Patent Publication Number: US-2011073738-A1

Title: Display Device

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     The present disclosure relates to the subject matters contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-228930 filed on Sep. 30, 2009, which are incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present invention relates to a display device in which the tilt of a body of the display device can be adjusted. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     Increase in screen size of a flat-screen TV using a display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel or a PDP (Plasma Display Panel) has advanced in recent years, so that a large number of flat-screen TVs each having a screen size (i.e. a diagonal length of an effective visible region) of 40 inches or larger have been produced on a commercial basis. This type flat-screen TV is externally shaped like a rectangular flat panel which has a screen aspect ratio of 16:9 so as to be landscape-oriented. For this reason, if the tilt of the outer shape of the flat-screen TV around the display screen or the tilt of the installation surface of the display screen from a vertical plane is large, displacement due to the tilt is conspicuous in an end portion of the outer shape of the large-size flat-screen TV so that the commodity value thereof is significantly spoiled deteriorated. 
     For example, the following device has been disclosed as a thin display device with an adjustment mechanism for keeping a display screen horizontal. A display device including a body, a stand for supporting the body, and an adjustment mechanism provided between the body and the stand and capable of adjusting the tilt of the body, wherein: the adjustment mechanism has a first positioning portion, and a second positioning portion provided independently of the first positioning portion; the first positioning portion performs positioning of the body relative to the stand; and the second positioning portion rotates the body by a predetermined angle with use of the first positioning portion as a fulcrum relative to the stand and performs positioning of the body relative to the stand in the condition that the body is rotated by the predetermined angle. 
     In the display device disclosed in JP-A-2008-186003, a hook mechanism for temporarily stopping the body is provided separately from the tilt adjustment mechanism, so that it is necessary to hook the hook mechanism of the body on the top of the stand at the time of assembling the stand and the body. Then, after the body is temporarily stopped by setscrews, a cam portion of an alignment pin thread-engaged with a bearing portion of the stand is inserted into an opening portion of the body while the alignment pin is rotated by a screwdriver. There is however a problem that the cam portion of the pin could not be inserted into the opening portion of the body well because of dimensional error of the position of the hook mechanism or dimensional error of screw holes corresponding to the setscrews. Moreover, because it is necessary to provide the hook mechanism separately as described above, it is necessary to secure the place where the hook mechanism is provided while the cost of the hook mechanism is required. 
     In addition, there is a possibility that the angle of rotation obtained by only the second cam would be too small to correct the tilt of the body when the body is rotated on the first positioning portion as a fulcrum. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A general configuration that implements the various feature of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The drawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrate embodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of the invention. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an outline of a display device according to the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view showing the display device; 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along the line A-A in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of a stand, taken from a rear side; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic perspective view of a joint state of the stand and a frame, taken from the rear side; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing an outline of a first pin; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing an outline of a second pin; 
         FIGS. 8A to 8C  are enlarged views showing a joint portion where a support portion of the stand and the frame are joined to each other; 
         FIGS. 9A to 9C  are enlarged views showing a joint portion where a support portion of the stand and the frame are joined to each other; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view showing an operation of the frame; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the outline of a first pin in an aspect; 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  are enlarged views showing a joint portion where a support portion of a stand and a frame are joined to each other in the aspect; and 
         FIG. 13  is a rear view showing an operation of the frame in the aspect. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an outline of a display device  1  according to the invention.  FIG. 2  is a rear view of the display device  1 .  FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the display device  1  taken along the line A-A in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the display device  1  includes a body  2 , and a stand  3  which supports the body  2 . As shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 , the body  2  has a display panel  4  such as a liquid crystal display panel or a PDP which is disposed on a front side, and a frame  5  which is disposed on a rear side of the display panel  4  so that the display panel  4  is supported by the frame  5 . A circuit board and a power supply circuit not shown but for driving the display panel are disposed in the frame  5 . An outer surface of the body  2  is surrounded by a front cover  6  and a rear cover  7 . A front surface of the body  2  and part of top, bottom and both side surfaces of the body  2  are covered with the front cover  6 . A rear surface of the body  2  and part of top, bottom and both side surfaces of the body  2  are covered with the rear cover  7 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the body  2  is joined to the stand  3  in a nearly central lower portion of the body  2  so as to be supported by the stand  3 . Four screw fixing holes  12   a  to  12   d  are provided in two support portions  10  and  11  which are raised substantially vertically from a base  8  of the stand  3 . On the other hand, fixing screw holes  13   a  to  13   d  not shown are provided in the frame  5 . The frame  5  and the stand  3  are fixed to each other by setscrews  14   a  to  14   d . For example, the frame  5  is formed by bending a metal plate 1-2 mm thick. Reinforcing members or the like are provided in the screw hole portions. Although four setscrews are described in this embodiment, it is a matter of course that a plurality of setscrews may be further added if necessary. 
