Backlight Module Sliding Strips and Flexible Detents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional backlight modules for liquid crystal displays often suffer from mechanical instability and damage during assembly due to the manual force required to insert ears of the light guide plate into notches of the plastic frame, which can impair the module's performance.

Innovation Solution

A backlight module design featuring a light guide plate with sliding strips and a frame that uses flexible detents and sliding guides for secure engagement, allowing the light guide plate to be slid and detachably fixed within the frame, preventing distortion and ensuring safe assembly and disassembly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual force is applied to insert ears into notches for assembly, then the light guide plate can be fixed in the frame, but the plastic frame may be distorted or damaged

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly operationVSAvoidframe structural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms the static insertion process into a dynamic sliding process. The light guide plate with sliding strips moves along the notches of the plastic frame in a controlled manner, allowing the ears to gradually engage with the notches without requiring sudden manual force, thereby preventing frame distortion while maintaining assembly feasibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the engagement parameter from direct insertion to gradual sliding engagement. By introducing sliding strips that move along the notches, the engagement process is extended over a longer distance and time, reducing the peak force required and preventing frame damage while achieving secure fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If ears are pressed into notches by manual force, then the light guide plate is secured in the frame, but mechanical stability is impaired

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly processVSAvoidbacklight module mechanical stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The sliding mechanism transforms the static pressing operation into a dynamic sliding process, where the light guide plate gradually engages with the frame along defined paths. This dynamic engagement maintains proper alignment and reduces stress concentration, preserving the mechanical stability of the entire backlight module

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The sliding strips act as intermediary elements between the light guide plate and the frame notches. These intermediaries guide the engagement process, distribute forces evenly, and prevent direct impact that would compromise mechanical stability, while still achieving secure fixation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If conventional insertion method is used, then assembly can be completed, but the process requires excessive manual force

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveassembly efficiencyVSAvoidmanual force required

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSForce

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a dynamic sliding mechanism that replaces the static high-force insertion method. The sliding strips move along the notches in a controlled manner, converting a single high-force action into a multi-stage low-force process, thereby maintaining assembly efficiency while dramatically reducing the manual force required

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The engagement process is segmented into multiple stages through the sliding mechanism. Instead of one sudden insertion action, the light guide plate engages with the frame in progressive steps along the sliding strips, reducing the force requirement at each stage while maintaining overall assembly productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This design enhances the mechanical stability and performance of the backlight module by eliminating the need for manual force, preventing frame distortion, and allowing for easy assembly and disassembly of the light guide plate.

Implementation Method 1

two sliding strips, each having a flexible detent. The frame has two opposite first walls. The first walls defines two sliding guides slidably receiving the sliding strips whereby the light guide plate is slidable into the frame and detachably fixed in the frame by snapping engagement of the flexible detents with the frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentUS7679695B2Backlight module having light guide plate with sliding strips and frame with sliding guides and liquid crystal display with same

Publication Date: 2010.03.16 INNOLUX CORP

AI summary

An exemplary backlight module (3) includes a light guide plate (32) and a frame (34) accommodating the light guide plate. The light guide plate includes a main body including two side surfaces (321), and two sliding strips (325). The sliding strips extend outward from the side surfaces of the main body. Each sliding strip includes a flexible detent (326). The frame includes two opposite first walls (341). The first walls defines two sliding guides (3411) slidably receiving the light guide plate whereby the light guide plate is slidable into the frame and detachably fixed in the frame by snapping engagement of the flexible detents with the frame.