Patent Description:
The present disclosure relates to a display device and, more specifically, to a display device for generating sound by directly vibrating a display panel thereof.

With the development of various portable electronic devices, such as a mobile communication terminal and a notebook computer, a requirement for a flat panel display device applicable thereto is increasing.

The flat panel display devices, which are being researched, include a Liquid Crystal Display Device, a Plasma Display Panel, a Field Emission Display Device, a Light Emitting Diode Display Device, and an Organic Light Emitting Diode Display Device.

Among these display devices, the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) device includes: an array substrate including a thin film transistor; an upper substrate including a color filter and/or a black matrix, etc.; and a liquid crystal material layer formed therebetween, wherein an alignment state of the liquid crystal layer is controlled according to an electric field applied between opposite electrodes of a pixel area, and thereby the transmittance of light is adjusted to display an image.

In a display panel of such a liquid crystal display device, an Active Area (AA) configured to provide an image to a user and a Non-active Area (NA), which is a peripheral area of the Active Area (AA), are defined. The display panel is usually manufactured by attaching a first substrate, which is an array substrate having a thin film transistor formed therein to define a pixel area, and a second substrate, which is an upper substrate having a black matrix and/or color filter layer formed thereon, to each other.

The array substrate or first substrate, on which a thin film transistor is formed, includes a plurality of gate lines GS extending in a first direction and a plurality of data lines DL extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and one pixel area P is defined by each gate line and each data line. One or more thin film transistors are formed in one pixel area P, and gate and source electrodes of each thin film transistor may be connected to a gate line and a data line, respectively.

Among these display devices, the liquid crystal display device does not have its own light-emitting element and thus needs a separate light source. Therefore, the liquid crystal display device has a back-light unit having a light source, such as an LED, which is arranged at the rear surface thereof and irradiates a light toward a front surface of the liquid crystal panel thereof, thereby at last implementing a recognizable image.

Meanwhile, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display device recently coming into the spotlight as a display device has advantages of a fast response rate, a high light emitting efficiency, a high luminance and a wide viewing angle because of using an OLED which emits light by itself.

In the organic light emitting diode display device, sub-pixels including organic light emitting diodes are arranged in a matrix form, and the brightness of sub-pixels selected by a scan signal is controlled according to a gray scale of data. Further, the organic light emitting diode display device, which is an emissive element, consumes small power and has a high response speed, a high light emitting efficiency, a high luminance, and a wide viewing angle.

Meanwhile, a set apparatus or finished product including such a display device as described above may include, for example, a television (TV), a computer monitor, and an advertising panel.

Such a display device or set apparatus includes a sound output device, such as a speaker, for generating and outputting sound relating to an image.

It is normal that a company which manufactures a display device, such as a liquid crystal display device or an organic light emitting diode display device, manufactures only a display panel or display device, while another company which manufactures a speaker assembles the speaker with the manufactured display device, so as to finally complete a set apparatus capable of outputting an image and sound.

<FIG> is a schematic plan view of a speaker included in a conventional display device.

As shown in <FIG>, the conventional display device <NUM> includes a speaker <NUM> disposed at a rear or lower part of a display panel thereof.

In this structure, the sound generated by the speaker <NUM> does not progress toward a viewer, who is viewing an image from the front side of the display device <NUM>, but progresses toward the rear side or the underside of the display panel rather than the display panel on which the image is being displayed. Therefore, the sound may disturb the viewer's immersion.

Further, when the sound generated from the speaker <NUM> progresses toward the rear side or underside of the display panel, the sound quality may be degraded due to an interference with sound reflected by a wall or floor.

Also, the sound generated by a speaker included in the conventional display device is not oriented toward a viewer of the display device and may thus undergo diffraction, which degrades the sound localization. Moreover, in configuring a set apparatus, such as a TV, a speaker may occupy a predetermined space, which imposes a restriction on the design and spatial disposition of the set apparatus.

Therefore, there has been an increasing requirement for a technology which can improve the quality of sound output from a display device and prevent the viewer's immersion from being disturbed.

<CIT> discloses an apparatus including a frame; and a speaker connected to the frame.

<CIT>discloses electronic devices that contain flexible displays and one or more display-based speaker structures.

<CIT> discloses a sound reproduction device which includes a front panel, a case and an electromechanical acoustic transducer.

<CIT> discloses an oscillating actuator attached to a display panel.

<CIT> discloses a display apparatus including a display panel which displays an image and a vibration member attached to a surface of the display panel, where the vibration member receives a sound signal, generates a vibration in response to the sound signal, and transfers the vibration to the display panel to allow the display panel to output a sound.

<CIT> discloses a method of mounting a flat panel speaker.

The present invention is defined in the independent claim. The embodiments and/or examples of the following description that are not covered by the appended claims are considered as not being part of the present invention.

The present disclosure has been made to overcome the above-mentioned problems of the prior art and, in one aspect, is to provide a panel vibration type sound generating display device, which can generate sound by directly vibrating a display panel configuring the display device.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is to provide a display device including a panel vibration type sound generating apparatus, which has a predetermined air gap formed between a display panel and a sound generating actuator and an actuator support hole formed in a support structure of the display device, so that the display device has a reduced thickness while having an excellent sound generation performance. The support structure may also be termed a support member or support part.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is to provide a display device having a sound generation baffle part formed therein, which includes an adhesive member (double-sided tape) attached between the upper surface of the support structure and the lower surface of the display panel and a sealing part disposed outside the adhesive member, so that the display device has an improved sound output characteristic.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is to provide a display device, which includes one or more buffer members arranged between the inner surface of the support structure and the rear surface of the display panel adjacent to a source PCB or between the support structure disposed at the rear surface of the display panel and the source PCB, in order to prevent interference and noise between the support structure and a Source PCB (S-PCB) for driving the display panel.

In another aspect, the present disclosure is to provide a display device in which a sound generating actuator is placed at a first position of a support structure of the display device and a set PCB of a set apparatus is placed at a second position different from the first position, so as to avoid interference between the sound generating actuator and the set PCB.

In still another aspect, the present disclosure is to provide a display device, which has a reinforcement member arranged inside the support structure of the display device when two or more sound generating actuators are used, so that the display device can prevent deformation of the support structure due to different vibration characteristics of the two or more sound generating actuators.

In view of the above aspects, a display device of the present embodiment includes: a display panel configured to display an image; and a sound generating actuator connected to a surface of the display panel configured to vibrate the display panel to generate sound. The surface may be an inner surface, for example.

The display device further includes a support structure comprising a cover bottom, configured to cover and support at least a rear surface of the display panel, wherein the sound generating actuator is inserted in and fixed to a support hole formed at the cover bottom.

The sound generating actuator may include: a plate inserted in the support hole; a magnet disposed on the plate; a center pole disposed at a center of the plate; a bobbin disposed to surround the center pole and be in contact with the display panel; and a coil wound around the bobbin. The plate may be a lower plate, for example.

The lower plate configuring the sound generating actuator further includes an extension part extending outward, and the extension part may be fixed to the lower surface of the cover bottom through a bolt, a PEM™ nut, or an adhesive member.

