Patent ID: 12210236

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments and features as described and illustrated in the disclosure are merely examples, and there may be various modifications replacing the embodiments and drawings at the time of filing this application.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the disclosure. It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprise” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The terms including ordinal numbers like “first” and “second” may be used to explain various components, but the components are not limited by the terms. The terms are only for the purpose of distinguishing a component from another. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or room discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.

According to an embodiment, the disclosure provides a display apparatus with a reduced size of bezel to enhance the aesthetic impression.

According to an embodiment, the disclosure also provides a display apparatus with reduced thickness from front to back to enhance the aesthetic impression.

The disclosure, according to an embodiment, also provides a display apparatus with a light source module detachable from behind the display apparatus.

While a display apparatus with a reduced size of bezel to enhance the aesthetic impression, a display apparatus with reduced thickness from front to back may be provided to enhance the aesthetic impression, and a display apparatus with a light source module detachable from behind the display apparatus are mentioned, these features are merely examples.

Directions “front”, “back (or rear)”, “top”, “bottom”, “left”, and “right” will be defined throughout the specification with respect to the directions shown inFIG.1. InFIG.1, X-, Y-, and Z-axes perpendicular to one another are shown, where the X-axis represents a left-to-right direction, the Y-axis represents a vertical direction, and the Z-axis represents a front-to-back direction.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the disclosure with reference to accompanying drawings.

FIG.1illustrates an exterior of a display apparatus, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.2is an exploded view of a major structure of a display apparatus, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.3is a cross-sectional view of a display apparatus, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.4is a side cross-sectional view of a display apparatus, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

Referring toFIGS.1to4, a display apparatus according to an embodiment of the disclosure will now be described.

A display apparatus1may include a liquid crystal panel10for displaying an image, a backlight unit arranged behind the liquid crystal panel10to provide light to the liquid crystal panel10, a rear chassis30for supporting the backlight unit, a front chassis20for covering edges of the liquid crystal panel10, and a middle mold40coupled between the front chassis20and the rear chassis30.

The display panel10may include a thin-film transistor substrate with thin-film transistors arranged thereon in the form of a matrix, a color-filter substrate coupled in parallel with the thin-film transistor substrate, and liquid crystal injected between the thin-film transistor substrate and the color-filter substrate and having optical properties that vary by changes in voltage or temperature.

The backlight unit may be arranged behind the liquid crystal panel10to illuminate the liquid crystal panel10. The backlight unit may include a light source module50including a light source51and a substrate52with the light source51mounted thereon, and an optical member arranged in a traveling path of the light emitted from the light source51.

In an embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of substrates52may be provided in the form of plates. It is not, however, limited thereto, but the substrates252may have the form of bars.

The size and/or number of light source modules50may depend on the size of the display apparatus1. In an embodiment of the disclosure, there may be eight light source modules50, and the size of the eight light source modules50combined may be equal to the size of the liquid crystal panel10.

A driving power line may be formed on the substrate52to supply driving power to the light source51and connected to a signal cable (not shown) and a backlight driving circuit (not shown).

A plurality of light sources51may be mounted on each of the plurality of substrates52with certain gaps. The light source51may include light emitting diodes (LEDs). Alternatively, the light source51may include a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) or an external electrode fluorescent lamp (EEFL).

In the embodiment of the disclosure, a plurality of lenses53may be mounted on the substrate52to cover the respective light sources51. The lens53may cover the light source51to diffuse light emitted from the light source51.

A reflector sheet54may be provided for each of the plurality of substrates52. The reflector sheet54may have the size corresponding to the substrate52. The reflector sheet54may stick to a mounting surface of the substrate52on which the light source51is mounted. In other words, the reflector sheet54may be placed on the upper surface of the substrate52. The reflector sheet54may have a through hole55formed for the light source51and the lens53to pass through.

The reflector sheet54may reflect light to prevent losses of light. Specifically, the reflector sheet54may reflect light emitted from the light source51or light reflecting backward from a diffuser plate63to the rear surface63aof the diffuser plate63. The reflector sheet54may prevent losses of light emitted from the light source51by hindering the light emitted from the light source51from traveling to the back of the display apparatus1.

The backlight unit may include optical members61,62, and63arranged along the traveling path of light emitted from the light source51.

The optical members61,62, and63may include a diffuser plate63for uniformly diffusing uneven light emitted from the light source51, and first and second optical sheets61and62for enhancing properties of light.

The diffuser plate63may uniformly diffuse the uneven light generated from the light sources51. The diffuser plate63may uniformly diffuse the light incident on the rear surface63ato be output to the front surface63b.

The first and second optical sheets61and62may be arranged in front of the diffuser plate63to enhance optical properties of the light output from the diffuser plate63. Although the first and second optical sheets61and62are shown in the drawings, the number of optical sheets may be more or less than 2.

