U.S. patent application number 14/334402 was filed with the patent office on 2014-11-06 for liquid crystal display device and electronic equipment having the same.
The applicant listed for this patent is Wistron Corporation. Invention is credited to Ting-Feng Chen, Ching-Fu Hsu, Lien-Te Kao, Min-Wei Lin, Ming-Chen Lin, Tzu-Wei Lin, Chi-Yeh Lu, Ming-Hung Pan, Wan-Bing Xia, Kai-Cheng Yen, Meng Zhang.
Application Number | 20140327856 14/334402 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46877081 |
Filed Date | 2014-11-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140327856 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hsu; Ching-Fu ; et
al. |
November 6, 2014 |
LIQUID CRYSTAL DISPLAY DEVICE AND ELECTRONIC EQUIPMENT HAVING THE
SAME
Abstract
A liquid crystal display device includes a support frame having
a bottom wall, and a main surrounding will extending upwardly from
and formed integrally as one piece with the bottom wall. The bottom
wall and the surrounding wall cooperatively define a receiving
space. The bottom wall includes a first support disposed in the
receiving space. The main surrounding wall includes a second
support disposed in the receiving space and spacedly above the
first support. A backlight module is supported on the first
support. A liquid crystal display panel is supported on the second
support so that the liquid crystal display panel is positioned
above the backlight module.
Inventors: |
Hsu; Ching-Fu; (New Taipei
City, TW) ; Lin; Tzu-Wei; (New Taipei City, TW)
; Kao; Lien-Te; (New Taipei City, TW) ; Lu;
Chi-Yeh; (New Taipei City, TW) ; Pan; Ming-Hung;
(New Taipei City, TW) ; Lin; Ming-Chen; (New
Taipei City, TW) ; Lin; Min-Wei; (New Taipei City,
TW) ; Chen; Ting-Feng; (New Taipei City, TW) ;
Xia; Wan-Bing; (New Taipei City, TW) ; Yen;
Kai-Cheng; (New Taipei City, TW) ; Zhang; Meng;
(New Taipei City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Wistron Corporation |
New Taipei City |
|
TW |
|
|
Family ID: |
46877081 |
Appl. No.: |
14/334402 |
Filed: |
July 17, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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|
13433651 |
Mar 29, 2012 |
8786799 |
|
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14334402 |
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|
12952126 |
Nov 22, 2010 |
8411226 |
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13433651 |
|
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|
13237938 |
Sep 21, 2011 |
8740447 |
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12952126 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
349/58 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F 1/133308 20130101;
G02F 1/133608 20130101; G02F 2001/133317 20130101; G02B 6/0001
20130101; G02F 2001/133314 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
349/58 |
International
Class: |
G02F 1/1333 20060101
G02F001/1333; F21V 8/00 20060101 F21V008/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 1, 2011 |
CN |
201110081284.8 |
May 6, 2011 |
CN |
201110116425.5 |
Mar 22, 2012 |
CN |
201210079121.0 |
Claims
1. A liquid crystal display device comprising: a support frame
including a bottom wall, and a main surrounding wall extending
upwardly from and formed integrally as one piece with said bottom
wall, said bottom wall and said surrounding wall cooperatively
defining a receiving space, said bottom wall including a first
support disposed in said receiving space, said main surrounding
wall including a second support disposed in said receiving space
and spacedly above said first support; a backlight module supported
on said first support; and a liquid crystal display panel supported
on said second support so that said liquid crystal display panel is
positioned above said backlight module.
2. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
each of said first support and said second support has a horizontal
support face.
3. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 2, wherein
said backlight module includes a light guide plate having a lateral
side, and a light-emitting unit disposed on said lateral side, said
main surrounding wall being recessed to form a cavity that is
spacedly below said second support, said light-emitting unit being
disposed in said cavity.
4. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 3, wherein
said light guide plate further has a top side connected to a top
end of said lateral side, said light-emitting unit including a
flexible circuit board, and a light-emitting diode disposed on a
bottom side of said flexible circuit board and corresponding in
position to said lateral side of said light guide plate, said
liquid crystal display device further comprising an adhesive piece
adhered to and disposed between said top side of said light guide
plate and said flexible circuit board.
5. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 3, wherein
said light guide plate further has a bottom side connected to a
bottom end of said lateral side, said light-emitting unit including
a flexible circuit board abutting against said first support, and a
light-emitting diode disposed on a top side of said flexible
circuit board and corresponding in position to said lateral side of
said light guide plate, said liquid crystal display device further
comprising an adhesive piece adhered to and disposed between said
bottom side of said light guide plate and said flexible circuit
board.
6. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 3, wherein
said support frame is made by injection molding a plastic material,
said light-emitting unit including a flexible circuit board, and a
light-emitting diode disposed on a top side of said flexible
circuit board, said liquid crystal display device further
comprising a metal frame disposed in said cavity and receiving
clampingly said light-emitting unit and said light guide plate.
7. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 6, wherein
said metal frame is fixed to said support frame, and includes a
vertical plate, a lower clamping plate extending horizontally and
inwardly from a bottom end of said vertical plate, and an upper
clamping plate extending horizontally and inwardly from a top end
of said vertical plate, said lower clamping plate abutting against
said first support and engaging a bottom side of said flexible
circuit board, said upper clamping plate engaging a top end of said
light-emitting diode and a top side of said light guide plate that
is connected to a top end of said lateral side of said light guide
plate so that said light-emitting diode is positioned at a location
corresponding to said lateral side of said light guide plate.
8. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1, wherein
said support frame is formed with an accommodation groove, said
liquid crystal display device further comprising a control circuit
board disposed in said accommodation groove, and a flexible
transmission circuit connected electrically to said liquid crystal
display panel and said control circuit board.
9. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 8, wherein
said bottom wall has a bottom face that is recessed to form said
accommodation groove, said flexible transmission circuit being
configured as a circuit band made by a chip on film (COF)
technology, said flexible transmission circuit being bent downward
and then inward extending around said support frame to connect with
said control circuit board.
10. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1,
wherein said main surrounding wall includes a left wall, a right
wall, a front wall and a rear wall, said rear wall including a
positioning structure to position said backlight module.
11. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 10,
wherein said positioning structure includes a positioning groove
and a positioning stud provided in said positioning groove, said
backlight module including an optical film layer that has a
projection engaged to said positioning groove and formed with a
positioning hole for extension of said positioning stud there
through.
12. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 2,
further comprising at least one double-sided adhesive tape adhering
said liquid crystal display panel to one side of said second
support.
13. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 12,
wherein said main surrounding wall includes a retention portion
projecting from the other side of said second support to retain
said liquid crystal display panel thereon.
14. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 12,
wherein said double-sided adhesive tape includes a pull portion
exposed partially from said liquid crystal display panel, and two
double-sided adhesive portions adhered to two opposite sides of
said pull portion, said double-sided adhesive portions being
further adhered to said one side of said second support, and said
liquid crystal display panel, respectively.
15. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 12,
further comprising two said double-sided adhesive tapes to adhere
said liquid crystal display panel to two opposite sides of said
second support.
16. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 2,
wherein said main surrounding wall includes two retention portions
projecting respectively from two opposite sides of said second
support to retain said liquid crystal display panel thereon.
17. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 1,
further comprising an upper casing that covers a periphery of said
liquid crystal display panel and that is formed with an opening to
expose said liquid crystal display panel.
18. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 17,
wherein said support frame further includes an auxiliary
surrounding wall extending upwardly from an outer periphery of said
bottom wall and surrounding said main surrounding wall, said upper
casing being connected to said auxiliary surrounding wall.
19. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 17,
wherein said support frame is made of a plastic material and
includes two extension plates extending respectively from two
opposite sides of said main surrounding wall, said liquid crystal
display device further comprising a lower casing that is made of
metal, that covers said support frame, and that is coupled to said
upper casing, two coupling rods each disposed between said lower
casing and a respective one of said extension plates, and two
fasteners, each of said fasteners fixing one of said coupling rods
and the respective said extension plate to said lower casing.
20. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 17,
wherein said upper casing includes a first coupling portion, said
liquid crystal display panel further including a glass to cover
said opening, said glass including a second coupling portion
coupled to said first coupling portion.
21. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 20,
wherein said first coupling portion is an inner periphery of said
upper casing and defines said opening, said second coupling portion
being configured as an annular groove to receive engagingly said
inner periphery.
22. The liquid crystal display device as claimed in claim 20,
wherein said main surrounding wall further includes a third support
spacedly above said second support and having a horizontal support
face, said liquid crystal display device further comprising a touch
control panel supported on said third support.
23. An electronic equipment having a liquid crystal display device
comprising: a lower casing defining a mounting space; an electronic
device disposed in said mounting space; and a liquid crystal
display device disposed in said mounting space and coupled
electrically to said electronic device, said liquid crystal display
device including a support frame having a bottom wall, and a main
surrounding wall extending upwardly from and formed integrally as
one piece with said bottom wall, said bottom wall and said
surrounding wall cooperatively defining a receiving space, said
bottom wall including a first support disposed in said receiving
space, said main surrounding wall including a second support
disposed in said receiving space and spacedly above said first
support, and a third support spacedly above said second support; a
backlight module supported on said first support; and a liquid
crystal display panel supported on said second support; and a touch
control panel supported on said third support.
24. The electronic equipment as claimed in claim 23, wherein each
of said first, second and third supports has a horizontal support
face.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/952,126 filed on Nov. 22, 2010 and Ser. No.
13/237,938 filed on Sep. 21, 2011, the disclosures of each of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
[0002] This application claims priority of Chinese Patent
Application Nos. 201110081284.8 filed on Apr. 1, 2011;
201110116425.5 filed on May 6, 2011; and 201210079121.0 filed on
Mar. 22, 2012, the disclosures of each of which are also
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The disclosure relates to a display device, more
particularly to a frame structure of a liquid crystal display
device and an electronic equipment having the liquid crystal
display device.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] A currently available liquid crystal display module (LCM)
includes a lower metal frame that accommodates therein a plastic
frame, a backlight module disposed in the lower metal frame, and a
liquid crystal display panel mounted on the plastic frame and
disposed above the backlight module. Through an upper metal frame
that is assembled to a periphery of the lower metal frame and that
abuts against a top end of the liquid crystal display panel, the
liquid crystal display panel can be stably positioned on the
plastic frame. At this time, the assembly of the liquid crystal
display module is completed. The liquid crystal display module is
then sent to a system integrator where the liquid crystal display
module is assembled between upper and lower casings.
[0007] However, this kind of liquid crystal display module has a
complicated structure and involves many components, so that the
assembly thereof is time-consuming and the manufacturing cost
associated therewith is increased.
SUMMARY OR THE INVENTION
[0008] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to provide
a liquid crystal display device having a one-piece frame structure
that can minimize the number of components so that the structure
thereof is simple, the assembly time can be reduced, the
manufacturing cost associated therewith can be saved, and
tolerances among the components can also be reduced.
[0009] The object of the present disclosure and the solution to the
problem existing in the prior art can be realized by using the
below technical means. According to the present disclosure, a
liquid crystal display device comprises a support frame, a
backlight module, and a liquid crystal display panel.
[0010] The support frame includes a bottom wall, and a main
surrounding wall extending upwardly from and formed integrally as
one piece with the bottom wall. The bottom wall and the surrounding
wall cooperatively define a receiving space. The bottom wall
includes a first support disposed in the receiving space. The main
surrounding wall includes a second support disposed in the
receiving space and spacedly above the first support. The backlight
module is supported on the first support. The liquid crystal
display panel is supported on the second support so that the liquid
crystal display panel is positioned above the backlight module.
[0011] The object of the present disclosure and the solution to the
problem existing in the prior art can be realized by using the
below technical means.
[0012] Each of the first support and the second support has a
horizontal support face.
[0013] The backlight module includes a light guide plate having a
lateral side, and a light-emitting unit disposed on the lateral
side. The main surrounding wall is recessed to form a cavity that
is spacedly below the second support. The light-emitting unit is
disposed in the cavity.
[0014] In an embodiment, the light guide plate further has a top
side connected to a top end of the lateral side. The light-emitting
unit includes a flexible circuit board, and a light-emitting diode
disposed on a bottom side of the flexible circuit hoard and
corresponding in position to the lateral side of the light guide
plate. The liquid crystal display device further comprises an
adhesive piece adhered to and disposed between the top side of the
light guide plate and the flexible circuit board.
[0015] In another embodiment, the light guide plate further has a
bottom side connected to a bottom end of the lateral side. The
light-emitting unit includes a flexible circuit board abutting
against the first support, and a light-emitting diode disposed on a
top side of the flexible circuit board and corresponding in
position to the lateral side of the light guide plate. The liquid
crystal display device further comprises an adhesive piece adhered
to and disposed between the bottom side of the light guide plate
and the flexible circuit board.
[0016] In still another embodiment, the support frame is made by
injection molding a plastic material. The light-emitting unit
includes a flexible circuit board, and a light-emitting diode
disposed on a top side of the flexible circuit board. The liquid
crystal display device further comprises a metal frame disposed in
the cavity and receiving clampingly the light-emitting unit and the
light guide plate.
[0017] The metal frame is fixed to the support frame, and includes
a vertical plate, a lower clamping plate extending horizontally and
inwardly from a bottom end of the vertical plate, and an upper
clamping plate extending horizontally and inwardly from a top end
of the vertical plate. The lower clamping plate abuts against the
first support and engages a bottom side of the flexible circuit
board. The upper clamping plate engages a top end of the
light-emitting diode and a top side of the light guide plate that
is connected to a top end of the lateral side of the light guide
plate so that the light-emitting diode is positioned at a location
corresponding to the lateral side of the light guide plate.
[0018] The support frame is formed with an accommodation groove.
The liquid crystal display device, further comprises a control
circuit board disposed in the accommodation groove, and a flexible
transmission circuit connected electrically to the liquid crystal
display panel and the control circuit board.
[0019] The bottom wall has a bottom face that is recessed to form
the accommodation groove. The flexible transmission circuit is
configured as a circuit band made by a chip on film (COT)
technology. The flexible transmission circuit is bent downward and
them inward extending around the support frame to connect with the
control, circuit board.
[0020] The main surrounding wall includes a left wall, a right
wall, a front wall and a rear wall. The rear wall includes a
positioning structure to position the backlight module. The
positioning structure includes a positioning groove and a
positioning stud provided in the positioning groove. The backlight
module includes an optical film layer that has a projection engaged
to the positioning groove and formed with a positioning hole for
extension of the positioning stud therethrough.
[0021] The liquid crystal display device further comprises at least
one double-sided adhesive tape adhering the liquid crystal display
panel to one side of the second support.
[0022] The main surrounding wall includes a retention portion
projecting from the other side of the second support to retain the
liquid crystal display panel thereon.
[0023] The double-sided adhesive tape includes a pull portion
exposed partially from the liquid crystal display panel, and two
double-sided adhesive portions adhered to two opposite sides of the
pull portion. The double-sided adhesive portions are further
adhered to said one side of the second support and the liquid
crystal display panel, respectively.
[0024] In another embodiment, the liquid crystal display device
further comprises two the double-sided adhesive tapes to adhere the
liquid crystal display panel to two opposite sides of the second
support.
[0025] In still another embodiment, the main surrounding wall
includes two retention portions projecting respectively from two
opposite sides of the second support to retain the liquid crystal
display panel thereon.
[0026] The liquid crystal display device further comprises an upper
casing that covers a periphery of the liquid crystal display panel
and that is formed with an opening to expose the liquid crystal
display panel.
[0027] The support frame further includes an auxiliary surrounding
wall extending upwardly from an outer periphery of the bottom wall
and surrounding the main surrounding wall. The upper casing is
connected to the auxiliary surrounding wall.
[0028] The support frame is made of a plastic material and includes
two extension plates extending respectively from two opposite sides
of the main surrounding wall. The liquid crystal display device
further comprises a lower casing that is made of metal, that covers
the support frame, and that is coupled to the upper casing, two
coupling rods each disposed between the lower casing and a
respective one of the extension plates, and two fasteners. Each of
the fasteners fixes one of the coupling rods and the respective the
extension plate to the lower casing.
[0029] The upper casing includes a first coupling portion. The
liquid crystal display panel further includes a glass to cover the
opening. The glass includes a second coupling portion coupled to
the first coupling portion.
[0030] The first coupling portion is an inner periphery of the
upper casing and defines the opening. The second coupling portion
is configured as an annular groove to receive engagingly the inner
periphery.
[0031] The main surrounding wall further includes a third support
spacedly above the second support and having a horizontal support
face. The liquid crystal display device further comprises a touch
control panel supported on the third support.
