Light source module and display device

Abstract

A light source module and a display device are provided. [Solution] The light source module 10 includes a substrate 11, a light emitting unit 12, a sealing layer 13, a light-transmitting plate 14, and an electromagnetic sensor layer 15. The light emitting unit is disposed on the substrate. The sealing layer is disposed on the substrate and covers the light emitting unit. The sealing layer has a surface facing the substrate. The light-transmitting plate is disposed on the surface and has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are opposite to each other, and the first surface faces the sealing layer. The electromagnetic sensor layer is disposed on the first surface or the second surface. The present invention further provides a display device including the light source module.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an optical module, and more particularly to a light source module and a display device including the light source module.

Background Art

[0002] With the development of touch technology, the touch function of a display device not only improves the convenience of operation, but also enables functions such as drawing illustrations or writing by hand. For example, a creator can directly draw an illustration on a touch screen using a touch pen, and the touch screen can display lines of different thicknesses according to the magnitude of the pressure applied by the touch pen, realistically expressing the texture of handwriting. Generally, the touch function of a display device is provided by a touch layer, and the touch layer is installed on a backplane. Further, a light source is usually installed on the touch layer, and the light source is arranged on a plurality of supports having a certain height for supporting components located above the light source.

[0003] However, a well-known display device includes components such as at least a touch layer, a light source, and a support, so the assembly process of the display device is complicated and time-consuming. Also, the well-known backplane often has a problem that its surface is not flat, which may cause the touch layer to become less sensitive or the accuracy to decrease. Further, the presence of the support significantly increases the thickness of the display device.

[0004] It should be noted that this paragraph of "Background Art" is only for helping to understand the content of the present invention, so the content disclosed in this "Background Art" may include content that does not constitute well-known technology known to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the content disclosed in this "Background Art" does not mean that the above content, or the problems to be solved by one or more embodiments of the present invention, have already been well-known or recognized by those skilled in the art before the filing of the present invention.

Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a light source module that simplifies the assembly process, improves touch sensitivity, and reduces thickness.

[0006] The present invention provides a display device that simplifies the assembly process, improves touch sensitivity, and reduces thickness.

[0007] Other objects and advantages of the present invention can be further understood from the technical features disclosed in the present invention.

[0008] To achieve one, some, or all of the above-mentioned objects, or other objects, the light source module in an embodiment of the present invention includes a substrate, a light-emitting unit, a sealing layer, a light-transmitting plate, and an electromagnetic sensor layer. The light-emitting unit is installed on the substrate. The sealing layer is installed on the substrate and covers the light-emitting unit. The sealing layer has a surface facing away from the substrate. The light-transmitting plate is installed on its surface and has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface face each other, and the first surface faces away from the sealing layer. The electromagnetic sensor layer is installed on the first surface or the second surface.

[0009] In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned electromagnetic sensor layer is installed on the second surface, and a plurality of optical microstructures can be formed on the first surface.

[0010] In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned light-emitting unit includes a light-emitting chip, the light-emitting chip is installed on the substrate, and the sealing layer covers the light-emitting chip.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned light-emitting unit includes, for example, a submillimeter light-emitting diode unit or a micro light-emitting diode unit.

[0012] In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned light-transmitting plate includes a glass light-transmitting plate, and the first surface and the second surface are located on the glass light-transmitting plate.

[0013] To achieve one, some, or all of the above-mentioned objectives, or other objectives, the display device in an embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned light source module and display panel. The display panel is installed on the side facing away from the sealing layer of the light-transmitting plate.

[0014] In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned display device further includes, for example, an optical film. The electromagnetic sensor layer is installed on the first surface, and the optical film is installed between the electromagnetic sensor layer and the display panel.

[0015] In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned display device further includes a light-transmissive adhesive layer. The light-transmissive adhesive layer is installed on the side facing away from the light-transmitting plate of the electromagnetic sensor layer and is located between the optical film and the electromagnetic sensor layer.

[0016] In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned electromagnetic sensor layer is installed on the second surface, and a plurality of optical microstructures can be formed on the first surface.

