Curved display devices

Abstract

A curved display device is capable of reducing the size of a frame visually recognized by a user, the curved display device comprising: a supporting frame having a curved shape; and a display panel disposed on the supporting frame and having a curved shape. The supporting frame is curved in the shape of an arc of a fan, and a first side surface of the supporting frame is parallel to a first radius of the fan.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0016419 filed on February 13, 2019 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office (KIPO), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Technical Field

[0003] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display device, and more particularly, to a curved display device capable of reducing the size of a bezel visually recognized by a user. Background Art

[0004] A liquid crystal display (LCD) device is one of the most widely used types of flat panel display (FPD) devices. Such an LCD device includes two substrates on which field generating electrodes are formed and a liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween. The LCD device is a display device that adjusts the amount of transmitted light by applying a voltage to the field generating electrodes and rearranging liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer.

[0005] It should be understood that this background of technology section is intended to provide a useful background for understanding the technology and is therefore disclosed herein, and that this background of technology section may include ideas, concepts or recognitions that are not part of what was known or understood by a person skilled in the art before the corresponding actual filing date of the subject matter disclosed herein. Summary of the invention

[0006] Aspects of embodiments of the present invention may be directed to a curved display device capable of reducing the size of a bezel visually recognized by a user.

[0007] According to an embodiment, a curved display device includes: a supporting frame having a curved shape; and a display panel disposed on the supporting frame and having a curved shape. The supporting frame is curved into a fan-shaped arc shape, and a first side surface of the supporting frame is parallel to a first radius of the fan.

[0008] A second side surface of the support frame opposite to the first side surface may be parallel to a second radius of the sector.

[0009] An angle between an extension line of the first side surface and an extension line of the second side surface may be substantially equal to an angle of the sector.

[0010] An angle between the first side surface and a display surface of the display panel may be an obtuse angle.

[0011] An angle between the first side surface and the display surface of the display panel may be in a range of about 121.85 degrees to about 127.85 degrees.

[0012] A distance between the first side surface and a side surface of the display panel adjacent to the first side surface may be about 1.6 mm.

[0013] An angle between the second side surface and a display surface of the display panel may be an obtuse angle.

[0014] An angle between the second side surface and the display surface of the display panel may be in a range of about 121.85 degrees to about 127.85 degrees.

[0015] A distance between the second side surface and a side surface of the display panel adjacent to the second side surface may be about 1.6 mm.

[0016] The curved display device may further include: a light guide plate disposed below the display panel; and a light source disposed on at least one side of the light guide plate.

[0017] The foregoing is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] A more complete understanding of the embodiments will become more apparent by describing in detail embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a curved display device according to an embodiment;

[0020] Figure 2 As an example, the Figure 1 A view of a curved display device;

[0021] Figure 3 For along Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken along line II' in FIG.

[0022] Figure 4 For along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line II-II';

[0023] Figure 5 For the general Figure 3 an enlarged view of area A;

[0024] Figure 6 For the general Figure 3 an enlarged view of area B; and

[0025] Figure 7 2 is a view for explaining an angle between a first side surface and a second side surface of a supporting frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] Embodiments will now be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Although the present invention can be modified in various ways and has several embodiments, the embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and will be primarily described in the specification. However, the scope of the embodiments is not limited to the embodiments, and should be interpreted as including all changes, equivalents and substitutes included in the spirit and scope according to the embodiments.

[0027] In the accompanying drawings, for clarity and ease of description, the thickness of multiple layers and regions is illustrated in an amplified manner. When a layer, region or plate is referred to as being "on" another layer, region or plate, it may be directly on another layer, region or plate, or there may be an intermediate layer, region or plate between them. On the contrary, when a layer, region or plate is referred to as being "directly on" another layer, region or plate "on", there may be no intermediate layer, region or plate between them. Further, when a layer, region or plate is referred to as being "below" another layer, region or plate, it may be directly below another layer, region or plate, or there may be an intermediate layer, region or plate between them. On the contrary, when a layer, region or plate is referred to as being "directly" "below" another layer, region or plate, there may be no intermediate layer, region or plate between them.

[0028] For ease of description, spatially relative terms "below," "under," "lower," "above," "upper," and the like may be used herein to describe the relationship between one element or component and another element or component as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to cover different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation illustrated in the figures. For example, where the device illustrated in the figures is flipped, a device located "below" or "beneath" another device may be placed "above" the other device. Accordingly, the illustrative term "below" may include both a lower position and an upper position. The device may also be oriented in other directions, and thus the spatially relative terms may be interpreted differently depending on the orientation.

