Light Guide Layer with Refractive Index Patterns for Backlight Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current LED backlight modules face challenges in achieving uniform light illumination due to the directivity of point light sources and the need for increased LED density or additional lenses, leading to inefficiencies and cost increments.
Innovation Solution
A light-emitting device with a substrate, light-emitting elements, a light guide layer, and specific light adjustment patterns with lower refractive indices, which partially refract and reflect light to enhance illumination uniformity without increasing LED spacing or density, using a combination of first and second light adjustment patterns and a reflective layer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If the spacing between light-emitting diodes is reduced to provide uniform backlight, then the uniformity of backlight is improved, but the number of light-emitting diodes must be increased resulting in cost increment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a light guide layer with specific refractive index as an intermediary between the LED and the diffusion plate. This light guide layer, combined with light adjustment patterns, mediates the light distribution to achieve uniform backlight without requiring reduced LED spacing or increased LED quantity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes in the light guide layer's refractive index and introduces light adjustment patterns with specific geometric parameters to control light propagation. By adjusting these optical parameters, the system achieves uniform light distribution while maintaining larger LED spacing and reducing the total number of LEDs required.
2Illumination intensity
If additional lenses are added to expand the light emission angle of LED, then the light emission angle is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the light guiding function and the light emission angle expansion function into a single integrated light guide layer structure. The light adjustment patterns are directly formed within or on the light guide layer, eliminating the need for separate additional lenses and reducing overall device complexity while achieving the desired light emission angle.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides light from the LED, adjusts the light emission angle through its refractive index properties, and works with the light adjustment patterns to achieve uniform light distribution. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated components for each function.
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 enhances light extraction efficiency and maintains uniformity of surface light sources, allowing for increased spacing between LEDs while maintaining brightness and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The first light adjustment patterns and the second light adjustment patterns have a refractive index smaller than that of the light guide layer. In some embodiments, the plurality of first light adjustment patterns and the plurality of second light adjustment patterns can partially refract and partially reflect light beams emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements.
Implementation Method 2
The first light adjustment patterns and the second light adjustment patterns can partially refract and partially reflect light beams emitted from the plurality of light-emitting elements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure proposes a light-emitting device and a backlight module thereof. The light-emitting elements includes a substrate, a plurality of light-emitting elements, a light guide layer, a plurality of first light adjustment patterns, and a plurality of second light adjustment patterns. The light-emitting elements are disposed on the substrate. The light guide layer covers the substrate and the light-emitting elements. The first light adjustment patterns are disposed over or embedded within the light guide layer, and each of the first light adjustment patterns is located above each of the light-emitting elements, respectively. The second light adjustment patterns are disposed on or embedded in the light guide layer, and the second light adjustment patterns surround the corresponding first light adjustment patterns, respectively. The first light adjustment patterns and second light adjustment patterns have a refractive index smaller than that of the light guide layer.