CN117043672A

CN117043672A - Connector and display device having the same

Info

Publication number: CN117043672A
Application number: CN202280022363.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 金珍燮; 房佑燮; 李永镇
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-12
Filing date: 2022-05-02
Publication date: 2023-11-10
Also published as: EP4283387A1; US20230048494A1

Abstract

The display device may include: a display panel; a frame assembly supporting the display panel; a printed circuit board accommodated in the chassis assembly and configured to control driving of the display panel; and a connector mounted to the printed circuit board, and including a seating portion and a connector terminal positioned at one side of the seating portion, wherein the connector is connected to the cable by seating the body of the cable on the seating portion in a vertical direction when one surface of the body of the cable is opposite to the seating portion, and contacting and coupling the cable terminal formed at one end of the body of the cable with the connector terminal.

Description

Connector and display device having the same

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to a connector and a display device having the same, and more particularly, to a connector having an improved cable connection structure and a display device including the same.

Background

The display device is an output device that converts electrical information into visual information to display the visual information to a user. Display devices include portable apparatuses such as notebook PCs, smart phones, tablet PCs, and televisions and monitors.

The display device includes a self-emission display panel such as an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) or a non-emission display panel such as a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD).

A display device to which a non-emissive display panel is applied may include a backlight unit for supplying light to the display panel. The backlight unit includes a side light type in which a light source is positioned to at least one side of the display panel, and a direct type in which the light source is positioned at the rear of the display panel.

The display device may include various printed circuit boards for operating the display device. The printed circuit boards may be connected to each other to transmit and receive data, signals, or power. The printed circuit boards may be connected to each other by wires, flexible Flat Cables (FFCs), or Flexible Printed Circuit Boards (FPCBs).

Disclosure of Invention

Technical problem to be solved

An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a connector having an improved cable connection method and a display apparatus including the same.

Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a connector capable of ensuring stable electrical connection between a printed circuit board and a cable, and a display device including the connector.

It is still another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a connector capable of performing an auto-close function, and a display apparatus including the connector.

Technical proposal

A display apparatus according to the concepts of the present disclosure includes: a display panel; a frame assembly for supporting the display panel; and a printed circuit board assembly received in the rack assembly, and the printed circuit board assembly comprising: a printed circuit board configured to drive and control the display panel; and a connector mountable on the printed circuit board and configured to electrically connect the display panel to the printed circuit board via a cable, and the connector includes: a seating part and a connector terminal positioned at one side of the seating part, wherein the connector is connected to the cable while a surface of the cable faces the seating part in a vertical direction of the connector and a cable terminal formed at one end of the cable is coupled in contact with the connector terminal.

The connector may include: a housing including a recess forming the seating portion, wherein an upper side of the recess is opened such that the cable is seated on the seating portion along the vertical direction of the connector; a cover rotatably coupled with the housing to open or close the seating part; an elastic member that provides a preset elastic force to the cover to rotate the cover in a direction closing the seating part; a locking device provided in at least one of the cover or the housing, the locking device coupling the cover with the housing in a state in which the cover opens the seating portion; and an unlocking device that releases the coupling of the cover with the housing by the locking device.

The unlocking means may include a switch and a linkage part formed to extend from the switch, and the linkage part presses the cover by moving upward when the switch is pressed downward.

The locking device may include: a first aperture disposed in the housing; and a first elastic protrusion provided in the cover and capable of being coupled with the first hole.

The unlocking means may push the first elastic protrusion out of the first hole in a state where the first elastic protrusion is coupled with the first hole.

The locking means may be first locking means, the connector may further include second locking means provided in at least one of the cover or the housing, the second locking means being for coupling the cover with the housing in a state where the cover closes the seating portion, and the second locking means may include: a second aperture disposed in the housing; and a second elastic protrusion disposed in the cover and coupled with the second hole.

The cover may include a separation preventing portion formed to protrude toward the seating portion and to be capable of being coupled with the cable, the separation preventing portion for preventing the cable from being separated from the seating portion in a state where the cable is seated on the seating portion and the cover closes the seating portion, and the cable may include a cutting groove corresponding to the separation preventing portion.

The side of the seating part on which the connector terminal is positioned may be a first side, the housing may further include a protrusion formed to protrude inward along a width direction of the connector such that a second side of the seating part opposite to the first side of the seating part has a smaller width than the first side, and the engagement part is engaged by the protrusion to prevent the cable seated on the seating part from being separated from the seating part along a horizontal direction of the connector.

The unlocking device may further include an auxiliary guide member that guides movement of the linkage part such that the linkage part is movable in an up-down direction by being linked with the switch.

The elastic member may include at least one torsion spring.

The cable may include at least one of a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC) or a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB).

The connector may also include a handle that is grasped.

The switch may be positioned inside the seating portion, and the switch is configured to be pressed downward when the cable is seated on the seating portion along the vertical direction of the connector.

The switch may be positioned outside the seating portion without interfering with the cable.

