KR102562961B1 - Case for display panel and display device comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a case for a display panel and a display device including the same.
A case for a display panel according to the present invention includes a case member having an insertion groove into which a display panel is inserted, and the display panel can be slidably inserted into the insertion groove.
As described above, the display device to which the case for a display panel according to the present invention is applied has an advantage in that the manufacturing process and parts of the display device are simplified and light weight is possible by taking a structure in which the case surrounds only the rim of the display panel.

Description

Case for display panel and display device including the case {CASE FOR DISPLAY PANEL AND DISPLAY DEVICE COMPRISING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a case for a display panel and a display device including the same, and more particularly, to a case for a display panel having an insertion groove for sliding and inserting a display panel and a display device to which the case is applied.

As the information society develops, the demand for display devices is also increasing in various forms, and in response to this, liquid crystal display panels, plasma display panels, and organic light emitting diode displays ) panel, flat panel display devices to which various display panels are applied are being researched and commercialized.

Among the various display panels described above, an organic light emitting device display panel uses a self-light emitting device, and thus has an advantage of being lightweight and thin, unlike a liquid crystal display panel that uses a non-light emitting device and requires a backlight unit.

In addition, in recent years, thinness and weight reduction of display panels and display devices including them have been actively performed due to the advancement of display panel manufacturing processes, and display devices such as flexible displays or curved displays By making it possible to have more diverse shapes, not only the technical aspect but also the design aspect are emphasized.

In line with this trend, changes are also occurring in the configuration and role of the case provided to cover the display panel.

Until now, a case for a display panel, particularly an organic light emitting device display panel, supports an upper portion of a display panel 2 including a first substrate 21 and a second substrate 22, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B. A middle cabinet (4) supporting the lower and side surfaces of the display panel (2) together with the upper cover (1), the lower cover (3) supporting the lower portion of the display panel (2), and the lower cover (3) have a general structure. The upper cover 1 may be disposed along the periphery of the side surface and upper surface of the display panel 2, and may be omitted if necessary.

Here, the first substrate 21 serves as an encapsulation, and on the second substrate 22 there are gate lines and data lines crossing each other to define pixels, and thin film transistors electrically connected to the gate lines and data lines. is provided On top of the thin film transistor, a light emitting layer emitting light to the outside is electrically connected to the thin film transistor.

The middle cabinet 4 is fastened to the lower cover 3 to support the lower portion of the display panel 2 and protect the side surface at the same time. In general, the adhesive layer 6 is formed on the surface where the display panel 2 is seated. It is provided so that the display panel 2 and the middle cabinet 4 can be stably fixed.

The lower cover 3 and the middle cabinet 4 may be fastened through a fastening method such as adhesive or screw, and a pad layer 5 is provided in the gap between the display panel 2 and the lower cover 3 It can be.

In particular, the lower cover 3 and the middle cabinet 4 among the parts constituting the case for the display panel described above are parts for maintaining the shape (flat or curved) of the display device and at the same time prevent distortion of the display panel. As a part to prevent it, it can be said to be one of the parts with high importance.

However, as the display panel becomes larger, the lower cover 3 and the middle cabinet 4 for supporting it also inevitably become larger, so that not only the size of the case supporting the display panel increases, but also the weight of the display device including it increases. A problem was found.

In particular, in the case of an organic light emitting device display panel, it is light and thin compared to a liquid crystal display panel, and has the advantage of excellent viewing angle and contrast ratio, but on the contrary, there is a problem of lack of rigidity, and recently, considering the size and design of the display device Therefore, in many cases, a separate external case is not used other than a case supporting the display panel, so a display panel case is required to compensate for the insufficient rigidity of the display panel.

Therefore, there is a need to develop a display panel case that provides sufficient rigidity to a display panel that is gradually becoming larger, lighter, and thinner and can be directly used as an exterior of a display device without a separate external case.

An object of the present invention is to provide a case for a display panel that can be directly used as an exterior of a display device without a separate external case by providing rigidity to the display panel, and a display device to which the case is applied.

