Abstract:
A tiled display device includes a combination of multiple display devices to form a larger tiled display device. The larger tiled display device minimizes the boundaries between in the multiple display devices to improve the active area of the display. A partition wall between display devices may be configured to reduce the distance between the combined display devices.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 0137612/2006, filed on Dec. 29, 2006, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     The present disclosure relates to a backlight unit, which can improve the image quality of a display device. In particular, the assembly characteristics of a large display device with a plurality of display panels may be improved. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     With rapid development of display devices, slim and light display devices with improved performance have been preferred. Cathode ray tubes (CRTs) have advantages in performance and price but disadvantages based on their size, weight, and portability. 
     Liquid crystal display devices (LCDs) are considered as replacement for CRTs because LCDs are slimmer and light weight and have lower power consumption. LCDs are used as display devices in information processing devices, such as home computers. In LCDs, a specific molecular arrangement of liquid crystals is changed when a predetermined voltage is applied thereto. Light transmittance can be adjusted using the change in the molecular arrangement of the liquid crystals. In this way, the LCD displays an image. 
     Although LCDs have been widely used in notebook computers and household television sets, their applications are expanding to larger public display devices. LCDs may be used for large billboards for a variety purposes, such as a stadium scoreboard or “jumbotron.” As a result, the LCDs must be large in size so that a number of people can view a clear image from a large distance. In LCDs, it may be difficult to make a large glass substrate, and failure may occur in the liquid crystals. In addition, the fabrication of the large display device requires larger processing equipment, leading to the increase in a manufacturing cost of the display device. Since signal lines of the LCD become longer, pixels become more difficult to drive and image quality may be degraded. 
     A tiling LCD has been developed which may meet a demand for a new display device and be manufactured at a low cost. A tiling LCD may be a plurality of smaller LCDs that are combined side-by-side into a larger LCD. The smaller LCDs may be referred to as tiles that are combined to form the tiling LCD.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a related art LCD, and  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 . Specifically,  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of edge portions of liquid crystal display modules. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a related art large LCD can be manufactured by sequentially arranging first to fourth liquid crystal display modules  10 ,  20 ,  30  and  40 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the related art liquid crystal display modules include liquid crystal panels  11  and  21  displaying an image, backlight units  15  and  25  supplying light to the liquid crystal panels  11  and  21 , bottom cases  17  and  27  receiving the backlight units  15  and  25 , and top cases  19  and  29  attached to the bottom cases  17  and  27  to fix the liquid crystal panels  11  and  21 , respectively. The backlight units  15  and  25  include light sources  16  and  26 , respectively. The backlight units  15  and  25  further include guide panels  31  and  32  receiving the liquid crystal panels  11  and  21  and various optical films  13  and  23 , respectively. 
     The LCD  50  has an active area (AA) where an image is displayed and a non-active area NA where no image is displayed. The non-active area NA is outside of the active area AA for each display module. The non-active area NA between LCD modules is defined as the width k. As shown in  FIG. 2 , the non-active area between module  40  and module  30  is the width k. Likewise, the width between modules  10  and  20 ,  10  and  40 , and  20  and  30  are all width k. The non-active area NA at the outer edge portions of the liquid crystal display modules  10 ,  20 ,  30  and  40  is approximately half of width k. 
     Therefore, a non-active area NA with a large width k exists between the first to fourth liquid crystal display modules  10 ,  20 ,  30  and  40 . The wide non-active area NA is an obstacle to maximizing the image quality of the display. The non-active areas may affect the continuity of an image shown on a tiled LCD display device. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     In a first aspect, a display device includes at least two display panels and a guide panel configured to receive the display panels. The guide panel includes a frame disposed along a periphery of the display panels and a partition wall within the frame. The partition wall is configured to receive at least an end portion of the display panels. A backlight unit is configured to provide light to the display panels. 
     In a second aspect, a display device includes at least two display panels and at least two backlight units. Each of the display panels corresponds with one of the backlight units. Each of the display panels is configured to receive light from the respective one of the backlight units. A guide panel is configured to receive the display panels, the guide panel comprising a frame disposed along a periphery of the display panels and a partition wall disposed within the frame and extending between the display panels. 
