Combined reflective structure, backlight module and display device

Abstract

A combined reflective structure, a backlight module and a display device. The combined reflective structure is used for reflecting light of a plurality of light sources arranged on a substrate, and comprises at least one first reflective cup and at least one second reflective cup which are engaged with each other, wherein the first reflective cup has a fixing structure, the second reflective cup has a combining structure that matches and combines with the fixing structure, and an incomplete cup body of the first reflective cup and an incomplete cup body of the second reflective cup jointly form a complete reflective cup body, such that light emitted by the light sources can be completely reflected, thereby solving the problem of screen shadows.

Description

Combined reflective structure, backlight module and display device

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application No. 202311290735.8, filed on October 7, 2023, entitled “Combined reflective structure, backlight module and display device”, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference into this application. Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a reflective structure and its application, in particular to a combined reflective structure, and a backlight module and a display device comprising the combined reflective structure. Background Art

[0003] The backlight module is arranged on the back of the display screen to provide the light source required by the display screen.

[0004] As cars become increasingly intelligent, the size of automotive screens is increasing. To meet this demand, the current approach involves splicing multiple reflective structures together and applying them to backlight units. However, this splicing of reflective structures can lead to poor light output. For example, because the heat generated by the light source causes the reflective structures to expand and contract, a gap must be maintained between adjacent reflective structures to maintain backlight operation. However, this gap can cause uneven light distribution and create shadows on the display screen.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to provide a reflective structure that can be easily adapted to different sizes and achieve good optical quality.

[0006] Summary of the Invention

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a combined reflective structure that facilitates the assembly of at least two reflective sheets to achieve the purpose of adapting to backlight modules and display devices of different sizes.

[0008] According to the purpose of the present invention, a combined reflective structure is provided, comprising at least one first reflective cup and at least one second reflective cup that are engaged with each other, wherein the first reflective cup comprises a plurality of complete cup bodies, at least one incomplete cup body, and a fixing structure extending from the cup edge of the first reflective cup, and the second reflective cup comprises a plurality of complete cup bodies, at least one incomplete cup body, and a coupling structure that matches and is coupled to the fixing structure.

[0009] In some embodiments, the fixing structure has a connecting wall extending downward from the back surface of the first reflective cup along a height direction, and the coupling structure extends upward from the bottom wall of the incomplete cup body of the second reflective cup along the height direction.

[0010] In some embodiments, the connecting wall of the fixing structure is located at a connection between one of the complete cup body and the incomplete cup body of the first reflective cup.

[0011] In some embodiments, the fixing structure has a head located at the end of the connecting wall, and the top surface of the coupling structure is recessed downward to form a snap-fitting groove, and the contour of the snap-fitting groove matches the contour of the fixing structure.

[0012] In some embodiments, the head of the fixing structure has a circular, rectangular, or triangular outline.

[0013] In some embodiments, the fixing structure is located on the back of the first reflector cup. The fixing structure and the incomplete cup body of the first reflector cup together form a fixing slot, and the cup edge of the incomplete cup body of the second reflector cup is inserted into the fixing slot.

[0014] In some embodiments, the bonding structure has a predetermined thickness that is different from a thickness of the fixing structure.

[0015] In some embodiments, the incomplete cup body of the first reflective cup and the incomplete cup body of the second reflective cup are joined in an assembly direction to form a complete cup body.

[0016] In some embodiments, the incomplete cup body of the first reflective cup and the incomplete cup body of the second reflective cup overlap in a height direction to form a complete cup body.

[0017] Another object of the present invention is to provide a backlight module comprising a substrate and the aforementioned combined reflective structure, wherein the combined reflective structure is disposed on the substrate to reflect light from a plurality of light sources disposed on the substrate.

[0018] Another object of the present invention is to provide a display device comprising the aforementioned backlight module and a display panel, wherein the display panel is disposed above the backlight module. This allows for the separation of multiple reflective sheets to accommodate backlight modules and display devices of varying sizes, thereby providing good adaptability to various sizes and achieving superior optical quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] FIG. 1 is a top perspective schematic diagram of a first embodiment of a backlight module of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 2 is a side view of a first embodiment of a backlight module according to the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 3 is an exploded bottom view of components of the first embodiment of the backlight module of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a top perspective schematic diagram of a second embodiment of a backlight module of the present invention.

