Surface Light Source Reflector Segmentation for Thermal Wrinkle Suppression

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Solution Overview

Problem

Surface light source devices with reflective sheets experience wrinkles due to thermal expansion, leading to non-uniform luminance distribution caused by the adhesive attachment method, which fails to absorb expansion effectively.

Innovation Solution

The surface light source device employs a reflector with a first and second reflective sheet that are shiftable relative to each other via engagement pieces and engaged portions, allowing thermal expansion to be absorbed without edge turning and improving assembly workability by being installed as a unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If the reflective sheet is adhered by double-sided adhesive sheets at multiple locations, then the reflective sheet is fixed to the LED substrate, but thermal expansion causes wrinkles and non-uniform luminance distribution

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefixing stabilityVSAvoidluminance uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective sheet is divided into multiple segments (first reflective sheet, second reflective sheet, third reflective sheet) that can independently expand and contract. This segmentation allows each segment to accommodate thermal expansion separately, preventing wrinkles and maintaining luminance uniformity while still being fixed to the substrate through adhesive sheets at multiple locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Area of stationary object

If the reflective sheet is divided into multiple parts with overlapping portions, then coverage is improved, but thermal expansion causes wrinkles at the overlapping areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecoverage areaVSAvoidsurface flatness
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The overlapping portions of the divided reflective sheets are designed to be non-adhered, allowing them to dynamically adjust their positions during thermal expansion and contraction. This dynamic design prevents the formation of wrinkles at the overlapping areas while maintaining complete coverage of the LED substrate.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If adhesive sheets are used to suppress lifting of overlapping portions, then the reflective sheet remains in place, but thermal expansion still causes wrinkles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveposition stabilityVSAvoidsurface flatness
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective sheet is segmented into multiple parts with non-adhered overlapping portions. This segmentation allows the overlapping areas to move freely during thermal expansion without being constrained by adhesive, thereby preventing wrinkles while maintaining overall position stability through adhesive attachment at other locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

4Ease of manufacture

If the reflective sheet is made as a single piece, then assembly is simpler, but thermal expansion causes wrinkles and edge turning

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveassembly simplicityVSAvoidsurface flatness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective sheet is divided into multiple segments that can be separately handled and assembled. Each segment independently accommodates thermal expansion, preventing wrinkles and edge turning. The segmented design maintains ease of manufacture by allowing modular assembly while solving the thermal expansion problem that plagues single-piece designs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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 effectively suppresses wrinkles and maintains even luminance distribution by allowing positional shift of the reflective sheets during thermal expansion, enhancing assembly efficiency and preventing edge turning.

Implementation Method 1

expansion and contraction occur in the reflective sheet due to temperature changes

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal expansion: Thermal Expansion

Data Source

PatentEP3916477B1Surface light source device and display device
Publication Date: 2023.09.20 FUNAI ELECTRIC CO LTD
  • EP3916477B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3916477B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP3916477B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6B

AI summary

A surface light source device comprises: a plurality of light sources configured to emit light toward a light exit surface of the surface light source device; a holding member having an installation surface on which the light sources are installed; and a reflector having a plurality of openings that expose the light sources, respectively, the reflector being arranged to cover the installation surface of the holding member, the reflector including a first reflective sheet having an engagement piece at a peripheral portion of the first reflective sheet and a second reflective sheet adjacent to the first reflective sheet and having an engaged portion that is shiftably engaged with the engagement piece.