IP Library Granted Patent US 9,322,971
Granted Patent B2
US 9,322,971 · App. 14/606,031 · Granted Apr 26, 2016

Illumination apparatus, method for manufacturing light guide plate, back light module and method for manufacturing the same

Inventors: Chung-Lin Tsai (Taoyuan, TW); Ching-Ling Wang (Taoyuan, TW)
Assignee: Global Lighting Technologies Inc.
G02B6/0021B29D11/00663G02B6/0065G02B6/0068G02B6/0083G02B6/0085B29K2101/12B29K2995/0026G02B6/0073
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,322,971
App. No.
14/606,031
Granted
Apr 26, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method for manufacturing a light guide apparatus includes the following steps. A first mold and a second mold are provided. The first mold and the second mold respectively include a first molding surface and a second molding surface facing each other. A protrusion is disposed at the first or second molding surfaces. Sheet materials are provided. Each sheet material includes an opening corresponding to the protrusion, a first surface and a circuit layer disposed on the first surface. One of the sheet materials is disposed on the first mold with first surface facing the first mold. The first mold and the second mold are closed. An optical plastic material is injected into the space between the first and second molding surfaces to form a light guide plate having a via corresponding to the protrusion for embedding a light source. The sheet material is laminated on the light guide plate.

Claims (50)

1. A method for manufacturing a light guide apparatus, comprising:

providing a first mold and a second mold corresponding to the first mold, the first mold comprising a first molding surface and the second mold comprising a second molding surface facing the first molding surface, wherein at least one protrusion is disposed at the first molding surface or the second molding surface;

providing a plurality of sheet materials, each of the sheet materials comprising an opening corresponding to the protrusion, a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface and a circuit layer disposed on the first surface;

disposing one of the sheet materials on the first mold, and the first surface facing the first mold;

closing the first mold and the second mold, and the first molding surface and the second molding surface defining a containing space therebetween; and

injecting an optical plastic material into the containing space to form a light guide plate having a via corresponding to the protrusion for embedding at least one light source, and the second surface of the one of the sheet materials disposed on the light guide plate to form the light guide apparatus.

2. The method for manufacturing the light guide apparatus in claim 1 , further comprising:

providing a robot arm comprising a first vacuuming cup and a second vacuuming cup;

separating the first mold and the second mold;

using the first vacuuming cup to pick another one of the sheet materials;

using the second vacuuming cup to take the light guide apparatus away from the second mold; and

using the first vacuuming cup to dispose said another one of the sheet materials on the first mold.

3. The method for manufacturing the light guide apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the sheet materials are formed in a roll, and the step of disposing the one of the sheet materials on the first mold comprising:

feeding the one of the sheet materials by a roller; and

using a positioning sensor to locate the one of the sheet materials with the first mold.

4. The method for manufacturing the light guide apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is disposed at the first molding surface, and the via defined by the protrusion is a blind via.

5. The method for manufacturing the light guide apparatus in claim 1 , wherein the protrusion is disposed at the second molding surface, and the via defined by the protrusion is a through hole.

6. The method for manufacturing the light guide apparatus in claim 1 , wherein each of the sheet materials further comprising a heat dissipation layer disposed on the second surface.

7. The method for manufacturing the light guide apparatus in claim 1 , wherein each of the sheet materials further comprising a reflective layer disposed on the second surface.

8. A method for manufacturing a backlight module, comprising:

providing a first mold and a second mold corresponding to the first mold, the first mold comprising a first molding surface and the second mold comprising a second molding surface facing the first molding surface, wherein at least one protrusion is disposed at the first molding surface or the second molding surface;

providing a plurality of sheet materials, each of the sheet materials comprising an opening corresponding to the protrusion, a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface and a circuit layer disposed on the first surface;

disposing one of the sheet materials on the first mold, and the first surface facing the first mold; and

closing the first mold with the second mold, and the first molding surface and the second molding surface defining a containing space therebetween;

injecting an optical plastic material into the containing space to form a light guide plate having a via corresponding to the protrusion for embedding at least one light source, and the second surface of the one of the sheet materials located on the light guide plate;

disposing at least one light source in the via; and

welding to electrically connect the light source and the circuit layer.

9. The method for manufacturing the backlight module in claim 8 , further comprising:

providing a robot arm comprising a first vacuuming cup and a second vacuuming cup;

separating the first mold and the second mold;

using the first vacuuming cup to pick another one of the sheet materials;

using the second vacuuming cup to take the light guide plate away from the second mold; and

using the first vacuuming cup to disposed said another one of the sheet materials on the first mold.

10. The method for manufacturing the backlight module in claim 8 , wherein the sheet materials are formed in a roll, and the step of disposing the one of the sheet materials on the first mold comprising:

feeding the one of the sheet materials by a roller; and

using a positioning sensor to locate the one of the sheet materials with the first mold.

11. The method for manufacturing the backlight module in claim 8 , wherein the protrusion is disposed at the first molding surface, and the via defined by the protrusion is a blind via.

12. The method for manufacturing the backlight module in claim 8 , wherein the protrusion is disposed at the second molding surface, and the via defined by the protrusion is a through hole.

13. The method for manufacturing the backlight module in claim 8 , wherein each of the sheet materials further comprising a heat dissipation layer disposed on the second surface.

14. The method for manufacturing the backlight module in claim 8 , wherein each of the sheet materials further comprising a reflective layer disposed on the second surface.

15. A backlight module, comprising:

a light guide apparatus produced by the method for manufacturing the light guide apparatus as claimed in claim 1 ; and

at least one light source embedded in the via and electrically connected to the circuit layer.

16. The backlight module as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising a heat dissipation layer disposed on the second surface of the sheet material.

17. The backlight module as claimed in claim 15 , further comprising reflective layer disposed on the second surface of the sheet material.

18. An illumination apparatus comprising:

an illumination shell formed by a light guide plate, wherein the illumination shell is in disc shape and adapted to be connected to a fixture;

a sheet material having a circuit layer integrated with the light guide plate; and

a light source embedded in the illumination shell and electrically connected to the circuit layer; and

a heat dissipation layer disposed at a rear surface of the illumination shell, and the circuit layer arranged on a front surface of the illumination shell.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 3, 2015
From: TSAI, CHUNG-LIN; WANG, CHING-LING
To: GLOBAL LIGHTING TECHNOLOGIES INC.
Reel/Frame 034869/0759 →
Continuity (4)
Continuation In Part 13911102 · Jun 6, 2013
Continuation In Part 13172882 · Jun 30, 2011
Continuation In Part 12464104 · May 12, 2009
Related Publication 20150131323A1 · May 14, 2015