Display device

Abstract

To provide a display device and flexible frame that enable the display device to adopt a thin bezel design while preventing reduction in a range of an image-capturing assembly capturing a signal.SOLUTION: A display device includes: a housing; a display panel; a flexible frame; and a covering body. The flexible frame includes: a first fitting body; two second fitting bodies; and the covering body. The two second fitting bodies are configured to be connected to facing two ends of the first fitting body, respectively. The first fitting body and the two second fitting bodies are configured to form an installation space together, in which the display panel is arranged in the installation space. The covering body is configured to protrude from a side surface of the first fitting body located away from the installation space, and has at least one exposing hole. An image-capturing assembly is arranged on the housing. The first fitting body and the covering body are configured to cover different sides of the capturing assembly, respectively. The exposing hole is configured to expose the image-capturing assembly.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to electronic devices and flexible frames, and more particularly to displays and flexible frames for mounting display panels. [Background technology]

[0002] Laptop computers have become one of the most popular electronic products due to their portability. In recent years, laptop computer displays have typically adopted a thin bezel design, which increases the screen-to-body (STB) ratio and improves visual appeal while also making them thinner and lighter. To further slim down the display bezel, some manufacturers have moved the camera to the underside of the display, closer to the hinge.

[0003] However, placing the camera on the display side, closer to the hinge, limits the camera's shooting range and angle. As a result, the camera may not be able to capture the desired image. For these reasons, it has been difficult to adopt a thin bezel in conventional laptop computers without limiting the camera's shooting range and angle. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The present disclosure provides a display device and flexible frame that allows the display device to employ a thin bezel design while preventing a reduction in the range over which the imaging assembly captures a signal.

[0005] One embodiment of the present disclosure provides a display device including a housing, a display panel, a flexible frame, and a covering. The housing has a storage space. The display panel is disposed within the storage space. The flexible frame includes a first joint body, two second joint bodies, and a covering. The two second joint bodies are respectively connected to two opposing ends of the first joint body. The first joint body and the two second joint bodies together form an installation space, and the display panel is disposed within the installation space. The covering protrudes from a side of the first joint body that is positioned away from the installation space and has at least one exposure hole. The imaging assembly is disposed on the housing. The first joint body and the covering each cover different sides of the imaging assembly. The at least one exposure hole exposes the imaging assembly.

[0006] Another embodiment of the present disclosure provides a flexible frame including a first coupling body, two second coupling bodies, and a cover. The two second coupling bodies are respectively connected to two opposing ends of the first coupling body. The first coupling body and the two second coupling bodies together form an installation space. The cover protrudes from a side of the first coupling body that is located away from the installation space and has at least one exposure hole.

[0007] According to the display device and flexible frame disclosed in the above embodiments, the flexible frame includes a cover that protrudes outward and covers the imaging assembly, allowing the imaging assembly to move from the housing side located near the hinge to a position adjacent to the thin bezel-shaped cover of the flexible frame. This prevents the imaging assembly from being positioned at the top of the display device, thereby preventing the imaging assembly from capturing signals from being narrowed. In this way, the flexible frame allows the display device to adopt a thin bezel design while preventing the imaging assembly from capturing signals from being narrowed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] The present disclosure will be better understood from the detailed description set forth herein below and the accompanying drawings, which are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure.

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a display device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the display device of FIG. [Figure 3] 3 is a perspective view of the flexible frame of the display device of FIG. 2, viewed from a different viewing angle. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged partial view of the flexible frame of FIG. 3; [Figure 5] 5 is a partially enlarged end view of the display device taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an enlarged exploded view of a portion of the display device of FIG. 1. [Figure 7] 2A to 2C are diagrams showing a method of assembling the display device of FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 2A to 2C are diagrams showing a method of assembling the display device of FIG. 1. [Figure 9] 2A to 2C are diagrams showing a method of assembling the display device of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] 2A to 2C are diagrams showing a method of assembling the display device of FIG. 1. [Figure 11] 2A to 2C are diagrams showing a method of assembling the display device of FIG. 1. [Figure 12] 2A to 2C are diagrams showing a method of assembling the display device of FIG. 1. [Figure 13] 2A to 2C are diagrams showing a method of assembling the display device of FIG. 1. [Figure 14] 2A to 2C are diagrams showing a method of assembling the display device of FIG. 1. [Figure 15] 2A to 2C are diagrams showing a method of assembling the display device of FIG. 1. [Figure 16] 2A to 2C are diagrams showing a method of assembling the display device of FIG. 1. [Figure 17] 2A to 2C are diagrams showing a method of assembling the display device of FIG. 1. [Figure 18] 10 is an exploded view of a display device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure; [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a partially enlarged end view of the display device of FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are diagrammatically shown to simplify the drawings.

