Solar-Assisted Side-Light Backlight Module for LCD Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current TFT-LCD backlight modules rely heavily on LED light sources, which, despite being energy-efficient, face limitations in further energy savings, necessitating the exploration of alternative light sources for enhanced energy efficiency and environmental friendliness.
Innovation Solution
A side-light backlight module incorporating a solar light-assisting system, comprising a waveguide, optical film, and an assisting light source that directs collected solar light into the waveguide using fiber optics and an optical connector, allowing for the use of solar light as an auxiliary source during the day and LED as the primary source at night, with a switching device to manage light sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If LED light sources are reduced to minimize quantity, then energy saving is improved, but illumination intensity becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines LED light sources with solar light sources in a hybrid backlight system. The solar light source is integrated into the waveguide structure alongside LEDs, allowing both light sources to work together to illuminate the display. This merging enables reduced LED power consumption while maintaining sufficient overall illumination intensity through the contribution of solar energy during daytime conditions.
2Use of energy by moving object
If solar light source is added as assisting source, then energy saving is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide structure serves multiple functions: it guides light from both LED and solar sources, integrates the solar light collection mechanism, and provides the illumination path to the display. By making the waveguide multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate complex guiding structures for solar light, thereby reducing the overall complexity increase despite adding solar capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a light conversion layer as an intermediary component that facilitates the integration of solar light into the existing LED backlight system. This layer converts and directs solar light through the waveguide structure, enabling seamless integration without requiring major structural modifications to the original LED-based system.
3Use of energy by moving object
If solar light is used during daytime, then energy saving is improved, but reliability decreases due to weather dependency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the operational parameters of the backlight system based on environmental conditions. A sensing mechanism detects daytime conditions and automatically modulates the LED power consumption downward when solar light is available, while maintaining full LED operation during nighttime or cloudy conditions. This parameter adjustment ensures reliable display illumination regardless of weather while maximizing energy savings during suitable conditions.
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 configuration reduces overall LED power consumption, enabling energy savings and environmental sustainability by leveraging solar light during the day and LED light at night, while maintaining display brightness.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of fiber optics coupled to the optical connector for transmitting solar light from the collecting device
Implementation Method 2
a waveguide having an incident surface facing the side-light source and an emitting surface
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a side-light backlight module with assisting solar light source and which comprises a side-light source; a waveguide having an incident surface facing the side-light source and an emitting surface; an optical film set arranged on top of the waveguide and facing the emitting surface; and an assisting light source directing collected solar light into the incident surface of the waveguide. With the provision of the assisting light source, the solar light can be used as an assisting light source making the backlight module and the liquid crystal display device made therefrom become more environmental friendly.