Patent Description:
In general, a display apparatus is a device for displaying a screen. Examples of the display apparatus include a monitor and a television. The display apparatus may use a self-emissive display panel such as an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) panel, or a light-receiving display panel such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel.

A display apparatus may include a display panel (for example, a light-receiving display panel such as a LCD panel) on which a screen is displayed, and a backlight unit disposed behind the display panel.

The backlight unit may include a light source disposed behind the display panel to generate light. Recently, display apparatuses having various shapes, such as a round shape, are being developed to improve the design of the display apparatus. However, a display apparatus having a round portion requires a light source capable of radiating light to the round portion.

<CIT> discloses a flat light source module including a light guide plate, a flexible circuit board and a light emitting device.

The invention provides a display apparatus according to independent claim <NUM> and a display apparatus according to independent claim <NUM>. Further embodiments are provided by the dependent claims.

The above and/or other aspects will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of example embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:.

These example embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the inventive concept.

In the drawings, like reference numerals or symbols represent members or components performing the substantially same functions.

Also, the terms used in the present specification are used for the purpose of describing the example embodiments, and not for the purpose of limiting and/or restricting the present disclosure. It will be understood that when the terms "includes," "comprises," "including," and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, figures, operations, components, or combination thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, figures, steps, components, members, or combinations thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms "first, " "second, " etc. may be used herein to describe various components, these components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, a first component could be termed a second component, and, similarly, a second component could be termed a first component, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of associated listed items.

Hereinafter, the example embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, a flat panel display apparatus will be described as an example embodiment, however, aspects of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, and may also be applied to a curved display apparatus, a bendable or flexible display apparatus that can change its shape between a curved shape and a flat shape, etc..

Also, a display apparatus according to an example embodiment may be applied to various types of displays regardless of their respective screen sizes. For example, the display apparatus according to an example embodiment can be applied to a product, such as a smart television and a monitor, which can be mounted on a table, a wall, or a ceiling, or to a portable product, such as a tablet, a laptop computer, a smart phone, e-book, etc..

Also, in this specification, the terms "front direction" and "front surface" are defined based on the front surface of a display panel on which images are displayed in a display apparatus shown in <FIG>. Also, the terms "upper portion" and "lower portion" respectively represent the upper portion and the lower portion of the display apparatus shown in <FIG>, and the terms "both sides" or "side portions" represent the left and right portions of the display apparatus shown in <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a display apparatus <NUM> may include a display panel <NUM> configured to display images, a light guide plate <NUM> disposed behind the display panel <NUM>, and configured to diffuse light transferred from a light source and to transfer the diffused light to the display panel <NUM>, an optical sheet <NUM> disposed between the display panel <NUM> and the light guide plate <NUM>, and configured to improve the optical characteristics of light diffused by the light guide plate <NUM>, a top chassis <NUM> coupled with a front portion of the display panel <NUM>, and a bottom chassis <NUM> coupled with a rear portion of the top chassis <NUM>. In addition, the display apparatus <NUM> may further include a middle mold <NUM> disposed between the top chassis <NUM> and the bottom chassis <NUM>, and configured to support the display panel <NUM> and the light guide plate <NUM>. The display apparatus <NUM> may further include a reflective plate <NUM> disposed behind the light guide plate <NUM>, and configured to reflect light transferred from the light guide plate <NUM> towards a front direction.

The display apparatus <NUM> includes a light source module <NUM> (see <FIG>) having a plurality of light sources <NUM> to generate light. The light source module <NUM> includes a printed circuit board (PCB) <NUM> on which the plurality of light sources <NUM> are disposed.

The light source module <NUM> may be disposed along at least one side surface of the four side surfaces of the light guide plate <NUM> to radiate light to the side surface of the light guide plate <NUM>, and thereby radiating light to the display apparatus <NUM>. The light source module <NUM> will be described in more detail.

The display panel <NUM> may be a liquid crystal panel formed by filling and sealing liquid crystal between two glass substrates on which electrodes are formed. A PCB <NUM> may be disposed below the display panel <NUM> to transfer information to the display panel <NUM>. Also, a chip-on-film (COF) <NUM> may be disposed below the display panel <NUM> to electrically connect the PCB <NUM> to the display panel <NUM>.

The optical sheet <NUM> may include a diffusion sheet <NUM> to diffuse light transferred through the light guide plate <NUM>, a prism sheet <NUM> to focus the diffused light in a direction that is normal to the surface of the display panel <NUM>, and a protective sheet to protect the prism sheet <NUM>.

