Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to a display apparatus.

Generally, display apparatuses are equipped in home appliances or electronic devices, such as televisions (TVs), monitors, notebook computers, smartphones, tablet computers, electronic organizers, electronic pads, wearable devices, watch phones, portable information devices, navigation devices, and automotive control display apparatuses, and are used as a screen for displaying an image.

General display apparatuses include a display panel for displaying an image and a sound device for outputting a sound associated with the image. <CIT> relates to a display device including a display panel having first, second, and third areas; at least three sound generating actuators including first, second, and third actuators each spaced apart from the other two in a long axis direction of the display panel, wherein the first, second, and third actuators each contact the display panel at the first, second, and third areas, respectively, to generate sound by vibrating the display panel; and a support structure at a rear side of the display panel configured to support the at least three sound generating actuators. <CIT> relates to a three-dimensional haptic feedback handheld electronic device, comprising: a housing; a firstdirectional actuator group, disposed on an inner surface of the housing, wherein the firstdirectional actuator group generates vibration inertial force that is parallel to a first axial direction; a second-directional actuator group, disposed on the inner surface of the housing, wherein the second-directional actuator group generates vibration inertial force that is parallel to a second axial direction and perpendicular to the first axial direction; and a third-directional actuator group, disposed on the inner surface of the housing, wherein the third-directional actuator group generates vibration inertial force that is parallel to a third axial direction and perpendicular to a plane defined by the first axial direction and the second axial direction.

However, in general display apparatuses, because a sound output from a sound device travels to a region behind or under a display panel, sound quality is degraded due to interference between sounds reflected from a wall and the ground, and for this reason, there is a problem that clear transmission of the sound is difficult and a viewer's immersion experience is reduced.

Accordingly, the present disclosure is to provide a display apparatus that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present disclosure is to provide a display apparatus which outputs a sound to a region in front of a display panel.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a display apparatus for improving a low-pitched sound band characteristic of a sound output based on a vibration of a display panel.

Additional advantages and features of the disclosure will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned from practice of the disclosure. The objectives are solved by the subject-matter of the independent claim. Further advantageous embodiments and refinements are defined by the respective sub-claims.

According to an embodiment of the disclosure, there is provided a display apparatus comprising a display panel configured to display an image and a sound generation device including a vibration generation module configured to vibrate the display panel, wherein the vibration generation module includes a vibration element on a rear surface of the display panel and a vibration reflecting member on the rear surface of the display panel and spaced apart from the vibration element.

Preferably, a distance between the vibration reflecting member and the vibration element may be <NUM> to <NUM>.

Preferably, the vibration reflecting member may comprise a pair of metal bars in parallel with the vibration element therebetween.

The pair of metal bars each may comprise an extension part extending toward the vibration element.

The vibration reflecting member may comprise a pair of first metal bars in parallel with the vibration element therebetween, with respect to a first direction; and/or a pair of second metal bars in parallel with the vibration element therebetween, with respect to a second direction intersecting the first direction.

At least one of the pair of metal bars and the pair of second metal bars each may comprise an extension part extending toward the vibration element.

The vibration element may comprise a piezoelectric material layer, and/or a portion or an entire portion of a front surface of the piezoelectric material layer is attached on the rear surface of the display panel by an adhesive member.

The vibration element may comprise a piezoelectric material layer; and/or a metal plate on a front surface of the piezoelectric material, and/or a portion or an entire portion of the front surface of the piezoelectric material layer is attached on the rear surface of the display panel by an adhesive member.

Each of the pair of metal bars may have a concavely curved shape.

The display apparatus may further comprise a rear mechanical structure on the rear surface of the display panel, wherein the vibration reflecting member contacts the rear mechanism, or is spaced apart from the rear mechanical structure.

The display apparatus may further comprise at least one partition member between the rear surface of the display panel and the rear mechanical structure to surround the at least one vibration generation module.

The at least one partition member may comprise first to fourth sides, wherein at least one of the first to fourth sides comprises a bent part bent toward the vibration element or the vibration reflecting member.

The display panel may comprise a first rear region and a second rear region, and the sound generation device may comprise: a first vibration generation module in the first rear region of the display panel, the first vibration generation module including the vibration element and the vibration reflecting member; and/or a second vibration generation module in the second rear region of the display panel, the second vibration generation module including the vibration element and the vibration reflecting member.

The display apparatus may further comprise a first partition member and a second partition member between the rear surface of the display panel and the rear mechanical structure to surround each of the first vibration generation module and the second vibration generation module.

The first partition member and the second partition member may each comprise first to fourth sides, and at least one of the first to fourth sides may comprise a bent part bent toward the vibration element facing the at least one side or the vibration reflecting member facing the at least one side.

The display panel may comprise a first rear region, a second rear region, and a third rear region between the first rear region and the second rear region, the sound generation device may comprise: at least one first vibration generation module in the first rear region of the display panel, the at least one first vibration generation module including the vibration element and the vibration reflecting member; at least one second vibration generation module in the second rear region of the display panel, the at least one second vibration generation module including the vibration element and the vibration reflecting member; and at least one third vibration generation module in the third rear region of the display panel, the at least one third vibration generation module including the vibration element and the vibration reflecting member.

The display apparatus may further comprise: a first partition member between the rear surface of the display panel and the rear mechanical structure to surround all of the first to third vibration generation modules; a second partition member between the first rear region and the third rear region; and a third partition member between the second rear region and the third rear region.

The first partition member may comprise first to fourth sides, and at least one of the first to fourth sides comprises a bent part bent toward the vibration element or the vibration reflecting member in the first to third rear regions of the display panel.

In another aspect, there is provided a display apparatus comprising a display panel configured to display an image and a sound generation device including a vibration generation module configured to vibrate the display panel, wherein the vibration generation module includes a vibration element on a rear surface of the display panel and a weight member on the rear surface of the display panel.

A distance between the weight member and the vibration element may be <NUM> to <NUM>.

The weight member may comprise a pair of metal bars in parallel with the vibration element therebetween, with respect to at least one direction of a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction.

A weight of each of the pair of metal bars may be <NUM>% to <NUM>% of a total weight of the display panel.

Other systems, methods, features and advantages will be or will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features and advantages are included within this description, within the scope of the present disclosure, and protected by the following claims. Nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims. Further aspects and advantages are discussed below in conjunction with embodiments of the disclosure. It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description of the present disclosure are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the disclosure as claimed.

The accompanying drawings, that may be included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain various principles of the disclosure.

Reference will now be made in detail to the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, when a detailed description of well-known functions or configurations related to this document is determined to unnecessarily cloud a gist of the inventive concept, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. The progression of processing steps and/or operations described is an example; however, the sequence of steps and/or operations is not limited to that set forth herein and may be changed as is known in the art or as apparent to those skilled in the art, with the exception of steps and/or operations necessarily occurring in a particular order. Like reference numerals designate like elements throughout. Names of the respective elements used in the following explanations are selected only for convenience of writing the specification and may thus be different from those used in actual products.

Advantages and features of the present disclosure, and implementation methods thereof will be clarified through following embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure may be sufficiently thorough and complete to assist those skilled in the art to fully understand the scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art. Further, the present disclosure is only defined by scopes of claims.

A shape, a size, a ratio, an angle, and a number disclosed in the drawings for describing embodiments of the present disclosure are merely an example. Thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the illustrated details. In the following description, when the detailed description of the relevant known function or configuration is determined to unnecessarily obscure the important point of the present disclosure, the detailed description of such known function or configuration may be omitted.

In a case where "comprise," "have," and "include" described in the present specification are used, another part may be added unless a more limiting term, such as "only" is used. The terms of a singular form may include plural forms unless referred to the contrary.

In construing an element, the element is construed as including an error or tolerance range even where is no explicit description of such an error or tolerance range.

In describing a position relationship, when a position relation between two parts is described as "on," "over," "under," or "next," one or more other parts may be disposed between the two parts unless a more limiting term, such as "just," or "direct(ly)" is used.

In describing a time relationship, for example, when the temporal order is described as "after," "subsequent," "next," or "before," a case which is not continuous may be included unless a more limiting term, such as "just," "immediate(ly)," or "direct(ly)" is used.

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 as they are not used to define a particular order. These terms are used only to distinguish one element from another.

In describing elements of the present disclosure, the terms like "first," "second," "A," "B," "(a)," and "(b)" may be used. These terms are merely for differentiating one element from another element, and the essence, sequence, order, or number of a corresponding element should not be limited by the terms. Also, when an element or layer is described as being "connected," "coupled," or "adhered" to another element or layer, the element or layer can not only be directly connected or adhered to that other element or layer, but also be indirectly connected or adhered to the other element or layer with one or more intervening elements or layer "disposed" between the elements or layers, unless otherwise specified.

