U.S. patent number RE48,493 [Application Number 16/257,885] was granted by the patent office on 2021-03-30 for display device.
This patent grant is currently assigned to FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.. The grantee listed for this patent is Funai Electric Co., Ltd.. Invention is credited to Naoki Nitanai, Hiromasa Sasaoka, Noritaka Tanabe.
United States Patent |
RE48,493 |
Sasaoka , et al. |
March 30, 2021 |
Display device
Abstract
A display device comprises a display component, a light source,
an optical element, and a first reflective member. The optical
element is positioned in a light emission direction from the light
source. The first reflective member is positioned rearward of the
display component. The first reflective member includes a first
opening and a second opening that is continuous with the first
opening and in which the light source is positioned. A width of the
optical element is smaller than a width of the first opening and is
larger than a width of the second opening in a first direction.
Inventors: |
Sasaoka; Hiromasa (Osaka,
JP), Tanabe; Noritaka (Osaka, JP), Nitanai;
Naoki (Osaka, JP) |
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Funai Electric Co., Ltd. |
Osaka |
N/A |
JP |
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Assignee: |
FUNAI ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
(Osaka, JP)
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Family
ID: |
57389179 |
Appl.
No.: |
16/257,885 |
Filed: |
January 25, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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Reissue of: |
15332384 |
Oct 24, 2016 |
10007147 |
Jun 26, 2018 |
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Foreign Application Priority Data
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Oct 26, 2015 [JP] |
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JP2015-210164 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G02F
1/133605 (20130101); G02F 1/133603 (20130101); G02F
1/133608 (20130101); G02F 1/133325 (20210101); G02F
1/133607 (20210101); G02F 1/133322 (20210101); G02F
1/133611 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
G02F
1/1335 (20060101); G02F 1/1333 (20060101); G02F
1/13357 (20060101) |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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102439354 |
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May 2012 |
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CN |
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2 790 055 |
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Oct 2014 |
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EP |
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2011-28991 |
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Feb 2011 |
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JP |
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2012-204336 |
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Oct 2012 |
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JP |
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Other References
The European Search Report of the corresponding European
Application No. 19150370.5, dated Feb. 11, 2019. cited by applicant
.
Extended European Search Report of the corresponding European
Application No. 16 195 544.8, dated Mar. 1, 2017. cited by
applicant.
|
Primary Examiner: Xu; Ling X
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Global IP Counselors, LLP
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A display device comprising: a display component; a light
source; a support member supporting the light source; an optical
element positioned in a light emission direction from the light
source; and a first reflective member positioned rearward of the
display component, the first reflective member including a first
opening and a second opening that is continuous with the first
opening, with the light source being disposed in the second opening
while the first reflective member is attached relative to the
support member, and a width of the optical element being smaller
than a width of the first opening and being larger than a width of
the second opening in a first direction.
2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the width of
the second opening is larger than a width of the light source in
the first direction.
3. A display device comprising: a display component; a light
source; an optical element positioned in a light emission direction
from the light source; and a first reflective member positioned
rearward of the display component, the first reflective member
including a first opening and a second opening that is continuous
with the first opening and in which the light source is positioned,
and a width of the optical element being smaller than a width of
the first opening and being larger than a width of the second
opening in a first direction, the optical element including a
plurality of legs, and the width of the second opening being larger
than a distance between the legs in the first direction.
4. The display device according to claim 3, wherein the first
opening and the second opening are continuous via a third opening,
and the third opening having a width that is smaller than the
distance between the legs in the first direction.
5. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first
opening and the second opening are linearly continuous.
6. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first
reflective member is formed by a reflective member having a shape
corresponding to the support member.
7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the light
source and the optical element are each provided in a plural
number, and the first reflective member includes a plurality of the
first and second openings, directions in which the first and second
openings are continuous substantially extend in a same
direction.
8. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a
second reflective member overlapping with the first reflective
member, and including a fourth opening through which the optical
element is insertable.
9. The display device according to claim 8, wherein the first and
second openings have an opening area that is larger than an opening
area of the fourth opening.
10. The display device according to claim 8, wherein one of the
first reflective member and the second reflective member has a
larger reflection area than the other one of the first reflective
member and the second reflective member.
11. The display device according to claim 10, wherein one of the
first reflective member and the second reflective member is formed
by a reflective member having a shape corresponding to the support
member.
12. The display device according to claim 11, wherein the light
source includes a plurality of light source groups in each of which
a plurality of light sources are linearly arranged along an
arrangement direction, the arrangement directions being different
from each other, and the first reflective member is provided in a
plural number corresponding to the light source groups.
13. The display device according to claim 1, further comprising a
wiring board on which the light source is installed and that has a
connector near an end, the first reflective member including an
engagement hole through which the connector is insertable, and the
engagement hole being disposed at a location where the connector is
insertable into the engagement hole while the light source is
disposed in the second opening.
14. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the second
opening is disposed in a region where the optical element is
disposed while the first reflective member is disposed relative to
the support member.
15. The display device according to claim 8, wherein the fourth
opening is disposed in a region where the optical element is
disposed while the second reflective member is disposed relative to
the support member.
16. The display device wherein a dimension of a bottom face of the
support member is at least a sum of a dimension of a bottom face of
the first reflective member and two times of a movement amount of
the first reflective member relative to the light source to move
the light source from the first opening to the second opening.
17. The display device according to claim 1, wherein a distance
from one end of the optical element to one side of the first
reflective member is substantially equal to a distance from the
other end of the optical element to the other side of the first
reflective member.
18. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the first
direction is parallel to a reflection surface of the first
reflective member and is perpendicular to a direction in which the
first opening and the second opening are arranged.
19. A display device comprising: a display component; a light
source; a support member supporting the light source; an optical
element positioned in a light emission direction from the light
source; and a first reflective member positioned rearward of the
display component, the first reflective member including a first
opening and a second opening that is continuous with the first
opening, with the light source being disposed in the second opening
while the first reflective member is attached relative to the
support member, and the first opening having an opening area that
is larger than an opening area of the second opening.
20. The display device according to claim 19, wherein a length of
the second opening in a direction in which the first and second
openings are continuous is smaller than a width of the optical
element.
.Iadd.21. A display device comprising: a display component; a light
source; a support member supporting the light source; an optical
element positioned in a light emission direction from the light
source; and a first reflective member positioned rearward of the
display component, the first reflective member including an
opening, with the light source being disposed in the opening while
the first reflective member is attached relative to the support
member, a width of the optical element being larger than a width of
the opening in a first direction, the optical element including a
plurality of legs, and the width of the opening being larger than a
distance between the legs in the first direction..Iaddend.
.Iadd.22. The display device according to claim 21, wherein the
width of the opening is larger than a width of the light source in
the first direction..Iaddend.
.Iadd.23. The display device according to claim 21, wherein the
first reflective member is formed by a reflective member having a
shape corresponding to the support member..Iaddend.
.Iadd.24. The display device according to claim 21, wherein the
light source and the optical element are each provided in a plural
number, and the first reflective member includes a plurality of
openings..Iaddend.
.Iadd.25. The display device according to claim 21, further
comprising a second reflective member overlapping with the first
reflective member..Iaddend.
.Iadd.26. The display device according to claim 25, wherein one of
the first reflective member and the second reflective member has a
larger reflection area than the other one of the first reflective
member and the second reflective member..Iaddend.
.Iadd.27. The display device according to claim 26, wherein one of
the first reflective member and the second reflective member is
formed by a reflective member having a shape corresponding to the
support member..Iaddend.
.Iadd.28. The display device according to claim 27, wherein the
light source includes a plurality of light source groups in each of
which a plurality of light sources are linearly arranged along an
arrangement direction..Iaddend.
.Iadd.29. The display device according to claim 21, further
comprising a wiring board on which the light source is installed
and that has a connector near an end..Iaddend.
.Iadd.30. The display device according to claim 21, wherein the
opening is disposed in a region where the optical element is
disposed while the first reflective member is disposed relative to
the support member..Iaddend.
.Iadd.31. The display device according to claim 21, wherein a
distance from one end of the optical element to one side of the
first reflective member is substantially equal to a distance from
the other end of the optical element to the other side of the first
reflective member..Iaddend.
.Iadd.32. The display device according to claim 21, wherein the
first direction is parallel to a reflection surface of the first
reflective member..Iaddend.
.Iadd.33. The display device according to claim 21, wherein the
opening has an outer edge that is disposed at a location that
overlaps with the optical member as viewed in a direction
perpendicular to the display component..Iaddend.
.Iadd.34. The display device according to claim 21, wherein the
opening has an outer edge that surrounds the light source and the
legs..Iaddend.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application .Iadd.is a Reissue application of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/332,384 filed on Oct. 24, 2016, now U.S.
Pat. No. 10,007,147 issued on Jun. 26, 2018, which .Iaddend.claims
priority to Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-210164 filed on
Oct. 26, 2015. The entire disclosure of Japanese Patent Application
No. 2015-210164 is hereby incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a display device. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a display device
having a light source and a reflective member.
Background Information
Display devices comprising a light source and a reflective member
are known in the art (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2012-204336 (Patent Literature 1), for
example).
