Patent Description:
With the development of the information society, demand for various kinds of display devices is increasing. In response to these needs, various kinds of display devices, such as LCDs (Liquid Crystal Display Devices), PDPs (Plasma Display Panels), ELDs (Electro luminescent Displays) and VFDs (Vacuum Fluorescent Displays), have been recently researched and used.

Among these, a display device using OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) has an advantage in that the display device is excellent in brightness and viewing angle properties compared to an LCD device and does not require a backlight unit, thereby realizing an extremely slim device.

And, in order to follow recent trends in the development and consumption patterns of display devices, research with the goal of making display devices thinner and lighter has been intensively conducted.

<CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT> disclose display devices.

An object of the present disclosure is to solve the above and other problems.

Another object may be to provide a display device capable of integrally coupling a plate, a frame and a side frame to one another.

Another object may be to provide a display device capable of simplifying an operation of coupling a plate, a frame and a side frame to one another.

Another object may be to provide a display device having increased torsional rigidity and/or bending rigidity.

Another object may be to provide a display device having improved heat dissipation performance.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the above objects can be accomplished by the provision of a display device including a display panel, a frame positioned behind the display panel, a plate positioned between the display panel and the frame, and a side frame, which extends along an edge of the frame behind the frame and which is coupled to the frame, wherein the plate includes a base facing the frame, and a projection, which projects rearwards from the base through the frame and the side frame and which is bent at an end thereof so as to be coupled to the side frame.

The effects of the display device according to the present disclosure will be described as follows.

According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a display device capable of integrally coupling a plate, a frame and a side frame to one another.

According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a display device capable of simplifying an operation of coupling a plate, a frame and a side frame to one another.

According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a display device having increased torsional rigidity and/or bending rigidity.

According to at least one of embodiments of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a display device having improved heat dissipation performance.

Further scope of applicability of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. However, it should be understood that the detailed description and specific embodiments such as preferred embodiments of the present disclosure are given by way of example only, since various changes and modifications within the scope of the present disclosure may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art.

<FIG> are diagrams illustrating examples of a display device according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

A description will now be given in detail according to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brevity of description with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components are denoted by the same reference numbers, and a description thereof will not be repeated.

In general, suffixes such as "module" and "unit" may be used to refer to elements or components. The use of such suffixes herein is merely intended to facilitate description of the specification, and the suffixes do not have any special meaning or function.

Also, in the present disclosure, that which is well known to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art has generally been omitted for the sake of brevity. The accompanying drawings are used to assist in easy understanding of various technical features, and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes, in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings.

It will be understood that although the terms "first," "second," etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "connected with" another element, intervening elements may be present. In contrast, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being "directly connected with" another element, there are no intervening elements present.

A singular representation may include a plural representation unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

In the present application, it should be understood that the terms "comprises," "includes," "has," etc. specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

Referring to <FIG>, the display device <NUM> may include a display panel <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> may display a screen.

The display panel <NUM> may include a first long side LS1, a second long side LS2, which faces the first long side LS1, a first short side SS1 adjacent to the first long side LS1 and the second long side LS2, and a second short side SS2, which faces the first short side SS1. Although each of the first and second long sides LS1 and LS2 is illustrated and described as being longer than each of the first and second short sides SS1 and SS2 for convenience of explanation, the length of each of the first and second long sides LS1 and LS2 may be almost the same as that of each of the first and second short sides SS1 and SS2.

A direction parallel to the first and second long sides LS1 and LS2 of the display panel <NUM> may be referred to as a first direction DR1 or a left-right direction LR. A direction parallel to the first and second short sides SS1 and SS2 of the display panel <NUM> may be referred to as a second direction DR2 or an up-down direction UD. A direction perpendicular to the first and second long sides LS1 and LS2 and the first and second short sides SS1 and SS2 of the display panel <NUM> may be referred to as a third direction DR3 or an anteroposterior direction FR. Here, the direction in which the display panel <NUM> displays an image may be referred to as a forward direction, and the direction opposite the forward direction may be referred to as a rearward direction.

Although the display panel <NUM> will hereinafter be described based on a display panel employing organic light-emitting diodes (OLED), the display panel <NUM> applicable to the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the display device <NUM> may include the display panel <NUM>, a plate <NUM>, a frame <NUM>, a side frame <NUM> and a back cover <NUM>.

