KR20190069173A - Case member and liquid crystal display device comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a case member for accommodating a backlight unit which comprises a cover bottom and a case top. The cover bottom includes a horizontal part extending in a first direction and a vertical part extending in a second direction crossing the first direction from the horizontal part. The case top includes a first body extending in the first direction, a second body extending in the second direction from the first body and surrounding the vertical part from the outside, and at least one first rib extending in the second direction from the first body and surrounding the vertical part from the inside. The vertical part includes a hook protruding toward the first rib. The first rib includes a first groove into which the hook is inserted.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a case member and a liquid crystal display including the case member.

The present invention relates to a case member and a liquid crystal display including the case member.

The liquid crystal display device is used as a portable computer such as a notebook PC, an office automation device, an audio / video device, and an indoor / outdoor advertisement display device. A liquid crystal display controls an electric field applied to a liquid crystal layer of a liquid crystal display panel to display an image by modulating light incident from a backlight unit (BLU).

The backlight unit is divided into a direct type and an edge type. The edge type backlight unit has a structure in which a light source is disposed so as to face the side face of the light guide plate and a plurality of optical sheets are disposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the light guide plate. In the edge type backlight unit, the light source irradiates light to one side of the light guide plate, and the light guide plate converts the linear light source or point light source into a planar light source, and irradiates the liquid crystal display panel. The direct-type backlight unit has a structure in which a plurality of light sources are disposed under the liquid crystal display panel, and irradiates the light diffused through the diffusion plate to the liquid crystal display panel.

The liquid crystal display panel (PNL) and the backlight unit are assembled together with case members for fixing them, and are implemented as a liquid crystal module (LCM). The case member may include a guide panel, a cover bottom, a case top, and the like. The assembled liquid crystal module can be accommodated in the inner space of the set part and can be realized as a liquid crystal display device.

Since these case members accommodate the backlight unit therein, it is necessary to maintain a firm engagement state. For this purpose, when a screw is used as the fastening means, it is possible to secure the rigidity of the fastening, but it is difficult to realize the thinness of the liquid crystal display device because the fastening space occupies a relatively large amount. Further, in the case of using the screw fastening structure, since a screw is exposed and can be recognized from the outside, an additional process for shielding it is required, which may cause the screw to protrude to the outside and cause interference with other structures. Further, when a screw is used, the assembling process time is increased, the manufacturing cost is increased, and the defect rate due to the increase in the number of processes can be increased.

Alternatively, a method of using a hook structure can be considered. However, in the case of the conventional hook structure, since separation is easy, there is a problem that it is difficult to secure predetermined fastening rigidity.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a case member having a rigid fastening structure and a liquid crystal display device including the same.

The present invention relates to a case member for housing a backlight unit, wherein the case member includes a cover bottom, and a case top. The cover bottom has a horizontal portion extending in the first direction and a vertical portion extending in the second direction crossing the first direction from the horizontal portion. The case top includes a first body extending in the first direction, a second body extending from the first body in the second direction and wrapping the vertical portion from the outside, and a second body extending in the second direction from the first body, And at least one first rib that wraps the vertical portion inside. The vertical portion includes a hook projecting toward the first rib. The first rib includes a first groove through which the hook is drawn.

The present invention provides case members having a rigid fastening structure and a liquid crystal display including the same. Particularly, the present invention provides a liquid crystal display device that is easy to perform a rework process in accordance with defects while maintaining a firm fastened state. Accordingly, the present invention has an advantage that the production yield and the product maintenance property can be remarkably improved.

1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention.
2 is a perspective view illustrating a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
3 is a perspective view illustrating the fastening structure of the case members.
4 is a view for explaining an auxiliary fastening structure of case members according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
5 and 6 are views for explaining the fastening structure of the case member according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a view showing a guide panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Like reference numerals throughout the specification denote substantially identical components. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the following description, a detailed description of known technologies or configurations related to the present invention will be omitted when it is determined that the gist of the present invention may be unnecessarily obscured. In describing the various embodiments, the same components are represented at the outset and may be omitted in other embodiments.

Terms including ordinals, such as first, second, etc., may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited to these terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another.

≪ Embodiment 1 >

1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing a liquid crystal display device according to the present invention. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a perspective view illustrating the fastening structure of the case members.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 3, the liquid crystal display device of the present invention includes a liquid crystal display panel (PNL) and a backlight unit disposed below the liquid crystal display panel (PNL). The liquid crystal display panel PNL includes an upper substrate, a lower substrate, and a liquid crystal layer interposed between the upper substrate and the lower substrate, as described above. The liquid crystal layer may be implemented in at least one of various liquid crystal modes.