     Opening portions  15   a  to  15   b  are provided in the rear cover so as to be located in positions corresponding to the setscrews  14   a  to  14   d , so that the setscrews  14   a  to  14   d  can be tightened or loosened from the outside of the rear cover  7 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , a first pin  16  is disposed as a tilt adjustment mechanism substantially in the center of the support portion  10  of the stand  3 . On the other hand, a second pin  17  is disposed as a tilt adjustment mechanism substantially in the center of the support portion  11 . The first pin  16  is a pin which is used as a center of rotation so that the horizontal tilt of the body  2  can be adjusted when the body  2  is rotated on the pin. The second pin  17  has an eccentric cam portion. When the second pin  17  is rotated, a rotation shaft of the second pin is moved up and down relative to the support portion  11  to thereby consequently rotate the body on the first pin  16  as a center of rotation to adjust the tilt of the body. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic perspective view of the stand, taken from the rear side. A leg portion  9   a  is disposed substantially in the central portion of the base  8  of the stand  3 . A U-shaped support member  9  is disposed on the leg portion  9   a . The support member  9  is provided with the support portions  10  and  11  which are disposed on opposite sides of a rail portion  9   b  so as to extend substantially vertically with respect to the base  8 . The leg portion  9   a , the rail portion  9   b  and the support portions  10  and  11  are integrally molded by aluminum die-casting or the like. 
     A first opening portion  18  is provided between the screw fixing holes  12   a  and  12   b  in the support portion  10 . The first opening portion  18  is composed of a first hole  18   a  substantially shaped like a circle and a U-shaped second hole  18   b  connected to a part of the first hole  18   a . That is, the first opening portion  18  is provided as such a shape that a circular hole and an elliptic hole having a smaller width than the diameter of the circular hole are combined. For example, the first opening portion  18  is shaped like an electric bulb. On the other hand, a second opening portion  19  is provided between the screw fixing holes  12   c  and  12   d  in the support portion  11 . The second opening portion  19  is composed of a third hole  19   a  substantially shaped like a circle and a U-shaped fourth hole  19   b  connected to a part of the third hole  19   a . That is, the second opening portion  19  is provided as such a shape that a circular hole and an elliptic hole having a smaller width than the diameter of the circular hole are combined. For example, the second opening portion  19  is shaped like an electric bulb. 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic perspective view of a joint state of the stand  3  and the frame  5 , taken from the rear side. In this state, the display panel  4  is attached to the frame  5 . In the support portion  10 , the frame  5  is fixed to the stand  3  by the screw fixing holes  12   a  and  12   b , the screw holes  13   a  and  13   b  of the frame  5  and the setscrews  14   a  and  14   b . The first pin  16  is disposed between the setscrews  14   a  and  14   b . In the support portion  11 , the frame  5  is fixed to the stand  3  by the screw fixing holes  12   c  and  12   d , the screw holes  13   c  and  13   d  of the frame  5  and the setscrews  14   c  and  14   d . The second pin  17  is disposed between the setscrews  14   c  and  14   d.    
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view showing the outline of the first pin  16 . A slot  16   b  is provided in a head portion  16   a  so that the first pin  16  can be rotated by a slotted screwdriver. A thread portion  16   c  is provided on a side opposite to the head portion  16   a . A snap ring  16   d  is provided in the rear of the thread portion  16   c . A first cam portion  16   e  is provided between the head portion  16   a  and the thread portion  16   c . A center axis  16   f  of the thread portion  16   c  and a center axis  16   g  of the first cam portion  16   e  are concentric. Incidentally, a snap ring may be provided in place of the head portion  16   a.    