The term "at least one" should be understood as including any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. For example, the meaning of "at least one of a first item, a second item, and a third item" encompasses the combination of all items proposed from two or more of the first item, the second item, and the third item as well as the first item, the second item, or the third item. In the description of embodiments, when a structure is described as being positioned "on or above" or "under or below" another structure, this description should be construed as including a case in which the structures contact each other as well as a case in which a third structure is disposed therebetween. The size and thickness of each element shown in the drawings are given merely for the convenience of description, and embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto, unless otherwise specified.

Features of various embodiments of the present disclosure may be partially or overall coupled to or combined with each other, and may be variously inter-operated with each other and driven technically as those skilled in the art can sufficiently understand. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be carried out independently from each other, or may be carried out together in co-dependent relationship.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a display apparatus according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In adding reference numerals to elements of each of the drawings, although the same elements are illustrated in other drawings, like reference numerals may refer to like elements. In description below, when the detailed description of the relevant known function or configuration is determined to unnecessarily obscure the important point of the present disclosure, the detailed description will be omitted.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a display apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. <FIG> is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line I-I' illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is an enlarged view of a portion A illustrated in <FIG>. <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a sound generation device according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in <FIG>and <FIG>.

With reference to <FIG>, the display apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure may include a display panel <NUM> and a sound generation device <NUM>.

The display panel <NUM> may display an image and may be used as a panel speaker that may be vibrated by the sound generation device <NUM> disposed on a rear surface of the display panel <NUM> to output a sound. The front surface of the display panel <NUM> may be defined as the main surface of the display panel <NUM> configured to display an image. The rear surface of the display panel <NUM> may be defined as the surface of the display panel <NUM> opposite to the front surface thereof.

The display panel <NUM> according to the present disclosure may be a curved display panel or one of any type of display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel, an organic light emitting display panel, a quantum dot light emitting display panel, a micro light emitting diode display panel, and an electrophoresis display panel, but embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the display panel <NUM> may use any display panel that may be vibrated by the sound generation device <NUM> to generate a sound wave.

The display panel <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a thin film transistor (TFT) array substrate which includes a plurality of pixels defined by intersections of a plurality of gate lines and a plurality of data lines and a TFT provided in each of the plurality of pixels to drive a corresponding pixel, an organic light emitting device layer provided on the TFT array substrate, and an encapsulation substrate covering the organic light emitting device layer. Here, the encapsulation substrate may protect the TFT and the organic light emitting device layer from an external impact and may prevent water from penetrating into the organic light emitting device layer.

The sound generation device <NUM> may vibrate the display panel <NUM> according to driving (or vibration) of at least one vibration generation module <NUM> to allow a sound SW, generated based on the vibration of the display panel <NUM>, to be directly output to a region FD in front of the display panel <NUM>. For example, the sound generation device <NUM> may generate sound by using the display panel <NUM> as a vibration plate, and thus, may be referred to as a vibration generation device.

The sound generation device <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure may include one vibration generation module <NUM> which vibrates according to a sound signal (or a vibration driving signal) provided from a sound driving circuit to vibrate the display panel <NUM>.

The vibration generation module <NUM> according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure may include a vibration element <NUM> and a vibration reflecting member <NUM>.

The vibration element <NUM> may be disposed on the rear surface of the display panel <NUM> and may repeatedly contract and expand according to an inverse piezoelectric effect of a piezoelectric material based on the sound signal provided from the sound driving circuit, thereby vibrating the display panel <NUM>. The vibration element <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a piezoelectric material layer having a piezoelectric effect, a first electrode disposed on a front surface of the piezoelectric material layer, and a second electrode disposed on a rear surface of the piezoelectric material layer. Because the vibration element <NUM> includes the piezoelectric material, the vibration element <NUM> may be referred to as a piezoelectric element.

The piezoelectric material layer may include a piezoelectric material which vibrates with an electric field. Here, the piezoelectric material may have a characteristic in which as pressure is applied to the material, or as twisting occurs in a crystalline structure of the material due to an external force, a potential difference is caused by dielectric polarization based on a relative position change of a positive (+) ion and a negative (-) ion, and vibration occurs due to an electric field based on an applied voltage. For example, the piezoelectric material layer may have a parallelepiped structure or a hexahedral structure of a square or a rectangular shape.

The piezoelectric material layer according to an embodiment may include a polymer material-containing piezoelectric material, a thin film material-containing piezoelectric material, a composite material-containing piezoelectric material, a single crystalline ceramic piezoelectric material, or a polycrystalline ceramic piezoelectric material. Examples of the polymer material-containing piezoelectric material according to an embodiment may include polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF), polyvinylidene fluoride-co-trifluoroethylene (P(VDF-TrFe)), and P(VDFTeFE). Examples of the thin film material-containing piezoelectric material according to an embodiment may include ZnO, CdS, and AlN. Examples of the composite material-containing piezoelectric material may include PZT(lead zirconate titanate)-PVDF, PZT-silicon rubber, PZT-epoxy, PZT-foam polymer, and PZT-foam urethane. Examples of the single crystalline ceramic piezoelectric material according to an embodiment may include α-AlPO<NUM>, α-SiO<NUM>, LiNbO<NUM>, Tb<NUM>(MoO<NUM>)<NUM>, Li<NUM>B<NUM>O<NUM>, and ZnO. Examples of the polycrystalline ceramic piezoelectric material according to an embodiment may include a PZT-based ceramic piezoelectric material, a PT-based ceramic piezoelectric material, a PZT-complex perovskitebased ceramic piezoelectric material, and BaTiO<NUM>.

The first electrode and the second electrode according to an embodiment may be provided to overlap each other with the piezoelectric material layer therebetween. The first electrode and the second electrode may each include an opaque metal material which is relatively low in resistance and is good in heat dissipation characteristic, but are not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first electrode and the second electrode may each include a transparent conductive material or a conductive polymer material.

The vibration element <NUM> may have a sound output characteristic of a high-pitched sound band which is relatively better than a sound output characteristic of a low-pitched sound band, and thus, may increase a sound pressure level and a frequency characteristic of a high-pitched sound band of a sound generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>. For example, a high-pitched sound band frequency may be <NUM> or more, and a low-pitched sound band frequency may be <NUM> or less. However, the present embodiment is not limited thereto.

The vibration element <NUM> according to an embodiment may be disposed on a rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> by an adhesive member <NUM>. For example, an entire front surface of the vibration element <NUM> may be disposed on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> by the adhesive member <NUM>.

The adhesive member <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a double-sided tape or a naturally curable adhesive. Here, in a case where the adhesive member <NUM> may include a thermo-hardening adhesive or a photo-hardening adhesive, a characteristic of the vibration element <NUM> may be reduced by heat used in a curing process of curing the adhesive member <NUM>. Thus, the adhesive member <NUM> may include a double-sided tape or a naturally curable adhesive.

The vibration reflecting member <NUM> may be disposed on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> to be spaced apart from the vibration element <NUM>. For example, the vibration reflecting member <NUM> may be attached on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> by a connection member <NUM>. The connection member <NUM> according to an embodiment may be implemented with a double-sided tape or a double-sided adhesive foam pad, but is not limited thereto. The vibration reflecting member <NUM> may reflect vibration, propagated (or transferred) in a first direction X according to a vibration (or contraction and expansion) of the vibration element <NUM>, to the vibration element <NUM>. The reflected vibration (or a reflected wave) reflected by the vibration reflecting member <NUM> may amplify vibration energy near the vibration element <NUM> to improve a vibration frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band. In other words, the vibration reflecting member <NUM> may act as a mass for vibration of the display panel (<NUM>).

The vibration reflecting member <NUM> may also reflect a vibration (hereinafter referred to as a panel vibration) of the display panel <NUM>, caused by a vibration of the vibration element <NUM>, to the vibration element <NUM> to generate the reflected vibration. In this case, as illustrated in <FIG>, the panel vibration may be progressively attenuated by a damping effect of the display panel <NUM> and may be propagated to the vibration reflecting member <NUM>. The reflected vibration may have a phase based on the damping effect of the display panel <NUM> and a first distance D1 between the vibration element <NUM> and the vibration reflecting member <NUM>. Here, the damping effect of the display panel <NUM> may be dissipation of vibration energy based on time or a distance and may represent a damping force of amplitude which is progressively reduced with time.

Vibration near the vibration element <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, may be amplified by constructive interference between a panel vibration PV and a reflected vibration RV, based on a first distance D1 between the vibration element <NUM> and the vibration reflecting member <NUM>, but as illustrated in <FIG>, may be offset by destructive interference between the panel vibration PV and the reflected vibration RV. For example, as the vibration reflecting member <NUM> is located relatively farther away from the vibration element <NUM>, a reflection effect is reduced due to the damping effect of the display panel <NUM>. Also, as the vibration reflecting member <NUM> is located relatively closer to the vibration element <NUM>, a vibration area of the display panel <NUM> is reduced. Therefore, the vibration reflecting member <NUM> may be spaced apart from the vibration element <NUM> by a wavelength distance of the panel vibration PV or by a distance which is not affected by the damping effect of the display panel <NUM>. Thus, the vibration near the vibration element <NUM> may be amplified by the reflected vibration RV, thereby improving a sound pressure characteristic of a sound generated based on the vibration of the display panel <NUM>.

