Display device with reduced bezel size

Abstract

There is provided a display device having a reduced bezel size, the display device including: a rear chassis; a light source module mounted on the rear chassis, the light source module configured to emit light; a diffusion plate disposed in front of the light source module, the diffusion plate configured to diffuse light emitted by the light source module; a liquid crystal panel disposed in front of the diffusion plate, the liquid crystal panel configured to display an image; a front chassis covering a side surface of the liquid crystal panel and a side surface of the diffusion plate; a middle molded part disposed between the front frame and the rear frame, the middle molded part being coupled to the rear frame and the diffusion plate; and a first adhesive portion provided between the diffusion plate and the intermediate molding portion, the first adhesive portion adhering the diffusion plate to the intermediate molding portion.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of an invention patent application with an application date of October 15, 2020, application number “202080073820.7, and title “Display device with reduced border size”. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a display device having a reduced bezel size to enhance an aesthetic impression. Background Art

[0003] A display device is an output device for visually presenting data information and images (such as text or graphics). Types of display devices include televisions, various monitors, many different kinds of portable terminals (e.g., notebook computers, tablet personal computers (PCs), and smart phones), etc.

[0004] The display device may include a display panel for displaying a picture and a frame disposed on an edge of the display panel.

[0005] Recently, display devices having slim bezels or no bezels are being developed to enhance aesthetic appearance. Summary of the invention

[0006] Technical issues

[0007] A display device is provided having a reduced frame size to enhance the aesthetics of the display device.

[0008] Also provided is a display device having a thickness that decreases from front to back to enhance the aesthetics of the display.

[0009] Technical Solution

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a display device includes: a rear frame; a light source module installed on the rear frame, the light source module is configured to emit light; a diffusion plate arranged in front of the light source module, the diffusion plate is configured to diffuse the light emitted by the light source module; a liquid crystal panel arranged in front of the diffusion plate, the liquid crystal panel is configured to display an image; a front frame covering a side surface of the liquid crystal panel and a side surface of the diffusion plate; an intermediate molded portion arranged between the front frame and the rear frame, the intermediate molded portion being coupled to the rear frame and the diffusion plate; and a first adhesive portion arranged between the diffusion plate and the intermediate molded portion, the first adhesive portion bonding the diffusion plate to the intermediate molded portion.

[0011] An outermost surface of the middle molding may be coplanar with a side surface of the liquid crystal panel, or may be located within a perimeter defined by the side surface of the liquid crystal panel.

[0012] The front chassis may include an inner side surface facing the side surface of the liquid crystal panel, the side surface of the diffusion plate and the side surface of the middle molding part. The front chassis may also include an outer side surface opposite to the inner side surface, and the inner side surface may extend parallel to the outer side surface.

[0013] A second adhesive portion may be disposed between the middle mold portion and the liquid crystal panel, and the second adhesive portion bonds the middle mold portion to the liquid crystal panel.

[0014] The middle molding part may include a first adhesive surface on which the first adhesive part is disposed and a supporting protrusion protruding more toward the liquid crystal panel than the first adhesive surface, and the supporting protrusion includes a second adhesive surface on which the second adhesive part is disposed.

[0015] The second adhesive part may include ultraviolet (UV) resin coated in a liquid state and hardened by UV rays.

[0016] A side surface of the diffusion plate may be located within a perimeter defined by a side surface of the liquid crystal panel, and a support protrusion may be provided near the side surface of the diffusion plate and directly bonded to the liquid crystal panel through the second adhesive portion.

[0017] The support protrusion may include a light reflecting surface located within a recess provided in a side portion of a side surface of the support protrusion facing the diffusion plate, and

[0018] The light reflecting surface is configured to reflect light emitted from the light source module toward a back side of the display device.

[0019] The first adhesive part includes a transparent substance having a light transmittance of 90% or more, so that light is transmitted between the diffusion plate and the middle molding part through the first adhesive part.

[0020] The middle mold part may further include a light guide surface providing a path for light emitted from the light source module to pass through the first adhesive part and enter the diffusion plate, and the light guide surface may be inclined backward from an adhesive surface of the middle mold part on which the first adhesive part is disposed.

[0021] The third adhesive part may bond the side surface of the diffusion plate to the middle molding part, and the rear surface of the diffusion plate may be bonded to the first adhesive surface by the first adhesive part.

[0022] The liquid crystal panel may be bonded to the diffusion plate by the second bonding part, and the diffusion plate may be bonded to the middle molding part by the first bonding part.

[0023] The light source module may include: a plurality of light sources configured to emit light toward a diffusion plate; a substrate on which the plurality of light sources are mounted, the light sources facing the diffusion plate; and a reflective sheet disposed on the substrate, the reflective sheet configured to reflect light emitted from the plurality of light sources and light reflected backward from the diffusion plate toward the diffusion plate.

[0024] The light source module may further include a plurality of lenses mounted on the substrate and individually covering the plurality of light sources, and the plurality of lenses may be configured to diffuse light emitted from the plurality of light sources.

[0025] The frame bonding part may bond the front frame to the side surface of the middle molded part.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a display device includes: a rear frame; a light source module disposed on the rear frame, the light source module being configured to emit light; a liquid crystal panel disposed in front of the light source module, the liquid crystal panel including a front surface configured to display an image; a front frame covering a side surface of the liquid crystal panel; and an intermediate molded portion coupled to the rear frame for supporting the liquid crystal panel; the intermediate molded portion having an outermost surface, the outermost surface being positioned to be coplanar with the side surface of the liquid crystal panel or positioned within a perimeter defined by the side surface of the liquid crystal panel.