[0017] In an embodiment of the present invention, the above-mentioned display device further includes, for example, a solid light-transmissive adhesive layer. The optical microstructures are recessed on the first surface, and the solid light-transmissive adhesive layer is installed on the first surface.

[0018] In the light source module of the present invention, a sealing layer is sandwiched between a substrate and a light-transmitting plate, and the electromagnetic sensor layer is installed on the light-transmitting plate. Specifically, the light-emitting unit is pre-fixed on the substrate, and the electromagnetic sensor layer is pre-fixed on the light-transmitting plate. The light-transmitting plate with the electromagnetic sensor layer fixed thereon and the substrate with the light-emitting unit fixed thereon can be fixed to each other by the sealing layer, and a light source module can be formed. Thereby, the substrate, the light-emitting unit, the sealing layer, the light-transmitting plate, and the electromagnetic sensor layer form an integral structure, eliminating the need for individual assembly, enabling the formation of a light source module, and greatly simplifying the assembly process of the light source module. Further, since the first surface and the second surface of the light-transmitting plate have a flatness suitable for the installation of the electromagnetic sensor layer, the touch sensitivity of the electromagnetic sensor layer can be improved. Furthermore, since the sealing layer can support between the substrate and the light-transmitting plate, it can replace the support in the prior art and reduce the thickness of the light source module. Since the display device of the present invention uses the above-described light source module, the assembly process can be simplified, and an improvement in touch sensitivity and a reduction in thickness can also be achieved.

[0019] In order to more clearly understand the above-described or other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, the following preferred embodiments will be given and described in detail as follows with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0020]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0021] The above-described content, features, and effects of the present invention and other technologies will become clear from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments based on the attached drawings. Note that the terms regarding directions mentioned in the following embodiments, such as up, down, left, right, front, or rear, are only for reference to the directions of the attached drawings. Therefore, the terms of the directions used are for explaining the present invention and not for limiting the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a light source module in an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 1, the light source module 10 includes a substrate 11, a light-emitting unit 12, a sealing layer 13, a light-transmitting plate 14, and an electromagnetic sensor layer 15. The light-emitting unit 12 is installed on the substrate 11. The sealing layer 13 is installed on the substrate 11 and covers the light-emitting unit 12. The sealing layer 13 has a surface S facing away from the substrate 11. The light-transmitting plate 14 is installed on the surface S. The light-transmitting plate 14 has a first surface S1 and a second surface S2, the first surface S1 and the second surface S2 face each other, and the first surface S1 faces away from the sealing layer 13. The electromagnetic sensor layer 15 is installed on the first surface S1 or the second surface S2, and in this embodiment, the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 is installed on the first surface S1.

[0023] The substrate 11 includes a circuit board or a glass substrate. For example, in one embodiment, the substrate 11 includes a printed wire board (PCB), and the light-emitting unit 12 is electrically connected to the printed wire board. In another embodiment, the substrate 11 includes the glass substrate, and a circuit is provided on the glass substrate, and the light-emitting unit 12 is electrically connected to the circuit.

[0024] The light-emitting unit 12 of this embodiment includes a light-emitting chip 121. The light-emitting chip 121 is installed on the substrate 11, and the encapsulation layer 13 covers the light-emitting chip 121. Specifically, the light-emitting chip 121 is, for example, a light-emitting die, and it has undergone wire bonding or surface mounting but is in an unencapsulated state. Also, the light-emitting unit 12 includes, for example, a Mini Light Emitting Diode (Mini LED) unit or a Micro Light Emitting Diode (Micro LED) unit. For example, the Mini LED unit includes the light-emitting chip 121 of the Mini LED, and the Micro LED unit includes the light-emitting chip 121 of the Micro LED.

[0025] The encapsulation layer 13 can completely cover the light-emitting unit 12. Furthermore, since the light-emitting unit 12 of this embodiment is an unencapsulated light-emitting chip 121, the encapsulation layer 13 can directly cover the light-emitting chip 121. In this way, the encapsulation layer 13 can not only protect the light-emitting chip 121, but also support between the substrate 11 and the light-transmitting plate 14, and by omitting the support in the well-known technology, the thickness of the light source module 10 can be reduced. Note that the material of the encapsulation layer 13 includes, for example, epoxy resin or silicone, etc., but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0026] In this embodiment, the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 adopts, for example, Electro-Magnetic Resonance (EMR) technology to provide a touch function. It must be explained that the touch sensitivity of the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 is affected by the flatness of the surface. For example, in the well-known technology, the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 is installed on the backplane, but after the backplane undergoes a stamping process, distortion occurs and the surface of the backplane becomes uneven, which causes the touch sensitivity of the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 to decrease.

