Patent Publication Number: US-7901101-B2

Title: Relay connector, mounting structure of relay connector and chassis, and mounting structure of relay connector and discharge tube

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a relay connector, a mounting structure of a relay connector and a chassis, and a mounting structure of a relay connector and a discharge tube. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     An example of a lighting device capable of functioning as a backlight for a liquid crystal display device is disclosed in JP-A-2004-294592. The lighting device has a construction in which a plurality of elongated discharge tubes are connected to first ends of relay terminals mounted to a substantially flat plate-shaped chassis while power sources are connected to the other ends of the relay terminals. The power from the power sources is supplied to the discharge tubes via the relay terminals. 
     In the above construction, bare relay terminals are directly mounted to the chassis. This precludes the use of a metallic chassis. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing circumstances, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a relay connector, which is arranged to define a power supply path from a power source to a discharge tube, to be mounted to a metallic chassis. 
     A relay connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which is arranged to supply power from a power source arranged on the back side of a chassis having a substantially plate-shaped configuration to a discharge tube arranged on the front side of the chassis, includes a holder having an insulation property and to be mounted to the chassis, and further includes a relay terminal mounted to the holder and capable of electrical connection to the discharge tube and the power source. 
     According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the relay terminal is immune to direct contact with the chassis. This enables the use of a metallic chassis. 
     In the relay connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, the holder can be arranged to penetrate through a mounting hole of the chassis. An elastic retaining portion capable of elastic deflection and an engaging surface capable of being arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the through direction of the mounting hole may be provided on an outer surface of the holder, so that the holder can be fixed to the chassis while the chassis is sandwiched between the elastic retaining portion and the engaging surface. 
     In this case, the elastic retaining portion deflects elastically, when the holder is inserted into the mounting hole. When the holder has reached the proper mounting position so that the engaging surface abuts on the opening edge of the mounting hole, the elastic retaining portion is locked by the opening edge of mounting hole as a result of its elastic restoration. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the relay connector can be mounted to the chassis simply by inserting the holder into the mounting hole. 
     In the relay connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, a travel restricting portion, capable of abutting an opening edge of the mounting hole when the holder is mounted to the chassis, may be provided on the outer surface of the holder on which the elastic retaining portion is provided. 
     The elastic retaining portion can deform elastically so as to approach the outer surface of the holder. The elastic deformation of the elastic retaining portion may cause movement of the holder relative to the chassis. However, according to the above construction, the movement of the holder relative to the chassis can be restricted due to the travel restricting portion abutting the opening edge of the mounting hole. 
     In the relay connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, a surface of the elastic retaining portion, which can abut on the opening edge of the mounting hole, may include an inclined surface capable of being arranged at an angle to the thickness direction of the chassis. 
     In this case, the surface of the elastic retaining portion, which can abut the opening edge of the mounting hole, preferably includes an inclined surface that can be arranged at an angle to the thickness direction of the chassis. Thereby, the chassis can be infallibly sandwiched between the elastic retaining portion and the engaging surface, even if the chassis has variations in thickness. 
     In the relay connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, a container room capable of holding an end portion of the discharge tube may be provided in the holder, so that a tube connecting portion of the relay terminal is arranged in the container room. The tube connecting portion can be electrically connected to the discharge tube within the container room. 
     In this case, the connection between the discharge tube and the relay connector is housed within the container room, and therefore foreign substances can be prevented from interference with the connection. 
     In the relay connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, in a case where the mounting direction of the discharge tube to the container room is set to be perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axis of the discharge tube, and a ferrule attached to the end portion of the discharge tube is held in the container room when the discharge tube is mounted; a movement restricting portion, capable of locking the ferrule so that axial movement of the discharge tube in a direction away from the container room is restricted, may be provided in the container room. 
     In this case, the movement of the discharge tube can be restricted due to the movement restricting portion locking the ferrule, even if the discharge tube moves in the axial direction so as to escape from the container room. 
     In the relay connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, an extended portion, capable of being arranged to protrude from between the chassis and an opening edge of the container room and extend along the surface of the chassis, may be provided on an outer surface of the holder that is arranged perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chassis and includes an opening of the container room. 
     In this case, the extended portion protruding from the outer surface of the holder is provided, which can result in a long creepage distance from the inside of the container room to the chassis. As a result, a leak, from the discharge tube held in the container room to the chassis outside the holder, can be prevented. 
     In the relay connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, a tapered guiding portion, inclined from the mounting direction of the discharge tube, may be arranged on the holder, so as to extend from an opening edge of an opening provided as a receiving opening of the container room for receiving the discharge tube. 
     In this case, the tapered guiding portion can guide the discharge tube into the container room. 
     In the relay connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, in a case where the power source includes an on-board connector mounted on the back surface of a circuit board that is to be arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the chassis so that the back surface is on the opposite side of the chassis, and further includes an output terminal arranged in an engaging recess that is formed on the on-board connector so as to correspond to a fitting hole formed through the circuit board; a wall portion, capable of projecting to the back side of the chassis and penetrating through the fitting hole so as to be inserted into the engaging recess, may be provided on the holder. Aboard connecting portion capable of connection to the output terminal can be provided on the relay terminal so as to extend along the wall portion. 
     In this case, the board connecting portion of the relay terminal can penetrate through the fitting hole of the circuit board so as to be connected to the output terminal within the engaging recess. Thus, the fitting hole formed as a through hole on the circuit board enables the on-board connector to be arranged on the back surface of the circuit board on the opposite side of the chassis. Further, the board connecting portion is arranged along the wall portion. As a result, the board connecting portion is prevented from being deformed or damaged, which is caused by interference from a foreign substance. 
     In the relay connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, in a case where the output terminal includes a proximal portion arranged so that its displacement from the circuit board is restricted, a flexible portion extending from the proximal portion and being capable of elastic deflection, and a connecting portion having a substantially U-shaped configuration that extends from the flexible portion and can elastically pinch the wall portion and the board connecting portion, the board connecting portion when being inserted into the engaging recess can have elastic contact with a free-end-side strip portion of two strip portions of the connecting portion on the opposite side of the flexible portion, while the wall portion can have elastic contact with a strip portion of the two strip portions of the connecting portion on the side of the flexible portion. 
     In this case, if the board connecting portion of the relay terminal displaces from the output terminal to the flexible portion side, the whole connecting portion, together with the board connecting portion and the wall portion, moves to the flexible portion side while the connection between the board connecting portion and the free-end-side strip portion is maintained. If the board connecting portion displaces from the output terminal to the free end side or to the opposite side of the flexible portion, the free-end-side strip portion of the connecting portion is pushed by the board connecting portion so as to move to the free end side. Then, the connection between the board connecting portion and the free-end-side strip portion is also maintained. 
     In the relay connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, in a case where the power source includes a plurality of output terminals which are arranged in a line on a circuit board so as to correspond to a plurality of relay terminals as the above relay terminal, and the output terminal includes a connecting portion that is elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the array direction of the relay terminals and the output terminals, aboard connecting portion, having a plate-shaped configuration that is wider than the connecting portion and capable of being arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the array direction of the relay terminals and the output terminals, may be provided on the relay terminal. The board connecting portion can have contact with the connecting portion. 
     In the construction that includes a plurality of output terminals and a plurality of relay terminals arranged in lines, the output terminals may be displaced in the array direction from the relay terminals due to some reason such as the difference in thermal expansion rate between the circuit board as a mounting base for the output terminals and the chassis as a mounting base for the relay terminals. 
     For this reason, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connecting portion is arranged on the output terminal so as to be elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the array direction, while the board connecting portion is arranged on the relay terminal so as to define a plate-shaped configuration that is wider than the connecting portion and arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the array direction, so that the wide board connecting portion can have contact with the elongated connecting portion. The board connecting portion is preferably large in width along the array direction, and therefore the connection between the board connecting portion and the connecting portion can be maintained even if the relay terminals displace in the array direction from the output terminals. 
     In the relay connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, a tube engaging portion arranged to allow the discharge tube to enter therein after approaching along a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chassis, and a power engaging portion arranged to allow an on-board connector of the power source to engage therewith after approaching along a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chassis may be provided on the holder. 
     In this case, each of the mounting direction of the discharge tube to the relay connector and the mounting direction of the power source to the relay connector is preferably substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chassis. Therefore, the discharge tube and the power source can be mounted to the chassis so as to define a stack structure. 
     A mounting structure of a relay connector and a chassis, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is used to mount the relay connector to the chassis having a substantially plate-shaped configuration. The relay connector is arranged to supply power from a power source arranged on the back side of the chassis to a discharge tube arranged on the front side of the chassis. In the mounting structure, a mounting hole is formed through the chassis, and the relay connector includes a holder having an insulation property and to be mounted to the chassis, and further includes a relay terminal mounted to the holder and capable of electrical connection to the discharge tube and the power source. An elastic retaining portion capable of elastic deflection and an engaging surface arranged to be substantially perpendicular to the through direction of the mounting hole are provided on an outer surface of the holder. The holder is fixed to the chassis so as to penetrate therethrough, while the chassis is sandwiched between the elastic retaining portion and the engaging surface. 
     According to the mounting structure, the elastic retaining portion deflects elastically, when the holder is inserted into the mounting hole. When the holder has reached the proper mounting position so that the engaging surface abuts on the opening edge of the mounting hole, the elastic retaining portion is locked by the opening edge of mounting hole as a result of its elastic restoration. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the relay connector can be mounted to the chassis simply by inserting the holder into the mounting hole. 
     In the mounting structure of a relay connector and a chassis according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, a travel restricting portion capable of abutting against an opening edge of the mounting hole may be provided on the outer surface of the holder on which the elastic retaining portion is provided. 
