Backlight assembly, display device provided with the same, and method for assembling backlight assembly

• US 7,588,362 B2
• Filed: 06/05/2006
• Issued: 09/15/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/08/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Display Company Limited (Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Kim, Min-Gyu, Park, Mun-Soo
• Primary Examiner(s): O'Shea; Sandra L
• Assistant Examiner(s): ALLEN, DANIELLE NICOLE
• Application Number:
  US11/446,993
• Publication Number:
  US 20060279946A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,198 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 362/612
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133603 with LEDs
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133608 including particular frames or supporting means
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 2201/465 Snap -fit

Abstract

A backlight assembly, a display device provided with the backlight assembly, and a method of assembly the backlight assembly are provided. The backlight assembly includes a light source unit having a light source emitting light and a fixing member fixing the light source unit. The light source unit is inserted from an outer side of the fixing member into an opening portion formed in the fixing member to emit light through the opening.

Claims

1. A backlight assembly comprising:

a plurality of light source units each comprising;

at least one light source emitting light; and

a printed circuit board on which the light source is mounted, the printed circuit board driving the light source; and

a substantially planar and continuous fixing member fixing the light source units, and comprising a bottom portion and a side wall portion formed extending from edges of the bottom portion, the printed circuit boards directly contacting the fixing member such that the printed circuit boards are spaced apart from one another;

wherein the light source units are each inserted from an outer side of the fixing member into an opening portion formed in the bottom portion of the fixing member, the light sources emitting light through the opening portions, such that the light sources are disposed protruding into an inner portion of the fixing member through the opening portions.

2. The backlight assembly of claim 1, wherein only the light source is disposed protruding through the opening portion.

3. The backlight assembly of claim 1, wherein the printed circuit board is constructed with a metal plate.

4. The backlight assembly of claim 3, wherein the metal plate is made of aluminum.

5. The backlight assembly of claim 1, wherein the each of the light source units further comprises a step portion formed along a periphery of the each light source unit, wherein the step portion is fixed on the outer side of the bottom portion of the fixing member.

6. The backlight assembly of claim 5, wherein the step portion is engaged with the bottom portion of the fixing member by screws.

7. The backlight assembly of claim 5, wherein the fixing member further comprises hooks extended from the bottom portion at a periphery of the opening portion of the fixing member, wherein the light source unit is fixed to the fixing member with the hooks.

8. The backlight assembly of claim 5, wherein the step portion is directly adjacent to the bottom portion of the fixing member.

9. The backlight assembly of claim 1, wherein the fixing member further comprises guide rails disposed at edges of the opening portion and disposed opposing the light source with respect to the printed circuit board, wherein the guide rails surround edges of the light source unit and the light source unit is inserted into the guide rails in a sliding manner.

10. The backlight assembly of claim 9, wherein the each of the light source units further comprises a step portion formed along a periphery of the each light source unit and disposed on the outer side of the bottom portion of the fixing member.

11. The backlight assembly of claim 9, wherein the opening portion is formed in the side wall portion and the bottom portion.

12. The backlight assembly of claim 1, further comprising a cover member covering the light source units and fixed at the outer side of the fixing member.

13. The backlight assembly of claim 1, wherein the light source is a light emitting diode (LED).

14. The backlight assembly of claim 1, wherein a portion of the printed circuit board is disposed in the opening portion of the fixing member.

15. The backlight assembly of claim 14, wherein the light source unit further comprises a step portion formed along a periphery of the light source unit, the step portion being disposed on the outer side of the bottom portion of the fixing member and continuous with the portion of the printed circuit board disposed in the opening portion of the fixing member.

16. A display device comprising:

a panel unit displaying images; and

a direct backlight assembly comprising;

a plurality of light source units each comprising;

a light source supplying light to the panel unit; and

a printed circuit board including the light source mounted thereon, the printed circuit board driving the light source;

a fixing member fixing the light source unit and comprising;

an opening portion;

a bottom portion in which the opening portion is formed; and

a side wall portion continuous with the bottom portion and protruded from edges of the bottom portion;

wherein each of the light source units is inserted from an outer side of the fixing member into the opening portion in the bottom portion of the fixing member and emits the light through the opening portion.

17. The display device of claim 16, wherein the printed circuit board comprises a metal plate.

18. The display device of claim 16, wherein the each of the light source units further comprises a step portion formed along a periphery of the each light source unit and disposed on the outer side of the bottom portion of the fixing member.

19. The display device of claim 16, the fixing member further comprising guide rails disposed at edges of the opening portion of the fixing member and disposed opposing the light sources with respect to the printed circuit board, wherein the guide rails surround a portion of the light source unit and the light source unit is inserted into the guide rails in a sliding manner.

20. The display device of claim 16, wherein the opening portion is formed to pass through the side wall portion and the bottom portion.

21. The display device of claim 16, wherein the panel unit is a liquid crystal display panel.

22. The display device of claim 16, wherein a portion of the printed circuit board is disposed in the opening portion of the fixing member.