Patent ID: 12196357

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Description will now be given in detail according to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings. For the sake of brief description with reference to the drawings, the same or equivalent components may be denoted by the same reference numbers, and description thereof will not be repeated.

In general, suffixes such as “module” and “unit” may be used to refer to elements or components. Use of such suffixes herein is merely intended to facilitate description of the specification, and the suffixes do not have any special meaning or function.

In the present disclosure, that which is well known to one of ordinary skill in the relevant art has generally been omitted for the sake of brevity. The accompanying drawings are used to assist in easy understanding of various technical features, and it should be understood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by the accompanying drawings. As such, the present disclosure should be construed to extend to any alterations, equivalents and substitutes in addition to those which are particularly set out in the accompanying drawings.

It will be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “connected with” another element, there may be intervening elements present. In contrast, it will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “directly connected with” another element, there are no intervening elements present.

A singular representation may include a plural representation unless context clearly indicates otherwise.

In the present application, it should be understood that the terms “comprises, includes,” “has,” etc. specify the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components, or combinations thereof.

Referring toFIGS.1and2, a display device1may include a display panel10. The display panel10may display a screen.

The display device1may include a first long side LS1, a second long side LS2opposite the first long side LS1, a first short side SS1adjacent to the first long side LS1and the second long side LS2, and a second short side SS2opposite the first short side SS1. For the convenience of explanation, it is illustrated and described that lengths of the first and second long sides LS1and LS2are greater than lengths of the first and second short sides SS1and SS2, but the lengths of the first and second long sides LS1and LS2may be substantially equal to the lengths of the first and second short sides SS1and SS2.

A direction parallel to the long sides LS1and LS2of the display device1may be referred to as a first direction DR1or a left-and-right direction LR. A direction parallel to the short sides SS1and SS2of the display device1may be referred to as a second direction DR2or an up-and-down direction UD. A direction perpendicular to the long sides LS1and LS2and the short sides SS1and SS2of the display device1may be referred to as a third direction DR3or a front-and-rear direction FR. Here, a direction in which the display panel10displays a screen may be referred to as a front, and a direction opposite to the front may be referred to as a rear.

When the display device1rotates 90 degrees (seeFIG.2), a direction parallel to the long sides LS1and LS2of the display device1may be the second direction DR2or the up-and-down direction UD, and a direction parallel to the short sides SS1and SS2of the display device1may be the first direction DR1or the left-and-right direction LR.

The display panel10may be provided on a front surface or side of the display device1to display an image. As each of a plurality of pixels emits light of a red, green, or blue (RGB) color in accordance with timing, the display panel10may display an image. The display panel10may be divided into an active area in which an image is displayed and a de-active area in which no image is displayed.

Referring toFIG.3, a frame30may be disposed behind the display panel10to support the display panel10. The frame30may contain a metal material such as an aluminum alloy or the like. The frame30may be referred to as a main frame or a module cover. A stand20may be coupled to the frame30. A component, such as a printed circuit board (PCB) or the like, on which a plurality of electronic devices are disposed may be coupled to the stand20.

The display panel10and the module cover30may be collectively referred to as a head (10,30). The head (10,30) may rotate or pivot on the stand20. For example, the head (10,30) may rotate or pivot 90 degrees on the stand20. The head (10,30) may be rotatably or pivotably coupled to the stand20by a pivot assembly100. The stand20may be referred to as a body20.

The stand20may include a stand frame21and a foot22. The stand frame21may be a pole including a metal. The stand frame21may have a U-shape. A block25may be coupled to the stand frame21. A first control board26amay be mounted to the block25, and a second control board26bmay be mounted to the pivot assembly100. A battery24may be mounted to the stand frame21to be adjacent to the block25. A box23may be coupled to the stand frame21to be adjacent to the battery24. The foot22may be coupled to each of opposite ends of the stand frame21so as to support the head (10,30) and the body20.

Referring toFIG.4, a center plate130may include, at its center, an opening130P of a circular shape. The center plate130may be pressed into the shape of a cone or funnel around the opening130P. A rotating (or rotary) ring110may rotate in the opening130P of the center plate130. The rotating ring110may be inserted into the opening130P, and may rotate in frictional contact with the center plate130around the opening130P.

A cam ring140may be disposed opposite the rotating ring110with respect to the center plate130. The cam ring140may be coupled with the rotating ring110, and may rotate with respect to the center plate130. The cam ring140may include an inner ring141, an outer ring142, and a cam143. The inner ring141may be coupled with the rotating ring110to rotate together with the rotating ring110. The outer ring142may define an outer circumferential portion of the cam ring140. The outer ring142may rotate in frictional contact with the center plate130around the opening130P. The center plate130around the opening130P may be disposed between the rotating ring110and the outer ring142of the cam ring140. The cam143may extend from the outer ring140in a radial direction and a circumferential direction.