[0029] Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, the element is "directly connected" to the other element, or "indirectly connected" to the other element with one or more intermediate elements interposed therebetween. It will be further understood that the terms "include" and / or "comprising" when used in this specification specify the presence of the features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and / or groups thereof.

[0030] It will be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", 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. Accordingly, the "first element" discussed below may be referred to as the "second element" or the "third element", and the "second element" and the "third element" may be referred to similarly without departing from the teachings of this article.

[0031] As used herein, "about" or "approximately" is inclusive of the stated value and means within an acceptable range of deviation of the particular value determined by one of ordinary skill in the art taking into account the measurement in question and the errors associated with the measurement of the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, "about" may mean within one or more standard deviations, or within ±30%, 20%, 10%, 5% of the stated value.

[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as those commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this specification.

[0033] Some parts that are not related to the description may not be provided in order to specifically describe the embodiments, and the same reference numerals refer to the same elements throughout the specification.

[0034] In the following, reference will be made to Figures 1 to 7 A curved display device according to an embodiment is described in detail.

[0035] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a curved display device according to an embodiment, Figure 2 As an example, the Figure 1 View of a curved display device, Figure 3 For along Figure 1 and Figure 2 A cross-sectional view taken along line II' in FIG. Figure 4 For along Figure 1 A cross-sectional view taken along line II-II'.

[0036] The curved display device 1000 according to the embodiment is a curved display device 1000 that is curved in an arc shape with respect to a central portion of a display panel 100. Figure 1 and Figure 2In other words, the display device according to the present invention is a curved display device 1000 in which the opposite sides are curved in an arc shape relative to the central portion of the display area of ​​the display panel 100. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, all components of the curved display device 1000 include materials having a property of being able to bend. In one embodiment, the curved display device 1000 may be supported by a support member 150.

[0037] The curved display device 1000 according to the embodiment includes a bottom cover 111, a reflective plate 900, a light guide plate 700, an optical sheet 201, a light source unit 801, a support frame 311, an adhesive 500, a display panel 100, a top cover 600, and a protective cover 611. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown. Each of the components listed above has an arc-shaped curved shape corresponding to the curved shape of the curved display device 1000. As used herein, the reflective plate 900, the light guide plate 700, the optical sheet 201, the light source unit 801 and the support frame 311 are included in the backlight unit. In one embodiment, the display panel 100 and the backlight unit are assembled in a laminated state to form a display module. The display module may further include a top cover 600 and a bottom cover 111 for protecting and fixing the display panel 100 and the backlight unit, and a driving circuit board (not shown) for driving the display panel 100.

[0038] The bottom cover 111 has a storage space therein. The reflective plate 900, the light guide plate 700, the optical sheet 201 and the light source unit 801 may be disposed in the storage space. In order to ensure the storage space, the bottom cover 111 may include a base 111a and a plurality of side portions 111b. For example, the base 111a may have a quadrilateral shape, and each of the above-mentioned side portions 111b protrudes a predetermined height from each edge of the base 111a. The edges of the side portions 111b adjacent to each other may be connected to each other. The space defined by being surrounded by the side portions 111b and the base 111a may be the above-mentioned storage space.

[0039] The light source unit 801 generates light. The light source unit 801 may include a light source printed circuit board 801a and at least one light source 801b. Figure 4 In such an embodiment, the light source printed circuit board 801a has an arc-shaped curved shape.

[0040] Although not shown, one surface of the light source printed circuit board 801a can be divided into at least one mounting area and a wiring area. When two or more light sources 801b are provided, the light sources 801b are respectively arranged at the mounting area, and a plurality of cables for transmitting the driving power to the light sources 801b are arranged at the wiring area. The aforementioned driving power is generated at an external power source (not illustrated) and then applied to a plurality of cables through a connector 480. An edge of the light source printed circuit board 801a can pass through the base 111a of the bottom cover 111 and be exposed to the outside of the bottom cover 111. The aforementioned connector 480 can be arranged at an edge of the light source printed circuit board 801a that is exposed to the outside of the bottom cover 111.