The top chassis <NUM> may be disposed on the front portion of the display panel <NUM>, and coupled with the bottom chassis <NUM> disposed behind the display panel <NUM>. The display panel <NUM>, the optical sheet <NUM>, and the light guide plate <NUM> may be disposed between the top chassis <NUM> and the bottom chassis <NUM>, and supported by the middle mold <NUM> in a space formed when the top chassis <NUM> is coupled with the bottom chassis <NUM>.

According to an example embodiment, the top chassis <NUM> may form the outer appearance of the front surface of the display apparatus <NUM> with or without a separate cover member. For example, the top chassis <NUM> may form the front outer appearance of the display apparatus <NUM> alone, or a separate cover member such as a bezel may be additionally disposed in front of the top chassis <NUM> to form the outer appearance of the display apparatus <NUM>.

According to an example embodiment, the bottom chassis <NUM> may form the outer appearance of a rear surface of the display apparatus <NUM> with or without a separate cover member. For example, the bottom chassis <NUM> may form the outer appearance of the display apparatus <NUM> alone, or a cover member may be additionally disposed behind the bottom chassis <NUM> to form the outer appearance of the display apparatus <NUM>.

A display apparatus, such as, a television (TV), may include a quadrangular display panel and may have a quadrangular outer appearance. Recently, display apparatuses having various shapes other than a quadrangle shape are being developed to improve the aesthetics of the outer appearances of the display apparatuses.

In the display apparatus <NUM> according to the current example embodiment, the display panel <NUM> and components included in the display apparatus <NUM> include rounded corners such as round portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Accordingly, the display apparatus <NUM> may have rounded corners in an outer appearance.

For example, the display panel <NUM> may include four first round portions <NUM> formed at four corners, and the top chassis <NUM> may include four second round portions <NUM> formed at four corners, and disposed in front of the first round portions <NUM> and aligned to correspond to the first round portions <NUM>.

The bottom chassis <NUM> may include four third round portions <NUM> formed at four corners, and disposed behind the first round portions <NUM> and aligned to correspond to the first round portions <NUM>, and the middle mold <NUM> may include four fourth round portions <NUM> formed at four corners, and disposed behind the first round portions <NUM> and aligned to correspond to the first round portions <NUM>.

The light guide plate <NUM> may also include four fifth round portions <NUM> formed at four corners, and disposed behind the first round portions <NUM> and aligned to correspond to the first round portions <NUM>. The optical sheet <NUM> may include four sixth round portions <NUM> formed at four corners, and disposed behind the first round portions <NUM> and aligned to correspond to the first round portions <NUM>, and the reflective plate <NUM> may include four seventh round portions <NUM> formed at four corners, and disposed behind the first round portions <NUM> and aligned to correspond to the first round portions <NUM>.

Accordingly, in an example embodiment, the display apparatus <NUM> may have four rounded corners <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and at least one of the four corners <NUM> may be rounded and include the round portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

For example, instead of the round portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> being disposed in all the four corners <NUM>, the round portions <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be disposed in one to three of the four corners <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the light source module <NUM> will be described in detail.

Since the first round portions <NUM> are disposed in the corners <NUM> of the display panel <NUM>, as described above, it may be important whether light can be sufficiently radiated to the first round portions <NUM> on the four corners of the display panel.

The display apparatus <NUM> according to an example embodiment may include an edge type backlight unit. In an edge type backlight unit, a light source module may be formed in a bar shape being disposed along at least one of the four side surfaces of a quadrangular light guide plate to radiate light to the side surface of the light guide plate so that light can be transferred in a front direction from the light guide plate.

However, since the light guide plate <NUM> according to an example embodiment includes the fifth round portions <NUM> corresponding to the first round portions <NUM> of the display panel <NUM> at the corners, light may not be effectively radiated to the side surface 50a formed as a curved surface in the fifth round portions <NUM> if a light source module formed in a bar shape is disposed along the side surface 50a of the light guide plate <NUM>.

Accordingly, the light source module <NUM> according to an example embodiment includes round areas <NUM> corresponding to the fifth round portions <NUM> of the light guide plate <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>.

The light source module <NUM> includes the PCB <NUM> on which the plurality of light sources <NUM> are disposed. The PCB <NUM> may be in the shape of a plate having a longer side <NUM> extending in correspondence to the length of the side surface 50a of the light guide plate <NUM> and a shorter side <NUM> that is substantially orthogonal to the longer side <NUM>.

The plurality of light sources <NUM> may be disposed at intervals along the longer side <NUM> extending in correspondence to the length of the side surface 50a of the light guide plate <NUM>. Accordingly, light generated by the plurality of light sources <NUM> are radiated to the side surface 50a of the light guide plate <NUM> to be transferred to the entire light guide plate <NUM>.

