Hybrid Lens Segmentation for Uniform Illumination in Slim Backlights
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional backlight units with slimmed-down designs face challenges in uniformly distributing light to display panels due to reduced distances between light sources and diffuser plates, leading to deteriorated image quality.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid lens with a lower layer portion for light diffusibility and an upper layer portion for light directivity, which refracts and reflects light to ensure even illumination across the display panel, is integrated into the light source device, allowing for improved light distribution even with reduced backlight unit thickness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the thickness of the backlight unit is reduced to achieve a slim display device design, then the overall device thickness is reduced, but the distance between the light source device and the diffuser plate becomes too short, causing non-uniform light transmission and deteriorated image quality
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into multiple regions with different functions: a first region with a first curvature radius for light diffusion, a second region with a second curvature radius for light direction control, and a third region for additional light management. This segmentation allows each region to optimize for its specific function, enabling uniform light distribution even at reduced thickness
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lens are assigned different curvature radii to create localized optical properties. The first region has a first curvature radius optimized for diffusion, the second region has a second curvature radius for directional control, and the third region has a third curvature radius for supplementary light management. This local differentiation of optical properties enables the lens to simultaneously achieve diffusion and directionality within a compact form factor
2Length of moving object
If a conventional lens is used in a slimmed-down backlight unit with reduced distance to the diffuser plate, then the device achieves a thinner profile, but light diffusion performance and light-direction performance deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is segmented into functional regions with different curvature characteristics. The first region diffracts light at specific angles, the second region controls light direction, and the third region provides additional optical management. This segmentation enables the lens to maintain reliable light emission performance despite the reduced distance to the diffuser plate
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multi-dimensional approach by varying curvature radii across different regions of the lens rather than using a single uniform curvature. This dimensional complexity in the lens design compensates for the reduced axial distance, maintaining optical performance in a thinner configuration
3Length of moving object
If the distance between the light source device and the diffuser plate is shortened to reduce backlight unit thickness, then the device becomes slimmer, but image quality and uniformity of light supply to the display panel deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The lens is divided into a first region, second region, and third region, each with different curvature radii optimized for specific light management functions. This segmentation enables the lens to uniformly distribute light across the display panel even when the backlight unit thickness is reduced and the distance to the diffuser plate is shortened
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the lens are assigned different curvature radii to create localized optical properties tailored to specific light distribution needs. The first region with its first curvature radius handles primary light diffusion, the second region with its second curvature radius manages directional light control, and the third region with its third curvature radius provides supplementary light management, collectively ensuring uniform illumination across the entire display panel
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 hybrid lens enhances both light diffusibility and directivity, resulting in improved image quality and uniform illumination of the display panel, even when the backlight unit thickness is minimized.
Implementation Method 1
a first curvature radius r1 of the first region, a second curvature radius r2 of the second region, and a third curvature radius r3 of the third region satisfy r1<r2<r3
Implementation Method 2
the lens being configured to refract light emitted from the light source in a region between a first point and a second point in a height direction to be diffused to the outside and to reflect at least a part of the light emitted from the light source
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a light diffusion characteristic and a light reflection characteristic, and a light source device, a backlight unit, and an electronic device that include the lens. By causing the light emitted from the light source of the light source device to have both light diffusibility and light directivity using the lens including a lower layer portion having a light diffusion characteristic and an upper layer portion having a light reflection characteristic, it is possible to improve a light emission characteristic of the light source device, and when an optical gap is reduced due to the thickness reduction of the backlight unit, the image quality of the backlight unit can be improved.