Backlight unit and display device including same

Abstract

Disclosed is a backlight unit in which a PCB and a lens are prevented from being detached from and fixed to an edge of a reflective plate when an LED array is manufactured. In addition, a display device including the backlight unit is provided. To this end, the backlight unit is configured such that lenses provided on the PCB and arranged to be spaced apart from each other are fixedly inserted into openings defined in the reflecting plate, in which the openings defined in different regions of the reflecting plate have different shapes and widths.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a backlight unit and a display device including the backlight unit. Background Art

[0002] Generally, a flat panel display device has advantages of high definition, ultrathin, light weight, and large area, and has advantages in terms of space utilization, internal design, and design, and can have various application fields.

[0003] Recently, a curved display device in which the flat panel display device has a curved surface is rapidly emerging as a next-generation display device. The curved display device can improve the user's immersion and make the image more realistic, thereby allowing the user to feel comfortable or have a wider viewing radius than the flat panel display device.

[0004] Since a liquid crystal panel does not have its own light-emitting element, such a curved display device including a liquid crystal panel requires a separate light source to display an image based on a difference in light transmittance. For this purpose, a backlight unit having a built-in light source is provided on the rear surface of the liquid crystal panel.

[0005] In this regard, the backlight unit is classified into a direct type and an edge type based on the arrangement structure of the light source. The edge type has a structure in which one or a pair of light sources are provided on one side of the light guide plate, and two or two pairs of light sources are respectively provided on opposite sides of the light guide plate. The direct type has a structure in which a plurality of light sources are provided under the liquid crystal panel.

[0006] The direct type backlight unit is thicker than the edge type backlight unit, and thus is mainly used in a liquid crystal display device in which brightness is more important than the thickness of the device. The edge type backlight unit, which is lighter and thinner than the direct type backlight unit, is mainly used in a liquid crystal display device in which thickness is more important than brightness, such as a display device for a laptop PC and a monitor PC. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The direct type backlight unit has a structure in which each light emitting diode (LED) serving as a light source is disposed inside each lens, and the lenses are disposed on a printed circuit board (PCB) and arranged at equal intervals from each other.

[0008] However, in the direct type backlight unit, when manufacturing an LED array, the PCB on which the lenses are mounted is fixed to the reflector while the PCB width and the lens width are equal to each other. Therefore, in a high temperature or high temperature and high humidity environment, the lens detaches from the edge of the reflector.

[0009] Therefore, there is a problem that when the lens detaches from the edge of the reflector fixed to the chassis, the screen quality of the display device deteriorates.

[0010] Therefore, to solve the above problems, the inventors of the present disclosure have invented a backlight unit and a display device including the backlight unit, in which, when manufacturing an LED array, a PCB and a lens are prevented from detaching from the edge of a reflector and they are fixed to the reflector.

[0011] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a backlight unit and a display device including the backlight unit, in which lenses provided on a PCB and arranged at intervals from each other are fixedly inserted into openings defined in a reflector, and the openings defined in different regions of the reflector have different shapes and widths.

[0012] The object of the present disclosure is not limited to the above object. Other objects and advantages not mentioned in the present disclosure can be understood based on the following description and can be more clearly understood based on the embodiments according to the present disclosure. In addition, it will be easily understood that the objects and advantages according to the present disclosure can be achieved by using the means shown in the claims or combinations thereof.

[0013] A backlight unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure can be provided. The backlight unit includes: a printed circuit board; at least one lens provided on the printed circuit board; and a reflector having at least one opening, the at least one opening defining the at least one lens in a corresponding manner, wherein the reflector is provided on the printed circuit board such that the at least one lens is inserted into the at least one opening, and the at least one opening includes: a first opening located at one side edge of two opposite side edges of the reflector in a first direction; a second opening located at the other side edge of the two opposite side edges of the reflector in the first direction; and at least one third opening located between the first opening and the second opening.

[0014] In some embodiments of the backlight unit, in a plan view of the backlight unit, each of the first opening to the third opening has a first side edge portion, a second side edge portion, and an intermediate portion disposed between the first side edge portion and the second side edge portion, wherein the width of the first side edge portion of the first opening in a second direction is less than the width of each of the second side edge portion and the intermediate portion of the first opening in the second direction, wherein the second direction intersects the first direction, wherein the width of the second side edge portion of the second opening in the second direction is less than the width of each of the first side edge portion and the intermediate portion of the second opening in the second direction, and wherein the width of the intermediate portion of the third opening in the second direction is less than the width of each of the first side edge portion and the second side edge portion of the third opening in the second direction.

[0015] In some embodiments of the backlight unit, in a plan view of the backlight unit, the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening have different shapes from each other.

[0016] In some embodiments of the backlight unit, in a plan view of the backlight unit, the shapes of the first opening and the second opening are symmetric with each other about the center of the reflector in the first direction.

[0017] In some embodiments of the backlight unit, the lenses are disposed on the printed circuit board and arranged to be spaced apart from each other by an equal pitch along the first direction.

[0018] In some embodiments of the backlight unit, the width of each of the at least one lens in a second direction is greater than the width of the printed circuit board in the second direction, wherein the second direction intersects the first direction.

[0019] In some embodiments of the backlight unit, each lens houses a light emitting diode (LED) therein.

[0020] In some embodiments of the backlight unit, the backlight unit further includes a reinforcing frame that houses the reflector therein, and the at least one lens disposed on the printed circuit board is inserted into the reflector.

[0021] In some embodiments of the backlight unit, a diffusion sheet is disposed on the reflector, and at least one optical sheet is disposed on the diffusion sheet.

[0022] A display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be provided. The display device includes: a backlight unit; and a display panel disposed on the backlight unit, wherein the backlight unit includes: a printed circuit board; at least one lens disposed on the printed circuit board; and a reflector having at least one opening, the at least one opening defining the at least one lens therein, wherein the reflector is disposed on the printed circuit board such that the at least one lens is inserted into the at least one opening, wherein the at least one opening includes: a first opening located at one of two opposite side edges of the reflector in a first direction; a second opening located at the other side edge thereof; and at least one third opening located between the first opening and the second opening. In this regard, each of the backlight unit and the display panel may be bent with a predetermined curvature.

[0023] In some embodiments according to the display device, the backlight unit further includes a reinforcing frame that houses the reflector therein, and the at least one lens disposed on the printed circuit board is inserted into the reflector, wherein the reinforcing frame includes four sidewalls coupled to each other to define a rectangular accommodation space in a plan view of the display device, and wherein the four sidewalls extend upward from four side edges of a bottom surface of the reinforcing frame, respectively.

[0024] In some embodiments according to the display device, a height from a bottom surface of each of a first sidewall and a second sidewall facing each other is greater in each of two opposite side edges thereof than in a center thereof, and a lower surface of each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall is bent to have a first curvature greater than 0, and an upper surface of each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall is bent to have a second curvature greater than the first curvature.

[0025] In some embodiments according to the display device, the reflector includes: a first protrusion protruding into the third opening from one of two opposite sides of the third opening in a second direction in an intermediate region of the third opening in the first direction; and a second protrusion protruding into the third opening from the other of the two opposite sides of the third opening in the second direction in the intermediate region of the third opening in the first direction.

[0026] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, each of a pair of bending reinforcing bars of the reinforcing frame for maintaining the curvature of the display device is formed to have a stepped structure in a direction perpendicular to its longitudinal direction. Therefore, even when the printed circuit board is connected to the display panel by a connection member having a short length, the printed circuit board may be bent to adhere to a rear surface of the display device.

[0027] Therefore, compared with the conventional solution in which the printed circuit board is connected to the display panel through a connection member having a length that varies according to the structure of the backlight unit, the process cost can be reduced. This can improve the efficiency of processing.

[0028] In addition, since the bending reinforcement bar that functions to maintain the overall curvature of the display device is formed to have a predetermined strength, the display device can maintain a predetermined stiffness.

[0029] In addition, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, light leakage can be prevented from occurring at the edge of the display pane of the display device.

[0030] Therefore, light leakage of the image displayed through the display panel can be prevented, thereby improving the image quality displayed through the display panel.

[0031] In addition, in the backlight unit according to the present disclosure, the optical distance is greater at its edge than at its center. Therefore, dark defects can be prevented from occurring in the edge region of the display panel.