The PCB <NUM> may be in the shape of a thin bar having a longer side <NUM>. The shorter side <NUM> of the PCB <NUM> that is substantially orthogonal to the longer side <NUM>, may extend to a predetermined length to form a plate having a predetermined area defined by the longer side <NUM> and the shorter side <NUM> (length of the longer side <NUM> x length of the shorter side <NUM>), which may provide space to dispose a printed circuit electrically connected to the plurality of light sources <NUM>. Accordingly, by adjusting the shorter side <NUM> of the PCB <NUM>, a printed circuit may be disposed on a part of the surface of the PCB <NUM>.

In order to effectively radiate light to the side surface 50a of the light guide plate <NUM> having a curved surface formed in the fifth round portions <NUM>, at least a portion of the PCB <NUM> that is disposed in the round areas <NUM> is rounded in correspondence to the fifth round portions <NUM>.

That is, both end portions of the longer side <NUM> of the PCB <NUM> may be rounded along a curve corresponding to a curvature of the fifth round portions <NUM>. Since both end portions of the longer side <NUM> of the PCB <NUM> may be rounded, both end portions of the surface of the PCB <NUM> may also be rounded in correspondence to the longer side <NUM>.

Since the entire surface of both of the end portions is rounded in correspondence to the longer side <NUM>, the area of the PCB <NUM> may increase, and accordingly, the volume of space where the PCB <NUM> is disposed in the display apparatus <NUM> may also increase, resulting in an increase in volume of the display apparatus <NUM>.

In a high-definition display apparatus, a PCB configured to perform local dimming to adjust brightness differences may be used.

However, to enable local dimming, since a printed circuit that is more complex than a typical printed circuit included in a PCB that is incapable of local dimming is needed, ensuring an area for a complex printed circuit to be disposed on a PCB by increasing the length of the shorter side of the PCB may be needed.

That is, the shorter side of a PCB capable of performing local dimming may need to be longer than that of a PCB incapable of performing local dimming.

Accordingly, if the PCB <NUM> capable of performing local dimming is disposed inside the display apparatus <NUM>, the surface area of the PCB <NUM> that is rounded in the round areas <NUM> may increase, which may lead to an increase in size of the display apparatus <NUM>.

In order to overcome the problem of the size of the display apparatus <NUM> increasing, the light source module <NUM> may be configured such that the length of a first shorter side 112a disposed in each round area <NUM> is shorter than the length of a second shorter side 112b disposed in the remaining area excluding the round areas <NUM>. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce or minimize an increase of the size the display apparatus <NUM> by the light source module <NUM> including the round areas <NUM>, resulting in an increase of the productivity of the PCB <NUM>. Also, by reducing or minimizing a surface <NUM> included in the round areas <NUM>, it is possible to more easily install the middle mold <NUM> on which the PCB <NUM> is mounted.

According to an example embodiment, the light source module <NUM> may be disposed to correspond to the lower side surface of the light guide plate <NUM>, and accordingly, the lower side surface 50a of the light guide plate <NUM> may become the incident surface of the light guide plate <NUM>.

However, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the light source module <NUM> may be disposed to correspond to the upper side surface of the light guide plate <NUM>, or a pair of light source modules <NUM> may be disposed to correspond to the upper side surface and the lower side surface of the light guide plate <NUM>. Also, the light source module <NUM> may be disposed to correspond to the right side surface or the left side surface of the light guide plate <NUM>, or a pair of light source modules <NUM> may be disposed to correspond to the right and left side surfaces of the light guide plate <NUM>.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, the PCB <NUM> is divided into the round areas <NUM> including curved surfaces <NUM>, and a flat area <NUM> including a flat surface <NUM>.

The round areas <NUM> may be disposed at both end portions of the PCB <NUM> extending in the direction of the longer side <NUM>. The flat area <NUM> is disposed between the round areas <NUM>.

The round areas <NUM> are disposed to correspond to locations at which the round portions <NUM> of the light guide plate <NUM> are disposed, and the flat area <NUM> is disposed to correspond to a location at which a flat portion formed between the round portions <NUM> formed at the corners of the light guide plate <NUM> is disposed.

In the round areas <NUM>, the PCB <NUM> may have a bar shape rounded along the curved surfaces <NUM>, and in the flat area <NUM>, the PCB <NUM> may have a flat plate shape including the flat surface <NUM>.