One end of the cable may be electrically connected to the printed circuit board, and the other end of the cable may be electrically connected to the display panel.

A connector according to the concepts of the present disclosure includes: a housing accommodating a cable; a cover rotatably coupled with the housing, the cover closing the housing by rotating in a first direction, and the cover opening the housing by rotating in a second direction; an elastic member providing a preset elastic force to the cover to rotate the cover in the first direction; a locking device provided in at least one of the cover or the housing to couple the cover with the housing in a state where the housing is opened; and an unlocking device that releases the coupling of the cover with the housing by the locking device, wherein the unlocking device includes a switch and a linkage portion that extends from the switch, and the linkage portion guides movement of the unlocking device according to movement of the switch by being linked with the switch.

The locking device may include a first hole provided in the housing and a first elastic protrusion provided in the cover to be coupled with the first hole, and the interlocking part of the unlocking device may protrude toward the first hole, and the interlocking part may push the first elastic protrusion out of the first hole to release coupling of the first elastic protrusion with the first hole.

The housing may include a second groove, and the cover may include a second elastic protrusion coupled with the second groove of the housing in a state in which the housing is closed.

The cover may include a separation preventing portion coupled with the cable to prevent the cable from being separated from the case, and the cable may include a cutting groove corresponding to the separation preventing portion.

Advantageous effects

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a connector and a display apparatus including the same may improve a cable connection method.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a connector and a display apparatus including the same may prevent a cable from being detached from the connector.

According to still another aspect of the present disclosure, a connector and a display apparatus including the same may improve usability and productivity by performing an auto-close function.

Drawings

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of certain embodiments of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

fig. 1 illustrates a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the display device shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 shows the rear surface of the rear chassis shown in fig. 2.

Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a closed state of the connector shown in fig. 3.

Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an open state of the connector shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 6 schematically illustrates an unlocking means of the connector shown in fig. 5.

Fig. 7 shows a process of placing a cable on the connector shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 8 shows the closing process of the connector shown in fig. 4.

Fig. 9 shows the closed state of the connector shown in fig. 4 by partially cutaway the connector.

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates a coupling relationship between the cover and the cable of the connector shown in fig. 4.

Detailed Description

The embodiments described in the present specification and the configurations shown in the drawings are only preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and it will therefore be understood that various modified examples that can replace the embodiments and the drawings described in the present specification are also possible when submitting the present application.

In addition, the same reference numerals or symbols denoted in the drawings of the present specification denote members or components that perform substantially the same functions.

In addition, the terminology used in the present description is for the purpose of describing the embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting and/or restricting the present disclosure. It will be understood that the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It will be understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including" and/or "having," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, graphs, steps, operations, components, elements, or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, graphs, steps, operations, components, elements, or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although terms including ordinal numbers, such as "first," "second," etc., may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element. For example, a first component may be referred to as a second component, and similarly, a second component may be referred to as a first component, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Throughout the specification, it will also be understood that when an element is referred to as being "on" or "over" another element, it can be directly on the other element or intervening elements may also be present.

In the following description, terms "front-rear direction", "front surface", "rear surface", "vertical direction", "horizontal direction", and the like are defined based on the drawings, and the shapes and positions of the corresponding components are not limited by these terms. For example, referring to fig. 2, a direction in which components of the display apparatus 1 (e.g., the display panel 10, the chassis assembly, etc.) are arranged may be defined as a front-rear direction X. Further, the height direction of the connector 120 in fig. 4 and 5 may be defined as a vertical direction V, and the width direction of the connector 120 may be defined as a width direction W. Referring to fig. 7, a direction in which the cable body 131 of the cable 130 extends may be defined as a horizontal direction H. However, these limitations are for illustration purposes only and not limitation.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 illustrates a display device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the display device shown in fig. 1.

The display device 1 may be a device capable of processing an image signal received from the outside and visually displaying the processed image. Hereinafter, a case where the display apparatus 1 is a Television (TV) is provided as an example, but is not limited thereto. For example, the display device 1 may be implemented in various different forms, such as a monitor, a portable multimedia device, a portable communication device, a portable computing device, etc., and the display device 1 may be implemented in any form capable of visually displaying images.

The display device 1 may be a flat display device having a flat screen or a curved display device having a curved screen. Further, the display device 1 may be a bendable display device capable of changing a screen between a flat state and a bent state or adjusting the curvature of a bent screen.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the display device 1 may include a display panel 10 for displaying images (videos).

The display panel 10 may include a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) panel. The LCD panel may display an image by using liquid crystals exhibiting optical characteristics according to a change in voltage and temperature. The LCD panel may be configured to have a Thin Film Transistor (TFT) substrate, a color filter substrate coupled to the TFT substrate in such a manner as to face the TFT substrate, and liquid crystal injected between the TFT substrate and the color filter substrate. The TFT substrate may be a transparent substrate on which TFTs as switching devices are arranged in a matrix form, and the color filter substrate may be a transparent substrate on which RGB color pixels, which are color pixels expressing a preset color, are formed by a thin film process, but is not limited thereto. The display panel 10 may include a Light Emitting Diode (LED) panel or an Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) panel.