[0011] Please refer to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a perspective view of a display device 10 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is an exploded view of the display device 10 of Figure 1.

[0012] The display device 10 may be a part or the entirety of an electronic product capable of displaying images, such as, but not limited to, a laptop computer. In this embodiment, for purposes of illustrating the intent of the present disclosure, the display device 10 is, for example, a part of a laptop computer (not shown). In such an embodiment, the display device 10 may be the display of the laptop computer and may be connected to a corresponding host (not shown). In this embodiment, the display device 10 includes a housing 100, a display panel 200, a flexible frame 300, an imaging assembly 400, a first positioning structure 500, a second positioning structure 600, and two reinforcing components 700.

[0013] The housing 100 is made of, for example, aluminum. The housing 100 is manufactured by a processing method such as CNC (Computer Numerical Control). The housing 100 is sometimes called a rear cover or a so-called "A cover or A shell." The housing 100 has a housing space 101. The display panel 200 is disposed in the housing space 101. In this embodiment, the display device 10 may further include a front cover 150 and two hinges 160. The front cover 150 is attached to the lower end of the display panel 200 and is sometimes called a so-called "B cover or B shell." The front cover 150 is made of, for example, Mylar. The two hinges 160 are disposed on two opposing sides of the housing 100, respectively.

[0014] Please refer to FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the flexible frame 300 of the display device 10 of FIG. 2, viewed from a different viewing angle. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of the flexible frame 300 in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged end view of the display device 10 taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 1. The flexible frame 300 is a sealing piece made of a flexible material, such as rubber or silicone. The flexible frame 300 is attached to the housing 100, for example, via an adhesive. The flexible frame 300 includes a first joint body 310, two second joint bodies 320, and a cover body 330. The first joint body 310 and the two second joint bodies 320 are generally inverted U-shaped and together form an installation space 350. The display panel 200 is installed in the installation space 350. The display panel 200 is attached to the flexible frame 300, for example, via an adhesive. The first joint body 310 and the second joint body 320 are respectively engaged with the top edge and two side edges of the display panel 200. Therefore, the front cover 150, the first joint body 310, and the second joint body 320 collectively cover the peripheral edge of the display panel 200. Furthermore, because the first joint body 310 and the second joint body 320 cover and engage with the display panel 200, the display device 10 has an appearance similar to that of a display device employing a thin bezel design.

[0015] In this embodiment, the first joint body 310 includes a connecting portion 311 , a first clamping portion 312 , a second clamping portion 313 , and a plurality of ribs 314 , and the first joint body 310 has a recess 315 .

[0016] As shown in FIG. 5 , the connecting portion 311 includes a narrow portion 3110 and a wide portion 3111, which are connected to each other. The narrow portion 3110 and the wide portion 3111 are connected to a first clamping portion 312 and a second clamping portion 313, respectively. That is, the first clamping portion 312 and the second clamping portion 313 are connected to two opposing ends of the connecting portion 311, respectively. The connecting portion 311, the first clamping portion 312, and the second clamping portion 313 are combined together, for example, in an inverted U-shape. The thickness T1 of the narrow portion 3110 is smaller than the thickness T2 of the wide portion 3111. The recess 315 is located at the position where the narrow portion 3110 and the first clamping portion 312 are connected. The rib 314 is located within the recess 315. In particular, different sides of each rib 314 are connected to the connecting portion 311 and the first clamping portion 312, improving the structural strength of the first coupling body 310. In other embodiments where the structural strength of the first coupling body is less demanding, the first coupling body may not include ribs.

[0017] Furthermore, the thickness T1 of the narrow portion 3110 is, for example, 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the thickness T3 of the first clamp portion 312. In this embodiment, the thickness T1 is, for example, 1 / 2 of the thickness T3.

[0018] Because the two second joint bodies 320 have similar structures, the following description will focus on the detailed structure of only one of the second joint bodies 320. The second joint body 320 includes a connecting portion 321, a first clamping portion 322, and a second clamping portion 323. The first clamping portion 322 and the second clamping portion 323 are respectively connected to two opposing ends of the connecting portion 321. The connecting portion 321, the first clamping portion 322, and the second clamping portion 323 are combined in a shape similar to an inverted U. The first clamping portion 322 and the second clamping portion 323 are connected to the respective ends of the first clamping portion 312 and the second clamping portion 313 of the first joint body 310.

[0019] The cover 330 has a plurality of exposure holes 331 formed therein. The cover 330 protrudes from the side of the connection portion 311 that is away from the installation space 350. That is, the cover 330 protrudes outward to widen the upper portion of the flexible frame 300. Therefore, when a notebook computer including the display device 10 of this embodiment is closed, even if a user holds the display device 10 adjacent to the upper end of the flexible frame 300, the widened upper end of the flexible frame 300 is prevented from being deformed by pressure. In this way, the reliability of the flexible frame 300 in separating the display device 10 from a host (not shown) is improved, and direct friction between the display device 10 and the host is prevented.

[0020] Since connecting portion 311 includes narrow portion 3110 connected to first clamp portion 312, the formation of a recess on the side of first clamp portion 312 or on the side of cover 330 located away from narrow portion 3110 is prevented (i.e., the side of first clamp portion 312 or the side of cover 330 located away from narrow portion 3110 is prevented from shrinking). In other words, recess 315 formed at the position where narrow portion 3110 and first clamp portion 312 are connected prevents the formation of a recess on the side of first clamp portion 312 or on the side of cover 330 located away from narrow portion 3110 (i.e., the shrinkage of the side of first clamp portion 312 or the side of cover 330 located away from narrow portion 3110 is prevented). Furthermore, the thickness relationship between the narrow width portion 3110 and the first clamping portion 312 more reliably prevents the formation of a recess on the side of the first clamping portion 312 or on the side of the covering body 330 located away from the narrow width portion 3110 (i.e., more reliably prevents the side of the first clamping portion 312 or the side of the covering body 330 located away from the narrow width portion 3110 from shrinking).

[0021] Furthermore, in this embodiment, in order to facilitate demolding during manufacturing of the flexible frame 300, the recess 315 is designed to be located at the position where the narrow portion 3110 and the first clamp portion 312 are connected. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the recess may be located at the position where the narrow portion and the covering are connected.

[0022] Please refer to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged exploded view of the display device 10 in FIG. 1. The imaging assembly 400 is disposed on the housing 100. The flexible frame 300 is also disposed on the housing 100. Specifically, the connecting portion 311 and the covering body 330 each cover, for example, two adjacent side surfaces of the imaging assembly 400. Furthermore, the housing 100 covers the other two side surfaces of the imaging assembly 400. Thus, the housing 100 and the flexible frame 300 together surround the imaging assembly 400. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the housing may only cover one side surface of the imaging assembly, and the flexible frame may cover three adjacent side surfaces of the imaging assembly. That is, in other embodiments, the imaging assembly may be disposed on the flexible frame.

[0023] Furthermore, the connecting portion 311 and the covering 330 are not limited to covering two adjacent sides of the imaging assembly 400. In other embodiments, the connecting portion and the covering may cover two different sides of the imaging assembly that are not adjacent to each other.

[0024] Furthermore, the first joint body 310, the two second joint bodies 320, and the covering body 330 are integrally formed by, for example, injection molding. Therefore, the first joint body 310, the two second joint bodies 320, and the covering body 330 have the same appearance. In this way, the display panel 200 and the imaging assembly 400 are respectively covered by the first joint body 310, the two second joint bodies 320, and the covering body 330, which have the same appearance, so that the display device 10 can have a uniform appearance.

[0025] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is the covering 330 of the flexible frame 300, not the housing 100, that covers the imaging assembly 400. Therefore, the structural complexity of the housing 100 is reduced, which makes it easier to manufacture the housing 100 by a machining method such as CNC.

[0026] The first positioning structure 500 is disposed on the housing 100. The second positioning structure 600 is disposed on the imaging assembly 400. The first positioning structure 500 and the second positioning structure 600 are a positioning protrusion and a positioning hole that engage with each other and are positioned relative to each other. In this embodiment, the first positioning structure 500 is, for example, a positioning protrusion, and the second positioning structure 600 is, for example, a positioning hole.

[0027] It should be noted that in this embodiment, the imaging assembly 400 is attached to the housing 100 via the first positioning structure 500 and the second positioning structure 600. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In other embodiments, the first positioning structure may be disposed on the housing of the flexible frame. That is, in other embodiments, the imaging assembly may be attached to the flexible frame via the first positioning structure and the second positioning structure.

