Patent Publication Number: US-2010110666-A1

Title: Lamp socket assembly, backlight assembly, display device, and method of manufacturing the display device

Description:
This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2008-0107228, filed on Oct. 30, 2008, 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 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This disclosure relates to a lamp socket assembly, a backlight assembly, a display device and a method of manufacturing the display device. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A liquid crystal display (“LCD”) is a widely used type of flat panel display (“FPD”). An LCD includes two display panels, on which electrodes are formed, and a liquid crystal layer, which is interposed between the two display panels. The LCD rearranges liquid molecules of the liquid crystal layer by applying a voltage to the electrodes and thus controls an amount of light that passes through the liquid crystal layer. In this way, the LCD displays a desired image. 
     Because an LCD is not self-luminous, an LCD requires a backlight assembly, which includes a light source, i.e., a light-emitting device, to display an image. A backlight assembly provides light to a display panel from behind the display panel and functions as a surface light source, which provides uniform light to the entire surface of the display panel. A backlight assembly can be classified as a direct-type backlight assembly or an edge-type backlight assembly according to the position of a light source, which emits light. In a direct-type backlight assembly, a light source is disposed directly under a display panel. In an edge-type backlight assembly, a light sources is disposed under one or more sides of a display panel, and light emitted from the light source is delivered to the display panel via a light guide plate. 
     Large and ultra-slim display devices are under development. In a display device having a direct-type backlight assembly, a light source is disposed under a diffusion plate. Thus, it can be structurally difficult to make the display device ultra-slim. In particular, a thickness of a display device having a direct-type backlight assembly can be affected by a configuration of lamps (i.e., light sources) and the way in which the lamps are fixed to lamp sockets. Therefore, it is desirable to improve the disposition of lamps and the way in which the lamps are fixed to the lamp sockets. 
     In order to reduce the thickness of a display device, the size of the lamp sockets is desirably reduced, and the way in which the lamp sockets are coupled to a housing is desirably simplified. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed is a lamp socket assembly for an ultra-slim display device. Also disclosed is a backlight assembly, which includes a lamp socket assembly for an ultra-slim display device. Also disclosed is a display device, which includes a lamp socket assembly for an ultra-slim display device. In addition, disclosed is a method of manufacturing a display device, which includes a lamp socket assembly for an ultra-slim display device. 
     The above described and other drawbacks are alleviated by a lamp socket assembly including: a base plate; and lamp sockets, each lamp socket including a connection terminal, each connection terminal connected to a terminal of a lamp, and one or more first fixing portions, each of which is integrated with the connection terminal, penetrates the base plate, has at least one bent end and contacts opposing surfaces of the base plate. 
     Also disclosed is a backlight assembly including: lamps, which emit light; a base plate; and lamp sockets, each lamp socket including a connection terminal, each connection terminal connected to a respective terminal of the lamps, and one or more first fixing portions, each of which is integrated with the connection terminal, penetrates the base plate, has at least one bent end, and contacts opposing surfaces of the base plate. 
     Also disclosed is a display device including: a display panel, which displays an image; lamps, which provide light to the display panel; a base plate; and lamp sockets, each lamp socket including a connection terminal, each connection terminal connected to a respective terminal of the lamps, and one or more first fixing portions, each of which is integrated with the connection terminal, penetrates the base plate, has at least one bent end, and contacts opposing surfaces of the base plate. 
     Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing a display device. The method includes: forming lamp sockets, each lamp socket including a connection terminal, which is connected to a terminal of a lamp, and one or more first fixing portions, wherein each first fixing portion is integrated with the connection terminal, penetrates a base plate, has at least one bent end, and contacts opposing surfaces of the base plate; and mounting the lamp sockets on the base plate. 