The first distance D1 (or a shortest distance) between the vibration element <NUM> and the vibration reflecting member <NUM> according to an embodiment may be <NUM> to <NUM>. Here, if the first distance D1 between the vibration element <NUM> and the vibration reflecting member 313b is less than <NUM>, the vibration area of the display panel <NUM> based on the vibration of the vibration element <NUM> is reduced, and thus, a sound pressure may be reduced, whereby an effect of the vibration reflecting member <NUM> may not be as good as expected. Also, if the first distance D1 between the vibration element <NUM> and the vibration reflecting member <NUM> is more than <NUM>, due to the damping effect of the display panel <NUM>, a vibration reflection effect of the vibration reflecting member <NUM> and the vibration of the vibration element <NUM> may be reduced, and for this reason, the effect of the vibration reflecting member <NUM> may not be as good as expected. Accordingly, in order to secure the vibration area of the display panel <NUM> based on the vibration of the vibration element <NUM> and increase the vibration reflection effect of the vibration reflecting member <NUM>, the first distance D1 between the vibration element <NUM> and the vibration reflecting member <NUM> may be adjusted to <NUM> to <NUM>.

With reference again to <FIG>, the vibration reflecting member <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a pair of metal bars 313a and 313b.

Each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b may be spaced apart from the vibration element <NUM> and may be disposed on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> by using the connection member <NUM>. For example, the first distance D1 between the vibration element <NUM> and each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b may be adjusted to <NUM> to <NUM>. Each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b may have a weight (or a mass), and thus, may increase an inertia moment of the display panel <NUM> based on the vibration of the vibration element <NUM>. For example, when the display panel <NUM> vibrates based on the vibration of the vibration element <NUM>, each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b may decrease a resonant frequency "f<NUM>" of the display panel <NUM> according to a weight as expressed in the following Equation (<NUM>), thereby improving a frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band of a sound generated based on the vibration of the display panel <NUM>: <MAT> where f<NUM> denotes a resonant frequency, s denotes stiffness, and m denotes a weight (or a mass).

Each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b according to an embodiment may have a weight (or a mass) which is adjusted to <NUM>% to <NUM>% of a total weight of the display panel <NUM>. In this case, as a weight of each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b increases, the resonant frequency of the display panel <NUM> is reduced, but a total weight of the display apparatus increases in proportion to the increased weight. Therefore, a weight of each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b may be adjusted for a reproduction frequency band and a sound pressure level of a sound output based on the vibration of the display panel <NUM>. The vibration reflecting member <NUM> including the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b may act as a mass for the vibration of the display panel <NUM>, and thus, may be referred to as a weight member or a mass member.

The pair of metal bars 313a and 313b may be disposed in parallel with the vibration element <NUM> therebetween. For example, the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b may be disposed in parallel, with the vibration element <NUM> therebetween, along a first direction X and may be disposed in parallel along a second direction Y intersecting the first direction X. Here, the first direction X may be a direction parallel to a long-side direction of the display panel <NUM>, and the second direction Y may be a direction parallel to a short-side direction of the display panel <NUM>.

Each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b according to an embodiment may include a pair of first sides which have a first length L1 and are parallel to the first direction X, a pair of second sides which have a second length L2 and are parallel to the second direction Y, and a certain thickness. For example, each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b may have a rectangular parallelepiped structure or a rectangular hexahedral structure where each of the pair of first sides has a length shorter than that of each of the pair of second sides.

Each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b according to an embodiment may be formed of a metal material, and for example, may be formed of one of an aluminum (Al) material, a magnesium (Mg) material, an Al alloy material, a Mg alloy material, and a magnesium-lithium (Mg-Li) alloy material.

A rear mechanical structure <NUM> may be disposed on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> to support a rear periphery of the display panel <NUM>. The rear mechanical structure <NUM> may cover the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> and a rear surface of the sound generation device <NUM>.

The rear mechanical structure <NUM> according to an embodiment may be implemented with a cover bottom which is disposed on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM>, or may be implemented with a middle cabinet which is connected to a cover bottom, surrounds a side surface of the display panel <NUM>, accommodates one periphery of the display panel <NUM>, and supports the display panel <NUM>. For example, the middle cabinet may include a '<IMG>'-shaped cross-sectional surface. The rear mechanical structure <NUM> may be implemented with the cover bottom or the middle cabinet connected to the cover bottom, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the rear mechanical structure <NUM> may be implemented in a structure which covers the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> or covers all of the rear surface 100a and the side surface of the display panel <NUM>.

Herein, the rear mechanical structure <NUM> may be referred to as a cover bottom, a plate bottom, a back cover, a base frame, a metal frame, a metal chassis, a chassis base, or an m-chassis. Therefore, the rear mechanical structure <NUM> may be a supporter for supporting the display panel <NUM> and may be implemented as any type of frame or plate-shaped structure disposed on a rear surface of the display apparatus.

The rear mechanical structure <NUM> according to an embodiment may include at least one of a glass material, a metal material, and a plastic material which has a plate shape and covers the entire rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> with a gap space GS therebetween. Here, a periphery or a sharp corner of the rear mechanical structure <NUM> may have a sloped shape or a curved shape through a chamfer process or a corner rounding process. In an example, the rear mechanical structure <NUM> including the glass material may include sapphire glass. As another example, the rear mechanical structure <NUM> including the metal material may include one of Al, an A1 alloy, a Mg alloy, and an iron (Fe)-nickel (Ni) alloy. As another example, the rear mechanical structure <NUM> may have a stacked structure including a glass plate and a metal plate which has a thickness relatively thinner than the glass plate and faces the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM>.

The rear mechanical structure <NUM> according to an embodiment may be disposed in the rear periphery of the display panel <NUM> by using a panel fixing member <NUM>.

The panel fixing member <NUM> may be disposed between the periphery of the rear surface of the display panel <NUM> and a periphery of the rear mechanical structure <NUM> and may attach the display panel <NUM> on the rear mechanical structure <NUM>. The panel fixing member <NUM> according to an embodiment may be implemented with a double-sided tape or a double-sided adhesive foam pad, but is not limited thereto.

A front surface 500a of the rear mechanical structure <NUM> according to an embodiment may be spaced apart from a rear surface of the sound generation device <NUM>. The front surface 500a of the rear mechanical structure may be defined as the surface of the rear mechanical structure <NUM> being arranged opposite to the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM>. For example, the front surface 500a of the rear mechanical structure <NUM> may be spaced apart from a rear surface of the vibration element <NUM> and may be spaced apart from a rear surface of the vibration reflecting member <NUM>. A separation space DS between the front surface 500a of the rear mechanical structure <NUM> and the rear surface of the sound generation device <NUM> prevents noise from occurring due to a physical contact between the rear mechanical structure <NUM> and the vibration element <NUM> when the vibration element <NUM> vibrates and enables a smooth vibration of the vibration element <NUM> and a free deformation of the display panel <NUM> caused by the smooth vibration, thereby increasing a vibration amplitude of the display panel <NUM> to improve a sound pressure characteristic of a sound generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>. Therefore, the panel fixing member <NUM> according to an embodiment may have a thickness which is thicker than a total thickness of the vibration generation module <NUM> disposed on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM>, in order for the front surface 500a of the rear mechanical structure <NUM> to be spaced apart from the rear surface of the sound generation device <NUM>.

As described above, the display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure may output a sound, generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM> caused by driving of the sound generation device <NUM> disposed on the rear surface of the display panel <NUM>, to the front surface FD of the display panel <NUM>, thereby increasing a viewer's immersion. Also, the display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure may include the at least one vibration generation module <NUM> which includes the vibration element <NUM>, including the piezoelectric element disposed on the rear surface of the display panel <NUM>, and the vibration reflecting member <NUM> spaced apart from the vibration element <NUM>. Therefore, vibration energy near the vibration element <NUM> may be amplified through reflection of vibration by the vibration reflecting member <NUM>, thereby improving a sound pressure characteristic of a sound generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>. Also, a resonant frequency of the display panel <NUM> may be reduced by a weight of the vibration reflecting member <NUM>, thereby improving a frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band of the sound generated based on the vibration of the display panel <NUM>. Accordingly, the display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure may output a sound by using a vibration of the vibration element <NUM> having the piezoelectric material layer and a vibration of the display panel <NUM> caused by reflection of vibration by the vibration reflecting member <NUM>, and thus, a sound having an enhanced sound pressure characteristic and frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band as well as a high-pitched sound band may be provided to viewers.

