U.S. patent application number 11/725273 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for liquid crystal display module and fastening structure thereof.
Invention is credited to Mei-Hui Lin.
Application Number | 20070171323 11/725273 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32599462 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070171323 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lin; Mei-Hui |
July 26, 2007 |
Liquid crystal display module and fastening structure thereof
Abstract
A LCD module comprises a LCD cell, a back light module and a
pair of fastening structure including the first frame and the
second frame, both capable of joining one with the other. The first
frame, which can support the back light module, has a first locking
mechanism on its edge, and the second frame, which is around the
side of the display area of the LCD cell, has a second locking
mechanism adjacent to its edge. By the combination the first
locking mechanism and the second locking mechanism, the LCD cell
and the back light module can be fastened together.
Inventors: |
Lin; Mei-Hui; (Yunghe City,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Harold V. Stotland
42nd Floor
55 East Monroe Street
Chicago
IL
60603-5803
US
|
Family ID: |
32599462 |
Appl. No.: |
11/725273 |
Filed: |
March 19, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10702784 |
Nov 5, 2003 |
7209195 |
|
|
11725273 |
Mar 19, 2007 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
349/58 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F 1/13332 20210101;
G02F 2201/465 20130101; G02F 1/133314 20210101; G02F 1/133308
20130101; G02F 1/1336 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
349/058 |
International
Class: |
G02F 1/1333 20060101
G02F001/1333 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 8, 2003 |
TW |
092200336 |
Apr 21, 2003 |
TW |
092206310 |
Claims
1. An liquid crystal display, comprising: a liquid crystal display
cell; a back light module joined with the liquid crystal display
cell; a first frame holding the back light module and having at
least one first locking mechanism which is a protrusion or a
hollow; and a second frame on the liquid crystal display cell and
having at least one second locking mechanism which is a hollow or a
inward-protrusion; wherein the first locking mechanism is
interlocked with the second locking mechanism, and the interlocking
position is selected from the group consisting of the lateral side,
the upper side and both the lateral and the upper side of the first
frame and the second frame.
2. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein the protrusion is
selected from the group consisting of a cylinder bump, a sphere
bump and a rectangular bump.
3. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein the
inward-protrusion is selected from the group consisting of a
cylinder bump, a sphere bump and a rectangular bump.
4. A liquid crystal display, comprising: a liquid crystal display
cell; a back light module joined with the liquid crystal display
cell; a first frame holding the back light module and having at
least one first locking mechanism; and a second frame on the liquid
crystal display cell and having at least one second locking
mechanism; wherein the first locking mechanism is inserted into the
second locking mechanism, and the interlocking position is on the
lateral side of lateral of the first frame and the second frame;
wherein the first locking mechanism is selected from the group
consisting of a slot, a hollow, a groove and a hole, and the second
locking mechanism is selected from the group consisting of a bump
and a bent.
5. The liquid crystal display of claim 4, wherein the groove is
inward-concave hollow or a concave hollow.
6. The liquid crystal display of claim 4, wherein the groove is an
inward-concave groove or a concave groove.
7. The liquid crystal display of claim 4, wherein the hole is an
inward-concave hole or a concave hole.
8. The liquid crystal display of claim 4, wherein the bump is a
convex bump or an inward-convex bump.
9. The liquid crystal display of claim 4, wherein the bent is a
convex bent or an inward-convex bent.
10. An liquid crystal display, comprising: a liquid crystal display
cell; a back light module joined with the liquid crystal display
cell; a first frame holding the back light module and having at
least one flexible concave provided on the inner surface of the
sidewall of the first frame; and a second frame covering the liquid
crystal display cell, the second frame smaller than the first frame
in length and width, and having at least one flexible bent provided
on a side of the second frame; wherein the flexible bent is
embedded in the flexible concave.
11. The liquid crystal display of claim 10, wherein the flexible
concave further comprises a through hole.
12. The liquid crystal display of claim 10, wherein the flexible
concave is a triangle protrusion on the inner surface of the
sidewall of the first frame.
13. The liquid crystal display of claim 10, wherein the triangle
protrusion has a slit with which the flexible bent is interfered.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This is a Division of application Ser. No. 10/702,784 filed
Nov. 5, 2003, and is based on and claims priority from Taiwanese
Patent Application No. 092200336 filed Jan. 8, 2003 and Taiwanese
Patent Application No. 092206310 filed Apr. 21, 2003.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a liquid crystal display
(LCD) module and fastening structure thereof, and more particularly
to a fastening structure capable of assembling a LCD cell and a
back light module together and firmly fixing them.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] LCD modules have widely been applied in the monitors of
computers, especially notebook computers, which specially need
thin, light and low-power displays. Hence, this obviously shows the
LCD modules are so important that they cannot be replaced. With the
aim to reduce the thickness for assembling the LCD modules, the
side-mounting technology is proposed in the specification of the
U.S. Pat. No. 6,373,537 (hereafter known as Patent '537) entitled
"Computer Having Liquid Crystal Display between Frames Attached at
the Edges" to meet the need of thinning of the LCD modules.
