Patent Description:
Various flat panel type display devices may provide reduced weight and volume compared to that of older cathode ray tube type display devices. Such display devices may be classified into Liquid Crystal Displays (LCD), Field Emission Displays (FED), Plasma Display Panels (PDP) or Organic Electro Luminescence Diodes (OELD). A display panel may include a back side covered by a rear cabinet and a front edge covered by a front cabinet. A front portion of the front cabinet coupled to the front edge of the display panel may be referred to as a "bezel". As maller bezel may allow the screen to appear larger.

<CIT> discloses a liquid crystal display including a liquid crystal panel, a backlight unit and a cover assembly configured to cover and support the liquid crystal panel and backlight unit. The cover assembly includes a top sash, a middle mold and a bottom sash, and is assembled by coupling the top lateral side wall of the top sash to the bottom lateral wall of the bottom sash with a connecting member.

<CIT> discloses an LCD apparatus comprising a front case, a rear case and an LCD module, which are combined to each other by screws. The LCD module includes a bottom chassis for receiving a display unit and a backlight assembly, and a bottom mold frame for receiving the bottom chassis. A top chassis is provided on the display unit to prevent the display unit from being deviated from the bottom chassis.

<CIT> discloses a liquid crystal module including a top case configured to surround an edge of an upper surface and edges of a display panel, a bottom cover configured to support a light guide plate disposed under the display panel, a main supporter configured to support the display panel and the bottom cover, and fasteners configured to pass through a bracket and the top case, and to couple them together.

<CIT> discloses an LCD device comprising an LCD module, a front cover and a rear cover for receiving the LCD module. The LCD module comprises a liquid crystal panel, a backlight unit, a main supporter and a bottom cover.

To overcome the disadvantages, an object of embodiments herewith is to provide a display device that is able to reduce the number of elements provided therein so as to reduce the production cost and processes, with a reduced size of Bezel on a front screen.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, a display device according to claim <NUM> is provided.

In an example that is not covered by the subject- matter of the claims but useful for understanding the present invention, a display device includes a display module; a back cover configured to support a back surface of the display module; a top case configured to cover an edge portion of a front surface of the display module or a lateral surface of the display module, the top case comprising a coupling portion formed in an lateral surface to be coupled to the lateral surface of the display module and an edge portion of the back cover; and a rear cabinet configured to cover a back surface of the back cover, wherein the lateral surface of the top case is exposed outside.

The coupling portion may include a coupling projection having a lateral surface projected inward and extended backward, and the coupling projection may be coupled to a coupling groove projected from an edge portion of the back cover or the lateral surface of the display module, with being open toward the front surface.

The coupling portion may include a stepped protrusion projected toward a front surface formed in an inner edge portion of the lateral surface of the top case; and a hooking protrusion formed in a predetermined portion of a lateral surface of the display module or an edge portion of the back cover, where the coupling groove is not formed, toward a back surface, and the stepped protrusion is engagingly coupled to the hooking protrusion to prevent the separation of the top case.

The display module may include a light source coupled to the back cover to supply a light to the light diffusion part; a light diffusion part configured to uniformly supply the light supplied by the light source to a front surface; a display panel configured to control a transparency and a color for each of pixels based on image information; and a guide panel configured to lateral edge portions of the display panel and the light diffusion part and to guide the disposition of the display panel and the light diffusion part, and the hooking protrusion may be formed in an outer portion with respect to a lateral surface of the guide panel.

In another aspect, a display device includes a display module; a back cover configured to support a back surface of the display module; a top case configured to cover an edge portion of a front surface of the display module or a lateral surface of the display module, the top case coupled to the back cover; a screw coupled to the top case, with penetrating an edge portion of the back cover; and a rear cabinet configured to cover a back surface of the back cover, with an edge portion coupled to the top case, wherein a predetermined portion of the top case is exposed outside when the top case is coupled to the rear cabinet.

The back cover may further include a wing portion extended from an end of the edge portion outward to cover a lateral surface end of the top case, and the screw is coupled to the lateral surface end of the top case toward a back surface, with penetrating the wing portion.

A lateral surface of the top case may include a first lateral surface adjacent to a back surface of the top case and a second lateral surface adjacent to a front surface of the top case, and an end of an edge portion of the back cover may be bent once in L shape to be extended toward a back surface, and the screw may be coupled to the first lateral surface in a lateral direction, penetrating the bent end of the back cover, and the rear cabinet may be coupled to the first lateral surface.