[0027] A diffusion plate may be disposed in front of the light source module, the diffusion plate being configured to diffuse light emitted from the light source module, and a first adhesive portion may be disposed between the diffusion plate and the middle mold portion. The first adhesive portion bonds the diffusion plate to the middle mold portion.

[0028] The middle molding part may include a supporting protrusion disposed near a side surface of the diffusion plate, and the supporting protrusion may be directly bonded to the liquid crystal panel through a second adhesive part disposed between the supporting protrusion and a rear surface of the liquid crystal panel.

[0029] A second adhesive portion may be disposed between the diffusion plate and the liquid crystal panel, and the diffusion plate is bonded to the liquid crystal panel through the second adhesive portion.

[0030] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a display device includes: a rear frame; a light source module, which is disposed on the rear frame, and the light source module is configured to emit light; a diffusion plate, which is arranged in front of the light source module, and the diffusion plate is configured to diffuse the light emitted from the light source module; a liquid crystal panel, which is arranged in front of the diffusion plate, and the liquid crystal panel is configured to display an image; a front frame, which covers a side surface of the liquid crystal panel and a side surface of the diffusion plate; an intermediate molded part, which is disposed between the front frame and the rear frame, and the intermediate molded part is coupled to the rear frame and the diffusion plate; a first adhesive part, which is disposed between the diffusion plate and the intermediate molded part, and the first adhesive part bonds the diffusion plate to the intermediate molded part; and a second adhesive part, which bonds the liquid crystal panel to the diffusion plate or bonds the liquid crystal panel to the intermediate molded part.

[0031] Beneficial Effects

[0032] According to one or more embodiments, the size of a bezel on a display device may be reduced to enhance the aesthetics of the display device.

[0033] According to one or more embodiments, the thickness of a display device from front to back may be reduced to enhance the aesthetics of the display device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment;

[0035] Figure 2 is an exploded view of a main structure of a display device according to an embodiment;

[0036] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an embodiment;

[0037] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A side sectional view of a display device;

[0038] Figure 5 is a side sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0039] Figure 6 is a side sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0040] Figure 7 is a side sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0041] Figure 8 is a side sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0042] Fig. 9 is a side sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment;

[0043] Fig.10 is a side sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment; and

[0044] Fig.11 is a side sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] The embodiments and features described and shown in the present disclosure are merely examples, and various modifications of alternative embodiments and drawings may exist at the time of filing the present application.

[0046] The terms used herein are only used for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. It should be understood that unless the context clearly provides otherwise, the singular form includes plural references. It will be further understood that when used in this specification, the terms "include" and / or "comprise" 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 their groups.

[0047] Terms including ordinal numbers like "first" and "second" may be used to explain various components, but the components are not limited by these terms. These terms are only used for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another component. Therefore, without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure, the first element, component, region, layer or part discussed below may be referred to as a second element, component, region, layer or part.

[0048] The directions "front", "back (or rear)", "top", "bottom", "left" and "right" will be used throughout the specification with respect to Figure 1 The direction shown in Figure 1 , an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis that are perpendicular to each other are shown, wherein the X-axis represents the left-right direction, the Y-axis represents the vertical direction, and the Z-axis represents the front-back direction.

[0049] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements throughout. For the sake of clarity, illustration, and convenience, the relative sizes and depictions of these elements are not necessarily drawn to scale and may be exaggerated.

[0050] Figure 1 A display device according to an embodiment is shown. Figure 2 is an exploded view of a main structure of a display device according to an embodiment. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to an embodiment. Figure 4 yes Figure 3 A side cross-sectional view of the display device shown.

[0051] Reference Figures 1 to 4 , a display device according to an embodiment will now be described.

[0052] The display device 1 may include a liquid crystal panel 10 for displaying an image, a backlight unit disposed behind the liquid crystal panel 10 to provide light to the liquid crystal panel 10, a rear frame 30 for supporting the backlight unit, a front frame 20 for covering an edge of the liquid crystal panel 10, and a middle molded portion 40 coupled between the front frame 20 and the rear frame 30.

[0053] The liquid crystal panel 10 may include: a thin film transistor substrate on which thin film transistors are arranged in a matrix form; a color filter substrate combined side by side with the thin film transistor substrate; and liquid crystal injected between the thin film transistor substrate and the color filter substrate and having optical characteristics that change with changes in voltage or temperature.

[0054] A backlight unit may be disposed behind the liquid crystal panel 10 to illuminate the liquid crystal panel 10. The backlight unit may include at least one light source module 50 including at least one light source 51 and at least one substrate 52 on which the at least one light source 51 is mounted, and an optical member disposed in a traveling path of light emitted from the at least one light source 51.

[0055] In an embodiment, a plurality of substrates 52 may be provided in the form of a plate. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, but the substrate 52 may have a strip form.

[0056] The size and / or number of the light source modules 50 may depend on the size of the display device 1. In an embodiment, there may be eight light source modules 50, and the eight light source modules 50 may be combined to have a size equal to that of the liquid crystal panel 10.

[0057] A driving power line may be provided on the substrate 52 to supply driving power to the light source 51 , and the driving power line may be connected to a signal cable and a backlight driving circuit.

[0058] A plurality of light sources 51 may be mounted on each of the plurality of substrates 52 with gaps therebetween. The light sources 51 may include light emitting diodes (LEDs). Alternatively, the light sources 51 may include cold cathode fluorescent lamps (CCFLs) or external electrode fluorescent lamps (EEFLs).

[0059] A plurality of lenses 53 may be mounted on the substrate 52 to cover the corresponding light sources 51. The lenses 53 may cover the light sources 51 to diffuse light emitted from the light sources 51.

