Light source device and display device

Abstract

To provide a light source device and a display device capable of suppressing leakage of light emitted through a diffusion plate from a region partitioned by a partition member.SOLUTION: The backlight 40 includes a plurality of light sources 91, a diffusion plate 70 disposed to face the plurality of light sources 91 and configured to diffuse light emitted from the plurality of light sources 91, and a partition member 60 configured to partition the diffusion plate 70 into regions corresponding to the plurality of light sources 91. The demarcating member 60 is disposed over at least a part of the inside of the diffuser plate 70 from an outer surface 71 of the diffuser plate 70 on the side opposite to the plurality of light sources 91 toward the plurality of light sources 91.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a light source device and a display device, and more particularly to a light source device and a display device that include a diffusion plate. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a light source device equipped with a diffusion plate is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The above-mentioned Patent Document 1 describes a light-emitting device as a direct-type backlight used in LCD televisions. This light-emitting device includes a substrate on which multiple light sources are arranged and a diffuser plate arranged above the light sources. This light-emitting device also includes a partition member having a wall portion surrounding each of the multiple light sources to prevent light from leaking into an area where adjacent light sources are arranged. The partition member has a top portion of the wall portion housed in a groove provided on the light source side below the diffuser plate to prevent light from propagating inside the diffuser plate. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-82802 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, when a wall portion is inserted into the light source side of the diffuser plate, as in the light source device described in Patent Document 1, a portion of the light incident from the light source side inside the diffuser plate is reflected by the outer surface opposite the light source, causing the light to propagate along the diffuser plate to the outside of the area defined by the partitioning member (dividing member). Therefore, due to the light propagating along the diffuser plate to the outside of the area defined by the partitioning member inside the diffuser plate, it is conceivable that the light emitted from the diffuser plate will leak from the area defined by the partitioning member. For this reason, it is desirable to prevent the light emitted through the diffuser plate from leaking from the area defined by the partitioning member.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and one object of the present invention is to provide a light source device and a display device that can prevent light emitted through a diffusion plate from leaking from an area partitioned by a partition member. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A light source device according to a first aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of light sources, a diffusion plate arranged opposite the plurality of light sources and diffusing light emitted from the plurality of light sources, and a partition member dividing the diffusion plate into areas corresponding to the plurality of light sources, the partition member being arranged across at least a portion of the interior of the diffusion plate from the outer surface of the diffusion plate opposite the plurality of light sources toward the plurality of light sources.

[0008] In the light source device according to the first aspect of the present invention, as described above, the partitioning member is disposed over at least a portion of the interior of the diffuser plate from the outer surface of the diffuser plate opposite the multiple light sources toward the multiple light sources. This arrangement, in which the partitioning member is disposed from the outer surface of the diffuser plate opposite the multiple light sources toward the interior of the diffuser plate, can prevent light reflected at the outer surface opposite the light sources from propagating outside the partitioned region within the diffuser plate. Therefore, compared to when the partitioning member is disposed on the light source side, light propagation in a direction along the diffuser plate within the diffuser plate can be more effectively prevented. As a result, light emitted through the diffuser plate can be prevented from leaking from the region partitioned by the partitioning member.

[0009] The light source device according to the first aspect preferably further includes a lens unit disposed on the diffuser plate opposite the plurality of light sources, for each region partitioned by the partitioning member, for refracting light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources into parallel light. Here, when light leaking from the region partitioned by the partitioning member is incident on the lens unit, the light is incident on the lens unit from a position significantly deviated from the focus of the lens unit, resulting in the light emitted from the lens unit containing light oriented in a direction other than parallel light. Therefore, when the lens unit for refracting the light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources into parallel light is disposed, the partitioning member may be disposed over at least a portion of the interior of the diffuser plate from the outer surface of the diffuser plate opposite the plurality of light sources toward the plurality of light sources, thereby effectively preventing the light from the lens unit from containing light oriented in a direction other than parallel light.

[0010] In this case, preferably, the partition member is arranged to cover the diffuser plate, with openings having at least one of a shape that follows the outline of each of the plurality of light sources and a shape that is smaller than the outline of each of the plurality of light sources, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the diffuser plate. This configuration allows for the provision of openings of an appropriate shape to ensure an effective light area, thereby more effectively preventing light from entering the lens unit from positions other than the focal point. Therefore, it is possible to more effectively prevent the light from the lens unit from including light oriented in a direction other than parallel light.

[0011] The light source device according to the first aspect preferably further includes a light-source-side light-shielding wall disposed separately from the partitioning member on the light source side of the diffuser plate, and surrounding the light sources in each region corresponding to the light sources. With this configuration, the light sources can be surrounded by the light-source-side light-shielding wall in each region corresponding to the light sources, separately from the partitioning member, in the region closer to the light source than the diffuser plate. This further reduces light leakage from the region partitioned by the partitioning member. As a result, light emitted through the diffuser plate can be further reduced from leaking from the region partitioned by the partitioning member.

[0012] In the light source device according to the first aspect, the diffuser plate preferably has a groove on its outer surface opposite the light sources, into which the partitioning member is inserted, and the partitioning member is inserted into the groove and disposed across a portion of the interior of the diffuser plate. With this configuration, the groove on the diffuser plate makes it easy to position the partitioning member from the outer surface opposite the light sources toward the interior of the diffuser plate. Furthermore, when the partitioning member is disposed across a portion of the interior of the diffuser plate, the partitioning member is disposed only partway through the thickness of the diffuser plate, allowing the diffuser plate to be formed integrally with multiple regions partitioned by the partitioning member. Therefore, the assembly process for disposing the diffuser plate can be made less complicated than when the diffuser plate is divided into sections.

[0013] In this case, the diffuser preferably further includes a lens portion disposed on the opposite side of the diffuser plate from the plurality of light sources, the lens portion refracting light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources into parallel light in each of the regions defined by the partitioning member, the partitioning member including: a lens sidewall portion extending from the outer surface opposite the plurality of light sources toward the lens portion and defining the region between the diffuser plate and the lens portion; and a diffuser sidewall portion inserted into the groove and defining the region inside the diffuser plate. With this configuration, the diffuser sidewall portion of the partitioning member can suppress light propagation within the diffuser plate, and the lens sidewall portion of the partitioning member can suppress leakage of light after exiting the diffuser plate to the surroundings. This effectively prevents light from entering the lens portion from positions other than the focal point, thereby effectively preventing the light from the lens portion from including light oriented in a direction other than parallel light.

[0014] In the light source device in which the partitioning member includes a diffuser plate sidewall and a lens sidewall, the diffuser plate sidewall preferably partitions an area inside the diffuser plate that is smaller than the area partitioned by the lens sidewall. With this configuration, the area can be partitioned in accordance with the optical path of light incident on the lens by partitioning a smaller area on the side of the multiple light sources that is farther from the lens and a larger area at a position closer to the lens. This effectively prevents light from being incident on the lens from a position other than the focal point, and effectively prevents light from the lens from including light oriented other than parallel light.

[0015] In the light source device in which the partitioning member includes a diffuser plate sidewall and a lens sidewall, preferably, the lens sidewall has an absorptive outer surface that absorbs light emitted from the multiple light sources, and the diffuser plate sidewall has a reflective outer surface that reflects light emitted from the multiple light sources. With this configuration, the diffuser plate sidewall has a reflective outer surface, which can prevent a decrease in light intensity inside the diffuser plate. Furthermore, the lens sidewall has an absorptive outer surface, which can prevent light reflected by the lens sidewall from entering the lens, thereby preventing light from entering the lens from a position other than the focal point. As a result, a decrease in the intensity of light emitted from the lens can be prevented, and light oriented other than parallel light can be prevented from being included in the light from the lens.