The display device according to the embodiments includes the top case configured to fix the structure of the display module and simultaneously not to expose the coupling structure to the lateral surface. Accordingly, the conventional front cabinet can be omitted and the top case can be used as an exterior material.

The front cabinet can be omitted and the number of the parts can be reduced. Accordingly, an effect of cost reduction can be gained.

Furthermore, the conventional double structure configured of the front cabinet covering the overall edge portion of the front surface of the display panel and the top case may be integrated into the single structure. Accordingly, the size of the bezel can be reduced.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention.

Hereinafter, when an element is referred to as being 'on' or 'under' another element, it may be directly on/under the element, and one or more intervening elements may also be present. When an element is referred to as being 'on' or 'under', 'under the element' as well as 'on the element' may be included based on the element.

Certain display devices may include a top case and a rear cover fixedly coupled to a front side and a back side of a display module, with a front cabinet and a rear cabinet coupled to a front surface of the top case and a rear surface of the rear cover so the coupling between the top case and the rear cover and various electronic components are not visible. Although such a front cabinet and rear cabinet provide a clean and neat appearance, the double structure may result in a somewhat broad bezel along an edge portion of the display. A thicker bezel may cause the screen to appear smaller and may increase the actual size and weight of the product.

In a display device as embodied and broadly described herein the front cabinet may be omitted so that the bezel is not made unnecessarily thicker, and a number of elements may be reduced.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a display device <NUM> may include a top case <NUM>, a display panel <NUM>, a guide panel <NUM>, a light guide panel <NUM>, a back cover <NUM> and a rear cabinet <NUM>. The display panel <NUM>, the guide panel <NUM> and the light guide panel <NUM> may be layered sequentially to form a display module. The display panel <NUM> may selectively transmit light provided from a rear surface therethrough by changing arrangement of liquid crystals. The display panel <NUM> may control transparency and color for each pixel so as to display a screen based on image information. A liquid crystal may be injected between two transparent glasses and electric currents may flow to transparent electrodes formed on the transparent glasses to change the arrangement of the liquid crystals for each pixel, such that the display panel <NUM> may control the transparency of the pixel.

A light source arranged at a back side of the display panel <NUM> to provide light may be coupled to the back cover <NUM> to emit light. The light source may employ a point light source such as a light emitting diode (LED). The light guide panel <NUM> may supply such point light sources to the back side of the display panel <NUM> uniformly. The light guide panel <NUM> may convert the point light sources into surface light sources and emit the surface light sources in a forward direction uniformly. The light guide panel <NUM> may include a light guide film, a diffusion film and a prism film that are layered sequentially. Other arrangements and/or combinations of films may also be appropriate.

The guide panel <NUM> may align the display panel <NUM> and the light guide panel <NUM> including the plurality of films. Referring to <FIG>, which is a sectional view of the display device <NUM>, the guide panel <NUM> may include a seating portion <NUM> and a guide wall <NUM>. The seating portion <NUM> may be formed in a front surface of the guide panel <NUM> to support an edge portion of a back surface of the display panel <NUM> and an edge portion of a lateral surface of the display panel <NUM>. The guide wall <NUM> may be formed in a lateral surface of the guide panel <NUM> and the films of the light guide panel <NUM> may be disposed on a back side of the guide wall <NUM>.

The top case <NUM> is coupled to a front surface of the display module (including the display panel <NUM>, guide panel <NUM> and light guide panel <NUM>) and the back cover <NUM> is coupled to a back side of the display module, to fix the resulting layered structure. In this embodiment, the coupling of the top case <NUM> and the back cover <NUM> may support the front and back surfaces of the display module with a predetermined force sufficient to keep each layer of the display module together.

When using a coupling member such as a screw, a relatively strong fastening force may be provided and a head portion of the screw may, in some arrangements, be exposed. Accordingly, an exterior appearance of the display device may be adversely affected, and an auxiliary cabinet may be considered to finish the exterior appearance.

According to this embodiment, a coupling portion may be provided in a lateral surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> and coupled to the back cover <NUM> and the guide panel <NUM>, such that it is not exposed to the outside. The coupling portion formed in the lateral surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> may include a coupling projection <NUM> and a stepped protrusion <NUM> that are coupled to a coupling groove <NUM> of the back cover <NUM> and a hooking protrusion <NUM> of the guide panel <NUM>.

