U.S. patent application number 14/103105 was filed with the patent office on 2014-06-26 for display device.
The applicant listed for this patent is Jinha HEO, Jaeho KIM, Youngsung KIM, Bumgi MIN. Invention is credited to Jinha HEO, Jaeho KIM, Youngsung KIM, Bumgi MIN.
Application Number | 20140176850 14/103105 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49765256 |
Filed Date | 2014-06-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140176850 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Jaeho ; et al. |
June 26, 2014 |
DISPLAY DEVICE
Abstract
A display device is provided. The display device may include a
display panel including a front substrate and a back substrate, a
frame positioned behind the display panel, an optical layer
positioned between the display panel and the frame, and a
supporting film attached to the display panel and connected to the
frame. The display device may also include a fastening device for
fastening the supporting film to the frame. The display panel may
include a front polarizing film attached to a front surface of the
front substrate, and a back polarizing film attached to a back
surface of the back substrate. The supporting film may be attached
to the back polarizing film.
Inventors: |
KIM; Jaeho; (Seoul, KR)
; MIN; Bumgi; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM; Youngsung;
(Seoul, KR) ; HEO; Jinha; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KIM; Jaeho
MIN; Bumgi
KIM; Youngsung
HEO; Jinha |
Seoul
Seoul
Seoul
Seoul |
|
KR
KR
KR
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
49765256 |
Appl. No.: |
14/103105 |
Filed: |
December 11, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
349/58 ;
349/61 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16B 5/126 20130101;
F21V 17/162 20130101; G02F 2201/46 20130101; F21V 15/04 20130101;
G02F 1/133536 20130101; G02F 2201/503 20130101; F21V 15/01
20130101; H05K 5/02 20130101; G02F 1/1335 20130101; G02F
2001/133317 20130101; H04M 1/0266 20130101; F16B 5/02 20130101;
G02F 2001/133567 20130101; G02F 2001/133314 20130101; F16B 5/121
20130101; G02F 2001/13332 20130101; G02F 1/133512 20130101; G02F
2202/28 20130101; G02F 1/133308 20130101; G02F 1/133608 20130101;
G02F 2001/133311 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
349/58 ;
349/61 |
International
Class: |
G02F 1/1333 20060101
G02F001/1333 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 20, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0149604 |
Dec 20, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0149605 |
Dec 20, 2012 |
KR |
10-2012-0149607 |
Claims
1. A display device, comprising: a display panel including a front
substrate and a back substrate; a frame positioned at a rear of the
display panel; an optical layer positioned between the display
panel and the frame; and a supporting film attached to the display
panel and connected to the frame.
2. The display device of claim 1, further comprising at least one
fastener configured to fasten the supporting film to the frame.
3. The display device of claim 1, wherein the display panel further
comprises: a front polarizing film attached to a front surface of
the front substrate; and a back polarizing film attached to a back
surface of the back substrate, wherein the supporting film is
attached to the back polarizing film.
4. The display device of claim 1, wherein the supporting film
comprises: a first portion attached to the display panel; a second
portion positioned on a back surface of the frame; and a third
portion positioned along a corresponding side of the optical
layer.
5. The display device of claim 4, wherein the third portion of the
supporting film includes at least one opening formed therein.
6. The display device of claim 5, wherein the frame comprises: a
first long side; a second long side opposite the first long side; a
first short side extending between the first and second long sides
at a first end of the frame; and a second short side opposite the
first short side and extending between the first and second long
sides at a second end of the frame opposite the first end thereof,
wherein the second portion of the supporting film comprises: a
first back portion positioned along the first short side; a second
back portion positioned along the second short side; and a third
back portion positioned along the first long side.
7. The display device of claim 6, further comprising: an overlap
area, wherein the overlap area is formed between the first back
portion and the third back portion of the supporting film at a
corner formed between the first long side and the first short side
of the frame, or the overlap area is formed between the second back
portion and the third back portion of the supporting film at a
corner formed between the first long side and the second short side
of the frame; and a hole extending through the overlap area.
8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the frame includes a
protrusion configured to be received in the hole formed in the
overlap area, wherein the protrusion formed in the frame includes a
fastening hole configured to receive a fastener therein, and
wherein the fastener fastens the first back portion, the third back
portion, and the protrusion to one another, or fastens the first
back portion, the second back portion, and the protrusion to one
another, based on where the overlap portion is formed.
9. The display device of claim 6, wherein the first back portion
and the third back portion of the supporting film are separated
from each other at a corner formed between the first long side and
the first short side of the frame, or the second back portion and
the third back portion of the supporting film are separated from
each other at a corner formed between the first long side and the
second short side of the frame.
10. The display device of claim 4, further comprising: a back cover
positioned at a rear of the frame; and a side cover which covers
the third portion of the supporting film and is connected to the
back cover.
11. The display device of claim 10, wherein the side cover
comprises: a vertical section extending in a vertical direction;
and a horizontal section extending horizontally from the vertical
section.
12. The display device of claim 4, further comprising a plate
connected to the frame and pressing the second portion of the
supporting film.
13. The display device of claim 12, wherein the supporting film
further comprises: a first connection portion provided on a first
surface of the plate; and a second connection portion provided on a
second surface of the plate opposite the first surface thereof.
14. The display device of claim 12, further comprising a fastener
configured to fasten the plate to the second portion of the
supporting film.
15. The display device of claim 12, further comprising a fastener
configured to fasten the frame, the second portion of the
supporting film, and the plate to one another.
16. The display device of claim 12, wherein the second portion of
the supporting film is at least partially positioned between the
plate and the frame.
17. The display device of claim 16, further comprising a fastener
configured to fasten the frame and the second portion of the
supporting film to each other and another fastener configured to
fasten the plate and the frame to each other.
18. The display device of claim 12, further comprising a buffer
provided between the plate and the second portion of the supporting
film, wherein the buffer is formed of a material having
elasticity.
19. A display device, comprising: a back cover; a display panel
coupled in the back cover; and a backlight device provided between
the display panel and the back cover, wherein the display panel
comprises: a first substrate; a second substrate; a seal provided
between the first and second substrates to couple the first and
second substrates and seal a space formed therebetween; and a
supporting film provided on a surface of the second substrate
oriented away from the first substrate, the supporting film
comprising: a first portion directly contacting the surface of the
second substrate, the first portion comprising: a transparent
portion corresponding to an active area of the display panel; and a
border portion surrounding the transparent portion and
corresponding to an inactive area of the display panel; and a
second portion extending away from the first portion and not
directly contacting the second substrate.
20. The display device of claim 19, wherein the second portion of
the supporting film extends away from the border portion of the
first portion of the supporting film, and wherein the second
portion of the supporting film comprises: a first support portion
extending from a first peripheral edge of the first portion of the
supporting film; and a second support portion extending from a
second peripheral edge of the first portion of the supporting film,
opposite the first peripheral edge thereof, wherein the first and
second support portions are curved or bent so as to extend back
over the first portion of the supporting film, and form a space
between the first support portion and the first portion of the
supporting film, and between the second support portion and the
first portion of the supporting film.
21. The display device of claim 19, wherein the backlight device
comprises: an optical layer provided on the first portion of the
supporting film; and a light source module coupled to the optical
layer to generate light toward the optical layer, the light source
module comprising: a frame coupled to the optical layer; and one or
more light sources mounted on the frame so as to generate light
toward the optical layer.
22. The display device of claim 21, wherein the second portion of
the supporting film extends along a peripheral edge portion of the
optical layer and is coupled to the frame.
23. The display device of claim 21, wherein the optical layer
comprises: a reflective polarizer provided on the first portion of
the supporting film; a horizontal prism sheet provided on the
reflective polarizer; a vertical prism sheet provided on the
horizontal prism sheet; and a diffusion plate provided on the
vertical prism sheet.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.119
to Korean Application Nos. 10-2012-0149604, 10-2012-0149605 and
10-2012-0149607, each filed in Korea on Dec. 20, 2012, whose entire
disclosures are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] Embodiments relate to a display device.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Various display devices, such as, for example, liquid
crystal displays (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs),
electroluminescent displays (ELDs), vacuum fluorescent displays
(VFDs), and the like may be considered in meeting various demands
for display devices. A liquid crystal display panel of the LCD may
include a liquid crystal layer, and a thin film transistor (TFT)
substrate and a color filter substrate which are positioned
opposite each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed
therebetween. The LCD may display an image using light provided by
a backlight device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect, there is a display device, comprising a
display panel including a front substrate and a back substrate, a
frame positioned at a rear of the display panel, an optical layer
positioned between the display panel and the frame and a supporting
film attached to the display panel and connected to the frame.
[0007] The display device further comprises at least one fastener
configured to fasten the supporting film to the frame.
[0008] The display panel further comprises a front polarizing film
attached to a front surface of the front substrate and a back
polarizing film attached to a back surface of the back substrate,
wherein the supporting film is attached to the back polarizing
film.
[0009] The supporting film comprises a first portion attached to
the display panel a second portion positioned on a back surface of
the frame and a third portion positioned along a corresponding side
of the optical layer.
[0010] The third portion of the supporting film includes at least
one opening formed therein.
[0011] The frame comprises a first long side a second long side
opposite the first long side, a first short side extending between
the first and second long sides at a first end of the frame, and a
second short side opposite the first short side and extending
between the first and second long sides at a second end of the
frame opposite the first end thereof, wherein the second portion of
the supporting film comprises a first back portion positioned along
the first short side, a second back portion positioned along the
second short side and a third back portion positioned along the
first long side.
[0012] The display device further comprises an overlap area,
wherein the overlap area is formed between the first back portion
and the third back portion of the supporting film at a corner
formed between the first long side and the first short side of the
frame, or the overlap area is formed between the second back
portion and the third back portion of the supporting film at a
corner formed between the first long side and the second short side
of the frame and a hole extending through the overlap area.
[0013] The frame includes a protrusion configured to be received in
the hole formed in the overlap area, wherein the protrusion formed
in the frame includes a fastening hole configured to receive a
fastener therein, and wherein the fastener fastens the first back
portion, the third back portion, and the protrusion to one another,
or fastens the first back portion, the second back portion, and the
protrusion to one another, based on where the overlap portion is
formed.
[0014] The first back portion and the third back portion of the
supporting film are separated from each other at a corner formed
between the first long side and the first short side of the frame,
or the second back portion and the third back portion of the
supporting film are separated from each other at a corner formed
between the first long side and the second short side of the
frame.
[0015] The display device further comprises a back cover positioned
at a rear of the frame and a side cover which covers the third
portion of the supporting film and is connected to the back
cover.
[0016] The side cover comprises a vertical section extending in a
vertical direction and a horizontal section extending horizontally
from the vertical section.
[0017] The display device further comprises a plate connected to
the frame and pressing the second portion of the supporting
film.
[0018] The supporting film further comprises a first connection
portion provided on a first surface of the plate and a second
connection portion provided on a second surface of the plate
opposite the first surface thereof.
[0019] The display device further comprises a fastener configured
to fasten the plate to the second portion of the supporting
film.
[0020] The display device further comprises a fastener configured
to fasten the frame, the second portion of the supporting film, and
the plate to one another.
[0021] The second portion of the supporting film is at least
partially positioned between the plate and the frame.
[0022] The display device further comprises a fastener configured
to fasten the frame and the second portion of the supporting film
to each other and another fastener configured to fasten the plate
and the frame to each other.
[0023] The display device further comprises a buffer provided
between the plate and the second portion of the supporting film,
wherein the buffer is formed of a material having elasticity.
