Patent Description:
With the development of information society, there are increasing demands for various types of display devices. In order to meet such demands, various display devices have been developed and used, including a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), a Plasma Display Panel (PDP), an Electro luminescent Display (ELD), a Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD), an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED), and the like.

Among these devices, the OLED display devices have effects in that in comparison with the LCD devices, the OLED display devices are excellent in brightness and viewing angle characteristics and require no backlight unit, such that the OLED display devices can be realized as ultra-thin displays.

Recently, many studies have been conducted on a speaker assembly which is suitable for use in the structure of the display devices and provides high sound quality.

<CIT> discloses a speaker and a voice coil unit.

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

It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a speaker assembly capable of providing high sound quality.

It is yet another object of the present disclosure to provide a speaker assembly having a slim structure while maintaining a high sound pressure level.

It is still another object of the present disclosure to provide a speaker assembly capable of increasing the amplitude of the speaker.

Dependent claims describe preferred embodiments.

In accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure, the above and other objects can be accomplished by providing a speaker assembly according to claim <NUM> and a display device according to claim <NUM>.

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present disclosure will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
<FIG> are diagrams illustrating examples of a speaker assembly, and a display device including the same, according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

In order to clearly and briefly describe the present disclosure, components that are irrelevant to the description will be omitted in the drawings. The same reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to designate the same or similar components, and a redundant description thereof will be omitted.

Terms "module" and "part" for elements used in the following description are given simply in view of the ease of the description, and do not carry any important meaning or role. Therefore, the "module" and the "part" may be used interchangeably. Descriptions of some well-known technologies that possibly obscure the disclosure will be omitted, if necessary. Further, the accompanying drawings are used to help easily understand various technical features and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings.

As used herein, the singular forms are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It should be understood that the terms "comprise", "include", "have", etc. when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations of them but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

The following description of a display panel will be given by using an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) as an example, but the display panel which may be applied to the present disclosure is not limited to the OLED panel.

Referring to <FIG>, a display device <NUM> may include a first long side LS1; a second long side LS2 facing 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 facing the first short side SS1.

In the display device <NUM>, an area of the first short side SS1 may be referred to as a first side area, and an area of the second short side SS2 may be referred to as a second side area facing the first side area. In the display device <NUM>, an area of the first long side LS1 may be referred to as a third side area being adjacent to the first side area and the second side area, and being disposed between the first side area and the second side area; and an area of the second long side LS2 may be referred to as a fourth side area being adjacent to the first side area and the second side area, being disposed between the first side area and the second side area, and facing the third side area.

For convenience of explanation, <FIG> illustrates an example in which the length of the first and second long sides LS1 and LS2 is greater than the length of the first and second short sides SS1 and SS2, but 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.

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

A side or a surface, on which the display device <NUM> displays an image, may be referred to as a front side or a front surface. When the display device <NUM> displays the image, a side or a surface, at which the image may not be viewed, may be referred to as a back side or a back surface. When the display device <NUM> is viewed from the front side or the front surface, the first long side LS1 may be referred to as an upper side or an upper surface, and the second long side LS2 may be referred to as a lower side or a lower surface. When the display device <NUM> is viewed from the front side or the front surface, the first short side SS1 may be referred to as a right side or a right surface, and the second short side 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>. Further, positions where the first long side LS1, the second long side LS2, the first short side SS1, and the second short side SS2 meet each other may be referred to as corners. For example, a position where the first long side LS1 and the first short side SS1 meet each other may be referred to as a first corner C1; a position where the first long side LS1 and the second short side SS2 meet each other may be referred to as a second corner C2; a position where the second short side SS2 and the second long side LS2 meet each other may be referred to as a third corner C3; and a position where the second long side LS2 and the first short side SS1 meet each other may be referred to as a fourth corner C4.

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 left-right direction LR or a horizontal direction DR1. 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 up-down direction UD or a vertical direction DR2.

Further, a direction from the front surface to the back surface or a direction from the back surface to the front surface may be referred to as a front-rear direction DR3 or a thickness direction. The front-rear direction DR3 may be a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction DR1 and/or the vertical direction DR2.

The display device <NUM> includes the display panel <NUM>, a main frame <NUM>, and a speaker assembly <NUM>.

The display pane <NUM> may be provided on the front surface of the display device <NUM> and may display images.

The main frame <NUM> may be disposed at a rear portion of the display panel <NUM>. The main frame <NUM> may be connected to the display panel <NUM>.