[0032] In addition, in the backlight unit according to the present disclosure embodied as a direct-lit backlight unit, when manufacturing the LED array, the PCB and the lens are fixed to the reflector while the PCB width and the lens width are different from each other. Therefore, the PCB and the lens can be prevented from detaching from the edge of the reflector in a high-temperature or high-temperature and high-humidity environment.

[0033] In addition, in the backlight unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the optical distance is greater at its edge than at its center. Therefore, the number of light sources in the edge region can be reduced, thereby reducing the production cost.

[0034] The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above effects, and other effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art through the following description.

[0035] In addition to the above effects, while describing the specific details for implementing the present disclosure, the specific effects of the present disclosure are also described. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0038] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line 3-3 in the state where the light source module together with the reflector is mounted on the reinforcement frame according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 in

[0039] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along cutting line 4-4 in a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2

[0040] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along cutting line 5-5 in a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2

[0041] Figure 6 is a view showing a reflector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0042] Figure 7 is a view showing a basic structure of a backlight unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0043] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along cutting line 8-8 in a backlight unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7

[0044] Figure 9A is a view showing an example in which a lens is disposed on a PCB according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 9B is a cross-sectional view comparing the width of a PCB and the width of a lens with each other according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0046] Figure 10A and Figure 10B is a view showing an example in which first to third openings are formed in a reflector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0047] Figure 11 is a view showing an example in which a lens on a PCB is inserted into a reflector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0048] Figure 12 is a view showing an example in which a lens is inserted into a third opening defined in a reflector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0049] Figure 13 is a view showing an example in which a lens is inserted into each opening defined in one side edge of a reflector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a lens is inserted into a third opening of a reflector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Description

[0051] ​​​Advantages and features of the present disclosure, as well as methods for achieving these advantages and features, will become apparent with reference to embodiments described in detail later in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but can be implemented in various different forms. Therefore, these embodiments are presented only to make the present disclosure complete and to fully inform those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains of the scope of the present disclosure, and the present disclosure is defined only by the scope of the claims.

[0052] For simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements in the figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. The same reference numerals in different figures represent the same or similar elements and thus perform similar functions. In addition, for simplicity of description, descriptions and details of well-known steps and elements are omitted. Further, in the following detailed description of the present disclosure, many specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present disclosure. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present disclosure. Examples of various embodiments are further illustrated and described below. It should be understood that the description herein is not intended to limit the claims to the specific embodiments described. Instead, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that may be included within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.

[0053] The shapes, sizes, ratios, angles, quantities, etc. disclosed in the drawings for illustrating the embodiments of the present disclosure are illustrative, and the present disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0054] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should be further understood that when the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” and “containing” are used in this specification, they specify the presence of the stated features, integers, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, operations, elements, components, and / or portions thereof. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The phrase (such as “at least one”) preceding a list of elements may modify the entire list of elements and may not modify the individual elements in the list. In the interpretation of numerical values, errors or tolerances may occur even if not explicitly described therein.

[0055] In addition, it should also be understood that when a first element or layer is referred to as being "on" a second element or layer, the first element may be directly disposed on the second element, or may be indirectly disposed on the second element with a third element or layer disposed between the first and second elements or layers. It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "connected to" or "coupled to" another element or layer, it may be directly on, directly connected to, or directly coupled to the other element or layer, or there may be one or more intervening elements or layers. In addition, it should also be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being "between" two elements or layers, it may be the only element or layer between the two elements or layers, or there may also be one or more intervening elements or layers.

[0056] In addition, as used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is disposed "on" or "on top of" another layer, film, region, plate, etc., the former may directly contact the latter, or another layer, film, region, plate, etc. may be disposed between the former and the latter. As used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is directly disposed "on" or "on top of" another layer, film, region, plate, etc., the former directly contacts the latter and no other layer, film, region, plate, etc. is disposed between the former and the latter. In addition, as used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is disposed "under" or "beneath" another layer, film, region, plate, etc., the former may directly contact the latter, or another layer, film, region, plate, etc. may be disposed between the former and the latter. As used herein, when a layer, film, region, plate, etc. is directly disposed "under" or "beneath" another layer, film, region, plate, etc., the former directly contacts the latter and no other layer, film, region, plate, etc. is disposed between the former and the latter.

[0057] In the description of temporal relationships, for example, the temporal precedence relationship between two events, such as "after", "subsequently", "before", etc., unless it is specified as "directly after", "directly subsequently" or "directly before", other events may occur between them.

[0058] When a particular embodiment can be implemented differently, the functions or operations specified in a particular block may occur in an order different from the order specified in the flowchart. For example, two consecutive blocks may actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or the two blocks may be executed in the reverse order depending on the functions or operations involved.

[0059] It should be understood that although terms such as "first", "second", and "third" may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers, and / or time periods, these elements, components, regions, layers, or time periods should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer, or time period from another. Thus, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, the first element, component, region, layer, or time period described below may be referred to as the second element, component, region, layer, or time period.

[0060] When embodiments can be implemented differently, the functions or operations specified within a particular block can be executed in an order different from the order specified in the flowchart. For example, two consecutive blocks can actually be executed substantially simultaneously, or these blocks can be executed in the reverse order according to the relevant functions or operations.

[0061] The features of the various embodiments of the present disclosure can be partially or completely combined with each other, and can be technically related or cooperate with each other. The embodiments can be implemented independently of each other, and can be implemented together in an associated relationship.

[0062] When interpreting a numerical value, unless there is a separate and explicit description thereof, the value is interpreted as including the error range.

[0063] Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical and scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the inventive concept pertains. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in a commonly used dictionary, 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 idealized or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined herein.

[0064] As used herein, "embodiments", "examples", "aspects", etc. should not be construed so as to make any described aspect or design superior or better than other aspects or designs.

[0065] Furthermore, the term "or" means "inclusive or", rather than "exclusive or". That is, unless otherwise stated or clear from the context, the expression "x uses a or b" represents any natural inclusive permutation.

[0066] The terms used in the following description are selected as common and general in the relevant technical field. However, depending on the development and / or changes in technology, convention, the preferences of those skilled in the art, etc., there may be other terms in addition to these terms. Therefore, the terms used in the following description should not be construed as limiting the technical idea, but should be understood as examples of terms used to illustrate the embodiments.

[0067] In addition, in certain cases, terms may be arbitrarily selected by the applicant, and in such cases, their detailed meanings will be described during the corresponding description period. Therefore, the terms used in the following description should not be simply understood based on the name of the term, but should be understood based on the meaning of the term and the content throughout the specific implementation.

[0068] In the description of the signal flow, for example, when a signal is transmitted from node A to node B, this may include the case where the signal is transmitted from node A to node B via another node, unless the phrases "transmitted immediately" or "transmitted directly" are used.

[0069] Throughout this disclosure, unless otherwise specified, "A and / or B" means A, B, or A and B, and unless otherwise stated, "C to D" means C (including C) to D (including D).

[0070] "At least one" should be understood to include any combination of one or more of the listed components. For example, at least one of the first, second, and third components not only means the first, second, or third component, but also means all combinations of two or more of the first, second, and third components.

[0071] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. For ease of explanation, the scale of each component shown in the drawings is different from its actual scale, and thus, the present disclosure is not limited to the scale shown in the drawings.

[0072] Hereinafter, a backlight unit and a display device including the backlight unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

[0073] Figure 1 is a perspective view schematically showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0074] Referring to Figure 1 and Figure 2 , a display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include: a display panel 110 for displaying an image; a housing 12 for accommodating the display panel 110 therein; and a bracket 13 connected to the lower end or the rear surface of the housing 12.

[0075] A display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be a curved liquid crystal display device including a display panel 110 having a curved shape with a predetermined curvature R1 and R2.

[0076] The display panel 110 plays a key role in image display and may include a first substrate 112 and a second substrate 114 that face each other and are bonded to each other, with a liquid crystal layer (not shown) disposed therebetween. That is, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel 110 may include a liquid crystal display panel that includes a first substrate 112, a second substrate 114 facing the first substrate 112, and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) disposed therebetween. Hereinafter, the liquid crystal panel 110 will be referred to as the display panel 110.

