U.S. patent application number 16/447353 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-01 for display apparatus and computing apparatus including the same.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Display Co., Ltd.. The applicant listed for this patent is LG Display Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to YongGyoon JANG, YuSeon KHO, Chiwan KIM, Kyungyeol RYU.
Application Number | 20200314557 16/447353 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005087343 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-01 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200314557 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
RYU; Kyungyeol ; et
al. |
October 1, 2020 |
DISPLAY APPARATUS AND COMPUTING APPARATUS INCLUDING THE SAME
Abstract
A display apparatus includes a display module having a display
panel configured to display an image, a sound generation module
disposed at the display module and configured to vibrate the
display module to generate sound, a first cover configured to cover
a first periphery portion of the display module, and a plurality of
ultrasonic generation modules disposed between the first periphery
portion of the display module and the first cover. The first cover
includes a plurality of first holes overlapping with the plurality
of ultrasonic generation modules.
Inventors: |
RYU; Kyungyeol; (Paju-si,
KR) ; KIM; Chiwan; (Paju-si, KR) ; KHO;
YuSeon; (Paju-si, KR) ; JANG; YongGyoon;
(Paju-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
LG Display Co., Ltd. |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
LG Display Co., Ltd.
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
1000005087343 |
Appl. No.: |
16/447353 |
Filed: |
June 20, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 41/0986 20130101;
H01L 41/37 20130101; H04R 2201/003 20130101; H01L 41/047 20130101;
H01L 41/082 20130101; H04R 2217/03 20130101; B06B 1/06 20130101;
H01L 41/083 20130101; H04R 2499/15 20130101; H04R 7/02 20130101;
H04R 17/005 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04R 17/00 20060101
H04R017/00; H01L 41/047 20060101 H01L041/047; H01L 41/08 20060101
H01L041/08; H01L 41/09 20060101 H01L041/09; H01L 41/37 20060101
H01L041/37; H01L 41/083 20060101 H01L041/083; H04R 7/02 20060101
H04R007/02; B06B 1/06 20060101 B06B001/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 29, 2019 |
KR |
10-2019-0037506 |
Claims
1. A display apparatus, comprising: a display module having a
display panel configured to display an image; a sound generation
module disposed at the display module and configured to vibrate the
display module to generate sound; a first cover configured to cover
a first periphery portion of the display module; and a plurality of
ultrasonic generation modules disposed between the first periphery
portion of the display module and the first cover, wherein the
first cover includes a plurality of first holes overlapping with
the plurality of ultrasonic generation modules.
2. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first
cover further comprises: a first cover part configured to cover the
plurality of ultrasonic generation modules; and a second cover part
connected to the first cover part to cover side surfaces of the
display module, wherein the plurality of first holes obliquely
penetrates the first cover part.
3. The display apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each of the
first holes comprises: a first side exposed to a front surface of
the first cover part; a second side exposed to a rear surface of
the first cover part; and an inclined surface between the first
side and the second side, wherein a shortest distance between the
second cover part and the first side is greater than a shortest
distance between the second cover part and the second side.
4. The display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an angle
between the inclined surface of each of the first holes and the
rear surface of the first cover part is an acute angle.
5. The display apparatus according to claim 3, wherein an angle
between the inclined surface of each of the first holes and the
rear surface of the first cover part is 15 to 30 degrees.
6. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the display
module includes a front case covering a first periphery portion of
the display panel and supporting the sound generation module; the
plurality of ultrasonic generation modules are disposed on the
front case; and the sound generation module includes a plurality of
vibration devices disposed on the front case in parallel to the
plurality of ultrasonic generation modules and configured to
vibrate the front case to generate sound.
7. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the display
module includes a front case covering a first periphery portion of
the display panel and supporting the sound generation module; the
plurality of ultrasonic generation modules are disposed on the
front case; and the sound generation module is attached to the
front case, the sound generation module being adjacent to the
plurality of ultrasonic generation modules.
8. The display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein each of the
plurality of vibration devices includes a piezoelectric device.
9. The display apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the first
cover further includes a plurality of second holes overlapping with
the plurality of vibration devices.
10. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the sound
generation module includes a vibration device disposed at a rear
surface of the display panel, and the vibration device is
configured to directly vibrate the display panel to generate
sound.
11. The display apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the
display module further comprises: a guide frame configured to
support the display panel; a backlight unit disposed at a rear
surface of the display panel; a second cover having an opening
overlapping with a remaining portion of the backlight unit,
excluding a second periphery portion of the backlight unit, the
second cover being configured to support the second periphery
portion of the backlight unit and the guide frame; and a vibration
plate covering the opening of the second cover and supporting the
sound generation module, wherein the display panel vibrates
according to vibration of the vibration plate by the sound
generation module and outputs sound.
12. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of ultrasonic generation modules generates longitudinal
wave type ultrasonic waves having a frequency of 20 kHz to 40
kHz.
13. The display apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising:
a driving circuit configured to sense user manipulation or power
off to generate a panel-cleaning control signal, and to vibrate
each of the plurality of ultrasonic generation modules according to
the panel-cleaning control signal.
14. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: the sound
generation module includes a piezoelectric composite layer; and the
piezoelectric composite layer includes: a plurality of
piezoelectric parts; and a plurality of flexible parts respectively
connected between the plurality of piezoelectric parts.
15. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of ultrasonic generation modules includes a piezoelectric
body.
16. The display apparatus according to claim 15, wherein: a width
of the piezoelectric body is greater than a thickness of the
piezoelectric body.
17. The display apparatus according to claim 16, wherein: a length
of the piezoelectric body is greater than four or more times the
width of the piezoelectric body.
18. A computing apparatus, comprising: a system main body; the
display apparatus according to claim 1; and a hinge part mounted
between the system main body and the display apparatus and
configured to rotatably support the display apparatus.
19. The computing apparatus according to claim 18, wherein each of
the plurality of ultrasonic generation modules includes a
piezoelectric body.
20. The computing apparatus according to claim 19, wherein a width
of the piezoelectric body is greater than a thickness of the
piezoelectric body, and a length of the piezoelectric body is
greater than four or more times the width of the piezoelectric
body.
21. A display apparatus, comprising: a display panel configured to
display an image; a sound generation module configured to directly
vibrate the display panel to generate sound; a front case
configured to cover a first periphery portion of the display panel;
a plurality of ultrasonic generation modules disposed at the front
case; and a first cover covering the plurality of ultrasonic
generation modules and including a plurality of holes overlapping
with the plurality of ultrasonic generation modules, wherein the
plurality of holes obliquely penetrates the first cover.
22. The display apparatus according to claim 21, wherein each of
the plurality of holes comprises: a first side exposed to a front
surface of the first cover; a second side exposed to a rear surface
of the first cover; and an inclined surface between the first side
and the second side, wherein an angle between the rear surface of
the first cover and the inclined surface is an acute angle.
23. The display apparatus according to claim 22, wherein the angle
between the rear surface of the first cover and the inclined
surface is 15 to 30 degrees.
24. The display apparatus according to claim 21, wherein: the sound
generation module includes a piezoelectric composite layer; and the
piezoelectric composite layer includes: a plurality of
piezoelectric parts; and a plurality of flexible parts respectively
connected between the plurality of piezoelectric parts.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2019-0037506 filed on Mar. 29, 2019, the
entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0002] The present disclosure relates to a display apparatus and a
computing apparatus using the same, and more particularly, to a
display apparatus that is capable of outputting a sound toward a
user located in front of a display panel and a computing apparatus
including the same.
Discussion of the Related Art
[0003] In general, display apparatuses can be equipped in home
appliances or electronic devices, such as televisions (TVs),
monitors, notebook computers, smartphones, tablet computers,
electronic organizers, electronic pads, wearable devices, watch
phones, portable information devices, navigation devices, and
automotive control display apparatuses, and are used as a screen
for displaying an image.
[0004] General display apparatuses include a display panel for
displaying an image and a sound device for outputting a sound
associated with the image. However, in the general display
apparatus, a sound output from a sound device travels to a
rearwards region or a downwards region with respect to the display
panel, and sound quality is degraded due to interference between
sounds reflected from a wall or the ground. Due to this, it may be
difficult to transfer an accurate sound, and immersion of a viewer
is reduced.
[0005] In addition, sound devices of a portable computing
apparatus, such as a notebook computer, are often disposed on a
lower side of a keyboard and a bottom, a left side surface, and a
right side surface of a system body, and are spaced apart from a
screen. As such, a viewer's immersion experience is reduced due to
a sense of difference (or mismatch) caused by a distance difference
between a displayed image and a sound. Also, because an output
direction of a sound may not be toward a direction of the ears of a
viewer, a sound having a middle-high-pitched sound band with strong
directivity may not be directly transferred to a viewer, and may be
lost or distorted.
SUMMARY
[0006] Accordingly, the present disclosure is directed to a display
apparatus and computing apparatus including the same that
substantially obviate one or more of the problems due to
limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
[0007] The inventors of the present disclosure have recognized
problems with the general display apparatus and have performed
various experiments on a scheme for outputting a sound toward a
user (e.g., a viewer) located in front of the display panel. The
inventors have developed a display apparatus having a new structure
that is capable of outputting a sound toward a user located in
front of the display panel, and a computing apparatus including the
same.
[0008] An aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a display
apparatus that is capable of outputting a sound to a user located
in front of a display panel, and a computing apparatus including
the same.
