Planar Light Source With Overlapping Circuit Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
The challenge is to reduce the planar size of a liquid crystal display's backlight system while maintaining its functionality, particularly by minimizing the width of the frame at the periphery of the liquid crystal panel.
Innovation Solution
A planar light source design that incorporates a flexible first substrate with a light source and a light guide member, where a circuit member overlaps the light guide member in a direction parallel to the substrate's surface, utilizing a second rigid substrate and electronic elements connected via conductive parts and a connection member to reduce the overall thickness and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the circuit member is arranged separately from the light guide member, then the functionality is ensured, but the planar size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The circuit member is arranged to overlap the light guide member in the planar direction, merging the spatial occupation of both components. This allows the circuit substrate and electronic elements to be positioned above or below the light guide member rather than adjacent to it, reducing the overall planar footprint while maintaining functional separation through vertical layering.
Solution Approach 2:
The arrangement transitions from a two-dimensional planar layout to a three-dimensional stacked configuration. By utilizing the vertical dimension (above or below the light guide member), the circuit member occupies a different spatial layer, enabling compact integration without increasing the planar area of the liquid crystal display.
2Area of stationary object
If the frame width is reduced, then the display area increases, but the mounting space for components decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By arranging the circuit member in the vertical dimension above or below the light guide member, the patent eliminates the need for lateral mounting space in the frame region. This allows the frame width to be minimized while component mounting is achieved through vertical stacking rather than horizontal placement.
Solution Approach 2:
The circuit member is nested within the vertical space occupied by the light guide member, similar to nested dolls. The circuit substrate and electronic elements are positioned within the same vertical envelope as the light guide member, allowing compact integration without requiring additional lateral space in the frame region.
Data Source
AI summary
A planar light source includes a first substrate including a first part and a second part; a light source located at an upper surface side of the first part; a light guide member located at the upper surface side of the first part; and a circuit member overlapping the light guide member in a direction parallel to an upper surface of the first part. The circuit member includes a second substrate located at an upper surface side or a lower surface side of the second part, and an electronic element located on the second substrate.