[0024] In other aspect, there is a display device, comprising a
back cover, a display panel coupled in the back cover and a
backlight device provided between the display panel and the back
cover, wherein the display panel comprises a first substrate, a
second substrate, a seal provided between the first and second
substrates to couple the first and second substrates and seal a
space formed therebetween; and a supporting film provided on a
surface of the second substrate oriented away from the first
substrate, the supporting film comprising a first portion directly
contacting the surface of the second substrate, the first portion
comprising a transparent portion corresponding to an active area of
the display panel and a border portion surrounding the transparent
portion and corresponding to an inactive area of the display panel
and a second portion extending away from the first portion and not
directly contacting the second substrate.
[0025] The second portion of the supporting film extends away from
the border portion of the first portion of the supporting film, and
wherein the second portion of the supporting film comprises a first
support portion extending from a first peripheral edge of the first
portion of the supporting film and a second support portion
extending from a second peripheral edge of the first portion of the
supporting film, opposite the first peripheral edge thereof,
wherein the first and second support portions are curved or bent so
as to extend back over the first portion of the supporting film,
and form a space between the first support portion and the first
portion of the supporting film, and between the second support
portion and the first portion of the supporting film.
[0026] The backlight device comprises an optical layer provided on
the first portion of the supporting film and a light source module
coupled to the optical layer to generate light toward the optical
layer, the light source module comprising a frame coupled to the
optical layer and one or more light sources mounted on the frame so
as to generate light toward the optical layer.
[0027] The second portion of the supporting film extends along a
peripheral edge portion of the optical layer and is coupled to the
frame.
[0028] The optical layer comprises a reflective polarizer provided
on the first portion of the supporting film, a horizontal prism
sheet provided on the reflective polarizer, a vertical prism sheet
provided on the horizontal prism sheet and a diffusion plate
provided on the vertical prism sheet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] The embodiments will be described in detail with reference
to the following drawings in which like reference numerals refer to
like elements wherein:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a side sectional view of an exemplary display
device;
[0031] FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate a configuration of a display device
according to an exemplary embodiment as broadly described
herein;
[0032] FIGS. 6A to 58B illustrate a configuration of a display
device to which a supporting film is applied, in accordance with
embodiments as broadly described herein;
[0033] FIGS. 59 to 70 illustrate a configuration of a display
device to which a pressure plate is applied, in accordance with
embodiments as broadly described herein;
[0034] FIGS. 71 to 82B illustrate a configuration of a display
device to which a rolling plate is applied, in accordance with
embodiments as broadly described herein;
[0035] FIGS. 83 to 95 illustrate an optical layer, in accordance
with embodiments as broadly described herein; and
[0036] FIG. 96 is a block diagram of a display device according to
an exemplary embodiment as broadly described herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0037] Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments,
examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
Since the embodiments may be modified in various ways and may have
various forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings
and are described in detail. However, it should be understood that
embodiments are not limited to the specific exemplary embodiments
presented herein, but include all modifications, equivalents and
substitutes included within the spirit and technical scope as
broadly described herein.
[0038] The terms `first`, `second`, etc. may be used to describe
various components, but the components are not limited by such
terms. The terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing
one component from other components. For example, a first component
may be designated as a second component without departing from the
scope as broadly described herein. In the same manner, the second
component may be designated as the first component.
[0039] The term "and/or" encompasses both combinations of the
plurality of related items disclosed and any item from among the
plurality of related items disclosed.
[0040] When an arbitrary component is described as "being connected
to "or" being linked to" another component, this should be
understood to mean that other component(s) may exist between them,
although the arbitrary component may be directly connected to, or
linked to, the second component. In contrast, when an arbitrary
component is described as "being directly connected to" or "being
directly linked to" another component, this should be understood to
mean that no component exists between them.
[0041] The terms used herein may be used to describe only specific
embodiments or examples, and are not intended to limit the scope as
broadly described herein. A singular expression may include a
plural expression as long as it does not have an apparently
different meaning in context.
[0042] Further, the terms "include" and "have" may be understood to
designate that illustrated features, numbers, steps, operations,
components, parts or combinations thereof exist and not to preclude
the existence of one or more different features, numbers, steps,
operations, components, parts or combinations thereof, or the
possibility of the addition thereof.
[0043] Unless otherwise specified, all of the terms which are used
herein, including the technical or scientific terms, have the same
meanings as those that are generally understood by a person having
ordinary knowledge in the art. The terms defined in a generally
used dictionary may be understood to have the same meanings as
those used in the context of the art, and are not to be construed
to have ideal or excessively formal meanings unless they are
obviously specified.
[0044] The following exemplary embodiments are provided to those
skilled in the art for understanding and completeness. Accordingly,
shapes and sizes of elements shown in the drawings may be
exaggerated for clarity.
[0045] Hereinafter, a liquid crystal display panel is used as an
example of a display panel. However, the principles presented
herein may be applied to other types of display panels. For
example, the principles may be applied to a plasma display panel
(PDP), a field emission display (FED) panel, or an organic light
emitting display (OLED) panel.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, a display device may include a display
panel 100P including a front substrate and a back substrate, an
optical layer 120P disposed behind the display panel 100P, a frame
130P disposed behind the optical layer 120P, first and second
fastening parts 160P and 170P for fastening the display panel 100P,
the optical layer 120P, and the frame 130P, a protective substrate
110P disposed in the front of the display panel 100P, and a third
fastening part 150P for fastening the protective substrate 110P to
a back cover 140P disposed behind the frame 130P. This exemplary
display device has a relatively complicated structure, making it
difficult to achieve a thin profile. Further, visibility may be
somewhat reduced due to this structure.
[0047] FIGS. 2 to 5 illustrate various aspects of a display device
according to an exemplary embodiment as broadly described
herein.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 2, a display device according to an
exemplary embodiment may include a display panel 100, a backlight
device 10B including an optical layer 110 and a light source module
120, and a back cover 130. The display device may also include a
supporting film 400 (see FIG. 6).
[0049] The display panel 100 may include a front substrate and a
back substrate which are positioned opposite each other. The
optical layer 110 may be disposed between the back substrate of the
display panel 100 and the back cover 130. The optical layer 110 may
include a plurality of sheets. For example, the optical layer 110
may include at least one of a prism sheet or a diffusion sheet. The
backlight device 10B may be positioned to a rear of the optical
layer 110, and may include a light guide plate. The light source
module 120 may include various kinds of light sources. For example,
the light source module 120 may include one of a light emitting
diode (LED) chip or a LED package having at least one LED chip. In
this instance, the light source may be a colored LED emitting at
least one of red, green, or blue light or a white LED.
[0050] The backlight device 10B may be one of a direct type
backlight device or an edge type backlight device. The back cover
130 may be positioned to a rear of the backlight device 10B to
protect the backlight device 10B from an external impact or
pressure.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 3, the display panel 100 may include a
front substrate 101 and a back substrate 111, which are positioned
opposite each other and attached to each other to form a uniform
cell gap therebetween. A liquid crystal layer 104 may be formed
between the front substrate 101 and the back substrate 111. A seal
200 may be formed between the front substrate 101 and the back
substrate 111 to seal the liquid crystal layer 104. The seal 200
may be referred to as a sealing portion.
[0052] A color filter 102 may be positioned on the front substrate
101 to implement, for example, red, green, and blue colors. The
color filter 102 may include a plurality of pixels each including
red, green, and blue subpixels. When light is incident on the color
filter 102, the color filter 102 may generate an image
corresponding to the red, green, or blue color. The pixels may
include the red, green, and blue subpixels, but are not limited
thereto. For example, white subpixels may be used, and various
combination(s) of the subpixels may be used.
[0053] A predetermined transistor 103, for example, a thin film
transistor (TFT) may be formed on the back substrate 111. The
transistor 103 may turn liquid crystals in each pixel on or off. In
this instance, the front substrate 101 may be referred to as a
color filter substrate, and the back substrate 111 may be referred
to as a TFT substrate.
[0054] The display panel 100 may further include a front polarizing
film 3400 and a back polarizing film 3410. The front polarizing
film 3400 may be positioned on a front surface of the front
substrate 101 to polarize light passing through the display panel
100. The back polarizing film 3410 may be positioned on a back
surface of the back substrate 111 to polarize light passing through
the optical layer 110 positioned to the rear of the back substrate
111. In the embodiment disclosed herein, the front polarizing film
3400 may be referred to as a first polarizing film, and the back
polarizing film 3410 may be referred to as a second polarizing
film.
[0055] The liquid crystal layer 104 may include a plurality of
liquid crystal molecules, and the arrangement of the liquid crystal
molecules may change in response to a driving signal supplied by
the transistor 103. Hence, light provided by the backlight device
10B may be incident on the color filter 102 based on changes in the
molecular arrangement of the liquid crystal layer 104. As a result,
the color filter 102 may implement red, green, and blue light, and
thus a predetermined image may be displayed on the front substrate
101 of the display panel 100.
[0056] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, a color filter 102 for
implementing red, green, and blue colors may be positioned on the
back substrate 111, and a predetermined transistor 103, for
example, a TFT may be formed on the front substrate 101. The
transistor 103 may turn liquid crystals in each pixel on or off. In
this instance, the back substrate 111 may be referred to as a color
filter substrate, and the front substrate 101 may be referred to as
a TFT substrate.
[0057] Providing the transistor 103 on the front substrate 101
facilitate installation of a connecting device, such as a cable
and/or a flexible printed circuit board, for connecting a driving
board to the transistor 103 on the front substrate 101. Further,
the driving board may be disposed at the rear of the display panel
100. In this instance, a length of the connecting device for
connecting the driving board to the transistor 103 may be
reduced.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 5, each pixel of the display panel 100 may
include a data line 300, a gate line 310 crossing the data line
300, and the TFT 103 connected to a crossing of the data line 300
and the gate line 310.
[0059] The TFT 103 may supply a data voltage supplied through the
data line 300 to a pixel electrode 320 of a liquid crystal cell Clc
in response to a gate pulse from the gate line 310. The liquid
crystal cell Clc may be driven by an electric field generated by a
voltage difference between a voltage of the pixel electrode 320 and
a common voltage Vcom applied to a common electrode 330, thereby
controlling an amount of light passing through a polarizing plate.
A storage capacitor Cst may be connected to the pixel electrode 320
of the liquid crystal cell Clc to hold the voltage of the liquid
crystal cell Clc.
[0060] Since the above-described structure and the above-described
configuration of the display panel 100 are merely exemplary,
various elements may be changed, added, or omitted.
[0061] FIGS. 6 to 58 illustrate a display device to which a
supporting film is applied. In the following description, the
descriptions of the configuration and the structure described above
are omitted.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 6A, a supporting film 400 may be disposed
at the rear of the display panel 100, more specifically, at the
rear of the back substrate 111. The supporting film 400 may include
a portion attached to the rear of the back substrate 111. More
specifically, as shown in FIG. 6B, an adhesive layer SFA may be
disposed between the supporting film 400 and the back substrate 111
and may attach the supporting film 400 to the back substrate
111.
[0063] In certain embodiments, the supporting film 400 may be
connected to a frame.
[0064] A partial area of the supporting film 400 may be
substantially transparent. For example, as shown in FIG. 7A, the
supporting film 400 may include a first part 400TS and a second
part 400BL which are attached to the back substrate 111 of the
display panel 100. The first part 400TS and the second part 400BL
attached to the display panel 100 may be together referred to as an
attachment part 400A of the supporting film 400.