[0060] A reflection sheet 54 may be provided for each of the plurality of substrates 52. The reflection sheet 54 may have a size corresponding to the substrate 52. The reflection sheet 54 may be adhered to a mounting surface of the substrate 52 on which the light source 51 is mounted. In other words, the reflection sheet 54 may be placed on a front surface of the substrate 52. The reflection sheet 54 may have a through hole 55 formed therein for the light source 51 and the lens 53 to pass therethrough.

[0061] The reflective sheet 54 may reflect light to prevent light loss. Specifically, the reflective sheet 54 may reflect light emitted from the light source 51 or light reflected backward from the diffuser 63 to the rear surface 63a of the diffuser 63. The reflective sheet 54 may prevent light loss emitted from the light source 51 by reflecting light emitted from the light source 51 traveling toward the back of the display device 1.

[0062] The backlight unit may include optical members 61 , 62 , and 63 disposed along a traveling path of light emitted from the light source 51 .

[0063] The optical members 61 , 62 , and 63 may include a diffusion plate 63 for uniformly diffusing uneven light emitted from the light source 51 , and first and second optical sheets 61 and 62 for enhancing light characteristics.

[0064] The diffusion plate 63 may uniformly diffuse uneven light generated from the light source 51. The diffusion plate 63 may diffuse light incident on the rear surface 63a to be output to the front surface 63b thereof.

[0065] The first and second optical sheets 61 and 62 may be disposed in front of the diffusion plate 63 to enhance optical characteristics of light output from the diffusion plate 63. Although the first and second optical sheets 61 and 62 are shown in the drawings, the number of optical sheets may be more or less than two.

[0066] The first optical sheet 61 and the second optical sheet 62 may include a diffusion sheet for compensating the pattern of the diffusion plate 63, a prism sheet for gathering light to enhance brightness, a protective sheet for protecting other optical sheets from external impact or foreign matter inflow, a reflective polarizer (e.g., a dual brightness enhancement film (DBEF)) for transmitting polarized light while reflecting different polarized light to enhance brightness, a composite sheet for uniformly diffused light, a quantum dot sheet for changing the wavelength of light to improve color reproducibility, etc. Quantum dots (a few nanometers of light-emitting semiconductor crystals) may be distributed inside the quantum dot sheet. Depending on the size of the quantum dots, the quantum dots can receive blue light to produce visible light of any color. The smaller the quantum dots, the shorter the wavelength of light that can be produced, and the larger the quantum dots, the longer the wavelength of light that can be produced.

[0067] The first and second optical sheets 61 and 62 and the diffuser plate 63 may be provided as one body. Adhesive parts may be provided between the first and second optical sheets 61 and 62 and between the second optical sheet 62 and the diffuser plate 63 to bond the first and second optical sheets 61 and 62 and the diffuser plate 63 as one body like a single sheet.

[0068] The rear chassis 30 may be disposed behind the backlight unit. In an embodiment, the rear chassis 30 may be generally shaped like a plate with its edge bent forward. The backlight unit may be accommodated between the combined structure of the liquid crystal panel 10 and the front chassis 20 and the rear chassis 30.

[0069] The rear frame 30 may include a base 31 on which the light source module 50 is mounted, and a bent portion 32 provided on top, bottom, left, and right edges of the rear frame 30 to be combined with the middle molded portion 40 .

[0070] The base 31 may contact the substrate 52 to radiate heat generated from a heat generating element such as a light source 51 mounted on the substrate 52. To this end, the rear frame 30 including the base 31 may include various metal substances such as aluminum, stainless steel (SUS), etc. having high heat transfer efficiency. The rear frame 30 may include a plastic material such as ABS.

[0071] The bent portion 32 may be inserted into an insertion groove 41 provided in the middle molded portion 40. When the bent portion 32 is inserted into the insertion groove 41, the rear frame 30 and the middle molded portion 40 may be combined with each other.

[0072] The rear frame 30 may further include a middle molded portion support 33 for supporting the middle molded portion 40 and a link 34 connecting the middle molded portion support 33 to the base 31 .

[0073] The middle molded part support 33 may be provided between the bent part 32 and the base 31 to support the middle molded part 40. A connecting rod 34 may be provided to connect the middle molded part support 33 and the base 31. The connecting rod 34 may extend obliquely backward from an end of the base 31 to be connected to an end of the middle molded part support 33. The bent part 32 may be provided at the other end of the middle molded part support 33.

[0074] The light source module 50 may be interposed between the base 31 and the diffusion plate 63, and the middle molded part 40 may be interposed between the middle molded part support 33 and the diffusion plate 63, and between the middle molded part support 33 and the liquid crystal panel 10. The distance between the base 31 and the liquid crystal panel 10 may be shorter than the distance between the middle molded part support 33 and the liquid crystal panel 10.

[0075] The front chassis 20 may be shaped like a frame having an opening 21 for providing light from a backlight unit to the liquid crystal panel 10. The front chassis 20 may cover side surfaces of the liquid crystal panel 10 and side surfaces of the middle molded part 40.

[0076] For the display device of the related art, the front frame supports the liquid crystal panel by covering the front edge of the liquid crystal panel. The edge around the liquid crystal panel defined by the front frame is called a frame, and the frame reduces the size of the picture display area of ​​the liquid crystal panel. In addition, the thick frame may adversely affect the aesthetic appearance of the display device.

[0077] In this regard, the front chassis 20 may cover the side surface of the liquid crystal panel 10, but may not cover the front portion of the liquid crystal panel 10. When the front chassis 20 does not cover the picture display area of ​​the liquid crystal panel 10, the size of the picture display area of ​​the liquid crystal panel 10 is not reduced by the front chassis 20. Therefore, the size of the picture display area of ​​the liquid crystal panel 10 of the display device 1 can be enlarged.

