Segmented Light Guide Pairs for Large Area Illumination
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing technologies face challenges in manufacturing large illumination devices and display devices due to the requirement of high mold clamping force for injection molding of light guides, making it difficult to produce larger backlights and display panels efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves arranging multiple light guides side by side in a backlight, allowing for the creation of a large illumination device without the need for a large molding machine, utilizing laser light source elements and a specific configuration of light guides and prism sheets to optimize light distribution and reduce reflections at connecting parts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If a single large light guide is used to create a large illumination device, then the illumination area is increased, but the mold clamping force requirement increases making manufacturing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides a large illumination device into multiple smaller light guides (first light guide and second light guide) that are connected together. Each light guide can be manufactured separately using standard injection molding machines, avoiding the need for large-clamping-force equipment, and then assembled to form the complete large-area illumination device.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple light guides are connected side by side to form a large illumination device, then the illumination area is increased, but the visibility of connecting parts increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different optical properties to different regions of the light guides. Reflective parts are provided on the side surfaces of the light guides to reflect light back into the light guide, making the connecting parts invisible from the front viewing direction. This local optimization eliminates the visual impact of connections while maintaining large-area illumination.
3Area of stationary object
If light guides are connected with their long sides opposed to each other, then the illumination area is increased, but light leakage at connecting parts occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the potentially harmful light leakage at connecting parts into a beneficial feature by providing reflective parts on the side surfaces. These reflective parts capture light that would otherwise leak and redirect it back into the light guide, transforming the harmful leakage into additional useful light output while maintaining the large-area configuration.
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 enables the production of large illumination devices and display devices with improved light distribution and reduced visibility of connecting parts, enhancing the brightness and aesthetic appeal of the display panel while minimizing the need for high-clamping-force molding machines.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of laser light source elements arranged to be opposed to first and second side surfaces on short sides of the light guide pair respectively
Implementation Method 2
a light guide to which light from the light source element is applied
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an illumination device, in which a plurality of light guides include a plurality of light guide pairs, each of the plurality of light guide pairs includes a first light guide and a second light guide, the plurality of light guide pairs are connected with their long sides opposed to each other, a plurality of laser light source elements include a plurality of first light source elements arranged to be opposed to a first side surface on a short side of the first light guide of the light guide pair, and a plurality of second light source elements arranged to be opposed to a second side surface of the second light guide of the light guide pair.