Patent Publication Number: US-2007103616-A1

Title: Liquid crystal display with frame stopper blocking liquid crystal panel

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to liquid crystal displays (LCDs), and more particularly to a liquid crystal display with a frame stopper blocking a liquid crystal panel.  
     GENERAL BACKGROUND  
      Liquid crystal displays are commonly used as display devices for compact electronic apparatuses, because they not only provide good quality images but are also very thin.  
      Referring to  FIG. 6 , a typical liquid crystal display  6  includes a liquid crystal panel assembly  60 , a first brightness enhancement film (BEF)  61 , a second BEF  62 , a diffusing film  63 , and a light guide plate (LGP)  64 , arranged in that order from top to bottom. The liquid crystal panel assembly  60  includes a liquid crystal panel  65 , a driving integrated circuit (IC)  602 , and a first flexible printed circuit (FPC)  604 . The liquid crystal panel  65  defines a display region  652 , and a non-display region  654  adjacent one end of the display region  652 . The driving IC  602  is bonded at the non-display region  654  of the liquid crystal panel  65 , and is electrically connected with the first FPC  604 . The liquid crystal display  6  further includes four light emitting diodes  66 , a second FPC  67 , and a frame  68 . The light emitting diodes  66  are disposed adjacent to a light incident surface  642  of the light guide plate  64 , and are electrically connected with the second FPC  67 . The frame  68  includes a supporting board  682 , which defines a space (not labeled) for accommodating the first BEF  61 , the second BEF  62 , the diffusing film  63 , and the light guide plate  64 . The liquid crystal panel  65  is also received in the frame  68  such that it is supported on the supporting board  682 .  
      When the liquid crystal display  6  is assembled, the liquid crystal panel  65 , the first BEF  61 , the second BEF  62 , the diffusing film  63 , the light guide plate  64 , the light emitting diodes  66 , and the second FPC  67  are received in the frame  68 . A bottom portion (not shown) of the non-display region  654  of the liquid crystal panel  65  is adhered with a top portion of the second FPC  67  by double-sided adhesive masking tape (not shown). The first FPC  604  is then bent down and under the frame  68 , which process may produce some stress in the first FPC  604 . If the stress is significant, the first FPC  604  is liable to pull up the non-display region  654  of the liquid crystal panel  65 . Because the non-display region  654  is adhered with the second FPC  67  having the light emitting diodes  66  connected thereto, the light emitting diodes  66  are pulled out of position. This problem is particularly prone to occur in a small-sized liquid crystal display having a lightweight liquid crystal panel. When displacement of the light emitting diodes  66  occurs, light beams emitted from the light emitting diodes  66  do not properly enter the light incident surface  642  of the light guide plate  64 . That is, so-called light leakage is liable to occur. Thus, the optical performance of the liquid crystal display  6  may be impaired.  
      What is needed, therefore, is a liquid crystal display that can overcome the above-described deficiencies.  
     SUMMARY  
      In one preferred embodiment, a liquid crystal display includes a liquid crystal panel and a frame receiving the liquid crystal panel. The frame includes a stopper configured for blocking the liquid crystal panel from being pulled up.  
      Other aspects, advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the described embodiments. In the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout various views, and all the views are schematic.  
       FIG. 1  is an exploded, isometric view of a liquid crystal display according to a first embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 2  is an assembled view of the liquid crystal display of  FIG. 1 .  
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a circled portion III of  FIG. 2 .  
       FIG. 4  is an exploded, isometric view of a liquid crystal display according to a second embodiment of the present invention.  
       FIG. 5  is an enlarged view of a circled portion V of  FIG. 4 .  
       FIG. 6  is an exploded, isometric view of a conventional liquid crystal display. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
      Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe the preferred embodiments in detail.  
      Referring to  FIG. 1 , a liquid crystal display  1  according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown. The liquid crystal display  1  includes a liquid crystal panel assembly  10 , a backlight module assembly  1 , and a frame  12 .  
      The liquid crystal panel assembly  10  includes a liquid crystal panel  13 , a driving IC  102 , and a first FPC  104 . The liquid crystal panel  13  defines a display region  132 , and a non-display region  134  adjacent an end of the display region  132 . In the illustrated embodiment, an area occupied by the display region  132  is much larger than that occupied by the non-display region  134 . The driving IC  102  is bonded at the non-display region  134  of the liquid crystal panel  13 , and is electrically connected with the first FPC  104 .  
      The backlight module assembly  11  includes a first BEF  14 , a second BEF  15 , a diffusing film  16 , and a light guide plate  17 , arranged in that order from top to bottom. The backlight module assembly  11  further includes a plurality of point illuminators  18  disposed adjacent to a light incident surface  172  of the light guide plate  17 , and a second FPC  19  electrically connected with the point illuminators  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the point illuminators  18  are four light emitting diodes cooperatively serving as a light source for the backlight module  11 .  
      The light guide plate  17  further includes a light emitting surface  174  perpendicularly connecting with the light incident surface  172 , a bottom surface  176  opposite to the light emitting surface  174 , and two opposite side surfaces  178  perpendicularly connecting with the light incident surface  172 . That is, the light incident surface  172  and the side surfaces  178  are between the light emitting surface  174  and the bottom surface  176 . The diffusing film  16  is disposed adjacent to the light emitting surface  174  of the light guide plate  17 . A pair of ears  179  outwardly extend from each side surface  178 . The ears  179  are adjacent respective end portions (not labeled) of each of the side surfaces  178 . The light guide plate  17  can be made from polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and can be manufactured by an injection molding method.  