<FIG> is another enlarged view of a portion A illustrated in <FIG> and illustrates an example which is implemented by modifying an attachment structure between a display panel and a vibration element, in the display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, therefore, only an attachment structure between a display panel and a vibration element will be described, and descriptions of the other elements are omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, a portion of a front surface of a vibration element <NUM> according to the present embodiment may be disposed on a rear surface 100a of a display panel <NUM> by using an adhesive member <NUM>. For example, the vibration element <NUM> may be disposed on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> with an air gap AG therebetween.

The air gap AG enables the vibration element <NUM> and the display panel <NUM> to independently vibrate without interference with each other. Also, the air gap AG enables a smooth vibration of the vibration element <NUM> and a free deformation of the display panel <NUM> caused by the smooth vibration, thereby increasing a vibration amplitude of the display panel <NUM> to improve a sound pressure characteristic of a sound generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>.

The adhesive member <NUM> according to the present embodiment may be disposed between the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> and a periphery of a front surface of the vibration element <NUM>. According to another embodiment, the adhesive member <NUM> may be disposed between the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> and each of one periphery and the other periphery of the front surface of the vibration element <NUM>. The adhesive member <NUM> may allow a center of the vibration element <NUM> to be spaced apart from the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM>, or may provide the air gap AG between the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> and the center of the vibration element <NUM>.

Because a display apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the air gap AG provided between the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> and the vibration element <NUM>, a sound pressure characteristic and a frequency characteristic of a sound output based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM> may be further improved.

<FIG> is another enlarged view of a portion A illustrated in<FIG>and illustrates an example which is implemented by modifying a disposition structure of a vibration reflecting member, in the display apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, therefore, only a disposition structure of a vibration reflecting member will be described, and descriptions of the other elements are omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, a vibration reflecting member <NUM> according to the present embodiment may include a pair of metal bars 313a and 313b, and each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b may be attached on a rear surface 100a of a display panel <NUM> by a first connection member <NUM> and may be attached on a front surface 500a of a rear mechanical structure <NUM> by a second connection member <NUM>. A front surface of each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b may be disposed on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> by using the first connection member <NUM> and may be spaced apart from the vibration element <NUM>. A rear surface of each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b according to the present embodiment may be disposed on the front surface 500a of the rear mechanical structure <NUM> by using the second connection member <NUM> and may be spaced apart from the vibration element <NUM>. The first and second connection members <NUM> and <NUM> according to an embodiment may each be implemented with a double-sided tape or a double-sided adhesive foam pad, but are not limited thereto.

The vibration reflecting member <NUM> according to the present embodiment may contact the rear mechanical structure <NUM> to increase the weight "m" in Equation (<NUM>), and thus, may decrease a resonant frequency of the display panel <NUM>, thereby improving a frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band of a sound generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>.

Further, in <FIG>, an entire portion of a front surface of the vibration element <NUM> is illustrated as being attached on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> by an adhesive member <NUM>, but is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, as illustrated in <FIG>, the vibration element <NUM> may be disposed on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> with an air gap AG therebetween.

A display apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same effect as that of the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. In the display apparatus according to the present embodiment, the vibration reflecting member <NUM> may contact the rear mechanical structure <NUM>, and thus, may decrease a resonant frequency of the display panel <NUM>, thereby improving a frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band of a sound generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>.

<FIG> is another enlarged view of a portion A illustrated in<FIG> and illustrates an example which is implemented by modifying a structure of each of a display panel and a vibration element, in the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, therefore, only a structure of a vibration element will be described, and descriptions of the other elements are omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, a vibration element <NUM> according to the present embodiment may include a piezoelectric material layer PEL having a piezoelectric effect, a first electrode E1 disposed on a front surface of the piezoelectric material layer PEL, a second electrode E2 disposed on a rear surface of the piezoelectric material layer PEL, and a metal plate MP disposed on a front surface of the first electrode E1.

The piezoelectric material layer PEL, the first electrode E1, and the second electrode E2 are the same as the above-described elements, and thus, their detailed descriptions are not repeated.

The metal plate MP may be provided on a front surface of the first electrode E1 and may be disposed on a rear surface 100a of a display panel <NUM> by using an adhesive member <NUM>. The metal plate MP increases the weight "m" in Equation (<NUM>), and thus, may decrease a resonant frequency of the display panel <NUM>, thereby improving a frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band of a sound generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>.

A portion of a front surface of the metal plate MP according to an embodiment may be disposed on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> by using an adhesive member <NUM>, and in this case, the vibration element <NUM> may be disposed on the rear surface 100a of the display panel with an air gap AG therebetween.

According to another embodiment, as illustrated in <FIG>, the entire portion of the front surface of the metal plate MP may be disposed on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> by using the adhesive member <NUM>.

And, as illustrated in <FIG>, a pair of metal bars 313a and 313b configuring a vibration reflecting member <NUM> of a display apparatus according to the present embodiment may be attached on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> by a first connection member <NUM> and may be attached on a front surface 500a of a rear mechanical structure <NUM> by a second connection member <NUM>.

In the display apparatus according to the present embodiment, due to the vibration element <NUM> including the metal plate MP, a resonant frequency of the display panel <NUM> may be further reduced, thereby further improving a frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band of a sound generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>.

<FIG> is another enlarged view of a portion A illustrated in<FIG>, and <FIG> is a diagram illustrating a vibration generation module illustrated in <FIG> illustrate an example which is implemented by modifying a structure of a pair of metal bars configuring a vibration reflecting member, in the display apparatus illustrated in IGs. <NUM> to <NUM>. Hereinafter, therefore, only a pair of metal bars will be described, and descriptions of the other elements are omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, in a display apparatus according to the present embodiment, each of a pair of metal bars 313a and 313b configuring a vibration reflecting member <NUM> may further include an extension part EP extending to a vibration element <NUM>.

The extension part EP may protrude in a first direction X from an upper portion of an inner side of each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b facing a second side of the vibration element <NUM> to have a certain length. When a corresponding metal bar of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b vibrates based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>, the extension part EP may increase an inertia moment of the corresponding metal bar of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b to increase a vibration amplitude of the corresponding metal bar of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b, thereby decreasing a resonant frequency of the display panel <NUM>. Here, the extension part EP may protrude in the first direction X from an upper portion of an outer side of each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b, which does not face the second side of the vibration element <NUM>, to have a certain length. In this case, when a corresponding metal bar of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b vibrates based on the vibration of the display panel <NUM>, an inertia moment of the corresponding metal bar of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b may be reduced, and thus, a vibration amplitude of the corresponding metal bar of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b may be reduced, thereby decreasing a vibration amplitude of each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b.

The display apparatus according to the present embodiment may have the same effect as that of the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, and particularly, due to the extension part EP of each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b, a resonant frequency of the display panel <NUM> may be further reduced, thereby further improving a frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band of a sound generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>.

In the display apparatus according to the present embodiment, the vibration element <NUM> may be disposed on a rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> with an air gap AG therebetween as illustrated in <FIG>, and as illustrated in <FIG>, may include a metal plate MP. Also, as illustrated in <FIG>, the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b each including the extension part EP may be attached on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> by a first connection member <NUM> and may be attached on a front surface 500a of a rear mechanical structure <NUM> by a second connection member <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a vibration generation module according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates an example which is implemented by modifying a structure of a pair of metal bars configuring a vibration reflecting member, in the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, therefore, only a structure of a pair of metal bars will be described, and descriptions of the other elements are omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, in a display apparatus according to the present embodiment, a pair of metal bars 313a and 313b configuring a vibration reflecting member <NUM> may be disposed in parallel with a vibration element <NUM> therebetween to each have a concavely curved shape with respect to the vibration element <NUM>.

Each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b according to an embodiment may have a planarly and concavely curved shape with respect to the vibration element <NUM>. For example, each of the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b may include a pair of first sides which are parallel to each other in a first direction X and have a first length L1, a pair of second sides which are disposed in a second direction Y, have a second length L2, and include a concave part facing the vibration element <NUM>, and a certain thickness. The concave part may have a curvature radius corresponding to a vibration waveform which is transferred based on a vibration of the vibration element <NUM>. In this case, a first distance D1 between the concave part and the vibration element <NUM> may be adjusted to <NUM> to <NUM>. Each metal be in the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b may have a concavely curved shape with respect to the vibration element <NUM> and may effectively reflect vibration which is propagated (or transferred) in the first direction X according to a vibration (or contraction and expansion) of the vibration element <NUM>.