[0016] In the light source device in which the partitioning member is disposed over a portion of the interior of the diffuser plate, the diffuser plate preferably has a reinforcing portion with increased thickness at its outer periphery. With this configuration, even when grooves for inserting the partitioning member are disposed on the outer surface of the diffuser plate opposite the plurality of light sources, the reinforcing portion at the outer periphery of the diffuser plate can prevent the diffuser plate from being flexed and deformed.

[0017] In the light source device according to the first aspect, the partitioning member is preferably arranged to penetrate the entire interior of the diffuser plate, from the outer surface of the diffuser plate opposite the multiple light sources to the outer surface of the diffuser plate facing the multiple light sources. By arranging the partitioning member to penetrate the entire interior of the diffuser plate, the partitioning member can generally suppress light propagation within the diffuser plate. Therefore, light propagation within the diffuser plate can be further suppressed, thereby further suppressing leakage of light emitted through the diffuser plate from the region partitioned by the partitioning member.

[0018] In this case, preferably, the light source further includes a holding member that is arranged separately from the partitioning member and the diffuser plate and that integrally holds the partitioning member and the diffuser plate partitioned by the partitioning member. Here, when the partitioning member is arranged to penetrate the entire diffuser plate, the partitioning member is arranged to surround the diffuser plate, and the diffuser plate is divided into each region partitioned by the partitioning member. In consideration of this, the present invention includes a holding member that integrally holds the partitioning member and the diffuser plate partitioned by the partitioning member, so that the divided diffuser plate can be held integrally even when the diffuser plate is divided into each region partitioned by the partitioning member. Therefore, when the partitioning member is arranged to penetrate the entire diffuser plate, the assembly work can be prevented from becoming complicated due to the diffuser plate being divided.

[0019] A display device according to a second aspect of the present invention comprises a plurality of light sources, a diffusion plate arranged opposite the plurality of light sources and diffusing light emitted from the plurality of light sources, a display panel arranged on the opposite side of the diffusion plate from the plurality of light sources, and a partition member that divides the diffusion plate into areas corresponding to the plurality of light sources, the partition member being arranged across at least a portion of the interior of the diffusion plate from the outer surface of the diffusion plate opposite the plurality of light sources toward the plurality of light sources.

[0020] In a display device according to a second aspect of the present invention, as described above, the partitioning member is disposed over at least a portion of the interior of the diffuser plate from the outer surface of the diffuser plate opposite the multiple light sources toward the multiple light sources. This arrangement, in which the partitioning member is disposed from the outer surface of the diffuser plate opposite the multiple light sources toward the interior of the diffuser plate, can prevent light reflected at the outer surface opposite the light sources from propagating outside the partitioned region within the diffuser plate. Therefore, compared to a case in which the partitioning member is disposed on the light source side, light propagation in a direction along the diffuser plate within the diffuser plate can be more effectively prevented. As a result, a display device can be provided that can prevent light emitted through the diffuser plate from leaking from the region partitioned by the partitioning member. [Effects of the Invention]

[0021] According to the present invention, as described above, it is possible to provide a light source device and a display device that can prevent light emitted through a diffusion plate from leaking from an area partitioned by a partition member. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is an exploded perspective view of a display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the backlight according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a diffusion plate according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. [Figure 6] These are schematic diagrams showing examples of when a wall portion is inserted into a diffusion plate, where (A) shows an example of when the wall portion is inserted below the diffusion plate, and (B) shows an example of when the wall portion is inserted above the diffusion plate. [Figure 7] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of relative illuminance when a wall portion is inserted on the upper side and when a wall portion is inserted on the lower side. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a backlight according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a backlight according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configurations of a partition member, a diffusion plate, and a holding member in a third embodiment. [Figure 11] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of a partition member and a diffusion plate according to a first modified example. [Figure 12] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of a partition member and a diffusion plate according to a second modified example. [Figure 13] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of a partition member and a diffusion plate according to a third modified example. [Figure 14] 10A and 10B are diagrams showing examples of a partition member and a diffusion plate according to a fourth modified example. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a diffusion plate according to a fifth modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] [First embodiment] (Display device configuration) The configuration of a display device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, a display device 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a display unit 101 and a housing 102. The display device 100 also includes a control unit 103 disposed inside the housing 102. The display device 100 is, for example, a liquid crystal television device. In the display device 100, the control unit 103 performs local dimming control to adjust the brightness of each of a plurality of regions partitioned on the screen of the display unit 101. In the drawings, the left-right direction when viewing the display device 100 from the front side is indicated as the X direction. The up-down direction when viewing the display device 100 from the front side is indicated as the Y direction. The direction connecting the rear side and front side of the display device 100 is indicated as the Z direction.

[0026] 2, the display device 100 according to the first embodiment includes a front housing 11, a display panel 20, an intermediate frame 30, a backlight 40, and a rear housing 12. The front housing 11 and the rear housing 12 form a housing 102, and the display panel 20, the intermediate frame 30, and the backlight 40 form a display unit 101. The backlight 40 is an example of a "light source device" in the claims.

[0027] The front housing 11 is made of, for example, resin. The front housing 11 is configured to support the display panel 20 from the front side (Z1 direction side). A rectangular opening is provided in the center of the front housing 11 to expose the display surface of the display panel 20 to the front side (Z1 direction side).

[0028] The display panel 20 includes a liquid crystal cell. The display panel 20 also includes a plurality of pixels, each of which changes the transmittance of light emitted from a light source 91 to display an image. The display panel 20 is driven based on a video signal.

[0029] The intermediate frame 30 is configured to support the display panel 20 from the lateral sides (X1 direction sides and X2 direction sides) and from the top and bottom directions (Y1 direction sides and Y2 direction sides).

[0030] The backlight 40 is disposed on the rear side (Z2 direction side) of the display panel 20. The backlight 40 is configured to irradiate the display panel 20 with light from the rear side toward the front side (Z1 direction side) of the display panel 20.

[0031] The rear housing 12 is configured to support the display panel 20 from the rear side (Z2 direction side). The rear housing 12 is formed, for example, from metal, and is formed in a concave shape recessed toward the rear side (Z2 direction). The rear housing 12 is combined with the front housing 11.

[0032] (Backlight configuration) The backlight 40 includes a lens unit 50, a partitioning member 60, a diffuser plate 70, a light-shielding wall 80, and a substrate 90. The substrate 90 is provided with a plurality of light sources 91. In the backlight 40, the lens unit 50, the partitioning member 60, the diffuser plate 70, the light-shielding wall 80, and the substrate 90 are stacked in this order from the Z1 direction side where the display panel 20 is disposed toward the Z2 direction side. In the backlight 40, light from the plurality of light sources 91 on the substrate 90 disposed on the Z2 direction side is irradiated toward the display panel 20 disposed on the Z1 direction side. The light from the plurality of light sources 91 is diffused by the diffuser plate 70. Then, light emitted via the diffuser plate 70 to the region partitioned by the partitioning member 60 enters the lens unit 50. The light incident on the lens unit 50 is refracted by the lens unit 50 and irradiated onto the display panel 20 as parallel light. That is, light from the plurality of light sources 91 is diffused by the diffuser plate 70 and then irradiated onto the display panel 20 arranged on the opposite side (Z1 direction side) of the diffuser plate 70 from the plurality of light sources 91. The light-shielding wall 80 is an example of a "light-source-side light-shielding wall" in the claims.

