阅读说明：本技术 显示设备 (Display device ) 是由 郑荣圭 李镕俊 于 2020-02-12 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种显示设备包括：光源；导光板,包括光入射表面；电路板,向光源提供电力并面对光入射表面；导光板对准构件,位于电路板与光入射表面之间；和框架,导光板对准构件被联接到框架。导光板对准构件包括：间隙保持部分,位于电路板与光入射表面之间；固定部分,利用该固定部分导光板对准构件被联接到框架；以及第一对准部分,在电路板位于间隙保持部分与固定部分之间的情况下将间隙保持部分和固定部分彼此连接,第一对准部分接触电路板的上表面和导光板的上表面。(A display device includes: a light source; a light guide plate including a light incident surface; a circuit board supplying power to the light source and facing the light incident surface; a light guide plate alignment member between the circuit board and the light incident surface; and a frame to which the light guide plate alignment member is coupled. The light guide plate alignment member includes: a gap maintaining portion between the circuit board and the light incident surface; a fixing part with which the light guide plate alignment member is coupled to the frame; and a first alignment part connecting the gap maintaining part and the fixing part with each other with the circuit board therebetween, the first alignment part contacting an upper surface of the circuit board and an upper surface of the light guide plate.)

1. A display device, comprising:

a display panel;

a light source that generates light;

a light guide plate guiding the light from the light source and emitting the light to the display panel, the light guide plate including a light incident surface through which the light is incident from the light source to the light guide plate;

a circuit board that supplies power to the light source and is disposed facing the light incident surface of the light guide plate;

a light guide plate alignment member disposed between the circuit board and the light incident surface of the light guide plate; and

a frame in which the light guide plate and the circuit board are received and to which the light guide plate alignment member is coupled,

wherein the light guide plate alignment member includes:

a gap maintaining portion between the circuit board and the light incident surface of the light guide plate;

a fixing portion with which the light guide plate alignment member is coupled to the frame, the fixing portion being disposed between the circuit board and the frame; and

a first alignment portion connecting the gap-holding portion and the fixing portion to each other with the circuit board therebetween, the first alignment portion contacting an upper surface of the circuit board and the upper surface of the light guide plate.

2. The display device according to claim 1, wherein

The frame includes an upper frame, a lower frame, and an intermediate frame between the upper frame and the lower frame, and

the lower frame is coupled to the light guide plate alignment member at the fixing portion of the light guide plate alignment member.

3. The display apparatus of claim 1, wherein the circuit board defines a coupling recess in which the first alignment portion of the light guide plate alignment member is received, the first alignment portion contacting an upper surface of the circuit board at the coupling recess of the circuit board.

4. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a thickness of a portion of the first alignment part contacting the upper surface of the circuit board is greater than a thickness of a portion of the first alignment part contacting the upper surface of the light guide plate in a thickness direction of the display apparatus.

5. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width of the first alignment part is equal to a width of the gap retaining part along the light incident surface of the light guide plate.

6. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a width of the first alignment part is different from a width of the gap retaining part along the light incident surface of the light guide plate.

7. The display device according to claim 1, wherein the fixing portion extends perpendicularly from the first alignment portion and parallel to the gap retaining portion in a thickness direction of the display device.

8. The display apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the frame defines a first recess of the frame, the fixing portion being received in the first recess to couple the frame to the light guide plate alignment member.

9. The display device of claim 8, wherein the frame defines a second recess of the frame into which a portion of the circuit board extends.

10. A display device, comprising:

a display panel;

a light source that generates light;

a light guide plate guiding the light from the light source and emitting the light to the display panel, the light guide plate including a light incident surface through which the light is incident from the light source to the light guide plate;

a circuit board that supplies power to the light source and is disposed facing the light incident surface of the light guide plate;

a light guide plate alignment member disposed between the circuit board and the light incident surface of the light guide plate; and

a frame in which the light guide plate and the circuit board are received and to which the light guide plate alignment member is coupled,

wherein the light guide plate alignment member includes:

a first alignment part contacting an upper surface of the light guide plate;

a gap maintaining portion extending from the first alignment portion to be disposed between the circuit board and the light incident surface of the light guide plate;

a fixing portion with which the light guide plate alignment member is coupled to the frame, the fixing portion being disposed between the circuit board and the frame; and

a second alignment portion connecting the gap retaining portion and the fixing portion to each other with the circuit board therebetween, the second alignment portion contacting a lower surface of the circuit board.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a display apparatus, and more particularly, to a display apparatus having an alignment structure of a light source and a light guide plate such that light emitted from the light source is incident to the light guide plate without loss.

Background

Generally, a viewing angle difference occurs when viewing a central portion of a display screen and when viewing left and right ends of the display screen. To compensate for this viewing angle difference, the display device and/or its display screen may be curved in a concave or convex shape.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments are directed to a display apparatus having an alignment structure of a light source and a light guide plate such that light emitted from the light source is incident to the light guide plate without damage.

According to an embodiment, a display apparatus includes: a light source; a light guide plate including a light incident surface; a circuit board supplying power to the light source and facing the light incident surface; a light guide plate alignment member between the circuit board and the light incident surface; and a frame to which the light guide plate alignment member is coupled. The light guide plate alignment member includes: a gap maintaining portion between the circuit board and the light incident surface; a fixing part with which the light guide plate alignment member is coupled to the frame; and a first alignment part connecting the gap maintaining part and the fixing part to each other with the circuit board therebetween, the first alignment part contacting an upper surface of the circuit board and an upper surface of the light guide plate.

The frame may include an upper frame, a middle frame, and a lower frame. The lower frame may be coupled to the light guide plate alignment member.

