Backlight Unit Light Guide Structure for Display Thickness
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Solution Overview
Problem
Display devices with external light source units for sub-pixels face increased thickness and degraded image quality due to the separate light source devices, which affect light efficiency and uniformity.
Innovation Solution
A backlight unit design incorporating a light guide portion between side portions of light sources, featuring a first light guide layer with a high refractive index and a second light guide layer with a smaller refractive index, along with reflective layers to uniformly distribute light and enhance image uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate light source device is used to supply light to display panels, then the display device can function with external light sources, but the overall thickness of the display device increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light source device with the display panel structure by integrating LEDs directly onto the back surface of the display panel and using the same structural components (substrate, encapsulation layers) for both display and lighting functions, thereby eliminating the need for separate light source devices and reducing overall thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The display panel structure is designed to serve multiple functions: the substrate and encapsulation layers simultaneously protect both the display elements and the integrated LEDs, while the same structural components facilitate both display operation and light emission, achieving multi-functionality without increasing thickness
2Length of stationary object
If the thickness of the light source device is reduced, then the overall device thickness decreases, but image quality is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different structural configurations to different regions: the center region uses a simplified LED arrangement for thinness, while the edge regions incorporate additional light guides and reflective structures to ensure uniform light distribution, allowing thin design without compromising image quality through localized optimization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light guide structures as intermediary elements between the LEDs and the display panel, which effectively distribute light from the thin LED layer uniformly across the display area, maintaining image quality while enabling reduced thickness
3Use of energy by moving object
If light sources are densely arranged to improve light efficiency, then light distribution improves, but uniformity of light distribution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces light guide structures as intermediary elements between the LEDs and the display panel, which effectively distribute light from the thin LED layer uniformly across the display area, maintaining image quality while enabling reduced thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different structural configurations to different regions: the center region uses a simplified LED arrangement for thinness, while the edge regions incorporate additional light guides and reflective structures to ensure uniform light distribution, allowing thin design without compromising image quality through localized optimization
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
Improves light efficiency and image uniformity by uniformly distributing light from the light sources, reducing thickness and enhancing image quality in display devices.
Implementation Method 1
a first light guide layer with a first refractive index... a second light guide layer... having a second refractive index that is smaller than the first refractive index
Implementation Method 2
a light guide portion connecting between side portions of the light sources... to uniformly distribute light
Implementation Method 3
a first light reflective structure over the light emitting structure... a second light reflective structure over the substrate and extending laterally
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein are a backlight unit and a display device including the same. The backlight unit can reduce the number of light sources and can uniformly supply light to a region in which the light sources are disposed and a region in which the light sources are not disposed by arranging a reflective pattern on an upper surface of each light source to emit the light through a side portion of the light source and allowing the emitted light to travel by a light guide portion connecting between the light sources to be emitted above the light guide portion by a reflective layer positioned in a region between the light sources.