Optical laminated bodies, lighting equipment and area luminescence equipment

• US 20050024558A1
• Filed: 09/03/2004
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Original Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company (3M Company)
• Inventors: Toyooka, Kazuhiko
• Granted Patent: US 7,511,783 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 349/112
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0043 provided on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0056 for producing polarisation effects, e.g. by a surface with polarizing properties or by an additional polarizing elements

Abstract

To provide an optical laminated body which can reduce the number of parts, thereby to simplify an operation of incorporating parts in the production of an optical laminated body, and which can reduce the number of optical surfaces of the optical system as possible, thereby to prevent optical loss by interfacial reflection and to enhance the brightness of an area luminescence equipment. An optical laminated body comprising: a polarizing layer, a first transparent film disposed closely to a front surface of the polarizing layer, and a second transparent film disposed closely to a back surface of the polarizing layer, characterized in that the polarizing layer comprises a reflective polarizing film, and both of the first transparent film and the second transparent film are diffusive films.

Claims

1. A lighting device comprising:

(A) an optical laminated body comprising

(i) a polarizing layer,

(ii) a first transparent film disposed closely to a front surface of the polarizing layer, and

(iii) a second transparent film disposed closely to a back surface of the polarizing layer, wherein the polarizing layer comprises a reflective polarizing film, and both of the first transparent film and the second transparent film are diffusive films, and

(B) a light source supplying light to the optical laminated body through a light entry surface of the first transparent film of the optical laminated body, wherein the light source comprises a plurality of diffusing points of a light diffusive substance disposed on a surface of the light source,

the lighting device providing diffused-polarized light emitted from a light emitting surface of the second transparent film of the laminated body.

2. An area luminescence device comprising the lighting device of claim 1 and a transparent optical body illuminated by the lighting device from a back surface of the optical body.

3. The area luminescence device of claim 2, wherein the optical body comprises an LCD panel.

4. The area luminescence device of claim 2, wherein there is no diffusive plate disposed between the lighting device and the optical body.

5. The lighting device of claim 2, further comprising a lens film disposed between the light source and the optical laminated body.