In the flat area <NUM>, the flat surface <NUM> on which a complex printed circuit can be mounted may be disposed so that the plurality of light sources <NUM> may be electrically connected to each other through the complex printed circuit to perform local dimming. In the round areas <NUM>, a minimum surface on which the plurality of light sources <NUM> can be mounted may be disposed so that the PCB <NUM> of the round areas <NUM> can be more easily bent, an installation area of the PCB <NUM> can be reduced or minimized, and the PCB <NUM> can be more easily installed.

In other words, by limiting the surface of the PCB <NUM> of the round areas <NUM> and disposing the complex printed circuit on the flat surface <NUM> of the flat area <NUM>, the PCB <NUM> can more easily include the curved surfaces <NUM>, while performing local dimming.

That is, since the shorter side 112a of the PCB <NUM> in each round area <NUM> is shorter than the shorter side 112b of the PCB <NUM> (or the flat surface <NUM>) in the flat area <NUM>, a surface area formed by the longer side <NUM> and the shorter side 112a in the round area <NUM> can be reduced or minimized, and a surface area formed by the longer side <NUM> and the shorter side 112b in the flat area <NUM> can be of a size on which a complex printed circuit can be mounted.

A length of the shorter side 112b of the flat area <NUM> may be defined as a length or a width D2 of the shorter side of the flat surface <NUM> in the flat area <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. However, the length of the shorter side 112b of the flat area <NUM> may be defined as a length or a width D1+D2 obtained by adding the length or the width D2 of the shorter side 112b of the flat surface <NUM> in the flat area <NUM> and a length or width D1 of the shorter side 112a of the round area <NUM> on which the plurality of light sources <NUM> are disposed.

That is, the length of the shorter side 112b of the flat area <NUM> may be defined as any one of the length D2 of the shorter side of the flat surface <NUM> and the length D1+D2 of the flat surface <NUM> and the area on which the plurality of light sources <NUM> are disposed. In an example embodiment, the length of the shorter side 112b of the flat area <NUM> may be defined as the length D2 of the shorter side of the flat surface <NUM>, although embodiments are not limited thereto.

According to an example embodiment, the length of the shorter side 112a in the round area <NUM> may be set to a minimum length on which the plurality of light sources <NUM> can be mounted and a printed circuit connecting the plurality of light sources <NUM> to each other can be mounted.

As described above, the PCB <NUM> is configured such that the plurality of light sources <NUM> can perform local dimming, wherein the plurality of light sources <NUM> may be grouped into several units <NUM> and the individual units <NUM> may be controlled to have different brightness levels.

A plurality of light sources <NUM>' disposed in the round area <NUM> among the plurality of light sources <NUM> may be grouped into a round area unit <NUM>' to radiate light of the same brightness level. Accordingly, a plurality of light sources <NUM>" disposed closet to the flat area <NUM> among the plurality of light sources <NUM> disposed in the round area <NUM> may receive an electrical signal through the printed circuit mounted on the flat area <NUM>, and transfer the electrical signal received from the flat area <NUM> to all of the plurality of light sources <NUM>' disposed in the round area <NUM>.

The first shorter side 112a may correspond to the width D1 of the round area <NUM>, and the second shorter side 112b may correspond to the width D2 of the flat area <NUM>. Accordingly, the width D1 of the round area <NUM> may be shorter than the width D2 of the flat area <NUM>.

Since the width D1 of the round area <NUM> may be shorter than the width D2 of the flat area <NUM>, an empty space <NUM> may be formed in the round area <NUM>. The PCB <NUM> disposed in the round area <NUM> may include the curved surfaces <NUM> having various curvatures.

That is, the empty space <NUM> may be formed between the flat surface <NUM> and the curved surfaces <NUM>, and disposed around both ends of the flat surface <NUM>. Since an empty space <NUM> is formed, the curved surfaces <NUM> can have a round shape of various curvatures, and may be more easily installed between the middle mold <NUM> and the light guide plate <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The PCB <NUM> disposed in the round area <NUM> may include a flexible material. Accordingly, the PCB <NUM> disposed in the round area <NUM> may be shaped to include the curved surfaces <NUM> upon molding, or the PCB <NUM> may be shaped as a flat plate upon molding and then a flexible material may be added to the PCB <NUM> so that the PCB <NUM> can be bent.

Also, since the empty space <NUM> is formed between the curved surfaces <NUM> and both ends of the flat surface <NUM>, as described above, the PCB <NUM> disposed in the round area <NUM> can be bent to have various curvatures if the PCB <NUM> includes a flexible material.

According to an embodiment, the PCB <NUM> includes a mounted portion <NUM> on which the plurality of light sources <NUM> are mounted, and a non-mounted portion <NUM> on which none of the plurality of light sources <NUM> is mounted.