The display panel <NUM> may define the front surface of the display device <NUM>, and may display an image on the front surface of the display device <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> may divide an image into a plurality of pixels, and may control the color, brightness and chroma of each of the pixels, thereby outputting the image. The display panel <NUM> may be divided into an active area, in which an image is displayed, and an inactive area, in which an image is not displayed. The display panel <NUM> may generate light corresponding to red, green or blue in response to a control signal.

The plate <NUM> may be positioned behind the display panel <NUM>. The plate <NUM> may be configured to have a shape corresponding to the overall shape of the display panel <NUM>. The plate <NUM> may absorb heat generated from the display panel <NUM> during operation of the display device <NUM>, and/or heat generated from a PCB <NUM> coupled to the frame <NUM>, which will be described later. The heat absorbed into the plate <NUM> may be uniformly dispersed throughout the plate <NUM>.

Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of local hot spots on the display panel <NUM> due to the heat generated during operation of the display device <NUM>. Here, the plate <NUM> may be referred to as an inner plate, a radiation plate or a heat sink. The plate <NUM> may increase the torsional rigidity and/or the bending rigidity of the display device <NUM>. For example, the plate <NUM> may include a metal material.

The frame <NUM> may be positioned behind the plate <NUM>. The frame <NUM> may be configured to have a plate shape overall. A PCB <NUM> (see <FIG>), on which a plurality of electronic elements are positioned, may be mounted on the frame <NUM>. Here, the frame <NUM> may be referred to as a frame, a flat frame or a module cover. For example, the frame <NUM> may include a metal material.

The side frame <NUM> may form a side surface of the display device <NUM>. The side frame <NUM> may be positioned behind the frame <NUM>. The side frame <NUM> may extend along an edge of the frame <NUM>. For example, the side frame <NUM> may be formed in a shape of a square ring as a whole. For example, the side frame may include a metal material.

The back cover <NUM> may cover the rear surface of the frame <NUM>. The back cover <NUM> may define the rear surface of the display device <NUM>. The back cover <NUM> may include a middle cover <NUM> and a side cover <NUM>. The middle cover <NUM> may be configured to have a plate shape overall, and may be coupled to the side cover <NUM>. The side cover <NUM> may extend along the edge of the middle cover <NUM>, and may be positioned adjacent to the side frame <NUM>. For example, the middle cover <NUM> may include a metal material, and the side cover <NUM> may include a plastic material.

Meanwhile, each of the plate <NUM> and the frame <NUM> may have formed therein cable holes CH1 and CH2 through which cables (not shown) that are electrically connected to the display panel <NUM> extend.

Referring to <FIG>, the side frame <NUM> may include a plurality of parts, which are connected to each other so as to form corners Co (Co1, Co2, Co3 and Co4). The plurality of parts may include a first part 40a, a second part 40b, a third part 40c, a fourth part 40d, and a fifth part 40e.

The first part 40a may extend along the upper side of the frame <NUM>. The second part 40b, which extends from the first part 40a, may be bent at the first corner Co1, and may extend along the right side of the frame <NUM>. The third part 40c, which extends from the second part 40b, may be bent at the fourth corner Co4, and may extend along the lower side of the frame <NUM>. The fourth part 40d, which extends from the first part 40a, may be bent at the second corner Co2, and may extend along the left side of the frame <NUM>. The fifth part 40e, which extends from the fourth part 40d, may be bent at the third corner Co3, and may extend along the lower side of the frame <NUM>. The end of the fifth part 40e may be coupled to the end <NUM> of the third part 40c through welding.

One of the plurality of parts may be spaced apart from an adjacent one of the plurality of parts by a predetermined gap at a corresponding one of the corners Co. For example, the first part 40a may be spaced apart from the second part 40b by a first gap g1 at the first corner Co1, and may be spaced apart from the fourth part 40d by a second gap g2 at the second corner Co2. The fourth part 40d may be spaced apart from the fifth part 40e by a third gap g3 at the third corner Co3, and the second part 40b may be spaced apart from the third part 40c by a fourth gap g4 at the fourth corner Co4. In other words, because the side frame <NUM> is provided with the first gap g1, the second gap g2, the third gap g3 and the fourth gap g4, the side frame <NUM> may be manufactured through a bending process.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the side frame <NUM> may be bent four times, which corresponds to the number of corners Co, thereby defining the first part 40a, the second part 40b, the third part 40c, the fourth part 40d and the fifth part 40e. For example, the side frame <NUM> may be manufactured in a manner such that aluminum (Al) is extruded into a straight form and is then formed into a rectangular shape overall through a bending process, which will be described later.

