Patent Description:
As the information society has developed, the demand for display devices is increasing in various forms, and accordingly, in recent years, various display devices such as a liquid crystal display (LCD), electroluminescent display (ELD), vacuum fluorescent display (VFD), organic light emitting diode (OLED), and the like have been studied and used.

Thereamong, a liquid crystal panel of the LCD includes a liquid crystal layer and a TFT substrate and a color filter substrate opposite each other while the liquid crystal layer is interposed therebetween, and may display an image using light provided by a backlight unit.

In recent years, much research has been actively conducted on a backlight unit that provides high-luminance light to a display panel with an increase in quality of an image provided by a display device.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide a display device configured such that spatial efficiency of a backlight unit is improved.

It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a display device having improved productivity.

These objects are solved by the present invention as defined in the independent claim.

In accordance with an aspect to better understand the present invention, a display device includes a display panel, a frame located at the rear of the display panel, a light source located between the display panel and the frame, the light source being configured to provide light to the display panel, an optical layer located between the display panel and the light source, the optical layer being configured to transmit the light provided by the light source, and a support located between the frame and the optical layer, the support being mounted at the frame, the support being configured to support the optical layer, wherein the support includes a base extending long, the base being placed on the frame, a bridge extending from one end to the other end of the base, the bridge being spaced apart from the base at the upper side of the base, a tower extending from the bridge toward the optical layer, a shaft extending from the lower surface of the base toward the frame, and a bar extending long from the shaft in a direction intersecting the longitudinal direction of the base.

The frame includes a flat portion and an inclined portion extending from the flat portion toward the display panel in the state of being inclined, and the flat portion includes a fixing recess portion recessed from the rear surface of the flat portion toward the front surface of the flat portion and a bar slot formed in the fixing recess portion, the bar slot being cut out such that the bar of the support passes through the bar slot, the bar slot intersecting the longitudinal direction of the base and the longitudinal direction of the bar.

The support further includes a stopper formed at the outer circumferential surface of the shaft, the stopper being located between the base and the bar, and the frame further includes a stopper slot formed in the fixing recess portion, the stopper slot extending long in a direction intersecting the bar slot, the stopper slot being shorter than the length of the bar slot, the stopper slot corresponding to the stopper.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the intersection angle formed by the base and the bar may be about <NUM> degrees.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the intersection angle formed by the base and the bar slot may be about <NUM> degrees.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the intersection angle formed by the bar and the bar slot may be about <NUM> degrees.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the intersection angle formed by the stopper slot and the bar slot may be about <NUM> degrees.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the support is placed in the fixing recess portion, and, when the bar of the support is inserted into the bar slot and is then rotated, the stopper of the support contacts the stopper slot.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the frame may include a first protrusion hole formed so as to be spaced apart from one end of the stopper slot in the longitudinal direction of the stopper slot and a second protrusion hole formed so as to be spaced apart from the other end of the stopper slot in the longitudinal direction of the stopper slot, and the support may include a first protrusion located adjacent to one end of the bar, the first protrusion protruding from the bar toward the base so as to be inserted into the first protrusion hole, and a second protrusion located adjacent to the other end of the bar, the second protrusion protruding from the bar toward the base so as to be inserted into the second protrusion hole.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the support may further include a bottom configured to form a step at the lower surface of the base together with the lower surface of the base, and the bottom may be supported at the front surface of the flat portion by the fixing recess portion.

In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the display device may further include a reflection sheet located on the frame, the reflection sheet being configured to reflect the light provided by the light source toward the display panel, wherein a portion of the reflection sheet may be inserted into a gap formed between the front surface of the frame and the lower surface of the base by the bottom, and the base of the support may push the upper surface of the reflection sheet.

As is apparent from the above description, a display device according to the present invention has the following effects.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a display device configured such that light efficiency of a backlight unit is improved.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a display device configured such that spatial efficiency of a backlight unit is improved.

According to at least one of the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a display device having improved productivity.