The mounted portion <NUM> may include the entire area on which the plurality of light sources <NUM> are arranged along the longer side <NUM> of the PCB <NUM>. The mounted portion <NUM> may include a minimum area on which the plurality of light sources <NUM> and the printed circuit electrically connecting the plurality of light sources <NUM> to each other can be disposed. That is, the mounted portion <NUM> may include a surface area defined by the longer side <NUM> and the shorter side 112a of the round area <NUM>.

Both end portions of the mounted portion <NUM> may be formed as the curved surfaces <NUM> to include round shapes. That is, both end portions of the mounted portion <NUM> may be disposed in the round areas <NUM> to be rounded in correspondence to the fifth round portions <NUM> of the light guide plate <NUM>.

The non-mounted portion <NUM> is an area in which none of the plurality of light sources <NUM> is disposed, as described above, and a printed circuit is disposed in the non-mounted portion <NUM> so that the plurality of light sources <NUM> can perform local dimming.

The non-mounted portion <NUM> may include a surface area defined by the second shorter side 112b and the length of a part of the longer side <NUM> forming the flat area <NUM>. That is, the non-mounted portion <NUM> is disposed in the flat surface <NUM>. Accordingly, the non-mounted portion <NUM> may not include any round shape.

The PCB <NUM> may include a bent portion <NUM> so that the mounted portion <NUM> can be bent with respect to the non-mounted portion <NUM> to be orthogonal to the non-mounted portion <NUM>. Accordingly, the mounted portion <NUM> faces the side surface 50a of the light guide plate <NUM> (see <FIG>), and the non-mounted portion <NUM> may face the light guide plate <NUM> in the front-rear direction of the light guide plate <NUM> to be layered with the light guide plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the display apparatus <NUM> may have a slimmer outer appearance.

As shown in <FIG>, the PCB <NUM> is disposed such that the plurality of light sources <NUM> face the side surface 50a of the light guide plate <NUM>. Accordingly, light can be uniformly radiated to the flat portions <NUM> and the round portions <NUM> of the side surface 50a of the light guide plate <NUM>.

The plurality of light sources <NUM>' disposed in the round area <NUM> may be arranged at equidistant intervals. The plurality of light sources <NUM>' disposed in the round area <NUM> may be arranged at the same intervals as those between the plurality of light sources <NUM> arranged on the flat area <NUM>, or at equidistant intervals that are different from those between the plurality of light sources <NUM> arranged in the flat area <NUM>. A distance between the plurality of light sources <NUM>' disposed in the round area <NUM> may be set depending on the curvature of the curved surface <NUM> of the round area <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, light L1 radiated from the flat area <NUM> and light L2 radiated from the round area <NUM> may be radiated at a uniform amount to the side surface 50a of the light guide plate <NUM> along the longer side <NUM> of the PCB <NUM>. In the side surface 50a of the light guide plate <NUM>, a concavo-convex structure <NUM> formed in the shape of straight lines may be formed to transfer light straightly in one direction.

Thereby, light L1 and L2 radiated to the light guide plate <NUM> may be guided through the concavo-convex structure <NUM> so that light L3 may be transmitted in a predetermined direction inside the light guide plate <NUM>. Accordingly, by light being transferred straightly in the predetermined direction in the light guide plate <NUM>, adjusting brightness differences through local dimming may be more easily performed.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the PCB <NUM> may be disposed in a space S between a PCB support portion <NUM> of the middle mold <NUM> and the side surface 50a of the light guide plate <NUM>. More specifically, the middle mold <NUM> and the light guide plate <NUM> may include the fourth round portions <NUM> and the fifth round portions <NUM>, respectively, corresponding to the first round portions <NUM> of the display panel <NUM>, as described above. The PCB <NUM> disposed in the round areas <NUM> may be positioned in the space S between the fourth round portions <NUM> of the middle mold <NUM> and the fifth round portions <NUM> of the light guide plate <NUM>.

The light guide plate <NUM> may be in contact with a light guide plate support portion <NUM> of the middle mold <NUM> in the front-rear direction to be supported by the middle mold <NUM>, and the PCB <NUM> may be in contact with the PCB support portion <NUM> which forms the inner side surface of the middle mold <NUM> to be supported by the middle mold <NUM>.

The flat surface <NUM> may face the light guide plate <NUM> in the front-rear direction by being bent at the bent portion <NUM>, as described above.