The light source may comprise a plurality of light emitting diode packages. The light guide plate alignment member may be disposed between the light emitting diode packages adjacent to each other.

The circuit board may define a coupling recess in which a first alignment portion of the light guide plate alignment member is received, the first alignment portion contacting an upper surface of the circuit board at the coupling recess of the circuit board.

A thickness of a portion of the first alignment part where the upper surface of the circuit board contacts the first alignment part may be greater than a thickness of a portion of the light guide plate where the upper surface contacts the first alignment part.

The first alignment portion may have a width substantially equal to a width of the gap maintaining portion.

The first alignment part may have a width different from that of the gap maintaining part.

The first alignment portion may have a width greater than that of the gap retaining portion.

The fixing portion may extend perpendicularly from the first aligning portion and be parallel to the gap maintaining portion.

The fixing portion may have a width greater than a width of the first alignment portion and a width of the gap maintaining portion.

The frame may define a first recess in which the fixing portion is received to couple the frame to the light guide plate alignment member.

The frame may define a second recess into which a portion of the circuit board extends.

According to another embodiment, a display apparatus includes: a display panel; a light source generating light; a light guide plate guiding light from the light source and emitting the light to the display panel, the light guide plate including a light incident surface through which the light is incident from the light source to the light guide plate; a circuit board supplying power to the light source and disposed facing the light incident surface of the light guide plate; a light guide plate alignment member disposed between the circuit board and a light incident surface of the light guide plate; and a frame in which the light guide plate and the circuit board are accommodated, and to which the light guide plate alignment member is coupled. The light guide plate alignment member includes: a first alignment part contacting an upper surface of the light guide plate; a gap maintaining portion extending from the first alignment portion to be disposed between the circuit board and the light incident surface of the light guide plate; a fixing portion with which the light guide plate alignment member is coupled to the frame, the fixing portion being disposed between the circuit board and the frame; and a second alignment portion connecting the gap maintaining portion and the fixing portion to each other with the circuit board therebetween, the second alignment portion contacting a lower surface of the circuit board.

The frame may define a first recess in which the fixing portion is received to couple the frame to the light guide plate alignment member.

The first alignment portion may have a width substantially equal to a width of the gap maintaining portion.

The first alignment part may have a width different from that of the gap maintaining part.

The fixing portion may have a width different from that of the first alignment portion.

The fixing portion may have a width greater than that of the first alignment portion.

The gap maintaining portion may have a thickness different from that of the first alignment portion.

The gap maintaining portion may have a thickness greater than that of the first alignment portion.

The foregoing is illustrative only and is not intended to be limiting in any way. In addition to the illustrative embodiments and features described above, further embodiments and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

Drawings

A more complete understanding of the present invention will become apparent by describing in detail embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an embodiment of a display apparatus;

fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the display apparatus taken along line I-I' of fig. 1;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the display apparatus taken along line II-II' of FIG. 1;

fig. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a light guide plate aligning member with respect to a circuit board;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of a light guide plate alignment member relative to a light guide plate and a circuit board;

fig. 7 is a view illustrating an embodiment of a light guide plate alignment member;

FIG. 8 is a view of the light guide plate alignment member of FIG. 7 viewed from a different angle;

fig. 9 is an enlarged view showing an embodiment of a connection structure of a circuit board and a frame;

fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which a connection structure in which a light guide plate alignment member is coupled to a circuit board and a frame before such a connection structure is aligned with a light guide plate;

fig. 11 is a view illustrating an embodiment of a light guide plate alignment member connected with a frame, a circuit board, and a light guide plate;

fig. 12 is a view showing another embodiment of a light guide plate alignment member;

fig. 13 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment in which a connection structure in which a light guide plate alignment member is coupled to a circuit board and a frame before such a connection structure is aligned with a light guide plate;

fig. 14 is a view illustrating an embodiment of a light guide plate alignment member connected with a frame, a circuit board, and a light guide plate;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B' of FIG. 13;

fig. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating a light guide plate alignment member between two circuit boards;

fig. 17 is a view showing still another embodiment of a light guide plate alignment member;

fig. 18 is a view showing an embodiment in which a connection structure in which light guide plate alignment members are coupled to two circuit boards and a frame before such a connection structure is aligned with a light guide plate; and

fig. 19 is a view illustrating an embodiment of a light guide plate alignment member connected with a frame, two circuit boards, and a light guide plate.

Detailed Description

Embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. While the invention is amenable to various modifications and alternative embodiments, specifics thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail. However, the scope of the embodiments is not limited to the embodiments, and should be construed to cover all changes, equivalents, and substitutions included in the spirit and scope according to the embodiments.

In the drawings, the thickness of various layers and regions are shown in an exaggerated manner for clarity and ease of description thereof. When a layer, region or panel is referred to as being "on" or "under" another layer, region or panel, it can be directly on the other layer, region or panel or intervening layers, regions or panels may be present. In contrast, when a layer, region or panel is referred to as being "associated with" another element, e.g., "directly on" or "directly under" another layer, region or panel, there are no intervening layers, regions or panels between them.

For ease of description, spatially relative terms "lower," "below," "lower," "above," "over," and the like may be used herein to describe one element or component's relationship to another element or component as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, in the case where a device shown in the drawings is turned over, a device that is "under" or "beneath" another device may be "over" the other device. Thus, the exemplary term "lower" may include a lower position and an upper position. The device may also be oriented in other directions and the spatially relative terms may therefore be interpreted differently depending on the orientation.