[0027] However, in this embodiment, since the process of the light-transmitting plate 14 does not include processes such as stamping or other processes involving large impact forces, the first surface S1 and the second surface S2 of the light-transmitting plate 14 are flatter than well-known backplanes and are more suitable for the installation of the electromagnetic sensor layer 15. As described above, the light-transmitting plate 14 can significantly improve the touch sensitivity of the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 compared to well-known backplanes. Specifically, the light-transmitting plate 14 includes a glass light-transmitting plate 141, and the first surface S1 and the second surface S2 are located on the glass light-transmitting plate 141. That is, the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 can be installed on the glass light-transmitting plate 141, and since the glass light-transmitting plate 141 has the advantage of having a flat surface, the touch sensitivity of the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 can be further improved.

[0028] Compared with well-known technologies, in this embodiment, the light source module 10 sandwiches the sealing layer 13 between the substrate 11 and the light-transmitting plate 14, and the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 is installed on the light-transmitting plate 14. Specifically, the light-emitting unit 12 is fixed on the substrate 11 in advance, and the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 is fixed on the light-transmitting plate 14 in advance. The light-transmitting plate 14 with the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 fixed and the substrate 11 with the light-emitting unit 12 fixed can be fixed to each other by the sealing layer 13 to form the light source module 10. Thereby, the substrate 11, the light-emitting unit 12, the sealing layer 13, the light-transmitting plate 14, and the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 form an integral structure by the process, so there is no need to assemble them individually, the light source module 10 can be formed, and the assembly process of the light source module 10 can be significantly simplified. Also, since the first surface S1 of the light-transmitting plate 14 has a flatness suitable for the installation of the electromagnetic sensor layer 15, the touch sensitivity of the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 can be improved. Furthermore, since the sealing layer 13 can support between the substrate 11 and the light-transmitting plate 14, it can replace the support in the prior art and reduce the thickness of the light source module 10.

[0029] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a light source module in another embodiment of the present invention. Since the structure and advantages of the light source module 10a in this embodiment are similar to those of the embodiment in Figure 1, only the differences will be described below. Referring to Figure 2, the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 is installed on the second surface S2. That is, the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 is sandwiched between the encapsulation layer 13 and the light-transmitting plate 14. In this way, the encapsulation layer 13 and the light-transmitting plate 14 protect the electromagnetic sensor layer 15, preventing scratches and damage caused by external objects, thereby improving the yield of the light source module 10a. Similarly, since the second surface S2 has a flatness suitable for the installation of the electromagnetic sensor layer 15, the touch sensitivity of the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 can be improved.

[0030] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a light source module in another embodiment of the present invention. Since the structure and advantages of the light source module 10b in this embodiment are similar to those of the embodiment in Figure 2, only the differences will be described below. Referring to Figure 3, a plurality of optical microstructures M can be formed on the first surface S1b of the light-transmitting plate 14b, which can diffuse the light generated by the light-emitting unit 12 and improve the optical quality of the light source module 10b. The optical microstructures M include, for example, sunken microstructures. Also, the shape of the optical microstructures M is similar to a semi-spherical shape, but the present invention is not limited to the specific shape of the optical microstructures M. Note that since the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 of this embodiment is installed on the second surface S2, the second surface S2 is a flat surface on which the optical microstructures M are not formed, and is suitable for the installation of the electromagnetic sensor layer 15.

[0031] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a display device in an embodiment of the present invention. Referring to Figure 4, the display device 20 includes a light source module 10 and a display panel 21. The display panel 21 is installed on the side facing away from the encapsulation layer 13 of the light-transmitting plate 14.