According to an example embodiment, as shown in <FIG>, the PCB <NUM> disposed in the round area <NUM> may be provided with a bendable flat surface <NUM>', instead of being molded to have the curved surface <NUM>. The bendable flat surface <NUM>' may include a material that may be easily bent by pressure.

Accordingly, if the PCB <NUM> disposed in the round area <NUM> is disposed in the PCB support portion <NUM> of the middle mold <NUM>, the PCB <NUM> may be bent along the round shape of the PCB support portion <NUM> to form the curved surface <NUM> as shown in <FIG>.

That is, the PCB <NUM> disposed in the round area <NUM> may be maintained in the shape of the flat surface <NUM>' before it is supported by the middle mold <NUM>, and when the PCB <NUM> is supported by the PCB support portion <NUM>, the PCB <NUM> may be bent corresponding to the round shape of the PCB support portion <NUM> having a curvature of the fourth round portions <NUM> to be supported in the shape of the curved surface <NUM> by the middle mold <NUM>.

Hereinafter, a PCB 110a according to an example embodiment will be described. Other configurations except for the PCB 110a which will be described below are the same as those of the display apparatus <NUM> according to the above-described example embodiment, and accordingly, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, the other configurations described above will not be shown in the following drawings.

As shown in <FIG>, in an example embodiment, the PCB 110a may not include a bent portion <NUM>, unlike the PCB <NUM> according to the above-described example embodiment.

For example, the plurality of light sources 120a may be mounted on the PCB 110a such that one of the side surfaces of each of the plurality of light sources 120a are in contact with the PCB 110a. Accordingly, the plurality of light sources 120a may face the side surface 50a of the light guide plate <NUM> without the bent portion <NUM>.

Accordingly, a mounted portion <NUM>' and a non-mounted portion <NUM>' may be aligned, and a surface on which the plurality of light sources 120a are disposed may be aligned with the flat surface <NUM>. Also, a first shorter side 112a' and the second shorter side 112b may be aligned. Accordingly, when the PCB 110a is manufactured, a process of bending the PCB 110a is not needed, which may lead to an increase in the efficiency of the manufacturing process.

Also, instead of the rear surfaces of the plurality of light sources <NUM> being mounted on the mounted portion <NUM> as in the above-described example embodiment, one of the side surfaces of each the plurality of light sources 120a may be mounted on the mounted portion <NUM>' which may reduce a length of the first shorter side 112a' of the PCB 110a. That is, a width D1 of the PCB 110a disposed in the round area <NUM> may be reduced which may enable the PCB 110a disposed in the round area <NUM> to be more easily bent.

In the PCB 110a, the first shorter side 112a' may be shorter than the second shorter side 112b. The width D1 of the PCB 110a disposed in the round area <NUM> may be less than the width D2 of the PCB 110a disposed in the flat area <NUM>, thereby forming empty space <NUM> between the curved surface <NUM> and the second shorter side 112b.

Hereinafter, a light source module <NUM> according to another example embodiment will be described. Other configurations except for the light source module <NUM> which will be described below are the same as those of the display apparatus <NUM> according to the above-described example embodiment, and accordingly, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, the other configurations described above will not be shown in the following drawings.

As shown in <FIG>, the light source module <NUM> may include a plurality of PCBs 210a and 210b (also, referred to as a first PCB 210a and a second PCB 210b) on which a plurality of light sources <NUM> are mounted. The PCBs 210a and 210b may be separable from each other. For example, the first PCB 210a may be disposed in the flat area <NUM>, and the second PCB 210b may be disposed in the round area <NUM>.

The second PCB 210b may be connected to both ends of the first PCB 210a and may be separated from the first PCB 210a, as shown in <FIG>. The first PCB 210a may be coupled with or separated from the second PCB 210b by a PCB connector <NUM> to transfer an electrical signal transferred from a printed circuit mounted on a flat surface <NUM> to the second PCB 210b through the PCB connector <NUM>.

The second PCB 210b may include a curved surface <NUM> formed to correspond to the fifth round portions <NUM> of the light guide plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the second PCB 210b may include a round shape. For example, the second PCB 210b may be molded to a round shape, or may include a flexible material that may be bent.

Unlike the second PCB 210b, the first PCB 210a may include the flat surface <NUM> which is in a shape of a plate and is inflexible. A printed circuit may be mounted on the flat surface <NUM> to enable the plurality of light sources <NUM> to perform local dimming through the first and second PCBs 210a and 210b. The plurality of light sources <NUM>' disposed on the second PCB 210b may be connected through the PCB connector <NUM> to the printed circuit mounted on the flat surface <NUM> to perform local dimming.