A polarizing film may be provided on the front surface and / or the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel PNL. The polarizing film is provided on at least one of the front surface and the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel so that only the components in a specific direction among the components of the light emitted from the backlight unit pass through.

The backlight unit is provided under the liquid crystal display panel (PNL) and irradiates light to the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel (PNL). The backlight unit includes a light source, a light guide plate (LGP), and at least one optical sheet (OPS). The light supplied from the light source to the light incidence surface of the LGP is converted into a surface light source and is emitted to the front surface of the LGP LGP and passes through the optical sheet OPS located above the LGP LGP And uniformly irradiated onto the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel (PNL).

The light source may include one or more light sources of a lamp such as a light emitting diode (LED), a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL), and an external electrode fluorescent lamp (EEFL). The light source irradiates light to at least one side (or the light-entering surface) of the light guide plate (LGP) and the side surface of the light guide plate. The light guide plate LGP may be formed of a plate made of glass or a transparent plastic such as polymethly methacrylate (PMMA), but the present invention is not limited thereto. The light guide plate (LGP) converts the point light source or the light source light into the surface light source.

The optical sheets OPS include one or more prism sheets and one or more diffuser sheets to diffuse the light incident from the light guide plate LGP and to reflect light incident on the light incident surface of the liquid crystal display panel PNL To refract the path of the light at an angle perpendicular to the light path.

Under the light guide plate LGP, a reflection sheet REF for reflecting light incident from the light guide plate LGP and increasing the efficiency of light incident on the liquid crystal display panel PNL may be disposed.

The liquid crystal display panel PNL and the backlight unit are assembled together by a case member including a guide panel GP, a cover bottom CB and a case top CT to be implemented as a liquid crystal module (LCM) .

The guide panel GP is formed in an "a " shape whose cross section has at least one bent portion. The guide panel GP includes a panel support B1 and an extension B2. The panel supporting portion B1 is provided between the liquid crystal display panel PNL and the backlight unit and supports the edge of the liquid crystal display panel PNL from the bottom. The panel supporting portion B1 is provided between the liquid crystal display panel PNL and the optical sheet OPS so that the interval between the liquid crystal display panel PNL and the optical sheet OPS can be kept constant. The extended portion B2 extends from the panel supporting portion B1 and is disposed so as to surround the side surface of the backlight unit facing the side surface of the backlight unit. The extended portion B2 extends from one end of the panel supporting portion B1 in the backward direction. The extended portion B2 may extend further from the one end of the panel supporting portion B1 toward the front direction. In this case, the extended portion B2 supports the side surface of the liquid crystal display panel PNL, and can restrict and restrict the movement to the side surface of the liquid crystal display panel PNL. The direction corresponding to the extending direction of the panel supporting portion B1 may be defined as a first direction and the direction corresponding to the extending direction of the extending portion B2 may be defined as a second direction intersecting the first direction.

The guide panel GP may have the shape of a rectangular frame having a through hole. The guide panel GP can be made of a plastic material that can be molded into a mold such as polycarbonate.

The cover bottom CB is formed in a "C " shape whose cross section has at least one bent portion. The cover bottom CB includes a horizontal portion HP and a vertical portion VP. The horizontal portion HP is arranged to face the back surface of the backlight unit so as to face the back surface of the backlight unit. The vertical part VP extends from the horizontal part HP and is disposed outside the guide panel GP so as to surround the extended part B2 of the guide panel GP. The vertical part VP extends from one end of the horizontal part HP to the front direction. A backlight unit including a light source LS, a light guide plate LGP, at least one optical sheet OPS, and the like is accommodated in the inner space provided by the horizontal portion HP and the vertical portion VP.

The cover bottom CB includes a material having a high thermal conductivity and high rigidity so as to smoothly discharge the heat from the driving circuit and the light source to the outside. As an example, the cover bottom CB may be made of aluminum, aluminum nitride (AlN), electrogalvanized steel sheet (EGI), stainless steel (SUS), galvalume (SGLC), aluminum plated steel (aka ALCOSTA), tinned steel And the like. Further, such a metal plate may be coated with a high conductivity material for promoting heat transfer.