The additional scope of applicability of the present invention will be apparent from the above detailed description. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and alterations are possible within the scope of the appended claims, and therefore it should be understood that the detailed description and specific embodiments, such as the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, are provided only for illustration.

Relevant prior art includes <CIT> and <CIT>.

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

In general, suffixes such as "module" and "unit" may be used to refer to elements or components. Use of such suffixes herein is merely intended to facilitate description of the specification, and the suffixes do not have any special meaning or function. In the present disclosure, that which is well known to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art has generally been omitted for the sake of brevity. The accompanying drawings are used to assist in easy understanding of various technical features and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings.

Hereinafter, a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel will be described by way of example as a display panel; however, a display panel applicable to the present disclosure is not limited to the LCD panel, and a field emission display (FED) panel or an organic light emitting diode (OLED) panel may also be used.

Also, in the following description, a display device <NUM> may include a first long side LS1, a second long side LS2 opposite the first long side LS1, a first short side SS1 adjacent to the first long side LS1 and the second long side LS2, and a second short side SS2 opposite the first short side SS1.

Here, the first short side area SS1 may be referred to as a first side area, the second short side area SS2 may be referred to as a second side area, the first long side area LS1 may be referred to as a third side area adjacent to the first side area and the second side area and located between the first side area and the second side area, and the second long side area LS2 may be referred to as a fourth side area adjacent to the first side area and the second side area, located between the first side area and the second side area, and opposite the third side area.

In addition, although the length of the first and second long sides LS1 and LS2 is shown and described as being greater than the length of the first and second short sides SS1 and SS2 for convenience of description, the length of the first and second long sides LS1 and LS2 may be approximately equal to the length of the first and second short sides SS1 and SS2.

Also, in the following description, a first direction DR1 may be a direction parallel to the long sides LS1 and LS2 of the display device <NUM>, and a second direction DR2 may be a direction parallel to the short sides SS1 and SS2 of the display device <NUM>. A third direction DR3 may be a direction perpendicular to the first direction DR1 and/or the second direction DR2.

The first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 may be collectively referred to as a horizontal direction. In addition, the third direction DR3 may be referred to as a vertical direction.

The side of the display device <NUM> at which an image is displayed may be referred to as a front or a front surface. The side of the display device <NUM> at which an image is not observed when the display device <NUM> displays the image may be referred to as a rear or a rear surface. When the display device <NUM> is seen from the front or the front surface, the first long side portion LS1 may be referred to as an upper side or an upper surface, and the second long side portion LS2 may be referred to as a lower side or a lower surface. The first short side portion SS1 may be referred to as a right side or a right surface, and the second short side portion SS2 may be referred to as a left side or a left surface.

The first long side LS1, the second long side LS2, the first short side SS1, and the second short side SS2 may be referred to as edges of the display device <NUM>. In addition, the points at which the first long side LS1, the second long side LS2, the first short side SS1, and the second short side SS2 join may be referred to as corners. For example, the point at which the first long side LS1 and the first short side SS1 join may be referred to as a first corner C1, the point at which the first long side LS1 and the second short side SS2 join may be referred to as a second corner C2, the point at which the second short side SS2 and the second long side LS2 join may be referred to as a third corner C3, and the point at which the second long side LS2 and the first short side SS1 join may be referred to as a first corner C4.

Here, a direction from the first short side SS1 to the second short side SS2 or a direction from the second short side SS2 to the first short side SS1 may be referred to as a leftward-rightward direction LR. A direction from the first long side LS1 to the second long side LS2 or a direction from the second long side LS2 to the first long side LS1 may be referred to as an upward-downward direction UD.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a display panel <NUM> may located at the front of the display device <NUM>, and may display an image. The display panel <NUM> may have a plurality of pixels, and may set hue, brightness, and saturation per pixel to output an image.

The display panel <NUM> may be divided into an active area in which an image is displayed and an inactive area in which no image is displayed. The display panel <NUM> may include a front substrate and a rear substrate opposite each other in the state in which a liquid crystal layer is interposed therebetween.

