The present disclosure relates to a light-emitting device, a backlight device, and a liquid crystal display device.
Various light-emitting devices that serve as backlight devices using laser light sources have been developed so far. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-134256 (published on Aug. 3, 2017) discloses a configuration with which a uniform planar light source is obtained by having a three-primary-color (for example, RGB, the same hereinafter) laser light source and an enlarging optical system and superposing images for RGB obtained by subjecting the respective laser light to enlargement/beam-shaping as appropriate.
Furthermore, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-231017 (published on Oct. 8, 2009) discloses a configuration with which a planar light source having excellent uniformity is obtained by light from an RGB laser light source entering a light guide plate using a diffractive optical element that is made to oscillate by an actuator.
In the configuration of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2017-134256, there is a problem in that the number of components for the optical system is high, which requires further space.
Furthermore, there is a problem in that there is an increase in the number of components also in the configuration of Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-231017 in which an actuator is required.
An aspect of the present disclosure addresses the aforementioned problems of the related art, and provides a light-emitting device that can realize plane emission by means of a simple configuration, a backlight device provided with this light-emitting device, and a liquid crystal display device provided with this backlight device.
In order to address the aforementioned problems, a light-emitting device according to an aspect of the present disclosure is provided with: at least one laser light source provided with a plurality of laser diodes that emit laser light having mutually different wavelengths; and a diffraction grating arranged at a laser light emission side of the laser light source, in which the diffraction grating is configured so that at least some of the laser light is synthesized directly within a plane separated by a predetermined distance from the diffraction grating.
First, a liquid crystal display device provided with a light-emitting device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to
(Configuration of Liquid Crystal Display Device)
As depicted in
The liquid crystal panel 10 is a display panel that displays images on the basis of input electrical signals. The diffusion plate 155 is provided to diffuse light emitted from the light-emitting device 15 and to emit light efficiently toward the liquid crystal panel 10. The diffusion plate 155 is provided in a position where a synthesis region described hereinafter is formed in a laser light emission direction, for example. In the present embodiment, the material of the diffusion plate 155 is not particularly restricted, and it is sufficient as long as light emitted from the light-emitting device 15 can be diffused. Furthermore, the diffusion plate 155 is formed from a material that transmits light.
Although not depicted, note that, from the viewpoint of enhancing luminance and so forth, a luminance enhancement sheet and an optical member such as a microlens sheet or a prism sheet may be provided as well as the diffusion plate 155 in the present embodiment, and the configuration of the liquid crystal display device 1 is not restricted to the aforementioned configuration.
(Configuration of Light-Emitting Device)
Next, the light-emitting device 15 according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to
The laser light source 151 is provided with a laser diode 151B that emits blue laser light having a peak wavelength of 450 nm (B light hereinafter), a laser diode 151G that emits green laser light having a peak wavelength of 520 nm (G light hereinafter), and a laser diode 151R that emits red laser light having a peak wavelength of 638 nm (R light hereinafter), for example.
As depicted in
In the present embodiment, the diffractive optical elements can be designed according to various conditions such as the spatial distance, light distribution pattern, laser wavelength, or mode of arrangement.
According to the aforementioned configuration, it becomes possible for laser light that is incident on the diffraction gratings 152 (in the present embodiment, B light, G light, and R light, for example) to be subjected to beam-shaping and then to be directly and uniformly synthesized (also referred to as color mixing) in an arbitrary emission shape and intensity distribution state in a plane (diffusion plate 155) separated by a predetermined spatial distance (predetermined spatial distance H in
More specifically, as depicted in
In the present embodiment, the laser diodes 151B, 151G, and 151R are mounted on the mounting substrate 154; however, in the present embodiment, the mounting method is not particularly restricted, and a well-known method may be used.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example is given in which the heights of the laser diodes 151B, 151G, and 151R (the height of a package 151P described hereinafter, for example) are the same; however, this does not restrict the present embodiment. The heights of the laser diodes may be different from each other.
As mentioned above, in the present embodiment, the light-emitting device 15 is provided with the laser light source 151 including the plurality of laser diodes 151B, 151G, and 151R that emit laser light having mutually different wavelengths (the aforementioned B light, G light, and R light, for example), and the diffraction gratings 152 arranged at the laser light emission side (the upper side in
According to the aforementioned configuration, it is possible to provide the light-emitting device 15 being able to realize plane emission by means of a simple configuration.