The display device 1 may include a backlight unit 20 for supplying light to the display panel 10. The backlight unit 20 may radiate light toward the display panel 10.

In the drawings, the display device 1 is shown as a non-emissive display device comprising a backlight unit 20. However, this is an example, and the display device 1 may be an emissive display device. In case the display device 1 is an emissive display device, the backlight unit 20 may be omitted.

The backlight unit 20 may be of a side light type in which the light source 22 is positioned to one side of the display panel 10. The light source 22 may be positioned to at least one of four sides of the display panel 10. Although not shown in the drawings, the display device 1 may include a direct type backlight unit in which a light source is positioned directly behind a display panel.

The backlight unit 20 may include a light source 22, a substrate 21 on which the light source 22 is mounted, and various optical members positioned on a traveling path of light emitted from the light source 22.

The light source 22 may comprise an LED. The LED may be provided in a package form in which an LED chip is mounted on a substrate and filled with a resin. Meanwhile, a Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL) or an External Electrode Fluorescent Lamp (EEFL) may be used as the light source 22.

A plurality of light sources 22 may be aligned on the substrate 21. A circuit pattern or the like for transmitting driving power and signals to the light source 22 may be printed on the substrate 21. In fig. 2, a single substrate 21 is shown, however, a plurality of substrates 21 may be provided.

The optical member may be positioned on a traveling path of light emitted from the light source 22. The optical member may guide a traveling direction of light or improve optical characteristics.

The optical member may include a light guide plate 23 for uniformly distributing light emitted from the light source 22 toward the display panel 10, and a reflective sheet 24 for reflecting the light to prevent light loss.

The light guide plate 23 may be made of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) material. On the light guide plate 23, a pattern for changing the light path may be provided. In the edge type backlight unit, the light source 22 may be positioned to one side of the light guide plate 23. For example, the light source 22 may be positioned to correspond to at least one side 23c of the four sides of the light guide plate 23. The light entering one side of the light guide plate 23 may be scattered by a pattern formed on the rear surface 23b of the light guide plate 23, and then emitted through the front surface 23a of the light guide plate 23. The side surface of the light guide plate 23 may be spaced apart from the light source 22 by a preset distance by considering thermal expansion.

The reflective sheet 24 may reflect light emitted from the light source 22 to prevent light loss from the rear surface 23b of the light guide plate 23. The reflective sheet 24 may be formed in various forms, such as a sheet, a film, a plate, and the like. For example, the reflective sheet 24 may be formed by coating a base material with a highly reflective coating material. The base material may be stainless steel (SUS), BRASS (BRASS), aluminum, PET, or the like, and the highly reflective coating material may be silver, tiO2, or the like.

The optical member may further include a quantum dot unit (not shown) or a quantum dot sheet. The quantum dot unit or quantum dot sheet may improve color reproducibility by changing the wavelength of light. Color reproducibility is an index of similarity to natural colors and is related to a region expressed in color coordinates. The quantum dot units or quantum dot sheets may be positioned on the light path between the light source 22 and the display panel 10.

The display device 1 may include various kinds of optical sheets 70 for improving optical characteristics. The optical sheet 70 may be positioned in front of the light guide plate 23 to improve optical characteristics of light exiting from the light guide plate 23. The optical sheet 70 may be positioned between the light guide plate 23 and the display panel 10.

The optical sheet 70 may include a diffusion sheet 71 and a prism sheet 72.

Since the light guided through the light guide plate 23 directly enters the eye, the pattern of the light guide plate 23 may be presented to the eye as it is. Accordingly, the diffusion sheet 71 may eliminate or reduce the pattern of the light guide plate 23.

The prism sheet 72 may collect light whose brightness is deteriorated by passing through the diffusion sheet 71 to improve the brightness. The prism sheet 72 may be a Dual Brightness Enhancement Film (DBEF) sheet, which is a high brightness prism sheet.

The optical sheet 70 may further include a protective sheet (not shown) for protecting the optical sheet 70 from external impact or foreign substances.

The display apparatus 1 may include a chassis assembly for accommodating the display panel 10 and/or the backlight unit 20. The chassis assembly may support the display panel 10 and/or the backlight unit 20.

As shown in fig. 2, the rack assembly may include a front rack 30, a middle module 40, and a rear rack 50.

The front chassis 30 may include an opening 31 for exposing the display panel 10.

The middle module 40 may include a middle module side 41 and a middle support 42, the middle support 42 protruding inward from the middle module side 41 to support the display panel 10 and the optical member and maintain a space between the display panel 10 and the optical member.

The rear chassis 50 may support the backlight unit 20. A plurality of components of the display apparatus 1 (e.g., the front chassis 20 and the middle module 40) may be fixed to the rear chassis 50 and supported on the rear chassis 50.