The front substrate may include a plurality of pixels, each of which consists of red (R), green (G), and blue (B) subpixels. The front substrate may generate a color corresponding to red, green, or blue according to a control signal.

The rear substrate may include switching elements. The rear substrate may switch a pixel electrode. For example, the pixel electrode may change the arrangement of molecules of the liquid crystal layer according to a control signal applied from the outside. The liquid crystal layer may include a plurality of liquid crystal molecules. The arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules may be changed in response to a voltage difference generated between the pixel electrode and a common electrode. The liquid crystal layer may transmit light provided by a backlight unit <NUM> to the front substrate.

A front cover <NUM> may cover at least a portion of the front surface and the side surface of the display panel <NUM>. The front cover <NUM> may have a hollow quadrangular frame shape.

The front cover <NUM> may be divided into a front cover and a side cover. That is, the front cover <NUM> may be divided into a front cover located at the front surface of the display panel <NUM> and a side cover located at the side surface of the display panel <NUM>. The front cover and the side cover may be separately configured. One of the front cover and the side cover may be omitted. For example, only the side cover may be provided without the front cover for beautiful design, etc..

A guide panel <NUM> may be located at the rear of the display panel <NUM>. The guide panel <NUM> may support a portion of the rear surface of the display panel <NUM>. The guide panel <NUM> may contact the contour of the display panel <NUM>. The guide panel <NUM> may be coupled to a frame <NUM>.

The backlight unit <NUM> is located at the rear of the display panel <NUM>. The backlight unit <NUM> may include a plurality of light sources. The backlight unit <NUM> may be a direct type backlight unit or an edge type backlight unit. The edge type backlight unit <NUM> may further include a light guide portion or a light guide panel (LGP).

The backlight unit <NUM> is located at the front surface of the frame <NUM>. For example, the plurality of light sources may be disposed at the front surface of the frame <NUM>. In this case, the backlight unit <NUM> may be a direct type backlight unit.

The backlight unit <NUM> may be driven in an entire driving mode or a partial driving mode, such as a local dimming mode or an impulsive mode. The backlight unit <NUM> includes an optical sheet <NUM> and may include an optical layer <NUM>.

The optical sheet <NUM> may disperse light of the light sources. The optical sheet <NUM> may consist of a plurality of layers. For example, the optical sheet <NUM> may include at least one prism sheet and/or at least one diffusion sheet.

The optical sheet <NUM> may have at least one coupling portion 125d. The coupling portion 125d may be coupled to the front cover <NUM>, the frame <NUM>, and/or a back cover <NUM>. That is, the coupling portion 125d may be directly coupled to the front cover <NUM>, the frame <NUM>, and/or the back cover <NUM>. Alternatively, the coupling portion 125d may be coupled to a structure coupled to the front cover <NUM>, the frame <NUM>, and/or the back cover <NUM>. That is, the coupling portion 125d may be indirectly coupled to the front cover <NUM>, the frame <NUM>, and/or the back cover <NUM>.

The optical layer <NUM> may include a light source. The optical layer <NUM> will be described in detail later.

The frame <NUM> may support components of the display device <NUM>. For example, the backlight unit <NUM> may be coupled to the frame <NUM>. The frame <NUM> may be made of a metal material, such as an aluminum alloy.

The back cover <NUM> may be located at the rear of the display device <NUM>. The back cover <NUM> may protect internal components from the outside. At least a portion of the back cover <NUM> may be coupled to the frame <NUM> and/or the front cover <NUM>. The back cover <NUM> may be made of an injection-molded resin material.

Referring to <FIG>, the backlight unit <NUM> may include an optical layer <NUM> including a substrate <NUM>, at least one light assembly <NUM>, a reflection sheet <NUM>, and a diffusion plate <NUM>, and includes an optical sheet <NUM> located in front of the optical layer <NUM>.

However, the components of the backlight unit <NUM> are not limited thereto, and one or more of the components thereof may be omitted.

The substrate <NUM> may be configured in the shape of a plurality of straps extending in a first direction and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in a second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction.