[0078] In addition, the thickness of the front chassis 20 in the left-right direction can be reduced. The thickness of the front chassis 20 in the left-right direction can indicate the size of the frame. The front chassis 20 is provided to cover the side surface of the liquid crystal panel 10 and the side surface of the middle molded part 40, which can be achieved without the front chassis 20 being thick. Therefore, the display device 1 can have a frame with a reduced size, and thus has an enhanced aesthetic appearance.

[0079] Similar to the front frame 20, the middle molded part 40 may be shaped like a frame having an opening 40a for providing light from the backlight unit to the liquid crystal panel 10. The middle molded part 40 may be coupled to the rear frame 30 and the front frame 20. The middle molded part 40 may be attached to the diffusion plate 63, the first optical sheet 61, and the second optical sheet 62. In addition, the middle molded part 40 may be attached to the liquid crystal panel 10.

[0080] The middle molded part 40 may be placed on the middle molded part supporter 33 of the rear frame 30. The middle molded part 40 may include an insertion groove 41 for receiving the bent part 32 of the rear frame 30. As described above, since the bent part 32 may be inserted into the insertion groove 41, the middle molded part 40 and the rear frame 30 may be combined with each other.

[0081] The middle molded part 40 may be attached to the diffusion plate 63. The middle molded part 40 may include a sheet adhesive surface 42. The sheet adhesive surface 42 may be a surface of the middle molded part 40 facing the diffusion plate 63 at a distance therefrom.

[0082] The first adhesive portion 71 may be disposed between the sheet adhesive surface 42 and the diffuser plate 63. The first adhesive portion 71 may be made of a transparent substance. For example, the first adhesive portion 71 may include a pressure-sensitive adhesive portion (PSA) having a light transmittance greater than 90%. In the case where the first adhesive portion 71 is made of a material having a high light transmittance, light emitted from the light source module 50 may pass through the first adhesive portion 71 and enter the diffuser plate 63 to minimize light loss.

[0083] The first adhesive part 71 may bond the sheet adhesive surface 42 of the middle mold 40 and the rear surface 63a of the diffusion plate 63. The optical members 61, 62, and 63 that may be coupled to each other may be coupled to the middle mold 40 by the first adhesive part 71 without an additional structure.

[0084] In a display device of the related art, an additional structure is provided to support the optical sheets. The structure sandwiches the optical sheets together to prevent them from being separated, but increases the thickness of the display device and the frame.

[0085] An alternative design is provided in an embodiment where the optical members 61, 62, and 63 may be bonded to the middle molding part 40 by the first adhesive part 71 without such an additional structure. Thus, the thickness and bezel size of the display device may be reduced.

[0086] In an embodiment, the middle molded part 40 may be coupled to the liquid crystal panel 10 to prevent the liquid crystal panel 10 from falling forward out of the display device 1. The middle molded part 40 may include a support protrusion 43 protruding toward the liquid crystal panel 10. The support protrusion 43 may include a panel adhesive surface 43a facing the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel 10. The second adhesive part 72 may be disposed between the panel adhesive surface 43a and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel 10. The second adhesive part 72 may bond the panel adhesive surface 43a of the middle molded part 40 and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel 10. The liquid crystal panel 10 may be fixedly coupled to the middle molded part 40 by the second adhesive part 72.

[0087] As described above, the liquid crystal panel 10 may be fixed to the middle mold part 40 by the adhesive strength of the second adhesive part 72. When the adhesive strength of the second adhesive part 72 becomes weak, the liquid crystal panel 10 may be separated from the middle mold part 40, and thus a second adhesive part with strong adhesive strength may be required to support the liquid crystal panel 10. In order to meet this requirement, the second adhesive part 72 may include an ultraviolet (UV) resin. When the second adhesive part 72 is a UV resin, the second adhesive part 72 may be coated on the panel adhesive surface 43a in a liquid state and hardened by UV rays, thereby bonding the panel adhesive surface 43a to the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel 10.

[0088] The middle molded portion 40 may further include a sheet supporting surface 44 disposed between the supporting protrusion 43 and the sheet bonding surface 42. The sheet supporting surface 44 may protrude from the sheet bonding surface 42 to the diffuser plate 63 almost as much as the thickness of the first bonding portion 71. The sheet supporting surface 44 may contact and support the diffuser plate 63. The supporting protrusion 43 may protrude from the sheet supporting surface 44 toward the liquid crystal panel 10. Alternatively, the sheet supporting surface 44 may not contact the diffuser plate 63 or the sheet supporting surface 44 may be omitted. When the sheet supporting surface 44 is omitted, the supporting protrusion 43 may protrude from the sheet bonding surface 42.

[0089] The middle molded part 40 may include a light guide plane 45. The light guide plane 45 may guide the light generated from the light source 51 toward the diffuser plate 63. Specifically, the light guide plane 45 may guide the light generated from the light source 51 into the first adhesive part 71 or the surface of the diffuser plate 63 that contacts the first adhesive part 71. The light guide plane 45 may be tilted so as not to interfere with the travel path of the light generated from the light source 51. When the light passes through the lens 53 and enters the diffuser plate 63, the light guide plane 45 may prevent the middle molded part 40 from interfering with the travel path of the light generated from the light source 51. The tilt angle of the light guide plane 45 may be determined by considering the characteristics of the light. The tilt angle of the light guide plane 45 may be determined by considering the profile of the light.