[0065] The second part 400BL may be positioned at an edge of the
first part 400TS, and a light transmittance of the first part 400TS
may be greater than a light transmittance of the second part 400BL.
In certain embodiments, the first part 400TS may be substantially
transparent. Further, the second part 400BL may have a shape
surrounding the first part 400TS.
[0066] As shown in FIG. 7B, the first part 400TS of the supporting
film 400 may correspond to an active area AA of the display panel
100, on which an image is displayed. The second part 400BL of the
supporting film 400 may correspond to a dummy area DA positioned
outside the active area AA of the display panel 100.
[0067] The second part 400BL of the supporting film 400 may be
darker than the first part 400TS, so as to reduce reflection of
light. For example, the second part 400BL of the supporting film
400 may be almost black, and may include a dye.
[0068] As shown in FIG. 7B, a portion of the supporting film 400
corresponding to the dummy area DA of the display panel 100 may
include a dye. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, portions other
than a portion of the supporting film 400 corresponding to the
active area AA of the display panel 100 may include the dye. In
this instance, portions other than the attachment part 400A of the
supporting film 400 may include the dye.
[0069] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the supporting film 400 may
include a portion attached to the dummy area DA positioned outside
the active area AA of the display panel 100. In this instance, the
portion of the supporting film 400 corresponding to the active area
AA of the display panel 100 may be omitted. As shown in FIG. 9,
which is a cross-sectional view of the display panel 100, the
supporting film 400 may be divided into a first supporting film
400-1 and a second supporting film 400-2. As shown in FIG. 10, the
supporting film 400 may have a shape surrounding the active area AA
of the display panel 100.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 11, the supporting film 400 may further
include an active area film TSF attached to the active area AA of
the display panel 100.
[0071] In certain embodiments, a light transmittance of the active
area film TSF may be greater than a light transmittance of the
first supporting film 400-1 and a light transmittance of the second
supporting film 400-2. A seal strength of the first supporting film
400-1 and a seal strength of the second supporting film 400-2 may
be greater than a seal strength of the active area film TSF. The
active area film TSF of the supporting film 400 may be
substantially transparent.
[0072] The active area film TSF may cover, or overlap, a portion of
each of the first supporting film 400-1 and the second supporting
film 400-2, as shown in FIG. 11. Alternatively, as shown in FIG.
12, the first supporting film 400-1 and the second supporting film
400-2 may cover, or overlap, a portion of the active area film
TSF.
[0073] As shown in FIG. 13, the supporting film 400 may be attached
to the back polarizing film 3410. In certain embodiments, a width
L2 of the back polarizing film 3410 may be greater than a width L1
of the attachment part 400A of the supporting film 400.
[0074] As shown in FIG. 14, a first adhesive layer 3410A may be
disposed between the back polarizing film 3410 and the back
substrate 111, and a second adhesive layer 34108 may be disposed
between the back polarizing film 3410 and the supporting film 400.
In other words, the first adhesive layer 3410A may be disposed on a
first surface of the back polarizing film 3410, and the second
adhesive layer 3410B may be disposed on a second surface of the
back polarizing film 3410. In this instance, the width L1 of the
attachment part 400A of the supporting film 400 may be less than a
width L3 of the second adhesive layer 3410B.
[0075] In such a configuration, the first adhesive layer 3410A, the
back polarizing film 3410, and the second adhesive layer 3410B may
be attached to the back substrate 111 using, for example, a
laminating method, and then the supporting film 400 may be attached
to the second adhesive layer 3410B using the laminating method.
[0076] For example, as shown in FIG. 15A, the first adhesive layer
3410A may be disposed on the first surface of the back polarizing
film 3410, and the second adhesive layer 3410B may be disposed on
the second surface of the back polarizing film 3410. A first
protective film 3410P1 may be disposed on the first adhesive layer
3410A, and a second protective film 3410P2 may be disposed on the
second adhesive layer 3410B. A mother sheet MST including the first
adhesive layer 3410A, the second adhesive layer 3410B, the back
polarizing film 3410, the first protective film 3410P1, and the
second protective film 3410P2 may be manufactured.
[0077] As shown in FIG. 15B, the second protective film 3410P2 may
then be peeled using a first roller 500. A pressure may be applied
to the first protective film 3410P1 using a second roller 510,
thereby attaching the first adhesive layer 3410A to the back
substrate 111.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 15C, the first protective film 3410P1 may
then be peeled using a third roller 520. A pressure may be applied
to the supporting film 400 using a fourth roller 530, thereby
attaching the supporting film 400 to the second adhesive layer
34108.
[0079] As shown in FIG. 16, in certain embodiments the supporting
film 400 may replace the back polarizing film 3410. In other words,
the back polarizing film 3410 may serve as the supporting film
400.
[0080] A length W1 of a contact portion between the front
polarizing film 3400 and the front substrate 101 may be longer than
a length W2 of a contact portion between the supporting film 400
and the back substrate 111. Further, a total length (W2+W3+W4) of
the supporting film 400 attached to the back substrate 111 may be
longer than a total length W1 of the front polarizing film 3400. In
this instance, as shown in FIG. 17, a thickness T1 of the
supporting film 400 may be greater than a thickness T2 of the front
polarizing film 3400.
[0081] As shown in FIG. 18, the optical layer 110 may be disposed
on the supporting film 400. In this instance, the optical layer 110
may contact the supporting film 400. In certain embodiments, the
optical layer 110 may include a plurality of sheets. For example,
as shown in FIG. 19A, the optical layer 110 may include a
reflective polarizer 600, a vertical prism sheet 610, and a
horizontal prism sheet 620. FIG. 19A shows the vertical prism sheet
610 disposed between the horizontal prism sheet 620 and the
reflective polarizer 600. However, the horizontal prism sheet 620
may be disposed between the vertical prism sheet 610 and the
reflective polarizer 600.
[0082] The reflective polarizer 600 may be referred to as a dual
brightness enhancement film (DBEF). The reflective polarizer 600
may selectively transmit or reflect light depending on a wavelength
of the light. The reflective polarizer 600 may transmit a
predetermined wavelength of light and reflect other wavelengths of
light through such a process, thereby reducing an amount of light
blocked by the polarizing film disposed on the display panel 100.
Hence, luminance may be improved.
[0083] The vertical and horizontal prism sheets 610 and 620 may
adjust a travelling path of light, so that the incident light
travels to the display panel 100. Hence, luminance of the image
displayed on the display panel 100 may be improved.
[0084] As shown in FIG. 19B, the reflective polarizer 600 may
include a core layer 601, a first protective layer 602 positioned
on a first surface of the core layer 601, and a second protective
layer 603 positioned on a second surface of the core layer 601.
[0085] The optical layer 110 may be separated from the supporting
film 400 by a predetermined distance D1 in a horizontal direction
(for example, a first direction DRH or a second direction DRV). For
example, the reflective polarizer 600 of the optical layer 110 may
include a portion which is separated from the supporting film 400
by the predetermined distance D1 in the horizontal direction DRH or
DRV.
[0086] Alternatively, the reflective polarizer 600 may be attached
to the back polarizing film 3410, and the supporting film 400 may
be attached to the reflective polarizer 600.
[0087] For example, as shown in FIG. 20, the first surface of the
core layer 601 of the reflective polarizer 600 may be attached to
the back polarizing film 3410, and the supporting film 400 may be
attached to the second surface opposite the first surface of the
core layer 601.
[0088] When comparing the configuration of FIG. 20 to the
configuration of FIG. 19A-19B, the back polarizing film 3410 may
replace the first protective layer 602 of FIG. 19A-19B, and the
supporting film 400 may replace the second protective layer 603 of
FIG. 19A-19B. In this instance, a thickness of the display device
may be reduced.
[0089] As shown in FIG. 21, the light source module 120 may be
disposed on the optical layer 110, and a frame 1600 may be disposed
on the light source module 120.
[0090] In certain embodiments, the light source module 120 may
include a plurality of substrates.
[0091] For example, as shown in FIG. 22, the light source module
120 of the backlight device 10B according to one embodiment as
broadly described herein may include a plurality of substrates 211
to 214. FIG. 22 shows the backlight device 10B including four
substrates 211 to 214. However, embodiments are not limited
thereto.
[0092] As shown in FIG. 22, the light source module 120 may include
the first substrate 211, the second substrate 212, the third
substrate 213, and the fourth substrate 214. In this embodiment,
the first to fourth substrates 211 to 214 may be referred to
sub-substrates. Namely, the plurality of sub-substrates 211 to 214
may form one mother substrate. In this instance, a plurality of
light sources 220 may be disposed on each of the first to fourth
substrates 211 to 214, and then the first to fourth substrates 211
to 214 may be coupled with one another in parallel. Hence, one
mother substrate 210 may be manufactured.
[0093] If the mother substrate 210 is damaged, only the damaged
substrate may be replaced, and the other, undamaged, substrates may
continue to be used. Hence, the material consumption resulting from
damage of the mother substrate 210 may be reduced, and
manufacturing cost may be reduced.
[0094] As described above, when the mother substrate 210 is divided
into the plurality of substrates 211 to 214, a connector may be
disposed on each of the substrates 211 to 214. The connector may be
electrically connected to at least one light source 220 disposed on
each of the substrates 211 to 214. The connector may electrically
connect an external driving circuit to the light sources 220,
thereby causing a driving voltage supplied by the driving circuit
to be supplied to the light sources 220.
[0095] As described above, when the mother substrate 210 is divided
into the plurality of substrates 211 to 214, the substrates 211 to
214 may be disposed in parallel, and then a reflective layer may be
disposed on each of the substrates 211 to 214.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 23, the substrate 210, on which at least
one light source 220 is disposed, may be disposed on a frame 1600.
In certain embodiments, the first to fourth substrates 211 to 214
included in the mother substrate 210 may be disposed on the frame
1600.
[0097] The frame 1600 may include a depression corresponding to the
substrate 210. For example, as shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, the
frame 1600 may include a first depression 1600H1 corresponding to
the first substrate 211, a second depression 1600H2 corresponding
to the second substrate 212, a third depression 1600H3
corresponding to the third substrate 213, and a fourth depression
1600H4 corresponding to the fourth substrate 214. The first
substrate 211 may be disposed in the first depression 1600H1; the
second substrate 212 may be disposed in the second depression
1600H2; the third substrate 213 may be disposed in the third
depression 1600H3; and the fourth substrate 214 may be disposed in
the fourth depression 1600H4. The frame 1600 may also include a
first protrusion 1600P1 between the first depression 1600H1 and the
second depression 1600H2, a second protrusion 1600P2 between the
second depression 1600H2 and the third depression 1600H3, and a
third protrusion 1600P3 between the third depression 1600H3 and the
fourth depression 1600H4. An air gap may be formed between the
first to third protrusions 1600P1, 1600P2, and 1600P3 of the frame
1600 and the optical layer 110.
[0098] For example, as shown in FIG. 25, an air gap 700 may be
formed between the first substrate 211 and the optical layer 110
and between the second substrate 212 and the optical layer 110 by
the first to third protrusions 1600P1, 1600P2, and 1600P3. Namely,
the air gap 700 may be provided between the optical layer 110 and
the light source module 120.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 25, the optical layer 110 may further
include a diffusion plate 630. The diffusion plate 630 may be
positioned between the prism sheets 610/620 and the frame 1600. The
diffusion plate 630 may diffuse light emitted by the light sources
220, thereby preventing the light from being concentrated on a
predetermined area. Because the light entering into the diffusion
plate 630 is scattered while passing through the diffusion plate
630, uniform brightness of the screen of the display panel 100 may
be maintained.