In addition, an object of the present invention is to provide a case for a display panel having a structure capable of stably supporting the display panel while simplifying components supporting the display panel, and a display device to which the case is applied.

According to one aspect of the present invention to solve the above technical problem, a middle cabinet provided to support the side and bottom of a conventional display panel is transformed into a case member for wrapping the edge of each side region of the display panel, By omitting the lower cover supporting the lower portion of the panel, a case for a light display panel and a display device in which a case member into which the display panel is inserted are used as a direct appearance can be provided.

In addition, in the display panel case according to an embodiment of the present invention, the display panel is slidably inserted into the case member to improve assembly and reworkability, or the case member is individually assembled at the edge of each side region of the display panel. It can be.

In addition, the case member may have a step or protrusion on an inner surface to stably support the inserted display panel.

The display panel case according to the present invention can be easily applied to display panels having various sizes by framing a middle cabinet, which is a part applied to support the side and bottom of the display panel in a general display panel case.

In addition, according to the present invention, there is an advantage that it is possible to reduce the weight and thickness of the display panel case by omitting the lower cover, which is a part applied to support the lower part of the display panel.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the display panel is assembled in the form of being inserted into the display panel case, not only the assembly property is good, but also the separation of the display panel from the display panel case is easy, so the reworkability is also improved. It has the advantage of being excellent.

In addition, according to the present invention, as a case for a display panel to which a case member in the form of enclosing only the edge of each side region of the display panel is applied, regardless of the shape of the display panel (for example, flat or curved). Not only is it possible to apply it easily, but it is also possible to directly use the case member itself as an exterior case of the display device, so that various designs can be easily incorporated into the case of the display device.

FIG. 1A is an exploded perspective view of a conventional display device, and FIG. 1B is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA′ of FIG. 1A.
2A is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB′ of FIG. 2A.
3A is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC′ of FIG. 3A.
4A to 4C illustrate basic unit components of a case for a display panel according to various embodiments of the present invention.
5A to 5E are enlarged views of a portion of a display panel inserted into a display panel case according to embodiments of the present invention.
6 schematically illustrates a modularization process of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

2A is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB′ of FIG. 2A.

In addition, FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view along the line C-C′ of FIG. 3A.

Examples of display panels that can be applied to the display devices shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A include a liquid crystal display panel, a plasma display panel, and an organic light emitting diode display panel. There is a display panel.

Here, the case for a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention preferably has a relatively thin thickness compared to other display panels in that it is provided in a form surrounding the edge of each side region of the display panel. can be used for

At this time, the organic light emitting diode display panel includes a first substrate 210 and a second substrate 220, wherein the first substrate 210 serves as an encapsulation, and the second substrate 220 crosses each other. A gate line and a data line defining a pixel are provided, and a switching and driving thin film transistor electrically connected to the gate line and the data line.

A light emitting layer emitting light to the outside is positioned above the switching and driving thin film transistor, and the light emitting layer is electrically connected to the drain electrode of the driving thin film transistor.

In addition, the gate line is connected to the gate electrode of the switching thin film transistor, and the data line is connected to the source electrode of the switching thin film transistor. Also, the drain electrode of the switching thin film transistor is connected to the gate electrode of the driving thin film transistor, and the power line is connected to the source electrode of the driving thin film transistor.

In addition, the display panel case according to an embodiment of the present invention is not limited to application to the flat display panel shown in FIG. 2A, and as shown in FIG. 3A, the curved display panel and Similarly, it is also possible to apply to a curved display panel.

Additionally, when the second case member 112 is made of a flexible material, it may also be applied to a flexible display panel.

Referring to the case for the display panel applied to FIGS. 2A and 3A , case members 100 are provided to surround edges of each side region of the display panel 200 .

According to one embodiment of the present invention, since the case members 100 surround the edges of each side of the display panel 200, a separate upper cover is required to protect a portion of the front surface of the display panel 200. I never do that.

Specifically, a case for a display panel includes a first case member 111 surrounding an edge of a first side region of the display panel 200 and a second case member 112 surrounding an edge of a second side region of the display panel 200 . ) may be included.

