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

• US 7,924,367 B2
• Filed: 09/02/2008
• Issued: 04/12/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: InnoLux Corporation
• Original Assignee: Chi Mei Innolux Corporation (InnoLux Corporation)
• Inventors: Hsiao, Chih-Chung, Huang, Mei-Fang
• Primary Examiner(s): Kianni; K. Cyrus
• Application Number:
  US12/231,436
• Publication Number:
  US 20090059118A1
• Time in Patent Office: 952 Days
• Field of Search: 349/61, 349/62
• 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, the through hole comprising an assembly hole and a location hole communicating with each other, a diameter of the location hole being less than a diameter of the assembly hole; and

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

wherein the supporting body comprises a base connected by a neck to the supporting body, a lateral surface of the neck comprises two parallel planar side surfaces opposite to each other and two opposite curved side surfaces interconnected to the two planar side surfaces, a maximum distance between two curved side surfaces is substantially equal to the diameter of the location hole, and the neck is capable of sliding from the assembly hole to the location hole along a direction parallel to a length direction of the two planar side surfaces, and then rotating in the location hole so that the two curved side surfaces abut against the location hole.

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 1, wherein a diameter of the base is less than the diameter of the assembly hole, and exceeds the diameter of the location hole.

5. The backlight module of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the neck is substantially equal to a thickness of the bottom plate.

6. The backlight module of claim 1, wherein a distance between the two planar side surfaces is substantially equal to a minimum width of the neck.

7. The backlight module of claim 1, 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.

8. The backlight module of claim 1, wherein the illuminator support apparatus further comprises a holding body crossed and integrated with the supporting body, and the holding body comprises a planar plate and two illuminator holders extending from the planar plate.

9. The backlight module of claim 8, wherein the supporting body is located between the two illuminator holders.

10. 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, a diameter of the location hole being less than a diameter of the assembly hole; 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;

wherein the supporting body comprises a base connected by a neck to the supporting body, a lateral surface of the neck comprises two parallel planar side surfaces opposite to each other and two opposite curved side surfaces interconnected to the two planar side surfaces, a maximum distance between two curved side surfaces is substantially equal to the diameter of the location hole, and the neck is capable of sliding from the assembly hole to the location hole along a direction parallel to a length direction of the two planar side surfaces, and then rotating in the location hole so that the two curved side surfaces abut against the location hole.

11. The liquid crystal display of claim 10, wherein the frame comprises a bottom plate, and a plurality of side plates integrally formed with the bottom plate.

12. The liquid crystal display of claim 11, wherein the through hole is defined in the bottom plate.

13. The liquid crystal display of claim 10, wherein a diameter of the base is less than the diameter of the assembly hole, and exceeds the diameter of the location hole.

14. The liquid crystal display of claim 10, wherein a thickness of the neck is substantially equal to a thickness of the bottom plate.

15. The liquid crystal display of claim 10, wherein a distance between the planar side surfaces is substantially equal to a minimum width of the neck.

16. The liquid crystal display of claim 10, 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.