Throughout the specification, when an element is referred to as being "connected" to another element, the element is "physically connected" to the other element, for example, in direct contact with the other element, or "electrically connected" to the other element with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, including "at least one", unless the content clearly indicates otherwise. "at least one" should not be construed as limited to "a" or "an". "or" means "and/or". As used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes" and/or "including," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a "first element" discussed below may be termed a "second element" or a "third element," and "second element" and "third element" may be similarly named, without departing from the teachings herein.

As used herein, "about" or "approximately" includes the stated value and the average value within an acceptable range of deviation for the particular value, as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art, to account for the measured value in question and the error associated with the measured value for the particular quantity (i.e., the limitations of the measurement system). For example, "about" may mean an average value within one or more standard deviations, or within ± 30%, 20%, 10%, or 5% of the value.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

Some parts that are not relevant to the description may not be provided to specifically describe embodiments according to the embodiments, and like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout the specification.

For curved display devices, the backlight unit includes a curved light guide plate. When the light source is disposed along the side surface of the curved light guide plate, it may be difficult to align the light source and the light incident surface of the light guide plate to face each other.

If the light guide plate is not properly aligned, the light incidence efficiency of light emitted from the light source to the light guide plate is reduced, resulting in a reduction in brightness within the display device. Conventionally, a bottom unit in which a light guide plate is accommodated presses a lower portion of the light guide plate, and a mold frame presses an upper portion of the light guide plate, thereby guiding the light guide plate to be aligned with a light source.

However, as the display apparatus is made thinner, the gap between the display panel and the optical sheet is reduced, and it becomes difficult to perform molding and/or to form a part (e.g., a mold frame) of the display apparatus by molding. Therefore, the light guide plate is not precisely aligned with the light source, and thus light loss is undesirably increased.

In addition, in the curved display apparatus, the curvature of the circuit board of the light source does not coincide with the curvature of the mold, and a gap is undesirably generated between the mold frame and the light guide plate due to working or manufacturing tolerances in components forming the display apparatus when the circuit board of the light source is mounted. Therefore, the light source is not precisely aligned with the light guide plate, and light loss increases.

Hereinafter, the display apparatus will be described in detail with reference to fig. 1 to 19.

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view schematically showing an embodiment of a display apparatus, and fig. 2 is a sectional view showing the display apparatus taken along line I-I' in fig. 1.

Referring to fig. 1 and 2, the display device 10 may have a predetermined radius of curvature. That is, the display device 10 is a bending type display device in which opposite sides are circularly bent with respect to a central portion of the display device 10.

The display apparatus 10 includes a display panel 200, a backlight unit 400 generating light and providing the display panel 200 with the light, an upper frame 100 provided in a shape corresponding to the shape of the display panel 200 and covering the display panel 200, and a middle frame 300 in which the display panel 200 is disposed. Each of the aforementioned elements has a circularly curved shape corresponding to the curved shape of the display device 10.

The upper frame 100 is coupled to the lower frame 440 to cover the display panel 200 disposed on the middle frame 300. The upper frame 100 is provided at a central portion thereof with an opening window through which the display panel 200 is exposed. The upper frame 100 may be disposed to cover edges of the upper surface and the side surfaces of the display panel 200.

The upper frame 100 may be coupled to the lower frame 440, for example, by a threaded connection. In addition, the coupling of the upper frame 100 and the lower frame 440 to each other may be modified in various forms. An embodiment of a coupling structure of the upper frame 100 and the lower frame 440 will be described below. As used herein, the upper frame 100, the middle frame 300, and the lower frame 440 may be collectively referred to as a "frame" or "chassis". For example, the frame may be divided and referred to as an upper housing portion 100, a middle housing portion 300, and a lower housing portion 440.

The display panel 200 has a predetermined radius of curvature. Two relatively long sides (hereinafter, referred to as "long sides") of the display panel 200 have a concavely curved shape with a constant curvature, and two relatively short sides (hereinafter, referred to as "short sides") have a linear shape. Alternatively, the display panel 200 may have a shape in which the short side is concavely curved with a predetermined curvature and the long side may have a straight shape.

The display panel 200 may include a flexible material. In an embodiment, the flat display panel 200 may be bent after being disposed at the lower frame 440, the middle frame 300, and the upper frame 100. That is, the lower frame 440, the middle frame 300, and the upper frame 100 fix the display panel 200 such that the display panel 200 has a predetermined radius of curvature. Accordingly, the lower frame 440, the middle frame 300, and the upper frame 100 may have a predetermined radius of curvature in a shape similar to that of the display panel 200.

The display panel 200 may be bent in various ways. In an embodiment, for example, when a direction in which the display panel 200 displays an image is defined as an upward direction and a direction opposite to the upward direction is defined as a downward direction, the display panel 200 may be convexly curved in the downward direction or in the upward direction. However, the bending direction of the display panel 200 is not limited thereto. In an embodiment, for example, a central portion of the display panel 200 may be convex in an upward direction, i.e., toward the viewing side of the display device 10 (e.g., at the top of the view in fig. 1). Alternatively, a portion of the display panel 200 may protrude in an upward direction, and another portion of the display panel 200 may protrude in a downward direction.

The display panel 200 displays an image. The display panel 200 may generate an image by elements of the components of the display panel 200. The display panel 200 receives light from a light source outside the display panel and includes, for example, a liquid crystal display ("LCD") panel, an electrowetting display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, and a micro electro mechanical system ("MEMS") display panel. The LCD panel will be described by way of example.

The display panel 200 includes a first substrate 210, a second substrate 220 opposite to the first substrate 210, and an electro-optically active layer such as a liquid crystal layer (not shown) provided or formed between the first substrate 210 and the second substrate 220. The display panel 200 includes, when viewed on a plane: a display area at which an image is generated and/or displayed; and a non-display area adjacent to the display area and at which no image is displayed. The non-display area is covered by the upper frame 100.