     These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosed subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The above and other aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in further detail exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of a display device; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of the display device shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of a lamp socket included in the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3B  is a front view of a lamp socket included in the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3C  is a bottom perspective view of a lamp socket assembly included in the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a plan view of a base plate included in the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  are perspective views of a lamp socket assembly included in the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a ground socket included in the display device  1  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of a lower housing and an insulating pad included in the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the lamp socket assembly which is coupled to the lower housing included in the display device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  are perspective views showing a process of coupling the lamp sockets included in the display device of  FIG. 1  to the base plate; 
         FIG. 10  is an enlarged perspective view of region A shown in  FIG. 9A ; 
         FIGS. 11A through 11C  are views showing an exemplary embodiment of a process of manufacturing the lamp socket assembly; 
         FIGS. 12 and 13  are perspective views showing an exemplary embodiment of lamp sockets included in a display device; 
         FIG. 14  is a bottom perspective view of a lamp socket assembly included in the display device of  FIGS. 12 and 13 ; 
         FIGS. 15 and 16  are perspective views showing an exemplary embodiment of lamp sockets included in a display device; and 
         FIG. 17  is a bottom perspective view of a lamp socket assembly included in the display device of  FIGS. 15 and 16 . 
     
    
    
     The detailed description explains the disclosed embodiments, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     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 exemplary 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. 
     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. 
     Spatially relative terms, such as “below”, “beneath”, “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. 
     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,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated components, steps, operations and/or elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other components, steps, operations, elements and/or groups thereof. 
     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 will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     Embodiments of the present invention are described herein with reference to 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, 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. 
     Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment of a display device  1  is described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 .  FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of a display device.  FIG. 2  is a partial cross-sectional view of the display device shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     The display device includes a display panel assembly  20 , an upper housing  30  and a backlight assembly  2 . The backlight assembly  2  includes optical sheets  40 , a diffusion plate  50 , lamps  80 , a lamp socket assembly  10 , a reflective sheet  60  and a lower housing  70 . 
     The display panel assembly  20  includes a display panel  21 , which has a lower display panel  22 , an upper display panel  23  and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) interposed between the lower and upper display panels  22  and  23 . 
     The display panel  21  includes the lower display panel  22 , which includes gate lines (not shown), data lines (not shown) and a thin-film transistor (“TFT”) array, and the upper display panel  23 , which includes a black matrix and a common electrode and faces the lower display panel  22 . The display panel  21  displays image information. 
     The upper housing  30  forms the exterior of the display device and includes a space to accommodate the display panel assembly  20 . In addition, an open window is formed in the center of the upper housing  30  to expose the display panel  21 . 
     The upper housing  30  is coupled to the lower housing  70 . When desired, intermediate frames  31  and  32 , which accommodate and support the display panel  21  and the optical sheets  40 , may be interposed between the upper housing  30  and the lower housing  70 . 
     The optical sheets  40  diffuse and concentrate light that is received from the diffusion plate  50 . The optical sheets  40  may be disposed on the diffusion plate  50  and housed between the upper and lower housings  30  and  70 . The optical sheets  40  include a first prism sheet, a second prism sheet and a protective sheet. 
     The first and second prism sheets refract light that passes through the diffusion plate  50  and concentrate the light, which is incident at a low angle, to the front of the display device, thereby enhancing the brightness of the display device within an effective viewing angle range. 
     The protective sheet is formed on the first and second prism sheets. The protective sheet not only protects surfaces of the first and second prism sheets but also diffuses light for uniform distribution of light. The configuration of the optical sheets  40  is not limited to the above example and may vary. 
     The diffusion plate  50  diffuses light, which is emitted from the lamps  80 , in all directions. The diffusion plate  50  prevents bright lines, which are bright portions formed by the shapes of the lamps  80 , from being seen from the front of the display device. 
     The lamps  80  may be cold cathode fluorescent lamps (“CCFL”s), hot cathode fluorescent lamps (“HCFL”s) or the like. When the lamps  80  are HCFLs, each of the HCFLs includes two terminals at both ends thereof. The terminals are inserted into lamp sockets  100  and a ground socket  11  to receive electrical power. 