The first and second optical sheets61and62may include a diffuser sheet for offsetting a pattern of the diffuser plate63, a prism sheet for concentrating the light to enhance brightness, a protection sheet for protecting the other optical sheets against an external shock or inflow of foreign materials, a reflective polarizing sheet (e.g., dual brightness enhancement film (DBEF)) for transmitting polarized light while reflecting differently polarized light to enhance brightness, a complex sheet for uniformly diffusing light, a quantum dot sheet for changing wavelengths of light to improve color reproductivity, etc. Quantum dots, which are illuminant semiconductor crystals in a few nanometers, may be distributed inside the quantum dot sheet. The quantum dot may receive blue light to produce any colors of visible light depending on the size of the quantum dot. The smaller the quantum dot is, the shorter wavelength of light may be produced, and the larger the quantum dot is, the longer wavelength of light may be produced.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the first and second optical sheets61and62and the diffuser plate63may be provided in one body. Bonding members may be provided between the first and second optical sheets61and62and between the second optical sheet62and the diffuser plate63, integrating the first and second optical sheets61and62and the diffuser plate63into one body like a single sheet.

The rear chassis30may be arranged behind the backlight unit. In the embodiment of the disclosure, the rear chassis30may be shaped substantially like a plate with the edges bending forward. The backlight unit may be accommodated between the rear chassis30and the liquid crystal panel10and front chassis20.

The rear chassis30may include a base31on which the light source module50is installed, and a bent portion32formed on the top, bottom, left and right edges of the rear chassis30to be coupled with the middle mold40.

The base31may contact the substrate52to radiate heat generated from a heating element such as the light source51mounted on the substrate52. For this, the rear chassis30including the base31may be formed with, but not exclusively to, various metal substances such as aluminum, steel use stainless (SUS), etc., with high heat transfer efficiency. The rear chassis30may be formed with a plastic material such as ABS.

The bent portion32may be inserted to an insertion groove41formed at the middle mold40. When the bent portion32is inserted to the insertion groove41, the rear chassis30and the middle mold40may be primarily coupled to each other.

The rear chassis30may further include a middle mold supporter33for supporting the middle mold40, and a link34connecting the middle mold supporter33to the base31.

The middle mold supporter33may be formed between the bent portion32and the base31to support the middle mold40. The link34may be provided to connect the middle mold supporter33and the base31. The link34may slantingly extend backward from an end of the base31to connect to an end of the middle mold supporter33. The bent portion32may be formed at the other end of the middle mold supporter33.

The light source module50may be placed between the base31and the diffuser plate63, and the middle mold40may be placed between the middle mold supporter33and the diffuser plate and liquid crystal panel10. A distance between the base31and the liquid crystal panel10may be shorter than a distance between the middle mold supporter33and the liquid crystal panel10.

The front chassis20may be shaped like a frame with an opening21for the light from the backlight unit to be provided to the liquid crystal panel10. The front chassis20may be provided to cover the sides of the liquid crystal panel10and the middle mold40.

For the conventional display apparatus, the front chassis supports the liquid crystal panel by covering the front edges of the liquid crystal panel. Edges around the liquid crystal panel defined by the front chassis is called a bezel, and the bezel causes the size of a screen display area of the liquid crystal panel to be reduced. Furthermore, a thick bezel causes an aesthetic impression on the display apparatus to get worse.

According to the disclosure, the front chassis20may be provided to cover the sides of the liquid crystal panel10but not to cover the front of the liquid crystal panel10. As the front chassis20does not cover the screen display area of the liquid crystal panel10, the size of the screen display area of the liquid crystal panel10does not shrink from the front chassis20. Accordingly, the size of the screen display area of the liquid crystal panel10of the display apparatus1may be enlarged.

Furthermore, according to the disclosure, thickness of the front chassis20in the left-right direction may be reduced. The thickness of the front chassis20in the left-right direction may indicate the size of the bezel. The front chassis20has a structure to perform a function of covering the sides of the liquid crystal panel10and the middle mold40, which may be performed even without having thick thickness of the front chassis20. Accordingly, in the embodiment of the disclosure, the display apparatus1may have a bezel with a reduced size, and thus have an enhanced aesthetic impression.

Similar to the front chassis20, the middle mold40may be shaped like a frame with an opening40afor the light from the backlight unit to be provided to the liquid crystal panel10. The middle mold40may be coupled to the rear chassis30and the front chassis20. The middle mold40may fix the diffuser plate63and the first and second optical sheets61and62. Furthermore, the middle mold40may fix the liquid crystal panel10.

The middle mold40may be placed on the middle mold supporter33of the rear chassis30. The middle mold40may include the insertion groove41for the bent portion32of the rear chassis30to be inserted thereto. As described above, as the bent portion32is inserted to the insertion groove41, the middle mold40and the rear chassis30may be primarily coupled to each other.

The middle mold40may fix the diffuser plate63. The middle mold40may include a sheet bonding surface42. The sheet bonding surface42is a surface of the middle mold40facing the diffuser plate63at a certain distance from the diffuser plate63.

