Backlight structure and display device

Abstract

To provide a backlight structure capable of suppressing generation of a pooling as much as possible even when being installed horizontally, in a display device, such as a display in which a direct backlight is employed, and a display device comprising the backlight structure.SOLUTION: A backlight structure BS1 comprises: a base part 25 on which a light source 24 is arranged; a light diffusion plate 23a arranged at a distance from the base part 25; and a support member 41 arranged on the base part 25 and supporting the light diffusion plate 23a. The support member 41 comprises a pillar part 41a extending along a first direction X1 from the base part 25 toward the light diffusion plate 23a. The pillar part 41a has a bending support structure that assists the pillar part 41a in bending in a second direction X2 intersecting the first direction X1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a backlight structure and a display device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a supporting member made of a transparent material and formed into a flat plate for supporting a light diffusion plate in a direct type backlight. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2013-161793 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When a display device using a direct backlight is installed vertically, there is no particular problem. However, for example, IWB (Interactive Whiteboard) products need to be installed horizontally like a table. When installed horizontally, localized stress occurs in the LCD panel due to the support pins pushing up from below and the weight of the touch glass and LCD panel pressing down from above. As a result, temporary spots (pooling) may appear on the display screen, and if installed for a long period of time, the photospacer in the LCD panel may be damaged, reducing the cell gap and causing irreversible pooling.

[0005] The present disclosure aims to provide a backlight structure that can minimize the occurrence of pooling even when installed horizontally in a display device such as a display that employs a direct-type backlight, and a display device equipped with such a backlight structure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The backlight structure of the present disclosure comprises a base portion on which a light source is arranged, a light diffusion plate arranged at a distance from the base portion, and a support member arranged on the base portion and supporting the light diffusion plate, the support member having a pillar portion extending along a first direction from the base portion toward the light diffusion plate, the pillar portion having a bending support structure that assists the pillar portion in bending in a second direction intersecting the first direction.

[0007] The display device of the present disclosure is a display device that includes the above-described backlight structure. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, in a display device such as a display that employs a direct type backlight, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of pooling even when the display device is installed horizontally. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a display device 10 including a backlight structure BS1 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the display device 10. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the backlight device 12. [Figure 4] 4 is a cross-sectional view of the backlight device 12 shown in FIG. 3 taken along line IV-IV. [Figure 5A] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a backlight structure BS0 using a conventional supporting member 40 is vertically installed. [Figure 5B] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the backlight structure BS0 is installed horizontally. [Figure 6] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a backlight structure BS1 using a supporting member 41 is horizontally installed. FIG. [Figure 7A] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a support member 41 arranged so that a recessed structure 41c is on the upper side. FIG. [Figure 7B] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a support member 41 arranged so that a recessed structure 41c faces downward. FIG. [Figure 7C] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing the supporting member 41 in a state where the backlight structure BS1 is installed horizontally. FIG. [Figure 8] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a backlight structure BS2 using a supporting member 42 according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure is horizontally installed. FIG. [Figure 9A] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing a support member 42 arranged so that a groove structure 42c is on the lower side. FIG. [Figure 9B] 1 is an explanatory diagram showing a support member 42 arranged so that a groove structure 42c is on the upper side. [Figure 9C] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing the support member 42 in a state where the backlight structure BS2 is installed horizontally. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference characters and will not be described repeatedly.

[0011] <Embodiment 1> (1) Configuration of backlight structure BS1 and display device 10 A display device 10 including a backlight structure BS1 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the display device 10.

[0012] As shown in FIG. 1, the display device 10 displays an image. The type of image displayed by the display device 10 is not particularly limited. The display device 10 may be capable of communicating with a server, for example, and may display an image indicated by image data received from the server. The display device 10 may be connected to an external storage device such as a USB memory, and may display an image indicated by image data acquired from the external storage device. The display device 10 may include a tuner capable of receiving a television image signal, for example, and may display an image indicated by a television image signal received from the tuner.

[0013] The display device 10 will be further described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is an exploded view of the display device 10.

[0014] 2 shows an X-axis, a Y-axis, and a Z-axis. The X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis are perpendicular to each other. In FIG. 2, the upper side of the paper is the front side, and the lower side of the paper is the back side.

[0015] 2, the display device 10 includes a liquid crystal panel 11, a backlight device 12, and a bezel 13. Although not shown, the display device 10 may include a touch panel disposed on the entire surface of the liquid crystal panel.