     The elastic retaining portion can deform elastically so as to approach the outer surface of the holder. The elastic deformation of the elastic retaining portion may cause movement of the holder relative to the chassis. However, according to the above construction, the movement of the holder relative to the chassis can be restricted due to the travel restricting portion abutting the opening edge of the mounting hole. 
     In the mounting structure of a relay connector and a chassis according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, a surface of the elastic retaining portion, which abuts on the opening edge of the mounting hole, may be formed of an inclined surface tilted at an angle to the thickness direction of the chassis. 
     In this case, the surface of the elastic retaining portion, which abuts on the opening edge of the mounting hole, is formed of an inclined surface tilted at an angle to the thickness direction of the chassis. Thereby, the chassis can be infallibly sandwiched between the elastic retaining portion and the engaging surface, even if the chassis has variations in thickness. 
     In the mounting structure of a relay connector and a chassis according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, in a case where a container room capable of holding an end portion of the discharge tube is provided in the holder so that the relay terminal can be electrically connected to the discharge tube within the container room; an extended portion, arranged to protrude from between the chassis and an opening edge of the container room and extend along the surface of the chassis, may be provided on an outer surface of the holder that is arranged perpendicularly to the surface of the chassis and includes an opening of the container room. 
     In this case, the extended portion protruding from the outer surface of the holder is provided, which can result in a long creepage distance from the inside of the container room to the chassis. Thereby, a leak, from the discharge tube held in the container room to the chassis outside the holder, can be prevented. 
     A mounting structure of a relay connector and a discharge tube, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is provided. The relay connector is arranged to supply power from a power source arranged on the back side of a chassis having a substantially plate-shaped configuration to a discharge tube arranged on the front side of the chassis. In the mounting structure, the relay connector includes a holder having an insulation property and to be mounted to the chassis, and further includes a relay terminal mounted to the holder and capable of electrical connection to the discharge tube and the power source. A container room capable of holding an end portion of the discharge tube is provided in the holder, and a tube connecting portion of the relay terminal is arranged in the container room so that the discharge tube is electrically connected to the tube connecting portion within the container room. 
     In this case, the connection between the discharge tube and the relay connector is housed within the container room, and therefore foreign substances can be prevented from interference with the connection. 
     In the mounting structure of a relay connector and a discharge tube according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, in a case where the mounting direction of the discharge tube to the container room is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the axis of the discharge tube, and a ferrule attached to the end portion of the discharge tube is held in the container room when the discharge tube is mounted, a movement restricting portion, capable of locking the ferrule so that axial movement of the discharge tube in a direction away from the container room is prevented, may be provided in the container room. 
     In this case, the movement of the discharge tube can be prevented due to the movement restricting portion locking the ferrule, even if the discharge tube moves in the axial direction so as to escape from the container room. 
     In the mounting structure of a relay connector and a discharge tube according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, an extended portion, capable of being arranged to protrude from between the chassis and an opening edge of the container room and extend along the surface of the chassis, may be provided on an outer surface of the holder that is arranged perpendicularly or substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chassis and includes an opening of the container room. 
     In this case, the extended portion protruding from the outer surface of the holder is provided, which can result in a long creepage distance from the inside of the container room to the chassis. Thereby, a leak, from the discharge tube held in the container room to the chassis outside the holder, can be prevented. 
     In the mounting structure of a relay connector and a discharge tube according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, a tapered guiding portion, inclined from the mounting direction of the discharge tube, may be arranged on the holder, so as to extend from an opening edge of an opening provided as a receiving opening of the container room for receiving the discharge tube. 
     In this case, the tapered guiding portion can guide the discharge tube into the container room. 
     A mounting structure of a relay connector and a power source, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is provided. The relay connector is arranged to supply power from a power source arranged on the back side of a chassis having a substantially plate-shaped configuration to a discharge tube arranged on the front side of the chassis. In the mounting structure, the power source includes an on-board connector mounted on the back surface of a circuit board that is to be arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the chassis so that the back surface is on an opposite side of the chassis, and further includes an output terminal arranged in an engaging recess that is formed on the on-board connector so as to correspond to a fitting hole formed through the circuit board. The relay connector includes a holder having an insulation property and to be mounted to the chassis, and further includes a relay terminal mounted to the holder and capable of electrical connection to the discharge tube and the power source. A wall portion, capable of projecting to the back side of the chassis and penetrating through the fitting hole so as to be inserted into the engaging recess, is provided on the holder. A board connecting portion capable of connection to the output terminal is provided on the relay terminal, so as to extend along the wall portion. 
     The board connecting portion of the relay terminal can penetrate through the fitting hole of the circuit board so as to be connected to the output terminal within the engaging recess. Thus, the fitting hole formed as a through hole on the circuit board enables the on-board connector to be arranged on the back surface of the circuit board on the opposite side of the chassis. Further, the board connecting portion is arranged along the wall portion, and thereby the board connecting portion is prevented from being deformed or damaged, caused by interference from a foreign substance. 
     In the mounting structure of a relay connector and a power source according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, the output terminal can include a proximal portion arranged so that its displacement from the circuit board is restricted, a flexible portion extending from the proximal portion and being capable of elastic deflection, and a connecting portion having a substantially U-shaped configuration that extends from the flexible portion and can elastically pinch the wall portion and the board connecting portion. The board connecting portion when being inserted into the engaging recess can have elastic contact with a free-end-side strip portion of two strip portions of the connecting portion on the opposite side of the flexible portion, while the wall portion can have elastic contact with a strip portion of the two strip portions of the connecting portion on the side of the flexible portion. 
     In this case, if the board connecting portion of the relay terminal displaces from the output terminal to the flexible portion side, the whole connecting portion, together with the board connecting portion and the wall portion, moves to the flexible portion side while the connection between the board connecting portion and the free-end-side strip portion is maintained. If the board connecting portion displaces from the output terminal to the free end side or to the opposite side of the flexible portion, the free-end-side strip portion of the connecting portion is pushed by the board connecting portion so as to move to the free end side. Then, the connection between the board connecting portion and the free-end-side strip portion is also maintained. 
     In the mounting structure of a relay connector and a power source according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, the power source can include a plurality of output terminals as the above output terminal, which are arranged in a line on the circuit board so as to correspond to a plurality of relay terminals as the above relay terminal. The output terminal may include a connecting portion that is elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the array direction of the relay terminals and the output terminals, while the board connecting portion may have a substantially plate-shaped configuration that is wider than the connecting portion and arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the array direction of the relay terminals and the output terminals. The board connecting portion can have contact with the connecting portion. 
     In the construction that includes a plurality of output terminals and a plurality of relay terminals arranged in lines, the output terminals may displace in the array direction from the relay terminals due to some reason such as the difference in thermal expansion rate between the circuit board as a mounting base for the output terminals and the chassis as a mounting base for the relay terminals. 
     For this reason, in the above construction, the connecting portion is provided on the output terminal so as to be elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the array direction, while the board connecting portion is provided on the relay terminal so as to provide a substantially plate-shaped configuration that is wider than the connecting portion and arranged parallel or substantially parallel to the array direction, so that the wide board connecting portion can have contact with the elongated connecting portion. The board connecting portion is preferably large in width along the array direction, and therefore the connection between the board connecting portion and the connecting portion can be maintained even if the relay terminals displace in the array direction from the output terminals. 
     A mounting structure of a discharge tube and a power source on a relay connector, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is used to mount the discharge tube and the power source to the relay connector that is arranged to supply power from the power source arranged on the back side of a chassis having a substantially plate-shaped configuration to the discharge tube arranged on the front side of the chassis. In the mounting structure, the relay connector includes a holder having an insulation property and to be mounted to the chassis, and further includes a relay terminal mounted to the holder and capable of electrical connection to the discharge tube and the power source. A tube engaging portion arranged to allow the discharge tube to enter therein after approaching along a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chassis, and a power engaging portion arranged to allow the power source to engage therewith after approaching along a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chassis are provided on the holder. 
     In this case, each of the mounting direction of the discharge tube to the relay connector and the mounting direction of the power source to the relay connector is preferably substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chassis. Therefore, the discharge tube and the power source can be mounted to the chassis so as to define a stack structure. 
     A lighting device according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a relay connector according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, a discharge tube, a power source and a chassis. 
     In the lighting device described above, a plurality of relay connectors defining the above-described relay connector can be arranged in a line along one lateral edge of a pair of parallel or substantially parallel lateral edges of the chassis. A grounding member, which includes a plurality of grounding terminals conductively mounted to an elongated support plate and arranged in a line, may be arranged along the other lateral edge of the pair of parallel or substantially parallel lateral edges of the chassis. A plurality of discharge tubes defining the above discharge tube, which are elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the pair of lateral edges, can be arranged parallel to one another, so that a ferrule attached to one end portion of each of the plurality of discharge tubes is individually connected to the relay terminal of the relay connector while a ferrule attached to the other end portion of each of the plurality of discharge tubes is individually connected to the grounding terminal. 
     In this case, the plurality of discharge tubes are short-circuited through the grounding member connected to the ferrule attached on the end of each discharge tube, and are collectively grounded, in which the plurality of grounding terminals of the grounding member are not required to be insulated from one another. Therefore, insulating members, which surround the grounding terminals for insulation purposes or separate the grounding terminals, are not necessary. Thus, the number of components can be reduced according to preferred embodiments of the present invention. 
     A display device according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a lighting device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above, and a display panel arranged on the front side of the lighting device. 
     A television receiver according to yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a display device according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention described above. 
     Other features, elements, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a television receiver according to preferred embodiment 1 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a horizontal sectional view of a display device. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a chassis to which relay connectors, discharge tubes and power boards are mounted. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear view of the chassis to which the power boards are mounted. 
         FIG. 5  is a horizontal sectional view showing an on-board connector mounted to a lamp unit. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a relay connector. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the relay connector. 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the relay connector. 
         FIG. 9  is a sectional view showing a mounting structure of the relay connector and the chassis. 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of the relay connector. 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a discharge tube. 
