Spread illuminating apparatus with multi-layer light conductive member

• US 20020135560A1
• Filed: 03/18/2002
• Published: 09/26/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Minebea Company Limited (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Minebea Company Limited (MinebeaMitsumi Inc.)
• Inventors: Akaoka, Hiroki
• Granted Patent: US 6,540,368 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/156
• 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 6/0055 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0061 to provide homogeneous light output intensity
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 385/901 Illuminating or display apparatus

Abstract

A spread illuminating apparatus provides uniform illumination and high brightness over a whole screen. A plurality of plate-like light conductive members form a multi-layer light conductive member. An optical path conversion means composed of grooves formed parallel to the thickness direction of each plate-like light conductive member and flat portions is provided on one surface of each of the plate-like light conductive members. Each groove of each plate-like light conductive member overlaps partly with each groove of adjacent plate-like light conductive members thereby constituting each multiple groove. A plurality of multiple grooves of the light conductive member are formed with inclination such that one multiple groove thereof overlaps partly with adjacent multiple grooves with the longitudinal direction of the light conductive member.

Claims

1. A spread illuminating apparatus of side light type, comprising:

a transparent substrate made of a light-transmissible material; and

at least one light source which is composed of a bar-like light conductive member and at least one spot-like light source provided at an end of the bar-like light conductive member, and which is provided close to an end surface of the transparent substrate, characterized in that;

the bar-like light conductive member is a multi-layer light conductive member consisting of a plurality of plate-like light conductive members put into lamination, and that;

an optical path conversion means is provided on a surface of each of the plate-like light conductive members constituting the multi-layer light conductive member.

2. A spread illuminating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical path conversion means is composed of a plurality of grooves and a plurality of flat portions adjacent thereto.

3. A spread illuminating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the optical path conversion means is composed of a plurality of grooves.

4. A spread illuminating apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein each groove on each plate-like light conductive member is formed parallel to a thickness direction of the plate-like light conductive member.

5. A spread illuminating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each groove on each plate-like light conductive member is formed to overlap partly with each groove on adjacent plate-like light conductive members such that the grooves on respective plate-like light conductive members as a whole constitute a plurality of multiple grooves of the multi-layer light conductive member, which are inclined with respect to the thickness direction of the multi-layer light conductive member.

6. A spread illuminating apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the plurality of multiple grooves are formed in such a manner that one multiple groove thereof overlaps partly with adjacent multiple grooves with regard to a longitudinal direction of the multi-layer light conductive member.

7. A spread illuminating apparatus according to claim 4, wherein each groove on each plate-like light conductive member is formed not to be aligned to each groove on adjacent plate-like light conductive members.

8. A spread illuminating apparatus according to claim 2, 3, 6 or 7, wherein the grooves of the optical path conversion means provided on the plate-like light conductive member are triangular in section.

9. A spread illuminating apparatus according to claim 2, 3, 6 or 7, wherein the grooves of the optical path conversion means provided on the plate-like light conductive member are trapezoidal in section.