     In a third aspect, a frame assembly is configured to receive a tiled display unit and includes a plurality of display panels and at least one backlight. The frame assembly further includes an outer frame extending along the periphery of the tiled display panels. A partition is housed within the outer frame and extending between the display panels, the partition comprising two opposing sides, wherein each side comprises a mounting portion extending under a respective display panel. At least one bottom case is coupled with the partition and extending under at least one of the display panels, wherein each of the at least one bottom cases is configured to receive the at least one backlight. 
     It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present invention are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be, or will become, apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. Nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims. Further aspects and advantages are discussed below in conjunction with the embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The system and/or method may be better understood with reference to the following drawings and description. Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments are described with reference to the following drawings. The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the figures, like referenced numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views. The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a related art display device; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to a first embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the display device illustrated in  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a third embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to a fourth embodiment; 
         FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the display device illustrated in  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a guide panel in a backlight unit according to an embodiment; 
         FIG. 11A  is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 11B  is a perspective view taken along line III-III′ of  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIGS. 11C and 11D  are perspective views of partition walls of a guide panel in a backlight unit of an LCD according to embodiments; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to a fifth embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the display device illustrated in  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a sixth embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a seventh embodiment; 
         FIGS. 16A and 16B  are plan views illustrating arrangement of display panels in a display device according to an embodiment; and 
         FIGS. 17A and 17B  are plan views illustrating arrangement of display panels in a display device according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     A backlight unit and a display device having the same according to various embodiments will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The display device may refer to any display devices which display an image using an external or non-integrated light source. For example the display device may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) device. 
     The display device includes a plurality of display panels arranged in a row or in a matrix form. The plurality of display panels may be referred to as tiles and the display device with the plurality of panels/tiles may be referred to as a tiling display device. For illustrative purposes, the display device will be described as a liquid crystal display with liquid crystal panels. 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an LCD according to a first embodiment, and  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II′ of  FIG. 3 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the liquid crystal panels are arranged in a 2×2 matrix. Referring to both  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the LCD  100  includes first to fourth liquid crystal panels  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104 . First and fourth backlight units  111 ,  112 ,  113  and  114  are arranged under or coupled with the first to fourth liquid crystal panels  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104 , respectively. Herein, the phrase “coupled with” is defined to mean directly connected to or indirectly connected through one or more intermediate components. The first to fourth backlight units  111 ,  112 ,  113  and  114  supply light to the first to fourth liquid crystal panels  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104 , respectively. 
     The first to fourth backlight units  111 ,  112 ,  113  and  114  include first to fourth light sources  131   a ,  131   b ,  131   c  and  131   d , respectively. Examples of the light sources may include Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL), External Electrode Fluorescent Lamp (EEFL), Hot Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (HCFL), Flat Fluorescent Lamp (FFL), and Light Emitting Diode (LED). The first to fourth light sources  131   a ,  131   b ,  131   c  and  131   d  are received in and coupled with bottom cases  141 ,  142 ,  143  and  144 , respectively. 
     The first to fourth light sources  131   a ,  131   b ,  131   c  and  131   d  may be arranged on and coupled with the bottom surfaces of the first to fourth bottom cases  141 ,  142 ,  143  and  144  at predetermined intervals, respectively. In other words, the backlight units may be direct-type backlight units. Alternatively, the first to fourth light sources  131   a ,  131   b ,  131   c  and  131   d  may be arranged on lateral surfaces of the first to fourth bottom cases  141 ,  142 ,  143  and  144 . In other words, the backlight units may be edge-type backlight units. 
     A guide panel  121  serving as a receiving member is provided between the first to fourth backlight units  111 ,  112 ,  113  and  114  and the liquid crystal panels  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104 . The guide panel  121  is integrally formed to receive the first to fourth liquid crystal panels  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104 . The guide panel  121  may couple the backlight units  111 - 114  with the liquid crystal panels  101 - 104 , respectively. The guide panel  121  may also provide support for both the backlight units  111 - 114  and the liquid crystal panels  101 - 104 . 
