Illuminator for liquid crystal display apparatus

• US 20010003504A1
• Filed: 12/08/2000
• Published: 06/14/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/10/1999
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
• Original Assignee: ROHM Co., Ltd.
• Inventors: Saito, Masao, Ishihara, Takayuki
• Application Number:
  US09/731,765
• Publication Number:
  US 20010003504A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/31
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0018 Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/003 Lens or lenticular sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0038 Linear indentations or grooves, e.g. arc-shaped grooves or meandering grooves, extending over the full length or width of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0083 Details of electrical connections of light sources to drivers, circuit boards, or the like
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133615 Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/133616 Front illuminating devices

Abstract

An illuminator includes a light source, and a light guide panel for guiding light from the light source to outside. The light guide panel is formed with a transparent electrode. The light source is an LED chip having an electrode held in direct electrical contact with the transparent electrode.

Claims

1. An illuminator comprising:

a light source; and

a light guide panel for guiding light from the light source to outside, the light guide panel being formed with a transparent electrode;

wherein the light source comprises an LED chip having an electrode held in direct electrical contact with the transparent electrode.

2. The illuminator according to

claim 1

, wherein the light guide panel includes a planer surface, an irregular surface opposite to the planer surface, and an edge surface located between the planer surface and the irregular surface.

3. The illuminator according to

claim 2

, wherein the transparent electrode is formed on the planer surface of the light guide panel in direct contact with the electrode of the LED chip adjacent to the edge surface.

4. The illuminator according to

claim 3

, wherein the transparent electrode extends from the planer surface of the light guide panel onto the edge surface.

5. The illuminator according to

claim 2

, wherein the transparent electrode is formed on the irregular surface of the light guide panel in direct contact with the electrode of the LED chip adjacent to the edge surface.

6. The illuminator according to

claim 1

, wherein the light guide panel includes an edge surface on which the transparent electrode is formed in direct contact with the electrode of the LED chip.

7. A liquid crystal display apparatus comprising:

a substrate;

a light source mounted on the substrate;

a liquid crystal panel arranged above the substrate; and

a light guide panel for guiding light from the light source to the liquid crystal panel, the light guide panel being formed with a transparent electrode;

wherein the light source comprises an LED chip having an electrode held in direct electrical contact with the transparent electrode.

8. The liquid crystal display apparatus according to

claim 7

, wherein the light guide panel includes a planer surface, an irregular surface opposite to the planer surface, and an edge surface located between the planer surface and the irregular surface.

9. The liquid crystal display apparatus according to

claim 8

, wherein the liquid crystal panel is disposed between the substrate and the light guide panel, the transparent electrode being formed on the planer surface of the light guide panel in direct contact with the electrode of the LED chip adjacent to the edge surface, the LED chip being disposed beside the liquid crystal panel between the substrate and the light guide panel.

10. The liquid crystal display apparatus according to

claim 9

, wherein the liquid crystal panel includes a reflective plate on a side of the liquid crystal panel away from the light guide plate.

11. The liquid crystal display apparatus according to

claim 9

, wherein the transparent electrode extends from the planer surface of the light guide plate onto the edge surface.

12. The liquid crystal display apparatus according to

claim 8

, wherein the light guide panel is disposed between the substrate and the liquid crystal panel, the transparent electrode being formed on the irregular surface of the light guide plate in direct contact with the electrode of the LED chip adjacent to the edge surface, the LED chip being disposed between the substrate and the light guide panel.

13. The liquid crystal display apparatus according to

claim 12

, wherein the liquid crystal panel includes a semi-pervious reflective plate on a side of the liquid crystal panel facing the light guide plate.

14. The liquid crystal display apparatus according to

claim 7

, wherein the light guide panel includes an inclined surface formed at a first edge of the light guide panel in contact with a reflector for reflecting light from the LED chip toward a second edge of the light guide panel opposite to the first edge.

15. The liquid crystal display apparatus according to

claim 7

, wherein the light guide panel includes an edge surface on which the transparent electrode is formed in direct contact with the electrode of the LED chip.