A first bonding member71may be provided between the sheet bonding surface42and the diffuser plate63. The first bonding member71may be made with a transparent substance. For example, the first bonding member71may include a pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) having more than 90% of light transmittance. With the first bonding member71made with a material having high light transmittance, light emitted from the light source module50may pass through the first bonding member71and enter into the diffuser plate63. This may prevent losses of light.

The first bonding member71may be provided to bond the sheet bonding surface42of the middle mold40and the rear surface63aof the diffuser plate63. With the first bonding member71, the optical members61,62, and63may be coupled to the middle mold40without an extra structure.

In the conventional display apparatus, an extra structure is provided to support the optical sheets. The structure presses the optical sheets to prevent them from being decoupled, but causes the display apparatus to be thick and further the bezel to be thick.

According to the embodiment of the disclosure, the optical members61,62, and63may be coupled to the middle mold40by the first bonding member71without an extra structure. Accordingly, the display apparatus may become slim and the bezel size may also be reduced.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the middle mold40may be coupled to the liquid crystal panel10to prevent the liquid crystal panel10from falling out forward from the display apparatus1. The middle mold40may include the supporting projection43protruding toward the liquid crystal panel10. The supporting projection43may include a panel bonding surface43afacing the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel10. The second bonding member72may be provided between the panel bonding surface43aand the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel10. The second bonding member72may be provided to bond the panel bonding surface43aof the middle mold40and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel10. With the second bonding member72, the liquid crystal panel10may be fixedly coupled to the middle mold40.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, as described above, the liquid crystal panel10may be fixed to the middle mold40by adhesive power of the second bonding member72. The liquid crystal panel10may be decoupled from the middle mold40when the adhesive power of the second bonding member72becomes weak, so that strong adhesive power of the second bonding member is required to support the liquid crystal panel10. To meet this requirement, the second bonding member72may include ultraviolet (UV) resin. When the second bonding member72is the UV resin, the second bonding member72may be applied in a liquid state on the panel bonding surface43aand hardened by UV rays, thereby bonding the panel bonding surface43ato the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel10.

The middle mold40may also include a sheet supporting plane44arranged between the supporting projection43and the sheet bonding surface42. The sheet supporting plane44may protrude almost as much as the thickness of the first bonding member71from the sheet bonding surface42to the diffuser plate63. The sheet supporting plane44may be provided to contact and support the diffuser plate63. The supporting projection43may protrude toward the liquid crystal panel10from the sheet supporting plane44. Alternatively, the sheet supporting plane44may not contact the diffuser63or may be omitted. When the sheet supporting plane44is omitted, the supporting projection43may be formed by protruding from the sheet bonding surface42.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the middle mold40may include a light guide plane45. The light guide plane45may guide light generated from the light source51to enter into the diffuser plate63. Specifically, the light guide plane45may guide the light generated from the light source51to enter into the first bonding member71or to a surface of the diffuser plate63that comes into contact with the first bonding member71. The light guide plane45may be inclined not to interfere with the traveling path of the light. The light guide plane45may prevent the middle mold40from interfering with the traveling path of light generated from the light source51when the light passes through the lens53and enters into the diffuser plate63. The inclination angle of the light guide plane45may be determined by taking into account properties of the light. The inclination angle of the light guide plane45may be determined by taking into account a profile of the light.

Otherwise, when the light guide plane45is not provided or the sheet bonding surface42extends up to the substrate52, light generated from the light source51and traveling toward the first bonding member71may be blocked by the middle mold40in the traveling path. When the light is blocked in the traveling path and fails to reach a portion where the first bonding member71is placed, brightness of the liquid crystal panel10in the portion where the first bonding member71is placed is degraded or uneven. The light guide plane45provides a traveling path for light to allow the light to reach a location where the first bonding member71is placed. Accordingly, in the embodiment of the disclosure, the display apparatus1may prevent degradation or unevenness of brightness of the liquid crystal panel10.

The middle mold40may be arranged not to protrude sideways from the liquid crystal panel10. In other words, an outermost side40bof the middle mold40may be coplanar with a side10aof the liquid crystal panel10, or located farther inside than the side10aof the liquid crystal panel10. Although the side40bof the middle mold40is shown as being coplanar with the side10aof the liquid crystal panel10, it may be located farther inside than the side10aof the liquid crystal panel40.

A side22of the front chassis20may be arranged to cover sides of the liquid crystal panel40and the middle mold10. The side22of the front chassis20may include an inner side surface22afacing the side40bof the middle mold40and an outer side surface22bopposite to the inner side surface22a. According to the disclosure, the inner side surface22aand the outer side surface22bmay be provided in parallel and may extend in an almost straight line along the front-back direction. A distance between the inner and outer side surfaces22aand22bof the front chassis20corresponds to the size of the bezel of the display apparatus. According to the disclosure, the inner and outer side surfaces22aand22bof the front chassis20do not protrude sideways but extend in an almost straight line along the front-back direction, so the size of the bezel may be very thin.