[0023] FIG5 is a side view of a second embodiment of the backlight module of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 6 is a top perspective schematic diagram of a backlight module according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a display device according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] In order to clearly illustrate the specific implementation, structure and effects of the present invention, the following embodiments are provided and described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0027] Please refer to Figures 1 to 3, which are a first embodiment of the backlight module of the present invention. In the first embodiment, the backlight module has a substrate 20 and a combined reflective structure 10 provided on the substrate 20. The combined reflective structure 10 is used to reflect light from multiple light sources 21 provided on the substrate 20. The combined reflective structure 10 includes a first reflective cup 11 and a second reflective cup 15 that can slide along the thickness direction X and engage with each other. The first reflective cup 11 includes a plurality of complete cup bodies 11a, at least one incomplete cup body 11b, and a plurality of reflective cups 11a, 11b, and a plurality of reflective cups 11b extending from the edge of the first reflective cup 11. The fixing structure 12 and the second reflector cup 15 include a plurality of complete cup bodies 15a (the complete cup body 15a of the second reflector cup 15 is not shown in Figures 1 to 3; please refer to Figure 6 for a schematic diagram of the complete cup body 15a of the second reflector cup 15), at least one incomplete cup body 15b, and a coupling structure 16 that matches and engages with the fixing structure 12. When the first reflector cup 11 and the second reflector cup 15 are engaged, the incomplete cup body 11b of the first reflector cup 11 and the incomplete cup body 15b of the second reflector cup 15 together form a complete reflector cup to fully reflect light. In this way, the first reflector cup 11 and the second reflector cup 15, through the combination of the fixing structure 12 and the coupling structure 16, can be adapted to be assembled with backlight modules and display devices of different sizes, facilitating the assembly of adjacent first reflector cups 11 and second reflector cups 15, and achieving excellent optical quality, thereby having good adaptability to different sizes. It should be noted that for clarity, Figures 1 and 3 only illustrate the two complete cups 11a and two incomplete cups 11b of the first reflector cup 11, and the two incomplete cups 15b of the second reflector cup 15. Figure 2, viewed along the length direction Y, only illustrates the first reflector cup 11 having one complete cup 11a and one incomplete cup 11b, and the combination of the incomplete cup 11b of the first reflector cup 11 and the incomplete cup 15b of the second reflector cup 15. The complete cup 15a of the second reflector cup 15 is omitted in Figures 1 to 3. In this embodiment of the present invention, the number of complete cups 11a and incomplete cups 11b of the first reflector cup 11 is equal, and the number of complete cups 15a and incomplete cups 15b of the second reflector cup 15 is equal.

[0028] The fixing structure 12 includes a connecting wall 12a extending downward along the height direction Z from the back of the first reflector cup 11. The coupling structure 16 extends upward along the height direction Z from the bottom wall of the incomplete cup body 15b of the second reflector cup 15. As such, the fixing structure 12 and the coupling structure 16 can be located on the back of the first reflector cup 11, without affecting the reflective surface of either. Instead, the back space can be utilized to accommodate the fixing structure 12 and the coupling structure 16, thereby enhancing the structural strength of both. Compared to the prior art, which eliminates the problem of uneven shadows caused by a gap at the joint between two reflective sheets, the combined reflective structure of the present invention provides a complete cup body for reflecting light, since the first reflector cup 11 and the second reflector cup 15 are not connected to either reflective surface, and thus provide a complete cup body for reflecting light, it exhibits better optical quality and reflection efficiency. To further explain, the fixing structure 12 includes a connecting wall 12a and a head 12b located at the end of the connecting wall 12a. The connecting wall 12a extends downward from the back side of the first reflector cup 11 along the height direction Z, and the connecting wall 12a is located at the connection between the complete cup body 11a and the incomplete cup body 11b of the first reflector cup 11. The coupling structure 16 extends upward from the bottom wall of the incomplete cup body 15b of the second reflector cup 15 along the height direction Z. The coupling structure 16 has a locking groove 16a that is recessed downward from its top surface along the height direction Z. The profile of the locking groove 16a matches the profile of the fixing structure 12, so that the first reflector cup 11 and the second reflector cup 15 have better locking strength with each other.

[0029] In the embodiment of the present invention, the head portion 12b has a rectangular profile, giving the fixed structure 12 a T-shaped profile. The engaging groove 16a forms a T-shaped engaging groove 16a. In this configuration, the engaging groove 16a simultaneously restricts movement of the fixed structure 12 in both the height direction Z and the length direction Y, allowing the first reflector cup 11 and the second reflector cup 15 to be joined together without separation. In other embodiments, the head portion 12b may have, but is not limited to, a circular or triangular profile, and the engaging groove 16a may have a corresponding profile, similarly achieving the effect of restricting movement of the fixed structure 12.

