Backlight unit for display device

Abstract

A backlight unit for a display device includes a light waveguide including a light incidence surface, a substrate facing the light incidence surface, a plurality of light sources on one surface of the substrate facing the light incidence surface, and a first member disposed between the substrate and the light incidence surface to space the light sources apart from the light waveguide. The first member includes a support on one surface of the substrate not including the light sources, the support having a first surface facing the light incidence surface and a second surface facing the light sources, and a first layer disposed on the first surface and the second surface of the support to improve luminance uniformity across the light incidence surface.

Description

[0001] Cross Reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2020-0017613 filed on February 13, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] Exemplary embodiments of the present application relate generally to a backlight unit for a display device, and more particularly, to a backlight unit for a display device that provides more uniform brightness. BACKGROUND

[0004] A liquid crystal display device receives light from a backlight unit and displays an image. The backlight unit includes a light source and a light guide plate. The light guide plate receives light from the light source and guides a light emission direction of the light traveling toward a display panel.

[0005] In order to prevent the light guide plate from being damaged by heat generated from the light source and to sufficiently secure or maintain an incident area in which light emitted from the light source enters the light guide plate, the backlight unit can further include a spacer that supports the light guide plate to maintain a certain distance between the light source and the light guide plate. Recently, research has been conducted to improve brightness uniformity between a region in which the spacer is disposed and a region in which the spacer is not disposed.

[0006] The above information disclosed in this Background section is only for the purpose of understanding the background of the present inventive concepts, and therefore, it can contain information that does not constitute prior art. SUMMARY

[0007] Applicants have found that the spacer for maintaining a certain distance between the light source and the light guide plate in the backlight unit blocks light from the light source, thereby causing a dark portion and irregular brightness.

[0008] A backlight unit constructed according to the principles of the present application and some exemplary embodiments and a display device including the same can prevent the light guide plate from being damaged by heat generated from the light source, for example, by providing a spacer to maintain a predetermined distance between the light source and the light guide plate.

[0009] A backlight unit and a display apparatus constructed according to the principles of the present application and some exemplary embodiments can prevent or reduce dark portions caused by a spacer, for example, by providing a light adjusting material layer on an outer surface of the spacer. Accordingly, the backlight unit can have improved brightness uniformity. For example, the spacer can support a light guide plate to maintain a gap between a light source and the light guide plate, and can include a support and a light adjusting material layer facing the light guide plate to reduce a difference in brightness between an area in which the spacer is disposed and an area in which the spacer is not disposed, thereby improving brightness uniformity.

[0010] In addition, the spacer can further include a light adjusting material layer disposed on a side surface of the support facing the light source to improve a difference in color between an area in which the spacer is positioned and an area in which the spacer is not disposed.

[0011] In addition, the light adjusting material layer can include wavelength conversion particles and an adhesive layer. The light adjusting material layer can adjust viscosity and hardness using the adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer can protect the wavelength conversion particles included in the light adjusting material layer facing the light guide plate from being damaged by a load of the light guide plate.

[0012] Additional features of the inventive concept will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or can be learned by practice of the inventive concept.

[0013] According to an aspect of the present application, a backlight unit for a display apparatus includes a light guide including a light incidence surface, a base facing the light incidence surface, a plurality of light sources on one surface of the base facing the light incidence surface, and a first member disposed between the base and the light incidence surface to space the light sources apart from the light guide, wherein the first member includes a support on one surface of the base not including the light sources, the support having a first surface facing the light incidence surface and a second surface facing the light sources, and a first layer disposed on the first surface and the second surface of the support to improve brightness uniformity of the entire light incidence surface.

[0014] The first member can include a spacer having a height greater than a height of the light sources.

[0015] The height of the spacer can be substantially equal to a sum of a height of the support and a thickness of the first layer, and the height of the support can be greater than the height of the light sources and the thickness of the first layer.

[0016] The light emitted from each of the light sources can have a light path within a range of a light emission angle of each of the light sources, the range of the light emission angle of each of the light sources being defined by a reference path line of the light path, the reference path line of the light path having a maximum angle with a reference line that passes perpendicularly through a center of each of the light sources adjacent to the first member, the reference path line passing through the second surface of the support.

[0017] Each of the light sources can be configured to emit light having a first wavelength band, the first layer can include a light conditioning material layer including an adhesive layer and wavelength conversion particles disposed in the adhesive layer, and the wavelength conversion particles can be configured to convert light having the first wavelength band to light having a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band.

[0018] The light having the first wavelength band can be blue light, and the wavelength conversion particles can be configured to convert the blue light to yellow light.

[0019] The wavelength conversion particles can include a yellow fluorescent material.

[0020] The adhesive layer can include silicon.

[0021] The first layer can include a first region disposed on the first surface of the support and a second region disposed on the second surface of the support.

[0022] The first region can completely cover the first surface of the support.

[0023] 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 application as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0024] The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the application and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the application and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the application.

[0025] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a display device constructed in accordance with the principles of the present application.

[0026] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II' of Figure 1 .

[0027] Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the light source member and the light guide plate of Figure 1 .

[0028] Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 A plan view showing the positional relationship between the light source components, the light guide plate, and the intermediate mold.

[0029] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A plan view of the light source component.

[0030] Figure 6 It is shown Figure 1 Enlarged cross-sectional view of the light source component and light guide plate.

[0031] Figure 7 yes Figure 6 A perspective view of the spacer of the light source component.

[0032] Figure 8 It shows from Figure 6 A magnified cross-sectional view of the path of light emitted by the light source.

[0033] Figure 9 It is a graph showing the brightness of a position defined by the position of the spacer as a reference position.

[0034] Figure 10 It is shown Figure 6 An enlarged cross-sectional view of another exemplary embodiment of the spacer of the light source component.

[0035] Figure 11 yes Figure 6 A side view of another exemplary embodiment of the spacer of the light source component.

[0036] Figure 12 It is shown Figure 11 An enlarged cross-sectional view of the spacer of the light source component.

[0037] Figure 13 yes Figure 6 A side view of another exemplary embodiment of the spacer of the light source component.

[0038] Figure 14 It is shown Figure 13 Enlarged cross-sectional view of the spacer.

[0039] Figure 15 yes Figure 6 A side view of another exemplary embodiment of the spacer of the light source component.

[0040] Figure 16 yes Figure 6 A plan view of another exemplary embodiment of the spacer of the light source component.

[0041] Figure 17 It is shown Figure 16enlarged cross-sectional view of the spacer of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various exemplary embodiments or implementations of the present invention. As used herein, "embodiment" and "implementation" are interchangeable terms as non-limiting examples of apparatuses or methods that employ one or more inventive concepts disclosed herein. It will be apparent, however, that various exemplary embodiments can be practiced without these specific details, or with one or more equivalent arrangements. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the various exemplary embodiments. In addition, various exemplary embodiments can be different from one another but not necessarily mutually exclusive. For example, a specific shape, configuration, and / or characteristic of an exemplary embodiment can be used or implemented in another exemplary embodiment without departing from the inventive concepts.

[0043] Unless otherwise indicated, the exemplary embodiments shown are to be understood as providing exemplary features of different details of some ways in which the inventive concepts can be practiced. Thus, unless otherwise indicated, features, components, modules, layers, films, panels, regions, and / or aspects of various embodiments (hereinafter, individually or collectively referred to as "elements") can be combined, separated, interchanged, and / or rearranged without departing from the inventive concepts.

