Light Guide Plate Imprint Patterns for Backlight Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light guide plates for backlights in LCDs face challenges in improving light straightness and distribution while maintaining cost-effectiveness, as current manufacturing methods are costly and do not efficiently channel light uniformly to the image display panel.
Innovation Solution
A light guide plate design featuring alternating and repeating patterns on its surfaces, including a light emission pattern and straight patterns, which are formed using an imprint method to enhance light directionality and distribution, reducing manufacturing costs by simultaneous surface patterning, and improving light uniformity to the liquid crystal panel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If a lenticular shape pattern is molded into the light guide plate to improve light distribution and luminance, then the light quality improves, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate is divided into multiple regions with different optical patterns: a first region containing straight patterns for light directionality and a second region containing light emission patterns for light diffusion. This segmentation allows each region to perform its specific function optimally without requiring complex lenticular molding across the entire plate, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining light quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Different optical patterns are applied to different regions of the light guide plate according to local requirements. The straight patterns are placed in regions where light channeling is needed, while light emission patterns are placed in regions where light diffusion is required. This local optimization achieves good light distribution without the need for expensive uniform lenticular molding.
2Illumination intensity
If complex optical patterns are molded into the light guide plate to improve light straightness and distribution, then the light quality improves, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The optical patterns are segmented into two simple types: straight patterns with linear features for light directionality and light emission patterns with diffusion features. By dividing the complex optical function into these two simple pattern types placed in different regions, the overall device complexity is reduced while achieving the desired light quality.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single complex lenticular pattern throughout the light guide plate, the invention inverts the approach by using two types of simple patterns in different regions. This inversion simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces device complexity while maintaining or improving light performance.
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 proposed design enhances light straightness and distribution, improving the uniformity of light input to the liquid crystal panel while reducing manufacturing costs by using an imprint method to form patterns on the light guide plate surfaces.
Implementation Method 1
The light generated from the light source unit is inputted to the light guide plate and the light is internally reflected, diffused, and refracted
Implementation Method 2
The light generated from the light source unit is inputted to the light guide plate and the light is internally reflected, diffused, and refracted
Implementation Method 3
a light emission pattern configured to diffuse a portion of the light directed toward an image display panel
Data Source
AI summary
A light guide plate for a backlight. The light guide plate includes: a light source unit for generating light; a light guide plate proximate to the light source unit and including an upper surface and a lower surface; and a light emission pattern configured to diffuse a portion of the light directed toward an image display panel, and a first straight pattern configured to channel the light along a direction substantially parallel to a direction of propagation of the light generated by the light source unit, both the light emission pattern and the first straight pattern being disposed on one of the upper surface and the lower surface of the light guide plate, in which the first straight pattern has peaks and valleys formed in alternating and repeating manner in a direction substantially perpendicular to a direction of propagation of the light generated by the light source unit.