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing the outline of the second pin  17 . A slot  17   b  is provided in a head portion  17   a  so that the second pin  17  can be rotated by a slotted screwdriver. A thread portion  17   c  is provided on a side opposite to the head portion  17   a . A snap ring  17   d  is provided in the rear of the thread portion  17   c . A second cam portion  17   e  is provided between the head portion  17   a  and the thread portion  17   c . A center axis  17   f  of the thread portion  17   c  and a center axis  17   g  of the second cam portion  17   e  are eccentric. Incidentally, a snap ring may be provided in place of the head portion  17   a.    
       FIGS. 8A to 8C  are enlarged views showing a joint portion of the support portion  10  of the stand  3  and the frame  5 .  FIG. 8A  is a rear view showing a part of the support portion  10 . The first opening portion  18  is composed of the first hole  18   a  substantially shaped like a circle and the U-shaped second hole  18   b  connected to a part of the first hole  18   a . The first hole  18   a  is substantially shaped like a circle having a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the head portion  16   a  of the first pin  16 . The second hole  18   b  is substantially shaped like a U figure having a width smaller than the outer diameter of the head portion  16   a  of the first pin  16  but larger than the outer diameter of the first cam portion  16   e.    
       FIG. 8B  is a sectional view taken along the line B-B in  FIG. 8A . A first bearing portion  20  is provided in the frame  5 . The first bearing portion  20  is formed as a female thread structure which is complementary to the thread portion  16   c  of the first pin  16 . The thread portion  16   c  is formed as a screw mechanism capable of being thread-engaged with the first bearing portion  20 , so that the first pin  16  can be rotated on the center axis of the first bearing portion  20  when the first pin  16  is rotated. After the first pin  16  is thread-engaged with the first bearing portion  20 , the snap ring  16   d  is fitted onto the first pin  16  to prevent the first pin  16  from dropping out from the first bearing portion  20 . 
       FIG. 8C  is a sectional view taken along the line C-C in  FIG. 8A . A section of the support portion  10  is shaped like a U figure opened toward the frame side. The support portion  10  is disposed so as to enclose a prop of the frame  5 . According to this configuration, the body can be made thin because the distance between the display panel  4  and the rear surface of the support portion  10  can be reduced while the strengths of the frame  5  and the support portion  10  are ensured. 
       FIGS. 9A to 9C  are enlarged views showing a joint portion of the support portion  11  of the stand  3  and the frame  5 .  FIG. 9A  is a rear view showing a part of the support portion  11 . The second opening portion  19  is composed of the third hole  19   a  substantially shaped like a circle and the U-shaped fourth hole  19   b  connected to a part of the third hole  19   a . The third hole  19   a  is substantially shaped like a circle having a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the head portion  17   a  of the second pin  17 . The fourth hole  19   b  is substantially shaped like a U figure having a width smaller than the outer diameter of the head portion  17   a  of the second pin  17  but larger than the outer diameter of the second cam portion  17   e.    
       FIG. 9B  is a sectional view taken along the line D-D in  FIG. 9A . A second bearing portion  21  is provided in the frame  5 . The second bearing portion  21  is formed as a female thread structure which is complementary to the thread portion  17   c  of the second pin  17 . The thread portion  17   c  is formed as a screw mechanism capable of being thread-engaged with the second bearing portion  21 , so that the second pin  17  can be rotated on the center axis of the second bearing portion  21 . After the second pin  17  is thread-engaged with the second bearing portion  21 , the snap ring  17   d  is fitted onto the second pin  17  to prevent the second pin  17  from dropping out from the second bearing portion  21 . 
       FIG. 9C  is a sectional view taken along the line E-E in  FIG. 9A . A section of the support portion  11  is shaped like a U figure opened toward the frame side. The support portion  11  is disposed so as to enclose a prop of the frame  5 . According to this configuration, the body can be made thin because the distance between the display panel  4  and the rear surface of the support portion  11  can be reduced while the strengths of the frame  5  and the support portion  11  are ensured. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 8A ,  8 B,  9 A and  9 B, when the stand  3  is to be assembled with the frame  5  or the body  2 , the head portion  16   a  of the first pin  16  attached to the frame  5  is inserted into the first hole  18   a  of the first opening portion  18  and the frame  5  or the body  2  is moved down. As a result, the head portion  16   a  is prevented from dropping out from the portion of the second hole  18   b , so that a hook function can be fulfilled. Similarly, the head portion  17   a  of the second pin  17  attached to the frame  5  is inserted into the third hole  19   a  of the second opening portion  19  and the frame  5  or the body  2  is moved down. As a result, the head portion  17   a  is prevented from dropping out from the portion of the fourth hole  19   b , so that a hook function can be fulfilled. 