The at least one light assembly <NUM> may be mounted on the substrate <NUM>. An electrode pattern for connecting an adaptor and the light assembly <NUM> may be formed on the substrate <NUM>. For example, a carbon nanotube (CNT) pattern may be formed as the electrode pattern.

The substrate <NUM> may be made of at least one of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glass, polycarbonate (PC), or silicon. The substrate <NUM> may be a printed circuit board (PCB).

The light assemblies <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM> at predetermined intervals in the first direction. The diameter of each light assembly <NUM> may be greater than the width of the substrate <NUM>. That is, the diameter of the light assembly <NUM> may be greater than the length of the substrate <NUM> in the second direction.

The light assembly <NUM> may be a light emitting diode (LED) chip or a light emitting diode package including at least one light emitting diode chip.

The light assembly <NUM> may consist of a colored LED that emits at least one of red, blue, or green, or a white LED. The colored LED may include at least one of a red LED, a blue LED, or a green LED.

The light source included in the light assembly <NUM> may be a chip on board (COB) type light source. The COB type light source may have a form in which an LED chip, as a light source, is directly coupled to the substrate <NUM>. In this case, the manufacturing process may be simplified. In addition, resistance may be reduced, and therefore heat loss energy may be reduced. That is, power efficiency of the light assembly <NUM> may be improved. The COB type light source may provide brighter illumination. The COB type light source may have a thickness and weight less than those of a conventional light source.

The reflection sheet <NUM> may be located at the front surface of the substrate <NUM>. The reflection sheet <NUM> may have through-holes <NUM> into which the light assemblies may be inserted.

The reflection sheet <NUM> may reflect light provided by the light assemblies <NUM> to the front. In addition, the reflection sheet <NUM> may reflect light reflected by the diffusion plate <NUM> toward the diffusion plate <NUM> again.

The reflection sheet <NUM> may include at least one of a metal or a metal oxide as a reflective material. For example, the reflection sheet <NUM> may include a metal or metal oxide that exhibits high reflectance, such as at least one of aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), gold (Au), or titanium dioxide (TiO<NUM>).

The reflection sheet <NUM> may be formed by depositing or coating a metal or a metal oxide on the substrate <NUM>. Ink including a metal material may be printed on the reflection sheet <NUM>. A deposition layer may be formed on the reflection sheet <NUM> using a vacuum deposition method, such as a thermal deposition method, an evaporation method, or a sputtering method. A coating layer and/or a printing layer may be formed on the reflection sheet <NUM> using a printing method, a gravure coating method, or a silk screen method.

An air gap may be located between the reflection sheet <NUM> and the diffusion plate <NUM>. The air gap may widely spread light emitted by the light assemblies <NUM>. In order to maintain the air gap, a support <NUM> may be located between the reflection sheet <NUM> and the diffusion plate <NUM>. The air gap may be referred to as an optical gap.

A resin may be deposited on the light assemblies <NUM> and/or the reflection sheet <NUM>. The resin may diffuse light emitted by the light assemblies <NUM>. The diffusion plate <NUM> may diffuse light emitted by the light assemblies <NUM> upwards.

The optical sheet <NUM> may be located in front of the diffusion plate <NUM>. The rear surface of the optical sheet <NUM> may face the diffusion plate <NUM>, and the front surface of the optical sheet <NUM> may face the rear surface of the display panel <NUM>.

The optical sheet <NUM> may include at least one sheet. Specifically, the optical sheet <NUM> may include at least one prism sheet and/or at least one diffusion sheet. The plurality of sheets included in the optical sheet <NUM> may be in an adhered and/or tight contact state.

The optical sheet <NUM> may consist of a plurality of sheets having different functions. For example, the optical sheet <NUM> may include first to third optical sheets 125a to 125c. The first optical sheet 125a may have the function of a diffusion sheet, and each of the second and third optical sheets 125b and 125c may have the function of a prism sheet. The number and/or positions of the diffusion sheets and the prism sheets may be changed.