[0077] In the XY plane, the display panel 110 may have a curved shape having predetermined curvatures R1 and R2. Each of the first substrate 112 and the second substrate 114 is curved to have each of the predetermined curvatures R1 and R2. The first substrate 112 positioned inwardly based on the center of curvature and the second substrate 114 positioned outwardly based on the center of curvature are curved to have the same radius of curvature (R1 = R2). In this regard, the center of curvature in the horizontal direction is located outside the first substrate 112, that is, on the side where the observer is located.

[0078] The display panel 110 operates in a convex curved surface mode, in which the front surface is convexly curved so that the viewer has a wide viewing radius. Accordingly, the display device can transmit news, advertisements, etc. to the viewer through the image displayed on the display panel.

[0079] The display panel 110 may be curved before being inserted into the curved top cover 140 curved to have a predetermined curvature, or may be curved after being inserted into the curved top cover 140. For example, when the display panel 110 is of a flexible type, the display panel may be curved after being inserted into the curved top cover 140. When the display panel 110 is of a rigid type, the display panel may be manufactured to have a curved shape with a predetermined curvature before being inserted into the curved top cover 140.

[0080] The display panel 110 can be modularized using a rear cover and a cover window. The rear cover has a shape covering the side surface and the rear surface of the display panel and may be configured to have an open front surface to display the image displayed on the display panel. The cover window that can protect the display panel can be assembled and fastened to the open front surface of the rear cover.

[0081] Reference Figure 2 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display device 100 may include a display panel 110, a backlight unit 120, a bending guide panel 130, a curved top cover 140, a cover bottom 150, a light guide frame 160, and a reinforcing frame 200 for modularizing the display panel 110 and the backlight unit 120 with each other.

[0082] The display panel 110 may include a first substrate 112 and a second substrate 114 that are bent to have predetermined curvatures R1 and R2, respectively.

[0083] The first substrate 112 may include a transparent insulating substrate such as glass, and a plurality of thin film transistors, data lines, gate lines, pixel electrodes, etc. formed thereon. The data lines are connected to the source terminals of the thin film transistors, and the gate lines are connected to their gate terminals. The pixel electrodes made of a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) are connected to the drain terminals of the thin film transistors.

[0084] The second substrate 114 opposite to the first substrate 112 may include a transparent insulating substrate, and a color filter, a common electrode, etc. formed thereon. The color filter may include color filters that can respectively present primary colors such as red, green, and blue. The common electrode is made of a transparent conductive material such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or indium zinc oxide (IZO). At least one of the color filter and the common electrode may be located in the lower substrate 112.

[0085] Polarizers may be attached to each of the first substrate 112 and the second substrate 114. The polarizers may polarize the light incident on the liquid crystal display panel, and thus only the light vibrating in one direction is transmitted therethrough.

[0086] In the liquid crystal display panel, when the thin film transistor is turned on based on the signal applied to the gate line, the signal applied to the data line is applied to the pixel electrode. Then, an electric field of a predetermined magnitude is generated between the pixel electrode and the common electrode to control the orientation of the liquid crystal molecules in the liquid crystal layer. As a result, the transmittance of the light passing through the liquid crystal layer is adjusted to display an image.

[0087] The display device 100 may include at least one driving device (not shown), such as a driver or a controller that controls the signals applied to the display panel 110. The driving device may be mounted on the display panel 110 in the form of an integrated circuit chip, or may be mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) or a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) and electrically connected to the display panel 110. In another example, the driving device may be integrated into the display panel 110.

[0088] The backlight unit 120 may be located below the display panel 110 to provide light to the display panel 110. In this regard, the backlight unit 120 may be a curved backlight unit 120 having a predetermined curvature. The curved backlight unit 120 is a direct-lit type and provides light to the display panel 110.

[0089] In Figure 2In order to facilitate the description, directions on the figure are defined. On the premise that the display surface of the display panel 110 faces the front direction, the light guide frame 160 is disposed at the rear of the display panel 110 while surrounding the edge of the backlight unit 120. When the curved guide panel 130 in the shape of a rectangular frame surrounds the outer region of the above components, the curved top cover 140 is located in front of the display panel 110. The cover bottom 150 is located on the rear surface of the backlight unit 120. In this way, the above components are combined and integrated with each other.

[0090] The reinforcing frame 200 is located on the rear surface of the cover bottom 150 to support the entire rear surface of the display device 100.

[0091] At this point, on the premise that the display panel 110 is an active matrix type, although not clearly shown in the figure, a plurality of gate lines and data lines are disposed on the inner surface of the first substrate 112 and cross each other to define pixel regions, and the first substrate 112 is generally referred to as the lower substrate or the array substrate. Thin film transistors TFT are disposed at each intersection and are connected in one-to-one correspondence with the transparent pixel electrodes formed in each pixel.

[0092] In addition, on the inner surface of the second substrate 114, which is referred to as the upper substrate or the color filter substrate in the display panel 110, color filters such as red R, green G, and blue B corresponding to the pixels are provided, as well as a black matrix that surrounds each color filter and shields non-display elements (such as gate lines, data lines, and thin film transistors). In addition, a transparent common electrode may be provided to cover the above components.

[0093] The flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) is connected to at least one edge of the display panel 110 through a connecting member 116 such as a flexible printed circuit board and bends toward the rear surface of the reinforcing frame 200 during modular processing.

[0094] In addition, although not clearly shown in the figure, an upper alignment film and a lower alignment film (not shown) for controlling the initial molecular orientation of the liquid crystal are respectively interposed between the two substrates 112 and 114 of the display panel 110 and the liquid crystal layer. Sealing patterns may be formed along the edges of each of the two substrates 112 and 114 to prevent the liquid crystal from leaking from the liquid crystal layer disposed between the upper alignment film and the lower alignment film (not shown).

[0095] In this regard, the first and second polarizers 119a and 119b (see Figure 4 ) may be respectively attached to the outer surfaces of the first and second substrates 112 and 114.

[0096] The display panel 110 may be configured to have a predetermined curvature and have a recessed curved display surface for displaying images.

[0097] In addition, a backlight unit 120 for supplying light is disposed on the rear surface of the display panel 110 such that an image is displayed based on a change in the transmittance of light emitted therefrom.

[0098] The backlight unit 120 may be located on the rear surface of the display panel 110 and may include a light source module 129, a reflector 125, a diffusion plate 123 disposed on top of the light source module 129 and spaced apart therefrom by a guide support 127, and an optical sheet 121 positioned on top of the diffusion plate 123.

[0099] The light source module 129 is a light source of the backlight unit 120 and may include a PCB 129b disposed on the inner surface of a cover bottom 150 and a plurality of lenses 129a arranged on the PCB 129b and spaced apart from each other. One lens 129a may contain one LED or a plurality of LEDs therein. The LEDs may include, for example, organic light emitting elements, micro LED elements, or micro LED chips.

[0100] In this regard, in order to improve luminous efficiency and brightness, the LEDs may employ blue LEDs including blue LED chips having excellent luminous efficiency and brightness. The lenses may contain yttrium aluminum garnet doped with cerium (YAG:Ce) as a fluorescent material, i.e., a yellow fluorescent material.

[0101] The blue light emitted from the blue LEDs passes through the fluorescent material and is mixed with the yellow light emitted from the fluorescent material, thereby emitting white light toward the diffusion plate 123.

[0102] The reflector 125 is formed with a plurality of through holes 125h through which the plurality of lenses 129a may be inserted. The reflector 125 may cover the entire horizontal surfaces of each of the PCB 129b and the cover bottom 150 except for the plurality of lenses 129a. Accordingly, the reflector 125 may reflect the light directed toward the rear surfaces of each of the lenses 129a therefrom toward the diffusion plate 123, thereby increasing the brightness of the light.

[0103] The diffusion plate 123 and the optical sheet 121 for brightness uniformity are disposed on top of the lenses 129a exposed through the through holes 125h of the reflector 125.

[0104] In this regard, the diffusion plate 123 and the optical sheet 121 are supported by the guide support 127 to prevent them from sagging. The optical sheet 121 may include a diffusion sheet and at least one condensing sheet. Accordingly, the light that has passed through the diffusion plate 123 is diffused or condensed by the optical sheet such that more uniform surface light is incident on the display panel 110.