[0009] Another aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a
display apparatus that is capable of outputting a sound
(directivity sound) in a specific direction to a user located in
front of a display panel, and a computing apparatus including the
same.
[0010] The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the
aforesaid, but other objects not described herein will be clearly
understood by those skilled in the art from descriptions below.
[0011] Additional advantages and features of the disclosure will be
set forth in part in the description which follows and in part will
become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art upon
examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the
disclosure. The objectives and other advantages of the disclosure
may be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed
out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the
appended drawings.
[0012] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the disclosure, as embodied and broadly described
herein, a display apparatus comprises a display module having a
display panel configured to display an image; a sound generation
module disposed at the display module and configured to vibrate the
display module to generate sound; a first cover configured to cover
a first periphery portion of the display module; and a plurality of
ultrasonic generation modules disposed between the first periphery
portion of the display module and the first cover, wherein the
first cover includes a plurality of first holes overlapping with
the plurality of ultrasonic generation modules.
[0013] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a display
apparatus includes a display panel configured to display an image;
a sound generation module configured to directly vibrate the
display panel to generate sound; a front case configured to cover a
first periphery portion of the display panel; a plurality of
ultrasonic generation modules disposed at the front case; and a
first cover covering the plurality of ultrasonic generation modules
and including a plurality of holes overlapping with the plurality
of ultrasonic generation modules, wherein the plurality of holes
obliquely penetrates the first cover.
[0014] According to the present disclosure, a sound may be output
to the front of the display panel, whereby a viewer's immersion
experience may be enhanced due to harmony (or matching) between an
image and the sound.
[0015] According to the present disclosure, the sound may be
concentrated only on a user located in front of the display panel
using longitudinal wave type ultrasonic waves, whereby a user
privacy protection function may be realized.
[0016] According to the present disclosure, contaminants may be
removed (or cleansed) from the surface of the display panel by
using plate wave type ultrasonic waves generated on the display
panel due to the longitudinal wave type ultrasonic waves, whereby a
self-cleaning function may be realized.
[0017] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary
and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of
the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of
the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain
the principle of the disclosure. In the drawings:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a display
apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a sound generation module,
ultrasonic generation modules, and first and second through-holes
illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part A illustrated in FIG.
1;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one of the ultrasonic
generation modules illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sound generation
module illustrated in FIG. 1;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a piezoelectric composite
layer illustrated in FIG. 5;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a display
apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a display
apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating ultrasonic generation
modules and first through-holes illustrated in FIG. 8;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a display
apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating a driving circuit
unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a monitor using a display
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a computing apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0032] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating a sound concentrated on a
viewer due to plate wave type ultrasonic waves.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0033] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the
present disclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the
accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference
numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same
or like parts.
[0034] Advantages and features of the present disclosure, and
implementation methods thereof will be clarified through following
embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The present disclosure may, however, be embodied in different forms
and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth
herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the
scope of the present disclosure to those skilled in the art.
Furthermore, the present disclosure is only defined by scopes of
claims.
[0035] A shape, a size, a ratio, an angle, and a number disclosed
in the drawings for describing embodiments of the present
disclosure are merely an embodiment, and thus, the present
disclosure is not limited to the illustrated details. Like
reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. In the
following description, when the detailed description of the
relevant known technology is determined to unnecessarily obscure
the important point of the present disclosure, the detailed
description will be omitted.
[0036] In a case where "comprise," "have," and "include" described
in the present specification are used, another part may be added
unless "only.about." is used. The terms of a singular form may
include plural forms unless referred to the contrary.
[0037] In construing an element, the element is construed as
including an error range although there is no explicit
description.
[0038] In describing a position relationship, for embodiment, when
a position relation between two parts is described as "on.about.,"
"over.about.," "under.about.," and "next.about.," one or more other
parts may be disposed between the two parts unless "just" or
"direct" is used.
[0039] In describing a time relationship, for embodiment, when the
temporal order is described as "after.about.," "subsequent.about.,"
"next.about.," and "before.about.," a case which is not continuous
may be included unless "just" or "direct" is used.
[0040] It will be understood that, although the terms "first",
"second", etc. may be used herein to describe various elements,
these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms
are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example,
a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a
second element could be termed a first element, without departing
from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0041] The term "at least one" should be understood as including
any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed
items. For example, the meaning of "at least one of a first item, a
second item, and a third item" denotes the combination of all items
proposed from two or more of the first item, the second item, and
the third item as well as the first item, the second item, or the
third item.
[0042] Features of various embodiments of the present disclosure
may be partially or overall coupled or connected to or combined
with each other, and may be variously inter-operated with each
other and driven technically as those skilled in the art can
sufficiently understand. The embodiments of the present disclosure
may be carried out independently from each other, or may be carried
out together in co-dependent relationship.
[0043] Hereinafter, embodiments of a display apparatus and a
computing apparatus using the same according to the present
disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings. In adding reference numerals to elements of
each of the drawings, although the same elements are illustrated in
other drawings, like reference numerals may refer to like elements.
Also, for convenience of description, a scale of each of elements
illustrated in the accompanying drawings differs from a real scale,
and thus, is not limited to a scale illustrated in the
drawings.
[0044] FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a display
apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present
disclosure, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a sound generation
module, ultrasonic generation modules, and first and second
through-holes shown in FIG. 1.
[0045] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, a display apparatus 10
according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure may
include a display module 100, a sound generation module 300, a
plurality of ultrasonic generation modules 500, and a front cover
700.
[0046] The display module 100 may display an image, and may be
vibrated in order to output a sound forwards by the driving of the
sound generation module 300.
[0047] The display module 100 according to an embodiment may be a
liquid crystal display module or any other type of display module
that outputs light. For example, the display module 100 may include
a display panel 110, a backlight unit 130, a guide frame 150, a
support cover 170, and a front case 180.
[0048] The display panel 110 may include a display area for
displaying an image and a non-display area surrounding the display
area. The display panel 110 according to an embodiment may include
a first substrate 111 and a second substrate 113 laminated opposite
each other in the state in which a liquid crystal layer is
interposed therebetween, a first polarization film 115 attached to
the rear surface of the first substrate 111, and a second
polarization film 117 attached to the front surface of the second
substrate 113. In the display panel 110, the liquid crystal layer
may be driven according to an electric field formed at each pixel
by a common voltage and a data voltage applied to each pixel, and
an image is displayed by light transmitted through the liquid
crystal layer.
[0049] The backlight unit 130 may be disposed at the rear surface
of the display panel 110 in order to emit light to the display
panel 110. The backlight unit 130 according to an embodiment may
include a light guide plate 131 disposed at the rear surface of the
display panel 110, a light source module including a plurality of
light-emitting diode packages for emitting light to at least one
side surface of the light guide plate 131, a reflective sheet 133
disposed at the rear surface of the light guide plate 131, and an
optical sheet 135 disposed on the light guide plate 131.
[0050] The guide frame 150 may support the rear edge (or periphery)
of the display panel 110. In addition, the guide frame 150 may
cover the side surfaces of the display panel 110. The guide frame
150 according to an embodiment may be formed in the shape of a
quadrangular band corresponding to the rear edge (or periphery) of
the display panel 110. For example, the guide frame 150 may be
coupled or connected to the rear edge (or periphery) of the display
panel 110 by an adhesive member.
[0051] The support cover 170 may have therein an opening 170a
formed so as to overlap the remaining portion of the backlight unit
130, excluding the rear edge (or periphery) thereof, and may
support the rear edge (or periphery) of the backlight unit 130 and
the guide frame 150. The support cover 170 may receive the
backlight unit 130 therein, and may cover the side surfaces of the
backlight unit 130. Each side surface of the support cover 170 may
be covered by the guide frame 150. The support cover 170 according
to an embodiment may be made of a metal material, such as aluminum
or an aluminum alloy.
[0052] The front case 180 may cover the front edge (or periphery)
of the display panel 110, and may support the sound generation
module 300. The front case 180 may cover each side surface of the
display panel 110 and each side surface of the guide frame 150. The
front case 180 covers the non-display area of the display panel
110, excluding the display area thereof, in order to hide the
remaining portion of the display module 100, excluding the display
area of the display panel 110.
[0053] The front case 180 also serves as a vibration plate that is
vibrated to generate a sound by the driving of the sound generation
module 300. In order to serve as the vibration plate, the front
case 180 may be made of a metal material. For example, the front
case 180 may be made of one of electrolytically galvanized iron, a
magnesium alloy, a magnesium-lithium alloy, and an aluminum alloy.
The front case 180 may be expressed as a front housing, a top case,
or a sound generation case, but the term is not limited
thereto.
[0054] The front case 180 according to an embodiment may include a
front part 181 for covering the front edge (or periphery) of the
display panel 110 and supporting the sound generation module 30,
and a side part 183 bent from the front part 181 for covering each
side surface of the guide frame 150.
[0055] The front part 181 (or a front plate) may be formed in the
shape of a quadrangular frame including an opening 180a
corresponding to the display area of the display panel 110. The
front part 181 may cover the non-display area of the display panel
110, and may support the sound generation module 300 and the
ultrasonic generation modules 500. The front part 181 according to
an embodiment may include a first area A1 for supporting the sound
generation module 300 and a second area A2 for supporting the
ultrasonic generation modules 500.
[0056] The side part 183 may have a shape of a quadrangular frame
that is connected perpendicularly to an end of the front part 181
and surrounds each side surface of the guide frame 150.