In the conventional display, the middle mold is provided to protrude outwards from the liquid crystal panel, and the front chassis is provided to cover the middle mold protruding sideways from the liquid crystal panel. As the front chassis covers the middle mold, the size of the bezel defined by the front chassis is larger than the portion of the middle mold protruding outwards from the liquid crystal panel. That is, the conventional display has a limitation on reducing the size of the bezel because the middle mold protrudes outwards from the liquid crystal panel.

On the contrary, according to the embodiment of the disclosure, the middle mold40may be provided without such a portion that protrudes outwards from the liquid crystal panel10. The front chassis20may be arranged very closely to the sides of the liquid crystal panel10because there is no portion protruding outwards from the liquid crystal panel10. Furthermore, the front chassis20has a structure of covering the sides of the liquid crystal panel10and the sides of the middle mold40, it may perform the function of covering the sides without difficulty even when the thickness become thinner. Accordingly, the thickness of the side22of the front chassis20may be provided to be very thin. As the size of the bezel is proportional to the thickness of the side22of the front chassis20, the size of the bezel of the display apparatus1may be reduced by minimizing the thickness of the side22of the front chassis. With the reduced size of the bezel, the display apparatus1may give an enhanced aesthetic impression.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the front chassis20, the rear chassis30, and the middle mold40may be combined by a fastening member S that is provided separately. The middle mold40may include a fastening groove46into which the fastening member S is inserted and coupled. The rear chassis30may include a first fastening hole35formed to correspond to the fastening groove46and for the fastening member S to pass through. The front chassis20may include a second fastening hole23formed to correspond to the fastening groove46and the first fastening hole35and for the fastening member S to pass through.

The fastening member S may pass through the first and second fastening holes35and23and may be fastened into the fastening groove46. In an embodiment of the disclosure, the fastening member S may be screwed into the fastening groove46. When the fastening member S is fastened into the fastening groove46, the front chassis20may be fixedly coupled to the rear chassis30. Furthermore, when the fastening member S is fastened into the fastening groove46, the rear chassis30and the middle mold40may be secondarily coupled to each other.

FIG.5is a side cross-sectional view of a display apparatus, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, a display apparatus may include a liquid crystal panel10, a backlight unit arranged behind the liquid crystal panel10to provide light to the liquid crystal panel10, a rear chassis30for supporting the backlight unit, a front chassis20for covering edges of the liquid crystal panel10, and a middle mold140coupled between the front chassis20and the rear chassis30.

The structure except for the middle mold140is equal to that of the previous embodiment as described above, so the overlapping description will not be repeated.

The middle mold140may include a supporting projection143. The supporting projection143may include a panel bonding surface143afacing the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel10. The second bonding member72may be provided between the panel bonding surface143aand the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel10.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the supporting projection143may further include a light reflecting plane143b. The light reflecting plane143bmay be provided to reflect the light emitted from the light source51. The light reflecting plane143bmay be formed to be sunken from a surface of the supporting projection143. Specifically, it may be formed by being sunken from a surface of the supporting projection143facing the side of the diffuser plate63. The light reflecting plane143bmay be formed as a curved plane to uniformly reflect light. The light reflecting plane143bmay be a smoothly curved plane without angulation. The light reflecting plane143bmay be formed to be sunken toward the side of the diffuser plate63.

The light reflecting plane143bmay prevent portions of the edges of the liquid crystal panel10from having excessively high brightness. The light reflecting plane143bmay reduce an amount of light emitted through the edges of the liquid crystal panel10by reflecting the light backward. This may prevent relative increase of brightness of the portions of the edges of the liquid crystal panel10, and accordingly, the liquid crystal panel10may have uniform brightness across the entire area.

FIG.6is a side cross-sectional view of a display apparatus, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, a display apparatus may include a liquid crystal panel10, a backlight unit arranged behind the liquid crystal panel10to provide light to the liquid crystal panel10, a rear chassis230for supporting the backlight unit, a front chassis20for covering edges of the liquid crystal panel10, and a middle mold240coupled between the front chassis20and the rear chassis230.

The backlight unit may be arranged behind the liquid crystal panel10to illuminate the liquid crystal panel10. The backlight unit may include a light source module250including a light source251and a substrate252with the light source251mounted thereon, and an optical member arranged in a traveling path of the light emitted from the light source251.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the light source module250may include a plurality of substrates252in the form of plates. It is not, however, limited thereto, but the substrates252may have the form of bars.

The size and/or number of light source modules250may be different depending on the size of the display apparatus. In the embodiment of the disclosure, there may be eight light source modules250, and the size of the eight light source modules250combined may be equal to the size of the liquid crystal panel10.

