Free-Form Display Backlight Reflector for Uniform Edge Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing display apparatuses with matrix backlights struggle to uniformly illuminate free-form display regions without excess light spilling outside the display area, necessitating additional black print to mask the overflow, which conflicts with minimal periphery design goals.
Innovation Solution
A reflector with regularly shaped cavities in a grid and irregularly shaped cavities in peripheral regions, combined with varying light source arrangements and intensities, ensures homogeneous lighting by adapting to the display panel's free form and minimizing installation space.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a matrix backlight with regularly shaped cavities arranged in a grid is used, then homogeneous illumination is achieved, but the backlight extends beyond the display region in free-form displays requiring black print masking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the cavity shapes based on their location: regularly shaped cavities (circles, squares, triangles) are used in central regions to ensure homogeneous illumination, while irregularly shaped cavities are used in peripheral regions to conform to the free-form display boundaries. This spatial differentiation allows each region to have the optimal cavity shape for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs asymmetry by transitioning from symmetric, regularly shaped cavities in the center to asymmetric, irregularly shaped cavities at the periphery. This asymmetry enables the backlight to adapt to the non-rectangular, free-form display shape while maintaining illumination homogeneity where needed and reducing unnecessary light emission at the boundaries.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If black print is added to mask light overflow in peripheral regions, then light containment is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the light containment function from a separate masking layer (black print) and integrates it directly into the reflector structure through irregularly shaped cavities. By taking out the masking requirement and incorporating boundary-conforming cavity shapes into the reflector itself, the solution eliminates the need for additional black print layers while still preventing light overflow.
Solution Approach 2:
The irregularly shaped cavities act as an intermediary structure that mediates between the light sources and the free-form display boundary. Instead of using black print as a passive masking layer, the cavity shapes themselves serve as active optical elements that guide and contain light within the display region, reducing the need for additional masking components.
3Volume of moving object
If the backlight is designed to match free-form display regions with irregular cavity shapes, then installation space is reduced, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the reflector into multiple cavities with different shape characteristics based on spatial location. This segmentation allows the complex free-form adaptation to be achieved through a modular arrangement of simpler geometric shapes (regular cavities in center, irregular cavities at periphery), making the manufacturing process more manageable while still achieving the overall space reduction goal.
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
Achieves homogeneous illumination of free-form displays with reduced installation space and minimal black masking, enhancing design flexibility and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
The reflector has a plurality of regularly shaped, reflectively embodied cavities which are arranged in a grid. The reflector has irregularly shaped, reflectively embodied cavities in at least one peripheral region. The cavities orient the light emerging from the light sources toward the display panel.
Data Source
AI summary
A display apparatus includes a display panel and a backlight for the display panel. The backlight has a reflector with a plurality of regularly shaped, reflectively embodied cavities which are arranged in a grid. The reflector also has irregularly shaped, reflectively embodied cavities in at least one peripheral region. In addition, the backlight has a plurality of light sources arranged in the cavities.