A first bracket170may be adjacent to one side of the center plate130to be coupled to move up and down, and a second bracket180may be adjacent to another side of the center plate130to be coupled to move up and down. The first bracket170may be disposed opposite the second bracket180with respect to the cam ring140. A rear plate120may be bent in a U-shape. A first end of the rear plate120may be pivotally or rotatably coupled to the first bracket170, and a second end of the rear plate120may be pivotally or rotatably coupled to the second bracket180.

An upper plate160may have a U-shape. A first end of the upper plate160may be coupled or fixed to the first bracket170, and a second end of the upper plate160may be coupled or fixed to the second bracket180. A horizontal plate161may be disposed between the opposite ends of the upper plate160. Elastic members162may be disposed between the horizontal plate161and the upper plate160. The horizontal plate161may come into contact from above with the cam ring140.

A lower plate150may have a U-shape. A first end of the lower plate150may be coupled or fixed to the first bracket170, and a second end of the lower plate150may be coupled or fixed to the second bracket180.

The rear plate120and the brackets170and180may be connected by pivot shafts190and elastic members193(see, e.g.,FIG.8). The brackets170and180and the center plate130may pivot with respect to the rear plate120.

Referring toFIGS.5and6, the first bracket170may have an elongated hole171in a part facing the center plate130. The second bracket180may have an elongated hole181in a part facing the center plate130. The center plate130may include PEM nuts131and132, and the PEM nuts131and132may protrude from a rear surface of the center plate130to be fixed. The PEM nuts131and132may be inserted into the elongated hole171,181to move therein.

The cam143may have a curvature less than a curvature of the outer ring142. The curvature of the cam143may not be constant, and may gradually decrease in a direction away from the outer ring142. An outer surface of the cam143may be gradually away from an outer circumferential surface of the outer ring142in a circumferential direction of the outer ring142.

The cam143may have an insertion recess143a. The insertion recess143amay be formed on one side of the cam143, and the one side of the cam143may be aligned in a radial direction of the outer ring142. A stopper134may be disposed on the center plate130. The stopper134may be positioned at 3 o'clock or 9 o'clock with respect to the outer ring142. The stopper134may be inserted into the insertion recess143ato limit or inhibit rotation of the cam ring140.

When the cam ring140rotates, the insertion recess143aof the cam143may be positioned at 6 o'clock with respect to the outer ring142. Due to frictional contact with the lower plate150, the cam143may be away from the lower plate150, while being close to the upper plate160. The horizontal plate161may come into contact with the cam140, allowing the horizontal plate161to be close to the upper plate160. The elastic members162may be compressed, which, in turn, may provide a restoring force to the cam ring140.

Referring toFIG.7, the lower plate150described above may be omitted. A roller195may be disposed adjacent to a lower side of the center plate130. The roller195may be fixed to the center plate130. As the cam ring140rotates in contact with the roller195, the cam ring140may be away from the roller195, so that the cam ring140may be close to the upper plate160.

Referring toFIG.8, the pivot shaft190may include a shaft (191,192), coupling members194and195, and an elastic member193. The shaft (191,192) may connect the rear plate120and the bracket170,180. A first end191of the shaft (191,192) may be disposed outside the rear plate120and the bracket170,180, and a second end of the shaft (191,192) may be disposed between the rear plate120and the center plate130inside the rear plate120.

The shaft (191,192), the rear plate120, and the bracket170,180may be coupled to each other by the coupling members194and195. For example, the coupling members194and195may be a nut194and/or washers195.

The elastic member193may be inserted into the shaft (191,192). For example, the elastic member193may be a coil spring193. A first end of the elastic member193may be in contact with or supported by the rear plate120, and a second end of the elastic member193may be in contact with or supported by the rear plate120.

Referring toFIG.9, a cam ring140may be referred to as a middle ring140. The middle ring140may include an inner ring141, an outer ring142, and a flange144. The flange144may extend from an outer circumferential surface of the outer ring142in a radial direction and a circumferential direction. A stopper146may protrude from the flange144toward a rear plate120.

A middle plate200may be disposed between the middle ring140and the rear plate120. The middle plate200may include a plate210and a guide slot220. The guide slot220may be formed through the plate210along a circumferential direction of the middle ring140. The guide slot220may have a curvature less than a curvature of the middle ring140. As the middle ring140rotates, the stopper146may move in the guide slot220, allowing a center plate120to move in the up-and-down direction with respect to the middle plate200. For example, the guide slot220may have a central angle of 90 degrees. The stopper146of the middle ring140may be inserted into the guide slot220so as to move in the guide slot220.

