Portable computer having a flat panel display device

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application Nos. 98-44475, filed on Oct. 23, 1998 and 98-44973, filed on Oct. 27, 1998, which are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0003] 1. Field of the Invention

[0004] The present invention relates generally to a flat panel display device, and more specifically, to a flat panel display device mounting structure and a method of mounting the flat panel display device to a computer.

[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0006] Flat panel display devices include liquid crystal display devices (LCD) which are being used widely, plasma display panels (PDP), and field emission displays (FED) which have been studied recently and may be applied to computers in the near future. For convenience of explanation, the present invention will be discussed with respect to the LCD as an example of the flat screen type display devices and a portable computer mounted with the LCD.

[0007] Referring to FIG. 1, a general portable computer such as a laptop or notebook computer typically includes a body 100, a flat panel display device assembly 110 coupled to the body 100 via a hinge mechanism 124. The flat panel type display device assembly 110 has a flat panel display device 111 and a display case 122 supporting the flat panel display device 111. The body 100 has an input device 102 such as a keyboard. As a flat panel type display device 111, the LCD is widely used in portable computers and flat screen monitors.

[0008] Referring to FIG. 2 which shows conventional assembly structure of the LCD device applied to a conventional portable computer, the display case 122 has a rear case 123 and a front case or frame 121 for mounting the LCD device 130. The rear case or frame 123 has an outer surface and an inner surface and connecting ribs 123aare formed at the corners.

[0009] The LCD device 130 has an LCD panel 132, a backlight device 134 fixed to the back of the LCD panel 132, and a supporting frame 136 for assembling the LCD panel 132 and the backlight device 134 along the edge.

[0010] At the corners of the supporting frame 136, corresponding to the positions of the ribs 123aof the rear case 123, a plurality of protrusions 136ahaving holes are formed.

[0011] For mounting the LCD device 130 to the display case 122, the LCD device 130 is placed on the rear case 123 and the holes of the supporting frame 136 and the ribs 123aare fastened together preferably by screws 138. The front case 121 is coupled to the rear case 123.

[0012] Hereinafter, the way in which the LCD device is mounted to the case from the front toward the rear direction is defined as the front mounting method, and the assembled structure of the LCD device and the case formed through the front mounting method is defined as the front mounting structure.

[0013] In the front mounting structure of the LCD device, since the protrusions 136arequire additional space corresponding to the protruded width d, the display area of the LCD device is reduced in comparison to the fixed size of the display case 122.

[0014] The front mounting structure may also include an additional feature to further support the LCD device panel, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

[0015] Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a conventional LCD device assembly 110 includes an LCD panel 112 and a backlight device (not shown) for the LCD panel 112, and display case 122 supporting the LCD device 111. The LCD panel 112 and the backlight device are assembled by a supporting frame 114 along the edges.

[0016] The display case 122 is coupled to a body 120 via a hinge mechanism 124, which may extend from the body 120. The display case 122 and the hinge mechanism 124 are assembled through a hinge arm 126, allowing the flat panel display device assembly 110 to pivotally move with respect to the body 120.

[0017] Two opposite sides of the supporting frame 114 include flanges 114afor assembling the LCD device 111 to the display case 122, and corners include flanges 114bfor assembling the LCD device 111 to the hinge arm 126. Hereinafter, the former is referred as a fixing flange and the latter is referred as a mounting flange in this specification for distinction purposes. As shown in FIG. 3B, the fixing flanges 114ahave a protruding width d2 and the mounting flanges 114bhave a protruding width d1. A screw hole is formed in each of the flanges. 114aand 114b. On the inner surface of the display case 122, ribs 122aare formed corresponding to the holes of the fixing flange 114a.

[0018] To mount the LCD device 111, the hinge arm 126 and the mounting flanges 114bare screwed together, and the fixing flanges 114aand the ribs 122aare screwed together by bolts 128.

[0019] In the mounting structure shown in FIG. 3B, the supporting frame 114 requires side spaces for the flanges 114aand 114b. Therefore, the side space D (d1+d2) results in a reduction of the display area of the LCD panel 112 relative to the display case 122. Moreover, as the display size increases, the display case becomes undesirably large, especially for a portable computer such as a laptop computer.

[0020] To solve the above problem and to provide a large display area with minimal display case size, a new mounting structure is needed for the LCD device.

[0021] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a portable computer and method for mounting a flat panel display device thereon that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.

[0022] An object of the present invention is to minimize the non-display area of the LCD device.