[0032] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide an
electronic equipment having a liquid crystal display device. The
liquid crystal display device has a one-piece frame structure that
can minimize number of components so that the structure thereof is
simple, the assembly time can be reduced, the manufacturing cost
associated therewith can be saved, and tolerances among the
components can also be reduced.
[0033] According to another aspect of disclosure of the present
disclosure, an electronic equipment comprises a lower casing, an
electronic device, and a liquid crystal display device.
[0034] The lower casing defines a mounting space. The electronic
device is disposed in the mounting space. The liquid crystal
display device is disposed in the mounting space and is coupled
electrically to the electronic device. The liquid crystal display
device includes a support frame, a backlight module, a liquid
crystal display panel, and a touch control panel. The support frame
includes a bottom wall, and a main surrounding wall extending
upwardly from and formed integrally as one piece with the bottom
wall. The bottom wall and the surrounding wall cooperatively define
a receiving space. The bottom wall includes a first support
disposed in the receiving space. The main surrounding wall includes
a second support disposed in the receiving space and spacedly above
the first support, and a third support spacedly above the second
support. The backlight module is supported on the first support.
The liquid crystal display panel is supported on the second
support. The touch control panel is supported on the third
support.
[0035] Through the aforesaid technical means, the advantages and
effects of the liquid crystal display device of this disclosure
reside in that, through the first and second supports of the
one-piece support frame that can accommodate respectively the
backlight module and the liquid crystal display panel, the number
of components of the liquid crystal display device can be reduced
so that the structure thereof is simple, the assembly time can be
reduced, the manufacturing cost associated therewith can be saved,
and tolerances among the components can also be reduced.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0036] Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will
become apparent in the following detailed description of the
embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, of
which:
[0037] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a liquid crystal display
device according to the first embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0038] FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the first embodiment taken
along line II-II of FIG. 1, illustrating a backlight module and a
liquid crystal display panel respectively supported on first and
second supports of a support frame;
[0039] FIG. 3 is a schematic top view of the support frame of the
first embodiment;
[0040] FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the first embodiment,
illustrating an alternative form of an upper casing;
[0041] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of the first
embodiment taken along line V-V of FIG. 1;
[0042] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional, view of a liquid crystal
display device according to the second embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0043] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view of a liquid crystal
display device according to the third embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0044] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a liquid crystal display
device according to the fourth embodiment of the present
disclosure, illustrating how a glass is assembled to an upper
casing;
[0045] FIG. 9 is a sectional view of the fourth embodiment,
illustrating a first coupling portion of the upper casing is
coupled to a second coupling portion of the glass;
[0046] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal display
device according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure,
but without an upper casing;
[0047] FIG. 11 is a schematic top view of a support frame of the
fifth embodiment;
[0048] FIG. 12 is another sectional view of the fifth embodiment,
illustrating the upper casing being coupled to an outer surrounding
wall of a lower casing;
[0049] FIG. 13 is a still another sectional view of the fifth
embodiment, illustrating how each fastener fixes an extension plate
and a coupling rod to a base plate of the lower casing;
[0050] FIG. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view of the fifth
embodiment, illustrating a control circuit board being disposed in
an accommodation groove of a bottom wall;
[0051] FIG. 15 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal display
device according to the sixth embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0052] FIG. 16 is a schematic top view of a support frame of the
sixth embodiment;
[0053] FIG. 17 is a view similar to FIG. 16, hut illustrating how
an optical film layer is connected to the support frame;
[0054] FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal display
device according to the seventh embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0055] FIG. 19 is a schematic top view of a support frame of the
seventh embodiment;
[0056] FIG. 20 is a fragmentary enlarged schematic view of the
seventh embodiment, illustrating a double-sided adhesive tape
adhered to and disposed between a liquid crystal display panel and
a second support;
[0057] FIG. 21 is another sectional view of the seventh embodiment,
illustrating the double-sided adhesive tape being removed the
liquid crystal display panel and the second support;
[0058] FIG. 22 is still another sectional view of the seventh
embodiment, illustrating an alternative form of the double-sided
adhesive tape;
[0059] FIG. 23 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal display
device according to the eighth embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0060] FIG. 24 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal display
device according to the ninth embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0061] FIG. 25 is a sectional view of a liquid crystal display
device according to the tenth embodiment of the present disclosure;
and
[0062] FIG. 26 is a sectional view of an electronic equipment of
the present disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0063] The above-mentioned and other technical contents, features,
and effects of this disclosure will be clearly presented from the
following detailed description of ten embodiments in coordination
with the reference drawings. Through description of the concrete
implementation method, the technical means employed and the
effectiveness to achieve the predetermined purposes of the present
disclosure will be thoroughly and concretely understood. However,
the enclosed drawings are used for reference and description only,
and are not used for limiting the present disclosure.
[0064] Before this disclosure is described in detail, it should be
noted that, in the following description, similar elements are
designated by the same reference numerals.
[0065] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a liquid crystal display device
100 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is
adapted to be applied to a notebook computer as an example for
illustration, and is shown to comprise a support frame 1, a
backlight module 2 and a liquid crystal display panel 3.
[0066] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the support frame 1 includes a
bottom wall 11, and a main surrounding wall 12 extending upwardly
from and formed integrally as one piece with the bottom wall 11.