The speaker assembly <NUM> is disposed adjacent to a lower end of the main frame <NUM> to be installed at the main frame <NUM>. The speaker assembly <NUM> may direct sound downwardly of the display device <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the plate <NUM> may be formed in the shape of a flat plate that extends long. For example, the plate <NUM> may be metal. In another example, the plate <NUM> may be a synthetic resin. The plate <NUM> may include a first plate <NUM> and a second plate <NUM>. The first plate <NUM> may be parallel to the second plate <NUM> and may be spaced apart from the second plate <NUM>. The plate <NUM> may be referred to as a rear plate <NUM>.

An elastic member <NUM> may support the plate <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> may be connected or fixed to a lower part of the plate <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> may be referred to as a damper <NUM>. The elastic member <NUM> includes a center plate <NUM>, bridges <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and circles <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. For example, the elastic member <NUM> may be metal. In another example, the elastic member <NUM> may be a synthetic resin.

The center plate <NUM> may extend long in a longitudinal direction of the plate <NUM> and may be disposed between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>. The center plate <NUM> may be spaced apart from the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> at a position below the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>.

The bridges <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be disposed in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the center plate <NUM>, and may extend across the center plate <NUM>.

The circles <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> facing each other may be connected or fixed to both ends of the bridges <NUM>, <NUM>, and In an example not falling within the scope of the claims, the circles <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may have an elliptical shape. The circles <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may have elasticity. Upper surfaces of the circles <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may come into contact with the plate <NUM>.

The first bridge <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to one end of the center plate <NUM>. A first circle 35a may be disposed on one end of the first bridge <NUM>, and a second circle 35b may be disposed on the other end of the first bridge <NUM>. The third bridge <NUM> may be disposed adjacent to the other end of the center plate <NUM>. A fifth circle 37a may be disposed on one end of the third bridge <NUM>, and a sixth circle 37b may be disposed on the other end of the third bridge <NUM>. The second bridge <NUM> may be disposed between the first bridge <NUM> and the third bridge <NUM>. The third circle 36a may be disposed on one end of the second bridge 36b, and the fourth circle 36b may be disposed on the other end of the second bridge <NUM>. The circles <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be connected or fixed to the bridges <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The first circle 35a may face the second circle 35b with respect to the center plate <NUM>, the third circle 36a may face the fourth circle 36b with respect to the center plate <NUM>, and the fifth circle 37a may face the sixth circle 37b with respect to the center plate <NUM>.

Accordingly, a range of motion of the damper <NUM> may be increased or maximized relative to the size of the speaker assembly <NUM>. The range of motion of the damper <NUM> may correlate to a reproduction band of the speaker assembly <NUM>, such that a sound reproduction band of the speaker assembly <NUM> may be improved. In addition, sound pressure of the speaker assembly <NUM> may also be improved.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, magnets <NUM> may be disposed on the rear plate <NUM>. The magnets <NUM> may have a square column shape that extends long. A first magnet <NUM> may be connected or fixed to an upper portion of the first rear plate <NUM>, and a second magnet <NUM> may be connected or fixed to an upper portion of the second rear plate <NUM>. The first magnet <NUM> may face the second magnet <NUM> with respect to the center plate <NUM>.

A plate <NUM> may extend long. The plate <NUM> may be connected or fixed to an upper portion of the magnets <NUM>. The plate <NUM> may be referred to as a front plate <NUM>. A first front plate <NUM> may be disposed on the first magnet <NUM>, and the second front plate <NUM> may be disposed on the second magnet <NUM>. The first front plate <NUM> may face the first rear plate <NUM> with respect to the first magnet <NUM>. The second front plate <NUM> may face the second rear plate <NUM> with respect to the second magnet <NUM>.

A bobbin <NUM> is formed in the shape of a flat plate that extends long. For example, the bobbin <NUM> may be a printed circuit board (PCB). A voice coil <NUM> may be wound around the bobbin <NUM>. The voice coil <NUM> may be wound around the bobbin <NUM> to form a closed-loop. For example, the voice coil <NUM> may be printed on the bobbin <NUM>. A vertical width Bw of the voice coil <NUM> may be greater than a vertical width Mw of the magnets <NUM>. The bobbin <NUM> is disposed between the first magnet <NUM> and the second magnet <NUM>. When a current flows through the voice coil <NUM>, the bobbin <NUM> may move in a vertical direction. A lower end of the bobbin <NUM> may be connected or fixed to the center plate <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a frame <NUM> may be formed in the shape of a flat plate that extends long. The frame <NUM> may be connected or fixed to an upper portion of the front plate <NUM>. A first frame <NUM> may be disposed on the first front plate <NUM>, and a second frame <NUM> may be disposed on the second front plate <NUM>.