         FIG. 12  is a rear view of a lighting device. 
         FIG. 13  is a partially-enlarged front view of the lighting device. 
         FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the on-board connector. 
         FIG. 15  is a front view of the on-board connector. 
         FIG. 16  is a front view of the on-board connector into which the relay connector is fitted. 
         FIG. 17  is a horizontal sectional view of the on-board connector. 
         FIG. 18  is a sectional view showing a mounting structure of a relay connector and a chassis according to preferred embodiment 2 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a perspective view of a relay connector according to preferred embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 20  is a side view of the relay connector according to preferred embodiment 3 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a front perspective view of a lighting device according to preferred embodiment 4 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a front view of the lighting device. 
         FIG. 23  is a perspective view of relay connectors. 
         FIG. 24  is a partially-enlarged front view showing a connecting structure between a relay connector and a discharge tube. 
         FIG. 25  is a side view of a relay connector. 
         FIG. 26  is a sectional view showing that a ferrule on a discharge tube is capable of engaging with a stopper. 
         FIG. 27  is a sectional view showing a connecting structure between a relay connector and a power board. 
         FIG. 28  is a perspective view of a discharge tube. 
         FIG. 29  is a rear view of a ferrule. 
         FIG. 30  is a plan view of the ferrule. 
         FIG. 31  is a side view of the ferrule. 
         FIG. 32  is a rear perspective view of the lighting device according to preferred embodiment 4 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 33  is a front view of a lighting device according to preferred embodiment 5 of the present invention. 
         FIG. 34  is a front view showing the lighting device, from which discharge tubes are detached. 
         FIG. 35  is a rear view of the lighting device. 
         FIG. 36  is a perspective view of a grounding member. 
         FIG. 37  is a perspective view of a grounding terminal. 
         FIG. 38  is a sectional view showing that a ferrule on a discharge tube is capable of engaging with a stopper. 
         FIG. 39  is a partially-enlarged front view showing a connecting structure between a grounding terminal and a discharge tube. 
         FIG. 40  is a perspective view showing a modification of a ferrule. 
         FIG. 41  is a side view of  FIG. 40 . 
         FIG. 42  is a perspective view of a grounding terminal. 
         FIG. 43  is a sectional view showing a connection between a grounding terminal shown in  FIG. 42  and a ferrule. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Preferred Embodiment 1 
     Preferred embodiment 1 according to the present invention will be hereinafter explained with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 17 . 
     Overview of Display Device D 
     A display device D used in a television receiver TV shown in  FIG. 1  is a so-called liquid crystal display device, which preferably has a substantially horizontally-elongated rectangular shape and includes a display panel  11  and a lighting device  10  as shown in  FIG. 2 . The display panel  11  is disposed on the front side of the lighting device  10 , so that the lighting device  10  as a backlight can illuminate the display panel  11  from the back side. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the television receiver TV includes the display device D, and front and back cabinets Ca and Cb capable of holding the display device D therebetween. Further included are a power source P other than a power board  16  (corresponding to a power source of the present invention) described below, a tuner T and a stand S.  FIG. 2  schematically shows the display device D, and therefore the shapes of relay connectors  14 , on-board connectors  18  and the like differ slightly from those in the other figures. 
     The display panel  11  has a well-known construction, in which liquid crystal as a material with an optical property that changes with applied voltage is disposed in the gap between a transparent TFT substrate and a transparent CF substrate. TFTs (Thin Film Transistors), as switching elements connected to a source wiring line and a gate wiring line running at right angles to each other, and pixel electrodes connected to the TFTs are provided on the TFT substrate. A color filter, on which color sections of three primary colors, i.e., Red (R), Green (G) and Blue (B), are arranged in a matrix, and a common electrode are provided on the CF substrate. 
     Overview of Lighting Device  10   
     As shown in  FIGS. 2 to 4 , the lighting device  10  includes a lamp unit  12  and power boards  16  (corresponding to a power source of the present invention). The lamp unit  12  includes a metallic chassis  13 , which preferably has a substantially horizontally-elongated rectangular plate and functions as a reflector plate. Further included are a plurality of discharge tubes  15  held in a horizontal position and vertically arranged on the front side of the chassis  13  so as to be parallel or substantially parallel to one another, and a plurality of relay connectors  14  which are vertically arranged along the lateral edges of the chassis  13  so as to correspond to the discharge tubes  15 . The power boards  16  are disposed on the back side of the chassis  13  so as to supply power to the discharge tubes  15  via the relay connectors  14 . 
     A plurality of substantially rectangular mounting holes  13 H corresponding to the ends of the discharge tubes  15  are formed through the chassis  13  so as to extend from the front side to the back side, and are vertically arranged to be level with the respective discharge tubes  15 . The relay connectors  14  are mounted through the respective mounting holes  13 H. 
     Relay Connector  14   
     As shown in  FIGS. 5 to 8  and  10 , each relay connector  14  includes a holder  20  made of synthetic resin, and a metallic relay terminal  30  housed in the holder  20 . 
     The holder  20  includes a box-shaped portion  21  that defines a block-shaped configuration as a whole, and further includes a wall portion  27  that projects backward from the back surface of the box-shaped portion  21 . On the holder  20 , a pair of upper and lower elastic retaining portions  25  are formed as cantilevered portions, which extend posteriorly (i.e., in the same direction as the mounting direction of relay connector  14  to the chassis  13 ) and along the outer surface (i.e., upper surface and lower surface) of the box-shaped portion  21 . A retaining protrusion  25   a  having a substantially right triangular shape is provided on the distal end of each elastic retaining portion  25  so as to project to the opposite side of the box-shaped portion  21 . Further, travel restricting portions  24  having an elongated rib-shaped configuration are preferably provided on the respective upper and lower surfaces of the box-shaped portion  21  so as to extend along the elastic retaining portions  25  (or parallel or substantially parallel to the elastic retaining portions  25 ). The longitudinal area (i.e., the area extending parallel or substantially parallel to the mounting direction of the relay connector  14  to the chassis  13 ), that includes the travel restricting portion  24 , substantially corresponds to the longitudinal area that includes the elastic retaining portion  25 . An abutting surface (or an insertion restricting portion)  20   a  arranged to abut against the circuit board  17  is provided on the distal end side (i.e., the anterior end side along the mounting direction of the relay connector  14  to the circuit board  17 ) of each travel restricting portion  24 . Due to the abutting surfaces  20   a , the distal end of the relay terminal  30  or the distal end of the wall portion  27  is prevented from contacting the far end of an engaging recess  63  described below. A pair of engaging surfaces  26  are provided on the back surface of the box-shaped portion  21 , and are positioned on the right side of the wall portion  27  and the left side of the wall portion  27 , respectively. The pair of engaging surfaces  26  are arranged across the elastic retaining portions  25 , i.e., on the respective right and left sides thereof, so as to be parallel or substantially parallel to the chassis  13 . 
     A container room  23  (corresponding to a tube engaging portion of the present invention) is formed in the box-shaped portion  21 , so as to have an opening extending from the front side to the right side (i.e., to the lateral side on the opposite side of the lateral edge portion of the chassis  13 ). The front opening portion of the opening of the container room  23  is provided as a receiving opening  23   a , into which an end portion (or ferrule  50 ) of the discharge tube  15  is fitted from the front side. The lateral opening portion is provided as an escape opening  23   b  for preventing interference with the glass tube  40  when the end portion of the discharge tube  15  is held in the container room  23 . A movement restricting portion  22  is arranged on the escape opening  23   a , so as to bulge inward from the opening edge. The vertical size of the gap corresponding to the movement restricting portion  22  is preferably smaller than the inner diameter of the body  51  of the ferrule  50 . On the box-shaped portion  21 , an extended portion  28  protruding parallel or substantially parallel to the chassis  13  is provided on the lateral surface of the box-shaped portion  21  that includes the escape opening  23   b . The extended portion  28  extends so as to separate the front surface of the chassis  13  from the escape opening  23   b . The surface of the extended portion  28  that faces the chassis  13  is provided as the engaging surface  26  described above. A lightening portion is formed on the extended portion  28  by cutting or removing the chassis  13  facing surface (or back surface) thereof. 
     The relay terminal  30  is held within the holder  20 . The relay terminal  30 , which can be formed by bending a metallic plate that is formed into a predetermined shape by punching, for example, includes a tube connecting portion  31  having a pair of upper and lower elastic nipping portions  32  including plates having a substantially circular arc shape, and further includes a board connecting portion  33  having a plate-shaped configuration projecting to the back side. A pair of supporting portions  34  are formed on the end portion of the board connecting portion  33 , so as to extend perpendicularly or substantially perpendicularly from its upper and lower edge portions. The pair of elastic nipping portions  32  extend from the pair of supporting parts  34  to the front side. The elastic nipping portions  32  are disposed in the container room  23 . On the other hand, the board connecting portion  33  projects from the back surface of the box-shaped portion  21  so as to be exposed to the outside of the holder  20 , and extends backwards along the wall portion  27 . A pair of rib-shaped holding portions  27   a  are arranged on the wall portion  27  so as to extend along its upper and lower edges. The board connecting portion  33  is fixed to the wall portion  27  with its upper and lower edge portions fitted into the grooves of the rib-shaped holding portions  27   a . The projecting direction of the wall portion  27  or the board connecting portion  33  extending from the box-shaped portion  21  is preferably perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the chassis  13  (i.e., it is the same direction as the mounting direction of relay connector  14  to the chassis  13 ). 
