Edge-Type Backlight Unit With Inclined Liquid Crystal Layer
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Edge-type backlight units face challenges in achieving uniform luminance when implementing local dimming technology, as they tend to increase in thickness and cost, while direct-type units struggle with luminance uniformity and thickness management.
Innovation Solution
A backlight unit design incorporating a local dimming unit with a liquid crystal layer having an inclined surface disposed between the side surfaces of a light guide member, allowing for controlled partial luminance and uniform overall luminance through polymer dispersed liquid crystals, which are integrated into the edge-type structure to manage thickness and luminance effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If direct type backlight unit is used to realize local dimming technology, then partial luminance is easily achieved, but thickness increases and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a direct type backlight to an edge type backlight configuration, changing the spatial arrangement from vertical/direct to horizontal/edge-mounted. This dimensional change allows the light source to be positioned at the edge of the light guide, enabling local dimming while maintaining thin profile through optimized light path geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light guide member as an intermediary component between the light source and the display panel. This light guide mediates the light transmission, allowing the light source to be positioned at the edge while still achieving uniform illumination and local dimming effects through controlled light propagation through the guide.
2Length of stationary object
If edge type backlight unit is used to reduce thickness, then thickness is reduced, but luminance uniformity deteriorates when local dimming is applied
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements local dimming by dividing the backlight into multiple independently controllable regions or zones. Each region can be dimmed or brightened independently, allowing non-uniform illumination patterns to be created while maintaining overall luminance uniformity through precise local control of light emission intensity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes changes in the liquid crystal layer thickness parameter to control light transmission. By varying the thickness of the liquid crystal layer in different regions, the patent achieves control over light intensity and uniformity, allowing local dimming while maintaining overall luminance consistency through optimized thickness gradients.
3Ease of manufacture
If liquid crystal layer thickness increases away from one side surface, then partial luminance control is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs asymmetric thickness distribution of the liquid crystal layer, where the thickness varies systematically from one side surface to the other. This asymmetric design enables effective partial luminance control by creating different light transmission characteristics in different regions, while the systematic variation simplifies manufacturing compared to random or complex patterned thickness distributions.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enables uniform overall luminance in edge-type backlight structures, reduces thickness, and allows for easy control of partial luminance across local dimming blocks, thereby optimizing power consumption and luminance uniformity.
Implementation Method 1
a local dimming part disposed on the light guide member and including a liquid crystal layer, wherein the liquid crystal layer has an inclined surface disposed between the one side surface and the other side surface of the light guide member
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a backlight unit including a light guide member including one side surface and the other side surface parallel to the one side surface, a light source module disposed on the one side surface of the light guide member, and a local dimming part disposed on the light guide member and including a liquid crystal layer, wherein the liquid crystal layer has an inclined surface disposed between the one side surface and the other side surface of the light guide member.