     Tilt adjustment will be described next. As described above, the frame  5  or the body  2  is temporarily stopped in such a manner that the first and second pins  16  and  17  are hooked into the first and second opening portions  18  and  19  respectively and the setscrews  14   a  to  14   d  are then thread-engaged with the fixing screw holes  13   a  to  13   d  respectively. 
     As shown in  FIG. 9A , the second pin  17  is provided with the second cam portion  17   e  eccentric to the center axis of the thread portion  17   c . By rotating the second pin  17 , the second cam portion  17   e  and a bottom  19   c  of the second opening portion  19  are brought into contact with each other. As a result, the height of the thread portion  17   c  changes, so that the height of the second bearing portion  21  changes. As a result, the frame  5  or the body  2  rotates on the first pin  16 . After the tilt is adjusted, the setscrews  14   a  to  14   d  are tightened to obtain a fixed state.  FIGS. 9A and 9B  show a state in which the second cam portion  17   e  is located to be lower than the center axis so that the thread portion  17   c  is moved up relative to the bottom  19   c  by the degree of eccentricity of the cam portion  17   e , that is, the frame  5  is moved up relative to the support portion  11 . 
       FIG. 10  is a rear view showing the operation of the frame  5 .  FIG. 10  shows a rotation of the frame  5  with respect to the first pin  16  as a center of rotation in emphasized manner. Although the angle to be adjusted is determined based on the degree of eccentricity of the second cam portion  17   e  of the second pin  17  and the distance between the first pin  16  and the second pin  17 , any angle can be selected if it is in such a range that variations due to dimensional errors of the stand  3 , the frame  5 , the front cover  6  and the rear cover  7  can be corrected. 
     As described above, the first bearing portion  20  provided in the body  2 , the first pin  16  passing through the first bearing portion  20  so as to be rotatable on the center axis of the first bearing portion and having the first cam portion  16   e  provided so as to be concentric with the center axis of the first bearing portion, the first opening portion  18  provided in the stand  3  and composed of the first hole  18   a  through which the head portion  16   a  of the first pin  16  passes and the second hole  18   b  into which the first cam portion  16   e  is fitted, the second bearing portion  21  provided in the body  2 , the second pin  17  passing through the second bearing portion  21  so as to be rotatable on the center axis of the second bearing portion and having the second cam portion  17   e  provided so as to be eccentric to the center axis of the second bearing portion and the second opening portion  19  provided in the stand  3  and composed of the third hole  19   a  through which the head portion  17   a  of the second pin passes and the fourth hole  19   b  into which the second cam portion  17   e  is fitted, permit a hook function and a positioning function to be provided at the time of assembling the stand  3  with the frame  5  or the body  2  and permit the tilt to be adjusted. Accordingly, while the body  2  of the display device and the stand  3  can be assembled easily, the tilt of the body  2  of the display device  1  can be adjusted by a simple structure. 
     A first embodiment has been described in the case where the first cam portion  16   e  of the first pin  16  in the support portion  10  is concentric with the center axis of the bearing portion so that only a function of the center of rotation is provided for tilt adjustment. When a first pin having the same eccentric cam portion as in the second pin  17  is used as the first pin in the support portion  10 , the height of the first bearing portion  20  can be adjusted. On this occasion, the maximum tilt adjustable range is twice as much as that in the first embodiment. The tilt can be adjusted in a wider range. The point of difference of a second embodiment from the first embodiment is that the first pin  16  is replaced by a first pin  22 . 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view showing the outline of the first pin  22  in the second embodiment. The shape of the first pin  22  is the same as that of the second pin  17  in the first embodiment. A slot  22   b  is provided in a head portion  22   a  so that the first pin  22  can be rotated by a slotted screwdriver. A thread portion  22   c  is provided on a side opposite to the head portion  22   a . A snap ring  22   d  is provided in the rear of the thread portion  22   c . A first cam portion  22   e  is provided between the head portion  22   a  and the thread portion  22   c . A center axis  22   f  of the thread portion  22   c  and a center axis  22   g  of the first cam portion  22   e  are eccentric to each other. Incidentally, a snap ring may be used in place of the head portion  22   a.    
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  are enlarged views showing a joint portion of the support portion  10  of the stand  3  and the frame  5  in the second embodiment.  FIG. 12A  is a rear view showing a part of the support portion  10 . The first opening portion  18  is composed of the first hole  18   a  substantially shaped like a circle and the U-shaped second hole  18   b  connected to a part of the first hole  18   a . The first hole  18   a  is substantially shaped like a circle having a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the head portion  22   a  of the first pin  22 . The second hole  18   b  is substantially shaped like a U figure having a width smaller than the outer diameter of the head portion  22   a  of the first pin  22  but larger than the outer diameter of the first cam portion  22   e.    
       FIG. 12B  is a sectional view taken along the line F-F in  FIG. 12A . The first bearing portion  20  is provided in the frame  5 . The first bearing portion  20  is formed as a female thread structure which is complementary to the thread portion  22   c  of the first pin  22 . The thread portion  22   c  is formed as a screw mechanism capable of being thread-engaged with the first bearing portion  20 , so that the first pin  22  can be rotated on the center axis of the first bearing portion  20 . After the first pin  22  is thread-engaged with the first bearing portion  20 , the snap ring  22   d  is fitted onto the first pin  22  to prevent the first pin  22  from dropping out from the first bearing portion  20 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12A , the first pin  22  is provided with the first cam portion  22   e  eccentric to the center axis of the thread portion  22   c . By rotating the first pin  22 , the first cam portion  22   e  and a bottom  18   c  of the first opening portion  18  are brought into contact with each other. As a result, the height of the thread portion  22   c  changes, so that the height of the first bearing portion  20  changes. As a result, the frame  5  or the body  2  rotates on the second pin  17 . After the tilt is adjusted, the setscrews  14   a  to  14   d  are tightened to obtain a fixed state.  FIGS. 12A and 12B  show a state in which the first cam portion  22   e  is located to be upper than the center axis so that the thread portion  22   c  is moved down relative to the bottom  18   c  by the degree of eccentricity of the cam portion  22   e , that is, the frame  5  is moved down relative to the support portion  10 . 
     When the frame  5  is moved down relative to the support portion  10  while moved up relative to the support portion  11  or when the frame  5  is moved up relative to the support portion  10  while moved down relative to the support portion  11 , the rotation angle of the frame  5  can be made large. 
       FIG. 13  is a rear view showing the operation of the frame  5  in the second embodiment.  FIG. 13  shows a state in which a center of rotation is provided between the first pin  22  and the second pin  17  so that the frame  5  rotates on the center of rotation in emphasized manner. 
     As described above, the first bearing portion  20  provided in the body  2 , the first pin  22  passing through the first bearing portion  20  so as to be rotatable on the center axis of the first bearing portion and having the first cam portion  22   e  provided so as to be eccentric to the center axis of the first bearing portion, the first opening portion  18  provided in the stand  3  and composed of the first hole  18   a  through which the head portion  22   a  of the first pin  22  passes and the second hole  18   b  into which the first cam portion  22   e  is fitted, the second bearing portion  21  provided in the body  2 , the second pin  17  passing through the second bearing portion  21  so as to be rotatable on the center axis of the second bearing portion and having the second cam portion  17   e  provided so as to be eccentric to the center axis of the second bearing portion  21  and the second opening portion  19  provided in the stand  3  and composed of the third hole  19   a  through which the head portion  17   a  of the second pin  17  passes and the fourth hole  19   b  into which the second cam portion  17   e  is fitted, permit a hook function and a positioning function to be provided at the time of assembling the stand  3  with the frame  5  or the body  2  and permit the tilt to be adjusted. Accordingly, while the body  2  of the display device and the stand  3  can be assembled easily, the tilt of the body  2  of the display device  1  can be adjusted by a simple structure. In addition, an adjustment quantity in the tilt adjustment can be kept sufficient. 
     Incidentally, the invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments directly and constituent members can be modified to embody the invention without departing from the gist of the invention in a practical stage. Constituent members disclosed in the aforementioned embodiments may be combined suitably to form various inventions. For example, some constituent members may be removed from all constituent members disclosed in each embodiment. In addition, constituent members disclosed in different embodiments may be combined suitably.