[0041] Light source 801b emits light. Light source 801b is disposed on light source printed circuit board 801a. In one embodiment, light source 801b may be disposed on at least one side of light guide plate 700. Light source 801b may be a light-emitting package including at least one light-emitting diode (LED). For example, a light-emitting package may include a red LED for emitting red light, a green LED for emitting green light, and a blue LED for emitting blue light. The light-emitting package combines three tones to produce white light. In another embodiment, the light-emitting package may include only a blue LED in the LEDs of the above colors. In such an embodiment, a fluorescent material (e.g., phosphor) for converting blue light into white light may be disposed at the light-emitting portion of the blue LED. The light emitted from light source 801b is incident on light guide plate 700.

[0042] like Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, the light guide plate 700 may have an arc-shaped curved polyhedron shape. One surface facing the light source 801b among the multiple surfaces included in the light guide plate 700 may be defined as a light incident surface 122. The light incident surface 122 may have an arc-shaped curved shape. The light emitted from the light source 801b is incident on the light incident surface 122 and then travels toward the inside of the light guide plate 700. The light guide plate 700 will totally reflect the light that has entered the light guide plate 700 and guide the light toward the display area of ​​the display panel 100. In one embodiment, although not shown, in order to improve the reflectivity of the light guide plate 700, a plurality of scattering patterns may be further provided at the lower outer surface of the light guide plate 700. In such an embodiment, the scattering patterns may be arranged so that their intervals gradually increase as they are positioned farther from the light incident surface 122 of the light guide plate 700.

[0043] The light guide plate 700 may include a material having light transmittance to effectively guide light, for example, acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and polycarbonate (PC).

[0044] The reflective plate 900 may be disposed under the light guide plate 700. For example, the reflective plate 900 may be disposed between the base 111a of the bottom cover 111 and the light guide plate 700. The reflective plate 900 reflects light that has passed through the lower outer surface of the light guide plate 700 and is emitted to the outside so that the light can return to the light guide plate 700, and a light loss rate can be substantially minimized.

[0045] The optical sheet 201 is used to diffuse and collimate the light guided from the light guide plate 700. The optical sheet 201 may be disposed between the light guide plate 700 and the display panel 100, as shown in FIG. Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown. The optical sheet 201 may include a diffuser 201a, a light collimator 201b, and a protective sheet 201c. The diffuser 201a, the light collimator 201b, and the protective sheet 201c may be sequentially stacked on the light guide plate 700 in the order listed. In another embodiment, the optical sheet 201 may include a diffuser 201a and a dual brightness enhancement film on the diffuser 201a.

[0046] The diffusion sheet 201a serves to diffuse the light guided from the light guide plate 700 so as to substantially prevent the light from being partially concentrated.

[0047] The light collimating sheet 201b is disposed on the diffusion sheet 201a. The light collimating sheet 201b serves to collimate the light diffused by the diffusion sheet 201a in a direction perpendicular to the display panel 100. To this end, triangular prisms may be arranged in a predetermined arrangement on a surface of the light collimating sheet 201b.

[0048] The protective sheet 201 c is disposed on the light collimating sheet 201 b. The protective sheet 201 c is used to protect the surface of the light collimating sheet 201 b and diffuse light to achieve uniform light distribution. The light passing through the protective sheet 201 c is provided to the display panel 100.

[0049] The support frame 311 supports the display panel 100 and the top cover 600 while being fixed to the bottom cover 111, and also maintains a uniform distance between the display panel 100 and the optical sheet 201. To this end, the support frame 311 may have a quadrilateral frame shape including a first support portion 311a, a second support portion 311b, and a side portion 311c.

[0050] The first support portion 311 a is provided on the plurality of side portions 111 b to support the top cover 600 covering the first support portion 311 a from above.

[0051] The second support portion 311b extends from the inner edge of the first support portion 311a toward the optical sheet 201. The height of the second support portion 311b is lower than that of the first support portion 311a. A space is provided between the top cover 600 and the second support portion 311b by the height difference between the second support portion 311b and the first support portion 311a, and the edge of the display panel 100 is disposed at the space.

[0052] The side portion 311c extends from the lower side surface of the first support portion 311a toward the protection cover 611. For example, the side portion 311c extends toward the base portion 611a of the protection cover 611.

[0053] The adhesive 500 is disposed between the second support portion 311b of the support frame 311 and the edge of the display panel 100. The adhesive 500 bonds the support frame 311 and the display panel 100 to each other.

[0054] The top cover 600 is disposed on the edge of the display panel 100, on the support frame 311, and on the side portion 611b of the protective cover 611. The top cover 600 may include a cover portion 600a and a side portion 600b.

[0055] The cover portion 600 a is disposed on the edge of the display panel 100 , on the support frame 311 , and on the side portion 611 b of the protection cover 611 .