     When the relay connector  14  is mounted to the chassis  13 , referring to  FIG. 9 , the wall portion  27  of the holder  20  is inserted into the mounting hole  13 H of the chassis  13  from the front side, so that the engaging surfaces  26  abut on the opening edge of the mounting hole  13 H on the front surface of the chassis  13 . In the course of the insertion, the retaining protrusions  25   a  of the elastic retaining portions  25  come in contact with the opening edge of the mounting hole  13 H, and thereby the elastic retaining portions  25  deform elastically so as to approach the box-shaped portion  21 . When the engaging surfaces  26  come in contact with the front surface of the chassis  13 , the retaining protrusions  25   a  having passed through the mounting hole  13 H cause elastic restoration of the elastic retaining portions  25 . As a result of the elastic restoration, the retaining protrusions  25   a  are locked by the opening edge of the mounting hole  13 H on the back surface of the chassis  13 . Consequently, the chassis  13  is sandwiched between the engaging surfaces  26  on the front side and the retaining protrusions  25   a  on the back side. Thus, the holder  20  is fixed to the chassis  13  so that its movement in the mounting direction (i.e., the through direction of the mounting hole  13 H) is restricted. Then, the mounting of the relay connector  14  to the chassis  13  is completed. 
     When the relay connector  14  is attached to the chassis  13 , the box-shaped portion  21  as the front end portion of the holder  20  projects (or is exposed) to the front side of the chassis  13  while the wall portion  27  as the back end portion of the holder  20  projects (or is exposed) to the back side of the chassis  13 . The elastic retaining portions  25  can deform elastically so as to approach the outer surface of the holder  20  (or so as to cause vertical movement). Due to the elastic deformation of the elastic retaining portions  25 , the holder  20  may move in the vertical direction relative to the chassis  13  (or relative to the mounting hole  13 H). However, in the present preferred embodiment, the vertical movement of the holder  20  relative to the chassis  13  can be restricted due to the travel restricting portions  24 , which are arranged on the same outer surface as the elastic retaining portions  25  so as to abut on the opening edge of the mounting hole  13 H. 
     Discharge Tube  15   
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , each discharge tube  15  preferably is formed of a cold cathode fluorescent tube that includes a generally elongated glass tube  40  having a circular cross section, elongated outer leads  42  which have a circular cross section and project linearly from the respective ends of the glass tube  40  and coaxially with the glass tube  40 , and further includes ferrules  50  attached to the respective end portions of the glass tube  40 . Each ferrule  50  preferably is a single-piece component, which can be formed by bending or hammering a metallic (e.g., copper alloy) plate that is gilded and formed into a predetermined shape by punching, for example. The ferrule  50  includes a body  51  that preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape, and further includes a conductive portion  57  that extends from the body  51  in an oblique direction leaning inwardly. The body  51  is fitted onto the outer circumference of the end portion of the glass tube  40 , while the conductive portion  57  is connected to the outer lead  42 . 
     The discharge tube  15  is fixed to relay connectors  14 . At the time of fixation, the discharge tube  15  held in a horizontal position is moved toward the front face of the chassis  13 , and the end portions and the ferrules  50  of the glass tube  40  are fitted into the container rooms  23  of the relay connectors  14  from the front side. The mounting direction of the discharge tube  15  to the relay connectors  14  is preferably substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the chassis  13 . When the discharge tube  15  enters the container rooms  23 , the pairs of elastic nipping portions  32  are pushed to open vertically due to elastic deflection, resulting in elastically pinching the bodies  51  of the ferrules  50 . Consequently, the discharge tube  15  is held by the tube connecting portions  31  at its end portions, and is thus fixed to the chassis  13  via the relay terminals  30  and the holders  20  provided as the relay terminal  30  mounting bases. 
     When the discharge tube  15  is attached to the relay connectors  14 , the weight of the discharge tube  15  is received solely by the chassis  13  via the relay connectors  14 . That is, the outer leads  42  will not be under load due to the weight of the discharge tube  15 . Further, the pair of elastic nipping portions  32  can have contact with the body  51  while elastically pinching it. Thereby, the outer lead  42  is electrically conductively connected to the relay terminal  30  via the ferrule  50 . The ferrule  50  fitted onto the end portion of the discharge tube  15  is held in the container room  23 , and the movement restricting portion  22  narrower than the inner diameter of the ferrule  50  is provided on the escape opening  23   b  of the container room  23 . Therefore, even if the end portion of the discharge tube  15 , together with the ferrule  50 , moves in the axial direction so as to escape from the container room  23 , the movement of the discharge tube  15  can be restricted due to the movement restricting portion  22  catching the ferrule  50 . Further, the extended portion  28  is formed on the outer surface of the holder  20 , that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chassis  13  and includes the escape opening  23   b  of the container room  123 , so as to protrude from between the chassis  13  and the escape opening  23   b  and extend along the surface of the chassis  13 . This results in a long creepage distance from the inside of the container room  23  to the front surface of the chassis  13 . Thereby, a leak, from the discharge tube  15  held in the container room  23  to the chassis  13  outside the holder  20 , can be prevented. 
     Overview of Power Board  16   
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , each power board  16  includes a circuit board  17  having a circuit provided on its back surface (i.e., the surface on the opposite side of the chassis  13 ), electronic components  19  mounted on the back surface of the circuit board  17 , and a plurality of on-board connectors  18  mounted on the back surface of the circuit board  17 . 
     The circuit board  17  preferably has a substantially vertically-elongated rectangular shape as a whole, and is preferably formed using a phenolic paper-base copper-clad laminated board (known as a phenolic paper). A plurality of fitting holes  17 H having a vertically-elongated rectangular shape are formed through the circuit board  17  so as to extend from the front side to the back side. The plurality of fitting holes  17 H are arranged vertically along the lateral side edge of the circuit board  17  so as to correspond to the above-described relay terminals  30  (or relay connectors  14 ). 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 to 17 , each on-board connector  18  includes a housing  60  made of synthetic resin, and a metallic output terminal  70  completely contained in the housing  60 . The on-board connectors  18  are arranged along the lateral side edge of the circuit board  17  so as to correspond to the respective fitting holes  17 H. An engaging recess  63  with a vertically-elongated rectangular opening is formed on the outer surface (i.e., the circuit board  17  facing surface) of the housing  60 . The position and size of the engaging recess  63  are set to correspond substantially to those of the fitting hole  17 H. The relay connector  14  is fitted into the engaging recess  63 . 
     The output terminal  70 , which can be formed by bending a metallic plate that is formed into a predetermined shape by punching, for example, includes a proximal portion  71 , a supported portion  74 , a flexible portion  72  and a connecting portion  73 . The output terminal  70  is mounted into the housing  60  from the circuit board  17  facing surface side. The proximal portion  71  has a plate-shaped configuration, and is fixed to the housing  60  by press fitting while being electrically connected to the circuit board  17 . The proximal portion  71  is thus fixed to the circuit board  17 , and consequently the on-board connector  18  is integrated with the circuit board  17 . The supported portion  74  preferably has a substantially elongated shape, and extends substantially perpendicularly from the proximal portion  71 . The flexible portion  72  preferably has a substantially elongated shape, and extends substantially perpendicularly from the distal end of the supported portion  74 . The flexible portion  72  can be slanted at an acute or obtuse angle to the supported portion  74 , due to its elastic deformation. The connecting portion  73  preferably has a substantially elongated shape, and specifically has a substantially U-shaped configuration having a narrowed open end. The connecting portion  73  includes a first strip portion  73   a  that loops back at the distal end of the flexible portion  72  and extends in a direction away from the circuit board  17 , and further includes a second strip portion  73   b  that loops back at the distal end of the first strip portion  73   a  and extends in a direction toward the circuit board  17 . On the connecting portion  73 , the distance between the strip portions  73   a ,  73   b  preferably is partly shorter. The shorter-distance portions of the strip portions  73   a ,  73   b  are located in the engaging recess  63 . 
     The power board  16  is mounted to the chassis  13  by being moved toward the chassis  13  from the back side while the circuit board  17  is kept parallel or substantially parallel to the chassis  13 . The mounting direction of the on-board connectors  18  to the relay connectors  14  is directly opposite to the mounting direction of the discharge tube  15  to the relay connectors  14 . That is, the fitting direction of the on-board connectors  18  is parallel or substantially parallel to the mounting direction of the discharge tube  15  to the relay connectors  14 . At the time of fixation, the wall portion  27  of each relay connector  14  and the board connecting portion  33  arranged along the wall portion  27  penetrate the circuit board  17  through the fitting hole  17 H, and are inserted into the engaging recess  63  of the on-board connector  18  so as to be placed between the first strip portion  73   a  and the second strip portion  73   b , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 16 . Consequently, the wall portion  27  has contact with the first strip portion  73   a , while the board connecting portion  33  has contact with the second strip portion  73   b . The connecting portion  73  deforms elastically so as to increase the distance between the first strip portion  73   a  and the second strip portion  73   b . The relay connector  14  is thus fitted into the on-board connector  18 , and thereby the relay terminal  30  is conductively connected to the output terminal  70 . Consequently, the power board  16  is connected to the discharge tubes  15  via the relay connectors  14 , so that the power from the power board  16  can be supplied to the discharge tubes  15 . When the on-board connectors  18  have reached a proper state of being fitted onto the relay connectors  14 , the power board  16  is screwed to the chassis  13 . 
     When the power board  16  is attached to the relay connector  14 , the board connecting portion  33  in the engaging recess  63  has elastic contact with the second strip portion or free-end-side strip portion  73   b  of the two strip portions  73   a ,  73   b  of the connecting portion  73  on the opposite side of the flexible portion  72 , while the wall portion  27  has elastic contact with the first strip portion  73   a  of the two strip portions  73   a ,  73   b  of the connecting portion  73  on the side of the flexible portion  72 . According to the construction, if the board connecting portion  33  of the relay terminal  30  displaces from the output terminal  70  to the flexible portion  72  side, the whole connecting portion  73 , together with the board connecting portion  33  and the wall portion  27 , moves to the flexible portion  72  side while the connection between the board connecting portion  33  and the free-end-side strip portion  73   b  is maintained. On the other hand, if the board connecting portion  33  displaces from the output terminal  70  to the free end side or to the opposite side of the flexible portion  72 , the free-end-side strip portion  73   b  of the connecting portion  73  is pushed by the board connecting portion  33  so as to move to the free end side. Then, the connection between the board connecting portion  33  and the free-end-side strip portion  73   b  is also maintained. 
