Backlight assembly and display device including the same

A backlight assembly comprising:

• a light source which emits light;
• a light guide plate disposed adjacent to the light source and which receives the light emitted from the light source;
• a light source supporter disposed under the light source and the light guide plate;
• an optical sheet disposed on the light guide plate;
• a first receiving unit accommodating the light guide plate and the light source, and
• a middle frame which is coupled to the first receiving unit, wherein a portion of the middle frame is disposed between the light source and a lateral portion of the first receiving unit,
• wherein the light source supporter comprises a bottom plane first supporting portion and a lateral plane second supporting portion which is extended vertically from the bottom plane first supporting portion and integrated with the bottom plane first supporting portion, the first supporting portion comprising a supporting surface, the second supporting portion comprising a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface, and
• wherein at least a portion of the middle frame is in direct contact with more than a substantial portion of a major surface plane defining the lateral plane the second surface of the second supporting portion of the light source supporter.

A liquid crystal display, comprising:

• a liquid crystal panel which displays an image;
• and
• a backlight assembly comprising:
• a light source disposed adjacent to an edge portion of the liquid crystal panel, wherein the light source comprises a printed circuit board and a light emitting diode;
• a light guide plate disposed adjacent to the light source and which emits light to the liquid crystal panel;
• an optical sheet disposed between the light guide plate and the liquid crystal panel;
• a first receiving unit including a bottom plane portion and a lateral plane portion which is extended vertically from the bottom plane portion and integrated with the bottom plane portion and accommodating the light source, the light guide plate and the optical sheet;
• and
• a light source supporter which supports the light source and the light guide plate, the light source supporter comprising a bottom plane and a lateral plane first supporting portion and a second supporting portion which is extended vertically from the bottom plane first supporting portion and integrated with the bottom plane first supporting portion, the first supporting portion comprising a supporting surface, the second supporting portion comprising a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface;
• and
• a second receiving unit covering at least a portion of the edge portion of the liquid crystal panel and the side wall of the first receiving unit,
• wherein the light source and the light guide plate are disposed on the first region of the bottom plane supporting surface of the first supporting portion of the light source supporter, and
• wherein the lateral plane of second surface of the second supporting portion of the light source supporter is in direct contact with the lateral plane portion of the first receiving unit,
• wherein the first supporting portion of the light source supporter is disposed directly on the bottom portion of the first receiving unit, and
• wherein a height of the second supporting portion of the light source supporter is less than or equal to a height of the lateral portion of the first receiving unit.