Furthermore, in the present embodiment, a configuration was described in which the diffraction gratings 152 are arranged at the laser light emission side of the laser light source 151; however, more specifically, a configuration may be adopted in which the diffraction gratings 152 are arranged adjacent to the laser light source 151, for example.
The installation position of the diffraction gratings 152 is not restricted to the aforementioned configuration and can be altered as appropriate.
The aforementioned configuration is able to contribute to reducing dimensions in the laser light emission direction of the light-emitting device and also to omitting support members for diffraction gratings, and is therefore also beneficial for reducing the manufacturing cost of the light-emitting device.
Furthermore, in
According to the aforementioned configuration, the layout design for the constituent members is simplified and the entire light-emitting device becomes a simple structure when compared to the related art. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the number of optical members, and therefore a space-saving effect can also be obtained.
(Example of Arrangement of Laser Diodes)
Next, an example of the arrangement of the laser diodes according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to
According to the aforementioned configuration, even in a case where the light-emitting device 15 is arranged in plurality in a one or two-dimensional manner, adjacent light-emitting devices 15 do not interfere with each other. Therefore, a plurality of light-emitting devices 15 can be arranged in plurality without hindrance.
(Laser Light Source Modified Example 1)
In the above description, a configuration was described in which one laser light source 151 is provided with the laser diodes 151B, 151G, and 151R. However, the present disclosure is not restricted thereto. For example, in a situation where high luminance is desired in a light-emitting device, the amount of light from the laser light source may be increased. To respond to this kind of situation, in the present embodiment, it is possible for the quantity of laser diodes included in one laser light source to be increased. A possible example is the addition of one laser diode 151G. As a result, although not depicted, a so-called “RGGB” configuration is realized, in which the one laser light source in the present modified example 1 is provided with one laser diode 151B, two laser diodes 151G, and one laser diode 151R. In other words, a light-emitting device is obtained in which the laser light source 151 has two or more laser diodes of the same color (for example, the laser diodes 151G).
According to the aforementioned configuration, by increasing the number of laser diodes of the same color and sharing the amount of generated heat, it is possible to suppress a concentration in the local generation of heat and to use laser diodes efficiently.
(Laser Light Source Modified Example 2)
Furthermore, in the light-emitting device according to the present disclosure, a configuration may be adopted in which more than three types of laser light having mutually different wavelengths is emitted from the laser diodes. Consequently, for example, by further providing the laser light source with a laser diode that emits yellow laser light (Y light), a configuration having laser light of the four colors of B light, G light, R light, and Y light may be implemented. By doing so, it is possible to improve the luminance of the light emitted from the light-emitting device and the color gamut when light has passed through the liquid crystal panel.
Furthermore, by further providing a laser diode that emits cyan laser light (C light), a configuration having laser light of the four colors of B light, G light, R light, and C light may be implemented.
Furthermore, possible examples of combinations of laser light in other modes are combinations such as a combination of B light, C light, Y light, and R light, a combination of B light, C light, G light, and R light, and a combination of B light, C light, G light, and Y light, for example. In other words, the laser light source 151 has three or more types of the aforementioned laser diodes.
According to the aforementioned configuration, it is possible to improve the color gamut when light emitted from the light-emitting device 15 has passed through the liquid crystal panel 10.
(Laser Light Source Modified Example 3)
Furthermore, from the viewpoint of improving chromaticity variation, counteracting chromaticity drift, dealing with local dimming, and so forth, the light-emitting device 15 according to the present disclosure may have a configuration provided with a control unit that is capable of individually controlling the emission of light by the laser diodes 151B, 151G, and 151R. Here, the control unit may be provided for every single set of the laser diodes 151B, 151G, and 151R, or may be provided for every plurality of sets.
According to the aforementioned configuration, it becomes possible to independently control the output of a laser light source.