Here, when a user looks at the display panel 200 in a finished product state (display device), the first side area may be in a vertical direction, and the second side area may be in a horizontal direction, or vice versa.

In addition, although a display panel 200 having a first side and a second side having substantially the same length and a case for a display panel provided to cover the same are shown, in the case for a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first side is the first side. It can also be applied to a wide display panel shorter than two sides or vice versa.

The first case member 111 and the second case member 112 may be made of metal (eg, aluminum) or plastic material capable of lightening and strengthening.

In addition, since the first case member 111 and the second case member 112 are made of different materials, it is possible to implement a case for a display panel having a more diverse and elegant design.

Additionally, for a case for a curved display panel or a flexible display panel, one of the case members may have a curvature or be made to have a curvature.

Preferably, the first case member 111 and the second case member 112 may be connected through a connecting member 113 at a corner area of the display panel 200 .

As shown in FIGS. 2A and 3A, the coupling method of the display panel case and the display panel 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention is slid into the display panel case where the display panel 200 is partially assembled. It may be an insertion method.

That is, the display panel case includes two first case members 111 facing each other and a second case member 112 connected to the two first case members 111 by a connecting member 113 at one end thereof. It is partially assembled, and after the display panel 200 is slidably inserted therein, the exposed second side of the display panel 200 may be covered by the remaining second case member 112 .

In order for the display panel 200 to be inserted into the case member 100 constituting the case for the display panel, one side of the first case member 111, the second case member 112, and the connection member 113 has an insertion groove ( 111a, 112a, 113a) are provided.

Here, one side of the first case member 111, the second case member 112, and the connection member 113 means the first case member 111 facing or abutting the display panel 200, the second case member ( 112) and the surface of the connecting member 113.

The insertion groove is preferably formed to a depth sufficient to surround the edge of the display panel 200 .

That is, when the display panel 200 is inserted into the insertion groove of the first case member 111, it is formed to a depth sufficient to prevent the display panel 200 from being separated from the insertion groove by an external shock or the like. desirable.

In addition, as shown in FIGS. 2B and 3B , when the display panel 200 is inserted, the surface of the display panel 200 is prevented from being damaged by friction with the inner surface of the insertion groove. In this inserted state, a predetermined gap may exist between the inner surface of the insertion groove and the upper and lower surfaces of the display panel 200 .

According to an embodiment, fastening of the display panel case and the display panel can be completed by simply sliding and inserting the display panel into the display panel case, and a separate bonding process is not required. There is an advantage in that the assembly process of the case and the display panel can be simplified.

According to another modification, after fitting the first case member 111 and the second case member 112 to each side area of the prepared display panel 200, respectively, the first case member in the corner area of the display panel 200 By connecting 111 and the second case member 112 through the connecting member 113, the assembly process of the display panel case and the display panel can be completed.

4A to 4C illustrate basic unit components of a case for a display panel according to various embodiments of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4A , in a case for a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention, a first case member 111, a second case member 112, and a connecting member 113 may correspond to separate basic unit parts. there is.

In this case, after fitting the first case member 111 and the second case member 112 to each side area of the prepared display panel 200, respectively, the first case member 111 in the corner area of the display panel 200 By connecting the second case member 112 and the second case member 112 through the connecting member 113, the assembly process of the display panel case and the display panel may be completed.

Here, the first case member 111 and the second case member 112 may be firmly fixed with the connection member 113 interposed therebetween by means of screws (s) or internal welding.

Referring to another example shown in FIG. 4B, one first case member 111 and one second case member 112 are connected by a connecting member 113, and one of the exposed second case members 112 A basic unit component in which a connection member 113 is additionally connected to an end portion or an integrated form may be provided.

At this time, a basic unit component in which a connection member 113 is additionally connected to one end of the exposed first case member 111 instead of the second case member 112 or integrated into one may be possible.

In the case of the basic unit parts shown in FIG. 4B , two basic unit parts may constitute one case for a display panel.

On the other hand, referring to the example shown in FIG. 4C, two first case members 111 facing each other and two connecting members 113 at one end of the two first case members 111 and the second connected to each other. A basic unit component including the case member 112 may be provided.

