Vertical Interior Reflectors for Backlight Light Uniformity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solid state lighting panels face challenges in providing spatially uniform light for LCD displays due to the discrete spacing of light sources, making it difficult to achieve uniform color and intensity across the screen.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves mounting LEDs on a surface with a housing that includes vertical reflectors and a diffuse reflector, where the vertical reflectors are oriented perpendicular to the surface and positioned adjacent to the LEDs, and a diffuse reflector with apertures to improve light uniformity by creating an 'infinite mirror' optical effect and recycling light within an optical cavity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If discrete light sources are spaced apart in the backlight unit, then the light sources can be individually mounted and maintained, but the uniformity of light intensity and color across the display screen deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces vertical reflectors that extend perpendicular to the LED array plane, creating a three-dimensional optical cavity. This vertical dimension allows light to be reflected multiple times between the LED array and the reflector surfaces, effectively distributing light from discrete sources across the entire display area and improving uniformity without compromising individual LED accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs reflectors as intermediary elements between the discrete LED sources and the display screen. These reflectors capture light emitted by individual LEDs and redirect it across the display area, mediating the light distribution to achieve uniformity while preserving the discrete nature of the LED sources for easy mounting and maintenance.
2Illumination intensity
If vertical reflectors are added to the backlight unit, then light uniformity is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vertical reflectors serve multiple functions simultaneously: they reflect light to improve uniformity, define the optical cavity boundaries, and provide structural support for the LED mounting surface. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving improved light uniformity.
3Illumination intensity
If reflectors are positioned adjacent to LEDs, then light distribution uniformity is enhanced, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The reflector system is segmented into multiple vertical reflectors positioned at different locations around the LED array. Each reflector handles light from adjacent LEDs, and the segmented approach allows for modular manufacturing and assembly. This segmentation reduces the overall precision requirement compared to a single continuous reflector system, as each segment can be manufactured and positioned independently with standard tolerances.
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 enhances light uniformity by reflecting and diffusing light from LEDs, ensuring consistent color and intensity across the display, even at the edges, thereby improving the overall performance of the solid state backlight unit.
Implementation Method 1
a specular reflector proximate to the surface of the major surface such that the specular reflector is oriented substantially non-parallel to the first surface of the major surface
Implementation Method 2
a diffuse reflector on the major surface. The diffuse reflector can include multiple of apertures configured to receive the LEDs
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are solid state backlight devices and methods for forming the same. A solid state backlight unit according to some embodiments of the invention includes a housing having a major surface and multiple LEDs on a first surface of the major surface. The solid state backlight unit also includes a specular reflector proximate to the first surface of the major surface and oriented substantially perpendicular to the first surface of the major surface.