[0105] Accordingly, when the light emitted from the plurality of lenses 129a of the light source module 129 sequentially passes through the diffusion plate 123 and the optical sheet 121, the light is converted into uniform and high-quality light, and the light is incident on the display panel 110 in sequence. Using this light, the display panel 110 displays a high-brightness image to the outside.

[0106] The display panel 110 and the backlight unit 120 can be modularized with each other using a light guide frame 160, a bending guide panel 130, a cover bottom 150, a bending top cover 140, and a reinforcing frame 200.

[0107] The bending top cover 140 has a rectangular frame shape with a curved cross-section to cover the edges of the upper surface and the side surfaces of the display panel 110, and may include a first edge portion 141 covering the side surface of the display panel 110 and a second edge portion 143 bent perpendicular to the first edge portion to cover the edge of the upper surface of the display panel 110.

[0108] The front surface of the bending top cover 140 is open to pass through the image displayed on the display panel 110, and the bending top cover 140 is bent to have a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the display panel 110.

[0109] The light guide frame 160 has a rectangular frame shape surrounding the edge of the optical sheet 121 of the backlight unit 120. The light guide frame 160 has protrusions 161 (see Figure 4 ). Protrusion receiving grooves (121a, see Figure 4 ) are defined in a manner corresponding to the protrusions (161, see Figure 4 ), and extend along the edge of the optical sheet 121.

[0110] The bending guide panel 130 supports the edge of the display panel 110 and has a rectangular frame shape to surround the edges of each of the backlight unit 120 and the optical sheet 121, and the edge of the optical sheet 121 is surrounded by the light guide frame 160.

[0111] The bending guide panel 130 has a third edge portion 131 surrounding the side surfaces of each of the light guide frame 160 and the backlight unit 120, and a fourth edge portion 133 bent inward from the third edge portion to distinguish the positions of the display panel 110 and the backlight unit from each other.

[0112] The display panel 110 is attached and fixed to the fourth edge portion 133 by an adhesive pad (not shown) such as double-sided tape.

[0113] The bending guide panel 130 is bent to have a curvature corresponding to the curvature of the display panel 110.

[0114] In addition, a cover bottom 150 on which a display panel 110 and a backlight unit 120 are disposed and which serves as an assembly base for components of the display device 100 has a plate shape including a horizontal plane.

[0115] A reinforcement frame 200 is located on the rear surface of the cover bottom 150, and the reinforcement frame 200 is used to maintain the overall curvature of the display device 100.

[0116] The reinforcement frame 200 may include a pair of curved reinforcement bars 210 that face each other and extend along the longitudinal direction of the display device 100, and a pair of side frames 220 and a center frame 230 that extend in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the curved reinforcement bars 210.

[0117] The pair of curved reinforcement bars 210 have a bar shape extending along the longitudinal direction of the cover bottom 150, are spaced apart from each other, and are respectively disposed on two opposite side edges in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cover bottom 150. The pair of curved reinforcement bars 210 extend along the longitudinal direction of the cover bottom 150.

[0118] The pair of curved reinforcement bars 210 are bent to have a predetermined curvature corresponding to the curvature of the display panel 110.

[0119] The pair of side frames 220 extending in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the pair of curved reinforcement bars 210 may be formed in a bar shape extending in the short side direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the cover bottom 150. The pair of side frames 220 are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the cover bottom 150.

[0120] Each of the pair of side frames 220 connects the corresponding facing ends of the pair of curved reinforcement bars 210 to each other.

[0121] The center frame 230 extends in a direction perpendicular to the length direction of the pair of curved reinforcement bars 210 and is positioned in a region corresponding to the middle region in the length direction of each of the pair of curved reinforcement bars 210. At least two center frames 230 may be arranged along the longitudinal direction of the curved reinforcement bars 210 to support the middle region of the rear surface of the cover bottom 150.

[0122] The bending guide panel 130, the cover bottom 150, the light guide frame 160, the bending top cover 140, and the reinforcement frame 200 can be coupled to each other to form an integrated module such that the edge of the display panel 110 and the edge of the backlight unit 120 including the edge of the light guide frame 160 surrounding the optical sheet 121 are surrounded by the bending guide panel 130, and the pair of bending reinforcement bars 210 and the pair of side frames 220 of the reinforcement frame 200 surround the side surface of the cover bottom 150, and the bending top cover 140 covers the side surface and the edge of the upper surface of the display panel 110, and the cover bottom 150 covers the rear surface of the backlight unit 120.

[0123] In this regard, the bending top cover 140 is also referred to as a "bending housing top" or a "bending top housing", and the bending guide panel 130 is referred to as a 'bending support body' or a 'bending main support' or a'molded frame'. In addition, the cover bottom 150 is also referred to as a "cover bottom" or a "lower cover".

[0124] In this regard, in the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pair of bending reinforcement bars 210 have corresponding stepped structures facing each other.

[0125] Therefore, in the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, although the connection member 116 connecting the printed circuit board 117 to one edge of the display panel 110 has a small length, the printed circuit board 117 can be easily bent and adhered to the rear surface of the reinforcement frame 200.

[0126] Therefore, in the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, even when the backlight unit 120 is implemented as an edge-type backlight unit instead of a direct-lit backlight unit, the connection member 116 having a small length can connect the printed circuit board 117 to one side edge of the display panel 110.

[0127] Therefore, a decrease in process efficiency, such as an increase in process cost, can be prevented. In addition, light leakage at the edge of the display panel can be prevented, so that the display device 100 capable of implementing a high-quality image can be implemented.

[0128] The backlight unit 120 is located below the display panel 110 to provide light to the display panel 110. The backlight unit 120 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is a bent backlight unit having a predetermined curvature and can provide light to the display panel 110.

[0129] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line 3-3 in the state where the light source module 129 and the reflector 125 are mounted on the reinforcement frame 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 in the figure.

[0130] Reference Figure 3, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the light source module 129 may include a bottom portion 129c, printed circuit boards (PCBs) 129b disposed on the bottom portion 129c and spaced apart from each other, and lenses 129a disposed on each of the PCBs 129b. A reflector 125 may be disposed on the PCB 129b.

[0131] In addition, the light source module 129 may include a third sidewall 129e and a fourth sidewall 129d extending upward from the bottom portion 129c.

[0132] Figure 3 The light source module 129 shown in Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view cut along the cutting line 3-3 parallel to the X-axis in

[0133] Therefore, the first sidewall and the second sidewall are not shown, but only the upper side 129t and the lower side 129m of the second sidewall are shown.

[0134] More specifically, the first sidewall and the second sidewall face each other in the Y-axis direction and extend in the X-axis direction, while the third sidewall 129e and the fourth sidewall 129d face each other in the X-axis direction and extend in the Y-axis direction. In this regard, the first sidewall and the second sidewall are formed to be recessedly curved with a predetermined curvature when viewed in the Z direction, that is, in the XY plane, while the third sidewall 129e and the fourth sidewall 129d may be flat without being curved.

[0135] The upper surface 129t of each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall may be recessedly curved to have a first curvature R1, and the lower surface 129m of each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall may be recessedly curved to have a second curvature R2. In this regard, the first curvature R1 may be greater than the second curvature R2.

[0136] That is, the height d1 from the bottom portion 129c to the upper surface 129t of each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall may be greater at the outer region of the backlight unit 120 than at its center.

[0137] The LEDs of the light source module 129 are disposed on the bottom portion 129c, and the traveling distance of the light from the LEDs of the light source module 129 may be greater at the outer region of the backlight unit 120 than at its center.

[0138] The third sidewall 129e and the fourth sidewall 129d may be formed to have a constant height from the bottom portion 129m. In an embodiment of the present disclosure, an example is described in which, when viewed in the Z direction, that is, when viewed in the XY plane, the first sidewall and the second sidewall are formed to be recessed and curved with a predetermined curvature, while the third sidewall 129e and the fourth sidewall 129d are formed to be flat and not curved. However, the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, the third sidewall 129e and the fourth sidewall 129d are formed to be recessed and curved with a predetermined curvature when viewed in the Z direction, that is, when viewed in the XY plane, while the first sidewall and the second sidewall may be formed to be flat and not curved.

[0139] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the Figure 2 cutting line 4-4 in the display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0140] Reference Figure 4 , in the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the reinforcing frame 200 may include curved reinforcing bars 210 facing each other in the Z-axis direction and side frames 220 facing each other in the X-axis direction.

[0141] The curved reinforcing bars 210 are used to maintain the overall curvature of the display device 100 and are arranged to be curved to have a predetermined curvature corresponding to the curvature of the display panel 110. For example, the curved reinforcing bars 210 may include a metal material having relatively high rigidity, such as aluminum (Al), stainless steel (SUS), hot-dip galvanized iron (HGI), and electrolytic galvanized iron (EGI).

[0142] The curved reinforcing bars 210 may have a bar shape corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the cover bottom 150 ( Figure 2 ). For example, the curved reinforcing bars 210 may include a first vertical portion 211, a first horizontal portion 213 vertically bent from an end of the first vertical portion 211, a second vertical portion 215 vertically bent from an end of the first horizontal portion 213, and a second horizontal portion 217 vertically bent from an end of the second vertical portion 215.

[0143] As a result, the curved reinforcing bars 210 have a stepped shape in which the first and second vertical portions 211 and 215 are spaced apart from each other in the cross-sectional view. The first vertical portion 211 may have a guiding portion 219 on its top surface to support ( Figure 2 ) the edge portion of the diffusion plate 123.

[0144] The pair of bending reinforcing bars 210 may be disposed along two long sides of the cover bottom 150 and spaced apart from each other. As a result, the pair of bending reinforcing bars 210 may have a stepped shape along opposite directions to provide space for the printed circuit board (PCB) 117. Since the first and second vertical portions 211 and 215 and the first and second horizontal portions 213 and 217 have a uniform thickness, the first and second vertical portions 211 and 215 and the first and second horizontal portions 213 and 217 provide space for the printed circuit board (PCB) 117 under the rear surface of the bending reinforcing bar 210 having a relatively high stiffness.

[0145] Since the first horizontal portion 213 is vertically bent from the end of the first vertical portion 211 and the second vertical portion 215 is vertically bent from the end of the first horizontal portion 213, the rear surface of the first horizontal portion 213 and the outer surface of the second vertical portion 215 form a step. The printed circuit board (PCB) 117 connected to the liquid crystal panel 110 through the connection member 116 is inserted into the space formed by the step and is arranged to contact the rear surface of the bending reinforcing bar 210 by bending the connection member 116.

[0146] Since the distance between the front surface of the liquid crystal panel 110 and the rear surface of the first horizontal portion 213 of the bending reinforcing bar 210 is less than the distance between the front surface of the liquid crystal panel 110 and the rear surface of the second horizontal portion 217 of the bending reinforcing bar 210, even when the connection member 116 has a relatively short length, the printed circuit board (PCB) 117 connected to the liquid crystal panel 110 through the connection member 116 can be arranged to contact the rear surface of the bending liquid crystal display device 100 by bending the connection member 116.

[0147] As a result, although the thickness of the bending liquid crystal display device 100 having the direct - type backlight unit 120 ( Figure 2 ) is greater than the thickness of the bending liquid crystal display device (not shown) having an edge - type backlight unit, the connection member 116 connecting the liquid crystal panel 110 and the printed circuit board (PCB) 117 can be used for both the bending liquid crystal display device 100 having the direct - type backlight unit 120 and the bending liquid crystal display device having an edge - type backlight unit. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

[0148] As Figure 4 shown, the backlight unit 120 is composed of a reflector 125 in which through - holes 125h are defined, a light source module including a PCB 129b and a plurality of lenses 129a arranged on the PCB 129b and spaced apart from each other, and a diffusion plate 123 and an optical sheet 121 stacked on the light source module 129, wherein the lenses 129a extend through the through - holes 125h.

[0149] The liquid crystal panel 110 is disposed above the backlight unit 120. The liquid crystal panel 110 includes first and second substrates 112 and 114 and a liquid crystal layer (not shown) between the first and second substrates 112 and 114, and upper and lower polarizing plates 119a and 119b for selectively transmitting predetermined polarized light are respectively formed on outer surfaces of the upper and lower substrates 112 and 114.

[0150] The backlight unit 120 and the liquid crystal panel 110 are modularized with each other using a bending guide panel 130, a bending top cover 140, a cover bottom 150, a light guide frame 160, and a reinforcing frame 200.

[0151] The light source module 129 is disposed on the cover bottom 150, and a reflector 125 is disposed on the light source module 129 such that a plurality of lenses 129a each containing an LED are exposed through a plurality of through holes 125h, and a PCB 129b is covered by the reflector 125.

[0152] A diffusion plate 123 is disposed above the light source module 129 and the reflector 125. The diffusion plate 123 is supported by guide supports 127 to be spaced apart from the light source module 129 and the reflector 125. An optical sheet 121 is disposed above the diffusion plate 123, and an edge portion of the optical sheet 121 is surrounded by the light guide frame 160.

[0153] Side surfaces of the backlight unit 120 including the light source module 129, the reflector 125, the diffusion plate 123, and the optical sheet 121 are surrounded by a first main portion 131 of the bending guide panel 130, and a rear edge surface of the liquid crystal panel 110 is supported by a second main portion 133 such that the liquid crystal panel 110 is disposed above the optical sheet 121.

[0154] A front edge surface and side surfaces of the liquid crystal panel 110 are surrounded by the bending top cover 140. The bending top cover 140 and the bending guide panel 130 are assembled and combined with each other such that an inner surface of a first top portion 141 of the bending top cover 140 contacts an outer surface of the first main portion 131 of the bending guide panel 130.

[0155] The pair of bent reinforcing strips 210 of the reinforcing frame 200 form the side surfaces of the cover bottom 150 such that the first vertical portions 211 of the pair of reinforcing strips 210 are disposed along two long sides of the cover bottom 150, and the cover bottom 150 is disposed on and supported by the second horizontal portions 217 of the pair of bent reinforcing strips 210. The cover bottom 150 and the pair of bent reinforcing strips 210 are assembled and combined with each other such that the rear surface of the cover bottom 150 contacts the front surface of the second horizontal portion 217 of the pair of bent reinforcing strips 210. Further, the bending guide panel 130 and the pair of bent reinforcing strips 210 are assembled and combined with each other such that the outer surface of the first vertical portion 211 of the pair of bent reinforcing strips 210 contacts the inner surface of the first main portion 131 of the bending guide panel 130.

[0156] Accordingly, the cover bottom 150 is assembled and combined with the pair of bent reinforcing strips 210 of the reinforcing frame 200, and the pair of bent reinforcing strips 210 of the reinforcing frame 200 are assembled and combined with the bending guide panel 130. Further, the bending guide panel 130 surrounding the light guide frame 160 is assembled and combined with the bending top cover 140. Accordingly, the liquid crystal panel 110 and the backlight unit 120 are modularized and integrated with each other through the bending guide panel 130, the bending top cover 140, the cover bottom 150, the light guide frame 160, and the reinforcing frame 200.

[0157] At this point, a guiding portion 219 having a recessed shape with its edges removed may be formed on the top surface of the first vertical portion 211 of the bent reinforcing strip 210 to support the edge portion of the diffusion plate 123.

[0158] A printed circuit board (PCB) 117 connected to the liquid crystal panel 110 through a connecting member 116 may contact the rear surface of one of the pair of bent reinforcing strips 210 by bending the connecting member 116. The pair of bent reinforcing strips 210 have a stepped shape such that the rear surface of the first horizontal portion 213 and the outer surface of the second vertical portion 215 form a step, and the printed circuit board (PCB) 117 is inserted into the space formed by the step to contact the rear surface of the bent reinforcing strip 210 by bending the connecting member 116.

[0159] Accordingly, the printed circuit board (PCB) 117 connected to the liquid crystal panel 110 through the connecting member 116 can be arranged to contact the rear surface of the bent reinforcing strip 210 of the bent liquid crystal display device 100 by bending the connecting member 116, even when the connecting member 116 has a relatively short length.

[0160] As a result, although having ( Figure 2The thickness of the curved liquid crystal display device 100 with the direct - type backlight unit 120 is greater than that of the curved liquid crystal display device with an edge - type backlight unit (not shown). However, the connecting member 116 that connects the liquid crystal panel 110 and the printed circuit board (PCB) 117 can be used for both the curved liquid crystal display device 100 with the direct - type backlight unit 120 and the curved liquid crystal display device with the edge - type backlight unit. Therefore, the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the manufacturing efficiency can be improved.

