Illumination system and display device using the same

• US 20060221619A1
• Filed: 03/20/2006
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HannStar Display Corporation
• Original Assignee: NEC LCD Technologies Limited (Tianma Microelectronics Company Limited)
• Inventors: Nishigaki, Eitaro
• Granted Patent: US 7,350,952 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/341
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0028 Light guide, e.g. taper
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/003 Lens or lenticular sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0031 Reflecting element, sheet or layer
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0068 Arrangements of plural sources, e.g. multi-colour light sources
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0073 Light emitting diode [LED]

Abstract

An illumination system that makes it possible to generate light with less color irregularity with a simple structure while restraining the increase of size is provided. A tube-shaped reflector having a tube-shaped wall whose inner surface is reflective is provided. The wall includes an aperture extending along a longitudinal axis of the reflector. In the reflector, plural sets of LEDs are arranged, where colors of light to be emitted from the LEDs in each set are different (for example, red, green, or blue LEDs are used for each set). The LEDs in each set are arranged along the longitudinal axis of the reflector to form a linear light source. A collecting lens is fixed to the reflector in such a way as to fill the aperture of the reflector.

Claims

1. An illumination system for display device, comprising:

a tube-shaped reflector having a tube-shaped wall whose inner surface is reflective, the wall including an aperture extending along a longitudinal axis of the reflector;

plural sets of LEDs arranged in the reflector, colors of light to be emitted from the LEDs in each of the sets being different, the LEDs in each of the sets being arranged along the longitudinal axis of the reflector to form a linear light source; and

a collecting lens fixed to the reflector in such a way as to fill the aperture of the reflector.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein a cross section of the reflector along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is approximately circular, elliptical, or polygonal.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein the inner surface of the reflector has surface irregularities.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein all the LEDs are arranged at approximately equal intervals along the longitudinal axis.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein intervals of the LEDs in at least one of the sets along the longitudinal axis are different from those of the LEDs in the remaining sets.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the LEDs in a first one of the sets are apart from the LEDs in a second one of the sets at a first distance in a circumferential direction of the reflector;

and

the LEDs in the second one of the sets are apart from the LEDs in a third one of the sets at a second distance along the circumferential direction, where the second distance is equal to the first distance.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the LEDs in a first one of the sets are apart from the LEDs in a second one of the sets at a first distance in a circumferential direction of the reflector;

and

the LEDs in the second one of the sets are apart from the LEDs in a third one of the sets at a second distance along the circumferential direction, where the second distance is different from the first distance.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the LEDs in each of the sets are located on a base;

and

the bases are fixed onto the inner surface of the reflector at intervals along a circumferential direction of the reflector.

9. The system according to claim 1, further comprising a sub-reflector fixed to the reflector, the sub-reflector being extended along the longitudinal axis of the reflector;

and

the sub-reflector is located in such a way as to shield the light emitted from the LEDs toward the collecting lens.

10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the sub-reflector has an approximately flat, V-shaped, or arc-shaped cross section along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the sub-reflector has surface irregularities.

12. The system according to claim 9, wherein the sub-reflector is apart from the inner surface of the reflector.

13. The system according to claim 1, further comprising sub-reflectors fixed to the reflector for the respective sets of LEDs, the sub-reflectors being extended along the longitudinal axis of the reflector;

and

each of the sub-reflectors is located in such a way as to shield the light emitted from the LEDs in the corresponding one of the sets toward the collecting lens.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the sub-reflectors has an approximately flat, V-shaped, or arc-shaped cross section along a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

15. The system according to claim 13, wherein at least one of the sub-reflectors has surface irregularities.

16. The system according to claim 13, wherein the sub-reflectors are apart from the inner surface of the reflector.

17. The system according to claim 1, wherein the LEDs in a first one of the sets emit red light, the LEDs in a second one of the sets emit green light, and the LEDs in a third one of the sets emit blue light.

18. A display device comprising:

the illumination system according to claim 1;

a light guide plate having an input end located to confront with the collecting lens of the illumination system; and

a display panel located to confront with an output end of the light guide plate.

19. The device according to claim 18, wherein an LCD panel is included as the display panel, and the illumination system is included as a backlight unit for the LCD panel.