The bottom wall 11 and the main surrounding wall 12 cooperatively
define a receiving space 13. The bottom wall 11 includes a first
support 111 disposed in the receiving space 13. The main
surrounding wall 12 includes a second support 121 disposed in the
receiving space 13 and spacedly above the first support 111. The
backlight module 2 is supported on the first support 111. The
liquid crystal display panel 3 is supported on the second support
121 so that the liquid crystal display panel 3 is positioned above
the backlight module 2. Through the integrally formed one-piece
support frame 1 that, can accommodate simultaneously the backlight
module 2 and the liquid crystal display panel 3, the number of
components of the liquid crystal display device 100 can be reduced
so that the liquid crystal display device 100 has a simple
structure. Because of this, the assembly time and the manufacturing
costs thereof can be reduced. Further, accumulated tolerance of the
components can also be reduced.
[0067] A detailed structure of the liquid crystal display device
100 will be described hereinbelow.
[0068] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the backlight module 2
includes a reflective plate 21, a light guide plate 22 stacked
above the reflective plate 21, and an optical film layer 23 stacked
above the light guide plate 22. The optical film layer 23 includes
a lower diffusion plate, a first prism plate, a second prism plate,
and an upper diffusion plate stacked one above the other. Since the
function of each optical film of the optical film layer 23 is well
known in the art, a detailed description thereof is dispensed
herewith. Further, the assembly of the optical film layer 23 is not
limited to the aforesaid disclosure. In this embodiment, the first
support 111 is formed on a top face of the bottom wall 11. The
second support 121 is formed on and extends along the entire length
of a top face of the main surrounding wall 12. Each of the first
and second supports 111, 121 has a horizontal support face. Because
the reflective plate 21 abuts against the first support 111 and the
liquid crystal display panel 3 abuts against the second support
121, the backlight module 2 and the liquid crystal display panel 3
will not be slanting relative to the support frame when assembled
thereon. Further, because the integrally formed one-piece support
frame 1 can simultaneously accommodate the backlight module 2 and
the liquid crystal display panel 3, the accumulated tolerance among
the components of the backlight module 2 and the liquid crystal
display panel 3 can be reduced.
[0069] The support frame 1 is made by injection molding a plastic
material. The main surrounding wall 12 further includes an annular
projection 122 projecting upwardly from the second support 121. The
Liquid crystal display device 100 further comprises a positioning
element 4 in the form of a frame. The positioning element 4 covers
the main surrounding wall 12, and abuts against the projection 122
and the liquid crystal display panel 3. The positioning element 4
is fixed to the projection 122 and the Liquid crystal display panel
3 by using adhesive or a screw fastening method. Through this, the
liquid crystal display panel 3 can be stably positioned to the main
surrounding wall 12. The positioning element 4 can be made of
Mylar, aluminum foil, or metal. In this embodiment, the positioning
element 4 is made of metal so as to provide an anti-EMI
(anti-electromagnetic interference) effect.
[0070] The support frame 1 further includes an auxiliary
surrounding wall 14 extending upwardly and integrally from an outer
periphery of the bottom wall 11 and surrounding an outer periphery
of the main surrounding wall 12. The liquid crystal display device
100 further comprises an upper casing 5 covering a periphery of the
liquid crystal display panel 3. The upper casino 5 is made by
injection molding a plastic material. The upper casing 5 has an
upper wall 54 formed with an opening 51 for exposure of the liquid
crystal display panel 3, and an outer peripheral wall 52 extending
downwardly from an outer periphery of the upper wall 54. The outer
peripheral wall 52 is connected to the auxiliary surrounding wall
14 by using a hook-and-groove interlocking means or a screw
fastening method. Through such a connection, the upper casing 5 can
be stably fixed to the support frame 1. It should be noted that the
upper casing 5 of this embodiment may be configured as that shown
in FIG. 4. That is, the upper casing 5' is formed integrally as one
piece with the positioning element 4 shown in FIG. 2. The upper
casing 5' can similarly achieve the effect made by the upper casing
5 and the positioning element 4. Thus, the number of components of
the liquid crystal display device 100 can be further reduced.
[0071] FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view of this embodiment
taken along line V-V of FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the main
surrounding wall 12 is recessed to form a cavity 123 that is
spacedly below the second support 121. The backlight module 2
further includes a light-emitting unit 24 disposed in the cavity
123 and supplying light to the light guide plate 22. Concretely
sneaking, the light guide plate 22 has a lateral side 221, and a
top side 222 connected to a top end of the lateral side 221. The
light-emitting unit 24 includes a flexible circuit board 241
disposed on the top side 222 of the light, guide plate 22, and a
light-emitting diode 242 disposed on a bottom side of the flexible
circuit board 241 and corresponding in position to the lateral side
221 of the light guide plate 22. Through this configuration, when
the support frame 1 is deformed caused by an external force, the
light-emitting unit 24 can be prevented from being displaced, so
that light generated by the light-emitting diode 242 can be
uniformly emitted to the light guide plate 22 through the lateral
side 221 thereof.
[0072] Further, the liquid crystal display device further comprises
an adhesive piece 61. The adhesive piece 61 is configured as a
double-sided adhesive tape adhered to and disposed between the top
side 222 of the light guide plate 22 and the bottom side of the
flexible circuit board 241, so that the flexible circuit board 241
can be stably positioned to the top side 222 of the light guide
plate 22.
[0073] Referring to FIG. 6, a liquid crystal display device 110
according to the second embodiment of this disclosure has an
overall structure similar to that of the first embodiment. However,
in this embodiment, the light guide plate 22 further has a bottom
side 223 connected to a bottom end of the lateral side 221, the
flexible circuit board 241 abuts against the first support 111, and
the light-emitting diode 242 is disposed on a top side of the
flexible circuit board 241 and corresponds in position to the
lateral side 221 of the light guide plate 22. The adhesive piece 61
is adhered to and disposed between the bottom side 223 of the light
guide plate 22 and the top side of the flexible circuit board 241,
so that the light-emitting diode 242 can be stably positioned at a
location corresponding to the lateral side 221 of the light guide
plate 22.