An air gap is formed between the display panel and the cover bottom, and the display device further includes a baffle part which may include an adhesive member and a sealing part arranged between the lower surface of the display panel and the upper surface of the support member at an edge of the air gap.

The support member includes a cover bottom supporting a rear side of the display panel and a middle cabinet supporting the edge of the display panel, and the middle cabinet includes an area division member configured to separate a first area including a source PCB and a second area including a sound generating actuator.

A recessed part may be formed on an upper surface of the cover bottom opposite to the source PCB placed on a rear surface of the display panel, and a first buffer member spaced a predetermined distance from the lower surface of the display panel may be disposed on the recessed part. The recessed part may be concave, for example.

The cover bottom may have a second buffer member disposed thereon, which is in contact with the lower surface of the display panel and the upper surfaces of the cover bottom while separating a first area covering the source PCB and a second area covering the sound generating actuator.

The sound generating actuator may include two or more actuators, which are symmetrically arranged and have different vibration characteristics, and the cover bottom may further have a reinforcement member disposed thereon, which passes through adjacent positions of the two or more actuators.

An embodiment of the present disclosure as described above provides a display device including a panel vibration type sound generating display device, which generates sound by directly vibrating a display panel, thereby making it unnecessary to install a separate speaker to the display device or a set apparatus including the display device.

Further, since the progressing direction of the sound coincides with the image output direction in the display device, the display device or the set apparatus can improve the sound localization or sound output characteristics, can achieve easy designing of the mechanism of the set apparatus, and has a reduced thickness thereof.

Further, the display device has a predetermined air gap formed between the display panel and the sound generating actuator, and the sound generating actuator inserted in and fixed to a support hole formed at a support structure of the display device. Therefore, the display device has an excellent sound generation performance while having a reduced thickness.

Further, the display device has a baffle part, which may include an adhesive member (double-sided tape) attached between the upper surface of the support structure and the lower surface of the display panel and a sealing part disposed outside the adhesive member, and thus can minimize the sound leakage and thus can improve the sound generating performance.

Further, the arrangement of one or more buffer members between a source PCB of the display panel and the support structure disposed at the rear surface of the display panel to fix/support the sound generating actuator or between the inner surface of the support structure and the rear surface of the display panel adjacent to the source PCB can prevent generation of interference and noise between the support structure of the display device and a source PCB (S-PCB) for driving the display panel.

Also, the arrangement of the sound generating actuator and the set PCB of the set apparatus at different positions in the display device can avoid interference between the sound generating actuator and the set PCB and improve the sound characteristics.

Also, the arrangement of a reinforcement member inside the support structure of the display device using two or more sound generating actuators can prevent deformation of the support structure due to different vibrations of the two or more sound generating actuators or sound distortion by the vibration of the support structure.

Disclosed herein is a panel vibration type sound generating display device comprising: a display panel to display an image; and a sound generating actuator connected to a surface of the display panel and configured to vibrate the display panel to generate sound.

The panel vibration type sound generating display device further comprises a support structure configured to cover and support at least a rear surface of the display panel, wherein the sound generating actuator is inserted in a support hole disposed at the support structure to be fixed to the support structure.

The sound generating actuator of the panel vibration type sound generating display device may further comprise: a lower plate inserted in the support hole; a magnet disposed on the lower plate; a center pole disposed at a center of the lower plate; a bobbin disposed to surround the center pole and be in contact with the display panel; and a coil wound around the bobbin.

The support structure of the panel vibration type sound generating display device comprises a cover bottom, the lower plate further including an extension part extending outward, and the extension part being fixed to a lower surface of the cover bottom.

The extension part and the cover bottom of the panel vibration type sound generating display device, may be fixedly coupled to each other by one of a bolt fastened through a through-hole provided through the extension part to a screw hole disposed at the cover bottom and an adhesive member disposed between the extension part and the cover bottom.

The panel vibration type sound generating display device further comprises a baffle part disposed between the support structure and the lower surface of the display panel to define an air gap, which is a space in which the display panel can be vibrated by the sound generating actuator.

The baffle part of the panel vibration type sound generating display device may comprise an adhesive member disposed at an edge of the air gap and attached to the lower surface of the display panel and the upper surface of the support structure, and a sealing part disposed outside the adhesive member.

The sealing part of the panel vibration type sound generating display device may have a thickness larger than the thickness of the adhesive member.

The support structure of the panel vibration type sound generating display device comprises a cover bottom, which supports a rear side of the display panel, and a middle cabinet, which has a shape of a frame, coupled to the cover bottom to support a side surface of the display panel, and stably holds the edge of the display panel, the middle cabinet comprising an area division member configured to separate a first area including a source PCB for driving the display panel and a second area including the sound generating actuator.

The baffle part of the panel vibration type sound generating display device may comprise an adhesive member attached to three sides of the middle cabinet corresponding to the second area, an upper surface of the area division member, and the lower surface of the display panel, and a sealing part disposed outside the adhesive member.

The panel vibration type sound generating display device may further comprise a set PCB, which is disposed at an outer rear surface of the cover bottom and includes a control circuit configured to control the entire display device, wherein a cable passing hole through which a connection cable for electrically connecting the source PCB and the set PCB is to pass is disposed at an area of the cover bottom corresponding to the first area.

The support structure of the panel vibration type sound generating display device comprises a cover bottom supporting the rear side of the display panel, a source PCB for driving the display panel is disposed on a rear surface of one side of the display panel, and a first buffer member spaced from the source PCB by a predetermined distance is placed on an inner surface of the cover bottom corresponding to the source PCB.

A concave part of the panel vibration type sound generating display device may be disposed on the inner surface of the cover bottom corresponding to the source PCB and the first buffer member may be disposed on an upper surface of the concave part.

The cover bottom of the panel vibration type sound generating display device may have a second buffer member disposed thereon, which is in contact with the lower surface of the display panel and the upper surfaces of the cover bottom while separating a first area covering the source PCB and a second area covering the sound generating actuator.

The support structure of the panel vibration type sound generating display device comprises a cover bottom supporting the rear side of the display panel, the display device further comprises a set PCB, which is disposed at an outer rear surface of the cover bottom and includes a control circuit configured to control the entire display device, and a first position in which the sound generating actuator is disposed and a second position in which one or more boards configuring the set PCB are arranged do not overlap each other.

The support structure of the panel vibration type sound generating display device comprises a cover bottom supporting the rear side of the display panel, the sound generating actuator may comprise two or more actuators, which are symmetrically arranged and have different vibration characteristics, the cover bottom may have a reinforcement member disposed thereon, which passes through adjacent positions of the two or more actuators.

The two or more actuators of the panel vibration type sound generating display device may comprise two left sound generating actuators and two right sound generating actuators, and the reinforcement member may be disposed to pass through a middle point of a segment connecting the two left sound generating actuators and a middle point of a segment connecting the two right sound generating actuators.

