated in the lamp tube  320  include a rare earth element with high fluorescence efficiency, e.g., yttrium (Y), cerium (Ce), or terbium (Tb). In one exemplary embodiment the lamp  143  may be a three-wavelength type fluorescent lamp made of red, green, and blue fluorescent materials. The lead lines  310  supply an external power to electrodes (not shown) disposed inside the lamp tube  320 . 
         [0083]    When the lamp tube  320  of the lamp  143  is inserted along the guide groove  214  of the lamp connection unit  210 , the lamp connection terminal  216  of the lamp connection unit  210  is connected to the lead line  310  of the lamp  143 . 
         [0084]    Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , with respect to the lamp socket  200  securely inserted into a socket hole  162  by the fastening member  230 , a pad  410  of an inverter printed circuit board  400  disposed below the lower housing unit  160  is electrically connected to the lamp socket  200  by inserting the pad  410  into the power connection terminal  228  of the lamp socket  200 . Heat may be generated from any of several devices (e.g., a transformer) mounted on the inverter printed circuit board  400 . Thus, the inverter printed circuit board  400  may be disposed to be separated from the lower housing unit  160  by a predetermined distance. 
         [0085]    Accordingly, the power connection terminal  228  connected to the pad  410  of the inverter printed circuit board  400  may be disposed to be separated from the light-shielding plate  222  by a predetermined distance determined by the spacing between the lower housing unit  160  and the inverter printed circuit board  400 . Furthermore, in order to support the inverter printed circuit board  400  inserted into the power connection terminal  228 , the board support  224  may be interposed between the power connection terminal  228  and the light-shielding plate  222 . In addition, an auxiliary projection  165  for supporting the inverter printed circuit board  400  may be disposed on a lower surface of the lower housing unit  160 . In another exemplary embodiment, the auxiliary projection  165  may be disposed on an upper surface of the inverter printed circuit board  400 . 
         [0086]    Hereinafter, the application of a lamp socket to different types of lower housing units with different thicknesses will be described with reference to  FIGS. 5 and 8 .  FIG. 8  is a front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit having a relatively thin thickness and an exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 2 , in an assembled state. 
         [0087]    First, referring to  FIG. 5  illustrating the lamp socket  200  securely inserted into the socket hole  162  of the lower housing unit  160 , the position of a protruding portion of the fastening member  230  is determined by the thickness d 1  of the lower housing unit  160 . In the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , when the lamp socket  200  is inserted into a lower housing unit  160 ′ with a thinner thickness d 2  than the thickness d 1 , the thickness d 2  of the lower housing unit  160 ′ is thinner than a gap between the protruding portion and the light-shielding plate  222 , and thus, the lamp socket  200  may not be secured to the lower housing unit  160 ′. In this regard, as shown in  FIG. 8 , an embossing  164  is formed around a socket hole  162  of the lower housing unit  160 ′, to enable the lamp socket  200  to be securely fastened to the lower housing unit  160 ′. 
         [0088]    The first housing  212 , the light-shielding plate  222 , the board support  224 , and the second housing  226  constituting the lamp connection unit  210  or the power connection unit  220  have been separately described and can be formed separately as in the above-described exemplary embodiment of the present invention. However, alternative exemplary embodiments include configurations wherein all or some of the components constituting the lamp connection unit  210  or the power connection unit  220  may also be formed integrally with each other. 
         [0089]    Hereinafter, a second exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 9A through 9D .  FIG. 9A  is a top front perspective view illustrating a second exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  500  according to the present invention,  FIG. 9B  is a front perspective view, as seen from below, of the exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket of  FIG. 9A ,  FIG. 9C  is a front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit and the second exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 9A , in an assembled state, and  FIG. 9D  is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit, an exemplary embodiment of an inverter printed circuit board, and the second exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 9A , in an assembled state. For convenience of illustration, the same functional elements as those in the first exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 2 through 8 , are represented by the same reference numerals, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The second exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket of the present invention has substantially the same structure as that of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention except for the points described below. 
