The present invention relates to a backlight module of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) system, more specifically to an arrangement for scattering a plurality of pattern structures over a light guide of the backlight module so as to enhance uniform brightness in the light guide of the backlight module.
The LCDs (Liquid Crystal Display) can be constructed in a relatively compact size due to the rapid advance of TFT (Thin Film Transistor) or LTPS (Low Temperature Poly-Silicon) technique in addition to its lower power consumption and low radiation. The manufacturers worldwide have devoted themselves to further research and thus improve the materials, processes and equipments. The qualities of the LCD are accordingly and largely promoted while the cost goes down day-by-day, which, in turn causes a wide use of the LCD system at homes and offices. Note that the LCD itself is not a light emitting instrument, and requires a backlight module in order to display images and information on the display panel. Good or bad quality of the LCD system can directly affect pixel pitch of the backlight module. The backlight module is therefore an important component in the LCD system.
Referring to
The aforesaid upper and lower prisms 10,11 are commonly known as BEF (brightness enhanced film), and are used mainly for enhancing focusing effect. Alternately, optical polarizers can be used for providing the same focusing effect. The diffuser 12 above the light guide 13 is used for diffusing uniformly and tenderly the light beams passing through the light guide 13.
In order to enhance the transmission, brightness and reflection of light beams from the upper and lower surfaces of the light guide 13, a plurality of pattern or V-groove (V-cut) structures are fabricated on the upper and lower surfaces by screen printing technique such that the light beams can diffuse and reflect therefrom. Referring to
In addition to the dot patterns,
Though the distribution of the pattern or V-cuts of specific patterns on the light guide 13 can provide uniform and enhance brightness effect, there are still some disadvantages resulting from the use of the prior backlight module 1. For instance, in order to lower the purchasing cost of and reduce the power consumption of a mobile phone, only a pair of LEDs (Light Emitting Diode) is provided at the light incident side of the light guide 13. Under such arrangement, there may occur uneven distribution of brightness adjacent to the light incident side of the light guide 13, i.e. a section of area immediately adjacent to the LED is brighter than two opposite areas at two sides of said section of area. In the prior art, the entire area adjacent to the light incident side of the light guide 13 is known as Light Transient Area, and the area distant from the LED and having uniform brightness throughout is known as Active Area (AA). In use, the superiority or inferiority of pixel in the display panel heavily depends on degrees of brightness of the Active Area.
Note that the aforesaid arrangement of the pattern or dot patterns on the light guide 13 though provides uniform distribution of light beams, a space of at least 3.2 mm is preserved in front of the prior art backlight module in order that the defected area cannot be seen on the display panel of the LCD system. Under this arrangement, dimension of the Active Area is adversely reduced and limit the space utility of the prior art backlight module.
In the prior art technique, in order to achieve uniform brightness at the Active Area of the light guide 13, the pattern or dot patterns are fabricated continuously in small scale, which, in turn, results in extra manufacture cost. The prior art technique is unable to solve the existing problem.
The object of the present invention is to provide an LCD system including a backlight module having a light guide formed with a plurality of pattern structures of unique construction which is capable of providing uniform brightness through out the entire length of the light guide.
A backlight module for brightness enhancement of a LCD system according to the present invention is provided and includes: a light guide providing light propagating paths, and having a light incident side, and being formed with a plurality of pattern structures, each of the pattern structures having a pair of diagonally-disposed first points defining a first length therebetween, and a pair of diagonally-disposed second points defining a second length therebetween and extending transverse to and crossing the first length, wherein a ratio of the first length and the second length of one of the pattern structures adjacent to the light incident side of the light guide is greater than a ratio of the first length and the second length of one of the pattern structures distant from the light incident side of the light guide. A light source can be disposed adjacent to the light incident side of the light guide for emitting light beams thereinto. Optical films can be disposed on the light guide for scattering uniformly the light beams emitted from the light source.
The foregoing aspects and many of the attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring to
Alternatively, optical polarizers can be used for achieving uniform brightness enhancement instead of the upper prism 20a, a lower prism 20b, and diffuser 20c shown in
Referring to
Referring again to
In general, the ratio of the first length X and the second length Y of said one of the rhombus configurations 210 adjacent to the light incident side 211 of the light guide 21 in ranges of about 1.20 to 3.00. The ratio of the first length X and the second length Y of said one of the rhombus configurations 210 distant from the light incident side 211 of the light guide 21 in ranges of about 0.20 to 1.20. In other embodiment, the ratio of the first length X and the second length Y of said one of the rhombus configurations 210 adjacent to the light incident side 211 of the light guide 21 can be limited in ranges of about 1.20 to 2.45 while the ratio of the first length X and the second length Y of said one of the rhombus configurations 210 distant from the light incident side 211 of the light guide 21 can be limited in ranges of about 0.43 to 0.54. When the ratios of the rhombus configurations 210 adjacent to and distant from the light incident side of the light guide 21 are thus limited, the most light transmission and light diffusion effect is achieved, thereby providing uniform brightness through out the light guide 21. However, pattern of different configurations may provide different ratio values.
The light guide 21 defines a longitudinal axis “L” which extends perpendicularly from the light incident side 211 and which serves a light transmitting direction of the light source 24. The first length X of each of the rhombus configurations 210 in
Referring to
An important aspect to note that by virtue of variations in ratios between the rhombus configurations 210 adjacent to and/or distant from the light incident side 211 of the light guide 21,the uneven diffusion of brightness through out the Light Transient Area in the light guide 21 of the backlight module according to the present invention is corrected and promoted. Under the spirit of the present invention, the substantially polygonal configurations 210 can further include a plurality of substantially oval-shaped configurations 210a as illustrated in
In order to further provide uniform brightness enhancement in the light guide 21, the orientation of the first lengths X of some the rhombus configurations 210 can be oriented, as best shown in
Unlike to preservation of a space of 3.2 mm from the Light Transient Area of the prior art the light guide, a lesser space is required in range of about 2.4 to 2.8 mm to be preserved in front of the light guide 21 of the present invention to achieve the same result. In other words, the arrangement of pattern structures according to the present invention enhances uniform brightness in a greater degree through out the Light Transient Area in the light guide 21 and subsequently reduces the required space. The object is according met.
As is understood by a person skilled in the art, the foregoing preferred embodiment of the present invention is an illustration of the present invention rather than limiting thereon. It is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, the scope of which should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structure.
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