Narrow-bezel backlight module and display device with light guide plate positioning design
The narrow-bezel backlight module uses a leaf spring structure to stabilize the light guide plate, addressing positioning issues in narrow-border designs, ensuring stable operation and extended service life.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- RADIANT OPTO ELECTRONICS SUZHOU
- Filing Date
- 2026-05-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-10
AI Technical Summary
Conventional backlight modules face issues with light guide plate positioning stability due to limited space, leading to displacement and loosening, especially in narrow-border designs, affecting display quality and assembly reliability.
A narrow-bezel backlight module design incorporating a leaf spring structure on the side frame portions of the outer frame, which provides elastic support to the light guide plate, ensuring stable positioning even under thermal expansion and contraction.
The leaf spring structure maintains the light guide plate's positioning stability, enhances structural reliability, and extends the service life of the backlight module by preventing loosening and misalignment, while simplifying assembly and reducing production costs.
Smart Images
Figure 0003256549000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a narrow-border backlight module having a light guide plate positioning design and a display device including the backlight module.
Background Art
[0002] With the development of science and technology, display products are developing in the direction of high visibility and thinness and lightness. Among them, the narrow-border design has become a major trend to improve the visible area of the display. To achieve this purpose, in a conventional backlight module, usually, an additional rubber member is installed on the side of the light guide plate for fixing. By utilizing the compressibility and restoring elasticity of the rubber member itself, when the light guide plate shrinks or expands due to the change of the environmental temperature, the rubber member deforms accordingly, thereby stably positioning the light guide plate.
[0003] However, as the border of the display continues to shrink, the positioning space of the light guide plate in the backlight module is gradually limited. There is no longer enough space to accommodate rubber members and other additional structures in the border spaces on the three non-light-incident sides (generally called the top side, left side, and right side), and the light guide plate cannot be effectively positioned. Along with the change of the environmental temperature, problems such as displacement and loosening occur, affecting the display quality and assembly reliability.
Summary of the Invention
[0004] In view of the above drawbacks, an object of the present invention is to provide a narrow-border backlight module having a light guide plate positioning design. The module can effectively maintain the positioning stability and structural reliability of the light guide plate under the condition of limited space.
[0005] Based on the objectives of this invention, a narrow-bezel backlight module having a light guide plate positioning design is provided. The backlight module comprises a base plate defining a horizontal direction, having a mounting portion and a side wall, wherein one side of the mounting portion is defined as the light-receiving side and the remaining side is defined as the non-light-receiving side, the side wall extending upward from the mounting portion and located on the light-receiving side and not extending to the non-light-receiving side; a light guide plate provided on the base plate, having a light-receiving surface and at least one non-light-receiving surface, the light-receiving surface of the light guide plate facing the side wall; and an outer frame assembled to the base plate and housing the light guide plate, having a plurality of side frame portions located on the non-light-receiving side, with a leaf spring structure provided on at least one of the plurality of side frame portions, wherein an expansion and contraction space exists between the at least one non-light-receiving surface and the outer frame, the leaf spring structure extends upward from the side frame portion toward the expansion and contraction space and in contact with the light guide plate.
[0006] In some embodiments, at least one of the plurality of side frame portions has at least one side wall extending vertically from the non-light-receiving side of the bottom plate.
[0007] In some embodiments, the leaf spring structure has a straight portion and a folded hook portion, and at least one side wall is provided with at least one gap extending upward from the bottom edge of the side wall, the gap allowing the straight portion to extend from the side wall along the gap toward the bottom edge to form at least one non-connected edge, and the folded hook portion is inclined toward the expansion-contraction space and extends upward from the straight portion.
[0008] In some embodiments, an opening is provided in at least one side wall, and the leaf spring structure has a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end being fixed to the lower side of the opening, and the free end being inclined toward and extending upward toward the expansion and contraction space.
[0009] In some embodiments, the area of the leaf spring structure is smaller than the area of the opening.
