Spread illuminating apparatus

• US 20010005315A1
• Filed: 12/15/2000
• Published: 06/28/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Minebea Company Limited (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Minebea Company Limited (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Inventors: Suzuki, Shingo, Toyoda, Koichi
• Granted Patent: US 6,390,639 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/31
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0016 Grooves, prisms, gratings, scattering particles or rough surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0018 Redirecting means on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0028 Light guide, e.g. taper
• 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: G02B 6/0086 Positioning aspects
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0091 of the light source relative to the light guide G02B6/0021 takes precedence

Abstract

A cover portion 20 which covers a spot-like light source 8 is provided on the printed circuit board (FPC) 9, thereby giving electrical insulation from the surrounding. Therefore, even if a metallic frame is disposed close to the spot-like light source 8, the spot-like light source 8 is prevented surely from shortcircuiting with the metallic frame. Since the cover portion 20 covers the surrounding of the spot-like light source 8, light leakage from the spot-light like source 8 can be minimized and light emitted from the spot-like light source 8 can be used efficiently.

Claims

1. A spread illuminating apparatus having a rectangular light source disposed close to a side end face of a transparent substrate made of a transparent material, wherein said light source is formed with a bar-like light conductive member made of a transparent material and disposed along and close to at least one side end face of said transparent substrate and a spot-like light source disposed at at least one of both ends of said light conductive member and mounted on a flexible printed circuit board, and said flexible printed circuit board comprises a substrate to mount said spot-like light source on and a cover portion extending from said substrate to cover said spot-like light source and terminals near said spot-like light source thereby electrically insulating those from the surrounding.

2. The spread illuminating apparatus according to

claim 1

, wherein said cover portion is provided by bending an extension from said substrate.

3. The spread illuminating apparatus according to

claim 1

or

2

, wherein said cover portion comprises bend portions.

4. The spread illuminating apparatus according to

claim 2

or

3

, wherein said cover portion has a reinforcing film on its inner surface clear of said bend portions.

5. The spread illuminating apparatus according to

claim 4

, wherein said reinforcing film is of a material high in thermal conductivity such as copper foil.

6. The spread illuminating apparatus according to

claim 4

, wherein said reinforcing film is of a material low in transparency.

7. The spread illuminating apparatus according to any one of

claims 2

to

6

, wherein a cover coating is removed at said bend portions.

8. The spread illuminating apparatus according to any one of

claims 1

to

7

, wherein a frame is provided which covers said light source and extends passing one side end of said transparent substrate to overhang and fix said transparent substrate, a spot-like light source housing portion to house a spot-like light source disposing portion to dispose said spot-like light source of said flexible printed circuit board is provided at the end of said frame, and a positioning mechanism to position said flexible printed circuit board is provided on said spot-like light source disposing portion.

9. The spread illuminating apparatus according to any one of

claims 1

to

7

, wherein a frame is provided which covers said light source and extends passing one side end of said transparent substrate to overhang and fix said transparent substrate, a spot-like light source housing portion to house a spot-like light source disposing portion to dispose said spot-like light source of said flexible printed circuit board is provided at the end of said frame, and a preventive mechanism against said flexible printed circuit board pulling out from said spot-like light source housing portion is provided on said spot-like light source disposing portion.

10. The spread illuminating apparatus according to any one of

claims 1

to

7

, wherein a frame is provided which covers said light source and extends passing one end of said transparent substrate to overhang and fix said transparent substrate, a spot-like light source housing portion to house a spot-like light source disposing portion to dispose said spot-like light source of said flexible printed circuit board is provided at the end of said frame, and an integrated mechanism which positions said flexible printed circuit board and at the same time prevents said flexible printed circuit board from pulling out from said spot-like light source housing portion is provided on said spot-like light source disposing portion.