[0100] Disposition order of the reflective polarizer 600, the
vertical prism sheet 610, the horizontal prism sheet 620, and the
diffusion plate 630 included in the optical layer 110 may be
altered as appropriate.
[0101] FIG. 25 shows that the optical layer 110 includes the four
sheets. However, the number of sheets constituting the optical
layer 110 may be changed.
[0102] The backlight device 10B shown in FIG. 25 may correspond to
a direct type backlight device.
[0103] The backlight device 10B applied to embodiments as broadly
described herein may be an edge type backlight device.
[0104] For example, as shown in FIG. 26, the mother substrate 210,
on which the light sources 220 are positioned, may be disposed on
the frame 1600. A light guide plate 800 may be disposed between the
frame 1600 and the optical layer 110. The light sources 220 may be
positioned facing a lateral side of the light guide plate 800.
[0105] The supporting film 400 may be connected to the frame
1600.
[0106] For example, as shown in FIG. 27, the frame 1600 may further
include a fifth depression 1600H5 which is depressed in a direction
far from the display panel 100. A first fastener S100 may fasten
the supporting film 400 to the fifth depression 1600H5 of the frame
1600. The supporting film 400 may include the attachment portion
400A attached to the back substrate 111 of the display panel 100, a
back portion 400C positioned on a back surface of the frame 1600,
and a side portion 400B positioned on the side of the optical layer
110. The first fastener S100 may fasten the back portion 400C of
the supporting film 400 to the fifth depression 1600H5 of the frame
1600.
[0107] The frame 1600, the light source module 120, and the optical
layer 110 may be supported by the supporting film 400. In this
instance, the supporting film 400 having flexibility may prevent an
external force imparted on the frame 1600 from being transferred to
the display panel 100. Hence, a light leakage phenomenon of the
display panel 100 may be prevented.
[0108] Because the supporting film 400 may have flexibility,
rigidity of the supporting film 400 may be relatively weak. As
shown in FIG. 28, an edge 1600 CI of the frame 1600 may be die-cut,
so as to prevent the supporting film 400 from being damaged by the
edge of the frame 1600.
[0109] The frame 1600 may include a portion whose distance from the
optical layer 110 gradually increases as it goes from an edge
portion to a middle portion. In other words, an angle .theta.1
between the edge of the frame 1600 and the optical layer 110 may be
an acute angle.
[0110] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 29, a buffer layer 800 may
be disposed between the edge of the frame 1600 and the supporting
film 400. The buffer layer 800 may be attached to the edge of the
frame 1600. The buffer layer 800 may be formed of a material having
elasticity and flexibility. The elasticity and the flexibility of
the buffer layer 800 may be greater than the elasticity and the
flexibility of the frame 1600. For example, the buffer layer 800
may be formed of a sponge material.
[0111] As shown in FIG. 30, the frame 1600 may include a protrusion
1120 corresponding to a hole 110B formed in the optical layer 110
(see FIG. 31). More specifically, the frame 1600 may include the
protrusion 1120 which corresponds to the hole 110B of the optical
layer 110, which may protrude toward the display panel 100. As
shown in FIG. 31, the optical layer 110 may be disposed on the
frame 1600, so that the hole 110B corresponds to the protrusion
1120 of the frame 1600. Hence, the protrusion 1120 of the frame
1600 may pass through the hole 110B of the optical layer 110. When
the hole 110B is formed in a protrusion 110A of the optical layer
110 and is disposed at a position corresponding to the protrusion
1120 of the frame 1600, the detachment of the optical layer 110 may
be prevented while preventing an excessive increase in the overall
size of the optical layer 110. The optical layer 110 shown in FIG.
31 may include a reflective polarizer 600, a vertical prism sheet
610, a horizontal prism sheet 620, and a diffusion plate 630 in the
same manner as the optical layer 110 shown in FIG. 25. In this
instance, each of the reflective polarizer 600, the vertical prism
sheet 610, the horizontal prism sheet 620, and the diffusion plate
630 may have the hole 110B.
[0112] The supporting film 400 may include at least one opening.
For example, as shown in FIG. 32, the supporting film 400 may
include one or more openings 400H, into which one or more
protrusions 110P of the optical layer 110 may be respectively
inserted. In this instance, a movement of the optical layer 110 may
be more effectively limited.
[0113] As shown in FIG. 33, the side portion 400B of the supporting
film 400 may include at least one opening. For example, the side
portion 400B of the supporting film 400 may include a third opening
400H3 corresponding to the vertical prism sheet 610, a second
opening 400H2 corresponding to the horizontal prism sheet 620, and
a first opening 400H1 corresponding to the diffusion plate 630. A
protrusion 610P of the vertical prism sheet 610 may be inserted
into the third opening 400H3, a protrusion 620P of the horizontal
prism sheet 620 may be inserted into the second opening 400H2, and
a protrusion 630P of the diffusion plate 630 may be inserted into
the first opening 400H1.
[0114] As shown in FIG. 34, the first opening 400H1 and the second
opening 400H2 may be separated from each other by a predetermined
distance Y2 in the horizontal direction, for example, the first
direction DRH. Further, the second opening 400H2 and the third
opening 400H3 may be separated from each other by a predetermined
distance Y1 in the horizontal direction, for example, the first
direction DRH.
[0115] As shown in FIG. 35, the supporting film 400 may include
first and second supporting films 400-1A and 400-2A each including
a portion attached to the back substrate 111. For example, the
second supporting film 400-2A may include a portion attached to the
dummy area DA of the back substrate 111, and the first supporting
film 400-1A may include a portion attached to the second supporting
film 400-2A and a portion attached to the active area AA of the
back substrate 111. Even in this instance, it is possible to
increase a strength of the supporting film 400.
[0116] A light transmittance of the first supporting film 400-1A
may be greater than a light transmittance of the second supporting
film 400-2A.
[0117] The first supporting film 400-1A and the second supporting
film 400-2A may be connected to each other.
[0118] As shown in FIG. 36, the frame 1600 may include a first long
side LS1, a second long side LS2 opposite the first long side LS1,
a first short side SS1 adjacent to the first and second long sides
LS1 and LS2, and a second short side SS2 opposite the first short
side SS1. The supporting film 400 may include a first potion 400SP1
positioned on the first short side SS1 of the frame 1600, a second
potion 400SP2 positioned on the second short side SS2 of the frame
1600, and a third potion 400SP3 positioned on the first long side
LS1 of the frame 1600. The first potion 400SP1 may be connected to
the frame 1600 on the first short side SS1 of the frame 1600, and
the second potion 400SP2 may be connected to the frame 1600 on the
second short side SS2 of the frame 1600. The third potion 400SP3
may be connected to the frame 1600 on the first long side LS1 of
the frame 1600.
[0119] As shown in FIG. 37 which is a cross-sectional view taken
along line C1-C2 of FIG. 36, the supporting film 400 may be
connected to the back surface of the frame 1600 at both ends of the
display device. In this instance, the first portion 400SP1 of the
supporting film 400 may include a first side portion 400B1
positioned on a corresponding side of the optical layer 110 and a
first back portion 400C1 positioned on the back surface of the
frame 1600. The second portion 400SP2 of the supporting film 400
may include a second side portion 400B2 positioned on a
corresponding side of the optical layer 110 and a second back
portion 400C2 positioned on the back surface of the frame 1600.
[0120] As shown in FIG. 38 which is a cross-sectional view taken
along line B1-B2 of FIG. 36, the supporting film 400 may be
connected to the back surface of the frame 1600 at one end of the
display device. In this instance, the third portion 400SP3 of the
supporting film 400 may include a third side portion 400B3
positioned on a corresponding side of the optical layer 110 and a
third back portion 400C3 positioned on the back surface of the
frame 1600.
[0121] As shown in FIG. 39, the frame 1600 may include at least one
hole. More specifically, the frame 1600 may include at least one
first frame hole 1600HS1 and a frame protrusion 1600PT. The
supporting film 400 may include at least one first film hole 400HS1
corresponding to the at least one first frame hole 1600HS1 of the
frame 1600. Further, the supporting film 400 may include first and
second common holes 400HC1 and 400HC2 corresponding to the frame
protrusion 1600PT.
[0122] Second fasteners S200 may pass through the first film hole
400HS1 and the first frame hole 1600HS1 to fasten the supporting
film 400 to the frame 1600. For example, a second fastener S200 may
pass through the first film hole 400HS1 formed in the first portion
400SP1 of the supporting film 400 and the first frame hole 1600HS1
formed in the first short side SS1 of the frame 1600, thereby
fastening the supporting film 400 to the frame 1600. Further,
another second fastener S200 may pass through the first film hole
400HS1 formed in the third portion 400SP3 of the supporting film
400 and the first frame hole 1600HS1 formed in the first long side
LS1 of the frame 1600, thereby fastening the supporting film 400 to
the frame 1600.
[0123] The frame protrusion 1600PT may include a second frame hole
1600HS2. The frame protrusion 1600PT may be formed at a boundary
between the first long side LS1 and the first short side SS1 of the
frame 1600, and may be inserted into the second common hole 400HC2
formed in the first portion 400SP1 of the supporting film 400 and
the first common hole 400HC1 formed in the third portion 400SP3 of
the supporting film 400.
[0124] In this instance, as shown in FIG. 40, the first portion
400SP1 and the third portion 400SP3 of the supporting film 400 may
overlap each other in the corner between the first long side LS1
and the first short side SS1 of the frame 1600. Alternatively, not
shown, the second portion 400SP2 and the third portion 400SP3 of
the supporting film 400 may overlap each other in the corner
between the first long side LS1 and the second short side SS2 of
the frame 1600.
[0125] In other words, each of the first back portion 400C1 and the
third back portion 400C3 may have a common hole in an overlap area
between the first back portion 400C1 and the third back portion
400C3 of the supporting film 400. Alternatively, each of the first
back portion 400C1 and the second back portion 400C2 may have a
common hole in an overlap area between the first back portion 400C1
and the second back portion 400C2 of the supporting film 400.
[0126] As shown in FIG. 41 which is a cross-sectional view taken
along line A3-A4 of FIG. 40, the second fastener S200 may pass
through the first frame hole 1600HS1 of the frame 1600 and the
first film hole 400HS1 of the supporting film 400, thereby
fastening the supporting film 400 to the frame 1600.
[0127] Further, a third fastener S300 may pass through the second
frame hole 1600HS2 formed in the frame protrusion 1600PT of the
frame 1600 and the first and second common holes 400HC1 and 400HC2
of the supporting film 400, thereby fastening the supporting film
400 to the frame 1600. The third fastener S300 may press the
supporting film 400 around the frame protrusion 1600PT. A head part
HP of the third fastener S300 may include a protrusion HPF which is
positioned at an edge of the head part HP and protrudes toward the
frame 1600. The protrusion HPF of the head part HP of the third
fastener S300 may press the supporting film 400, thereby securely
fastening the supporting film 400 to the frame 1600.
[0128] The third fastener S300 may fasten the first back portion
400C1 and the third back portion 400C3 of the supporting film 400
to the frame protrusion 1600PT of the frame 1600. Alternatively,
the third fastener S300 may fasten the first back portion 400C1 and
the second back portion 400C2 of the supporting film 400 to the
frame protrusion 1600PT of the frame 1600.