[0010] In some embodiments, the at least one side wall has a bottom wall portion extending horizontally from the bottom edge of the side wall toward the expansion and contraction space, and the at least one side wall is provided with at least one gap, the gap extending downward from the fixed end of the leaf spring structure and extending horizontally toward the bottom wall portion.
[0011] In some embodiments, the amount of elastic deformation of the leaf spring structure in the horizontal direction is greater than or equal to the amount of expansion and contraction of the light guide plate in the horizontal direction.
[0012] In some embodiments, the leaf spring structure is integrally molded with the side frame.
[0013] In some embodiments, a protective film is attached to at least one of the non-light-receiving surfaces of the light guide plate.
[0014] Another object of the present invention is to provide a display device. The display device comprises the aforementioned backlight module and a display panel, the display panel being mounted on the backlight module. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0015] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in Figure 1. [Figure 4] This is a magnified view of a portion of Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 4 is a front view. [Figure 6] This is a schematic diagram of a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is an exploded perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 in Figure 6. [Figure 9] It is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 7. [Figure 10] It is a front view of FIG. 9. [Figure 11] It is a schematic diagram of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is an exploded perspective view of the third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a sectional view taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 11. [Figure 14] It is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 12. [Figure 15] It is a front view of FIG. 14. [Figure 16] It is a schematic diagram of the display device of the present invention.
Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0016] In order to clearly explain the specific embodiments, structure, and achieved effects of the present invention, embodiments are provided and described as follows while referring to the drawings.
[0017] Please refer to Figures 1 to 5. These are first embodiments of a narrow-bezel backlight module having the light guide plate positioning design of the present invention. In the first embodiment, a backlight module 10 is shown, which comprises a base plate 11, a light guide plate 13, and an outer frame 17. The base plate 11 defines a horizontal direction. The base plate 11 has a mounting portion 111 and a side wall 112. One side of the mounting portion 111 is defined as the light-receiving side, and the remaining side is defined as the non-light-receiving side. The side wall 112 extends upward from the mounting portion 111 and is located on the light-receiving side and does not extend to the non-light-receiving side. The light guide plate 13 is provided on the base plate 11. The light guide plate 13 has a light-receiving surface 131 and at least one non-light-receiving surface. The light-receiving surface 131 of the light guide plate 13 faces the side wall 112. The outer frame 17 is assembled to the bottom plate 11 to house the light guide plate 13. The outer frame 17 has a plurality of side frame portions 17A, which are located on the non-light-receiving side of the bottom plate 11. At least one of the plurality of side frame portions 17A is provided with a leaf spring structure 20. In actual applications, the backlight module 10 further comprises a light source (not shown) installed facing the light-receiving surface 131 of the light guide plate 13.
[0018] Please refer to Figure 3. An expansion / contraction space S exists between the at least one non-light-receiving surface of the light guide plate 13 and the outer frame 17. The leaf spring structure 20 extends upward from the side frame portion 17A toward the expansion / contraction space S and is in contact with the light guide plate 13. After the leaf spring structure 20 comes into contact with the light guide plate 13, the elastic force generated by the leaf spring structure 20 provides appropriate support force when the light guide plate 13 expands and contracts due to temperature changes, and restrains the light guide plate 13 toward a predetermined position, thereby realizing a positioning function. In addition, the side wall 112 of the bottom plate 11 is located only on the light-receiving side and does not extend to the non-light-receiving side, so there is no side wall design on the remaining side of the non-light-receiving side, and only the side frame portion 17A remains. Therefore, the thickness of the side wall can be reduced, and a narrow bezel effect can be achieved on all of the remaining side edges other than the light-receiving side.
[0019] Please refer to FIGS. 4 to 5. At least one of the plurality of side frame portions 17A of the outer frame 17 extends a side wall 171 vertically, and the side wall 171 is located on the non-light-incident side of the bottom plate 11. The side wall 171 is used for supporting the installation of the leaf spring structure 20, provides an elastic structure without increasing the thickness of the outer frame 17, and maintains the optical quality of the backlight module 10.