[0056] The side portion 600b extends from the lower surface of the cover portion 600a toward the base portion 611a of the protection cover 611. The side portion 600b of the top cover 600 is disposed between the side portion 611b of the protection cover 611 and the side portion 311c of the support frame 311.

[0057] The display panel 100 receives an image data signal from a system (not illustrated) and receives light from a backlight unit, thereby displaying an image. Although not illustrated, the display panel 100 may include a plurality of pixels, a plurality of switching elements, a plurality of gate lines, and a plurality of data lines connected to the pixels through the plurality of switching elements. The display panel 100 may have a quadrilateral shape (e.g., a rectangular shape), such as Figure 1 In such an embodiment, two relatively long sides (hereinafter, "long sides") may have an arcuate curved shape, and two relatively short sides (hereinafter, "short sides") may have a straight line shape. Conversely, in another embodiment, the long sides may have a straight line shape, and the short sides may have an arcuate curved shape.

[0058] The driving printed circuit board 400 is disposed on the rear surface of the bottom cover 111. The driving printed circuit board 400 may be electrically connected to one edge of the display panel 100. In such an embodiment, the driving printed circuit board 400 may be connected to one edge of the display panel 100 through a data driver (not illustrated). The data driver may provide the aforementioned image data signal to the data line of the display panel 100 through the signal line of the driving printed circuit board 400.

[0059] The panel driver 450 may be disposed on the driving printed circuit board 400. The panel driver 450 may generate various signals required to drive the display panel 100.

[0060] The protection cover 611 is disposed on the top cover 600, the support frame 311, the bottom cover 111, the driving printed circuit board 400, and the data driver 450. The protection cover 611 may include a base 611a and a side 611b.

[0061] The base 611 a is disposed on the top cover 600 , the support frame 311 , the bottom cover 111 , the driving printed circuit board 400 , and the data driver 450 .

[0062] The side portion 611 b extends from one edge of the base portion 611 a toward the cover portion 600 a of the top cover 600 .

[0063] The fastening part 350 is inserted into a fastening hole defined by the side 600b of the top cover 600, the side 311c of the support frame 311, and the side 111b of the bottom cover 111. The top cover 600 and the support frame 311 may be fixed to the bottom cover 111 by the fastening part 350.

[0064] Figure 5 For the general Figure 3 A magnified view of area A, and Figure 6 For the general Figure 3 A magnified view of area B.

[0065] The angle θ1 between the first side surface 31a of the supporting frame 311 and the front side of the display panel 100 may be greater than 90 degrees. Figure 5 As shown. For example, the angle θ1 formed by the first side surface 31a of the support frame 311 and the display surface 10a provided on the front side of the display panel 100 may be greater than 90 degrees. As a more specific example, the angle θ1 between the first side surface 31a of the support frame 311 and the imaginary line L1 extending from the edge surface of the display surface 10a adjacent to the first side surface 31a may be greater than 90 degrees. In such an embodiment, the first side surface 31a of the support frame 311 refers to a non-curved surface among the edge surfaces of the support frame 311.

[0066] As an example, when the size of the display panel 100 is 49 inches, the aforementioned angle θ1 may be in the range of about 121.85 degrees to about 127.85 degrees. For example, when the size of the display panel 100 is 49 inches, the aforementioned angle θ1 may be about 124.85 degrees. As another example, when the size of the display panel 100 is 43.4 inches, the aforementioned angle θ1 may be in the range of about 119.3 degrees to about 125.3 degrees. For example, when the size of the display panel 100 is 43.4 inches, the aforementioned angle θ1 may be about 122.3 degrees. In such an embodiment, the display panel 100 may have a screen aspect ratio of about 32:9.

[0067] The angle θ2 between the second side surface 31 b of the supporting frame 311 and the front side of the display panel 100 may be greater than 90 degrees. Figure 6 As shown. For example, the angle θ2 formed by the second side surface 31b of the supporting frame 311 and the display surface 10b disposed on the front side of the display panel 100 may be greater than 90 degrees. As a more specific example, the angle θ2 between the second side surface 31b of the supporting frame 311 and the imaginary line L2 extending from the edge surface of the display surface 10b adjacent to the second side surface 31b may be greater than 90 degrees. In such an embodiment, the second side surface 31b of the supporting frame 311 refers to a non-curved surface among the edge surfaces of the supporting frame 311. The second side surface 31b is opposite to the first side surface 31a.

