Segmented Light Guide Plate for Slim Backlight Unit Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional backlight units face challenges in achieving a slim design while preventing dark lines and improving image quality, particularly in display panels, due to limitations in light guide plate design and driving schemes.
Innovation Solution
A slim backlight unit is achieved by using an integrated light guide plate that corresponds to the screen of the display panel, combined with a division driving scheme such as local dimming or impulsive driving, which reduces power consumption and enhances contrast, and allows for easier assembly with modular substrates supporting light emitting diodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional light guide plate design is used, then assembly is simpler, but dark lines appear and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate is divided into multiple separate plates (first light guide plate and second light guide plate) that are positioned at different locations. This segmentation allows each plate to be optimized for its specific function while avoiding dark lines at boundaries, thereby improving image quality without excessive complexity
Solution Approach 2:
A reflective sheet is introduced as an intermediary component between the light emitting diodes and the light guide plates. This reflective sheet redirects light that would otherwise create dark lines, improving image quality by eliminating dark line defects while maintaining a manageable structural complexity
2Ease of manufacture
If light guide plate thickness is increased, then manufacturing is easier, but backlight unit thickness increases and slim design is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The light guide plate system is segmented into multiple thinner plates rather than one thick plate. This allows the total light guiding function to be achieved while keeping individual plate thicknesses small, enabling a slim backlight unit design without compromising manufacturing feasibility
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs thin light guide plate films that are sufficiently thin to maintain overall backlight unit slimness while still being manufacturable with standard processes. The thin film approach balances ease of manufacture with the requirement for reduced thickness
3Use of energy by moving object
If division driving scheme is implemented, then power consumption is reduced and contrast is enhanced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The backlight unit is divided into multiple independently controllable light emitting areas with separate light guide plates for each area. This segmentation enables division driving schemes such as local dimming, where different areas can be driven at different power levels, reducing overall power consumption and enhancing contrast while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The driving scheme is made dynamic by allowing different light emitting areas to be controlled independently with variable brightness levels. This dynamic control enables power consumption optimization and contrast enhancement without requiring overly complex static circuitry, as the complexity is managed through software-controlled dynamic adjustment
4Ease of manufacture
If integrated light guide plate is used, then manufacturing cost is reduced and assembly is simplified, but dark lines appear at light emitting area boundaries
Solution Approach 1:
Rather than using a single integrated light guide plate that causes dark lines, the system segments the light guide function into multiple separate plates. Each plate serves a specific light emitting area, eliminating dark lines at boundaries while keeping the overall structure simple enough to maintain cost-effectiveness and assembly simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
Reflective sheets are used as intermediary components at the boundaries between light emitting areas. These reflective sheets prevent dark line formation by redirecting light that would otherwise be lost at boundaries, thereby improving light uniformity while maintaining the cost benefits of a modular multi-plate design
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 results in a slim backlight unit with improved image quality and reduced manufacturing costs, as well as simplified assembly and power efficiency through the use of an integrated light guide plate and modular substrates.
Implementation Method 1
a light emitting diode to emit light in a lateral direction with respect to a longitudinal direction of the light emitting diode
Implementation Method 2
an integrated light guide plate corresponding to one screen and provided at light emitting areas
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a backlight unit. The backlight unit includes a bottom frame having a bottom surface and a sidewall, a plurality of light emitting diodes defining a plurality of light emitting areas, at least one module substrate provided on the bottom surface of the bottom frame to support at least one light emitting diode and including a connector to supply external power to the light emitting diode, and a integrated light guide plate to bury the light emitting diode therein and provided at the light emitting areas corresponding to one screen image. Dark lines are prevented in the light guide plate and a slim backlight unit is obtained by forming a integrated light guide plate corresponding to a screen image of the display panel in the backlight unit driven by dividing the light emitting areas.