[0057] The display module 100 according to an embodiment may
further include a pad member 190 disposed between the front case
180 and the display panel 110.
[0058] The pad member 190 may be interposed between the front case
180 and the display panel 110. The pad member 190 may prevent or
block physical contact between the front case 180 and the display
panel 110, and may absorb an external impact applied to the front
case 180 in order to prevent or reduce damage to the display panel
110 due to the external impact. In addition, the pad member 190 may
prevent or block moisture or foreign matter from permeating into
the display module 100 through a gap or space defined between the
front case 180 and the display panel 110.
[0059] The pad member 190 according to an embodiment may be a
single-sided foam pad having elastic force or a double-sided foam
pad having elastic force. As another example, the pad member 190
may contain a moisture absorbent for absorbing a liquid material,
such as moisture, running down the front surface of the display
panel 110, which stands vertically.
[0060] The sound generation module 300 is disposed at the display
module 100, and vibrates the display module 100 to generate a
sound. For example, the display module 100 may output a sound,
generated as the result of the display module 100 being vibrated by
the driving of the sound generation module 300, in front of the
display panel 110. The sound generation module 300 according to an
embodiment may include a piezoelectric device having a
piezoelectric characteristic of vibrating due to a piezoelectric
effect caused by an electric field. The sound generation module 300
may be expressed as a sound generator, a sound actuator, a film
actuator, a sound-piezoelectric composite actuator, a film speaker,
a film-type piezoelectric speaker, or a film-type
sound-piezoelectric composite speaker that uses the display module
100 as a vibration plate, but the term is not limited thereto.
[0061] The sound generation module 300 according to an embodiment
may be disposed on the front case 180 of the display module 100,
and may vibrate the front case 180 in order to output a sound
according to a sound driving signal applied thereto. That is, the
sound generation module 300 may use the front case 180 as a
vibration plate in order to output a sound. For example, the front
case 180 may be spaced apart from the front surface of the display
panel 110 by the thickness (or the height) of the pad member 190,
and may be vibrated to output a sound by the vibration of the sound
generation module 300.
[0062] The sound generation module 300 according to an embodiment
may include a plurality of vibration devices 310 disposed at the
front case 180 at uniform intervals or distances so as to surround
the display area of the display panel 110.
[0063] The vibration devices 310 are disposed along the front part
181 of the front case 180 at predetermined intervals or distances
so as to surround the display area of the display panel 110. The
vibration devices 310 may be attached to the first area Al, defined
on the front part 181 of the front case 180, by an adhesive member.
For example, each of the vibration devices 310 may include a
piezoelectric material having a piezoelectric characteristic. For
example, each of the vibration devices 310 may be formed in the
shape of a film. For example, each of the vibration devices 310 may
be a film-type exciter, but the term is not limited thereto. The
vibration devices 310 may vibrate the front part 181 of the front
case 180 according to a sound driving signal applied thereto in
order to generate a sound using the front part 181 of the front
case 180 as a vibration plate.
[0064] The plurality of ultrasonic generation modules 500 may be
disposed between the front edge (or periphery) of the display
module 100 and the front cover 700. The plurality of ultrasonic
generation modules 500 may be disposed at the display module 100,
and may vibrate the display module 100 in order to generate
ultrasonic waves. Each of the plurality of ultrasonic generation
modules 500 according to an embodiment is attached to the front
part 181 of the front case 180, and vibrates the front part 181 of
the front case 180 according to an ultrasonic driving signal
applied thereto in order to generate longitudinal wave type
ultrasonic waves (or a directional wave or a directivity wave). A
longitudinal wave is a wave, the direction of advancement of which
is identical to the vibration direction thereof. The longitudinal
wave has the highest speed among transverse waves, surface waves,
and plate waves generated by the ultrasonic generation module
500,and has strong directivity.
[0065] The longitudinal wave type ultrasonic waves generated by the
plurality of ultrasonic generation modules 500 may have directivity
in a specific direction and may thus advance a sound generated by
the vibration of the sound generation module 300. The longitudinal
wave type ultrasonic waves may advance a sound generated by the
sound generation module 300 toward a user located in front of the
display apparatus 10.
[0066] The directional characteristic of each of the plurality of
ultrasonic generation modules 500 may be expressed as a directivity
(Qax) and a directivity index (DI). The directivity (Qax) may be
defined as a value obtained by dividing sound pressure on the axis
by sound pressure when a sound source is assumed to be
non-directional, and the directivity index (DI) may be defined as
10.times.log(Qax). The value of directivity (Qax) of a
non-directional sound source is `1`. The sharper the directivity of
a sound source, the higher the value of the directivity (Qax) on
the axis. Because ultrasonic waves have a high frequency and a
short wavelength, the ultrasonic waves may advance in the form of a
short pulse while the path of advancement of the ultrasonic waves
has a directional characteristic due to strong vibration, whereby
the ultrasonic waves may be directional. Thus, the plurality of
ultrasonic generation modules 500 may generate longitudinal wave
type ultrasonic waves having a frequency of 20 kHz to 40 kHz in
order to advance a sound generated by the sound generation module
300 in a specific direction.
[0067] The plurality of ultrasonic generation modules 500 may be
disposed in the second area A2 defined on the front part 181 of the
front case 180 so as to surround the sound generation module 300.
The plurality of ultrasonic generation modules 500 may be disposed
outside (or on the outer side of) the sound generation module 300.
For example, in the case in which the plurality of ultrasonic
generation modules 500 are disposed inside (or on the inner side
of) the sound generation module 300, a sound generated by the
vibration of the sound generation module 300 may not pass through
the path of advancement of the longitudinal wave type ultrasonic
waves having directivity, and thus may not advance toward the front
of the display area of the display panel 110 but may advance toward
the outside of the display module 100. As a result, the sound may
not reach a user located in front of the display panel 110. In
order to propagate a sound generated by the vibration of the sound
generation module 300 in a specific direction, therefore, the
plurality of ultrasonic generation modules 500 may be disposed
outside the sound generation module 300, e.g., between the side
part 183 of the front case 180 and the sound generation module 300,
so as to surround the sound generation module 300.
[0068] The front cover 700 covers the front edge (or periphery) of
the display module 100. The front cover 700 according to an
embodiment may cover the front case 180, the plurality of
ultrasonic generation modules 500, and the sound generation module
300. In a final product for consumers or a finished display
apparatus, the front cover 700 may be expressed as a front set
cover, an outermost front structure, or a front product cover, but
the term is not limited thereto.
[0069] The front cover 700 according to an embodiment may include a
plurality of first through-holes 701 formed so as to overlap the
respective ultrasonic generation modules 500.
[0070] The first through-holes 701 may be formed through the front
cover 700 so as to overlap the respective ultrasonic generation
modules 500. The first through-holes 701 may guide the path of
advancement of the ultrasonic waves generated by the respective
ultrasonic generation modules 500 in a specific direction. Thus,
each of the first through-holes 701 may be expressed as an
ultrasonic guider, but the term is not limited thereto.
[0071] The front cover 700 according to an embodiment may further
include a plurality of second through-holes 703 formed so as to
overlap the sound generation module 300. The second through-holes
703 may be formed through the front cover 700 so as to overlap the
sound generation module 300. For example, the second through-holes
703 may be disposed parallel to the first through-holes 701.
However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The second
through-holes 703 may guide the path of advancement of a sound
generated by the vibration of the sound generation module 300 in a
specific direction. Thus, each of the second through-holes 703 may
be expressed as a sound guider, but the term is not limited
thereto.
[0072] The front cover 700 according to an embodiment may include a
front cover part 710 and a side cover part 730.
[0073] The front cover part 710 covers all of the plurality of
ultrasonic generation modules 500. The front cover part 710 may be
disposed on the front part 181 of the front case 180, and may cover
the front part 181 of the front case 180, the plurality of
ultrasonic generation modules 500, and the sound generation module
300.
[0074] The front cover part 710 according to an embodiment may
include a first area (or a first hole pattern part) formed so as to
overlap all of the plurality of ultrasonic generation modules 500
and a second area (or a second hole pattern part) formed so as to
overlap the sound generation module 300. For example, the first
through-holes 701 may be formed through the first area of the front
cover part 710, and the second through-holes 703 may be formed
through the second area of the front cover part 710.
[0075] The side cover part 730 is connected to the front cover part
710 so as to cover the side surfaces of the display module 100. The
side cover part 730 according to an embodiment may be bent
perpendicularly from the end of the front cover part 710 so as to
cover a space defined between the front cover part 710 and the
front part 181 of the front case 180 and to cover the side part 183
of the front case 180.
[0076] The display apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment
of the present disclosure may further include a rear cover 900.
[0077] The rear cover 900 stores or receives the display module 100
therein, and surrounds the side surfaces of the display module 100.
In a final product for consumers or a finished display apparatus,
the rear cover 900 may be expressed as a rear set cover, an
outermost rear structure, or a rear product cover, but the term is
not limited thereto.
[0078] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of part A illustrated in FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the first and second
through-holes.
[0079] With reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the first through-holes 701
of the present disclosure may obliquely penetrate the front cover
part 710 of the front cover 700 overlapping with the plurality of
ultrasonic generation modules 500. The first through-holes 701 may
obliquely guide the path of advancement of longitudinal wave type
ultrasonic waves generated by the overlapping ultrasonic generation
modules 500.