[0033] <light source> The plurality of light sources 91 include, for example, light-emitting elements. The light sources 91 are configured to emit light when energized. The light sources 91 include, for example, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). The light sources 91 are supported on the rear housing 12 via a substrate 90. The plurality of light sources 91 are arranged in a matrix along the XY plane, for example. The plurality of light sources 91 are arranged, for example, in a grid pattern in the X and Y directions on the substrate 90. Each of the plurality of light sources 91 has a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view. Furthermore, the brightness of each of the plurality of light sources 91 is configured to be individually adjusted by a current value under the control of the control unit 103. The substrate 90 is, for example, a printed circuit board, and is provided with a circuit to which the plurality of light sources 91 are electrically connected. The control unit 103 may be arranged on the substrate 90 on which the plurality of light sources 91 are arranged, or may be arranged separately from the substrate 90. For example, tens to hundreds of light sources 91 are arranged side by side.

[0034] <Light-blocking wall> The light-shielding wall 80 surrounds the light sources 91 in regions corresponding to the light sources 91. In the first embodiment, the light-shielding wall 80 is arranged in regions corresponding to the light sources 91 so as to surround each of the light sources 91 one by one. The light-shielding wall 80 is arranged to surround each of the light sources 91 and is formed integrally with the light sources 91. In the first embodiment, the light-shielding wall 80 is formed as a single plate-like member having holes formed at positions corresponding to each of the light sources 91. The light-shielding wall 80 is arranged separately from the partition member 60 on the light source 91 side (Z2 direction side) of the diffuser plate 70 described later. The light-shielding wall 80 is arranged between the diffuser plate 70 and the substrate 90 on the Z1 direction side of the substrate 90.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 3 , the light-shielding walls 80 are arranged to surround each light source 91 over an area from the main surface on the Z1 side of the substrate 90 to the outer surface 72 of the diffuser plate 70 on the light source 91 side (Z2 direction side). The light-shielding walls 80 are formed, for example, from a resin, and are configured to reflect light from the light sources 91 at the outer surface of the light-shielding wall 80. The outer surface of the light-shielding wall 80 may have a reflective surface such as a metal coating, or may be coated with a highly reflective paint such as white paint. The light-shielding wall 80, including its outer surface, may also be formed in a state of being colored with a highly reflective color. The light-shielding wall 80 itself may be formed from a highly reflective material, such as a glossy material.

[0036] Diffuser As shown in FIG. 2 , the diffuser plate 70 is a rectangular plate-shaped member disposed to face the plurality of light sources 91. The diffuser plate 70 is disposed between the plurality of light sources 91 and the partition member 60. The diffuser plate 70 diffuses light emitted from the plurality of light sources 91. Specifically, the diffuser plate 70 diffuses light from the plurality of light sources 91 disposed on the Z2 direction side and transmits the light toward the lens unit 50 disposed on the Z2 direction side. For example, the diffuser plate 70 diffuses incident light to uniformize the brightness of the emitted light. Furthermore, if the light source 91 is configured to emit white light using a blue LED and a phosphor, color unevenness occurs between the LED chip of the light source 91 and the phosphor surrounding the LED chip. The diffuser plate 70 diffuses the light from the light source 91 internally to eliminate the color unevenness. The diffuser plate 70 is formed, for example, from a resin having predetermined optical properties for diffusing the light from the light source 91.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 3 , the diffuser plate 70 is a plate-like member having an outer surface 71 on the side opposite to the light source 91 (Z1 direction side) and an outer surface 72 on the light source 91 side (Z2 direction side). The diffuser plate 70 has grooves 73 on the outer surface 71 into which the partition member 60 is inserted. In the first embodiment, the diffuser plate 70 has the grooves 73 on the Z1 direction side outer surface 71, and the Z2 direction side outer surface 72 has a flat surface. The diffuser plate 70 is a plate-like member formed integrally with the plurality of light sources 91. For example, the grooves 73 have a depth of 50% or more of the thickness of the diffuser plate 70 in the Z direction so that the amount of light leaking through the diffuser plate 70 is 1% or less. If the grooves 73 are deeper than this, they may be within a range that allows for an allowable deflection of the diffuser plate 70 and does not penetrate the diffuser plate 70, taking into account the rigidity of the diffuser plate 70. For example, if the insertion amount of the partition member 60 into the diffusion plate 70 (the depth of the groove portion 73) is 40% of the thickness of the diffusion plate 70, the light leakage will be 1.4%, if it is 50%, the light leakage will be 1%, and if it is 60%, the light leakage will be 0.6%.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 4 , the grooves 73 are arranged in a grid pattern on the outer surface 71, with portions extending along the X direction and portions extending along the Y direction. The grooves 73 are arranged so as to extend linearly from one end to the other in both the X and Y directions, excluding the outer periphery. The diffuser plate 70 also has reinforcing portions 74. The reinforcing portions 74 are portions that increase the thickness of the outer periphery of the plate-shaped diffuser plate 70. The reinforcing portions 74 are arranged on each side of the rectangular diffuser plate 70 so as to increase the thickness on the outer surface 71 side (Z1 direction side) where the grooves 73 are arranged. For example, if the overall thickness of the diffuser plate 70 excluding the grooves 73 is 1.0 mm, the reinforcing portions 74 have a thickness of 1.2 mm in the Z direction. For example, since there are no adjacent areas outside the outermost ones of the multiple light sources 91, the strength of the diffuser plate 70 can be improved by omitting (filling in) the outer grooves 73. In the first embodiment, the thickness is further increased by 20%, thereby forming a reinforced portion 74 in which the thickness of the diffusion plate 70 is increased.

[0039] <Compartment components> As shown in FIG. 2 , the partitioning member 60 is disposed between the diffuser plate 70 and the lens unit 50. The partitioning member 60 partitions the diffuser plate 70 into regions corresponding to the plurality of light sources 91. The display device 100 supports local dimming, which controls the brightness of each region partitioned by the partitioning member 60. The display device 100 adjusts the brightness of the light sources 91 for each region partitioned by the partitioning member 60 according to the color of the image using the control unit 103. In the first embodiment, the partitioning member 60 partitions the diffuser plate 70 in the XY plane into regions corresponding to each of the plurality of light sources 91, similar to the light-shielding wall 80. The partitioning member 60 partitions the interior of the diffuser plate 70 into a lattice pattern for each of the plurality of light sources 91 when viewed from the Z direction. That is, the partitioning member 60 partitions the diffuser plate 70 into rectangular regions when viewed from the Z direction. The partitioning member 60 is formed, for example, from resin.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 3 , the partitioning member 60 is disposed across at least a portion of the interior of the diffuser plate 70 so as to remain within the diffuser plate 70 without penetrating from the outer surface 71 of the diffuser plate 70 on the side opposite the multiple light sources 91 (Z1 direction side) toward the multiple light sources 91 side (Z2 direction side). That is, in the first embodiment, the partitioning member 60 is disposed so as to be inserted partway into the interior of the diffuser plate 70 from the outer surface 71 toward the Z2 direction. In the first embodiment, the partitioning member 60 is disposed across a portion of the interior of the diffuser plate 70 by being inserted into the groove portion 73. Specifically, the partitioning member 60 includes a wall portion 61 and a wall portion 62. The wall portion 61 rises from the outer surface 71 on the side opposite the multiple light sources 91 (Z1 direction side) toward the lens unit 50 and defines a region between the diffuser plate 70 and the lens unit 50. The wall portion 62 is inserted into the groove portion 73 and defines a region within the diffuser plate 70. The wall portion 61 and the wall portion 62 are examples of the "lens side wall portion" and the "diffuser plate side wall portion" in the claims, respectively.