[0044] The use of cross-hatching and / or shading in the drawings is generally provided to illustrate the boundaries and / or transitions of adjacent elements. As such, unless otherwise indicated, the presence of cross-hatching and / or shading in a drawing generally indicates the presence of an element, and does not indicate any particular material, material property, size, proportion, commonality, and / or any other characteristic, attribute, property, etc. of the element. In addition, in the drawings, the size and relative sizes of elements can be exaggerated for clarity and / or descriptive purposes. When exemplary embodiments can be practiced differently, a particular order in describing a process can be different from the order described. For example, two processes described in succession can be performed at substantially the same time or in reverse order. Additionally, identical reference numerals have been used to designate identical elements.

[0045] When an element or layer is referred to as being “on”, “connected to”, or “coupled to” another element or layer, it can be directly on, connected, or coupled to the other element or layer, or one or more intervening elements or layers can be present. In contrast, when an element or layer is referred to as being “directly on”, “directly connected to”, or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. To this end, the term “connected” can refer to physical, electrical, and / or fluidic connections that are direct or indirect, with or without intervening elements. Also, the D1 axis, the D2 axis, and the D3 axis are not limited to the three axes of a rectangular coordinate system such as the x, y, and z axes, and can be interpreted in a broader sense. For example, the D1 axis, the D2 axis, and the D3 axis can be perpendicular to one another, or can represent different directions that are not perpendicular to one another. For the purpose of the present disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” and “one or more of X, Y, and Z” can be interpreted to be only X, only Y, only Z, or any combination of at least two of the items in a group consisting of X, Y, and Z, such as, for example, XYZ, XYY, YZ, and ZZ. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0046] Although the terms “first”, “second”, etc. can be used herein to describe various types of elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used to distinguish one element from another. Thus, a first element discussed below could be named a second element without departing from the teachings of the present disclosure.

[0047] For the purpose of description, spatially relative terms such as “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “under”, “above”, “upper”, “on”, “over”, “higher”, and “side” (as in “sidewall”) can be used herein for the purpose of describing the relationship of one element to another element as illustrated in the figures. The spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use, operation, and / or manufacture in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. Moreover, the device can be otherwise oriented (e.g., rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0048] The terminology used in this document is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments and is not intended to be limiting. As used in this document, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Additionally, the terms "comprises," "comprising," "includes," "including," "has," "having," and / or "contains," "containing," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof. It is also noted that, as used in this document, the terms "substantially," "approximately," and other similar terms, are used as terms of approximation and not as terms of degree, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0049] In this document, various exemplary embodiments are described with reference to cross-sectional and / or exploded illustrations that are schematic illustrations of idealized embodiments and / or intermediate structures of the exemplary embodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations as a result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances, are to be expected. Thus, the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are not to be construed as being limited to the particular shapes of regions as illustrated and described. Rather, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that structures illustrated and described can be changed in shape, size, and / or arrangement and that the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein include such modifications and / or permutations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In this manner, the regions illustrated in the figures can be schematic in nature and the shapes thereof can not reflect the actual shape of the regions of a device and, as such, are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0050] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. The terms should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.

[0051] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present application will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0052] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a display device constructed in accordance with the present application, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II' of Figure 1 .

[0053] Reference is made to Figure 1 and Figure 2The display device 1 can include any electronic device including a display screen. For example, the display device 1 can include a television, a notebook computer, a monitor, a billboard, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet personal computer (tablet PC), an electronic watch, a smart watch, a watch phone, a mobile communication terminal, an electronic notebook, an electronic book, a portable multimedia player (PMP), a navigator, a game console, a digital camera, and an Internet of Things (IOT), each of the television, the notebook computer, the monitor, the billboard, the mobile phone, the smart phone, the tablet PC, the electronic watch, the smart watch, the watch phone, the mobile communication terminal, the electronic notebook, the electronic book, the PMP, the navigator, the game console, the digital camera, and the IOT having a display screen.

[0054] In the drawings, a first direction D1, a second direction D2, and a third direction D3 are defined. The first direction D1 and the second direction D2 can be directions that are substantially perpendicular to each other in one plane. The third direction D3 can be a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the plane in which the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 are positioned. The third direction D3 is substantially perpendicular to each of the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. In the following exemplary embodiments, the third direction D3 refers to a display direction of the display device 1.

[0055] The display device 1 can have a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view (i.e., when viewed in a plane), but the shape of the display device 1 is not limited thereto. The display device 1 can have a substantially rectangular shape having a width in the second direction D2 and a length in the first direction D1, the length being longer than the width. A display surface of the display device 1 can face the third direction D3.

[0056] In exemplary embodiments, unless otherwise stated, "upper" refers to a display direction that is the third direction D3, and similarly, "upper surface" refers to a surface facing the third direction D3. Also, "lower" refers to an opposite direction of a display direction that is the opposite direction of the third direction D3, and similarly, "lower surface" refers to a surface facing the opposite direction of the third direction D3. Also, "left", "right", "up", and "down" refer to directions when the display device 1 is viewed in a plane. For example, "left" refers to the opposite direction of the first direction D1, "right" refers to the first direction D1, "up" refers to the second direction D2, and "down" refers to the opposite direction of the second direction D2.

[0057] The display device 1 can include a display panel 70, a backlight unit 10 disposed below the display panel 70 to provide light to the display panel 70, and a housing 90 accommodating the display panel 70 and the backlight unit 10.

[0058] The display panel 70 can receive light emitted from the backlight unit 10 to display an image. The display panel 70 can be a light-receiving display panel such as a liquid crystal display panel, an electrowetting display panel, an electrophoretic display panel, or other known types of display panels. Hereinafter, a case where the display panel 70 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel will be described as an example. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, when the display panel 70 is a different type of display panel, the following description can be applied in a similar manner.

[0059] The display panel 70 includes a plurality of pixels. The pixels of the display panel 70 can be arranged in a matrix form. The display panel 70 can include a switching element such as a transistor for each pixel, a pixel electrode, and a common electrode facing the pixel electrode.

[0060] The display panel 70 can include an upper substrate 710 and a lower substrate 720 facing the upper substrate 710. The switching element and the pixel electrode can be disposed on the lower substrate 720, and the common electrode can be disposed on the lower substrate 720 or the upper substrate 710. The display panel 70 can further include a liquid crystal layer disposed between the upper substrate 710 and the lower substrate 720. A sealing member 620 is disposed at an edge of the upper substrate 710 and an edge of the lower substrate 720 to retain liquid crystal molecules of the liquid crystal layer.

[0061] The backlight unit 10 can provide light to the display panel 70. The backlight unit 10 can overlap the display panel 70 in a third direction D3 and can be disposed below the display panel 70.

[0062] The backlight unit 10 can include a light source member 100, a light waveguide which can take the form of a light guide plate 200, a reflection member 300, and an optical member 400. The backlight unit 10 can further include an intermediate mold 500.

[0063] Referring to Figure 2 The light source member 100 can include a first substrate 110 and a plurality of light sources 120 and a plurality of spacers 130 on the first substrate 110. The light sources 120 emit light to the display panel 70. The light emitted from the light sources 120 can be incident on the light guide plate 200.

[0064] The light guide plate 200 can guide light from the light source 120 of the light source member 100 toward the display panel 70. The light guide plate 200 can have a substantially polygonal column shape. A planar shape of the light guide plate 200 can be substantially the same as a planar shape of the display device 1. In an exemplary embodiment, when the planar shape of the display device 1 is a substantially rectangular shape having a width in the second direction D2 and a length in the first direction D1 and the length is longer than the width, the planar shape of the light guide plate 200 can also have a substantially rectangular shape having a width in the second direction D2 and a length in the first direction D1 and the length is longer than the width.