A plurality of light sources251may be mounted on each of the plurality of substrates252with certain gaps. The light source251may include light emitting diodes (LEDs). A reflector sheet253may be placed on the substrate252. The reflector sheet253may reflect light to prevent losses of light. The reflector sheet253may include a plurality of through holes253afor the plurality of light sources251to pass through. A light guide film254may be placed on the reflector sheet253. The light guide film254may diffuse and guide light generated from the light source251to the front. The light guide film254may make the light sources251from point light sources to a surface light source. Similar to the reflector sheet253, the light guide film254may also include a plurality of through holes254a.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the light source module250may not include a lens. Accordingly, a least distance required between the light source and the diffuser plate may be reduced as compared with an occasion when the lens is provided. Furthermore, a distance between a base231of the rear chassis230and the liquid crystal panel10may be reduced. With the reduced distance between the base231and the liquid crystal panel10, thickness of the display apparatus from front to back may be reduced. With the reduced thickness of the display apparatus, the display apparatus may give an enhanced aesthetic impression.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, a link234of the rear chassis may be provided to be almost perpendicular to the base231and a middle mold supporter233. A bent portion232may be inserted to an insertion groove141of the middle mold240.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the middle mold240may include the sheet bonding surface242. No projection may be provided on the sheet bonding surface242. The first bonding member71may be provided between the sheet bonding surface242and the rear surface63aof the diffuser plate63. The first bonding member71may couple the middle mold240to the diffuser plate63by bonding the sheet bonding surface242and the rear surface63aof the diffuser plate63. The first bonding member71may include a pressure sensitive bonding member (PSA) or an optical clear bonding member (OCA).

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the liquid crystal panel10may be fixedly coupled to the diffuser plate63. The second bonding member72may be provided between the liquid crystal panel10and the diffuser plate63to bond the liquid crystal panel10and the diffuser plate63. Accordingly, the liquid crystal panel10may be fixedly coupled to the diffuser plate63. The second bonding member72may include UV resin.

Although not shown, the liquid crystal panel10may be coupled to the first optical sheet61. In this case, the second bonding member72may be arranged between the liquid crystal panel10and the first optical sheet61.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the liquid crystal panel10and the diffuser plate63may be coupled by the second bonding member72without an extra structure.

In the conventional display, an bonding member may be provided on a structure arranged at e.g., the front chassis to couple the liquid crystal panel to the front chassis. In such a method, it is difficult to form a liquid crystal panel supporting structure corresponding to the size of a black material (BM) of the ever decreasing liquid crystal panel.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the second bonding member72may be placed in a size corresponding to the BM of the liquid crystal panel. Accordingly, even when the BM of the liquid crystal panel becomes smaller, the liquid crystal panel10may be stably coupled to the diffuser plate63or the first optical sheet61accordingly.

FIG.7is a side cross-sectional view of a display apparatus, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the liquid crystal panel10may be fixedly coupled to a middle mold340.

The middle mold340may include the supporting projection343protruding toward the liquid crystal panel10. The supporting projection343may include a panel bonding surface343afacing the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel10. The second bonding member72may be provided between the panel bonding surface343aand the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel10. The second bonding member72may be provided to bond the panel bonding surface343aof the middle mold340and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel10. With the second bonding member72, the liquid crystal panel10may be fixedly coupled to the middle mold340. The second bonding member72may include UV resin.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the middle mold340may include the first sheet bonding surface342aand the second sheet bonding surface342b.

The first bonding surface342amay be arranged to face the rear surface63aof the diffuser plate63, and an bonding member 1a71amay be placed between the first sheet bonding surface342aand the rear surface63aof the diffuser plate63(seeFIG.4).

The second sheet bonding surface342bmay be arranged to face the side of the diffuser plate63. An bonding member 1b71bmay be provided between the second sheet bonding surface342and the side of the diffuser plate63.

The bonding member 1a71aand the bonding member 1b71bmay include an PSA and an OCA.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the sheet bonding surface may be double-sided to relatively strengthen adhesive power between the diffuser plate and the middle mold. Accordingly, the diffuser plate and the middle mold may be more stably coupled.

FIG.8is a side cross-sectional view of a display apparatus, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, a display apparatus may include a liquid crystal panel10for displaying an image, a backlight unit arranged behind the liquid crystal panel10to provide light to the liquid crystal panel10, a rear chassis30for supporting the backlight unit, a front chassis420for covering edges of the liquid crystal panel10, and a middle mold40coupled between the front chassis420and the rear chassis30.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, all the components but the front chassis420are the same as those shown inFIG.4, so the overlapping description will not be repeated.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the front chassis420may be provided to cover the sides of the liquid crystal panel10and the middle mold40.

The front chassis420may be fixedly coupled to the sides of the liquid crystal panel10. Furthermore, the front chassis420may be fixedly coupled to the sides of the middle mold40.

A gap may be formed between the front chassis420and the liquid crystal panel10, and similarly, there may be a gap formed between the front chassis420and the middle mold40. A third bonding member73may be provided in the gap.

The third bonding member73may bond the front chassis420and the liquid crystal panel10. Furthermore, the third bonding member73may bond the middle mold40and the front chassis420.

