Linear Light Emitter Reflective Assembly for Thin Backlights

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing linear light emitting devices struggle with miniaturization and thickness reduction, making their manufacturing more difficult as their thickness decreases, and they do not fully meet recent miniaturization and thickness reduction requirements for backlights.

Innovation Solution

A method for manufacturing a thin-type linear light emitting device involves preparing a light transmissive member with a long and short side, mounting light emitting elements along the long side using a light transmissive adhesive, and forming a reflective member to cover the adhesive and lateral faces of the elements, ensuring accurate alignment and uniform light emission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Volume of moving object

If the thickness of the linear light emitting device is reduced to meet miniaturization requirements, then the device size is reduced, but the manufacturing difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the reflector and the light emitting element mounting structure into a single integrated component. The reflector serves dual functions: reflecting light from the LED elements and providing the mounting substrate for the elements themselves. This integration eliminates the need for separate reflector and mounting structure components, thereby simplifying the manufacturing process while achieving thin device profile.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The reflector is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a light reflecting surface, a structural support for mounting LED elements, and a component that defines the overall device thickness. This multi-functionality allows the device to achieve reduced thickness without compromising manufacturing ease, as the same component fulfills multiple roles that would otherwise require separate parts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Area of stationary object

If oblique reflectors are used to increase open area and promote miniaturization, then the emission area is increased, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveemission open areaVSAvoidreflector structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reflector employs different surface geometries in different regions to optimize local functions. The distal end features an oblique or curved surface for enhanced light extraction and increased open area, while the proximal end maintains a simpler planar structure for ease of manufacturing and LED mounting. This localized differentiation allows the device to achieve high emission area without requiring the entire reflector structure to be complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

3Volume of moving object

If multiple components are used to achieve thin profile, then the device thickness is reduced, but the assembly precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice thicknessVSAvoidalignment precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Volume of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

By integrating the reflector and mounting structure into a single component, the patent eliminates the need for precise assembly between separate reflector and mounting parts. The LED elements are mounted directly onto the integrated reflector structure, reducing the number of interfaces and alignment requirements. This merger maintains thin device profile while significantly lowering assembly precision demands.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach allows for the production of a thin-type linear light emitting device with reduced angle dependency of light intensity and hue, enabling a narrower frame and enlarged display area for backlight applications, thus simplifying the manufacturing process and improving device performance.

Implementation Method 1

mounting a plurality of light emitting elements, arranged in a row along the long side of the light transmissive member, on the light transmissive member via a light transmissive adhesive

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

forming a reflective member that covers the light transmissive adhesive and the lateral faces of the plurality of light emitting elements

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3301718B1Method for manufacturing linear light emitting device
Publication Date: 2023.12.06 NICHIA CORP
  • EP3301718B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3301718B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP3301718B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

A method for manufacturing a linear light emitting device includes: providing a light transmissive member having a long side and a short side in a plan view; mounting a plurality of light emitting elements on the light transmissive member via a light transmissive adhesive, such that the light emitting elements are arranged in a row along the long side of the light transmissive member; and forming a reflective member that covers the light transmissive adhesive and lateral faces of the light emitting elements. The linear light emitting device has an emission face having a long side and a short side in a plan view, and a length of the short side of the light transmissive member is substantially equal to a length of the short side of the emission face of the linear light emitting device.