[0065] Referring to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In an exemplary embodiment, the light guide plate 200 can be a substantially hexagonal column having a substantially rectangular planar shape. The light guide plate 200 can include an upper surface 200US, a lower surface 200BS, and four side surfaces 200S. The four side surfaces 200S of the light guide plate 200 can include a first side surface 200S1, a second side surface 200S2, a third side surface 200S3, and a fourth side surface 200S4.

[0066] The light guide plate 200 can further include a light output pattern 210. The light output pattern 210 can be disposed on the lower surface 200BS of the light guide plate 200. The light output pattern 210 can enhance light output by minimizing loss of light provided from the light source member 100. Specifically, the light output pattern 210 can change a traveling direction of light guided inside the light guide plate 200 to an upper portion in which the display panel 70 is positioned.

[0067] In an exemplary embodiment, the light output pattern 210 can be formed on a surface of the light guide plate 200. For example, a groove can be formed on the lower surface 200BS of the light guide plate 200 to serve as the light output pattern 210. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the light output pattern 210 can be formed as a separate layer or pattern. For example, the light output pattern 210 can be a pattern layer including a protruding pattern and / or a recessed pattern such as a recessed groove, or a printed pattern can be formed to serve as the light output pattern 210.

[0068] Referring to Figure 2 A distribution density of the light output pattern 210 can vary or change according to an area of the light guide plate 200. For example, an area adjacent to the first side surface 200S1 (e.g., a light incident surface) having a relatively large amount of traveling light can have a lower distribution density. For example, an area adjacent to the second side surface 200S2 (e.g., a light facing surface) having a relatively small amount of traveling light can have a higher distribution density.

[0069] Details of the light source member 100 and the light guide plate 200 will be described later.

[0070] The intermediate mold 500 can be disposed adjacent to the third side surface 200S3 and the fourth side surface 200S4 of the light guide plate 200. The intermediate mold 500 can surround the third side surface 200S3 and the fourth side surface 200S4 of the light guide plate 200. The intermediate mold 500 can extend in the second direction D2 and can be bent toward the first side surface 200S1 and the second side surface 200S2 of the light guide plate 200, respectively, and thus can have a substantially "U" shape. For example, the intermediate mold 500 can partially cover the first side surface 200S1 and the second side surface 200S2 of the light guide plate 200.

[0071] The intermediate mold 500 can support the light guide plate 200. The intermediate mold 500 can support the first side surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 in the second direction D2. The intermediate mold 500 can support the first side surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 in the second direction D2 so as to protect the light source 120 of the light source member 100 from damage by a load of the light guide plate 200. The intermediate mold 500 can also fix the light guide plate 200.

[0072] The reflection member 300 can be disposed below the light guide plate 200. The reflection member 300 can be disposed below the light guide plate 200 to reflect light incident on the reflection member 300 so that the reflected light is transmitted toward the display panel 70. For example, the reflection member 300 can re-transmit light that leaks downward from the light guide plate 200 toward the light guide plate 200 disposed on the reflection member 300. Accordingly, the reflection member 300 can improve the light emission efficiency of the display device 1 by increasing the amount of light provided from the light source member 100 to the display panel 70, and can improve the brightness and display quality of the display device 1.

[0073] The reflection member 300 can include a reflective film or a reflective coating. The reflection member 300 can include a reflective material. The reflection member 300 can be made of a metal-containing material such as silver (Ag), copper (Cu), aluminum (Al), nickel (Ni), lanthanum (La), an alloy thereof, indium tin oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), or indium tin zinc oxide (ITZO), but the example embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0074] Referring to Figure 2Optical component 400 may be disposed on light guide plate 200. Optical component 400 may be housed within a space surrounded by optical coupling member 610 between light guide plate 200 and display panel 70. Optical component 400 may contact and be attached to the inner surface of optical coupling member 610. Although the figures show optical component 400 and light guide plate 200 spaced apart from each other and optical component 400 and display panel 70 spaced apart from each other, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the spaces between optical component 400 and light guide plate 200 and between optical component 400 and display panel 70 may be omitted.

[0075] The optical component 400 can control the path and / or polarization characteristics of light traveling from the light guide plate 200 toward the display panel 70. The optical component 400 may include at least one optical sheet. For example, the optical sheet may include a prism sheet, microlens, lens sheet, diffuser, polarizer, reflective polarizer, retardation sheet, and protective sheet.

[0076] The housing 90 may have a surface opening, a bottom surface 91, and a sidewall 92 connected to the bottom surface 91. The housing 90 may accommodate the backlight unit 10 and the display panel 70 within the space defined by the bottom surface 91 and the sidewall 92. The housing 90 may include a bottom chassis or a bracket. For example, the housing 90 may also include a top chassis containing a surface opening.

[0077] The reflective member 300, light guide plate 200, optical member 400, and display panel 70 of the backlight unit 10 can be sequentially arranged or stacked from the bottom surface 91 of the housing 90 in a third direction D3. The light source member 100 of the backlight unit 10 can be fixed to the side wall 92 of the housing 90 by a separate coupling member. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto, and the light source member 100 can be mounted on another base structure and can be configured to be adjacent to one side surface of the light guide plate 200.

[0078] Figure 3 It is shown Figure 1 A perspective view showing the positional relationship between the light source component and the light guide plate. Figure 4 It is shown Figure 1 A plan view showing the positional relationship between the light source components, light guide plate, and intermediate mold. Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A plan view of the light source component.

[0079] Reference Figure 3 and Figure 4 As described above, the light guide plate 200 may include an upper surface 200US, a lower surface 200BS, and four side surfaces 200S.

[0080] Each of the upper surface 200US and the lower surface 200BS of the light guide plate 200 is positioned substantially in one plane, and wherein the plane in which the upper surface 200US of the light guide plate 200 is positioned and the plane in which the lower surface 200BS of the light guide plate 200 is positioned are substantially parallel to each other, so that the light guide plate 200 can have a substantially uniform thickness overall. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the upper surface 200US or the lower surface 200BS of the light guide plate 200 is formed on a plurality of planes, or the plane in which the upper surface 200US of the light guide plate 200 is positioned and the plane in which the lower surface 200BS of the light guide plate 200 is positioned can intersect each other.

[0081] The plane in which the upper surface 200US and / or the lower surface 200BS of the light guide plate 200 is positioned can form an angle of about 90° with the plane in which each of the side surfaces 200S of the light guide plate 200 is positioned. However, exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the light guide plate 200 can further include an inclined surface between the upper surface 200US and one of the side surfaces 200S and / or between the lower surface 200BS and one of the side surfaces 200S.

[0082] The four side surfaces 200S of the light guide plate 200 can include a first side surface 200S1, a second side surface 200S2, a third side surface 200S3, and a fourth side surface 200S4.

[0083] Referring to Figure 4 The first side surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 can face the light source member 100. The first side surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 can be a lower side surface corresponding to a lower side in a plan view (based on the third direction D3) when viewed in the third direction D3.

[0084] The second side surface 200S2 of the light guide plate 200 can be a surface facing the first side surface 200S1. The second side surface 200S2 of the light guide plate 200 can face the first side surface 200S1 in the second direction D2. The second side surface 200S2 of the light guide plate 200 can be an upper side surface corresponding to an upper side in a plan view (based on the third direction D3) when viewed in the third direction D3.

[0085] The third side surface 200S3 of the light guide plate 200 can be a surface facing the first direction D1. The third side surface 200S3 of the light guide plate 200 can be a right side surface corresponding to a right side in a plan view (based on the third direction D3) when viewed in the third direction D3.

[0086] The fourth side surface 200S4 of the light guide plate 200 can be a surface facing the third side surface 200S3. The fourth side surface 200S4 of the light guide plate 200 can be a left side surface corresponding to the left side in a plan view (based on the third direction D3) when viewed in the third direction D3.