[0129] As shown in FIG. 42, a width L4 of the first and second
portions 400SP1 and 400SP2 of the supporting film 400 may be less
than a width L7 of a main body of the supporting film 400 in the
horizontal direction (for example, the second direction DRV).
Further, a width L5 of the third portion 400SP3 of the supporting
film 400 may be less than a width L6 of the main body of the
supporting film 400 in the horizontal direction (for example, the
first direction DRH).
[0130] Even when configured in this manner, the frame 1600 may
include at least one hole, and the supporting film 400 may include
at least one hole.
[0131] The first portion 400SP1 of the supporting film 400 may be
connected to the first short side SS1 of the frame 1600, the second
portion 400SP2 of the supporting film 400 may be connected to the
second short side SS2 of the frame 1600, and the third portion
400SP3 of the supporting film 400 may be connected to the first
long side LS1 of the frame 1600.
[0132] In this instance, as shown in FIG. 43, the first back
portion 400C1 and the third back portion 400C3 of the supporting
film 400 may be separated from each other by a predetermined
distance D2 in the corner between the first long side LS1 and the
first short side SS1 of the frame 1600. Alternatively, the second
back portion 400C2 and the third back portion 400C3 of the
supporting film 400 may be separated from each other in the corner
between the first long side LS1 and the second short side SS2 of
the frame 1600.
[0133] A half cutting method may be used to divide the supporting
film 400 into the attachment part 400A, the side portions 400B1,
400B2, and 400B3, and the back portions 400C1, 400C2, and
400C3.
[0134] For example, as shown in FIG. 44, one surface of the
supporting film 400 may be cut by a predetermined depth to form one
or more folding lines FL. The supporting film 400 may be divided
into the attachment part 400A, the side portions 400B1, 400B2, and
400B3, and the back portions 400C1, 400C2, and 400C3 by folding the
supporting film 400 along the folding lines FL. The folding lines
FL may be formed using a laser cutting method.
[0135] As shown in FIGS. 45 and 46, the display device may further
include a side cover 4400 and attached to the back cover 130. A
portion of the side cover 4400 may be positioned on the side of the
display panel 100. The side cover 4400 may include a first portion
4400V extending in a width direction, i.e., a vertical direction
(for example, a third direction DRZ) of the display panel 100 and a
second portion 4400H extending from the first portion 4400V in a
longitudinal direction, i.e., the horizontal direction (for
example, the first direction DRH and/or the second direction DRV)
of the display panel 100. The first portion 4400V of the side cover
4400 may be referred to as a vertical portion, and the second
portion 4400H may be referred to as a horizontal portion of the
side cover 4400. The side cover 4400 may prevent a foreign
material, such as a dust, from entering into the display device and
may protect the side of the display panel 100 from the damage.
[0136] The side cover 4400 may include a portion positioned between
the back cover 130 and the display panel 100 in the second
direction DRV. More specifically, the second portion 4400H of the
side cover 4400 may be positioned between the back cover 130 and
the display panel 100.
[0137] As described above, an edge of the front surface of the
display panel 100 may be exposed with the back cover 130 connected
to the side cover 4400. Exposure of the edge of the front surface
of the display panel 100 may mean that an edge of a front surface
of the front polarizing film 3400 attached to the front substrate
101 of the display panel 100 may also be exposed. Alternatively,
the exposure of the edge of the front surface of the display panel
100 may mean that an edge of a front surface of the front substrate
101 is exposed.
[0138] In this instance, when a viewer in front of the display
panel 100, for example, at a first position PST1 watches the
display panel 100, most of the edge of the front surface of the
display panel 100 may be visible. Therefore, an attractive
appearance of the display device may be provided. Further, a visual
effect, in which the viewer may feel that the screen size of the
display panel 100 is greater than the actual screen size of the
display panel 100 may be achieved.
[0139] The first portion 4400V of the side cover 4400 may include a
first end portion 4403 positioned close to the display panel 100
and a second end portion 4404 opposite the first end portion 4403.
The second end portion 4404 may be positioned close to the back
cover 130. The second portion 4400H of the side cover 4400 may be
positioned adjacent to the second end portion 4404 of the first
portion 4400V. The second portion 4400H of the side cover 4400 may
be separated from the second end portion 4404 of the first portion
4400V by a predetermined distance in the second direction DRV.
Hence, a rim in which the back cover 130 is received may be
provided between the second portion 4400H of the side cover 4400
and the second end portion 4404 of the first portion 4400V.
[0140] In other words, the first portion 4400V of the side cover
4400 may include a first area FAR positioned between the second end
portion 4404 of the first portion 4400V and the second portion
4400H in the second direction DRV, and a second area SAR positioned
between the first end portion 4403 of the first portion 4400V and
the second portion 4400H in the second direction DRV. In this
instance, the back cover 130 may be positioned in the first area
FAR of the first portion 4400V.
[0141] Further, the first portion 4400V of the side cover 4400 may
include a portion which is longer than the display panel 100 by a
predetermined distance TD1 in the second direction DRV. Hence, the
side cover 4400 may more efficiently protect the display panel 100.
Even in this instance, the edge of the front surface of the display
panel 100 may be exposed.
[0142] As shown in FIG. 47, the first portion 4400V of the side
cover 4400 may include a protrusion 4400TR protruding toward the
middle of the display panel 100. The protrusion 4400TR may prevent
light from leaking into a space between the display panel 100 and
the side cover 4400. The protrusion 4400TR may be positioned
between the first end portion 4403 of the first portion 4400V of
the side cover 4400 and the second portion 4400H.
[0143] As shown in FIG. 48, a length TD4 of the protrusion 4400TR
may be greater than a distance TD5 between the display panel 100
and the side cover 4400 in the horizontal direction.
[0144] As shown in FIG. 49, a first black layer BKT1 may be formed
on an inner surface of the side cover 4400. The first black layer
BKT1 may be, for example, a black tape and/or a black paint. The
first black layer BKT1 may prevent light from leaking into a space
between the side cover 4400 and the side of the display panel
100.
[0145] As shown in FIG. 50, a protective layer 4500 may be formed
on the side of the display panel 100. The protective layer 4500 may
protect the sides of the front substrate 101 and the back substrate
111 of the display panel 100 from an external force and an impact.
The protective layer 4500 may be formed of a substantially
transparent material. Further, the protective layer 4500 may be
formed of a photocurable material which is cured by light, such as
ultraviolet rays. As described above, when the protective layer
4500 is formed on the side of the display panel 100, the protective
layer 4500 may be positioned between the side cover 4400 and the
display panel 100.
[0146] As shown in FIG. 51, the third fastener S300 may fasten the
side cover 4400 to the back cover 130. Further, the third fastener
S300 may fasten the back cover 130, the side cover 4400, and the
frame 1600 to one another.
[0147] For this, the back cover 130 may include a first hole H1,
the second portion 4400H of the side cover 4400 may include a
second hole H2, and the frame 1600 may include a third hole H3. The
third fastener S300 may pass through the first, second, and third
holes H1, H2, and H3 to fasten the back cover 130, the side cover
4400, and the frame 1600 to one another.
[0148] In certain embodiments, the back cover 130 and the side
cover 4400 may be integrated into one structure. For example, as
shown in FIG. 52, an integrated back cover 130C may include a
portion positioned on the back surface of the frame 1600 and a
portion positioned on the side of the display panel 100. The
integrated back cover 130C may include a vertical portion 130V
extending in the second direction DRV and a horizontal portion 130H
which is connected to the vertical portion 130V and extends in the
first direction DRH.
[0149] The horizontal portion 130H of the integrated back cover
130C may be connected to the frame 1600 by a fourth fastener S400.
For this, the integrated back cover 130C may include a fourth hole
H4, and the frame 1600 may include a fifth hole H5. The fourth
fastener S400 may pass through the fourth and fifth holes H4 and H5
to fasten the integrated back cover 130C to the frame 1600.
[0150] A buffer layer 130A may be formed on an inner surface of the
integrated back cover 130C. The buffer layer 130A may be formed of
a material having elasticity. For example, the buffer layer 130A
may be formed of a sponge material. The buffer layer 130A may have
a dark color. The buffer layer 130A may be implemented as, for
example, a black tape.
[0151] As shown in FIG. 53, the first portion 4400V of the side
cover 4400 may overlap a predetermined area AR1 of the display
panel 100 in the vertical direction DRZ. In this instance, the side
surface of the display panel 100 as well as the edge of the front
surface of the display panel 100 may be exposed. When a viewer in
the front of the display panel 100, for example, at a first
position PST1 watches the display panel 100, most of the edge of
the front surface of the display panel 100 may be visible. Further,
when the viewer at the side of the display panel 100, for example,
at a second position PST2 watches the display panel 100, most of
the side of the display panel 100 may be visible. In other words,
when the viewer views the display panel 100 from the second
position PST2, the viewer may view the protective layer 4500
positioned on the side of the display panel 100.
[0152] The first portion 4400V of the side cover 4400 may include a
portion having different thicknesses.
[0153] For example, as shown in FIG. 54, the first portion 4400V of
the side cover 4400 may include a portion having a gradually
decreasing width as it approaches the front surface of the display
panel 100. More specifically, in certain embodiments, a width TS1
of the first end portion 4403 of the first portion 4400V of the
side cover 4400 may be less than a width TS2 of the second end
portion 4404. In this instance, a visual effect, in which the
viewer in front of the display panel 100 may feel that the size of
the edge of the display panel 100 is less than the actual size of
the edge of the display panel 100, may be achieved. Further, the
rigidity of the side cover 4400 may be improved.
[0154] As shown in FIG. 55, a buffer layer 990 may be disposed
between the display panel 100 and the first portion 4400V of the
side cover 4400. More specifically, the buffer layer 990 may be
disposed between the first end portion 4403 of the first portion
4400V of the side cover 4400 and the back substrate 111 of the
display panel 100. The buffer layer 990 may prevent light inside
the display device from leaking to the outside and may prevent
foreign material, such as dust, from entering into the display
device. The buffer layer 990 may be formed of a material having
flexibility. For example, the buffer layer 990 may be formed of a
resin material, a silicon material, a sponge material, and the
like.
[0155] As shown in FIG. 56B, which is a cross-sectional view taken
along line B3-B4 of FIG. 56A in a transverse direction of the
display panel 100, side covers 4400 may be respectively positioned
on two opposite sides of the display panel 100.
[0156] As shown in FIG. 57B, which is a cross-sectional view taken
along line C3-C4 of FIG. 57A in a longitudinal direction of the
display panel 100, the side cover 4400 may be positioned on one
side of the display panel 100, and a bottom cover 1000 may be
positioned on the other side of the display panel 100. The bottom
cover 1000 may cover a portion (i.e., a predetermined area AR2) of
the front surface of the display panel 100.
[0157] More specifically, as shown in FIGS. 56A-56B and 57A-57B,
the edge of the front surface of the display panel 100 may be
exposed at the first short side SS1, the second short side SS2, and
the first long side LS1 of the display panel 100. The edge of the
front surface of the display panel 100 may be covered by the bottom
cover 1000 at the second long side LS2 of the display panel
100.
[0158] The display device according to embodiment as broadly
described herein may further include a bottom guide 1010. The
bottom guide 1010 may be positioned between the bottom cover 1000
and at least one of the display panel 100, the light source module
120, or the optical layer 110. The bottom guide 1010 may support at
least one of the display panel 100, the light source module 120, or
the optical layer 110. The bottom cover 1000 may be connected to
the frame 1600 and the back cover 130.