The straight side frame <NUM> may be bent four times using a bending device (not shown) so as to sequentially form the third corner Co3, the second corner Co2, the first corner Co1 and the fourth corner Co4. Consequently, the side frame <NUM> may include the first part 40a, the second part 40b, the third part 40c, the fourth part 40d, and the fifth part 40e. It will be appreciated that the first to fourth gaps g1 to g4 are provided in order to prevent contact or interference between couplers <NUM> and <NUM> of the plurality of parts, which will be described later, through the bending process.

The first end <NUM> and the second end <NUM> of the side frame <NUM> may be coupled to each other through welding so as to form a closed loop.

Referring to <FIG>, the plate <NUM> may include a base <NUM>, projections <NUM> and protrusions <NUM>. The base <NUM> may face the frame <NUM>, and may be flat overall.

The projections <NUM> may project rearwards from the base <NUM>. The projections <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to the periphery of the base <NUM>. The projections <NUM> may be positioned along the upper side, the lower side, the right side, and the left side of the base <NUM> so as to be spaced apart from each other. For example, each of the projections <NUM> may be configured to have the form of a hollow cylinder. Alternatively, each of the projections <NUM> may also be configured to have the form of a solid cylinder.

The protrusions <NUM> may project rearwards from the base <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> may be spaced apart from the projections <NUM> in the inward direction of the base <NUM>. In other words, the projections <NUM> may be formed at the periphery of the base <NUM>, and the protrusions <NUM> may be formed at the inner region of the base <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> may include a plurality of protrusions. For example, each of the protrusions <NUM> may be configured to have the form of a solid cylinder. Accordingly, embodying each of the protrusions <NUM> in the form of a solid cylinder may be advantageous in preventing heat generated from the PCV <NUM> from being transmitted to the display panel <NUM> via the protrusions <NUM>, compared to hollow protrusions.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the frame <NUM> may include a base <NUM> facing the plate <NUM>. And, through holes <NUM> and insertion holes <NUM> may be formed through the base <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The through holes <NUM> and the insertion holes <NUM> may be formed through the base <NUM> in an anteroposterior direction.

The through holes <NUM> may be positioned close to the periphery of the base <NUM>. The through holes <NUM> may include a plurality of through holes, which are positioned along the upper side, the lower side, the right side and the left side of the base <NUM> so as to be spaced apart from each other and to be aligned with the projections <NUM>.

The insertion holes <NUM> may be spaced apart from the through holes <NUM> in the inward direction of the base <NUM>. The insertion holes <NUM> may include a plurality of coupling holes, which are aligned with the protrusions <NUM>.

The projections <NUM> may extend through a corresponding one of the through holes <NUM> such that a portion thereof projects rearwards from the base <NUM>. The protrusions <NUM> may be fitted into a corresponding one of the insertion holes <NUM> such that a portion thereof projects rearwards from the base <NUM>. Since the projections <NUM> extend through the through holes <NUM> while the protrusions <NUM> are fitted into the insertion holes <NUM>, the plate <NUM> and the frame <NUM> may be coupled to each other.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the side frame <NUM> may include the couplers <NUM> and <NUM> and a cover portion <NUM>.

The couplers <NUM> and <NUM> may be positioned adjacent to the periphery of the frame <NUM> so as to face the rear surface of the frame <NUM>, and may extend along the edge of the frame <NUM>. The couplers <NUM> and <NUM> may be configured to have a rectangular shape overall. Here, the couplers <NUM> and <NUM> may be referred to as bodies of the first to fifth parts. The cover portion <NUM> may extend along the edge of the frame <NUM> while intersecting the couplers <NUM> and <NUM> so as to cover the lateral surface of the frame <NUM>. For example, the cover portion <NUM> and the couplers <NUM> and <NUM> may intersect each other. The cover portion <NUM> may define the lateral appearance of the display device <NUM>.

The couplers <NUM> and <NUM> may include a flat portion <NUM> and a depressed portion <NUM>. The flat portion <NUM> may face the rear surface of the base <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. For example, the front surface of the flat portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the rear surface of the base <NUM>. The depressed portion <NUM> may be depressed forwards from the flat portion <NUM> so as to be in contact with the rear surface of the base <NUM>. The depressed portion <NUM> may be depressed forwards from the flat portion <NUM> so as to form a step. The depressed portion <NUM> may include a plurality of depressed portions, which are provided along the flat portion <NUM> so as to be aligned with the projections <NUM>.