[0006] FIG. 1 is an explosive diagram of the assembling components
of the LCD module 10 disclosed in the Patent '537. A back light
module 13 and a LCD cell 14 are superimposed on a first frame 11
sequentially, and a second frame 12 is set around the LCD cell 14.
A plurality of through holes 121 are on the lateral surfaces of the
second frame 12. The second frame 12 is mounted to the first frame
11 using screws 60 through the through holes 121 and screw holes
111 on the first frame 11. Comparing the Patent '537 with the prior
art in which the side frame of the second frame is vertically
mounted to the first frame by a screw from the front (display area)
of the second frame 12, the Patent '537 can definitely reduce the
size of the fastening structure. However, a screwdriver is required
to fix the first frame 11 and the second frame 12 together by a
screw 60 for assembling the LCD module 10 disclosed in the Patent
'537. In this way, there takes a lot of efforts and time to
complete screwdriver jobs for all screws 60, and then get the
combination of FIG. 1 as shown in FIG. 2 respectively. Moreover,
the screws get stripped readily during assembling, making rework
very hard.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] An objective of the present invention is to provide an LCD
module and fastening structure thereof, wherein a pair of locking
mechanisms is installed on the edge of the first frame and the
second frame and can be used for joining them together. Hence, it
can provide a fastening structure for assembling the frames
conveniently so as to reduce the work required for assembling them,
thereby reducing the working time. Moreover, during the assembly
process, no tools are required for assembling.
[0008] In order to achieve the objective, the present invention
discloses an LCD module and fastening structure thereof. The LCD
module comprises a LCD cell, a back light module and a pair of
fastening structure including the first frame and the second frame,
both capable of joining one with the other. The first frame, which
can support the back light module, has a first locking mechanism on
its edge, and the second frame, which is around the side of the
display area of the LCD cell, has a second locking mechanism
adjacent to its edge. By the combination the first locking
mechanism and the second locking mechanism, the LCD cell and the
back light module can be fastened together.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention will be described according to the appended
drawings in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is an explosive diagram of the assembling components
of a LCD module disclosed in the Patent '537;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective diagram of the assembly of the LCD
module in FIG. 1;
[0012] FIGS. 3(a)-3(g) are perspective diagrams and cross-section
diagrams of the first embodiment of the LCD module in accordance
with the present invention;
[0013] FIGS. 4(a)-4(f) are perspective diagrams and cross-section
diagrams of the second embodiment of the LCD module in accordance
with the present invention;
[0014] FIGS. 5(a)-5(c) are perspective diagrams and cross-section
diagrams of the third embodiment of the LCD module in accordance
with the present invention; and
[0015] FIGS. 6(a)-6(b) are perspective diagrams and cross-section
diagrams of the fourth embodiment of the LCD module in accordance
with the present invention.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
[0016] FIG. 3(a) is a perspective diagram of the first embodiment
of the LCD module 30 in accordance with the present invention. The
side 321 of a second frame 32 covers the side 311 of a first frame
31. A pair of locking mechanisms formed on the two sides 321 and
311 respectively is used to join the second frame 32 and the first
frame 31 closely together. The pair of locking mechanisms can
fasten the frames 31, 32 and the LCD cell 14 together by engaging
the protrusion of one frame with the hollow of another frame,
without the need to use the other fastening parts, such as screws
and bolts.
[0017] FIG. 3(b) is a cross-section diagram along the line 1-1 of
the LCD module 30 in FIG. 3(a). The first frame 31 supports the
base of a back light module 13 with its four sides 311 extending
upward. The LCD cell 14 is superimposed on the back light module
13. First locking mechanisms 312 as protrusions are formed on the
sides 311 of the first frame 31, and are interlocked with the
second locking mechanisms 322 as hollows formed on the second frame
32. In this way, the back light module 13 and the LCD cell 14 can
be fixed between the first frame 31 and the second frame 32. The
first locking mechanism 312 can be a cylinder or a sphere bump.
This shape depends on the tolerances of the first frame 31 and the
second frame 32, as well as the location distribution and the
quantity of the first locking mechanisms 312 and the second locking
mechanisms 322.