[0159] A method for integrating the side cover 4400 and the back
cover 130 into the integrated back cover 130C is described below
with reference to FIG. 58.
[0160] As shown in FIG. 58A, in the cross section of the display
panel 100 taken along the line B3-B4 shown in FIG. 56A in the
transverse direction of the display panel 100, both sides of the
display panel 100 may be covered by the integrated back cover 130C.
Further, as shown in FIG. 58B, in the cross section of the display
panel 100 taken along the line C3-C4 shown in FIG. 57A in the
longitudinal direction of the display panel 100, the integrated
back cover 130C may be positioned on one side of the display panel
100, and the bottom cover 1000 may be positioned on the other side
of the display panel 100.
[0161] FIGS. 59 to 70 illustrate a configuration of a display
device including a pressure plate.
[0162] As shown in FIG. 59, a display device according to an
embodiment as broadly described herein may include a pressure plate
1100 connected to the frame 1600.
[0163] The first fastener S100 may fasten the supporting film 400
to the frame 1600. A fifth fastener S500 may fasten the pressure
plate 1100 to the frame 1600. For this, the pressure plate 1100 may
include a first pressure hole 1100H1, and the frame 1600 may
include a tenth frame hole 1600H10. The fifth fastener S500 may
pass through the first pressure hole 1100H1 and the tenth frame
hole 1600H10 to fasten the pressure plate 1100 to the frame
1600.
[0164] The pressure plate 1100 may also include second pressure
holes 1100H2 corresponding to the first fastener S100. Namely, the
first fastener S100 may include a portion positioned inside the
second pressure hole 1100H2. A head part of the first fastener S100
may be positioned inside the second pressure hole 1100H2.
[0165] As shown in FIG. 60, attachment of the pressure plate 1100
in this manner may apply pressure to the supporting film 400,
thereby firmly fixing the supporting film 400. The supporting film
400 may include a portion positioned between the pressure plate
1100 and the frame 1600. The first fastener S100 may be exposed
through the second pressure hole 1100H2. In this instance, a
diameter of the second pressure hole 1100H2 may be greater than a
diameter of the head part of the first fastening member S100.
[0166] The pressure plate 1100 may include a depression 1100P3
which is depressed in a direction away from the display panel 100
or the frame 1600. The frame 1600 may include a depression 1600HW2
corresponding to the depression 1100P3 of the pressure plate 1100.
The depression 1600HW2 may be depressed in a direction away from
the display panel 100. If the supporting film 400 is disposed
between the depression 1100P3 of the pressure plate 1100 and the
depression 1600HW2 of the frame 1600, the supporting film 400 may
be more efficiently supported.
[0167] The pressure plate 1100 may include a protrusion protruding
toward the display panel 100 or the frame 1600. Further, at least
one of the supporting film 400 or the frame 1600 may include a hole
corresponding to the protrusion. For example, as shown in FIG. 61,
a protrusion 1100P1 protruding toward the display panel 100 or the
frame 1600 may be formed along an end of the pressure plate 1100.
The protrusion 1100P1 may be positioned between the second pressure
holes 1100H2. The protrusion 1100P1 may be configured so that a
portion of the end of the pressure plate 1100 is bent toward the
display panel 100 or the frame 1600. The frame 1600 may include a
first insertion hole 1600H1 corresponding to the protrusion 1100P1,
and the supporting film 400 may include a second insertion hole
400H11 corresponding to the protrusion 1100P1.
[0168] In this instance, as shown in FIG. 62, the protrusion 1100P1
of the pressure plate 1100 may pass through the first insertion
hole 1600H1 of the frame 1600 and the second insertion hole 400H11
of the supporting film 400. This may provide more uniform support
to the supporting film 400.
[0169] The frame 1600, the supporting film 400, and the pressure
plate 1100 may be fastened to one another by a fastener. For
example, as shown in FIG. 63, the pressure plate 1100 may include
the first pressure hole 1100H1, the supporting film 400 may include
a twelfth film hole 400H12 corresponding to the first pressure hole
1100H1, and the frame 1600 may include the tenth frame hole
1600H10. A fifth fastener S500 may pass through the first pressure
hole 1100H1, the twelfth film hole 400H12, and the tenth frame hole
1600H10 to fasten the frame 1600, the supporting film 400, and the
pressure plate 1100.
[0170] A method for mounting the pressure plate 1100 is described
below.
[0171] First, as shown in FIG. 64, the first film hole 400HS1 and
the second insertion hole 400H11 may be formed in the supporting
film 400, and the first frame hole 1600HS1, the first insertion
hole 1600H1, and the tenth frame hole 1600H10 may be formed in the
frame 1600. The supporting film 400 and the frame 1600 may then be
aligned, so that the first film hole 400HS1 of the supporting film
400 corresponds to the first frame hole 1600HS1 of the frame 1600,
and the second insertion hole 400H11 of the supporting film 400
corresponds to the first insertion hole 1600H1 of the frame
1600.
[0172] Next, as shown in FIG. 65, the first fastener S100 may be
inserted into the first film hole 400HS1 of the supporting film 400
and the first frame hole 1600HS1 of the frame 1600, thereby
fastening the supporting film 400 to the frame 1600.
[0173] As shown in FIG. 66, the pressure plate 1100 may be disposed
at a predetermined position. For example, the pressure plate 1100
may be aligned, so that the second pressure hole 1100H2 corresponds
to the first fastening member S100, and the first pressure hole
1100H1 corresponds to the tenth frame hole 1600H10. The pressure
plate 1100 may then be fixed to the frame 1600 using the fifth
fastener S500.
[0174] A buffer having elasticity may be formed between the
pressure plate 1100 and the supporting film 400. The buffer may be
formed of a material having elasticity and flexibility. For
example, the buffer may be formed of a resin material, a silicon
material, or a sponge material. For example, as shown in FIG. 67, a
buffer 1200 formed of a material having elasticity may be formed in
a partial area of the supporting film 400. FIG. 67 shows that the
buffer 1200 is formed on the supporting film 400. However, the
buffer 1200 may be formed on the pressure plate 1100.
[0175] FIGS. 68A and 68B are cross-sectional views taken along line
B3-B4 of FIG. 67.
[0176] As shown in FIG. 68A, the pressure plate 1100 may be coupled
with the frame 1600, with the buffer 1200 is attached to the
pressure plate 1100.
[0177] Hence, as shown in FIG. 68B, the buffer 1200 may uniformly
press the supporting film 400.
[0178] The pressure plate 1100 may be divided into a plurality of
parts. For example, as shown in FIG. 69, the pressure plate 1100
may include a first pressure plate 1100A corresponding to the first
back portion 400C1 of the supporting film 400, a second pressure
plate 1100B corresponding to the second back portion 400C2 of the
supporting film 400, and a third pressure plate 1100C corresponding
to the third back portion 400C3 of the supporting film 400. The
first pressure plate 1100A may press the first back portion 400C1
of the supporting film 400, the second pressure plate 1100B may
press the second back portion 400C2 of the supporting film 400, and
the third pressure plate 1100C may press the third back portion
400C3 of the supporting film 400.
[0179] As shown in FIG. 70, the pressure plate 1100 may include a
protrusion 1100P2 protruding in a direction toward the display
panel 100 or the frame 1600. The frame 1600 may include a
protrusion 1600HW1 corresponding to the protrusion 1100P2 of the
pressure plate 1100. The protrusion 1600HW1 may protrude in a
direction toward the display panel 100. If the supporting film 400
is disposed between the protrusion 1100P2 of the pressure plate
1100 and the protrusion 1600HW1 of the frame 1600, the supporting
film 400 may be more efficiently supported. A buffer 1210 may be
disposed on the protrusion 1100P2 of the pressure plate 1100. The
buffer 1210 may be formed a material having elasticity and
flexibility. For example, the buffer 1210 may be formed of a resin
material, a silicon material, or a sponge material.
[0180] FIGS. 71 to 82B illustrate configuration of a display device
including a rolling plate, in accordance with embodiments as
broadly described herein.
[0181] As shown in FIG. 71, the display device may further include
a rolling plate 1300. The supporting film 400 may surround the
rolling plate 1300. The rolling plate 1300 may be connected to the
frame 1600. More specifically, the rolling plate 1300 may be
connected to the frame 1600, with the rolling plate 1300 surrounded
by the supporting film 400.
[0182] As shown in FIG. 72, as the rolling plate 1300 may be
surrounded by the supporting film 400, and the supporting film 400
may include a first connection portion 1500 positioned on a first
surface FS of the rolling plate 1300 and a second connection
portion 1510 positioned on a second surface SS opposite the first
surface FS of the rolling plate 1300. When the rolling plate 1300
has a sufficient thickness X1, the rolling plate 1300 may include a
groove HW1. The supporting film 400 may include a tenth hole H10
corresponding to the groove HW1 of the rolling plate 1300. A sixth
fastener S600 may be inserted into the tenth hole H10 of the
supporting film 400 and the groove HW1 of the rolling plate 1300,
thereby fastening the rolling plate 1300 to the supporting film
400. More specifically, the sixth fastener S600 may fasten the
rolling plate 1300 to the second connection portion 1510 of the
supporting film 400 on the second surface SS of the rolling plate
1300.
[0183] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 73, the rolling plate 1300
may include a twelfth hole H12, the first connection portion 1500
of the supporting film 400 may include an eleventh hole H11, and
the second connection portion 1510 of the supporting film 400 may
include a tenth hole H10. As shown in FIG. 74, the sixth fastener
S600 may pass through the tenth hole H10, the twelfth hole H12, and
the eleventh hole H11, thereby fastening the first connection
portion 1500 of the supporting film 400, the rolling plate 1300,
and the second connection portion 1510 of the supporting film 400
to one another.
[0184] In this instance, a head part of the sixth fastener S600 may
be positioned adjacent to the second connection portion 1510 of the
supporting film 400. Hence, as shown in FIG. 75, the head part of
the sixth fastener S600 may be positioned between the rolling plate
1300 and the frame 1600.
[0185] A display device according to embodiments as broadly
described herein may further include a seventh fastener S700 for
fastening the frame 1600, the supporting film 400, and the rolling
plate 1300.
[0186] As shown in FIG. 76, the first connection portion 1500 of
the supporting film 400 may include a thirteenth hole H13, the
second connection portion 1510 of the supporting film 400 may
include a fifteenth hole H15, the rolling plate 1300 may include a
fourteenth hole H14, and the frame 1600 may include a sixteenth
hole H16. The seventh fastener S700 may pass through the thirteenth
hole H13, the fourteenth hole H14, the fifteenth hole H15, and the
sixteenth hole H16, thereby fastening the supporting film 400, the
rolling plate 1300, and the frame 1600 to one another. In this
instance, a head part of the seventh fastener S700 may be
positioned adjacent to the first connection portion 1500 of the
supporting film 400. As described above, each of the first and
second connection portions 1500 and 1510 of the supporting film 400
may include a hole, through which the same fastening member
passes.
[0187] As shown in FIG. 77, a buffer 1400 may be formed on at least
one end of the rolling plate 1300. The buffer 1400 may be formed of
a material having elasticity. For example, the buffer 1400 may be
formed of a resin material, a silicon material, and/or a sponge
material. When the supporting film 400 surrounds the rolling plate
1300, the buffer 1400 may be positioned between the supporting film
400 and one end of the rolling plate 1300. Hence, the buffer 1400
may prevent the supporting film 400 from being damaged by friction
with the rolling plate 1300.
