Lighting device, display device and television device

{
  "publication_number": "US2013070166A1",
  "country": "US",
  "kind": "A1",
  "title": "Lighting device, display device and television device",
  "abstract": "An object of the present invention is to provide a lighting device in which a tubular light source is less likely to be damaged. A backlight unit (lighting device) according to the present invention includes a cold cathode fluorescent tube (CCFT) (tubular light source) including an outer lead (external connecting portion) at an end portion thereof, a chassis housing the CCFT, a connector (connector) attached to an end section of the chassis and electrically connected to the outer lead, a lamp clip (light source holder) mounted on a middle section of the chassis, and a reinforcing portion provided on at least an area extending from the connector to the lamp clip adjacent to the connector. The connector and the lamp clip hold an end portion and a middle portion of the CCFT, respectively.",
  "claims": [
    "1. A lighting device comprising: a tubular light source including an external connecting portion at an end portion thereof; a chassis housing the tubular light source, the chassis including an end section and a middle section; a connector mounted on the end section of the chassis and electrically connected to the external connecting portion, the connector holding an end portion of the tubular light source; a light source holder mounted on the middle section of the chassis, the light source holder holding a middle portion of the tubular light source; and a reinforcing portion provided on at least an area extending from the connector to the light source holder adjacent to the connector. 2. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the chassis integrally includes the reinforcing portion by protruding a part of the chassis. 3. The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the reinforcing portion protrudes toward a side opposite to the tubular light source. 4. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing portion has an elongated shape, and a long-side direction of the reinforcing portion matches an axial direction of the tubular light source. 5. The lighting device according to claim 4, wherein the reinforcing portion overlaps at least a part of the tubular light source in a plan view. 6. The lighting device according to claim 5, wherein the reinforcing portion has a width that is larger than a diameter of the tubular light source. 7. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing portion overlaps at least a part of the light source holder adjacent to the connector in a plan view. 8. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing portion overlaps at least a part of the connector in a plan view. 9. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing portion extends from the connector beyond the light source holder adjacent to the connector. 10. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing portion extends from a position closer to an end of the chassis than the connector to the light source holder adjacent to the connector. 11. The lighting device according to claim 9, wherein the tubular light source includes the external connecting portion at each end portion thereof, the connector includes two connectors, the connectors being mounted on the chassis at positions corresponding to the external connecting portions, respectively, and the reinforcing portion extends from one of the connectors to another one of the connectors. 12. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the connector includes a housing and a connection terminal, the housing including a light source receiving portion receiving the tubular light source, the connection terminal being arranged in the housing so as to be in contact with the external connecting portion. 13. The lighting device according to claim 12, wherein the light source receiving portion has an opening, and the connector further includes a lid configured to close the opening. 14. The lighting device according to claim 13, wherein the housing integrally includes the lid. 15. The lighting device according to claim 1, further comprising a power supply board electrically connected to the connector so as to supply power to the tubular light source, wherein the power supply board having a plate surface that is attached to the reinforcing portion. 16. The lighting device according to claim 15, wherein the power supply board is fixed on the reinforcing portion. 17. The lighting device according to claim 1, wherein the tubular light source includes a plurality of tubular light sources, the tubular light sources being arranged in the chassis such that the axes thereof are arranged to be parallel to each other, and the light source holder includes a main body and a plurality of light source gripping portions, the main body extending in a direction intersecting with an axis of each of the tubular light sources, the light gripping portions protruding from the main body toward the tubular light sources and gripping the tubular light sources. 18. The lighting device according to claim 17, wherein the reinforcing portion includes a plurality of reinforcing portions, each of the reinforcing portions being arranged to correspond to each tubular light source and extending along the axial direction of the tubular light sources, the chassis includes a mounting hole between the reinforcing portions adjacent to each other, and the main body of the light source holder is provided with a mounting portion, the mounting portion being inserted into the mounting hole such that an edge of the mounting hole is sandwiched between the main body and the mounting portion. 19. (canceled) 20. (canceled) 21. (canceled) 22. A display device comprising: a lighting device according to claim 1; and a display panel configured to provide display using light from the lighting device. 23. (canceled) 24. A television device comprising the display device according to claim 22."
  ],
  "description_excerpt": "The present invention relates to a lighting device, a display device, and a television device.\n\nA liquid crystal panel used for a liquid crystal display device such as a liquid crystal television does not emit light, and thus a backlight unit is required as a separate lighting device. The backlight unit is provided behind the liquid crystal panel (on aside opposite to a display surface). The backlight unit includes a chassis, a plurality of cold cathode fluorescent tubes housed in the chassis, a plurality of optical members (a diffuser sheet and the like), an inverter board, and a connector. The chassis has an opening on a side of the liquid crystal panel. The cold cathode fluorescent tubes each have an electrode at its ends. The optical members are provided over the opening of the chassis for efficiently releasing lights emitted from the cold cathode fluorescent tubes toward the liquid crystal panel. The inverter is capable of supplying power to each cold cathode fluorescent tube. The connector electrically connects the cold cathode fluorescent tube and the inverter board. One example of the backlight unit having such a configuration is disclosed in Patent Document 1.\n\nIn the backlight unit having the above configuration, if large force acts on an end section of a chassis on which a cold cathode fluorescent tube is mounted, the end section of the chassis may be deformed and displaced toward a middle section of the chassis. This may damage or break the cold cathode fluorescent tube.",
  "cpc": [
    "F21V 21/00",
    "G02F 1/133604",
    "G02F 1/133608",
    "H04N 5/64",
    "H04N 7/00"
  ],
  "ipc": [
    "F21V 21/00",
    "H04N 7/00"
  ],
  "assignees": [
    "Sharp Corp"
  ],
  "inventors": [
    "Tatsuro Kuroda"
  ],
  "filing_date": "2011-04-21",
  "publication_date": "2013-03-21",
  "priority_date": "2010-06-18",
  "application_number": "US-201113701891-A",
  "family_id": "45347966",
  "cited_by_count": 8,
  "citations": [
    "US20090268473A1"
  ]
}