On the front surface 51 of the rear chassis 50, the substrate 21 of the backlight unit 20 may be mounted. For example, the rear chassis 50 may be used to dissipate heat generated from the light source 22 to the outside. The heat generated from the light source 22 may be transferred to the rear chassis 50 via the substrate 21 and dissipated from the rear chassis 50.

The rear chassis 50 may be formed of various metal materials having excellent thermal conductivity, such as aluminum or stainless steel, or a plastic material such as ABS resin. The substrate 21 may also be a metal PCB formed of an aluminum material having excellent thermal conductivity.

At least one of the front chassis 30, the middle module 40, or the rear chassis 50 may be omitted or integrated.

The display device 1 may further include a rear cover 60, the rear cover 60 surrounding the housing assembly to protect and house the housing assembly.

Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawings, the display apparatus 1 may further include legs (not shown) for supporting the display apparatus 1 on a mounting surface.

Fig. 3 shows the rear surface of the rear chassis shown in fig. 2. Fig. 4 schematically illustrates a closed state of the connector shown in fig. 3. Fig. 5 schematically illustrates an open state of the connector shown in fig. 4. Fig. 6 schematically illustrates an unlocking means of the connector shown in fig. 5.

Referring to fig. 3, the display apparatus 1 may include at least one printed circuit board assembly 100. The printed circuit board assembly 100 may be housed in a rack assembly. More specifically, the printed circuit board assembly 100 may be positioned on the rear surface 52 of the rear housing 50. For example, the printed circuit board assembly 100 may include an Integrated Circuit (IC) (not shown) for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data, signals, or power. Meanwhile, in fig. 3, a single printed circuit board assembly 100 is shown, however, a plurality of printed circuit board assemblies 100 may be provided.

The printed circuit board assembly 100 may include a Printed Circuit Board (PCB) 110, a connector 120, and a cable 130.

The printed circuit board 110 may drive and control at least one of the display panel 10 or the backlight unit 20. The printed circuit board 110 may supply power for driving the display device 1 or control the operation of the display device 1. For example, the printed circuit board 110 may include at least one of a motherboard, a Switched Mode Power Supply (SMPS), or a source board. Various electronic components may be mounted on the printed circuit board 110 according to purposes.

The printed circuit board 110 may be formed by using a thin film made of an insulator such as epoxy resin or phenolic resin as a substrate, forming copper foil wiring on the substrate, and then printing a lead resist. Meanwhile, the printed circuit board 110 may include a plurality of circuit patterns, but is not shown in the drawings. The printed circuit board 110 may be provided as a single layer or as multiple layers.

The connector 120 may electrically connect the printed circuit board 110 to the cable 130. The connector 120 may be mounted on the printed circuit board 110.

Referring to fig. 4 and 5, the connector 120 may include a housing 1210 and a cover 1220. The housing 1210 and the cover 1220 may form the appearance of the connector 120.

The housing 1210 may be generally box-shaped. The housing 1210 may include a shape with an upper side 1210t partially open or open. The lower side 1210b of the housing 1210 may be mounted on the printed circuit board 110.

The housing 1210 may house the cable 130. The case 1210 may include a seating portion 1213, and the cable 130 is seated on the seating portion 1213 in the vertical direction V. The seating portion 1213 may have a shape recessed from the upper side 1210 t. That is, the case 1210 may include a recess forming the seating portion 1213, and an upper side of the recess may be opened or opened such that the cable 130 is seated on the seating portion 1213. The seating portion 1213 may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the cable 130.

One side of the seating portion 1213 adjacent to the hinge shaft 1230 may be defined as a first side 1213a, and the other side of the seating portion 1213 (which is the opposite side of the first side 1213a and is away from the hinge shaft 1230) may be defined as a second side 1213b. In this case, the width W2 of the second side 1213b may be smaller than the width W1 of the first side 1213 a. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the width W1 will be referred to as a first width W1, and the width W2 will be referred to as a second width W2. More specifically, the housing 1210 may further include a boss 1218 protruding inward from the second side 1213b along the width direction H of the connector 120. As shown in fig. 4 and 5, a pair of bosses 1218 may be provided. Accordingly, the seating portion 1213 may have a substantially T shape. The cable 130 may be engaged by the boss 1218.

The seating part 1213 may include a first region 1211 and a second region 1212. The first region 1211 may extend a preset distance from the first side 1213a toward the second side 1213b of the seating portion 1213, and the first region 1211 may be a region having a first width W1. The second region 1213 may extend a preset distance from the second side 1213b of the seating portion 1213 toward the first side 1213a, and the second region 1213 may be a region having a second width W2.

The case 1210 may include an inner wall 1210w, and the inner wall 1210w connects a recess forming the seating portion 1213 to the upper side 1210t. For example, the inner wall 1210w may include a first inner wall 1211w connecting the recess forming the first region 1211 to the upper side 1210t and a second inner wall 1212w connecting the recess forming the second region 1212 to the upper side 12 surface 10t.

