Reflective Light-Emitting Module for Thin Uniform Backlights

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional backlight modules, particularly those using Mini-LED light sources in a straight down configuration, require multiple film layers and a large optical distance to achieve uniform light, resulting in increased thickness and cost, which limits their application in thinner and lighter display devices.

Innovation Solution

A light-emitting module design that includes a substrate with a light-emitting element and a first light-uniformizing component and reflective layer, where the light-emitting element emits light downwards and is reflected by the reflective layer, eliminating the need for a diffusion sheet and reducing the optical distance, thereby reducing thickness and cost.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Illumination intensity

If more film layer structures and larger optical distance are used to uniformize light in a straight down type backlight module, then light uniformity is improved, but thickness and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight uniformityVSAvoidthickness

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional backlight structure by placing the light-emitting element above the substrate rather than below it. This inverted configuration allows light to be emitted downward and reflected upward by the substrate's reflective layer, eliminating the need for multiple film layers and reducing optical distance while maintaining light uniformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the diffusion sheet from the conventional backlight module structure. By using the substrate itself as a reflective layer with high reflectivity, the diffusion sheet becomes unnecessary, thereby reducing the number of components and overall thickness while achieving adequate light uniformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Illumination intensity

If more film layer structures and larger optical distance are used to uniformize light in a straight down type backlight module, then light uniformity is improved, but cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight uniformityVSAvoidcost

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the diffusion sheet from the conventional backlight module structure. By using the substrate itself as a reflective layer with high reflectivity, the diffusion sheet becomes unnecessary, thereby reducing the number of components and overall thickness while achieving adequate light uniformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The substrate serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides structural support, acts as a reflective layer with high reflectivity, and eliminates the need for separate diffusion sheets. This multi-functionality reduces component count and manufacturing cost while maintaining light uniformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Illumination intensity

If conventional straight down type backlight module structure is used, then light emission is achieved, but thickness and cost increase due to more film layers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelight emissionVSAvoidnumber of film layers

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional backlight structure by placing the light-emitting element above the substrate rather than below it. This inverted configuration allows light to be emitted downward and reflected upward by the substrate's reflective layer, eliminating the need for multiple film layers and reducing optical distance while maintaining light uniformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the diffusion sheet from the conventional backlight module structure. By using the substrate itself as a reflective layer with high reflectivity, the diffusion sheet becomes unnecessary, thereby reducing the number of components and overall thickness while achieving adequate light uniformity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 high light uniformity and efficiency by utilizing the substrate and encapsulation layer as a light-uniformizing optical path, reducing the number of light-emitting elements needed and enhancing luminous efficiency while minimizing the module's thickness and cost.

Implementation Method 1

the reflective layer is configured to reflect the light incident on the reflective layer toward a direction away from the light-exit side of the light-emitting element

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11862761B2Light-emitting module and display apparatus

Publication Date: 2024.01.02 BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO LTD

AI summary

Provided are a light-emitting module and a display apparatus. The light-emitting module may include a substrate, at least one light-emitting element located on a side of the substrate, and a first light-uniformizing component and a reflective layer disposed on a light-exit side of the light-emitting element; wherein, the first light-uniformizing component is configured to make light emitted by the light-emitting element be uniformly incident on the reflective layer; and the reflective layer is configured to reflect the light incident on the reflective layer toward a direction away from the light-exit side of the light-emitting element.