[0041] Specifically, the wall portion 62 disposed inside the diffuser plate 70 is positioned directly above each of the light sources 91 in the Z1 direction, so as to define an area smaller than the area defined by the light-shielding wall 80. The light-shielding wall 80 functions to block light from each defined area and also functions as a support for the diffuser plate 70. Furthermore, to better reflect light from each of the light sources 91, it is preferable that the distance between the light sources 91 and the light-shielding wall 80 be as small as possible. For example, the size of the area defined by the light-shielding wall 80 is the size of the light sources 91 plus a gap for expansion and contraction and tolerance. For example, if the width of each of the light sources 91 is 2.0 mm, the distance between each of the light sources 91 and the light-shielding wall 80 is 0.5 mm to allow for expansion and contraction and tolerance. In this case, the width of the area defined by the light-shielding wall 80 in the X direction is 3.0 mm. The wall portion 62 is positioned from the outer surface 71 in the Z2 direction to surround the area overlapping with the light sources 91. The end of the wall 62 on the Z2 direction side has a flat surface that is aligned with the XY plane. The groove 73 has a shape that is aligned with the wall 62. The wall 62 surrounds and defines an area immediately above the light source 91 (for example, area 70a in FIG. 4) within the diffuser 70 so that light emitted from one light source 91 does not propagate to an area corresponding to another adjacent light source 91. The wall 62 has a portion that is aligned with the X direction and a portion that is aligned with the Y direction. The wall 62 is arranged in a lattice pattern along the groove 73. That is, in the example of FIG. 4, the light source 91 is arranged at a position immediately below the area 70a in the Z2 direction.

[0042] As shown in FIG. 3 , the partitioning member 60 has a connection portion 63 arranged along the outer surface 71 of the diffuser plate 70 to connect the wall portion 61 and the wall portion 62. The connection portion 63 is arranged along the outer surface 71 except for the area defined by the wall portion 61. That is, the partitioning member 60 is arranged to cover the diffuser plate 70, with an opening 64 formed in the area defined by the wall portion 62. The wall portion 61 is arranged to rise from the connection portion 63 in the Z1 direction. The wall portion 61 is arranged for each of the plurality of light sources 91 so as to surround an area extending from the outer surface 71 on the Z1 direction side of the diffuser plate 70 to the Z2 direction side of the lens unit 50. The wall portion 62 surrounding the area corresponding to one light source 91 is arranged independently of the wall portion 62 surrounding the area corresponding to the adjacent light source 91, whereas the wall portion 61 is arranged in common with the adjacent light sources 91. That is, the wall portion 61 is arranged between the areas of the adjacent light sources 91. The wall portion 62 is disposed independently for each of the regions defined by surrounding the regions defined for each light source 91. The end portion of the wall portion 61 on the Z1 direction side has a base portion on which the lens portion 50 is disposed. The end portion (base portion) of the wall portion 61 on the Z1 direction side has a flat surface along the XY plane.

[0043] Here, in the first embodiment, the wall portion 62 defines an area inside the diffuser plate 70 that is smaller than the area defined by the wall portion 61. That is, the opening 64 defined by the wall portion 62 is smaller than the area defined by the wall portion 61. The opening 64 is disposed at a position (see FIG. 5 ) that includes the focal point 51 of the lens unit 50 when viewed from the Z1 direction. Reducing the size of the opening 64 can reduce the incidence of light from positions other than the focal point 51 on the lens unit 50. As indicated by the dotted arrow in FIG. 3 , the area defined by the wall portion 61 has a size in the XY plane that is larger than the opening 64 defined by the wall portion 62 so that light incident through the opening 64 is guided to the entire lens unit 50. In the example of FIG. 3 , the width W1 in the X direction of the area defined by the wall portion 61 is larger than the width W2 of the opening 64 defined by the wall portion 62. As an example, if lines L1 and L2, indicated by dashed lines in FIG. 3, are extended from the focal point 51 toward the upper end of the region surrounded by the wall portion 61 in the XZ plane, the width between the intersections of the lines L1 and L2 with the outer surface 71 on the Z1 side of the diffuser plate 70 is the width W2 of the opening 64. That is, if the region surrounded by the lines L1 and L2 extending from the focal point 51 of the lens portion 50 toward the end of the lower surface of the lens portion 50 in the region defined by the partitioning member 60 is defined as an effective light region so that light from the focal point 51 of the lens portion 50 enters the lens portion 50 for each region defined by the partitioning member 60, the width W2 of the opening 64 is set to have a position and size included in this effective light region. In FIG. 3, the width of the effective light region in the X direction is the portion between the lines L1 and L2, indicated by dashed lines. In the first embodiment, the opening 64 is provided so as to be between the lines L1 and L2 on the outer surface 71.

[0044] For example, if the width of the lens unit 50 in the XY plane for each region defined by the partitioning member 60 is 7.5 mm and the width of the wall portion 61 of the partitioning member 60 in the XY plane is 1 mm, the width W1 is 6.5 mm. The wall portion 61 is a wall that defines the region and supports the lens unit 50, and it is preferable that the width W1 be as large as possible so as not to obstruct the optical path of light incident on the lens unit 50. It is also preferable that the opening 64 be as small as possible so as to block light other than that coming from the focal point 51. The width of the opening 64 is, for example, 1.9 mm, and is equal to or less than 2.0 mm.

[0045] 5, in the first embodiment, the opening 64 of the partitioning member 60 has a shape that is smaller than the outline of each of the plurality of light sources 91 when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the outer surface 71 of the diffuser plate 70 (Z1 direction). The opening 64 has a shape that follows the outline of the rectangular light source 91 in a plan view. Since the opening 64 is smaller than the light source 91, the peripheral edge of each of the plurality of light sources 91 is covered by the partitioning member 60 when viewed from the Z1 direction. Specifically, the opening 64 has a rectangular shape similar to that of the light source 91 when viewed from the Z1 direction, and its size in the XY plane is smaller than that of the light source 91. When viewed from the Z1 direction, each side of the rectangular opening 64 is arranged to follow each side of the rectangular light source 91, and is arranged inside the rectangle of the light source 91. For example, if each of the plurality of light sources 91 is an LED with a width of 2 mm, the width W2 of the opening 64 is 1.9 mm as described above, which is smaller than the width of each of the plurality of light sources 91. The opening 64 is provided to narrow down the light from the light-emitting surface of each of the plurality of light sources 91 to an amount necessary for being captured by the lens unit 50. Therefore, it is preferable that the size of the opening 64 as viewed from the Z1 direction is smaller than the size of each of the plurality of light sources 91. In this case, the size of the opening 64 may be defined as the width in the X direction or the Y direction, or the area in the XY plane. Note that the area defined by the light-shielding wall 80 on the light source 91 side of the opening 64 is 3.0 mm wide, which is larger than the opening 64, for example, when each of the plurality of light sources 91 is an LED with a width of 2 mm.

[0046] <Lens section> As shown in FIG. 3, the lens unit 50 is disposed on the opposite side (Z1 direction side) of the diffuser plate 70 from the plurality of light sources 91. The lens unit 50 refracts light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources 91 into parallel light for each region defined by the partitioning member 60. Specifically, the lens unit 50 refracts light incident on the region defined by the partitioning member 60 via the diffuser plate 70 into parallel light traveling in the Z1 direction. The lens unit 50 is disposed so as to have a focal point 51 for each of the plurality of light sources 91. That is, the lens unit 50 is a plate-like member formed by combining a plurality of convex lenses, each of which is disposed for each light source 91. In the lens unit 50, the focal point 51 of the convex lens disposed for each light source 91 is disposed so as to be the center of the opening 64 in the XY plane.