The side frame <NUM> may be provided therein with coupling holes 42a. Specifically, the coupling holes 42a may be formed through the depressed portions <NUM> of the couplers <NUM> and <NUM>. The projections <NUM> may be sequentially fitted into the through hole <NUM> and the coupling hole 42a such that a portion thereof projects rearwards from the depressed portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the projection <NUM> of the plate <NUM> may be sequentially fitted into the through hole <NUM> in the frame <NUM> and the coupling hole 42a in the side frame <NUM>, and the end of the projection <NUM>, which projects rearwards from the side frame <NUM>, may be bent so as to be coupled to the side frame <NUM>. Here, the end of the projection <NUM> may be bent through a punching process.

Consequently, the plate <NUM>, the frame <NUM> and the side frame <NUM> may be in close contact with one another, and may thus be integrally coupled with one another. Furthermore, since the coupling procedure is simplified and an additional coupling element is obviated, it is possible to reduce material costs and there is an advantage in that the thickness of the display device <NUM> is reduced.

Referring to <FIG>, the body <NUM> of the projection <NUM> may extend in an anteroposterior direction, and may be configured to have the form of a hollow cylinder so as to have therein an opening OP1, which is formed through the front and rear ends thereof. The end of the projection <NUM> that is passed through the through hole <NUM> and the coupling hole 42a may be bent so as to form a head <NUM>, which comes into contact with the depressed portion <NUM>. The head <NUM> may be bent radially at the end of the body <NUM>, and may come into contact with the rear surface of the depressed portion <NUM>. Here, the base <NUM> of the frame <NUM> may be secured between the base <NUM> of the plate <NUM> and the head <NUM>. For example, the end of the head <NUM> opposite the end of the head <NUM> that is coupled to the end of the body <NUM> may be subjected to caulking treatment so as to increase the binding force between the head <NUM> and the depressed portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a body <NUM>' of a projection <NUM>' may extend in an anteroposterior direction, and may be configured to have the form of a cylinder cap having therein an opening OP2, which is blind at the rear end thereof and open at the front end thereof. The end of the body <NUM>' that is passed through the through hole <NUM> and the coupling hole 42a may be bent so as to form a head <NUM>', which comes into contact with the depressed portion <NUM>. The head <NUM>' may be bent radially at the end of the body <NUM>', and may come into contact with the rear surface of the depressed portion <NUM>. Here, the base <NUM> of the frame <NUM> may be secured between the base <NUM> of the plate <NUM> and the head <NUM>'. For example, the end of the head <NUM>' opposite the end of the head <NUM>' that is coupled to the end of the body <NUM>' may be subjected to caulking treatment so as to increase the binding force between the head <NUM>' and the depressed portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, a body <NUM>" of a projection <NUM>" may extend in an anteroposterior direction, and may be configured to have the form of a solid cylinder. The end of the body <NUM>" that has passed through the through hole <NUM> and the coupling hole 42a may be bent so as to form a head <NUM>", which comes into contact with the depressed portion <NUM>. The head <NUM>" may be bent radially at the end of the body <NUM>", and may come into contact with the rear surface of the depressed portion <NUM>. Here, the base <NUM> of the frame <NUM> may be secured between the base <NUM> of the plate <NUM> and the head <NUM>". For example, the end of the head <NUM>" opposite the end of the head <NUM>" that is coupled to the end of the body <NUM>" may be subjected to caulking treatment so as to increase the binding force between the head <NUM>" and the depressed portion <NUM>.

Referring again to <FIG>, the depressed portion <NUM> may have a first area A1, in which the coupling hole 42a is formed, and a second area A2 adjacent to the flat portion <NUM>. Furthermore, the depressed portion <NUM> may have a third area A3, which is in contact with the head <NUM>; <NUM>'; <NUM>". Accordingly, by virtue of the second area A2, the operation of bending the end of the body <NUM>; <NUM>'; <NUM>" at the depressed portion <NUM> may be conducted without interference with the flat portion <NUM>.

Meanwhile, the frame <NUM> and the side frame <NUM> may include a metal material. The base <NUM> of the frame <NUM> may have a thickness smaller than the thickness of the coupling portion <NUM>, <NUM> of the side frame <NUM>. In other words, a portion of the base <NUM> of the frame <NUM> may be pressed rearwards so as to provide a space, in which the PCB <NUM> (see <FIG>), or to ensure torsional rigidity and/or bending rigidity. In order to facilitate the pressing operation, the base <NUM> of the frame <NUM> may be relatively thin. Meanwhile, the side frame <NUM> may be relatively thick.

