US20030046849A1

US20030046849A1 - Carrier frame having in-frame elastic constraint structure

Info

Publication number: US20030046849A1
Application number: US10/051,159
Authority: US
Inventors: Hsin-Wu Lin
Original assignee: AU Optronics Corp
Current assignee: AU Optronics Corp; ArvinMeritor Technology LLC
Priority date: 2001-09-10
Filing date: 2002-01-22
Publication date: 2003-03-13
Also published as: TW504127U

Abstract

A carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure includes at least one elastic constraint structure, each of which is disposed in a predetermined position in an embracing space of the carrier frame. When a put-in module is put into the embracing space, the elastic constraint structure can be compressed and thereby deformed to produce a corresponding elastic force acting against the put-in module so as to restrict the motion of the put-in module within the embracing space. By providing the elastic constraint structure to the carrier frame, the put-in module can then be secured stably inside the embracing space.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure, and more particularly to a carrier frame, wherein an elastic element is constructed in the edge inside the frame and provides an elastic force to stably constrain an article within the frame.

(2) Description of the Prior Art

It is known that a conventional frame construction such as a picture frame, mainly includes a carrier frame, an embracing space which is built in the frame for containing an article such as a picture or a thin plate, and a constrained plate or element which limits the article within the embracing space of the frame. Such a frame construction assembly is often employed in picture frames, mirror frames, thin-plate advertisement exhibition frames, liquid crystal displays (LCDs), plasma displays or the other similar products.

FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B are respectively a front view and a cross-sectional view along a line AA in FIG. 1A of the conventional

frame construction assembly

1, wherein the frame construction assembly 1 comprises a carrier frame 11, a put-in module 12 and an upper frame 13. Flanges 111 extending from the carrier frame 11 construct an embracing space 110 for the put-in module 12 to be put therein. After the put-in module 12 is disposed in the embracing space 110, the upper frame 13 is mounted on the carrier frame 11 so as to constrain the put-in module 12 within the embracing space 110. The upper frame 13 and the carrier frame 11 are usually bound by means of gluing, pressing or any mechanically securing ways. In the art, in consideration of assembling tolerance or other disposition requirements (for example, space required for wiring the LCD module assembly), the size of the embracing space 110 of the carrier frame 11 is manufactured slightly larger than that of the put-in module 12. Thus, when completing the assembly of the frame construction assembly 1 of FIGS. 1A and 1B, it is inevitable that a gap can be produced to space the side edge 120 of the put-in module 12 and the inner edge wall 1110 of the flanges 111 of the carrier frame 11 ( as shown by “s” in FIG. 1B or by “sx” and “sy” in FIG. 2). The formation of such a gap “s”, “sx” or “sy” would allow the put-in module 12 to have a limited-dimensional (i.e. the directions of X axis and Y axis in FIG. 2) movement in the embracing space 110, which is unfavorable to the put-in module 12 within the embracing space 110. In the art, such an unfavorable situation may not cause much adverse influence upon the practice and employment of the picture frame, the exhibition frame or the mirror frame, but anyhow can deeply affect the practicing of high technology such as the LCD module assembly or the plasma display.

For the frame assembly of the LCD module assembly, the

carrier frame

11 is usually a backlight plate, the put-in module 12 is a liquid crystal module (LCM), and the upper frame 13 is an outer frame. In a particular edge of the frame assembly, the gap “s”, “sx” or “sy” between the put-in module 12 and the flanges 111 is usually used to arrange wiring for connecting the put-in module 12 with other elements in the backside of the carrier frame 11 (such as a driving circuit structure), and such a wire connecting construction cannot bear a large pull force. Therefore, the unfavorable constraint of the put-in module 12 in the carrier frame 11 can not only lead the put-in module 12 to sway in the embracing space 110 but also adversely affect the wiring.

Hence, there is a need to provide a frame construction, which is easily assembled and may avoid the unfavorable constraint of the put-in

module

12 in the carrier frame 11.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure, which can secure a put-in module stably therein by means of an elastic force provided by the elastic constraint structure so as to prevent the put-in module within the carrier frame from swaying and unfavorable constraint.