The width D2 of the first PCB 210a may be greater than the width D1 of the second PCB 210b. The second PCB 210b disposed in the round area <NUM> can be more easily bent when the width D2 is shorter, similar to the PCB <NUM> according to the above-described example embodiment.

Hereinafter, a light source module <NUM> according to an example embodiment will be described. Other configurations except for the light source module <NUM> which will be described below are the same as those of the display apparatus <NUM> according to the above-described example embodiment, and accordingly, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, the other configurations described above will not be shown in the following drawings.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the light source module <NUM> includes a PCB <NUM> formed in the shape of a plate. The PCB <NUM> includes a plurality of first light sources <NUM> to radiate light toward the light guide plate <NUM>. The PCB <NUM> includes a flat surface <NUM> on which none of the first light sources <NUM> is mounted.

A printed circuit is mounted on the flat surface <NUM> to enable the first light sources <NUM> and a plurality of second light sources <NUM> (which will be described later) to perform local dimming through the PCB <NUM>.

The PCB <NUM> may have a length corresponding to the flat portion <NUM> of the light guide plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the PCB <NUM> may be disposed on the inner surface of a flat area <NUM>, but not on the round area <NUM>, so that the PCB <NUM> includes no curved surface. Accordingly, the PCB <NUM> may be more easily manufactured compared to the PCB <NUM> according to the above-described example embodiment.

The light source module <NUM> includes a reflective member <NUM> disposed in the round area <NUM>. The reflective member <NUM> is rounded to correspond to the fifth round portions <NUM>. The reflective member <NUM> reflects light radiated from the second light sources <NUM> to guide the light to the fifth round portions <NUM>.

The reflective member <NUM> may be formed as an auxiliary light guide plate. A pattern portion <NUM> may be disposed on the outer surface of the auxiliary light guide plate to reflect light radiated from the second light sources <NUM> to the fifth round portions <NUM>. In the inner surface of the pattern portion <NUM>, a triangular concavo-convex structure such as prisms may be formed to reflect light incident from one direction toward another direction.

The pattern portion <NUM> may be replaced with another member such as, for example, a reflective film.

The first light sources <NUM> may be disposed such that the rear surfaces of the first light sources <NUM> are mounted on the PCB <NUM>, and the second light sources <NUM> may be disposed such that one of the side surfaces of each of the first light sources <NUM> are mounted on the PCB <NUM>. Accordingly, light radiated from the first light sources <NUM> may be orthogonal to light radiated from the second light sources <NUM>.

The PCB <NUM> may adjust a brightness difference of light radiated from the first light sources <NUM> and the second light sources <NUM> through the printed circuit disposed on the flat surface <NUM> to perform local dimming.

Light L1' radiated from the first light sources <NUM> in the flat area <NUM> and light L2' radiated from the auxiliary light guide plate <NUM> in the round area <NUM> may be uniformly radiated to the light guide plate <NUM> to be transferred to the display panel <NUM> as light L3' being straight toward one direction. The first light sources <NUM> and the second light sources <NUM> may perform local dimming by the light L3' being straight toward one direction.

Hereinafter, a display apparatus <NUM>" according to an example embodiment will be described. Other configurations except for the display apparatus <NUM>" which will be described below are the same as those of the display apparatus <NUM> according to the above-described example embodiment, and accordingly, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. Also, the other configurations described above will not be shown in the following drawings.

As shown in <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, corners <NUM>" of the display apparatus <NUM>" may include a longer curve. Accordingly, fifth round portions <NUM>' of a light guide plate <NUM>' may also be longer than the fifth round portions <NUM> according to the above-described example embodiment.

A light source module <NUM> may be disposed along one side surface of the light guide plate <NUM>'. The light source module <NUM> may radiate light to the side surface of the light guide plate <NUM>' to enable light to be transferred towards the front direction from the light guide plate <NUM>'.

The light source module <NUM> may be disposed along the upper and lower side surfaces of the light guide plate <NUM>', as shown in <FIG>. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the light source module <NUM> may be disposed along any one of the upper and lower side surfaces of the light guide plate <NUM>', along the left and right side surfaces of the light guide plate <NUM>', or along any one of the left and right side surfaces of the light guide plate <NUM>'.

If round areas <NUM> of a PCB <NUM> of the light source module <NUM> are connected to both ends of flat areas <NUM>, similar to the above-described example embodiment, it may be difficult to perform local dimming since a plurality of light sources <NUM> disposed in the round areas <NUM> may radiate light of the same brightness level.

In order to overcome the problem, in the light source module <NUM> according to an example embodiment, the round areas <NUM> may be disposed between the plurality of flat areas <NUM>.

