Display device

Abstract

A display device is provided. The display device may include a display panel including a front substrate and a back substrate, a frame positioned behind the display panel, an optical layer positioned between the display panel and the frame, and a supporting film attached to the display panel and connected to the frame. The display device may also include a fastening device for fastening the supporting film to the frame. The display panel may include a front polarizing film attached to a front surface of the front substrate, and a back polarizing film attached to a back surface of the back substrate. The supporting film may be attached to the back polarizing film.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A display device, comprising:
 a display panel including a front substrate and a back substrate;   a frame positioned at a rear of the display panel;   an optical layer positioned between the display panel and the frame; and   a supporting film attached to the display panel and connected to the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The display device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one fastener configured to fasten the supporting film to the frame. 
     
     
         3 . The display device of  claim 1 , wherein the display panel further comprises:
 a front polarizing film attached to a front surface of the front substrate; and   a back polarizing film attached to a back surface of the back substrate, wherein the supporting film is attached to the back polarizing film.   
     
     
         4 . The display device of  claim 1 , wherein the supporting film comprises:
 a first portion attached to the display panel;   a second portion positioned on a back surface of the frame; and   a third portion positioned along a corresponding side of the optical layer.   
     
     
         5 . The display device of  claim 4 , wherein the third portion of the supporting film includes at least one opening formed therein. 
     
     
         6 . The display device of  claim 5 , wherein the frame comprises:
 a first long side;   a second long side opposite the first long side;   a first short side extending between the first and second long sides at a first end of the frame; and   a second short side opposite the first short side and extending between the first and second long sides at a second end of the frame opposite the first end thereof, wherein the second portion of the supporting film comprises:
 a first back portion positioned along the first short side; 
 a second back portion positioned along the second short side; and 
 a third back portion positioned along the first long side. 
   
     
     
         7 . The display device of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 an overlap area, wherein the overlap area is formed between the first back portion and the third back portion of the supporting film at a corner formed between the first long side and the first short side of the frame, or the overlap area is formed between the second back portion and the third back portion of the supporting film at a corner formed between the first long side and the second short side of the frame; and   a hole extending through the overlap area.   
     
     
         8 . The display device of  claim 7 , wherein the frame includes a protrusion configured to be received in the hole formed in the overlap area,
 wherein the protrusion formed in the frame includes a fastening hole configured to receive a fastener therein, and   wherein the fastener fastens the first back portion, the third back portion, and the protrusion to one another, or fastens the first back portion, the second back portion, and the protrusion to one another, based on where the overlap portion is formed.   
     
     
         9 . The display device of  claim 6 , wherein the first back portion and the third back portion of the supporting film are separated from each other at a corner formed between the first long side and the first short side of the frame, or the second back portion and the third back portion of the supporting film are separated from each other at a corner formed between the first long side and the second short side of the frame. 
     
     
         10 . The display device of  claim 4 , further comprising:
 a back cover positioned at a rear of the frame; and   a side cover which covers the third portion of the supporting film and is connected to the back cover.   
     
     
         11 . The display device of  claim 10 , wherein the side cover comprises:
 a vertical section extending in a vertical direction; and   a horizontal section extending horizontally from the vertical section.   
     
     
         12 . The display device of  claim 4 , further comprising a plate connected to the frame and pressing the second portion of the supporting film. 
     
     
         13 . The display device of  claim 12 , wherein the supporting film further comprises:
 a first connection portion provided on a first surface of the plate; and   a second connection portion provided on a second surface of the plate opposite the first surface thereof.   
     
     
         14 . The display device of  claim 12 , further comprising a fastener configured to fasten the plate to the second portion of the supporting film. 
     
     
         15 . The display device of  claim 12 , further comprising a fastener configured to fasten the frame, the second portion of the supporting film, and the plate to one another. 
     
     
         16 . The display device of  claim 12 , wherein the second portion of the supporting film is at least partially positioned between the plate and the frame. 
     
     
         17 . The display device of  claim 16 , further comprising a fastener configured to fasten the frame and the second portion of the supporting film to each other and another fastener configured to fasten the plate and the frame to each other. 
     
     
         18 . The display device of  claim 12 , further comprising a buffer provided between the plate and the second portion of the supporting film, wherein the buffer is formed of a material having elasticity. 
     
     
         19 . A display device, comprising:
 a back cover;   a display panel coupled in the back cover; and   a backlight device provided between the display panel and the back cover, wherein the display panel comprises:
 a first substrate; 
 a second substrate; 
 a seal provided between the first and second substrates to couple the first and second substrates and seal a space formed therebetween; and 
 a supporting film provided on a surface of the second substrate oriented away from the first substrate, the supporting film comprising:
 a first portion directly contacting the surface of the second substrate, the first portion comprising:
 a transparent portion corresponding to an active area of the display panel; and 
 a border portion surrounding the transparent portion and corresponding to an inactive area of the display panel; and 
 
 a second portion extending away from the first portion and not directly contacting the second substrate. 
 
   
     
     
         20 . The display device of  claim 19 , wherein the second portion of the supporting film extends away from the border portion of the first portion of the supporting film, and wherein the second portion of the supporting film comprises:
 a first support portion extending from a first peripheral edge of the first portion of the supporting film; and   a second support portion extending from a second peripheral edge of the first portion of the supporting film, opposite the first peripheral edge thereof, wherein the first and second support portions are curved or bent so as to extend back over the first portion of the supporting film, and form a space between the first support portion and the first portion of the supporting film, and between the second support portion and the first portion of the supporting film.   
     
     
         21 . The display device of  claim 19 , wherein the backlight device comprises:
 an optical layer provided on the first portion of the supporting film; and   a light source module coupled to the optical layer to generate light toward the optical layer, the light source module comprising:
 a frame coupled to the optical layer; and 
 one or more light sources mounted on the frame so as to generate light toward the optical layer. 
   
     
     
         22 . The display device of  claim 21 , wherein the second portion of the supporting film extends along a peripheral edge portion of the optical layer and is coupled to the frame. 
     
     
         23 . The display device of  claim 21 , wherein the optical layer comprises:
 a reflective polarizer provided on the first portion of the supporting film;   a horizontal prism sheet provided on the reflective polarizer;   a vertical prism sheet provided on the horizontal prism sheet; and   a diffusion plate provided on the vertical prism sheet.