[0090] Otherwise, when the light guide plane 45 is not provided or the sheet bonding surface 42 extends to the substrate 52, light generated from the light source 51 and traveling toward the first bonding portion 71 may be blocked by the intermediate molded portion 40 in the traveling path. When the light is blocked in the traveling path and fails to reach the portion of the diffuser plate 63 where the first bonding portion 71 is provided, the brightness of the liquid crystal panel 10 at the portion where the first bonding portion 71 is provided may be degraded or uneven. The light guide plane 45 can provide an unobstructed traveling path to allow light emitted from the light source 51 to reach the position where the first bonding portion 71 is provided. Therefore, the display device 1 can minimize the degradation or unevenness of the brightness of the liquid crystal panel 10.

[0091] The middle molded portion 40 may not protrude laterally from the liquid crystal panel 10. In other words, the outermost surface of the middle molded portion 40 may be coplanar with the side surface 10a of the liquid crystal panel 10, or may be located at a more inner position than the side surface 10a of the liquid crystal panel 10. Although the side surface 40b of the middle molded portion 40 is shown as being coplanar with the side surface 10a of the liquid crystal panel 10, the side surface 40b of the middle molded portion 40 may be located at a more inner position than the side surface 10a of the liquid crystal panel 10.

[0092] The side wall 22 of the front frame 20 may be arranged to cover the side surface of the liquid crystal panel 10 and the side surface of the middle molded part 40. The side wall 22 of the front frame 20 may include an inner side surface 22b facing the side surface 40b of the middle molded part 40 and an outer side surface 22a opposite to the inner side surface 22b. The inner side surface 22b and the outer side surface 22a may be arranged side by side and may extend in a substantially straight line along the front-to-back direction. The distance between the inner side surface 22b and the outer side surface 22a of the front frame 20 corresponds to the size of the frame of the display device. The inner side surface 22b and the outer side surface 22a of the front frame 20 may extend in an almost straight line along the front-to-back direction, so the size of the frame may be only the thickness of the side wall 22.

[0093] In the display of the related art, the middle molded part protrudes outward from the liquid crystal panel, and the front frame covers the middle molded part by protruding laterally from the liquid crystal panel. When the front frame extends laterally to cover the middle molded part, the size of the frame defined by the front frame is larger than the portion of the middle molded part protruding outward from the liquid crystal panel. That is, because the middle molded part protrudes outward from the liquid crystal panel, the display of the related art has a limitation in reducing the size of the frame.

[0094] An alternative design is provided by an embodiment in which the middle molded part 40 may not include such a portion protruding outward from the liquid crystal panel 10. Then, the front frame 20 can be positioned very close to the side surface of the liquid crystal panel 10 because there is no portion protruding outward from the liquid crystal panel 10. In addition, the front frame 20 can cover the side surface of the liquid crystal panel 10 and the side surface of the middle molded part 40, and the front frame 20 can perform the function of covering the side surface without difficulty even with a thin thickness. Therefore, the thickness of the side wall 22 of the front frame 20 can be very thin. Since the size of the frame is proportional to the thickness of the side wall 22 of the front frame 20, the size of the frame of the display device 1 can be reduced by minimizing the thickness of the side wall 22 of the front frame 20. As the size of the frame is reduced, the aesthetics of the display device 1 can be enhanced.

[0095] The front frame 20, the rear frame 30, and the middle molded portion 40 may be combined by a separately provided fastening member 99. The middle molded portion 40 may include a fastening groove 46 into which the fastening member 99 is inserted and coupled. The rear frame 30 may include a first fastening hole 35 configured to correspond to the fastening groove 46 and for passing the fastening member 99. The front frame 20 may include a second fastening hole 23 configured to correspond to the fastening groove 46 and the first fastening hole 35 and for passing the fastening member 99.

[0096] The fastening member 99 may pass through the first fastening hole 35 and the second fastening hole 23, and may be fastened into the fastening groove 46. In the embodiment of the present disclosure, the fastening member 99 may be screwed into the fastening groove 46. When the fastening member 99 is fastened into the fastening groove 46, the front frame 20 may be fixedly coupled to the rear frame 30. In addition, when the fastening member 99 is fastened into the fastening groove 46, the rear frame 30 and the middle molded part 40 may be secondarily coupled to each other.

[0097] Figure 5 is a side sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0098] The display device 101 may include a liquid crystal panel 10, a backlight unit disposed behind the liquid crystal panel 10 to provide light to the liquid crystal panel 10, a rear frame 30 for supporting the backlight unit, a front frame 20 for covering an edge of the liquid crystal panel 10, and a middle molded part 140 coupled between the front frame 20 and the rear frame 30.

[0099] The structure other than the middle molded portion 140 is identical to Figure 1 , Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 The structure of the embodiment is described above, and therefore the repeated description will not be repeated.

[0100] The middle molding part 140 may include a support protrusion 143. The support protrusion 143 may include a panel adhesive surface 143a facing the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel 10. The second adhesive part 72 may be disposed between the panel adhesive surface 143a and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel 10.

[0101] The support protrusion 143 may further include a light reflecting surface 143b. The light reflecting surface 143b may be configured to reflect light emitted from the light source 51. The light reflecting surface 143b may be recessed into the support protrusion 143. Specifically, the light reflecting surface 143b may be recessed from a surface of the support protrusion 143 facing a side surface of the diffuser plate 63. The light reflecting surface 143b may be a curved plane to uniformly reflect light. The light reflecting surface 143b may be a smoothly curved plane without an angle. The light reflecting surface 143b may be recessed away from a side surface of the diffuser plate 63.

[0102] The light reflecting surface 143b can prevent a portion of the edge of the liquid crystal panel 10 from having excessively high brightness. The light reflecting surface 143b can reduce the amount of light emitted through the edge of the liquid crystal panel 10 by reflecting the light backward. This can prevent the brightness of the portion of the edge of the liquid crystal panel 10 from being relatively increased, and thus the liquid crystal panel 10 can have more uniform brightness over its entire area.