[0020] In the first embodiment, the leaf spring structure 20 has a straight portion 201 and a folded hook portion 202. At least one gap 21 is provided in the at least one side wall 171, and the gap 21 extends upward from the bottom edge of the side wall 171. Thereby, the straight portion 201 extends from the side wall 171 along the gap 21 toward the bottom edge to form at least one non-connected side. The folded hook portion 202 inclines and extends upward from the straight portion 201 toward the expansion and contraction space S. By providing the gap 21, the elastic deformation amount of the leaf spring structure 20 can be increased, effectively corresponding to the position change caused by the thermal expansion and contraction of the light guide plate 13 due to temperature change, and improving the structural stability and service life of the backlight module 10. In short, the structural design shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 increases the elastic deformation amount of the leaf spring structure 20 by using the gap 21 and provides a better abutting effect by using the folded hook portion 202, and is suitable for applications with relatively high requirements for elasticity.
[0021] Please refer to Figures 6 to 10. These represent a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, an opening 18 (shown in Figure 9) is provided in at least one side wall 171. The leaf spring structure 30 has a fixed end 302 and a free end 301. The fixed end 302 is fixed to the lower side of the opening 18, and the free end 301 is inclined toward the expansion / contraction space S and extends upward. The leaf spring structure 30 can provide a sufficient elastic deformation stroke within a limited space. When the light guide plate 13 undergoes thermal expansion and contraction due to temperature changes, causing a change in position, the free end 301 moves in accordance with the light guide plate 13, maintaining the stable positioning of the light guide plate 13, avoiding misalignment and loosening, and further improving the structural stability and service life of the backlight module 10.
[0022] Please refer to Figures 9 and 10. The area of the leaf spring structure 30 is smaller than the area of the opening 18. This preserves the activity space of the leaf spring structure 30 during its elastic deformation process, avoids interference between the leaf spring structure 30 and the edge of the opening 18 (i.e., the side wall 171) during deformation, and improves the degree of freedom and responsiveness of its elastic deformation. Furthermore, by utilizing the relative position and length characteristics of the fixed end 302 and the free end 301, the elastic modulus or amount of elastic deformation of the leaf spring structure 30 is adjusted, allowing the light guide plate 13 to effectively respond to positional changes due to thermal expansion and contraction caused by changes in ambient temperature, ensuring stable positioning of the light guide plate 13 and improving the structural stability and service life of the backlight module 10. In short, the structural design shown in Figures 9 and 10 is simple and suitable for applications with relatively low elasticity requirements.
[0023] Please refer to Figures 11 to 15. These represent a third embodiment of the present invention. In the third embodiment, at least one side wall 171 is provided with an opening 18 (shown in Figure 14) and a bottom wall portion 172. The bottom wall portion 172 extends horizontally from the bottom edge of the side wall 171 toward the expansion and contraction space S. The leaf spring structure 40 has a fixed end 402 and a free end 401. The fixed end 402 is fixed to the lower side of the opening 18, and the free end 401 is inclined toward the expansion and contraction space S and extends upward. At least one gap 41 is provided in the at least one side wall 171, and the gap 41 extends downward from the fixed end 402 of the leaf spring structure 40 and extends horizontally toward the bottom wall portion 172. By installing the gap 41, the amount of elastic deformation of the leaf spring structure 40 can be increased, and the leaf spring structure 40 maintains its stable positioning and position-regulating support function in response to positional changes caused by thermal expansion and contraction of the light guide plate 13, thereby preventing the light guide plate 13 from loosening or being damaged due to repeated deformation. Furthermore, this design can increase the structural strength of the side wall and provide additional support force to the leaf spring structure 40. By reducing structural fatigue and interference risk, the service life of the entire backlight module 10 can be effectively extended, improving product quality and durability. In short, the structural design shown in Figures 9 and 10 utilizes the fact that the gap 41 extends downward from the fixed end 402 of the leaf spring structure 40 and along the horizontal direction to the bottom wall portion 172, thereby increasing stability and extending life.
