LCD Backlight Segmented LED Modules with Lenses

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing liquid crystal display devices require a large number of light sources in the backlight unit to improve contrast, which is costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A liquid crystal display device with a backlight unit that includes a light source section with a smaller width, where light sources are aligned perpendicular to the liquid crystal panel and equipped with lenses to concentrate light towards specific areas, reducing the number of light sources while maintaining contrast through controlled luminance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If LEDs are arranged over the entire backlight unit to improve contrast, then display contrast is improved, but the number of LEDs increases leading to higher cost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisplay contrastVSAvoidnumber of LEDs

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The backlight unit is divided into multiple independent light source sections, each with its own LED and lens. Each light source section corresponds to a specific region of the liquid crystal panel, allowing localized light control. This segmentation enables contrast improvement without requiring LEDs across the entire backlight unit surface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Lenses are introduced as intermediary optical elements between the LEDs and the liquid crystal panel. These lenses concentrate and direct light from each LED toward its corresponding panel region, improving light utilization efficiency and enabling effective contrast control with fewer LED sources.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Illumination intensity

If multiple light sources are used to control luminance for each partial area, then display contrast is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveluminance control precisionVSAvoidbacklight unit structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple functional elements are merged into an integrated light source section structure. Each section combines an LED, lens, and corresponding panel region control into a single modular unit, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining the capability for independent luminance control of each region.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

Each light source section is designed with localized optical properties through the use of lenses that direct light specifically to corresponding regions of the liquid crystal panel. This local optimization allows effective luminance control without requiring complex global illumination systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Illumination intensity

If light sources are arranged in a matrix over the entire backlight unit, then area control for contrast is achieved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvearea control capabilityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The backlight unit is segmented into a limited number of strategic light source sections rather than using a dense matrix arrangement. Each segment is independently controllable and positioned to cover specific high-contrast regions of the display, reducing component count while maintaining area control functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of providing light sources for every possible region (excessive action), the invention uses a selective subset of light source sections positioned at critical locations (partial action) to achieve the necessary contrast control, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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 enhances display contrast while reducing the number of light sources, improving luminance and power efficiency, and minimizing costs by directing light effectively across the liquid crystal panel.

Implementation Method 1

The plurality of light sources have lenses respectively disposed thereover and expanding light from the plurality of light sources toward the plurality of areas of the liquid crystal panel, respectively

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight expansion and concentration: Lens

Data Source

PatentUS8804071B2Liquid crystal display device

Publication Date: 2014.08.12 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA

AI summary

A light source section provided in a backlight unit has a smaller width in a direction perpendicular to a length direction of the light source section than a width in the same direction of the liquid crystal panel. A plurality of LED modules are arranged along the length direction of the light source section. The LED modules are respectively assigned to areas of the liquid crystal panel, which are extended in the width direction of the light source section. Lenses are respectively disposed over the LED modules and expand light toward the areas. A control device controls each of the plurality of light sources separately or each of groups into which the plurality of light sources are divided, separately. Accordingly, it is possible to improve a contrast of a display screen, while reducing the number of light sources.