(Example of Arrangement of Laser Light Source)
Next, an example of the arrangement of laser light sources according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to
As depicted in
As mentioned above, the light-emitting device 15 has a simple configuration of the laser diodes 151B, 151G, and 151R and the three diffraction gratings 152 corresponding thereto in each of the illumination regions, and it is therefore possible for the illumination regions to be reduced to the size of one laser light source 151 (or the size of the package 151P described hereinafter). Consequently, super-multiple division also becomes possible such that the number of divided areas exceeds 1000, for example.
Specifically,
As depicted in
According to the aforementioned configuration, the width W of the mounting substrate 154 that is mounted can be reduced, and therefore the cost of the mounting substrate can be reduced.
Furthermore,
As depicted in
According to the aforementioned configuration, the heat density caused by the generation of heat by the laser diodes can be intentionally altered. For example, by arranging laser diodes R, which have relatively poor temperature characteristics, on the mounting substrates 154a depicted in
Compared to the aforementioned arrangement example 1, according to the aforementioned configuration, the physical distance between the laser diodes can be increased and therefore the local heat density can be reduced.
Compared to the configuration depicted in
Compared to the aforementioned arrangement example 2, according to the aforementioned configuration, the heat density can be further averaged, and therefore balance can be achieved in such a way that local heat generation does not occur.
Furthermore, the configuration depicted in
Another embodiment of the light-emitting device of the present disclosure will be described hereinafter. Note that, for convenience of the description, members having the same functions as the members described in the aforementioned embodiment are denoted by the same reference characters and descriptions thereof will not be repeated.
Next, the light-emitting device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to
As depicted in
The light-emitting device 15c also has a control unit that is not depicted. The color sensor 156 receives some of the laser light that is reflected by the diffusion plate 155, for example. Furthermore, the control unit independently controls each laser diode so that the received laser light becomes a predetermined color. In other words, the light-emitting device 15c has the color sensor 156, and controls the emission of light of at least any of the plurality of laser diodes, on the basis of a detection result produced by the color sensor 156. Here, a control unit that controls light emission may also be provided for every illumination region or may be provided for every plurality of illumination regions. Furthermore, the color sensor 156, for example, can be configured using a photodiode, a color filter, or the like; however, other configurations may be adopted such as arranging a photodiode inside the laser light source 151.
According to the aforementioned configuration, it is possible to control the luminance and chromaticity of a light-emitting device by controlling the amount of light emitted from each laser light source.
Next, a light-emitting device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to
As depicted in
In the present embodiment, for example, the integrated diffraction grating 152a is provided so as to correspond to each laser diode.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the same effect as that of embodiment 1 can be demonstrated. Furthermore, the diffraction grating 152a being integrated can thereby contribute also to simplifying the support members therefor, and is also beneficial for reducing the manufacturing cost of the light-emitting device.
Next, a light-emitting device according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to
As depicted in
As depicted in
According to the aforementioned configuration, the same effect as that of embodiment 1 can be demonstrated. Furthermore, by providing the reflection sheet 157, the light emission efficiency of the light-emitting device can be further improved.
Note that the configuration of the present embodiment in which a reflection sheet is provided can naturally be applied also to the aforementioned embodiments 1 to 3.
When the configuration of the present comparative example and the configuration of the present disclosure are compared, there are few constituent members for the light-emitting device in the aforementioned embodiments of the present disclosure, and therefore there is an advantage in that it is possible to provide a light-emitting device having a simple configuration.
A light-emitting device (15) according to aspect 1 of the present disclosure is provided with: at least one laser light source (151) provided with a plurality of laser diodes that emit laser light having mutually different wavelengths; and a diffraction grating (152) arranged at the laser light emission side of the laser light source (151), in which the diffraction grating (152) is configured so that at least some of the laser light is synthesized directly within a plane (a plane including the synthesis region 153) separated by a predetermined distance (H) from the diffraction grating (152).
According to the aforementioned configuration, it is possible to provide a light-emitting device (15) that is able to realize plane emission by means of a simple configuration.
For a light-emitting device (15) according to aspect 2 of the present disclosure, in the aforementioned aspect 1, the diffraction grating (152) may be arranged adjacent to the laser light emission side with respect to the laser light source (151).
For a light-emitting device (15) according to aspect 3 of the present disclosure, in the aforementioned aspect 2, the diffraction grating (152) may be formed in a package (151P) that houses the laser diodes.