The case top (CT) is formed in the "a" shape whose cross section has at least one bent portion. The case top (CT) includes a first body (UP) and a second body (SP). The first body UP is disposed so as to cover at least a part of the edge of the liquid crystal display panel PNL on the front surface of the liquid crystal display panel PNL. The first body UP can perform a function of shielding the non-display area of the liquid crystal display panel PNL, the guide panel GP and the cover bottom CB from being recognized from the front side. The second body SP extends from the first body UP and is arranged to surround the vertical portion VP of the cover bottom CB at the outer side of the cover bottom CB. The second body SP extends from one end of the first body UP in the backward direction. Since the case top (CT) is configured to be exposed and exposed to the outside, it is necessary to secure sufficient rigidity, and it is necessary to minimize deterioration in appearance quality.

The first embodiment of the present invention adopts a hook (HK) structure instead of a screw of case members in order to prevent deterioration of appearance quality. That is, in the case of a screw, since it is easy to see from the outside, when a screw is applied to the case top (CT) which is made into an appearance, the aesthetics of the liquid crystal display device are deteriorated. Further, since it is necessary to secure a predetermined thickness of the case top (CT) in order to fasten the screw, the shape and the degree of freedom of design of the case top (CT) to be externalized are lowered. As a result, it is difficult to apply to various display devices. In addition, in the case of a screw, unless it is further provided with a separate shielding structure, it may protrude to the outside and cause interference with other structural members. Therefore, the first embodiment of the present invention proposes a fastening structure capable of maintaining a firm fastening state while adopting a hook structure to prevent the above-mentioned problems.

The case top (CT) includes at least one first rib (RB1). The first rib RB1 extends from the first body UP and surrounds the vertical portion VP inwardly. The first rib RB1 can be disposed opposite to the second body SP with the vertical part VP therebetween. The first rib RB1 includes at least one first groove GR1. The first groove GR1 may have a hole shape that completely penetrates the thickness of the first rib RB1 and may have a groove shape that is partially recessed on one side opposite to the vertical portion VP.

The vertical portion VP of the cover bottom CB includes at least one hook HK protruding toward the first rib RB1 of the case top CT. The hook HK is provided so as to be able to be pulled into the first groove GR1. The hook HK can be fitted into the first groove GR1. The number of the first grooves GR1 corresponds to the number of the hooks HK. As the hook HK is retracted into the first groove GR1 and fixed, the cover bottom CB and the case tower CT are kept in the engaged state.

The movement of the cover bottom CB and the case column CT is not constrained by the spacing and tolerance between the fastening parts when forming the first groove GR1 into which the hook HK is inserted, have. For example, the first ribs RB1 of the case tops CT and the first ribs RB1 of the case tops CT and the vertical portions VP of the cover bottoms CB and / There may be a spacing between the tolerances and the skill values of the process equipment. Therefore, due to the above-described spacing and tolerance, the case members can be spaced apart from each other due to the external environment and unable to maintain the mutually mated condition. In this case, the case top (CT) and the cover bottom (CB) may not be fixed in place and may be dislocated, and interference may occur, causing damage and noise. Further, since the case top (CT) and the cover bottom (CB) are not firmly fastened to each other, mutual interference may occur between the liquid crystal display panel and the backlight unit housed therein.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, through the structural deformation, the flow of the cover bottom CB and the case tower CT fastened with the hook HK is restrained and restricted. That is, the first embodiment of the present invention further includes a protrusion PD for limiting the clearance between the cover bottom CB and the case top CT. The protruding portion PD is provided on the extended portion B2 of the guide panel GP and protrudes toward the first rib RB1 of the case top CT. The protrusion PD is disposed adjacent to the first rib RB1 of the case column CT so that the gap between the first rib RB1 of the case column CT and the extended portion B2 of the guide panel GP The spacing distance is locally reduced corresponding to the area of the protrusion PD formation. The protrusions PD can contact the first ribs RB1 of the case top CT and function to closely contact the first ribs RB1 in the vertical direction VP of the cover bottom CB. Accordingly, since the movement can be minimized by reducing the space in which the case tops CT and the cover bottoms CB can flow through the projecting portions PD, the case tops CT and the cover bottoms CB The problem of departing from this position can be reduced.