[0080] Each of the first through-holes 701 according to an
embodiment may include a first side S1exposed to the front surface
711 of the front cover part 710, a second side S2 exposed to the
rear surface 713 of the front cover part 710, which is opposite the
front surface 711, and an inclined surface S3 formed between the
first side S1 and the second side S2. For example, the shortest
distance SL1 between the first side of each of the first
through-holes 701 and the side cover part 730 of the front cover
700 may be greater than the shortest distance SL2 between the
second side of each of the first through-holes 701 and the side
cover part 730. In one embodiment, the first side of each of the
first through-holes 701 may be located so as to be biased to the
sound generation module 300 from the center line CL of the
ultrasonic generation modules 500, and the second side S2 may
overlap or may not overlap the first side S1 depending on the
diameter of each of the first through-holes 701 and the thickness
of the front cover part 710. Thus, the first side S1 and the second
side S2 of each of the first through-holes 701 may cross each
other.
[0081] In addition, the angle .theta. (or the hole inclination
angle) between the inclined surface S3 of an embodiment of each of
the first through-holes 701 and the rear surface of the front cover
part 710 may be an acute angle. For example, in the case in which
the hole inclination angle .theta. of each of the first
through-holes 701 is an acute angle, longitudinal wave type
ultrasonic waves having directivity may advance a sound in a
specific direction, and may be obliquely incident on the display
panel 110 in order to generate plate wave type ultrasonic waves on
the surface of the display panel 110 such that the surface of the
display panel 110 is cleansed. The plate wave type ultrasonic waves
may remove foreign matter from the display panel 110 such that the
display panel 110 is cleansed by a cavitation phenomenon while
propagating along the surface of the display panel 110.
[0082] In one embodiment, in the case in which the display
apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present
disclosure is applied to a monitor that is used in a vertically
standing and fixed state, the hole inclination angle .theta. of
each of the first through-holes 701 may be set within a range of 45
to 90 degrees. In the case in which the hole inclination angle
deviates from the above range, a sound generated by the vibration
of the sound generation module 300 may not reach a user located in
front of the display panel 110. For example, in the case in which
the hole inclination angle .theta. of each of the first
through-holes 701 is set to 45 to 90 degrees on the assumption that
the viewing distance of the monitor is 60 cm, a sound generated by
the vibration of the sound generation module 300 may be
concentrated on the ears of a viewer located 60 cm distant from the
screen of the monitor using longitudinal wave type ultrasonic waves
having directivity, and plate wave type ultrasonic waves may be
generated on the display panel 110 in order to cleanse the surface
of the display panel 110.
[0083] In another embodiment, in the case in which the display
apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present
disclosure is applied to a notebook computer or a tablet computer
that is used in an inclined state, the hole inclination angle
.theta. of each of the first through-holes 701 may be set within a
range of 15 to 30 degrees. In the case in which the hole
inclination angle deviates from the above range, a sound generated
by the vibration of the sound generation module 300 may not reach a
user located in front of the display panel 110. For example, in the
case in which the hole inclination angle .theta. of each of the
first through-holes 701 is set to 15 to 30 degrees on the
assumption that the viewing distance of the screen of the notebook
computer is 30 to 60 cm, a sound generated by the vibration of the
sound generation module 300 may be concentrated on the ears of a
viewer located 60 cm distant from the inclined screen of the
notebook computer using longitudinal wave type ultrasonic waves
having directivity, and plate wave type ultrasonic waves may be
generated on the display panel 110 in order to cleanse the surface
of the display panel 110.
[0084] Each of the second through-holes 703 according to an
embodiment may perpendicularly or obliquely penetrate the front
cover part 710 of the front cover 700 overlapping with the sound
generation module 300. The second through-holes 703 serve as a
sound channel through which a sound generated by the vibration of
the sound generation module 300 advances to the front of the
display panel 110. In one embodiment, the second through-holes 703
may be inclined so as to have an inclination identical to or
different from the inclination of the first through-holes 701. For
example, the angle between the rear surface of the front cover part
710 and each of the second through-holes 703 may be an acute
angle.
[0085] Each of the second through-holes 703 according to an
embodiment may be formed parallel to a corresponding one of the
first through-holes 701. A sound passing through the second
through-holes 703 may be concentrated on a viewer located in front
of the display panel 110 by longitudinal wave type ultrasonic waves
passing through the first through-holes 701.
[0086] In the display apparatus 10 according to the first
embodiment of the present disclosure, a sound generated from the
display module 100, for example the front case 180, vibrated
according to the vibration of the sound generation module 300,
which is disposed at the front edge (or periphery) of the display
module 100, may be output to the front of the display module 100,
whereby a viewer's immersion experience may be enhanced due to
harmony (or matching) between an image and the sound. Also, in the
display apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the
present disclosure, a sound generated from the display module 100
vibrated according to the vibration of the sound generation module
300 may be concentrated only on a user located in front of the
display panel 110 using the directivity of longitudinal wave type
ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generation modules
500, whereby no sound may be heard in regions other than the region
in which the user is located, and therefore a user privacy
protection function may be realized.
[0087] Furthermore, in the display apparatus 10 according to the
first embodiment of the present disclosure, contaminants may be
removed from the surface of the display panel 110 by plate wave
type ultrasonic waves generated on the display panel 110 due to the
longitudinal wave type ultrasonic waves, whereby a self-cleaning
function may be realized.
[0088] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating one of the ultrasonic
generation modules shown in FIG. 1.
[0089] With reference to FIG. 4, an ultrasonic generation module
500 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may
include a piezoelectric body 510, a first electrode part 530, and a
second electrode part 550.
[0090] The piezoelectric body 510 may include an inorganic material
or a piezoelectric material that is vibrated due to a piezoelectric
effect (or a piezoelectric characteristic) caused by an electric
field. The piezoelectric body 510 may be expressed as an electric
activation part, an inorganic material part, a piezoelectric
material part, or a vibration part, but the term is not limited
thereto.
[0091] The piezoelectric body 510 according to an embodiment may
include a flat piezoelectric polymer or flat piezoelectric ceramic,
but the term is not limited thereto. The piezoelectric body 510 may
include a material capable of generating longitudinal wave type
ultrasonic waves having a frequency of 20 kHz to 40 kHz.
[0092] The piezoelectric body 510 according to an embodiment may be
made of a ceramic material that is capable of generating relatively
high vibration, or a piezoelectric ceramic having a
perovskite-based crystalline structure. The perovskite crystalline
structure may have a piezoelectric effect and an inverse
piezoelectric effect, and may be a plate-shaped structure having an
orientation. The perovskite crystalline structure may be
represented by a chemical formula "ABO.sub.3". In the chemical
formula, "A" may include a divalent metal element, and "B" may
include a tetravalent metal element. For example, in the chemical
formula "ABO.sub.3", "A" and "B" may be cations, and "O" may be
anions. For example, the chemical formula "ABO.sub.3" may include
one of PbTiO.sub.3, PbZrO.sub.3, BaTiO.sub.3, and SrTiO.sub.3, but
is not limited thereto.
[0093] In a case where the perovskite crystalline structure
includes a center ion (for embodiment, PbTiO.sub.3), a position of
a Ti ion may be changed by an external stress or a magnetic field,
and thus, polarization may be changed, thereby generating a
piezoelectric effect. For example, in the perovskite crystalline
structure, a cubic shape corresponding to a symmetric structure may
be changed to a tetragonal, orthorhombic, or rhombohedral structure
corresponding to an unsymmetric structure, and thus, a
piezoelectric effect may be generated. In a tetragonal,
orthorhombic, or rhombohedral structure corresponding to an
unsymmetric structure, polarization may be high in a morphotropic
phase boundary, and realignment of polarization may be easy,
whereby the perovskite crystalline structure may have a high
piezoelectric characteristic.
[0094] In one embodiment, the piezoelectric body 510 may include
one or more materials of lead (Pb), zirconium (Zr), titanium (Ti),
zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and niobium (Nb), but is not limited
thereto.
[0095] In another embodiment, the piezoelectric body 510 may
include a lead zirconate titanate (PZT)-based material including
lead (Pb), zirconium (Zr), and titanium (Ti), or may include a lead
zirconate nickel niobate (PZNN)-based material including lead (Pb),
zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni), and niobium (Nb), but is not limited
thereto. Also, the inorganic material portion may include at least
one of CaTiO.sub.3, BaTiO.sub.3, and SrTiO.sub.3, each without lead
(Pb), but is not limited thereto.
[0096] The piezoelectric body 510 may generate longitudinal wave
type ultrasonic waves having a frequency of 20 kHz to 40 kHz due to
an electric field applied thereto. In one embodiment, the width W
of the piezoelectric body 510 may be greater than the thickness T
of the piezoelectric body 510, and the length of the piezoelectric
body 510 may be 4 times or more of the width of the piezoelectric
body 510 (4.times.W). For example, the piezoelectric body 510 may
have a length L of 90 mm or less, a width W of 30 mm or less, and a
thickness T of 2 mm or more.
[0097] The first electrode part 530 is disposed on the first
surface (or the front surface) of the piezoelectric body 510, and
is electrically connected to the first surface of the piezoelectric
body 510. The first electrode part 530 according to an embodiment
may be made of a transparent conductive material, a semitransparent
conductive material, or an opaque conductive material.
[0098] The second electrode part 550 is disposed on the second
surface (or the rear surface) of the piezoelectric body 510, which
is opposite the first surface thereof, and is electrically
connected to the second surface of the piezoelectric body 510. The
second electrode part 550 according to an embodiment may be made of
the same conductive material as the first electrode part 530.