[0074] Referring to FIG. 7, a liquid crystal display device 120
according to the third embodiment of this disclosure has an overall
structure similar to that of the first embodiment. However, in this
embodiment, because the support frame 1 is made by injection
molding a plastic material so that the strength thereof is weak, to
enhance the strength of the support frame 1, a metal frame 62 is
disposed in the cavity 123, and receives clampingly the
light-emitting unit 24 and the light guide plate 22. Because the
metal frame 62 can enhance the strength of the support frame 1 and
protect the light-emitting unit 24, when the support frame 1 is
deformed caused by an external force, the light-emitting unit 24
can be prevented from being displaced.
[0075] Further, to enhance flatness of the first support 111 so
that the light-emitting diode 242 cannot be slantingly disposed
when assembled to the support frame 1, the metal frame 62 is fixed
to the support frame 1 by, for example, a screw fastening method.
The metal frame 62 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, and
includes a vertical plate 621, a lower clamping plate 622 extending
horizontally from a bottom end of the vertical plate 621, and an
upper clamping plate 623 extending horizontally from a top end of
the vertical plate 621. The lower clamping plate 622 abuts against
the first support 111 and engages the bottom side of the flexible
circuit board 241. The upper clamping plate 623 engages a top end
of the light-emitting diode 242 and the top side 222 of the light
guide plate 22. Through the upper and lower clamping plates 623,
622 that cooperatively clamp therebetween the light-emitting unit
24 and the light guide plate 22, the light-emitting diode 242 can
be positioned at a location corresponding to the lateral side 221
of the light guide plate 22. Hence, light generated by the
light-emitting diode 242 can be uniformly emitted to the light
guide plate 22 through the lateral side 221 thereof.
[0076] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, a liquid crystal display device
130 according to the fourth embodiment of this disclosure has an
overall structure similar to that of the first embodiment. However,
in this embodiment, the liquid crystal display device 130 further
comprises a glass 7 to cover the opening 51. The glass 7 is a
tempered glass.
[0077] The upper casing 5 includes a first coupling portion 53. The
glass 7 includes a second coupling portion 71 coupled to the first
coupling portion 53. Through the interconnection of the first and
second coupling portions 53, 71, the glass 7 can be fixed to the
upper casing 5 so as to cover the opening 51. In this embodiment,
the first coupling portion 53 is an inner periphery of the upper
wall 54 and defines the opening 51. The second coupling portion 71
is configured as an annular groove that extends inwardly from an
outer peripheral face 70 of the glass 7 and receiving engagingly
the inner periphery or the first coupling portion 53. The
connection between the first and second coupling portions 53, 71
can be accomplished using the below two methods.
[0078] In the first method, the glass 7 is cooled to shrink its
volume, after which the glass 7 is brought to a working environment
having a room temperature. The glass 7 is then inserted into the
opening 51 of the upper casing 5 aligning the second coupling
portion 71 with the first coupling portion 53. After the glass 7 is
placed at room temperature for a period of time, the glass 7 will
return to a room temperature condition and the volume thereof will
expand. Hence, the second coupling portion 71 is coupled fixedly to
the first coupling portion 53.
[0079] In the second method, the upper casing 5 is heated to expand
its volume, after which the upper casing 5 is brought to a working
environment having a room temperature. The glass 7 is then inserted
into the opening 51 of the upper casing 5 aligning the second
coupling portion 71 with the first coupling portion 53. After the
upper casing 5 is placed at room temperature for a period of time,
the upper casing 5 will return to a room temperature condition and
the volume thereof will shrink. Hence, the second coupling portion
71 is coupled fixedly to the first coupling portion 53.
[0080] In both methods, because the second coupling portion 71 can
be coupled fixedly to the first coupling portion 53, the glass 7
can be assembled fixedly and stably to the upper casing 5. Hence,
the structural strength of the upper casing 5 can be enhanced.
Moreover, the glass 7 can be configured to partly or fully cover
the upper wall 54, so that the liquid crystal display device 130
can exhibit a frameless visual effect. It should be noted that the
connection between the first and second coupling portions 53, 71 is
not limited to the aforesaid disclosures.
[0081] Referring to FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, a liquid crystal display
device 140 according to the fifth embodiment of this disclosure has
an overall structure similar to that of the first embodiment.
However, in this embodiment, the main surrounding wall 12 of the
support frame 1 includes a left wall 124, a right wall 125, a front
wall 126 connected to front ends of the left and right walls 124,
125, and a rear wall 127 connected to rear ends of the left and
right walls 124, 125. The support frame 1 further includes two
elongated extension plates 15 extending respectively and outwardly
from outer sides of the left and right walls 124, 125. The liquid
crystal display device 140 further comprises a lower casing 63, two
coupling rods 64, and two fasteners 65. The lower casing 63 covers
a bottom side of the support frame 1, and is coupled to the upper
casing 5. In this embodiment, the upper casing 5 and the lower
casing 63 are made of metal. An outer peripheral wall 631 of the
lower casing 63 and the outer peripheral wall 52 of the upper
casing 5 are coupled fixedly to each other by using a
hook-and-groove interlocking means or a screw fastening method.
However, the connection between the outer peripheral walls 631, 52
is not limited to the aforesaid disclosures.
[0082] The two coupling rods 64 are made of metal and are connected
respectively to two hinges (not shown) of the notebook computer.