[0016] The liquid crystal panel 11 displays an image. The liquid crystal panel 11 may be any member that displays an image by utilizing light from the backlight device 12.

[0017] The liquid crystal panel 11 has a pair of glass substrates. A liquid crystal layer (not shown) is sealed between the pair of glass substrates. The pair of glass substrates are attached to each other with a predetermined gap therebetween.

[0018] One of the pair of glass substrates is provided with a switching element (e.g., TFT), a pixel electrode, and an alignment film. The switching element is connected to a source wiring and a gate wiring. The pixel electrode is connected to the switching element. The other of the pair of glass substrates is provided with a color filter, a counter electrode, and an alignment film. The color filter has a plurality of colored parts such as R (red), G (green), and B (blue) arranged in a predetermined arrangement. Image data required for displaying an image and various control signals are supplied to the source wiring, gate wiring, and counter electrode from a drive circuit board (not shown). A polarizing plate (not shown) is arranged on the outer side of the pair of glass substrates.

[0019] The backlight device 12 is a direct type backlight device in which LEDs are arranged on the back side of the liquid crystal panel 11. The backlight device 12 irradiates light onto the liquid crystal panel 11. In detail, the backlight device 12 irradiates light onto the liquid crystal arranged in the liquid crystal panel 11.

[0020] The bezel 13 holds the liquid crystal panel 11 and the backlight device 12 together. The bezel 13 is attached to the liquid crystal panel 11 and the backlight device 12 so as to surround the edge of the liquid crystal panel 11.

[0021] Backlight device 12 will be described with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 4. Fig. 3 is a plan view of backlight device 12. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of backlight device 12 shown in Fig. 3. Note that configurations characteristic of the present disclosure are omitted in Figs. 2 to 4 for the sake of simplicity, and will be described later with reference to Fig. 5A and subsequent figures.

[0022] As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the backlight device 12 includes a chassis 22, an optical member 23, a light source 24, a substrate 25, a frame 26, a lens 27, and a reflective sheet 30. The backlight device 12 includes a chassis 22, an optical member 23, a light source 24, a substrate 25, a frame 26, a lens 27, and a reflective sheet 30.

[0023] The chassis 22 is, for example, a resin member. More specifically, the chassis 22 is, for example, a plastic member. The chassis 22 may be made of metal. The chassis 22 houses the reflective sheet 30. The chassis 22 includes a bottom plate 22a, a side plate 22b, and a receiving plate 22c. The bottom plate 22a has a shape corresponding to the liquid crystal panel 11. In the backlight device 12, the bottom plate 22a is formed in a substantially rectangular shape similar to the liquid crystal panel 11. The side plate 22b rises from the edge of the bottom plate 22a toward the liquid crystal panel 11. The receiving plate 22c is continuous with the side plate 22b. The frame 26 and the optical member 23 are installed on the receiving plate 22c. The backlight device 12 may further include a back cover. The back cover covers the back surface of the chassis 22. The chassis 22 and the back cover may be made of different materials. For example, the chassis 22 may be made of resin, and the back cover may be made of metal.

[0024] The optical member 23 is formed in a substantially rectangular shape. The optical member 23 is disposed between the liquid crystal panel 11 and the lens 27. The optical member 23 includes a light diffusion plate 23a and an optical sheet 23b.

[0025] Of the light diffusion plate 23a and the optical sheet 23b, the light diffusion plate 23a is disposed on the lens 27 side, and the optical sheet 23b is disposed on the liquid crystal panel 11 side. The light diffusion plate 23a is a substantially plate-shaped member having a predetermined thickness. The light diffusion plate 23a has a structure in which diffusion particles are dispersed within a base material formed from a resin. The light diffusion plate 23a has a function of diffusing light passing through the light diffusion plate 23a.

[0026] The optical sheet 23b is a substantially sheet-like member having a structure in which two sheets are laminated together, and includes at least one of a diffusion sheet, a lens sheet, and a reflective polarizing sheet, for example.

[0027] The frame 26 has a shape that fits the edges of the liquid crystal panel 11 and the optical member 23. The frame 26 and the backing plate 22c sandwich the edges of the optical member 23. The frame 26 also sandwiches the edges of the liquid crystal panel 11 between the frame 26 and the bezel 13.