Because the display apparatus according to the present embodiment includes the vibration reflecting member <NUM> including the pair of metal bars 313a and 313b having a concavely curved shape with respect to the vibration element <NUM>, vibration energy near the vibration element <NUM> may be amplified more through effective reflection of vibration by the vibration reflecting member <NUM>, thereby further improving a sound pressure characteristic of a sound generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a vibration generation module according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates an example which is implemented by modifying a disposition structure of a pair of metal bars configuring a vibration reflecting member, in the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, therefore, only a disposition structure of a pair of metal bars will be described, and descriptions of the other elements are omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, in a display apparatus according to the present embodiment, a pair of metal bars 313c and 313d configuring a vibration reflecting member <NUM> may be disposed in parallel in a second direction Y with a vibration element <NUM> therebetween and may be disposed in parallel in a first direction X.

Each of the pair of metal bars 313c and 313d may include a pair of first sides which have a third length L3 and are parallel to the first direction X, a pair of second sides which have a fourth length L4 and are parallel to the second direction Y, and a certain thickness. For example, each of the pair of metal bars 313c and 313d may have a rectangular parallelepiped structure where each of the pair of first sides has a length longer than that of each of the pair of second sides.

Each of the pair of metal bars 313c and 313d according to an embodiment may be disposed on a rear surface 100a of a display panel <NUM> by using a connection member and may be spaced apart from the vibration element <NUM>. For example, a second distance D2 between each of the pair of metal bars 313c and 313d and the vibration element <NUM> may be adjusted to <NUM> to <NUM>. Each of the pair of metal bars 313c and 313d may reflect vibration, which is propagated (or transferred) in the second direction Y according to a vibration (or contraction and expansion) of the vibration element <NUM>, to the vibration element <NUM>. A reflected vibration (or a reflected wave) reflected by the vibration reflecting member <NUM> may amplify vibration energy near the vibration element <NUM>, thereby improving a vibration frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band.

Each of the pair of metal bars 313c and 313d according to an embodiment may have a weight (or a mass) which is adjusted to <NUM>% to <NUM>% of a total weight of the display panel <NUM>. Therefore, because each of the pair of metal bars 313c and 313d has a weight (or a mass), an inertia moment of the display panel <NUM> based on a vibration of the vibration element <NUM> may increase. For example, when the display panel <NUM> vibrates based on the vibration of the vibration element <NUM>, each of the pair of metal bars 313c and 313d according to the present embodiment may decrease a resonant frequency "f<NUM>" of the display panel <NUM> according to a weight as expressed in Equation (<NUM>), thereby improving a frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band of a sound generated based on the vibration of the display panel <NUM>.

The display apparatus according to the present embodiment may have the same effect as that of the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>.

In the display apparatus according to the present embodiment, the vibration element <NUM> may be disposed on a rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> with the air gap AG therebetween as illustrated in <FIG>, and as illustrated in <FIG>, may include the metal plate MP. Also, as illustrated in <FIG>, the pair of metal bars 313c and 313d may be attached on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> by the first connection member <NUM> and may be attached on the front surface 500a of the rear mechanical structure <NUM> by the second connection member <NUM>. Also, as illustrated in <FIG>, each metal bar in the pair of metal bars 313c and 313d may include the extension part EP. And, as illustrated in <FIG>, each metal bar in the pair of metal bars 313c and 313d may have a concavely curved shape with respect to the vibration element <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a vibration generation module according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates an example where a vibration reflecting member of a vibration generation module is provided in each of the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG> and the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, therefore, only a vibration reflecting member will be described, and descriptions of the other elements are omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, in a display apparatus according to the present embodiment, a vibration reflecting member <NUM> may include a pair of first metal bars 313a and 313b and a pair of second metal bars 313c and 313d.

The pair of first metal bars 313a and 313b may be disposed on a rear surface 100a of a display panel <NUM> in parallel in a first direction X with a vibration element <NUM> therebetween with respect to the first direction X. In this case, a first distance D1 between each of the pair of first metal bars 313a and 313b and the vibration element <NUM> may be adjusted to <NUM> to <NUM>. For example, the pair of first metal bars 313a and 313b may be respectively disposed on the left and the right of the vibration element <NUM> with respect to the first direction X. The pair of first metal bars 313a and 313b may be the same as the pair of metal bars configuring the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, and thus, their detailed descriptions are not repeated.

The pair of second metal bars 313c and 313d may be disposed on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> in parallel in a second direction Y with the vibration element <NUM> therebetween with respect to the second direction Y. In this case, a second distance D2 between each of the pair of second metal bars 313c and 313d and the vibration element <NUM> may be adjusted to <NUM> to <NUM> and may be equal to or different from the first distance D1 within a range of <NUM> to <NUM>. For example, the pair of second metal bars 313c and 313d may be respectively disposed on the upper and lower sides of the vibration element <NUM> with respect to the first direction X. The pair of second metal bars 313c and 313d may be the same as the pair of metal bars configuring the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, and thus, their detailed descriptions are not repeated.

The vibration reflecting member <NUM> may have a weight (or a mass) based on the pair of first metal bars 313a and 313b and the pair of second metal bars 313c and 313d, and thus, an inertia moment of the display panel <NUM> based on a vibration of the vibration element <NUM> may increase. Therefore, when the display panel <NUM> vibrates based on the vibration of the vibration element <NUM>, a resonant frequency "f<NUM>" of the display panel <NUM> may be further reduced according to a weight as expressed in Equation (<NUM>), thereby improving a frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band of a sound generated based on the vibration of the display panel <NUM>.

The display apparatus according to the present embodiment may have the same effect as that of each of the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG> and the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>.

In the display apparatus according to the present embodiment, the vibration element <NUM> may be disposed on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> with the air gap AG therebetween as illustrated in <FIG>, and as illustrated in <FIG>, may include the metal plate MP. Also, as illustrated in <FIG>, the pair of first metal bars 313a and 313b and the pair of second metal bars 313c and 313d may be attached on the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> by the first connection member <NUM> and may be attached on the front surface 500a of the rear mechanical structure <NUM> by the second connection member <NUM>. Also, as illustrated in <FIG>, each metal bar in the pair of first metal bars 313a and 313b and the pair of second metal bars 313c and 313d may include the extension part EP. Also, as illustrated in <FIG>, each metal bar in the pair of first metal bars 313a and 313b and the pair of second metal bars 313c and 313d may have a concavely curved shape with respect to the vibration element <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a sound generation device <NUM> according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates an example which is implemented by modifying a configuration of a sound generation device in the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, therefore, only a sound generation device will be described, and descriptions of the other elements are omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, the sound generation device <NUM> according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one first vibration generation module <NUM> and at least one second vibration generation module <NUM>, which vibrate according to a sound signal (or a vibration driving signal) provided from a sound driving circuit to vibrate a display panel <NUM>.

First, the display panel <NUM> may include a first rear region RA1 and a second rear region RA2. For example, with respect to a rear center of the display panel <NUM>, the first rear region RA1 may be a right region, and the second rear region RA2 may be a left region.

The at least one first vibration generation module <NUM> according to an embodiment may be disposed in the first rear region RA1 of the display panel <NUM> and may vibrate the first rear region RA1 of the display panel <NUM>. The at least one first vibration generation module <NUM> may have the same configuration as that of the vibration generation module <NUM> included in one of the display apparatuses illustrated in <FIG>, and thus, its detailed description is not repeated.

The at least one second vibration generation module <NUM> according to an embodiment may be disposed in the second rear region RA2 of the display panel <NUM> and may vibrate the second rear region RA2 of the display panel <NUM>. The at least one second vibration generation module <NUM> may have the same configuration as that of the vibration generation module <NUM> included in one of the display apparatuses illustrated in <FIG>, and thus, its detailed description is not repeated.

A display apparatus including the sound generation device <NUM> according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may output a sound according to a vibration of each of the first and second rear regions RA1 and RA2 of the display panel <NUM> caused by the at least one first and second vibration generation devices <NUM> and <NUM>, and thus, a surround sound having an enhanced sound pressure characteristic and frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band as well as a high-pitched sound band may be provided to viewers.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a sound generation device <NUM> according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates an example which is implemented by modifying a configuration of a sound generation device in the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, therefore, only a sound generation device will be described, and descriptions of the other elements are omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, the sound generation device <NUM> according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one first vibration generation module <NUM>, at least one second vibration generation module <NUM>, and at least one third vibration generation module <NUM>, which vibrate according to a sound signal (or a vibration driving signal) provided from a sound driving circuit to vibrate a display panel <NUM>.

First, the display panel <NUM> may include a first rear region RA1, a second rear region RA2, and a third rear region RA3. For example, with respect to a rear center of the display panel <NUM>, the first rear region RA1 may be a right region, the second rear region RA2 may be a left region, and the third rear region RA3 may be a middle region, including the rear center, between the left region and the right region.

The at least one first vibration generation module <NUM> according to an embodiment may be disposed in the first rear region RA1 of the display panel <NUM> and may vibrate the first rear region RA1 of the display panel <NUM>. The at least one first vibration generation module <NUM> may have the same configuration as that of the vibration generation module <NUM> included in one of the display apparatuses illustrated in <FIG>, and thus, its detailed description is not repeated. For example, the at least one first vibration generation module <NUM> may vibrate the first rear region RA1 of the display panel <NUM> to output a sound having a middle-high sound-pitched band. Here, the sound having the middle-high-pitched sound band may have a frequency of <NUM> or more, but is not limited thereto.

The at least one second vibration generation module <NUM> according to an embodiment may be disposed in the second rear region RA2 of the display panel <NUM> and may vibrate the second rear region RA2 of the display panel <NUM>. The at least one second vibration generation module <NUM> may have the same configuration as that of the vibration generation module <NUM> included in one of the display apparatuses illustrated in <FIG>, and thus, its detailed description is not repeated. For example, the at least one second vibration generation module <NUM> may vibrate the second rear region RA2 of the display panel <NUM> to output a sound having a middle-high-pitched sound band.

The at least one third vibration generation module <NUM> according to an embodiment may be disposed in the third rear region RA3 of the display panel <NUM> and may vibrate the third rear region RA3 of the display panel <NUM>. The at least one third vibration generation module <NUM> may have the same configuration as that of the vibration generation module <NUM> included in one of the display apparatuses illustrated in <FIG>, and thus, its detailed description is not repeated. For example, the at least one third vibration generation module <NUM> may vibrate the third rear region RA3 of the display panel <NUM> to output a sound having a low-pitched sound band.

In the present embodiment, if a separation distance between the first and third vibration generation modules <NUM> and <NUM> is adjusted to <NUM> to <NUM>, one of two metal bars 313a and 313b disposed between a vibration element <NUM> of the first vibration generation module <NUM> and a vibration element <NUM> of the third vibration generation module <NUM> may be omitted, and the other may be disposed in a middle region between the vibration element <NUM> of the first vibration generation module <NUM> and the vibration element <NUM> of the third vibration generation module <NUM> and may be shared by the first vibration generation module <NUM> and the third vibration generation module <NUM>. Likewise, if a separation distance between the second and third vibration generation modules <NUM> and <NUM> is adjusted to <NUM> to <NUM>, one of two metal bars 313a and 313b disposed between a vibration element <NUM> of the second vibration generation module <NUM> and the vibration element <NUM> of the third vibration generation module <NUM> may be omitted, and the other may be disposed in a middle region between the vibration element <NUM> of the second vibration generation module <NUM> and the vibration element <NUM> of the third vibration generation module <NUM> and may be shared by the second vibration generation module <NUM> and the third vibration generation module <NUM>.

A display apparatus including the sound generation device <NUM> according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure may output a sound according to vibrations of the first to third second rear regions RA1 to RA3 of the display panel <NUM> respectively caused by the first to third vibration generation devices <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and thus, a surround sound having a more enhanced sound pressure characteristic and frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band and an enhanced sound pressure characteristic and frequency characteristic of a middle-high-pitched sound band may be provided to viewers.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a sound generation device <NUM> according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates an example which is implemented by modifying a configuration of a sound generation device in the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, therefore, only a sound generation device will be described, and descriptions of the other elements are omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, the sound generation device <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure may include at least one first vibration generation module <NUM>, at least one second vibration generation module <NUM>, and a plurality of third vibration generation module <NUM> and <NUM>, which vibrate according to a sound signal (or a vibration driving signal) provided from a sound driving circuit to vibrate a display panel <NUM>.

The at least one first vibration generation module <NUM> according to an embodiment may be disposed in the first rear region RA1 of the display panel <NUM> and may vibrate the first rear region RA1 of the display panel <NUM>. The at least one first vibration generation module <NUM> may have the same configuration as that of the vibration generation module <NUM> included in the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, and thus, its detailed description is not repeated. For example, the at least one first vibration generation module <NUM> may vibrate the first rear region RA1 of the display panel <NUM> to output a sound having a middle-high-pitched sound band.

The at least one second vibration generation module <NUM> according to an embodiment may be disposed in the second rear region RA2 of the display panel <NUM> and may vibrate the second rear region RA2 of the display panel <NUM>. The at least one second vibration generation module <NUM> may have the same configuration as that of the vibration generation module <NUM> included in the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, and thus, its detailed description is not repeated. For example, the at least one second vibration generation module <NUM> may vibrate the second rear region RA2 of the display panel <NUM> to output a sound having a middle-high-pitched sound band.

Each of the plurality of third vibration generation modules <NUM> and <NUM> according to an embodiment may be disposed in the third rear region RA3 of the display panel <NUM> along a second direction Y and may vibrate the third rear region RA3 of the display panel <NUM>. For example, if two third vibration generation modules <NUM> and <NUM> are disposed in the third rear region RA3 of the display panel <NUM>, the two third vibration generation modules <NUM> and <NUM> may be spaced apart from a center of the display panel <NUM> by the same distance. Each of the plurality of third vibration generation modules <NUM> and <NUM> may have the same configuration as that of the vibration generation module <NUM> included in the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, and thus, its detailed description is not repeated. For example, each of the plurality of third vibration generation modules <NUM> and <NUM> may vibrate the third rear region RA3 of the display panel <NUM> to output a sound having a low-pitched sound band.

If a separation distance between the plurality of third vibration generation modules <NUM> and <NUM> is adjusted to <NUM> to <NUM>, one of two metal bars 313c and 313d disposed between the plurality of third vibration generation modules <NUM> and <NUM> may be omitted, and the other may be disposed in a middle region between the plurality of third vibration generation modules <NUM> and <NUM> and may be shared by the plurality of third vibration generation modules <NUM> and <NUM>.

A display apparatus including the sound generation device <NUM> according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure may output a sound according to vibrations of the first to third rear regions RA1 to RA3 of the display panel <NUM> respectively caused by the first to third vibration generation devices <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and thus, a surround sound having a more enhanced sound pressure characteristic and frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band and an enhanced sound pressure characteristic and frequency characteristic of a middle-high-pitched sound band may be provided to viewers.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a partition member in a display apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates an example where a partition member is added to the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, therefore, only a partition member and elements relevant thereto will be described, and descriptions of the other elements are omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, the display apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a partition member <NUM> which is disposed between a rear surface 100a of a display panel <NUM> and a rear mechanical structure and surrounds a sound generation device <NUM>.

The partition member <NUM> may be disposed between a rear periphery of the display panel <NUM> and the rear mechanical structure to surround a vibration generation module <NUM> included in the sound generation device <NUM>. The partition member <NUM> according to an embodiment may include first to fourth sides. For example, the partition member <NUM> may have a closed loop shape.

The partition member <NUM> according to an embodiment may be configured with a single-sided tape or a double-sided tape, which includes polyurethane or polyolefin and has a certain thickness (or height) and width, but is not limited thereto. And, the partition member <NUM> according to an embodiment may have an elasticity which enables compression to be formed to some extent, and may be referred to as a foam pad.

The partition member <NUM> may be disposed between the rear periphery of the display panel <NUM> and the rear mechanical structure to surround the vibration generation module <NUM>, and thus, may prevent a sound pressure, generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM> caused by a vibration of the vibration generation module <NUM>, from being leaked in a direction toward each of side surfaces of the display panel <NUM>, thereby enhancing a front output characteristic of a sound pressure.

At least one of the first to fourth sides according to an embodiment may include a bent part <NUM>.

The bent part <NUM> may be bent from at least one of the first to fourth sides to the vibration element <NUM> or the vibration reflecting member <NUM>. The bent part <NUM> may be bent to have a certain inclined angle with respect to a corresponding side. The bent part <NUM> according to an embodiment may be bent from each of the first to fourth sides of the partition member <NUM> to the vibration element <NUM> or the vibration reflecting member <NUM>. For example, a side, including the bent part <NUM>, of the partition member <NUM> may have a planar V-shape, or may have a zigzag shape without being limited thereto.

An inclined angle of the bent part <NUM> according to an embodiment may vary based on a desired degree to which a standing wave is suppressed, and may be adjusted to <NUM> degrees to <NUM> degrees. For example, in a case where a sound having a low-pitched sound band is generated in a sound generation region or an output of a vibration generation module is relatively large, the inclined angle of the bent part <NUM> may be adjusted to a large angle. On the other hand, in a case where a sound having a high-pitched sound band is generated in the sound generation region or the output of the vibration generation module is relatively small, the inclined angle of the bent part <NUM> may be adjusted to a small angle.

The bent part <NUM> decreases a degree to which a sound pressure is reduced between the display panel <NUM> and the rear mechanical structure. For example, a sound wave generated by the display panel <NUM> vibrated by the vibration generation module <NUM> may be spread radially from a center of the vibration generation module <NUM> and may travel. The sound wave may be referred to as a progressive wave, and a sound wave which is generated through reflection of the progressive wave by the partition member <NUM> and travels may be referred to as a reflected wave. The reflected wave may overlap the progressive wave or may be counteracted by the progressive wave, and thus, may not travel, whereby the reflected wave may stand in a certain position to generate a standing wave. A sound pressure is reduced by the standing wave, and for this reason, a sound output characteristic is reduced. Therefore, the bent part <NUM> may be provided at a position at which a level of each of the progressive wave and the reflected wave is high, thereby decreasing the degree of reduction in sound pressure caused by the standing wave generated by interference between the reflected wave and the progressive wave. Particularly, because the standing wave is much generated at a position at which a level of each of the progressive wave and the reflected wave is high, the bent part <NUM> may be bent from the partition member <NUM> to a center of the vibration generation module <NUM> where a level of a sound wave transferred from the vibration generation module <NUM> is largest.

The display apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same effect as that of the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, and the partition member <NUM> prevents a sound, generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>, from being leaked in a direction toward each of side surfaces of the display panel <NUM>, thereby enhancing a front output characteristic of a sound.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a partition member in a display apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates an example where a partition member is added to the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, therefore, only a partition member and elements relevant thereto will be described, and descriptions of the other elements are omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, the display apparatus according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure may further include first and second partition members <NUM> are <NUM> which are disposed between a rear surface 100a of a display panel <NUM> and a rear mechanical structure and respectively surround at least one first and second vibration generation modules <NUM> and <NUM> included in a sound generation device <NUM>.

The first partition member <NUM> may be disposed between a periphery of a first rear region RA1 of the display panel <NUM> and the rear mechanical structure to surround the at least one first vibration generation module <NUM> of the sound generation device <NUM>. The first partition member <NUM> according to an embodiment may include first to fourth sides. For example, the first partition member <NUM> may have a closed loop shape.

The second partition member <NUM> may be disposed between a periphery of a second rear region RA2 of the display panel <NUM> and the rear mechanical structure to surround the at least one second vibration generation module <NUM> of the sound generation device <NUM>. The second partition member <NUM> according to an embodiment may include first to fourth sides. For example, the second partition member <NUM> may have a closed loop shape. In other words, the partition members <NUM>, <NUM> may be arranged the rear surface 100a of the display panel <NUM> and the rear mechanical structure <NUM>, wherein each partition member <NUM>, <NUM> surrounds one of the rear regions RA1, RA2. The partition members <NUM>, <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other.

Each of the first and second partition members <NUM> and <NUM> according to an embodiment may be configured with a single-sided tape or a double-sided tape, which includes polyurethane or polyolefin and has a certain thickness (or height) and width, but is not limited thereto.

Because the first partition member <NUM> is disposed between the periphery of the first rear region RA1 of the display panel <NUM> and the rear mechanical structure to surround the at least one first vibration generation module <NUM> and the second partition member <NUM> is disposed between the periphery of the second rear region RA2 of the display panel <NUM> and the rear mechanical structure to surround the at least one second vibration generation module <NUM>, the first and second partition members <NUM> and <NUM> prevent a sound pressure, generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>, from being leaked in a direction toward each of side surfaces of the display panel <NUM>, thereby enhancing a front output characteristic of a sound pressure. And, sounds generated in the first and second rear regions RA1 and RA2 of the display panel <NUM> may be separated from each other, thereby enhancing a sound output characteristic.

At least one of the first to fourth sides included in each of the first and second partition members <NUM> and <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a plurality of bent parts <NUM> and <NUM>.

The bent part <NUM> may be bent from at least one of the first to fourth sides of the first partition member <NUM> to a vibration element <NUM> or a vibration reflecting member <NUM>, and the bent part <NUM> may be bent from at least one of the first to fourth sides of the second partition member <NUM> to the vibration element <NUM> or the vibration reflecting member <NUM>. The bent part <NUM> according to an embodiment may be bent from the second and third sides, except the first side adjacent to a center of the display panel <NUM> among the first to fourth sides of the first partition member <NUM>, to the vibration element <NUM> or the vibration reflecting member <NUM>, and the bent part <NUM> according to an embodiment may be bent from the second and third sides, except the first side adjacent to the center of the display panel <NUM> among the first to fourth sides of the second partition member <NUM>, to the vibration element <NUM> or the vibration reflecting member <NUM>. For example, a side, including the bent part <NUM> (<NUM>), of the first (second) partition member <NUM> (<NUM>) may have a planar V-shape, or may have a zigzag shape without being limited thereto. The bent parts <NUM> and <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, may be provided at a position at which a level of each of the progressive wave and the reflected wave is high, thereby decreasing the degree of reduction in sound pressure caused by the standing wave generated by interference between the reflected wave and the progressive wave.

The display apparatus according to the present embodiment may have the same effect as that of the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, and the first and second partition members <NUM> and <NUM> prevent a sound, generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>, from being leaked in a direction toward each of side surfaces of the display panel <NUM>, thereby enhancing a front output characteristic of a sound. Also, sounds generated in the first and second rear regions RA1 and RA2 of the display panel <NUM> may be separated from each other, thereby improving a sound output characteristic.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a partition member in a display apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates an example where a partition member is added to the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, therefore, only a partition member and elements relevant thereto will be described, and descriptions of the other elements are omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, the display apparatus according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a first partition member <NUM>, a second partition member <NUM>, and a third partition member <NUM>, which are disposed between a rear surface 100a of a display panel <NUM> and a rear mechanical structure and surround at least one first to third vibration generation modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> included in a sound generation device <NUM>.

The first partition member <NUM> may be disposed between a periphery of a rear surface of the display panel <NUM> and the rear mechanical structure to surround the first to third vibration generation modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the sound generation device <NUM>. The first partition member <NUM> according to an embodiment may include first to fourth sides. For example, the first partition member <NUM> may have a closed loop shape.

The second partition member <NUM> may be disposed between a first rear region RA1 and a third rear region RA3 of the display panel <NUM>, and between the display panel <NUM> and the rear mechanical structure. The second partition member <NUM> according to an embodiment may have a rectilinear shape parallel to a second direction Y.

The third partition member <NUM> may be disposed between a second rear region RA2 and the third rear region RA3 of the display panel <NUM>, and between the display panel <NUM> and the rear mechanical structure. The third partition member <NUM> according to an embodiment may have a rectilinear shape parallel to the second direction Y. For example, the third partition member <NUM> may be disposed in parallel with the second partition member <NUM> with the third vibration generation module <NUM> therebetween. In other words, the partition member <NUM> surrounds all of the rear regions RA1, RA2, RA3, and each the other partition members <NUM>, <NUM> separates adjacent rear regions from each other. That is, the partition member <NUM> separates the rear regions RA3 and RA1 from one another, and the partition member <NUM> separates the rear regions RA2 and RA3 from one another.

Each of the first to third partition members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> according to an embodiment may be configured with a single-sided tape or a double-sided tape, which includes polyurethane or polyolefin and has a certain thickness (or height) and width, but is not limited thereto.

The first partition member <NUM> may be disposed between the periphery of the rear surface of the display panel <NUM> and the rear mechanical structure to surround all of the first to third vibration generation modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and thus, may prevent a sound pressure, generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM> caused by a vibration of each of the first to third vibration generation modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, from being leaked in a direction toward each of side surfaces of the display panel <NUM>, thereby enhancing a front output characteristic of a sound pressure. And, each of the second and third partition members <NUM> and <NUM> may separate sounds which are generated in the first to third rear regions RA1 to RA3 of the display panel <NUM>, thereby enhancing a sound output characteristic.

At least one of the first to fourth sides of the first partition member <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a plurality of bent parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The bent parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be bent from at least one of the first to fourth sides of the first partition member <NUM> to a vibration element <NUM> or a vibration reflecting member <NUM>. Each of the bent parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be bent to have a certain inclined angle with respect to a corresponding side. The bent parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be bent from each of the first to fourth sides of the first partition member <NUM> to the vibration element <NUM> or the vibration reflecting member <NUM>, in the first to third rear regions RA1 to RA3 of the display panel <NUM>. For example, each of the second and fourth sides of the first partition member <NUM> disposed in the first to third rear regions RA1 to RA3 of the display panel <NUM> may be disposed in a planar W-shape including three bent parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> which are bent to the vibration element <NUM> or the vibration reflecting member <NUM> in each of the first to third rear regions RA1 to RA3 of the display panel <NUM>, or may have a zigzag shape without being limited thereto. Also, each of the first and third sides of the first partition member <NUM> may be disposed in a planar V-shape including one bent part bent to the vibration reflecting member <NUM>, or may have a zigzag shape without being limited thereto. The bent parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>, may be provided at a position at which a level of each of the progressive wave and the reflected wave is high, thereby decreasing the degree of reduction in sound pressure caused by the standing wave generated by interference between the reflected wave and the progressive wave.