With the third bonding member73, the front chassis420may be fixedly coupled to the middle mold40and further to the liquid crystal panel10. The front chassis420may be coupled to the sides of the liquid crystal panel10and the middle mold40to prevent external foreign materials from being brought into the liquid crystal panel10or the middle mold40.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the front chassis420may be coupled to the sides of the liquid crystal panel10and the middle mold40by the third bonding member73without an extra fastening member. Accordingly, the front chassis420may not include the extra fastening member, and may thus have slim thickness as compared to a case of having a fastening member.

The front chassis30and the middle mold40may be coupled by the fastening member S. The fastening member S may pass through the first fastening hole35of the rear chassis30to be coupled to the fastening groove46of the middle mold40.

FIG.9is a side cross-sectional view of a display apparatus, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the middle mold140may include the supporting projection143, which may include the light reflecting plane143b.

The light reflecting plane143bmay prevent portions of the edges of the liquid crystal panel10from having excessively high brightness. The light reflecting plane143bmay reduce an amount of light emitted through the edges of the liquid crystal panel10by reflecting the light backward. This may prevent relative increase of brightness of the portions of the edges of the liquid crystal panel10, and accordingly, the liquid crystal panel10may have uniform brightness across the entire area.

Furthermore, the front chassis420may be coupled to the side of the liquid crystal panel10and the side of the middle mold140by the third bonding member73without an extra fastening member. Accordingly, the front chassis420may not include the extra fastening member, and may thus have slim thickness as compared to a case of having a fastening member.

The front chassis230and the middle mold240may be coupled by the fastening member S. The fastening member S may pass through the first fastening hole235of the rear chassis30to be coupled to the fastening groove243of the middle mold240.

FIG.10is a side cross-sectional view of a display apparatus, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the light source module250may not include a lens. Accordingly, a least distance required between the light source and the diffuser plate may be reduced as compared with an occasion when the lens is provided. Furthermore, a distance between a base231of the rear chassis230and the liquid crystal panel10may be reduced. With the reduced distance between the base231and the liquid crystal panel10, thickness of the display apparatus from front to back may be reduced. With the reduced thickness of the display apparatus, the display apparatus may give an enhanced aesthetic impression.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the middle mold240may include the sheet bonding surface242. No projection may be provided on the sheet bonding surface242. The first bonding member71may be provided between the sheet bonding surface242and the rear surface63aof the diffuser plate63. The first bonding member71may couple the middle mold240to the diffuser plate63by bonding the sheet bonding surface242and the rear surface63aof the diffuser plate63. The first bonding member71may include a pressure sensitive bonding member (PSA) or an optical clear bonding member (OCA).

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the liquid crystal panel10may be fixedly coupled to the diffuser plate63. The second bonding member72may be provided between the liquid crystal panel10and the diffuser plate63to bond the liquid crystal panel10and the diffuser plate63. Accordingly, the liquid crystal panel10may be fixedly coupled to the diffuser plate63. The second bonding member72may include UV resin.

Although not shown, the liquid crystal panel10may be coupled to the first optical sheet61. In this case, the second bonding member72may be arranged between the liquid crystal panel10and the first optical sheet61.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the liquid crystal panel10and the diffuser plate63may be coupled by the second bonding member72without an extra structure.

In the conventional display, an bonding member may be provided on a structure arranged at e.g., the front chassis to couple the liquid crystal panel to the front chassis. In such a method, it is difficult to form a liquid crystal panel supporting structure corresponding to the size of a black material (BM) of the ever decreasing liquid crystal panel.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the second bonding member72may be placed in a size corresponding to the BM of the liquid crystal panel. Accordingly, even when the BM of the liquid crystal panel becomes smaller, the liquid crystal panel10may be stably coupled to the diffuser plate63or the first optical sheet61accordingly.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the front chassis420may be coupled to the sides of the liquid crystal panel10by the third bonding member73. Furthermore, the front chassis420may be coupled to the sides of the diffuser plate63by the third bonding member73. Furthermore, the front chassis420may be coupled to the middle mold240by the third bonding member73. The front chassis420may be coupled to the liquid crystal panel63, the diffuser plate63, and the middle mold240without an extra fastening member. The front chassis420may not include the extra fastening member, and may thus have slim thickness as compared to a case of having a fastening member.

The front chassis230and the middle mold340may be coupled by the fastening member S. The fastening member S may pass through the first fastening hole235of the rear chassis30to be coupled to the fastening groove243of the middle mold240.

FIG.11is a side cross-sectional view of a display apparatus, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the liquid crystal panel10may be fixedly coupled to a middle mold340.

The middle mold340may include the supporting projection343protruding toward the liquid crystal panel10. The supporting projection343may include a panel bonding surface343afacing the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel10. The second bonding member72may be provided between the panel bonding surface343aand the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel10. The second bonding member72may be provided to bond the panel bonding surface343aof the middle mold340and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel10. With the second bonding member72, the liquid crystal panel10may be fixedly coupled to the middle mold340. The second bonding member72may include UV resin.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the middle mold340may include the first sheet bonding surface342aand the second sheet bonding surface342b.