The first substrate 210 may include a plurality of pixel electrodes (not shown) and a plurality of thin film transistors (not shown) respectively connected to the pixel electrodes (e.g., in a one-to-one correspondence). Each thin film transistor switches an electronic driving signal supplied to a corresponding one of the pixel electrodes. In addition, the second substrate 220 may include a common electrode (not shown) that forms an electric field for controlling alignment of liquid crystals together with the pixel electrode. The display panel 200 is used to drive the liquid crystal layer to display an image viewable on the viewing side of the display device 10.

The display device 10 may further include a driving chip (not shown) providing an electric driving signal, a tape carrier package ("TCP") on which the driving chip is mounted, and a printed circuit board ("PCB") (not shown) electrically connected to the display panel 200 through the TCP. The driving chip generates an electric driving signal for driving the display panel 200 in response to an external signal. The external signal may be a signal supplied from the printed circuit board, and the external signal may include, for example, an image signal, various control signals, and/or a driving voltage.

The polarizing plate 240 (e.g., the polarizing member 240) is disposed on the display panel 200, and includes a first polarizing plate 241 and a second polarizing plate 242. The first and second polarizing plates 241 and 242 are disposed on respective surfaces of the first and second substrates 210 and 220 facing opposite directions to each other. That is, the first polarizing plate 241 may be attached to the outside of the first substrate 210, and the second polarizing plate 242 may be attached to the outside of the second substrate 220. In an embodiment, the light transmission axis of the first polarizing plate 241 may be substantially perpendicular to the light transmission axis of the second polarizing plate 242.

The middle frame 300 is coupled to the lower frame 440 and receives the display panel 200. The middle frame 300 may include a flexible material, such as plastic, to substantially prevent the breakage of the display panel 200. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and other materials may be used for middle frame 300 to provide the same shape and function as described above.

The middle frame 300 is provided along an edge (e.g., an outer edge) of the display panel 200 to support the display panel 200 from below the display panel 200. The middle frame 300 may be disposed at a position corresponding to each of four sides or four edges of the display panel 200, or corresponding to at least a portion of the four sides. In an embodiment, for example, the middle frame 300 may have a quadrangular ring shape corresponding to each of four sides of the display panel 200, or may have a U-shape corresponding to three sides of the edge of the display panel 200. Middle frame 300 may be integrally provided or formed as a single structure, but may be provided or formed as a plurality of components connected to each other to form middle frame 300, as desired.

In an embodiment, the middle frame 300 may be coupled to the upper frame 100. In an embodiment, for example, fastening holes (e.g., screw holes) may be defined in the upper frame 100, the lower frame 440, and the middle frame 300, and then the upper frame 100, the lower frame 440, and the middle frame 300 may be coupled together using the same fastening holes by inserting fastening members (e.g., screws) therein.

The backlight unit 400 includes an optical sheet 410, a light guide plate 420, a reflective sheet 430, a lower frame 440, a light source member 450, and a light guide plate alignment member 460.

The light source member 450 includes a light source 451 and a first circuit board 452 on which the light source 451 is disposed. The light source member 450 may be disposed at a corner portion or a light incident side surface of the light guide plate 420. That is, the light source member 450 may generate light and emit the light to a corner portion or a light incident side surface of the light guide plate 420.

The light source 451 can be provided in plurality (e.g., a plurality of light sources 451) as a plurality of light emitting diode ("LED") packages (e.g., a plurality of LED packages 451). The plurality of light sources 451 generate light and provide the display apparatus 10 with light to display image information. Light emitted from the light source 451 is guided toward the display panel 200 via the light guide plate 420 and the optical sheets 410. In order to achieve the luminance uniformity of the light source member 450, the light sources 451 may be spaced apart from each other at regular intervals along the light incident surface of the light guide plate 420.

The first circuit board 452 has a circular bent shape. The first circuit board 452 has a quadrangular shape, and the first circuit board 452 may have a reflective surface. In an embodiment, for example, a surface of the body or base of the first circuit board 452 may be treated with a material that is reflective to define a reflective surface. In addition, the first circuit board 452 may include a metal material to perform a heat dissipation function and a mounting function. The metal material is not limited, and various metal materials having high thermal conductivity may be used.

Such a light source member 450 may be provided or formed at one side surface, two side surfaces, or all four side surfaces of the light guide plate 420 in consideration of the size, brightness, and uniformity of the display panel 200. Alternatively, the light source member 450 may be provided or formed on at least one corner portion of the light guide plate 420.

The light guide plate 420 is disposed adjacent to the light source member 450, and is received in the lower frame 440. As shown in fig. 1 and 2, the light guide plate 420 may have a circularly curved polyhedral shape. The light guide plate 420 may include a flexible material similar to that of the display panel 200. That is, the light guide plate 420 may be initially provided in a flat shape, and then may be finally transformed into a curved state when assembled within the display apparatus 10. Alternatively, the light guide plate 420 may be initially provided in a curved shape and may have a relatively rigid shape that is not flexible to maintain the initially provided curved shape.

The light guide plate 420 receives light emitted from the light source 451 through the light incident side surface and allows the light to be emitted through the light exit surface. The light guide plate 420 uniformly supplies the light supplied from the light source member 450 to the display panel 200. The light guide plate 420 includes a light exit surface facing the display panel 200, an opposite surface (e.g., a rear surface) opposite to the light exit surface and facing the lower frame 440, and a side surface connecting the light exit surface and the opposite surface to each other. One or more of the side surfaces connecting the light exit surface and the opposite surface to each other may be a light incident surface. The corner portion of the light guide plate 420 is defined as a portion where two side surfaces adjacent to each other intersect each other. The corner portion may include a portion of one or both of the two side surfaces adjacent to each other, and/or a portion of the light exit surface and/or the opposite surface at a region where the two side surfaces intersect each other.