The diffusion sheet may prevent partial concentration of light emitted from the diffusion plate such that the light is more uniformly distributed. The prism sheet may condense light emitted from the diffusion plate such that the light is incident perpendicularly on the display panel <NUM>.

The coupling portions 125d may be formed at one side or at least one edge of the optical sheet <NUM>. The coupling portions 125d may be formed at at least one of the first to third optical sheets 125a to 125c.

The coupling portions 125d may be formed at the long side or the edge of the optical sheet <NUM>. The coupling portions 125d formed at the first long side and the coupling portions 125d formed at the second long side may be asymmetric. For example, the position and/or number of the coupling portions 125d formed at the first long side may be different from the position and/or number of the coupling portions 125d formed at the second long side.

Referring to <FIG>, a substrate <NUM> consisting of a plurality of straps extending in the first direction and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance in the second direction, which is perpendicular to the first direction, may be provided on the frame <NUM>. One side of each of the plurality of substrates <NUM> may be connected to a wiring electrode <NUM>.

The wiring electrode <NUM> may extend in the second direction. The wiring electrode <NUM> may be connected to one side of the substrate <NUM> in the state of being spaced apart therefrom in the second direction.

A wiring hole <NUM> may be formed in one side of the wiring electrode <NUM>. The wiring hole <NUM> may be a micro-hole formed through the frame <NUM>. The wiring electrode <NUM> may extend to the rear surface of the frame <NUM> through the wiring hole <NUM>. The wiring electrode <NUM> may be electrically connected to an adaptor (not shown) located at the rear surface of the frame <NUM> through the wiring hole <NUM>.

The light assemblies <NUM> may be disposed on the substrate <NUM> at predetermined intervals in the first direction. The diameter of each light assembly <NUM> may be greater than the width of the substrate <NUM> in the second direction.

Referring to <FIG>, the frame <NUM> includes a flat portion <NUM> and an inclined portion <NUM>. The flat portion <NUM> may be planar. The inclined portion <NUM> extends forwards from the flat portion <NUM> while having a predetermined inclination relative to the flat portion <NUM>. The frame <NUM> may generally have the shape of a tub. The reflection sheet <NUM> may generally have the shape of a tub so as to correspond to the shape of the frame <NUM>. A space may be formed between the inclined portion <NUM> and the reflection sheet <NUM>.

The substrate <NUM> may be mounted or disposed on the flat portion <NUM>. A plurality of substrates <NUM> may be sequentially disposed. The plurality of substrates <NUM> may be spaced apart from each other. For example, a first frame 122A may extend long in the leftward-rightward direction LR of the frame <NUM>, and may be disposed in the longitudinal direction of the frame <NUM>. A second frame 122B may extend long in the leftward-rightward direction LR of the frame <NUM>, and may be mounted on the frame <NUM> in the state of being spaced apart from the first frame 122A. A third frame 122C may extend long in the leftward-rightward direction LR of the frame <NUM>, and may be mounted on the frame <NUM> in the state of being spaced apart from the second frame 122B.

The distance between the substrates <NUM> may be changed depending on the number of pixels of the display panel <NUM> (see <FIG>). For example, the distance between the substrates <NUM> necessary to provide light to a display panel <NUM> that realizes <NUM> quality may be less than the distance between the substrates <NUM> necessary to provide light to a display panel <NUM> that realizes <NUM> quality. In the case in which the number of pixels of the display panel <NUM> is increased or image quality that can be realized by the display panel <NUM> is increased, the light transmission ratio of the display panel <NUM> may be reduced. To this end, a large number of substrates <NUM> may be disposed in order to increase the luminance of light provided by the backlight unit <NUM> (see <FIG>).

The reflection sheet <NUM> may include a plurality of through-holes <NUM>. The plurality of through-holes <NUM> may correspond in number to the plurality of light assemblies <NUM>. The reflection sheet <NUM> may be placed on the frame <NUM> and/or the substrates <NUM>. At this time, lenses 124b of the plurality of light assemblies <NUM> may be inserted into the plurality of through-holes <NUM> so as to protrude above the reflection sheet <NUM>. The reflection sheet <NUM> may be coupled or fixed to the frame <NUM> via a fixing member <NUM>. The support <NUM> may be mounted on the reflection sheet <NUM>.

