WO2016155783A1

WO2016155783A1 - Image display device with improved led fixation mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2016155783A1
Application number: PCT/EP2015/056967
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alev Feradoglu; Ozgur CEYLAN; Dogan Demirhan; Coskun AKAN; Cemal Guler
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2015-03-31
Filing date: 2015-03-31
Publication date: 2016-10-06
Also published as: TR201603849A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to an image display device having LED bars fixed with a locking mechanism. The present invention more particularly relates to an image display device (15) comprising a screen (10), a rear cover (1) and a plurality of LED bars (3), the LED bars (3) being mounted on the inner side of the rear cover (1), the image display device (15) further comprising a plurality of a LED bar fixation mechanisms (17) effecting fixedly mounting of the plurality of LED bars (3) in an equally spaced manner relative to the screen (10).

Description

IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE WITH IMPROVED LED FIXATION MECHANISM

The present invention relates to an image display device having LED bars fixed with a locking mechanism.

Direct lighting image display devices with LED elements and a flat panel typically comprise an array of LED bars disposed behind the front region in an equally spaced manner.

In direct lighting image display devices with LED lighting bars (directly lightened display products (DLED)), the LED bars are positioned on the rear side of the screen. In these devices, the LED bars that provide lightening should be fixed in the manner to be equidistantly spaced with respect to the screen, which ensures homogeneity of the light distribution. Therefore, a LED bar fixation mechanism should ensure equally disposed relative positioning during the fixation process.

The LED bars in the image display device are fixed using a fixation mechanism involving several components in order for ensuring positional accuracy of the components. The distance between the LED bar and the screen area is maintained using additional individual positioning components, whose unique function is to act as a spacing element. During mounting of the fixation mechanism, such spacing elements necessitate additional operations and causes additional cost as well as man/hour.

The present invention overcomes the above-mentioned inconveniences by means of a fixation mechanism adapted to both provide secure installation of the LED bars as well as to maintain the in-between distance relative to the screen. Therefore, the use of additional spacer elements to maintain the distance between the LED bars and the screen is rendered unnecessary, thereby leading to cost advantage and a time-saving fixation operation.

Due to the fact that the mechanism of the present invention provides a wide contact area, it ensures a safe fixation of the LED bars into their positions. Furthermore, the structure of the mechanism allows easy mounting and detaching so that rework operations may be performed advantageously quickly. Furthermore, once mounted, the components will not lose their fixation axes unless the operator removes a specific component.

To this end, the present invention is devised under the recognition that an improved

LED bar fixation mechanism by which the image display device is protected from possible light distribution asymmetries due to the fixed distance provided between the LED bars and the screen surface of the device.

Among others, a prior art patent publication relevant to the technical field of the present invention can be referred to as CN 203286491 U, disclosing a television with a light bar fixing plate which is a closed hollow plate formed by butting joint two E-shaped metal plates in an opposite mode, and the butting joint positions of the two metal plates are provided with alignment structures, wherein the appearance of one alignment structure is matched with the appearance of the other alignment structure. The straight-downwards backlight module comprises an LED light bar, the light bar fixing plate and a plastic back shell, wherein the LED light bar is fixedly arranged on the light bar fixing plate.

The present invention, on the other hand, proposes an image display device having an improved LED bar fixation mechanism wherein the required space between the LED bars and the screen region is provided through using a locking structure ensuring homogeneity of the light distribution and eliminating the need for additional components for the fixation of LED bars, as provided by the characterizing features defined in Claim 1 and subsequent claims.

Primary object of the present invention is to provide a LED bar fixation mechanism for an image display device, featuring an improved stabilization of the LED bars involving no additional components.

The present invention proposes an image display device having a plurality of the LED bar fixation mechanisms for fixating LED bars. The mechanism is comprised of a locking mechanism and a rear cover receiving member. The two parts are inter-engaged to securely sandwich the LED bar thereinbetween. Further, a spacer element projects from the locking mechanism so that each and every LED bar is accurately positioned relative to the screen in a locked manner.

A peripheral contact element as a hollow annular or preferably substantially ellipse-like structure provides enhanced flexibility so that two longitudinal sections of the peripheral contact element can be slightly squeezed to move locking mechanism arms integral thereto relative to each other, upon which the mechanical connection of the locking mechanism with a rear cover receiving member is established.

The locking mechanism arms are introduced into an opening between two receiving member extensions, the latter extension in the form of planar body portions in parallel with a rear cover of the image display device. The receiving member extensions are configured as extended portions of the L-shaped structure of a rear cover receiving member.

The locking mechanism arms are structured to project from the longitudinal sections of the hollow peripheral contact element so that these sections, being preferably linear, are joined by two opposite curved segments to provide an enhanced flexing effect allowing easier mounting as well as unmounting of the locking mechanism.

Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a LED bar fixation mechanism for an image display device whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.

The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in the claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.

Fig. 1 demonstrates a perspective front side view of an image display device according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 demonstrates an inner view of a plurality of LED bars behind the screen within the image display device according to the present invention.

Fig. 3a and 3b respectively demonstrate transversal and longitudinal cross-sectional views taken along a LED bar fixation mechanism according to the present invention.

Fig. 4a demonstrates a partial view of the inner view of Fig. 2. Fig. 4b demonstrates a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of Fig 4a. Fig. 4c demonstrates an enlarged view of detail X of Fig. 4b according to the present invention.

Fig. 5a to 5c respectively demonstrate a front view, side view and a perspective view of the locking mechanism according to the present invention.

Fig. 6 to 14 demonstrate subsequent steps of the mounting operation of the locking mechanism according to the present invention.

The following numerals are referred to in the detailed description of the present invention:

Rear cover
Rear cover receiving member
LED bar
LED bar lens
Reflector
Locking mechanism
Locking mechanism tabs
Spacer element
Optical layer
Screen
Peripheral contact element
LED bar slots
Locking mechanism arm
Receiving member extension
Image display device
Gripping protrusion
LED bar fixation mechanism

The present invention provides a LED bar fixation mechanism (17) for a direct lighting image display device (15) to ensure stable mounting of a plurality of LED bars (3) providing that the distance of each and every LED bar (3) relative to the screen (10) is maintained thanks to the fixation mechanisms of the invention. The image display device (15) has a rear cover (1) on which mounting of various components of the fixation mechanism is effected as will be explained hereinafter.

The present invention proposes a LED bar fixation mechanism (17) for the image display device (15) with an improved inter-connection structure ensuring maintenance of the locked position of the fixation mechanism components located between the rear cover (1) and an optical layer (9). A multitude of LED bar fixation mechanisms (17) are provided, each one comprising a rear cover receiving member (2), a LED bar (3) and a locking mechanism (6) in the manner that the rear cover receiving member (2) and the locking mechanism (6) are inter-connected to provide secure fixation of the LED bar (3).

The locking mechanism (6) of the present invention is a structure having a peripheral contact element (11) in the form of a ring-shaped or ellipse-like body in contact with a reflector (5) under which a respective LED bar (3) is disposed. The ellipse-like body of the peripheral contact element (11) establishes a sufficiently wide contact area with the reflector (5) such that the latter’s out-of-plane displacement is avoided.

The locking mechanism (6) further comprises extensions in the form of locking mechanism arms (13) symmetrically projecting from opposite sides of the peripheral contact element (11) in a parallel manner so as to engage with the rear cover receiving member (2) by means of locking mechanism tabs (7) at the outermost ends of the locking mechanism arms (13). The locking mechanism arms (13) extending in perpendicular to the peripheral contact element’s (11) plane therefore provides that the locking mechanism tabs (7) establish an inter-engagement connection with the rear cover receiving member (2). In sum, the locking mechanism tabs (7) in the form of perpendicular protrusions with respect to the longitudinal axes of the locking mechanism arms (13) provides secure fixation of the locking mechanism (6) into the rear cover receiving member (2).

Further, the locking mechanism (6) comprises a spacer element (8) on the opposite side of the locking mechanism arms (13) in the manner to define the distance from the LED bar (3) to the optical layer (9).

The rear cover receiving member (2) according to the invention comprises receiving member extensions (14) as planar bodies separated by an intermediate opening into which the locking mechanism tabs (7) enter in the manner to interengage with the oppositely facing edges of the receiving member extensions (14). To this end, the rear cover receiving members (2) fixedly disposed on the inner surface of the rear cover (1) are structured to have an L-shaped body wherein the receiving member extensions (14) extend parallel to the rear cover (1). This provides an enhanced flexibility when mounting the locking mechanism (6) such that a stretching force is exerted on the receiving member extensions (14) to obtain a snap-fit connection.

During mounting, the locking mechanism (6) is fitted into the rear cover receiving member (2) in the manner that the locking mechanism tabs (7) gradually apply a flexing force on the rear cover receiving member (2) pressing thereon, so that the tabs interlock with the rear cover receiving member (2). Once interlocked, they may not detach therefrom unless an operator applies an appropriate amount of force to a number of gripping protrusions (16) so as to release the locking mechanism arms (13) from inside the rear cover receiving member (2). Therefore, engagement of the locking mechanism tabs (7) with the rear cover receiving member (2) fixedly positions a respective LED bar (3) and a reflector (5) in between the peripheral contact element (11) and the receiving member extensions (14) in a mutually locked position with respect to each other. In brief, the locking mechanism arms (13) pass through the respective LED bar slots (12) to fixedly secure the LED bars (3). Additionally, the reflector (5) also has a plurality of appropriate slots to allow mounting of the locking mechanisms (6) to fixate a plurality of LED bars (3).