[0087] The material of the light guide plate 200 is not limited to a specific material, as long as the material has a high light transmittance and a high refractive index to minimize loss of light provided from the light source member 100 and guide the light. For example, the light guide plate 200 can be made of a polymer material such as polycarbonate, polysulfone, polyacrylate, polystyrene, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloride, or polyester, or can be made of a glass material.

[0088] The light source member 100 can be disposed adjacent to at least one side surface 200S of the light guide plate 200. Although the drawings show that the light source member 100 is disposed adjacent to the first side surface 200S1 positioned at one long edge of the light guide plate 200, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, a plurality of light source members 100 can be disposed adjacent to all of the first side surfaces 200S1 and the second side surfaces 200S2 of both long edges of the light guide plate 200, or can be disposed adjacent to the third side surfaces 200S3 and the fourth side surfaces 200S4 adjacent to one short edge or both short edges of the light guide plate 200.

[0089] Hereinafter, the side surface (i.e., the first side surface 200S1) of one long edge of the light guide plate 200 disposed adjacent to and facing the light source member 100 is referred to as a light incident surface (indicated as "200S1" in the drawings for convenience of description), and the side surface of the light guide plate 200 facing the other long edge of one long edge of the light guide plate 200 is referred to as a light facing surface (indicated as "200S2" in the drawings for convenience of description).

[0090] Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of the first base 110, the light source 120, and the spacer 130 of the light source member 100 with reference to Figure 5 The first base 110, the light source 120, and the spacer 130 of the light source member 100 will be described in detail.

[0091] The light source member 100 can include the first base 110, a plurality of light sources 120 disposed on the first base 110, and a spacer 130 disposed on the first base 110.

[0092] The first substrate 110 can provide a space in which the light source 120 is disposed. The first substrate 110 can be a circuit board. When the first substrate 110 is a circuit board, the first substrate 110 can be implemented as a printed circuit board (PCB). When the first substrate 110 is implemented as a printed circuit board, the plurality of light sources 120 mounted on the first substrate 110 can be electrically connected to each other. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the first substrate 110 can be an insulating substrate. When the first substrate 110 is an insulating substrate, the first substrate 110 can be made of a transparent material such as glass or quartz, or can be made of a polymer material such as polyimide. When the first substrate 110 is an insulating substrate, the light source member 100 can further include a circuit element layer that drives the light source 120. The circuit element layer can be formed on one surface of the insulating substrate, and can be formed as a printed circuit board to be attached or fixed to one surface of the insulating substrate. Hereinafter, a case in which the first substrate 110 is a liquid crystal printed circuit board (PCB) will be described below as an example. However, even when the first substrate 110 is a substrate of a different type, the following description can be applied in a similar manner.

[0093] The first substrate 110 can have an elongated shape extending in one direction. For example, the first substrate 110 can have an elongated shape extending in the first direction D1. Specifically, the first substrate 110 can have a substantially rectangular shape having a width in the third direction D3 and a length in the first direction D1, the length being longer than the width, when viewed in the second direction D2.

[0094] The first substrate 110 can be disposed adjacent to the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200. The first substrate 110 can overlap the light guide plate 200 in the second direction D2. The first substrate 110 can be spaced apart from the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 in the second direction D2.

[0095] The length of the first substrate 110 in the first direction D1 can be shorter than the length of the light guide plate 200 in the first direction D1.

[0096] The plurality of light sources 120 can be disposed on one surface of the first substrate 110. The one surface of the first substrate 110 on which the plurality of light sources 120 are disposed can be a surface facing the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200. The one surface of the first substrate 110 and the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 can be substantially parallel to each other.

[0097] The light source 120 can be a point light source. The light source 120 can be provided in a package form. In the exemplary embodiments, the light source 120 can be a light emitting diode (LED) package, but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0098] The light source 120 can emit light of a specific wavelength band. For example, the light source 120 can emit blue light having a wavelength band of 420 nm to 470 nm. In some example embodiments, the light source 120 can emit light having two or more peak wavelengths. For example, the light source 120 can emit light having a wavelength close to an ultraviolet wavelength and blue light. Hereinafter, a case in which the light emitted from the light source 120 is blue light having a wavelength band of 420 nm to 470 nm is described as follows. For example, when the wavelength band of the light emitted from the light source 120 varies or changes, the following description can be applied in a similar manner.

[0099] The light emitted from the light source 120 can be incident on the light guide plate 200. The light can be emitted from the light source 120 toward the light guide plate 200 through one surface of the light source 120. The one surface of the light source 120 can be a surface facing the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200. In example embodiments, referring to Figure 4 , the light source 120 can emit light through the upper surface of the light source 120 (e.g., in the second direction D2).

[0100] The light source 120 can be spaced apart from the light guide plate 200 in the second direction D2. Specifically, referring to Figure 4 , the upper surface of the light source 120 and the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 can be spaced apart from each other in the second direction D2. The light source 120 can be spaced apart from the light guide plate 200 in the second direction D2 to secure or maintain enough space so as to prevent the light emitted from the light source 120 from being condensed only in a portion of the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 and to protect the light guide plate 200 from being damaged by heat generated from the light source 120.

[0101] The plurality of light sources 120 can be spaced apart from each other. The light sources 120 can be spaced apart from each other along one direction (e.g., in the extension direction of the first base 110). For example, the light sources 120 can be arranged at a predetermined interval along the first direction D1.

[0102] The distance between the light sources 120 can be substantially the same to prevent a bright-dark portion from occurring. However, among two light sources 120 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1, the second distance P2 between the two light sources 120 having the spacer 130 interposed therebetween can be different from the first distance P1 between the two light sources 120 not having the spacer 130 interposed therebetween. For example, the first distance P1 can be shorter than the second distance P2. However, example embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the first distance P1 can be equal to or longer than the second distance P2.

[0103] To make the light emitted from the light source 120 have a sufficient light path within the light emitting angle of the light source 120 in a case where the spacer 130 is disposed between two light sources 120 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1, the second distance P2 between the two light sources 120 with the spacer 130 interposed therebetween can be greater than the first distance P1 between the two light sources 120 without the spacer 130 interposed therebetween. For example, the ratio of the first distance P1 to the second distance P2 can be 1:1.3.

[0104] At least one spacer 130 can be disposed on the first substrate 110 in which the light source 120 is not disposed. The spacers 130 can be spaced apart from each other along the first direction D1 (e.g., in the direction of extension of the first substrate 110). At least one light source 120 can be disposed between two spacers 130 spaced apart from each other. Although the drawings show that two light sources 120 are disposed between two spacers 130 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, three or more light sources 120 can be disposed between two spacers 130 adjacent to each other in the first direction D1. In addition, the number of light sources 120 disposed between the spacers 130 can vary or change in each region.

[0105] In the exemplary embodiments, the spacer 130 located on the first substrate 110 can be spaced apart from the light source 120 in the first direction D1. The distance from the spacer 130 to the light source 120 adjacent to the spacer 130 in the first direction D1 can be equal to the distance from the spacer 130 to the light source 120 adjacent to the spacer 130 in the opposite direction of the first direction D1. For example, the spacer 130 can be disposed in the middle of a position in which two light sources 120 adjacent to each other are disposed. The spacer 130 can be disposed in the middle of a position in which two light sources 120 adjacent to each other are disposed, so that the luminance non-uniformity occurring in a region in which the spacer 130 is disposed is reduced, i.e., the luminance uniformity in the region in which the spacer 130 is disposed is improved.

[0106] The spacer 130 can be disposed between the first substrate 110 and the light guide plate 200. One surface of the spacer 130 can face the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200, and the other surface of the spacer 130, which is the opposite surface of the one surface of the spacer 130, can be disposed on one surface of the first substrate 110. The one surface of the spacer 130 can be in direct contact with the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200.