In certain embodiments, coupling groove <NUM> may be formed in one of the back cover <NUM> or the guide panel <NUM>, and the hooking protrusion <NUM> may be formed in the other. In other words, the top case <NUM> may include a coupling portion configured to be coupled to the back cover <NUM> and the guide panel <NUM>.

The coupling groove <NUM> and the coupling protrusion <NUM> may be coupled to each other in a male/female coupling structure inserted in a backward direction from the front surface, to prevent shaking in a lateral direction. The hooking protrusion <NUM> and the stepped protrusion <NUM> may be coupled to prevent forward shaking of the top case <NUM>.

The back cover <NUM> may be coupled to an inner portion of the guide panel <NUM> and the lateral surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> may be coupled to an outer portion of the guide panel <NUM>. Accordingly, the guide panel <NUM> may be partially cut away to couple the hooking protrusion <NUM> or the coupling groove <NUM> of the back cover <NUM> to the coupling portion of the top cover <NUM>, such that the hooking protrusion <NUM> or the coupling groove <NUM> formed in the back cover <NUM> may be exposed to the lateral surface.

The hooking protrusion <NUM> may be formed in the top case <NUM> and the coupling groove <NUM> may be formed in the back cover <NUM>. Alternatively, the coupling groove <NUM> may be formed in the guide panel <NUM>. For ease of explanation and illustration, in this embodiment, the hooking protrusion <NUM> will be formed in the top case <NUM> and the coupling groove <NUM> will be formed in the back cover <NUM>, understanding that alternative arrangements may also be appropriate.

<FIG> is a partial perspective view of the top cover <NUM> separated from the display device <NUM>. In <FIG>, the display panel <NUM>, the guide panel <NUM> and the back cover <NUM> are shown. The back cover <NUM> is inserted in the guide panel <NUM> shown in <FIG> and the light guide panel <NUM> is disposed between the guide panel <NUM> and the back cover <NUM>. The coupling groove <NUM> is formed in an edge area of the back cover <NUM>. The coupling groove <NUM> is configured to receive a coupling projection <NUM> formed in the top case <NUM>. In <FIG>, the coupling groove <NUM> has a penetrating hole shape and the coupling projection <NUM> is inserted in the coupling groove <NUM> in a direction toward the front surface.

<FIG> are partial perspective views of an inner portion of the top case <NUM> having the coupling projection <NUM> formed therein. The coupling projection <NUM> is projected inward and extended toward the back surface. In <FIG>, an end of a lateral surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> is folded inward to form a hem <NUM>, with a predetermined portion of the hem <NUM> cut and bent to form the coupling projection <NUM>. The coupling projection <NUM> may employ a double structure using the hem <NUM> so that the coupling projection <NUM> is not exposed to the outside by the top case <NUM>, which may function as an exterior finishing material.

When the portion <NUM> partially cut away in a pulse wave shape is bent inward as shown in <FIG>, the coupling projection <NUM> projected inward and extended toward the back surface may be formed. Alternatively, the portion may be cut away in a convex shape toward the back surface, and may be bent twice as shown in <FIG>, such that a coupling projection <NUM> projected inward and extended toward the back surface may be formed.

In addition to the embodiments shown in <FIG>, the structure of the coupling projection <NUM> may vary, as long as the shape thereof is projected inward and extends toward the back surface. The coupling projection <NUM> may be inserted into the coupling groove <NUM> from the front surface. The coupling groove <NUM> and the coupling projection <NUM> may be insertedly coupled to each other in a male/female coupling structure to fix the top case <NUM> and the back cover <NUM>, without moving in a lateral direction.

<FIG> is a sectional view taken along line A-A' shown in <FIG> and shows the coupling projection <NUM> coupled to the coupling groove <NUM>. In <FIG>, a lower portion of the top cover <NUM> is positioned on the front surface of the display device <NUM>.

The stepped protrusion <NUM> and the hooking protrusion <NUM> may be provided to prevent the top case <NUM> from separating in a forward direction. The hooking protrusion <NUM> may formed at an outer surface of the guide panel <NUM> and a step may be formed at a back surface of the guide panel <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, projection of the hooking protrusion <NUM> may gradually increase from the front surface toward the back surface, in other words, the hooking protrusion <NUM> may have a triangular-shaped cross section. During coupling, the top case <NUM> may slide along the inclined surface to allow the hooking protrusion <NUM> to be smoothly coupled to the stepped protrusion <NUM>.