     In one embodiment, the guide panel  121  includes a main frame  121   a  and a partition wall  121   b . The main frame  121   a  is formed along the periphery of the LCD  100 , and the partition wall  121   b  is branched from the main frame  121   a  and formed along boundaries of the liquid crystal panels  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104 . Accordingly, the guide panel  121  has four partitioned regions that respectively receive the first to fourth liquid crystal panels  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104 . In alternate embodiments, the partition wall  121   b  may partition more or fewer regions. For example, the partition wall  121   b  may partition two regions or may partition dozens of regions. 
     The guide panel  121  may further include a mounting portion  122  configured to maintain a stable arrangement of the first to fourth liquid crystal panels  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104 . The mounting portion  122  of the guide panel  121  protrudes from the main frame  121   a  and the partition wall  121   b  toward the inside of the partitioned regions of the guide panel  121 , such that the first to fourth liquid crystal panels  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104  can be stably received in or coupled with the guide panel  121 . 
     A top case  120  is disposed above or coupled with the first to fourth liquid crystal panels  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104 . The top case  120  covers the first to fourth liquid crystal panels  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104  and is coupled with the bottom cases  141 ,  142 ,  143  and  144 . The top case  120  is integrally formed corresponding to the first to fourth liquid crystal panels  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104 . 
     The top case  120  is formed to cover non-active areas NA of the first to fourth liquid crystal panels  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104 . In particular, the top case  120  further includes a shielding member  120   a  covering the non-active areas NA at the attached boundaries of the first to fourth liquid crystal panels  101 ,  102 ,  103  and  104 . The first liquid crystal panel  101  and the second liquid crystal panel  102  are received in or coupled with the guide panel  121 . A width “a” of the shielding member  120   a  covering the non-active area NA along the partition wall  121   b  represents the non-active area, which reduces the area of display. Accordingly, the reduction in the width “a” results in improved display quality. 
     The reduction in the width “a” of the non-active area NA leads to the reduction in the area of the non-display region of the LCD. Accordingly, a tiling display device including at least two display panels attached to each other can improve image quality by reducing the area of the non-display region. 
     In addition, the backlight unit is modularized in such a way that the light sources are received in or coupled with the bottom cases. A large backlight unit can be manufactured by attaching a plurality of modularized backlight units to one another. The modularized backlight unit can be easily mass-produced. Further, the backlight unit can be manufactured in various sizes by attaching the modularized backlight units, regardless of the size of the liquid crystal panel. Further, when a failure occurs in the large backlight unit, only the defective backlight unit has to be replaced. 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to a second embodiment, and  FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the display device illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Although the tiling display device of  FIGS. 5 and 6  includes two display panels arranged in parallel, the number of the display panels can be more than two. Two display panels are described throughout for convenience. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the display device  200  includes a first liquid crystal panel  201 , a second liquid crystal panel  202 , and a single backlight unit  210 . The first liquid crystal panel  201  and the second liquid crystal panel  202  are arranged in parallel, and the single backlight unit  210  is arranged under the first liquid crystal panel  201  and the second liquid crystal panel  202 . 
     The display device  200  further includes a bottom case  215  coupled with a top case  220 . The bottom case  215  receives the first and second liquid crystal panels  201  and  202  and the backlight unit  210 , and the top case  220  is coupled with the bottom case  215  to protect the first and second liquid crystal panels  201  and  202  and the backlight unit  210 . The backlight unit  210  has a first light emitting region  221  and a second light emitting region  222 . The first light emitting region  221  corresponds with and provides light to the first liquid crystal panel  201 , and the second light emitting region  222  corresponds with and provides light to the second liquid crystal panel  202 . 
     Each of the first and second liquid crystal panels  201  and  202  includes a bottom substrate (not shown) and a top substrate (not shown) disposed opposite to each other. The top substrate is coupled with the bottom substrate. Although not shown, the bottom substrate includes a plurality of gate lines, a plurality of data lines, and a plurality of pixels regions defined by the crossing of the gate lines and the data lines. A plurality of thin film transistors (TFTs) connected to the gate lines and the data lines are formed in the pixel regions. 