     The lamp sockets  100  are mounted on a base plate  130  to form the lamp socket assembly  10 . The lamp socket assembly  10  is inserted into a concave portion  73 , which is formed in a bottom surface  72  of the lower housing  70 . In an embodiment, an insulating pad  75  is interposed between the lamp socket assembly  10  and the lower housing  70 . 
     The lamp socket assembly  10  is described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 3A through 5B .  FIG. 3A  is a perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of a lamp socket included in the display device of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3B  is a front view of a lamp socket included in the display device of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 3C  is a bottom perspective view of the lamp socket assembly  10  included in the display device of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 4  is a plan view of the base plate  130  included in the display device of  FIG. 1 .  FIGS. 5A and 5B  are perspective views of the lamp socket assembly  10  included in the display device of  FIG. 1 . 
     The lamp socket assembly  10  includes the base plate  130  and the lamp sockets  100 , which are mounted on the base plate  130 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3A through 3C , the lamps  80  are fixed to the lamp sockets  100  and supplied with electrical power through the lamp sockets  100 . Each of the lamp sockets  100  includes a connection terminal  110 , a first fixing portion  120  and one or more second fixing portions  140 . Each of the lamp sockets  100  may comprise a conductive material, such as a metal. The connection terminal  110 , the first fixing portion  120  and the second fixing portions  140  may be integrated with each other. 
     A first end  81  of each of the lamps  80  is electrically and physically connected to the connection terminal  110 , and power is supplied to each of the lamps  80  through the connection terminal  110 . In an embodiment the first end  81  of each of the lamps  80  is connected to and thus fixed to the connection terminal  110 . The connection terminal  110  may be elastic to allow the first end  81  of each of the lamps  80  to be connected thereto or removed therefrom. In an exemplary embodiment, the connection terminal  110  may be shaped like tongs between which the first end  81  of the lamp  89  can be gripped with a selected force. The connection terminal  110  grips the first end  81  of each of the lamps  80  with a selected force and thus holds the first end  81  in place. Since the connection terminal  110  is structured like tongs, each of the lamps  80  can be connected or removed to/from the connection terminal  110 . The connection terminal  110  may be formed from sheet metal. The connection terminal  110  may be integrated with the first and second fixing portions  120  and  140 , respectively, and thus fixed to the base plate  130 . 
     The first fixing portion  120  fixes each of the lamp sockets  100  to the base plate  130 . The first fixing portion  120  includes a head portion  121 , a connecting portion  122  and a protruding portion  123 . The first fixing portion  120  captures opposing surfaces of the base plate  130  to prevent the lamp sockets  100  from separating from the base plate  130 . In an embodiment, an end of the first fixing portion  120  is disposed on a surface (hereinafter, referred to as a first surface) of the base plate  130 , and the other end thereof is disposed on the a second surface, which is opposed to the first surface with respect to the base plate  130 . The two ends of the first fixing portion  120  are pressed against each other with the base plate  130  interposed therebetween, thereby fixing the lamp sockets  100  to the base plate  130 . 
     In an embodiment, the first fixing portion  120  includes the head portion  121 , the connecting portion  122  and the protruding portion  123 , which are connected to each other. The head portion  121  is wider than a cross section of each of the first insertion holes  132  (see  FIG. 4 ) into which the connecting portion  122  is inserted. The head portion  121  is disposed on the first surface of the base plate  130 , and the connecting portion  122 , which is connected to the head portion  121 , is inserted into each of the first insertion holes  132 . In an exemplary embodiment, a length of the connecting portion  122  may be smaller than a thickness of the base plate  130 . A cross-sectional shape of the connecting portion  122  may be identical to that of each of the first insertion holes  132 . In an embodiment, an outer surface of the connecting portion  122  may contact an inner surface of each of the first insertion holes  132 , thereby reducing or effectively preventing movement of each of the lamp sockets  100 . In an embodiment, an outer surface of the connecting portion  122  is connected to an inner surface of each of the first insertion holes  132 . 