[0099] The ultrasonic generation module 500 according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure may further include a
protective film for covering the first electrode part 530 and the
second electrode part 550.
[0100] The protective film may protect the first electrode part 530
and the second electrode part 550. For example, the protective film
may be a polyimide (PI) film or a polyethylene terephthalate (PET)
film, but is not limited thereto.
[0101] The ultrasonic generation module 500 according to the
embodiment of the present disclosure, as described above, may
generate longitudinal wave type ultrasonic waves having a frequency
of 20 kHz to 40 kHz according to an ultrasonic driving signal
applied to the first electrode part 530 and the second electrode
part 550.
[0102] Meanwhile, a sound generation module or a vibration device
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may have the
same structure as the ultrasonic generation module shown in FIG. 4,
or may have a structure different from the structure of the
ultrasonic generation module, depending on the sound pressure
characteristic and the reproduction band characteristic of a sound.
For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the sound generation module 300 or
the vibration device 310 may have the same thickness and length as
the ultrasonic generation module 500, but may have a width
different from the width of the ultrasonic generation module
500.
[0103] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the sound generation
module shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a
piezoelectric composite layer shown in FIG. 5.
[0104] With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, a sound generation module
300 (or a vibration device 310) according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure may include a piezoelectric composite layer 311,
a first electrode layer 313, and a second electrode layer 315.
[0105] The piezoelectric composite layer 311 according to an
embodiment may include a plurality of piezoelectric parts 311a and
a plurality of flexible parts 311b disposed between the plurality
of piezoelectric parts 311a.
[0106] The piezoelectric parts 311a and the flexible parts 311b may
be disposed (or arranged) in parallel on the same plane (or on the
same layer) to each other. For example, because the vibration
energy of the piezoelectric parts 311a due to a link in a unit
lattice is increased by the flexible parts 311b, the vibration of
the piezoelectric composite layer 311 may be increased, whereby the
piezoelectric characteristic and the flexibility of the
piezoelectric composite layer 311 may be achieved. In addition,
because the flexible parts 311b and the piezoelectric parts 311a
are alternately disposed in the same plane in the longitudinal
direction from one side of the piezoelectric composite layer 311,
the piezoelectric composite layer 311 may constitute a large-area
composite film (or an organic/inorganic composite film) having a
single-layer structure. The large-area composite film may have
improved flexibility due to the flexible parts 311b.
[0107] Each of the piezoelectric parts 311a may include a polygonal
pattern. Each of the piezoelectric parts 311a according to an
embodiment may be a line pattern having a predetermined first width
Wl. The piezoelectric parts 311a may be spaced apart from each
other by a predetermined second width (or a predetermined distance)
in a first direction X, and may be disposed side by side in a
second direction Y, which intersects the first direction X. In one
embodiment, the piezoelectric parts 311a may have the same size
within a process error (or an allowable error or a tolerance) range
generated during a manufacturing process. In another embodiment,
the piezoelectric parts 311a may have different sizes depending on
the position and/or shape thereof, or at least one of the
piezoelectric parts 311a may have a different size. In another
embodiment, the sizes of the piezoelectric parts 311a may increase
or decrease progressively in a direction from opposite ends to the
middle of the piezoelectric composite layer 311. In another
embodiment, the sizes of the piezoelectric parts 311a may increase
or decrease progressively in a direction from one end to the other
end of the piezoelectric composite layer 311. For example, the size
of each of the piezoelectric parts 311a may be defined as one of a
breadth, an area, a length, a width, a thickness, and a volume. In
another embodiment, the distances between the respective
piezoelectric parts 311a may be the same as or different from each
other. In another embodiment, the distances between the respective
piezoelectric parts 311a may increase or decrease progressively in
a direction from both ends to the center portion of the
piezoelectric composite layer 311. In a further embodiment, the
distances between the respective piezoelectric parts 311a may
increase or decrease progressively in a direction from one end to
the other end of the piezoelectric composite layer 311.
[0108] Each of the piezoelectric parts 311a according to an
embodiment may include an inorganic material or a piezoelectric
material that is vibrated due to a piezoelectric characteristic
caused by an electric field. For example, each of the piezoelectric
parts 311a may be expressed as an electric activation part, an
inorganic material part, a piezoelectric material part, or a
vibration part, but the term is not limited thereto. Each of the
piezoelectric parts 311a includes the same material as the
piezoelectric body 510 shown in FIG. 4, and therefore a duplicate
description thereof will be omitted.
[0109] Each of the flexible parts 311b may include a polygonal
pattern. The flexible parts 311b may be disposed between the
plurality of piezoelectric parts 311a, may improve an impact
resistance of the piezoelectric portions 311a, and may provide
flexibility to the sound generation module 300 (or the vibration
device 310). Each of the flexible parts 311b may be expressed as an
organic material part, an elastic part, a bending part, a damping
part, or a connection part that is flexible, but the term is not
limited thereto.
[0110] Because each of the flexible parts 311b may be configured to
fill a gap or space between two adjacent piezoelectric parts 311a,
each of the plurality of flexible parts 311b may be connected or
attached to adjacent piezoelectric parts 311a. For example, each of
the flexible parts 311b may be a line pattern having a
predetermined second width W2. The flexible parts 311b may be
disposed side by side in the state in which the piezoelectric parts
311a are disposed between the respective flexible parts 311b. Each
of the flexible parts 311b may have a size corresponding to the
distance between the respective piezoelectric parts 311a. The size
of the flexible parts 311b may be equal to or different from the
size of the piezoelectric parts 311a. The sizes of the
piezoelectric parts 311a and the flexible parts 311b may adjust
depending on requirements such as the vibration characteristic
and/or the flexibility of the sound generation module 300 (or the
vibration device 310). In one embodiment, for a display panel that
requires a piezoelectric characteristic rather than flexibility,
the size of the piezoelectric parts 311a may be greater than the
size of the flexible parts 311b. In another embodiment, for a
display panel that requires flexibility rather than a piezoelectric
characteristic, the size of the flexible parts 311b may be greater
than the size of the piezoelectric parts 311a.
[0111] Each of the flexible parts 311b may be made of an organic
material or an organic polymer having greater flexibility than the
piezoelectric parts 311a. For example, each of the flexible parts
311b may include an organic material, an organic polymer, an
organic piezoelectric material, or an organic non-piezoelectric
material.
[0112] Each of the flexible parts 311b according to an embodiment
may include at least one of an organic piezoelectric material or an
organic non-piezoelectric material.
[0113] Flexible parts 311b including an organic piezoelectric
material may absorb an impact applied to the piezoelectric parts
311a, thereby enhancing the total durability of the sound
generation module 300 and providing a desired piezoelectric
characteristic. The organic piezoelectric material according to an
embodiment may be an organic material having an electric activation
characteristic. For example, the organic piezoelectric material
included the flexible parts 311b may include at least one of
polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), .beta.-Polyvinylidene fluoride
(.beta.-PVDF), polyvinylidene-trifluoroethylene (PVDF-TrFE), and
polyvinylidene-trifluoroethylene-chloro fluoro ethelene
(PVDF-TrFE-CFE), but is not limited thereto.
[0114] Flexible parts 311b including an organic non-piezoelectric
material, each of which is constituted by a curable resin
composition and an adhesive including the same, may absorb an
impact applied to the piezoelectric parts 311a, thereby enhancing
the total durability of the sound generation module 300 (or the
vibration device 310). The organic non-piezoelectric material
included in the flexible parts 311b may include at least one of an
epoxy-based polymer, an acryl-based polymer, and a silicon-based
polymer, but is not limited thereto.
[0115] In the piezoelectric composite layer 311 according to the
present embodiment, the flexible parts 311b made of an organic
material having flexibility and the piezoelectric parts 311a made
of an inorganic material having a piezoelectric characteristic may
be alternately repeated and disposed (or arranged) on the same
plane (or the same layer) in the longitudinal direction X of the
sound generation module 300 (or the vibration device 310), and thus
may configure a large-area composite film (or an organic/inorganic
composite film) having a single-layer structure. The large-area
composite film may have flexibility due to the plurality of
flexible parts 311b.
[0116] The piezoelectric composite layer 311 according to the
present embodiment may vibrate with an electric field based on a
signal applied to each of the plurality of first portions 210
having a line pattern, and thus, both ends in the first
longitudinal direction X may be folded in an upward direction +Z or
folded in a downward direction -Z. For example, each of the
plurality of flexible parts 311b filled or disposed between two
adjacent the plurality of piezoelectric parts 311a may have
flexibility, and thus, even when the both ends of the piezoelectric
composite layer 311 are bent in the upward direction +Z or the
downward direction -Z, the plurality of piezoelectric parts 311a
may not be damaged or may not be reduced in performance.
[0117] The first electrode layer 313 may be disposed on the first
surface (or the front surface) of the piezoelectric composite layer
311 and may be electrically connected to the first surface of each
of the piezoelectric parts 311a disposed on the piezoelectric
composite layer 311. The first electrode layer 313 according to an
embodiment may include a transparent conductive material, a
semitransparent conductive material, or an opaque conductive
material.
[0118] The second electrode layer 315 may be disposed on the second
surface (or the rear surface), which is opposite the first surface
thereof, of the piezoelectric composite layer 311 and may be
electrically connected to the second surface of each of the
piezoelectric parts 311a disposed on the piezoelectric composite
layer 311. The second electrode layer 315 according to an
embodiment may include the same material as the first electrode
layer 313.