     The top substrate includes red, green and blue color filter layers corresponding to the pixel regions. A liquid crystal layer is interposed between the bottom substrate and the top substrate. Electrode structures are formed in the bottom substrate and/or the top substrate. The electrode structures are connected to the TFTs to drive the liquid crystal layer. 
     The backlight unit  210  includes a plurality of lamps  231   a  and  231   b  emitting light, and a reflection plate  213  disposed under the lamps  231   a  and  231   b  to reflect the light traveling in the direction of the bottom case  215 . The reflection plate  213  may be separately provided in the first and second light emitting regions  221  and  222 , or may be integrally formed corresponding to the first and second light emitting regions  221  and  222 . Examples of the lamps  231   a  and  231   b  may include Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL), External Electrode Fluorescent Lamp (EEFL), Hot Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (HCFL), Flat Fluorescent Lamp (FFL), and Light Emitting Diode (LED). The backlight unit  210  may further include a bottom cover receiving the lamps  231   a  and  231   b  and the reflection plate  213 . 
     The backlight unit  210  further includes a guide panel  211  receiving and supporting the first and second liquid crystal panels  201  and  202 . Although not shown, a diffuser plate and optical sheets may be further provided above or adjacent to the lamps  231   a  and  231   b  to diffuse and condense the light emitted from the lamps  231   a  and  231   b . The diffuser plate and the optical sheets may be disposed under the first liquid crystal panel  201  and the second liquid crystal panel  202 , or may be integrally formed corresponding to the first liquid crystal panel  201  and the second liquid crystal panel  202 . 
     The guide panel  211  further includes a partition wall  241  defining the first light emitting region  221  and the second light emitting region  222 . The partition wall  241  includes a first support member  241   a  and a second support member  241   b . The first support member  241   a  protrudes toward the first light emitting region  221  to support the first liquid crystal panel  201 , and the second support member  241   b  protrudes toward the second light emitting region  222  to support the second liquid crystal panel  202 . 
     The partition wall  241  couples the first light emitting region  221  providing light to the first liquid crystal panel  201  with the second light emitting region  222  providing light to the second liquid crystal panel  202 . The partition wall  241  reduces the distance between the panels  201  and  202  by acting as a barrier for both panels  201 ,  202 . In other words, the partition wall  241  is coupled with and receives both panels  201 ,  202 . Since a physical distance between the first liquid crystal panel  201  and the second liquid crystal panel  202  is reduced due to the partition wall  241 , the two liquid crystal panels  201  and  202  can be arranged close to each other. 
     The top case  220  is formed to cover the non-active regions A of the first and second liquid crystal panels  201  and  202 , and includes a shielding member  220   a  covering the non-active area NA corresponding to the attached portion of the first and second liquid crystal panels  201  and  202 . As the first liquid crystal panel  201  and the second liquid crystal panel  202  are arranged closer to the guide panel  211 , a width “b” of the shielding member  220   a  covering the non-active area NA is further reduced. In other words, the guide panel  211  including the partition wall  241  reduce the non-active area NA by reducing the distance between panel  201  and panel  202 . 
     In the tiling display device driving at least two display panels attached to each other, the reduction in the width “b” of the non-active area NA leads to the reduction in the non-image display region, thereby improving an entire image quality. 
     Shock absorbing pads may be further provided between the first support member  241   a  and the bottom substrate of the first liquid crystal panel  201  and between the second support member  241   b  and the bottom substrate of the second liquid crystal panel  202 . In addition, shock absorbing pads may be provided between the top substrate of the first liquid crystal panel  201  and the top case  220  and between the top substrate of the second liquid crystal panel  202  and the top case  220 . 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a third embodiment. A detailed description of parts identical or similar to those of  FIG. 6  will be omitted for conciseness. 
     A lamp  331  of the display device  300  is arranged to cross at least two liquid crystal panels  201  and  202 . A guide panel  311  includes a partition wall  341  along the attached boundary of the liquid crystal panels  201  and  202 . The guide panel  311  further includes a partition wall  341  defining the first light emitting region  221  and the second light emitting region  222 . The partition wall  341  includes a first support member  341   a  and a second support member  341   b . The first support member  341   a  protrudes toward the first light emitting region  321  to support the first liquid crystal panel  301 , and the second support member  341   b  protrudes toward the second light emitting region  322  to support the second liquid crystal panel  302 . 