Although the light guide plate 420 has been described as a plate for convenience of explanation, the light guide plate 420 may be provided in the form of a sheet or a film to reduce the thickness of the display device 10. That is, the light guide plate 420 should be understood to have a plate and film structure for guiding light.

The light guide plate 420 may include a material having light transmittance to effectively guide light, for example, an acrylic resin such as polymethylmethacrylate ("PMMA") and polycarbonate ("PC").

A pattern may be provided or formed on at least one surface of the light guide plate 420. In an embodiment, for example, a light scattering pattern (not shown) may be provided or formed such that light directed to an opposite surface thereof may be emitted upward toward the display panel 200.

The optical sheets 410 are disposed on the light guide plate 420, and serve to diffuse and collimate light guided by the light guide plate 420 and emitted from the light guide plate 420. The optical sheet 410 may have a circular curved shape. The optical sheets 410 may include a flexible material similar to the display panel 200. That is, the optical sheet 410 may be initially provided in a flat shape, and then may be finally transformed into a curved state when assembled within the display apparatus 10. Alternatively, the optical sheet 410 may be initially provided in a curved shape, and may have a relatively rigid shape that is not flexible to maintain the initially provided curved shape.

The optical sheets 410 may include, for example, a diffusion sheet, a prism sheet, and/or a protective sheet. The optical sheet 410 may be provided in plurality (e.g., a plurality of optical sheets 410).

The diffusion sheet serves to diffuse the light guided by the light guide plate 420 and emitted from the light guide plate 420, thereby substantially preventing the light from being locally condensed.

The prism sheet may include triangular prisms arranged in a predetermined layout on a surface thereof. The prism sheet is disposed on the diffusion sheet, and serves to collimate light diffused by the diffusion sheet in a direction perpendicular to the display panel 200.

The protective sheet may be disposed on the prism sheet. The protective sheet serves to protect the surface of the prism sheet and diffuse light to achieve uniform light distribution.

The reflective sheet 430 is disposed between the light guide plate 420 and the lower frame 440. The reflective sheet 430 reflects light emitted to the opposite surface of the light guide plate 420 to be directed to the display panel 200 to improve light efficiency. The reflective sheet 430 may have a circular curved shape.

The reflective sheet 430 may include, for example, polyethylene terephthalate ("PET"), thus having reflectivity, and one surface thereof may be coated with a diffusion layer including, for example, titanium dioxide.

In an embodiment, the reflective sheet 430 may include a material including a metal such as silver (Ag).

The lower frame 440 receives therein the light source member 450, the optical sheets 410, the reflective sheet 430, and the light guide plate 420. The lower frame 440 may have a circular curved shape.

The lower frame 440 may include a relatively rigid metal material, such as stainless steel, or a material having heat dissipation properties, such as aluminum or an aluminum alloy. The lower frame 440 may also be referred to as a "crush bar" which performs a heat dissipation function for the light source 451. The lower frame 440 maintains the overall frame of the display apparatus 10 and protects various components accommodated therein.

In the curved display device 10, in order to improve the light incidence efficiency of the light guide plate 420, the light guide plate alignment member 460 is provided to the display device 10. Hereinafter, the light guide plate aligning member 460, the light source member 450, and the light guide plate 420 will be described in detail with reference to fig. 3 to 11.

Fig. 3 is a sectional view illustrating an embodiment of the display apparatus taken along line II-II 'in fig. 1, fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating a light guide plate alignment member 460 with respect to a first circuit board 452 viewed from an inner region of the display apparatus 10 (e.g., from a position of the light guide plate 420 toward the middle frame 300), fig. 5 is a sectional view taken along line a-a' in fig. 4, and fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an embodiment of the light guide plate alignment member 460 with respect to the light guide plate 420 and the first circuit board 452. Fig. 5 may be a view in a direction from the right side in fig. 1 toward the left side in fig. 1 (e.g., from the light guide plate 420 toward the middle frame 300).

Referring to fig. 1 to 6, the light guide plate 420 guides and emits light emitted from the light source member 450 to the display panel 200.

The light source 451 is mounted on the first circuit board 452. The first circuit board 452 supplies a power signal to the light source 451, and is disposed at a light incident surface of the light guide plate 420. The light source 451 comprises a plurality of LED packages 451.

The frame includes an upper frame 100, a middle frame 300, and a lower frame 440. The lower frame 440 may receive at least one of the display panel 200, the light guide plate 420, and the first circuit board 452 therein.

The lower frame 440 may be coupled to at least a portion of the light guide plate alignment member 460. As shown in fig. 4, the lower frame 440 may have a second recess 444 into which a portion of the first circuit board 452 is inserted. Accordingly, a portion of the first circuit board 452 is inserted into the second recess 444, and thus the first circuit board 452 may be fixed to the lower frame 440. In a plane defined by two directions (e.g., a horizontal direction and a vertical direction in fig. 4) crossing each other, the movement of the first circuit board 452 may be restricted in the horizontal direction by a portion of the lower frame 440 at the second recess 444.

In such embodiments, the first circuit board 452 may include a printed circuit board ("PCB") connector 455, the first circuit board 452 receiving power from outside thereof through the PCB connector 455, and may be connected to an external power source (not shown) through the PCB connector 455.

The light guide plate alignment member 460 is coupled to the frame and disposed between the first circuit board 452 and the light guide plate 420 to guide the light guide plate 420 to its position within the frame. That is, when the light guide plate alignment member 460 contacts the upper surface of the first circuit board 452 and contacts the upper surface of the light guide plate 420, as shown in fig. 6, the light guide plate alignment member 460 guides the light source 451 mounted on the first circuit board 452 such that the light source 451 may face the light incident surface of the light guide plate 420.