[0103] Figure 6 is a side sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0104] The display device 201 may include a liquid crystal panel 10, a backlight unit disposed behind the liquid crystal panel 10 to provide light to the liquid crystal panel 10, a rear frame 230 for supporting the backlight unit, a front frame 20 for covering an edge of the liquid crystal panel 10, and a middle molded portion 240 coupled between the front frame 20 and the rear frame 230.

[0105] A backlight unit may be disposed behind the liquid crystal panel 10 to illuminate the liquid crystal panel 10. The backlight unit may include a light source module 250 including a light source 251 and a substrate 252 on which the light source 251 is mounted, and an optical member disposed in a traveling path of light emitted from the light source 251.

[0106] The light source module 250 may include a plurality of substrates 252 in the form of a plate. However, not limited thereto, the substrate 252 may have other forms such as a bar.

[0107] The size and / or number of the light source modules 250 may depend on the size of the display device. In an embodiment, there may be eight light source modules 250 , and the size of the eight light source modules 250 combined may be equal to the size of the liquid crystal panel 10 .

[0108] A plurality of light sources 251 may be mounted on each of the plurality of substrates 252 with gaps therebetween. The light sources 251 may include light emitting diodes (LEDs). A reflective sheet 253 may be disposed on the substrate 252. The reflective sheet 253 may reflect light to prevent light loss. The reflective sheet 253 may include a plurality of through holes 253a through which the plurality of light sources 251 pass. A light guide film 254 may be disposed on the reflective sheet 253. The light guide film 254 may diffuse and guide light generated from the light sources 251 to the front. The light guide film 254 may change the light source 251 from a point light source to a surface light source. Similar to the reflective sheet 253, the light guide film 254 may also include a plurality of through holes 254a.

[0109] The light source module 250 may not include a lens. Therefore, compared with the embodiment in which a lens is provided, the minimum distance required between the light source and the diffusion plate can be reduced. In addition, the distance between the base 231 of the rear frame 230 and the liquid crystal panel 10 can be reduced. As the distance between the base 231 and the liquid crystal panel 10 is reduced, the thickness of the display device 201 from front to back can be reduced. As the thickness of the display device 201 is reduced, the aesthetics of the display device 201 can be enhanced.

[0110] The link 234 of the rear frame may be generally perpendicular to the base 231 and the middle molded part support 233. The bent part 232 may be inserted into the insertion groove 241 of the middle molded part 240.

[0111] The middle molded part 240 may include a sheet adhesive surface 242. No protrusion may be provided on the sheet adhesive surface 242. That is, the sheet adhesive surface 242 may be a plane. The first adhesive part 71 may be provided between the sheet adhesive surface 242 and the rear surface 63a of the diffuser plate 63. The first adhesive part 71 may bond the middle molded part 240 to the diffuser plate 63 by bonding the sheet adhesive surface 242 and the rear surface 63a of the diffuser plate 63. The first adhesive part 71 may include a PSA or an optically clear adhesive part (OCA).

[0112] The liquid crystal panel 10 may be fixedly bonded to the diffusion plate 63. The second adhesive portion 72 may be disposed between the liquid crystal panel 10 and the diffusion plate 63 to bond the liquid crystal panel 10 and the diffusion plate 63. Therefore, the liquid crystal panel 10 may be fixedly bonded to the diffusion plate 63. The second adhesive portion 72 may include a UV resin.

[0113] The liquid crystal panel 10 may be bonded to the first optical sheet 61. In this case, a second adhesive portion 72 may be disposed between the liquid crystal panel 10 and the first optical sheet 61.

[0114] The liquid crystal panel 10 and the diffusion plate 63 may be combined by the second adhesive part 72 without an additional structure.

[0115] In the display of the related art, an adhesive portion may be provided on a structure located at, for example, a front frame to bond the liquid crystal panel to the front frame. In this method, it is difficult to form a liquid crystal panel support structure corresponding to the size of the black material (BM) of the liquid crystal panel which is decreasing.

[0116] The second adhesive part 72 may be provided in a portion corresponding to the BM of the liquid crystal panel. Therefore, even when the size of the BM of the liquid crystal panel becomes small, the liquid crystal panel 10 may be stably coupled to the diffusion plate 63 or the first optical sheet 61.

[0117] Figure 7 is a side sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0118] The liquid crystal panel 10 of the display device 301 may be fixedly coupled to the middle molding 340 .

[0119] The middle molded part 340 may include a support protrusion 343 protruding toward the liquid crystal panel 10. The support protrusion 343 may include a panel adhesive surface 343a facing the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel 10. The second adhesive part 72 may be disposed between the panel adhesive surface 343a and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel 10. The second adhesive part 72 may bond the panel adhesive surface 343a of the middle molded part 340 and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel 10. The second adhesive part 72 may fixedly couple the liquid crystal panel 10 to the middle molded part 340. The second adhesive part 72 may include a UV resin.

[0120] The middle molding part 340 may include a first sheet bonding surface 342a and a second sheet bonding surface 342b.

[0121] The first sheet adhesive surface 342 a may face the rear surface 63 a of the diffusion plate 63 , and the first portion of the first adhesive part may be interposed between the first sheet adhesive surface 342 a and the rear surface 63 a of the diffusion plate 63 .

[0122] The second sheet adhesive surface 342b may face the side surface of the diffusion plate 63. The second portion 71b of the first adhesive part may be disposed between the second sheet adhesive surface 342b and the side surface of the diffusion plate 63.