The hinges are disposed in a system housing (not shown) of the
notebook computer, so that the liquid crystal display device 140
can rotate relative to the system housing through the hinges. Each
of the coupling rods 64 is elongated, and is disposed between a
base plate 632 of the lower casing 63 and a respective extension
plate 15. Each fastener 65 is configured as a screw that extends
through one of the extension plates. 15 and the respective coupling
rod 64 and that engages threadedly the base plate 632, so that each
extension plate 15 and the respective coupling rod 64 are fixed to
the base plate 632. By fixing the coupling rods 64 between the base
plate 632 and the respective extension plates 15, the structural
strength among the hinges, the support frame 1 and the lower casing
63 can be enhanced. Hence, the liquid crystal display device 140
can rotate smoothly relative to the system housing through the
hinges. Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the base plate 632 of the
lower casing 63 can be provided with two internally threaded studs
633, so that the screws or fasteners 65 can be threaded
respectively to threaded holes (not shown) in the studs 633. In
this case, there is no need to form threaded holes in the base
plate 632 for threaded engagement with the fasteners 65. The
internally threaded studs 633 can be formed with deeper threaded
holes so as to enhance the fastening strength of the fasteners 65
when the fasteners 65 are engaged to the studs 633.
[0083] As shown in FIG. 14, which is a fragmentary sectional side
view of the liquid crystal display device 140, to effectively
reduce the width of the upper wall 54 of the upper casing 5 so that
the liquid crystal display device 140 has a narrow upper frame, the
below structural design is employed.
[0084] The support frame 1 is formed with an accommodation groove
112. The liquid crystal display device 140 further comprises a
control circuit board 66 disposed in the accommodation groove 112,
and a flexible transmission circuit 67 connected electrically to
the liquid crystal display panel 3 and the control circuit board
66. Through the presence of the accommodation groove 112 that
accommodates the control circuit board 66, the control circuit
board 66 and the flexible transmission circuit 67 can be disposed
between the upper casing 5 and the lower casing 63. Either the
upper casing 5 or the lower casing 63 does not need an additional
structure to receive the control circuit board 66. Hence, the width
of the upper wall 54 can be reduced, and the liquid crystal display
device 140 can have a narrow upper frame.
[0085] Concretely speaking, the bottom wall 11 of the support frame
1 has a bottom face 113 that is recessed to form the accommodation
groove 112, so that the control circuit board 66 can be received
inside the bottom wall 11. The flexible transmission circuit 67 is
configured as a circuit band made by a chip on film (COF)
technology and transmitting a control signal generated by the
control circuit board 66 to the liquid crystal display panel 3. The
flexible transmission circuit 67 is bent downward and then inward
extending around the support frame 1 to connect with the control
circuit board 66. Through this the flexible transmission circuit 67
can be positioned between the support frame 1 and the positioning
element 4.
[0086] Referring to FIGS. 15 to 17, a Liquid crystal display device
150 according to the sixth embodiment of this disclosure has an
overall structure similar to that of the first embodiment. However,
to effectively reduce the width of the upper wall 54 of the upper
casing 5 so that the liquid crystal display device 150 can have a
narrow upper frame, the liquid crystal display device 150 of this
embodiment can be realized through the below structural design.
[0087] In this embodiment, the rear wall 127 of the main
surrounding wall 12 includes two positioning structures 128 spaced
apart in a left-right direction to position the backlight module 2
so that the backlight module 2 is assembled to the support frame 1
in a correct direction of assembly. Further, the positioning
structures 128 can position the backlight module 2 in the receiving
space 13.
[0088] Concretely speaking, each of the positioning structures 128
includes a positioning groove 131 and a positioning stud 132
provided in the positioning groove 131. The optical film layer 23
of the backlight module 2 includes two projections 231 each having
a shape matching that of the positioning groove 131 so as to engage
with the same. Each of the projections 231 is formed with a
positioning hole 232 having a shape matching that of the
positioning stud 132. When each projection 231 engages the
respective positioning groove 131, the positioning stud 132 of each
positioning structure 128 extends into the positioning hole 232 of
the respective projection 231 simultaneously, so that the optical
film layer 23 of the backlight module 2 can be stably positioned in
the receiving space 13 and will not rocked. By providing the
positioning structures 128 on the rear wall 127 of the main
surrounding wall 12, the size of the left and right sides of each
of the support frame 1 and the upper wall 54 of the upper casing 5
can be effectively reduced. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, a gap
between the right wall 125 and the auxiliary surrounding wall 14
can be omitted, so that the liquid crystal display device 150 can
have a narrow frame.
[0089] Referring to FIGS. 18 to 20, a liquid crystal display device
160 according to the seventh embodiment of this disclosure has an
overall structure similar to that of the first embodiment. However,
to effectively reduce the width of the upper wall 54 of the upper
casing 5 so that the liquid crystal display device 160 can have a
narrow upper frame, the liquid crystal display device 160 of this
embodiment can be realized through the below structural design.
[0090] In this embodiment, the liquid crystal display device 160
further comprises a double-sided adhesive tape 68 adhering the
liquid crystal display panel 3 to one side of the second support
121. The main surrounding wall 12 further includes a retention
portion 129 projecting from the other side of the second support
121. The double-sided adhesive tape 68 and the retention portion
129 are opposite to each other. When the liquid crystal display
panel 3 is assembled on the support frame. 1, the liquid crystal
display panel 3 is placed on the second support 121 such that the
double-sided adhesive tape 68 adheres one side of the liquid
crystal display panel 3 and the retention portion 129 retains the
other side of the liquid crystal display panel 3 in a retention
hole 10 (see FIG. 18) defined by the retention portion 129 and the
second support 121. Hence, the liquid crystal display panel 3 can
be fixed stably on the second support 121 of the support frame 1.