As described above, the first circuit board 452 has a curvature along the curved side of the light guide plate 420. Referring again to fig. 1, for example, two relatively long sides of the light guide plate 420 have a curved shape, and the first circuit board 452 has substantially the same curvature corresponding to that of the relatively long sides of the light guide plate 420.

Since the first circuit board 452 and the light guide plate 420 are disposed in this manner, the light incident efficiency of the light guide plate 420 may be improved. That is, when the light guide plate alignment member 460 is pressed against the first circuit board 452 together with the light guide plate 420, the light sources 451 and the light incident surface of the light guide plate 420 are aligned with each other, and thus, the light incident efficiency of the light guide plate 420 may be improved.

In the embodiment, if the light incident efficiency of the light guide plate 420 is improved, a desired amount of light can be obtained within the display device 10 even if the number of the light sources 451 is smaller compared to the conventional light sources. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the display apparatus 10 can be reduced by reducing the number of the light sources 451.

As shown in fig. 4, the light guide plate alignment member 460 may be disposed between the LED packages 451 adjacent to each other. That is, along the length of the first circuit board 452, the light guide plate alignment member 460 is disposed between the light emitting diode packages 451 adjacent to each other. In such an embodiment, as shown in a horizontal direction in fig. 5, a first end of the upper end portion of the light guide plate alignment member 460 may contact a portion (e.g., a portion of the light exit surface) of the light guide plate 420 and extend from the light guide plate 420 to contact the upper end portion of the first circuit board 452. The light guide plate alignment member 460 may further extend from an upper end portion of the first circuit board 452 in a thickness direction of the display apparatus 10 to be disposed to face a rear surface of the first circuit board 452 (e.g., a left vertical surface of the first circuit board 452 shown in fig. 5).

The light guide plate alignment member 460 may be coupled to one of the lower frame 440 and the first circuit board 452. In an embodiment, the light guide plate alignment member 460 may be screw-coupled to the lower frame 440 or the first circuit board 452.

The light guide plate alignment member 460 may include a first alignment part 461, a gap retaining part 462, and a fixing part 463, as shown in fig. 5.

The first alignment part 461 contacts the upper surface of the first circuit board 452 and the upper surface of the light guide plate 420. The gap maintaining portion 462 extends from the surface of the first alignment portion 461 in the first direction D1 and maintains a gap between the first circuit board 452 and the light guide plate 420. The fixing portion 463 extends from the surface of the first alignment portion 461 in parallel to the gap retaining portion 462 and is fixed to the lower frame 440.

The first circuit board 452 may have a coupling recess 453 for receiving at least a portion of the first alignment portion 461, as shown in fig. 1 and 9.

Fig. 7 is a view illustrating an embodiment of a light guide plate alignment member 460, fig. 8 is a view illustrating the light guide plate alignment member 460 viewed from a different angle from fig. 7, fig. 9 is an enlarged view illustrating an embodiment of a connection structure of a first circuit board 452 and a frame, and fig. 10 is a view illustrating an embodiment of a connection structure in which the light guide plate alignment member 460 is coupled to the first circuit board 452 and the frame before such a connection structure is aligned with the light guide plate 420; and fig. 11 is a view illustrating an embodiment of a light guide plate alignment member 460 connected with the frame, the first circuit board 452, and the light guide plate 420.

Referring to fig. 7 to 11, the light guide plate alignment member 460 may include a first alignment portion 461, a gap retaining portion 462, and a fixing portion 463.

The first alignment part 461 contacts the upper surface of the first circuit board 452 and the upper surface of the light guide plate 420. In detail, a lower surface of the first alignment part 461 contacts an upper surface of the first circuit board 452 and an upper surface of the light guide plate 420, and the upper surface of the first alignment part 461 is opposite to the lower surface thereof.

In such an embodiment, a thickness of a portion of the first alignment part 461 contacting the upper surface of the first circuit board 452 at a distal end thereof may have a greater thickness than a portion of the first alignment part 461 contacting the upper surface of the first light guide plate 420. Referring to fig. 7, for example, a distance between an upper surface of the first alignment part 461 and a lower surface thereof taken along the first direction D1 (i.e., a thickness direction of the display device) at the first circuit board 452 is greater than a distance between the upper surface of the first alignment part 461 and the lower surface thereof at the light guide plate 420. That is, a portion of the first alignment part 461 contacting the upper surface of the first circuit board 452 is received in the coupling recess 453 of the first circuit board 452, and thus has a thickness greater than that of a portion of the first alignment part 461 contacting the upper surface of the light guide plate 420.

Referring to fig. 7, the first alignment part 461 may have substantially the same width as the width of the gap maintaining part 462 along the third direction D3 (i.e., along the light incident surface of the light guide plate). In another embodiment, the first alignment part 461 may have a width in the third direction D3 different from that of the gap maintaining part 462 in the third direction D3. In an embodiment, for example, the first alignment part 461 may have a width greater than that of the gap retaining part 462.

In addition, the first circuit board 452 may have a coupling recess 453, and at least a portion of the first alignment part 461 is received in the coupling recess 453.

The gap maintaining part 462 extends from the lower surface of the first alignment part 461 in the first direction D1 to maintain the gap between the first circuit board 452 and the light guide plate 420 in the second direction D2 crossing the first direction D1. That is, the gap maintaining portion 462 maintains the first circuit board 452 and the light guide plate 420 to be spaced apart from each other by separating the first circuit board 452 and the light guide plate 420 from each other by a thickness of the gap maintaining portion 462 taken along the second direction D2.