     In the construction that includes a plurality of output terminals  70  and a plurality of relay terminals  30  arranged in lines, the output terminals  70  may be displaced in the array direction from the relay terminals  30  due to some reason such as the difference in thermal expansion rate between the circuit board  17  as a mounting base for the output terminals  70  and the chassis  13  as a mounting base for the relay terminals  30 . 
     For this reason, in the present preferred embodiment, the connecting portion  73  is arranged on the output terminal  70  so as to be elongated in a direction substantially perpendicular to the array direction, while the board connecting portion  33  is arranged on the relay terminal  30  so as to define a plate-shaped configuration that is wider than the connecting portion  73  and parallel or substantially parallel to the array direction, so that the wide board connecting portion  33  has contact with the elongated connecting portion  73 . The board connecting portion  33  is preferably large in width along the array direction, and therefore the connection between the board connecting portion  33  and the connecting portion  73  can be maintained even if the relay terminal  30  displaces in the array direction from the output terminal  70 . 
     The fitting holes  17 H are formed as through holes on the circuit board  17 . This enables the on-board connectors  18  to be arranged on the back surface of the circuit board  17  on the opposite side of the chassis  13 . 
     The relay terminal  30  is fitted into the engaging recess  63  so that the clearance space is left between the relay terminal  30  and the inside surface of the engaging recess  63 . Due to the clearance space, the relay terminal  30  is movable within the engaging recess  63 . For example, the relay terminal  30  is fitted into the engaging recess  63  so as to be movable in the vertical direction in  FIG. 5 , i.e., in the inserting direction. Even when the relay terminal  30  moves or displaces in the inserting direction, the connection to the output terminal  70  can be maintained. Specifically, the margin for contact, which extends toward the far end of the engaging recess  63  from the contact portion formed between the board connecting portion  33  and the connecting portion  73 , is preferably larger than the allowed movement distance along the inserting direction, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Thereby, the connection between the relay terminal  30  and the output terminal  70  can be maintained. The length of the wall portion  27  is designed so that the distal end of the relay terminal  30  is prevented from contact with the far end of the engaging recess  63  when the relay terminal  30  is inserted into the engaging recess  63 . 
     The relay connector  14  of the present preferred embodiment is formed to include a holder  20  having an insulation property and to be mounted to the chassis  13 , and further include a relay terminal  30  mounted to the holder  20  and capable of electrical connection to the discharge tube  15  and the power board  16 , as described above. That is, the relay terminal  30  is immune to direct contact with the chassis  13 . This enables the use of a metallic chassis  13 . 
     The holder  20  is formed to be capable of penetrating through the mounting hole  13 H of the chassis  13 . Further, the elastic retaining portions  25  capable of elastic deflection and extending substantially parallel to the through direction of the mounting hole  13 H, and the engaging surfaces  26  substantially perpendicular to the through direction of the mounting hole  13 H are provided on the outer surface of the holder  20 . The holder  20  is fixed to the chassis  13  while the chassis  13  is sandwiched between the elastic retaining portions  25  and the engaging surfaces  26 . According to the construction, the relay connector  14  can be mounted to the chassis  13  simply by inserting the holder  20  into the mounting hole  13 H. 
     The discharge tube  15  is electrically connected to the tube connecting portion  31  within the container room  23 . Thereby, foreign substances are prevented from interference with the connection between the discharge tube  15  and the relay terminal  30 . 
     Further, the board connecting portion  33  is arranged along the wall portion  27 , and thereby the board connecting portion  33  is prevented from deformation, or the like, caused by interference from a foreign substance. 
     On the holder  20 , the container room  23  (or the tube engaging portion) that allows the discharge tube  15  to enter therein after approaching along a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chassis  13  is provided, and further the wall portion  27  (or a power engaging portion) that allows the on-board connector  18  of the power board  16  to engage therewith after approaching along a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chassis  13  is provided. Thus, each of the mounting direction of the discharge tube  15  to the relay connectors  14  and the mounting direction of the power boards  16  to the relay connectors  14  is set to be substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chassis  13 . Therefore, the discharge tubes  15  and the power boards  16  can be mounted to the chassis  13  so as to define a stack structure. 
     Preferred Embodiment 2 
     Next, preferred embodiment 2 of the present invention will be explained with reference to  FIG. 18 . In preferred embodiment 2, the construction of the retaining protrusion  25   a  of an elastic retaining portion  25  differs from that of preferred embodiment 1. The other constructions are similar to preferred embodiment 1. Therefore, the same constructions are designated by the same symbols, and explanations for the constructions, operations and effects thereof are omitted. 
     In preferred embodiment 2, the surface of the retaining protrusion  25   a  of each elastic retaining portion  25 , which abuts on the opening edge of the mounting hole  13 H, is formed of an inclined surface  25   b  that is tilted at an angle to the thickness direction of the chassis  13  (i.e., to the mounting direction of the relay connector  14  to the chassis  13 ). According to the construction, the chassis  13  can be infallibly sandwiched between the elastic retaining portions  25  and the engaging surfaces  26 , even if the chassis  13  has variation in thickness. 
     Preferred Embodiment 3 
     Next, preferred embodiment 3 of the present invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 19 and 20 . In preferred embodiment 3, tapered guiding portions  29  are provided on the holder  20  of each relay connector  14  of preferred embodiment 1. A pair of upper and lower tapered guiding portions  29  are arranged so as to protrude anteriorly from the opening edge of the receiving opening  23   a  that is provided as an opening of the container room  23  for receiving a discharge tube  15 . Each tapered guiding portion  29  includes guiding surfaces  29   a  inclined from the mounting direction of the discharge tube  15 . The guiding surfaces  29   a  are arranged across the tube connecting portion  31 , i.e., on the respective right and left sides thereof. 
     The tapered guiding portions  29  thus formed can guide a discharge tube  15  into the container room  23  at the time of its fixation. In the case that a discharge tube  15  is mounted to relay connectors  14  while being held by an arm (not shown) of an automatic machine, the discharge tube  15  can be correctly positioned with respect to the tube connecting portion  31  provided in the container room  23 , if guided surfaces inclined at the same angle as the guiding surfaces  29   a  of the tapered guiding portions  29  are formed on the arm side. 
     Preferred Embodiment 4 
     Next, preferred embodiment 4 of the present invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 21 to 32 . In preferred embodiment 4, the construction of a lighting device  110  differs from that of preferred embodiment 1. The other constructions are similar to preferred embodiment 1. Therefore, the same constructions are designated by the same symbols, and explanations for the constructions, operations and effects thereof are omitted. 
     Overview of Lighting Device  110   
     The lighting device  110  includes a lamp unit  112  and power boards  116 , as shown in  FIGS. 21 and 22 . The lamp unit  112  includes a metallic chassis  113 , which preferably has a substantially horizontally-elongated rectangular plate and functions as a reflector plate. Further included are a plurality of discharge tubes  115  held in a horizontal position and vertically arranged on the front side of the chassis  113  so as to be parallel or substantially parallel to one another, and a plurality of relay connectors  114  which are vertically arranged along the lateral edges of the chassis  113  so as to correspond to the discharge tubes  115 . The power boards  116  are disposed on the back side of the chassis  113  so as to supply power to the discharge tubes  115  via the relay connectors  114 . 
     A plurality of substantially rectangular mounting holes  113 H corresponding to the ends of the discharge tubes  115  are formed through the chassis  113  so as to extend from the front side to the back side, and are vertically arranged to be level with the respective discharge tubes  115 . The relay connectors  114  are mounted through the respective mounting holes  113 H. 
     Relay Connector  114   
     As shown in  FIGS. 23 to 26 , each relay connector  114  includes a holder  120  made of synthetic resin, and a relay terminal  131  that is housed in the holder  120  and made of metal (e.g., stainless steel). 
     The holder  120  includes a box-shaped portion  121  that has a block-shaped configuration as a whole, and further includes a wall portion  122  that projects backward from the back surface of the box-shaped portion  121 . 
     A container room  123  is formed in the box-shaped portion  121 , so as to have an opening extending from the front side to the lateral side (i.e., the lateral side on the opposite side of the lateral edge portion of the chassis  113 ). The front opening portion of the opening of the container room  123  is provided as a receiving opening  124 , into which an end portion (or ferrule  136 ) of the discharge tube  115  is fitted from the front side. The lateral opening portion is provided as an escape opening  125  for preventing interference with the glass tube  134  when the end portion of the discharge tube  115  is held in the container room  123 . A stopper  126  (corresponding to a movement restricting portion of the present invention) is formed on the escape opening  125 , so as to bulge inward from the opening edge and form a plate-shape configuration. Due to the stopper  126 , the escape opening  125  is narrowed so as to form a substantially U-shaped opening. The vertical size of the substantially U-shaped escape opening  125  is preferably smaller than the inner diameter of the body  137  of the ferrule  136  and be equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the glass tube  134  of the discharge tube  115 . On the escape opening  125 , a concave portion  127  having a semicircular shape is formed on the far end portion of the opening edge. The radius of curvature of the concave portion  127  is preferably equal to or slightly larger than the radius of curvature of the outer circumference of the glass tube  134 . On the escape opening  125 , a pair of upper and lower guiding portions  128  are formed on areas of the opening edge on the front side of the concave portion  127 . 
     On the box-shaped portion  121 , an extended portion  129  extending parallel or substantially parallel to the chassis  113  is formed on the lateral surface of the box-shaped portion  121  that includes the escape opening  125 . The extended portion  129  extends so as to separate the front surface of the chassis  113  from the escape opening  125 . A pair of upper and lower retaining protrusions  130  are formed on the outer surface (i.e., upper surface and lower surface) of the box-shaped portion  121 . 
