Backlight Unit Light Reflector Design for Reduced Reflection Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing backlight units in liquid crystal display devices suffer from increased thickness due to optical components, leading to reduced image quality and increased reflection losses, particularly due to the optical gap between the light source and the display panel.
Innovation Solution
A backlight unit design featuring a substrate with a base layer, electrode layer, and reflection layer, where light source units are positioned with a light reflector and protection layer, minimizing overlap and exposure of the electrode layer to reduce reflection losses and enhance light efficiency, while maintaining a compact structure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of stationary object
If the thickness of the backlight unit is reduced, then the overall thickness of the display device is reduced, but the image quality deteriorates due to insufficient optical gap between light source and display panel
Solution Approach 1:
The light reflector is designed with a three-dimensional structure including a first surface facing the light source and a second surface extending from the first surface. This spatial configuration redirects light in multiple dimensions, allowing effective light utilization within a reduced thickness while maintaining adequate optical path length between light source and display panel.
Solution Approach 2:
The light reflector is positioned within the backlight unit structure such that it nestles between the light source and the display panel, maximizing the use of available space. The reflector's structure is integrated into the existing layers (substrate, encapsulation resin, etc.), allowing compact arrangement that reduces overall thickness while preserving optical performance.
2Loss of energy
If optical components are added to improve light efficiency, then light efficiency is improved, but the thickness of the backlight unit increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light reflector is integrated with the substrate and encapsulation resin to form a unified structure. The reflector's first surface is positioned adjacent to the light source, and the second surface extends toward the display panel, combining multiple functions (light reflection, structural support, space definition) into a single component that reduces the need for additional separate optical elements.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective property is concentrated at specific locations where it is most needed - the first surface of the light reflector faces the light source to capture emitted light, while the second surface extends toward the display panel to redirect light. This localized application of reflection functionality eliminates the need for full-coverage reflective layers throughout the backlight unit.
3Loss of energy
If the electrode layer is exposed to reduce reflection loss, then reflection loss is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase due to alignment constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The light reflector acts as an intermediary structure between the light source and the electrode layer. Instead of directly exposing the electrode layer (which would require precise alignment), the reflector is positioned to redirect light away from the electrode layer, eliminating the need for precise alignment between these components while still reducing reflection loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The reflective function is extracted from the electrode layer and assigned to a dedicated light reflector structure. This separates the electrical function (electrode layer) from the optical reflection function, allowing the electrode layer to be covered or positioned without precision constraints while the reflector handles light redirection independently.
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 the overall thickness of the backlight unit, improves image quality by minimizing reflection losses, and enhances light efficiency, resulting in a more effective and compact display device.
Implementation Method 1
a light reflector surrounding the light source
Implementation Method 2
a reflection layer on at least a part of the electrode layer
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the present disclosure are related to a backlight unit and a display device including the same, the backlight unit that a light source unit including a light source, and a light reflector surrounding the light source, and including at least one of a light reflection pattern, a light diffusion pattern, or a light source protection layer including a color conversion material is disposed can be provided. As an exposed electrode layer on a substrate is covered by the light reflector, a light efficiency can be improved by reducing a reflection loss by the electrode layer, and by various functions that the light source unit provides, a fabrication efficiency the backlight unit can be improved and the backlight unit having a thin thickness can be provided.