[0107] The spacer 130 can be disposed between the first substrate 110 and the light guide plate 200 to support the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 in the second direction D2. Accordingly, the spacer 130 can support the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 in the second direction D2 using the middle mold 500 (seeFigure 4 ) supports the light guide plate 200. For example, when the second direction D2 is the opposite direction of gravity, a central portion of the first side surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200, in which the intermediate mold 500 is not disposed, can sag or bend due to a load of the light guide plate 200. The spacer 130 can support at least a portion of the first side surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200, which is not supported by the intermediate mold 500, in the second direction D2 to prevent the first side surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 from sagging or bending toward the light source 120. Also, referring to Figure 4 , the spacer 130 can support the light guide plate 200 with the intermediate mold 500 to prevent the light source 120 from being damaged due to movement of the light guide plate 200 toward the underlying light source 120.

[0108] In an exemplary embodiment, the spacer 130 can be a substantially hexagonal column having a substantially rectangular cross-section taken in the second direction D2. The cross-section of the spacer 130 taken in the second direction D2 can have a substantially rectangular shape in which a length in the third direction D3 is longer than a length in the first direction D1. The length of the spacer 130 in the third direction D3 can be shorter than the length of the first base 110 in the third direction D3, and can be longer than the length of the light source 120 in the third direction D3. However, the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto, and the length of the spacer 130 in the third direction D3 can be equal to the length of the first base 110 in the third direction D3. When the length of the spacer 130 in the third direction D3 is equal to the length of the first base 110 in the third direction D3, the spacer 130 can stably support the light guide plate 200 in the second direction D2. However, the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto, and the cross-section of the spacer 130 taken in the second direction D2 can have a substantially square shape in which the length in the first direction D1 is equal to the length in the third direction D3. One surface of the spacer 130 in the second direction D2 can be in direct contact with the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200, and the other surface of the spacer 130 in the direction opposite to the second direction D2 can be disposed on one surface of the first base 110. Accordingly, the length (or height) of the spacer 130 in the second direction D2 can be substantially equal to the distance between the first base 110 and the light guide plate 200 in the second direction D2. The length (or height) of the spacer 130 in the second direction D2 can be greater than the length (or height) of the light source 120 in the second direction D2. The spacer 130 can maintain a substantially constant distance between the first base 110 and the light guide plate 200, thereby preventing the light guide plate 200 from being damaged by heat generated from the light source 120, and maintaining a sufficient incident area of light emitted from the light source 120.

[0109] Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating Figure 1 a light source member and a light guide plate, and Figure 7 is a perspective view of a spacer of the light source member of Figure 1

[0110] Referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7 , the spacer 130 (also referred to as a "first member") can include a support 131 and a light adjusting material layer 132 disposed on the support 131. As used herein, "light adjusting material" refers to any substance or process capable of diffracting, diffusing, reflecting, scattering, converting, and / or changing the wavelength of light.

[0111] The shape of the support 131 can be substantially the same as the shape of the spacer 130. For example, when the spacer 130 is a hexagonal column having a substantially rectangular section taken in the second direction D2, the support 131 can also be a hexagonal column having a substantially rectangular section taken in the second direction D2. Further, the cross section of the support 131 can be a substantially rectangular shape in which the length in the third direction D3 is longer than the length in the first direction D1.

[0112] The support 131 can be disposed on one surface of the first base 110 in which the light source 120 is not disposed (e.g., excluding the light source 120). Although the drawings show that the support 131 is disposed on one surface of the first base 110, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. A separate adhesive member is disposed between the support 131 and the first base 110 to fix the support 131 to the first base 110.

[0113] The support 131 can include glass fiber containing epoxy resin. For example, the glass fiber containing epoxy resin can be a flame retardant (FR4) in which epoxy resin and glass fiber are laminated, or can be a composite epoxy material (CEM3) in which a central portion of the glass fiber includes non-moving glass fiber.

[0114] Referring to Figure 7 , the support 131 can include a first surface 131US, a second surface 131S, and a third surface 131BS. The first surface 131US of the support 131 can be a surface disposed at one side of the support 131 in the second direction D2, and the third surface 131BS of the support 131 can be a surface disposed at the opposite side of the one side of the support 131 in the second direction D2. Further, the second surface 131S of the support 131 can be a surface disposed at one side and the other side of the support 131 in the first direction D1. Referring to Figures 6 to 8 ​The first surface 131US can be an upper surface of the support 131, the second surface 131S can be a right surface and a left surface of the support 131, and the third surface 131BS can be a lower surface of the support 131.

[0115] The third surface 131BS of the support 131 is placed on one surface of the first base 110. The first surface 131US of the support 131 faces the third surface 131BS of the support 131. Each of the first surface 131US of the support 131 and the third surface 131BS of the support 131 can be positioned in substantially one plane, and the plane on which the first surface 131US of the support 131 is positioned and the plane on which the third surface 131BS of the support 131 is positioned can be substantially parallel to have a substantially uniform thickness (or a substantially uniform height).

[0116] The second surface 131S of the support 131 can face the light source 120 disposed adjacent to the support 131. In an exemplary embodiment, a plane on which the second surface 131S of the support 131 is positioned can form an angle of about 90° with respect to a plane on which the first surface 131US and / or the third surface 131BS of the support 131 are positioned. Accordingly, a plane on which one surface of the first base 110 is positioned and a plane on which the second surface 131S of the support 131 is positioned can form an angle of about 90°.

[0117] A length of the support 131 in the second direction D2 (or a height of the support 131, h3) can be longer than a length of the light source 120 in the second direction D2 (or a height of the light source 120, h1). When the length h3 of the support 131 in the second direction D2 is longer than the length h1 of the light source 120 in the second direction D2, an incident area of light emitted from the light source 120 and incident on the light guide plate 200 can be expanded to prevent convergence of the light, thereby improving uniformity of the light.

[0118] The light adjusting material layer 132 (also referred to as a "first layer") can be disposed on the first surface 131US and the second surface 131S of the support 131. The light adjusting material layer 132 can be directly formed on the first surface 131US and the second surface 131S of the support 131, and thus, an inner surface of the light adjusting material layer 132 can be in contact with the first surface 131US and the second surface 131S of the support 131.

[0119] The light adjusting material layer 132 can include a binder layer BS and wavelength conversion particles FP dispersed in the binder layer BS.

[0120] The adhesive layer BS is a medium in which the wavelength conversion particles FP are dispersed, and can include various resin compositions. The adhesive layer BS can have appropriate viscosity and hardness so that a portion of the light adjusting material layer 132 that is in contact with the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 is not damaged. For example, the adhesive layer BS can include silicon (Si). When the adhesive layer BS includes silicon, the thickness, viscosity, and hardness of the light adjusting material layer 132 can be adjusted or modified according to the proportion of silicon. The viscosity and hardness of the light adjusting material layer 132 including the adhesive layer BS can be appropriately adjusted or modified, thereby preventing the light adjusting material layer 132 that is in contact with the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 from being damaged by the load of the light guide plate 200.

[0121] The wavelength conversion particles FP are particles that convert the wavelength of incident light, and can include, for example, a fluorescent material, a quantum dot (QD), or a phosphorescent material.

[0122] The fluorescent material can be a general organic phosphor or an inorganic phosphor. In an exemplary embodiment, the fluorescent material can be a yellow fluorescent material, for example, a yellow phosphor. The yellow phosphor can be a YAG-based fluorescent material, a silicate-based fluorescent material, an oxynitride-based fluorescent material, or a combination thereof, but the exemplary embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0123] The quantum dot, which is a material having a crystal structure of several nanometers in size, can be composed of several hundred to several thousand atoms, and the quantum dot can exhibit a quantum confinement effect in which an energy band gap increases due to its small size. When light having a wavelength of energy higher than the energy of the energy band gap is incident on the quantum dot (QD), the quantum dot (QD) can absorb the light to become an excited state, and can emit light of a specific wavelength to transition to a ground state. The emitted light of the wavelength has a value corresponding to the energy band gap. When the size and composition of the quantum dot (QD) are adjusted or modified, the light emission characteristics due to the quantum confinement effect can be adjusted or modified.

[0124] The quantum dot (QD) can include at least one of a II-VI compound, a II-V compound, a III-VI compound, a III-V compound, a IV-VI compound, a I-III-VI compound, a II-IV-VI compound, and a II-IV-V compound.

[0125] The quantum dot can include a core and a shell covering the core.

[0126] The core can include at least one of CdS, CdSe, CdTe, ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, GaN, GaP, GaAs, GaSb, AlN, AlP, AlAs, AlSb, InP, InAs, InSb, SiC, Ca, Se, In, P, Fe, Pt, Ni, Co, Al, Ag, Au, Cu, FePt, Fe2O3, Fe3O4, Si, and Ge, but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. The shell can include at least one of ZnS, ZnSe, ZnTe, CdS, CdSe, CdTe, HgS, HgSe, HgTe, AlN, AlP, AlAs, AlSb, GaN, GaP, GaAs, GaSb, GaSe, InN, InP, InAs, InSb, TlN, TlP, TlAs, TlSb, PbS, PbSe, and PbTe, but the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0127] Hereinafter, a case in which the wavelength conversion particle FP includes a yellow phosphor as a fluorescent material is described as follows. Further, when the wavelength conversion particle FP is a different type of particle, the following description can be applied in a similar manner.

[0128] In the exemplary embodiments, the light conditioning material layer 132 can completely cover the first surface 131US and the second surface 131S of the support 131. The light conditioning material layer 132 can include a first region 132a disposed on the first surface 131US of the support 131 and a second region 132b disposed on the second surface 131S of the support 131. The first region 132a and the second region 132b can be different from each other in arrangement, and the material and ratio of the light conditioning material layer 132 can be substantially the same. Further, the first region 132a and the second region 132b can be disposed on the first surface 131US and the second surface 131S of the support 131, and can be integrated with each other.

[0129] The light conditioning material layer 132 can generally have a substantially uniform thickness h4. For example, the thickness h4 of the light conditioning material layer 132 can be defined as a distance in the second direction D2 from an inner surface of the light conditioning material layer 132 disposed on the first surface 131US and the second surface 131S of the support 131 to an outer surface of the light conditioning material layer 132.

[0130] The length h2 of the spacer 130 in the second direction D2 can be equal to a sum of the length h3 of the support 131 in the second direction D2 and the thickness h4 of the light conditioning material layer 132.

[0131] The outer surface of the light conditioning material layer 132 can form an outer surface of the spacer 130.

[0132] The light-modulating material layer 132 can prevent or reduce dark areas that may appear in the area where the spacer 130 is disposed. For example, the light-modulating material layer 132, including a phosphor, can cause light incident on one surface of the spacer 130 to be diffused back towards the light guide plate 200, making the brightness of the area where the spacer 130 is disposed and the brightness of the area where the light source 120 is disposed uniform. (See below for further details.) Figure 8 Describe in detail the path of light emitted from light source 120 as it travels toward light guide plate 200 and / or the path of light traveling from light guide plate 200 toward a surface of spacer 130.

[0133] To improve the brightness uniformity of light emitted from the light source 120 and incident on the light guide plate 200, and to prevent the light guide plate 200 from being damaged by heat generated from the light source 120, an appropriate positional and height relationship between the light source 120 and the spacer 130 can be set. In the following text, reference will be made to... Figure 8 The relationship between the light source 120 and the spacer 130 is described to optimize brightness uniformity by minimizing damage to the light guide plate 200 and preventing or reducing dark areas that may occur in the area where the spacer 130 is disposed.

[0134] In an exemplary embodiment, the light source 120 can emit light from the center of a surface of the light incident surface 200S1 of the light source 120 facing the light guide plate 200. The light emitted by the light source 120 can travel substantially from one surface of the light source 120 toward the second direction D2. A portion of the light emitted by the light source 120 can travel at a predetermined angle toward the second direction D2 from a plane on which one surface of the light source 120 is positioned. The light emitted from the light source 120 can have an optical path within the range of the emission angle of the light source 120. In an exemplary embodiment, the pointing angle of the light source 120 can be approximately 120°.

[0135] Reference Figure 6 When a reference line N0 is defined that passes through the center of the light source 120 in the second direction D2, the travel path of the light emitted from the light source 120 can form a first angle θ with the reference line N0. N The acute angle. In an exemplary embodiment, the first angle θ formed by the travel path of the light emitted from the light source 120 and the reference line N0. N It can be approximately 60° or smaller. For example, the first angle θ formed by the travel path of the light emitted from the light source 120 and the reference line N0. N The maximum value can be approximately 60°.

[0136] When the first angle θ formed by the travel path of the light emitted from the light source 120 and the reference line N0 N To maximize the effect, the path of light is limited to the reference path line N.M At that time, the light emitted from the light source 120 can be substantially aligned with the reference line N0 and the reference path line N. M Proceeding between them. The baseline path N that has the maximum angle with baseline N0. M It can pass through the left side surface of spacer 130 (see reference). Figure 6 ) and / or the second surface 131S of the support member 131.

[0137] To prevent the light guide plate 200 from being damaged by heat generated from the light source 120, the length h2 of the spacer 130 in the second direction D2 can be sufficiently long. The length h2 of the spacer 130 in the second direction D2 can be greater than the distance from one surface of the first substrate 110 to the left side surface of the spacer 130 and the reference path line N. M The reference height h of the intersecting points m The length h2 of the spacer 130 in the second direction D2 can be greater than the reference height h. m This effectively prevents the light guide plate 200 from being damaged by heat generated from the light source 120.

[0138] As described above, in order to sufficiently ensure or maintain the incident area of ​​light emitted from the light source 120 on the light guide plate 200 and to prevent damage to the light guide plate 200, the distance between the light source 120 and the light guide plate 200 in the second direction D2 can be determined by the length h3 of the support member 131 in the second direction D2. Furthermore, to prevent the wavelength conversion particles FP included in the first region 132a of the light conditioning material layer 132 from being damaged and stripped by the load on the light guide plate 200, the light conditioning material layer 132 can have a sufficient thickness h4. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the length h3 of the support member 131 in the second direction D2 can be in the range of 0.8 mm to 1 mm, and the thickness h4 of the light conditioning material layer 132 can be in the range of 30 μm to 50 μm.

[0139] Figure 8 It shows from Figure 6 A magnified cross-sectional view of the path of light emitted by the light source.

[0140] Reference Figure 8 The incident angle of light emitted from the light source 120 and incident on the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 can be approximately 0° to approximately 60°. The light L0 emitted from the light source 120 can travel substantially through the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 into the light guide plate 200. A portion of the light L0 emitted from the light source 120 can travel toward the second region 132b of the light-modulating material layer 132 of the spacer 130.