The gripping protrusions (16) of the locking mechanism (6), positioned on several intersection points of the locking mechanism arms (13) and the peripheral contact element (11), therefore provide an easier and more practical installation and dismantling of the locking mechanisms (6).

To assemble components of the LED bar fixation mechanism (17) in accordance with the present invention, the first step is to place the LED bar (3) comprising a LED bar lens (4) on the rear cover receiving member (2) by aligning the LED bar slots (12) of the LED bar (3) thereon. Subsequently, the reflector (5) is positioned with its respective openings being juxtaposed with the LED bar slots (12). After the reflector (5) is placed, the locking mechanism (6) is installed through pressing by the gripping protrusions (16) so that the locking mechanism tabs (7) are inserted through the led bar slots (12) until a connecting linkage between the locking mechanism tabs (7) and the respective receiving member extensions (14) occurs.

The locking mechanism’s (6) peripheral contact element (11), apart from providing a sufficiently wide contact surface to fix the plane of the underlying LED bar (3), is also advantageous in that it flexibly deforms to a certain extent due to its hollow ellipse-like form and allows an easier mounting and unmounting as will be delineated below. The locking mechanism arms (13) projecting from the peripheral contact element (11) along its longitudinal sections, i.e. in parallel with the major axis of the ellipse-like form, provide that the two longitudinal sections of the peripheral contact element (11) can be moved towards each other by way of squeezing the gripping protrusions (16) along opposite sections relative to each other, which in turn causes displacement of the opposite locking mechanism tabs (7) to move closer to each other.

The locking mechanism (6), providing a sturdy installation for the LED bars (3) on the rear cover (1) of the image display device (15), additionally performs the function of keeping the distance between the reflector (5) and the optical layer (9) constant thanks to the spacer element (8). The spacer element (8) acts as a means for preventing non-homogeneous light distribution that may originate from irregular positioning of the LED bars (3) with respect to the optical layer (9).

The detachment of the components from each other is accomplished firstly by removing the optical layer (9) and then the locking mechanism (6) is removed by squeezing the oppositely disposed gripping protrusions (16) so that the locking mechanism tabs (7) are released from the receiving member extensions (14), resulting in that the locking mechanism (6) can leave the rear cover (1) by an upward movement.

The invention ensures that the rear cover (1), the LED bars (3) and the reflector (5) are fixed together thanks to the locking mechanism (6).

In summary, the present invention proposes an image display device (15) comprising a screen (10), a rear cover (1) and a plurality of LED bars (3), the LED bars (3) being mounted on the inner side of the rear cover (1), the image display device (15) further comprising a plurality of a LED bar fixation mechanisms (17) effecting fixedly mounting of the plurality of LED bars (3) in an equally spaced manner relative to the screen (10).

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the LED bar fixation mechanism (17) comprises a rear cover receiving member (2) fixedly arranged relative to the rear cover (1), a LED bar (3) and a locking mechanism (6) in the manner that the rear cover receiving member (2) and the locking mechanism (6) are inter-connected to provide secure fixation of the LED bar (3) thereinbetween and the locking mechanism (6) comprises a spacer element (8) extending in the direction of the screen (10).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism (6) comprises a peripheral contact element (11) in the form of a hollow ring-shaped or ellipse-like body in contact with a reflector (5) under and in contact with which a respective LED bar (3) is disposed.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the peripheral contact element (11) establishes a circular or ellipse-like contact region with the reflector (5).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism (6) comprises locking mechanism arms (13) projecting from the peripheral contact element (11) so as to engage with the rear cover receiving member (2).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism arms (13) symmetrically project from opposite sides of the peripheral contact element (11).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism arms (13) extend in a parallel manner.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism arms (13) engage with receiving member extensions (14) of the rear cover receiving member (2) by means of locking mechanism tabs (7) at the outermost ends of the locking mechanism arms (13).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism arms (13) extend in perpendicular to the peripheral contact element’s (11) plane.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the spacer element (8) extends on the opposite side of the locking mechanism arms (13) in the manner to define the distance from the LED bar (3) to an optical layer (9).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the receiving member extensions (14) are planar bodies separated by an intermediate opening into which the locking mechanism tabs (7) enter in the manner to interengage with the oppositely facing edges of the receiving member extensions (14).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the rear cover receiving members (2) are fixedly disposed on the inner surface of the rear cover (1) so as to be structured to have an L-shaped body wherein the receiving member extensions (14) extend parallel to the rear cover (1).