Patent Literature 1 discloses a directly backlit display device
comprising a display component, a light source, a lens member
attached to the top face (display face side) of the light source, a
support member that supports the light source, and a reflective
sheet (reflective member) that is disposed between the lens member
and the support member. The reflective sheet has an opening that
matches the size of the light source, and the light source is
disposed on the inside of the opening. The external size of the
lens member is larger than the opening. Accordingly, a reflective
sheet is also disposed directly under the lens member (on the
support member side). Consequently, light emitted directly under
the lens member will be reflected by the reflective sheet, so this
suppresses a decrease in the light utilization efficiency. With the
display device in Patent Literature 1, it is believed that after
the light source is installed on the support member, the reflective
sheet is installed on the support member so that the light source
will be located inside the opening, after which the lens member is
attached to the light source.
SUMMARY
However, with the display device in Patent Literature 1, when a
plurality of light sources are provided, a problem is that the lens
member has to be attached individually to each of the light sources
after the light sources and the reflective sheet have been
installed on the support member. This complicates the assembly
work.
One object of the present invention to provide a display device
with which assembly work is made easier. Another object of the
present invention is to suppress a decrease in the light
utilization efficiency.
In view of the state of the known technology and in accordance with
a first aspect of the present invention, a display device is
provided that comprises a display component, a light source, an
optical element, and a first reflective member. The optical element
is positioned in a light emission direction from the light source.
The first reflective member is positioned rearward of the display
component. The first reflective member includes a first opening and
a second opening that is continuous with the first opening and in
which the light source is positioned. A width of the optical
element is smaller than a width of the first opening and is larger
than a width of the second opening in a first direction.
Also other objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present
disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art from
the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction
with the annexed drawings, discloses one embodiment of the display
device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of this
original disclosure:
FIG. 1 is an perspective view of the overall configuration of a
liquid crystal television set in accordance with a first
embodiment;
FIG. 2 is a rear elevational view of the overall configuration of
the liquid crystal television set in accordance with the first
embodiment;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the liquid crystal
television set in accordance with the first embodiment;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the bottom face of a first
reflective member in accordance with the first embodiment;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged plan view of a light source opening in the
first reflective member in accordance with the first
embodiment;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged plan view of the light source opening in the
state when the light source is disposed on the inside of the second
portion of the light source opening;
FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a cross section
passing through the light source in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the path of light from
a light source in a comparative example;
FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of first and second
reflective members in accordance with a second embodiment;
FIG. 10 is a plan view of the first reflective member in accordance
with the second embodiment;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged plan view of an opening in the first
reflective member in accordance with the second embodiment;
FIG. 12 is an enlarged plan view of the opening in the state when
the light source is disposed on the inside of the second portion of
the opening in accordance with the second embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a plan view of the first reflective member illustrating
the positional relation between a connector and an engagement hole
of the first reflective member;
FIG. 14 is a plan view of the first reflective member illustrating
the engagement state of the connector and the engagement hole of
the first reflective member;
FIG. 15 is an enlarged plan view of the opening in the state when
the first reflective member and the second reflective member
overlap;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged plan view of an opening in a first
reflective member in accordance with a third embodiment;
FIG. 17 is an enlarged plan view of the opening in the state when
the light source is disposed on the inside of the second portion of
the opening in accordance with the third embodiment;
FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of first and second
reflective members in accordance with a modification example of the
second embodiment; and
FIGS. 19A and 19B are schematic cross sectional views of a rear
frame and a first reflective member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the
drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this
disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are
provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting
the invention as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
First Embodiment
Configuration of Display Device
The configuration of a liquid crystal television set 100 pertaining
to a first embodiment will now be described through reference to
FIGS. 1 to 7. The liquid crystal television set 100 is an example
of the "display device" in the present disclosure.
As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal television set 100
pertaining to the first embodiment is provided with a display
component 1. The display component 1 has a display face 1a. The
display component 1 is mainly composed of liquid crystal cells, and
displays an image. In the description that follows, as viewed from
a position opposite the display component 1 of the liquid crystal
television set 100, the left direction will be referred to as the
arrow X1 direction, the right direction as the arrow X2 direction,
the front direction as the arrow Y1 direction, the rear direction
(or back face direction) as the arrow Y2 direction, the up
direction as the arrow Z1 direction, and the down direction as the
arrow Z2 direction.
The liquid crystal television set 100 is configured as a directly
backlit liquid crystal display device that displays an image on the
display component 1, using a light source 2 (see FIG. 3) provided
on the arrow Y2 direction side relative to the display component 1
as a backlight.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the liquid crystal television set 100
includes a front housing 3, a stand member 4, a rear frame 5, and a
cover member 6. The rear frame 5 is an example of the "support
member" in the present disclosure. The rear frame 5 supports the
light source 2.
The front housing 3 is molded from plastic, for example, or any
suitable material as used in the art. The front housing 3 supports
the display component 1 from the front face side (one face side in
the arrow Y1 direction). A rectangular opening 3a for exposing the
display face of the display component 1 on the arrow Y1 direction
side is provided in the center of the front housing 3.
The stand member 4 is molded from plastic, for example, or any
suitable material as used in the art. The stand member 4 supports
the entire liquid crystal television set 100 from below (the arrow
Z2 direction side).
The rear frame 5 supports the display component 1 from the rear (or
from the back face side or the other face side in the arrow Y2
direction). The rear frame 5 is formed from metal, for example, or
any suitable material as used in the art. The rear frame 5 is
formed in a concave shape that is recessed in the arrow Y2
direction. The rear frame 5 is put together with the front housing
3 from the arrow Y2 direction side. The rear frame 5 also supports
the light source 2.
The cover member 6 is molded from plastic, for example, or any
suitable material as known in the art. The cover member 6 is formed
in a size that is smaller than the rear frame 5, as shown in FIG.
2. The cover member 6 is disposed on the rear face side or back
face side of the rear frame 5 (the arrow Y2 direction side). The
cover member 6 partially covers part of the rear face or back face
of the rear frame 5 (the face on the arrow Y2 direction side). The
cover member 6 covers various boards (not shown), such as a signal
processing board and a power supply board disposed on the rear face
of the rear frame 5. The cover member 6 is fixed to the rear frame
5.
As shown in FIG. 3, the liquid crystal television set 100 includes
a light source component LP, a first reflective member 7, an
optical sheet 8, and panel posts 9. The light source component LP
includes a plurality of the light sources 2, a board 10, a
plurality of lens members 11, and a connector 12. The board 10 is
an example of the "wiring board" in the present disclosure. The
shapes of the various components in the plan view as seen from the
display component 1 side, will be described below. "Plan view as
seen from the display component 1 side" refers to a view in the Y
direction from the display component 1 side. Therefore, the shape
as seen in the plan view from the display component 1 side (the
plan view shape) indicates the shape or dimensions in directions
(i.e., Z direction and X direction) that are parallel to the
display face 1a of the display component 1.
The light source component LP is configured as a light source
module in which a plurality of the light sources 2, a plurality of
the lens members 11, and the connector 12 are mounted on the board
10. Thus, the liquid crystal television set 100 is provided with a
plurality of each of the light sources 2 and the lens members 11.
In other words, the light sources 2 and the lens members 11 are
provided in a plural number, respectively. The light source
component LP is fixed to the rear frame 5. The light source
component LP emits light over the entire surface of the display
component 1 from the rear face side or the back face side of the
display component 1. The fixing of the light source component LP is
accomplished by fixing the board 10 to the rear frame 5 by using
double-sided adhesive, heat-dispersing tape, fastening screws, or
any other suitable method as known in the art. In the first
embodiment, just one light source component LP is provided.
However, the number of the light source components LP can be
different as needed and/or desired.
The light sources 2 includes LEDs (light emitting diodes). That is,
in the illustrated embodiment, the light sources 2 are point light
sources. The light sources 2 are disposed on the rear face side or
the back face side of the display component 1 (the arrow Y2
direction side). The light sources 2 emit light to the display
component 1 side (the arrow Y1 direction side). The light sources 2
are supported on the rear frame 5 via the board 10. The light
sources 2 have a rectangular shape in the plan view (see FIG.
5).
The board 10 is a wiring board having a slender shape that extends
in a straight line. The board 10 is installed on the front face
surface of the rear frame 5 (the surface on the arrow Y1 direction
side). Also, a total of nine light sources 2 and the connector 12
are mounted on the front face surface of the board 10, spaced apart
and running in the direction in which the board 10 extends (the X
direction).
The lens members 11 are installed on the display component 1 side
of the light sources 2. The lens members 11 cover the light sources
2 that are mounted on the board 10, from the display component 1
side (the arrow Y1 direction side). The lens members 11 are made of
acrylic or another such plastic, or any other suitable material as
used in the art. The lens members 11 are configured such that the
light emitted from the light sources 2 will be emitted in a state
of having a specific light distribution angle. As shown in FIG. 7,
each of the lens members 11 includes a lens 11a and a plurality of
(three in the illustrated embodiment) legs 11b that is provided to
the lower part of the lens 11a. The lens members 11 are fixed to
the board 10 by adhesively bonding the legs 11b to the surface of
the board 10. The lens members 11 are fixed on the board 10 along
with the light sources 2 ahead of time. The lens members 11 are
circular in the plan view (as seen from the display component 1
side). The lens members 11 are larger than the light sources 2.
That is, the external shape of the lens members 11 in a direction
parallel to the display face 1a of the display component 1 (i.e.,
the Z direction or the X direction) is larger than the light
sources 2. The lens members 11 cover the display component 1 side
of the light sources 2, including the light sources 2, over a range
of a diameter d1 (see FIG. 5). The lens member 11 is an example of
an "optical element" of the present disclosure. The lens member 11
is disposed between the display component 1 and the light source 2
as shown in FIG. 3. Also, the lens members 11 are positioned in a
light emission direction from the light sources 2.
The connector 12 is substantially cuboid in shape, and is fixed on
the board 10. The connector 12 is connected to the power supply
board via a signal wire (not shown). The light sources 2 emit light
upon receiving a supply of electricity from the outside via the
connector 12 and wiring (not shown) formed on the board 10. The
connector 12 is disposed near the center of the board 10 in its
lengthwise direction. More specifically, the connector 12 is
disposed at a location between the third and fourth light sources 2
from the arrow X1 direction side (or from the left side).
The first reflective member 7 is disposed between the lens members
11 and the rear frame 5 in the Y direction as shown in FIG. 7. The
first reflective member 7 is positioned rearward of the display
component 1. The first reflective member 7 reflects light from the
light sources 2. The first reflective member 7 is molded, for
example, from plastic (preferably PET (polyethylene
terephthalate)), or any suitable material as used in the art. The
first reflective member 7 is made up of a sheet-form reflective
member (reflective sheet) having a shape that corresponds to the
rear frame 5. Specifically, the first reflective member 7 has
roughly the same dimensions as the surface of the rear frame 5 on
the display component 1 side. The first reflective member 7 has a
shape that conforms to the rear frame 5 (a concave shape that is
recessed on the arrow Y2 direction side). The first reflective
member 7 is formed so as to cover substantially the entire surface
of the rear frame 5 on the display component 1 side, excluding the
regions in which various openings (discussed below) are formed.
More specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the first reflective member
7 includes a bottom face part 7a and a plurality of (four in FIG.
3) sloped face parts 7b. The bottom face part 7a has a rectangular
shape that extends in the X direction. The sloped face parts 7b are
disposed surrounding the four sides of the bottom face part 7a. The
bottom face part 7a is formed so as to spread out substantially
parallel to the display component 1. The sloped face parts 7b are
formed so as to extend obliquely from the ends of the bottom face
part 7a toward the edges of the rear frame 5.
As shown in FIG. 4, the first reflective member 7 also includes a
plurality of light source openings 13 and 14 and two panel post
openings 15 in the bottom face part 7a. In FIG. 4, hatching is
applied to the bottom face part 7a to make it easier to see. FIG. 4
illustrates the entire region of the bottom face part 7a of the
first reflective member. The light source openings 13 and 14 are
provided corresponding to the nine light sources 2 (lens members
11). More specifically, the bottom face part 7a includes six light
source openings 13 corresponding to three light sources 2 (lens
members 11) on both sides (on the left side and on the right side)
in the X direction, and one large light source opening 14
corresponding to the connector 12 and three light sources 2 (lens
members 11) in the middle. The light source openings 13 and 14 are
an example of the "opening" or the "first aperture" in the present
disclosure. Thus, the first reflective member 7 includes a
plurality of the light source openings 13 and 14. The panel post
openings 15 are provided at locations corresponding to the
locations where the two panel posts 9 are disposed.
As shown in FIG. 3, the optical sheet 8 includes, for example, a
diffuser, a polarizing filter, etc. In FIG. 3, it is depicted as a
single member, but may instead be a structure in which a plurality
of sheets are laminated. The optical sheet 8 is disposed between
the light sources 2 and the display component 1. The optical sheet
8 has specific optical characteristics for diffusing the light from
the light sources 2 or for making the polarization direction of the
light more uniform as the light is emitted toward the display
component 1.
Configuration of First Reflective Member
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the first embodiment, the light
source openings 13 of the first reflective member 7 each have a
first portion 21 (first opening) and a second portion 22 (second
opening), as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the first reflective member 7
includes a plurality of the first and second portions 21 and 22.
The first portion 21 is dimensioned such that the lens members 11
are insertable through the first portion 21. The second portion 22
is smaller than the external shape of the lens member 11 in the
direction parallel to the display face 1a of the display component
1. The second portion 22 is continuous with the first portion 21.
The second portion 22 is dimensioned such that the light source 2
is disposed inside the second portion 22. As shown in FIG. 4, the
larger light source opening 14 is, roughly speaking, a single
opening in which three of the light source openings 13 are
connected. Therefore, the light source opening 14 has the same
basic structure as the light source openings 13. In other words,
the light source opening 14 has a plurality of (three in FIG. 4)
first portions 21 and a plurality of (three in FIG. 4) second
portions 22. As shown in FIG. 4, the light source openings 13 and
14 are arranged such that the distance C1 from the left end (one
end) of the leftmost lens member 11 to the left side (one side) of
bottom face part 7a of the first reflective member 7 is
substantially equal to the distance C2 from the right end (the
other end) of the rightmost lens member 11 to the right side (the
other side) of the bottom face part 7a of the first reflective
member 7 when the first reflective member 7 is attached to the
light source components LP. With this arrangement, the light
emitted from the leftmost and rightmost lens members 11
symmetrically shines on the display component 1, and thus the
uneven brightness on the display component 1 is properly
prevented.
As shown in FIG. 5, the light source openings 13 are formed in the
shape of a keyhole, in which the circular openings forming the
first portions 21 partially overlap the rectangular openings
forming the second portions 22. The first portions 21 have a shape
corresponding to the external shape of the lens members 11 in the
direction parallel to the display face 1a. The first portions 21
are formed in a circular shape, and are larger than the lens
members 11 that are circular in the plan view. The diameter d2 of
the first portions 21 is greater than the diameter (outside
diameter) d1 of the lens members 11.
The second portions 22 extend continuously and linearly in the S2
direction from the first portions 21, and are rectangular in shape.
That is, the first portions 21 and the second portions 22 are
linearly continuous. The S2 direction is a direction that runs
along the lengthwise direction of the board 10. In the illustrated
embodiment, the S2 direction is parallel to the arrow X2 direction.
The second portions 22 are formed in a size that allows the light
sources 2 and the legs 11b of the lens members 11 disposed around
the light sources 2 to fit inside. In the illustrated embodiment,
the direction in which the first and second portions 21 and 22 are
continuous substantially extend in the same direction (the S2
direction). As shown in FIG. 5, the first portion 21 has an opening
area that is larger than an opening area of the second portion 22.
As shown in FIG. 5, the length L2 of the second portion 22 in the X
direction in which the first and second portions 21 and 22 are
continuous is smaller than the diameter d1 (width d1) of the lens
member 11.
The length L1 of the short side of the second portions 22 and the
length L2 of the long side are both less than the diameter d1 of
the lens members 11. Therefore, the lens members 11 cannot pass
through the second portions 22. Also, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6,
the length L1 of the short side is greater than the length L3 in
the same direction of the region in which the light sources 2 and
the legs 11b are disposed. The length L2 of the long side is
greater than the length L4 in the same direction of the region in
which the light sources 2 and the legs 11b are disposed. Therefore,
as shown in FIG. 6, in a plan view seen from the display component
1 side, the outer edge of the second portion 22 is disposed at a
location that overlaps the lens 11a, and is disposed so that the
outer edge surrounds the light sources 2 and the legs 11b. Thus, as
shown in FIG. 5, the first portion 21 has the diameter d2 (width
d2) that is larger than the length L1 (width L1) of the second
portion 22 in the Z direction (first direction) that is parallel to
the bottom face part 7a (reflection surface) of the first
reflective member 7 and is perpendicular to the X direction
(direction) in which the first portion 21 and the second portion 22
are arranged. Also, the diameter d2 (width d2) of the first portion
21 is larger than the diameter d1 (width d1) of the lens member 11
(optical element) in the Z direction. Also, the length L1 (width
L1) of the second portion 22 is larger than a width L5 of the light
source 2 in the Z direction. Also, as mentioned above, the lens
member 11 has the plurality of legs 11b. The length L1 (width L1)
of the second portion 22 is larger than the length L3 (distance L3)
between the legs 11b in the Z direction. Also, the width d1 of the
lens member 11 is smaller than the width d2 of the first portion 21
and is larger than the width L1 of the second portion 22 in the Z
direction (first direction).
As shown in FIG. 3, in each of the light source openings 13 (14),
the first portion 21 is disposed at a location corresponding to the
lens member 11, and the second portion 22 is disposed on a specific
direction side parallel to the back face with respect to the first
portion 21. That is, all of the second portions 22 of the first
reflective member 7 are disposed on the same side with respect to
the corresponding first portions 21 (on one side (the S2 direction
side) in the lengthwise direction of the board 10). Thus, in the
illustrated embodiment, the second portion 22 is disposed in a
region where the lens member 11 (optical element) is disposed while
the first reflective member 7 is disposed relative to the rear
frame 5 (support member).
The light source opening 14 forms a single, large opening by
connecting adjacent first portions 21 with the second portions 22.
