IP Library Granted Patent US 6,913,378
Granted Patent B2
US 6,913,378 · App. 10/330,593 · Granted Jul 5, 2005

Direct-lighting type back light unit

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 6,913,378
App. No.
10/330,593
Granted
Jul 5, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A direct-lighting type back light unit includes a plurality of light sources for emitting light outward; a reflecting plate defining a plurality of curved reflecting recesses in which the light sources are respectively arranged. Each recess forms a first convex reflecting surface at a center of the recess, a second inclined reflecting surface formed at an edge of the recess and a third inclined reflecting surface formed at the edge and extending from the second reflecting surface.

Claims (28)

1. A back light unit comprising:

a light source for emitting light; and

a reflecting plate defining a curved reflecting recess having a center and opposite edges, a first reflecting surface having a convex configuration being formed at the center of the curved recess and a second reflecting surface inclined at a first angle and formed at each edge of the recess and a third reflecting surface inclined at a second angle and formed on each edge and extending from the second reflecting surface;

wherein the first reflecting surface forms a spherical convex bump protruded from the curved reflecting recess and the light source is disposed above the convex bump.

2. The back light unit according to claim 1 , wherein the light source comprises a tubular lamp having a diameter and wherein the recess of the reflecting plate has a radius of curvature that is greater than a first distance between a lowest point of the light source and a highest point of said first reflecting surface, plus one half of the diameter of the light source.

3. The back light unit according to claim 2 , wherein the first reflecting surface has a radius of curvature that is two to three times of the diameter of the light source.

4. The back light unit according to claim 1 , wherein the first angle of said second reflecting surface is from 20 to 40 degrees.

5. The back light unit according to claim 4 , wherein the first angle is approximately 30 degrees.

6. The back light unit according to claim 1 , wherein the second angle of said third reflecting surface is from 40 to 70 degrees.

7. The back light unit according to claim 6 , wherein the second angle is approximately 60 degrees.

8. The back light unit according to claim 2 , wherein a distance between the first reflecting surface and the light source is greater than 1.0 mm and smaller than one half of the diameter of the light source.

9. The back light unit according to claim 2 , wherein a second distance between a center of the light source and an imaginary bottom of the recess is greater than one half of the diameter of the light source plus the first distance and smaller than one half of the diameter plus twice of the first distance.

10. A back light unit comprising:

a light source for emitting light;

a reflecting plate defining a curved reflecting recess having a center and opposite edges, a first reflecting surface having a convex configuration being formed at the center of the curved recess and a second reflecting surface inclined at a first angle and formed on each edge of the recess and a third reflecting surface inclined at a second angle and formed on each edge and extending from the second reflecting surface; and

a non-printed light guiding plate defining a curved groove facing the light source for diverging the light emitted thereto, the light guiding plate being disposed above the light source and mounted to the reflecting plate that is positioned below the light source so as to surround the light source between the light guiding plate and the reflecting plate;

wherein the first reflecting surface forms a convex bump protruded from the curved reflecting recess and the light source is disposed above the convex bump.

11. The back light unit according to claim 10 , wherein the light source comprises a tubular lamp having a diameter and wherein the recess of the reflecting plate has a radius of curvature that is greater than a first distance between a lowest point of said light source to a highest point of said first reflecting surface, plus one half of the diameter of the light source.

12. The back light unit according to claim 11 , wherein the first reflecting surface has a radius of curvature that is two to three times of the diameter of the light source.

13. The back light unit according to claim 10 , wherein the first angle of said second reflecting surface is from 20 to 40 degrees.

14. The back light unit according to claim 13 , wherein the first angle is approximately 30 degrees.

15. The back light unit according to claim 10 , wherein the first angle of said third reflecting surface is from 40 to 70 degrees.

16. The back light unit according to claim 15 , wherein the first angle is approximately 60 degrees.

17. The back light unit according to claim 11 , wherein a distance between the first reflecting surface and the light source is greater than 1.0 mm and smaller than one half of the diameter of the light source.

18. The back light unit according to claim 11 , wherein a second distance between a center of the light source and an imaginary bottom of the recess is greater than half the diameter of the light source plus the first distance and smaller than one half of the diameter plus twice of the first distance.

19. The back light unit according to claim 11 , wherein the curved groove of the light guiding plate having a radius of curvature substantially equal to the radius of curvature of the curved recess.

20. The back light unit according to claim 10 , comprising a plurality of light sources each accommodated in a space formed by a curved recess defined in the reflecting plate and a corresponding curved groove defined in the light guiding plate, the light guiding plate comprising a connection portion connecting between adjacent grooves, a plurality of convex projections being formed on the connection portion for reflecting light.

21. The back light unit according to claim 10 , wherein frosted layers are formed on the light guiding plate.

Assignments (2)
APPROVAL OF MERGER APPLICATION Recorded Jan 16, 2007
From: QUANTA DISPLAY, INC.
To: AU OPTRONICS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 018757/0319 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 27, 2002
From: HO, YI-CHUN
To: QUANTA DISPLAY INCORPORATION
Reel/Frame 013626/0677 →