Accordingly, in order to prevent the base <NUM> of the frame <NUM>, which has a relatively small thickness, from being deformed beyond a specific threshold or breaking due to the operation of bending the end of the body <NUM>; <NUM>'; <NUM>", it is preferable that the base <NUM> of the frame <NUM> be positioned between the base <NUM> of the plate <NUM> and the depressed portion <NUM> and that the bending operation be conducted at the depressed portion <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an extension <NUM> may project from the inner surface of the cover portion <NUM> so as to face the rear surface of the display panel <NUM>, and may extend along the inner surface of the cover portion <NUM>.

A first adhesive member AM1 may be disposed between the display panel <NUM> and the extension <NUM>, and may be coupled thereto. The first adhesive member AM1 may extend along the inner surface of the cover portion <NUM>.

A second adhesive member AM2 may be disposed between the display panel <NUM> and the base <NUM> of the plate <NUM>, and may be coupled thereto. The second adhesive member AM2 may extend in a left-right direction or in an up-down direction.

For example, each of the first adhesive member AM1 and the second adhesive member AM2 may be a piece of double-sided adhesive tape.

Referring to <FIG>, the middle cover <NUM> may have a plurality of first holes <NUM> formed in the periphery thereof. Here, the side cover <NUM> may have a plurality of second holes <NUM>, which are formed in the periphery thereof and are respectively aligned with the plurality of first holes <NUM>.

The side cover <NUM> may be coupled to the middle cover <NUM> by fastening elements F1, such as screws, into the plurality of first holes <NUM> through the plurality of second holes <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the base <NUM> of the frame <NUM> may be in contact with the rear surface of the base <NUM> of the plate <NUM>. Here, the base <NUM> may be referred to as a contact portion. Reinforcing portions <NUM> and <NUM> of the frame <NUM> (see <FIG>) may be formed by pressing the base <NUM> rearwards. Consequently, the reinforcing portions <NUM> and <NUM> may increase the torsional rigidity and/or bending rigidity of the frame <NUM>.

The reinforcing portion <NUM> and <NUM> may include a first reinforcing portion <NUM>, adjacent to the periphery of the base <NUM>, and a second reinforcing portion <NUM>, which is spaced apart from the first reinforcing portion <NUM> in the inward direction of the base <NUM>. The first reinforcing portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the rear surface of the base <NUM> of the plate <NUM> so as to define a first space S1. The second reinforcing portion <NUM> may be spaced apart from the rear surface of the base <NUM> of the plate so as to define a second space S2.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a coupling portion <NUM> may project rearwards from the first reinforcing portion <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> may include a plurality of coupling portions <NUM>, which are positioned along the first reinforcing portion <NUM>. For example, the coupling portion <NUM> may be a PEM nut. The middle cover <NUM> may have a coupling hole <NUM> formed through the middle cover <NUM> in an anteroposterior direction. The coupling hole <NUM> may include a plurality of coupling holes, which are respectively aligned with the coupling portions <NUM>.

The middle cover <NUM> may be coupled to the first reinforcing portion <NUM> by fastening elements F2, such as screws, into the coupling portions <NUM> through the coupling holes <NUM>.

Consequently, since the first reinforcing portion <NUM> and the middle cover <NUM> including a metal material are integrally coupled with each other, it is possible to further increase the torsional rigidity and/or bending rigidity of the display device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a plurality of PCBs <NUM> may be mounted on the first part <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The PCBs <NUM> may be referred to as boards. For example, the PCB may include a power supply board <NUM> for supplying power to individual components of the display device <NUM>, a timing controller board <NUM> for providing an image signal to the display panel <NUM>, and a main board <NUM> for controlling the individual components of the display device <NUM>. The plurality of PCBs <NUM> may be electrically connected to each other and to the individual components of the display device <NUM>.

A plurality of electronic elements may be mounted on the PCB <NUM>, and heat HA may be generated in response to the operation thereof. The middle cover <NUM> may include a metal material and have excellent thermal conductivity. And, heat generated from the PCB <NUM> is discharged to the rear through the middle cover <NUM>, so that the function of the display panel <NUM> may be prevented from being deteriorated or damaged by the heat generated from the PCB <NUM>.

A hole <NUM> through which air is introduced or discharged may be formed at one side of the side cover <NUM>. A plurality of holes <NUM> may be provided, and the side cover <NUM> may be preferably formed of a plastic material so that the plurality of holes <NUM> can be easily formed. The middle cover <NUM> may provide a flow path AF for air passing through the hole <NUM> by being spaced from the base <NUM> of the frame <NUM>.

