Patent Description:
With the development of the information society, various demands for display devices are increasing. Various display devices, such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), electroluminescent displays (ELDs), and vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs), have been recently studied and used in response to the various demands for the display devices.

A display device using an organic light emitting diode (OLED) is advantageous in that it has better luminance characteristic and viewing angle characteristic than a liquid crystal display, and has a ultra-thin profile because it does not require a backlight unit unlike the liquid crystal display.

Recently, studies have been actively conducted to improve an assembling structure of a display device while securing rigidity of the display device.

<CIT> refers to a display apparatus including a display panel, a mold frame, a backlight unit, a bottom bracket, and a top mold which faces a front of the display panel and supports end portions of the display panel. <CIT> refers to a fixing element for a display panel.

An object of the present disclosure is to address the above-described and other problems. Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a display device capable of improving constraints of a structural design.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a display device in which a display panel is coupled to a front cover.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a display device in which an optical sheet is coupled to a front cover.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a display device in which a frame is coupled to a front cover.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a display device in which a back cover is coupled to a front cover.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a display device in which a number of components is reduced.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a display device with a reduced thickness.

Another object of the present disclosure is to provide a display device having a structure capable of increasing efficiency of an assembly process.

The present invention relates to a display device as defined in claim <NUM>.

Effects of a display device according to the present disclosure are described as follows.

According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a display panel can be coupled to a front cover.

According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, an optical sheet can be coupled to a front cover.

According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a frame can be coupled to a front cover.

According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a back cover can be coupled to a front cover.

According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, the number of components can be reduced.

According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, a thickness of a display device can be reduced.

According to at least one aspect of the present disclosure, efficiency of an assembly process of a display device can be increased.

The accompanying drawings, that may be included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain various principles of the disclosure. <FIG> illustrate examples of configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Reference will now be made in detail embodiments of the disclosure examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Since the present disclosure may be modified in various ways and may have various forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and are described in detail in the present specification. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure are not limited to specific disclosed embodiments, but include all modifications, equivalents and substitutes included within the technical scope of the present disclosure, which is defined by the appended set of claims.

The terms 'first', 'second', etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components are not limited by such terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from other components. For example, a first component may be designated as a second component without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In the same manner, the second component may be designated as the first component.

The term "and/or" encompasses both combinations of the plurality of related items disclosed and any item from among the plurality of related items disclosed.

When an arbitrary component is described as "being connected to" or "being linked to" another component, this should be understood to mean that still another component(s) may exist between them, although the arbitrary component may be directly connected to, or linked to, the second component. In contrast, when an arbitrary component is described as "being directly connected to" or "being directly linked to" another component, this should be understood to mean that no component exists between them.

The terms used in the present application are used to describe only specific embodiments or examples, and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

In the present application, the terms "include" and "have" should be understood to be intended to designate that illustrated features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof exist and not to preclude the existence of one or more different features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof, or the possibility of the addition thereof.

Unless otherwise specified, all of the terms which are used herein, including the technical or scientific terms, have the same meanings as those that are generally understood by a person having ordinary knowledge in the art to which the present disclosure pertains. The terms defined in a generally used dictionary must be understood to have meanings identical to those used in the context of a related art, and are not to be construed to have ideal or excessively formal meanings unless they are obviously specified in the present application.

The following exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure are provided to those skilled in the art in order to describe the present disclosure more completely. Accordingly, shapes and sizes of elements shown in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

In the following description, wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts, and duplicated description thereof will be omitted.

In the following description, if an embodiment is described with reference to a specific figure, reference numbers not shown in the specific figure may be mentioned, if necessary or desired. However, the reference numbers not shown in the specific figure may be mentioned only when the reference numbers are shown in other figures.

In general, a suffix such as "module" and "unit" may be used to refer to elements or components. Use of such a suffix herein is merely intended to facilitate description of the specification, and the suffix itself is not intended to give any special meaning or function.

It will be noted that a detailed description of known arts will be omitted if it is determined that the detailed description of the known arts can obscure embodiments of the disclosure.

Further, terms such as height, length, and width used in embodiments of the disclosure may be interchangeable for convenience of explanation. The terms do not have their meanings or roles that are distinguished from each other.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the disclosure will be described using a liquid crystal display panel as an example of a display panel. However, embodiments are not limited thereto.

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

The first short side SS1 may be referred to as a first side area; the second short side SS2 may be referred to as a second side area opposite the first side area; the first long side LS1 may be referred to as a third side area which is adjacent to the first side area and the second side area and is positioned between the first side area and the second side area; and the second long side LS2 may be referred to as a fourth side area which is adjacent to the first side area and the second side area, is positioned between the first side area and the second side area, and is opposite to the third side area.