[0123] The first portion 71 a of the first adhesive part and the second portion 71 b of the first adhesive part may include PSA and OCA.

[0124] Since the sheet bonding surface is constituted by two surfaces, the enhanced adhesion between the diffuser plate and the intermediate molded part can be relatively strong. Therefore, the diffuser plate 63 and the intermediate molded part 340 can be more stably combined. Since the attachment is performed by the first part 71a as the first bonding member and the second part 71b as the second bonding member, the bonding strength is enhanced compared to the case where only the first part 71a as the first bonding member is bonded.

[0125] Figure 8 is a side sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0126] The display device 401 may include a liquid crystal panel 10 for displaying an image, a backlight unit disposed behind the liquid crystal panel 10 to provide light to the liquid crystal panel 10, a rear frame 30 for supporting the backlight unit, a front frame 420 for covering an edge of the liquid crystal panel 10, and a middle molded portion 40 coupled between the front frame 420 and the rear frame 30.

[0127] All components except the front frame 420 are compatible with Figure 4 The components shown in FIG. 1 are the same, so a repeated description will not be repeated.

[0128] The front chassis 420 may cover the side surface of the liquid crystal panel 10 and the side surface of the middle mold 40 .

[0129] The front chassis 420 may be fixedly coupled to a side surface of the liquid crystal panel 10. In addition, the front chassis 420 may be fixedly coupled to a side surface of the middle molding 40.

[0130] A gap may be formed between the front chassis 420 and the liquid crystal panel 10, and similarly, a gap may be formed between the front chassis 420 and the middle molding part 40. The third adhesive part 73 may be disposed in the gap.

[0131] The third adhesive portion 73 may adhere the front chassis 420 to the liquid crystal panel 10. Also, the third adhesive portion 73 may adhere the middle molding portion 40 to the front chassis 420.

[0132] The third adhesive part 73 may fixedly bond the front chassis 420 to the middle mold part 40, and further bond to the liquid crystal panel 10. The front chassis 420 may be coupled to the side surfaces of the liquid crystal panel 10 and the middle mold part 40 to prevent foreign objects from entering the liquid crystal panel 10 or the middle mold part 40.

[0133] The front chassis 420 may be coupled to the side surface of the liquid crystal panel 10 and the side surface of the middle molded part 40 without an additional fastening member by the third adhesive part 73. Therefore, the front chassis 420 may not include an additional fastening member, and thus may have a thin thickness compared to the case of having the fastening member.

[0134] The rear frame 30 and the middle molded part 40 may be coupled by a fastening member 99. The fastening member 99 may pass through the first fastening hole 35 of the rear frame 30 to be coupled to the fastening groove 46 of the middle molded part 40.

[0135] Fig. 9 is a side sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0136] The middle molded part 140 of the display device 501 may include a support protrusion 143 , and the support protrusion 143 may include a light reflecting surface 143 b .

[0137] The light reflecting surface 143b can prevent a portion of the edge of the liquid crystal panel 10 from having excessively high brightness. The light reflecting surface 143b can reduce the amount of light emitted through the edge of the liquid crystal panel 10 by reflecting the light backward. This can prevent the brightness of the portion of the edge of the liquid crystal panel 10 from being relatively increased, and thus the liquid crystal panel 10 can have more uniform brightness over its entire area.

[0138] In addition, the front chassis 420 may be coupled to the side surface of the liquid crystal panel 10 and the side surface of the middle molded part 140 without an additional fastening member through the third adhesive part 73. Therefore, the front chassis 420 may not include an additional fastening member, and thus may have a thin thickness compared to the case of having the fastening member.

[0139] The rear frame 30 and the middle molded part 140 may be coupled by a fastening member 99. The fastening member 99 may pass through the first fastening hole 35 of the rear frame 30 to be coupled to the fastening groove 46 of the middle molded part 240.

[0140] Fig.10 is a side sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0141] The light source module 250 of the display device 601 may not include a lens. Therefore, compared with the embodiment in which a lens is provided, the minimum distance required between the light source and the diffusion plate can be reduced. In addition, the distance between the base 231 of the rear frame and the liquid crystal panel 10 can be reduced. As the distance between the base 231 and the liquid crystal panel 10 is reduced, the thickness of the display device 601 from front to back can be reduced. As the thickness of the display device 601 is reduced, the aesthetics of the display device 601 can be enhanced.

[0142] The middle molded part 240 may include a sheet adhesive surface 242. No protrusion may be provided on the sheet adhesive surface 242. The first adhesive part 71 may be provided between the sheet adhesive surface 242 and the rear surface 63a of the diffuser plate 63. The first adhesive part 71 may combine the middle molded part 240 to the diffuser plate 63 by bonding the sheet adhesive surface 242 and the rear surface 63a of the diffuser plate 63. The first adhesive part 71 may include PSA or OCA.

[0143] The liquid crystal panel 10 may be fixedly bonded to the diffusion plate 63. The second adhesive portion 72 may be disposed between the liquid crystal panel 10 and the diffusion plate 63 to adhere the liquid crystal panel 10 to the diffusion plate 63. Thus, the liquid crystal panel 10 may be fixedly bonded to the diffusion plate 63. The second adhesive portion 72 may include a UV resin.

[0144] In an embodiment, the liquid crystal panel 10 may be bonded to the first optical sheet 61. In this case, the second adhesive part 72 may be disposed between the liquid crystal panel 10 and the first optical sheet 61.

[0145] The liquid crystal panel 10 and the diffusion plate 63 may be combined by the second adhesive part 72 without an additional structure.

