Light Guide Cover With Embedded Source for Thinner Front Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current display apparatuses with front light modules are prone to damage from external forces, leading to increased thickness, weight, and production costs due to the need for protective covers.
Innovation Solution
A light source module with a light guide cover featuring optical microstructures and a groove housing a light source, which deflects illumination light to the display panel while protecting the microstructures, thereby integrating light guiding and protection functions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a protective cover is placed on the front light module to prevent damage from external forces, then the reliability of the light guiding element is improved, but the thickness, weight, and production cost of the display apparatus increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the protective cover function with the light guide cover by integrating a groove structure into the light guide cover itself. The groove houses the light guiding element, providing protection while maintaining the original light guiding function. This eliminates the need for a separate protective cover, thereby reducing thickness and device complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide cover is designed to serve multiple functions: it guides light from the light source to the display panel, and simultaneously protects the light guiding element housed within its groove structure. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated protective components, reducing overall device complexity.
2Reliability
If a protective cover is placed on the front light module to prevent damage from external forces, then the reliability of the light guiding element is improved, but the weight of the display apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is merged into the existing light guide cover structure through the groove design. This eliminates the need for additional protective materials and components, thereby preventing weight increase while maintaining protection of the light guiding element.
3Reliability
If a protective cover is placed on the front light module to prevent damage from external forces, then the reliability of the light guiding element is improved, but the production cost of the display apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The protective function is integrated into the light guide cover manufacturing process through the groove structure. This eliminates the need for separate protective components and assembly steps, thereby reducing production complexity and cost while maintaining reliability.
4Illumination intensity
If optical microstructures are exposed on the front surface to deflect light effectively, then the light guiding function is improved, but the risk of damage to optical components from external forces increases
Solution Approach 1:
The optical microstructures are nested within the light guide cover, with the groove providing a protective enclosure. The light guiding elements are housed inside the groove structure, protecting them from external forces while maintaining their light deflection function. This nesting approach resolves the contradiction between exposure for functionality and protection for reliability.
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
Enables a thinner, lighter, and cost-effective display apparatus by reducing the risk of damage to optical components and minimizing production costs.
Implementation Method 1
the plurality of optical microstructures are adapted to deflect the first illumination light to the display surface of the display panel
Implementation Method 2
The first illumination light is adapted to be transmitted in the light guide cover
Data Source
AI summary
A light source module including a light guide cover, a plurality of optical microstructures and a first light source is provided. The light guide cover has a first surface and a groove. The first surface is adapted to be disposed toward a display surface of a display panel. The groove is recessed from an edge of the first surface. The plurality of optical microstructures are disposed on the first surface. The first light source is disposed in the groove and used to emit a first illumination light toward a first light incident surface defining the groove of the light guide cover. The first illumination light is adapted to be transmitted in the light guide cover, and the plurality of optical microstructures are adapted to deflect the first illumination light to the display surface of the display panel. A display apparatus adopting the light source module is also provided.