The panel vibration type sound generating display device may further comprise a sound compensation member, which is lengthily disposed at a position spaced a certain distance apart from an edge of the display panel opposite to a moving direction of the sound generating actuator when the sound generating actuator moves to a destination position spaced a predetermined distance apart from an initial position.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the following embodiments can only be regarded as embodiments of the claimed invention if the middle cabinet further comprises an area division member as disclosed with regard to <FIG> and <FIG>.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In assigning reference numerals to elements in the drawings, the same elements will be designated by the same reference numerals as far as possible although they are illustrated in different drawings. Further, in the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

In addition, terms, such as first, second, A, B, (a), (b) or the like may be used herein in describing elements of the present invention. In the case that it is described that a certain element "is connected to", "is coupled to", or "is connected with" another element, it should be understood that not only the certain element can be directly connected or coupled to the another element, but also an additional element may be "interposed" between the elements or the elements may be connected or coupled to each other through an additional element.

<FIG> and <FIG> are schematic views of a panel vibration type sound generating apparatus according to the present embodiment, wherein <FIG> is a plan view and <FIG> is a sectional view.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a display device according to the present embodiment includes a display panel <NUM> configured to display an image, and a sound generating actuator <NUM> which is attached to a surface of the display panel and vibrates the display panel to generate sound.

The sound generating actuator <NUM>, which is described below in more detail with reference <FIG> and <FIG>, includes a magnet, a plate supporting the magnet, a center pole protruding from a central area of the plate, and a bobbin disposed to surround the center pole and having a coil wound thereon, to which an electric current for generating sound is applied, wherein a distal end of the bobbin is attached to one surface of the display panel.

As shown in <FIG>, the display device includes a support structure configured to support one or more of the rear surface or a side surface of the display panel, and the plate of the sound generating actuator is fixed to the support structure.

The support structure includes a cover bottom <NUM> disposed at the rear surface of the display panel, and further includes a middle cabinet <NUM> which is coupled to the cover bottom while surrounding the side surface of the display panel and receives and supports one side edge of the display panel.

The cover bottom configuring the support structure may be a plate-shaped member made of metal or plastic extending over the entire rear surface of the display device.

It should be construed that the cover bottom <NUM> in the present disclosure is not limited to the term thereof but may be used as other expressions, such as a plate bottom, a back cover, a base frame, a metal frame, a metal chassis, a chassis base, or m-chassis, and has a concept including all types of frames or plate-shaped structures, which are arranged on the rear base part of the display device as supports for supporting the display panel.

In the present specification, the term "display device" is used not only as a display device in a narrow meaning, such as an OLED module or a Liquid Crystal Module (LCM) including a display panel and a driving unit for driving the display panel, but also as a concept including even a set electronic apparatus or a set apparatus, such as a notebook computer, a television, a computer monitor, and a mobile electronic device such as a smartphone and an electronic pad, which are finished products including such an LCM or OLED module.

That is, in the present specification, a display device is used to have a meaning including not only a display device in a narrow meaning, such as the LCM or OLED module, but also a set apparatus which is an applied product including the same.

For distinguishment, an LCM or OLED module configured by a display panel and a driving unit thereof may be expressed as a "display device" of a narrow meaning, and an electronic apparatus, as a finished product, including such an LCM or OLED module may be expressed as a "set apparatus". For example, the display device in a narrow meaning may include an LCD or OLED display panel and a source PCB, which is a control unit for driving the display panel, and the set apparatus may further include a set PCB, which is a set control unit electrically connected to the source PCB to control the entire set apparatus.

The display panel <NUM> used in the present embodiment includes all types of display panels including a liquid crystal display panel, an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) display panel, and a Plasma Display Panel (PDP) and is not limited to a specific display panel, as long as the display panel is directly vibrated by the sound generating actuator <NUM> to generate sound wave.

When the display panel is a liquid crystal display panel, the display panel may include: a plurality of gate lines; a plurality of data lines; pixels defined at intersecting areas between the gate lines and data lines; an array substrate including a thin-film transistor, which is a switching device configured to adjust a light transmission degree at each pixel; an upper substrate including a color filter and/or a black matrix, etc.; and a liquid crystal material layer formed therebetween.

When the display panel is an OLED display panel, the display panel may include: a plurality of gate lines; a plurality of data lines; pixels defined at intersecting areas between the gate lines and data lines; an array substrate including a thin-film transistor, which is a switching device configured to selectively apply a voltage to each pixel; an OLED layer disposed on the array substrate; and a sealing substrate or an encapsulation substrate disposed on the array substrate to cover the OLED layer. The sealing substrate protects the thin film transistor and the OLED layer from an external impact and prevents moisture from permeating the OLED layer.

Although there is no limitation in the type of the display device used in a display device according to the present embodiment, it may be preferred that the display panel is an OLED display panel by the reasons described below.

Specifically, a liquid crystal display panel has many laminated layers and requires an indirect light source type back-light having a separate light source disposed therein. Therefore, when the liquid crystal display panel is directly vibrated by the sound generating actuator <NUM>, the directivity of the liquid crystal material may be shaken and thus cause distortion of an image.

In contrast, since the OLED device of the OLED display panel is an emissive element, the OLED display panel does not require a separate light source and has one panel in which multiple layers including a polarization layer, a glass layer, and an encapsulation layer are integrated. Therefore, even when the OLED display panel is directly vibrated by the sound generating actuator <NUM>, the vibration has nearly no influence on the light emitting property of the organic light emitting layer and thus causes no image distortion. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is preferred to use an OLED display panel.

The display panel used in a display device according to the present embodiment has a general structure, so a more specific description thereof will be omitted.

The display device according to the present embodiment further includes a baffle part <NUM> configured to form an air gap, which is a space disposed between the display panel and the cover bottom <NUM> to transfer the generated sound wave.

That is, by sealingly coupling the display panel to the cover bottom at an edge of the air gap, the air gap is defined as an area sealed in all directions, and such a sealed air gap may be expressed as a baffle structure.

Referring to <FIG>, the baffle part <NUM> may include an adhesive part <NUM>, which is disposed at an edge of the cover bottom or middle cabinet and is attached to the lower surface of the display panel, and a sealing part <NUM> disposed outside the adhesive part to reinforce the sealing of the air gap <NUM>.

The adhesive part <NUM> may be configured by a double sided tape, it is preferred that the height of the sealing part <NUM> is higher than the height of the adhesive part <NUM> as described below in more detail with reference to <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> are sectional views of two types of sound generating actuators used according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

A sound generating actuator <NUM> used in the present embodiment may include a magnet <NUM>, which is a permanent magnet, plates <NUM> and <NUM>' configured to support the magnet, a center pole <NUM> protruding from a central area of the plate <NUM>, a bobbin <NUM> disposed to surround the center pole <NUM>, and a coil <NUM> wound around the bobbin, wherein an electric current for generating sound is applied to the coil <NUM>.

The sound generating actuator used in the present embodiment may include both a first structure in which the magnet is disposed outside the coil and a second structure in which the magnet is disposed inside the coil.

<FIG> illustrates the first structure having the magnet disposed outside the coil, which may be called a dynamic type or an external magnet type.

In the sound generating actuator of the first structure, the lower plate <NUM> is fixed to a support hole <NUM> formed at the cover bottom <NUM> and the magnet <NUM>, which is a permanent magnet having an annular shape, is disposed outside the lower plate.

The upper plate <NUM>' is disposed on the magnet <NUM>, and an external frame <NUM> protruding from the upper plate is disposed outside the upper plate.

The center pole <NUM> protrudes from the central area of the lower plate <NUM> and the bobbin <NUM> surrounds the center pole <NUM>.