[0028] The light source 24 is mounted on a substrate 25. The light source 24 emits light. The light source 24 includes, for example, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) chip as a light source.

[0029] The substrate 25 extends along the bottom plate 22a inside the chassis 22 and is housed in the chassis 22. A light source 24 is mounted on a surface of the substrate 25 facing the liquid crystal panel 11. A plurality of light sources 24 are provided. The plurality of light sources 24 are arranged, for example, in a matrix so as to form a row and column.

[0030] The base material of the substrate 25 is made of, for example, a metal including an aluminum-based material. A wiring pattern is formed on the surface of the substrate 25 via an insulating layer. The wiring pattern is formed of a metal film such as copper foil. A white reflective layer is formed on the surface of the substrate 25. The reflective layer of the substrate 25 effectively reflects the light emitted from the light source 24 toward the liquid crystal panel 11. Note that the material used for the base material of the substrate 25 can also be an insulating material such as ceramic.

[0031] The lens 27 contains, for example, a synthetic resin material (such as polycarbonate or acrylic) that is translucent and has a refractive index higher than that of air. The lens 27 has a predetermined thickness and is formed in a substantially circular shape. A plurality of lenses 27 are provided. The plurality of lenses 27 each cover the plurality of light sources 24 from the liquid crystal panel 11 side. The lens 27 diffuses the light emitted from the light source 24. The directionality of the light emitted from the light source 24 is alleviated by passing through the lens 27. As a result, even if there is a gap between the adjacent light sources 24, it is possible to supply light to the area between the adjacent light sources 24.

[0032] The reflective sheet 30 reflects the light emitted from the light source 24 to the liquid crystal panel 11. The reflective sheet 30 is formed of, for example, a synthetic resin. The reflective sheet 30 is laid over almost the entire inner surface of the chassis 22. The reflective sheet 30 allows the light emitted from the light source 24 to be effectively directed toward the liquid crystal panel 11.

[0033] The reflective sheet 30 includes a bottom portion 30a and a rising portion 30b. The bottom portion 30a extends along the bottom plate 22a of the chassis 22. The bottom portion 30a covers the bottom plate 22a. The rising portion 30b rises from an edge of the bottom portion 30a toward the liquid crystal panel 11. The rising portion 30b is inclined with respect to the bottom portion 30a.

[0034] (2) Backlight structure BS0 using conventional support member 40 Here, for comparison with the display device 10 of the present disclosure, a conventional backlight structure BS0 using a support member 40 will be briefly described with reference to Figures 5A and 5B. Figure 5A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the backlight structure BS0 is installed vertically. Figure 5B is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the backlight structure BS0 is installed horizontally.

[0035] As shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the backlight structure BS0 includes a substrate 25 on which a light source 24 is arranged, an optical member 23, a liquid crystal panel 11, and a support member 40. The liquid crystal panel 11 is arranged with a small gap between it and the optical member 23. The support member 40 is provided in a cone shape on the substrate 25 so that its tip supports the optical member 23. Note that although Figures 5A and 5B show the tip of the support member 40 as being slightly separated from the optical member 23, in reality it is much closer.

[0036] As shown in FIG. 5A, when the backlight structure BS0 is installed vertically, the optical member 23 does not come into strong contact with the tip of the support member 40, so that pooling or the like hardly occurs on the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 11.

[0037] On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 5B, when the backlight structure BS0 is installed horizontally, the optical members 23 may come into uneven contact with the tips of some of the support members 40 due to the weight or bending of the liquid crystal panel 11. In particular, the optical members 23 may come into strong contact with the tips of a very small portion of the support members 40. This may cause temporary pooling in part of the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 11. If the liquid crystal panel 11 is left in such a state for a long period of time, the photospacers in the liquid crystal panel 11 may be damaged, the cell gap may become smaller, and irreversible pooling may occur.

[0038] (3) Backlight structure BS1 using support member 41 FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the backlight structure BS1 including the supporting member 41 is horizontally installed.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 6, the backlight structure BS1 includes a substrate 25, an optical member 23, and a liquid crystal panel 11, similar to the conventional backlight structure BS0, and includes a support member 41 instead of the support member 40. The light source 24 is disposed on the substrate 25. The optical member 23 is disposed at a distance from the substrate 25. Since the optical member 23 includes a light diffusion plate 23a and an optical sheet 23b, the light diffusion plate 23a is disposed at a distance from the substrate 25. The support member 41 is disposed on the substrate 25 and supports the light diffusion plate 23a. The substrate 25 is an example of a "base portion" in the present disclosure.