A speaker edge <NUM> may be connected or fixed to an upper portion of the frame <NUM>. The speaker edge <NUM> may have elasticity. The speaker edge <NUM> may be formed in the shape of a cylinder that extends long. The speaker edge <NUM> may be formed in the shape of a cylinder cut in half. For example, the speaker edge <NUM> may have a U-shaped cross-section. A first speaker edge <NUM> may be connected or fixed to an upper portion of the first frame <NUM>, and a second speaker edge <NUM> may be connected or fixed to an upper portion of the second frame <NUM>. The first speaker edge <NUM> may be convex toward the second speaker edge <NUM>, and the second speaker edge <NUM> may be convex toward the first speaker edge <NUM>.

A diaphragm <NUM> may be formed in the shape of a plate that extends long. The diaphragm <NUM> may be fixed to an upper end of the bobbin <NUM>. One long side 90LS1 of the diaphragm <NUM> may be connected or fixed to the first speaker edge <NUM>, and the other long side 90LS2 of the diaphragm <NUM> may be connected or fixed to the second speaker edge <NUM>. Accordingly, an area of the diaphragm <NUM> may be maximized relative to a thickness of the speaker assembly <NUM>, and sound pressure may be improved.

Referring to <FIG>, an outer surface of the first magnet <NUM> and an outer surface of the second magnet <NUM> may be exposed to the outside of the speaker assembly <NUM>. For example, a first distance D1 from the outer surface of the first magnet <NUM> to the outer surface of the second magnet <NUM> may be the thickness of the speaker assembly <NUM>. Outer surfaces of the plates <NUM> and <NUM> may be aligned with respect to the outer surfaces of the magnets <NUM>. The outer surfaces of the frames <NUM> may be aligned with respect to the outer surfaces of the magnets <NUM>.

A second distance D2 between an outer surface of the first rear plate <NUM> and an outer surface of the second rear plate <NUM> may be substantially equal to the first distance D1. A third distance D3 between an outer surface of the first front plate <NUM> and an outer surface of the second front plate <NUM> may be substantially equal to the first distance D1.

A fourth distance D4 between an outer surface of the first front frame <NUM> and an outer surface of the second front frame <NUM> may be substantially equal to the first distance D1. A fifth distance D5 between an outer surface of the first rear frame <NUM> and an outer surface of the second rear frame <NUM> may be substantially equal to the first distance D1.

A sixth distance D6 between one long side of the diaphragm <NUM> and the other long side of the diaphragm <NUM> may be substantially equal to the first distance D1. The sixth distance D6 may be substantially equal to the thickness of the speaker assembly <NUM>. Accordingly, sound pressure generated by the diaphragm <NUM> may be maximized.

Referring to <FIG>, the bobbin <NUM> may move from the front frames <NUM> and <NUM> toward the rear frames <NUM> and <NUM>. As the bobbin <NUM> moves, the diaphragm <NUM> may move closer to the front frames <NUM> and <NUM>, and the speaker edge <NUM> may be compressed. At the same time, the circles 37a and 37b of the damper <NUM> may be stretched in a longitudinal direction of the bobbin <NUM>, such that a range of motion of the circles 37a and 37b of the damper <NUM> may be increased, and thus the amplitude of the diaphragm <NUM> may be increased.

Referring to <FIG>, the bobbin <NUM> may move from the rear frames <NUM> and <NUM> toward the front frames <NUM> and <NUM>. As the bobbin <NUM> moves, the diaphragm <NUM> may move further away from the front frames <NUM> and <NUM>, and the speaker edge <NUM> may be stretched. At the same time, the circles 37a and 37b of the damper <NUM> may be compressed in a longitudinal direction of the bobbin <NUM>, such that a range of motion of the circles 37a and 37b of the damper <NUM> may be increased, and thus the amplitude of the diaphragm <NUM> may be increased.

Referring to <FIG>, the speaker assembly includes: a pair of magnets <NUM> facing each other; a bobbin <NUM> disposed between the pair of magnets <NUM> and formed in a shape of a plate that extends long; a coil <NUM> formed on at least one surface of the bobbin; a diaphragm <NUM> fixed to one side of the bobbin <NUM>, and extending in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the bobbin <NUM>; a frame <NUM> disposed between the pair of magnets <NUM> and the diaphragm <NUM>; and a speaker edge <NUM> disposed between the frame <NUM> and the diaphragm <NUM>, having one end fixed to the frame <NUM> and the other end fixed to the diaphragm <NUM>, and being convexly curved toward the bobbin <NUM>.