The stepped protrusion <NUM> to be coupled to the hooking protrusion <NUM> may be formed in the lateral surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> in various methods. According to this embodiment, an end of the lateral surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> is folded inward and a hem <NUM> is formed to form the stepped protrusion <NUM>. In a top case formed of a metallic material such as SUS, the hem <NUM> may be easily processed.

Both of the stepped protrusion <NUM> and the coupling projection <NUM> may be formed using the hem <NUM>. The coupling projection <NUM> may be positioned closer to the back surface than the stepped protrusion <NUM>, such that the coupling groove <NUM> may be positioned closer to the back surface than the hooking protrusion <NUM>.

<FIG> is a sectional view taken along line B-B' shown in <FIG>, showing the stepped protrusion <NUM> formed in the lateral surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> insertedly fitted to the hooking protrusion <NUM> formed in a lateral surface of the guide panel <NUM>. The coupling projection <NUM> is inserted in the coupling groove <NUM> to couple the top case <NUM> to the front of the back cover <NUM>. After that, the hooking protrusion <NUM> and the stepped protrusion <NUM> may be engagingly fitted to each other and the top case <NUM> may be coupled to the back cover <NUM> and the display panel <NUM>.

The hem <NUM> may be formed along an overall inner edge portion of the lateral surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM>. As mentioned above, the hem <NUM> may be partially cut away to form the coupling projection <NUM>. The coupling portion may be formed in the hem <NUM> such that the exterior appearance maybe maintained.

The lateral surface <NUM> of the top case at a portion under the display device <NUM>, in other words, facing the floor, is not exposed, when the display device <NUM> is typically used. A screw may be used in coupling the top case <NUM>, the back cover <NUM> and the guide panel <NUM> to each other in this area.

<FIG> is a side sectional diagram of the display device <NUM> according to this embodiment. A printed circuit board and various electronic parts configured to control and drive the display device <NUM> may be mounted at an outer portion of the top case <NUM>. A rear cabinet <NUM> may be coupled to the top case <NUM> to cover the printed circuit board and other electronic parts. The rear cabinet <NUM> may be positioned behind the back surface of the back cover <NUM> and may not affect the exterior appearance. Accordingly, as shown in <FIG>, the rear cabinet <NUM> may be coupled to the back cover <NUM> using a screw <NUM>, or other fastener as appropriate.

<FIG> is a perspective view of a display device <NUM> according to another embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, in the display device according to this embodiment, no front cabinet is provided and a top case <NUM> configured to fix members of a display module <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> may also serve as an exterior finishing material. In this embodiment, a screw <NUM> configured to fasten the top case <NUM> and a back cover <NUM> to each other is not exposed outside.

As shown in <FIG>, the display device <NUM> may include a top case <NUM>, a display panel <NUM>, a guide panel <NUM>, a light guide panel <NUM>, a back cover <NUM> and a rear cabinet <NUM>.

The display panel <NUM>, the guide panel <NUM> and the light guide panel <NUM> may be layered sequentially to form a display module. The display panel <NUM> may selectively transmit light provided from a rear surface there through by changing arrangement of liquid crystals. The display panel <NUM> controls a transparency and a color for each of the pixels so as to display a screen based on image information. A liquid crystal is injected between two transparent glasses and electric currents may flow to transparent electrodes formed on the transparent glasses to change the arrangement of the liquid crystals for each pixel, such that the display panel <NUM> may control the transparency of the pixel.

A light source arranged at a back side of the display panel <NUM> to provide light may be coupled to the back cover <NUM>. The light source may use a point light source such as a light emitting diode (LED). The light guide panel <NUM> may supply such point light sources to the back side of the display panel <NUM> uniformly. The light guide panel <NUM> may convert the point light sources into surface light sources and emit the surface light sources in a forward direction uniformly. The light guide panel <NUM> may include a light guide film, a diffusion film and a prism film that are layered sequentially.

The guide panel <NUM> may align the display panel <NUM> and the light guide panel <NUM>.

Referring to <FIG>, the guide panel <NUM> may include a seating portion <NUM> and a guide wall <NUM>. The seating portion <NUM> may be formed in a front surface of the guide panel <NUM> to support an edge portion of a back surface of the display panel <NUM> and an edge portion of a lateral surface of the display panel <NUM>. The guide wall <NUM> may be formed in a lateral surface of the guide panel <NUM> and the films of the light guide panel <NUM> may be disposed on a back side of the guide wall <NUM>.