[0018] In general, the above-mentioned frames are made of two types
of materials, namely metals and plastics. Metallic frames can be
formed by stamping stainless steel, aluminum, or galvanized steel
plates, and plastic frames can be formed by injecting plastic
materials, such as PC (Polycarbonate) and ABS (Acrylonitrile
Butadiene Styrene), into an injection mold. Hence, it is possible
to rearrange the interlocking way of the first locking mechanism
312 and the second locking mechanism 322 by changing the design of
the stamping or injection molds. As shown in FIG. 3(c), a
rectangular first locking mechanism 312c is provided on the side
311c of the first frame 31c so that the first locking mechanism
312c is completely interlocked inside the hollow-shaped second
locking mechanism 322.
[0019] As shown in FIG. 3(d), it is also possible to design the
first locking mechanism 312d on the side 311d of the first frame
31d as a hollow. Accordingly, the second locking mechanism 322d on
the side 321d of the second frame 32d is as an inward
spherical-shaped or cylindrical-shaped bump.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 3(e), it is also possible to design the
first locking mechanism 312d on the side 311d of the first frame
31d as a hollow. Accordingly, the second locking mechanism 322e on
the side 321e of the second frame 32e can be an inward
rectangular-shaped bump.
[0021] Furthermore, we can provide a first locking mechanism 313f
on the upper side of an edge 311f and a second locking mechanism
323f adjacent to the edge 321f, as shown in FIG. 3(f). In
comparison with FIG. 3(b), besides the first locking mechanism 313f
is interlocked with the second locking mechanism 323f in the
parallel direction of the lateral of the edge 311f, a first locking
mechanism 312 is also interlocked with the second locking mechanism
322 in the vertical direction of the lateral of the edge 311f.
Therefore, the first frame 31f and the second frame 32f can be
firmly joined together.
[0022] Similarly, a first locking mechanism 313g and a second
locking mechanism 323g are dividedly provided on the upper side of
an edge 31g and around the edge 321g. The first frame 31g and the
second frame 32g also can be firmly joined together by one pair of
locking mechanisms, if the second locking mechanism 323g is
inserted into the first locking mechanism 313g without any
tolerance.
[0023] FIG. 4(a) is a perspective diagram of the second embodiment
of the LCD module 40 in accordance with the present invention. The
side 421 of the second frame 42 is inserted into the sidewall 411
of the first frame 41, and the LCD cell 14 is between the frames 41
and 42. The second frame 42 is closely joined to the first frame 41
by means of the locking units installed on the side 421 and the
sidewall 411 respectively.
[0024] FIG. 4(b) is a cross-section diagram along the line 2-2 of
the LCD module 40 in FIG. 4(a). The first frame 41 supports the
base of the back light module 13 with its four sidewalls 411
extending upward to the bottom edge of a LCD cell 14. The LCD cell
14 is superimposed on the back light module 13. The sidewall 411 of
the first frame 41 has a slot 413 into which the side 421 of the
second frame 42 is inserted. The slot 413 is equipped with the
first locking mechanism, the concave hollow, 412 and can allow of
the insertion of the second locking mechanism, the convex bump, 422
on the side 421 of the second frame 42. In order to ensure that the
second frame 42 and the first frame 41 can be separated during a
later rework process, it is necessary to make a through hole 414 on
the side wall 411, just put a pin-like hand tool deep into the
through hole 414 and then lightly press the second locking
mechanism 422 so as to lift the second frame 42 vertically.
[0025] In contrast to FIG. 4(b), FIG. 4(c) shows that the second
locking mechanism 422c on the side 421c of the second frame 42c is
turned into an inward-convex bump, and the first locking mechanism,
the inward-concave hollow, 412c associated with the inward-convex
bump has to be provided in a slot 413. Hence, the side 421 c of the
second frame 42c can be completely embedded and fixed in the
sidewall 411c of the first frame 41c.
[0026] In addition, FIG. 4(d) shows that the present invention can
make good use of stamping, a good property of metals in forming. A
bent and convex second locking mechanism 422d is formed on the side
421d of a second frame 42d. The second locking mechanism 422d is
interlocked with the concave first locking mechanism, the concave
hollow, 412 inside the slot 413 of a sidewall 411 of the first
frame 41, and the elasticity of the second locking mechanism 422d
is conducive to locking the second locking mechanism 422d and the
first locking mechanism 412 tightly. In this way, the side 421d of
the second frame 42d can be completely embedded and fixed in the
sidewall 411 of the first frame 41. On the other hand, in order to
ensure that the second frame 42d and first frame 41 can be
separated in a future, it is necessary to make a through hole 414
on the side wall 411, just put a pin-like hand tool deep into the
through hole 414 and then lightly press the bent part of the second
locking mechanism 422d so as to lift the second frame 42d
vertically.
[0027] FIG. 4(e) is a perspective diagram of the second locking
mechanism in FIG. 4(d). Cut three sides of a rectangle on the plate
of the side 421d and then form the second locking mechanism by
bending outward against the uncut base edge as a fulcrum.