[0161] In addition, since the pair of curved reinforcing bars 210 has a uniform thickness, the reinforcing frame 200 can maintain the entire curvature of the curved liquid crystal display device 100 with relatively high stiffness.

[0162] In addition, since the pair of curved reinforcing bars 210 has a stepped shape, light leakage at the edge portion of the liquid crystal panel 110 can be reduced or prevented.

[0163] Part of the light emitted by the plurality of lenses 129a each containing an LED in the light source module 129 is reflected on the pair of curved reinforcing bars 210 and propagates toward the diffusion plate 123. Since the pair of curved reinforcing bars 210 has vertical reflection surfaces, such as the inner surfaces of the first and second vertical portions 211 and 215, part of the light is reflected on the vertical reflection surfaces toward the central portion of the diffusion plate 123.

[0164] As a result, compared with the liquid crystal display device according to the prior art, part of the light is not reflected toward the edge portion of the diffusion plate 123, and thus light leakage at the edge portion can be reduced or prevented.

[0165] When the pair of curved reinforcing bars 210 is made of aluminum (Al), an additional reflecting member may not be required on the reflection surface of the pair of reinforcing bars 210. When the pair of reinforcing bars 210 is made of one of stainless steel (SUS), hot - dip galvanized iron (HGI), and electrolytic galvanized iron (EGI), a white or silver reflecting pad (not shown) can be formed on the reflection surface of the pair of reinforcing bars 210.

[0166] Figure 5 is a cross - sectional view taken along the cutting line 5 - 5 in the display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 2 in the display device.

[0167] Refer to Figure 5 , in the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the pair of side frames 220 has a bar shape with a cross - sectional shape of "L". For example, each of the pair of side frames may include a third vertical portion 221 and a third horizontal portion 223 that is perpendicularly bent from the end of the third vertical portion 221.

[0168] The pair of side frames 220 are disposed along two short sides of the bottom frame 150 and spaced apart from each other such that the third vertical portions 221 constitute side surfaces of the bottom frame 150. In addition, the bottom frame 150 is disposed on and supported by the third horizontal portions 223 of the pair of side frames 220.

[0169] At this point, the side molds 240 are disposed on inner surfaces of the third vertical portions 221 and the third horizontal portions 223 of each side frame 220. As a result, in a cross-sectional view, the side frames 220 may have a stepped shape by outer surfaces of the third vertical portions 221, the side molds 240, and the third horizontal portions 223. In order to reflect light, the side molds 240 may include a high-gloss white material, or the side molds 240 may be processed to have a mirror surface. Accordingly, in the curved LCD device 100, light leakage along short sides of the liquid crystal panel 110 may also be reduced or prevented.

[0170] The reinforcing frame 200 accommodating the backlight unit 120 may be made of a metallic material such as an aluminum plate, an aluminum alloy plate, or a galvanized steel plate. According to an embodiment, the reinforcing frame 200 may be made of a plastic material such as polycarbonate (PC).

[0171] The light source module 129 may be accommodated in the reinforcing frame 200. The light source module 129 may include a PCB 129b disposed on a bottom portion 129c on the cover bottom 150 and a plurality of lenses 129a mounted on the PCB 129b.

[0172] Each lens 129a may accommodate a light source therein. The light source may include, for example, a light emitting diode (LED). Hereinafter, the light source is referred to as an LED. Each lens 129a is mounted on the PCB 129b such that a light emitting surface of the light source LED faces the display panel 110.

[0173] The light source LED may be a color LED that emits light of at least one color such as red, blue, green, etc., or may be a white LED. In addition, the color LED may include at least one of a red LED, a blue LED, and a green LED. The arrangement of the light source LEDs and the light emitted from the light source LEDs may vary in various ways.

[0174] The PCB 129b may be in the form of a narrow and elongated strip. The PCB 129b supports the lens 129a thereon and supplies power to the light source LED of the lens 129a. The PCB 129b may be a metal core printed circuit board (MCPCB), which can quickly dissipate the heat generated from the light source LED. The light source LED of the lens 129a is electrically connected to the wiring of the PCB 129b and receives power therefrom to convert electrical energy into light energy and emit light. One or more light source LEDs of the lens 129a may be provided on one PCB 129b. The total number and arrangement of the light source LEDs may vary according to the size of the display panel, the output of the light source, etc.

[0175] The lens 129a is mounted on the PCB 129b. The lens 129a is an optical lens and is positioned to substantially cover the light source LED. As a result, the light from the light source LED is refracted and diffused by the lens 129a. The lens 129a diffuses the upward light from the light source LED so that the light is not concentrated. Therefore, by using the lens 129a, the number of light source LEDs can be reduced and high-output light can be applied.

[0176] The lens 129a may be a side-emitting lens that mainly refracts and diffuses the upward light from the light source LED to the side surface. In one example, the lens 129a may be a top-emitting lens that mainly refracts and diffuses the light from the light source LED in the upward direction. Since the side-emitting lens can reduce the optical distance compared to the top-emitting lens, the optical sheet 121 can be positioned closer to the light source LED, and the total thickness of the backlight unit 120 can be reduced accordingly, thereby thinning the display device.

[0177] The assembly of the PCB 129b and the lens 129a including the light source LED mounted on the PCB 129b is referred to as the light source module 129 in the present disclosure. A plurality of light source modules 129 may be arranged on one PCB 129b and spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance. Alternatively, the number of the plurality of light source modules 129 may be the same as the number of the PCB 129b.

[0178] The reflector 125 may be provided on the PCB 129b. Through holes 125h may be formed in the reflector 125 so that each lens 129a provided on the PCB 129b can be inserted into each through hole 125h of the reflector 125.

[0179] The reflector 125 may be made of a plastic material such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), or polystyrene (PS). The reflector 125 may include a light-reflecting material such as titanium dioxide (TiO2) to increase the light reflectance.

[0180] The space defined by the reflector 125 and the diffusion plate 123 may be referred to as the optical space of the backlight unit 120.

[0181] Each of the diffusion sheet 121 and the diffusion plate 123 may be referred to as a light enhancement member. The light enhancement member increases the efficiency of the light emitted from the light source module 129. The diffusion plate 123 diffuses the light emitted from the light source module 129 and radiates the diffused light to the optical sheet 121. The optical sheet 121 is located on top of the diffusion plate 123 to improve the efficiency of the light incident from the diffusion plate 123.

[0182] The diffusion sheet 121 is used to scatter light to produce surface light with more uniform brightness. The optical sheet 121 may include a prism sheet and a protective sheet. The prism sheet is used to control the traveling direction of the light uniformly spread by the diffusion plate 123 to gather the light to increase the brightness, and the protective sheet is used to protect the prisms of the prism sheet from scratches and the like. The protective sheet may perform the function of spreading the light to widen the viewing angle narrowed by the prism sheet.

[0183] The optical sheet 121 may not include any of the prism sheet and the protective sheet, but may include a plurality of optical sheets 121. The optical sheet 121 may also include an optical sheet having other characteristics. For example, the optical sheet 121 may include a reflective polarizing sheet, which can separate the polarization components of light from each other and transmit and reflect the polarization components passing through and reflected from it, respectively, to improve the brightness efficiency.

[0184] In one example, although not shown, an inverter board as a printed circuit board for power supply and / or a printed circuit board for signal conversion may be mounted on the lower surface of the cover bottom 150. The inverter board may convert external power into power having a certain voltage level and supply the latter to the light source LED. The printed circuit board for signal conversion may convert an analog data signal into a digital data signal and supply the digital data signal to the display panel 110 through a flexible circuit board (not shown) attached to the display panel 110.

[0185] The display device 100 may include a bending guide panel 130 to stably fix the display panel 110 to the curved backlight unit 120 at a certain vertical level.

[0186] The bending guide panel 130 may have a substantially rectangular frame shape of a cuboid having an open top and an open bottom. The bending guide panel 130 may be coupled to the reinforcing frame 200 in a hook-like manner to a hook (not shown), and the hook may be positioned on the side wall of the reinforcing frame 200 while surrounding the side wall of the reinforcing frame 200. In this regard, the bending guide panel 130 may be recessed and bent with the same curvature as the curvature of the upper surface 129t of each of the first side wall and the second side wall.