At this time, the connection member 113 connected to both ends of the second case member 112 may be integrally provided with the second case member 112, in which case the parts constituting the case for the display panel are simpler. It can be broken, and at the same time, the assemblability can also be improved.

In this case, after the display panel 200 is slidably inserted into the basic unit component, the second case member 112 may be assembled to cover the exposed second side of the display panel 200 .

As shown in FIGS. 4A to 4C , the display panel case may be provided as basic unit parts of various shapes as needed, and the shape of the basic unit part is appropriately selected according to the shape and use of the display panel, and the assembly process make it possible to simplify

In addition, the connecting member 113 is integrally provided at one end of the first case member 111 or the second case member 112 or integrally provided at both ends, thereby simplifying the component, as well as the connecting member ( The connection of the first case member 111 or the second case member 112 through 113 can be made more robust.

5A to 5E are enlarged views of a portion of a display panel 200 inserted into a display panel case according to embodiments of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 5A , when the display panel 200 is inserted into the insertion groove 111a of the first case member 111, friction between the surface of the display panel 200 and the inner surface of the insertion groove 111a In order not to damage the surface of the display panel 200 by the insertion groove 111a may be provided with a width greater than the thickness of the display panel 200.

Accordingly, a predetermined gap (G) may exist between the inner surface of the insertion groove and the upper and lower surfaces of the display panel 200 in a state in which the display panel 200 is inserted.

Here, the predetermined gap (G) does not mean a gap at which the display panel 200 can move greatly within the insertion groove 111a, and the inner surface of the insertion groove 111a and the display panel 200 It should be understood as meaning a gap that can reduce friction between surfaces.

If necessary, in order to improve the fixing force between the first case member 111 and the display panel 200 in the state where the gap G exists between the inner surface of the insertion groove 111a and the display panel 200, a separate A fastening means (eg, a screw) may be used in combination.

According to another modified example shown in FIG. 5B , a buffer member 300 may be introduced to fill the gap G between the insertion groove 111a and the display panel 200 inserted into the insertion groove 111a.

The buffer member 300 serves to fix the display panel 200 inserted into the insertion groove 111a so that it does not flow due to an external shock or the like. In addition, the buffer member 300 protects the display panel 200 and the insertion groove 111a when the display panel 200 is inserted into the insertion groove 111a or when the display panel 200 is inserted into the insertion groove 111a. It is possible to prevent the surface of the display panel 200 from being damaged by friction between the inner surfaces of ).

As shown in FIG. 5B , the buffer member 300 may be provided to cover all of the top, side, and bottom surfaces of the display panel 200 .

In addition, the buffer member 300 may be provided to cover only the upper and lower surfaces of the display panel 200 , which are surfaces that mainly cause friction with the inner surface of the insertion groove 111 .

The buffer member 300 may be provided to cover all edges of the display panel 200, but when the display panel 200 is slidably inserted, only the side (eg, the first side) parallel to the sliding direction is used. may be provided.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 5B , the buffer member 300 may be provided to slightly protrude outside the insertion groove 111a or may be provided only within the region of the insertion groove 111a.

The buffer member 300 may be made of a material such as silicon, urethane rubber, or urethane foam, and the insertion groove 111a and the display panel ( 200) may be provided with a separate layer for reducing frictional force.

According to another modified example shown in FIG. 5C, the display panel 200 in the insertion groove 111a and the rear surface of the display panel 200 are disposed to compensate for insufficient rigidity of the large-area, lightweight, and thin display panel. The reinforcing plate 400 may be inserted together into the insertion groove 111a.

At this time, the display panel 200 and the reinforcing plate 400 are simultaneously inserted into the insertion groove 111a while being fixed to each other, or the display panel 200 or the reinforcing plate 400 is first inserted into the insertion groove 111a. After that, the other can be inserted.

The reinforcing plate 400 may be made of metal (eg, aluminum) or plastic material capable of lightening and strengthening, and grafting of various designs may be possible by attaching a film having various designs applied to its rear surface.

