IP Library Granted Patent US 12687746
Granted Patent B2
US 12687746 · App. 18/966,278 · Granted Jul 21, 2026

Light emitting unit, liquid crystal module, display device, and lighting system

Inventor: Takeshi Yamamoto (Tokyo, JP)
Assignee: SATURN LICENSING LLC
G02F1/133317G02B6/0088G02F1/133308G02F1/13332G02F1/133608G02F1/133615
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12687746
App. No.
18/966,278
Granted
Jul 21, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

A display device includes a liquid crystal module ( 10, 20, 30 ) including a display panel ( 10 ) and a light emitting unit ( 20 ) that illuminates the display panel ( 10 ). The light emitting unit ( 20 ) includes a support substrate ( 24 ) that is disposed to face the display panel ( 10 ), a light guide member ( 21 ) that is provided between the display panel ( 10 ) and the support substrate ( 24 ), and has a first end surface ( 213 ) and a second end surface ( 214 ), a light source ( 22 ) that is disposed to face the first end surface ( 213 ), and a holding member ( 25 ) that is provided between the display panel ( 10 ) and the support substrate ( 24 ) along an outer edge of the support substrate ( 24 ), and has a facing surface joined to the second end surface ( 214 ). This display device has a structure suitable for a thin profile.

Claims (27)

1 . A display device comprising:

a display panel;

a light emitting unit that faces the display panel and illuminates the display panel;

a unitary structure having a flat portion positioned along an edge of the display panel and oriented perpendicular to a front surface of the display panel and having a second portion that extends inward from the flat portion such that the second portion faces a rear surface of the display panel;

a rear support substrate that faces the rear surface of the display panel;

a light guide member that is part of the light emitting unit and is provided between the display panel and the rear support substrate; and

a third structure that contacts a distal end of the second portion and faces at least one end surface of the light guide member,

wherein the unitary structure forms a T-shaped structure that covers an entire edge of the display panel.

2 . The display device according to claim 1 , further comprising a light source that is disposed to face a first end surface of the light guide member that is perpendicular to the front surface of the display panel.

3 . The display device according to claim 2 , further comprising a second end surface of the light guide member that faces the first end surface and is a mirror surface.

4 . The display device according to claim 3 , further comprising a light reflecting layer that covers the second end surface.

5 . The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the third structure is oriented parallel to the flat portion.

6 . The display device according to claim 5 , wherein the third structure is fixed to the second portion.

7 . The display device according to claim 6 , wherein the third structure is positioned between the display panel and the rear support substrate.

8 . The display device according to claim 7 , further comprising a holding member positioned between the third structure and at least one end surface of the light guide member.

9 . The display device according to claim 8 , further comprising an adhesive layer adhered to the holding member and positioned between the holding member and the at least one end surface of the light guide member.

10 . The display device according to claim 9 , further comprising an optical film positioned between the adhesive layer and the at least one end surface of the light guide member.

11 . The display device according to claim 8 , further comprising an optical film positioned between the holding member and the at least one end surface of the light guide member.

12 . The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the rear support substrate includes a metal material.

13 . The display device according to claim 8 , wherein the holding member is provided to run along two end surfaces of the light guide member that are perpendicular to the first end surface.

14 . The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the display panel is a liquid crystal module.

15 . The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the light guide member comprises a glass material having a higher rigidity than resin materials and having a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than resin materials.

16 . The display device according to claim 1 , further comprising a reflection sheet disposed on a back surface of the light guide member.

17 . The display device according to claim 1 , wherein the third structure is fixed to the second portion.

18 . The display device according to claim 17 , wherein the third structure is positioned between the display panel and the rear support substrate.

19 . The display device according to claim 18 , further comprising a holding member positioned between the third structure and at least one end surface of the light guide member.

20 . The display device according to claim 19 , further comprising an adhesive layer adhered to the holding member and positioned between the holding member and the at least one end surface of the light guide member.