[0119] The sound generation module 300 (or the vibration device
310) according to the embodiment of the present disclosure may
further include a protective film for covering the first electrode
layer 313 and the second electrode layer 315.
[0120] The protective film may protect the first electrode layer
313 and the second electrode layer 315. For example, the protective
film may be a polyimide (PI) film or a polyethylene terephthalate
(PET) film, but is not limited thereto.
[0121] Therefore, in the sound generation module 300 (or the
vibration device 310) according to the embodiment of the present
disclosure, the piezoelectric parts 311a disposed on the
piezoelectric composite layer 311 may vibrate by an electric field
according to a sound driving signal applied to the first electrode
layer 313 and the second electrode layer 315, and thus, the display
module may vibrate to output a sound. In addition, the sound
generation module 300 (or the vibration device 310) may have
flexibility due to the plurality of flexible parts 311b filled
between the plurality of piezoelectric parts 311a, and thus, may
not be damaged or may not be reduced in performance by an external
impact.
[0122] Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 2, the sound generation module
300 (or the vibration device 310) according to the embodiment of
the present disclosure may have the same thickness and length as
the ultrasonic generation module 500, and may have a width
different from the width of the ultrasonic generation module
500.
[0123] FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating a display
apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present
disclosure, in which the display module of the display apparatus
shown in FIG. 1 is modified. Hereinafter, a duplicate description
of components identical to or corresponding to the components shown
in FIGS. 1 to 6 will be omitted, and only different components will
be described.
[0124] With reference to FIG. 7, in a display apparatus 20
according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure, a
display module 100 may be a self-emitting display module, such as
an organic light emitting display module, a quantum dot light
emitting display module, a micro light emitting diode display
module, or any other type of display module that outputs light.
[0125] The display module 100 according to an embodiment may
include a display panel 110, a support cover 170, and a front case
180.
[0126] The display panel 110 may be a light emitting display
module. The display panel 110 according to an embodiment may
include a pixel array substrate 112 having a pixel array 114
including a plurality of pixels, an encapsulation layer 116 for
encapsulating the pixel array 114, and an optical film 118 attached
to the upper surface of the encapsulation layer 116.
[0127] The pixels are provided at pixel regions defined by pixel
driving lines. Each of the pixels may include a pixel circuit
having at least two thin film transistors, at least one capacitor,
and a light emitting device that emits light due to current
supplied from the pixel circuit. In one embodiment, the light
emitting device may include an organic light emitting layer or a
quantum dot light emitting layer. In another embodiment, the light
emitting device may include a micro light emitting diode.
[0128] The encapsulation layer 116 protects the thin film
transistors and the light-emitting device from external impact, and
prevents or blocks moisture from permeating into the light-emitting
device.
[0129] The optical film 118 is attached to the upper surface of the
encapsulation layer 116 by a transparent adhesive member. The
optical film 118 may be a polarization film that changes external
light, reflected by the thin film transistors provided at the pixel
array substrate 112 and/or the pixel driving lines, into circularly
polarized light in order to improve the visibility and contrast
ratio of the display panel 110.
[0130] In addition, the display panel 110 may further include a
barrier layer and a touch electrode layer interposed between the
encapsulation layer 116 and the optical film 118. Furthermore, the
display panel 110 may further include a color filter layer provided
at the upper surface of the encapsulation layer 116.
[0131] Meanwhile, the encapsulation layer 116 may be replaced by an
encapsulation substrate attached to the pixel array substrate 112
by a filling member surrounding the pixel array 114. In the case in
which the filling member is transparent, the encapsulation
substrate may also be transparent.
[0132] The support cover 170 may support the display panel 110, and
may surround the rear surface and the side surfaces of the display
panel 110. The support cover 170 according to an embodiment may be
made of a metal material, such as aluminum or an aluminum
alloy.
[0133] The front case 180 may cover the front edge (or periphery)
of the display panel 110, and may support a sound generation module
300. In addition, the front case 180 may support a plurality of
ultrasonic generation modules 500. The front case 180 covers the
non-display area of the display panel 110, excluding the display
area thereof, in order to hide the remaining portion of the display
module 100, excluding the display area of the display panel
110.
[0134] The front case 180 is used as a vibration plate for the
ultrasonic generation modules 500 and the sound generation module
300. The front case 180 is substantially identical to the front
case shown in FIG. 1, and therefore a duplicate description thereof
will be omitted.
[0135] The display apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment
of the present disclosure is substantially identical to the display
apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present
disclosure shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, except that a self-emitting
display module is used as the display module 100, and therefore the
display apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment of the
present disclosure may have the same effects as the display
apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0136] FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically illustrating a display
apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present
disclosure, and FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating ultrasonic
generation modules and first through-holes illustrated in FIG. 8.
In this embodiment, the sound generation components of the display
apparatus shown in FIG. 1 are modified. Hereinafter, a duplicate
description of components identical to or corresponding to the
components shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 will be omitted or given
briefly.
[0137] With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a display apparatus 30
according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure may
include a display module 100, a sound generation module 300, a
plurality of ultrasonic generation modules 500, and a front cover
700.
[0138] The display module 100 is substantially identical to the
display module shown in FIG. 1, and therefore a duplicate
description thereof will be omitted.
[0139] The sound generation module 300 according to this embodiment
may include a vibration plate 301 and at least one vibration device
310 disposed at the vibration plate 301.
[0140] The vibration plate 301 may be coupled or connected to the
rear surface of the display module 100 via a plate-fixing member
303. An embodiment of the vibration plate 301 may cover an opening
170a formed in a support cover 170 constituting the display module
100. The vibration plate 301 according to an embodiment may be made
of one of a magnesium (Mg) alloy material, a magnesium-lithium
(Mg--Li) alloy material, and an aluminum (Al) alloy material. The
magnesium alloy material may contain at least one of aluminum, zinc
(Zn), or manganese (Mn), but is not limited thereto.
[0141] The plate-fixing member 303 may be interposed between the
front edge (or periphery) of the vibration plate 301 and the
support cover 170 in order to couple the vibration plate 301 to the
support cover 170 and to provide a gap space GS between a backlight
unit 130 and the vibration plate 301. The gap space GS may be
defined so as to serve as a vibration space for the vibration of
the vibration plate 301 and the vibration of the display module 100
according to the vibration of the vibration plate 301. The
plate-fixing member 303 according to an embodiment may be a
double-sided adhesive tape or an adhesive resin. The double-sided
adhesive tape may include a pad having a predetermined height (or a
predetermined thickness) or a foam pad. The adhesive resin may
include an acrylic-based material or a urethane-based material. In
an example, the adhesive resin is made of a urethane-based
material, which is more flexible than an acrylic-based material, in
order to minimize or reduce the vibration of the plate-fixing
member 303 directly transmitted to the display module 100.
[0142] The at least one vibration device 310 is attached to the
vibration plate 301 so as to be vibrated according to a sound
driving signal applied thereto in order to vibrate the vibration
plate 301. In one embodiment, the at least one vibration device 310
may be disposed at a first surface of the vibration plate 301,
which directly faces the backlight unit 130. In another embodiment,
the at least one vibration device 310 may be disposed at a second
surface of the vibration plate 301, which directly faces a rear
cover 900. The at least one vibration device 310 is identical to
the ultrasonic generation module shown in FIG. 4 or to the sound
generation module shown in FIG. 5, and therefore a duplicate
description thereof will be omitted.
[0143] The at least one vibration device 310 may vibrate the
vibration plate 301 according to a sound driving signal in order to
generate sound pressure in the gap space such that the display
panel 110 is indirectly vibrated to generate a sound. That is, when
the at least one vibration device 310 is vibrated according to a
sound driving signal, sound pressure is generated in the gap space
GS by the vibration of the vibration plate 301. The display module
100 is vibrated by the sound pressure generated in the gap space
GS, and a sound generated from the display panel 110, which is
vibrated according to the vibration of the display module 100, is
output from the front of the display panel 110.
[0144] The ultrasonic generation modules 500 may be disposed
between the front edge (or periphery) of the display module 100 and
the front cover 700. The ultrasonic generation modules 500 are
disposed at the display module 100 and vibrate the display module
100 in order to generate ultrasonic waves. Each of the ultrasonic
generation modules 500 according to an embodiment is attached to a
front part 181 of a front case 180, and vibrates the front part 181
of the front case 180 according to an ultrasonic driving signal
applied thereto in order to generate longitudinal wave type
ultrasonic waves (or a directional signal). The ultrasonic
generation modules 500 are identical to the ultrasonic generation
modules shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the ultrasonic
generation modules 500 are disposed at predetermined intervals or
distances along the middle line of the front part 181 of the front
case 180, and therefore a duplicate description thereof will be
omitted.
[0145] The front cover 700 covers the front edge (or periphery) of
the display module 100. The front cover 700 according to an
embodiment may cover the front case 180 and the ultrasonic
generation modules 500. The front cover 700 is identical to the
front cover shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, except that a plurality of
second through-holes 703 is not formed in the front cover 700, and
therefore a duplicate description thereof will be omitted.
[0146] An embodiment of the front cover 700 may include a plurality
of first through-holes 701 overlapping with the plurality of
ultrasonic generation modules 500.