The gap between the second body SP and the first rib RB1 can be selected in consideration of the thickness of the vertical part VP at the time of case top (CT) molding. That is, in order to limit the clearance between the cover bottom CB and the case top CT, the first embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the vertical portion VP of the cover bottom CB is fixed to the second body The interval between the second body SP and the first rib RB1 can be made to correspond to the thickness of the vertical part VP at least in a part of the region between the first rib SP and the first rib RB1. In one example, the space between the second body SP and the first rib RB1 may include at least some section having an interval substantially equal to the thickness of the vertical section VP. The first embodiment of the present invention is configured such that the interval between the second body SP and the first rib RB1 and the thickness of the vertical part VP are controlled to be substantially equal to each other, . Accordingly, since the movement of the vertical part VP can be minimized, the first embodiment of the present invention can reduce the problem that the case top CT and the cover bottom CB are detached from their positions.

≪ Embodiment 2 >

4 is a view for explaining an auxiliary fastening structure of case members according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the following description of the second embodiment, descriptions of substantially the same portions as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

Referring to Fig. 4, the case member according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a case top CT, a cover bottom CB, and a guide panel GP. The case top (CT) and the cover bottom (CB) can be fastened with a hook (HK) structure. The second embodiment of the present invention further includes an auxiliary fastening structure for more firmly fastening the case members.

The auxiliary fastening structure includes at least one second groove GR2 provided in the guide panel GP and at least one second rib RB2 provided in the case top CT. The number of the second grooves GR2 corresponds to the number of the second ribs RB2.

The guide panel GP further includes a guide portion GUP projecting from one end of the extended portion B2 toward the vertical portion VP of the cover bottom CB. The direction in which the guide portion GUP extends from the extended portion B2 may be a direction opposite to the direction in which the panel supporting portion B1 extends from the extended portion B2. The guide portion GUP provides a space in which the second groove GR2 can be formed. That is, the guide portion GUP is provided for the purpose of forming the second groove GR2 and may have a minimum area in which the second groove GR2 can be formed. The second groove GR2 may have a hole shape completely penetrating the thickness of the guide portion GUP and may have a groove shape formed by partially recessing one surface of the case column CT opposed to the first body UP .

The second rib RB2 extends from the first body UP of the case column CT and protrudes toward the guide portion GUP of the guide panel GP. And the second rib RB2 is provided so as to be pulled into the second groove GR2. The second embodiment of the present invention has a coupling structure in which the case top CT and the cover bottom CB are fastened to each other and the case top CT and the guide panel GP are fastened to each other. As described above, the second embodiment of the present invention has a structure in which the case top (CT), the cover bottom CB and the guide panel GP are fastened to each other, so that a more rigid fastening state can be maintained, And has the advantage of being able to more effectively limit the play. The second rib RB2 and the second groove GR2 can perform a function of guiding the position when the hook CT of the cover CT and the cover bottom CB are fastened.

≪ Third Embodiment >

In the case of the above-described embodiments, since it has a rigid fastening structure compared to the conventional one, the decomposition process after assembling may not be easy. As described above, when the product is not easily disassembled, the rework process due to the failure can not be practically performed, so that the production yield and the product maintenance property may be significantly deteriorated. The third embodiment of the present invention proposes a structure capable of reheating while having a rigid fastening structure as in the above-described embodiments.

5 and 6 are views for explaining the fastening structure of the case member according to the third embodiment of the present invention. 7 is a view showing a guide panel according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In the following description of the third embodiment, description of parts that are substantially the same as those of the first and second embodiments will be omitted.

Referring to Figs. 5 and 6, the case member according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a case top CT, a cover bottom CB, and a guide panel GP. The case top (CT) and the cover bottom (CB) are fastened by a hook (HK) structure. In addition, the guide panel GP includes projections PD for securing the hook fastening structure.

The horizontal portion HP of the cover bottom CB includes a through hole PH. The through hole PH is provided corresponding to the position where the hook HK and / or the first rib RB1 are formed. The through hole PH exposes at least a part of the hook HK and / or the first rib RB to the outside. The through hole (PH) is formed in such a size that a mechanism for reheating can be drawn in and drawn out.

The rework process is a process in which the first rib RB1 is shifted to a predetermined position by pressing the first rib RB1 using a mechanism that is pulled through the through hole PH, . Thereafter, as the hook HK is pulled out through the space provided as the first rib RB1 is shifted, the hook HK can be released. At this time, since the first rib RB1 has a predetermined elasticity, it can be restored to its original position when the provided pressure is released.