Embodiments of the disclosure describe that lengths of the first and second long sides LS1 and LS2 are longer than lengths of the first and second short sides SS1 and SS2 for convenience of explanation. However, the lengths of the first and second long sides LS1 and LS2 may be equal to or almost equal to the lengths of the first and second short sides SS1 and SS2.

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

The first direction DR1 and the second direction DR2 may be commonly referred to as a horizontal direction. The third direction DR3 may be referred to as a vertical direction.

A side, on which a display device displays an image, may be referred to as a forward direction, a front side, or a front surface. When the display device displays an image, a side at which the image cannot be viewed may be referred to as a rearward direction, a rear side, or a rear surface. When the display device is observed at the forward direction, the front side, or the front surface, the first long side LS1 may be referred to as an upper side or an upper surface. The second long side LS2 may be referred to as a lower side or a lower surface. Further, 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. 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.

The X-axis may be parallel to the first direction. The Y-axis may be parallel to the second direction. The Z-axis may be parallel to the third direction. The +X-axis may face the right side, and the -X-axis may face the left side. The +Y-axis may face the upper side, and the -Y-axis may face the lower side. The +Z-axis may face the front side, and the -Z-axis may face the rear side.

The display panel <NUM> may display an image in the forward direction. A front cover <NUM> may be fastened to a back cover <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> may be positioned between the front cover <NUM> and the back cover <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the front cover <NUM> may have a quadrilateral shape. The front cover <NUM> may be referred to as a front case <NUM>. The front cover <NUM> may include an opening 140a. The opening 140a may have a quadrilateral shape. The front cover <NUM> may include a horizontal part <NUM> and a vertical part 140V. The horizontal part <NUM> may include a first horizontal part 140H1 and a second horizontal part 140H2. The first horizontal part 140H1 and the second horizontal part 140H2 may be connected obliquely.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a pad 140b may be positioned on a rear surface of the first horizontal part 140H1. The pad 140b may be formed along the perimeter of the front cover <NUM>. The pad 140b may be adjacent to or in contact with a front surface of the display panel <NUM>. The first horizontal part 140H1 may include a groove 140c, and the pad 140b may be positioned in the groove 140c. A protrusion <NUM> protrudes from the vertical part 140V. The protrusion <NUM> may be referred to as a guide <NUM> or a panel guide <NUM>. The plurality of protrusions <NUM> may be formed along the perimeter of the front cover <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may be formed in a corner area of the front cover <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may be adjacent to or in contact with the side of the display panel <NUM>. A hole <NUM> may be formed in the vertical part 140V. The hole <NUM> may be referred to as a coupling hole <NUM>, a coupling portion <NUM>, or a fastening portion <NUM>. The plurality of holes <NUM> may be formed along the perimeter of the front cover <NUM>. The hole <NUM> may be formed in the corner area of the front cover <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a protrusion <NUM> may protrude from the first horizontal part 140H1. The protrusion <NUM> may be referred to as a hook portion <NUM>, a latching portion <NUM>, a hook <NUM>, or a coupling portion <NUM>. The plurality of protrusions <NUM> may be formed along the perimeter of the front cover <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a protrusion <NUM> may protrude from the first horizontal part 140H1 or the vertical part 140V. The protrusion <NUM> may be referred to as a guide <NUM> or a rib <NUM>. A protrusion <NUM> may protrude from a corner area formed by the first horizontal part 140H1 and the vertical part 140V. The plurality of protrusions <NUM> may be formed along the perimeter of the front cover <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may protrude from the vertical part 140V. The protrusion <NUM> may be referred to as a coupling portion <NUM>, a fastening portion <NUM>, or a coupling protrusion <NUM>. The plurality of protrusions <NUM> may be formed along the perimeter of the front cover <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a groove 146a may be formed on an outer surface of the vertical part 140V. The groove 146a may be referred to as a stepped portion 146a. A protrusion 146b may protrude from the groove 146a. The groove 146a and the protrusion 146b may be collectively referred to as a latching portion <NUM>, a protrusion <NUM>, a coupling portion <NUM>, a hook <NUM>, a latching jaw <NUM>, or a fastening portion <NUM>. The plurality of latching portions <NUM> may be formed along the perimeter of the front cover <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the display panel <NUM> may be coupled to the front cover <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> may be positioned in the rear of the front cover <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> may be provided on the front surface of the display device <NUM> and can display an image. The display panel <NUM> can display an image by outputting red, green, and blue light from each of a plurality of pixels at proper timing. The display panel <NUM> may be divided into an active area on which an image is displayed, and a de-active area on which the image is not displayed. The display panel <NUM> may include a front substrate and a rear substrate that are positioned opposite each other with a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween.