The housing 1210 may include connector terminals 1214 positioned in one side of the seating portion 1213. For example, the connector terminal 1214 may be positioned at the first side 1213a of the seating portion 1213 adjacent to the hinge shaft 1230. The connector terminals 1214 may be electrically connected to cable terminals 132 of the cable 130, which will be described below. The connector terminals 1214 may be in contact with the cable terminals 132. The connector terminals 1214 may be made of a conductive material to transmit electrical signals or currents.

The cover 1220 may open or close the case 1210. The cover 1220 may open or close the seating portion 1213 of the case 1210. The cover 1220 is rotatably coupled with the case 1210. The cover 1220 may be rotated on a hinge shaft 1230 to be described below. More specifically, the cover 1220 may close the seating part 1213 by rotating in the first direction C, and open the seating part 1213 by rotating in the second direction O (see fig. 8). That is, the cover 1220 may open or close the seating part 1213 by rotating in the first direction C or the second direction O.

As shown in fig. 4, a state in which the cover 1220 closes the seating portion 1213 of the housing 1210 may be referred to as a closed state of the connector 120. As shown in fig. 5, a state in which the cover 1220 opens the seating portion 1213 of the housing 1210 may be referred to as an opened state of the connector 120.

The cap 1220 may include a cap body 1221. The cover body 1221 may be generally plate-shaped. The cap body 1221 may include an upper side 1220t, a lower side 1220b, and a side surface 1220c connecting the upper side 1220t and the lower side 1220 b. The lower side 1220b may face the seating portion 1213, and the upper side 1220t may be an opposite side of the lower side 1220 b.

The cover 1220 may include a handle 1223 that may be grasped. The user can open the cover 1220 while gripping the handle 1223. A handle 1223 may extend from the cover body 1221.

The connector 120 may include a hinge shaft 1230 positioned between the housing 1210 and the cover 1220. The hinge shaft 1230 may connect the cover 1220 to the case 1210. The cover 1220 may open or close the case 1210 by rotating on the hinge shaft 1230. More specifically, the cover 1220 may open or close the seating portion 1213 of the case 1210 by rotating on the hinge shaft 1230. The hinge shaft 1230 may be generally in the shape of a rod.

The connector 120 may include an elastic member 1240 for providing a preset elastic force to the cover 1220 such that the cover 1220 can rotate in the direction of the closure housing 1210. That is, the cover 1220 may be rotated in the first direction C by receiving a preset elastic force from the elastic member 1240.

For example, the elastic member 1240 may include at least one torsion spring 1241. The torsion spring 1241 may surround the hinge shaft 1230. One end 1241a of the torsion spring 1241 may be coupled with the cover 1220, and the other end 1241b of the torsion spring 1241 may be coupled with the case 1210.

Connector 120 may include a locking device for coupling cover 1220 with housing 1210. More specifically, the locking device may secure the cover 120 to the housing 1210. A locking device may be provided in at least one of the cover 1220 or the housing 1210.

The locking means may include a first locking means 200 for coupling the cover 1220 with the case 1210 in a state where the cover 1220 opens the seating portion 1213. That is, the first locking device 200 may provide a coupling force between the cover 1220 and the case 1210 to maintain the opened state of the connector 120.

Referring to fig. 4 and 8 (a), the first locking device 200 may include a first hole 210 provided in a housing 1210, and a first elastic protrusion 220 provided in a cover 1220 to be coupled with the first hole 210. In a state in which the cover 1220 opens the seating portion 1213, the first elastic protrusion 220 may be positioned to correspond to the first hole 210. More specifically, the first hole 210 may be formed in the upper side 1210t of the case 1210 adjacent to the hinge shaft 1230, and the first elastic protrusion 220 may be formed in the upper side 1220t of the cover 1220 adjacent to the hinge shaft 1230. The first elastic protrusion 220 may be inserted into the first hole 210 while rotating the cover 1220 in the second direction O to open the seating portion 1213, but is not limited thereto. However, the first elastic protrusion 220 may be provided in the case 1210, and the first hole 210 may be provided in the cover 1220.

The locking means may include a second locking means 300 for coupling the cover 1220 with the case 1210 in a state where the cover 1220 closes the seating portion 1213. That is, the second locking device 300 may provide a coupling force between the cover 1220 and the housing 1210 to maintain the closed state of the connector 120. According to the present disclosure, the second locking device 300 may prevent the coupling between the cover 1220 and the housing 1210 from being easily released although an external impact or the like is applied in the closed state of the connector 120. Thereby, the connector terminal 1214 can be more stably connected to the cable terminal 132, and poor contact between the terminals can be prevented.