     The protruding portion  123  protrudes from the second surface of the base plate  130  and is bent substantially parallel to the base plate  130  to contact to the second surface of the base plate  130 . In an embodiment, the protruding portion  123  is connected to the second surface of the base plate  130 . Since the head portion  121  and the protruding portion  123  of the first fixing portion  120  respectively capture the first and second surfaces of the base plate  130 , each of the lamp sockets  100  can be fixed to the base plate  130 . The protruding portion  123  can include a number of branches that extend from the connecting portion  122  in various directions to be parallel to the base plate  130 . The head portion  121 , the connecting portion  122  and the protruding portion  123  may be made of a conductor, such as a metal, and thus can function as wiring for delivering electrical power. 
     (Please consider illustrating the hidden portion of connection portion  122  with dashed lines in  FIG. 3A .) 
     Like a rivet, which is a mechanical coupling element, the head portion  121  and the protruding portion  123  may be securely and respectively attached to opposing surfaces (i.e., the first and second surfaces) of the base plate  130  while being partially transformed by a force applied onto both surfaces of the base plate  130 . 
     As described above, a portion of the first fixing portion  120  may penetrate through each of the first insertion holes  132  of the base plate  130 , and the first fixing portion  120  may be coupled to the base plate  130  by the head portion  121  and the protruding portion  123 , which are disposed on opposing surfaces of the base plate  130 , respectively. However, the disclosed embodiments are not limited thereto. In an embodiment, the first fixing portion  120  may be coupled to the base plate  130  in various ways. In an exemplary embodiment, the first fixing portion  120  may be shaped like tongs and coupled to an edge portion of the base plate  130 . In an embodiment, wherein the head portion  121  and the protruding portion  123  are disposed on opposing surfaces of the base plate  130 , respectively, the connection portion  122  may not penetrate the base plate  130 . In an embodiment, the connecting portion  122  may be disposed on a side surface of the base plate  130 . Thus, although a through-hole is not formed in the base plate  130 , the first fixing portion  120  can be coupled to the base plate  130 . 
     The second fixing portions  140  can reduce or effectively prevent the movement of each of the lamp sockets  100 . For example, in an embodiment wherein each of the lamp sockets  100  is fixed to the base plate  130  by only the first fixing portion  120 , which is inserted into a corresponding first insertion hole, it may rotate or move on the corresponding first insertion hole. To prevent this movement, each of the lamp sockets  100  may further include one or more second fixing portions  140 . 
     Each of the second fixing portions  140  includes a support portion  142  and an insertion portion  141 . The support portion  142  is connected to the connection terminal  110  and has a greater cross-section than that of each of second insertion holes  133 . The insertion portion  141  extends from the support portion  142  and is inserted into each of the second insertion holes  133 . A length of the insertion portion  141  is equal to or smaller than the thickness of the base plate  130 . Thus, the insertion portion  141  does not protrude from the second surface of the base plate  130 . 
     The lamp sockets  100 , each including the connection terminal  110 , the first fixing portion  120 , and the second fixing portions  140 , may be formed from sheet metal. 
     The base plate  130  on which the lamp sockets  100  are mounted is described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 3C and 4 . 
     The base plate  130  functions as an alignment plate on which the lamp sockets  100  (see  FIG. 3A ) are mounted. Wiring  134  is printed on the base plate  130  to deliver power to the lamp sockets  100 . The base plate  130  includes a power connector  137 , the wiring  134 , capacitors  135 , conductive regions  136 , the first insertion holes  132  and the second insertion holes  133 . 
     The power connector  137  is electrically connected to a power source, which provides power to the lamps  80  (see  FIG. 1 ), and is electrically connected to the capacitors  135  by the wiring  134 . In an embodiment, voltages for driving the lamps  80  are applied to the power connector  137  and delivered to the lamp sockets  100  via the wiring  134  and the capacitors  135 . 