[0023] Another object of the present invention is to provide a computer having a flat panel display device with a maximum display area and a minimal display case size.

[0024] Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

[0025] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, a portable computer includes a body having an information input device; a case coupled to the body and having inner and outer surfaces; and a flat panel display device having a display surface and a rear surface, the rear surface being fixed to the inner surface of the case.

[0026] According to another aspect of the present invention, a portable computer includes a body having an information input device; a flat panel display case coupled to the body; a flat panel display device having a display surface and a rear surface; and a hinge mechanism having a hinge mount and a hinge arm fixed to the rear surface of the display device.

[0027] According to another aspect of the present invention, a method of mounting a flat panel display device to a hinge mechanism having a hinge mount, a hinge arm, and a pin portion rotating in the hinge mount, the flat panel display device having a display surface and a rear surface, the method including a step of fixing the rear surface of the flat panel display device to the hinge arm. The fixing step is preferably carried out by attaching the hinge arm and the rear surface of the flat display device using a screw.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the present invention, an LCD device coupled to an outer case includes an LCD panel having a display surface and a rear surface; a backlight device having a first surface facing the rear surface of the LCD panel and a second surface attached to the outer case; and a supporting frame for assembling the LCD panel and the backlight device.

[0029] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

[0030] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0031] In the drawings:

[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a general portable computer;

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a conventional mounting structure of the LCD device for a portable computer;

[0034] FIGS. 3A and 3B are a perspective view and a front view, respectively, showing a mounting structure of the LCD device for a portable computer;

[0035] FIGS. 4A-4C show the LCD device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] FIG. 5 shows a mounting structure in accordance with a first embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

[0037] FIG. 6 shows a mounting structure in accordance with a second embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

[0038] FIG. 7 is a partial sectional view showing the assembled state of the structure in FIG. 6;

[0039] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a back mounting structure of the LCD device according to a third embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

[0040] FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a back mounting structure of the LCD device according to a fourth embodiment in accordance with the present invention;

[0041] FIG. 10 is a front view showing the structure of FIG. 9;

[0042] FIG. 11 is a fifth embodiment in accordance with the present invention which is an alternate embodiment to FIG. 10 where the hinge mount is fixed to the display case;

[0043] FIGS. 12, 13, and 14 are sixth, seventh, and eighth embodiments in accordance with the present invention;

[0044] FIG. 15 is a side view showing a back mounting structure of the LCD device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention; and

[0045] FIG. 16 is a partial sectional view showing the assembled state of the structure in FIG. 15.

[0046] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

[0047] The present invention provides a back mounting method and a back mounting structure for a panel display device in a portable computer. Moreover, the rear surface of the display panel device may be coupled to a hinge arm for further support of the display panel device.

[0048] FIGS. 4A-4C show a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the LCD device 10 has an LCD panel 12, a backlight unit 14, and a supporting frame 16. FIG. 4C shows an example of a detailed structure of the LCD device 10 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Referring to FIG. 4C, the LCD device 10 has a first frame 14g, preferably made of plastic, a reflector 14fon the frame 14g, a light guide film 14e, a diffuser or protecting film 14d, a first prism sheet 14c, a second prism sheet 14b, another diffuser or protecting film 14a, and the LCD panel 12. The first frame 14gis coupled to a second frame or supporting frame 16. At each corner of the first frame 14ga screw hole 15 is preferably formed. Although FIG. 4C shows the first frame 14gas part of the backlight unit 14, the first frame 14gcan act as the supporting frame 16.

[0049] To mount the LCD device 10 to the display case 30 (FIG. 8), the LCD device 10 is placed on the inner surface of the display case 30. Then, the case 30 and the LCD device 10 are attached to one another by bolts 18 (which may be referred to as fastening elements, fastening parts, or a similar conveniently descriptive term) into the screw hole 15 (which may be referred to as a fastening hole or a similar conveniently descriptive term, and which together with the material defining the hole may be referred to as a fastening element or fastening part) from the back of the display case 30.

[0050] As explained above, the structure shown in FIGS. 4A-4C has an advantage in that the side space such as width d2 for fixing flange 114aof FIG. 3B is not needed and the size ratio between the display area and the display case is improved.

[0051] FIG. 5 shows the assembly of the LCD device 10 to the display case 21 of a portable computer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The computer includes a body 20 or first section having an information input device and a second section including the case 21. The case 21 may cover the body 20 and is coupled to the body through a hinge mechanism. Together, the case 21 and the body 20 may be referred to as a housing, or a similar conveniently descriptive term. Preferably at each corner of the case 21 a through-hole 21a(which may be referred to as a fastening hole or a similar conveniently descriptive term, and which together with the material defining the hole may be referred to as a fastening element or fastening part) is formed.