     The partition wall  341  has a through portion  317  such that the lamp  331  can be arranged to cross the first and second liquid crystal panels  201  and  202 . The through portion  317  may be a hole or an opening in the partition wall  341  that is opened toward the bottom of the bottom case  215 . In particular, the through portion  317  may receive the lamp  331 , allowing the lamp  331  to extend across the partition wall  341 . The through portion  317  may shaped as described with respect to  FIGS. 11   a - 11   d  discussed below. 
     Since it is unnecessary to separately provide the lamp to the first and second liquid crystal panels  201  and  202 , the number of the lamps of the backlight unit may be reduced. In addition, the number of inverters for supplying power can also be reduced. Therefore, a manufacturing cost of the display device is reduced by extending a lamp  331  across at least two display panels. 
     In addition, since electrodes which are non-light emitting regions are formed only on the sides of the lamp, the lamp emits light even at the boundary of the first and second display panels. Since a width “c” of the non-active area NA is reduced, the non-image display region is reduced, thereby improving an entire image quality. 
       FIG. 8  is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to a fourth embodiment.  FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view of the display device illustrated in  FIG. 8 . A detailed description about parts identical or similar to those of previous Figures will be omitted for conciseness. A tiling display device  400  of  FIGS. 8 and 9  includes two display panels arranged in parallel. As discussed above, the number of the display panels may be more than two. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the backlight unit  410  includes a first light emitting region  421  and a second light emitting region  422 . The backlight unit  410  includes a plurality of lamps  231   a  and  231   b  emitting light, and a reflection plate  213  disposed under the lamps  231   a  and  231   b  to reflect light traveling toward the bottom case  215 . 
     The backlight unit  410  further includes a guide panel  411  receiving, coupling, and supporting the first lamps  231   a  disposed in the first light emitting region  421 , the second lamps  231   b  disposed in the second light emitting region  422 , and the first and second liquid crystal panels  201  and  202  disposed above the backlight unit  410 . The backlight unit  410  may further include a bottom cover coupled with the first and second lamps  231   a  and  231   b  and the reflection plate  213 . The guide panel  411  further includes a partition wall  441  defining the first light emitting region  421  and the second light emitting region  422 . 
     The partition wall  441  includes a first support member  441   a  and a second support member  441   b . The first support member  441   a  protrudes toward the first light emitting region  421  to support the first liquid crystal panel  201 , and the second support member  441   b  protrudes toward the second light emitting region  422  to support the second liquid crystal panel  202 . The partition wall  441  couples the first liquid crystal panel  201  with the second liquid crystal panel  202 . 
     The partition wall  441  includes through portions  417 , which may accept the ends of both the first lamps  231   a  and the second lamps  231   b . In other words, the partition wall  441  receives an end from the first lamps  231   a  and receives an end from the second lamps  231   b . The partition wall  441  may include a plurality of through portions  417 . In addition, the first lamps  231   a  and the second lamps  231   b  may be arranged to overlap each other in the corresponding through portions  417 . Electrodes and circuit boards for supplying power to the lamps are disposed in the through portion  417 . A lower portion of the through portion  417  may be opened so as to receive the power. 
     The through portions  417  provide spaces where the first lamps  231   a  overlap the second lamps  231   b  corresponding to the first lamps  231   a , thereby expanding the active area. In other words the through portion  417  receives both the first lamp  231   a  and the second lamp  231   b , which are overlapped, such that the electrodes  232  of each of the lamps may be adjacent one another. The through portion  417  may be shaped as described with respect to  FIGS. 11   a - 11   d  discussed below. Both ends of the first and second lamps  231   a  and  231   b  are the electrodes  232  that are non-light emitting regions. The non-light emitting region can be reduced by overlapping the electrodes  232  of the first and second lamps  231   a  and  231   b . In addition, since the electrodes  232  of the first and second lamps  231   a  and  231   b  contact each other, a voltage has only to be applied to the contact point of the electrodes  232 . 