     In an embodiment, the lamps  80  are electrically connected in parallel to each other, and a same voltage is applied to each of the lamps  80 . The capacitors  135  are electrically connected to the lamp sockets  100 , which are also electrically connected to the lamps  80 , respectively. The capacitors  135  can reduce or effectively prevent a voltage difference between voltages applied to the lamps  80 . In an embodiment, since lamp-driving voltages are applied to the lamps  80  via the capacitors  135 , respectively, the voltage difference between the lamps  80  can be reduced or effectively prevented. 
     As described above, the lamp sockets  100  are electrically connected to the capacitors  135 , respectively. Thus, in an embodiment, a balance circuit on a separate circuit board can be omitted. To implement a balance circuit, various electronic parts, such as coils, which generate a high electric field and high magnetic field, are mounted on a circuit board. In this case, since the electronic parts can affect the lamps, a distance must be maintained between each electronic part and the lamps. However, when a distance is maintained between the lamps and the circuit board, the thickness of a display device increases. Therefore, if the circuit board having the balance circuit mounted thereon is removed, the overall thickness of the display device can be significantly reduced. 
     In an embodiment, the capacitors  135  may be multi-layer ceramic capacitors (“MLCC”s). An MLCC uses multiple layers of high-k ceramic materials as a dielectric material interposed between electrodes. The MLCC may be small in size and have high capacitance. 
     The conductive regions  136  are formed on the base plate  130  and electrically connect the lamp sockets  100  to the capacitors  135 , respectively. Like the wiring  134 , the conductive regions  136  may comprise a conductive material and can be printed on the base plate  130 . When the lamp sockets  100  contact the conductive regions  136 , respectively, electric current flows from the conductive regions  136  to the lamp sockets  100 , respectively. The conductive regions  136  may be respectively connected to pairs of the second insertion holes  133  as shown in  FIG. 4  or may be connected to the first insertion holes  132 , respectively. Therefore, a driving voltage applied to each of the conductive regions  136  through a corresponding capacitor is delivered to the first fixing portion  120  or both of the first and second fixing portions  140 . Then, the driving voltage is delivered to each of the lamps  80  via the connection terminal  110 , which is integrated with the first and second fixing portions  120  and  140 . In an embodiment, when the first and second fixing portions  120  and  140  closely contact each of the conductive regions  136 , the conductive regions  136  are coupled and electrically connected to the lamp sockets  100 , respectively. 
     A slit  131  provides a passage into which a cutter C (see  FIG. 9A ) is inserted to remove a connecting metal  111  (see  FIG. 9A ). The slit  131  is described in more detail hereinafter. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the lamp socket assembly  10  includes the lamp sockets  100 , which may be linearly arranged on the base plate  130 . The lamp socket assembly  10  may be formed on a side of a group of the lamps  80  to which power is applied. Here, the power may be high-voltage alternating current (“AC”). 
     If desired, the lamp socket assembly  10  may be disposed on opposing sides of the group of the lamps  80 . 
     In an embodiment, the capacitors  135  may be disposed under the lamps  80 . 
     The ground socket  11  is described in detail with reference to  FIG. 6 .  FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the ground socket  11  included in the display device of  FIG. 1 . 
     The ground socket  11  is connected to a second end of each of the lamps  80 . In addition, the ground socket  11  is coupled to the lower housing  70  and thus grounded. The ground socket  11  may comprise a conductive material such as a metal plate. The ground socket  11  may include a plurality of socket portions  12  and an alignment plate  13 , which may be integrated with each other. 
     The terminals of the lamps  80  are inserted into the socket portions  12 , and the socket portions  12  are fixed to the alignment plate  13 . The socket portions  12  and the alignment plate  13  may be formed from sheet metal. The socket portions  12  may be integrated with the alignment plate  13  and fixed to the lower housing  70 . 
     The lower housing  70  to which the lamp socket assembly  10  is coupled is described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 7 and 8 .  FIG. 7  is a partial perspective view of the lower housing  70  and the insulating pad  75  included in the display device of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the lamp socket assembly  10 , which is coupled to the lower housing  70  included in the display device of  FIG. 1 . 