[0040] The support member 41 includes a pillar portion 41a extending along a first direction X1 from the substrate 25 toward the light diffusion plate 23a, and a base portion 41b fixed to the substrate 25. The pillar portion 41a has a bending assist structure that assists the pillar portion 41a in bending in a second direction X2 intersecting the first direction X1. The tip of the pillar portion 41a abuts against the light diffusion plate 23a to support the optical member 23.

[0041] Therefore, when a strong force is applied from above the support member 41 by the optical member 23, the bending auxiliary structure bends the column portion 41a in the second direction X2. As a result, even when the liquid crystal panel 11 is installed horizontally, localized stress is suppressed from occurring in the liquid crystal panel 11, and the occurrence of pooling is suppressed.

[0042] The column portion 41a has a bending auxiliary structure in which the rigidity of the portion of the column portion 41a on the second direction X2 side is lower than the rigidity of the portion on the opposite side to the second direction X2. Therefore, when a strong force is applied from above the support member 41 by the optical member 23, the bending auxiliary structure bends the column portion 41a in the second direction X2. As a result, even when the liquid crystal panel 11 is installed horizontally, localized stress is suppressed from occurring in the liquid crystal panel 11, and the occurrence of pooling is suppressed.

[0043] In the backlight structure BS1, the column portion 41a has one or more recessed structures 41c formed on the side surface of the column portion 41a on the second direction X2 side as a bending auxiliary structure. Therefore, when a strong force is applied from above the support member 41 by the optical member 23, the column portion 41a is bent in the second direction X2 by the recessed structures 41c. As a result, even when the liquid crystal panel 11 is installed horizontally, localized stress is suppressed from occurring, and the occurrence of pooling is suppressed.

[0044] The recessed structure 41c may be, for example, a plurality of recessed structures arranged along a third direction X3 perpendicular to the first direction X1 and the second direction X2 on the side surface of the column portion 41a in the second direction X2. Therefore, when a strong force is applied from above the support member 41 by the optical member 23, the column portion 41a is bent in the second direction X2 by the plurality of recessed structures. As a result, even when the liquid crystal panel 11 is installed horizontally, localized stress is further suppressed from occurring, and the occurrence of pooling is further suppressed.

[0045] Fig. 7A is an explanatory diagram showing the support member 41 arranged so that the recessed structure 41c is on the upper side. Fig. 7B is an explanatory diagram showing the support member 41 arranged so that the recessed structure 41c is on the lower side. Fig. 7C is an explanatory diagram showing the support member 41 in a state in which the backlight structure BS1 is horizontally installed.

[0046] As shown in Fig. 7A, when the recessed structure 41c is disposed on the upper side, the support member 41 does not bend downward (the direction opposite to the second direction X2). On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 7B, when the recessed structure 41c is disposed on the lower side, the support member 41 bends downward (in the second direction X2) where the rigidity is reduced due to the presence of the recessed structure 41c.

[0047] 7C, when the backlight structure BS1 is installed horizontally, if a force is applied from above the support member 41 due to the weight or bending of the liquid crystal panel 11, the support member 41 bends toward the second direction X2 side where the rigidity is reduced due to the presence of the recessed structure 41c. Such flexibility of the support member 41 makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of pooling on the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 11.

[0048] The display device 10 is also equipped with a backlight structure BS1. When a strong force is applied from above the support member 41 by the optical member 23, the bending auxiliary structure bends the column portion 41a in the second direction X2. As a result, even when the display device 10 is installed horizontally, localized stress is prevented from occurring in the liquid crystal panel 11, and pooling in the display device 10 is prevented.

[0049] <Embodiment 2> In the second embodiment, the support member 41 of the first embodiment is replaced with a support member 42. Since the rest is the same as in the first embodiment, the following description will mainly focus on the differences.

[0050] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a backlight structure BS2 using a support member 42 according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure is horizontally installed.

[0051] 8, like the conventional backlight structure BS0, the backlight structure BS1 includes a substrate 25, an optical member 23, and a liquid crystal panel 11, and further includes a support member 42 instead of the support member 40. The support member 42 is disposed on the substrate 25 and supports the light diffusion plate 23a.