Coupling ribs <NUM> and 130V may be formed on the upper end of the inclined portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>, and the reflection sheet <NUM> may have coupling holes VH and HH, whereby the coupling ribs <NUM> and 130V may be inserted into the coupling holes VH and HH. Consequently, the reflection sheet <NUM> may be fixed to the frame <NUM>.

The guide panel <NUM> may be located at the contour of the reflection sheet <NUM>, and may be coupled to the frame <NUM>. The guide panel <NUM> may support the display panel <NUM> (see <FIG>). Guide panels <NUM> may be located at four sides of the reflection sheet <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the wiring electrode <NUM> extending from the front surface of the frame <NUM> through the wiring hole <NUM> may be electrically connected to a power supply <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> may be a printed circuit board for supplying power to the display device <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> may convert AC power into DC power.

The power supply <NUM> may supply current to the light assembly <NUM> through the wiring electrode <NUM>. The power supply <NUM> may be electrically connected to a main board <NUM> via the wiring electrode <NUM>. The main board <NUM> may be spaced apart from the power supply <NUM> by a predetermined distance.

The main board <NUM> may be a printed circuit board that provides an interface necessary to operate the display device <NUM>. In addition, the main board <NUM> may inspect and maintain the operation state of each component of the display device <NUM>.

The main board <NUM> and the power supply <NUM> may be electrically connected to a t-con board <NUM> via the wiring electrode <NUM>. The t-con board <NUM> may be a printed circuit board for transmitting power or a signal input from the main board <NUM> or the power supply <NUM> to the display panel <NUM>. The t-con board <NUM> may be electrically connected to the display panel <NUM> at the front surface of the frame <NUM> via a flexible flat cable (FFC) <NUM>.

The printed circuit boards are shown as being connected to each other. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and only some of the printed circuit boards may be connected to each other.

Referring to <FIG>, the support <NUM> includes a base <NUM>, a bridge <NUM>, a tower <NUM>, may include a bottom <NUM>, and includes a fixing bar <NUM>. The base <NUM> may be a plate extending long. The bridge <NUM> is spaced apart from the base <NUM>, extends from one end to the other end of the base <NUM>, and may connect the one end to the other end of the base <NUM>.

The bridge <NUM> may include a first shoulder <NUM>, a second shoulder <NUM>, and a loop <NUM>. The first shoulder <NUM> may extend to the upper side of the base <NUM> while forming an arch at one end of the base <NUM>. The second shoulder <NUM> may extend to the upper side of the base <NUM> while forming an arch at the other end of the base <NUM>. The loop <NUM> may connect the first shoulder <NUM> and the second shoulder <NUM> to each other.

The distance between the first shoulder <NUM> and the base <NUM> and/or the distance between the second shoulder <NUM> and the base <NUM> may be greater than the distance between the loop <NUM> and the base <NUM>. That is, the upper end surface of the first shoulder <NUM> and/or the upper end surface of the second shoulder <NUM> may protrude further forwards than the upper surface of the loop <NUM>. The first shoulder <NUM>, the second shoulder <NUM>, and/or the loop <NUM> may be elastic.

The tower <NUM> may extend long from the upper surface of the loop <NUM>. The tower <NUM> may have a diameter that gradually decreases in the extension direction thereof. The tower <NUM> may have a cylindrical shape. For example, the tower <NUM> may be elastic so as to be easily bent, or may be rigid so as not to be bent.

The bottom <NUM> may form a step at the lower surface of the base <NUM>. The step formed by the bottom <NUM> and the lower surface of the base <NUM> may correspond to the thickness of the reflection sheet <NUM>.

The fixing bar <NUM> may have a shaft <NUM>, includes a stopper <NUM>, and may include bars <NUM> and <NUM>.