The fixing portion 463 extends from the first alignment portion 461 along the first direction D1 to be parallel to the gap retaining portion 462, and is fixed to the lower frame 440. In such embodiments, the lower frame 440 may have a first recess 442 for receiving the fixing portion 463, as shown in fig. 9. Accordingly, the fixing portion 463 may be received at the first recess 442 of the lower frame 440 and then fixed to the lower frame 440 with, for example, screws.

The first recess 442 of the lower frame 440 may be a recess in a sidewall of the lower frame 440, which extends from an inner region of the lower frame 440 toward the middle frame 300 disposed facing an outer surface of the lower frame 440. The sidewalls of the lower frame 440 may extend from the edge of the bottom. The second recess 444 may be defined in the bottom of the lower frame 440, but is not limited thereto.

The lower frame 440 has a first recess 442 in which the fixing portion 463 is received. In such an embodiment, the first recess 442 has a width greater than that of the first alignment portion 461 or a width greater than that of the gap retaining portion 462 along the third direction D3.

The fixing portion 463 may extend parallel to the gap retaining portion 462, for example, perpendicularly from the first alignment portion 461, as shown in fig. 7 and 8. In such embodiments, the fixing portion 463 may have a length smaller than that of the gap retaining portion 462 along the first direction D1. In addition, the fixing portion 463 may have a width greater than the width of the first alignment portion 461 and the width of the gap retaining portion 462 along the third direction D3. That is, since the fixing portion 463 is received at the first recess 442 of the lower frame 440, the fixing portion 463 has a width greater than the width of the first alignment portion 461 and/or greater than the width of the gap retaining portion 462.

Since the portion of the first alignment part 461, which overlaps the first circuit board 452, is received in the coupling recess 453 thereof, the upper surface of the first alignment part 461 is located on substantially the same line as the line on which the upper surface of the first circuit board 452 is located, as shown in fig. 10 and 11. That is, the upper surface of the first alignment part 461 and the upper surface of the first circuit board 452 may be coplanar with each other.

Accordingly, since the fixing portion 463 is received in the first recess 442 to be disposed below the upper surface of the lower frame 440, the upper surface of the fixing portion 463 is located below the upper surface of the lower frame 440. Referring to fig. 11, the connection structure of the light guide plate alignment member 460 to both the lower frame 440 and the first circuit board 452 sets the sidewall of the lower frame 440, in which the first recess 442 is defined, to protrude further than the fixing portion 463 along the first direction D1, and sets the upper surface of the fixing portion 463 to be non-coplanar with (e.g., below) the upper surface of the lower frame 440 at the first recess 442 thereof.

Fig. 12 is a view illustrating another embodiment of a light guide plate alignment member, fig. 13 is a view illustrating an embodiment of a connection structure in which a light guide plate alignment member 470 is coupled to a first circuit board 452 and a frame before such a connection structure is aligned with a light guide plate, fig. 14 is a view illustrating an embodiment of a light guide plate alignment member 470 connected with the frame, the first circuit board 452, and the light guide plate 420, and fig. 15 is a sectional view illustrating a section taken along line B-B' in fig. 13.

Referring to fig. 12 to 15, the light guide plate alignment member 470 includes a first alignment part 471, a gap-maintaining part 472, a second alignment part 473, and a fixing part 474.

The first alignment part 471 contacts the upper surface of the light guide plate 420. That is, the first alignment part 471 contacts a portion of the upper surface of the light guide plate 420 by an extension length in the second direction D2 from the gap maintaining part 472.

The gap maintaining part 472 extends from a lower surface of the first alignment part 471 in the first direction D1, and maintains a gap between the first circuit board 452 and the light guide plate 420 in the second direction D2. That is, the gap maintaining part 472 maintains the gap between the first circuit board 452 and the light guide plate 420 by separating the first circuit board 452 and the light guide plate 420 from each other by the thickness of the gap maintaining part 472 in the second direction D2.

The second alignment part 473 extends from the inner surface of the gap maintaining part 472 in the second direction D2 and contacts the lower surface of the first circuit board 452 (e.g., the surface of the first circuit board 452 farthest in the first direction D1). That is, the second alignment part 473 extends from the gap maintaining part 472 in a direction opposite to the second direction D2 (e.g., opposite to the extending direction of the first alignment part 471) and contacts the lower surface of the first circuit board 452.

The lower frame 440 may have a first recess 442 defined therein, and the fixing portion 474 of the light guide plate alignment member 470 is received in the first recess 442.

The fixing portions 474 extend from the upper surface of the second alignment portion 473 in the direction opposite to the first direction D1, and are fixed to the lower frame 440, for example, at the sidewalls thereof. That is, the fixing part 474 extends from the second alignment part 473 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the gap maintaining part 472 extends from the first alignment part 471, and the upper end (e.g., the distal end) of the fixing part 474 is received at the first recess 442 of the lower frame 440 to be fixed to the lower frame 440.

In such an embodiment, the light guide plate alignment member 470 may be screw-coupled to one of the lower frame 440 and the first circuit board 452.

As shown in fig. 12, the first alignment part 471 may have a width substantially the same as that of the gap maintaining part 472 along the third direction D3.

In another embodiment, although not shown, the first alignment part 471 may have a width different from that of the gap maintaining part 472 in the third direction D3. That is, the first alignment part 471 may have a width greater than that of the gap maintaining part 472 along the third direction D3.

As shown in fig. 12, the fixing part 474 may have a width different from that of the first alignment part 471 along the third direction D3. That is, the fixing part 474 may have a width greater than that of the first alignment part 471 along the third direction D3.