The top case <NUM> may be coupled to a front surface of the display module and the back cover <NUM> may be coupled to a back side of the display module, to fix the layered structure including the display panel <NUM>, the guide panel <NUM> and the light guide panel <NUM>. The coupling of the top case <NUM> and the back cover <NUM> may support the front and back surfaces of the display module with a predetermined force sufficient to make each layer of the display module stay together, such that a screw <NUM> may be used.

The screw <NUM> may provide a relatively strong coupling force, but may also have an exposed head portion. In the embodiment shown in <FIG> the screw <NUM> is coupled to the back surface of the display module and not visibly exposed.

As shown in <FIG>, an end of the top case <NUM> may be bent inward and a coupling surface <NUM> may be formed toward the back surface, to insert the screw <NUM> in the back surface so as to couple the back cover <NUM> and the top case <NUM> to each other.

The back cover <NUM> may form a step bent twice in a "<IMG>" shape. The step may be formed in an edge portion of the back cover and overlapped with the coupling surface <NUM>. The back cover <NUM> may also include a wing portion <NUM> extended toward the coupling surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the screw <NUM> may pass through the wing portion <NUM> of the back cover <NUM> and the coupling surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> from the back surface, such that the back cover <NUM> and the top case <NUM> may be coupled to each other.

The top case <NUM> and the back cover <NUM> may be coupled to each other by the screw <NUM> and the rear cabinet <NUM> may be coupled on the back cover <NUM>, such that the head portion <NUM> of the screw <NUM> may be covered, and not visibly exposed to the outside. Alternatively, the rear cabinet <NUM> may be coupled to the top case <NUM> and the back cover <NUM> by the screw <NUM> (see <FIG>).

An edge portion of the rear cabinet <NUM> may be seated on the wing portion <NUM> of the back cover <NUM> and the screw <NUM> may be coupled to the wing portion <NUM> of the back cover <NUM> and the coupling surface <NUM> formed in the end of the top case <NUM>, passing through the rear cabinet <NUM> from a back surface of the rear cabinet <NUM>.

When even the rear cabinet <NUM> is coupled by the screw <NUM>, no further auxiliary coupling member need be provided to couple the rear cabinet <NUM>, and only one screw <NUM> may couple the overall structure of the display device <NUM>. Accordingly, an assembly process of the display device may be simplified.

In a case in which even the rear cabinet <NUM> is coupled together by the screw <NUM>, the head portion <NUM> of the screw <NUM> could be exposed at the back surface of the rear cabinet <NUM>. However, the back surface is out of the user's view when the display device <NUM> is installed. Thus, the head portion <NUM> of the screw <NUM> may not detract from the exterior appearance.

When a flat rear cabinet <NUM> is used, the lateral surface may be somewhat thick. Accordingly, when the rear cabinet <NUM> is formed in a curved shape having a convex center portion extending toward the back surface as shown in <FIG>, the display device <NUM> may appear slimmer.

It may be difficult to couple the curved-shaped rear cabinet <NUM> with the convex center portion using the screw <NUM>, because the edge portion of the curved-shaped rear cabinet <NUM> may be spaced apart a predetermined distance from the wing portion <NUM>. Therefore, a predetermined edge portion of the rear cabinet <NUM> where the screw <NUM> is inserted may have a concave shape so as to be in close contact with the wing portion <NUM> of the back cover <NUM>. Accordingly, the screw <NUM> may penetratingly couple the rear cabinet <NUM>, the back cover <NUM> and the top case <NUM> to each other (see <FIG>).

As the screw <NUM> is coupled from the back surface, there may be a predetermined space where an end <NUM> of the screw <NUM> is inserted. As shown in <FIG>, a lateral surface of the top case <NUM> may be spaced apart a predetermined distance from a lateral surface of the display module, such that a predetermined space may be formed between the lateral surface of the display module. An end <NUM> of the screw <NUM> penetrating the rear cabinet <NUM>, the back cover <NUM> and the top case <NUM> may be positioned in this space.

The size of the front surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> may be enlarged so that a cross sectional area of the spaced distance is substantially rectangular. Simultaneously, the size of the bezel may be enlarged. To reduce the size of the bezel positioned at the front surface (the size of the front surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM>), the lateral surface <NUM> may have an oblique curved shape to form the spaced distance. When the oblique curved-shaped lateral surface <NUM> is enlarged in the back surface, a front portion may reduce/maintain the size of the bezel.