Referring to fig. 9, the second locking device 300 may include a second hole 310 provided in the case 1210, and a second elastic protrusion 320 provided in the cover 1220 to be coupled with the second hole 310. In a state where the cover 1220 closes the seating portion 1213, the second elastic protrusion 320 may be positioned to correspond to the second hole 310. More specifically, the second hole 310 may be formed in the inner wall 1210w of the case 1210, and the second elastic protrusion 320 may be formed in the side surface 1220c of the cover 1220. In the drawings, the second hole 310 is shown as being formed in the first inner wall 1211w of the housing 1210, but is not limited thereto. However, the second hole 310 may be formed in the second inner wall 1212 w. The second elastic protrusion 320 may be inserted into the second hole 310 when the cover 1220 is rotated in the first direction C to close the seating portion 1213, but is not limited thereto. However, the second elastic protrusion 320 may be provided in the case 1210, and the first hole 310 may be provided in the cover 1220.

Referring to fig. 6, the connector 120 may further include an unlocking device 400 for enabling the cover 1220 to close the seating portion 1213 of the housing 1210 in a state where the seating portion 1213 is opened. More specifically, the unlocking device 400 may release the coupling between the cover 1220 and the housing 1210 by the first locking device 200. That is, the unlocking device 400 may release the coupling between the cover 1220 and the case 1210, and accordingly, the cover 1220 may be rotated in the first direction C by means of the elastic force received from the elastic member 1240 to close the seating portion 1213 of the case 1210. The connector 120 may perform an auto-close function by including the unlocking means 400. Therefore, the task of manually closing the cover 1220 can be omitted, which results in improvement of ease of use and productivity.

The unlocking device 400 may include a switch 410 and a linkage 430 that is linked with the switch 410. The unlocking device 400 may further include a connection part 420 connecting the switch 410 to the linkage part 430.

The switch 410 may be movable in the vertical direction V. The switch 410 may be movable in the up-down direction. Switch 410 may be pressed downward. A plurality of switches 410 may be provided. For example, the switch 410 may include at least one of a first switch 411 or a second switch 412, the first switch 411 being pressed when the cable 130 is seated on the seating portion 1213, the second switch 412 not interfering with the cable 130. The first switch 411 may be positioned inside the seating portion 1213, and the second switch 412 may be positioned outside the seating portion 1213. The user may directly press the second switch 412.

The connection portion 420 may extend from the switch 410 toward the linkage portion 430. The connection part 420 may extend in one direction. The connection part 420 may extend in the horizontal direction H. The connection part 420 may extend toward the first locking device 200. One end of the connection part 420 may be connected to the switch 410, and the other end of the connection part 420 may be connected to the linkage part 430. The connection part 420 may be made of an elastic material.

The linkage part 430 may be connected to the connection part 420 so as to be linked with the switch 410. The linkage 430 may be movable in the vertical direction V. More specifically, the linkage 430 may move upward when the switch 410 is pressed downward. Conversely, when the linkage 430 is pressed downward, the switch 410 may move upward. The switch 410 and the linkage part 430, which are respectively provided at both ends of the connection part 420, can be raised and lowered with respect to the central part 421 of the connection part 420.

The unlocking device 400 may further include an auxiliary guide member 440. The auxiliary guide member 440 may guide the movement of the switch 410 and the link 430. More specifically, the auxiliary guide member 440 may guide the movement of the link 430 such that the link 430 can easily move in the up-down direction V by being linked with the switch 410. The auxiliary guide member 440 may be positioned adjacent to the linkage 430. The auxiliary guide member 440 may be positioned under the connection part 420 in a manner adjacent to the linkage part 430. For example, the auxiliary guide member 440 may guide the movement of the link 430 in the up-down direction V by providing a preset force to the link 430. Accordingly, as shown in fig. 8 (a), when the link part 430 is pressed downward, the auxiliary guide member 440 may be compressed, and the switch 410 may be moved upward with respect to the central part 421 of the connection part 420. In contrast, as shown in fig. 8 (b), when the switch 420 is pressed downward, the auxiliary guide member 440 may be unfolded, and the linkage part 430 may be easily moved upward with respect to the central part 421 of the connection part 420.

The auxiliary guide member 440 may be made of an elastic material. For example, the auxiliary guide member 440 may be configured as an elastic spring for providing a preset elastic force to the linkage part 430.

Meanwhile, the unlocking means 400 may be disposed in an accommodating space inside the housing 1210 of the connector 120. Other configurations of the unlocking device 400 other than the switch 410 may not be exposed to the outside of the case 1210, but are not limited thereto. However, the unlocking means 400 may be provided outside the housing 1210 of the connector 120.

The receiving space 1217 may include: a first receiving area 1217a, in which the entire unlocking device 400 may be received in the first receiving area 1217 a; a second accommodation region 1217b in which the switch 410 is movable in the up-down direction in the second accommodation region 1217 b; a third accommodation region 1217c, the linkage part 430 being movable in the up-down direction in the third accommodation region 1217 c; and a fourth receiving region 1217d, at least a portion of the auxiliary guide member 440 may be received in the fourth receiving region 1217 d. The third receiving area 1217c may communicate with the first hole 210.

