Light-Guide Module Thin-Film Layer Reduces Reflection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Thin light-guide plates in backlight assemblies for LCD devices suffer from increased light leakage due to reduced thickness, leading to degraded luminance, especially in small-sized electronic devices.
Innovation Solution
A light-guide module with a thin-film layer having a concavo-convex pattern on its surface, specifically designed to reduce light reflection by optimizing the refractive index and pattern geometry, is integrated into the backlight assembly. The thin-film layer is formed on both the light-incident and light-exiting surfaces of the light-guide plate, utilizing colloidal silica with a refractive index of about 1.22 to 1.23 and a thickness of 110 nm to 170 nm, enhancing light transmittance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the thickness of the light-guide plate is reduced to achieve thin and lightweight backlight assemblies, then the overall thickness and weight are decreased, but light leakage from the light-guide plate increases, degrading luminance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by forming a thin-film layer with specific refractive index (1.22-1.23) and thickness (110-170 nm) on the light-guide plate. This thin-film layer modifies the optical parameters at the light-incident surface, reducing light reflection and increasing light transmittance by up to 3.8%, thereby compensating for the light leakage caused by reduced plate thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining the light-guide plate with a thin-film layer made of colloidal silica. This composite structure leverages the complementary properties of both materials: the light-guide plate provides structural support and light guidance, while the thin-film layer optimizes light transmission by reducing reflection at the interface
2Quantity of substance
If the number of LEDs is decreased to reduce cost and simplify structure, then manufacturing cost and device complexity are reduced, but light output and luminance may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the optical parameters at the light-incident surface by introducing a thin-film layer with optimized refractive index and thickness. This increases the light extraction efficiency from each LED, allowing the same luminance to be achieved with fewer LEDs, thereby reducing cost and device complexity
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 significantly reduces light reflection, increasing light transmittance by up to 3.8% and enhancing luminance characteristics of the backlight assembly, thereby improving the overall efficiency and performance of the backlight system.
Implementation Method 1
The thin-film layer has an average refractive index of about 1.22 to about 1.23... significantly reduces light reflection, increasing light transmittance by up to 3.8%
Implementation Method 2
The thin-film layer is specifically designed to reduce light reflection by optimizing the refractive index and pattern geometry
Data Source
AI summary
In a light-guide module, a method of manufacturing the light-guide module and a backlight assembly having the light-guide module, the light-guide module includes a light-guide plate (“LGP”) and a thin-film layer. The LGP has a light-incident surface into which lights are incident and a light-exiting surface through which lights exit. The thin-film layer is formed on the LGP. The thin-film layer has a concavo-convex pattern formed on an opposite surface of a surface contacting the LGP. Accordingly, a thin-film layer having a concavo-convex pattern is formed on a light-incident surface of an LGP, so that a reflectance of light incident into the LGP may be decreased. Moreover, a light amount transmitted through the LGP is increased in accordance with a decreasing of reflectance, so that a light transmittance may be increased in total.