The speaker assembly further includes a damper <NUM> disposed to face the frame <NUM> with respect to the pair of magnets <NUM>, fixed to the other side of the bobbin <NUM> which faces the one side of the bobbin <NUM>, and providing elasticity to the bobbin <NUM>.

The damper includes a center plate <NUM> extending long along the other side of the bobbin <NUM>, and fixed to the other side of the bobbin <NUM>; bridges <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> disposed across the center plate <NUM> and fixed to the center plate <NUM>; and a plurality of circles <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> fixed to both ends of the bridges <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> and disposed to face each other with respect to the center plate <NUM>.

The speaker assembly may further include a rear plate <NUM> disposed between the pair of magnets <NUM> and the plurality of circles <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and fixed to the pair of magnets <NUM> and the plurality of circles <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

The speaker edge <NUM> may include: a first speaker edge <NUM> having one end fixed to one side of the diaphragm <NUM> and the other end fixed to the frame <NUM>, and being convexly curved toward the bobbin <NUM>; and a second speaker edge <NUM> having one end fixed to the other side of the diaphragm <NUM>, which faces the one side of the diaphragm <NUM>, and the other end fixed to the frame <NUM>, and being convexly curved toward the bobbin <NUM>.

The first speaker edge <NUM> may be symmetrical to the second speaker edge <NUM> with respect to the bobbin <NUM>.

The rear plate <NUM> may include: a first rear plate <NUM> disposed between one of the pair of magnets <NUM> and one of the plurality of circles <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>; and a second rear plate <NUM> disposed between the other one of the pair of magnets <NUM> and another one of the plurality of circles <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, wherein the first rear plate <NUM> may include: a first surface connected to one of the pair of magnets <NUM>; and a second surface connected to one of the plurality of circles <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, wherein the first surface and the second surface may face each other.

The diaphragm <NUM> may include: a first long side connected to the first speaker edge <NUM>; a second long side connected to the second speaker edge <NUM>; a first short side connecting one end of the first long side and one end of the second long side; and a second short side connecting the other end of the first long side and the other end of the second long side, and facing the first short side.

The display device includes : a display panel <NUM>; a frame <NUM> connected to the display panel <NUM>; and the speaker assembly of Claim <NUM>, which is disposed at a position adjacent to a lower end of the frame <NUM>.

The diaphragm <NUM> may have a length in a left-right direction of the display panel <NUM> and may have a width in a thickness direction of the display panel <NUM>.

The speaker assembly, and the display device including the same according to the present disclosure have the following effects.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a speaker assembly capable of providing high sound quality.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a speaker assembly having a slim structure while maintaining a high sound pressure level.

According to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a speaker assembly capable of increasing the amplitude of the speaker.

The additional scope of applicability of the present disclosure will be apparent from the above detailed description. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and alterations are possible, without departing from 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.

Claim 1:
A speaker assembly, comprising:
a pair of magnets (<NUM>) facing each other;
a bobbin (<NUM>) disposed between the pair of magnets (<NUM>) and formed in a shape of a plate that extends long;
a coil (<NUM>) formed on at least one surface of the bobbin (<NUM>);
a diaphragm (<NUM>) fixed to one side of the bobbin (<NUM>), and extending in a direction intersecting a longitudinal direction of the bobbin (<NUM>);
a frame (<NUM>) disposed between the pair of magnets (<NUM>) and the diaphragm (<NUM>); and
a speaker edge (<NUM>) having one end fixed to the frame (<NUM>) and the other end fixed to the diaphragm (<NUM>),
a damper (<NUM>) opposite to the frame (<NUM>) with respect to the pair of magnets (<NUM>), fixed to the other side of the bobbin (<NUM>) which is opposite to the one side of the bobbin (<NUM>), and providing elasticity to the bobbin (<NUM>),
wherein the speaker edge (<NUM>) is disposed between the frame (<NUM>) and the diaphragm (<NUM>) in the longitudinal direction of the bobbin (<NUM>) and is convexly curved toward the bobbin (<NUM>),
wherein the damper (<NUM>) comprises:
a center plate (<NUM>) extending long along the other side of the bobbin (<NUM>) and fixed to the other side of the bobbin (<NUM>);
bridges (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) disposed across the center plate (<NUM>) and fixed to the center plate (<NUM>); and
a plurality of circles (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) fixed to both ends of the bridges (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) and disposed opposite to each other with respect to the center plate (<NUM>).