[0024] In all embodiments of the narrow-bezel backlight module having the light guide plate positioning design of the present invention, the amount of elastic deformation of the leaf spring structures 20, 30, and 40 in the horizontal direction is greater than or equal to the amount of expansion and contraction of the light guide plate 13 in the horizontal direction. This ensures that the leaf spring structures 20, 30, and 40 have sufficient cushioning and compensation capabilities. When the light guide plate 13 undergoes a positional change due to thermal expansion and contraction, the leaf spring structures 20, 30, and 40 elastically deform accordingly, continuously applying a stable support force and positional regulating force to the light guide plate 13, thereby preventing loosening and misalignment of the light guide plate 13.
[0025] In all embodiments of the narrow-bezel backlight module having the light guide plate positioning design of the present invention, the leaf spring structures 20, 30, and 40 are integrally molded with the side frame portion 17A. This avoids the complexity of processing and assembly tolerance issues that would arise from assembling separate elastic members, further simplifying the manufacturing flow of the backlight module 10, improving assembly efficiency and dimensional consistency, and reducing production costs.
[0026] In all embodiments of the narrow-bezel backlight module 10 having the light guide plate positioning design of the present invention, a protective film 14 is attached to at least one non-light-receiving surface of the light guide plate 13. This prevents the leaf spring structures 20, 30, and 40 from damaging the light guide plate 13. The protective film 14 is manufactured from, but is not limited to, PET material.
[0027] In all embodiments of the narrow-bezel backlight module 10 having the light guide plate positioning design of the present invention, an optical unit 15 is further provided on the light guide plate 13. In actual applications, the optical film included in the optical unit 15 is a prism sheet, a diffusion sheet, etc., and is used to change the optical properties of the light rays.
[0028] To further explain, in actual applications, the backlight module 10 may be equipped with the aforementioned leaf spring structures 20, 30, and 40 simultaneously, or one type of leaf spring structure 20, 30, or 40 may be selected and installed. This provides greater structural adaptability and modularization flexibility according to different design requirements and installation conditions.
[0029] Please refer to Figure 16. This is one preferred embodiment of the display device of the present invention, comprising the aforementioned backlight module 10 and a display panel 60, wherein the display panel 60 is mounted on the backlight module 10. The display panel 60 may be, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display panel.
[0030] The narrow-bezel backlight module 10 and display device having the light guide plate positioning design of this invention have leaf spring structures 20, 30, and 40 installed on the non-light-receiving side wall 171 of the backlight module 10. By bringing these leaf spring structures 20, 30, and 40 into contact with the non-light-receiving surface of the light guide plate 13, the resulting elastic force restrains the light guide plate 13 toward a predetermined position, replacing conventional rubber members. This realizes a stable positioning function in the narrow-bezel backlight module 10 and display device. This design can effectively respond to positional changes caused by changes in ambient temperature of the light guide plate 13, avoiding displacement and loosening of the light guide plate 13, and further improving positioning stability and the structural reliability of the entire module.
[0031] Furthermore, this invention cleverly integrates a leaf spring structure into the existing outer frame to address the strict spatial constraints of narrow-frame module design. Through precise structural design, even with a frame width of only 1.6 mm, stable positioning of the light guide plate is ensured, maximizing the visible area and improving the user experience. In addition, this invention eliminates the need for additional assembly parts, significantly simplifying the assembly flow and reducing production costs. Compared to conventional external add-on structure designs, this invention not only reduces material usage but also shortens assembly time, improves production efficiency, and lowers manufacturing costs. Moreover, the integrated mechanism design effectively reduces assembly errors, improves product yield, and ensures product quality.
[0032] Furthermore, this invention takes the assembly sequence into full consideration during structural design, ensuring that the design direction of the leaf spring structure matches the assembly flow and avoiding assembly interference problems. By designing the leaf spring to push upwards, interference with other parts during the assembly process can be avoided, ensuring smooth assembly and improving assembly efficiency. This design detail fully demonstrates the careful consideration and expertise in the structural design of this invention.