     The relay terminal  131  is held within the holder  120 . The relay terminal  131  can be formed by bending a metallic plate that is formed into a predetermined shape by punching, for example. The relay terminal  131  includes a pair of vertically symmetrical elastic pressing portions  132  including curved plates, and further includes a board connecting portion  133  defining a flat plate-shaped portion that projects to the back side. The pair of elastic pressing portions  132 , which are housed in the container room  123 , can deflect elastically and vertically so as to increase distance therebetween. The vertical distance between the pair of elastic pressing portions  132  is shortest at a position corresponding to the front side of the concave portion  127  of the stopper  126 . The minimum distance between the elastic pressing portions  132 , when the elastic pressing portions  132  are not forced into elastic deflection or are in a free state, is preferably smaller than the outer diameter of the body  137  of the ferrule  136  attached on the discharge tube  115 . On the other hand, the board connecting portion  133  projects from the back surface of the box-shaped portion  121  so as to be exposed to the outside of the holder  120 , and extends backwards along the wall portion  122 . 
     When the relay connector  114  is mounted to the chassis  113 , the wall portion  122  of the holder  120  is inserted into a mounting hole  113 H from the front side of the chassis  113 . Thereby, the outer surface of the box-shaped portion  121  comes in contact with the opening edge of the mounting hole  113 H on the front surface of the chassis  113 , while the retaining protrusions  130  are locked by the opening edge of the mounting hole  113 H on the back surface of the chassis  113 . Thus, the chassis  113  is sandwiched between the outer surface of the box-shaped portion  121  on the front side and the retaining protrusions  130  on the back side. Thereby, the holder  120  is fixed to the chassis  113  so that its movement in the mounting direction (i.e., the through direction of the mounting hole  113 H) is restricted. Then, the mounting of the relay connector  114  to the chassis  113  is completed. When the relay connector  114  is attached to the chassis  113 , the box-shaped portion  121  as the front end portion of the holder  120  projects (or is exposed) to the front side of the chassis  113  while the wall portion  122  as the back end portion of the holder  120  projects (or is exposed) to the back side of the chassis  113 . 
     Discharge Tube  115   
     Referring to  FIG. 28 , each discharge tube  115  preferably is formed of a cold cathode fluorescent tube that includes a generally elongated straight glass tube  134  having a circular cross section, and elongated metallic (e.g., nickel or cobalt metal) outer leads  135  which have a circular cross section and project linearly from the respective ends of the glass tube  134  and coaxially with the glass tube  134 . Further included are ferrules  136  attached to the respective end portions of the glass tube  134 . Mercury is encapsulated in the glass tube  134 . Each end portion of the glass tube  134  is melted into a substantially hemispherical shape by heat, and thereby forms a domed portion. The outer lead  135  penetrates the domed portion. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 29 to 31 , each ferrule  136  preferably is a single-piece component, which can be formed by bending or hammering a metallic (e.g., stainless steel) plate that is formed into a predetermined shape by punching, for example. The ferrule  136  includes a body  137  and a conductive portion  140 . The body  137  preferably has a substantially cylindrical shape concentric with the glass tube  134 . The inner diameter of the body  137  is preferably slightly larger than the outer diameter of the glass tube  134 . 
     Three pairs of elastic gripping portions  138 A,  138 B are formed on the body  137  by making slit-shaped cuts in portions thereof, which are arranged at even angular intervals along the circumferential direction. 
     A first elastic gripping portion  138 A, i.e., one of a pair of elastic gripping portions  138 A,  138 B, is generally formed as a cantilevered portion extending posteriorly (specifically, in an oblique direction slightly leaning radially inwardly), which is capable of elastic and radial deflection with a supported point on its proximal end (or anterior end). A curved portion  139  is formed on the distal end portion (or posterior end portion) of the first elastic gripping portion  138 A, so as to curve in an oblique direction leaning radially outwardly. The outer surface of the curve (or inwardly facing surface) of the curved portion  139  is provided as a contact point when abutting on the outer circumferential surface of the glass tube  134 . The imaginary line that connects the contact points provided on the three first elastic gripping portions  138 A forms a circle concentric with the body  137 . The diameter of the imaginary circle, when the first elastic gripping portions  138 A are not forced into elastic deflection or are in a free state, is preferably smaller than the outer diameter of the glass tube  134 . 
     A second elastic gripping portion  138 B, i.e., the other of the pair of elastic gripping portions  138 A,  138 B, is arranged circumferentially adjacent to the first elastic gripping portion  138 A, and is generally formed as a cantilevered portion extending anteriorly or reversely from the first elastic gripping portion  138 A (specifically, in an oblique direction slightly leaning radially inwardly), which is capable of elastic and radial deflection with a supported point on its proximal end (or posterior end). The distal end of the second elastic gripping portion  138 B is provided as a contact point when abutting on the outer circumferential surface of the glass tube  134 . The imaginary line that connects the contact points provided on the three second elastic gripping portions  138 B forms a circle concentric with the body  137 . The diameter of the imaginary circle, when the second elastic gripping portions  138 B are not forced into elastic deflection or are in a free state, is preferably smaller than the outer diameter of the glass tube  134 . 
     On the body  137 , a pair of protector portions are formed as cantilevered portions protruding anteriorly from the anterior end edge thereof. The pair of protector portions are arranged circumferentially spaced apart, and extend linearly from the body  137  so as to be flush therewith. The conductive portion  140  is provided as a cantilevered portion that extends anteriorly from between the pair of protector portions. The conductive portion  140  includes a long portion  141  continuous with the anterior end of the body  137 , and a cylindrical portion  142  that further projects anteriorly from the anterior end (or distal end) of the long portion  141 . 
     The long portion  141  includes a proximal portion  141   a  that extends from the body  137  so as to be flush with the body  137  and parallel or substantially parallel to the axis thereof, and further includes an intermediate portion  141   b  that extends radially inwardly from the distal end of the proximal portion  141   a  toward the axis of the body  137 . Further included is a distal portion  141   c  that extends from the distal end of the intermediate portion  141   b  and parallel or substantially parallel to the axis of the body  137 . The cylindrical portion  142  is connected to the distal end of the distal portion  141   c . The width of the long portion  141  is preferably sufficiently small for the length of the long portion  141 . Therefore, the long portion  141  is capable of elastic deformation in the radial direction of the body  137 , elastic deformation in a direction intersecting with the radial direction (and intersecting with the longitudinal direction of the long portion  141 ), and elastic torsional deformation around the long portion  141  itself as the axis. 
     The cylindrical portion  142 , which can be formed by bending a portion laterally extending from the distal end of the long portion  141  into a cylindrical shape, for example, is arranged substantially coaxially with the body  137 . The cylindrical portion  142  is capable of displacement around the axis of the ferrule  136  and radial displacement, due to elastic deflection of the long portion  141 . 
     Attachment of Ferrule  136  to Glass Tube  134   
     Next, an assembling process for attaching a ferrule  136  to a glass tube  134  will be explained. 
     During the assembling process, while a ferrule  136  and a glass tube  134  are held by respective holding devices (not shown), the ferrule  136  and the glass tube  134  are moved relatively and coaxially so as to approach each other. Thereby, the body  137  is fitted onto the glass tube  134 . When the body  137  begins engagement, the contact points provided on the distal end portions of the three pairs of elastic gripping portions  138 A,  138 B have elastic contact with the outer circumference of the glass tube  134 . The contact points slide on the outer circumferential surface of the glass tube  134 , as the assembling process proceeds. Then, the tip of the outer lead  135  having passed through the body  137  begins to enter the hollow of the cylindrical portion  142 . When both of the holding devices have thereafter reached predetermined final positions, the ferrule  136  and the glass tube  134  are axially positioned in proper positions, resulting in the tip end portion of the outer lead  135  circumferentially surrounded by the cylindrical portion  142 . At the time, the tip end portion of the outer lead  135  will not greatly protrude from the anterior end of the cylindrical portion  142 . That is, it slightly protrudes out of the cylindrical portion  142 , or is aligned with the anterior end of the cylindrical portion  142 , or alternatively it is located within the cylindrical portion  142 . 
     Thereafter, the cylindrical portion  142  is clamped so as to deform with diameter reduction. After being clamped, the cylindrical portion  142  is electrically conductively fixed to the outer lead  135  by welding, and consequently the ferrule  136  is integrated with the glass tube  134 . Then, the assembling process terminates, and the discharge tube  115  is completed. 
     When the ferrule  136  is attached to the glass tube  134 , the body  137  is concentrically held on the glass tube  134  due to the elastic holding function of the three pairs of elastic gripping portions  138 A,  138 B. A gap (airspace) is secured between the outer circumference of the glass tube  134  and the inner circumference of the body  137 , so as to extend over the substantially entire circumference. 
     Instead of the cylindrical portion  142 , a U-shaped connecting portion  142   a  may be provided as shown in  FIGS. 40 and 41 . In this case, after a glass tube  134  is fitted into a ferrule  136 , the U-shaped connecting portion  142   a  is bended so as to hug the outer lead  135 , in order to achieve electrical connection between the outer lead  135  and the connecting portion  142   a . According to the present preferred embodiment thus including the bendable U-shaped connecting portion  142   a , electrical connectivity with the outer lead  135  can be further improved. 
     Mounting of Discharge Tube  115  to Relay Connectors  114   
     The discharge tube  115 , thus assembled, is fixed to relay connectors  114 . At the time of fixation, the discharge tube  115  held in a horizontal position is moved toward the front face of the chassis  113 , and the end portions and the ferrules  136  of the glass tube  134  are fitted into the container rooms  123  of the relay connectors  114  from the front side. At the time, the pair of elastic pressing portions  132  are pushed by the body  137  of the ferrule  136  so as to open vertically due to elastic deflection. After the body  137  has passed through the shortest-distance portions of the pair of elastic pressing portions  132 , the body  137  is pulled deep into the container room  123  due to elastic restoring forces of the elastic pressing portions  132 , resulting in the body  137  abutting on the bottom of the container room  123 . Then, the mounting of the discharge tube  115  is completed. 