      The frame  12  includes a supporting board  120 , two symmetrically opposite generally U-shaped side walls  121 , and a stopping bar  122 . The supporting board  120  is generally frame-shaped, and integrally adjoins inner surfaces (not labeled) of the side walls  121 . Thus the frame  12  defines a generally rectangular space (not labeled) for accommodating the liquid crystal panel assembly  10  and the backlight module assembly  11 . The stopping bar  122  integrally extends up from one short side of the supporting board  120 . Three first protrusions  123  and four second protrusions  124  are formed at an inner surface (not labeled) of the supporting board  120  adjacent the stopping bar  122 . The first protrusions  123  and the second protrusions  124  extend into the space, and are parallel to each other and alternately arranged. The second protrusions  124  are shorter than the first protrusions  123 , whereby four recesses (not labeled) are defined at the second protrusions  124  respectively. The point illuminators  18  can be respectively disposed in the recesses. In particular, the point illuminators  18  can be arranged to abut the second protrusions  124  respectively. The frame  12  further defines four notches (only two visible)  125  positioned at two opposite inner sides (not labeled) of the supporting board  120  respectively. Each notch  125  is located corresponding to one respective ear  179  of the light guide plate  17 . That is, the ears  179  can be received in the notches  125  respectively. The frame  12  is preferably made from polycarbonate, plastic, or other suitable material.  
      Each side wall  121  has a generally asymmetrical U-shape, and includes a first arm  121   a , a second arm  121   b , and a third arm  121   c . The first arm  121   a  extends along a corresponding long side of the frame  12 . The second arm  121   b  and the third arm  121   c  respectively extend along two opposite short sides of the frame  12 . The second arm  121   b  is longer than the third arm  121   c . The second arms  121   b  of the opposite side walls  121  are aligned with each other, and the third arms  121   c  of the opposite side walls  121  are aligned with each other. The stopping bar  122  integrally adjoins only one of the third arms  121   c . That is, an exit (not labeled) is defined between a distal end of the stopping bar  122  and the other third arm  121   c.    
      Also referring to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , a pair of elastic stoppers  126  are formed at inner surfaces (not labeled) of the third arms  121   c . Each stopper  126  has a generally trapezoidal profile. In the illustrated embodiment, the stopper  126  is a right-angled trapezoidal block. An outmost extremity  127  of the stopper  126  is parallel to the inner surface of the third arm  121   c . The stopper  126  can be manufactured as an integral part of the frame  12  by an injection molding method. That is, the frame  12  including the stopper  126  can be made from polycarbonate, plastic or other suitable material.  
      When the liquid crystal display  1  is assembled, the liquid crystal panel  13 , the first BEF  14 , the second BEF  15 , the diffusing film  16 , and the light guide plate  17  are received in the frame  12  in that order. The ears  179  of the light guide plate  17  are received in the notches  125  of the supporting board  120  respectively. The point illuminators  18  are respectively received in the recesses, and are electrically connected with the second FPC  19 . A bottom portion (not shown) of the non-display region  134  of the liquid crystal panel  13  is adhered with a top portion of the second FPC  19  by double-sided adhesive masking tape (not shown). The first FPC  104  is bent down and under the frame  12 . A bottom surface  128  of each stopper  126  perpendicularly connecting the corresponding third arm  121   c  blocks a top edge portion (not labeled) of the non-display portion  134  of the liquid crystal panel  13 . Typically, said top edge portion abuts the bottom surface  128  under elastic urging provided by the bent first FPC  104 . Thus, the stoppers  126  of the frame  12  can prevent the liquid crystal panel  13  from being pulled up out of position due to stress in the bent first FPC  104 . Accordingly, the second FPC  19  having the point illuminators  18  connected thereto is prevented from being pulled out of position. Light beams emitted from the point illuminators  18  properly enter the light incident surface  172  of the light guide plate  17 , and the desired optical performance of liquid crystal display  1  is stably maintained.  
      Referring to  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5 , a liquid crystal display  2  according to a second embodiment of the present invention is similar to the liquid crystal display  1 . However, the liquid crystal display  2  includes a frame  22  having two symmetrically opposite generally U-shaped side wall  221 . Each side wall  221  includes a first arm (not labeled) extending along a corresponding one of two opposite long sides (not labeled) of the frame  22 . A stopper  226  integrally extends from an inner surface (not labeled) of an end portion of each side wall  221 . The stopper  226  has a generally trapezoidal profile. In the illustrated embodiment, the stopper  226  is a right-angled trapezoidal block. The liquid crystal display  2  with the stoppers  226  can achieve advantages similar to those of the liquid crystal display  1  described above.  
      Further or alternative embodiments may include the following alternative configurations of the stoppers  126 ,  226 . For example, each stopper  126 ,  226  can have an isosceles trapezoidal configuration, a right-angled triangular configuration, a pentagonal configuration, a hexagonal configuration, or any other suitable configuration. Preferably, the selected configuration has a bottom flat portion for blocking the top edge portion of the non-display portion  134  of the liquid crystal panel  13 , whereby the liquid crystal panel  13  is prevented from being pulled up.  
      It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention.