Patent Description:
A display device is an output device for visually presenting data information and images, such as text or figures. Types of display devices include a television, various kinds of monitors, many different kinds of portable terminals (e.g., notebooks, tablet personal computers (PCs), and smart phones), etc..

A display device may include a display panel for presenting a screen and a bezel provided on edges of the display panel.

Recently, display devices with a slim bezel or no bezel are being developed to enhance the aesthetic appearance.

Patent document <CIT> describes a liquid crystal display with a plurality of liquid crystal display modules. Patent document <CIT> describes a display device including a display panel, a backlight module, a first frame set and at least one attachment layer. Patent document <CIT> describes a display device including a supporting frame, a display panel, an optical film assembly, and a light-penetrated adhesive member. Patent document <CIT> describes a backlight module including a backplane, a mold frame, a light guide plate, and an optic film.

Provided is a display device with a reduced bezel size to enhance aesthetics of the display device.

Also provided is a display device with reduced thickness from front to back to enhance the aesthetics of the display.

There is provided a display device according to the claims.

According to one or more embodiments, a size of a bezel on a display device may be reduced to enhance aesthetics of the display device.

According to one or more embodiments, a thickness from a front to a back of a display device may be reduced to enhance aesthetics of the display device.

Embodiments and features as described and illustrated in the disclosure are merely examples, and there may be various modifications replacing the embodiments and drawings at the time of filing this application.

It will be further understood that the terms "comprise" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The terms including ordinal numbers like "first" and "second" may be used to explain various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are only for the purpose of distinguishing a component from another. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or chamber discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

Directions "front", "back (or rear)", "top", "bottom", "left", and "right" will be defined throughout the specification with respect to the directions shown in <FIG>. In <FIG>, X-, Y-, and Z-axes perpendicular to one another are shown, where the X-axis represents a left-to-right direction, the Y-axis represents a vertical direction, and the Z-axis represents a front-to-back direction.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to the like elements throughout. The relative size and depiction of these elements are not necessarily to scale and may be exaggerated for clarity, illustration, and convenience.

<FIG> shows a display device, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is an exploded view of a major structure of a display device, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view of a display device, according to an embodiment. <FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of the display device shown in <FIG>.

Referring to <FIG>, a display device according to an embodiment will now be described.

A display device <NUM> includes a liquid crystal panel <NUM> for displaying an image, a backlight unit provided behind the liquid crystal panel <NUM> to provide light to the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, a rear chassis <NUM> for supporting the backlight unit, a front chassis <NUM> for covering edges of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, and a middle mold <NUM> coupled between the front chassis <NUM> and the rear chassis <NUM>.

The display panel <NUM> may include a thin-film transistor substrate with thin-film transistors provided thereon in the form of a matrix, a color-filter substrate coupled in parallel with the thin-film transistor substrate, and liquid crystal injected between the thin-film transistor substrate and the color-filter substrate and having optical properties that vary by changes in voltage or temperature.

The backlight unit is provided behind the liquid crystal panel <NUM> to illuminate the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The backlight unit includes at least one light source module <NUM> for example including at least one light source <NUM> and at least one substrate <NUM> on which the at least one light source <NUM> is mounted, and an optical member provided in a traveling path of the light emitted from the at least one light source <NUM>.

In an embodiment, a plurality of substrates <NUM> may be provided in the form of plates. The disclosure is not, however, limited thereto, but the substrates <NUM> may have the form of bars.

The size and/or number of light source modules <NUM> may depend on the size of the display device <NUM>. In an embodiment, there may be eight light source modules <NUM>, and the eight light source modules <NUM> may be combined to have a size equal to a size of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>.

A driving power line may be provided on the substrate <NUM> to supply driving power to the light source <NUM>, and may be connected to a signal cable and a backlight driving circuit.

A plurality of light sources <NUM> may be mounted on each of the plurality of substrates <NUM> with gaps therebetween. The light source <NUM> may include light emitting diodes (LEDs). Alternatively, the light source <NUM> may include a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) or an external electrode fluorescent lamp (EEFL).

A plurality of lenses <NUM> may be mounted on the substrate <NUM> to cover the respective light sources <NUM>. The lens <NUM> may cover the light source <NUM> to diffuse light emitted from the light source <NUM>.

A reflector sheet <NUM> may be provided for each of the plurality of substrates <NUM>. The reflector sheet <NUM> may have the size corresponding to the substrate <NUM>. The reflector sheet <NUM> may stick to a mounting surface of the substrate <NUM> on which the light source <NUM> is mounted. In other words, the reflector sheet <NUM> may be placed on the front surface of the substrate <NUM>. The reflector sheet <NUM> may have a through hole <NUM> formed therein for the light source <NUM> and the lens <NUM> to pass through.

The reflector sheet <NUM> may reflect light to prevent losses of light. Specifically, the reflector sheet <NUM> may reflect light emitted from the light source <NUM> or light reflecting backward from a diffuser plate <NUM> to the rear surface 63a of the diffuser plate <NUM>. The reflector sheet <NUM> may prevent losses of light emitted from the light source <NUM> by reflecting the light emitted from the light source <NUM> that is traveling towards the back of the display device <NUM>.

The backlight unit may include optical members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> provided along the traveling path of light emitted from the light source <NUM>.

The optical members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may include a diffuser plate <NUM> for uniformly diffusing uneven light emitted from the light source <NUM>, and first and second optical sheets <NUM> and <NUM> for enhancing properties of light. The claimed display device comprises the diffuser plate <NUM>.

The diffuser plate <NUM> may uniformly diffuse the uneven light generated from the light sources <NUM>. The diffuser plate <NUM> may uniformly diffuse the light incident on the rear surface 63a to be output to its front surface 63b.

The first and second optical sheets <NUM> and <NUM> may be provided in front of the diffuser plate <NUM> to enhance optical properties of the light output from the diffuser plate <NUM>. Although the first and second optical sheets <NUM> and <NUM> are shown in the drawings, the number of optical sheets may be more or less than <NUM>.

The first and second optical sheets <NUM> and <NUM> may include a diffuser sheet for offsetting a pattern of the diffuser plate <NUM>, a prism sheet for concentrating the light to enhance brightness, a protection sheet for protecting the other optical sheets against an external shock or inflow of foreign materials, a reflective polarizing sheet (e.g., dual brightness enhancement film (DBEF)) for transmitting polarized light while reflecting differently polarized light to enhance brightness, a complex sheet for uniformly diffusing light, a quantum dot sheet for changing wavelengths of light to improve color reproductivity, etc. Quantum dots, which are illuminant semiconductor crystals in a few nanometers, may be distributed inside the quantum dot sheet. The quantum dot may receive blue light to produce any colors of visible light depending on the size of the quantum dot. The smaller the quantum dot is, the shorter wavelength of light may be produced, and the larger the quantum dot is, the longer wavelength of light may be produced.

The first and second optical sheets <NUM> and <NUM> and the diffuser plate <NUM> may be provided in one body. Adhesives may be provided between the first and second optical sheets <NUM> and <NUM> and between the second optical sheet <NUM> and the diffuser plate <NUM>, bonding the first and second optical sheets <NUM> and <NUM> and the diffuser plate <NUM> into one body like a single sheet.

The rear chassis <NUM> is provided behind the backlight unit. In an embodiment, the rear chassis <NUM> may be generally shaped like a plate with the edges bending forward. The backlight unit may be accommodated between the rear chassis <NUM> and the combination of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> and front chassis <NUM>.

The rear chassis <NUM> may include a base <NUM> on which the light source module <NUM> is installed, and includes a bent portion <NUM> provided on the top, bottom, left and right edges of the rear chassis <NUM> to be coupled with the middle mold <NUM>.

The base <NUM> may contact the substrate <NUM> to radiate heat generated from a heating element such as the light source <NUM> mounted on the substrate <NUM>. For this, the rear chassis <NUM> including the base <NUM> may include various metal substances such as aluminum, steel use stainless (SUS), etc., with high heat transfer efficiency. The rear chassis <NUM> may include a plastic material such as ABS.

The bent portion <NUM> is inserted into an insertion groove <NUM> provided in the middle mold <NUM>. When the bent portion <NUM> is inserted to the insertion groove <NUM>, the rear chassis <NUM> and the middle mold <NUM> may be coupled to each other.

The rear chassis <NUM> may further include a middle mold supporter <NUM> for supporting the middle mold <NUM>, and a link <NUM> connecting the middle mold supporter <NUM> to the base <NUM>.

The middle mold supporter <NUM> may be provided between the bent portion <NUM> and the base <NUM> to support the middle mold <NUM>. The link <NUM> may be provided to connect the middle mold supporter <NUM> and the base <NUM>. The link <NUM> may slantingly extend backward from an end of the base <NUM> to connect to an end of the middle mold supporter <NUM>. The bent portion <NUM> may be provided at the other end of the middle mold supporter <NUM>.

The light source module <NUM> may be placed between the base <NUM> and the diffuser plate <NUM>, and the middle mold <NUM> may be placed between the middle mold supporter <NUM> and the diffuser plate <NUM> and liquid crystal panel <NUM>. A distance between the base <NUM> and the liquid crystal panel <NUM> may be shorter than a distance between the middle mold supporter <NUM> and the liquid crystal panel <NUM>.

The front chassis <NUM> may be shaped like a frame with an opening <NUM> for the light from the backlight unit to be provided to the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The front chassis <NUM> may cover a side surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> and a side surface of the middle mold <NUM>.

For related art display devices, the front chassis supports the liquid crystal panel by covering the front edges of the liquid crystal panel. Edges around the liquid crystal panel defined by the front chassis are called a bezel, and the bezel causes the size of a screen display area of the liquid crystal panel to be reduced. Furthermore, a thick bezel may negatively affect an aesthetic appearance of the display device.

In this regard, the front chassis <NUM> covers the side surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> but may not cover the front of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. When the front chassis <NUM> does not cover the screen display area of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, the size of the screen display area of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> does not shrink from the front chassis <NUM>. Accordingly, the size of the screen display area of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> of the display device <NUM> may be enlarged.

Furthermore, thickness of the front chassis <NUM> in the left-right direction may be reduced. The thickness of the front chassis <NUM> in the left-right direction may indicate the size of the bezel. The front chassis <NUM> is provided to cover the side surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> and the side surface of the middle mold <NUM>, which may be achieved without having a thick front chassis <NUM>. Accordingly, the display device <NUM> may have a bezel with a reduced size, and thus have an enhanced aesthetic appearance.

Similar to the front chassis <NUM>, the middle mold <NUM> may be shaped like a frame with an opening 40a for the light from the backlight unit to be provided to the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The middle mold <NUM> is coupled to the rear chassis <NUM> and may be coupled to the front chassis <NUM>. The middle mold <NUM> is affixed to the diffuser plate <NUM>, and possibly to first optical sheet <NUM>, and the second optical sheet <NUM>. Furthermore, the middle mold <NUM> is affixed to the liquid crystal panel <NUM>.

The middle mold <NUM> may be placed on the middle mold supporter <NUM> of the rear chassis <NUM>. The middle mold <NUM> includes the insertion groove <NUM> for receiving the bent portion <NUM> of the rear chassis <NUM>. As described above, as the bent portion <NUM> is inserted to the insertion groove <NUM>, and the middle mold <NUM> and the rear chassis <NUM> may be coupled to each other.

The middle mold <NUM> is affixed to the diffuser plate <NUM>. The middle mold <NUM> includes a sheet adhesion surface <NUM>. The sheet adhesion surface <NUM> may be a surface of the middle mold <NUM> facing the diffuser plate <NUM> at a distance removed from the diffuser plate <NUM>.

A first adhesive <NUM> is provided between the sheet adhesion surface <NUM> and the diffuser plate <NUM>. The first adhesive <NUM> may be made with a transparent substance. For example, the first adhesive <NUM> may include a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) having more than <NUM> % of light transmittance. With the first adhesive <NUM> made with a material having high light transmittance, light emitted from the light source module <NUM> may pass through the first adhesive <NUM> and enter into the diffuser plate <NUM> to minimize loss of light.

The first adhesive <NUM> bonds the sheet adhesion surface <NUM> of the middle mold <NUM> and the rear surface 63a of the diffuser plate <NUM>. The optical members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, which may be coupled to each other, may be coupled to the middle mold <NUM> by the first adhesive <NUM> without extra structures.

In related art display devices, an extra structure is provided to support the optical sheets. The structure clamps the optical sheets together to prevent them from being separated, but adds thickness to the display device and the bezel.

An alternative design is provided in an embodiment where the optical members <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be coupled to the middle mold <NUM> by the first adhesive <NUM> without such an extra structure. Accordingly, the thickness of the display device and the bezel size may be reduced.

According to the claimed invention, the middle mold <NUM> is coupled to the liquid crystal panel <NUM> to prevent the liquid crystal panel <NUM> from falling forward out of the display device <NUM>. The middle mold <NUM> includes a supporting projection <NUM> protruding toward the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The supporting projection <NUM> includes a panel adhesion surface 43a facing the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. A second adhesive <NUM> is provided between the panel adhesion surface 43a and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The second adhesive <NUM> bonds the panel adhesion surface 43a of the middle mold <NUM> and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The liquid crystal panel <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to the middle mold <NUM> by the second adhesive <NUM>.

As described above, the liquid crystal panel <NUM> may be fixed to the middle mold <NUM> by adhesion strength of the second adhesive <NUM>. The liquid crystal panel <NUM> may be separated from the middle mold <NUM> when the adhesion strength of the second adhesive <NUM> becomes weak, so strong adhesion strength of the second adhesive may be required to support the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. To meet this requirement, the second adhesive <NUM> may include ultraviolet (UV) resin. When the second adhesive <NUM> is the UV resin, the second adhesive <NUM> may be applied in a liquid state on the panel adhesion surface 43a and hardened by UV rays, thereby bonding the panel adhesion surface 43a and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>.

The middle mold <NUM> also includes a sheet supporting surface <NUM> provided between the supporting projection <NUM> and the sheet adhesion surface <NUM>. The sheet supporting surface <NUM> may protrude almost as much as the thickness of the first adhesive <NUM> from the sheet adhesion surface <NUM> to the diffuser plate <NUM>. The sheet supporting surface <NUM> contacts and supports the diffuser plate <NUM>. The supporting projection <NUM> protrudes toward the liquid crystal panel <NUM> from the sheet supporting surface <NUM>. Alternatively, and not according to the claimed invention, the sheet supporting surface <NUM> may not contact the diffuser <NUM> or may be omitted. When the sheet supporting surface <NUM> is omitted, the supporting projection <NUM> may protrude from the sheet adhesion surface <NUM>.

The middle mold <NUM> may include a light guide plane <NUM>. The light guide plane <NUM> may guide light generated from the light source <NUM> towards the diffuser plate <NUM>. Specifically, the light guide plane <NUM> may guide the light generated from the light source <NUM> to enter into the first adhesive <NUM> or to a surface of the diffuser plate <NUM> that comes into contact with the first adhesive <NUM>. The light guide plane <NUM> may be inclined to not interfere with the traveling path of the light generated from the light source <NUM>. The light guide plane <NUM> may prevent the middle mold <NUM> from interfering with the traveling path of light generated from the light source <NUM> when the light passes through the lens <NUM> and enters into the diffuser plate <NUM>. The inclination angle of the light guide plane <NUM> may be determined by taking into account properties of the light. The inclination angle of the light guide plane <NUM> may be determined by taking into account a profile of the light.

Otherwise, when the light guide plane <NUM> is not provided or the sheet adhesion surface <NUM> extends up to the substrate <NUM>, light generated from the light source <NUM> and traveling toward the first adhesive <NUM> may be blocked by the middle mold <NUM> being in the traveling path. When the light is blocked in the traveling path and fails to reach a portion of the diffuser <NUM> where the first adhesive <NUM> is placed, brightness of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> in the portion where the first adhesive <NUM> is placed may be degraded or uneven. The light guide plane <NUM> may provide an unobstructed traveling path to allow the light emitted from the light source <NUM> to reach a location where the first adhesive <NUM> is placed. Accordingly, the display device <NUM> may minimize degradation or unevenness of brightness of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>.

The middle mold <NUM> may not protrude sideways from the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. In other words, an outermost surface 40b of the middle mold <NUM> may be coplanar with a side surface 10a of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, or may be located farther inside than the side surface 10a of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. Although the side surface 40b of the middle mold <NUM> is shown as being coplanar with the side surface 10a of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, it may be located farther inside than the side surface 10a of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>.

A side wall <NUM> of the front chassis <NUM> may be provided to cover a side surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> and a side surface of the middle mold <NUM>. The side wall <NUM> of the front chassis <NUM> may include an inner side surface 22b facing the outer surface 40b of the middle mold <NUM> and an outer side surface 22a opposite to the inner side surface 22b. The inner side surface 22b and the outer side surface 22a may be provided side by side and may extend in a substantially straight line along the front-back direction. A distance between the inner and outer side surfaces 22b and 22a of the front chassis <NUM> corresponds to the size of the bezel of the display device. The inner and outer side surfaces 22b and 22a of the front chassis <NUM> may extend in an almost straight line along the front-back direction, so the size of the bezel may be only a thickness of the side wall <NUM>.

In related art displays, the middle mold protrudes outwards from the liquid crystal panel, and the front chassis covers the middle mold by protruding sideways from the liquid crystal panel. When the front chassis extends sideways to cover the middle mold, the size of the bezel defined by the front chassis is larger than the portion of the middle mold protruding outwards from the liquid crystal panel. That is, the related art display have a limitation on reducing the size of the bezel because the middle mold protrudes outwards from the liquid crystal panel.

An alternative design is provided by an embodiment not according to the claimed invention where the middle mold <NUM> may not include such a portion that protrudes outwards from the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The front chassis <NUM> may then be positioned very close to the side surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> because there is no portion protruding outwards from the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. Furthermore, the front chassis <NUM> may cover the side surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> and the side surface of the middle mold <NUM>, and the front chassis <NUM> may perform the function of covering the side surface without difficulty even with a thin thickness. Accordingly, the thickness of the side wall <NUM> of the front chassis <NUM> may be very thin. As the size of the bezel is proportional to the thickness of the side wall <NUM> of the front chassis <NUM>, the size of the bezel of the display device <NUM> may be reduced by minimizing the thickness of the side wall <NUM> of the front chassis <NUM>. With the reduce size of the bezel, the aesthetics of the display device <NUM> may be enhanced.

The rear chassis <NUM>, and the middle mold <NUM> are combined by a fastening member <NUM> that is provided separately. The middle mold <NUM> includes a fastening groove <NUM> into which the fastening member <NUM> is inserted and coupled. The rear chassis <NUM> includes a first fastening hole <NUM> configured to correspond to the fastening groove <NUM> and for the fastening member <NUM> to pass through. The front chassis <NUM> may include a second fastening hole <NUM> configured to correspond to the fastening groove <NUM> and the first fastening hole <NUM> and for the fastening member <NUM> to pass through.

The fastening member <NUM> may pass through the first and second fastening holes <NUM> and <NUM> and may be fastened into the fastening groove <NUM>. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the fastening member <NUM> may be screwed into the fastening groove <NUM>. When the fastening member <NUM> is fastened into the fastening groove <NUM>, the front chassis <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to the rear chassis <NUM>. Furthermore, when the fastening member <NUM> is fastened into the fastening groove <NUM>, the rear chassis <NUM> and the middle mold <NUM> may be secondarily coupled to each other.

<FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of a display device, according to another embodiment.

The display device <NUM> includes a liquid crystal panel <NUM>, a backlight unit provided behind the liquid crystal panel <NUM> to provide light to the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, a rear chassis <NUM> for supporting the backlight unit, a front chassis <NUM> for covering edges of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, and a middle mold <NUM> coupled between the front chassis <NUM> and the rear chassis <NUM>.

The structure except for the middle mold <NUM> is equivalent to that of the embodiment of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, so the overlapping description will not be repeated.

The middle mold <NUM> includes a supporting projection <NUM>. The supporting projection <NUM> includes a panel adhesion surface 143a facing the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. A second adhesive <NUM> is provided between the panel adhesion surface 143a and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>.

The supporting projection <NUM> may further include a light reflecting surface 143b. The light reflecting surface 143b may be provided to reflect the light emitted from the light source <NUM>. The light reflecting surface 143b may be sunken into the supporting projection <NUM>. Specifically, the light reflecting surface 143b may be recessed from a surface of the supporting projection <NUM> facing the side surface of the diffuser plate <NUM>. The light reflecting surface 143b may be a curved plane to uniformly reflect light. The light reflecting surface 143b may be a smoothly curved plane without angulations. The light reflecting surface 143b may be sunken away from the side surface of the diffuser plate <NUM>.

The light reflecting surface 143b may prevent portions of the edges of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> from having excessively high brightness. The light reflecting surface 143b may reduce an amount of light emitted through the edges of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> by reflecting the light backward. This may prevent a relative increase of brightness in the portions of the edges of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, and accordingly, the liquid crystal panel <NUM> may have more uniform brightness across its entire area.

<FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of a display device, according to another embodiment, which is not according to the claimed invention.

The display device <NUM> may include a liquid crystal panel <NUM>, a backlight unit provided behind the liquid crystal panel <NUM> to provide light to the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, a rear chassis <NUM> for supporting the backlight unit, a front chassis <NUM> for covering edges of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, and a middle mold <NUM> coupled between the front chassis <NUM> and the rear chassis <NUM>.

The backlight unit may be provided behind the liquid crystal panel <NUM> to illuminate the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The backlight unit may include a light source module <NUM> including a light source <NUM> and a substrate <NUM> with the light source <NUM> mounted thereon, and an optical member provided in a traveling path of the light emitted from the light source <NUM>.

The light source module <NUM> may include a plurality of substrates <NUM> in the form of plates. It is not, however, limited thereto, the substrates <NUM> may have other forms such as bars.

The size and/or number of light source modules <NUM> may depend on the size of the display device. In an embodiment, there may be eight light source modules <NUM>, and the size of the eight light source modules <NUM> combined may be equal to the size of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>.

A plurality of light sources <NUM> may be mounted on each of the plurality of substrates <NUM> with gaps therebetween. The light source <NUM> may include light emitting diodes (LEDs). A reflector sheet <NUM> may be placed on the substrate <NUM>. The reflector sheet <NUM> may reflect light to prevent losses of light. The reflector sheet <NUM> may include a plurality of through holes 253a for the plurality of light sources <NUM> to pass through. A light guide film <NUM> may be placed on the reflector sheet <NUM>. The light guide film <NUM> may diffuse and guide light generated from the light source <NUM> to the front. The light guide film <NUM> may change the light sources <NUM> from point light sources to a surface light source. Similar to the reflector sheet <NUM>, the light guide film <NUM> may also include a plurality of through holes 254a.

The light source module <NUM> may not include a lens. Accordingly, a minimum distance required between the light source and the diffuser plate may be reduced as compared with an embodiment where the lens is provided. Furthermore, a distance between a base <NUM> of the rear chassis <NUM> and the liquid crystal panel <NUM> may be reduced. With the reduced distance between the base <NUM> and the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, which is thickness of the display device <NUM> from front to back, may be reduced. With the reduced thickness of the display device <NUM>, the aesthetics of the display device <NUM> may be enhanced.

A link <NUM> of the rear chassis may be generally perpendicular to the base <NUM> and a middle mold supporter <NUM>. A bent portion <NUM> may be inserted to an insertion groove <NUM> of the middle mold <NUM>.

The middle mold <NUM> may include a sheet adhesion surface <NUM>. No projection may be provided on the sheet adhesion surface <NUM>. That is, the sheet adhesion surface <NUM> may be planar. The first adhesive <NUM> may be provided between the sheet adhesion surface <NUM> and the rear surface 63a of the diffuser plate <NUM>. The first adhesive <NUM> may couple the middle mold <NUM> to the diffuser plate <NUM> by bonding the sheet adhesion surface <NUM> and the rear surface 63a of the diffuser plate <NUM>. The first adhesive <NUM> may include a PSA or an optical clear adhesive (OCA).

The liquid crystal panel <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to the diffuser plate <NUM>. The second adhesive <NUM> may be provided between the liquid crystal panel <NUM> and the diffuser plate <NUM> to bond the liquid crystal panel <NUM> and the diffuser plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the liquid crystal panel <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to the diffuser plate <NUM>. The second adhesive <NUM> may include UV resin.

The liquid crystal panel <NUM> may be coupled to the first optical sheet <NUM>. In this case, the second adhesive <NUM> may be provided between the liquid crystal panel <NUM> and the first optical sheet <NUM>.

The liquid crystal panel <NUM> and the diffuser plate <NUM> may be coupled by the second adhesive <NUM> without an extra structure.

In related art displays, an adhesive may be provided on a structure positioned at, e.g., the front chassis, to couple the liquid crystal panel to the front chassis. In such a method, it is difficult to form a liquid crystal panel supporting structure corresponding to the size of a black material (BM) of the ever decreasing liquid crystal panel.

The second adhesive <NUM> may be provided in a portion corresponding to the BM of the liquid crystal panel. Accordingly, even when the BM of the liquid crystal panel becomes smaller, the liquid crystal panel <NUM> may be stably coupled to the diffuser plate <NUM> or the first optical sheet <NUM>.

The liquid crystal panel <NUM> of the display device <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to a middle mold <NUM>.

The middle mold <NUM> may include a supporting projection <NUM> protruding toward the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The supporting projection <NUM> may include a panel adhesion surface 343a facing the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The second adhesive <NUM> may be provided between the panel adhesion surface 343a and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The second adhesive <NUM> may bond the panel adhesion surface 343a of the middle mold <NUM> and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The second adhesive <NUM> may fixedly couple the liquid crystal panel <NUM> to the middle mold <NUM>. The second adhesive <NUM> may include UV resin.

The middle mold <NUM> may include a first sheet adhesion surface 342a and a second sheet adhesion surface 342b.

The first adhesion surface 342a may face the rear surface 63a of the diffuser plate <NUM>, and a first portion of the first adhesive 71a may be placed between the first sheet adhesion surface 342a and the rear surface 63a of the diffuser plate <NUM>.

The second sheet adhesion surface 342b may face the side surface of the diffuser plate <NUM>. A second portion of the first adhesive 71b may be provided between the second sheet adhesion surface 342b and the side surface of the diffuser plate <NUM>.

The first portion of the first adhesive 71a and the second portion of the first adhesive 71b may include a PSA and an OCA.

The sheet adhesion surfaces 342a and 342b may be double-sided to relatively strengthen adhesion power between the diffuser plate <NUM> and the middle mold <NUM>. Accordingly, the diffuser plate <NUM> and the middle mold <NUM> may be more stably coupled. Since it is attached by the first adhesive member 71a and the second adhesive member 71b, the adhesive strength is enhanced compared to the case where only the first adhesive member 71a is adhered.

The display device <NUM> includes a liquid crystal panel <NUM> for displaying an image, a backlight unit provided behind the liquid crystal panel <NUM> to provide light to the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, a rear chassis <NUM> for supporting the backlight unit, a front chassis <NUM> for covering edges of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, and a middle mold <NUM> coupled between the front chassis <NUM> and the rear chassis <NUM>.

All the components but the front chassis <NUM> are the same as those shown in <FIG>, so the overlapping description will not be repeated.

The front chassis <NUM> may cover the side surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> and the middle mold <NUM>.

The front chassis <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to the side surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. Furthermore, the front chassis <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to the side surface of the middle mold <NUM>.

A gap may be formed between the front chassis <NUM> and the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, and similarly, there may be a gap formed between the front chassis <NUM> and the middle mold <NUM>. A third adhesive <NUM> may be provided in the gap.

The third adhesive <NUM> may bond the front chassis <NUM> to the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. Furthermore, the third adhesive <NUM> may bond the middle mold <NUM> to the front chassis <NUM>.

The third adhesive <NUM> may fixedly couple the front chassis <NUM> to the middle mold <NUM>, and further to the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The front chassis <NUM> may be coupled to the side surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> and the side surface of the middle mold <NUM> to prevent external foreign materials from being brought into the liquid crystal panel <NUM> or the middle mold <NUM>.

The front chassis <NUM> may be coupled to the side surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> and the side surface of the middle mold <NUM> by the third adhesive <NUM> without an extra fastening member. Accordingly, the front chassis <NUM> may not include the extra fastening member, and may thus have slim thickness as compared to a case of having a fastening member.

The front chassis <NUM> and the middle mold <NUM> may be coupled by the fastening member <NUM>. The fastening member <NUM> may pass through the first fastening hole <NUM> of the rear chassis <NUM> to be coupled to the fastening groove <NUM> of the middle mold <NUM>.

The middle mold <NUM> of the display device <NUM> includes the supporting projection <NUM>, which may include the light reflecting surface 143b.

The light reflecting surface 143b may prevent portions of the edges of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> from having excessively high brightness. The light reflecting surface 143b may reduce an amount of light emitted through the edges of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> by reflecting the light backward. This may prevent a relative increase of brightness in the portions of the edges of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, and accordingly, the liquid crystal panel <NUM> may have a more uniform brightness across its entire area.

Furthermore, the front chassis <NUM> may be coupled to the side surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> and the side surface of the middle mold <NUM> by the third adhesive <NUM> without an extra fastening member. Accordingly, the front chassis <NUM> may not include the extra fastening member, and may thus have slim thickness as compared to a case of having a fastening member.

<FIG> is a side cross-sectional view of a display device, according to another embodiment which is not according to the claimed invention.

The light source module <NUM> of the display device <NUM> may not include a lens. Accordingly, a minimum distance required between the light source and the diffuser plate may be reduced as compared with an embodiment where the lens is provided. Furthermore, a distance between a base <NUM> of the rear chassis <NUM> and the liquid crystal panel <NUM> may be reduced. With the reduced distance between the base <NUM> and the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, thickness of the display device <NUM> from front to back may be reduced. With the reduced thickness of the display device <NUM>, the aesthetics of the display device <NUM> may be enhanced.

The middle mold <NUM> may include the sheet adhesion surface <NUM>. No projection may be provided on the sheet adhesion surface <NUM>. The first adhesive <NUM> may be provided between the sheet adhesion surface <NUM> and the rear surface 63a of the diffuser plate <NUM>. The first adhesive <NUM> may couple the middle mold <NUM> to the diffuser plate <NUM> by bonding the sheet adhesion surface <NUM> and the rear surface 63a of the diffuser plate <NUM>. The first adhesive <NUM> may include a PSA or an OCA.

The liquid crystal panel <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to the diffuser plate <NUM>. The second adhesive <NUM> may be provided between the liquid crystal panel <NUM> and the diffuser plate <NUM> to bond the liquid crystal panel <NUM> to the diffuser plate <NUM>. Accordingly, the liquid crystal panel <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to the diffuser plate <NUM>. The second adhesive <NUM> may include UV resin.