In accordance with the present invention, the carrier frame for carrying a put-in module includes at least one flange which forms an inner embracing space, and the flange has an inner edge wall which faces the embracing space. The carrier frame is characterized in that:the carrier frame further includes at least one elastic constraint structure, each of which is disposed in a predetermined corresponding position abutting against the inner edge wall of the flange within the embracing space. When the put-in module is put into the embracing space, the elastic constraint structure is compressed and thereby deformed to produce a corresponding elastic force against the put-in module so as to restrict the motion of the put-in module within the embracing space.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the elastic constraint structure of the carrier frame includes an elastomer and a lean-against top end, wherein one end of the elastomer is mounted on the inner edge wall and the other end of the elastomer extends toward the embracing space for connecting with the lean-against top end for contacting with the put-in module. In this embodiment, the elastomer can be a spring, a rubber, a sponge structure or other like compressible elastic elements. Preferably, the lean-against top end can further include thereon a guide sliding surface which can direct the put-in module to be smoothly secured into the embracing space.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the elastic constraint structure can be an elastic column, which is preferably disposed in parallel with the inner edge wall of the flange and further includes a guide sliding surface opposite to the inner edge wall so as to direct the put-in module to be smoothly secured into the embracing space. In this embodiment, the elastic column provides an elastic constraint through sideward bending resulted from the compression of the put-in module while set in the embracing space.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the elastic constraint structure can be a bridge structure, which is mounted on the inner edge wall and provides an elastic force required to restrict the movement of the put-in module through arch deformation resulted from the compression of the put-in module while set in the embracing space. In this embodiment, preferably a jut point is protruded from the bridge structure, opposite to the inner edge wall to press against the put-in module.

In the embodiments of the present invention, the carrier frame can be a backlight plate, and the put-in module is a liquid crystal module.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be specified with reference to its preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, in which [0014]
FIG. 1A is a schematic front view of a frame construction assembly in the prior art; [0015]
FIG. 1B is a schematic cross-sectional view of FIG. 1A along the line AA; [0016]
FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of FIG. 1A after removing the upper frame; [0017]
FIG. 3 is a partial schematic diagram of one embodiment of the carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure in accordance with the present invention; [0018]
FIG. 4 is a partial schematic diagram of another embodiment of the carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure in accordance with the present invention; [0019]
FIG. 5 is a partial schematic diagram of the other embodiment of the carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure in accordance with the present invention; and [0020]
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of coordinate divisions for the frame structure.[0021]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The invention disclosed herein is directed to a carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure. In the following description, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the present invention. In other instance, well-known components are not described in detail in order not to unnecessarily obscure the present invention. [0022]
Moreover, elements with the same functions but different constructions are identically named and numbered so as to facilitate explanation of the invention. The part of the carrier frame in the present invention, which is structurally identical to that of the conventional carrier frame described in the above, will not be reiterated. In fact, the carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure of this invention is characterized by further including at least one elastic constraint structure thereon, wherein each elastic constraint structure is disposed in a predetermined corresponding position abutting against the inner edge wall of the flanges in the embracing space. When the put-in module is put into the embracing space, the elastic constraint structure of this invention is pressed and thereby deformed to produce a corresponding elastic force against the put-in module so as to limit the motion of the put-in module within the embracing space. [0023]
Referring to FIG. 3, which is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the elastic constraint structure of this invention, the [0024] elastic constraint structure 2 of the carrier frame 11 may include an elastomer 21 and a lean-against top end 22. One end of the elastomer 21 (the left end of the elastomer 21 as shown in FIG. 3) is mounted on said inner edge wall 1110 of the flange 111 and the other end of the elastomer 21 (the right end of the elastomer 21 as shown in FIG. 3) extends toward the embracing space 110 and connects with the lean-against top end 22 for contacting with the put-in module 12. Hence, in this embodiment, while the put-in module 12 is lowering into the embracing space 110, the lean-against top end 22 firstly have to press against the elastomer 21 so that the elastomer 21 is deformed and produces a reacting elastic force which can restrain the movement of the put-in module 12 toward the direction of the inner edge wall 1110 so as to achieve the function of constraining the put-in module 12 stably within the carrier frame 11.
In this invention, the embodied dimension of the [0025] elastic constraint structure 2 is related to the gap between the carrier frame 11 and the put-in module 12 and the design concept behind is that the elastic constraint structure 2 of the present invention can produce a certain elastic forcing upon the put-in module 12 while resting theinside the embracing space 110. As for other embodied details, which are well known by those skilled in the art, this article will not reiterate herein.
Furthermore, in this embodiment, the [0026] elastomer 21 can be a spring, a rubber, a sponge structure (e.g. plastic leather with a certain thickness) or other like compressible elastic elements. Preferably, a guide sliding surface 23 can be formed upon the lean-against top end 22 to direct the put-in module 12 to be smoothly secured into the embracing space 110. This guide sliding surface 23 may be a slant face or an arc face.
FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of the elastic constraint structure of this invention, wherein the [0027] elastic constraint structure 2′ is an elastic column which is preferably disposed in parallel with the inner edge wall 1110 of the flange 111. The column, similar to the elastomer 21 of the aforesaid embodiment, provides an elastic force to restrain the put-in module 12 through sideward bending resulted from the compression of the put-in module 12 while set in the embracing space 110. As shown in FIG. 4, a guide sliding surface 23 is further formed upon the elastic column block 21, opposite to the inner edge wall of the flanges so as to direct the put-in module 12 to be secured into the embracing space 110.
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the other embodiment of the elastic constraint structure of this invention, wherein said [0028] elastic constraint structure 2″ is abridge structure which is mounted on said inner edge wall 1110 of the flange 111. The bridge structure, similar to the elastomer 21 of the aforesaid embodiment, provides an elastic force to restrain the put-in module 12 through the depressive deformation of the arch face (see FIG. 5) resulted from the compression of the put-in module 12 while set in the embracing space 110. As shown in FIG. 5, due to the fact that the elastomer 21 is configured as a bridge structure, the outer edge of the elastomer 21 certainly forms a guide sliding surface 23 to direct the put-in module 12 to be set into the embracing space 110.
In this embodiment, the arch face of the bridge structure [0029] 21 (opposite to said inner edge wall 1110 of the flange 111) preferably protrudes a jut point as the lean-against top end 22 so as to press against the elastomer 21 in a less defined area.
It is apparent that the elastic constraint structure of this invention can be practiced in any conventional frames to effectively provide the put-in module with a secured restriction, and the present invention is particularly suitable to the practice of the frame structures for high technology. For example, in practicing this invention into TFT-LCD industry, the carrier frame is a backlight plate of a display, which is usually a square structure, and the put-in [0030] module 12 is the liquid crystal module thereof.
Please refer to FIG. 6, which is a schematic diagram of coordinate divisions for the square frame structure, wherein the inner edge wall positioned in the positive direction of X axis is designated by [0031] 1110 (+X), and that positioned in the negative direction of X axis is designated by 1110 (−X); the inner edge wall 1110 positioned in the positive direction of Y axis is designated by 1110 (+Y), and that positioned in the negative direction of Y axis is designated by 1110 (−Y). Therefore, the practicing of the elastic constraint structure of this invention can be one of the following circumstances:
1. a plurality of the elastic constraint structures are disposed on the inner edge wall [0032] 1110 (+X);
2. a plurality of the elastic constraint structures are disposed on the inner edge walls [0033] 1110 (+X) and 1110 (−X);
3. a plurality of the elastic constraint structures are disposed on the inner edge walls [0034] 1110 (+X) and 1110 (+Y);
4. a plurality of the elastic constraint structures are disposed on the inner edge walls [0035] 1110 (+X), 1110 (+Y) and 1110 (−X); and
5. a plurality of the elastic constraint structures are disposed on the inner edge walls [0036] 1110 (+X), 1110 (+Y), 1110 (−X) and 1110 (−Y).
Taking example by a LCD or a plasma display, since the weight of the liquid crystal module itself and the disposition of the display are vertically orientated, the elastic constraint structure of this invention should be mainly employed to restrict the motion on the direction of X axis. As for the direction of Y axis, since it is the direction of gravity, it is unnecessary to locate another elastic constraint structure of this invention. Similarly, when practicing this invention in the other frame structures, the determination of the disposition, quantities, stiffness or other parameters for the elastic constraint structure may be adjusted in accordance with the actual conditions, which is well known to those skilled in the art, and thus will not be stated herein. [0037]
While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to some preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [0038]