         [0090]    Referring to  FIGS. 9A through 9D , a power connection unit  520  of a second exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  500  includes a light-shielding plate  522  which constitutes a stepped structure protruding outwardly with respect to a lamp connection unit  210  and adjoining the lamp connection unit  210 , a second housing  226  which is disposed on a lower surface of the light-shielding plate  522 , and a power connection terminal  228  which is disposed in the second housing  226  and which may be electrically connected to an inverter printed circuit board  400 . A fastening member  230  is disposed on the light-shielding plate  522 . When the second exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  500  is inserted into a socket hole  162 , the light-shielding plate  522  can serve to prevent the incidence of external light through the socket hole  162 . The second exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  500  is structured such that the light-shielding plate  522  supports the inverter printed circuit board  400 . This second exemplary embodiment differs from the first exemplary embodiment in that the light-shielding plate  522  provides support for the inverter printed circuit board  400 , whereas the first exemplary embodiment requires a board support  224  to perform the same function. 
         [0091]    Hereinafter, a third exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 10A through 10D .  FIG. 10A  is a top front perspective view illustrating a third exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  600  according to the present invention,  FIG. 10B  is a front perspective view, as seen from below, of the third exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 10A ,  FIG. 10C  is a front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit and the third exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 10A , in an assembled state,  FIG. 10D  is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit, an exemplary embodiment of an inverter printed circuit board, and the third exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 10A , in an assembled state. For convenience of illustration, the same functional elements as those in the first exemplary embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 2 through 8 , are represented by the same reference numerals, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The third exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket of the present invention has substantially the same structure as that of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention except for the points described below. 
         [0092]    Referring to  FIGS. 10A through 10D , a power connection unit  620  of a third exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  600  includes a second housing  626  which protrudes outwardly with respect to a lamp connection unit  210  and adjoins the lamp connection unit  210 , and a power connection terminal  228  which is disposed in the second housing  626  and may be electrically connected to an inverter printed circuit board  400 . A fastening member  230  is disposed on the second housing  626 . When the third exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  600  is inserted into a lamp hole  162 , the second housing  626  can serve to prevent the incidence of external light through the socket hole  162 . The third exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  600  is structured such that the second housing  626  supports the inverter printed circuit board  400 . This third exemplary embodiment of a light socket  600  differs from the first exemplary embodiment of a light socket  200  in that the second housing  626  provides support for the inverter printed circuit board  400 , whereas the first exemplary embodiment of a light socket  200  requires a board support  224  to perform the same function. 
         [0093]    Hereinafter, a fourth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 11A through 11D .  FIG. 11A  is a top front perspective view illustrating a fourth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  700  according to the present invention,  FIG. 11B  is a front perspective view, as seen from below, of the fourth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket of  FIG. 11A ,  FIG. 11C  is a front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit and the fourth exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 11A , in an assembled state, and  FIG. 11D  is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit, an exemplary embodiment of an inverter printed circuit board, and the fourth exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 11A , in an assembled state. For convenience of illustration, the same functional elements as those in the first exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 through 8 , are represented by the same reference numerals, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The fourth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket of the present invention has substantially the same structure as that of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention except for the points described below. 
         [0094]    Referring to  FIGS. 11A through 11D , a fourth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  700  includes a power connection unit  720  which is electrically connected to an inverter printed circuit board  400 , a lamp connection unit  710  which is disposed on the power connection unit  720  and electrically connected to a lamp (not shown), and a fastening member  230 , disposed on the lamp connection unit  710  at a border between the lamp connection unit  710  and the power connection unit  720 , securing the lamp socket  700  to a lower housing unit  160 . 
         [0095]    In more detail, the lamp connection unit  710  includes a stepped structure protruding outwardly with respect to the power connection unit  720  and adjoining the power connection unit  720 . In more detail, the lamp connection unit  710  includes a light-shielding plate  718  constituting the widest part of the stepped structure, and a first housing  212  disposed on the light-shielding plate  718 . The first housing  212  has a guide groove  214  and a lamp connection terminal  216 . 
         [0096]    The power connection unit  720  includes a board support  224  which is connected to the lamp connection unit  710 , a second housing  226  which is disposed on the board support  224 , and a power connection terminal  228  which is disposed in the second housing  226  and may be electrically connected to the inverter printed circuit board  400 . 
         [0097]    The light-shielding plate  718  adjoins the power connection unit  720 . The fastening member  230  is disposed on the lamp connection unit  710 . The fastening member  230  extends downward from the side of the light-shielding plate  718  opposite the lamp connection unit  710 . Therefore, the fourth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  700  can be easily and securely inserted into a socket hole  162  of the lower housing unit  160  using the fastening member  230  disposed on a lower surface of the light-shielding plate  718  without using an additional fastener. Meanwhile, when the fourth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  700  is inserted into the lamp hole  162 , the light-shielding plate  718  may have a larger area than the socket hole  162  to prevent external light from becoming incident on the liquid crystal panel  136 . 