The display module may be fixedly disposed between the back cover <NUM> and the top case <NUM>. Especially, a lateral wall of the guide panel <NUM> configured to cover a lateral surface of the display module may include a step <NUM> where the "<IMG>"-shaped bent portion of the back cover <NUM> for the wing <NUM> is seated.

<FIG> is a rear perspective view in which a rear cabinet is separated from the display device, and <FIG> is a rear perspective view of the display device according to the embodiment. When the coupling surface <NUM> of the top cover end and the wing portion <NUM> of the back cover <NUM> are coupled to each other by the screw 270as shown in <FIG>, the head <NUM> of the screw <NUM> may be visible only at the back surface and does not detract from the exterior appearance.

As shown in <FIG>, an end 267of the rear cabinet <NUM> may extend toward the front surface so that the end of the back cover <NUM> is not exposed. The end <NUM> may cover the wing portion <NUM> of the back cover <NUM> so that the wing portion <NUM> is not visible.

Referring to <FIG>, a display device <NUM> according to another embodiment may include a screw <NUM> coupled to a lateral surface <NUM> of a top case <NUM> and a rear cabinet <NUM> covering a head <NUM> of the screw <NUM>.

The display device <NUM> may include a top case <NUM>, a display panel <NUM>, a guide panel <NUM>, a light guide panel <NUM>, a back cover <NUM> and a rear cabinet <NUM>. Like the embodiments mentioned above, the display module may include the display panel <NUM>, the guide panel <NUM> and the light guide panel <NUM> layered sequentially. A light source arranged at a back side of the display panel <NUM> to provide a light may be coupled to the back cover <NUM>. The detailed description of each element is the same as the corresponding description mentioned above and will be omitted accordingly.

A screw <NUM> according to this embodiment may be inserted in a lateral surface of the top case <NUM> to couple the top case <NUM> to the back cover <NUM>. A lateral surface of the display device <NUM> may be visible to a user and the lateral surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> may be covered by the rear cabinet <NUM> so that the head <NUM> of the screw <NUM> is not visible to the user. The rear cabinet <NUM> may cover only a predetermined portion of the lateral surface of the top case <NUM> while another predetermined portion <NUM> is exposed.

Referring to <FIG> showing a cross section of the lateral surface of the display device <NUM>, the lateral surface of the top case <NUM> may include a first lateral surface <NUM> adjacent to a back surface and a second lateral surface <NUM> adjacent to a front surface. The screw <NUM> may be inserted in the first lateral surface <NUM> and the rear cabinet <NUM> may be coupled to the first lateral surface <NUM>.

To form continuous surfaces in the second lateral surface <NUM> and the rear cabinet <NUM> so that a connected portion between the rear cabinet <NUM> and the top case <NUM> is not noticeable, a step <NUM> may be formed to make the first lateral surface <NUM> further recessed than the second lateral surface <NUM>. A predetermined opening may be formed in the recessed first lateral surface <NUM> to insert the screw therein and to form a continuous surface with the second lateral surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM>.

An end <NUM> of the back cover <NUM> may be positioned in an inner portion of the first lateral surface <NUM> and the screw <NUM> may be fastened via the first lateral surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> and the end <NUM> of the back cover <NUM>. The end <NUM> of the back cover <NUM> may be bent once in a "L" shape and extend toward the back surface.

The guide panel <NUM> of the display module may be disposed between the first lateral surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> and the end <NUM> of the back cover <NUM>, to be coupled together with the top case <NUM> and the back cover <NUM>.

The guide panel <NUM> may further include a stepped portion <NUM> where the L-shaped bent portion of the back cover <NUM> is seated. The guide panel <NUM> including the stepped portion <NUM> may guide the disposition of the display module and the coupling of the back cover <NUM>.

The second lateral surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> may form the step with the first lateral surface <NUM>, spaced apart a predetermined distance from the display module. When the second lateral surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> is perpendicular to the front surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> by enlarging the stepped portion and the front surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM>, the bezel may be enlarged.

As the size of the bezel increases, the appearance of the display device may degrade and the screen may appear smaller. To reduce the size of the bezel, the second lateral surface <NUM> may be formed in an oblique curved shape as shown in <FIG>.