[0141] A portion of the light L0 traveling toward the second region 132b of the light adjusting material layer 132 can be reflected from the outer surface of the light adjusting material layer 132 or diffused by the adhesive layer BS to be incident on the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200. Another portion of the light L0 traveling toward the second region 132b of the light adjusting material layer 132 can be transmitted to the adhesive layer BS and be incident on the wavelength conversion particles FP dispersed in the adhesive layer BS. The light L0 having the first wavelength band emitted from the light source 120 can be converted to light L1 having a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band by the wavelength conversion particles FP and can emit the light L1. The emitted light L1 can be incident on the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200. For example, blue light emitted from the light source 120 can be converted to light of a yellow wavelength band by the wavelength conversion particles FP and can be incident on the light guide plate 200 as yellow light.

[0142] For example, since the length h2 of the spacer 130 in the second direction D2 is longer than the reference height h m Therefore, a portion of the light emitted from the light source 120 traveling within the light emission angle toward the spacer 130 can not be incident on the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 overlapping the spacer 130. Therefore, a dark portion can occur in a region overlapping the spacer 130 in the second direction D2. The first region 132a of the light adjusting material layer 132 can prevent or reduce the dark portion generated by the spacer 130.

[0143] Specifically, the light L0 emitted from the light source 120 and incident on the light guide plate 200 can be totally reflected by the light guide plate 200 to travel inside the light guide plate 200. A portion of the light L S traveling inside the light guide plate 200 can travel toward the first region 132a of the light adjusting material layer 132. A portion of the light incident on the first region 132a of the light adjusting material layer 132 inside the light guide plate 200 can pass through the adhesive layer BS and be incident on the wavelength conversion particles FP included in the first region 132a of the light adjusting material layer 132. The light L S incident on the first region 132a of the light adjusting material layer 132 from the light guide plate 200 can be converted to light L1 of a second wavelength band by the wavelength conversion particles FP, and the light L1 can be emitted toward the light guide plate 200. Therefore, the light can be diffused by the first region 132a of the light adjusting material layer 132. Therefore, the light L S or L0 can be emitted in a region overlapping the spacer 130, thereby preventing or reducing a dark portion that can be generated by the spacer 130.

[0144] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, when the light adjusting material layer 132 is disposed on the first surface 131US of the support 131, light traveling from the light guide plate 200 toward the first region 132a of the light adjusting material layer 132 is diffused back toward the light guide plate 200, thereby preventing or reducing a dark portion that can occur in a region in which the support 131 is disposed. For example, the first region 132a of the light adjusting material layer 132 can prevent or reduce a dark portion generated by the support 131 in a region overlapping the support 131. Thus, the brightness uniformity of the display device 1 can be improved. Further, the light adjusting material layer 132 can be disposed on the second surface 131S of the support 131, and thus, even in a region in which the first region 132a of the light adjusting material layer 132 is not disposed, light of a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band of light emitted from the light source 120 can be emitted. For example, the second region 132b of the light adjusting material layer 132 can prevent or reduce a color difference between a region overlapping the first region 132a of the light adjusting material layer 132 and a region not overlapping the first region 132a of the light adjusting material layer 132.

[0145] In the drawings, only in a case where the light L0 emitted from the light source 120 travels substantially between the reference line N0 and the reference path line N M between the reference line N0 and the reference path line N M , for example, can travel toward an outer direction of the reference path line N M .

[0146] Figure 9 is a graph showing a measurement of brightness according to a position defined based on a position of the spacer as a reference point.

[0147] In the graph of Figure 9 , the X axis represents a relative position of a measurement point in the first direction D1 when a position of the spacer 130 is taken as a reference point in a region corresponding to the region Q in Figure 5 , and the Y axis represents brightness. In Figure 9 , a region in which the spacer 130 is disposed in the Q region is set as a reference point "0", a position of the light source 120 disposed in the first direction D1 is set as "2", and a position of the light source 120 disposed in a direction opposite to the first direction D1 is set as "-2".

[0148] Referring to Figure 9 , in the graph of Figure 9 , the X axis represents a relative position of a measurement point in the first direction D1 when a position of the spacer 130 is taken as a reference point in a region corresponding to the region Q in Figure 9The "Pre-Printing" curve in the graph is a curve measuring the brightness at each location when the light-modulating material layer 132 is not applied to the first surface 131US and the second surface 131S of the support 131. Furthermore, Figure 9 The "partial printing" curve in the graph is a curve measuring the brightness at each location when the light-modulating material layer 132 is only disposed on the second surface 131S of the support 131. Furthermore, Figure 9 The “fully printed” curve in the graph is a curve that measures the brightness at each location when the light-modulating material layer 132 is disposed on both the first surface 131US and the second surface 131S of the support 131.

[0149] When the light-modulating material layer 132 is not disposed on the first surface 131US and the second surface 131S of the support 131 ( Figure 9 The "before printing" curve in the graph shows that the brightness of the area where the support member 131 is provided has a smaller value than the brightness of the area where the support member 131 is not provided.

[0150] When the light-modulating material layer 132 is only disposed on the second surface 131S of the support member 131 ( Figure 9 The brightness of the area where the support member 131 is provided (as shown in the "partial printing" curve in the graph) increases compared to the brightness shown in the "before printing" curve. Therefore, in this case, the difference between the brightness of the area where the support member 131 is provided and the brightness of the area where the support member 131 is not provided is reduced compared to the "before printing" curve.

[0151] When the light-modulating material layer 132 is disposed on the first surface 131US and the second surface 131S of the support 131 ( Figure 9 (The "fully printed" curve in the graph) shows that the brightness of the area where the support member 131 is provided is similar to the brightness of the area where the support member 131 is not provided. Furthermore, in this case, the brightness of the area where the support member 131 is provided can be greater than the brightness of the area where the support member 131 is not provided.

[0152] In the exemplary embodiment shown, when the light-adjusting material layer 132 is not only disposed (or coated) on the second surface 131S of the support member 131 facing the light source 120, but also on the first surface 131US of the support member 131 facing the light incident surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200, compared with when the light-adjusting material layer 132 is only disposed on the second surface 131S of the support member 131, the dark areas in the area where the spacer 130 is disposed can be prevented or reduced, thereby improving the brightness uniformity of the display device 1.

[0153] Hereinafter, other exemplary embodiments of the spacer 130 of the light source member 100 will be described. In the following exemplary embodiments, the same components as those already described will be omitted or simplified, and the differences will mainly be described to avoid redundancy.

[0154] Figure 10 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of the spacer of the light source member of Figure 6

[0155] Figure 10 The exemplary embodiment of Figure 6 differs from the exemplary embodiment ofin that a plane in which the second surface 131S of the support 131_1 is positioned and a plane in which the first surface 131US of the support 131_1 is positioned are inclined at a predetermined angle other than 90°.

[0156] Specifically, the cross section of the support 131_1 can be a substantially trapezoidal shape. In the support 131_1 according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the width of the first surface 131US in the first direction D1 can be smaller than the width of the third surface 131BS in the first direction D1. Accordingly, the second surface 131S of the support 131_1 can be inclined toward the third surface 131BS of the support 131_1 at a predetermined angle.

[0157] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, since the second surface 131S of the support 131_1 is inclined toward the third surface 131BS of the support 131_1, when the side surface of the spacer 130 and one surface of the first base 110 are perpendicular as in the exemplary embodiment of Figure 6 the incidence angle of light emitted from the light source 120 and traveling to the side surface of the spacer 130_1 can be greater than the incidence angle of light traveling to the side surface of the spacer 130_1. Accordingly, the incidence area of light incident on the side surface of the spacer 130_1 and traveling toward the light guide plate 200 can be widened or expanded. Accordingly, the area in which light is incident on the light incidence surface 200S1 of the light guide plate 200 is widened or expanded, thereby preventing light emitted from the light source 120 from being condensed only in a narrow area. Accordingly, the display device 1 can effectively present substantially uniform brightness over the entire light display area.