Referring toFIGS.10and11, the middle plate200may include an elongated hole230,240. The elongated holes230and240may be elongated in the up-and-down direction to be respectively adjacent to opposite sides of the middle plate200. The elongated hole230,240may be formed through the plate210of the middle plate200. PEM nuts135and136may be fixed to the center plate120. The PEM nuts135and136may protrude from a rear surface of the center plate120. The PEM nuts135and136may be inserted into the elongated hole135,136of the center plate120to move therein.

Referring toFIG.12, a pivot shaft190may include a shaft (191,192), coupling members194and195, and an elastic member193. The shaft (191,192) may connect the rear plate120and a bracket170,180. A first end191of the shaft (191,192) may be disposed outside the rear plate120and the bracket170,180, and a second end of the shaft (191,192) may be disposed between the rear plate120and the center plate130inside the rear plate120.

The shaft (191,192), the rear plate120, and the bracket170,180may be coupled to each other by the coupling members194and195. For example, the coupling members194and195may be a nut194and/or washers195.

The elastic member193may be inserted into the shaft (191,192). For example, the elastic member193may be a coil spring193. A first end of the elastic member193may be in contact with or supported by the rear plate120, and a second end of the elastic member193may be in contact with or supported by the rear plate120.

Referring toFIGS.1to12, a display device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a head including a display panel; a stand to support the head; and a pivot assembly coupled to the head and the stand, and configured to rotate the head, wherein the pivot assembly includes: a rotating ring fixed to the head; a cam ring coupled with the rotating ring; a center plate disposed between the rotating ring and the cam ring to allow the rotating ring and the cam ring to rotate together; and a rear plate pivotally connected to the center plate.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the pivot assembly may further include at least one bracket movably coupled to the center plate, and the rear plate may be pivotally connected to the at least one bracket.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the pivot assembly may further include a lower plate in contact with an outer circumferential surface of the cam ring and coupled to the at least one bracket. The cam ring may include: an inner ring disposed opposite the rotating ring with respect to the center plate and coupled with the rotating ring; an outer ring extending from an outer circumferential surface of the inner ring and configured to rotate in contact with the center plate; and a cam extending from an outer circumferential surface of the outer ring in a radial direction of the outer ring and configured to come into contact with the lower plate.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the pivot assembly may further include: an upper plate disposed opposite the lower plate with respect to the cam ring and coupled to the at least one bracket; a horizontal plate disposed between the cam ring and the upper plate, and in contact with the outer circumferential surface of the cam ring; and an elastic member disposed between the horizontal plate and the upper plate, and supported by the horizontal plate and the upper plate.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the pivot assembly may further include a pivot shaft connecting the at least one bracket and the rear plate. The pivot shaft may include: a shaft formed through the at least one bracket and the rear plate; and a coil spring wound around the shaft, and having a first end supported by the center plate and a second end supported by the rear plate.

A display device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a head including a display panel; a stand to support the head; and a pivot assembly coupled to the head and the stand, and configured to rotate the head, wherein the pivot assembly includes: a rotating ring fixed to the head; a middle ring coupled with the rotating ring; a center plate disposed between the rotating ring and the middle ring to allow the rotating ring and the middle ring to rotate together; and a rear plate pivotally connected to the center plate.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the middle ring may include: an inner ring configured to rotate together with the rotating ring; an outer ring extending from an outer circumferential surface of the inner ring and configured to rotate in contact with the center plate; a flange extending from an outer circumferential surface of the outer ring; and a stopper extending by protruding from the flange toward the rear plate.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the pivot assembly may further include a middle plate disposed between the middle ring and the rear plate, and coupled with the center plate to be moveable up and down with respect to the center plate. The middle plate may include a guide slot formed in the middle plate to have a curvature less than a curvature of the middle ring, and the stopper may be inserted into the guide slot to move therein.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the guide slot may form an arc with a central angle of 90 degrees.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, the pivot assembly may further include at least one bracket coupled to the center plate; and a pivot shaft connecting the at least one bracket and the rear plate. The pivot shaft may include: a shaft formed through the rear plate and the at least one bracket; and a coil spring wound around the shaft. The coil spring may have a first end supported by the rear plate and a second end supported by the middle plate.

Certain embodiments or other embodiments of the disclosure described above are not mutually exclusive or distinct from each other. Any or all elements of the 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.

Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.