[0030] Because the backlight module generates heat during use, manufacturing must ensure space for expansion and contraction between components. In the first embodiment, the coupling structure 16 has a predetermined thickness W2, and the fixing structure 12 has a thickness W1, with thickness W1 being greater than predetermined thickness W2. This allows the first reflector cup 11 and the second reflector cup 15 to remain coupled even when a portion of the fixing structure 12 and the coupling structure 16 do not completely overlap due to thermal expansion and contraction or impact during use of the backlight module. In other embodiments, the predetermined thickness W2 of the coupling structure 16 can be greater than the thickness W1 of the fixing structure 12, and the aforementioned effect can still be achieved.

[0031] In the first embodiment of the present invention, after the first reflector cup 11 and the second reflector cup 15 are combined by the fixing structure 12 and the combining structure 16, the incomplete cup body 11b of the first reflector cup 11 and the incomplete cup body 15b of the second reflector cup 15 overlap in the height direction Z to form a complete reflector cup body. As a result, the combining position of the cup body of the first reflector cup 11 and the cup body of the second reflector cup 15 is not on the reflective surface of either one. In this way, the light emitted by the light source 21 can be completely reflected, thereby improving the problem of screen shadows.

[0032] Please refer to Figures 4 and 5 , which illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention. In this second embodiment, a fixing structure 12 is located on the back of the first reflector cup 11. The fixing structure 12 extends in a generally L-shaped manner, having a bottom wall and side walls. A fixing slot 13 is formed between the fixing structure 12 and the rim of the incomplete cup 11b of the first reflector cup 11. The rim of the incomplete cup 15b of the second reflector cup 15 can be inserted into the fixing slot 13, thereby allowing the first reflector cup 11 to clamp the second reflector cup 15. To clearly illustrate the components, Figure 4 only shows the two complete cups 11a and two incomplete cups 11b of the first reflector cup 11, and the two incomplete cups 15b of the second reflector cup 15. Figure 5 shows only the first reflector cup 11, comprising one complete cup 11a and one incomplete cup 11b, in combination with the incomplete cup 15b of the second reflector cup 15, as viewed from the longitudinal direction Y. Figures 4 and 5 omit the complete body 15a of the second reflector cup 15. See Figure 6 for a schematic diagram of the complete body 15a of the second reflector cup 15. In the second embodiment, the number of complete bodies 11a and incomplete bodies 11b of the first reflector cup 11 is equal, and the number of complete bodies 15a and incomplete bodies 15b of the second reflector cup 15 is equal. Further, the fixing slot 13 has a depth L1 that is greater than the depth L2 of the rim of the incomplete body 15b of the second reflector cup 15 inserted into the fixing slot 13. When a portion of the rim of the incomplete body 15b of the second reflector cup 15 is inserted into the fixing slot 13, a gap 13a is retained between the rim and the bottom wall of the fixing structure 12. When the temperature of the backlight module rises during use, the gap 13a allows the portion of the rim of the incomplete body 15b of the second reflector cup 15 inserted into the fixing slot 13 to deform due to the high temperature, thereby maintaining the clamping state between the first reflector cup 11 and the second reflector cup 15.

[0033] In the second embodiment of the present invention, after the first reflector cup 11 and the second reflector cup 15 are combined by the fixing structure 12 and the combining structure 16, the incomplete cup body 11b of the first reflector cup 11 and the incomplete cup body 15b of the second reflector cup 15 together form a complete reflector cup body, so that the combining position between the cup body of the first reflector cup 11 and the cup body of the second reflector cup 15 is not on the reflective surface of either one. In this way, the light emitted by the light source 21 can be completely reflected, thereby improving the problem of screen shadows.

[0034] Please refer to FIG6 , which illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention. In this third embodiment, FIG6 illustrates a first reflector 11 having two complete cups 11a and two incomplete cups 11b, and a second reflector 15 having two complete cups 15a and two incomplete cups 15b. The incomplete cups 11b of the first reflector 11 are joined to the incomplete cups 15b of the second reflector 15 via a fixing structure 12 located on the back of the first reflector 11 and a bonding structure 16 extending upward from the bottom wall of the incomplete cups 15b of the second reflector 15, thereby forming a complete cup. As such, the fixing structure 12 and the bonding structure 16 are located on the back of the first reflector 11, so they do not affect the reflective surface of either. Furthermore, the back space can be used to accommodate the fixing structure 12 and the bonding structure 16, thereby enhancing the structural strength of both. For example, when the deformation of the first reflector 11 and the second reflector 15 is negligibly small, there is no expansion / contraction gap between the first reflector 11 and the second reflector 15, thereby improving the screen shadow problem. Furthermore, since the reflective surfaces of the first reflector 11 and the second reflector 15 are located on the same horizontal plane after assembly, the light emitted by the light source 21 can be completely reflected by the reflective surfaces of the first reflector 11 and the second reflector 15 along the same optical path, thereby improving the optical quality.