[0028] In other embodiments, if the specifications of a display device are changed and the configuration of the imaging assembly and display panel included in the display device is changed, the flexible frame may be shared between display devices with different specifications by adjusting the positions of the first positioning structure and the second positioning structure.

[0029] The two reinforcing parts 700 are attached to the imaging assembly 400 on the side closer to the cover 330, for example, via an adhesive. Furthermore, the two reinforcing parts 700 each have a plurality of exposure holes 701. The exposure holes 701 are connected to the exposure holes 331, respectively. The hardness of the reinforcing parts 700 is, for example, greater than the hardness of the cover 330. The two reinforcing parts 700 allow the cover 330 to have a flat appearance when assembled to the imaging assembly 400. Specifically, when the cover 330 is pressed, the harder reinforcing parts 700 support the cover 330, thereby maintaining the flat appearance of the cover 330. Furthermore, the reinforcing parts 700 prevent the connector 401 of the imaging assembly 400 from coming off the circuit board (not shown) of the imaging assembly 400.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 5 , in this embodiment, the display device 10 may further include a plurality of assembly parts 740, such as double-sided tape. The assembly parts 740 are located between the cover 330 and the reinforcing part 700. The assembly parts 740 do not cover the exposure holes 331 and 701. In other embodiments, the display device may include only one assembly part or no assembly parts. Furthermore, in other embodiments, the assembly parts may be non-adhesive pads.

[0031] Furthermore, the exposure holes 331 and 701 expose the imaging assembly 400. In this embodiment, the imaging assembly 400 includes a camera, such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) assembly. The imaging assembly 400 may further include one or more of an infrared sensor, a millimeter-wave sensor, a microphone, and an eye tracker, and thus may have multiple functions, such as facial recognition, audio recording, and eye tracking. The imaging assembly 400 can receive different types of signals, such as light and sound, from the outside through the exposure holes 331 and 701. In this embodiment, the flexible frame 300 includes a cover 330 that protrudes outward and covers the imaging assembly 400. This allows the imaging assembly 400 to be moved from the housing 100 side, which is close to the hinge 160, to a position adjacent to the cover 330 of the flexible frame 300, which has a thin bezel shape. Therefore, placing the imaging assembly 400 at the top of the display device can prevent the imaging assembly 400 from capturing signals in a narrower range. In this manner, the flexible frame 300 allows the display device 10 to employ a thin bezel design while preventing the imaging assembly 400 from narrowing the range over which it captures signals.

[0032] In other embodiments, the cover and the reinforcing component each may have only one exposure hole. Additionally, in other embodiments, there may be only one reinforcing component.

[0033] It should be noted that imaging assembly 400 is not limited to including a camera. In other embodiments where the imaging assembly is not required to capture images, the imaging assembly may not include a camera.

[0034] Please refer to Figures 7 and 17, which show a method for assembling the display device 10 of Figure 1. The method for assembling the display device 10 according to the first embodiment may include the following steps.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 7, a housing 100 and an imaging assembly 400 are provided, and a first positioning structure 500 and a second positioning structure 600 are positioned relative to each other.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 8, the wiring 750 is electrically connected to the connector 401 of the imaging assembly 400 .

[0037] As shown in FIG. 9, two reinforcing parts 700 are attached to the side of the housing 100 and the side of the imaging assembly 400 by adhesive.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 10, a display panel 200 is provided, and a plurality of adhesives 20 are attached to a rear surface 201 of the display panel 200 .

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the release paper (not shown) of the adhesive 20 is peeled off, and the display panel 200 is attached to the flexible frame 300 via the adhesive 20 .

[0040] As shown in FIG. 12, a plurality of adhesives 21 are attached to a flexible frame 300 .

[0041] As shown in FIG. 13, a wiring 760 is electrically connected to the connector 202 of the display panel 200.

[0042] 12 and 14, the display panel 200 and the flexible frame 300 are assembled to the housing 100 so that the front surface 203 of the display panel 200 facing away from the back surface 201 is exposed to the outside. More specifically, first, the release paper (not shown) of the adhesive 21 attached to the first joint body 310 is peeled off, and the first joint body 310 and the covering body 330 are assembled to the housing 100. Next, the release paper (not shown) of the adhesive 21 attached to the second joint body 320 is peeled off, and the two second joint bodies 320 are assembled to the housing 100. In this way, unnecessary gaps are prevented from occurring between the first joint body 310 and the housing 100 or between the covering body 330 and the housing 100, and the flat appearance of the flexible frame 300 is maintained. In this embodiment, the flexible frame 300 is assembled to the display panel 200 before being attached to the housing 100, and is therefore supported by the display panel 200. Therefore, the original assembly process is maintained, and the manufacturing cost of the display device 10 can be reduced.

