Light Guide Layout for Thin RGB Illumination Modules
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for reducing the thickness of illumination devices, particularly in liquid crystal display devices, while maintaining effective illumination performance.
Innovation Solution
An illumination device design featuring a light guide with specific surface configurations and integrated semiconductor laser elements emitting different wavelengths, allowing for efficient light mixing and reflection within a compact form factor, eliminating the need for additional reflective layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If conventional illumination device structures are used, then illumination performance is maintained, but device thickness cannot be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from conventional edge-lit illumination architecture to a bottom-lit architecture where semiconductor laser elements are positioned beneath the light guide plate. This dimensional reconfiguration allows light to propagate upward through the light guide, enabling thinner overall device thickness while maintaining effective illumination area and optical performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates multiple semiconductor laser elements emitting different wavelengths (red, green, blue) into a single illumination module beneath the light guide plate. This merging of multiple light sources and their associated optical paths into one unified structure eliminates the need for separate reflective layers for each wavelength, reducing overall device thickness and component count.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple reflective layers are added for different wavelengths, then illumination efficiency improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a single reflective layer that serves multiple functions by reflecting all three wavelengths (red, green, blue) simultaneously. This universal reflective layer eliminates the need for wavelength-specific reflective layers, simplifying the manufacturing process while maintaining high illumination efficiency across the entire visible spectrum.
Solution Approach 2:
The light guide plate itself serves multiple functions: it acts as both the illumination medium and the structural component that directs light distribution. The integrated design allows the light guide to work in conjunction with the semiconductor lasers and reflective layer without requiring additional complex optical components, thereby simplifying manufacturing while preserving illumination efficiency.
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 achieves a thinner illumination device with reduced size and cost, while ensuring effective light mixing and distribution.
Implementation Method 1
a light guide 1 having an upper surface 11, a lower surface 12, and a light entering surface 13
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an illumination device includes a light guide including an upper surface, a lower surface and a light entering surface, a first light emitting portion, a second light emitting portion, and a third light emitting portion. A first surface, a second surface, a third surface and a fourth surface of the upper surface are arranged in this order in a first direction. A width of the first surface is less than a width of the second surface, and the width of the second surface is less than a width of the third surface. An angle between the light entering surface and the first surface is an acute angle. The first light emitting portion, the second light emitting portion and the third light emitting portion face the light entering surface.