GB2358950A

GB2358950A - Computer having a flat panel display

Info

Publication number: GB2358950A
Application number: GB0103286A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Yeon Song Kim
Original assignee: LG Philips LCD Co Ltd
Current assignee: LG Display Co Ltd
Priority date: 1998-11-10
Filing date: 1999-11-09
Publication date: 2001-08-08
Anticipated expiration: 2019-11-09
Also published as: GB2358950B; GB0103286D0

Abstract

Disclosed are a computer which includes: a system body; a flat panel display device 10 having a side wall portion 11, a display surface and a rear surface; and a hinge mechanism coupling the system body and the display device. The display device 10 has a plurality of holes 12, 13, and a hinge frame 60 has a plurality of protrusions 61, 62 corresponding to the holes for securing the flat panel display device 10 to the frame 60. The mounting structure of the flat panel display device on a computer according to the present invention provides a mounting method without any screw on the side portion of the display device. Thus, the side mounting can be achieved to follow the advancement of the technology that can reduce the thickness of the flat panel display device.

Description

1 2358950 CONIPUTER H-AVING A FLAT PA-NEL MSPLAY The present invention

relates 2enerally to a flat panel display de-,,.lce, and more particularIv. 'to a flat panel display device mounting structure on a computer.

Flat panel display ddvices include liou'd cry tal display devices (LCD) which are used widely, plasma display panels (PDP), and field emission displavs (FED) which have been studied recently and may be applied to computers in the near future.

For convenience of explanation, the present invention will be discussed with respect to the LCD as an example of a flat screen type display device and a portable computer mounted with the LCD.

Refeming to Fig. 1, a general portable computer such as a laptop or notebook computer typically includes a body 100, a flat panel display device assembly 110 coupled to the body 100 via a hln2e mechanism 124. The flat panel display device assembly 110 has a flat panel display module 111 and a display case 122 supporting the module 111.

The body 100 has an input device 102 such as a keyboard. As a flat panel displav module 111, the LCD is widely used in portable computers and flat screen monitors.

Referring to FIR. 2 which shows a conventional assembly structure of the LCD device applied to a conventional portable computer, the display case 1222 has a rear case 123 and a front case or frame 121 for mountin2 the LCD module 130. The rear case 12)3 has an outer surface and an inner surface and connecting ribs 123a formed at the corners.

The LCD module 13 0 has an LCD panel 132, a back light device 134 fixed to the back of the LCD panel 1322, and a metal sash or supportina frame 136 for assembling the panel 132 and the back light device 134 along the edg P.

At the corners of the metal sash 136, correspondin. to the positions of the ribs 1 2-13 a of the rear case 123. a plurality of protrusions 136a having holes are formed.

For mount= the LCD module i 30 to the case 122', the LCD module 1 -" 0 is placed on the rear case 12.3 and the holes of -the metal sash.13(5 and the ribs 123a are fastened to,ethel- -orefel-ablv bv screws 138. The fronicase 'L -2 1 is coupled to the rearcase 1 -23.

Hereinafter. the wav in which the LCD module lis mounted +to the case -'rom the 'ont toward the rear direction:s defilned as the oni mount'n,2 method. and ihe assembled T LI 1 1 - 2 structure of the LCD module and the case made through the front mounting method is def-lmed as tlie front mounting structure.

In the front mounting struct-ure of the LCD device.. since the protrusions 136a require additional space corresponding to the protruded width "d"., the ratio of the display area of the LCD module to- the fixed size of the case 122 is reduced.

The front mounting structure may also include an additional feature to further support the LCD panel, as shown in Figs. 3A and 3B.

Referring to Flas. 3A and 3B, a conventional LCD device assembly 110 includes an LCD panel 112, a back light device (not shown) for the LC1) panel, and a display case 122 supporting the LCD module 111. The LCD panel 112 and the back licrht device are assembled by a metal sash 114 along the edges together with a plastic mold frame (not shown) supporting the back light device.

The display case 122-2 is coupled to a body 120 via a hinge mechanism 124. which may extend from the body 120. The display case 1222 and the hinge mechanism 124 allow 1.5 the display device assembly 110 to pivotally move with respect to the body 120.

Two opposite sides of the metal sash 114 include flanges 114a for assembling the LCD module 111 to the display case 122, and flanges 1 14b for assembling the LCD module 111 to the hinge frame or hinge arm. 126. Hereinafter, the former is referred as a fixing flange and the latter is referred as a mounting flange in this specification for distinction purposes. As shown in Fig. 3B, the fixing flanges 114a have a protruding width W 11P - d.' and the mounting flanges 1 14b have a protruding width cil. A screw hole is formed in each of the flanges 114a and 114b. On the inner surface of the display case 122, ribs 12-1a are formed correspondinLY to the holes of the fixing flange 1 14a.