[0047] Furthermore, the focal point 51 of the lens unit 50 is disposed at the center of the light source 91 in the Z direction, or within 50% of the thickness of the diffuser plate 70 in the direction away from the light source 91. For example, the focal point 51 is disposed at the center of the opening 64 (see FIG. 5) when viewed from the Z1 direction, and is disposed so as to be included in the range R1 shown in FIG. 3 in the Z direction. The range R1 in FIG. 3 indicates the range from the center of the light source 91 in the Z direction to a position that is 50% of the thickness of the diffuser plate 70 in the Z1 direction. For example, if the focal point 51 is disposed away from the center of the light source 91, the amount of light from the light source 91 that passes through the focal point 51 can be increased. Therefore, by displacing the focal point 51 from the center of the light source 91, the amount of light rays entering the lens unit 50 can be increased. In this way, by adjusting the position of the focal point 51 of the lens unit 50, a more appropriate amount and distribution of light rays can be achieved. In addition, if the focal point 51 is located at a position in the Z1 direction that exceeds 50% of the thickness of the diffuser plate 70, such as at the position on the outer surface 71 opposite the light source 91, the amount of light entering the lens section 50 from sources other than the focal point 51 increases, so it is preferable to locate the focal point 51 within 50% of the thickness of the diffuser plate 70.

[0048] (Comparison with assumed comparative examples) Next, a comparison of light leakage from the partitioned areas in an assumed comparative example in which the partitioning member 60a is arranged on the light source side as in the conventional example and the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Figure 6 shows an example in which the assumed comparative example and the embodiment of the present invention are compared by measuring the luminance of the outer surface 71 of the diffuser plate 70 opposite the light source 91 using a surface luminance meter 110 arranged on the Z1 direction side of the diffuser plate 70.

[0049] FIG. 6A shows the arrangement of the partitioning member 60a according to a hypothetical comparative example. In the hypothetical comparative example, the partitioning member 60a is inserted into the outer surface 72 of the diffuser plate 70 on the light source 91 side. Because the partitioning member 60a is disposed on the light source 91 side of the diffuser plate 70, light from the light source 91 is reflected by the outer surface 71 of the diffuser plate 70 opposite the light source 91, and the reflected light propagates laterally (in-plane direction of the XY plane) within the diffuser plate 70. This propagated light is emitted to the outside of the diffuser plate 70 from an adjacent region adjacent to the region defined by the partitioning member 60a, resulting in light leakage. The adjacent region is the region on the opposite side of the partitioning member 60a from the region where the light source 91 is located. In other words, light from the light source 91 is reflected within the diffuser plate 70, and the reflected light is emitted from the outer surface 71 closer to the X1 direction than the partitioning member 60a, resulting in light leakage. On the other hand, FIG. 6B shows the arrangement of a partitioning member 60b corresponding to the partitioning member 60 of the first embodiment. The partitioning member 60b corresponding to the first embodiment is inserted into the outer surface 71 of the diffuser 70 opposite the light source 91. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 6B, the partitioning member 60b is inserted into the outer surface 71 of the diffuser 70 opposite the light source 91, so the amount of light reflected from the light source 91 at the outer surface 71 is reduced, and as a result, the amount of light propagating in the lateral direction (in-plane direction of the XY plane) within the diffuser 70 is reduced. This reduces the amount of light reflected toward the X1 direction within the diffuser 70, and therefore reduces the amount of light emitted to the outside of the diffuser 70 from an adjacent region adjacent to the region partitioned by the partitioning member 60b. In other words, light leakage into the adjacent region is reduced. Here, the adjacent region refers to the region on the opposite side of the partitioning member 60b from the region where the light source 91 is located.

[0050] Here, the amount of light reflected by the outer surface 71 has a large effect as a main factor in light leakage into adjacent regions. Furthermore, the optical path length of the reflected light propagating through the diffuser plate 70 also has an effect. By inserting the partitioning member 60b into the outer surface 71 on the side of the diffuser plate 70 opposite the light source 91, light reflection at the outer surface 71 is reduced. Furthermore, compared to the assumed comparative example shown in FIG. 6(A), inserting the partitioning member 60b from the outer surface 71 as in the example shown in FIG. 6(B) increases the optical path length of the light reflected at the outer surface 71 as it propagates to adjacent regions. Consequently, a reduction in light leakage into adjacent regions was confirmed.

[0051] FIG. 7 shows an example of the distribution of relative illuminance in the X direction for the case where the light source 91 is partitioned by the partitioning member 60a according to the assumed comparative example shown in FIG. 6(A) and the case where the light source 91 is partitioned by the partitioning member 60b according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 6(B), based on the detection results of the surface luminance meter 110. The relative illuminance in FIG. 7 is shown as a relative illuminance when the illuminance at the position on the outer surface 71 directly above the center of the XY plane of the light source 91 on the Z1 direction side is set to 1 (maximum value). As shown in FIG. 7, the relative illuminance is lower when the light source 91 is partitioned by the partitioning member 60b according to the first embodiment than when the light source 91 is partitioned by the partitioning member 60a according to the assumed comparative example. This indicates that light leakage into adjacent regions is reduced. Here, at positions (adjacent regions) outside the regions partitioned by the partitioning members 60a and 60b in the X direction, the relative illuminance is lower by Δs in the example corresponding to the first embodiment than in the assumed comparative example due to the effect of reducing reflected light by the partitioning member 60b. As an example, Δs is a value of 6% to 6.4% of the maximum value of the illuminance on the outer surface 71.

[0052] (Effects of the first embodiment) In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

[0053] In the first embodiment, as described above, the partitioning member 60 is disposed over at least a portion of the interior of the diffuser plate 70 from the outer surface 71 of the diffuser plate 70 opposite the multiple light sources 91 toward the multiple light sources 91. As a result, the partitioning member 60 is disposed from the outer surface 71 of the diffuser plate 70 opposite the multiple light sources 91 toward the interior of the diffuser plate 70, and therefore, light reflected at the outer surface 71 opposite the light sources 91 can be prevented from propagating outside the partitioned area within the diffuser plate 70. Therefore, compared to when the partitioning member 60 is disposed on the light source 91 side, light can be prevented from propagating in a direction along the diffuser plate 70 within the diffuser plate 70. As a result, leakage of light emitted through the diffuser plate 70 from the area partitioned by the partitioning member 60 can be prevented.

[0054] Furthermore, the partitioning member 60 is not disposed from the outer surface 72 on the side of the plurality of light sources 91 to the interior of the diffuser plate 70, but is disposed from the outer surface 71 opposite the plurality of light sources 91 to a part of the interior of the diffuser plate 70. Therefore, compared to disposing the partitioning member 60 from both the outer surfaces 71 and 72 of the diffuser plate 70 toward the interior, it is possible to suppress an increase in the amount of processing required to dispose the partitioning member 60 and to suppress an increase in the workload of the assembly work.

[0055] In the first embodiment, as described above, the display device 100 includes a lens unit 50 disposed on the side of the diffuser plate 70 opposite the plurality of light sources 91, for each region partitioned by the partitioning member 60, that refracts light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources 91 into parallel light. Here, when light leaking from the region partitioned by the partitioning member 60 is incident on the lens unit 50, the light is incident on the lens unit 50 from a position significantly deviated from the focal point 51 of the lens unit 50, and the light emitted from the lens unit 50 includes light with a direction different from that of parallel light. Therefore, when the lens unit 50 that refracts the light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources 91 into parallel light is disposed, the partitioning member 60 is disposed over at least a portion of the interior of the diffuser plate 70 from the outer surface 71 of the diffuser plate 70 opposite the plurality of light sources 91 toward the plurality of light sources 91, thereby effectively preventing the light from the lens unit 50 from including light with a direction different from that of parallel light.