     The partition wall  441  is shared by the first light emitting region  421  providing light to the first liquid crystal panel  201  and the second light emitting region  422  providing light to the second liquid crystal panel  202 . The partition wall  441  couples the first liquid crystal panel  201  and the second liquid crystal panel  202  to reduce the distance between the two. Because of the partition wall  441 , a physical distance between the first liquid crystal panel  201  and the second liquid crystal panel  202  is reduced due to the two liquid crystal panels  201  and  202  being arranged closer to one other. 
     Due to the close arrangement of the first and second liquid crystal panels  201  and  202 , the non-light emitting region of the backlight unit  410  may be exposed. However, the non-light emitting region of the backlight unit  410  is reduced. Therefore, even though a width “d” of the shielding member  220   a  of the top case  220  is reduced, the non-light emitting region will not be exposed. The tiling display device driving at least two display panels attached to each other may improve the image quality because of the reduction of the non-active area NAnd the width “d” of the non-light emitting region. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a guide panel in a backlight unit of an LCD according to an embodiments of the present disclosure,  FIG. 11   a  is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III′ of  FIG. 10 , and  FIGS. 11   b ,  11   c , and  11   d  is a perspective view taken along line III-III′ of  FIG. 10 . In particular,  FIGS. 11   c  and  11   d  are perspective views of partition walls of a guide panel in a backlight unit of an LCD according to embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , the guide panel  411  receives and supports the first liquid crystal panel  201  and the second liquid crystal panel  202 . The guide panel  411  further includes a partition wall  441  defining the first light emitting region  421  and the second light emitting region  422 . 
     As in  FIG. 11   a , the partition wall  441  includes a first support member  441   a  and a second support member  441   b . The first support member  441   a  protrudes toward the first light emitting region  421  to support the first liquid crystal panel  201 , and the second support member  441   b  protrudes toward the second light emitting region  422  to support the second liquid crystal panel  202 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 11   a,    11   b , and  11   c , the partition wall  441  includes through portions  417  connecting the first lamps  231   a  to the second lamps  231   b . The through portions  417  provide spaces where the first lamps  231   a  overlap the second lamps  231   b  corresponding to the first lamps  231   a , thereby expanding the active area. Both ends of the first and second lamps  231   a  and  231   b  are the electrodes  232  that are non-light emitting regions. At this point, the non-light emitting region can be reduced by overlapping the electrodes  232  of the first and second lamps  231   a  and  231   b . The through portions  417  may be formed corresponding to pairs of the first and second lamps  231   a  and  231   b . Alternatively, one through portion  417  may be formed corresponding to at least one lamp pair. 
     Alternatively, the through portions  417  may receive a single lamp  331  that extends across the through portion  417 . Although the through portions  417  have a circular shape in  FIGS. 11   a  and  11   b , they can also have various shapes, e.g., a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, and a polygonal shape. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11   d , the partition wall  441  includes the through portions  417  such that the first lamps  231   a  and the second lamps  231   b  are coupled in 1:1 correspondence. The through portions  417  are opened toward the bottom case. Electrodes and circuit boards for supplying power to the lamps may be disposed in the opened portions of the through portions  417 . The through portions  417  may be formed corresponding to the pairs of the first and second lamps  231   a  and  231   b  contacting each other. As illustrated in  FIG. 11   d , a plurality of lamp pairs may be disposed in a single through portion  417 . 
       FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to a fifth embodiment, and  FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view of the display device illustrated in  FIG. 12 . Although the tiling display device  500  of  FIGS. 12 and 13  includes two display panels arranged in parallel, the number of the display panels can be more than two as discussed above. In addition, the liquid crystal panels may be arranged in various arrangements, such as in matrix form. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 12 and 13 , the display device  500  includes a first liquid crystal panel  501 , a second liquid crystal panel  502 , and a single backlight unit  510 . The backlight unit  510  includes a first light emitting region  521  and a second light emitting region  522 . The backlight unit  510  includes a plurality of lamps  531   a  and  531   b  emitting light, and a reflection plate  513  disposed under the lamps  531   a  and  531   b  to reflect light traveling toward the bottom case  515 . 