That is, both end portions of the light source module <NUM> may be formed in the flat areas <NUM>, additional flat areas <NUM> may be disposed in the center of the light source module <NUM>, and round areas <NUM> may be disposed between three flat areas <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, for example, in the flat areas <NUM> disposed in the center, a part of the PCB <NUM> having a first flat surface 417a may be disposed. In the flat areas <NUM> disposed at both end portions, parts of the PCB <NUM> having a second flat surface 417b and a third flat surface 417c may be disposed.

In the round areas <NUM> disposed between the flat areas <NUM>, the other parts of the PCB <NUM> not including flat surfaces 417a, 417b, and 417c may be disposed.

A width D1 of the PCB <NUM> disposed in the round areas <NUM> may be shorter than a width D2 of the PCB <NUM> disposed in the flat areas <NUM> so that curved surfaces <NUM> of the PCB <NUM> can be more easily formed in the round areas <NUM>.

If the corners <NUM>" of the display apparatus <NUM>" forms longer curved surfaces so that the PCB <NUM> has longer curved surfaces <NUM>, and accordingly, the number of the plurality of light sources <NUM> disposed in the round areas <NUM> increases so that the plurality of light sources <NUM> disposed in the round areas <NUM> are connected into a single unit, it may be difficult to perform local dimming.

Accordingly, by disposing the flat surfaces 417a, 417b, and 417c on which a printed circuit can be mounted at both ends of the round areas <NUM> to divide the plurality of light sources <NUM> disposed in the round areas <NUM> into two units, local dimming may be performed.

For example, a part of the plurality of light sources <NUM> disposed in the round area <NUM> corresponding to the fifth round portion <NUM>' disposed adjacent to the left side surface of the light guide plate <NUM>' may form a unit by a printed circuit mounted on the first flat surface 417a to radiate light, and the other part of the plurality of light sources <NUM> disposed in the round area <NUM> may form another unit by a printed circuit mounted on the second flat surface 417b to radiate light. Similarly, a part of the plurality of light sources <NUM> disposed in the round area <NUM> corresponding to the fifth round portion <NUM>' disposed adjacent to the right side surface of the light guide plate <NUM>' may form a unit by a printed circuit mounted on the first flat surface 417a to radiate light, and another unit by a printed circuit mounted on the second flat surface 417c to radiate light.

Accordingly, the plurality of light sources <NUM> disposed in the round area <NUM> may be divided into two units so that the respective units can radiate light of different brightness levels to the light guide plate <NUM>, thereby more easily performing local dimming.

According to the example embodiments as described above, since the PCB includes the round areas corresponding to the round portions of the light guide plate, and the plurality of light sources are arranged on the curved surfaces to effectively radiate light to the round portions of the light guide plate, it is possible to more effectively radiate light to the entire display panel including the round portions and enhance the outer appearance of the display apparatus.

Claim 1:
A display apparatus (<NUM>, <NUM>") comprising:
a display panel (<NUM>, <NUM>");
a light guide plate (<NUM>, <NUM>') configured to guide light toward the display panel (<NUM>, <NUM>"), the light guide plate (<NUM>, <NUM>') comprising a flat portion (<NUM>) and at least two round portions (<NUM>, <NUM>') formed at corners of the light guide plate (<NUM>, <NUM>'); and
a printed circuit board, PCB, (<NUM>, 110a, 210a, 210b, <NUM>, <NUM>) comprising a mounted portion (<NUM>, <NUM>') on which a plurality of light sources (<NUM>, 120a, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) are mounted and a non-mounted portion (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>, 417a, 417b, 417c), orthogonal to the mounted portion, on which no light sources are mounted,
wherein the mounted portion faces a side surface (50a) of the light guide plate,
wherein the mounted portion of the PCB comprises round areas (<NUM>) disposed to correspond to locations at which the round portions (<NUM>) of the light guide plate (<NUM>) are disposed,
wherein the round areas are configured to radiate light toward the round portions of the light guide plate,
wherein the PCB comprises a flat area (<NUM>) disposed between the round areas (<NUM>),
wherein the mounted portion in the flat area (<NUM>) is configured to radiate light toward the flat portion (<NUM>) of the light guide plate,
wherein the non-mounted portion (<NUM>) is a flat surface (<NUM>) disposed in the flat area (<NUM>) and a printed circuit, configured to control the brightness of the light radiated by the plurality of light sources (<NUM>, 120a, <NUM>', <NUM>", <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>', <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) to perform local dimming, is disposed on the non-mounted portion (<NUM>, <NUM>').