The cable 130 may electrically connect the display panel 10 to the printed circuit board 110 or electrically connect the backlight unit 20 to the printed circuit board 110. One end of the cable 130 may be electrically connected to the connector 120 mounted on the printed circuit board 110, and the other end of the cable 120 may be electrically connected to the display panel 10 or the backlight unit 20. The cable 130 may transmit various signals between the display panel 10 or the backlight unit and the printed circuit board 110.

The cable 130 may include a cable body 131 and a cable terminal 132.

The cable body 131 may extend in one direction. The cable body 131 may comprise a deformable material. The cable body 131 may have flexibility.

The cable 130 may have a shape corresponding to the seating portion 1213. The cables 130 may have different widths. For example, the cable 130 may include a first portion 135 corresponding to the first region 1211 of the seating portion 1213, and a second portion 136 corresponding to the second region 1211 of the seating portion 1213. The width W3 of the first portion 135 may be greater than the width W4 of the second portion 136, and the engagement portion 133 may be formed according to a difference between the width W3 of the first portion 135 and the width W4 of the second portion 136. The cable 130 may have a generally T-shape. The engagement portion 133 of the cable 130 may be engaged by the protrusion 1218 of the housing 1210. Accordingly, in a state where the cable 130 is seated on the seating portion 1213, the cable 130 can be prevented from being separated from the seating portion 1213 in the horizontal direction H. That is, the cable 130 may be more stably coupled with the connector 120.

The cable terminals 132 may be disposed at both ends of the cable body 131. The cable terminals 132 may be in contact with the connector terminals 1214. The cable terminal 132 may be configured with a plurality of wires 132a. The plurality of wires 132a may extend in a direction parallel to the extending direction of the cable body 131. The plurality of wires 132a may be arranged in such a manner that the plurality of wires 132a are spaced apart from each other in the width direction of the cable body 131. The plurality of wires 132a may be formed of a conductive material to transmit an electrical signal or current. The plurality of wires 132a may be selected from silver, copper, nickel, cobalt, or a combination thereof, but these are examples. However, the plurality of wires 132a may be formed of any conductive material.

For example, the cable 130 may include at least one of a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC) or a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB). In the drawings, a case where the cable 130 is an FFC is shown as an example.

Fig. 7 shows a process of placing a cable on the connector shown in fig. 4. Fig. 8 shows a closing process of the connector shown in fig. 4.

A process of setting the cable 130 on the connector 120 and a process of closing the connector 120 will be described with reference to fig. 7 and 8.

In a state where the connector 120 is opened, that is, in a state where the cover 1220 opens the seating portion 1213 of the case 1210, the cable 130 may be seated on the seating portion 1213. At this time, the cable 130 may be seated on the seating portion 1213 in the vertical direction V such that the flat surface 131a of the cable 131 faces the seating portion 1213. When the cable 130 is seated on the seating portion 1213, the cable terminal 132 may contact the connector terminal 1214. When the cable 130 is seated on the seating portion 1213, the engagement portion 133 of the cable 130 may be engaged by the protrusion portion 1218 of the housing 1210. Accordingly, the cable 130 can be prevented from moving in the horizontal direction H. Further, since the shape of the cable 130 corresponds to the shape of the seating portion 1213, it is also possible to prevent movement of the cable 130 in the width direction W and movement of the cable 130 in the horizontal direction H. That is, the cable 130 can be prevented from being easily separated from the connector 120. Meanwhile, when the cable 130 is seated on the seating part 1213, the cable 130 may press the switch 410 (i.e., the first switch 411). When the switch 410 is pressed downward, the link 430 linked with the switch 410 may be moved upward, but is not limited thereto. However, the user may press the switch 410 (i.e., the second switch 412) by himself. The linkage 430 may move upward to release the coupling between the case 1210 and the cover 1220. More specifically, as shown in fig. 8 (b), the linkage part 430 may release the coupling between the first elastic protrusion 220 and the first hole 210 by pushing the first elastic protrusion 220 out of the first hole 210. Upon releasing the coupling between the first elastic protrusion 220 and the first hole 210, the cover 220 may be rotated in the first direction C by the elastic force provided by the elastic member 1240, and the seating portion 1213 may be closed by the cover 1220.

In general, a cable such as an FFC having flexibility may be coupled with a connector by being inserted into the connector in a horizontal direction. In the case of such a horizontal coupling method, it is necessary to secure a certain space for coupling the cables in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, in the case where the connector is positioned at the innermost portion of the product, there may be difficulty in inserting the cable into the connector, and an additional task for checking whether the cable has been properly coupled with the connector may be required. Meanwhile, due to flexibility of the cable, the cable may be bent or damaged during insertion of the cable into the connector in a horizontal direction.

In contrast, according to the present disclosure, the cable 130 may be coupled with the connector 120 in the vertical direction V. More specifically, the cable 130 may be seated on the seating portion 1213 in the vertical direction V such that one surface 131a of the cable body 131 faces the seating portion 1213. That is, the cable 130 may be electrically connected to the connector 120 by a vertical coupling method. Accordingly, the cable 130 may be coupled with the connector 120 without any spatial constraints. In addition, since the cable 130 is seated on the seating portion 1213 in the vertical direction V, the cable terminal 132 can be more stably contacted with the connector terminal 1214. In addition, the risk of bending or damaging the cable can be reduced.