[0056] In the first embodiment, as described above, the partitioning member 60 is disposed to cover the diffuser plate 70, with the openings 64 having at least one of a shape that follows the outline of each of the plurality of light sources 91 and a shape that is smaller than the outline of each of the plurality of light sources 91, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the outer surface 71 of the diffuser plate 70 (Z direction). This allows the openings 64 to be provided with an appropriate shape to ensure an effective light area, thereby more effectively preventing light from a position other than the focal point 51 from entering the lens unit 50. This more effectively prevents light from the lens unit 50 from being in a direction other than parallel light. Furthermore, in the first embodiment, the openings 64 are positioned and sized to be included in the effective light area, which is the area surrounded by straight lines L1 and L2 extending from the focal point 51 to the end of the lens unit 50, for each area partitioned by the partitioning member 60, so that light from the focal point 51 of the lens unit 50 enters the lens unit 50. This allows the openings 64 to be provided with a more appropriate shape, thereby more effectively ensuring an effective light area. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent light from being incident on the lens unit 50 from a position other than the focal point 51 .

[0057] In the first embodiment, as described above, the display device 100 includes the light-shielding wall 80 (light-source-side light-shielding wall) that is disposed on the light source 91 side of the diffuser plate 70 separately from the partition member 60 and surrounds the light sources 91 in each region corresponding to the light sources 91. This allows the light sources 91 to be surrounded by the light-shielding wall 80 in each region corresponding to the light sources 91, separately from the partition member 60, in a region closer to the light source 91 than the diffuser plate 70. This makes it possible to further prevent light from leaking from the region defined by the partition member 60. As a result, it is possible to further prevent light emitted through the diffuser plate 70 from leaking from the region defined by the partition member 60.

[0058] In the first embodiment, as described above, the diffuser plate 70 has grooves 73, into which the partitioning member 60 is inserted, on the outer surface 71 opposite the plurality of light sources 91. The partitioning member 60 is inserted into the grooves 73 and is disposed across a portion of the interior of the diffuser plate 70. Thus, by providing the grooves 73 in the diffuser plate 70, the partitioning member 60 can be easily disposed from the outer surface 71 opposite the plurality of light sources 91 toward the interior of the diffuser plate 70. Furthermore, when the partitioning member 60 is disposed across a portion of the interior of the diffuser plate 70, the partitioning member 60 is disposed only up to a portion of the thickness of the diffuser plate 70, and therefore the diffuser plate 70 can be formed integrally with multiple regions partitioned by the partitioning member 60. Therefore, compared to when the diffuser plate 70 is divided, the assembly work for disposing the diffuser plate 70 can be prevented from becoming complicated.

[0059] In the first embodiment, as described above, the display device 100 includes a lens unit 50 disposed on the side of the diffuser plate 70 opposite the plurality of light sources 91, and configured to refract light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources 91 into parallel light for each region defined by the partitioning member 60. The partitioning member 60 extends from an outer surface 71 opposite the plurality of light sources 91 toward the lens unit 50 and includes a wall 61 (lens-side wall) that defines a region between the diffuser plate 70 and the lens unit 50. The partitioning member 60 includes a wall 62 (diffuser-plate-side wall) that is inserted into the groove 73 and defines a region inside the diffuser plate 70. This allows the wall 62 of the partitioning member 60 to suppress propagation of light within the diffuser plate 70, and the wall 61 of the partitioning member 60 to suppress leakage of light after exiting the diffuser plate 70 to the surroundings. This effectively prevents light from entering the lens unit 50 from a position other than the focal point 51, thereby effectively preventing light from the lens unit 50 from including light oriented in a direction other than parallel light.

[0060] In the first embodiment, as described above, the wall 62 (diffuser-plate-side wall) defines an area inside the diffuser 70 that is smaller than the area defined by the wall 61 (lens-side wall). This defines a smaller area on the side of the multiple light sources 91 that is farther away from the lens unit 50, and defines a larger area at a position closer to the lens unit 50, thereby enabling the area to be defined in accordance with the optical path of light incident on the lens unit 50. This effectively prevents light from being incident on the lens unit 50 from a position other than the focal point 51, and effectively prevents light from the lens unit 50 from including light oriented in a direction other than parallel light.

[0061] In the first embodiment, as described above, the diffuser plate 70 has the reinforcing portion 74 that is thicker at the outer peripheral edge portion. As a result, even when the groove portion 73 for inserting the partition member 60 is disposed on the outer surface 71 of the diffuser plate 70 opposite the plurality of light sources 91, the reinforcing portion 74 disposed at the outer peripheral edge portion of the diffuser plate 70 can prevent the diffuser plate 70 from being bent and deformed.

[0062] [Second embodiment] Next, a backlight 240 according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. In the second embodiment, a wall portion 261 and a wall portion 262 of a partition member 260 have different outer surfaces. Note that in the second embodiment, descriptions of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0063] As shown in FIG. 8 , in the second embodiment, the backlight 240 includes a partition member 260. Similar to the partition member 60 in the first embodiment, the partition member 260 includes a wall portion 261 rising from the outer surface 71 of the diffuser plate 70 toward the lens unit 50, and a wall portion 262 inserted into the groove portion 73 and partitioning an internal region of the diffuser plate 70. The shapes of the wall portion 261 and the wall portion 262 are similar to those of the wall portion 61 and the wall portion 62, respectively. In the second embodiment, the wall portion 261 has an absorbing outer surface 261a, and the wall portion 262 has a reflective outer surface 262a. The absorbing outer surface 261a absorbs light emitted from the multiple light sources 91. The reflective outer surface 262a reflects light emitted from the multiple light sources 91. For example, the absorbing outer surface 261a has a black surface, and the reflective outer surface 262a has a white surface. That is, in the second embodiment, the partitioning member 260 has different colors in the portion disposed inside the diffuser plate 70 and the portion rising above the diffuser plate 70. For example, the partitioning member 260 is formed by two-color molding combining two different resin materials. The other configurations of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. The backlight 240 is an example of a "light source device" in the claims. The wall portion 261 and the wall portion 262 are examples of a "lens side wall portion" and a "diffuser plate side wall portion" in the claims, respectively.

[0064] (Effects of the second embodiment) In the second embodiment, as described above, the wall portion 261 (lens side wall portion) has an absorbing outer surface 261a that absorbs light emitted from the multiple light sources 91. The wall portion 262 (diffuser plate side wall portion) has a reflective outer surface 262a that reflects light emitted from the multiple light sources 91. Thus, since the wall portion 262 has the reflective outer surface 262a, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the intensity of light inside the diffuser plate 70. Furthermore, since the wall portion 261 has the absorbing outer surface 261a, it is possible to suppress light reflected by the wall portion 261 from entering the lens portion 50, and therefore it is possible to suppress light from a position other than the focal point 51 from entering the lens portion 50. As a result, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the intensity of light emitted from the lens portion 50, and it is also possible to suppress the inclusion of light from the lens portion 50 that is oriented in a direction other than parallel light.

[0065] The other effects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0066] [Third embodiment] Next, a backlight 340 according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 9 and 10. In the third embodiment, unlike the first embodiment in which the partition member 60 is arranged over a portion of the interior of the diffusion plate 70, the partition member 360 is arranged over the entire interior of the diffusion plate 370. Note that in the third embodiment, descriptions of the same configuration as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0067] (Configuration of the third embodiment) 9, the backlight 340 includes a partition member 360 and a diffusion plate 370. The backlight 340 also includes a light-shielding wall 361, a holding member 366, and a holding member 367. The backlight 340 is an example of the "light source device" in the claims.

[0068] In the third embodiment, the partitioning member 360 is arranged to penetrate the entire diffuser plate 370 from an outer surface 371 on the side of the diffuser plate 370 opposite the multiple light sources 91 (Z1 direction side) to an outer surface 372 on the multiple light source 91 side (Z2 direction side). In the third embodiment, the diffuser plate 370 is divided by the partitioning member 360. In other words, the diffuser plates 370 are arranged independently and separately for each region corresponding to the multiple light sources 91. In the third embodiment, a plurality of diffuser plates 370 are provided corresponding to each of the multiple light sources 91. Each of the plurality of diffuser plates 370 is arranged on the Z1 direction side relative to the light source 91.