         [0098]    The fourth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  700  is inserted downward into the socket hole  162 , it is secured to the lower housing unit  160  by the fastening member  230  disposed on the lower surface of the lamp connection unit  710 . The lamp connection unit  710  of the fourth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  700  is disposed inside the lower housing unit  160 , and the power connection unit  720  of the lamp socket  700  is disposed outside the lower housing unit  160 . 
         [0099]    According to the fourth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  700  of the present invention, the fastening member  230  is disposed on a lower surface of the light-shielding plate  718  and the light-shielding plate  718  is disposed inside the lower housing unit  160 . Even though the insertion direction of the lamp socket  700  into the lower housing unit  160  is opposite to that of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the fourth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  700  of the present invention can provide substantially the same functions and effects as that of the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         [0100]    Hereinafter, a fifth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 12A through 12D .  FIG. 12A  is an elevated front perspective view illustrating a fifth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  800  according to the present invention,  FIG. 12B  is a front perspective view, as seen from below, of the fifth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket of  FIG. 12A ,  FIG. 12C  is a front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit and the fifth exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 12A , in an assembled state, and  FIG. 12D  is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit, an exemplary embodiment of an inverter printed circuit board, and the fifth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket of  FIG. 12A , in an assembled state. For convenience of illustration, the same functional elements as those in the fourth exemplary embodiment are represented by the same reference numerals, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The lamp socket of the fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention has substantially the same structure as that of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention except for the points described below. 
         [0101]    Referring to  FIGS. 12A through 12D , a power connection unit  820  of a fifth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  800  includes a second housing  826  which is connected to a lamp connection unit  710 , and a power connection terminal  228  which is disposed in the second housing  826  and may be electrically connected to an inverter printed circuit board  400 . The fifth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  800  is structured such that the power connection terminal  228  of the power connection unit  820  may provide support for supporting the inverter printed circuit board  400 . This fifth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  800  differs from the sixth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  700  in that a separate board support  224  is not provided. 
         [0102]    Hereinafter, a sixth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket according to the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to  FIGS. 13A through 13D .  FIG. 13A  is a top front perspective view illustrating a sixth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  900  according to the present invention;  FIG. 13B  is a front perspective view, as seen from below, of the sixth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket of  FIG. 13A ;  FIG. 13C  is a front view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit and the sixth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket of  FIG. 13A , in an assembled state, and  FIG. 13D  is a side view illustrating an exemplary embodiment of a lower housing unit, an exemplary embodiment of an inverter printed circuit board, and the sixth exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket of  FIG. 13A , in an assembled state. For convenience of illustration, the same functional elements as those in the fourth exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 11A through 11D , are represented by the same reference numerals, and thus, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. The sixth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket of the present invention has substantially the same structure as that of the fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention except for the points described below. 
         [0103]    Referring to  FIGS. 13A through 13D , a lamp connection unit  910  of a sixth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  900  includes a first housing  912  made of an insulating material, which constitutes a stepped structure protruding outwardly with respect to a power connection unit  720  and adjoining the power connection unit  720 , and a guide groove  214  and a lamp connection terminal  216  which are formed in the first housing  912 . The lamp socket  900  is structured to prevent the incidence of external light through a socket hole  162  by disposing the first housing  912  around the socket hole  162 . This sixth exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket  900  prevents the incidence of external light without using a light-shielding plate as shown in the previous exemplary embodiments (the third exemplary embodiment of the lamp socket  600  shown in  FIGS. 10A-10D  also blocks the incidence of external light to the liquid crystal panel  136  without using a separate light-shielding plate, but does so using an enlarged second housing  626 ). 
         [0104]    As described above, a lamp socket according to the present invention can be easily assembled with a backlight assembly, can be applied to various types of liquid crystal displays, and can reduce the manufacturing costs of liquid crystal displays. 
         [0105]    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 present invention as defined by the following claims. It is therefore desired that the present exemplary embodiments be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, reference being made to the appended claims rather than the foregoing description to indicate the scope of the present invention.