The front substrate may include the plurality of pixels each including red, green, and blue subpixels. The front substrate may output light corresponding to red, green, or blue color in response to a control signal.

The rear substrate may include switching elements. The rear substrate may switch on and off pixel electrodes. For example, the pixel electrodes may change a molecule arrangement of the liquid crystal layer in response to a control signal received from the outside. The liquid crystal layer may include liquid crystal molecules. The arrangement of the liquid crystal molecules may be changed corresponding to a voltage difference between the pixel electrode and a common electrode. The liquid crystal layer may transfer light provided by a light source <NUM> (see <FIG>) to the front substrate, or may shield the light.

Referring to <FIG>, a front surface of the display panel <NUM> may face the first horizontal part 140H1. The guide <NUM> may be adjacent to or in contact with the side surface of the display panel <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may be adjacent to or in contact with a corner area of the display panel <NUM>. The guide <NUM> may align or guide a location of the display panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, an optical sheet <NUM> may be coupled to the front cover <NUM>. The optical sheet <NUM> may be referred to as a composite sheet <NUM>. The optical sheet <NUM> may include a flat portion 125a having a quadrilateral shape and an ear 125b coupled to the flat portion 125a. The plurality of ears 125b may be formed along the perimeter of the flat portion 125a. The ear 125b may include a hole 125c. The optical sheet <NUM> can diffuse light emitted from the light source <NUM> (see <FIG>). The optical sheet <NUM> can refract or concentrate light emitted from the light source <NUM>. The optical sheet <NUM> can simultaneously perform a function of a diffusion sheet and a function of a prism sheet.

Referring to <FIG>, the hook portion <NUM> may pass through the hole 125c. The ear 125b may be formed at a location corresponding to the hook portion <NUM>. The optical sheet <NUM> can be coupled to the front cover <NUM> by catching on the hook portion <NUM>. The optical sheet <NUM> may face the rear surface of the display panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a frame <NUM> may include a flat portion 130P, an inclined portion 130I, a horizontal portion <NUM>, or a vertical portion 130V. The flat portion 130P may have a quadrilateral shape. The inclined portion 130I may be extended forward at the perimeter of the flat portion 130P. The inclined portion 130I may be obliquely coupled to the flat portion 130P. The horizontal portion <NUM> may be extended from the inclined portion 130I. The horizontal portion <NUM> may be parallel to the flat portion 130P. The vertical portion 130V may be extended rearward from the horizontal portion <NUM>. The vertical portion 130V and the horizontal portion <NUM> may be perpendicular to each other. The horizontal portion <NUM> may include an ear 131a. The plurality of ears 131a may be formed along a lower side of the frame <NUM>. The ear 131a may include a hole <NUM>. The hole <NUM> may be formed in the horizontal portion <NUM>. The plurality of holes <NUM> may be formed along the perimeter of the frame <NUM>. The flat portion 130P may include a protrusion <NUM> protruding forward. The protrusion <NUM> may be referred to as a projection <NUM> or a guide <NUM>. The plurality of protrusions <NUM> may be formed. An electronic substrate for driving the display device <NUM> may be fastened to a rear surface of the frame <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the frame <NUM> may include a hole <NUM>. The hole <NUM> may be formed in the horizontal portion <NUM> or the vertical portion 130V. The hole <NUM> may be formed in a corner area formed by the horizontal portion <NUM> and the vertical portion 130V. The hole <NUM> may be formed over the horizontal portion <NUM> and the vertical portion 130V. The plurality of holes <NUM> may be formed along the perimeter of the frame <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the frame <NUM> may include a hole <NUM>. The hole <NUM> may be referred to as an opening <NUM>, an indentation <NUM> or a depression <NUM>. The hole <NUM> may partition the vertical portion 130V. The hole <NUM> may be opened rearward. The hole <NUM> may be formed in the horizontal portion <NUM> or the vertical portion 130V. The hole <NUM> may be formed in a corner area formed by the horizontal portion <NUM> and the vertical portion 130V. The hole <NUM> may be formed over the horizontal portion <NUM> and the vertical portion 130V. The plurality of holes <NUM> may be formed along the perimeter of the frame <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, a protrusion <NUM> may be formed in the vertical portion 130V. The protrusion <NUM> may be referred to as a coupling portion <NUM>, a hook <NUM>, a latching jaw <NUM>, or a fastening portion <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may protrude to the outside of the frame <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may be formed by pressing the vertical portion 130V. The plurality of protrusions <NUM> may be formed along the perimeter of the frame <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the substrate <NUM> may be fastened to the flat portion 130P. The substrate <NUM> may be extended along the long side of the frame <NUM>. The light source <NUM> may be mounted on the substrate <NUM>. The plurality of light sources <NUM> may be formed along the substrate <NUM>. The light source <NUM> may provide light forward. A reflective sheet <NUM> may include holes 126c, 126d, and 126e. The hole 126c may be formed at a location corresponding to the light source <NUM>. The hole 126e may be formed at a location corresponding to the protrusion <NUM>. The hole 126d may be formed at a location corresponding to a pin <NUM> (see <FIG>). The reflective sheet <NUM> can reflect forward the light emitted from the light source <NUM>. The reflective sheet <NUM> may include at least one of metal and metal oxide which are a reflective material. The reflective sheet <NUM> may include metal and/or metal oxide having a high reflectance, for example, at least one of aluminum (Al), silver (Ag), gold (Au), and titanium dioxide (TiO<NUM>).