[0069] As shown in FIG. 10 , the partitioning member 360 is a plate-like member having holes 365 in which the plurality of diffusion plates 370 are disposed. The partitioning member 360 partitions the plurality of diffusion plates 370 in the XY plane by disposing the diffusion plates 370 in the respective holes 365. The thickness of the partitioning member 360 in the Z direction is greater than the thickness of the diffusion plates 370. Therefore, the partitioning member 360 partitions the plurality of diffusion plates 370 independently from one another. For example, if the thickness of the diffusion plate 370 in the Z direction is 1.0 mm, the thickness of the partitioning member 360 in the Z direction is approximately 1.1 mm. The thicknesses of the diffusion plate 370 and the partitioning member 360 are set so that the thickness of the partitioning member 360 is greater than the thickness of the diffusion plate 370 even when a plus tolerance occurs in the diffusion plate 370 and a minus tolerance occurs in the partitioning member 360.

[0070] Furthermore, the partitioning member 360 and the plurality of diffusion plates 370 are held by holding members 366 and 367. The holding members 366 and 367 are plate-shaped members that are disposed separately from the partitioning member 360 and the diffusion plates 370. The holding members 366 and 367 integrally hold the partitioning member 360 and the plurality of diffusion plates 370 defined by the partitioning member 360. Specifically, the holding member 366 is disposed on the Z1-direction side of the partitioning member 360 and the plurality of diffusion plates 370. The holding member 367 is disposed on the Z2-direction side of the partitioning member 360 and the plurality of diffusion plates 370. The holding members 366 and 367 sandwich the partitioning member 360, with the diffusion plates 370 disposed in the holes 365, from above and below, thereby integrally holding the partitioning member 360. Furthermore, the holding members 366 and 367 each have holes 366a and 367a at the positions where the plurality of diffusers 370 are disposed. The holes 366a and 367a are smaller than the diffuser 370 when viewed from the Z direction. The holes 365 of the partitioning member 360 are smaller than the light sources 91 when viewed from the Z direction. For example, if the diffuser 370 measures 2.5 mm × 2.5 mm when viewed from the Z1 direction, the opening sizes of the holes 366a and 367a of the holding members 366 and 367 are preferably approximately 2.0 mm. The size of the diffuser 370, which is a small piece, is set so that it is approximately 0.2 to 0.3 mm larger on each side than the opening sizes of the holes 366a and 367a. The size of the diffuser 370 is set to allow enough clearance to prevent it from falling out of the holes 366a and 367a.

[0071] 9, in the third embodiment, a light-shielding wall 361 is disposed separately from the partitioning member 360. The light-shielding wall 361 is a member independent of the partitioning member 360, rises from the Z1 direction side of the partitioning member 360 toward the lens unit 50, and partitions the area between the diffuser plate 370 and the lens unit 50. That is, in the third embodiment, instead of the wall unit 61 (lens-side wall unit) formed integrally with the partitioning member 360 in the first embodiment, a light-shielding wall 361 (lens-side light-shielding wall) is disposed separately from the partitioning member 360. In the third embodiment, the light-shielding wall 361, the partitioning member 360, and the light-shielding wall 361 partition each of the plurality of light sources 91 from one another. Other configurations of the third embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0072] (Effects of the third embodiment) In the third embodiment, as described above, the partitioning member 360 is disposed so as to penetrate the entire interior of the diffuser plate 370, from the outer surface 371 on the side opposite to the multiple light sources 91 of the diffuser plate 370 to the outer surface 372 on the multiple light sources 91 side. In this way, by disposing the partitioning member 360 so as to penetrate the entire interior of the diffuser plate 370, the partitioning member 360 can generally suppress propagation of light inside the diffuser plate 370. Therefore, propagation of light inside the diffuser plate 370 can be further suppressed, and therefore leakage of light emitted through the diffuser plate 370 from the region partitioned by the partitioning member 360 can be further suppressed.

[0073] As described above, backlight 340 (light source device) includes holding members 366 and 367 that are arranged separately from partitioning member 360 and diffusion plate 370 and that integrally hold partitioning member 360 and diffusion plate 370 partitioned by partitioning member 360. When partitioning member 360 is arranged to penetrate the entire diffuser plate 370, partitioning member 360 is arranged to surround diffuser plate 370, and diffuser plate 370 is divided into regions partitioned by partitioning member 360. In consideration of this, in the third embodiment, by including holding members 366 and 367 that integrally hold partitioning member 360 and diffusion plate 370 partitioned by partitioning member 360, it is possible to integrally hold divided diffuser plate 370 even when diffuser plate 370 is divided into regions partitioned by partitioning member 360. Therefore, when the partition member 360 is disposed so as to penetrate the entire diffuser plate 370, it is possible to prevent the assembly work from becoming complicated due to the diffuser plate 370 being divided.

[0074] The other effects of the third embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0075] [Variations] The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but is illustrated by the claims, and includes all modifications within the scope of the claims.

[0076] For example, in the first and second embodiments, the wall portions 62 and 262 (diffuser plate sidewall portions) are arranged to extend from the outer surface 71 of the diffuser plate 70, have flat surfaces at their ends, and the groove portions 73 are shaped to conform to the wall portions 62 and 262. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, for example, the end portions of the diffuser plate sidewall portions may have inclined surfaces. As in the partition member 460a according to a first modified example shown in FIG. 11, the wall portion 462a (diffuser plate sidewall portion) may have an inclined surface that narrows toward its end. In this case, the partition member can be easily inserted into the groove portion arranged on the outer surface of the diffuser plate, thereby facilitating the assembly work. Furthermore, as in the partition member 460b according to a second modified example shown in FIG. 12, the wall portion 462b (diffuser plate sidewall portion) may have an inclined surface that widens toward its end. Furthermore, when the end portions of the diffuser plate sidewall portions have inclined surfaces, as in the case of the wall portions 462a and 462b, the groove portions of the diffuser plate may have a shape that conforms to the inclined surfaces. For example, when wall portion 462a (diffusion plate sidewall portion) of partition member 460a has an inclined surface that narrows toward the end, as in diffuser plate 470c according to a third modified example shown in Fig. 13, the bottom surface of groove portion 473c may have an inclined surface that follows the inclined surface at the end of wall portion 462a. Note that the shape of the diffuser plate sidewall portion is not limited to this, and for example, the end may have a curved surface.

[0077] In the first and second embodiments, the wall portions 62 and 262 (diffuser-plate-side wall portions) are arranged to independently surround the partitioned regions, and the wall portion 61 is arranged in common with the adjacent regions. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the diffuser-plate-side wall portion may be arranged in common with the adjacent regions. For example, as in a partition member 460d according to a fourth modified example shown in FIG. 14, a wall portion 462d (diffuser-plate-side wall portion) may be arranged in common with the adjacent regions. In this case, a groove portion 473d is provided in the diffuser 470d between the partitioned regions. That is, the wall portion 462d is inserted into a groove portion 473d provided directly above a light-source-side light-shielding wall arranged between the partitioned regions, thereby partitioning the diffuser 470d. In this case, the size of the opening in the outer surface of the diffuser 470d may be adjusted by a wall portion 461d (lens-side wall portion) rising above the diffuser 470d. That is, wall portion 461d may have an inclined surface such that the area partitioned therebetween gradually increases from the diffuser plate 470d side toward the lens portion side.

[0078] Furthermore, in the first and second embodiments described above, examples have been shown in which the grooves 73 in the diffuser plate 70 into which the partitioning members 60 and 260 are inserted are arranged in a grid pattern, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, grooves 473e may be arranged on the outer surface 471 so as to surround the periphery of the partitioned area, as in the diffuser plate 470e according to a fifth modification shown in Fig. 15. That is, even in the partitioning members inserted into the grooves 473e, the shape of the diffuser plate side wall portion may be rectangular when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the diffuser plate, rather than being grid-shaped.

