Backlight Device Thermal Management via Segmented PCB

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional backlight devices for liquid crystal display devices face challenges in achieving uniform heat radiation and maintaining efficiency due to thermal saturation, with existing heat radiation structures and electrical connections not being adequately detailed or compatible.

Innovation Solution

A backlight device design that separates electrical connection and heat radiation regions, using a package light source with an LED element mounted at its center, asymmetric conductive regions for electrical connections, and a printed circuit board with corresponding heat radiation structures to improve heat dissipation and reduce temperature-dependent electrical characteristic changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If a through hole structure is provided for heat radiation, then heat radiation characteristics are improved, but systematic heat radiation path control and uniformity across the system are not adequately achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat radiation characteristicsVSAvoiduniformity of heat radiation
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The heat radiation function is segmented into multiple independent heat radiation regions corresponding to different LED element groups. Each region has its own heat radiation path through the substrate, allowing independent control and optimization of heat dissipation for each LED group, thereby achieving uniform heat radiation characteristics across the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the substrate are designed with locally optimized heat radiation structures. The heat radiation regions are positioned and configured according to the specific heat generation characteristics of each LED element group, creating non-uniform local heat radiation paths that collectively achieve uniform overall heat radiation performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Device complexity

If electrical connection and heat radiation structures are integrated, then device complexity is reduced, but heat radiation uniformity and electrical connection reliability are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructure integrationVSAvoidheat radiation uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate is divided into functionally distinct regions: electrical connection regions for conducting electricity to LED elements and heat radiation regions for dissipating heat. These segmented regions are spatially separated and independently designed, allowing each function to be optimized without interfering with the other, thus maintaining reliability while managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate acts as an intermediary structure that separately provides both electrical connection paths and heat radiation paths. By using the substrate as a mediator that independently handles both functions through distinct regions, the design achieves reliable electrical connection and uniform heat radiation without requiring complex integrated structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Power

If LED elements are arranged in arrays, then light output is increased, but thermal saturation and efficiency deterioration occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight outputVSAvoidefficiency deterioration due to thermal saturation
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The LED element array is divided into multiple groups, with each group having its own dedicated heat radiation region and path. This segmentation prevents heat accumulation in any single area, allowing high power output across the entire array while avoiding thermal saturation that would cause efficiency deterioration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each LED element group is positioned over a locally optimized heat radiation region with tailored thermal conductivity and geometry. This local quality optimization ensures that heat is efficiently removed from each high-power LED group, preventing thermal saturation and maintaining efficiency even at high overall power levels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Length of stationary object

If the number of members is reduced for thinning, then device thickness is decreased, but heat radiation capability is compromised

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidheat radiation capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The substrate performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides mechanical support, enables electrical connection through conductive regions, and facilitates heat radiation through thermally conductive regions. This multi-functionality allows the device to be thinned by reducing the number of separate members while maintaining heat radiation capability through the substrate's integrated thermal management function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate's thermal conductivity parameter is optimized in the heat radiation regions to compensate for the reduced device thickness. By changing the thermal conductivity parameter locally in the substrate, the design maintains effective heat radiation capability even with fewer members and reduced overall thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively enhances heat radiation characteristics and suppresses efficiency deterioration due to thermal saturation, ensuring uniform brightness and chromaticity distribution across the liquid crystal display device.

Implementation Method 1

a printed circuit board having the package light source mounted thereon, the printed circuit board having a heat radiation structure so as to correspond to the heat radiation region provided immediately below the at least one LED element

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8194415B2Backlight device and liquid crystal display device
Publication Date: 2012.06.05 MAGNOLIA PURPLE CORP
  • US8194415B2 patent drawing
  • US8194415B2 patent drawing
  • US8194415B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A light-emitting diode element including a through hole and a thermal via hole is mounted. An electrical connection region and a heat radiation region with respect to a plurality of packages or substrates are separately mounted on a printed circuit board. Electrical connection is made in the printed circuit board, and a driver, a resistance, a capacitor, and the like are connected. Heat is diffused and radiated by heat transport to a heat radiation base material connected to the printed circuit board.