[0033] In summary, the narrow bezel design and high reliability characteristics of this invention make it particularly suitable for automotive display applications. Automotive display devices need to operate in harsh environments and have relatively high requirements for the visible area. The narrow bezel design of this invention can improve the utilization rate of the visible area of automotive display devices, and the elastic structure design can ensure stable operation in high and low temperature environments. Therefore, this invention can be widely applied to car navigation systems, instrument panel displays, rear-seat entertainment systems, and the like.
[0034] The embodiments disclosed above are merely illustrative examples illustrating the principles, features, and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of its implementation. Any person skilled in the art may modify and alter the above embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Equivalent modifications and alterations completed using the disclosures of the present invention should be included within the scope of the utility model claims. [Explanation of symbols]
[0035] 10: Narrow bezel backlight module with light guide plate positioning design 11: Bottom plate 111: Mounting section 112: Sidewall 13: Light guide plate 131: Light entrance surface 14: Protective film 15: Optical Unit 17: Outer frame 17A: Side frame part 171: Side wall 172: Bottom wall 18:Aperture 20, 30, 40: Leaf spring structure 201: Straight section 202: Fold-over hook section 21, 41: Gap 301, 401: Free end 302, 402: Fixed end S: Expansion and contraction space 60: Display Panel
Claims
1. A narrow-bezel backlight module having a light guide plate positioning design, A base plate defining the horizontal direction, having a mounting portion and a side wall, wherein one side of the mounting portion is defined as the light-receiving side and the remaining side is defined as the non-light-receiving side, and the side wall extends upward from the mounting portion and is located on the light-receiving side and does not extend to the non-light-receiving side, A light guide plate provided on the bottom plate, having a light-receiving surface and at least one non-light-receiving surface, wherein the light-receiving surface of the light guide plate faces the side wall, An outer frame assembled to the bottom plate and housing the light guide plate, having a plurality of side frame portions located on the non-light-receiving side, and having a leaf spring structure provided on at least one of the plurality of side frame portions, A backlight module characterized in that an expansion and contraction space exists between the at least one non-light-receiving surface and the outer frame, and the leaf spring structure extends upward from the side frame portion toward the expansion and contraction space and in contact with the light guide plate.
2. A narrow bezel backlight module having the light guide plate positioning design according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of side frame portions has at least one side wall located on the non-light-receiving side of the bottom plate that extends vertically.
3. The aforementioned leaf spring structure has a straight section and a folded hook section. A narrow bezel backlight module having a light guide plate positioning design according to claim 2, wherein at least one side wall is provided with at least one gap extending upward from the bottom edge of the side wall, the gap causing the straight portion to extend from the side wall along the gap toward the bottom edge to form at least one non-connected edge, and the folded hook portion is inclined toward the expansion-contraction space and extends upward from the straight portion.
4. An opening is provided in at least one of the side walls. A narrow bezel backlight module having the light guide plate positioning design according to claim 2, wherein the leaf spring structure has a fixed end and a free end, the fixed end being fixed to the lower side of the opening, and the free end being inclined toward and extending upward toward the expansion and contraction space.
5. A narrow-bezel backlight module having the light guide plate positioning design according to claim 4, wherein the area of the leaf spring structure is smaller than the area of the opening.
6. The at least one side wall has a bottom wall portion that extends horizontally from the bottom edge of the side wall toward the expansion and contraction space, A narrow bezel backlight module having a light guide plate positioning design according to claim 4, wherein at least one side wall is provided with at least one gap, the gap extending downward from the fixed end of the leaf spring structure and extending horizontally to the bottom wall.
7. A narrow bezel backlight module having the light guide plate positioning design according to any one of claims 1 to 6, A display device comprising: a display panel mounted on a narrow-bezel backlight module having the light guide plate positioning design;