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, engagement of the locking mechanism tabs (7) with the rear cover receiving member (2) fixedly positions a respective LED bar (3) and a reflector (5) in between the peripheral contact element (11) and the receiving member extensions (14) in a mutually locked position with respect to each other.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism arms (13) projecting from the peripheral contact element (11) are disposed along the longitudinal sections thereof, in parallel with the major axis of the ellipse-like body.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the longitudinal sections of the peripheral contact element (11) extend linearly so as to be joined by two opposite curved segments.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the locking mechanism (6) comprises gripping protrusions (16) positioned on a plurality of intersection points of the locking mechanism arms (13) and the peripheral contact element (11).

The present invention therefore proposes a LED fixation mechanism (17) for an image display device (15), the fixation mechanism being placed between the rear cover (1) and optical layers (9), involving a locking mechanism (6) with locking mechanism tabs (7) providing the fixation of a reflector (5) and the LED bars (3) on the rear cover receiving member (2) in a fixedly attached and uniformly positioned manner on the same plane in parallel with the screen (10) and in a equidistant manner.

Claims

An image display device (15) comprising a screen (10), a rear cover (1) and a plurality of LED bars (3), the LED bars (3) being mounted on the inner side of the rear cover (1), the image display device (15) further comprising a plurality of a LED bar fixation mechanisms (17) effecting fixedly mounting of the plurality of LED bars (3) in an equally spaced manner relative to the screen (10), characterized in that

- the LED bar fixation mechanism (17) comprises a rear cover receiving member (2) fixedly arranged relative to the rear cover (1), a LED bar (3) and a locking mechanism (6) in the manner that the rear cover receiving member (2) and the locking mechanism (6) are inter-connected to provide secure fixation of the LED bar (3) thereinbetween and

- the locking mechanism (6) comprises a spacer element (8) extending in the direction of the screen (10).
An image display device as in Claim 1, characterized in that the locking mechanism (6) comprises a peripheral contact element (11) in the form of a hollow ring-shaped or ellipse-like body in contact with a reflector (5) in contact with which a respective LED bar (3) is disposed.
An image display device as in Claim 2, characterized in that the peripheral contact element (11) establishes a circular or ellipse-like contact region with the reflector (5).
An image display device as in Claim 3, characterized in that the locking mechanism (6) comprises locking mechanism arms (13) projecting from the peripheral contact element (11) so as to engage with the rear cover receiving member (2).
An image display device as in Claim 4, characterized in that the locking mechanism arms (13) symmetrically project from opposite sides of the peripheral contact element (11).
An image display device as in Claim 5, characterized in that the locking mechanism arms (13) extend in a parallel manner.
An image display device as in Claim 6, characterized in that the locking mechanism arms (13) engage with receiving member extensions (14) of the rear cover receiving member (2) by means of locking mechanism tabs (7) at the outermost ends of the locking mechanism arms (13).
An image display device as in Claim 7, characterized in that the locking mechanism arms (13) extend in perpendicular to the peripheral contact element’s (11) plane.
An image display device as in Claim 4 or 8, characterized in that the spacer element (8) extends on the opposite side of the locking mechanism arms (13) in the manner to define the distance from the LED bar (3) to an optical layer (9).
An image display device as in Claim 7, characterized in that the receiving member extensions (14) are planar bodies separated by an intermediate opening into which the locking mechanism tabs (7) enter in the manner to interengage with the oppositely facing edges of the receiving member extensions (14).
An image display device as in Claim 7 or 10, characterized in that the rear cover receiving members (2) are fixedly disposed on the inner surface of the rear cover (1) so as to be structured to have an L-shaped body wherein the receiving member extensions (14) extend parallel to the rear cover (1).
An image display device as in Claim 11, characterized in that engagement of the locking mechanism tabs (7) with the rear cover receiving member (2) fixedly positions a respective LED bar (3) and a reflector (5) in between the peripheral contact element (11) and the receiving member extensions (14) in a mutually locked position with respect to each other.
An image display device as in Claim 4 or 12, characterized in that the locking mechanism arms (13) projecting from the peripheral contact element (11) are disposed along the longitudinal sections thereof, in parallel with the major axis of the ellipse-like body.
An image display device as in Claim 13, characterized in that the longitudinal sections of the peripheral contact element (11) extend linearly so as to be joined by two opposite curved segments.
An image display device as in Claim 14, characterized in that the locking mechanism (6) comprises gripping protrusions (16) positioned on a plurality of intersection points of the locking mechanism arms (13) and the peripheral contact element (11).