The bars <NUM> and <NUM> may extend while crossing the lower surface of the bottom <NUM>, and may be spaced apart from the bottom <NUM>. The shaft <NUM> may extend so as to protrude from the lower surface of the bottom <NUM> toward the bars <NUM> and <NUM>. The stopper <NUM> may be formed so as to protrude from the outer circumferential surface of the shaft <NUM>. The stopper <NUM> may be formed at opposite sides of the outer circumferential surface of the shaft <NUM>, or may be formed at one side thereof. A portion of a space formed by the bottom <NUM> and the bars <NUM> and <NUM> may be filled with the stopper <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the base <NUM> has a long axis CL1 in the longitudinal direction thereof. The bars <NUM> and <NUM> have a long axis CL2 in the longitudinal direction thereof. The long axis CL2 of the bars is tilted or forms a predetermined angle relative to the long axis CL1 of the base <NUM>. For example, the angle between the long axis CL2 of the bars and the long axis CL1 of the base <NUM> may be <NUM> degrees.

A fixing slot <NUM> is formed in the flat portion <NUM> of the frame <NUM>. The frame <NUM> includes a fixing recess portion <NUM>. The fixing recess portion <NUM> may be formed as the result of the frame <NUM> being pressed and protruding to the front of the frame. The fixing recess portion <NUM> may generally have a rectangular shape.

The fixing slot <NUM> may be formed by punching the fixing recess portion <NUM>. The fixing slot <NUM> may include bar slots <NUM> and <NUM>, a shaft hole <NUM>, and a stopper slot <NUM>. The fixing recess portion <NUM> may have a long axis FL of the frame <NUM> in the longitudinal direction thereof.

The bar slots <NUM> and <NUM> have a shape corresponding to the shape of the bars <NUM> and <NUM>, and are tilted or form a predetermined angle relative to the long axis FL of the frame. For example, the angle between a long axis CL3 of the bar slots <NUM> and <NUM> and the long axis FL of the frame may be <NUM> degrees. The stopper slot <NUM> is tilted or form a predetermined angle relative to the long axis FL of the frame. The stopper slot <NUM> intersects the bar slots <NUM> and <NUM>. For example, the angle between a long axis CL4 of the stopper slot <NUM> and the long axis FL of the frame may be <NUM> degrees.

Protrusion holes <NUM> and <NUM> may be formed on the long axis CL4 of the stopper slot <NUM>. The first protrusion hole <NUM> may be located so as to be spaced apart from one end of the stopper slot <NUM>, and the second protrusion hole <NUM> may be located so as to be spaced apart from the other end of the stopper slot <NUM>. The protrusion holes <NUM> and <NUM> may be symmetrical with respect to the stopper slot <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the support <NUM> is mounted or coupled to the frame <NUM>. The support <NUM> may be coupled to the rear surface of the fixing recess portion <NUM>. The support <NUM> is inserted into the frame <NUM> and rotated at the position of the fixing recess portion <NUM> so as to be coupled to the frame <NUM> (<FIG> and <FIG>).

The base <NUM> of the support <NUM> may generally have a rectangular shape. The base <NUM> may have a long side and a short side. The long side of the base <NUM> may be defined as a longitudinal direction, and the short side of the base <NUM> may be defined as a lateral direction. The width D2 of the base <NUM> or the width D2 of the fixing recess portion <NUM> may be less than the distance D1 between the substrates <NUM>. The longitudinal direction of the base <NUM> may be parallel to the longitudinal direction of the substrates <NUM>.

Consequently, it is possible to more densely dispose the substrates <NUM> and the light assembles <NUM> and to increase the amount of light that is provided to the display panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the shaft <NUM> and the fixing bar <NUM> are inserted into the fixing slot <NUM>, and the support <NUM> is rotated to move the fixing bar <NUM> on the fixing slot <NUM>. The long axis CL2 of the fixing bar <NUM> intersects the long axis CL3 of the fixing slot <NUM>. The reflection sheet <NUM> may be located in a space between the base <NUM> and the fixing recess portion <NUM> formed as the bottom <NUM> is supported by the outer surface of the fixing recess portion <NUM>. The base <NUM> may push the reflection sheet <NUM>, and the support <NUM> may fix the reflection sheet <NUM> to the frame <NUM>.

