Flat panel display device

• US 5,666,172 A
• Filed: 04/22/1996
• Issued: 09/09/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba (Toshiba Corporation)
• Inventors: Murai, Tetsuya, Ida, Kazushige
• Primary Examiner(s): Sikes, William L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, TIEP HUU
• Application Number:
  US08/635,716
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 349/58, 349/60, 349/65, 349/62, 362/29, 362/31, 362/375, 362/368
• US Class Current: 349/58
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0071 with elongated shape, e.g. tube
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/009 of the light source in the package G02B6/0021 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133615 Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side

Abstract

One side wall of a liquid crystal display device (11) having a surface iluminant light source (backlight) is formed by one side wall (521) of an outer frame (bezel cover) (500) and a vertical wall of a lamp cover (850). In this liquid crystal display device (11), the lower end of the side wall (521) of the outer frame (500) and the upper end of the cover (850) are provided with bent ends (853, 523) and these bent ends (853, 523) engage with each other. In this way it is possible to make the display than and lightweight while maintaining ample rigidity, Also, the liquid crystal panel (100) is not readily damaged by shocks from outside. Furthermore, replacement of the linear light source (811) is extremely easy.

Claims

1. A flat panel display device comprising a flat display panel having a display area, a first frame for receiving the flat display panel which exposes the display area of the flat display panel and has a side wall corresponding to a side part of the flat display panel, a surface iluminant light source comprising a light source and a light-transmitting plate for transmitting and selectively emerging light from the light source, a second frame for receiving the surface iluminant light source and holding the flat display panel between the first and second frames and a light source protecting member for holding the light source between the light source protecting member and the second frame, wherein:

an upper end portion of one side of the light source protecting member includes a first bent and a lower end portion of one side wall of the first frame includes a second bent and the first and second bent ends engage with each other.

2. A flat panel display device according to claim 1 wherein:

a first feed lead is connected to the end of the light source on an electrical feed supply side thereof and a second feed lead is connected to the other end, and

the second feed lead is led from said other end to said electrical feed supply side and is positioned at upper side of the light source.

3. A flat panel display device according to claim 2 wherein:

the second feed lead and the light source are separated by the second frame.

4. A flat panel display device according to claim 3 wherein:

the second feed lead is disposed directly above the light source.

5. A flat panel display device according to claim 1 wherein:

a first feed lead is connected to the end of the light source on an electrical feed supply side thereof and a second feed lead is connected to the other end, and

the second feed lead is led from said other end to said electrical feed supply side and is positioned at lower side of the light source.

6. A flat panel display devise according to claim 5 wherein:

the second feed lead is disposed directly below the light source.

7. A flat panel display device according to claim 1 wherein:

a first feed lead is connected to the end of the light source on an electrical feed supply side thereof and a second feed lead is connected to the other end, and

the second feed lead is led from said other end to said electrical feed supply side and is tape-shaped.

8. A flat panel display device according to claim 7 wherein:

the second feed lead comprises a flexible flat cable or a printed wiring board.

9. A flat panel display device according to claim 8 wherein:

the second feed lead is disposed to the side of the light source.

10. A flat panel display device according to claim 1 wherein:

the light source protecting member is disposed pivotably about an engaging portion of the bent ends and the light source is exposed and rendered replaceable by pivoting of the light source protecting member.

11. A flat panel display device according to claim 1 wherein:

the light source protecting member is disposed slidably along the longitudinal axis of the light source and the light source is exposed and rendered replaceable by sliding of the light source protecting member.

12. A flat panel display device according to claim 1 wherein:

the bent end of the first frame is a flange portion projecting outward,

the bent end of the light source protecting member is a flange portion projecting inward, and

the bent end of the light source protecting member is disposed above the bent end of the first frame.

13. A flat panel display device according to claim 1 wherein:

the light source protecting member is L-shaped in cross-section and comprises a vertical wall corresponding to said side wall of the first frame and a horizontal wall bent from the vertical wall.

14. A flat panel display device according to claim 13 wherein:

the second frame is disposed between the light source and the vertical wall of the light source protecting member.