At this time, the step of pressing and shifting the first rib RB1 may be limited by the guide panel GP. The projecting portion PD of the guide panel GP is disposed adjacent to the first rib RB1 in order to secure the fastening structure. Therefore, in order to shift the first rib RB1 to a predetermined position, A pressure to shift the guide panel (GP) must also be provided. However, since the guide panel GP formed with the protrusions PD is provided with a large frame-shaped body, it is difficult for a certain area to be locally shifted. Therefore, the rework process can be limited by the guide panel (GP), and suggests ways to improve it.

Referring to Fig. 7, an extension B2 of the guide panel GP includes a protrusion PD and at least one slit SL disposed adjacent to the protrusion PD. The slit SL passes through the thickness of the extended portion B2, and the lower end thereof may have a shape opened in the backward direction. As the lower end of the slit SL is provided to be open, the extended portion B2 in this region can be bent in response to the provided pressure. Since the extension B2 has a predetermined elasticity, it can be bent when the pressure is applied and can be relieved to the position when the pressure is released. That is, the slit SL functions to locally smoothly shift a part of the extended portion B2 formed with the protruding portion PD when pressure is applied to the protruding portion PD.

A third embodiment of the present invention provides a liquid crystal display device in which a rework process according to defects is easy. Accordingly, the third embodiment of the present invention has an advantage that the production yield and the product maintenance property can be remarkably improved.

In the above description, the case in which the backlight unit accommodated in the case member for providing light to the liquid crystal display panel includes the light guide plate and the light source that irradiates light to at least one side of the light guide plate has been described as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto . That is, the backlight unit accommodated in the case members according to the preferred embodiments of the present invention may be implemented as a direct type including a diffusion plate and a light source for irradiating light to the back surface of the diffusion plate.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention should not be limited to the contents described in the detailed description of the specification, but should be defined by the claims.

CT: Case top UP: 1st body
SP: second body RB1: first rib
GR1: first groove RB2: second rib
CB: Cover bottom HP: Horizontal part
VP: Vertical part HK: Hook
GP: guide panel B1: panel support
B2: Extension part GUP: Guide part
GR2: second groove PD: protrusion

Claims (10)

A cover bottom having a horizontal portion extending in a first direction and a vertical portion extending in a second direction crossing the first direction from the horizontal portion; And
A first body extending in the first direction, a second body extending in the second direction from the first body and enclosing the vertical portion from the outside, and a second body extending in the second direction from the first body, And a case top having at least one first rib surrounding the first case,
Wherein the vertical portion comprises:
And a hook projecting toward the first rib,
Wherein the first rib includes:
And a first groove into which the hook is led.
The method according to claim 1,
The case member
Further comprising a guide panel having a panel support portion extending in the first direction and an extension portion extending from the panel support portion in the second direction and disposed inside the first rib,
The extension
And at least one protrusion protruding toward the first rib.
3. The method of claim 2,
The projection
And is in direct contact with the first rib.
3. The method of claim 2,
The case-
And a second rib extending from the first body in the second direction,
The guide panel includes:
And a second groove into which the second rib is inserted.
5. The method of claim 4,
The guide panel includes:
And a guide portion extending in the first direction to provide a space in which the second groove is provided.
3. The method of claim 2,
The horizontal portion
And a through hole provided corresponding to an area where the hook is exposed so that the hook is exposed.
The method according to claim 6,
The extension
And at least one slit disposed adjacent the protrusion,
And one side of the slit is opened.
The method according to claim 1,
And a space between the second body and the first rib,
And at least a portion having an interval corresponding to the thickness of the vertical portion.
A liquid crystal display panel;
A backlight unit disposed on a rear surface of the liquid crystal display panel;
A guide panel having a panel support portion interposed between the liquid crystal display panel and the backlight unit, and an extension portion extending from one end of the panel support portion and surrounding the side surface of the backlight unit;
A cover bottom having a horizontal portion surrounding the back surface of the backlight unit and a vertical portion extending from one end of the horizontal portion and surrounding the extension portion from the outside; And
A case body having a first body surrounding the edge of the liquid crystal display panel from the outside, a second body extending from the first body and enclosing the vertical part from the outside, and a rib extending from the first body and surrounding the vertical part from the inside, Including,
Wherein the vertical portion comprises:
And a hook projecting toward the first rib,
Wherein the first rib includes:
And a first groove into which the hook is led.
10. The method of claim 9,
The extension
And at least one protrusion protruding toward the first rib.

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