Light Guide Plate Projections for LED Alignment Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional surface light source devices using point light sources face misalignment issues due to deformation of the light guide plate, leading to reduced light incidence efficiency and increased assembly complexity, with the need for additional supports and components.
Innovation Solution
The surface light source device incorporates a light guide plate with projections, or eaves portions, that allow point light sources to abut against these projections, ensuring stable positioning even when the light guide plate deforms, eliminating the need for separate supports and enhancing assembly ease.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate support is provided to fix LEDs to the light guide plate, then alignment stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is merged with the light guide plate by forming protrusions directly on the light guide plate surface. This integration eliminates the need for separate support components while maintaining the alignment function, thus reducing device complexity while preserving alignment stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate is given multiple functions: it serves both as the optical guiding component and as the support structure for fixing LEDs. The protrusions on the light guide plate provide both structural support and positioning functions, reducing the overall component count while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If welding or bonding is used to fix LED lamps to the support, then alignment stability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fixing mechanism is segmented into discrete protrusion structures that physically hold the LEDs in position. This mechanical interlocking approach replaces complex welding or bonding processes with simple insertion and snap-fit assembly, improving ease of manufacture while maintaining alignment stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The protrusions on the light guide plate automatically position and secure the LEDs through their geometric shape alone, without requiring external fixing processes like welding or bonding. The structure itself provides the fixing function, simplifying manufacturing and assembly.
3Ease of operation
If the light guide plate is deformed, then assembly ease is maintained, but alignment precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The protrusion structures are designed with tolerances that accommodate potential deformation of the light guide plate. By anticipating possible deformation, the design ensures that the LEDs remain properly aligned even when the plate warps, maintaining both assembly ease and alignment precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The geometric parameters of the protrusions (such as height, width, and spacing) are optimized to provide robust positioning that is insensitive to minor deformations. This parameter optimization ensures that alignment precision is maintained across varying conditions while preserving assembly simplicity.
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
This configuration maintains high light incidence efficiency and simplifies assembly by preventing misalignment and reducing the number of components, ensuring reliable light beam guidance and consistent luminance.
Implementation Method 1
the light beam emitted from a side light portion including a line light source such as a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) or point light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) is reflected within the light guide plate
Implementation Method 2
the light beam emitted from a side light portion including a line light source such as a cold cathode fluorescent lamp (CCFL) or point light sources such as light emitting diodes (LEDs) is reflected within the light guide plate and diffused in a diffusion pattern provided in the light guide plate, to thereby extract the light beam from the opening in a planar manner
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a surface light source device including a light guide plate, and at least one point light source that is disposed to be adjacent to an incidence surface of the light guide plate and irradiates the incidence surface with a light beam. The light guide plate includes, at least at a position at which the point light source is disposed, at least one projection projecting from the incidence surface toward a direction in which the point light source is disposed.