LED Backlight Assembly with Segmented Units

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional backlight assemblies using LEDs suffer from lower brightness and contrast due to the increased number of LEDs required to match fluorescent lamp brightness, leading to higher costs and power consumption, as well as issues with dimming lines and color mixing.

Innovation Solution

A backlight assembly with LEDs arranged in patterns divided by a sidewall into units, combined with a reflective sheet and optical sheets, enhances light concentration and efficiency by directing light through a sidewall and optical sheets, allowing for higher brightness and contrast.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If the number of LEDs is increased to match fluorescent lamp brightness, then brightness is improved, but cost and power consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the backlight assembly into multiple light emitting units, each containing a limited number of LEDs (e.g., 3-5 LEDs per unit). This segmentation allows each unit to function independently with fewer LEDs, reducing total power consumption while maintaining overall brightness through the distributed arrangement of multiple units across the display area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a linear arrangement of LEDs to a two-dimensional matrix arrangement of light emitting units across the backlight assembly. This dimensional change allows light to be distributed more efficiently across the display area, achieving sufficient brightness with fewer total LEDs compared to traditional linear configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If the number of LEDs is increased to match fluorescent lamp brightness, then brightness is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the backlight into multiple light emitting units with fewer LEDs each, the patent reduces the total quantity of LEDs required, directly lowering material costs while maintaining brightness through the distributed unit structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Illumination intensity

If LEDs are arranged densely to improve brightness, then brightness is improved, but dimming lines and color mixing issues occur

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebrightnessVSAvoiddimming lines

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments LEDs into discrete light emitting units separated by sidewalls, preventing light from adjacent LEDs from mixing. This segmentation eliminates dimming lines while maintaining brightness through the collective output of multiple units distributed across the display area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each light emitting unit is designed as an independent local structure with its own sidewalls and optical properties. This local quality ensures that light from each unit remains distinct and controlled, preventing the formation of dimming lines while maintaining uniform overall brightness across the display.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Illumination intensity

If more LEDs are used to improve brightness, then brightness is improved, but light distribution uniformity deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovebrightnessVSAvoidlight distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the backlight into multiple uniform light emitting units distributed across the assembly. This segmentation ensures consistent light output from each unit, achieving uniform overall light distribution while maintaining brightness through the collective contribution of all units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each light emitting unit is designed with identical or similar structural characteristics (same number of LEDs, same sidewall configuration, same optical sheet arrangement). This homogeneity ensures uniform light distribution across the display area while achieving sufficient brightness through the replicated unit structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

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 achieves a 6.7% increase in average brightness and improved light distribution, enabling high contrast and efficient driving methods for LCD modules, while maintaining cost-effectiveness.

Implementation Method 1

a reflective sheet having a plurality of through holes through which the light emitting diodes protrude

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

a plurality of optical sheets covering the plurality of light emitting diodes with the reflective sheet therebetween

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Data Source

PatentUS7530711B2Backlight assembly and liquid crystal display module using the same

Publication Date: 2009.05.12 LG DISPLAY CO LTD

AI summary

A backlight assembly includes light emitting diodes in patterns, a reflective sheet having a plurality of through holes through which the light emitting diodes protrude, and a sidewall dividing the patterns into a plurality of light emitting diode units.