[0188] As shown in FIG. 78, the frame 1600 may include a groove HW2
formed in a portion corresponding to a head part HP1 of the sixth
fastener S600. The groove HW2 may be formed by depressing a portion
of the frame 1600 in a direction toward the display panel 100.
[0189] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 79, the frame 1600 may
include a seventeenth hole H17 formed in a portion corresponding to
the head part HP1 of the sixth fastener S600. The head part HP1 of
the sixth fastener S600 may be exposed through the seventeenth hole
H17.
[0190] As shown in FIG. 80, the frame 1600 may include a groove HW3
corresponding to the rolling plate 1300. The groove HW3
corresponding to the rolling plate 1300 may be formed by depressing
a portion of the frame 1600 in a direction toward the display panel
100. The rolling plate 1300 may be inserted into the groove HW3 of
the frame 1600. In this instance, the supporting film 400 may be
uniformly and strongly supported.
[0191] As shown in FIG. 81, the rolling plate 1300 may include a
protrusion 1300P protruding toward the display panel 100, and the
frame 1600 may include a depression HW4 which corresponds to the
protrusion 1300P of the rolling plate 1300 and is depressed in a
direction toward the display panel 100. The second connection
portion 1510 of the supporting film 400 may be positioned between
the protrusion 1300P of the rolling plate 1300 and the depression
HW4 of the frame 1600. The protrusion 1300P of the rolling plate
1300 may include the thirteenth hole H13, and the depression HW4 of
the frame 1600 may include the sixteenth hole H16.
[0192] As shown in FIG. 82A, an end of the rolling plate 1300 may
have a smoothly curved surface CS. Alternatively, as shown in FIG.
82B, the end of the rolling plate 1300 may be die-cut. Damage of
the supporting film 400 resulting from friction between the rolling
plate 1300 and the supporting film 400 may be prevented through the
configuration shown in FIGS. 82A-82B.
[0193] The rolling plate 1300 may include a first rolling plate
corresponding to the first back portion 400C1 of the supporting
film 400, a second rolling plate corresponding to the second back
portion 400C2 of the supporting film 400, and a third rolling plate
corresponding to the third back portion 400C3 of the supporting
film 400 in the same manner as the pressure plate 1100 shown in
FIG. 69.
[0194] Since the configuration of the rolling plate 1300 may be
sufficiently inferred from the description of FIG. 69, further
description thereof is omitted.
[0195] FIGS. 83 to 95 illustrate various features of the optical
layer. In the following description, the descriptions of the
configuration and the structure described above are omitted. A
disposition order of optical sheets constituting the optical layer
may be variously changed, and is not limited to the exemplary
embodiments broadly described herein.
[0196] At least a first optical sheet of a plurality of optical
sheets constituting the optical layer may include an opening, and
at least a second optical sheet of the remaining plurality of
optical sheets may include a protuberance corresponding to the
opening. In this instance, the first optical sheet and the second
optical sheet may be coupled and fixed to each other.
[0197] For example, as shown in FIG. 83, the diffusion plate 630 of
the optical layer 110 may include a protuberance 630PA, and the
reflective polarizer 600 may include an opening 600H. In certain
embodiments, the reflective polarizer 600 may correspond to the
first optical sheet, and the diffusion plate 630 may correspond to
the second optical sheet.
[0198] More specifically, the reflective polarizer 600 may include
a body part 600B extending in the horizontal direction (for
example, the first direction DRH and/or the second direction DRV)
and an extension portion 600E extending from the body part 600B in
the vertical direction (for example, the third direction DRZ)
crossing the horizontal directions DRH and DRV. The horizontal
directions DRH and DRV and the vertical direction DRZ may be
perpendicular to each other. The opening 600H may be formed in the
extension portion 600E.
[0199] The diffusion plate 630 may include a body part 630B
extending in the first direction DRH, with the protuberance 630PA
extending from the body part 630B in the first direction DRH.
[0200] As shown in FIG. 84, the protuberance 630PA of the diffusion
plate 630 may pass through the opening 600H of the reflective
polarizer 600.
[0201] Further, as shown in FIG. 84, a thickness Z10 of the
diffusion plate 630 having the protuberance 630PA may be greater
than a thickness Z11 of the reflective polarizer 600 having the
extension portion 600E and the opening 600H. More specifically, the
thickness Z10 of the body part 630B of the diffusion plate 630 may
be greater than the thickness Z11 of the body part 600B of the
reflective polarizer 600, because the extension portion and the
opening of the sheet are easily formed when the sheet is relatively
thin.
[0202] In certain embodiments, the optical sheet including the
extension portion and the opening may have the smallest thickness
of all of the plurality of optical sheets of the optical layer
110.
[0203] In certain embodiments, a third optical sheet provided
between the first and second optical sheets in the plurality of
optical sheets of the optical layer 110 may include a body part
extending in the first direction DRH, an extension portion
extending from the body part in the second direction DRV, and an
opening formed in the extension portion.
[0204] For example, as shown in FIG. 85, the diffusion plate 630 of
the optical layer 110 may include the protuberance 630PA. A
vertical prism sheet 610, a horizontal prism sheet 620, and the
reflective polarizer 600 may respectively include body parts 610B,
620B, 600B, extension portions 610E, 620E, 600E, and openings 610H,
620H, 600H. Since configuration of the vertical prism sheet 610 and
the horizontal prism sheet 620 may be sufficiently inferred from
the description of FIG. 83, further description thereof is omitted.
The vertical prism sheet 610 and the horizontal prism sheet 620 may
correspond to the third optical sheet. In the following
description, the vertical prism sheet 610 and the horizontal prism
sheet 620 may be commonly referred to as a prism sheet layer PSL.
As shown in FIG. 85, the openings 610H and 620H of the prism sheet
PSL may overlap the opening 600H of the reflective polarizer
600.
[0205] As shown in FIG. 86, the protuberance 630PA of the diffusion
plate 630 may pass through the openings 610H and 620H of the prism
sheet layer PSL and the opening 600H of the reflective polarizer
600.
[0206] As shown in FIG. 86, the thickness Z10 of the diffusion
plate 630 may be greater than the thickness Z11 of the reflective
polarizer 600, a thickness Z12 of the vertical prism sheet 610, and
a thickness Z13 of the horizontal prism sheet 620, considering that
the extension portion and the opening of the sheet are easily
formed when the sheet is relatively thin. More specifically, the
thickness Z10 of the body part 630B of the diffusion plate 630 may
be greater than the thickness Z11 of the body part 600B of the
reflective polarizer 600, the thickness Z12 of the body part 610B
of the vertical prism sheet 610, and the thickness Z13 of the body
part 620B of the horizontal prism sheet 620.
[0207] As shown in FIG. 87, when the openings 600H, 610H, and 620H
of the reflective polarizer 600, the vertical prism sheet 610, and
the horizontal prism sheet 620 overlap one another, a width P13 of
the reflective polarizer 600 may be greater than a width P12 of the
vertical prism sheet 610 in the horizontal directions DRH and DRV,
and the width P12 of the vertical prism sheet 610 may be greater
than a width P11 of the horizontal prism sheet 620 in the
horizontal directions DRH and DRV because of the thicknesses of the
extension portions 600E, 610E, and 620E.
[0208] More specifically, the width P13 of the body part 600B of
the reflective polarizer 600 may be greater than the width P12 of
the body part 610B of the vertical prism sheet 610 in the
horizontal directions DRH and DRV. Further, the width P12 of the
body part 610B of the vertical prism sheet 610 may be greater than
the width P11 of the body part 620B of the horizontal prism sheet
620 in the horizontal directions DRH and DRV.
[0209] The sizes of the openings of the optical sheets may vary
based on the stack order of the plurality of optical sheets. For
example, when the third optical sheet having the opening is
positioned between the second optical sheet having the protuberance
and the first optical sheet having the opening, the size of the
opening of the first optical sheet may be greater than or equal to
the size of the opening of the third optical sheet.
[0210] For example, as shown in FIGS. 88A-88C, a size Z40 of the
opening 600H of the reflective polarizer 600 may be greater than a
size Z30 of the opening 610H of the vertical prism sheet 610, and
the size Z30 of the opening 610H of the vertical prism sheet 610
may be greater than a size Z20 of the opening 620H of the
horizontal prism sheet 620. In this instance, the protuberance
630PA of the diffusion plate 630 may easily and sequentially pass
through the opening 620H of the horizontal prism sheet 620, the
opening 610H of the vertical prism sheet 610, and the opening 600H
of the reflective polarizer 600.
[0211] At least one hole may be formed between a body part and an
extension portion of at least one optical sheet. More specifically,
at least one hole may be formed at a boundary of at least one body
part and at least one extension portion, and the body part and the
extension portion may be distinguished from each other by bending a
portion of the sheet in which the hole is formed.
[0212] For example, as shown in FIG. 89A, the reflective polarizer
600 may include the extension portion 600E extending from the body
part 600B in the horizontal directions DRH and DRV, and the opening
600H may be formed in the extension portion 600E. As shown in FIG.
89B, a plurality of holes 600HP may be formed at a boundary of the
body part 600B and the extension portion 600E. As shown in FIG.
89C, the boundary of the body part 600B and the extension portion
600E may be bent so that the extension portion 600E extends from
the body part 600B in the horizontal direction DRV. As described
above, at least one hole 600HP between the body part 600B and the
extension portion 600E may help the extension portion 600E to be
bent.
[0213] The diffusion plate 630 may include a plurality of sheets.
For example, as shown in FIG. 90, the diffusion plate 630 may
include a first diffusion plate 631 and a second diffusion plate
632. A thickness Z60 of the first diffusion plate 631 may be
different from a thickness Z61 of the second diffusion plate 632.
FIG. 90 shows that the thickness Z60 of the first diffusion plate
631 is greater than the thickness Z61 of the second diffusion plate
632. However, the thickness Z61 of the second diffusion plate 632
may be greater than the thickness Z60 of the first diffusion plate
631. Alternatively, the thickness Z60 of the first diffusion plate
631 and the thickness Z61 of the second diffusion plate 632 may be
almost the same.
[0214] As shown in FIG. 91, the second diffusion plate 632 may have
a protuberance 632P, and the first diffusion plate 631 may be
formed without a protuberance. In this instance, the protuberance
632P of the second diffusion plate 632 may correspond to the
openings 610H and 620H of the prism sheet layer PSL and the opening
600H of the reflective polarizer 600. The first diffusion plate 631
may be simply placed on the second diffusion plate 632.
[0215] In this instance, the optical layer may have a configuration
as illustrated in FIG. 92. A thickness Z14 of the first diffusion
plate 631 formed without the protuberance may be greater than a
thickness Z10 of the second diffusion plate 632 having the
protuberance 632P so as to easily perform a process for forming the
protuberances. An end of at least one of the extension portion 600E
of the reflective polarizer 600, the extension portion 610E of the
vertical prism sheet 610, or the extension portion 620E of the
horizontal prism sheet 620 may be positioned on the side of the
first diffusion plate 631. In this instance, the detachment of the
first diffusion plate 631 may be prevented.
[0216] At least one of a length Z72 of the extension portion 600E
of the reflective polarizer 600, a length Z71 of the extension
portion 610E of the vertical prism sheet 610, or a length Z70 of
the extension portion 620E of the horizontal prism sheet 620 may be
greater than the thickness Z10 of the second diffusion plate 632
and may be less than a sum (Z10+Z14) of the thickness Z14 of the
first diffusion plate 631 and the thickness Z10 of the second
diffusion plate 632, so that the end of at least one of the
extension portion 600E of the reflective polarizer 600, the
extension portion 610E of the vertical prism sheet 610, or the
extension portion 620E of the horizontal prism sheet 620 is
positioned on the side of the first diffusion plate 631.