The coil <NUM> is wound around a lower portion of the bobbin <NUM>, and the electric current for generating sound is applied to the coil.

A damper <NUM> may be disposed between an upper part of the bobbin and the external frame <NUM>.

The lower plate <NUM> and the upper plate <NUM>' fix the sound generating actuator <NUM> to the cover bottom <NUM> while supporting the magnet <NUM>, the lower plate <NUM> has a cylindrical shape as shown in <FIG>, the magnet <NUM> having a ring shape is disposed on the lower plate <NUM>, and the upper plate <NUM>' is disposed on the magnet.

As the lower plate <NUM> and the upper plate <NUM>' are coupled to the cover bottom <NUM>, the magnet <NUM> disposed between the lower plate <NUM> and the upper plate <NUM>' can be fixedly supported.

The plate may be formed of a material having a magnetic property, such as ferrite Fe. The plate is not limited to the term thereof and may be expressed by another term, such as a yoke.

The center pole <NUM> and the lower plate <NUM> may be integrally formed.

The bobbin <NUM> is a cylindrical structure formed by paper or aluminum sheet, and the coil <NUM> is wound around a predetermined lower area of the bobbin. A combination of the bobbin and the coil may be referred to as a voice coil.

When the electric current is applied to the coil, a magnetic field is formed around the coil. Then, due to an external magnetic field formed by the magnet <NUM>, the entire bobbin moves upward while being guided by the center pole according to Fleming's Law.

Meanwhile, since the distal end of the bobbin <NUM> is attached to the rear surface of the display panel <NUM>, the bobbin vibrates the display panel according to the applying or non-applying of the electric current, and such a vibration generates a sound wave.

The magnet <NUM> may use a sintered magnet, such a barium ferrite, and may use a cast magnet made from an alloy of ferric oxide (Fe2O3), barium carbonate (BaCO3), strontium ferrite having an improved magnetic component, aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co), without being limited thereto.

A damper <NUM> is disposed between an upper part of the bobbin <NUM> and the external frame <NUM>, and the damper <NUM> has a wrinkle structure and thus contracts or expands to adjust the up-down vibration of the bobbin according to the up-down movement of the bobbin. That is, since the damper <NUM> is connected to the bobbin <NUM> and to the external frame <NUM>, the up-down vibration of the bobbin is restricted by the restoring force of the damper <NUM>. Specifically, when the bobbin <NUM> vibrates upward beyond a predetermined height or downward beyond a predetermined level, the restoring force of the damper <NUM> can return the bobbin to its original position.

The damper may be expressed by another term, such as an edge.

<FIG> illustrates the second structure having the magnet disposed inside the coil, which may be expressed as a micro type or an internal magnet type.

In the sound generating actuator of the second structure, the lower plate <NUM> is fixed to a support hole <NUM> formed at the cover bottom <NUM>, the magnet <NUM> is disposed at a central area of the lower plate, and the center pole extends upward from the top of the magnet.

The upper plate <NUM>' protrudes from a peripheral part of the lower plate, and the external frame <NUM> is disposed on the edge of the upper plate.

The bobbin <NUM> is disposed to surround the magnet <NUM> and the center pole <NUM>, and the coil <NUM> is wound around the bobbin.

The damper <NUM> is disposed between the external frame <NUM> and the bobbin.

The sound generating actuator of the second structure has a smaller leakage of magnetic flux than that of the first structure and can have a reduced entire size. However, the sound generating actuator of the second structure may undergo reduction of magnetic flux due to a large current input and is difficult to manufacture.

In the present embodiment, both the actuators of the first structure and the second structure may be used, and the following description discusses the first structure as a representative for convenience of description.

The sound generating actuator used in a display device according to the present embodiment is not limited to the type illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, and includes other types of actuators as long as the actuators can vibrate a display panel up and down to generate sound in response to application of the electric current.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a state in which a sound generating actuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure vibrates a display panel to generate sound.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which the electric current has been applied, wherein the center pole connected to the lower surface of the magnet serves as the N pole and the upper plate connected to the upper surfaces of the magnet serves as the S pole to establish an external magnetic field between coils.

In this state, if an electric current for generating sound is applied to a coil, an applied magnetic field is generated around the coil. The applied magnetic field generates, together with the external magnetic field, a force of moving the bobbin upward.

By the force, the bobbin moves upward and the display panel coupled to the distal end of the bobbin moves upward, as shown in <FIG>.

In this state, if the application of the electric current is interrupted or the electric current is applied in the opposite direction, a force of moving the bobbin downward is generated in the same principle, and the display panel thus moves downward.

In this way, according to the direction and magnitude of the electric current applied to the coil, the display panel vibrates up and down to generate sound wave.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an example of a coupling state between a sound generating actuator according to an embodiment of the present disclosure and a cover bottom, which is a supporting structure of a display device.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate other embodiments of a coupling state between a sound generating actuator and a cover bottom.

The sound generating actuator <NUM> according to the present embodiment is inserted in and supported by a support hole formed on a cover bottom or back cover, which is a support structure of a display device. <FIG> illustrate various support structures.

In the support structure of <FIG>, a support hole <NUM> is formed through the cover bottom <NUM>, and at least one among the lower plate <NUM> of the sound generating actuator <NUM>, the magnet <NUM>, and the upper plate <NUM>' is inserted and received in the support hole.

An extension part <NUM> extending outward from the lower plate is additionally formed on the lower surface of the lower plate <NUM>, and the extension part <NUM> is fixed to the lower surface of the cover bottom <NUM> to allow the sound generating actuator <NUM> to be mounted to the cover bottom.

In this way, when the sound generating actuator <NUM> is inserted in and fixed to the support hole formed through the cover bottom, the distance between the display panel and the cover bottom can be reduced to thereby reduce the thickness of the display device.

In other words, although an air gap as a space in which the display panel can vibrate should be arranged between the display panel and the cover bottom, the sound generating actuator inserted in/fixed to the support hole of the cover bottom can minimize the air gap due to the reduced height of the sound generating actuator disposed between the rear surface of the display panel and the innner surface of the cover bottom.

In the structure illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, a screw hole is formed on the rear surface of the cover bottom, and a bolt <NUM> or a screw is fastened through the screw hole formed through the extension part <NUM> of the lower plate to the screw hole of the cover bottom to fix the sound generating actuator to the cover bottom.

Meanwhile, in the structure illustrated in <FIG>, which is not a simple screw-coupling structure, a PEM™ nut <NUM> or self-clinching nut is placed to secure a predetermined distance between the cover bottom <NUM> and the extension part <NUM> of the lower plate, and the actuator is then fixed by the bolt <NUM>.

Use of the PEM nut <NUM> or self-clinching nut as shown in <FIG> can secure a predetermined space between the sound generating actuator and the cover bottom and thus can minimize the transferring of the vibration of the actuator to the cover bottom.

In the structure shown in <FIG>, an adhesive member, such as a double-sided tape, is disposed between the cover bottom and the extension part <NUM> of the lower plate of the actuator to attach and fix them to each other.

When the adhesive member as shown in <FIG> has a properly adjusted elasticity and thickness, the adhesive member can function as a kind of damper to minimize the transferring of the vibration of the actuator to the cover bottom.

The structure as shown in <FIG> in which the sound generating actuator <NUM> attached to the display panel to directly vibrate the display panel is inserted in and fixed to a support hole formed through the cover bottom can reduced the thickness of the display device in comparison with the structure in which the actuator is completely received in the display device.

<FIG> illustrate an example of a baffle part formed between a display panel and a middle cabinet, which is one of structures for supporting the display panel, in order to form an air gap between the display panel, which serves as a vibrating plate, and a cover bottom.

As shown in <FIG>, the panel vibration type sound generating apparatus according to the present embodiment should secure an air gap <NUM>, which is a space allowing the panel to be vibrated by the sound generating apparatus <NUM>, between the display panel <NUM> and a support structure (cover bottom <NUM>).

Further, one side of the display panel should be coupled to the support structure of the display panel to generate sound wave during the vibration of the display panel. Especially, the generated sound should not leak to the outside through a side, etc. of the display device.

To this end, the display device according to the present embodiment has a baffle part <NUM> formed between the lower surface of the display panel and the support structure.

Specifically, a predetermined section (that is, air gap) is defined around the sound generating actuator, a baffle part is disposed between the upper surface of the middle cabinet and the lower surface of the display panel at an edge of the section, and the baffle part <NUM> may include an adhesive member <NUM>, such as a double-sided tape attached between the lower surface of the display panel and the upper surface of the support structure of the display device, and a sealing part <NUM> disposed outside the adhesive member.

The section in which the baffle part is formed may be the entire display panel area defined by four outer sides of the display panel. However, the section is not limited to such a definition and may be defined by an area excluding the area in which a source PCB is disposed, as described below.

When two or more sound generating actuators are arranged to implement stereo or three-dimensional sound, two or more sections may be separately arranged to form the baffle part.

As shown in <FIG>, the support structure of the display device includes a middle cabinet <NUM>, which is coupled to the cover bottom and is configured to allow a part of the display panel to be stably placed thereon, in addition to the cover bottom <NUM> covering the entire rear surface of the display panel.

The middle cabinet <NUM> is a frame-shaped member formed along the outer periphery of the display panel, and includes a horizontal support part <NUM> on which a part of the display panel is stably placed, and a vertical support part <NUM> bent perpendicularly in opposite directions from the horizontal support part to cover the side surface of the cover bottom and the side surface of the display panel. Therefore, the middle cabinet may have a shape of a letter "T" in general.

The middle cabinet <NUM> configures an external ornamental part of the side surface of the display device or set apparatus, and may not be used or integrally formed with the cover bottom in some cases.

According to the embodiment of <FIG>, the adhesive member <NUM> configuring the baffle part <NUM> is a double-sided tape disposed between the upper surface of the horizontal support part of the middle cabinet <NUM> and the display panel and fixes the lower surfaces of the display panel to the middle cabinet.

The sealing part <NUM> configuring the baffle part is placed outside of the adhesive member and preferably has a thickness or height larger than the thickness or height of the adhesive member.

The sealing part <NUM> may be made from a material, such as rubber having a large elasticity, and has a thickness t2 larger than the thickness t1 of the adhesive member <NUM> as illustrated in <FIG>.

That is, as illustrated in <FIG>, one adhesive surface of the adhesive member <NUM>, which is a double-sided tape having a thickness t1, is attached to the inner part of the upper surface of the horizontal support part <NUM> of the middle cabinet <NUM>, and the sealing part <NUM> made of an elastic material having a thickness larger than t1 is disposed outside the adhesive member.

In this state, the display panel <NUM> is attached to the other adhesive surface of the adhesive member <NUM>. Then, the display panel is attached to the middle cabinet while pressing, to a certain degree, the sealing part <NUM> having the larger thickness.

As a result, the sealing of the air gap around the sound generating actuator is further enhanced.

The structure illustrated in <FIG> in which the display panel <NUM> and the cover bottom <NUM> are coupled to each other while forming the air gap <NUM> to be as wide as the thickness of the adhesive member <NUM> and the horizontal support part <NUM> of the middle cabinet can secure a vibration space in which the display panel can generate sound, and can prevent the internally generated sound wave from leaking to the outside along the side surface of the display device.

The baffle part <NUM> disposed at an edge of the air gap, which has a double structure of the adhesive member <NUM> and the sealing part <NUM> while allowing the sealing part to have a larger thickness, can further enhance the sealing of the air gap and prevent leakage of the sound.

It should be construed that the middle cabinet <NUM> used in the present specification may be replaced by another term, such as a guide panel, a plastic chassis, a p-chassis, a support main, a main support, or a mold frame, and includes all types of members, which are structures having a shape of a four-sided frame and having a sectional shape including multiple bent portions and are connected to the cover bottom to be used to support the display panel and the baffle part.

The middle cabinet <NUM> may be made of synthetic resin, such as polycarbonate, by injection molding, without being limited thereto.

<FIG> illustrates a structure of a baffle part which is not an embodiment of the claimed invention in which the adhesive member and the sealing part are placed directly on a cover bottom.

Although a middle cabinet is used to support the cover bottom and the display panel in the embodiment described above, the middle cabinet may not be always required.

The configuration illustrated in <FIG> shows a structure in which the cover bottom <NUM> supports one side of the display panel while forming an external appearance of the side surface of the display device without a middle cabinet.

The structure illustrated in <FIG> includes a cover bottom <NUM> in which a step portion <NUM> protrudes upward from a base surface at one side of the cover bottom <NUM> and a side surface supporting part <NUM> vertically extends from the outside of the step portion <NUM>.

A part of the edge of the display panel <NUM> is stably placed on and attached to the step portion <NUM> of the cover bottom <NUM>, the side surface support part <NUM> of the cover bottom surrounds and protects the side surface of the display panel <NUM>, and the cover bottom resultantly forms an external ornamental part of the entire side and rear surfaces of the display device.

In this structure, in order to configure the baffle part <NUM> for generation of sound, the adhesive member <NUM> in the form of a double-sided tape is disposed inside the step portion <NUM> of the cover bottom and the sealing part <NUM> having a thickness larger than that of the adhesive member is disposed outside the adhesive member.

In this state, the display panel <NUM> is placed on the step portion <NUM> of the cover bottom and is attached to one adhesive surface of the adhesive member <NUM>, so that the display panel is coupled to the cover bottom. Then, the sealing part <NUM> is compressed to secure and enhance the sealing of the air gap for transfer of sound.

The conf iguration of <FIG> has a simple structure without a middle support structure like the middle cabinet and includes the baffle part <NUM>, which is disposed at an edge of the air gap and has a double structure of the adhesive member <NUM> and the sealing part <NUM> while allowing the sealing part to have a larger thickness. Therefore, the configuration of <FIG> can secure a vibration space in which the display panel can generate sound, and can prevent the internally generated sound wave from leaking to the outside along the side surface of the display device.

The thickness of the air gap, that is, the distance G between the display panel and the cover bottom, may have a value of about <NUM> to <NUM> in the present configuration. However, the thickness is not limited to the range and may have a value in a range different according to the degree of vibration of the display panel, etc..

However, in order to reduce the thickness of the display device, it is preferable to minimize the thickness G of the air gap in consideration of the quantity of vibration of the display panel by the sound generating actuator, the range of sound to be output, and the quantity of output. It has been confirmed that an optimum thickness of the air gap G is about <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a locational relation between a source PCB for driving a display panel and a set PCB for driving a set apparatus, which are arranged at the rear surface of a display device.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the display device includes a source PCB, which is a circuit board including a Source Driver Integrated Circuit (S-DIC) for driving a display panel to drive data lines formed on the display panel and is referred to as simply "S-PCB".

The display device or a set apparatus including the same is connected to the S-PCB and may further include a Control Printed Circuit Board (C-PCB) having control parts and various electric devices mounted thereon to generally control the display device or set apparatus.

Specifically, an OLED display device, to which the present embodiment is applicable, may include: an OLED display panel <NUM> including a plurality of data lines DL, a plurality of gate lines, and a plurality of sub-pixel SP arranged thereon; a data driver configured to drive the plurality of data lines DL; a gate driver configured to drive the plurality of gate lines GL; and a controller configured to control the data driver and the gate driver.

The controller supplies various control signals to the data driver and the gate driver to control the data driver and the gate driver, starts scanning according to a timing implemented in each frame, converts image data input from the outside into a data signal format used in the data driver and outputs a converted image data, and properly controls the driving of the data driver according the scanning.

The controller may be a timing controller used in a general display technology or may be a control apparatus including a timing controller to further perform another control function.

The data driver supplies a data voltage to the plurality of data lines DL to drive the data lines DL. Herein, the data driver is also referred to as a "source driver".

The data driver may include at least one Source Driver Integrated Circuit (S-DIC) to drive the plurality of data lines.

The gate driver sequentially supplies a scan signal to the plurality of gate lines GL to sequentially drive the gate lines GL. The gate driver is also referred to as a "scan driver" and may include at least one Gate Driver Integrated Circuit (G-DIC).

Each Source Driver Integrated Circuit (S-DIC) may be connected to a bonding pad of an OLED display panel either by a Tape Automated Bonding (TAB) method or a Chip On Glass (COG) method or directly. In some cases, S-DICs may be integrated and arranged in an OLED panel. Further, each S-DIC may be packaged on a film connected to an OLED display panel by a Chip On Film (COF) method.

That is, a display device, to which the present embodiment is applicable, may include: at least one Source Printed Circuit Board (S-PCB) necessary for circuit connection of at least one Source Driver Integrated Circuit (S-DIC); and a Control Printed Circuit Board (C-PCB) or set PCB configured to mount control parts for controlling the entire display device and various electric devices thereon.

Here, at least one S-DIC may be mounted on or a Chip-On Film (COF) having at least one S-DIC mounted thereof may be connected to the at least one source PCB.

The C-PCB or set PCB <NUM> may include a controller configured to control operations of the data driver and the gate driver, and a Power Management IC (PMIC) configured to supply various voltages or currents to the display panel, the data driver, and the gate driver or control the various voltages or currents to be supplied.

The source PCB is usually located at one side among the upper side and the lower side of a display panel. However, according to the driving scheme or panel design scheme, the source PCB may be arranged on both the upper side and the lower side.

That is, as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, the source PCB <NUM> is connected to the display panel <NUM> and the COF <NUM> and is disposed on a lower rear surface of the display panel.

The C-PCB or set PCB <NUM> may be disposed at the outer rear side of the cover bottom <NUM> and connected through a flexible cable to the source PCB <NUM> located inside the cover bottom.

In the structure shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, it is difficult to configure a baffle part as described above with reference to <FIG>, at the lower side of the display panel having the sound generating actuator <NUM> mounted thereon.

In other words, since the source PCB <NUM> and the chip-on film <NUM> connected thereto are arranged in the vicinity of the lower side of the display panel, it is difficult to arrange the baffle part <NUM> including the adhesive member <NUM> and the sealing part <NUM>, and the sealing of the air gap may be degraded even when the baffle part is arranged.

Further, the generated sound may leak backward through a cable passing hole, which is formed through a part at the lower side of the cover bottom to enable a flexible cable for connection between the source PCB <NUM> disposed inside the cover bottom and the set PCB <NUM> disposed outside the cover bottom to pass therethrough.

Therefore, in order to apply a sound generating apparatus to a display device having the structure as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, it is necessary to solve the problems of degradation in the sealing of the baffle part and the sound leakage. In this respect, the embodiment shown in <FIG> and <FIG> is presented.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an embodiment which further includes an area division member additionally formed on a middle cabinet, and a cable passing hole through which a connection cable (FFC) formed on a cover bottom passes.

The embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG> has a structure, which further includes an area division member <NUM> configured to partition the middle cabinet into two or more areas and has a baffle part formed on the area division member, in order to solve the problems of the structure described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The area division member <NUM> divides the entire area of the middle cabinet surrounding the entire display panel into a first area A in which the source PCB is included and a second area B in which the source PCB is not included, wherein the sound generating actuator <NUM> is disposed in a part of the second area B.

The area division member may be manufactured in the form of a bar having a thickness corresponding to the horizontal support part of the middle cabinet to be attached to the middle cabinet <NUM> through welding, etc. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto and the entire middle cabinet including the area division member <NUM> may be integrally manufactured as one unit.

As shown in <FIG>, an area division member <NUM> is lengthily disposed in the horizontal direction of the display device, and an adhesive member <NUM> and a sealing part <NUM> are arranged on the upper side of the area division member <NUM> and three sides of the middle cabinet corresponding to the second area B.

<FIG> is a sectional view taken along line I-I' of <FIG>, in which the adhesive member <NUM> and the sealing part <NUM> are arranged on the upper side of the area division member <NUM> to seal the second area B as an air gap.

In a part of the lower area of the cover bottom <NUM>, specifically, among the areas divided by the area division member <NUM>, a cable passing hole <NUM>, through which a connection cable <NUM> connecting the source PCB <NUM> and the set PCB <NUM> is to pass, is formed in the first area A including the source PCB.

The structure as shown in <FIG> and <FIG> in which only the second area B including no source PCB is formed as a sound generating area can minimize the degradation of the sealing of the sound generating area by interference of the source PCB.

Further, the cable passing hole <NUM> disposed in the first area A including the source PCB can prevent the sound leakage through the cable passing hole.

<FIG> and <FIG> are views for describing the relative arrangement between the cover bottom and the source PCB for driving the display panel, and problems of noise generation due to the arrangement.

As shown in <FIG>, a source PCB <NUM> including an S-DIC or data driver is connected to the display panel through a chip-on film, etc., and is disposed at one side (lower side) of the display panel.

A gap g is formed between the source PCB and the cover bottom in the area in which the source PCB is disposed, and is smaller than a gap between the source PCB and the cover bottom in the other area.

Therefore, when the sound generating actuator <NUM> according to the present embodiment is arranged and vibrates the display panel, the source PCB integrally vibrating the display panel may collide with the cover bottom in the area in which the source PCB is placed.

The collision between the source PCB and the cover bottom may generate noise and may even damage the source PCB.

Further, even without direct collision between the source PCB and the cover bottom, the strong vibration of the display panel at the time of sound generation may have an influence on the performance of the source PCB when the vibration is continuously transferred to the source PCB.

In order to solve this problem, a solution of arranging a buffer member for protecting the source PCB between the source PCB and the cover bottom or between the display panel and the cover bottom is proposed.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an embodiment including a buffer member capable of preventing interference and noise between the source PCB and the cover bottom illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

In the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>, a source PCB <NUM> including a circuit element for driving the display panel is disposed at the rear surface of the display panel, a recessed part <NUM> is formed in an area of the cover bottom, which faces the source PCB, and a first buffer member <NUM> having a predetermined elasticity is placed on the upper surface of the concave part <NUM>. The recessed part <NUM> may be concave, for example.

Further, a second buffer member <NUM> lengthily extending along one direction may be additionally disposed on the cover bottom.

Specifically, as shown in <FIG>, the display panel may be divided into a first area A covering the source PCB and a second area B covering the sound generating actuator, and the second buffer member <NUM> is preferably disposed to lengthily extend to separate the first area A and the second area B from each other.

Of course, although not illustrated, the baffle part <NUM> including the adhesive member <NUM> and the sealing part <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> may be disposed on all of the four sides of the display panel in the embodiment of <FIG> and <FIG>.

The first buffer member <NUM> and the second buffer member <NUM> may be configured by a one-sided tape or double-sided tape. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the buffer member may include all types of members formed of rubber, plastic, paper, or other materials, which have a predetermined elasticity.

It is preferred that the first buffer member <NUM> is disposed on the concave part <NUM> of the cover bottom while the upper surface of the first buffer member <NUM> is spaced a predetermined distance apart from the source PCB and the second buffer member <NUM> has one surface in contact with the cover bottom and the other surface in contact with the lower surface of the display panel.

Of course, without the concave part <NUM> of the cover bottom, the first buffer member <NUM> may be placed on a part of the upper surface of the cover bottom, which faces the source PCB.

As shown in <FIG>, the concave part <NUM> formed at the cover bottom area corresponding to the source PCB increases the gap between the source PCB and the cover bottom to reduce the possibility that the source PCB may collide with the cover bottom even when the display panel vibrates to generate sound.

Moreover, the first buffer member <NUM> disposed on the concave part <NUM> of the cover bottom can buffer a large vibration of the display panel even when the source PCB moves toward the concave part of the cover bottom due to the large vibration, so as to reduce the generation of noise due to interference between the source PCB and the cover bottom and reduce the possibility of damage of the source PCB.

Further, when the display panel vibrates in the second area B, which is the sound generation area, the second buffer member <NUM> can prevent the vibration from being transferred to the source PCB <NUM> disposed on the rear surface of the display panel to some degree, and thus can minimize the degradation of performance of the source PCB due to continuous vibration of the display panel.

The location of the sound generating actuator may be changed according to the arrangement of the second buffer member <NUM>.

That is, as shown in <FIG>, when the second buffer member <NUM> is spaced a distance d apart from the lower side of the display panel, the sound generating actuator <NUM> may be moved by about 2d from the initial position P1 and is then installed at position P2.

It has been confirmed that changes in the sound output characteristics according to the installation of the second buffer member could be minimized by moving the sound generating actuator by about twice that of the space d between the second buffer member <NUM> and one side of the display panel.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating a noise reduction effect in the case of using the buffer members of the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>.

As a result of actual experiments, it has been confirmed that, when the first buffer member <NUM> and the second buffer member <NUM> described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG> are not used, much unnecessary noise was generated in a low sound range of several dozens of Hz and in a sound range of <NUM> or higher, as noted from the dotted line of <FIG>.

In contrast, as noted from the solid line of <FIG>, the noise is largely reduced in the corresponding bands when the buffer members of <FIG> and <FIG> are used.

<FIG> illustrates a relative arrangement between a sound generating actuator and a set PCB in a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

In general, a display device or a set apparatus including the display device includes not only a source PCB including a control circuit (data driver IC, etc.) for driving a touch function or a data line of a display panel, but also a set PCB connected to the source PCB to control the display device or the entire set apparatus and supply power thereto.

As described above with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the source PCB is attached to the rear surface of the display panel and the set PCB is attached to the outer side of the rear surface support structure of the display device, such as a cover bottom or a back cover.

The embodiment of <FIG> provides a display device in which a sound generating actuator is placed at a first position of a support structure of the display device and a set PCB of a set apparatus is placed at a second position different from the first positions, so as to avoid interference between the sound generating actuator and the set PCB.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the set PCB <NUM> placed on the rear surface of the cover bottom may include a power board <NUM> configured to supply power to the display panel, a timing controller <NUM> configured to generate a timing pulse or a timing signal for driving a gate line or data line, and a main board <NUM> including a control circuit for controlling the entire display device or set apparatus.

Boards <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> of the set PCB <NUM> are attached to the rear surface of the cover bottom <NUM>, and the sound generating actuator <NUM> is fixedly inserted in a support hole formed through the cover bottom as described above.

Therefore, it is preferable to place the sound generating actuator <NUM> (first position) and the set PCB (second position) at different positions, as shown in <FIG>, to avoid interference therebetween.

Even when the sound generating actuator <NUM> is fixed within the cover bottom, if the positions of the sound generating actuator and the set PCB overlap, the vibration of the sound generating actuator may be continuously transferred to the circuit elements of the set PCB to have a bad influence on the performance of the set PCB.

Therefore, the arrangement of the sound generating actuator <NUM> (first position) and the set PCB (second position) at different positions as shown in <FIG> facilitates the arrangement design of elements and can minimize the degradation of the performance of the set PCB.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a display device including two or more actuators symmetrically arranged therein, and a distortion of a cover bottom due to a difference of vibration quantity in the display device.

According to the present embodiment, a plurality of sound generating actuators may be symmetrically arranged at left and right portions or upper and lower portions of the display panel to output different sounds at the areas.

For example, as shown in <FIG>, in order to implement stereo sound, one or two left sound generating actuators <NUM> and <NUM>' are arranged at the left side of the display panel, one or two right sound generating actuators <NUM> and <NUM>' are arranged at the right side of the display panel, and the left and right actuators may be differently vibrated.

As shown in <FIG>, which is a sectional view taken along line II-II' of <FIG>, when the different vibrations of the left and right actuators <NUM> and <NUM> are continuously repeated, the vibration difference between the left side and right side of the cover bottom <NUM> is continuously accumulated.

Since the cover bottom is usually manufactured to have as thin a thickness as possible, the accumulation of the vibration difference between the left side and right side of the cover bottom may cause the cover bottom to be curved or deformed. That is, as shown in <FIG>, the cover bottom <NUM> may be twisted or deformed. Further, even when the cover bottom <NUM> is not deformed, the vibration difference of the cover bottom due to the vibration difference between the left and right actuators may cause distortion of the generated sound.

In order to solve this problem, a structure as shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, which has a reinforcement member disposed inside a support structure of a display device while using two or more sound generating actuators is proposed.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate a structure which has a reinforcement member disposed inside a cover bottom in order to prevent generation of sound distortion by twisting or vibration of the cover bottom.

In the embodiment illustrated in <FIG> and <FIG>, at least one reinforcement member <NUM> may be disposed inside or outside of the cover bottom in order to prevent deformation of the cover bottom or sound distortion by the unbalanced vibration of the cover bottom in the case of using multiple sound generating actuators having different vibration characteristics as described with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>.

The reinforcement member <NUM> may be formed to have a shape of a long bar passing through a portion adjacent to multiple sound generating actuators and are preferably arranged at particular positions to optimize the reinforcement characteristics.

As shown in <FIG>, when two left sound generating actuators <NUM> and <NUM>' and two right sound generating actuators <NUM> and <NUM>' are arranged, the reinforcement member <NUM> may be disposed to extend through a middle point Q between the two left sound generating actuators <NUM> and <NUM>' and a middle point Q' between the two right sound generating actuators <NUM> and <NUM>'.

This arrangement can optimize the reinforcement performance of the reinforcement member <NUM> even when the two left and right sound generating actuators have different vibration characteristics.

The reinforcement member <NUM> may be manufactured in the form of a separate metal bar and is then attached to the inner surface of the cover bottom as shown in <FIG>, to which the present disclosure is not limited.

For example, the cover bottom may be manufactured through injection molding, and may have a reinforcement member <NUM> integrally formed by protruding a part of the inner surface of the cover bottom.

The reinforcement member <NUM> is not inevitably disposed on the inner surface of the cover bottom, but may be disposed on the outer surface of the cover bottom. However, in consideration of an external appearance and the thickness of the display device, it is preferred that the reinforcement member is disposed on the inner surface of the cover bottom <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate specific arrangements of reinforcement members on a cover bottom.

<FIG> illustrates a structure in which three sound generating actuators are arranged at each of the left side and right side thereof and two reinforcement members <NUM> and <NUM>' are arranged, wherein a first reinforcement member <NUM> is disposed to extend through middle points Q-Q' of segments, each of which connects to two upper actuators among the three left or right sound generating actuators, and a second reinforcement member <NUM>' is disposed to extend through middle points S-S' of segments, each of which connects to two lower actuators among the three left or right sound generating actuators.

<FIG> illustrates a structure in which only one left actuator and only one right actuator are arranged and the reinforcement member <NUM> is disposed to extend through centers of the left and right actuators <NUM> and <NUM>'. In this structure, two divided reinforcement members may be formed in consideration of the arrangement structure of the actuators inserted in and supported by the cover bottom.

The symmetric arrangement of two or more sound generating actuators having different vibration characteristics as described above can prevent deformation (twisting) of the cover bottom due to the different vibration characteristics of the sound generating actuators or sound distortion by the vibration of the cover bottom.

<FIG> and <FIG> illustrate an embodiment, which further includes a sound compensation member in order to maintain the sound output characteristics when the sound generating actuator has been vertically moved by a reason of design.

<FIG> illustrates a state in which a sound generating actuator <NUM> is disposed at an initial position P3 having an optimal sound output characteristic.

However, the sound generating actuator may have to be moved by a predetermined distance D from the initial position P3 in order to maintain the upper end portion to be slim or by reasons relating to design or arrangement of parts.

In this event, only a simple movement of the sound generating actuator changes the relative position with respect to the baffle part <NUM> and may thus degrade the sound output characteristics.

Therefore, in such a case, if the sound generating actuator is moved to a destination position P4 spaced a movement distance D apart from the initial position P3, a lengthy sound compensation member <NUM> is preferably placed at a position spaced 2D apart from an edge (side) opposite to the moving direction.

That is, as shown in <FIG>, when the sound generating actuator is moved downward to a position P4 spaced apart by D from the initial position P3 by a reason relating to design, a sound compensation member <NUM> lengthily extending in the horizontal direction is placed at a position spaced apart by 2D from the upper edge of the display panel. The arrangement of a sound compensation member at a position corresponding to twice that of the moving distance D of the sound generating actuator enables the moved actuator to be located in the middle of the changed air gap by the sound compensation member, thereby minimizing the change in the sound generation characteristics according to the movement of the actuator.

The sound compensation member <NUM> may be implemented by a double-sided tape disposed between the cover bottom and the display panel.

As described above, when it is necessary to change the position of a sound generating actuator, a sound compensation member may be placed at a position proportional to the moving distance, to maintain the relative position of the actuator in the entire air gap, thereby preventing the sound characteristics from changing according to the movement of the actuator.

<FIG> is a graph illustrating a sound output characteristic in the case of using a panel vibration type sound generating apparatus according to the present embodiment, in comparison with a conventional speaker.

As a result of an actual experiment, a rapid sound intensity reduction (sound pressure reduction) as illustrated by a dotted line in <FIG> was observed in the middle/high sound range of <NUM> or higher when a speaker disposed at the rear surface or the lower end as shown in <FIG> separately from the display panel.

In contrast, as illustrated by a solid line in <FIG>, the structure according to the present embodiment in which a sound generating actuator is fixed to a support structure to directly vibrate the display panel could reduce the sound pressure reduction in the middle/high sound range, and especially could greatly improve the sound output characteristic in the high sound range.

In result, use of the present embodiment can provide rich sound output in all sound ranges.

According to the present embodiment as described above, one or more sound generating actuators are fixed to a support structure to directly vibrate the display panel. Therefore, the progressing direction of the sound coincides with the image output direction to enhance the sound localization and improve the sound output characteristics in a wide sound range.

Further, since a display device or a set apparatus does not require a separate speaker, the mechanism of the set apparatus can be easily designed and the thickness of the display device or set apparatus can be reduced.

Especially, a predetermined air gap is formed between the display panel and the sound generating actuator and the sound generating actuator is inserted in and fixed to a support hole formed at a support structure of the display device. Therefore, the display device has an excellent sound generation performance while having a reduced thickness.

Further, a baffle part, which includes an adhesive member (double-sided tape) attached between the upper surface of the support structure and the lower surface of the display panel and a sealing part disposed outside the adhesive member, can minimize the sound leakage and thus can improve the sound generating performance.

Also, the arrangement of a reinforcement member on the support structure of the display device when two or more sound generating actuators are used can prevent deformation of the support structure due to different vibrations of the two or more sound generating actuators.

Claim 1:
A panel vibration type sound generating display device comprising:
a display panel (<NUM>) for displaying an image;
a sound generating actuator (<NUM>) connected to a surface of the display panel and configured to vibrate the display panel (<NUM>) to generate sound;
a support structure comprising a cover bottom and a middle cabinet, wherein an air gap is provided between the cover bottom and the display panel (<NUM>); and
a baffle part (<NUM>) disposed between themiddle cabinet (<NUM>) and the display panel (<NUM>) to surround the air gap, thereby sealingly coupling the display panel to the cover bottom;
the middle cabinet (<NUM>) supporting an edge of the display panel, the middle cabinet (<NUM>) comprising an area division member (<NUM>) arranged to separate a space between the cover bottom and the display panel into a first area and a second area, the first area including a source printed circuit board (<NUM>) and the second area including the sound generating actuator (<NUM>),
wherein the cover bottom (<NUM>) is configured to cover and support a rear surface of the display panel (<NUM>),
wherein the cover bottom (<NUM>) further includes a support hole (<NUM>), and the sound generating actuator (<NUM>) is accommodated in the support hole (<NUM>).