Direct Backlight Transflective Layer Thickness Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing direct type backlights are overly thick due to the need for a sufficient light mixing distance, which affects the thickness of the entire LCD and compromises image quality.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a transflective layer with a reflectivity greater than 0 and smaller than 1 between the diffusing plate and light emitting bodies, allowing light to be reflected and transmitted multiple times within a cavity formed by the transflective layer and a reflecting sheet, effectively increasing the light mixing distance without increasing the physical thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If the light mixing distance between the light emitting bodies and the diffusing plate is increased to ensure uniform light distribution, then the image quality is improved, but the thickness of the direct type backlight becomes too thick

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuniform light distributionVSAvoidthickness of backlight
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a transflective layer that redirects light in the lateral dimension rather than relying solely on vertical distance for light mixing. By reflecting light at oblique angles and enabling multiple bounce paths within the cavity, the system achieves extended light mixing in the horizontal plane, effectively decoupling uniformity achievement from vertical thickness increase.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The transflective layer acts as an intermediary element between the light emitting bodies and the diffusing plate. It mediates the light path by partially reflecting and partially transmitting light, creating multiple interaction opportunities within a compressed vertical space. This intermediary structure enables sufficient light mixing without requiring the traditional large light mixing distance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Length of stationary object

If the distance between the light emitting bodies and the diffusing plate is reduced to decrease backlight thickness, then the LCD thickness is reduced, but the light distribution becomes non-uniform with multiple bright lines or spots

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethickness of backlightVSAvoiduniform light distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The transflective layer creates a periodic light interaction pattern through multiple reflections and transmissions. Light bounces back and forth between the transflective layer and the reflecting sheet in a periodic manner, with each bounce opportunity contributing to uniformity. This periodic interaction ensures that even at reduced distances, light from different positions mixes sufficiently before reaching the diffusing plate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the optical parameters of the cavity by introducing the transflective layer with specific reflectivity characteristics. This parameter change transforms the light mixing mechanism from distance-dependent to parameter-dependent, where the reflectivity and positioning of the transflective layer control the mixing effectiveness rather than the absolute distance between components.

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 configuration reduces the thickness of the direct type backlight by 40-50% while maintaining uniform light distribution and improving LCD image quality.

Implementation Method 1

a transflective layer 35 with a reflectivity greater than 0 and smaller than 1 is provided between the diffusing plate 34 and the light emitting bodies 31

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

allowing light to be reflected and transmitted multiple times within a cavity formed by the transflective layer and a reflecting sheet

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

the diffusing plate 34 diffuses the light to form a surface light source that can be output

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight diffusion: Scattering

Data Source

PatentEP2503383B1Direct type backlight
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 BOE OPTICAL SCI & TECH
  • EP2503383B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP2503383B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6
  • EP2503383B1 patent drawingFigure 7~9

AI summary

A direct type backlight is provided in the disclosure and comprises : light emitting bodies (31); a reflecting sheet (32) disposed below the light emitting bodies; a back plate (33) disposed below the reflecting sheet; and a diffusing plate (34) disposed above the light emitting bodies, wherein the backlight further comprises a reflection-enhancing transflective layer (35) disposed between the diffusing plate and the light emitting bodies, and the transflective layer has, on a side thereof facing the light emitting bodies, a reflectivity that is greater than a reflectivity of the diffusing plate and smaller than 1.