Curved Backlight Unit Light Guide Plate Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large liquid crystal display devices exhibit a visual difference when viewing the central portion compared to the sides, due to inefficiencies in light distribution from the backlight unit, leading to light leakage and reduced light incidence efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A backlight unit with a light guide plate having a curved surface and a light source unit with a printed circuit board and multiple light sources, where the light source unit is bent to match the curvature of the light guide plate, ensuring minimal gap between the two and enhancing light incidence efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a flat light guide plate and light source unit are used, then the device structure is simple, but light distribution is uneven causing visual difference between central and side portions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature to both the light guide plate and light source unit, transforming them from flat to curved surfaces. The light guide plate is bent along its length to form an arc, and the light source unit is correspondingly curved to match. This curvature enables the light sources to be positioned at optimized distances across the entire display surface, improving light distribution uniformity and eliminating visual differences between central and side portions.
2Productivity
If the light source unit is bent to match the curved light guide plate, then light incidence efficiency is improved, but the printed circuit board flexibility requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) design where the rigid circuit board is replaced with a flexible substrate that can be bent to match the curved light guide plate. The FPCB maintains electrical connectivity while conforming to the curved geometry, enabling the light source unit to follow the curvature of the light guide plate and maximize light incidence efficiency without compromising manufacturability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the printed circuit board from rigid to flexible by selecting appropriate flexible materials and designing the circuit traces to accommodate bending. This parameter change allows the light source unit to be curved while maintaining electrical functionality, resolving the conflict between light incidence efficiency and manufacturing ease.
3Illumination intensity
If a curved light guide plate is used, then light distribution is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements curvature in the light guide plate to improve light distribution, but uses a modular approach where the curved light guide plate is manufactured as a separate component that can be bent or formed to the required curvature. The corresponding curved light source unit is then assembled to match, allowing the curved geometry to be achieved through coordinated manufacturing and assembly rather than complex monolithic fabrication.
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 reduces light leakage and increases light incidence efficiency by aligning the curvature of the light guide plate and light source unit, providing a uniform light distribution across the display panel.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide plate receiving light from the light source and guiding the traveling direction of the light toward a display panel
Data Source
AI summary
A backlight unit includes a light guide plate having a curved surface, and a light source unit disposed at one side of the light guide plate and bent to correspond to the curved surface. The light source unit includes a printed circuit board and a plurality of light sources mounted on the printed circuit board.