Backlight Unit Lower Frame Thermal Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional backlight units for LCD devices suffer from inefficiencies in light distribution, leading to increased thickness, weight, power consumption, and heat-related issues that can degrade liquid crystal materials and affect picture quality due to high thermal conductivity materials used in the frames.

Innovation Solution

A backlight unit design featuring a lower frame with a lighting unit supporting portion made of high thermal conductivity material and an LCD panel supporting portion made of low thermal conductivity material, along with a reflection plate and an upper frame, to minimize heat transfer and maintain uniform temperature.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Temperature

If high thermal conductivity material is used in the lower frame to support the light source, then the light source can be effectively supported and heat can be dissipated, but heat is excessively transferred to the LCD panel causing temperature-related issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipationVSAvoidheat transfer to LCD panel

Core Design Contradiction:

TemperatureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The lower frame is divided into two distinct parts: a lighting unit supporting portion made of high thermal conductivity material for heat dissipation, and an LCD panel supporting portion made of low thermal conductivity material for thermal isolation. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function optimally without interfering with the other.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different portions of the lower frame are assigned different thermal conductivity properties. The lighting unit supporting portion has high thermal conductivity to manage heat from the light source, while the LCD panel supporting portion has low thermal conductivity to protect the LCD panel from heat. This local differentiation of material properties resolves the contradiction between heat dissipation and heat protection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Illumination intensity

If conventional backlight units are used to provide sufficient light illumination, then the LCD panel can display images, but the thickness, weight, and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight illuminationVSAvoidbacklight unit weight

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSWeight of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameters of the lower frame, specifically using high thermal conductivity material for the lighting unit supporting portion to improve heat dissipation efficiency. This parameter change allows for better thermal management, which can enable more efficient light sources and reduce overall power consumption and weight requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Power

If high thermal conductivity material is used in the lower frame, then heat from the light source can be dissipated, but the LCD panel temperature increases degrading liquid crystal materials and affecting picture quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheat dissipation capabilityVSAvoidLCD panel reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The lower frame is segmented into functionally distinct portions with different thermal properties. The lighting unit supporting portion handles heat dissipation, while the LCD panel supporting portion provides thermal isolation to protect the LCD panel from heat-induced degradation and maintain reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The low thermal conductivity material in the LCD panel supporting portion acts as a thermal intermediary or barrier between the heat-generating light source and the heat-sensitive LCD panel. This intermediary blockades harmful heat transfer while allowing the system to maintain adequate heat dissipation through the high thermal conductivity portion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 reduces heat transfer to the LCD panel, maintaining stable operation and preventing temperature-related issues, thus enhancing the reliability and picture quality of LCD devices.

Implementation Method 1

a reflection plate formed between the light source and the lower frame

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a lower frame including of a lighting unit supporting portion for supporting the light source and a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel supporting portion having a lower thermal conductivity than the lighting unit supporting portion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8169566B2Backlight unit and liquid crystal device having the same

Publication Date: 2012.05.01 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A backlight unit includes a light source, a lower frame including of a lighting unit supporting portion for supporting the light source and a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel supporting portion having a lower thermal conductivity than the lighting unit supporting portion, a reflection plate formed between the light source and the lower frame, and an upper frame coupled to the lower frame.