For example, in consideration of the characteristic that a relatively high temperature fluid moves upwards than a relatively low temperature fluid, the hole <NUM> may have an inlet hole 528a positioned at a relatively lower side and a discharge hole 528b positioned at a relatively upper side. Specifically, the inlet hole 528a may formed on the lower side of the side cover <NUM> so that outdoor air may be introduced. The discharge hole 528b may be formed on the upper side of the side cover <NUM> so that air having a temperature rise due to heat generated from the display device <NUM> including heat HA generated from the PCB <NUM> may be discharged. In this case, the display device <NUM> may include a fan (not shown) mounded on the frame <NUM> to cause the air to flow through the inlet hole 528a and the discharge hole 528b.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, provided is a display device including a display panel, a frame positioned behind the display panel, a plate positioned between the display panel and the frame, and a side frame, which extends along an edge of the frame behind the frame and which is coupled to the frame, wherein the plate includes a base facing the frame, and a projection, which projects rearwards from the base through the frame and the side frame and which is bent at an end thereof so as to be coupled to the side frame.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the frame may have therein a through hole, through which the projection extends, and the side frame may have therein a coupling hole, through which the projection passes, wherein the projection may include a body extending through the through hole and the coupling hole in an anteroposterior direction, and a head, which is bent at an end thereof so as to be in contact with the side frame, and wherein the frame may be secured between the base and the head.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the side frame may include a coupling portion, which is positioned adjacent to a periphery of the frame and which extends along the edge of the frame while facing a rear surface of the frame, and a cover portion, which intersects the coupling portion and which extends along the edge of the frame so as to cover a lateral surface of the frame, wherein the coupling hole may be formed in the coupling portion, and the head may be in contact with a rear surface of the coupling portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the frame may have a thickness smaller than a thickness of the coupling portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the coupling portion may include a flat portion facing the rear surface of the frame, and a depressed portion, which is depressed forwards from the flat portion so as to be in contact with the rear surface of the frame and in which the coupling hole is formed, and the head may be in contact with a rear surface of the depressed portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the depressed portion may include a first area in which the coupling hole is formed, a second area adjacent to the flat portion, and a third area, which is positioned between the first area and the second area and with which the head is in contact.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the display device may further include an extension, which projects from an inner surface of the cover portion and which extends along the inner surface of the cover portion while facing a rear surface of the display panel, and an adhesive member, which is disposed between the display panel and the extension and is coupled thereto.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the display device may further include a protrusion, which projects rearwards from the base and is fitted into the frame, wherein the frame may have a coupling hole into which the protrusion is fitted, wherein the projection may be positioned adjacent to a periphery of the base, and wherein the protrusion may be spaced apart from the projection in an inward direction of the base.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the projection may be configured to have a form of a hollow cylinder, and the protrusion may be configured to have a form of a solid cylinder.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the frame may include a contact portion contacting a rear surface of the plate, and a reinforcing portion, which is depressed rearwards from the contact portion so as to be spaced apart from the rear surface of the plate, and the through hole may be formed in the contact portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the display device may further include a back cover configured to cover a rear of the frame, the back cover being coupled to the reinforcing portion.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the back cover may include a side cover, which is positioned adjacent to the side frame and which has therein a hole, through which air is introduced and discharged, and a middle cover coupled to the side cover.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the middle cover may be coupled to the reinforcing portion and may be spaced apart from the contact portion so as to provide a flow channel for the air passing through the hole.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, the middle cover may include a metal material, and the side cover may include a plastic material.

Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or all elements of the embodiments of the disclosure described above may be combined with each other in configuration or function.

Claim 1:
A display device (<NUM>) comprising:
a display panel (<NUM>);
a frame (<NUM>) positioned behind the display panel (<NUM>);
a plate (<NUM>) positioned between the display panel (<NUM>) and the frame (<NUM>); and
a side frame (<NUM>), which extends along an edge of the frame (<NUM>) behind the frame (<NUM>) and which is coupled to the frame (<NUM>),
characterized in that the plate (<NUM>) comprises:
a base (<NUM>) facing the frame (<NUM>); and
a projection (<NUM>), which projects rearwards from the base (<NUM>) through the frame (<NUM>) and the side frame (<NUM>) and which is bent at an end thereof so as to be coupled to the side frame (<NUM>).