The display apparatus according to the present embodiment may have the same effect as that of the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, and the first to third partition members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> prevent a sound, generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>, from being leaked in a direction toward each of side surfaces of the display panel <NUM>, thereby enhancing a front output characteristic of a sound. And, sounds generated in the first to third rear regions RA1 to RA3 of the display panel <NUM> may be separated from each other, thereby improving a sound output characteristic.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating a partition member in a display apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure and illustrates an example where a partition member is added to the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>. Hereinafter, therefore, only a partition member and elements relevant thereto will be described, and descriptions of the other elements are omitted.

With reference to <FIG>, the display apparatus according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a first partition member <NUM>, a second partition member <NUM>, and a third partition member <NUM>, which are disposed between a rear surface 100a of a display panel <NUM> and a rear mechanical structure and surround at least one first to third vibration generation modules <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> included in a sound generation device <NUM>.

The first to third partition members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are the same as the partition members illustrated in <FIG>, and thus, their detailed descriptions are not repeated.

At least one of first to fourth sides of the first partition member <NUM> according to an embodiment may include a plurality of bent parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The bent parts <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be the same as the bent parts illustrated in <FIG>, and thus, their detailed descriptions are not repeated.

The display apparatus according to the present embodiment may have the same effect as that of the display apparatus illustrated in <FIG>, and the first to third partition members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may prevent a sound, generated based on a vibration of the display panel <NUM>, from being leaked in a direction toward each of side surfaces of the display panel <NUM>, thereby enhancing a front output characteristic of a sound. And, sounds generated in first to third rear regions RA1 to RA3 of the display panel <NUM> may be separated from each other, thereby improving a sound output characteristic.

<FIG> is a graph showing a sound output characteristic of a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a sound output characteristic of a display apparatus according to a comparative example. In <FIG>, a thick solid line A represents a sound output characteristic of the display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in <FIG>, a dotted line B represents a sound output characteristic of the display apparatus according to the comparative example, and the comparative example has used a voice coil type actuator as a sound output device of the display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure illustrated in <FIG>. In <FIG>, the abscissa axis represents a frequency in hertz (Hz), and the ordinate axis represents a sound pressure level in decibels (dB). Here, the sound output characteristic has been measured by a sound analysis apparatus.

As seen in <FIG>, it can be confirmed that in a low-pitched sound band frequency of <NUM> or less, the display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a sound pressure characteristic which is relatively better than the display apparatus according to the comparative example. Therefore, according to example embodiments of the present disclosure, a sound pressure level and a frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band of a sound output based on a vibration of a display panel may be improved even in a case where a piezoelectric element where a sound output characteristic of a high-pitched sound band is relatively good is used as a vibration element without using the voice coil type actuator where a sound output characteristic of a low-pitched sound band is relatively good. Particularly, according to example embodiments of the present disclosure, since the display panel vibrates by using a piezoelectric element as a vibration element, a sound having an enhanced sound pressure characteristic and frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band as well as a middle-high-pitched sound band may be provided to a viewer, thereby increasing the viewer's immersion experience.

The display apparatus according to example embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to mobile devices, video phones, smart watches, watch phones, wearable devices, foldable devices, rollable devices, bendable devices, flexible devices, curved devices, portable multimedia players (PMPs), personal digital assistants (PDAs),electronic organizers, desktop personal computers (PCs), laptop PCs, netbook computers, workstations, navigation devices, automotive navigation devices, automotive display apparatuses, TVs, wall paper display apparatuses, signage apparatuses, game machines, notebook computers, monitors, cameras, camcorders, home appliances, etc. Also, the display apparatus according to example embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to lighting apparatuses and the like.

A display apparatus according to example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below.

A display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a display panel configured to display an image and a sound generation device including at least one vibration generation module vibrating the display panel, wherein the at least one vibration generation module comprises a vibration element on a rear surface of the display panel and a vibration reflecting member on the rear surface of the display panel and spaced apart from the vibration element.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a distance between the vibration reflecting member and the vibration element may be <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vibration reflecting member may include a pair of metal bars in parallel with the vibration element therebetween.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pair of metal bars may each include an extension part extending toward the vibration element.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vibration reflecting member may include a pair of first metal bars in parallel with the vibration element therebetween, with respect to a first direction and a pair of second metal bars in parallel with the vibration element therebetween, with respect to a second direction intersecting the first direction.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, at least one of the pair of metal bars and the pair of second metal bars may each include an extension part extending toward the vibration element.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vibration element may include a piezoelectric material layer, and a portion or an entire portion of a front surface of the piezoelectric material layer may be attached on the rear surface of the display panel by an adhesive member.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the vibration element may include a piezoelectric material layer and a metal plate on a front surface of the piezoelectric material, and a portion or an entire portion of the front surface of the piezoelectric material layer may be attached on the rear surface of the display panel by an adhesive member.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of the pair of metal bars may have a concavely curved shape.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display apparatus may further include a rear mechanical structure on the rear surface of the display panel, wherein the vibration reflecting member may contact the rear mechanical structure, or may be spaced apart from the rear mechanical structure.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display apparatus may further include at least one partition member between the rear surface of the display panel and the rear mechanical structure to surround the at least one vibration generation module.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the at least one partition member may include first to fourth sides, and at least one of the first to fourth sides may include a bent part bent toward the vibration element or the vibration reflecting member.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel may include a first rear region and a second rear region, and the sound generation device may include a first vibration generation module in the first rear region of the display panel and includes the vibration element and the vibration reflecting member, and a second vibration generation module in the second rear region of the display panel and includes the vibration element and the vibration reflecting member.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display apparatus may further include a first partition member and a second partition member between the rear surface of the display panel and the rear mechanical structure to surround each of the first vibration generation module and the second vibration generation module.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first partition member and the second partition member may each include first to fourth sides, and at least one of the first to fourth sides may include a bent part bent toward the vibration element facing the at least one side or the vibration reflecting member facing the at least one side.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel may include a first rear region, a second rear region, and a third rear region between the first rear region and the second rear region. The sound generation device may include at least one first vibration generation module in the first rear region of the display panel and includes the vibration element and the vibration reflecting member, at least one second vibration generation module in the second rear region of the display panel and includes the vibration element and the vibration reflecting member, and at least one third vibration generation module in the third rear region of the display panel and includes the vibration element and the vibration reflecting member.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display apparatus may further include a first partition member between the rear surface of the display panel and the rear mechanical structure to surround all of the first to third vibration generation modules, a second partition member between the first rear region and the third rear region, and a third partition member between the second rear region and the third rear region.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the first partition member may include first to fourth sides, and at least one of the first to fourth sides may include a bent part bent toward the vibration element or the vibration reflecting member in the first to third rear regions of the display panel.

A display apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a display panel configured to display an image and a sound generation device including at least one vibration generation module configured to vibrate the display panel, wherein the at least one vibration generation module may include a vibration element on a rear surface of the display panel and a weight member on the rear surface of the display panel.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a distance between the weight member and the vibration element may be <NUM> to <NUM>.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the weight member may include a pair of metal bars in parallel with the vibration element therebetween, with respect to at least one direction of a first direction and a second direction intersecting the first direction.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a weight of each of the pair of metal bars may be <NUM>% to <NUM>% of a total weight of the display panel.

As described above, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, a sound generated based on a vibration of the display panel may be output to a region in front of the display panel, thereby increasing a viewer's immersion experience.

And, according to the embodiments of the present disclosure, a frequency characteristic of a low-pitched sound band and a sound pressure characteristic of a sound generated based on a vibration of the display panel are improved.

Claim 1:
A display apparatus, comprising:
a display panel (<NUM>) configured to display an image; and
a sound generation device (<NUM>) including a vibration generation module (<NUM>) on a rear surface (100a) of the display panel (<NUM>) and configured to generate sound by using the display panel (<NUM>) as a vibration plate,
wherein the vibration generation module (<NUM>) comprises:
a vibration element (<NUM>) configured to vibrate the display panel (<NUM>); and
a mass member (<NUM>) spaced apart from the vibration element (<NUM>), and
wherein the mass member (<NUM>) comprises:
a pair of first mass members (313a, 313b) disposed in parallel, with the vibration element (<NUM>) therebetween, along a first direction; and
a pair of second mass members (313c, 313d) disposed in parallel, with the vibration element (<NUM>) therebetween, along a second direction intersecting the first direction,
wherein the pair of first mass members (313a, 313b) are connected to the rear surface (100a) of the display panel (<NUM>) to face each other with the vibration element (<NUM>) therebetween and the pair of first mass members (313a, 313b) are respectively disposed on left and right sides of the vibration element (<NUM>) with respect to the first direction, and
wherein the pair of second mass members (313c, 313d) are connected to the rear surface (100a) of the display panel (<NUM>) to face each other with the vibration element (<NUM>) therebetween and the pair of second mass members (313c, 313d) are respectively disposed on upper and lower sides of the vibration element (<NUM>) with respect to the first direction.