The first alignment part 471 extends from the gap maintaining part 472 in the second direction D2 and contacts an upper surface (e.g., a light exit surface) of the light guide plate 420, and the second alignment part 473 extends from the gap maintaining part 472 in a direction opposite to the second direction D2 and contacts a lower surface of the first circuit board 452.

The gap maintaining portion 472 may have a thickness different from that of the first alignment portion 471 in the second direction D2. That is, in the second direction D2, the gap maintaining portion 472 may have a thickness greater than that of the first alignment portion 471.

The gap maintaining portion 472 extends from the first alignment portion 471 in the first direction D1, and the fixing portion 474 extends from the second alignment portion 473 in the direction opposite to the first direction D1.

The fixing part 474 extends from the second alignment part 473 in a direction opposite to the first direction D1 with a width substantially the same as that of the second alignment part 473 (e.g., a width taken along the third direction D3), and is received at the first recess 442 of the lower frame 440 with a width greater than that of the second alignment part 473 in the third direction D3.

As shown in fig. 15, an upper end portion of the light guide plate alignment member 470 may contact a portion of the light guide plate 420 (e.g., both the light incident surface and the light exit surface of the light guide plate 420), and a lower end portion of the light guide plate alignment member 470 may contact a lower end portion of the first circuit board 452 and extend to be disposed to face the rear surface of the first circuit board 452.

Fig. 16 is an enlarged cross-sectional view illustrating the light guide plate alignment member 480 between two circuit boards, as viewed from an inner region of the display apparatus 10 (e.g., from a position of the light guide plate 420 toward the middle frame 300). Fig. 17 is a view illustrating still another embodiment of a light guide plate alignment member 480. Fig. 18 is a view illustrating an embodiment in which a connection structure in which a light guide plate alignment member 480 is coupled to two circuit boards and a frame before such a connection structure is aligned with a light guide plate 420. Fig. 19 is a view illustrating an embodiment of a light guide plate alignment member 480 connected with a frame, two circuit boards, and a light guide plate 420.

Referring to fig. 16 to 19, the light guide plate alignment member 480 may be disposed between the first and second circuit boards 452 and 454 along the third direction D3. That is, the first circuit board 452 and the second circuit board 454 are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance, and the light guide plate alignment member 480 may be disposed within a predetermined gap between the first circuit board 452 and the second circuit board 454.

Referring to fig. 1 to 19, the light source member 450 provides light to the display panel 200. The light guide plate 420 guides light emitted from the light source member 450 to the display panel 200.

The first circuit board 452 and the second circuit board 454 supply a power signal to the light source member 450, and are positioned to face the same light incident surface of the light guide plate 420.

The lower frame 440 receives the display panel 200, the light guide plate 420, and at least one of the first circuit board 452 and the second circuit board 454 therein.

The light guide plate alignment member 480 is fixed to the lower frame 440. The light guide plate alignment member 480 is disposed between the lower frame 440 and the light guide plate 420 (e.g., along the second direction D2), and is disposed between the first circuit board 452 and the second circuit board 454 to guide the position of the light guide plate 420 within the display apparatus 10.

The light guide plate alignment member 480 includes a first alignment part 481 and a gap maintaining part 482, as shown in fig. 17.

The first alignment part 481 contacts the upper surface of the light guide plate 420. That is, the first alignment portion 481 has a flat rectangular parallelepiped shape and protrudes from the gap retaining portion 482 in the second direction D2 to contact the upper surface (e.g., light exit surface) of the light guide plate 420.

The gap maintaining part 482 extends from a lower surface of the first alignment part 481 in the first direction D1 to maintain a gap between the first circuit board 452 and the light guide plate 420 in the second direction D2. That is, the gap maintaining part 482 maintains the gap between the first circuit board 452 and the light guide plate 420 by separating the first circuit board 452 and the light guide plate 420 from each other by the thickness of the gap maintaining part 482 in the second direction D2.

The first alignment part 481 may have a width smaller than that of the gap maintaining part 482 in the third direction D3.

When the gap maintaining part 482 is disposed between the first circuit board 452 and the second circuit board 454, the upper end face of the first alignment part 481 is located on substantially the same line as the line on which the upper end face of the first circuit board 452 and the upper end face of the second circuit board 454 are located. That is, the upper surface of the first alignment part 481 and the upper surfaces of the first and second circuit boards 452 and 454 may be coplanar with each other.

The gap maintaining part 482 has a thickness greater than that of the first alignment part 481. Referring to fig. 17, for example, the thickness of the gap retaining portion 482 is greater than the thickness of the first alignment portion 481 in the thickness direction of the display device 10. By adjusting the thickness, the gap between the light guide plate 420 and the circuit boards 452, 454 can be adjusted.

As described above, according to one or more embodiments, a display apparatus has an alignment structure of a light source and a light guide plate to make light emitted from the light source incident to the light guide plate without loss to maximize light efficiency inside the display apparatus.

As described above, the display device according to one or more embodiments may improve light incident efficiency of the light guide plate, reduce or substantially prevent light leakage that may occur at the edge of the light guide plate, reduce power consumption of the display device, and reduce manufacturing costs of the display device.

In addition, when the printed circuit board including the light source mounted thereon is attached to the light guide plate, a dimensional tolerance of a gap between the printed circuit board and a mold (e.g., a mold frame) may be reduced.

In addition, when the light guide plate is provided between the LED packages along the length of the circuit board, since there is no interference structure between the LED packages, it is possible to improve brightness by disposing relatively more LED packages on the printed circuit board.

In addition, by narrowing the distance between the LED packages, the risk of hot spots due to the LED packages spaced apart from each other may be reduced.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference to embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.