A third portion 23 (third opening) is provided at the end of the
light source opening 14 on the arrow X1 direction side. The third
portion 23 is an open region used for the connector 12 and formed
so that the opening width in the Z direction is larger. Wiring (not
shown) that passes between the first reflective member 7 and the
rear frame 5 is pull out to the display component 1 side beyond the
first reflective member 7 via the third portion 23, and is
connected to the connector 12.
With this configuration, the first reflective member 7 is disposed
between the lens members 11 and the rear frame 5 by first inserting
the lens members 11 through the first portions 21 into the light
source openings 13 (14) (see FIG. 5), and then sliding the light
sources 2 in the S1 direction along the back face of the display
component 1 so as to be disposed on the inside of the second
portions 22. The light sources 2 are disposed at locations on the
inside of the second portions 22 (see FIG. 6).
In FIG. 6, hatching is added to the overlap region DA where the
first reflective member 7 and the lens members 11 overlap in a
state in which the light sources 2 are disposed on the inside of
the second portions 22. As a result, as shown in FIG. 7, the
overlap region DA of the first reflective member 7 is disposed
between the lens members 11 and the rear frame 5.
Method for Attaching First Reflective Member
As shown in FIG. 3, in the first embodiment, the first reflective
member 7 is attached to the rear frame 5 after the light source
component LP has been installed on the rear frame 5. The light
source component LP is prepared as a module in which the light
sources 2, the lens members 11, and the connector 12 are mounted on
the board 10, and is installed on the rear frame 5.
In attaching the first reflective member 7, first the first
reflective member 7 is positioned so that the first portions 21 of
the light source openings 13 and 14 will be located above the lens
members 11. Next, the lens members 11 are inserted into the first
portions 21 while the first reflective member 7 is placed on the
rear frame 5. As a result, as shown in FIG. 5, the light sources 2
and the lens members 11 are disposed at locations on the inside of
the first portions 21. The connector 12 is inserted into the third
portion 23 (see FIG. 3).
Next, the first reflective member 7 is slid to the opposite side
(S1 direction) from the second portions 22 with respect to the
first portions 21. The light sources 2 (lens members 11) in the
first portions 21 move relatively to the second portion 22 side (S2
direction) within the light source openings 13 (14). Movement of
the entire first reflective member 7 in the S1 direction causes all
nine of the light sources 2 to be disposed on the inside of the
second portions 22. At this point, as shown in FIG. 7, since the
overlap region DA (see FIG. 6) of the first reflective member 7 is
disposed between the rear frame 5 and the lens members 11, the lens
members 11 function to keep the first reflective member 7 from
coming loose.
The panel posts 9 are then passed through the panel post openings
15 and installed on the rear frame 5.
Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the method (display device
assembly method) comprises providing the light source 2 with the
lens member 11 (optical element), and attaching the light source 2
with the lens member 11 to the first reflective member 7. The first
reflective member 7 includes the light source opening 13 (14)
(first aperture) with the first portion 21 and the second portion
22 that is continuous with the first portion 21. The attaching of
the light source 2 with the lens member 11 to the first reflective
member 7 includes inserting the lens member 11 through the first
portion 21 and relatively sliding the light source 2 relative to
the first reflective member 7 from the first portion 21 to the
second portion 22.
Effect of First Embodiment
The following effect can be obtained with the first embodiment.
In the first embodiment, as discussed above, the light source
openings 13 (14) have the first portions 21 and the second portions
22. The lens members 11 can be inserted through the first portions
21. The second portions 22 are smaller than the external shape of
the lens members 11 in a direction parallel to the display face 1a
of the display component 1. The second portions 22 are continuous
with the first portions 21. The second portions 22 allow the light
sources 2 to be disposed on the inside. The light source openings
13 (14) are provided to the first reflective member 7, which is
disposed between the lens members 11 and the rear frame 5.
Consequently, even in a state in which the lens members 11 have
already been installed, the light sources 2 can be disposed at
locations on the inside of the second portions 22 from the first
portions 21 in the light source openings 13 (14) by inserting the
lens members 11 and the light sources 2 through the first portions
21 into the light source openings 13 (14), and then sliding the
first reflective member 7 (or the rear frame 5). As a result, the
first reflective member 7 can be installed from behind the light
sources 2 to which the lens members 11 are attached. Thus, assembly
work is easier. Also, the second portions 22 are smaller than the
lens members 11. Thus, the overlap regions DA (see FIG. 6) around
the light source openings 13 (14) of the first reflective member 7
are disposed directly below the lens members 11. As a result, the
light emitted directly below the lens members 11 can be reflected
by the first reflective member 7 (see FIG. 7). Thus, a decrease in
the light utilization efficiency can be suppressed. Therefore,
assembly work can be made easier while suppressing a decrease in
light utilization efficiency.
More specifically, if openings 51 that are larger than the lens
members 11 are formed in order to allow the lens members 11 to pass
through as in the comparative example as shown in FIG. 8, it will
be possible to installed a reflective member 50 from behind the
light sources 2 to which the lens members 11 are attached. However,
in this case, the reflective member 50 will not be disposed
directly below the lens members 11. Accordingly, some of the light
emitted from the light sources 2 will end up leaking from the
openings 51 to the rear frame 5 side. This diminishes the light
utilization efficiency. On the other hand, with the first
embodiment, part of the first reflective member 7 (the overlap
regions DA) can be disposed directly below the lens members 11 as
shown in FIG. 7. Thus, the light emitted directly below the lens
members 11 will also be reflected to the display component 1 side.
This allows the light utilization efficiency to be improved.
Also, in the first embodiment, as discussed above, in each of the
light source openings 13 (14), the first portion 21 is disposed at
a location corresponding to the lens member 11, and the second
portion 22 is disposed on a specific direction (S2 direction) side
parallel to the back face with respect to the first portion 21.
Consequently, the light sources 2 can be relatively moved all at
once from the first portions 21 to the second portions 22 of the
light source openings 13 (14) merely by sliding the first
reflective member 7 to the opposite side (S1 direction side) from
the specific direction. As a result, assembly work can be made
easier.
Also, in the first embodiment, as discussed above, the first
portions 21 and the second portions 22 are linearly continuous.
That is, the first portions 21 and the second portions 22 are not
connected by curved paths (grooves), but are continuous along a
linear path in the S2 direction. Consequently, the light sources 2
can be easily disposed from the first portions 21 to the second
portions 22 merely by sliding the first reflective member 7
linearly. Accordingly, assembly work can be further
facilitated.
Also, in the first embodiment, as discussed above, the first
reflective member 7 is disposed between the lens members 11 and the
rear frame 5 by inserting the lens members 11 through the first
portions 21 into the light source openings 13 (14), and then
sliding the first reflective member 7 in the S1 direction so that
the light sources 2 will be disposed inside the second portions 22.
Consequently, the light sources 2 can be easily disposed in the
second portions 22 by sliding the first reflective member 7. This
makes the assembly work easier.
Also, in the first embodiment, as discussed above, the first
reflective member 7 is formed by a reflective member having a shape
that corresponds to the rear frame 5. Consequently, the first
reflective member 7 can cover not only the area directly below the
lens members 11, but also a wide range on the display component
side of the rear frame 5. Thus, light utilization efficiency can be
improved. Also, the first reflective member 7 can be easily
obtained merely by forming the light source openings 13 (14) having
the first portions 21 and the second portions 22 in a conventional
reflective sheet (reflective member). Also, fewer parts are
required than when the first reflective member 7 is provided
separately from the reflective sheet, and the structure can be
simplified.
Second Embodiment
The configuration of a liquid crystal television set 200 pertaining
to a second embodiment will now be described through reference to
FIG. 1 and FIGS. 9 to 12. In the first embodiment, the first
reflective member 7 is formed by a reflective member (reflective
sheet) having a shape that corresponded to the rear frame 5. On the
other hand, in this second embodiment, a first reflective member
107 formed by a flat reflective member (reflective board) and a
second reflective member 117 formed by a reflective member
(reflective sheet) having a shape that corresponds to the rear
frame 5 are provided. The liquid crystal television set 200 is an
example of the "display device" in the present disclosure.
Configuration of Display Device in Second Embodiment
As shown in FIG. 9, the liquid crystal television set 200
pertaining to the second embodiment (see FIG. 1) comprises the
first reflective member 107 and the second reflective member 117.
In this second embodiment, the panel posts 9 and the panel post
openings are not depicted in the drawings.
In this second embodiment, an example is given of a large liquid
crystal television set 200 equipped with 39 light sources 2. A
total of six light source components LP (light source groups) are
provided. In each of the light source components LP, a plurality of
(six or seven in FIG. 9) the light sources 2 are linearly arranged
along an arrangement direction (the S1 or S2 direction). The
arrangement directions of the light sources 2 are different from
each other. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, three
light source components LP on the right side are arranged
non-parallel to each other, while three light source components LP
on the left side are arranged non-parallel to each other. However,
some of the light source components LP can be arranged parallel to
each other. For example, the top-left light source component LP and
the bottom-right light source component LP can be arranged parallel
to each other, the middle-left light source component LP and the
middle-right light source component LP can be arranged parallel to
each other, and/or the bottom-left light source component LP and
the top-right light source component LP can be arranged parallel to
each other. The light sources 2 are arranged in straight rows at a
specific spacing on linear boards 10. Six or seven of the light
sources 2 are installed on each of the boards 10.
The boards 10 are installed such that they are not parallel to each
other, on the inner face of the rear frame 5. That is, the boards
10 are installed on the rear frame 5 at mutually different angles
of inclination within a plane that is parallel to the back face of
the display component 1. Consequently, the light sources 2 on the
boards 10 are disposed in a plurality of rows that are not parallel
to each other. The locations of the light source components LP are
the result of optimizing the locations of the light sources 2 so
that the light from the light sources 2 will illuminate the display
component 1 side as uniformly as possible. Also, connectors 12 are
provided to the boards 10 near the ends in the lengthwise
direction. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the liquid crystal
television set 200 further comprises the boards 10 (wiring boards)
on which the light sources 2 are installed and that have the
connectors 12 near the ends, respectively.
With the second embodiment, the first reflective member 107 is
formed by a flat reflective member (reflective board) (see FIG. 10)
that covers part of the rear frame 5. The first reflective members
107 are provided to the rows of the light sources 2 to extend along
the rows of the light sources 2, respectively. In other words, the
first reflective members 107 are provided in a plural number (six
in FIG. 9) corresponding to the light source components LP. The
first reflective member 107 has a slender, linear shape that runs
along the lengthwise direction of the board 10, and is formed so as
to be larger than the board 10. The second reflective member 117 is
formed by a sheet-form reflective member (reflective sheet) having
a shape that corresponds to the rear frame 5. In a plan view seen
from the display component 1 side, the first reflective member 107
is smaller than the second reflective member 117. As discussed
below, the first reflective members 107 are provided so as to
correspond to one or more through-holes 118 formed in the second
reflective member 117. The first reflective members 107 and the
second reflective members 117 are molded from PET or another such
plastic material just as in the first embodiment above, and the
same material may be used.
The first reflective members 107 extend along the rows of the light
sources 2, and one is provided for every row of light sources 2.
That is, in the second embodiment, a total of six first reflective
members 107 are provided for the six light source components
LP.
As shown in FIG. 10, the first reflective member 107 includes a
plurality of (seven in FIG. 10) openings 113 each having a first
portion 21 (first opening) and a second portion 122 (second
opening). The openings 113 are provided individually with respect
to the light sources 2 on the boards 10. The openings 113 have the
same basic configuration as the light source openings 13 in the
first embodiment above. In the second embodiment, an example is
given in which the second portions 122 are circular. That is, the
openings 113 are formed in a shape in which the circular first
portions 21 and the circular second portions 122 partially overlap.
The first portions 21 and the second portions 122 are linearly
continuous so as to run in the lengthwise direction (the S2
direction) of the board 10. In other words, the center of the first
portion 21 and the center of the second portion 122 are aligned as
viewed in the S2 direction. As shown in FIG. 10, the first portion
21 has an opening area that is larger than an opening area of the
second portion 122.
Again in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the first
reflective member 107 is slid in the S1 direction after the lens
members 11 have been inserted into the openings 113 via the first
portions 21, thereby disposing the first reflective member 107
between the lens members 11 and the rear frame 5 as shown in FIG.
12. The second portions 122 are smaller than the external shape of
the lens members 11 (lenses 11a) in a direction parallel to the
display face 1a of the display component 1, and are larger than the
region in which the light sources 2 and the legs 11b are disposed.
In other words, in a plan view seen from the display component 1
side, the outer edges of the second portions 122 are disposed at
locations overlapping the lenses 11a, and the outer edges are
disposed so as to surround the light sources 2 and the legs 11b. As
shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the length of the second portion 122 in
the S1 or S2 direction in which the first and second portions 21
and 122 are continuous is smaller than the diameter (width) of the
lens member 11.
As shown in FIG. 11, the openings 113 are formed such that the
width W of the linked part 123 that links the first portion 21 and
the second portion 122 (the width in a direction perpendicular to
the slide direction S1) is less than the length L3 of the region in
which the light sources 2 and the legs 11b are disposed in the same
direction. During assembly, if the first reflective member 107 is
moved in the S1 direction, the linked parts 123 are elastically
deformed to match the length L3, which allows the legs 11b to pass
through. After the light sources 2 and the legs 11b have passed to
the second portion 122 side (see FIG. 12), the linked parts 123
also function as retainers to make it less likely that the light
sources 2 and the legs 11b will go back to the first portion 21
side. The linked part 123 is an example of the "third opening or
portion" of the present disclosure. Thus, as shown in FIG. 11, the
first portion 21 and the second portion 122 are continuous via the
liked part 123. Also, the linked part 123 has the width W that is
smaller than the length L3 (distance L3) between the legs 11b in a
direction (first direction) that is parallel to a reflection
surface of the first reflective member 107 and is perpendicular to
the S1 or S2 direction in which the first portion 21 and the second
portion 122 are arranged.
Returning to FIG. 10, the first reflective member 107 includes an
engagement hole 114 through which the connector 12 can be inserted.
The engagement hole 114 has a shape that corresponds to the
external shape of the connector 12. The engagement hole 114 has a
rectangular shape that is slightly larger than the rectangular
connector 12. The engagement hole 114 hits the connector 12 and
suppresses movement of the first reflective member 107. That is,
when the connector 12 is inserted into the engagement hole 114, the
connector 12 engages with the engagement hole 114 and restricts
movement of the first reflective member 107 along the surface of
the board 10. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the first
reflective member 107 includes the engagement hole 114 through
which the connector 12 is insertable. The engagement hole 114 is
disposed at a location where the connector 12 is insertable into
the engagement hole 114 while the light source 2 is disposed in the
second portion 122 of the opening 113 (first aperture).
The engagement hole 114 is disposed at a location where it is
possible for the connector 12 to be inserted into the engagement
hole 114 in a state in which the light sources 2 have been disposed
in the second portions 122 inside the openings 113. That is, as
shown in FIG. 13, in a state in which the lens members 11 have been
inserted through the first portions 21 into the openings 113, there
is offset in the positions of the engagement hole 114 and the
connector 12 (indicated by hatching). As shown in FIG. 14, when the
first reflective member 107 is slid until the light sources 2 are
disposed on the inside of the second portions 122, the positions of
the engagement hole 114 and the connector 12 match up. The first
reflective member 107 can be installed by sliding it while
elastically deforming the first reflective member 107 so that it
does not interfere with the connector 12, and then finally
releasing the deformation and inserting the connector 12 into the
engagement hole 114.
As shown in FIG. 9, the second reflective member 117 is provided so
as to overlap the first reflective member 107, and has the
through-holes 118 through which the lens members 11 can be
inserted. The second reflective member 117 is disposed overlapping
the display component 1 side (the Y1 direction side) of the first
reflective member 107. In the illustrated embodiment, the second
reflective member 117 overlaps with the first reflective member
107, and includes the through-holes 118 (fourth openings) through
which the lens members 11 (optical element) are insertable. Also,
in the illustrated embodiment, the through-hole 118 (fourth
opening) is disposed in a region where the lens member 11 (optical
element) is disposed while the second reflective member 117 is
disposed relative to the rear frame 5 (support member).
The through-holes 118 have a shape that corresponds with the
external shape of the lens members 11. The throughholes 118 are
formed in a circular shape that is larger than the lens members 11,
which are circular in the plan view. No second portion is provided
to the through-holes 118. The through-holes 118 are provided in the
same number as the light sources 2. Through-holes 119 are also
provided to the second reflective member 117 for inserting the
connectors 12.
With the above configuration, in the second embodiment, first the
first reflective member 107 is installed so that the light sources
2 are disposed (see FIG. 12) on the inside of the second portions
122 at the light source components LP. Then, the second reflective
member 117 is installed so that the lens members 11 of all of the
light sources 2 are inserted into the through-holes 118. As a
result, as shown in FIG. 15, the second reflective member 117
covers the first portions 21, which are open at locations on the S1
direction side of the lens members 11 disposed at the locations of
the second portions 122.
Overlap regions DA between the first reflective members 107 and the
lens members 11 (around the second portions 122) are disposed at
locations directly under the lens members 11. Also, the second
reflective member 117 is disposed at a location where the first
portions 21 are formed. The reflective region RA in FIG. 15 is the
overlap region between the second reflective member 117 and the
first portions 21 of the first reflective member 107. The
reflective region RA is a region in which light cannot be reflected
by the first portions 21 (the openings 113) of the first reflective
member 107, but light can be reflected by the second reflective
member 117. As shown in FIG. 15, in the illustrated embodiment, the
openings 113 (first apertures or first and second portions 21 and
22) have an opening area that is larger than an opening area of the
through-holes 118 (fourth openings).
The rest of the configuration of the second embodiment is the same
as that in the first embodiment above.
Effect of Second Embodiment
The following effect can be obtained with the second
embodiment.
In the second embodiment, just as in the first embodiment above,
providing the first reflective member 107 with the openings 113
having the first portions 21 and the second portions 122 makes it
possible for the first reflective member 107 to be installed from
behind the light sources 2 to which the lens members 11 are
attached, and the first reflective member 107 can be disposed
directly under the lens members 11. Thus, assembly work can be made
easier while making it less likely that there will be a decrease in
light utilization efficiency.
Also, in the second embodiment, as discussed above, the second
reflective member 117 is provided overlapping the first reflective
members 107, and has the through-holes 118 through which the lens
members 11 can be inserted. In the illustrated embodiment, the
second reflective member 117 (e.g., either the first reflective
member 107 or the second reflective member 117) is formed by a
reflective member having a shape that corresponds to the rear frame
5, and the first reflective member 107 (the other of the first
reflective member 107 and the second reflective member 117) is
formed by a reflective member that covers part of the rear frame 5.
Consequently, the second reflective member 117 can be disposed
overlapping the first reflective member 107 at the first portions
21, which cannot reflect light. As a result, light shined at the
first portions 21 can be reflected by the second reflective member
117. Thus, a decrease in light utilization efficiency can be
suppressed even further. Also, compared to when the first
reflective member 107 and the second reflective member 117 are both
formed by a large reflective member, there is less wasted
overlapping region that does not contribute to improving the light
utilization efficiency. Thus, the reflective member can be reduced
to a smaller amount.
Also, in the second embodiment, as discussed above, the first
reflective member 107 is formed by a flat reflective member
(reflective board), and the second reflective member 117 is formed
by a sheet-form reflective member (reflective sheet). Consequently,
the entire display component-side surface of the rear frame 5 can
be easily covered by the sheet-form second reflective member 117,
and the first reflective member 107, which is slid during
installation, can be formed by a reflective board that is smaller
than the reflective sheet. This facilitates assembly work on the
first reflective member 107.
Also, with the second embodiment, as discussed above, the light
sources 2 are disposed in a plurality of rows that are not parallel
to each other. The first reflective member 107 extends along each
row of the light sources 2, and is provided to each row of light
sources 2. Consequently, even though the configuration involves a
plurality of non-parallel rows of the light sources 2, the first
reflective members 107 may be provided, which are slid in the
direction in which the individual light sources 2 extend. Thus, the
basic configuration of the first reflective members 107 can be
shared. This allows the assembly work for the various first
reflective members 107 to be performed with ease.
Also, in the second embodiment, as discussed above, the connectors
12 are disposed near the ends of the board 10. The engagement holes
114 are provided to the first reflective members 107. The
engagement holes 114 allow the connectors 12 to be inserted and to
suppress movement of the first reflective members 107 upon hitting
the connectors 12. In a state in which the light sources 2 are
disposed in the second portions 122, the engagement hole 114 is
disposed at a location at which the connector 12 can be inserted
into the engagement hole 114. Consequently, when the first
reflective member 107 is slid and the light sources 2 are disposed
in the second portions 122 inside the openings 113, the movement of
the first reflective member 107 can be restricted so that the light
sources 2 will not move from the second portions 122 to the first
portion 21 side, merely by disposing the connector 12 in the
engagement hole 114. As a result, even if the liquid crystal
television set 200 should be subjected to external force or
vibration during transport, etc., movement of the first reflective
members 107 can be suppressed.
Also, the other effects of the liquid crystal television set 200
pertaining to the second embodiment are the same as those obtained
with the liquid crystal television set 100 in the first
embodiment.
Third Embodiment
A third embodiment will now be described through reference to FIGS.
1, 16, and 17. In this third embodiment, we will describe an
example of the shape of an opening 213 in a first reflective member
207. In this third embodiment, the configuration other than that of
the opening 213 in the first reflective member 207 is the same as
that in the first embodiment above, and will therefore not be
described again.
Configuration of Third Embodiment
In the first and second embodiments above, the locations where the
second portions 22 (122) are disposed with respect to the first
portions 21 run along the lengthwise direction (S2 direction) of
the board 10. On the other hand, with the liquid crystal television
set 300 in the third embodiment (see FIG. 1), as shown in FIG. 16,
a second portion 222 (second opening) extends from the first
portion 21 (first opening) in a direction that is different from
the lengthwise direction of the board 10. The liquid crystal
television set 300 is an example of the "display device" in the
present disclosure.
In the third embodiment, the opening 213 has a shape in which the
circular first portion 21 partially overlaps the oval second
portion 222. The second portion 222 of the opening 213 is formed so
as to extend in the S4 direction (the short-side direction of the
board 10), which is perpendicular to the lengthwise direction of
the board 10. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the first portion 21 has
an opening area that is larger than an opening area of the second
portion 222. As shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the length of the second
portion 222 in the S3 or S4 direction in which the first and second
portions 21 and 222 are continuous is smaller than the diameter
(width) of the lens member 11.
The first reflective member 207 is slid in the opposite direction
from the S4 direction (the S3 direction) after the lens members 11
have been inserted into the openings 213 via the first portions 21.
The sliding of the first reflective member 207 causes the light
sources 2 to move relatively in the S4 direction from the first
portions 21, so that the light sources 2 are disposed at locations
on the inside of the second portions 222 as shown in FIG. 17.
Consequently, the first reflective member 207 is disposed between
the lens members 11 and the rear frame 5.
The rest of the configuration of the liquid crystal television set
300 pertaining to the third embodiment is the same as that of the
liquid crystal television set 100 in the first embodiment.
Effect of Third Embodiment
The following effect can be obtained with the third embodiment.
In the third embodiment, just as in the first embodiment above,
providing the first reflective member 207 with the openings 213
having the first portions 21 and the second portions 222 makes it
possible for the first reflective member 207 to be installed from
behind the light sources 2 to which the lens members 11 are
attached, and allows the first reflective member 207 to be disposed
directly under the lens members 11. Thus, assembly work is easier
and a decrease in light utilization efficiency can be
suppressed.
Also, the other effects of the liquid crystal television set 300
pertaining to the third embodiment are the same as those obtained
with the liquid crystal television set 100 in the first
embodiment.
Modification Examples
The embodiments disclosed herein are just examples in every
respect, and should not be considered to be limiting in nature. The
scope of the present invention is given by the patent claims and
not by the above description of embodiments, and furthermore all
modifications (modification examples) within the meaning and range
of equivalency of the claims are included.
For instance, in the first to third embodiments above, a liquid
crystal television set is used as an example of a display device,
but the present invention is not limited to or by this. Something
other than a liquid crystal television set may be used as the
display device, for example. For example, a PC (personal computer)
display device or another such typical display device may be used
as the display device.
Also, in the first to third embodiments above, the first portions
21 are formed in a circular shape, but the present invention is not
limited to or by this. The shape of the first portions 21 need not
be circular. The first portions 21 preferably are formed in a shape
that corresponds to the lens members 11. This reduces the gap that
results when the lens members 11 are inserted into the first
portions 21, and keeps the opening surface area to a minimum.
Also, in the first to third embodiments above, three shape
examples, such as the rectangular second portions 22, the circular
second portions 122, and the oval second portions 222, are given,
but the present invention is not limited to or by this. The second
portions may be formed in some shape other than the above-mentioned
three shapes.
Also, in the first to third embodiments above, the first portions
21 and the second portions 22 (122, 222) are formed so as to be
continuous, but the present invention is not limited to or by this.
For instance, the first portions and the second portions may be
separated, and then connected together by groove-shaped channels.
In this case, sliding the first reflective member causes the light
sources to go from the first portions and through the channels, and
be disposed in the second portions.
Also, in the second embodiment above, the first reflective member
107 is formed by a reflective member (reflective board) that covers
part of the rear frame 5, while the second reflective member 117 is
formed by a reflective member (reflective sheet) having a shape
that corresponded to the rear frame 5. However, the present
invention is not limited to or by this. In the present invention,
as in the modification example shown in FIG. 18, the first
reflective member 107 including the openings 113 can be formed by a
reflective member (reflective sheet) having a shape that
corresponds to the rear frame 5, while the second reflective member
117 including the through-holes 118 can be formed by a reflective
member (reflective board) that covers part of the rear frame 5.
Thus, in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, the second
reflective member 117 (one of the first reflective member and the
second reflective member) has a larger reflection area than the
first reflective member 107 (the other one of the first reflective
member and the second reflective member). Also, the second
reflective member 117 (one of the first reflective member and the
second reflective member) is formed by a reflective member having a
shape corresponding to the rear frame 5 (support member). On the
other hand, in the modification example, as shown in FIG. 18, the
first reflective member 107 (one of the first reflective member and
the second reflective member) has a larger reflection area than the
second reflective member 117 (the other one of the first reflective
member and the second reflective member). Also, the first
reflective member 107 (one of the first reflective member and the
second reflective member) is formed by a reflective member having a
shape corresponding to the rear frame 5 (support member).
Also, in the second embodiment as shown in FIG. 9 and in the
modification example as shown in FIG. 18, the assembly method
(display device assembly method) comprises providing the light
source 2 with the lens member 11 (optical element), and attaching
the light source 2 with the lens member 11 to the first reflective
member 107. The first reflective member 107 includes the opening
113 (first aperture) with the first portion 21 and the second
portion 122 that is continuous with the first portion 21. The
attaching of the light source 2 with the lens member 11 to the
first reflective member 107 includes inserting the lens member 11
through the first portion 21 and relatively sliding the light
source 2 relative to the first reflective member 107 from the first
portion 21 to the second portion 122. Furthermore, in the second
embodiment as shown in FIG. 9, the assembly method further
comprises inserting the lens member 11 (optical element) through
the through-hole 118 (fourth opening) of the second reflective
member 117 to attach the second reflective member 117 to the light
source 2 with the lens member 11 after the attaching of the light
source 2 with the lens member 11 to the first reflective member
107. On the other hand, in the modification example as shown in
FIG. 18, the assembly method further comprises inserting the lens
member 11 (optical element) through the through-hole 118 (fourth
opening) of the second reflective member 117 to attach the second
reflective member 117 to the light source 2 with the lens member 11
before the attaching of the light source 2 with the lens member 11
to the first reflective member 107.
Also, in the first and second embodiments above, the first
reflective member 7 (107) is slid in the S1 direction so as to run
along the lengthwise direction of the board 10, while in the third
embodiment above, the first reflective member 207 is slid in the S3
direction along the short-side direction of the board 10. However,
the present invention is not limited to or by this. The direction
in which the first reflective member is slid may be any direction
that is parallel to the back face of the display component 1.
Also, in the first embodiments above, as shown in FIGS. 19A and
19B, the dimension D1 of the bottom face 5a of the rear frame 5
(support member) in the X direction is at least the sum of the
dimension D2 of the bottom face part 7a (bottom face) of the first
reflective member 7 in the X direction and two times of the
movement amount D3 of the first reflective member 7 relative to the
light source 2 in the X direction to move the light source 2 from
the first portion 21 (first opening) to the second portion 22
(second opening) (D1.gtoreq.D2+D3.times.2). More specifically, as
shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the first reflective member 7 is
attached to the rear frame 5, the first reflective member 7 is
first placed to the rear frame 5 such that the lens members 11 are
inserted through the first portions 21 into the light source
openings 13 14) (see FIGS. 5 and 19A). Then, the first reflective
member 7 is slid in the X1 direction relative to the rear frame 5
by the movement amount D3 such that the light sources 2 moves from
the first portions 21 to the second portions 22 see FIGS. 6 and
19B). In other words, the first reflective member 7 moves relative
to the light sources 2 by the movement amount D3. This movement
amount D3 is a movement amount of the first reflective member 7 by
which the first reflective member 7 is moved relative to the light
source 2 from a state shown in FIG. 5 to a state shown in FIG. 6.
With this arrangement, the first reflective member 7 can be
prevented from being bent by hitting the sloped face parts 5b of
the rear frame 5 extending forward and outward from the bottom face
5a when the first reflective member 7 is moved in the XI direction
by the movement amount D3. This also can prevents the uneven
brightness of the light reflected on the first reflective member 7.
Also, similar arrangement can be applied to the configurations of
the second or third embodiment. For example, in the modification
example of the second embodiment, the dimension of the bottom face
of the rear frame 5 (support member) in the X direction is at least
the sum of the dimension of the bottom face of the first reflective
member 107 in the X direction and two times of the movement amount
of the first reflective member 107 relative to the light source 2
in the X direction to move the light source 2 from the first
portion 21 (first opening) to the second portion 122 (second
opening) in the opening 113.
The display device pertaining to one aspect of the present
invention comprises a display component, a light source, a lens
member, a support member, and a first reflective member. The light
source is disposed on the back face side of the display component.
The lens member has an exterior shape that is larger than the light
source in a direction parallel to the display face of the display
component. The lens member is installed on the display component
side of the light source. The support member supports the light
source. The first reflective member is disposed between the lens
member and the support member. The first reflective member includes
an opening having a first portion and a second portion. The lens
member can be inserted through the first portion. The second
portion is smaller than the exterior shape of the lens member in a
direction parallel to the display face of the display component, is
continuous with the first portion, and allows the light source to
be disposed on the inside. The "back face of the display component"
is the face on the opposite side from the display face of the
display component.
With the display device pertaining to the this aspect of the
invention, as mentioned above, the first reflective member disposed
between the lens member and the support member is provided with the
opening having the first portion through which the lens member can
be inserted, and the second portion that is smaller than the
exterior shape of the lens member in the direction parallel to the
display face of the display component, that is continuous with the
first portion, and that allows the light source to be disposed on
the inside. Consequently, after the lens member is installed to the
light source, the light source can be disposed at a location inside
the second portion from the first portion in the opening by
inserting the lens member and the light source through the first
portion into the opening, and then sliding the first reflective
member (or the support member) parallel to the back face of the
display component. As a result, the first reflective member can be
installed from the rear of the light source to which the lens
member is attached. Thus, the assembly work is easier. Also, the
second portion is smaller than the lens member. Thus, the portion
of the first reflective member that is around the opening will be
disposed directly under the lens member. As a result, light emitted
directly under the lens member can be reflected by the first
reflective member. Thus, a decrease in the light utilization
efficiency can be suppressed. Therefore, assembly work will be
easier, while a decrease in the light utilization efficiency can be
suppressed.
With the above display device pertaining to one aspect, it is
preferable if a plurality of each of the light source and the lens
member are provided, the first reflective member includes a
plurality of the opening, and in each of the openings, the first
portion is disposed at a location corresponding to the lens member,
and the second portion is disposed to one side in a specific
direction parallel to the back face with respect to the first
portion. With this configuration, a plurality of the light sources
can be moved relatively from the first portion of the opening to
the second portion merely by sliding the first reflective member to
the opposite side from the specific direction (moving the light
sources relatively to the specific direction side). As a result,
assembly work will be even easier.
With the above display device pertaining to one aspect, it is
preferable if the first portion and the second portion are linearly
continuous. Here, the phrase that the first portion and the second
portion are linearly continuous means that the first portion and
second portion are not connected by a curved path (groove), and
instead are continuous in a linear path. With this configuration,
the light source can be easily disposed from the first portion to
the second portion merely by sliding the first reflective member in
a straight line. Therefore, assembly work will be even easier.
With the above display device pertaining to one aspect, it is
preferable if the first reflective member is formed by a reflective
member whose shape corresponds to the support member. With this
configuration, the first reflective member can cover not just
directly under the lens member, but also a wide range on the
display component side of the support member. Thus, the light
utilization efficiency can be improved. Also, the first reflective
member can be easily obtained merely by forming the opening having
the first portion and the second portion in a conventional
reflective sheet (reflective member). Also, fewer parts are
required and the structure can be simpler than when a first
reflective member is provided separately from the reflective
sheet.
With the above display device pertaining to one aspect, it is
preferable if the device further comprises a second reflective
member that is provided so as to overlap with the first reflective
member, and that has a through-hole through which the lens member
can be inserted. Furthermore, either the first reflective member or
the second reflective member is formed by a reflective member whose
shape corresponds to the support member, while the other of the
first reflective member and the second reflective member is formed
by a reflective member that covers part of the support member. With
this configuration, the second reflective member can be disposed
overlapping the first portion of the first reflective member, which
cannot reflect light. As a result, since light emitted by the first
portion can be reflected by the second reflective member, a
decrease in light utilization efficiency can be further suppressed.
Also, compared to when the first reflective member and second
reflective member are both formed by a large reflective member,
them is less wasted overlapping region that does not contribute to
improving the light utilization efficiency. Thus, the reflective
member can be used in a smaller amount.
In this case, it is preferable if the light source is disposed in a
plurality of rows that are not parallel to one another. The first
reflective member is formed by a reflective member that covers part
of the support member, extends along each light source row, and is
provided to each light source row. With this configuration, even
though there are a plurality of light source rows that are not
parallel, the first reflective member can be slid in the direction
in which each light source row extends. Thus, the basic structure
of the first reflective members can be shared, and the assembly
work of the various first reflective members can be carried out
easily.
With the above display device pertaining to one aspect, it is
preferable if the display device further comprises a wiring board
on which the light source is installed and which has a connector
near the end. The first reflective member includes an engagement
hole through which the connector can be inserted. The engagement
hole is disposed at a location where the connector can be inserted
into the engagement hole in a state in which the light source has
been disposed in the second portion in the opening. With this
configuration, when the first reflective member is slid so that the
light source is disposed at the second portion inside the opening,
the movement of the first reflective member can be restricted so
that the light source will not move from the second portion to the
first portion side, merely by disposing a connector in the
engagement hole. As a result, movement of the first reflective
member can be suppressed even when the display device is subjected
to external force or vibration during transport, etc.
With the present invention, as discussed above, assembly work can
be made easier, while a decrease in light utilization efficiency
can be suppressed.
[1] In view of the state of the known technology and in accordance
with a first aspect of the present invention, a display device is
provided that comprises a display component, a light source, an
optical element, and a first reflective member. The optical element
is positioned in a light emission direction from the light source.
The first reflective member is positioned rearward of the display
component. The first reflective member includes a first opening and
a second opening that is continuous with the first opening and in
which the light source is positioned. A width of the optical
element is smaller than a width of the first opening and is larger
than a width of the second opening in a first direction.
With the display device pertaining to this aspect, even if the
optical element is installed to the light source in advance, the
light source can be disposed at a location inside the second
opening from the first opening by inserting the optical element and
the light source through the first opening, and then sliding the
first reflective member (or a support member supporting the light
source) parallel to a back face of the display component, for
example. As a result, the first reflective member can be installed
to the light source with the optical element after the optical
element is attached to the light source. Thus, the assembly work
can become easier. Also, if the second opening is smaller than the
optical element, then part of the first reflective member around
the second opening can be disposed directly under the optical
element, for example. In this case, light emitted directly under
the optical element can be reflected by the first reflective
member. Thus, a decrease in the light utilization efficiency can be
suppressed. Therefore, in this case, assembly work will be easier,
while a decrease in the light utilization efficiency can be
suppressed.
[2] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to the
display device mentioned above, the width of the second opening is
larger than a width of the light source in the first direction.
[3] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, the optical element
includes a plurality of legs, and the width of the second opening
is larger than a distance between the legs in the first
direction.
[4] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, the first opening and the
second opening are continuous via a third opening, and the third
opening having a width that is smaller than the distance between
the legs in the first direction.
[5] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, the first opening and the
second opening are linearly continuous. The phrase that the first
opening and the second opening are linearly continuous means that
the first opening and second opening are not connected by a curved
path (groove), and instead are continuous in a linear path, for
example. With this configuration, the light source can be easily
disposed from the first opening to the second opening merely by
sliding the first reflective member along a straight line.
Therefore, assembly work will be even easier.
[6] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, the first reflective member
is formed by a reflective member having a shape corresponding to a
support member supporting the light source. With this
configuration, the first reflective member can cover not just
directly under the optical element, but also a wide range on a
display component side of the support member. Thus, the light
utilization efficiency can be improved. Also, the first reflective
member can be easily obtained merely by forming the first aperture
having the first opening and the second opening in a conventional
reflective sheet (reflective member). In this case, fewer parts are
required and the structure can be simpler than when a first
reflective member is provided separately from the reflective
sheet.
[7] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, the light source and the
optical element are each provided in a plural number, and the first
reflective member includes a plurality of the first and second
openings, directions in which the first and second openings are
continuous substantially extend in a same direction. With this
configuration, the plurality of the light source can be moved
relatively from the first opening to the second opening merely by
sliding the first reflective member in one direction (by merely
moving the plurality of the light source relatively to a direction
opposite the one direction). As a result, assembly work will be
even easier.
[8] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, the display device further
comprises a second reflective member overlapping with the first
reflective member, and including a fourth opening through which the
optical element is insertable. With this configuration, the second
reflective member can be disposed overlapping the first opening of
the first reflective member, which cannot reflect light, for
example. In this case, the light emitted towards the first opening
can be reflected by the second reflective member, for example.
Thus, a decrease in light utilization efficiency can be further
suppressed. Also, when the first reflective member and second
reflective member are both constituted by a large reflective
member, there is a wasted overlapping region that does not
contribute to improving the light utilization efficiency. Thus, one
of the first reflective member and the second reflective member can
be formed by a reflective member having a shape corresponding to a
support member, while the other one of the first reflective member
and the second reflective member can be formed by a reflective
member that covers part of the support member. In this case, the
reflective member can be used in a smaller to amount, while
improving the light utilization efficiency.
[9] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, the first and second
openings have an opening area that is larger than an opening area
of the fourth opening.
[10] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, one of the first reflective
member and the second reflective member has a larger reflection
area than the other one of the first reflective member and the
second reflective member.
[11] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, one of the first reflective
member and the second reflective member is formed by a reflective
member having a shape corresponding to a support member supporting
the light source.
[12] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, the light source includes a
plurality of light source groups in each of which a plurality of
light sources are linearly arranged along an arrangement direction,
the arrangement directions being different from each other, and the
first reflective member is provided in a plural number
corresponding to the light source groups. With this configuration,
even though there are a plurality of rows of the light source that
are not parallel, the first reflective member can be provided by
sliding the first reflection member in each direction in which each
row of the light source extends. Thus, the basic structure of a
plurality of the first reflective member can be shared, and the
assembly work of each first reflective member can be carried out
easily.
[13] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, the display device further
comprises a wiring board on which the light source is installed and
that has a connector near an end. The first reflective member
includes an engagement hole through which the connector is
insertable, and the engagement hole is disposed at a location where
the connector is insertable into the engagement hole while the
light source is disposed in the second opening. With this
configuration, when the first reflective member is slid so that the
light source is disposed at the second opening, the movement of the
first reflective member can be restricted so that the light source
will not move from the second opening to the first opening side,
merely by disposing the connector in the engagement hole. As a
result, movement of the first reflective member can be suppressed
even when the display device is subjected to external force or
vibration during transport, etc.
[14] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, the second opening is
disposed in a region where the optical element is disposed while
the first reflective member is disposed relative to a support
member supporting the light source.
[15] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, the fourth opening is
disposed in a region where the optical element is disposed while
the second reflective member is disposed relative to a support
member supporting the light source.
[16] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, the display device further
comprises a support member supporting the light source. A dimension
of a bottom face of the support member is at least a sum of a
dimension of a bottom face of the first reflective member and two
times of a movement amount of the first reflective member relative
to the light source to move the light source from the first opening
to the second opening.
[17] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, a distance from one end of
the optical element to one side of the first reflective member is
substantially equal to a distance from the other end of the optical
element to the other side of the first reflective member.
[18] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to any one
of the display devices mentioned above, the first direction is
parallel to a reflection surface of the first reflective member and
is perpendicular to a direction in which the first opening and the
second opening are arranged.
[19] In view of the state of the known technology and in accordance
with a second aspect of the present invention, a display device is
provided that comprises a display component, a light source, an
optical element, and a first reflective member. The optical element
is positioned in a light emission direction from the light source.
The first reflective member is positioned rearward of the display
component. The first reflective member includes a first opening and
a second opening that is continuous with the first opening and in
which the light source is positioned. The first opening has an
opening area that is larger than an opening area of the second
opening.
[20] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to the
display device mentioned above, a length of the second opening in a
direction in which the first and second openings are continuous is
smaller than a width of the optical element.
[21] In view of the state of the known technology and in accordance
with a third aspect of the present invention, a display device
assembly method is provided that comprises providing a light source
with an optical element, and attaching the light source with the
optical element to a first reflective member. The first reflective
member includes a first aperture with a first opening and a second
opening that is continuous with the first opening. The attaching of
the light source with the optical element to the first reflective
member includes inserting the optical element through the first
opening and relatively sliding the light source relative to the
first reflective member from the first opening to the second
opening.
[22] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to the
display device assembly method mentioned above, the display device
assembly method further comprises inserting the optical element
through a fourth opening of a second reflective member to attach
the second reflective member to the light source with the optical
element after the attaching of the light source with the optical
element to the first reflective member.
[23] In accordance with a preferred embodiment according to the
display device assembly method mentioned above, the display device
assembly method further comprises inserting the optical element
through a fourth opening of a second reflective member to attach
the second reflective member to the light source with the optical
element before the attaching of the light source with the optical
element to the first reflective member.
In understanding the scope of the present invention, the term
"comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to
be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated
features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but
do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements,
components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also
applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms,
"including", "having" and their derivatives. Also, the terms
"part," "section," "portion," "member" or "element" when used in
the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a
plurality of parts unless otherwise stated.
As used herein, the following directional terms "forward",
"rearward", "front", "rear", "up", "down", "above", "below",
"upward", "downward", "top", "bottom", "side", "vertical",
"horizontal", "perpendicular" and "transverse" as well as any other
similar directional terms refer to those directions of a display
device in an upright position. Accordingly, these directional
terms, as utilized to describe the display device should be
interpreted relative to a display device in an upright position on
a horizontal surface. The terms "left" and "right" are used to
indicate the "right" when referencing from the right side as viewed
from the front of the display device, and the "left" when
referencing from the left side as viewed from the front of the
display device.
Also it will be understood that although the terms "first" and
"second" may be used herein to describe various components these
components should not be limited by these terms. These terms are
only used to distinguish one component from another. Thus, for
example, a first component discussed above could be termed a second
component and vice-a-versa without departing from the teachings of
the present invention. The term "attached" or "attaching", as used
herein, encompasses configurations in which an element is directly
secured to another element by affixing the element directly to the
other element; configurations in which the element is indirectly
secured to the other element by affixing the element to the
intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the other
element; and configurations in which one element is integral with
another element, i.e. one element is essentially part of the other
element. This definition also applies to words of similar meaning,
for example, "joined", "connected", "coupled", "mounted", "bonded",
"fixed" and their derivatives. Finally, terms of degree such as
"substantially", "about" and "approximately" as used herein mean an
amount of deviation of the modified term such that the end result
is not significantly changed.
While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the
present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art
from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be
made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as
defined in the appended claims. For example, unless specifically
stated otherwise, the size, shape, location or orientation of the
various components can be changed as needed and/or desired so long
as the changes do not substantially affect their intended function.
Unless specifically stated otherwise, components that are shown
directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate
structures disposed between them so long as the changes do not
substantially affect their intended function. The functions of one
element can be performed by two, and vice versa unless specifically
stated otherwise. The structures and functions of one embodiment
can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all
advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same
time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in
combination with other features, also should be considered a
separate description of further inventions by the applicant,
including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by
such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the
embodiments according to the present invention are provided for
illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the
invention as defined by the appended claims and their
equivalents.
* * * * *