Polygonal Light Guide Plate Recessed Portion for Uniform Illumination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Thinner light sources in direct-lit liquid crystal displays often result in luminance and color non-uniformity due to incomplete light diffusion, as the distance between the light source and the emission face of the light guide plate is reduced, leading to uneven illumination.

Innovation Solution

A light emitting module with a polygonal light guide plate featuring a recessed portion for the light source, where the phosphor layer is positioned to intersect with diagonal lines connecting the corners of the emission face, and a light transmitting part with oblique faces to enhance light diffusion, reducing luminance and color non-uniformity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Length of moving object

If the light source is positioned closer to the emission face of the light guide plate to achieve a thinner module design, then the module thickness is reduced, but light diffusion becomes incomplete causing luminance and color non-uniformity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodule thicknessVSAvoidluminance uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by creating a recessed portion at specific locations (corners or edges) of the light guide plate where light enters. This localized structural modification changes the refractive index distribution and light propagation characteristics in specific regions, enabling effective light diffusion even when the overall module thickness is reduced. The recessed portion acts as a local optical structure that enhances light scattering without requiring increased distance from the light source to the emission face.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a vertical dimension by creating a recessed portion that extends into the light guide plate thickness direction. This dimensional change creates an air-filled cavity or low refractive index region that disrupts light propagation in the thickness direction, causing light to scatter laterally. This vertical structural modification enables improved light diffusion without increasing the horizontal footprint or requiring the light source to be positioned farther away, thus maintaining thin module design while achieving uniform illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Length of moving object

If the light source is positioned closer to the emission face to reduce module thickness, then the module becomes thinner, but color non-uniformity occurs due to insufficient light diffusion

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemodule thicknessVSAvoidcolor uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Length of moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The recessed portion creates a localized optical structure that enhances light scattering and mixing in specific regions of the light guide plate. By positioning these recessed portions at corners or edges, the patent ensures that light from the LED array is effectively diffused across the entire emission surface, including areas that would otherwise receive insufficient scattered light. This local structural modification promotes uniform color distribution without requiring increased module thickness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The air-filled recessed portion acts as an intermediary optical element between the light source and the emission face. This intermediate structure with different refractive index properties facilitates light scattering and color mixing by creating additional light-path interactions. The recessed portion mediates the light propagation process, enabling effective color uniformity even when the distance between the light source and emission face is minimized for thin module design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Illumination intensity

If a recessed portion is added to the light guide plate to improve light diffusion, then luminance and color uniformity are enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelight diffusion uniformityVSAvoidlight guide plate structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the light guide plate into distinct regions: flat areas and recessed portions. The recessed portions are strategically positioned at corners or edges rather than uniformly distributed, creating a segmented structure that simplifies manufacturing compared to complex continuous patterns. This segmented approach achieves effective light diffusion by focusing optical modification only where most needed, reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining uniform illumination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs asymmetry by positioning recessed portions specifically at corners or edges of the light guide plate rather than symmetrically distributing them across the entire surface. This asymmetric placement optimizes light diffusion effectiveness by targeting regions that naturally receive less scattered light. The asymmetric design simplifies the overall structure compared to symmetric patterns while achieving superior luminance and color uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

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 effectively diffuses light to all corners of the emission face, minimizing luminance and color non-uniformity, and allows for a thinner module design by positioning the light source closer to the light guide plate, addressing the challenges of uneven illumination in direct-lit liquid crystal displays.

Implementation Method 1

a light guide plate (10) having a first primary face (11) serving as an emission face

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 2

light is not fully diffused which tends to cause luminance non-uniformity and color non-uniformity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight scattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

a light source (20) disposed in the recessed portion (15)... a phosphor layer is positioned to intersect with diagonal lines

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3757454B1Light emitting module
Publication Date: 2022.11.30 NICHIA CORP
  • EP3757454B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3757454B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3757454B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A light emitting module (1) comprising a light guide plate (10) and a light source (20). The light guide plate (10) has a polygonal shape with a plurality of corners in a plan view. The light guide plate (10) has a first primary face (11) which serves as an emission face, a second primary face (12) opposing the first primary face (11), and a recessed portion (15) in the second primary face (12). The light source (20) is disposed in the recessed portion (15). The recessed portion (15) has an opening on the second primary face (12), and a bottom face (17) having a polygonal shape in a plan view. The light source (20) has lateral faces along sides of the bottom face (17) of the recessed portion (15). In a plan view, diagonal lines connecting opposing corners of the first primary face (11) intersect with the sides of the bottom face (17) of the recessed portion (15).