[0032] The display panel 21 is installed to face the first surface S1 and receives the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 12. For example, in this embodiment, the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 is installed on the first surface S1, and the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 is located between the light-transmitting plate 14 and the display panel 21. Further, the display device 20 further includes, for example, a light-transmissive adhesive layer 22, and the display panel 21 can be fixed to the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 by the light-transmissive adhesive layer 22. Furthermore, the display panel 21 can be fixed to the light source module 10 by the light-transmissive adhesive layer 22 by means of air bonding or direct bonding, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Note that since the method of fixing the display panel 21 to the light source module 10 is not limited to adhesion, in other embodiments, the display device 20 is not disposed on the light-transmissive adhesive layer 22.

[0033] Compared with the known technology, since the display device 20 in this embodiment employs the light source module 10, the assembly process can be simplified, the touch sensitivity can be further improved, and the thickness can be reduced. In other embodiments, the display device 20 can employ the light source module 10a or 10b.

[0034] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Since the structure and advantages of the display device 20a in this embodiment are similar to those of the embodiment in FIG. 4, only the differences will be described below. Referring to FIG. 5, the display device 20a further includes, for example, an optical film F, and the optical film F is installed between the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 and the display panel 21. Specifically, the optical film F includes a diffusion sheet, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Also, in this embodiment, the light-transmissive adhesive layer 22a is installed on the side of the light-transmissive plate 14 of the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 facing away, and the light-transmissive adhesive layer 22a is located between the optical film F and the electromagnetic sensor layer 15. That is, the optical film F can be fixed on the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 by the light-transmissive adhesive layer 22a. Further, the light-transmissive adhesive layer 22a is in direct contact with, for example, the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 and the optical film F, and the optical film F is directly fixed to the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 by the light-transmissive adhesive layer 22a, but the fixing method of the optical film F is not limited in the present invention. In this embodiment, the light-transmissive adhesive layer 22a includes an optical clear resin (OCR) or an optically clear adhesive (OCA), but other embodiments are not limited thereto.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a display device according to another embodiment of the present invention. Since the structure and advantages of the display device 20b of this embodiment are similar to those of the embodiment of FIG. 5, only the differences will be described below. Referring to FIG. 6, the electromagnetic sensor layer 15 is installed on the second surface S2, and a plurality of optical microstructures M can be formed on the first surface S1b. That is, the display device 20b can adopt the light source module 10b of FIG. 3. As described above, since the light-transmitting plate 14b can diffuse light by the optical microstructures M, the display device 20b can omit the optical film, and further reduce the thickness of the display device 20b. On the other hand, the display device 20b further includes, for example, a solid light-transmitting adhesive layer 23. A plurality of recessed microstructures for forming a plurality of optical microstructures M are installed on the first surface S1b, and the solid light-transmitting adhesive layer 23 is installed on the first surface S1b. Specifically, since the solid light-transmitting adhesive layer 23 is in a solid state, it does not flow into the optical microstructures M when fixed to the first surface S1b. Thereby, the solid light-transmitting adhesive layer 23 can fix the display panel 21 to the first surface S1b and further prevent the optical effect of the optical microstructures M from being impaired. In this embodiment, the solid light-transmitting adhesive layer 23 includes, for example, a double-sided tape, and the double-sided tape includes an optically transparent adhesive (OCA). Similarly, the display panel 21 is fixed to the first surface S1b by air bonding or direct bonding. Similarly, the solid light-transmitting adhesive layer 23 can be in direct contact with the first surface S1b and the display panel 21, that is, the display panel 21 is directly attached onto the first surface S1b by the solid light-transmitting adhesive layer 23.

[0036] To sum up, the light source module and the display device in the embodiments of the present invention have at least one of the following advantages. In the light source module of the present invention, a sealing layer is sandwiched between a substrate and a light-transmitting plate, and the electromagnetic sensor layer is installed on the light-transmitting plate. Specifically, the light-emitting unit is pre-fixed on the substrate, and the electromagnetic sensor layer is pre-fixed on the light-transmitting plate. The light-transmitting plate on which the electromagnetic sensor layer is fixed and the substrate on which the light-emitting unit is fixed can be fixed to each other by the sealing layer to form a light source module. As a result, the substrate, the light-emitting unit, the sealing layer, the light-transmitting plate, and the electromagnetic sensor layer form an integral structure by a process, so there is no need to assemble them individually, a light source module can be formed, and the assembly process of the light source module can be greatly simplified. In addition, since the first surface and the second surface of the light-transmitting plate have flatness suitable for the installation of the electromagnetic sensor layer, the touch sensitivity of the electromagnetic sensor layer can be improved. Furthermore, since the sealing layer can support between the substrate and the light-transmitting plate, it can replace the support in the prior art, and the thickness of the light source module can be reduced. Since the display device of the present invention uses the above-described light source module, the assembly process can be simplified, and an improvement in touch sensitivity and a reduction in thickness can also be achieved.