[0068] As an example, when the size of the display panel 100 is 49 inches, the aforementioned angle θ2 may be in the range of about 121.85 degrees to about 127.85 degrees. For example, when the size of the display panel 100 is 49 inches, the aforementioned angle θ2 may be about 124.85 degrees. As another example, when the size of the display panel 100 is 43.4 inches, the aforementioned angle θ2 may be in the range of about 119.3 degrees to about 125.3 degrees. In such an embodiment, the display panel 100 may have a screen aspect ratio of about 32:9.

[0069] Figure 7 31 is a view for explaining an angle between a first side surface 31 a and a second side surface 31 b of a supporting frame 311 .

[0070] like Figure 7As shown, the support frame 311 that is curved and included in the curved display device 1000 corresponds to the arc of the fan-shaped, and the first side surface 31a of the support frame 311 is parallel to the first radius r1 of the fan-shaped, and the second side surface 31b of the support frame 311 is parallel to the second radius r2 of the fan-shaped. In other words, the first side surface 31a of the support frame 311 is consistent with the first radius r1 of the fan-shaped, and the second side surface 31b of the support frame 311 is consistent with the second radius r2 of the fan-shaped. Accordingly, the angle formed between the extension line of the first side surface 31a and the extension line of the second side surface 31b is substantially the same as the angle θ3 of the fan-shaped.

[0071] In one embodiment, the center point of the sector may correspond to the position of the user, and the angle θ3 of the sector may correspond to the visual range of the user viewing the curved display device 1000. In such an embodiment, the distance between the user and the curved display device 1000 may be about 60 cm. In such an embodiment, since the user's visual line is always consistent with the first side surface 31a and the second side surface 31b of the supporting frame 311, the size w (e.g., θ3) of the frame of the curved display device 1000 can be substantially reduced while maintaining the strength of the curved display device 1000. Figure 5 and Figure 6 That is, the distance between the first side surface 31a and the second side surface 31b increases from the front surface portion of the supporting frame 311 toward the rear surface portion of the supporting frame 311, thereby increasing the strength of the supporting frame 311. In this case, when the distance between the first side surface 31a and the second side surface 31b is too wide, the size w of the frame may increase. Accordingly, by adjusting the aforementioned angle to make the user's line of sight consistent with the first side surface 31a and the second side surface 31b of the supporting frame 311, the size w of the frame may be substantially minimized while appropriately maintaining the strength of the supporting frame 311. As used herein, the size w of the frame may be defined as the width w between the side surface of the display panel 100 and the side surface of the supporting frame 311 adjacent to the side surface of the display panel 100. The width w may be, for example, approximately 1.6 mm.

[0072] As set forth above, in the curved display device according to one or more embodiments, the size of the bezel visually recognized by the user may be reduced.

[0073] While the invention has been illustrated and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments.

Claims

1. A curved display device, comprising: a support frame having a curved shape; and a display panel disposed on the supporting frame and having a curved shape, wherein the support frame is bent into a fan-shaped arc shape, and a first side surface of the support frame is parallel to a first radius of the fan, wherein a second side surface of the support frame opposite to the first side surface is parallel to a second radius of the sector, wherein the angle between the extension line of the first side surface and the extension line of the second side surface is equal to the angle of the sector, and Each of the first side surface and the second side surface is a non-curved surface among edge surfaces of the supporting frame, and a distance between the first side surface and the second side surface increases from a front surface portion of the supporting frame toward a rear surface portion of the supporting frame. 2 . The curved display device according to claim 1 , wherein an angle between the first side surface and a display surface of the display panel is an obtuse angle. 3 . The curved display device of claim 2 , wherein an angle between the first side surface and the display surface of the display panel is in a range of 121.85 degrees to 127.85 degrees. 4 . The curved display device of claim 1 , wherein a distance between the first side surface and a side surface of the display panel adjacent to the first side surface is 1.6 mm. 5 . The curved display device of claim 1 , wherein an angle between the second side surface and a display surface of the display panel is an obtuse angle. 6 . The curved display device of claim 5 , wherein an angle between the second side surface and the display surface of the display panel is in a range of 121.85 degrees to 127.85 degrees. 7 . The curved display device of claim 1 , wherein a distance between the second side surface and a side surface of the display panel adjacent to the second side surface is 1.6 mm.

8. The curved display device according to claim 1, further comprising: A light guide plate disposed below the display panel; and A light source is disposed on at least one side of the light guide plate.

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