[0035] Please refer to FIG7 , which is a schematic diagram of a display device according to the present invention. The display device comprises a backlight module and a display panel 30 positioned above the backlight module. The backlight module comprises a substrate 20 and a combined reflective structure 10 disposed on the substrate 20. The combined reflective structure 10 is configured to reflect light from a plurality of light sources 21 disposed on the substrate 20. The combined reflective structure 10 includes at least one first reflective cup 11 and at least one second reflective cup 15 that are capable of sliding along a thickness direction X and engaging with each other. The display device of this embodiment can utilize any of the combined reflective structures 10 described in the first to third embodiments, depending on the needs, and will not be further described herein.

[0036] The present invention utilizes the fixing structure 12 of the first reflector cup 11 and the coupling structure 16 of the second reflector cup 15 of the combined reflective structure to engage the first reflector cup 11 and the second reflector cup 15, so that the incomplete cup body 11b of the first reflector cup 11 and the incomplete cup body 15b of the second reflector cup 15 together form a complete reflective cup body. This allows the light emitted by the light source 21 to be completely reflected, thereby improving the problem of screen shadows. In addition, the combined reflective structure of the present invention can be directly produced using existing molds, eliminating the need to purchase new large-scale molds. Backlight modules equipped with the combined reflective structure of the present invention can be used in large-scale direct-lit automotive displays or other situations where large-scale display devices may be used. However, the present invention is not limited to automotive display devices.

[0037] The embodiments disclosed above are merely illustrative of the principles, features, and effects of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. Any skilled artisan may modify or alter the embodiments described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Any equivalent changes or modifications resulting from the present invention are intended to be covered by the appended claims.

[0038] [List of figure marks] 10: Combined reflective structure 11: First reflective cup 11a: Complete cup body 11b: Incomplete cup body 12: Fixed structure 12a: Connecting wall 12b: Head 13: Fixed slot 13a: Retained gap W1: Thickness L1, L2: Depth 15: Second reflective cup 15a: Complete cup body 15b: Incomplete cup body 16: Combining structure 16a: Engaging slot W2: Predetermined thickness 20: Substrate 21: Light source 30: Display panel X: Thickness direction Y: Length direction Z: Height direction.

Claims

1. A combined reflective structure, comprising: At least one first reflector cup and at least one second reflector cup are engaged with each other, wherein the first reflector cup comprises a plurality of complete cup bodies, at least one incomplete cup body and a fixing structure extending from the cup edge of the first reflector cup, and the second reflector cup comprises a plurality of complete cup bodies, at least one incomplete cup body and a combining structure matched and combined with the fixing structure.

2. The combined reflective structure according to claim 1, wherein: The fixing structure has a connecting wall extending downward from the back side of the first reflecting cup along the height direction, and the combining structure extends upward from the bottom wall of the incomplete cup body of the second reflecting cup along the height direction.

3. The combined reflective structure according to claim 2, wherein: The connecting wall of the fixing structure is located at a connection between one of the complete cup bodies and the incomplete cup body of the first reflecting cup.

4. The combined reflective structure according to claim 2, wherein: The fixing structure has a head located at the end of the connecting wall, and the top surface of the combining structure is recessed downward to form a clamping groove, and the contour of the clamping groove matches the contour of the fixing structure.

5. The combined reflective structure according to claim 4, wherein: The outline of the head of the fixing structure is circular, rectangular or triangular.

6. The combined reflective structure according to claim 1, wherein: The fixing structure is located on the back of the first reflector cup, and the fixing structure and the incomplete cup body of the first reflector cup together form a fixing slot, and the cup edge of the incomplete cup body of the second reflector cup is inserted into the fixing slot.

7. The combined reflective structure according to claim 1, wherein: The bonding structure has a predetermined thickness, which is different from a thickness of the fixing structure.

8. The combined reflective structure according to claim 1, wherein: The incomplete cup body of the first reflective cup and the incomplete cup body of the second reflective cup are joined in an assembling direction to form a complete cup body.

9. The combined reflective structure according to claim 1, wherein: The incomplete cup body of the first reflective cup and the incomplete cup body of the second reflective cup overlap in the height direction to form a complete cup body.

10. A backlight module, comprising: substrate; and At least one combined reflective structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9 is disposed on the substrate to reflect light from a plurality of light sources disposed on the substrate.

11. A display device, comprising: The backlight module according to claim 10; and The display panel is arranged above the backlight module.

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