     The first liquid crystal panel  501  and the second liquid crystal panel  502  are arranged adjacent one another in parallel, and the single backlight unit  510  is arranged under the first liquid crystal panel  501  and the second liquid crystal panel  502 . The single backlight unit  510  provides light for both the first liquid crystal panel  501  and the second liquid crystal panel  502 . A non-active area of the first liquid crystal panel  501  overlaps a non-active area of the second liquid crystal panel  502 . 
     The display device  500  includes various support members for fixing and supporting the first liquid crystal panel  501  and the second liquid crystal panel  502 . The support members include a first support member  571  disposed between the first liquid crystal panel  501  and a top case  520 , a second support member  572  disposed between the first liquid crystal panel  501  and a guide panel  511 , a third support member  573  disposed between the second liquid crystal panel  502  and the top case  520 , and a fourth support member  574  disposed between the second liquid crystal panel  502  and the guide panel  511 . The support members  571 ,  572 ,  573  and  574  may be coupled with the top case  520  or the guide panel  511 . Alternatively, the support members  571 ,  572 ,  573  and  574  may form part of the partition wall  541 . 
     Since the first liquid crystal panel  501  and the second liquid crystal panel  502  overlap one other, a width “e” of a shielding member  520   a  covering a non-active area NA in a screen of the display device  500  is reduced by approximately 50% due to the overlapped portion. Since a physical distance between the first liquid crystal panel  501  and the second liquid crystal panel  502  is reduced, they can be arranged close to each other. 
     The shielding member  520   a  of the top case  520  covers the non-active regions A of the first and second liquid crystal panels  501  and  502 . As the non-active area of the first liquid crystal panel  501  overlaps the non-active area of the second liquid crystal panel  502 , the width “e” of the shielding member  520   a  is further reduced. In the tiling display device driving at least two display panels attached to each other, the reduction in the width “e” of the non-active area NA leads to the reduction in the non-image display. 
     Although the lamps of the backlight unit  510  are arranged in a direct type in the drawings, various embodiments can also be applied to an edge type backlight unit and an LCD having the same. Specifically, the edge type backlight unit includes a guide panel receiving at least two display panels, at least one lamp arranged at an edge of the guide panel, and a light guide plate guiding the light emitted from the lamp in a front direction. In addition, the guide panel may further include partition walls between receiving spaces of the display panels, and through portions connecting the lamps disposed in the edges of the receiving spaces. 
       FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a sixth embodiment. A detailed description about parts similar to those of  FIG. 13  will be omitted for conciseness. A partition wall  641  includes through portions  617  connecting the first and second lamps  631   a  and  631   b . The partition wall  641  may include a plurality of through portions  617 . Corresponding first and second lamps  631   a  and  631   b  may be overlapped in one through portion  617  as in  FIG. 9 . 
     Electrodes and circuit boards for supplying power to the lamps  631   a  and  631   b  are arranged in the through portions  617 . The through portions  617  may be opened downward so as to receive the power. The through portions  617  provide spaces where the first and second lamps  631   a  and  631   b  overlap each other, thereby expanding an active area. Both ends of the first and second lamps  631   a  and  631   b  are the electrodes  632  that are non-light emitting regions. The through portion  617  may be shaped as described with respect to  FIGS. 11   a - 11   d  discussed above. 
     The non-light emitting region can be reduced by overlapping the electrodes  632  of the first and second lamps  631   a  and  631   b . In addition, since the electrodes  632  of the first and second lamps  631   a  and  631   b  contact each other, a voltage has only to be applied to the contact point of the electrodes  632 . 
     The partition wall  641  is shared by the first light emitting region  621  providing light to the first liquid crystal panel  501  and the second light emitting region  622  providing light to the second liquid crystal panel  502 . The partition wall  641  acts as a connection between the first liquid crystal panel  501  and the second liquid crystal panel  502  reducing the distance between them. Since a physical distance between the first liquid crystal panel  501  and the second liquid crystal panel  502  is reduced, the two liquid crystal panels  501  and  502  can be arranged closer to each other to reduce the non-visible area. 