[0217] This configuration is described below in another manner.
[0218] It is assumed that first, third, second, and fourth optical
sheets are sequentially disposed, with the first optical sheet
positioned adjacent to the display panel 100, the fourth optical
sheet positioned adjacent to the back cover 130, the first and
third optical sheets each including an extension portion and an
opening, the second optical sheet including a protuberance, and the
fourth optical sheet does not including a protuberance.
[0219] In this instance, a thickness of the fourth optical sheet
may be greater than thicknesses of the first, second, and third
optical sheets.
[0220] In this instance, ends of the extension portions of the
first and third optical sheets may be positioned on the side of the
fourth optical sheet. At least one of lengths of the extension
portions of the first and third optical sheets may be greater than
a thickness of the second optical sheet and may be less than or
equal to a sum of the thickness of the second optical sheet and a
thickness of the fourth optical sheet.
[0221] In such embodiments disclosed herein, the first optical
sheet may correspond to the reflective polarizer 600, the third
optical sheet layer may correspond to the prism sheet PSL, the
second optical sheet may correspond to the second diffusion plate
632, and the fourth optical sheet may correspond to the first
diffusion plate 631.
[0222] Alternatively, when first, third, and second optical sheets
are sequentially disposed, the first optical sheet includes an
extension portion and an opening, and the second optical sheet
includes a protuberance, the third optical sheet between the first
and second optical sheets may include a protuberance.
[0223] For example, as shown in FIG. 93, the vertical prism sheet
610 and the horizontal prism sheet 620 as well as the second
diffusion plate 632 may respectively include protuberances 610PA,
620PA and 632P.
[0224] Further, as shown in FIG. 94, the protuberance 632P of the
second diffusion plate 632, the protuberance 610P of the vertical
prism sheet 610, and the protuberance 620P of the horizontal prism
sheet 620 may pass through the opening 600H of the reflective
polarizer 600.
[0225] In this instance, as shown in FIG. 95, the body part 632B of
the second diffusion plate 632, the body part 610B of the vertical
prism sheet 610, and the body part 620B of the horizontal prism
sheet 620 may have substantially the same length P30.
[0226] FIG. 96 is a block diagram of a display device according to
an exemplary embodiment as broadly described herein. In the
following description, duplicative descriptions of the
configuration and the structure described above are omitted.
Hereinafter, a broadcasting signal receiver is employed as an
electronic device to which the display device as embodied and
broadly described herein is applied. The display device according
to the embodiment may be applied to other electronic devices such
as cell phones.
[0227] A display device 180Q shown in FIG. 96 may correspond to the
display device shown in FIGS. 2 to 95. Thus, the display device as
embodied and broadly described herein may be referred to as the
display device 180Q shown in FIG. 96.
[0228] As shown in FIG. 96, a broadcasting signal receiver 100Q may
include a broadcasting receiving device 1050, an external device
interface 135Q, a storage 140Q, a user input interface 150Q, a
controller 170Q, a display device 180Q, an audio output device
185Q, a power supply 190Q, and a photographing device. The
broadcasting receiving device 105Q may include a tuner 110Q, a
demodulator 120Q, and a network interface 130Q.
[0229] If necessary, the broadcasting signal receiver 100Q may be
designed so that it includes the tuner 110Q and the demodulator
120Q and does not include the network interface 130Q. On the
contrary, the broadcasting signal receiver 100Q may be designed so
that it includes the network interface 130Q and does not include
the tuner 110Q and the demodulator 120Q.
[0230] The tuner 110Q tunes a radio frequency (RF) broadcasting
signal, which corresponds to a channel selected by the user or all
of previously stored channels, among RF broadcasting signals
received through an antenna. Further, the tuner 110Q converts the
tuned RF broadcasting signal into a middle frequency signal, a base
band image signal, or a voice signal.
[0231] The demodulator 120Q receives a digital IF signal converted
by the tuner 110Q and performs a demodulating operation.
[0232] A stream signal output by the demodulator 120Q may be input
to the controller 170Q. The controller 170Q performs
demultiplexing, image/voice signal processing, etc. Then, the
controller 170Q outputs an image to the display unit 180Q and
outputs a voice to the audio output unit 185Q.
[0233] The external device interface 135Q may connect an external
device to the broadcasting signal receiver 100Q. The external
device interface 135Q may include an audio-visual (AV) input/output
unit (not shown) or a wireless communication unit (not shown).
[0234] The network interface 130Q provides an interface for
connecting the broadcasting signal receiver 1000 to a
wired/wireless network including, for example, an internet network.
The network interface 130Q may correspond to the wireless
communication device described in detail above.
[0235] The storage device 140Q may store one or more programs for
the signal processing of the controller 170Q and the control
operation of the controller 170Q or may store processed image
signals, processed voice signals, or data signals.
[0236] The user input interface 150Q may transfer user input
signals to the controller 170Q, or may transfer the signal from the
controller 170Q to the user. For example, the user input interface
150Q may receive and process a control signal indicating a turn-on
or turn-off operation, channel selection, screen setting, etc. from
a remote controller 200Q based on various communication manners
such as, for example, a RF communication manner, an infrared
communication manner and the like. Alternatively, the user input
interface 150Q may operate so that the control signal from the
controller 170Q is transmitted to the remote controller 2000.
[0237] For example, the user input interface 150Q may transfer a
control signal, which is input from a power key, a channel key, a
volume key, a local key, etc., to the controller 170Q. The
controller 170Q may perform the demultiplexing processing on the
stream input through the tuner 110Q, the demodulator 120Q, or the
external device interface 1350 or may perform the processing of
demultiplexed signals, thereby generating or outputting the signals
for outputting the image or the voice.
[0238] The image signal processed by the controller 170Q may be
input to the display device 180Q and may display an image
corresponding to the image signal. Further, the image signal
processed by the controller 170Q may be input to an external output
device through the external device interface 135Q.
[0239] The voice signal processed by the controller 170Q may be
output to the audio output device 185Q. Further, the voice signal
processed by the controller 170Q may be input to the external
output device through the external device interface 135Q.
[0240] The controller 170Q may control overall operation of the
broadcasting signal receiver 1000. For example, the controller 170Q
may control the tuner 110Q, so that the tuner 110Q tunes a RF
broadcasting signal corresponding to a channel selected by the user
or a previously stored channel.
[0241] The controller 170Q may control the broadcasting signal
receiver 100Q using a user command or an internal program input
through the user input interface 150Q.
[0242] The display device 180Q may convert the image signal, the
data signal, and an OSD signal, which are processed by the
controller 170Q, or the image signal and the data signal which are
received from the external device interface 135Q, into red, green,
and blue signals and may generate a driving signal.
[0243] The audio output device 185Q may receive the voice signal
(for example, stereo signal, 3.1 channel signal, or 5.1 channel
signal) processed by the controller 170Q and may output
corresponding audio, such as voice.
[0244] The power supply 190Q supplies power required by all of the
components of the broadcasting signal receiver 1000.
[0245] The remote controller 200Q transmits the user commands and
user inputs to the user input interface 150Q. For this, the remote
controller 2000 may use Bluetooth, RF communication, infrared
communication, Ultra-wideband (UWB), Zigbee, and the like. The
remote controller 200Q may receive image, voice, or data signals
output from the user input interface 150Q and may display the
image, voice, or data signals or may output voice or vibration.
[0246] The broadcasting signal receiver 100Q may not include the
tuner 110Q and the demodulator 120Q. Further, the broadcasting
signal receiver 100Q may receive image contents through the network
interface 130Q or the external device interface 135Q and may
reproduce the image contents.
[0247] In one aspect, there is provided a display device including
a display panel including a front substrate and a back substrate, a
frame positioned in the rear of the display panel, an optical layer
positioned between the display panel and the frame, and a
supporting film which is attached to the display panel and is
connected to the frame.
[0248] The display device may also include a fastening member
configured to fasten the supporting film to the frame.
[0249] The display panel may also include a front polarizing film
attached to a front surface of the front substrate, and a back
polarizing film attached to a back surface of the back substrate.
The supporting film may be attached to the back polarizing
film.
[0250] The supporting film may include a portion attached to the
display panel, a back portion positioned on a back surface of the
frame, and a side portion positioned on the side of the optical
layer.
[0251] The side portion of the supporting film may include at least
one opening.
[0252] The frame may include a first long side area, a second long
side area opposite the first long side area, a first short side
area adjacent to the first and second long side areas, and a second
short side area opposite the first short side area. The back
portion of the supporting film may include a first back portion
positioned in the first short side area, a second back portion
positioned in the second short side area, and a third back portion
positioned in the first long side area.
[0253] The first back portion and the third back portion of the
supporting film may overlap each other in the corner between the
first long side area and the first short side area of the frame, or
the second back portion and the third back portion of the
supporting film may overlap each other in the corner between the
first long side area and the second short side area of the
frame.
[0254] Each of the first back portion and the third back portion
may include a hole in an overlap portion between the first back
portion and the third back portion, or each of the first back
portion and the second back portion may include a hole in an
overlap portion between the first back portion and the second back
portion.
[0255] The frame may include a protrusion inserted into the hole,
and the protrusion of the frame may include a hole, into which a
fastening member is inserted. The fastening member may fasten the
first back portion, the third back portion, and the protrusion to
one another or may fasten the first back portion, the second back
portion, and the protrusion to one another.
[0256] The first back portion and the third back portion of the
supporting film may be separated from each other in the corner
between the first long side area and the first short side area of
the frame, or the second back portion and the third back portion of
the supporting film may be separated from each other in the corner
between the first long side area and the second short side area of
the frame.
[0257] The display device also include a back cover positioned in
the rear of the frame, and a side cover which covers the side
portion of the supporting film and is connected to the back
cover.
[0258] The side cover may include a vertical part extending in a
vertical direction, and a horizontal part extending from the
vertical part in a horizontal direction crossing the vertical
direction.
[0259] The optical layer may be separated from the supporting film
by a predetermined distance in a horizontal direction.
[0260] The display device may also include a plate which is
connected to the frame and presses the back portion of the
supporting film.
[0261] The supporting film may include a first connection portion
provided on a first surface of the plate, and a second connection
portion provided on a second surface opposite the first surface of
the plate.
[0262] The display device may also include a fastening member
configured to fasten the plate to the back portion of the
supporting film.
[0263] The display device may also include a fastening member
configured to fasten the frame, the back portion of the supporting
film, and the plate to one another.
[0264] The back portion of the supporting film may include a
portion positioned between the plate and the frame.
[0265] The display device may also include a fastening member
configured to fasten the frame and the back portion of the
supporting film to each other and a fastening member configured to
fasten the plate and the frame to each other.
[0266] The display device may also include a buffer which is
disposed between the plate and the back portion of the supporting
film and is formed of a material having elasticity.
[0267] Any reference in this specification to "one embodiment," "an
embodiment," "example embodiment," etc., means that a particular
feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with
the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the
invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the
specification are not necessarily all referring to the same
embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or
characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it
is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the
art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in
connection with other ones of the embodiments.
[0268] Although embodiments have been described with reference to a
number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood
that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by
those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope
of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various
variations and modifications are possible in the component parts
and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within
the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims.
In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts
and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to
those skilled in the art.
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