Segmented Light-Blocking Panel for Scanning Backlight in Side-Light LCD

Solution Overview

Problem

Side light type backlight units in liquid crystal display devices face challenges in realizing a scanning backlight due to the spreading nature of light from the light guide plate, making it difficult to control light emission in units of display blocks, which results in motion blurring and limits the dynamic contrast ratio, while also being less efficient in manufacturing compared to direct light type units.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a selective light-blocking panel sectioned into blocks between the light guide plate and the black reflector, which can be individually driven to control light transmission and reflection, allowing for scanning backlight functionality and improved light control, thereby enhancing the dynamic contrast ratio and manufacturing efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Weight of moving object

If a side light type backlight unit is used, then the device achieves lightweight, thin, and low power consumption characteristics, but it becomes difficult to control light emission in units of display blocks due to light spreading

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Weight of moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The light-blocking panel is divided into multiple independently controllable blocks that correspond to scanning blocks on the display. Each block can be individually controlled to block or transmit light, enabling block-level light control in a side light type backlight unit despite the inherent light spreading characteristics of the light guide plate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If a side light type backlight unit is used, then manufacturing is easier and the device is thinner, but scanning backlight functionality is difficult to realize

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The light-blocking panel is segmented into multiple blocks that can be independently controlled. This segmentation enables scanning backlight functionality in a side light type configuration, allowing different blocks to be activated sequentially to create the scanning effect while maintaining the manufacturing advantages of side light type units.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A light-blocking panel is introduced as an intermediary component between the light guide plate and the display panel. This mediator enables precise control of light transmission in a side light type backlight unit, allowing scanning backlight functionality without changing the fundamental side light type structure that provides manufacturing advantages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If light sources are positioned to enable scanning backlight, then motion blurring is reduced, but the positions of light sources are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A light-blocking panel is introduced as an intermediary component between the light guide plate and the display panel. This mediator enables precise control of light transmission in a side light type backlight unit, allowing scanning backlight functionality without changing the fundamental side light type structure that provides manufacturing advantages.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If a light-blocking panel is added to enable block-level light control, then scanning backlight is realized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The light-blocking panel serves multiple functions: it enables scanning backlight functionality, improves dynamic contrast ratio, and allows for block-level light control. By making this single component multi-functional, the patent achieves scanning backlight capability without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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 enables the realization of a scanning backlight in side light type units, improving image clarity and dynamic contrast ratio, while also facilitating a lightweight, thin, and narrow bezel design with reduced power consumption.

Implementation Method 1

the selective light-blocking panel is sectioned into a plurality of blocks, and transmits, or diffuses and reflects light emitted to a back surface of the light guide plate for each of blocks

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight transmission and diffusion-reflection: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentUS11112645B2Liquid crystal display device having individually driven blocks in light-blocking panel

Publication Date: 2021.09.07

AI summary

A liquid crystal display device includes a liquid crystal panel, an optical sheet positioned below the liquid crystal panel, a light guide plate positioned below the optical sheet, a selective light-blocking panel positioned below the light guide plate, a reflector positioned below the selective light-blocking panel, and a light emitting diode (LED) assembly positioned on a side of the light guide plate, wherein the selective light-blocking panel is sectioned into a plurality of blocks, and transmits, or diffuses and reflects light emitted to a back surface of the light guide plate for each of blocks.