     The lower housing  70  includes the bottom surface  72 , sidewall portions  71  and the concave portion  73 . The sidewall portions  71  surround the bottom surface  72  and accommodate the lamp socket assembly  10  and the lamps  80 . 
     The concave portion  73  is formed in the bottom surface  72  of the lower housing  70 , and the lamp socket assembly  10  is inserted into the concave portion  73 . The insulating pad  75  is inserted between the concave portion  73  and the lamp socket assembly  10 . The insulating pad  75  is interposed between the lamp sockets  100  and the lower housing  70  and can insulate the lamp sockets  100  from the lower housing  70 . 
     The concave portion  73  may have a depth, which can allow the insulating pad  75  and the base plate  130  of the lamp socket assembly  10  to be inserted into the concave portion  73 . In an exemplary embodiment, the insulating pad  75  may comprise an elastic member and can reduce or effectively prevent the base plate  130  from becoming unstable due to the protruding portion  123 , which may protrude downward from the base plate  130 . 
     Hereinafter, a process of coupling the lamp sockets  100  to the base plate  130  is described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 9A through 10 .  FIGS. 9A and 9B  are perspective views for explaining the process of coupling the lamp sockets  100  included in the display device of  FIG. 1  to the base plate  130 .  FIG. 10  is an enlarged perspective view of a region A shown in  FIG. 9A . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9A , the lamp sockets  100  are connected to each other by the connecting metal  111 . That is, each of the lamp sockets  100  may be formed from a metal plate, and thus the connection terminal  110 , the first fixing portion  120 , and the second fixing portions  140  included in each of the lamp sockets  100  may be integrated with each other. In an embodiment, the lamp sockets  100  may be connected to each other by the connecting metal  111 , which can facilitate assembling and handling. In an exemplary embodiment, the protruding portion  123  of the first fixing portion  120  may extend from the connecting portion  122 . In addition, a cross sectional area of the protruding portion  123  may be substantially equal to that of the connecting portion  122 . The support portion  142  and the insertion portion  141  of each of the second fixing portions  140  may be substantially aligned. 
     The connecting metal  111  connects the lamp sockets  100  to each other and can have sufficient rigidity to keep the lamp sockets  100  in place. The connecting metal  111  may be bent in a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the lamp sockets  100  are connected to each other. In an embodiment, a cross section of the connecting metal  111  may be shaped to have an angular cross-section, such as a “U” shaped cross-section, as shown in  FIG. 10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9B , the protruding portion  123  of the first fixing portion  120  is bent perpendicular to the connecting portion  122  to fix the first fixing portion  120  to the base plate  130  (see  FIG. 3A ). The protruding portion  123  may be bent in at least one direction. In another exemplary embodiment, like a rivet, a force may be simultaneously applied to the head portion  121  and the bent portion  123  to bend the head portion  121  and the protruding portion  123 . In an embodiment, as the head portion  121  and the protruding portion  123  are deformed, they may be coupled to each other and to the base plate  130 . 
     Hereinafter, a process of manufacturing the lamp socket assembly  10  is described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 11A through 11C .  FIGS. 11A through 11C  are views, which explain a process of manufacturing the lamp socket assembly  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11A , a lamp socket connector  15  is disposed on the base plate  130 . The lamp socket connector  15  can be formed from sheet metal. The lamp socket connector  15  includes the lamp sockets  100 , which are connected to each other by the connecting metal  111 . 
     (Please include reference character “ 15 ” in  FIGS. 11A to 11C ) 
     The lamp sockets  100  of the lamp socket connector  15  may be automatically and collectively moved by using a robot. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11B , the lamp socket connector  15  is inserted into the base plate  130 . The connecting portion  122  of the first fixing portion  120  is inserted into the base plate  130 , and the protruding portion  123  thereof protrudes downward from the base plate  130 . 