[0147] Each of the plurality of first through-holes 701 may
obliquely penetrate a front cover part 710 of the front cover 700
overlapping with the plurality of ultrasonic generation modules
500. Each of the plurality of first through-holes 701 are identical
to the first through-holes shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and therefore a
duplicate description thereof will be omitted.
[0148] In the display apparatus 30 according to the third
embodiment of the present disclosure, a sound may be generated from
the display panel 110 vibrated according to the vibration of the
sound generation module 300 disposed at the rear surface of the
display module 100, and may be output to the front of the display
panel 110. Thus, a viewer's immersion experience may be enhanced
due to harmony (or matching) between an image and the sound. Also,
in the display apparatus 30 according to the third embodiment of
the present disclosure, a sound generated from the display panel
110 vibrated according to the vibration of the sound generation
module 300 may be concentrated only on a user located in front of
the display panel 110, using the directivity of longitudinal wave
type ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generation
modules 500, whereby no sound may be heard in regions other than
the region in which the user is located, and therefore a user
privacy protection function may be realized. Furthermore, in the
display apparatus 30 according to the third embodiment of the
present disclosure, contaminants may be removed from the surface of
the display panel 110 by plate wave type ultrasonic waves generated
on the display panel 110 due to longitudinal wave type ultrasonic
waves, whereby a self-cleaning function may be realized.
[0149] FIG. 10 is a diagram schematically illustrating a display
apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present
disclosure. In this embodiment, the sound generation components of
the display apparatus shown in FIG. 9 are modified. Hereinafter, a
duplicate description of components identical to or corresponding
to the components shown in FIG. 9 will be omitted or given
briefly.
[0150] With reference to FIG. 10, a display apparatus 40 according
to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure may include a
display module 100, a sound generation module 300, a plurality of
ultrasonic generation modules 500, and a front cover 700.
[0151] The display module 100 may be a self-emitting display
module, such as an organic light emitting display module, a quantum
dot light emitting display module, a micro light emitting diode
display module, or any other type of display module that outputs
light.
[0152] The display module 100 according to an embodiment may
include a display panel 110, a support cover 170, and a front case
180.
[0153] The display panel 110 may be a light emitting display panel.
The display panel 110 according to an embodiment may include a
pixel array substrate 112 having a pixel array 114 including a
plurality of pixels, an encapsulation layer 116 for encapsulating
the pixel array 114, and an optical film 118 attached to the upper
surface of the encapsulation layer 116. The display panel 110 is
identical to the display panel shown in FIG. 7, and therefore a
duplicate description thereof will be omitted.
[0154] The support cover 170 may support the display panel 110 by a
panel-coupling member 175, and may surround the rear surface and
the side surfaces of the display panel 110. The support cover 170
according to an embodiment may be made of a metal material, such as
aluminum or an aluminum alloy.
[0155] The panel-coupling member 175 may be interposed between the
display panel 110 and the support cover 170 in order to provide a
gap space GS between the display panel 110 and the support cover
170. For example, the gap space GS may be expressed as an air gap,
a vibration space, or a sound box, but is not limited thereto. The
panel-coupling member 175 may be disposed at the rear edge (or
periphery) of the display panel 110 and at the front edge (or
periphery) of the support cover 170 in order to adhere the display
panel 110 and the support cover 170 to each other. For example, the
panel-coupling member 175 may be realized as a double-sided
adhesive tape, a single-sided adhesive tape, or a double-sided
adhesive foam pad, but is not limited thereto.
[0156] The front case 180 may cover the front edge (or periphery)
of the display panel 110, and may support the ultrasonic generation
modules 500. The front case 180 covers a non-display area of the
display panel 110, rather than a display area thereof, in order to
hide the remaining portion of the display module 100, excluding the
display area of the display panel 110. The front case 180 may be
used as a vibration plate of each of the ultrasonic generation
modules 500.
[0157] The sound generation module 300 is disposed at the rear
surface of the display panel 110, and directly vibrates the display
panel 110 in order to generate a sound. The sound generation module
300 according to an embodiment may include at least one vibration
device 310 attached to the rear surface of the display panel 110.
The at least one vibration device 310 is identical to the
ultrasonic generation module shown in FIG. 4 or the sound
generation module shown in FIG. 5, and therefore a duplicate
description thereof will be omitted.
[0158] The ultrasonic generation modules 500 and the front cover
700 are substantially identical to the ultrasonic generation
modules and the front cover shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, respectively,
and therefore a duplicate description thereof will be omitted.
[0159] In the display apparatus 40 according to the fourth
embodiment of the present disclosure, a sound generated from the
display panel 110 vibrated according to the vibration of the sound
generation module 300 disposed at the rear surface of the display
panel 110 may be output to the front of the display panel 110,
whereby a viewer's immersion experience may be enhanced due to
harmony (or matching) between an image and the sound. Also, in the
display apparatus 40 according to the fourth embodiment of the
present disclosure, a sound generated from the display panel 110
vibrated according to the vibration of the sound generation module
300 may be concentrated only on a user located in front of the
display panel 110 using the directivity of longitudinal wave type
ultrasonic waves generated by the ultrasonic generation modules
500, whereby no sound may be heard in regions other than the region
in which the user is located, and therefore a user privacy
protection function may be realized. Furthermore, in the display
apparatus 40 according to the fourth embodiment of the present
disclosure, contaminants may be removed from the surface of the
display panel 110 by plate wave type ultrasonic waves generated on
the display panel 110 due to longitudinal wave type ultrasonic
waves, whereby a self-cleaning function may be realized.
[0160] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram illustrating a driving circuit
unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0161] With reference to FIG. 11, a driving circuit unit 200
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a
sound driving circuit 210, an ultrasonic driving circuit 220, a
video processing circuit 230, and a central control circuit
240.
[0162] The sound driving circuit 210 may be electrically connected
to the sound generation module 300. The sound driving circuit 210
may generate a sound signal from digital sound data under the
control of the central control circuit 240, may amplify the sound
signal in order to generate a sound driving signal, and may provide
the generated sound driving signal to the sound generation module
300. The sound generation module 300 may be vibrated according to
the sound driving signal received from the sound driving circuit
210, and may vibrate the display module 100 or the display panel in
order to generate a sound.
[0163] The ultrasonic driving circuit 220 may be electrically
connected to each of the ultrasonic generation modules 500. The
ultrasonic driving circuit 220, the driving of which is synchronous
with the driving of the sound driving circuit 210, may generate an
ultrasonic driving signal under the control of the central control
circuit 240, and may provide the generated ultrasonic driving
signal to each of the ultrasonic generation modules 500. Each of
the ultrasonic generation modules 500 is vibrated according to the
ultrasonic driving signal received from the ultrasonic driving
circuit 220 in order to generate longitudinal wave type ultrasonic
waves.
[0164] The video processing circuit 230 generates video data and a
timing synchronization signal from an image source, and provides
the generated video data and the generated timing synchronization
signal to a panel driving circuit of the display module 100. The
panel driving circuit may receive the video data and the timing
synchronization signal from the video processing circuit 230, and
may display an image corresponding to the video data on the display
panel according to the timing synchronization signal.
[0165] The central control circuit 240 may control the operation of
the sound driving circuit 210, the ultrasonic driving circuit 220,
and the video processing circuit 230.
[0166] The central control circuit 240 according to an embodiment
may sense user manipulation or power off in order to control the
driving of the ultrasonic driving circuit 220. In one embodiment,
the central control circuit 240 may generate a panel-cleaning
control signal in response to user manipulation of a separate
panel-cleaning button provided at the display apparatus, and may
provide the generated panel-cleaning control signal to the
ultrasonic driving circuit 220. In another embodiment, when the
display apparatus is turned off, the central control circuit 240
may generate a panel-cleaning control signal, and may provide the
generated panel-cleaning control signal to the ultrasonic driving
circuit 220. In a further embodiment, in the case in which the
non-driving time of the sound driving circuit 210 exceeds a
predetermined reference time, the central control circuit 240 may
generate a panel-cleaning control signal, and may provide the
generated panel-cleaning control signal to the ultrasonic driving
circuit 220. The panel-cleaning control signal may be generated
independently, rather than being synchronous with the driving of
the sound driving circuit 210.
[0167] The ultrasonic driving circuit 220 may generate an
ultrasonic driving signal in response to the panel-cleaning control
signal from the central control circuit 240, and may provide the
generated ultrasonic driving signal to each of the ultrasonic
generation modules 500. For example, each of the ultrasonic
generation modules 500 may be vibrated according to the ultrasonic
driving signal received from the ultrasonic driving circuit 220 in
order to generate longitudinal wave type ultrasonic waves, and
contaminants may be removed from the surface of the display panel
110 by plate wave type ultrasonic waves generated on the surface of
the display panel due to the longitudinal wave type ultrasonic
waves.
[0168] Additionally, the central control circuit 240 may generate a
panel-cleaning guidance signal, which is synchronous with the
panel-cleaning control signal, and may provide the generated
panel-cleaning guidance signal to the sound driving circuit 210.
For example, the sound driving circuit 210 may amplify the
panel-cleaning guidance signal received from the central control
circuit 240 in order to generate a sound driving signal, and may
provide the generated sound driving signal to the sound generation
module 300. The sound generation module 300 may be vibrated
according to the sound driving signal from the sound driving
circuit 210, and may vibrate the display module 100 or the display
panel in order to generate a panel-cleaning guidance sound, from
which a user may be informed that a self-cleaning function is being
performed.