     Due to the close arrangement of the first and second liquid crystal panels  501  and  502 , the non-light emitting region of the backlight unit  610  may be exposed. However, the non-light emitting region of the backlight unit  610  is reduced. Therefore, even though a width “e” of the shielding member  520   a  of the top case  520  is reduced, the non-light emitting region will not be exposed. The tiling display device driving at least two display panels attached to each other can improve the image quality because of the reduction of the non-active area NAnd the width of the non-light emitting region. 
       FIG. 15  is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to a seventh embodiment. A detailed description about parts similar to those of prior Figures will be omitted for conciseness. Lamps  731  of the display device  700  are arranged to cross at least two liquid crystal panels  501  and  502 , similar to  FIG. 7 . 
     A guide panel  711  includes a partition wall  741  along the attached boundary of the liquid crystal panels  501  and  502 . The partition wall  741  has a through portion  717  such that the lamp  731  may be crossed under the first and second liquid crystal panels  501  and  502 . The partition wall  741  may include a plurality of through portions  717 . The through portion  717  may be a hole shape or an opening shape in such a way that it is opened toward the bottom of the bottom case  515 . The through portion  717  may be shaped as described with respect to  FIGS. 11   a - 11   d  discussed above. 
     Since it is unnecessary to separately provide the lamps to the first and second liquid crystal panels  501  and  502 , the number of the lamps of the backlight unit  710  can be reduced. Furthermore, since the number of inverters for supplying power is also reduced, a manufacturing cost of the display device can be reduced. In addition, since electrodes which are non-light emitting regions are formed only on the ends of the lamp  731 , the lamp emits light even at the boundary between the first and second display panels  501  and  502 . Since a width “e” of the non-active area NA is reduced, a non-image display region is reduced, thereby improving an entire image quality. 
       FIGS. 16   a  and  16   b  are plan views illustrating arrangement of display panels in a display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 16   a , a first display panel  801  and a second display panel  802  are arranged in parallel or adjacent one another. 
     A gate driver  861  and a data driver  862  for driving the first display panel  801  and a gate driver  861  and a data driver  862  for driving the second display panel  802  are disposed in a region that is not at the boundary of the first and second display panels  801  and  802 . Accordingly, it may be unnecessary to provide a space for the arrangement of the drivers in the display region of the display device. Consequently, an entire non-active area can be reduced, thereby improving an image quality. 
     Referring to  FIG. 16   b , first to fourth display panels are arranged in a 2×2 matrix. The gate drivers  861  and the data drivers  862  for driving the first to fourth display panels  801 ,  802 ,  803  and  804  are disposed in a region that is not a boundary of the first to fourth display panels  801 ,  802 ,  803  and  804 . Accordingly, it may be unnecessary to provide a space for the arrangement of the drivers in the display region of the display device. Consequently, an entire non-active area can be reduced, thereby improving an image quality. 
       FIGS. 17   a  and  17   b  are plan views illustrating an arrangement of display panels in a display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure. Referring to  FIG. 17   a , a first display panel  901  and a second display panel  902  are arranged in parallel. The arrangement of a driver  960  and a data driver  962  for driving the first display panel  901  is similar to that of a gate driver  961  and a data driver  962  for driving the second display panel  902 . The first display panel  901  and the second display panel  902  may be similar or identical to one other. 
     Referring to  FIG. 17   b , first to fourth display panels  901 ,  902 ,  903  and  904  are arranged in a 2×2 matrix. The gate drivers  961  and the data drivers  962  for driving the first to fourth display panels  901 ,  902 ,  903  and  904  are arranged in an alternate arrangement. As shown, each of the panels  901 ,  902 ,  903  and  904  includes the same relative location of both gate drivers  961  and the data drivers  962 . Accordingly, having the display panels arranged in the same way encourages mass production of the panels. 
     In addition, even though the size of the display device is larger, the image quality can be improved using existing products, without development of new optical components and light sources. Consequently, additional cost for new technology developments is not required and a manufacturing cost of the display device can be reduced. 
     Although the present disclosure describes embodiments applied to an array substrate of a top gate type LCD device and method for fabricating the same, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention. 
     The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of the various embodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a complete description of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systems that utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many other embodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from the disclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may be exaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, the disclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.