The configurations of the aforementioned aspects 2 and 3 are able to contribute to reducing dimensions in the laser light emission direction of the light-emitting device and also to omitting support members for diffraction gratings, and are therefore also beneficial for reducing the manufacturing cost of the light-emitting device.
For a light-emitting device (15) according to aspect 4 of the present disclosure, in any one of the aforementioned aspects 1 to 3, the plurality of laser diodes may be arranged so that the optical axes of the respective laser diodes are oriented in mutually identical directions.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the layout design for the constituent members is simplified and the entire light-emitting device becomes a simple structure when compared to the related art. Furthermore, it is possible to reduce the number of optical members, and therefore a space-saving effect can also be obtained.
For a light-emitting device (15) according to aspect 5 of the present disclosure, in any one of the aforementioned aspects 1 to 4, the laser light source (151) may be arranged in plurality in a two-dimensional manner.
According to the aforementioned configuration, it is possible for each illumination region to be reduced to the size of one laser light source (151). Consequently, super-multiple division also becomes possible such that the number of divided areas exceeds 1000, for example.
For a light-emitting device (15) according to aspect 6 of the present disclosure, in any one of the aforementioned aspects 1 to 5, the plurality of laser diodes may be arranged in a two-dimensional manner, and the emission centers of the respective laser diodes may be positioned within a region obtained by projecting a synthesis region (153) for corresponding laser light.
According to the aforementioned configuration, even in a case where light-emitting devices are arranged in plurality in a one or two-dimensional manner, adjacent light-emitting devices do not interfere with each other. Therefore, a plurality of light-emitting devices can be arranged in plurality without hindrance.
For a light-emitting device (15) according to aspect 7 of the present disclosure, in any one of the aforementioned aspects 1 to 6, the laser light source (151) may have two or more of the laser diodes having identical wavelengths.
According to the aforementioned configuration, by increasing the number of laser diodes having the same wavelength and sharing the amount of generated heat, it is possible to suppress a concentration in the local generation of heat and to use laser diodes efficiently.
For a light-emitting device (15) according to aspect 8 of the present disclosure, in any one of the aforementioned aspects 1 to 7, the laser light source (151) may have three or more types of the laser diodes.
According to the aforementioned configuration, it is possible to improve the color gamut when light emitted from the light-emitting device (15) has passed through the liquid crystal panel (10).
For a light-emitting device (15) according to aspect 9 of the present disclosure, in any one of the aforementioned aspects 1 to 8, it may be possible for at least one output of the laser light source (151) to be independently controlled.
According to the aforementioned configuration, it becomes possible to independently control the output of the laser light source at least.
For a light-emitting device (15) according to aspect 10 of the present disclosure, in any one of the aforementioned aspects 1 to 9, there may also be a color sensor (156), and the emission of light of at least any of the plurality of laser diodes may be controlled based on a detection result produced by the color sensor (156).
According to the aforementioned configuration, it is possible to control the luminance and chromaticity of a light-emitting device by controlling the amount of light emitted from each laser light source.
For a light-emitting device (15) according to aspect 11 of the present disclosure, in any one of the aforementioned aspects 1 to 10, there may also be provided a reflection member (157) that causes light reflected toward the side opposite the emission side to be reflected toward the emission side.
According to the aforementioned configuration, in addition to it being possible for the same effect as that of aspect 1 to be demonstrated, by providing the reflection member (157), it is possible for the light emission efficiency of the light-emitting device to be further improved.
A backlight device according to aspect 12 of the present disclosure is provided with the light-emitting device according to any one of the aforementioned aspects 1 to 11.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the same effect as that of aspect 1 can be demonstrated.
A liquid crystal display device according to aspect 13 of the present disclosure is provided with the backlight device according to the aforementioned aspect 12.
According to the aforementioned configuration, the same effect as that of aspect 1 can be demonstrated.
The present disclosure is not restricted to the aforementioned embodiments, various alterations are possible within the scope indicated in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in each of the different embodiments are also included within the technical scope of the present disclosure. In addition, novel technical features can be formed by combining the technical means disclosed in each of the embodiments.
The present disclosure contains subject matter related to that disclosed in Japanese Priority Patent Application JP 2018-032331 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Feb. 26, 2018, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors insofar as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2018-032331 | Feb 2018 | JP | national |