[0052] The support member 42 includes a pillar portion 42a extending along a first direction X1 from the substrate 25 toward the light diffusion plate 23a, and a base portion 42b fixed to the substrate 25. The pillar portion 42a has a bending assist structure that assists the pillar portion 42a in bending in a second direction X2 intersecting the first direction X1. The tip of the pillar portion 42a abuts against the light diffusion plate 23a to support the optical member 23.

[0053] In the backlight structure BS2, the column portion 42a has one or more groove structures 42c formed on the side surface of the column portion 42a in the second direction X2 as a bending auxiliary structure. Therefore, when a strong force is applied from above the support member 42 by the optical member 23, the column portion 42a is bent in the second direction X2 by the groove structures 42c. As a result, even when the liquid crystal panel 11 is installed horizontally, local stress is suppressed from occurring, and the occurrence of pooling is suppressed.

[0054] The groove structure 42c may be, for example, a structure of multiple grooves extending along a third direction X3 perpendicular to the first direction X1 and the second direction X2 on the side surface of the column portion 42a on the second direction X2 side. Therefore, when a strong force is applied from above the support member 42 by the optical member 23, the column portion 42a is bent in the second direction X2 by the multiple groove structures. As a result, even when the liquid crystal panel 11 is installed horizontally, local stress is further suppressed from occurring, and the occurrence of pooling is further suppressed.

[0055] Fig. 9A is an explanatory diagram showing the support member 42 arranged so that the groove structure 42c is on the lower side. Fig. 9B is an explanatory diagram showing the support member 42 arranged so that the groove structure 42c is on the upper side. Fig. 9C is an explanatory diagram showing the support member 42 in a state in which the backlight structure BS2 is horizontally installed.

[0056] As shown in Fig. 9A, when the groove structure 42c is disposed on the lower side, the support member 42 does not bend downward (in the direction opposite to the second direction X2). On the other hand, as shown in Fig. 9B, when the groove structure 42c is disposed on the upper side, the support member 42 bends downward (in the second direction X2) so that the grooves of the groove structure 42c widen.

[0057] 9C, when the backlight structure BS2 is installed horizontally, if a force is applied from above the support member 42 due to the weight or bending of the liquid crystal panel 11, the support member 42 is bent in the second direction X2 so that the grooves of the groove structures 42c widen. Such flexibility of the support member 42 makes it possible to suppress the occurrence of pooling on the display screen of the liquid crystal panel 11.

[0058] The present invention can be implemented in various other forms without departing from its spirit or main features. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as being limiting. The scope of the present invention is defined by the claims and is not limited to the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and changes within the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present invention. [Industrial Applicability]

[0059] The present disclosure can be used in display devices and the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0060] 10 Display device 11 Liquid crystal panel 12 Backlight device 13 Bezel 22 Chassis 23 Optical Components 23a Light diffusion plate 23b Optical sheet 24 Light source 25 Substrate 26 Frames 27 Lens 30 Reflective Sheet

Claims

1. A base portion in which a light source is disposed; a light diffusion plate disposed at a distance from the base portion; a support member that is disposed on the base portion and supports the light diffusion plate; Equipped with The support member includes a column portion extending along a first direction from the base portion toward the light diffusion plate, The backlight structure includes a bending auxiliary structure that assists the column portion in bending in a second direction that intersects with the first direction.

2. The backlight structure according to claim 1 , wherein the column portion has, as the bending auxiliary structure, a structure in which the rigidity of a portion of the column portion on the second direction side is lower than the rigidity of a portion of the column portion opposite to the second direction.

3. The backlight structure according to claim 1 , wherein the column portion has one or more recessed structures formed as the bending auxiliary structures on a side surface of the column portion facing the second direction.

4. The backlight structure according to claim 3 , wherein the recessed structure is a plurality of recessed structures arranged along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction on a side surface of the column portion facing the second direction.

5. The backlight structure according to claim 1 , wherein the column portion has one or more groove structures formed as the bending auxiliary structures on a side surface of the column portion facing the second direction.

6. The backlight structure according to claim 5 , wherein the groove structure is a plurality of groove structures extending along a third direction perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction on a side surface of the column portion facing the second direction.

7. A display device comprising the backlight structure according to claim 1 .

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