The first bonding surface342amay be arranged to face the rear surface63aof the diffuser plate63(seeFIG.4), and the bonding member 1a71amay be placed between the first sheet bonding surface342aand the rear surface63aof the diffuser plate63.

The second sheet bonding surface342bmay be arranged to face sides63cof the diffuser plate63. The bonding member 1b71bmay be provided between the second sheet bonding surface342and the side63cof the diffuser plate63.

The bonding member 1a71aand the bonding member 1b71bmay include an PSA and an OCA.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the sheet bonding surface may be double-sided to relatively strengthen adhesive power between the diffuser plate and the middle mold. Accordingly, the diffuser plate and the middle mold may be more stably coupled.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the front chassis420may be coupled to the sides of the liquid crystal panel10by the third bonding member73. Furthermore, the front chassis420may be coupled to the middle mold340by the third bonding member73. The front chassis420may be coupled to the liquid crystal panel63and the middle mold340without an extra fastening member. The front chassis420may not include the extra fastening member, and may thus have slim thickness as compared to a case of having a fastening member.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, the front chassis420may be coupled to the sides of the liquid crystal panel10and the sides of the middle mold340by the third bonding member73without an extra fastening member. Accordingly, the front chassis420may not include the extra fastening member, and may thus have slim thickness as compared to a case of having a fastening member.

The front chassis230and the middle mold340may be coupled by the fastening member S. The fastening member S may pass through the first fastening hole235of the rear chassis30to be coupled to the fastening groove344of the middle mold340.

FIG.12is a rear perspective view of a display apparatus, according to an embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.13is an enlarged view of portion A ofFIG.12.FIG.14illustrates a front chassis decoupled from what is shown inFIG.13.

Referring toFIGS.12to14, in an embodiment of the disclosure, a display apparatus may include the light source module50installed therein, and the rear chassis30which covers the rear side of the light source module50and defines the rear side of the display apparatus.

In the embodiment of the disclosure, as described above, the liquid crystal panel10may be bonded to the middle mold40by the second bonding member72. The optical members61,62and63arranged to come into contact with the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel10may be bonded to the middle mold40by the first bonding member71. This was described above, so the overlapping description will not be repeated.

According to the disclosure, the liquid crystal panel10may be bonded to the middle mold40or the first optical sheet61, and the optical members61,62and63may be bonded to the middle mold40. Such bonding of the liquid crystal panel10to the middle mold40or the first optical sheet61may be irreversible. Similarly, the bonding of the optical members61,62and63to the middle mold40may be irreversible.

In the case that the bonding of the liquid crystal panel10to the middle mold40or the first optical sheet61is irreversible, it is not possible to detach the liquid crystal panel10from the front of the display apparatus1. It is because the liquid crystal panel10is very likely to be damaged in the process of decoupling of the liquid crystal panel10.

For various reasons, internal parts of the display apparatus, i.e., the light source module50, needs to be accessed. For example, when a portion of the light source module50is to be replaced or a foreign material is brought into the display device, there is a need for a structure in which the light source module50is detachable from the display apparatus.

As described above, when the liquid crystal panel10is bonded to the middle mold40or the optical members61,62, and63and this bonding is irreversible, it is difficult to access the light source module50by detaching the liquid crystal panel10from the front of the display apparatus.

According to the disclosure, the light source module50and the rear chassis30at which the light source module50is installed may be decoupled from behind the display apparatus1.

Referring toFIG.13, at least a portion of the front chassis20may be placed on the rear side of the display apparatus1. A fixing hole23(seeFIG.15) may be formed at the front chassis20to fasten the front chassis20to the rear chassis30and/or the middle mold40. A first fastening member110may be inserted to the fixing hole23.

The first fastening member110may include a first fastening portion111having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the fixing hole23to pass through the fixing hole23, and a first head portion112having a diameter larger than the diameter of the fixing hole23not to pass the fixing hole23.

As shown inFIG.13, the first head portion112may be placed outside the fixing hole23, i.e., on the outside of the front chassis20. With various tools not shown in the drawings, the user may detach the first fastening member110exposed on the rear side of the display apparatus from behind the display apparatus.

Referring toFIG.14, the front chassis20may be decoupled from the display apparatus by detaching the first fastening member110. As the front chassis20is coupled to the rear chassis30and the middle mold40by the first fastening member110, decoupling of the first fastening member110may allow the front chassis20to be decoupled from the rear chassis30and the middle mold40.FIG.14illustrates decoupling of the front chassis20.

Referring toFIG.14, a fastening hole35may be formed at the rear chassis30, and the second fastening member120may be coupled to the fastening hole35.

The second fastening member120may include a second fastening portion121having a diameter smaller than a diameter of the fastening hole35to pass through the fastening hole35, and a second head portion122having a diameter larger than the diameter of the fastening hole35not to pass the fastening hole35.