     The discharge tube  115  thus mounted is held by the pairs of elastic pressing portions  132  at its end portions, and consequently is fixed to the chassis  113  via the relay terminals  131  and the holders  120  provided as the relay terminal  131  mounting bases. At the time, the weight of the discharge tube  115  is received solely by the chassis  113  via the relay connectors  114 . That is, the outer leads  135  will not be under load due to the weight of the discharge tube  115 . 
     The pair of elastic pressing portions  132  can have elastic contact with the outer circumferential surface of the body  137 , and thereby the outer lead  135  is electrically conductively connected to the relay terminal  131  via the ferrule  136 . Further, the glass tube  134  is held due to elastic restoring forces of the pair of elastic pressing portions  132 , so as to be pressed against the concave portion  127  of the stopper  126 . Therefore, when viewed along the axial direction of the discharge tube  115 , the body  137  appears to be positioned so as to partially overlap with the stopper  126 . That is, the end edge of the body  137  on the opposite side of the conductive portion  140  is axially positioned in proximity to the stopper  126  so as to be partially faced therewith. 
     The extended portion  129  is formed on the outer surface of the holder  120 , which is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chassis  113  and includes the escape opening  125  of the container room  123 , so as to protrude from between the chassis  113  and the escape opening  125  and extend along the surface of the chassis  113 . This results in a long creepage distance from the inside of the container room  123  to the front surface of the chassis  113 . Thereby, a leak, from the discharge tube  115  held in the container room  123  to the chassis  113  outside the holder  120 , can be prevented. 
     Overview of Power Board  116   
     As shown in  FIG. 32 , each power board  116  includes a circuit board  117  having a circuit provided on its back surface (i.e., the surface on the opposite side of the chassis  113 ), electronic components  119  mounted on the back surface of the circuit board  117 , and a plurality of on-board connectors  118  mounted on the back surface of the circuit board  117 . 
     The circuit board  117  preferably has a substantially vertically-elongated rectangular shape as a whole, and is preferably formed using a phenolic paper-base copper-clad laminated board (known as a phenolic paper). A plurality of fitting holes  117 H having a vertically-elongated rectangular shape are formed through the circuit board  117  so as to extend from the front side to the back side. The plurality of fitting holes  117 H are arranged vertically along the lateral side edge of the circuit board  117  so as to correspond to the above-described relay terminals  131  (or relay connectors  114 ). Each on-board connector  118  includes a housing made of synthetic resin, and an output terminal (not shown) that is completely contained in the housing and made of metal (e.g., nickel silver). The on-board connectors  118  are arranged along the lateral side edge of the circuit board  117  so as to correspond to the respective fitting holes  117 H. A fitting space (not shown) is formed on the outer surface of the housing so as to correspond to the fitting hole  117 H, and the output terminal is partly exposed to the fitting space. 
     While the circuit board  117  is kept parallel or substantially parallel to the chassis  113 , the power board  116  is moved toward the chassis  113  from the back side and is fixed thereto. At the time of fixation, the wall portions  122  of the relay connectors  114  and the board connecting portions  133  arranged along the wall portions  122  penetrate the circuit board  117  through the fitting holes  117 H and are inserted into the fitting spaces of the on-board connectors  118 . Thereby, the on-board connectors  118  are fitted onto the relay connectors  114 , and the output terminals are conductively connected to the relay terminals  131 . 
     Operational Effects of Preferred Embodiment 4 
     In preferred embodiment 4, when a discharge tube  115  is supported on relay connectors  114 , the stoppers  126  lock the ferrules  136 . Therefore, the discharge tube  115  is secure from axial movement relative to the relay connectors  114 . That is, if a force is applied to the discharge tube  115  so as to cause movement to the right, the stopper  126  catches the left-adjacent ferrule  136  attached on the left end portion of the discharge tube  115  so that the movement of the discharge tube  115  to the right is restricted. If a force is applied to the discharge tube  115  so as to cause movement to the left, the stopper  126  catches the right-adjacent ferrule  136  attached on the right end portion of the discharge tube  115  so that the movement of the discharge tube  115  to the left is restricted. Thus, the axial movement of the discharge tube  115  to either right or left is restricted, and therefore the tip of the outer lead  135  is secure from hitting the wall of the container room  123  on the opposite side of the escape opening  125 . 
     The stopper  126  can engage with and lock the end edge of the ferrule  136 , and therefore a hole that can engage with the stopper  126  is not required to be formed on the outer circumference of the ferrule  136 . Thereby, processing cost can be reduced, and reduction in strength of the ferrule  136  can be prevented. 
     In the case of a construction in which a stopper  126  can engage with the end edge of a ferrule  136  on the side of the conductive portion  140 , the conductive portion  140  extending from the end edge of the ferrule  136  may preclude the end edge of the ferrule  136  from engaging with the stopper  126 , when the ferrule  136  is attached at some angle about its axis. However, in preferred embodiment 4, the stopper  126  is arranged to engage with the end edge on the opposite side of the conductive portion  140 . Therefore, the conductive portion  140  will not preclude the ferrule  136  from engaging with the stopper  126 , and consequently the ferrule  136  can infallibly engage with the stopper  126 . 
     The conductive portion  140  includes a cylindrical portion  142 , which can be circumferentially connected to the outer lead  135  so as to surround it. Thereby, the conductive portion  140  can be prevented from disengaging from the outer lead  135 . That is, the cylindrical portion  142  will not disengage from the outer lead  135  when the cylindrical portion  142  is clamped. Therefore, the conductive portion  140  can be infallibly connected to the outer lead  135 . 
     The margin for engagement of a ferrule  136  with a stopper  126  corresponds to half of the dimensional difference between the outer diameters of the glass tube  134  and the ferrule  136 . In preferred embodiment 4, ferrules  136  are concentrically held on a glass tube  134  due to the elastic gripping portions  138 A,  138 B. Therefore, if the ferrule  136  is set to be large, a large dimensional difference can be secured between the inner diameter thereof and the outer diameter of the glass tube  134 . Thereby, the margin for engagement of the ferrule  136  with the stopper  126  can be increased, resulting in reliable restriction of movement of the discharge tube  115 . 
     The concave portion  127  is formed on a stopper  126 , so as to abut on the outer circumference of a glass tube  134  when the ferrule  136  engages with the stopper  126 . Further, the pair of elastic pressing portions  132  capable of pressing the discharge tube  115  toward the concave portion  127  side are provided in the relay connector  114 . Specifically, the pair of elastic pressing portions  132  press the discharge tube  115  toward the concave portion  127  side, obliquely from above and obliquely from below, i.e., vertically symmetrically. Thereby, the glass tube  134  is prevented from disengaging from the concave portion  127 , and therefore the engagement of the ferrule  136  with the stopper  126  can be reliably maintained. 
     The relay connector  114  is formed by mounting a relay terminal  131  in a holder  120  made of synthetic resin. In preferred embodiment 4, the stopper  126  is formed on the synthetic-resin holder  120 . Therefore, a stopper is not required to be formed on the relay terminal  131 , and thereby the material for manufacturing the relay terminals  131  can be reduced. Considering that the material cost for synthetic resin is generally lower than that for metal, the material cost for relay connectors  114  can be reduced according to preferred embodiment 4. 
     Preferred Embodiment 5 
     Next, preferred embodiment 5 of the present invention will be explained with reference to  FIGS. 33 to 39 . In preferred embodiment 5, the constructions of a structure arranged to support a discharge tube  115  differ from those of preferred embodiment 4. The other constructions are similar to preferred embodiment 4. Therefore, the same constructions are designated by the same symbols, and explanations for the constructions, operations and effects thereof are omitted. 
     Overview of Grounding Member  150   
     In preferred embodiment 4, the end portions of a discharge tube  115  are supported by relay connectors  114 , each of which includes a holder  120  and a relay terminal  131 . In preferred embodiment 5, as shown in  FIGS. 33 and 34 , one of the end portions of a discharge tube  115  is supported by the same relay connector  114  as preferred  4 , while the other end portion of the discharge tube  115  is supported by a grounding member  150 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 36 , the grounding member  150  includes an elongated support plate  151  fixed to the chassis  113  so as to extend along one of the lateral edge portions thereof, and further includes a plurality of grounding terminals  152  conductively mounted on the front surface of the support plate  151 . Mounting holes  151 H are formed through the support plate  151  so as to correspond three-to-one with the grounding terminals  152 . The support plate  151  is formed of a substrate or a metallic plate. 
     On the other hand, as shown in  FIGS. 37 and 38 , each grounding terminal  152 , which can be formed by bending a metallic (e.g., nickel silver) plate that is formed into a predetermined shape by punching, includes a base portion  153  and a pair of elastic pressing portions  154  which extend vertically symmetrically from the respective upper and lower edge portions of the base portion  153  to the front side. Further included is a stopper  155  (corresponding to a movement restricting portion of the present invention) that extends from one of the lateral edge portions of the base portion  153  to the front side. 
     The pair of elastic pressing portions  154  are provided on the lateral edge portion on the opposite side of the stopper  155 , so as to form bulging curves toward each other. The elastic pressing portions  154  are capable of elastic deflection so as to increase the distance therebetween. The minimum distance between the pair of elastic pressing portions  154 , when the elastic pressing portions  154  are free from elastic deflection, is preferably smaller than the outer diameter of the glass tube  134  of a discharge tube  115 . 