To mount the LCD module 111, -the hiriRe frame 126 and the mounting flanges 1 14b of the metal sash 114 are screwed together. and the fixir -i tlanges 1 14a. of the metal sash 1114 andthe ribs '122a are screwed together by bolts 128.

In the mountinz structure shown in Fi2. -',B, the metal sash or support frame 114 1 ide spaces for the flanges ' 14a and 14b. Therefore, the side space D (dl - d-') requ res si - L results in a reduction of the ratio of the dis-olav area of the LCI) panel 11-1 relative to the disi)iav case 1-2. -,/loreover, as tile dis-plav size increases. the disriav case becomes 3 undesirably large. especially for a portable computer such as a laptop computer.

To solve the above problem. an assembling structure has been suggested. as shown in Fic,. 4, which is a partial perspective view. The hinge ar mor frame 126, the case 122 and the side wall portion of the display module 110 are screwed together by bolts 128. However. although the embodiment shown in Fi,. 4 is asood solution, there may be some instances where it is desired to attach the hinge arm, the case and the side wall portion of the display module without using a screw hole in the side wall portion of the display module. Accordincrly, the present invention is directed to a portable computer that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of Z:1 the related art.

An object of the present invention is to minimize the non-display area of the LCD - device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer having a flat panel display device with a maximum display area and a minimal display case size.

A flirther object of the present invention is to provide a mounting structure for flat panel display device on a computer.

Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description with follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these and other advantazes and the in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the present invention provides., in one aspect, a computer comprisinú, a system body.. a flat panel display device having a si - wall portion., a display surface and a rear surface. -and a hinge mechanism coupling the system body and the disulay device. having a fasten-ling element for putting the flat panel. display device therein.

In another aspect, the present provides a computer comprisimi a svsTem bod-,. a flat in ol rid jO pane.] display device including a side wall portion having at least one fixi 2 h C, a a 4 hine mechanism coupling the systern body and the display de,,,,1c,-. including at least one protrusion correspondin. to the fixinL, hole of the sde wall portion of the display devi 1 1 1 ice.

The hinge mechanism has a pin portion and a hinge mount. The fastening element has a shape of letter "C". The hinge frame has first and second supporting portions for supporting the display and rear surfaces of the display device. respectively. The h' ge 1 ing fame has third and fourth supporting portions spaced from each other by a side length 'T' of the display module to support the side wall portion of the display device. The first and, second supporting portions are upper and lower walls spaced from each other by a height of the side wall portion of the display device. The third and fourth supporting portions are end walls spaced from each other by a side length of the display device. The hinge frame has a shape of letter "L". The hinge ftame has side vertical and lower walls and a top ht is protrusion which is positioned at a top of the side vertical wall, a heig of which substantially same as that of the side wall portion of the display device. The hinge frame further includes fifth and sixth supporting portions spaced from each other by a side length C, - of the display device. The top protrusion is positioned near the fifth supporting portion. A case covers and supports the display surface of the display device. The hinge frame has a shape of elongated plate member, including lower and upper supporting portions. The hinze frame further includes a fixing element for restricting movement of the display device in an clon-ated direction of the hin.e fame. The fixin. element has two supporting protrusions spaced from each other by a side length of the display device. The upper supporting portion has a thickness thinner than that of the hinge frame body. The upper supporting portion is bendable. The flat panel display device has a metal sash for supporimg side thereof, and the metal sash has the side wall portion. The side wall portion of the metal sash has a hole member havinR the fixing hole. The hole member is made of plastic material. The hole has a rectangular shape. An inlet portion of the hole is narrower than inner side thereof. The protrusion is a fastener.

It is to be understood that both the foreL,oin-, L,eneral description and the followillú detailed description ire exemplary and explanatory, and are intended Lo provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

For a better understanding of the present invention. embodlinents %,v.111 now be described bv way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showinc, a general portable computer., 1 z: 1 Fig. 2 shows a conventional mounting structure of the LC1) device for a portable computer; invention; Figs. 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a front vie-w. respectivelv show ing a mounting structure of the LCD device for a portable computer; Fig. 4 is a partial view showing another mounting structure of the LCD device for a conventional portable computer; Fig. 5 shows a mounting structure according to a first embodiment of the present c -- Fia. 6 shows a mountiner structure according to a second embodiment of the present 0 W invention; Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a hinge ftame according to a third W embodiment of the invention; is FiZI-- 8 shows a mounting structure according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Fla. 9 is a sectional view showing a modified hole and a protrusion according to the fourth embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 10 is a perspective view showing a modified hinge frame according to the fourth embodiment of the invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompan ing drawings.