[0037] What has been described above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and the scope of implementation of the present invention is not limited thereto. All simple equivalent changes and modifications based on the scope of claims of the utility model registration of the present invention and the content of the specification also belong to the scope of the present invention. In addition, any one embodiment of the present invention or the scope of claims of the utility model registration does not necessarily need to achieve all the objects, advantages, or features disclosed by the present invention. Also, the abstract part and the name of the invention are only for use in patent document search and do not limit the scope of claims of the present invention. In addition, terms such as "first" and "second" mentioned in this specification or the scope of claims of the utility model registration are only names for naming elements or for distinguishing different embodiments or scopes, and do not limit the upper or lower limits of the quantity of the elements.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0038] 10, 10a, 10b: Light source module 11: Substrate 12: Light-emitting unit 13: Encapsulation layer 14, 14b: Light-transmitting plate 15: Electromagnetic sensor layer 20, 20a, 20b: Display device 21: Display panel 22, 22a: Light-transmissive adhesive layer 23: Solid light-transmissive adhesive layer 121: Light-emitting chip 141: Glass light-transmitting plate F: Optical film M: Optical micro-structure S: Surface S1, S1b: First surface S2: Second surface

Claims

1. A substrate; A light-emitting unit disposed on the substrate; an encapsulation layer disposed on the substrate, covering the light-emitting unit and having a surface facing away from the substrate; a transparent plate disposed on the surface, the transparent plate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface and the second surface being opposed to each other, and the first surface being opposed to the sealing layer; an electromagnetic sensor layer disposed on the first surface or the second surface; A light source module comprising:

2. 2. The light source module according to claim 1, wherein the electromagnetic sensor layer is disposed on the second surface, and a plurality of optical micro-structures are formed on the first surface.

3. The light source module according to claim 1 , wherein the light emitting unit comprises a light emitting chip, the light emitting chip is disposed on the substrate, and the encapsulation layer covers the light emitting chip.

4. 2. The light source module of claim 1, wherein the light emitting unit comprises a sub-millimeter light emitting diode unit or a micro light emitting diode unit.

5. 2. The light source module of claim 1, wherein the light-transmitting plate comprises a glass light-transmitting plate, and the first surface and the second surface are located on the glass light-transmitting plate.

6. A substrate; A light-emitting unit disposed on the substrate; an encapsulation layer disposed on the substrate, covering the light-emitting unit and having a surface facing away from the substrate; a transparent plate disposed on the surface, the transparent plate having a first surface and a second surface, the first surface and the second surface being opposed to each other, and the first surface being opposed to the sealing layer; an electromagnetic sensor layer disposed on the first surface or the second surface; A light source module comprising: a display panel disposed on a side of the light-transmitting plate facing away from the sealing layer; A display device comprising:

7. 7. The display device according to claim 6, further comprising an optical film, the electromagnetic sensor layer being disposed on the first surface, and the optical film being disposed between the electromagnetic sensor layer and the display panel.

8. 8. The display device according to claim 7, further comprising a light-transmitting adhesive layer disposed on the side of the electromagnetic sensor layer facing away from the light-transmitting plate and located between the optical film and the electromagnetic sensor layer.

9. 7. The display device according to claim 6, wherein the electromagnetic sensor layer is disposed on the second surface, and a plurality of optical micro-structures are formed on the first surface.

10. 10. The display device of claim 9, further comprising a solid light-transmitting adhesive layer, the first surface having a plurality of recessed microstructures for forming the plurality of optical microstructures, the solid light-transmitting adhesive layer being disposed on the first surface.

Images