[0052] To mount the LCD device 10 to the case 21, the LCD device 10 is placed on the inner surface of the case 21 such that the positions of the holes 21 a and the holes 15 coincide with each other, and screws 18 (fastening elements or fastening parts) are inserted into the holes 21aand 15 (which may be referred to as fastening holes or a similar conveniently descriptive term, and which together with the material defining the holes each may be referred to as a fastening element or fastening part) from the back of the case 21. The through-hole 21ais preferably a stepped hole so that the head of the screw 18 will not protrude from the outer surface of the case 21.

[0053] Although not shown in FIG. 5, a front case such as shown in FIG. 2 is preferably assembled with the display case 21 for covering the edges of the LCD device 10.

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a back mounting structure of the LCD device according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a detailed partial sectional view showing the assembled state of the LCD device 10 and the case 21 in accordance with the second embodiment.

[0055] At the rear surface of the backlight device 14 of the LCD device 10, fasteners 17 (fastening elements or fastening parts) such as hooks made of plastic are formed, and the case 21 has corresponding ribs 23 (also fastening elements or fastening parts). Preferably, the ribs 23 do not protrude over the width of the supporting frame 16. A rib 23 has a stepped hole 21b. The fastener 17 is supported and latched by the stepped portion of the hole 21b. To facilitate the disassembly or release of the fastener 17 from the hole 21b, the hole is preferably a through-hole extending all the way to the outer surface of the case 21. The hole 21bmay be covered by a cover 21c.

[0056] The fastener 17 has a compressible head which compresses into a small diameter to allow the fastener to enter and slide through the hole 21b. Once the head reaches the stepped portion, the head returns to its original diameter and snaps or latches onto the stepped portion of the rib 23. In order to dissemble or release the LCD device 10 from the case 21, a pair of tweezers or similar tool can be adapted for compressing the head of the fastener 17 from the back of the case 21 through the hole 21b. The fastener 17 is unlatched and can freely slide out of the hole 21b. As an alternative embodiment, the fastener 17 can be formed on the case 21 and the stepped hole can be formed at the rear face of the LCD device 10 to achieve similar results.

[0057] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a mounting structure of the LCD device according to a third embodiment of the present invention. There may be one or more hinge mechanisms for the LCD device; however, for convenience of explanation, only one hinge mechanism will be explained.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 8, a body 20 includes a hinge mount 22, where a hinge arm 24 is connected. The hinge arm 24 has a pin portion 24aand a flat or extended portion 24b. The former is for being mounted to the hinge mount 22, and the latter is for being coupled to the rear surface of the LCD device 10. The various hinge components may be separate pieces of attached members or a single structure.

[0059] The flat portion 24bcan be elongated in various directions and by various methods. FIG. 8 shows one example of the flat portion 24bwhich is in the shape of an inverted “F” having a first support member extending in one direction and a second support member extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction. At each end of the flat portion 24b, a hole such as a through-hole 24c(which may be referred to as a fastening hole or a similar conveniently descriptive term, and which together with the material defining the hole may be referred to as a fastening element or fastening part) is preferably formed. At the back surface of the LCD device 10, pegs 15ahaving mounting holes formed therein are formed corresponding to the positions of the through-holes 24c. The pegs 15atogether with the mounting holes formed therein may be referred to as a fastening element or fastening part and as shown in FIG. 8 protrude away from the LCD device 10. The through-holes 24care preferably screw holes. In the display case 30, a hole such as a through-hole 30 (which may be referred to as a fastening hole or a similar conveniently descriptive term, and which together with the material defining the hole may be referred to as a fastening element or fastening part) may be formed. Moreover, although hole 30amay be formed at the corresponding position of the through-hole 24cof the flat portion 24b, alternatively, the flat portion may be in an inverted “L” shape.

