Patent Application
20060160387
This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2005-0005301 filed in the Korean Intellectual Property Office on Jan. 20, 2005, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to a display device, and more particularly, to a plasma display device capable of easily fastening a circuit board.
2. Related Art
Recently, various types of display devices have been researched and developed, for example, plasma display devices. Generally, a plasma display device implements a desired image using plasma discharge.
Such a plasma display device includes a plasma display panel (PDP) on which desired images are displayed by supplying power to the PDP. The device also includes a chassis base to support the PDP on a front surface thereof, and a circuit board mounted on a rear surface of the chassis base for driving the PDP.
In some cases, a front case and a rear case are coupled respectively at the front and rear of the plasma display module. Further, the front case has an opening such that a user can see images output from the PDP.
In order to assemble the plasma display device, screw fasteners have been used as fasteners for many of the components. In particular, when the circuit board is fastened to the chassis base, screw fasteners are often used.
However, when components are fastened using screw fasteners, much time is needed for fastening the components since the components are fastened by rotating the screw fasteners with proper torque. Therefore, reducing the time necessary for fastening the components would reduce the time for assembling the components, resulting in improved productivity.
When the circuit board is fastened to the chassis base using screw fasteners, the user may operate the screw fastener incorrectly causing damage to the components. Therefore, if a safe fastening method is developed as an alternative to the screw fastener, it is possible to improve the quality of the plasma display device.
A display device is provided that is capable of being assembled with a simplified fastening method resulting in reduced product damage during the fastening process.
According to one embodiment of the present invention, a display device is provided including: a display panel; a chassis base for supporting and for fixing the plasma display panel on a first surface; a circuit board fixed on a second surface opposite the first surface of the chassis base, the circuit board having circuit elements for driving the plasma display panel; and at least one main fastening unit holding the circuit board at a set height and fixing the circuit board to the chassis base. The main fastening unit includes a main body fixed on the chassis base, and a plurality of fasteners which extend from the main body wherein neighboring fasteners are separated by a gap. Engageable portions are provided on outer circumferential surfaces of the fasteners such that the fasteners are insertable into the fastening hole of the circuit board to be fastened.
In one exemplary embodiment, each of the fasteners includes a first protrusion which passes through fastening hole of the circuit board to apply pressure to the chassis base, and a second protrusion which contacts an interfacial surface of the circuit board to support the circuit board with the engaged portion interposed between the first and second protrusions.
Further, an auxiliary fastening unit may be provided between the two main fastening units so as to fix the circuit board on the chassis base.
Furthermore, the auxiliary fastening unit may include a boss provided between the fastening units of the chassis base, and a screw fastenable to the boss. A height of the boss may be lower than the set height of the circuit board fixed by the fastening units such that the circuit board is further pressed against the first and second protrusions.
The main fastening units and the auxiliary fastening unit may be made of metallic material to electrically connect the circuit board to the chassis base.
Additionally, a method is provided for spacing and fastening in place a chassis base to a circuit board. The method includes providing a main fastening unit including a main body fixable to the chassis base and a plurality of fasteners extending from the main body, fixing the main fastening unit to the chassis base; and inserting the main fastening unit into a main fastening hole in the circuit board to allow the engageable portions to engage the circuit board.
Referring to
The PDP 10 displays a desired image through plasma discharge. The chassis base 20 has a first surface fixed on a rear surface of the PDP 10 to support the PDP 10. The circuit board 30 is provided on a second surface opposite the first surface of the chassis base 20 to drive the PDP 10.
The main fastening unit 40 fixes the circuit board 30 to the chassis base 20 separated by a height H1 (shown in
Referring to
The gap G is formed between the fasteners to make the fasteners 42 insertable into the fastening hole 30a of the circuit board 30 since the fasteners 42 are forced toward each other when the fasteners 42 are inserted into a fastening hole 30a.
In addition, engageable portions 42a are provided on the outer circumferential surfaces of the fasteners 42 such that the fasteners 42 are insertable into the fastening hole of the circuit board. First and second protrusions 43, 44 are formed with the engaged portions 42a interposed therebetween.
Therefore, when the fasteners 42 are inserted into the fastening hole of the circuit board 30, the first protrusions 43 pass through the fastening hole of the circuit board 30 to apply pressure to the chassis base, and the second protrusions 44 come in contact with a surface of the circuit board 30 to support the circuit board.
The plasma display device includes the main fastening unit 40 so that the circuit board 30 can be assembled with the chassis base 20 without additional screw coupling. That is, an assembly process may be simplified and the percentage of defective units may be reduced.
Further, the main fastening unit 40 may be made of metallic materials such that the circuit board 30 is electrically connectable to the chassis base 20.
The auxiliary fastening unit 50 is provided between the first and second fastening units 40a, 40b for fixing the circuit board 30 to the chassis base 20.
The auxiliary fastening unit 50 includes a boss 51 formed on the chassis base 20 between the first and second fastening units 40a, 40b and a screw 52 fastenable in the boss 51.
Further, a height H2 of the boss 51 may be lower than the above-mentioned height H1 such that the circuit board 30 is further pressed against the first and second protrusions 43, 44 when the auxiliary fastening unit 50 is assembled between the circuit board and the chassis base.
In addition, the first and second fastening units 40a, 40b and the auxiliary fastening unit 50 may be made of metallic material such that the circuit board 30 is electrically connectable to the chassis base 20.
According to exemplary embodiments of the invention, the assembly process for a display device can be simplified and shortened, and production damage can be minimized. Further, a pressing force can be increased between the circuit board and the main fastening unit. Additionally, the circuit board may be electrically connected to the chassis base through the fastening units to secure electrical stability.
Although the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments and the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10-2005-0005301 | Jan 2005 | KR | national |