[0169] Each of the display apparatuses according to the first to
fourth embodiments of the present disclosure may be used as a
monitor illustrated in FIG. 12, and may also be used as televisions
(TVs), navigation devices, electronic pads, or a tablet computers.
In the display apparatus according to the present disclosure
illustrated in FIG. 12, a sound may be output to the front of the
display panel 110, whereby a viewer's immersion experience may be
enhanced due to harmony (or matching) between an image and the
sound. In addition, the sound may be concentrated only on a user
located in front of the display panel 110 using longitudinal wave
type ultrasonic waves, whereby a user privacy protection function
may be realized. Furthermore, contaminants may be removed from the
surface of the display panel 110 by plate wave type ultrasonic
waves generated on the display panel 110 due to the longitudinal
wave type ultrasonic waves, whereby a self-cleaning function may be
realized.
[0170] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a computing apparatus
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0171] With reference to FIG. 13, a computing apparatus according
to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a system
main body 1, a hinge part 2, and a display apparatus 3 rotatably
coupled or connected to the system main body 1 via the hinge part
2.
[0172] The system main body 1 may include a main board, various
circuits mounted on the main board, various storage media, a
peripheral device, a keyboard, and a power supply device, etc. The
various circuits mounted on the main board may include a central
control circuit for processing various information, an image
processing circuit for processing data according to control by the
central control circuit, and a sound processing circuit for
processing a sound according to control by the central control
circuit, etc. The system main body 1 may process various
information, may generate video data, a sound driving signal, and
an ultrasonic driving signal, and may provide the generated video
data, the generated sound driving signal, and the generated
ultrasonic driving signal to the display apparatus 3.
[0173] The hinge part 2 may be mounted (or installed) between the
system main body 1 and the display apparatus 3, and may rotatably
support a lower side of the display apparatus 3.
[0174] The display apparatus 3 may be rotatably mounted (or
installed) to the hinge part 2, may cover the upper surface of the
system main body 1, or may be unfolded by a particular angle from
the top of the system body 1 with the hinge part 20 as a rotation
shaft. The display apparatus 3 may display an image corresponding
to video data received from the system main body 1 according to a
timing control signal received from the system main body 1, and may
output a sound and longitudinal wave type ultrasonic waves
corresponding to a sound driving signal received from the system
main body 1. Here, the sound driving signal may or may not be
synchronous with an image signal. The display apparatus 3 is
substantially identical in construction to one of the display
apparatuses 10, 20, 30, and 40 according to the first to fourth
embodiments of the present disclosure shown in FIGS. 1 to 10, and
therefore a duplicate description thereof will be omitted.
[0175] In the computing apparatus according to the embodiment of
the present disclosure, as illustrated in FIG. 14, a sound SW may
be output to the front of the display apparatus 3, whereby a
viewer's immersion experience may be enhanced due to harmony (or
match) between an image and the sound SW. In addition, the sound SW
may be concentrated only on a user located in front of the display
apparatus 3 using longitudinal wave type ultrasonic waves LUW,
whereby a user privacy protection function may be realized.
Furthermore, in the computing apparatus according to the embodiment
of the present disclosure, contaminants may be removed from the
surface of the display panel by plate wave type ultrasonic waves
LUW generated on the display panel due to the longitudinal wave
type ultrasonic waves LUW, whereby a self-cleaning function may be
realized.
[0176] A display apparatus and a computing apparatus using the same
according to the present disclosure will be described below.
[0177] A display apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure includes a display module having a display panel
configured to display an image, a sound generation module disposed
at the display module and configured to vibrate the display module
to generate sound, a first cover configured to cover a first
periphery portion of the display module, and a plurality of
ultrasonic generation modules disposed between the first periphery
portion of the display module and the first cover. The first cover
includes a plurality of first holes overlapping with the plurality
of ultrasonic generation modules.
[0178] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the
first cover further includes a first cover part configured to cover
the plurality of ultrasonic generation modules, and a second cover
part connected to the first cover part to cover side surfaces of
the display module. The plurality of first holes obliquely
penetrates the first cover part.
[0179] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure,
each of the first holes includes a first side exposed to a front
surface of the first cover part, a second side exposed to a rear
surface of the first cover part, and an inclined surface between
the first side and the second side. A shortest distance between the
second cover part and the first side is greater than a shortest
distance between the second cover part and the second side.
[0180] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, an
angle between the inclined surface of each of the first holes and
the rear surface of the first cover part is an acute angle.
[0181] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the
angle between the inclined surface of each of the first holes and
the rear surface of the first cover part is 15 to 30 degrees.
[0182] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the
display module includes a front case covering a first periphery
portion of the display panel and supporting the sound generation
module. The plurality of ultrasonic generation modules are disposed
on the front case, and the sound generation module includes a
plurality of vibration devices disposed on the front case in
parallel to the plurality of ultrasonic generation modules and
configured to vibrate the front case to generate sound.
[0183] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the
display module includes a front case covering a first periphery
portion of the display panel and supporting the sound generation
module. The plurality of ultrasonic generation modules are disposed
on the front case, and the sound generation module is attached to
the front case, the sound generation module being adjacent to the
plurality of ultrasonic generation modules.
[0184] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure,
each of the plurality of vibration devices includes a piezoelectric
device.
[0185] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the
first cover further includes a plurality of second holes
overlapping with the plurality of vibration devices.
[0186] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the
sound generation module includes a vibration device disposed at a
rear surface of the display panel, and the vibration device is
configured to directly vibrate the display panel to generate
sound.
[0187] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the
display module further includes a guide frame configured to support
the display panel, a backlight unit disposed at a rear surface of
the display panel, a second cover having an opening overlapping
with a remaining portion of the backlight unit, excluding a second
periphery portion of the backlight unit, the second cover being
configured to support the second periphery portion of the backlight
unit and the guide frame, and a vibration plate covering the
opening of the second cover and supporting the sound generation
module. The display panel vibrates according to vibration of the
vibration plate by the sound generation module and outputs
sound.
[0188] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure,
each of the plurality of ultrasonic generation modules generates
longitudinal wave type ultrasonic waves having a frequency of 20
kHz to 40 kHz.
[0189] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the
display apparatus further includes a driving circuit configured to
sense user manipulation or power off to generate a panel-cleaning
control signal, and to vibrate each of the plurality of ultrasonic
generation modules according to the panel-cleaning control
signal.
[0190] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the
sound generation module includes a piezoelectric composite layer,
and the piezoelectric composite layer includes a plurality of
piezoelectric parts and a plurality of flexible parts respectively
connected between the plurality of piezoelectric parts.
[0191] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure,
each of the plurality of ultrasonic generation modules includes a
piezoelectric body.
[0192] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a
width of the piezoelectric body is greater than a thickness of the
piezoelectric body.
[0193] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a
length of the piezoelectric body is greater than four or more times
the width of the piezoelectric body.
[0194] A computing apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure includes a system main body and a display
apparatus including a display module having a display panel
configured to display an image, a sound generation module disposed
at the display module and configured to vibrate the display module
to generate sound, a first cover configured to cover a first
periphery portion of the display module, and a plurality of
ultrasonic generation modules disposed between the first periphery
portion of the display module and the first cover. The first cover
includes a plurality of first holes overlapping with the plurality
of ultrasonic generation modules. The computing apparatus further
includes a hinge part mounted between the system main body and the
display apparatus and configured to rotatably support the display
apparatus.
[0195] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure,
each of the plurality of ultrasonic generation modules includes a
piezoelectric body.
[0196] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, a
width of the piezoelectric body is greater than a thickness of the
piezoelectric body, and a length of the piezoelectric body is
greater than four or more times the width of the piezoelectric
body.
[0197] A display apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure includes a display panel configured to display
an image, a sound generation module configured to directly vibrate
the display panel to generate sound, a front case configured to
cover a first periphery portion of the display panel, a plurality
of ultrasonic generation modules disposed at the front case, and a
first cover covering the plurality of ultrasonic generation modules
and including a plurality of holes overlapping with the plurality
of ultrasonic generation modules. The plurality of holes obliquely
penetrates the first cover.
[0198] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure,
each of the plurality of holes includes a first side exposed to a
front surface of the first cover, a second side exposed to a rear
surface of the first cover, and an inclined surface between the
first side and the second side. An angle between the rear surface
of the first cover and the inclined surface is an acute angle.
[0199] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the
angle between the rear surface of the first cover and the inclined
surface is 15 to 30 degrees.
[0200] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the
sound generation module includes a piezoelectric composite layer,
and the piezoelectric composite layer includes a plurality of
piezoelectric parts and a plurality of flexible parts respectively
connected between the plurality of piezoelectric parts.
[0201] The above-described feature, structure, and effect of the
present disclosure are included in at least one embodiment of the
present disclosure, but are not limited to only one embodiment.
Furthermore, the feature, structure, and effect described in at
least one embodiment of the present disclosure may be implemented
through combination or modification of other embodiments by those
skilled in the art. Therefore, content associated with the
combination and modification should be construed as being within
the scope of the present disclosure.
[0202] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
present disclosure described above is not limited by the
above-described embodiments and the accompanying drawings and that
various substitutions, modifications, and variations can be made in
the present disclosure without departing from the spirit or scope
of the disclosures. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure is
defined by the appended claims, and it is intended that all
variations or modifications derived from the meaning, scope, and
equivalent concept of the claims includes within the scope of the
present disclosure.
* * * * *