A predetermined portion of the second lateral surface <NUM> adjacent to the first lateral surface <NUM> may form a step with a lateral surface of the display module <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>, to be spaced apart a predetermined distance. Another predetermined portion of the second lateral surface <NUM> adjacent to the front surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> may be adjacent to the lateral surface of the display module, such that the size of the bezel may be minimized.

<FIG> is a rear perspective view of the rear cabinet <NUM> separated from the display device <NUM> according to the embodiment of <FIG>, and <FIG> is a rear perspective view of the display device <NUM> according to the embodiment. When the rear cover <NUM> covers the screw <NUM> penetrating the first lateral surface <NUM> of the top case <NUM> and the lateral wall of the back cover <NUM> as shown in <FIG>, the screw is not exposed to the outside as shown in <FIG>.

As described above, a display device according to embodiments as broadly described herein includes the top case configured to fix the structure of the display module while not exposing the coupling structure at the lateral surface. Accordingly, a front cabinet may be omitted and the top case may serve as an exterior material, a number of parts may be reduced and cost may be reduced.

Furthermore, a double structure including a front cabinet covering the overall edge portion of the front surface of the display panel and the top case may be integrated into the single structure, reducing the size of the bezel.

A display device is provided that may reduce the number of elements provided therein so as to reduce production cost and processes, with a reduced size bezel on a front screen.

A display device, as embodied and broadly described herein, may include a display module; a back cover configured to support a back surface of the display module; a top case configured to cover an edge portion of a front surface of the display module or a lateral surface of the display module, the top case comprising a coupling portion formed in an lateral surface to be coupled to the lateral surface of the display module and an edge portion of the back cover; and a rear cabinet configured to cover a back surface of the back cover, wherein the lateral surface of the top case is exposed outside.

In another embodiment as broadly described herein, a display device may include a display module; a back cover configured to support a back surface of the display module; a top case configured to cover an edge portion of a front surface of the display module or a lateral surface of the display module, the top case coupled to the back cover; a screw coupled to the top case, with penetrating an edge portion of the back cover; and a rear cabinet configured to cover a back surface of the back cover, with an edge portion coupled to the top case, wherein a predetermined portion of the top case is exposed outside when the top case is coupled to the rear cabinet.

The back cover may also include a wing portion extended from an end of the edge portion outward to cover a lateral surface end of the top case, and the screw is coupled to the lateral surface end of the top case toward a back surface, with penetrating the wing portion.

A display device as embodied and broadly described herein includes the top case configured to fix the structure of the display module and while not exposing the coupling structure at the lateral surface. Accordingly, a front cabinet may be omitted and the top case may be used as an exterior material. By omitting the front cabinet, the number of parts maybe reduced, and cost may be reduced.

Furthermore, a double structure including a front cabinet covering the overall edge portion of the front surface of the display panel and atop case may be integrated into the single structure so that the size of the bezel maybe reduced.

Claim 1:
A display device (<NUM>) comprising:
a back cover (<NUM>);
a light source coupled to the back cover (<NUM>);
a guide panel (<NUM>) positioned at the back cover (<NUM>), the guide panel (<NUM>) including a seating portion and a guide wall;
a display panel (<NUM>) supported on the seating portion of the guide panel (<NUM>);
a light guide panel (<NUM>) configured to guide light emitted by the light source to a back side of the display panel (<NUM>);
a top case (<NUM>) including a front part (<NUM>) covering an edge portion of a front surface of the display panel (<NUM>) and a lateral part covering the guide wall of the guide panel (<NUM>), wherein the lateral part of the top case (<NUM>) comprises a first part (<NUM>) and a second part (<NUM>), the first part (<NUM>) being further recessed than the second part (<NUM>);
a fastener (<NUM>) that couples the top case (<NUM>), the guide panel (<NUM>), and the back cover (<NUM>) by penetrating the first part (<NUM>) of the top case (<NUM>), the guide wall of the guide panel (<NUM>) and an edge of the back cover (<NUM>), wherein a first end (<NUM>) of the fastener (<NUM>) is placed at the first part (<NUM>) of the top case (<NUM>); and
a rear cabinet (<NUM>) that covers the first end (<NUM>) of the fastener (<NUM>) and the first part (<NUM>) of the top case (<NUM>),
wherein an inner surface of the first part (<NUM>) of the top case (<NUM>) contacts the guide wall of the guide panel (<NUM>), and
wherein the rear cabinet (<NUM>) and the front part (<NUM>) and the second part (<NUM>) of the lateral part of the top case (<NUM>) form an exterior surface of the display device (<NUM>).