[0146] The front chassis 420 may be coupled to the side surface of the liquid crystal panel 10 by the third adhesive portion 73. In addition, the front chassis 420 may be coupled to the side surface of the diffusion plate 63 by the third adhesive portion 73. In addition, the front chassis 420 may be coupled to the middle molded part 240 by the third adhesive portion 73. Therefore, the front chassis 420 may be coupled to the liquid crystal panel 10, the diffusion plate 63, and the middle molded part 240 without an additional fastening member. The front chassis 420 may not include an additional fastening member, and thus, may have a thin thickness compared to a case having a fastening member.

[0147] The rear frame and the middle molded part 240 may be coupled by a fastening member 99. The fastening member 99 may pass through the first fastening hole 235 of the rear frame to be coupled to the fastening groove 243 of the middle molded part 240.

[0148] Fig.11 is a side sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment.

[0149] The liquid crystal panel 10 of the display device 701 may be fixedly coupled to the middle molding 340 .

[0150] The middle molded part 340 may include a support protrusion 343 protruding toward the liquid crystal panel 10. The support protrusion 343 may include a panel adhesive surface 343a facing the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel 10. The second adhesive part 72 may be provided between the panel adhesive surface 343a and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel 10. The second adhesive part 72 may be provided to bond the panel adhesive surface 343a of the middle molded part 340 and the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel 10. The liquid crystal panel 10 may be fixedly bonded to the middle molded part 340 using the second adhesive part 72. The second adhesive part 72 may include a UV resin.

[0151] The middle molding part 340 may include a first sheet bonding surface 342a and a second sheet bonding surface 342b.

[0152] The first sheet adhesive surface 342 a may be oriented to face the rear surface 63 a of the diffuser plate 63 , and the first portion 71 a of the first adhesive part may be interposed between the first sheet adhesive surface 342 a and the rear surface 63 a of the diffuser plate 63 .

[0153] The second sheet adhesive surface 342b may be oriented to face the side surface 63c of the diffusion plate 63. The second portion 71b of the first adhesive part may be disposed between the second sheet adhesive surface 342b and the side surface 63c of the diffusion plate 63.

[0154] The first portion 71 a of the first adhesive part and the second portion 71 b of the first adhesive part may include PSA and OCA.

[0155] The first portion 71a of the first adhesive part and the second portion 71b of the first adhesive part may be double-sided to relatively enhance adhesion between the diffusion plate 63 and the middle mold part 340. Therefore, the diffusion plate 63 and the middle mold part 340 may be more stably combined.

[0156] The front chassis 420 may be coupled to the side surface of the liquid crystal panel 10 by the third adhesive part 73. In addition, the front chassis 420 may be coupled to the middle mold part 340 by the third adhesive part 73. The front chassis 420 may be coupled to the liquid crystal panel 10 and the middle mold part 340 without an additional fastening member. The front chassis 420 may not include an additional fastening member, and thus, may have a thin thickness compared to a case having a fastening member.

[0157] The rear frame and the middle molded part 340 may be coupled by a fastening member 99. The fastening member 99 may pass through the first fastening hole 235 of the rear frame to be coupled to the fastening groove 344 of the middle molded part 340.

[0158] Certain embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, but those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that various modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Therefore, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the true scope of technical protection is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising: rear rack; a light source module, mounted on the rear frame, the light source module being configured to emit light; a diffusion plate, disposed in front of the light source module, the diffusion plate being configured to diffuse the light emitted by the light source module; a liquid crystal panel disposed in front of the diffusion plate, the liquid crystal panel being configured to display an image; A front frame, covering a side surface of the liquid crystal panel and a side surface of the diffusion plate; a middle molded part disposed between the front frame and the rear frame and coupled to the rear frame and the diffusion plate; a first adhesive portion disposed between the diffusion plate and the intermediate molding portion, the first adhesive portion bonding the diffusion plate to the intermediate molding portion; The second adhesive portion is disposed between the liquid crystal panel and the diffusion plate, and the second adhesive portion bonds the liquid crystal panel to the diffusion plate.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: An outermost surface of the intermediate molding portion is coplanar with the side surface of the liquid crystal panel or is located within a perimeter defined by the side surface of the liquid crystal panel.

3. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The front frame comprises: an inner side surface facing the side surface of the liquid crystal panel, the side surface of the diffusion plate, and the side surface of the intermediate molding portion, and an outer surface, opposite to the inner surface, and Wherein, the inner surface extends parallel to the outer surface.

4. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The second adhesive portion includes an ultraviolet resin configured to be applied in a liquid state and to be hardened by ultraviolet rays.

5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The first adhesive portion includes a transparent substance having a light transmittance of 90% or more, so that light is transmitted between the diffusion plate and the middle mold portion through the first adhesive portion.

6. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising: The third adhesive portion is disposed between the side surface of the liquid crystal panel and the front chassis, and the third adhesive portion bonds the side surface of the liquid crystal panel to the front chassis.

7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein: The third adhesive portion is disposed between a side surface of the middle molded portion and the front chassis, and the third adhesive portion bonds the side surface of the middle molded portion to the front chassis.

8. The display device according to claim 7, wherein: The third adhesive portion is disposed between the side surface of the diffusion plate and the front chassis, and the third adhesive portion bonds the side surface of the diffusion plate to the front chassis.

9. The display device according to claim 1, wherein: The light source module comprises: a plurality of light sources configured to emit light toward the diffuser plate, a substrate on which the plurality of light sources are mounted to face the diffusion plate, and A reflective sheet is disposed on the substrate, and is configured to reflect the light emitted from the plurality of light sources and the light reflected from the diffuser toward the diffuser.

10. The display device according to claim 9, wherein: The light source module further includes a light guide film disposed on the reflective sheet and configured to diffuse and guide the light generated by the light source to the front.

Images