Additionally, FIGS. 5D and 5E guide the direction and posture of the display panel 200 inserted into the insertion groove 111a and prevent the display panel 200 from flowing while it is inserted into the insertion groove 111a. Examples for doing so are shown.

Specifically, referring to FIG. 5D , a stepped portion 111b for guiding the display panel 200 may be provided on an inner surface of the insertion groove 111a.

The stepped portion 111b provided in the insertion groove 111a is provided at substantially the same height as the thickness of the display panel 200, thereby correctly guiding the sliding insertion direction of the display panel 200, and the stepped portion 111b ), the end of the display panel 200 can be firmly fixed to the first case member 111 .

In addition, referring to FIG. 5E , the insertion groove 111a may further include at least one protrusion 111c supporting upper and lower surfaces of the display panel 200 inserted into the insertion groove 111a.

That is, as the display panel 200 is slidably inserted through the space between the protrusions 111c provided in the insertion groove 111a, the insertion direction may be guided.

In addition, when the display panel 200 is inserted into the insertion groove 111a, the display panel 200 may be less likely to flow due to an external impact due to the protrusions 111c supporting the upper and lower surfaces of the display panel 200, respectively.

6 schematically illustrates a modularization process of a display device (display panel not shown) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First of all, referring to the structure of the display panel case in a completed assembly state, a rear fixing member 114 connecting the rear surfaces of the two first case members 111 facing each other may be further provided.

Here, the rear fixing member 114 may be provided in plurality, and may be provided to connect the rear surfaces of the two second case members 112 facing each other.

In the example shown in FIG. 6 , the rear fixing member 114 stably does not twist even when the large-area display panel 200 is inserted by connecting the two first case members 111 facing each other. It can provide rigidity that can be fixed.

In addition, the rear fixing member 114 may be used to divide an area where the circuit unit 115 and the driving unit 116 are modularized on the rear surface of the display panel 200 .

Additionally, the display device completed in a usable state after the display panel is inserted into the display panel case can be used by standing a stand (or pedestal) on the second side area.

At this time, the overall thickness of the display device can be further reduced by mounting the circuit unit 115 and the driving unit 116 on a stand (or pedestal) portion.

As described above, the display panel case according to the present invention frames a middle cabinet, which is a part applied to support the side and bottom of the display panel in a general display panel case, as a case member in the form of surrounding the rim of the display panel. This has an effect of reducing the overall thickness of the display device.

In addition, according to the present invention, there is an advantage in that the weight of the display device can be reduced by omitting the lower cover, which is a part applied to support the lower part of the display panel.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the framed middle cabinet itself is directly used as the exterior of the display device, it is possible to implement display devices of various designs.

Although the above has been described based on the embodiments of the present invention, various changes or modifications may be made at the level of those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it will be understood that such changes and modifications are included within the scope of the present invention as long as they do not depart from the scope of the present invention.

Claims (13)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete organic light emitting diode display panels;
a first case member surrounding an edge of a first side region of the organic light emitting diode display panel;
a second case member surrounding an edge of a second side region of the organic light emitting diode display panel;
a connecting member connecting the first case member and the second case member at a corner area of the organic light emitting diode display panel and surrounding a corner area of the organic light emitting diode display panel; and
a reinforcing plate disposed to cover the entire rear surface of the organic light emitting device display panel;
including,
The organic light emitting device display panel, the reinforcing plate, and the second case member are bent with the same curvature,
display device.
According to claim 9,
Insertion grooves into which edges of the first and second side regions of the organic light emitting device display panel are inserted are respectively provided on one side of the first case member and the second case member, and one side of the connection member is provided with the organic light emitting device display panel. Provided with an insertion groove for inserting the corner region of the light emitting device display panel,
display device.
According to claim 10,
The organic light emitting device display panel is inserted into the insertion groove together with the reinforcing plate.
display device.
delete According to claim 9,
Further comprising a rear fixing member connecting the rear surfaces of the two first case members facing each other in a direction parallel to the second case member,
The rear fixing member is bent with the same curvature as the second case member,
display device.

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