[0187] The display panel 110 is disposed on the bending guide panel 130 and fixed thereto. The display panel 110 may be attached to the upper surface of the bending guide panel 130 by an adhesive member (not shown). The adhesive member may be implemented as a buffer double-sided tape having shock absorption ability to mitigate the impact that may be applied to the display panel 110.

[0188] The bending top cover 140 may be installed to cover the edges of the upper surface and the side surfaces of the display panel 110. According to an embodiment, the bending guide panel 130 and the bending top cover 140 may be omitted.

[0189] Figure 6 FIG. is a diagram showing a reflector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0190] Reference Figure 6 , the reflector 125 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a first region 125-1 located at the left edge, a second region 125-2 located at the right edge, and a third region 125-3 corresponding to the remaining region except for the first and second regions.

[0191] In the first region 125-1 of the reflector 125, at least two first openings 125a having the same shape are formed and arranged such that the at least two first openings are spaced apart from each other by an equal pitch in the column direction. The first openings 125a extend through the reflector 125. In a plan view, the left edge of the first opening is smaller in size in the column direction than each of its right edge and the middle portion in the column direction. This structure of the first opening 125a is to prevent the reflector 125 from being torn off when the reflector 125 expands or contracts in the left-right direction about its center when the ambient environment of the display device 100 has high temperature and high humidity. Therefore, even when the display device 100 is present in a high temperature and high humidity environment and thus the reflector 125 contracts or expands, the coupling between the reflector 125 and the lens 129a can be maintained. Therefore, even in a high temperature and high humidity environment, a defect in which the lens 129a is removed from the reflector 125 in the display device 100 can be prevented.

[0192] In a second region 125-2 of the reflector 125, at least two second openings 125b having the same shape are formed and arranged such that the at least two second openings are spaced apart from each other by an equal pitch in the column direction. The second openings 125b extend through the reflector 125. In a plan view, a size of a right edge of the second opening in the column direction is smaller than a size of each of a left edge and a middle portion thereof in the column direction. Such a structure of the second opening 125b is to prevent the reflector 125 from being torn off when the reflector 125 expands or contracts in the left-right direction about its center when the ambient environment of the display device 100 has a high temperature and high humidity. Accordingly, even when the display device 100 is present in a high temperature and high humidity environment and thus the reflector 125 contracts or expands, the coupling between the reflector 125 and the lens 129a can be maintained. Accordingly, even in a high temperature and high humidity environment, a defect in which the lens 129a is removed from the reflector 125 in the display device 100 can be prevented.

[0193] In a third region 125-3 of the reflector 125, at least two third openings 125c having the same shape are formed and arranged such that the at least two third openings are spaced apart from each other by an equal pitch in the column direction. The third openings 125c extend through the reflector 125. In a plan view, a size of each of a right edge and a left edge of the third opening in the column direction is larger than a size of a middle portion thereof in the column direction. Due to the structure of the third opening 125c, in the opening region, a middle portion of the reflector protrudes into the third opening. Accordingly, when the lens 129a is inserted into the third opening 125c, the protrusion serves as a stopper, such that the lens can be prevented from being removed from the third opening.

[0194] Figure 7 is a diagram showing a basic structure of a backlight unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line 8-8 in a backlight unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure Figure 7 therein. Figure 9A is a diagram showing an example in which a lens is disposed on a PCB according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, and Figure 9B is a cross-sectional view comparing a width of a PCB and a width of a lens according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0195] Referring Figure 7 and Figure 8 to, a backlight unit 120 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a printed circuit board (PCB) 129b, at least one lens 129a, and a reflector 125.

[0196] At least one lens 129a may be disposed on the PCB 129b.

[0197] The reflector 125 can be formed to have openings 125a, 125b, and 125c defined therein corresponding to the lenses 129a, and can be disposed on the PCB 129b such that each lens 129a is inserted into each of the openings 125a, 125b, and 125c.

[0198] The reflector 125 has a first opening 125a in one side edge thereof, a second opening 125b in the other side edge thereof, and at least one third opening 125c between the first opening 125b and the second opening 125. The third openings 125c can be spaced from each other by equal intervals.

[0199] In a plan view, the left edge of the first opening 125a is smaller in size in the column direction than each of its right edge and the middle portion in the column direction. In a plan view, the right edge of the second opening 125b is smaller in size in the column direction than each of its left edge and the middle portion in the column direction. In a plan view, each of the right edge and the left edge of the third opening 125c is larger in size in the column direction than the middle portion in the column direction.

[0200] The first opening 125a can be formed in the first region (left edge region) 125-1 of the reflector 125, and arranged in the column direction, and can be spaced from each other by equal intervals, and can extend through the reflector 125. In a plan view, the left edge of each first opening 125a is smaller in size in the column direction than each of its right edge and the middle portion in the column direction.

[0201] The second opening 125b can be formed in the second region (right edge region) 125-2 of the reflector 125, and arranged in the column direction, and can be spaced from each other by equal intervals, and can extend through the reflector 125. In a plan view, the right edge of each second opening 125b is smaller in size in the column direction than each of its left edge and the middle portion in the column direction.

[0202] The third opening 125c can be formed in the third region (middle region) 125-3 of the reflector 125, and arranged in the column and row directions, and can be spaced from each other by equal intervals, and can extend through the reflector 125. In a plan view, each of the right edge and the left edge of the third opening 125c is larger in size in the column direction than the middle portion in the column direction.

[0203] The first opening 125a, the second opening 125b, and the third opening 125c can have different shapes from each other. For example, each first opening 125a can have a shape Among them, in the plan view, the left edge of each first opening 125a has a dimension in the column direction that is smaller than the dimension of each of its right edge and the middle portion in the column direction. Each second opening 125b may have a shape Among them, in the plan view, the right edge of each second opening 125b has a dimension in the column direction that is smaller than the dimension of each of its left edge and the middle portion in the column direction. Each of the third openings 125c may have a shape Among them, in the plan view, each of the right edge and the left edge of the third opening 125c has a dimension in the column direction that is larger than the dimension of its middle portion in the column direction.

[0204] In the plan view, the first opening 125a and the second opening 125b have shapes that are symmetric to each other with respect to an imaginary vertical line passing through the center in the row direction of the reflector 125.

[0205] As Figure 9A shown, each of the lenses 129a may be arranged to be equally spaced from each other in the row direction when provided on the PCB 129b.

[0206] In this regard, the width W1 of each of at least one of the lenses 129a in the column direction may be greater than the width W2 of the PCB 129b in the column direction.

[0207] As Figure 8 shown, each of the lenses 129a may receive each light-emitting diode LED as a light source therein.

[0208] The backlight unit 120 may further include a reinforcing frame 200 that houses the reflector 125 therein, and at least one lens 129a provided on the PCB 129b is inserted into the reflector 125.

[0209] In addition, the backlight unit 120 may include a diffusion plate 123 provided on the reflector 125 and at least one optical sheet 121 provided on the diffusion plate 123.

[0210] In the display device 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the display panel 110 may be provided on the backlight unit 120 having the above structure.

[0211] The backlight unit 120 may further include a reinforcing frame 200 that houses the reflector 125 therein, and at least one lens 129a provided on the PCB 129b is inserted into the reflector 125. The reinforcing frame 200 may include four side walls coupled to each other to define a rectangular accommodation space in the plan view of the display device 100, wherein the four side walls extend upward from the four side edges of the bottom surface of the reinforcing frame 200, respectively.

[0212] In one embodiment, the height from the bottom surface of each of the first and second side walls facing each other is greater at each of its two opposite side edges than at its center, wherein the lower surface of each of the first and second side walls is curved to have a first curvature greater than 0, and wherein the upper surface of each of the first and second side walls is curved to have a second curvature greater than the first curvature.

[0213] Figure 10A and Figure 10B are diagrams showing examples of forming first to third openings in a reflector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0214] Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example in which a lens on a PCB is inserted into a reflector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example in which a lens is inserted into a third opening defined in a reflector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example in which a lens is inserted into each opening defined in one side edge of a reflector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0215] Reference Figure 10A and Figure 10B , a reflector 125 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have at least one first opening 125a, a second opening 125b, and a third opening 125c, which are defined to extend through the reflector 125.