Through the aforesaid configuration, the positioning element 4
shown in FIG. 2 can be dispensed herewith, and the support frame 1
can omit a space for receiving the positioning element 4. Hence,
the width of each of the support frame 1 and the upper wall 54 of
the upper casing 5 can be effectively reduced, so that the liquid
crystal display device 160 can have a narrow frame.
[0091] With reference to FIGS. 19 to 21, further, considering
rework for the liquid crystal display device 160, in this
embodiment, the double-sided adhesive tape 68 includes a pull
portion 681, and two double-sided adhesive tape portions 682
adhered respectively to two opposite sides of the pull portion 681.
The pull portion 681 is made of PET material. The double-sided
adhesive tape portions 682 are further adhered to the second
support 112 at one side of the main surrounding wall 12 and the
liquid crystal display panel 3, respectively. One end of the pull
portion 681 is exposed from one side of the liquid crystal display
panel 3, as best shown in FIG. 19. When it is desired to
disassemble the liquid crystal display device 160 for a rework
operation, the upper casing 5 is first removed from the support
frame 1. Afterwards, the exposed end of the pull portion 681 is
pulled out in the direction of an arrow shown in FIG. 19 so as to
separate the double-sided adhesive tape portions 682 from the
second support 112 and the liquid crystal display panel 3,
respectively. Subsequently, the liquid crystal display panel 3 can
be disengaged from the retention portion 129. Because disassembly
is very simple and convenient, the time of disassembly can be
shortened.
[0092] Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 22, the width of the
double-sided adhesive tape 58 can be enlarged so that the
double-sided adhesive tape 68 can be adhered to an outer wall face
of the main surrounding wall 12, the bottom wall 11, and a signal
transmission wire 69, simultaneously.
[0093] Referring to FIG. 23, a liquid crystal display device 170
according to the eighth embodiment of this disclosure has an
overall structure similar to that of the seventh embodiment.
However, in this embodiment, the liquid crystal display device 170
comprises two double-sided adhesive tapes 68 to adhere the liquid
crystal display panel 3 to two opposite sides of the second support
121. Hence, the liquid crystal display panel 3 can be stably
adhered to the second support 121 of the support frame 1.
[0094] Referring to FIG. 24, a liquid crystal display device 180
according to the ninth embodiment of this disclosure has an overall
structure similar to that of the seventh embodiment. However, in
this embodiment, the main surrounding wall 12 further includes two
retention portions 129 projecting respectively from two opposite
sides of the second support 121 to retain two opposite sides of the
liquid crystal display panel 3 in the retention holes 10.
Similarly, the liquid crystal display panel 3 can be positioned
stably on the second support 121 of the support frame 1.
[0095] Referring to FIG. 25, a liquid crystal display device 190
according to the tenth embodiment of this disclosure has an overall
structure similar to that of the first embodiment. However, in this
embodiment, the main surrounding wall 12 of the support frame 1
further includes a third support 133 spacedly above the second
support 112 and having a horizontal support face. The liquid
crystal display device 190 further includes a touch control panel 8
supported on the third support 133. In this embodiment, the touch
control panel 8 is a capacitive touch control panel that is adhered
fixedly to the third support 133 by using glue or double-sided
adhesive tape so as to be positioned stably above the liquid
crystal display panel 3. Because the liquid crystal display panel 3
and the touch control panel 8 are respectively positioned on the
second and third supports 121, 133 of the support frame 1, accuracy
of assembly between the liquid crystal display panel 3 and the
touch control panel 8 can be enhanced, and the accumulated
tolerance of the components can be reduced.
[0096] Referring to FIG. 26, the liquid crystal display device 190
is applied in an electronic equipment 200, such as a tablet
computer. In this case, a lower casing 63 having a mounting space
634 is provided. The electronic equipment has an electronic device
5 disposed in the mounting space 634. The electronic device 9
includes a motherboard, a hard disk, a battery, and other essential
electronic components for providing normal operation of the
electronic equipment 200. The liquid crystal display device 190 is
disposed in the mounting space 634 such that the bottom wall 11 of
the support frame 1 is located above the electronic device 9. An
cuter peripheral wall 631 of the lower casino 63 surrounds an outer
periphery of the main surrounding wall 12 of the support frame 1,
and abuts against the support frame 1. The outer peripheral wall
631 and the main surrounding wall 12 may be interconnected to each
other such as by using a hook-and-groove interlocking means or a
screw fastening means. The center of the bottom wall 11 is formed
with a through hole 114 in spatial communication with the receiving
space 13. The electronic device 9 can transmit power and signals to
the backlight module 2, the liquid crystal display panel 3 and the
touch control panel 8 of the liquid crystal display device 190 by
using a cable not shown) that extends through the through hole 114.
By embodying the liquid crystal display device 190 of this
disclosure, the number of components of the electronic equipment
200 can be reduced, so that the assembly time and the manufacturing
costs thereof can be saved. It should be noted that the connection
between the outer peripheral wall 631 and the main surrounding wall
12 is not limited to the aforesaid disclosures.
[0097] In summary, the liquid crystal display device 100.about.190
of each of the embodiments uses the first and second supports 111,
121 of the integrally formed support frame 1 to support the
backlight module 2 and the liquid crystal display panel 3,
respectively, so that the number of components of the liquid
crystal display device 100.about.190 can be reduced and the
structure of the liquid crystal display device 100.about.190
simple. Further, the assembly time can be shortened, the
manufacturing costs can be saved, and the accumulated tolerance of
the components can be reduced. Hence, the objects of this
disclosure can be realized.
[0098] While the present disclosure has been described in
connection with what are considered the most practical embodiments,
it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the
disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation
so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent
arrangements.
* * * * *