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

Referring to <FIG>, the reflective sheet <NUM> may be coupled to the frame <NUM>. The reflective sheet <NUM> may include a flat portion 126P, an inclined portion 126I, a horizontal portion <NUM>, or a vertical portion 126V. The flat portion 126P may have a quadrilateral shape. The inclined portion 126I may be extended forward at the perimeter of the flat portion 126P. The inclined portion 126I may be obliquely coupled to the flat portion 126P. The horizontal portion <NUM> may be extended from the inclined portion 126I. The horizontal portion <NUM> may be parallel to the flat portion 126P. The vertical portion 126V may be extended rearward from the horizontal portion <NUM>. The vertical portion 126V and the horizontal portion <NUM> may be perpendicular to each other. The horizontal portion <NUM> may include an ear 126a. The plurality of ears 126a may be formed along a lower side of the reflective sheet <NUM>. The ear 126a may include a hole 126b. The protrusion <NUM> may pass through the reflective sheet <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> can guide a location of the reflective sheet <NUM>. The pin <NUM> may be fastened to the frame <NUM>. The pin <NUM> may fix the reflective sheet <NUM> to the frame <NUM>. The holes 126b and <NUM> may face each other. The reflective sheet <NUM> can reflect forward light emitted from the light source <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the frame <NUM> may be fastened to the front cover <NUM>. The frame <NUM> may be fastened to the front cover <NUM> in a state where the frame <NUM> is fastened to the substrate <NUM>, the light source <NUM>, or the reflective sheet <NUM>. The frame <NUM> may be positioned in the rear of the front cover <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the vertical portions 140V and 130V may be adjacent to or in contact with each other. The protrusion <NUM> may be located in the hole <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the rib <NUM> may be inserted into the hole <NUM>. A position of the frame <NUM> can be guided by inserting the rib <NUM> into the hole <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into the hole <NUM>. The frame <NUM> can be fastened to the front cover <NUM> by inserting the protrusion <NUM> into the hole <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG> and <FIG>, the hook portion <NUM> may face the side surface of the display panel <NUM>. The hook portion <NUM> may pass through the optical sheet <NUM>, the reflective sheet <NUM>, or the frame <NUM>. The hook portion <NUM> may pass through the holes 125a, 126b, and <NUM>. The display panel <NUM> may be positioned between the pad 140b and the optical sheet <NUM>. The frame <NUM> may be fastened to the front cover <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may be inserted into the hole <NUM>. The pad 140b, the display panel <NUM>, the optical sheet <NUM>, and the reflective sheet <NUM> can be pressurized by fastening the frame <NUM> to the front cover <NUM>. The pad 140b, the display panel <NUM>, the optical sheet <NUM>, and the reflective sheet <NUM> may be fixed between the frame <NUM> and the front cover <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the back cover <NUM> may include a flat portion 150P, an inclined portion 150I, or a vertical portion 150V. The flat portion 150P may have a quadrilateral shape. The inclined portion 150I may be extended forward from an upper side or a side of the flat portion 150P. The inclined portion 150I may be obliquely coupled to the flat portion 150P. The vertical portion 150V may be extended forward from the inclined portion <NUM>. The vertical portion 150V may be extended forward at a lower side of the flat portion 150P. A coupling portion <NUM> may be formed on the inclined portion 150I. The coupling portion <NUM> may be referred to as a fastening portion <NUM>. The coupling portion <NUM> may include a first part 155a and a second part 155b. The first part 155a and the second part 155b may be adjacent to each other. The first part 155a and the second part 155b may have a hook shape. The plurality of coupling portions <NUM> may be formed along the inclined portion 155I. A protrusion <NUM> may protrude inward from the vertical portion 155V. The protrusion <NUM> may be referred to as a coupling portion <NUM>, a fastening portion <NUM>, a latching jaw <NUM>, a latching portion <NUM>, or a hook <NUM>. The plurality of protrusions <NUM> may be formed along the vertical portion 150V.

Referring to <FIG>, the back cover <NUM> may be fastened to the front cover <NUM>. The back cover <NUM> may be positioned in the rear of the front cover <NUM>. The display panel <NUM>, the optical sheet <NUM>, the reflective sheet <NUM>, and the frame <NUM> may be positioned between the back cover <NUM> and the front cover <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the back cover <NUM> may be fastened to the front cover <NUM>. The back cover <NUM> may include a port, a power input port, etc. for being connected to an external device on its back surface.

Referring to <FIG>, the protrusions 146b and <NUM> may be engaged with each other. The second horizontal part 140H2 and the protrusion 146b can fix the vertical part 150V. The back cover <NUM> can be fastened to the front cover <NUM> by engaging the protrusions 146b and <NUM> with each other.

Referring to <FIG>, the coupling portion <NUM> may be engaged with the protrusion <NUM>. The protrusion <NUM> may be positioned between the first part 155a and the second part 155b. The back cover <NUM> can be fastened to the front cover <NUM> by engaging the coupling portion <NUM> with the protrusion <NUM>.

The optical sheet <NUM>, the substrate <NUM>, and the light source <NUM> may be collectively referred to as a backlight unit. The backlight unit may include at least one of an optical sheet, a substrate, a light source, and a light guide plate. The light source may be a direct type light source or an edge type light source. The backlight unit can provide light to the display panel <NUM>. The backlight unit may be driven in an entire driving method or a partial driving method, such as a local dimming method and an impulsive driving method.

The number of components of the display device <NUM> can be reduced by coupling the display panel <NUM>, the optical sheet <NUM>, the frame <NUM>, the back cover <NUM>, etc. to the front cover <NUM>. For example, the front cover <NUM> may replace a function of a guide panel. In addition, a thickness of the display device <NUM> can be reduced by reducing the number of components of the display device <NUM>.

The assembly process efficiency of the display device <NUM> can be increased by coupling the display panel <NUM>, the optical sheet <NUM>, the frame <NUM>, the back cover <NUM>, etc. to the front cover <NUM>. For example, the assembly process can be simplified and the assembly process speed can be increased by disposing the front cover <NUM> at the bottom and stacking the other components on the front cover <NUM>.

The foregoing embodiments are merely examples and are not to be considered as limiting the present disclosure. The present teachings can be readily applied to other types of methods and apparatuses. The features, structures, methods, and other characteristics of the embodiments described herein may be combined in various ways to obtain additional and/or alternative embodiments.

Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or all elements of embodiments of the disclosure described above may be combined or combined with each other in configuration or function.

For example, a configuration "A" described in one embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings and a configuration "B" described in another embodiment of the disclosure and the drawings may be combined with each other. Namely, although the combination between the configurations is not directly described, the combination is possible except in the case where it is described that the combination is impossible.

Claim 1:
A display device comprising:
a display panel (<NUM>) including a front surface exposed to an outside of the display device, a rear surface opposite to the front surface, and a side surface connecting the front surface with the rear surface;
a front cover (<NUM>) including a side part (140V) covering the side surface of the display panel (<NUM>), and a guide (<NUM>) protruding from the side part (140V) to support the side surface of the display panel (<NUM>);
a frame (<NUM>) including a rear part (130P) positioned in a rear of the display panel (<NUM>) and a side part (130V) facing a side of the side part (140V) of the front cover (<NUM>) where the guide (<NUM>) protrudes; and
wherein the side part (140V) of the front cover (<NUM>) is coupled to the frame (<NUM>),
wherein the guide (<NUM>) is elongated along the side surface of the display panel (<NUM>) between the side surface of the display panel (<NUM>) and the side part (140V) of the front cover (<NUM>), and
wherein a gap is formed between the guide (<NUM>) and the side part (140V) of the front cover (<NUM>).