Light Guide Uniformity via Segmented Diffusion Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing light guides in display devices for electronic products, such as image forming apparatuses, face challenges in achieving uniform light distribution on the light emission surface without substantial light loss, leading to increased material costs and power consumption when using additional light sources to compensate for diffusion losses.
Innovation Solution
The light guide is designed with a diffusion structure and reflecting surface to distribute light uniformly, using a protruding wall with a diffusion pattern and separate optical characteristics for the light guide and emission parts, formed from materials like polymethyl methacrylate or polycarbonate, to minimize light loss and enhance uniformity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If diffusion material is scattered throughout the entire area of the light guide to disperse light, then uniform light distribution is achieved, but substantial light loss occurs during diffusion
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is divided into two distinct parts: a light guide part that transmits light and a light emission part that emits light. The light emission part contains the diffusion material while the light guide part remains clear, separating the functions of light transmission and light diffusion to minimize overall light loss.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the light guide have different optical properties. The light guide part is made of transparent material with high light transmission, while the light emission part contains diffusion material for uniform light distribution. This local differentiation optimizes each region for its specific function.
2Illumination intensity
If additional light sources are employed to compensate for light loss, then sufficient light output is achieved, but material costs and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The light emission part is designed to maximize light extraction from the light guide part through optimized geometric shape and diffusion material distribution. This self-optimizing design reduces the need for additional light sources by efficiently utilizing the light already present in the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention optimizes parameters such as the thickness, shape, and material composition of the light emission part to enhance light extraction efficiency. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves sufficient light output without adding more light sources.
3Ease of manufacture
If a single integrated light guide structure is used, then manufacturing is simplified, but light distribution uniformity and transmission efficiency cannot be simultaneously optimized
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide is segmented into a light guide part and a light emission part that can be manufactured separately and then assembled. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized for its specific function while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through modular construction.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses composite structures where the light guide part is made of transparent material and the light emission part contains diffusion material. This composite approach enables simultaneous optimization of light transmission and light distribution uniformity.
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 design achieves uniform light distribution on the light emission surface while maintaining high light transmission efficiency, reducing the need for additional light sources and minimizing material and power costs.
Implementation Method 1
The light guide transmits light from the light source to the external display through a light emission surface
Implementation Method 2
a diffusion structure and reflecting surface to distribute light uniformly
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are a light guide which distributes light, transmitted from a light source, uniformly to a light emission surface of the light guide, and a display device and an image forming apparatus using the light guide. The light guide includes a light incidence part having a diffusion structure diffusing light, a reflecting surface reflecting the light diffused by the diffusion structure to reduce a light loss from the light guide, and a light guide part guiding light between the light incidence part and the light emission part.