As shown inFIGS.13and14, even when the front chassis20is decoupled from the display apparatus by detaching the first fastening member110, the rear chassis30may still be in a state of being coupled to the middle mold40. The second fastening member120may pass through the fastening hole35formed at the rear chassis30to be coupled to the fastening groove46of the middle mold40. As the second fastening member120couples the rear chassis30to the middle mold40, the rear chassis30may be coupled to the middle mold40even when the first fastening member110and the front chassis20are decoupled. Hence, to detach the rear chassis30and the light source module50installed at the rear chassis30from the middle mold40, not only the first fastening member110but also the second fastening member120need to be decoupled.

FIG.15is a cross-sectional view along line A-A′ ofFIG.12.FIG.16is a cross-sectional view along line C-C′ ofFIG.13.FIG.17is a cross-sectional view along line B-B′ ofFIG.12.FIG.18is a cross-sectional view along line D-D′ ofFIG.13.FIG.19illustrates decoupling of a rear chassis and a light source module from what is shown inFIG.18.

Referring toFIGS.15to19, the coupling structure of the disclosure will be described in detail.

Referring toFIGS.15and19, the rear chassis30may include a fastening hole35. The fastening hole35may include a first fastening hole35amatching the fastening groove46and the fixing hole23. The fastening hole35may include a second fastening hole35bmatching the fastening groove46and covered by the front chassis20.

The fastening member may include the first fastening member110arranged to pass through the fixing hole23and the first fastening hole35ato be inserted to the fastening groove46, and the second fastening member120arranged to pass through the second fastening hole35bto be inserted to the fastening groove46.

The first fastening member110may be placed such that the first head portion112is placed on the outside of the front chassis20, as described above. The first head portion112may then be exposed on the rear side of the display apparatus so that the user may have access to the first fastening member110without any particular measure. Accordingly, the first fastening member110may be decoupled from the display apparatus1.

Once the first fastening member110is decoupled, constraints on the front chassis20may be removed. As shown inFIG.16, decoupling of the first fastening member110may allow the front chassis20to be decoupled from the display apparatus1.

Referring toFIG.17, the second head portion122of the second fastening member120may be covered by the front chassis20. The second head portion122may be arranged between the rear chassis30and the front chassis20. As the second head portion122is covered by the front chassis20, the second fastening member120may not be exposed to the outside before the front chassis20is decoupled from the display apparatus1. This is to prevent the user from detaching the second fastening member120before the first fastening member110. When the first fastening member110is detached after the second fastening member120is detached first, the rear chassis30and the front chassis20may be simultaneously decoupled from the display apparatus1. In this process, the rear chassis30and the light source module50mounted on the rear chassis30might fall to the ground and might be broken. Hence, it is desirable that the front chassis20covers the second fastening member120, without being limited thereto.

Referring toFIG.18, even when the first fastening member110and the front chassis20are detached, the rear chassis30may still be in a state of being coupled to the middle mold40. It is because the second fastening member120couples the rear chassis30to the middle mold40.

Referring toFIG.19, the rear chassis30and the light source module50installed at the rear chassis30may be decoupled from behind the display apparatus1by detaching the second fastening member120. As described above, in a case of having a structure difficult to detach the liquid crystal panel10from the front, the light source module50may be accessed from behind the display apparatus1by detaching the first fastening member110and the second fastening member120.

The detached light source module50may be reassembled in the opposite order of the aforementioned procedure, and it is advantageous that the light source module50may be replaced or internal parts of the display apparatus1may be accessed without forcing to remove the bonding members71and72.

InFIGS.15to19, the second bonding member72is shown as being arranged between the middle mold40and the liquid crystal panel10for example, but it is not limited thereto. The aforementioned coupling and decoupling structures may be applied to the various embodiments shown inFIGS.3to7.

FIG.20is a cross-sectional view of a display apparatus, according to another embodiment of the disclosure.FIG.21illustrates decoupling of a rear chassis and a light source module from what is shown inFIG.20.

Referring toFIGS.20and21, the front chassis420may not be coupled to the rear chassis30and the middle mold40by the fastening member100. The front chassis420may be coupled to the side of the middle mold40by the third bonding member73. Coupling between the front chassis420and the middle mold40by the third bonding member73may be irreversible. In this case, the rear chassis30and the light source module50installed at the rear chassis30may be decoupled from behind the display apparatus1by detaching the fastening member100from the rear chassis30. Even when the rear chassis30and the light source module50are detached, the front chassis420may not be decoupled from the middle mold40but coupled to the middle mold40.

In another embodiment of the disclosure, the rear chassis30and the light source module50may be decoupled from behind the display apparatus without detaching the front chassis420.

Furthermore, inFIGS.20and21, the second bonding member72is shown as being arranged between the middle mold40and the liquid crystal panel10for example, but it is not limited thereto. The aforementioned coupling and decoupling structures may be applied to the various embodiments shown inFIGS.8to11.

Several embodiments of the disclosure have been described above, but a person of ordinary skill in the art will understand and appreciate that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, it will be apparent to those or ordinary skill in the art that the true scope of technical protection is only defined by the following claims.