[0216] Each first opening 125a may have a shape wherein, in a plan view, the left edge of each first opening 125 has a dimension in the column direction smaller than each of its right edge and middle portion in the column direction.

[0217] Each second opening 125b may have a shape wherein, in a plan view, the right edge of each second opening 125b has a dimension in the column direction smaller than each of its left edge and middle portion in the column direction.

[0218] Each third opening 125c may have a shape wherein, in a plan view, each of the right edge and left edge of the third opening 125c has a dimension in the column direction greater than that of its middle portion in the column direction.

[0219] Reference Figure 11 , the reflector 125 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure has a second opening 125b located at the right edge and a third opening 125c adjacent thereto. Each lens 129a on each PCB 129b may be fixedly inserted into each of the second opening 125b and the third opening 125c.

[0220] Reference Figure 12 Figure 12 , the reflector 125 defining the third opening 125c may have: a first protrusion 125c-1 that protrudes into the third opening 125c from one of two opposite sides of the third opening in a second direction in an intermediate region of the third opening in a first direction; and a second protrusion 125c-2 that protrudes into the third opening 125c from the other of the two opposite sides of the third opening in the second direction in the intermediate region of the third opening 125c in the first direction.

[0221] Accordingly, each lens 129a inserted into the third opening 125c of the reflector 125 may not be removed from the third opening 125 due to the first protrusion 125c-1 and the second protrusion 125c-2 serving as stoppers, and may thus be fixedly received therein.

[0222] Reference Figure 13 Figure 13 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the lenses may be respectively inserted into a first opening 125a located at the upper left edge of the reflector 125 and a third opening 125c located in an intermediate region of the reflector 125.

[0223] In this regard, the lens inserted into the first opening 125a may be firmly fixed to the first opening 125a, and the first opening may have a shape wherein, in a plan view, the left edge of each first opening 125a has a dimension in a column direction that is smaller than the dimension of each of its right edge and intermediate portion in the column direction. In this regard, the reflector 125 may expand or contract on opposite sides (left and right) around its center in a high temperature or high temperature and high humidity environment. Accordingly, when the reflector 125 contracts, it may be torn off. When the reflector expands, the first opening 125a expands such that the lens 129a may be removed from the first opening 125b. Therefore, considering this phenomenon, the first opening 125a may have a shape wherein, in a plan view, the left edge of each first opening 125a has a dimension in a column direction that is smaller than the dimension of each of its right edge and intermediate portion in the column direction. The shape of the first opening 125a is different from the shape of the third opening 125c located in the intermediate region. Since the first opening 125a has a shape in a plan view such that the left edge of each first opening 125a has a dimension in a column direction that is smaller than the dimension of each of its right edge and intermediate portion in the column direction, the lens 129a may not be removed from the first opening 125a and may be firmly fixed therein even when the reflector 125 contracts or expands in a high temperature or high temperature and high humidity environment.

[0224] In one example, when the display panel 110 is bent around its center, the reflector 125 is bent around its center. Thus, each third opening 125c may have a shape wherein, in a plan view, each of the left and right edges of the third opening 125c has a dimension in the column direction that is greater than the dimension of its middle portion in the column direction.

[0225] Figure 14 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a lens is inserted into a third opening of a reflector according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0226] Reference Figure 14 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the reflector 125 may be disposed on top of a PCB 129b provided on the bottom portion 129c.

[0227] In this regard, the lenses 129a that respectively accommodate the light sources LED may be arranged to be equally spaced from each other when provided on the PCB 129b.

[0228] The third openings 125c extending through the reflector 125 may be arranged to be equally spaced from each other.

[0229] Thus, when the reflector 125 is provided on the PCB 129b, each lens 129a is inserted into each third opening 125c.

[0230] In this regard, since the first protrusion 125c-1 and the second protrusion 125c-2 protrude into the third opening 125c and function as stoppers, each lens 129a inserted into the third opening 125c is not removed from the third opening 125c and is fixedly accommodated therein.

[0231] As described above, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a backlight unit can be provided in which detachment of the PCB and the lens from the edge of the reflector is prevented during manufacture of the LED array, and the PCB and the lens are fixed to the reflector. In addition, a display device including the backlight unit can be provided.

[0232] In addition, a backlight unit can be provided in which lenses provided on a PCB and arranged to be spaced from each other are fixedly inserted into openings defined in a reflector, and the openings defined in different regions of the reflector have different shapes and widths. In addition, a display device including the backlight unit can be provided.

[0233] Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be implemented in various different forms. Those skilled in the art can understand that the present disclosure can be practiced in other specific forms without changing the technical spirit or basic features of the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be understood that the embodiments described above are not restrictive, but illustrative in all aspects.

Claims

1. A backlight unit, comprising: Printed circuit boards; at least one lens disposed on the printed circuit board; as well as a reflective plate having at least one opening, wherein the at least one opening defines the at least one lens therein, wherein the reflective plate is disposed on the printed circuit board such that the at least one lens is inserted into the at least one opening, Wherein, the at least one opening comprises: A first opening is located at one side edge of two opposite side edges of the reflective plate in a first direction; a second opening located at the other side edge of the two opposite side edges of the reflective plate in the first direction; and At least one third opening is located between the first opening and the second opening.

2. The backlight unit according to claim 1, wherein: One of the at least one lens is inserted into each of the at least one opening.

3. The backlight unit according to claim 1, wherein: In a plan view of the backlight unit, each of the first to third openings has one side edge portion, another side edge portion, and a middle portion disposed between the one side edge portion and the other side edge portion, wherein the width of the one side edge portion of the first opening in the second direction is smaller than the width of each of the other side edge portion and the middle portion of the first opening in the second direction, wherein the second direction intersects the first direction, wherein the width of the other side edge portion of the second opening in the second direction is smaller than the width of each of the one side edge portion and the middle portion of the second opening in the second direction, The width of the middle portion of the third opening in the second direction is smaller than the width of each of the one side edge portion and the other side edge portion of the third opening in the second direction.

4. The backlight unit according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein: The one side edge of the reflecting plate is a left side edge of the reflecting plate, The other side edge of the reflecting plate is a right side edge of the reflecting plate.

5. The backlight unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In a plan view of the backlight unit, the first opening, the second opening, and the third opening have shapes different from each other.

6. The backlight unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: In a plan view of the backlight unit, the first opening and the second opening have shapes symmetrical to each other with respect to an imaginary vertical center line of the reflection plate in the first direction.

7. The backlight unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Each of the lenses is provided on the printed circuit board and is arranged to be spaced apart from each other by equal intervals along the first direction.

8. The backlight unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A width of each of the at least one lens in a second direction is greater than a width of the printed circuit board in the second direction, wherein the second direction intersects the first direction.

9. The backlight unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: Each of the lenses houses a light emitting diode (LED) therein.

10. The backlight unit according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a reinforcement frame accommodating the reflection plate therein, and the at least one lens disposed on the printed circuit board is inserted into the reflection plate.

11. The backlight unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: A diffusion sheet is arranged on the reflection plate, Wherein, at least one optical sheet is arranged on the diffusion sheet.

12. A display device, comprising: The backlight unit according to any one of claims 1 to 11; as well as The display panel is arranged on the backlight unit.

13. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The backlight unit further includes a reinforcement frame accommodating the reflection plate therein, and the at least one lens disposed on the printed circuit board is inserted into the reflection plate. The reinforcement frame includes four side walls coupled to each other to define a rectangular shaped accommodation space in a plan view of the display device, wherein the four side walls extend upward from four side edges of a bottom surface of the reinforcement frame, respectively.

14. The display device according to claim 13, wherein: The height from the bottom surface of each of the first side wall and the second side wall facing each other is greater in each of the two opposite side edges thereof than in the center thereof, wherein a lower surface of each of the first side wall and the second side wall is curved to have a first curvature having a value greater than 0, Wherein an upper surface of each of the first side wall and the second side wall is curved to have a second curvature greater than the first curvature.

15. The display device according to claim 12, wherein: The reflector comprises: a first protrusion that protrudes into the third opening from one of two opposite sides of the third opening in the second direction in a middle region of the third opening in the first direction; and A second protrusion protrudes into the third opening from the other of the two opposite sides of the third opening in the second direction in the middle region of the third opening in the first direction.

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