For example, the angle between the long axis CL2 of the fixing bar <NUM> and the long axis CL3 of the fixing slot <NUM> may be about <NUM> degrees. Consequently, it is possible to improve convenience when mounting and/or replacing the support <NUM>. If the angle between the long axis CL2 of the fixing bar <NUM> and the long axis CL3 of the fixing slot <NUM> is less than <NUM> degrees, efficiency in mounting the support <NUM> to the frame <NUM> may be reduced, and work errors may occur.

When the fixing bar <NUM> is rotated, the stopper <NUM> is caught by the stopper slot <NUM>. The stopper slot <NUM> receives the stopper <NUM> of the support <NUM>, and contacts the stopper <NUM> to limit the range of rotation of the support <NUM>.

When the fixing bar <NUM> is rotated, protrusions 2171P and 2172P formed on the fixing bar <NUM> may be inserted into the protrusion holes <NUM> and <NUM>. The first protrusion 2171P formed on the first bar <NUM> may be inserted into the first protrusion hole <NUM>, and the second protrusion 2172P formed on the second bar <NUM> may be inserted into the second protrusion hole <NUM>. Consequently, the support <NUM> may be securely coupled to the frame <NUM>.

When light is provided to the display panel <NUM>, temperature applied to the diffusion plate <NUM> may increase, whereby the diffusion plate <NUM> may be deformed. For example, the diffusion plate <NUM> may droop. When the diffusion plate <NUM> droops, the support <NUM> may support the diffusion plate <NUM>. The lower surface of the diffusion plate <NUM> may contact the tower <NUM> of the support <NUM>. Consequently, the optical gap G may be maintained, whereby it is possible to prevent a reduction in image quality of the display device.

Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or all elements of the embodiments of the disclosure described above may be combined or combined with each other in configuration or function, provided they fall within the scope of the claims.

Claim 1:
A display device (<NUM>) comprising:
a display panel (<NUM>);
a frame (<NUM>) located at a rear of the display panel;
a light source (<NUM>) located between the display panel and the frame, the light source being configured to provide light to the display panel;
an optical layer (<NUM>, <NUM>) located between the display panel and the light source, the optical layer being configured to transmit the light provided by the light source; and
a support (<NUM>) located between the frame and the optical layer, the support being mounted at the frame, the support being configured to support the optical layer, wherein
the support comprises:
a base (<NUM>) extending long, the base being placed on the frame;
a bridge (<NUM>) extending from one end to the other end of the base, the bridge being spaced apart from the base at an upper side of the base;
a tower (<NUM>) extending from the bridge toward the optical layer;
a shaft (<NUM>) extending from a lower surface of the base toward the frame; and
a bar (<NUM>) extending long from the shaft in a direction (CL2) intersecting a longitudinal direction (CL1) of the base, wherein
the frame (<NUM>) comprises:
a flat portion (<NUM>); and
an inclined portion (<NUM>) extending from the flat portion toward the display panel in a state of being inclined, and
the flat portion comprises:
a fixing recess portion (<NUM>) recessed from a rear surface of the flat portion toward a front surface of the flat portion; and
a bar slot (<NUM>) formed in the fixing recess portion, the bar slot being cut out such that the bar (<NUM>) of the support passes through the bar slot, the bar slot intersecting the longitudinal direction of the base and a longitudinal direction of the bar, wherein
the support (<NUM>) further comprises a stopper (<NUM>) formed at an outer circumferential surface of the shaft (<NUM>), the stopper being located between the base (<NUM>) and the bar (<NUM>), and
the frame (<NUM>) further comprises a stopper slot (<NUM>) formed in the fixing recess portion (<NUM>), the stopper slot extending long in a direction intersecting the bar slot (<NUM>), the stopper slot (<NUM>) being shorter than a length of the bar slot, the stopper slot corresponding to the stopper.