Claims

I claim:

1. A carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure, comprising at least one flange which forms an inner embracing space for receiving a put-in module, said flange further having an inner edge wall which faces said embracing space, characterized in that:said carrier frame further comprises at least one elastic constraint structure, each of which is disposed in a predetermined corresponding position abutting against said inner edge wall of said flange within said embracing space; when said put-in module is put into said embracing space, said elastic constraint structure is compressed and thereby deformed to produce a corresponding elastic force against said put-in module so as to restrict the motion of said put-in module within said embracing space.

2. The carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure according to claim 1, wherein said elastic constraint structure includes an elastomer and a lean-against top end, where one end of said elastomer is mounted on said inner edge wall and the other end of said elastomer extends toward said embracing space and connects with said lean-against top end for further contacting with said put-in module.

3. The carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure according to claim 2, wherein said elastomer is a spring.

4. The carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure according to claim 2, wherein said elastomer is a rubber.

5. The carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure according to claim 2, wherein said elastomer is a sponge structure.

6. The carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure according to claim 2, wherein said lean-against top end further includes a guide sliding surface for leadingsaid put-in module to be set in said embracing space.

7. The carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure according to claim 1, wherein said elastic constraint structure is an elastic column, which is disposed in parallel with said inner edge wall and further includes a guide sliding surface opposite to said inner edge wall so as to lead said put-in module to be set in said embracing space, and which provides an elastic force through sideward bending resulted from the compression applied by said put-in module while set inside said embracing space.

8. The carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure according to claim 1, wherein said elastic constraint structure is a bridge structure, which is mounted on said inner edge wall and provides an elastic force through deformation thereof resulted from the compression applied by said put-in module while set inside said embracing space.

9. The carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure according to claim 8, further including a jut point which protrudes from said bridge structure, posed opposite to said inner edge wall for contacting with said put-in module.

10. The carrier frame having an in-frame elastic constraint structure according to claim 1, wherein said carrier frame is a backlight plate, and said put-in module is a liquid crystal module.