Backlight module with detachable illuminator support apparatus and liquid crystal display utilizing same

• US 20090059118A1
• Filed: 09/02/2008
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InnoLux Corporation
• Original Assignee: Innolux Display Corporation (InnoLux Corporation)
• Inventors: Hsiao, Chih-Chung, Huang, Mei-Fang
• Granted Patent: US 7,924,367 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/61
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133604 with lamps
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133608 including particular frames or supporting means
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/46 Fixing elements
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/465 Snap -fit

Abstract

An exemplary backlight module includes a frame and an illuminator support apparatus. The frame defines a through hole therein, and the through hole includes an assembly hole and a location hole communicating with each other. The illuminator support apparatus includes a base and a neck. The base remains fixed to the frame through the location hole. The neck is configured to be slidable from the assembly hole to the location hole and secured to the frame after the supporting body is snugly rotated. A liquid crystal display employing the backlight module is also provided.

Claims

1. A backlight module comprising:

a frame defining a through hole therein, comprising an assembly hole and a location hole communicating with each other; and

an illuminator support apparatus is slidable from the assembly hole to the location hole and secured to the frame after the supporting body is snugly rotated.

2. The backlight module of claim 1, wherein the frame comprises a bottom plate, and a plurality of side plates integrally formed with the bottom plate.

3. The backlight module of claim 2, wherein the through hole is defined in the bottom plate.

4. The backlight module of claim 3, wherein the illuminator support apparatus comprises a base and a neck connecting with the base.

5. The backlight module of claim 4, wherein a diameter of the base is less than that of the assembly hole, and exceeds that of the location hole.

6. The backlight module of claim 4, wherein a thickness of the neck is substantially equal to that of the bottom plate.

7. The backlight module of claim 4, wherein the neck comprises two planar side surfaces and two curved side surfaces.

8. The backlight module of claim 7, wherein a distance between the planar side surfaces is substantially equal to a minimum width of the neck.

9. The backlight module of claim 7, wherein the curved side surfaces are separate from each other, and each interconnect the two planar side surfaces.

10. The backlight module of claim 4, wherein the neck remains fixed in the location hole after the illuminator support apparatus is snugly rotated, and is able to slide back to the assembly hole when the illuminator support apparatus is reversely rotated.

11. The backlight module of claim 4, wherein the base comprises two first curved arms outwardly extending from opposite edges thereof.

12. The backlight module of claim 12, wherein the bottom plate further comprises two curved second arms extending into the location hole, the second arms configured to mesh with the first arms, respectively.

13. A liquid crystal display comprising:

a liquid crystal panel; and

a backlight module configured to illuminate the liquid crystal panel, the backlight module comprising;

a frame defining a through hole therein, the through hole comprising an assembly hole and a location hole communicating with each other; and

an illuminator support apparatus comprising a supporting body, the supporting body configured to be slidable from the assembly hole to the location hole and secured to the frame after the supporting body is snugly rotated.

14. A backlight module comprising:

a frame defining a through hole therein, the through hole comprising an assembly hole and a location hole communicating with each other; and

an illuminator support apparatus comprising a base and a neck, wherein the base remains fixed to the frame through the location hole, and the neck is configured to be slidable from the assembly hole to the location hole and secured to the frame after the supporting body is snugly rotated.

15. The backlight module of claim 14, wherein a diameter of the base is less than that of the assembly hole, and exceeds that of the location hole.

16. The backlight module of claim 14, wherein a thickness of the neck is substantially equal to that of the bottom plate.

17. The backlight module of claim 14, wherein the neck comprises two planar side surfaces and two curved side surfaces

18. The backlight module of claim 17, wherein the curved side surfaces are separate from each other, and each interconnect the two planar side surfaces.

19. The backlight module of claim 14, wherein the neck slides back to the assembly hole when the illuminator support apparatus is reversely rotated.

20. The backlight module of claim 14, wherein the base comprises two first curved arms outwardly extending from opposite edges thereof, and the frame further comprises two curved second arms extending into the location hole, the second arms being configured to mesh with the first arms, respectively.