     In an embodiment, the insertion portion  141  of each of the second fixing portions  140  is inserted into the base plate  130  but does not protrude downward from the base plate  130 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 11C , each of the lamp sockets  100  is supported by a force, and the connecting metal  111  is removed by using the cutter C, which emerges from under the base plate  130 . The cutter C protrudes upward from the base plate  130  through the slit  131  (see  FIG. 5A ) formed in the base plate  130  and cuts the connecting metal  111 . 
     While the connecting metal  111  is cut, the protruding portion  123  can be pressed by a pressing member H. Accordingly, the protruding portion  123  can be bent and securely attached to the base plate  130 . As a result, the lamp socket assembly  10  can thus be coupled to the lower housing  70  (see  FIG. 1 ). 
     Hereinafter, another embodiment of lamp sockets  200  included in an exemplary embodiment of a display device is described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 12 through 14 .  FIGS. 12 and 13  are perspective views of a lamp socket included in the display device.  FIG. 14  is a bottom perspective view of a lamp socket assembly included in the display device of  FIGS. 12 and 13 . For simplicity, elements substantially identical to those of the previous exemplary embodiment are indicated by like reference numerals, and thus their description will be omitted. 
     Each of the lamp sockets  200  includes a pair of first fixing portions  220  and a pair of second fixing portions  240 . End portions of the first and second fixing portions penetrate into the base plate  130  and are bent to contact a base plate  130 . 
     Each of the lamp sockets  200  includes a connection terminal  210 , the first fixing portions  220  and the second fixing portions  240 . The first fixing portions  220  may be formed at both ends of each of the lamp sockets  200 , respectively. In addition, a protruding portion  223  may penetrate the base plate  130  and be bent in a direction substantially parallel to a surface the base plate. 
     An insertion portion  241  of each of the second fixing portions  240  penetrates the base plate  130  and protrudes downward from the base plate  130 . Like the protruding portion  223 , the insertion portion  241  is bent and contacts the base plate  130 . 
     Hereinafter, another exemplary embodiment of lamp sockets  300  included in a display device is described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 15 to 17 .  FIGS. 15 and 16  are perspective views of a lamp socket.  FIG. 17  is a bottom perspective view of a lamp socket assembly including the lamp sockets  300  of  FIGS. 15 and 16 . For simplicity, elements substantially identical to those of the previous exemplary embodiments are indicated by like reference numerals, and thus their description will be omitted. 
     The lamp sockets  300  are a modified example of the exemplary embodiment shown in  FIGS. 12-14 . Each of the lamp sockets  300  includes a pair of first fixing portions  320 , which are connected to each other. 
     Each of the lamp sockets  300  includes a connection terminal  310 , the first fixing portions  320 , a pair of second fixing portions  340 , and a bending portion  350 . The first fixing portions  320  may respectively be formed at both ends of each of the lamp sockets  300 , respectively. The first fixing portions  320  may be connected to each other by the bending portion  350  to more securely fix each of the lamp sockets  300  to a base plate  130 . A protruding portion  323  of each of the first fixing portions  320  may penetrate the base plate  130  and be bent in a direction substantially parallel to the base plate. 
     The bending portion  350  may connect the first fixing portions  320  to the connection terminal  310 . The bending portion  350  may be integrated with the connection terminal  310  and provide elasticity between the first fixing portions  320  and the connection terminal  310 . In an embodiment, the bending portion  350  as well as the first fixing portions  320  and the connection terminal  310  may comprise a metal plate. Thus, the bending portion  350  may be elastic, like a leaf spring. Since the bending portion  350  absorbs some of the impact that is applied onto the connection terminal  310 , it can reduce or effectively prevent damage to the lamps  80 . 
     An insertion portion  341  of each of the second fixing portions  340  penetrates the base plate  130  and protrudes downward from the base plate  130 . Like the protruding portion  323 , the insertion portion  341  is bent and contacts the base plate  130 . 
     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 detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the following claims. The exemplary embodiments should be considered in a descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.