[0060] To mount the LCD device 10, the body 20 (first portion) and the display case 30 (second portion) (collectively referred to as a housing) are connected by the pin portion 24aon the hinge mount 22. The display case 30, the hinge arm 24 (referred to as a display device support member), and the LCD device 10 are preferably attached together by screws 18 (fastening elements or fastening parts) through the mounting hole of the pegs 15aand the screw hole 24c. Alternatively, nails or other similar known fastening elements or fastening parts can be adopted for this purpose.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 which show a fourth embodiment of the hinge arm 24, the flat portion 24bof the hinge arm 24 is extended upwards and preferably extended to almost the entire height of the LCD device 10. In the flat portion 24baccording to this embodiment, it is preferable to form a mounting hole 24cand the through-hole 30aat the same position. It is also possible to form the holes 24cand 30aat different positions relative to the display case. Thus, additional mounting hole 1Sa may not be necessary for this embodiment. The mounting structure of this embodiment may be stronger than that of the second embodiment. The LCD device 10, the elongated hinge arm 24, and the display case 30 are fastened together by screws 18, for example.

[0062] FIG. 11 shows a fifth embodiment of the present invention, where the hinge mount 22 is preferably fixed to the display case 30, but a fixed flange 26 is secured to the body 20. The structure of the hinge arm 24 and other elements are similar to those shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

[0063] FIGS. 12-14 show three alternative embodiments of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. In FIG. 12, the sixth embodiment of the present invention, the hinge arm 24 has a shape of the letter “E.” In FIG. 13, the seventh embodiment of the present invention, the hinge arm 24 has the shape of the letter “C.” In FIG. 14, the eighth embodiment of the present invention, the hinge arm 24 has the shape of the letter “H.” The fastening holes may be formed at various positions on the hinge arm 24 as desired to secure the hinge arm to the display case 30. Combinations and other variations of these different embodiments are contemplated in the present invention with the purpose of supporting the LCD panel, preferably through the back of the LCD panel and the case. For example, the seventh and eighth embodiments may be combined to provide a stronger support of the LCD panel. Moreover, the hinge mount may be fixed to the body 20 (FIG. 10) or the display case 30 (FIG. 11) in these embodiments.

[0064] The present invention contemplates the use of fastening devices other than screws. One such alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

[0065] FIGS. 15 and 16 show the mounting structure according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. At the rear surface of the LCD device 10, at least one fastener (fastening element or fastening part) such as a hook 19, preferably made of plastic or other suitable material, is formed. As can be seen from FIGS. 15 and 16, the hook 19 protrudes away from the LCD device 10 and includes a first part and a second part where the first part is larger than the second part. In the flat portion 24bof the hinge arm 24 (referred to as a display device support member), at least one corresponding through-hole (which may be referred to as a fastening hole or a similar conveniently descriptive term, and which together with the material defining the hole may be referred to as a fastening element or fastening part) is formed. In the display case, at least one stepped hole 30b(which may be referred to as a fastening hole or a similar conveniently descriptive term, and which together with the material defining the hole may be referred to as a fastening element or fastening part) corresponding to the through-hole in the hinge arm 24 is formed to support and/or latch the fastener 19. To facilitate the disassembly or release of the fastener 19 from the hole 30bthrough the rear of the case 30, the hole 30bis preferably a through-hole.

[0066] To assemble the LCD device to the hinge arm 24 and display case 30, the hinge arm 24 is mounted to the hinge mount 22 (as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11) and the through-hole 24c(see FIGS. 12-14) of the hinge arm 24 and the hole 30b(see FIGS. 15-16) are coincidentally placed. Then, the LCD device 10 with at least one fastener 19 is pressed into the hole 30band latched onto the display case 30, as shown in detail in FIG. 16. Here, the fastener 19 will slide through the hole 30band snap into place by the protruding or wing portions of the head of the fastener 19. To dissemble the LCD device 10 from the display case 30, a device such as tweezers or other suitable tool can be adapted for squeezing the head or top portion of the fastener 19 from the back of the case 30 through the hole 30b. The fastener 19 is unlatched and can freely slide out of the hole 30b. The hole 30bcan be covered by a cover 30c.

[0067] Alternatively, the fastener 19 can be formed on the case 30 and the stepped hole can be formed at the rear face of the LCD device 10 to achieve similar results.

[0068] As explained above, the mounting method according to the present invention does not require unnecessary side space for mounting the LCD device on the computer. Thus, the ratio of the display area of the LCD device to the display case can be improved and maximized.

[0069] In the above embodiments of the present invention, although the LCD device has been used as one type of flat panel display device, other flat panel display devices such as plasma display panels (PDP) and field emission displays (FED) may be used in accordance with the present invention. Moreover, in the above embodiments, other hinge mechanisms may be used such as a gear hinge as disclosed, for example, in U.S. application Ser. No. 08/937,801 filed on Sep. 25, 1997 entitled, “DISPLAY WITH GEAR TYPE HINGE,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0070] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the portable computer and method for mounting a flat panel display device thereon of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.