Fig. 10 schematically illustrates the coupling relationship between the cover of the connector and the cable.

Referring to fig. 10, the cover 1220 may include a separation preventing portion 1222 for preventing the cable 130 from being separated from the seating portion 1213 in a state where the cable 130 is seated on the seating portion 1213 of the case 1210 and then the cover 1220 closes the seating portion 1213. The separation preventing portion 1222 may protrude from the lower side 1220b of the cover 1220 toward the seating portion 1213. Further, the cable 130 may include a cutting groove 134 corresponding to the separation preventing portion 1222. That is, in a state where the cover 1220 closes the seating portion 1213, the separation preventing portion 1222 may be coupled with the cutting groove 134. Accordingly, the cable 120 can be prevented from being coupled with the connector 120 in a state of being detached from the seating portion 1213 or being twisted or bent inside the seating portion 1213. Further, by restricting the movement of the cable 130, the contact force between the connector terminal 1214 and the cable terminal 132 can be improved. As a result, the electrical connection between the connector 120 and the cable 130 can be more stably performed.

So far, specific embodiments have been shown and described. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and a person skilled in the art may make various modifications without departing from the gist of the technical idea of the present disclosure defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A display device, comprising:

a display panel;

a frame assembly for supporting the display panel; and

a printed circuit board assembly received in the housing assembly, the printed circuit board assembly comprising:

a printed circuit board configured to drive and control the display panel; and

a connector mountable on the printed circuit board and configured to electrically connect the display panel to the printed circuit board via a cable, and comprising:

a placement part, and

a connector terminal positioned at one side of the seating portion,

wherein the connector is connected to the cable when a surface of the cable faces the seating portion in a vertical direction of the connector and a cable terminal formed at one end of the cable is contact-coupled with the connector terminal.

2. The display device of claim 1, wherein the connector comprises:

a housing including a recess forming the seating portion, wherein an upper side of the recess is opened such that the cable is seated on the seating portion along the vertical direction of the connector;

A cover rotatably coupled with the housing to open or close the seating part;

an elastic member that provides a preset elastic force to the cover to rotate the cover in a direction closing the seating part;

a locking device provided in at least one of the cover or the housing, the locking device coupling the cover with the housing in a state in which the cover opens the seating portion; and

unlocking means that releases the coupling of the cover with the housing by the locking means.

3. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the unlocking means includes:

a switch; and

and a link portion formed to extend from the switch, and to press the cover by moving upward when the switch is pressed downward.

4. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the locking means includes:

a first aperture disposed in the housing; and

a first resilient protrusion disposed in the cover and couplable with the first aperture.

5. The display apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the unlocking device pushes the first elastic protrusion out of the first hole in a state where the first elastic protrusion is coupled with the first hole.

6. The display device of claim 2, wherein the locking means is a first locking means,

the connector further includes a second locking device provided in at least one of the cover or the housing, for coupling the cover with the housing in a state where the cover closes the seating portion, and

the second locking device includes:

a second aperture disposed in the housing; and

a second resilient tab is disposed in the cover and coupled with the second aperture.

7. The display device of claim 2, wherein,

the cover includes a separation preventing portion formed to protrude toward the seating portion and capable of being coupled with the cable, the separation preventing portion for preventing the cable from being separated from the seating portion in a state where the cable is seated on the seating portion and the cover closes the seating portion, and

The cable includes a cutting groove corresponding to the separation preventing portion.

8. The display device according to claim 2, wherein the side of the seating portion on which the connector terminal is positioned is a first side,

the housing further includes a boss formed to protrude inward in a width direction of the connector such that a second side of the seating portion opposite to the first side thereof has a smaller width than the first side, and

the engaging portion is engaged by the protruding portion to prevent the cable mounted on the mounting portion from being detached from the mounting portion in a horizontal direction of the connector.

9. A display device according to claim 3, wherein the unlocking means further comprises:

and an auxiliary guide member guiding movement of the linkage part such that the linkage part is movable in an up-down direction by being interlocked with the switch.

10. The display device of claim 2, wherein the elastic member comprises at least one torsion spring.

11. The display device of claim 1, wherein the cable comprises at least one of a Flexible Flat Cable (FFC) or a Flexible Printed Circuit Board (FPCB).

12. The display device of claim 1, wherein the connector further comprises a grasped handle.

13. A display device according to claim 3, wherein the switch is positioned inside the seating portion, and the switch is configured to be pressed downward when the cable is seated on the seating portion along the vertical direction of the connector.

14. A display device according to claim 3, wherein the switch is positioned outside the rest portion without interfering with the cable.

15. The display device according to claim 1, wherein one end of the cable is electrically connected to the printed circuit board, and the other end of the cable is electrically connected to the display panel.