In an embodiment, the liquid crystal panel <NUM> may be coupled to the first optical sheet <NUM>. In this case, the second adhesive <NUM> may be provided between the liquid crystal panel <NUM> and the first optical sheet <NUM>.

The front chassis <NUM> may be coupled to the side surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> by the third adhesive <NUM>. Furthermore, the front chassis <NUM> may be coupled to the side surface of the diffuser plate <NUM> by the third adhesive <NUM>. Furthermore, the front chassis <NUM> may be coupled to the middle mold <NUM> by the third adhesive <NUM>. Accordingly, the front chassis <NUM> may be coupled to the liquid crystal panel <NUM>, the diffuser plate <NUM>, and the middle mold <NUM> without an extra fastening member. The front chassis <NUM> may not include the extra fastening member, and may thus have slim thickness as compared to a case of having a fastening member.

The middle mold <NUM> may include the supporting projection <NUM> protruding toward the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The supporting projection <NUM> may include a panel adhesion surface 343a facing the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The second adhesive <NUM> may be provided between the panel adhesion surface 343a and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. The second adhesive <NUM> may be provided to bond the panel adhesion surface 343a of the middle mold <NUM> and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM>. With the second adhesive <NUM>, the liquid crystal panel <NUM> may be fixedly coupled to the middle mold <NUM>. The second adhesive <NUM> may include UV resin.

The middle mold <NUM> may include the first sheet adhesion surface 342a and the second sheet adhesion surface 342b.

The first sheet adhesion surface 342a may be oriented to face the rear surface 63a of the diffuser plate <NUM>, and the first portion of the first adhesive 71a may be placed between the first sheet adhesion surface 342a and the rear surface 63a of the diffuser plate <NUM>.

The second sheet adhesion surface 342b may be oriented to face side surface 63c of the diffuser plate <NUM>. The second portion of the first adhesive 71b may be provided between the second sheet adhesion surface <NUM> and the side surface 63c of the diffuser plate <NUM>.

The sheet adhesion surfaces 342a and 342b may be double-sided to relatively strengthen adhesion power between the diffuser plate <NUM> and the middle mold <NUM>. Accordingly, the diffuser plate <NUM> and the middle mold <NUM> may be more stably coupled.

The front chassis <NUM> may be coupled to the side surface of the liquid crystal panel <NUM> by the third adhesive <NUM>. Furthermore, the front chassis <NUM> may be coupled to the middle mold <NUM> by the third adhesive <NUM>. The front chassis <NUM> may be coupled to the liquid crystal panel <NUM> and the middle mold <NUM> without an extra fastening member. The front chassis <NUM> may not include the extra fastening member, and may thus have slim thickness as compared to a case of having a fastening member.

Claim 1:
A display device (<NUM>) comprising:
a rear chassis (<NUM>);
a light source module (<NUM>) installed on the rear chassis, the light source module being configured to emit light;
a diffuser plate (<NUM>) provided in front of the light source module, the diffuser plate being configured to diffuse the light emitted by the light source module;
a liquid crystal panel (<NUM>) provided in front of the diffuser plate, the liquid crystal panel being configured to display an image;
a front chassis (<NUM>) covering a side surface of the liquid crystal panel and a side surface of the diffuser plate;
a middle mold (<NUM>) provided between the front chassis and the rear chassis and coupled to the rear chassis and the diffuser plate, wherein the middle mold comprises a first adhesion surface (<NUM>), a sheet supporting surface (<NUM>) protruding from the first adhesion surface toward the liquid crystal panel by a first thickness, and a supporting projection (<NUM>) protruding from the first adhesion surface toward the liquid crystal panel by a second thickness that is larger than the first thickness and having a second adhesion surface (<NUM>), and the supporting projection protruding further toward the liquid crystal panel than the first adhesion surface,
wherein the sheet supporting surface is provided between the supporting projection and the first adhesion surface;
a first adhesive (<NUM>) provided on the first adhesion surface and provided between the diffuser plate and the middle mold, the first adhesive bonding the diffuser plate to the middle mold;
a second adhesive (<NUM>) provided on the second adhesion surface and provided between the middle mold and the liquid crystal panel, the second adhesive bonding the middle mold to the liquid crystal panel; and
a fastening member (S),
wherein the sheet supporting surface of the middle mold contacts and supports the diffuser plate,
wherein the middle mold further comprises an inserting groove (<NUM>) into which a bent portion (<NUM>) of the rear chassis is inserted and a fastening groove (<NUM>), and
wherein the fastening member passes through a fastening hole (<NUM>) of the rear chassis and is inserted into the fastening groove.