[0043] As shown in FIG. 15, two hinges 160 are fixed to the housing 100 by means of screws, for example.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 16, two hinge covers 170 are disposed on the housing 100 so as to cover at least a portion of each of the two hinges 160 .

[0045] 17, the front cover 150 is attached to the lower end of the display panel 200. At this point, the assembly of the display device 10 is complete.

[0046] In the first embodiment, the reinforcing part is disposed outside the covering for ease of assembly, but the present disclosure is not limited to the relationship between the reinforcing part and the covering.

[0047] Other embodiments are described below for illustrative purposes. Note that in the following embodiments, the reference numerals and some of the contents of the above-described embodiments are used, and the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar elements, and the description of the same technical contents is omitted. For the description of the omitted parts, please refer to the above-described embodiments, and detailed descriptions of the following embodiments are omitted.

[0048] Please refer to Figures 18 and 19. Figure 18 is an exploded view of a display device 10a according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 19 is a partially enlarged end view of the display device 10a in Figure 18. Below, only the differences between the display device 10a of this embodiment and the display device 10 of the first embodiment will be described.

[0049] In this embodiment, the reinforcement component 700a is embedded in the sheath 330. For example, the reinforcement component 700a and the flexible frame 300 are integrally formed by overmolding or dual injection molding. The exposure hole 701a of the reinforcement component 700a is positioned in the exposure hole 331 of the sheath 330. The assembly component 740 is positioned between the sheath 330 and the imaging assembly 400a.

[0050] According to the display device and flexible frame disclosed in the above embodiments, the flexible frame includes a cover that protrudes outward and covers the imaging assembly, allowing the imaging assembly to be moved from the housing side located closer to the hinge to a position adjacent to the thin-bezel-shaped cover of the flexible frame. Therefore, the imaging assembly can be positioned at the top of the display device, preventing a narrowing of the signal capture range of the imaging assembly. In this way, the flexible frame allows a thin-bezel design to be adopted for the display device while preventing a narrowing of the signal capture range of the imaging assembly.

[0051] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present disclosure. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary embodiments only, with the scope of the present disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. a housing having a storage space; a display panel installed in the accommodation space; a flexible frame; and an imaging assembly disposed on the housing; The flexible frame includes: a first coupling body; two second coupling bodies respectively connected to two opposite ends of the first coupling body; and having a coating, the cover protrudes from the first joint body to a side opposite to the display panel and has at least one exposure hole that exposes the imaging assembly; a display device in which the first joint body has a connection portion, a first clamp portion, and a second clamp portion, the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion being respectively connected to two opposing ends of the connection portion to form a groove in which the display panel is placed, the two opposing ends of the first clamp portion being respectively connected to the two second joint bodies, and the two opposing ends of the second clamp portion being respectively connected to the two second joint bodies, the connection portion and the cover covering the bottom surface and the front surface of the imaging assembly, respectively, the connection portion having a recess in the groove, the recess being positioned at a position where the connection portion and the first clamp portion are connected.

2. The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the first joint body further comprises a plurality of ribs located within the recess.

3. 2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the connecting portion has a narrow portion and a wide portion that are connected to each other, the narrow portion and the wide portion are connected to the first clamp portion and the second clamp portion, respectively, the recess is located at a position where the narrow portion and the first clamp portion are connected, the thickness of the narrow portion is smaller than the thickness of the wide portion, and the thickness of the narrow portion is 1 / 3 to 1 / 2 of the thickness of the first clamp portion.

4. 2. The display device of claim 1, further comprising a first positioning structure and a second positioning structure, wherein the first positioning structure is located on the housing and the second positioning structure is located on the imaging assembly, and the first positioning structure and the second positioning structure are a positioning protrusion and a positioning hole that engage with each other, respectively, and are positioned with each other.

5. The display device of claim 1 , further comprising at least one reinforcing component, the at least one reinforcing component being positioned closer to the covering body of the imaging assembly, and the at least one reinforcing component having a hardness greater than a hardness of the covering body.

6. The display device according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one reinforcing component, the at least one reinforcing component being embedded in the covering, and the hardness of the at least one reinforcing component being higher than the hardness of the covering.

7. The display device of claim 1 , wherein the imaging assembly comprises a camera.

Images