Y1 - W Referring Fig. 5, which shows a first embodiment of the present invention, a display module 10, a bracket or hinge frame 20. a hinge mount 3 0 and a case 40 are shown.

The substantially rectangular shaped display module 10 does not need a screw hole at a side wall portion 11. The side wall portion has a le.ft' side surfaces 1 la, a right side surfaces 11 b, an upper side surfaces 11 c and a lower side surfaces 11 d. The module is inserted in the hinge frame 20. The hinge frame 20 has a side vertical wall 1l, a lower wail 26 and an upper wall 15 for fiixing the peripheral portion 11 of the display module 10. That is, a cross S 0 sect on of'Llie'ill'-n,-7e frame '0 preferably lias a "C" shape. The displa., module 10 is hiserted 6 between the lower wall 216 and the upper wall 215.

To tiLhtlv fix the display module 10 in the hinge fame 20, the hinge &ame 20 preferably has an upper vertical wall 21a and a lower vertical wall 21b connecting the upper and lower walls 25 and 26. The upper and lower vertical walls 21a and 21b fix the display module 10 so that the display module 10 does not move in the longitudinal direction of the hinge frame 20.

is The hinge frame 20 is coupled to the hinge mount 30 through a pin portion)). The 1 1 The hin.e frame 20 can be pin portion 22 may be integrally formed with the hinge frame.

coupled to the hinge mount 30 through any suitable connecting means such as a screw.

Fill). 6 shows the second embodiment of the present invention. According to the first embodiment, even if the display module can be mounted to the display cover without using a screw, it may be difficult to put the display module 10 in the hinge frame 20 after W the hinúze frame 20 is coupled to the hinge mount '30. The second embodiment makes 11 easier to place the display module 10 in the hinge frame 20.

Referring to Fig. 6, the LCD device assembly includes an LCD panel and a back light device (not shown) for the LCD panel, and display case 40 supporting the display device (LCD) module 10. The LCD panel and the back 11 ght device are assembled by a metal sash 9 along the edges together with a plastic mold frame (not shown) supporting the back light device.

The display module 10 has a front surface, a rear surface and side wall portion.

The side wall portion has a left side surfaces 11 a, a right side surfaces 11 b, an upper side surfaces 11 c and a lower side surfaces 1 Id. Metal sash 9 covers the periphery of the LCD panel. The rear surface of the display module 10 is parallel to the front surface and has a pi-inted circuit board (PCB)(not shown) attached thereto. The side wall portion 11 is perpendicular to the front and rear surfaces.

Irhe display case 40 has a rear case 41 and a front case or frame 422 for mountilily the LCD module 10. The hinge mount 30 and a pin portion 54 constitute a hinge mechanism. The Iiinsze mount 30 is fixed to or extended from the body (see Fig, 1. for example) and the pin portion 54 is fixed to the hinge frame 50. Alternatively. the hinge W mount can be fixed to the hinLic frame and the pin portion to the display body. The display 7 module 10 and the hinge mount 30 are assembled through a hinge frame 50, allowing the display device assembly to pivotally move with respect to the body.

The hinge frame 50 has an "L" shape. That is, the hinge frame 50 has a lower wall 50a and a side vertical wall 50b. Compared to the first embodiment where the upper wall is continuously fonned along the upper edge of the side vertical wall, the second embodiment has an upper fixing tab 53, for suppressing the metal sash of the front surface of the display Z_ g module 10 that is partially formed along the upper edge of the side vertical wall. When the 1 display module 10 is assembled with the hinge frame 50, the lower wall 50a and the side vertical wall 50b support a rear surface and a side wall portion 11 of the display module 10, respectively. Once assembled, the lower wall 50a. and the side vertical wall 50b are parallel to the rear surface and the right and left side surfaces 1 la and 1 lb, respectively.

The hinge frame 50 also has first and second bent portions 5 land 52, as an upper and lower vertical walls, and upper fixing, tab 53. The first bent portion 51 is formed at an end of the lower wall 50a. The second bent portion 52 is formed near the pin portion 54 at is a top portion of the side vertical wall 50b, preferably spaced from the first bent portion 51 by the side length "I" of the display module 10.