[0158] Figure 11 is a side view of another exemplary embodiment of the spacer of the light source member of Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view illustrating another exemplary embodiment of the spacer of the light source member of Figure 12 Figure 11 Referring to

[0159] the illustrated exemplary embodiments differ from the exemplary embodiments of Figure 11 and Figure 12 ​​Figure 6 The embodiment of the light source member of the light source device of

[0160] In the embodiment, the light adjusting material layer 132_1 can include the first region 132a and the second region 132b_1. Specifically, the second region 132b_1 of the light adjusting material layer 132_1 can be patterned to form a plurality of patterned second regions 132b_1 disposed on the second surface 131S of the support 131. The patterned second regions 132b_1 of the light adjusting material layer 132_1 can be separated from each other. Each of the patterned second regions 132b_1 of the light adjusting material layer 132_1 can have a substantially trapezoidal shape when viewed from the first direction D1 (i.e., in a plan view (based on the first direction D1)). The areas of the respective patterned second regions 132b_1 of the light adjusting material layer 132_1 can be the same as each other. However, the example embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the areas of the respective patterned second regions 132b_1 of the light adjusting material layer 132_1 can be different from each other.

[0161] As shown in Figure 11 , the width of each of the patterned second regions 132b_1 of the light adjusting material layer 132_1 can decrease in an outward direction from the center of the second surface 131S toward the first surface 131US and the third surface 131BS. However, the example embodiment is not limited thereto. For example, the width of the patterned second regions 132b_1 of the light adjusting material layer 132_1 can increase in an outward direction from the center of the second surface 131S toward the first surface 131US and the third surface 131BS.

[0162] For example, the area of the patterned light adjusting material layer 132_1 can have a range of 5% or more and 90% or less of the area of the second surface 131S of the support 131. However, the example embodiment is not limited thereto.

[0163] Figure 13 is a side view of another example embodiment of the spacer of the light source member of the light source device of Figure 6 , and Figure 14 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the spacer of Figure 13 , and Figure 15 is a side view of another example embodiment of the spacer of the light source member of the light source device of Figure 6 .

[0164] Referring to Figure 13 , the example embodiment shown is the same as Figure 6The difference in the embodiment is that the second region 132b_2 of the light-modulating material layer 132_2 disposed on the second surface 131S of the support 131 of the spacer 130_3 is patterned into different shapes.

[0165] In an embodiment, the light-modulating material layer 132_2 may include a first region 132a and a second region 132b_2. Specifically, the second region 132b_2 of the light-modulating material layer 132_2 may be patterned to form a plurality of patterned second regions 132b_2 disposed on the second surface 131S of the support member 131. The patterned second regions 132b_2 of the light-modulating material layer 132_2 may be separated from each other. When viewed from a first direction D1 (i.e., in a planar view (based on the first direction D1)), each patterned second region 132b_2 of the light-modulating material layer 132_2 may have a generally circular shape. The planar shape of each patterned second region 132b_2 of the light-modulating material layer 132_2 may resemble a circle having different areas from each other.

[0166] like Figure 13 and Figure 14 As shown, the area of ​​the patterned second region 132b_2 of the light-modulating material layer 132_2 can be reduced in the outward direction from the center of the second surface 131S toward the first surface 131US and the third surface 131BS.

[0167] For example, the area of ​​the patterned light-modulating material layer 132_2 may be 5% or more and 90% or less of the area of ​​the second surface 131S of the support 131. However, the exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0168] Reference Figure 15 The exemplary embodiments shown are similar to Figure 13 The difference in the exemplary embodiment is that the second region 132b_3 of the light-modulating material layer 132_3 disposed on the second surface 131S of the support 131 of the spacer 130_4 is patterned to form a plurality of patterned second regions 132b_3 in a generally rectangular shape.

[0169] In an embodiment, the light-modulating material layer 132_3 may include a first region 132a and a second region 132b_3. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, each patterned second region 132b_3 of the light-modulating material layer 132_3 may have a generally rectangular shape when viewed from a first direction D1 (i.e., in a planar view (based on the first direction D1)). The planar shape of each patterned second region 132b_3 of the light-modulating material layer 132_3 may resemble a rectangle having different areas from each other.

[0170] Figure 16is Figure 6 a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a spacer of the light source member of Figure 17 is an enlarged sectional view showing Figure 16 the spacer.

[0171] With reference to Figure 16 and Figure 17 , the illustrated exemplary embodiment differs from the embodiment of Figure 6 in that the first region 132a_4 of the light conditioning material layer 132_4 disposed on the second surface 131S of the support 131 of the spacer 130_5 is patterned.

[0172] In particular, the first region 132a_4 of the light conditioning material layer 132_4 can be patterned to form a plurality of patterned first regions 132a_4 disposed on the second surface 131S of the support 131. The patterned first regions 132a_4 of the light conditioning material layer 132_4 can be separated from each other. The patterned first regions 132a_4 of the light conditioning material layer 132_4 can have a substantially circular shape when viewed from the second direction D2 (i.e., in plan view (based on the second direction D2)). The area of each patterned first region 132a_4 of the light conditioning material layer 132_4 can be substantially equal to each other.

[0173] Although certain example embodiments and implementations have been described herein, other embodiments and changes will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, the present inventive concept is not to be limited to the embodiments described herein, but rather the scope of the inventive concept is to be accorded the broadest scope of the claims as well as the full scope of equivalents, modifications, and alternatives to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A backlight unit for a display device, wherein, The backlight unit includes: An optical waveguide, the optical waveguide including a light incident surface, the light incident surface being a side surface of the optical waveguide; A substrate, the substrate facing the light incident surface; Multiple light sources, said multiple light sources being located on one surface of the substrate facing the light incident surface; and A first component is disposed between the substrate and the light incident surface to space the light source from the optical waveguide. The first component is spaced apart from the light source. The first component includes: A support member, located on a region of one surface of the substrate excluding the light source, the support member having a first surface facing the light incident surface and a second surface facing the light source, the height of the support member being greater than the height of the light source; and The first layer is disposed on the first surface and the second surface of the support member. The first layer includes a light-modulating material layer, which includes an adhesive layer and wavelength conversion particles disposed in the adhesive layer to improve the brightness uniformity of the entire light incident surface.

2. The backlight unit according to claim 1, wherein, The first component is a spacer with a height greater than that of the light source.

3. The backlight unit according to claim 2, wherein, The height of the spacer is equal to the sum of the height of the support and the thickness of the first layer, and the height of the support is greater than the thickness of the first layer.

4. The backlight unit according to claim 1, wherein, The light emitted from each of the light sources has an optical path within a range of emission angles of each of the light sources, the range of emission angles of each of the light sources being defined by a reference path line of the optical path, the reference path line of the optical path having a maximum angle with a reference line perpendicular to the center of each of the light sources adjacent to the first member, the reference path line passing through the second surface of the support member.

5. The backlight unit according to claim 1, wherein, Each of the light sources is configured to emit light having a first wavelength band. The wavelength-converting particles are configured to convert light having the first wavelength band into light having a second wavelength band different from the first wavelength band.

6. The backlight unit according to claim 5, wherein, The light having the first wavelength band is blue light, and the wavelength-converting particles are configured to convert the blue light into yellow light.

7. The backlight unit according to claim 6, wherein, The wavelength-converting particles include yellow fluorescent materials.

8. The backlight unit according to claim 5, wherein, The adhesive layer comprises silicon.

9. The backlight unit according to claim 1, wherein, The first layer includes a first region disposed on the first surface of the support and a second region disposed on the second surface of the support.

10. The backlight unit according to claim 9, wherein, The first region completely covers the first surface of the support.

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