IP Library Granted Patent US 7,350,956
Granted Patent B2
US 7,350,956 · App. 11/345,306 · Granted Apr 1, 2008

Backlight unit and liquid-crystal display device using the same

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,350,956
App. No.
11/345,306
Granted
Apr 1, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A backlight unit prevents the display quality degradation of a LCD device and improves the long-term reliability thereof. The unit comprises at least one fluorescent lamp having a first end and a second end; a first cable or wire connected to the first end of the lamp; and a second cable or wire connected to the second end of the lamp. The first cable or wire is different in shape or type from the second cable or wire. A conductor of the first cable or wire is approximately equal in cross-sectional area to that of the second cable or wire. When two or more fluorescent lamps are used, a cross-sectional area of the conductor of the first cable connected commonly to the first ends of the lamps is approximately equal to the sum of cross-sectional areas of the conductors of the second cables or wires connected respectively to the second ends thereof.

Claims (23)

1. A backlight unit comprising:

a fluorescent lamp having a first end and a second end as a light source;

a first cable or wire connected to the first end of the lamp; and

a second cable or wire connected to the second end of the lamp;

wherein the first cable or wire is different in shape or type from the second cable or wire;

and a conductor of the first cable or wire is approximately equal in cross-sectional area to a conductor of the second cable or wire.

2. The unit according to claim 1 , wherein the conductor of the first cable or wire is approximately equal in cross-sectional area to the conductor of the second cable or wire in such a way that a temperature difference between the first end and the second end of the lamp is 10° C. or less.

3. The unit according to claim 1 , wherein the first cable or wire is a flat cable with a belt-shaped conductor and the second cable or wire is a sheathed wire with a round conductor.

4. A backlight unit comprising:

fluorescent lamps each having a first end and a second end as a light source;

a first cable or wire connected commonly to the first ends of the lamps; and

second cables or wires connected respectively to the second ends of the lamps;

wherein the first cable or wire is different in shape or type from the second cables or wires;

and a cross-sectional area of a conductor of the first cable is approximately equal to a sum of cross-sectional areas of conductors of the second cables or wires.

5. The unit according to claim 4 , wherein the first cable or wire is different in shape or type from the second cables or wires.

6. The unit according to claim 4 , wherein the cross-sectional area of the conductor of the first cable is approximately equal to the sum of the cross-sectional areas of the conductors of the second cables or wires in such a way that a temperature difference between the first ends of the lamp and the second ends thereof is 10° C. or less.

7. The unit according to claim 4 , wherein the first cable or wire is a flat cable with a belt-shaped conductor and each of the second cables or wires is a sheathed wire with a round conductor.

8. A liquid-crystal display device comprising:

a liquid-crystal display panel; and

the backlight unit according to claim 1 .

9. A liquid-crystal display device comprising:

a liquid-crystal display panel; and

the backlight unit according to claim 4 .

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 14, 2022
From: VISTA PEAK VENTURES, LLC
To: GETNER FOUNDATION LLC
Reel/Frame 060654/0430 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 28, 2018
From: GETNER FOUNDATION LLC
To: VISTA PEAK VENTURES, LLC
Reel/Frame 045469/0023 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 10, 2011
From: NEC CORPORATION
To: GETNER FOUNDATION LLC
Reel/Frame 026254/0381 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 7, 2010
From: NEC LCD TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
To: NEC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 024492/0176 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 2, 2006
From: SAKAKI, YOSHINOBU
To: NEC LCD TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
Reel/Frame 017531/0138 →