The first bent portion 51 is bent upwardly from the lower wall 50a and the second bent portion 52 is bent inward from the side vertical wall 50b toward the side wall portion 11. The first and second bent portions 51 and 52 fix the display module 10, by pressing the upper side surface llc and the lower side surface I ld respectively, so that the display module 10 does not move in the longitudinal direction of the hinge frame 50.

The upper fixing tab 53 is formed near the first bent portion 51 by being bent from the side vertical direction to the side direction. Therefore, the direction of the upper fixing. tab 53) is perpendicular to the direction of the side vertical wall 50b, and parallel to the direction of the lower wall 50a. Thus, it is possible to mount the display module 10 even after the hinge frame 50 is coupled to the hinge mount -30. That is, the display module 10 is first placed between the first bent portions 51 and upper fixing tab 53. The upper fixing tab 53 prevents the display module 10 from moving vertically by pressing the metal sash 9. The display module 10 is clamped by the lower wall 50a. and upper fixing tab - 53.

The case 40 has front and rear cases 42 and 41, that also restrict the vertical 8 movement of the display module 10. There may be screw holes on the side vertical andl'or lower walls for fixing the himie frame 50 to the rear case 41 with screws.

Furthermore, a bracket 55 can be adopted for fixing the display module 10 to the case 40.

Fic,. 7 shows a hin.e fame 70 accordin. to a third embodiment of the invention. In c Z-1 the first and second embodiments, because the lower walls 26 and 50a for supporting the rear surface are continuously formed along the lower edge of the side vertical wall of the hinge frame, the display assembly may be heavier than needed. Accordingly in the third embodiment, the hinge frame component for supporting, the rear surface of the display module is formed discrete shape.

The hincle frame 70 of the third embodiment is similar to the hinge frame 50 shown W in Fig. 6, but the hinge fitame 70 does not have an "L" shape. Instead of a rear surface, as in the second embodiment, the hin,ce frame 70 has at least one bent portion 74 extending inwardly from the lower edge of the side vertical wall 7 1 to support the rear surface of the display module 10 (see Fig. 6). Other bent portions such as bent portions 75 and 76, as an upper vertical wall and a lower vertical wall, are preferably spaced from each other by the side len--th "I" of the display module, similar to the first and second bent portions of Fig. 6, in order to restrict the longitudinal movement of the display module.

The hinge frame 70 also has an upper fixing tab 771 for restricting the vertical movement of the display device similar to the upper fixing tab 53 of Fig. 6. The display module 10 is clamped by the bent portion 74 and upper fixing tab 77. The position of the upper fixing tab 77 is not limited, since the upper fixing tab 77 is bent over the display module after the display device is placed between the bent portions 11 5 and 76. The upper fixinR tab 77 is preferably made thinner than that of the main part of the hinge frame 71 for easier bending.

Ficr. S shows a mount=y structure accordinS to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Side wall portion 11 of 'the display module 10 has a plurality of holes 1 -2 and 13and the hinRe frame 60 has a plurality of protrusions 61 and 62 corresponding to the holes 12 and 13, respectively, -to mount the hinge frame 60 to the display module 10.

The sectional shape of the hoies 12 and 13 and the protrusions 61 and 62 can be 9 is rectangular as shown in Fig. 8. Figg, 9 shows a modified example. The hole 1,2 can be formed integrally with the side wall portion or metal sash 11 of the display module 10 as shown in F1-. 8. A hole housinz 15 havin. a hole 12a can be inserted to the metal sash W 11. The hole housing 15 is preferably made of a flexible material such as plastic or rubber, The entrance of the hole 12d is preferably smaller than that o 'i the inner space of the hole 12-1a for a tight fit. The corresponding protrusion 61a is preferably a plastic hook or fastener.

Fig. 10 shows another example of the hinge frame which has an additional frame member 65 coupled to any of the hinge frames 20, 50, 70 and 60 of Figs. 5, 6, 7 and 8, 10 respectively.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made 'm the portable computer and method for mounting a flat panel display module thereon of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS:

A computer comprising, a system body; a flat panel display module including a side wall portion having at least one f ixing hole; and a hinge mechanism coupling the system body and the display device, including at least one protrusion corresponding to the fixing hole of the side wall portion of the display device.
2. A computer according to claim 1, wherein the hinge mechanism includes a hinge frame having the protrusion and a hinge mount.

is
3. A computer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side wall portion has a hole member having the fixing hole.
4. A computer according to claim 3, wherein the hol 20 member is made of plastics material.

e
5. A computer according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, wherein the hole has a rectangular shape.