     The stopper  155  is raised from the base portion  153 , so as to form a right angle with the axis of the discharge tube  115 . A concave portion  156  is formed on the stopper  155 , so as to sag in a substantially circular arc. On a relay connector  114  of preferred embodiment 4, a pair of guiding portions  128  are raised from the respective upper and lower sides of the concave portion  127  of the stopper  126 . However, in preferred embodiment 5, the heights of portions raised from the respective upper and lower sides of the concave portion  156  of the base portion  153  are reduced to be short. That is, elements corresponding the guiding portions  128  of preferred embodiment 4 are not provided. Therefore, metallic material required for grounding terminals  152  can be reduced, compared to including guiding portions. 
     Three leg portions  157  are further formed on the base portion  153 , so as to be integrated therewith. Two of the three leg portions  157  are provided between the elastic pressing portions  154  and the stopper  155 , so as to project from the respective upper and lower edge portions of the base portion  153  to the opposite side of the elastic pressing portions  154  or the stopper  155  (i.e., to the back side). The remaining one of the leg portions  157  is provided on the lateral edge of the base portion  153  on the opposite side of the stopper  155 , so as to project from the intermediate position between the elastic pressing portions  154  to the opposite side of the elastic pressing portions  154  or the stopper  155  (i.e., to the back side). 
     The grounding terminal  152  is not housed in a member such as a plastic housing, i.e., barely provided, and is conductively fixed to the support plate  151  by soldering or the like so that its leg portions  157  penetrate through the mounting holes  151 H (See  FIG. 38 ). Thus, the plurality of grounding terminals  152  are mounted to the common support plate  151 , and thereby are conductively connected to one another via the support plate  151 . Power boards are not connected to the grounding members  150 , and the support plate  151  is conductively connected to the chassis  113 . 
     Mounting of Discharge Tube  115  to Grounding Terminal  152   
     When a discharge tube  115  is fixed to a grounding terminal  152 , the discharge tube  115  held in a horizontal position is moved toward the front face of the chassis  113 , and the end portion and the ferrule  136  of the glass tube  134  are fitted between the pair of upper and lower elastic pressing portions  154  from the front side. At the time, the pair of elastic pressing portions  154  are pushed by the body  137  of the ferrule  136  so as to open vertically due to elastic deflection. After the body  137  has passed through the shortest-distance portions of the pair of elastic pressing portions  154 , the body  137  is pulled toward the base portion  153  side due to elastic restoring forces of the elastic pressing portions  154 , resulting in the body  137  abutting on the base portion  153 . Then, the fixation of the discharge tube  115  is completed. The other end portion of the discharge tube  115  is fixed to a relay connector  114  in a similar manner to preferred embodiment 4. 
     The discharge tube  115  thus mounted is supported by the relay connector  114  and the grounding member  150  at its respective end portions. The pairs of elastic pressing portions  132 ,  154  can have elastic contact with the outer circumferential surfaces of the bodies  137  of the ferrules  136 , and thereby the outer leads  135  are electrically conductively connected to the relay terminal  131  and the grounding terminal  152  via the ferrules  136 . Further, the glass tube  134  is held due to elastic restoring forces of the pairs of elastic pressing portions  132 ,  154 , so as to be pressed against the concave portions  127 ,  156  of the stoppers  126 ,  155 . Therefore, when viewed along the axial direction of the discharge tube  115 , the body  137  appears to be positioned so as to partially overlap with the stopper  126  or  155 . That is, the end edge of the body  137  on the opposite side of the conductive portion  140  is axially positioned in proximity to the stopper  126  or  155  so as to be partially faced therewith. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 42 and 43 , protector portions  551  may be provided on the grounding terminal  152 . Each protector portion  551  includes a restricting portion  552  for an elastic pressing portion, and further includes an abutting portion  553  for abutting on the support plate. When the grounding terminal  152  is mounted and fixed to the support plate  151 , the abutting portions  553  abut on or are located close to the support plate  151 . If some kind of external force is applied to the elastic pressing portions  154  so that they are pushed to open, they first become in contact with the restricting portions  552  during the course of opening. The abutting portions  553  serve as supports for preventing the protector portions  551  from collapsing, when an additional load is thereafter applied. The protector portions  551  are connected to the feet of the elastic pressing portions  154 , and therefore the abutting portions  553  should be formed lateral to the connection portion in order that the abutting portions  553  work. Note that abutting portions  553  located at a longer distance from the connection portion are more effective. 
     Operational Effects of Preferred Embodiment 5 
     In preferred embodiment 5, when a discharge tube  115  is supported on a relay connector  114  and a grounding member  150 , the stopper  126  of the holder  120  and the stopper  155  of the grounding terminal  152  lock the ferrules  136  on the respective ends of the discharge tube  115 . Therefore, the discharge tube  115  is prevented from axially moving relative to the relay connector  114 . 
     That is, if a force is applied to the discharge tube  115  so as to cause movement from the relay connector  114  side to the grounding member  150  side, the ferrule  136  attached on the end portion of the discharge tube  115  on the relay connector  114  side is caught by the stopper  126  of the holder  120  so that the movement of the discharge tube  115  to the grounding member  150  side is restricted. If a force is applied to the discharge tube  115  so as to cause movement from the grounding member  150  side to the relay connector  114  side, the ferrule  136  attached on the end portion of the discharge tube  115  on the grounding member  150  side is caught by the stopper  155  of the grounding terminal  152  so that the movement of the discharge tube  115  to the relay connector  114  side is restricted. Thus, the axial movement of the discharge tube  115  to either right or left is restricted, and therefore the tip of the outer lead  135  is secure from hitting the wall of the container room  123  on the opposite side of the escape opening  125  or hitting the sidewall of the chassis  113 . 
     The concave portion  156  is formed on the stopper  155  of a grounding terminal  152 , so as to abut on the outer circumference of a glass tube  134  when the ferrule  136  is engaged with the stopper  155 . Further, the pair of elastic pressing portions  154  capable of pressing the discharge tube  115  toward the concave portion  156  side are provided on the grounding terminal  152 . Specifically, the pair of elastic pressing portions  154  press the discharge tube  115  toward the concave portion  156  side, obliquely from above and obliquely from below, i.e., vertically symmetrically. Thereby, the glass tube  134  is prevented from disengaging from the concave portion  156 , and therefore the engagement of the ferrule  136  with the stopper  155  can be reliably maintained. 
     On the grounding member  150 , the stoppers  155  are integrated with the respective grounding terminals  152  to provide conductive connection to the ferrules  136 . Thereby, the number of components can be reduced in preferred embodiment 5, compared to including stoppers provided as separate members from the grounding terminals. 
     The plurality of discharge tubes  115  are short-circuited through the grounding member  150  connected to the ferrule  136  attached on the end of each discharge tube  115 , and are collectively grounded. The plurality of grounding terminals  152  of the grounding member  150  are not required to be insulated from one another. Therefore, insulating members, which surround the grounding terminals  152  for insulation purposes or separate the grounding terminals  152 , are not necessary. That is, the number of components can be reduced in the present preferred embodiment, compared to a construction in which each discharge tube  115  connected to relay connectors  114  at both end portions thereof is separately grounded. 
     Other Preferred Embodiments 
     The present invention is not limited to the preferred embodiments explained in the above description made with reference to the drawings. The following preferred embodiments may be included in the technical scope of the present invention, for example. 
     The discharge tube is not limited to a cold cathode fluorescent tube. A hot cathode fluorescent tube, a xenon tube or the like may be used instead. 
     The display panel of the display device is not limited to having TFTs as switching elements, but rather may include, as switching elements, elements other than TFTs such as MIM (Metal Insulator Metal) elements. 
     The display device is not limited to a liquid crystal display device. Various display devices requiring a lighting device on the back side of a display panel can be included. 
     As elements for absorbing the displacement of relay terminals from output terminals, relay terminals having an elongated shape substantially perpendicular to the array direction of the on-board connectors, and output terminals having a plate-shaped configuration that is parallel or substantially parallel to the array direction may be provided. 
     The mounting direction of the discharge tube to the relay connectors and the mounting direction of the on-board connectors to the relay connectors are not limited to being parallel to each other. For example, the mounting direction of the discharge tube to the relay connectors may be substantially parallel to the surface of the chassis, while the mounting direction of the on-board connectors to the relay connectors is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chassis. Conversely, the mounting direction of the on-board connectors to the relay connectors may be substantially parallel to the surface of the chassis, while the mounting direction of the discharge tube to the relay connectors is substantially perpendicular to the surface of the chassis. 
     The connecting portion provided on the relay connector for connection to the power board is not limited to being formed as a protrusion, but rather may be formed as a recess. In this case, the connecting portions provided on the power board for connection to the relay connectors should be formed as protrusions. 
     The output terminal may be formed into a predetermined shape simply by punching a metallic material, without bending. 
     The power source is not limited to a power board that includes electronic components mounted on a circuit board, but rather may be provided by connecting electronic components by wires without using a circuit board. 
     The structure for bearing the body of a ferrule is not limited to a relay connector. The ferrule may be directly (i.e., without using a relay connector) fixed to a connector (e.g., an inverter connector) directly mounted on the power board. Alternatively, a dedicated bearing element, to which the ferrule is fixed, may be provided separately from the power supply path formed between the power source and the outer lead. 
     The on-board connectors may be eliminated from a circuit board, so that the relay connectors are connected to the power source (or power board) via cables. 
     The holder may be fixed to the chassis by screws or press fitting, without using elastic retaining portions. 
     One elastic retaining portion may be provided, or alternatively, three or more elastic retaining portions may be provided. 
     The holder may be mounted to the chassis from the back side. 
     The tube connecting portion may be arranged to be exposed to the outside of the holder, instead of being arranged within the container room. 
     The on-board connectors of the power source may be mounted on the chassis-side surface or front surface of the circuit board. 
     The board connecting portion may be formed of a female component (i.e., a component having a concave shape). 
     While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.