Light Guide Plate Side Extension Illumination Uniformity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Illumination devices with light guide plates of non-standard shapes, such as inverted trapezoidal, experience irregularities in brightness due to portions not directly facing the light-receiving area, leading to uneven light distribution.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a light source row, a light guide plate with a main body, side extensions, and a supply unit that includes side light-receiving portions and light sources positioned to ensure light is evenly distributed across the light guide plate, preventing irregularities in brightness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the light guide plate has a non-rectangular shape (e.g., inverted trapezoidal) with side extensions beyond the light-receiving portion, then design versatility is improved, but illumination uniformity deteriorates due to irregular brightness distribution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign versatilityVSAvoidillumination uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The light guide plate is segmented into distinct functional zones: a light-receiving portion that interfaces with the light source row, side extensions that extend beyond the light-receiving portion to achieve non-rectangular shapes, and a light-exiting portion that provides uniform illumination. This segmentation allows each zone to be optimized independently for its specific function while maintaining overall design versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the light guide plate are assigned different optical properties and structural characteristics. The light-receiving portion has specific geometric features to optimize light coupling, the side extensions have controlled dimensions to manage light distribution, and the light-exiting portion is designed to provide uniform illumination. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by allowing design versatility in shape while maintaining illumination uniformity through region-specific optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If the light guide plate extends further on sides than the light-receiving portion, then shape adaptability is improved, but light distribution uniformity deteriorates in the extended portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveshape adaptabilityVSAvoidlight distribution uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses the light distribution problem in side extensions by introducing additional design dimensions beyond simple geometric extension. Through careful control of extension width, length, and positioning relative to the light source row, the patent achieves both shape adaptability and light distribution uniformity by utilizing multiple dimensional parameters for optimization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the light-receiving portion width is reduced to allow side extensions, then design flexibility is improved, but light coupling efficiency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedesign flexibilityVSAvoidlight coupling efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes light coupling efficiency despite reduced light-receiving portion width by carefully controlling key parameters: the width and positioning of side extensions, the spacing between light sources in the row, and the refractive index distribution within the light guide plate. These parameter adjustments ensure that light coupling remains efficient while achieving the desired design flexibility for non-rectangular shapes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 effectively prevents irregularities in brightness by ensuring light is uniformly supplied to the entire light guide plate, enhancing the display quality of liquid crystal display devices with non-standard shapes.

Implementation Method 1

a light source row in which a plurality of light sources are aligned in a row; a light guide plate that includes a plate-shaped main body with an end thereof facing the light source row, a light-receiving portion that is arranged on the end of the main body and into which light from the light sources enters

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight propagation: Light

Data Source

PatentUS10466402B2Illumination device for a display device comprising a light guide plate having at least one of a through hole and a cutout

Publication Date: 2019.11.05 SHARP KK

AI summary

An illumination device according to the present invention includes: a light source row in which a plurality of light sources are aligned in a row; a light guide plate that includes a plate-shaped main body with an end thereof facing the light source row, a light-receiving portion that is arranged on the end of the main body and into which light from the light sources enters, plate-shaped side extensions that are arranged on the sides of the main body and that extend outwards further than the light-receiving portion, and a light-exiting portion that is arranged on front surfaces of the main body and the side extensions and that allows light that enters via the light-receiving portion to exit; and a supply unit that supplies light to the side extensions.