[0079] Furthermore, in the first to third embodiments, an example was shown in which the lens unit 50 was provided to refract the light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources 91 into parallel light, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the lens unit may not be provided. Furthermore, when a lens unit is provided, a diffusion plate that diffuses the light emitted from the lens unit may be further provided.

[0080] Furthermore, in the above-described first to third embodiments, the openings 64 of the partitioning members 60, 260, and 360 have a shape smaller than the outline of each of the plurality of light sources 91 when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the outer surfaces of the diffusers 70 and 370 (Z1 direction), but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the openings of the partitioning members may have a shape that follows the outline of each of the plurality of light sources when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the outer surfaces of the diffusers. That is, when viewed from the direction perpendicular to the outer surfaces of the diffusers, the size of the openings of the partitioning members may be the same as the size of the light sources. Alternatively, the openings may be larger than the light sources. Alternatively, the shape of the openings may be different from the shape of the light sources. For example, the shape of the openings may be circular.

[0081] In the first and second embodiments, the partitioning members 60 and 260 are disposed in a portion of the interior of the diffuser plate 70, and the wall portions 61 and 261 (lens-side wall portions) that define the area between the diffuser plate 70 and the lens unit 50 and the wall portions 62 and 262 (diffuser-plate-side wall portions) that define the area within the diffuser plate 70 are integrally formed. In the third embodiment, the partitioning member 360 is disposed throughout the entire interior of the diffuser plate 370, and the light-shielding wall 361 that defines the area between the diffuser plate 370 and the lens unit 50 and the partitioning member 360 that defines the diffuser plate 370 are disposed separately. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, a member that defines the area between the diffuser plate and the lens unit need not be disposed. Furthermore, even when the partitioning member is disposed in a portion of the interior of the diffuser plate, the member (light-shielding wall) that defines the area between the diffuser plate and the lens unit may be disposed separately from the partitioning member that defines the diffuser plate. Furthermore, even when the partitioning member is arranged throughout the entire interior of the diffuser plate, the member that partitions the area between the diffuser plate and the lens portion and the partitioning member that partitions the diffuser plate may be arranged integrally.

[0082] In the second embodiment, the wall 261 (lens side wall) has a black absorptive outer surface 261a that absorbs light, and the wall 262 (diffuser side wall) has a white reflective outer surface 262a that reflects light. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the lens side wall and the diffuser side wall may have the same color. In order to reflect light, the reflective outer surface may include a metal coating or may be formed of a highly reflective material such as a glossy material. The absorbing outer surface may be roughened to absorb light. In addition, the lens side wall and the diffuser side wall may have different colors by applying paint to the surface instead of two-color molding.

[0083] In the first embodiment, the diffusion plate 70 has the reinforcing portion 74 on the outer periphery, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the reinforcing portion may not be disposed on the outer periphery. Alternatively, the reinforcing portion may be disposed at a position other than the outer periphery.

[0084] In the third embodiment, the partition member 360 and the diffusion plate 370 are held integrally by being sandwiched between the holding members 366 and 367. However, the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the holding members may be arranged on only one side of the partition member. Alternatively, no holding members may be arranged. In this case, the diffusion plate may be held in a hole in the partition member.

[0085] In the first to third embodiments, the backlights 40, 240, and 340 (light source devices) are arranged in the display device 100, which is a liquid crystal television device, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the display device may be a monitor display or the like that is different from a television device.

[0086] In the first to third embodiments, the partitioning members 60, 260, and 360 partition the diffuser plates 70 and 370 into regions corresponding to each of the plurality of light sources 91 arranged in a lattice pattern, but the present invention is not limited to this. In the present invention, the regions corresponding to the plurality of light sources may be partitioned into regions for two or more light sources. The plurality of light sources may also be arranged in a honeycomb structure. In this case, the shapes of the regions partitioned by the partitioning members may also be arranged in a honeycomb structure so as to correspond to the plurality of light sources. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 20 Display panel 40, 240, 340 Backlight (light source device) 50 Lens section 60, 260, 360, 460a, 460b, 460d Partition members 61, 261, 461d Wall (lens side wall) 62, 262, 462a, 462b, 462d Wall section (diffusion plate side wall section) 64 Opening 70, 370, 470c, 470d, 470e Diffusers 71, 72, 371, 372, 471 outer surface 73, 473c, 473d, 473e Groove 74 Reinforcement part 80 Light-shielding wall (light source side light-shielding wall) 91 Light source 100 display device 261a Absorption outer surface 262a Reflective outer surface 366, 367 Retaining member

Claims

1. Multiple light sources; a diffusion plate that is disposed to face the plurality of light sources and that diffuses light emitted from the plurality of light sources; a partition member that partitions the diffusion plate into regions corresponding to the plurality of light sources, The partition member is disposed across at least a portion of the interior of the diffuser plate from an outer surface of the diffuser plate opposite the plurality of light sources toward the plurality of light sources.

2. 2. The light source device according to claim 1, further comprising a lens portion arranged on the opposite side of the diffusion plate from the plurality of light sources, for each region partitioned by the partition member, which refracts light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources into parallel light.

3. 3. The light source device of claim 2, wherein the partition member is arranged to cover the diffuser plate, with an opening having at least one of a shape that follows the outer shape of each of the plurality of light sources and a shape that is smaller than the outer shape of each of the plurality of light sources, when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the outer surface of the diffuser plate.

4. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a light source side shading wall arranged separately from the partition member on the side of the diffuser plate facing the plurality of light sources and surrounding the plurality of light sources in each area corresponding to the plurality of light sources.

5. the diffusion plate has a groove portion into which the partition member is inserted, on the outer surface opposite to the plurality of light sources, 4. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the partition member is inserted into the groove and is disposed across a part of the interior of the diffusion plate.

6. a lens unit disposed on the diffusion plate opposite to the plurality of light sources, the lens unit refracting light emitted from each of the plurality of light sources into parallel light for each region partitioned by the partition member; The partition member is a lens sidewall portion that rises from the outer surface on the opposite side from the plurality of light sources toward the lens portion and defines an area between the diffusion plate and the lens portion; The light source device according to claim 5 , further comprising: a diffuser plate sidewall portion that is inserted into the groove portion and that defines an internal region of the diffuser plate.

7. The light source device according to claim 6 , wherein the diffuser-plate sidewall defines an area inside the diffuser plate that is smaller than an area defined by the lens sidewall.

8. the lens sidewall portion has an absorbing outer surface that absorbs light emitted from the plurality of light sources; The light source device according to claim 6 , wherein the diffusion plate sidewall has a reflective outer surface that reflects the light emitted from the plurality of light sources.

9. The light source device according to claim 5 , wherein the diffusion plate has a reinforcing portion with an increased thickness at an outer peripheral edge thereof.

10. The light source device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the partition member is arranged to penetrate the entire interior of the diffuser plate from the outer surface on the side opposite the plurality of light sources to the outer surface on the side of the plurality of light sources.

11. The light source device according to claim 10 , further comprising a holding member that is arranged separately from the partition member and the diffusion plate and that integrally holds the partition member and the diffusion plate partitioned by the partition member.

12. Multiple light sources; a diffusion plate that is disposed to face the plurality of light sources and that diffuses light emitted from the plurality of light sources; a display panel disposed on the opposite side of the diffusion plate from the plurality of light sources; a partition member that partitions the diffusion plate into regions corresponding to the plurality of light sources, The partition member is disposed across at least a portion of the interior of the diffusion plate from an outer surface of the diffusion plate opposite to the plurality of light sources toward the plurality of light sources.

Images