[0028] In contrast to FIG. 4(d), FIG. 4(f) shows that the second
locking mechanism 422f on a side 421f of the second frame 42f is
turned into an inward-convex bend so that a first locking
mechanism, the inward-concave hollow, 412c inside the slot 413c of
a sidewall 411c of the first frame 41c associated with the inwardly
convex bend has to be provided on the left inner wall of the slot
413. Hence, the side 421f of the second frame 42f can be completely
embedded and fixed in the sidewall 411c of the first frame 41c.
Although the above-mentioned discloses that the shapes of the
second locking mechanism 422d and 422f are like an convex bend and
an inward-convex bend, respectively, this does not restrict the
scope of the present invention, because the same locking effect may
be achieved if the second locking mechanisms 422d and 422f look
like a herringbone or other like mechanisms.
[0029] FIG. 5(a) is a perspective diagram of the third embodiment
of the LCD module in accordance with the present invention. The
side 521 of a second frame 52 has a plurality of convex bends 522
which can be embedded in the concave hole 512 of the sidewall 511
of the first frame 51. The formation of the convex bend 522 is the
same as the method disclosed in FIG. 4(e), and the concave hole 512
is a convex locking mechanism stamped and formed on the plate of
the sidewall 511. As shown in FIG. 5(b), when the second frame 52
is joined with the first frame 51, an the convex bend 522 will be
locked inside the concave hole 512 accordingly and even clipped in
a cleavage, thereby causing a better fixing effect. On the other
hand, we can also bend bent springs toward the LCD cell 14 and have
corresponding concave holes.
[0030] In contrast to FIG. 5(b), FIG. 5(c) shows that a groove 512c
of the sidewall 511c of the first frame 51c does not have any
cleavage, but the convex bend 522 can be against on the inner
surface of the groove 512c. In order to ensure that the second
frame 52 and first frame 51c can be separated after interlocking
with each other, it is necessary to make a through hole 513c on the
base of the groove 512c, just put a pin-like hand tool deep into
the through hole 513c and turn the convex bend 522 to a adequate
position so as to lift the second frame 52 upwardly. On the other
hand, we can also bend bent springs toward the LCD cell 14 and have
corresponding grooves and through holes.
[0031] To ensure that a first frame 61 is joined to a second frame
62 more tightly, the present invention further proposes the fourth
embodiment of the LCD module 70, as shown in FIG. 6(a) a
perspective diagram. The sidewall 611 of the first frame 61 is
equipped with a first locking mechanism 612 and the side 621 of a
second frame 62 is correspondingly equipped with a second locking
mechanism 622. By interlocking the first locking mechanism 612 and
the second locking mechanism 622, the first frame 61 and the second
frame 62 can be completely positioned. In other words, clearance
remaining parallel to or vertical to the base of the back light
module 13 can be removed.
[0032] FIG. 6(b) is an enlarging diagram of the portion A in FIG.
6(a). A first locking mechanism 612 includes a holding part 615
convexly provided on a sidewall 611. The middle of the holding part
615 has a long slot 613 that allows a second locking mechanism 622
to through it from below. The second bent part 623 of the second
locking mechanism 622 extends beyond the long slot 613 and the
plasticity of its material enables it to bend toward a thin concave
614 so as to constrain its vertical displacement in the upward and
the downward direction. As the surface of the first bent part 624
of the second locking mechanism 622 is against at the sidewall of
the long slot 613 and the first bent part 624 is as long as the
long slot 613 approximately, the long slot 613 exactly constrains
the relative horizontal displacement (parallel to the base of the
back light module 13, and not shown here) of the second locking
mechanism 622 in forward, backward, leftward, and rightward
directions. As shown in FIG. 6(b), the holding part 615 has a left
and a right portion apart from each other, but the two portions
also can be made as one.
[0033] On the other hand, the second bent part 623 adjacent to the
sidewall 6142 of the thin concave 614 is bent inwardly. The base
6231 of the second bent part 623 and the base 6141 of the thin
concave 614 presses against each other, eliminating any vertical
clearance (perpendicular to the base of the back light module 13,
and not shown here) between the first frame 61 and the second frame
62.
[0034] To separate the first frame 61 and the second frame 62, it
is only necessary to straighten the second bent part 623 in the
direction of the holding part 615. In this way, the second locking
mechanism 622 can be extracted from the long slot 613. It is better
to have the second frame 62 formed by stamping and cutting metallic
plates. Plasticity and elasticity of metallic materials can be
employed to achieve the best fixing effect.
[0035] The above-described embodiments of the present invention are
intended to be illustrative only. Numerous alternative embodiments
may be devised by persons skilled in the art without departing from
the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *