Backlight Unit Diffraction Grating Height Variation

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Solution Overview

Problem

In conventional backlight units for 3D image displays, the uniformity of diffracted exit light is compromised due to diffraction gratings having the same height, leading to varying intensity and reduced brightness across different positions.

Innovation Solution

The diffraction gratings in the backlight unit are designed with varying heights, allowing for adjusted diffraction efficiency based on location, ensuring uniform intensity of diffracted exit light by increasing or decreasing grating height and width accordingly.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If diffraction gratings have the same height, then the manufacturing process is simple, but the uniformity of diffracted exit light intensity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoiduniformity of diffracted exit light
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the diffraction gratings have different heights at different locations on the light guiding plate. Specifically, the gratings closer to the light source have smaller heights while those farther away have larger heights, optimizing diffraction efficiency at each location to achieve uniform light intensity distribution across the display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the height parameter of the diffraction gratings based on their position. By varying the grating height parameter according to location (smaller near light source, larger farther away), the system optimizes diffraction efficiency to compensate for light intensity variations and achieve uniform output across the display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If diffraction gratings have varying heights, then the uniformity of diffracted exit light is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniformity of diffracted exit lightVSAvoidgrating structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the diffraction gratings have different heights at different locations on the light guiding plate. Specifically, the gratings closer to the light source have smaller heights while those farther away have larger heights, optimizing diffraction efficiency at each location to achieve uniform light intensity distribution across the display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the height parameter of the diffraction gratings based on their position. By varying the grating height parameter according to location (smaller near light source, larger farther away), the system optimizes diffraction efficiency to compensate for light intensity variations and achieve uniform output across the display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If diffraction gratings have the same height, then the device structure is simple, but the brightness uniformity across display positions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidbrightness uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by making the diffraction gratings have different heights at different locations on the light guiding plate. Specifically, the gratings closer to the light source have smaller heights while those farther away have larger heights, optimizing diffraction efficiency at each location to achieve uniform light intensity distribution across the display area.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the height parameter of the diffraction gratings based on their position. By varying the grating height parameter according to location (smaller near light source, larger farther away), the system optimizes diffraction efficiency to compensate for light intensity variations and achieve uniform output across the display area.

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

This approach enhances the uniformity and brightness of the diffracted exit light, providing a more consistent 3D image display by optimizing diffraction efficiency across the light guiding plate.

Implementation Method 1

directional light is formed through a diffraction grating structure formed on a light guiding plate (LGP) of a backlight unit

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectDiffraction: Diffraction

Data Source

PatentEP3321572B1Method of manufacturing a backlight unit for 3D image display
Publication Date: 2021.03.17 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3321572B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3321572B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3321572B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A backlight unit for a three-dimensional (3D) image display includes a light guiding plate (20) configured to guide light; a light source (10) configured to emit the light to the light guiding plate (20); and a diffraction grating structure (30) provided on a surface of the light guiding plate (20), the diffraction grating structure (30) being configured to diffract the light emitted from the surface of the light guiding plate (20), and including diffracting gratings having different heights.