Surface light source device

• US 5,134,549 A
• Filed: 03/11/1991
• Issued: 07/28/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/19/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Enplas Corporation
• Original Assignee: Enplas Corporation
• Inventors: Yokoyama, Kazuaki
• Primary Examiner(s): Lazarus, Ira S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Cole, Richard R.
• Application Number:
  US07/666,901
• Time in Patent Office: 505 Days
• Field of Search: 362/26, 362/31, 362/32, 362/307, 362/223
• US Class Current: 362/623
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0043 provided on the surface of the light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0061 to provide homogeneous light output intensity
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 13/0409 Arrangements for homogeneous illumination of the display surface, e.g. using a layer having a non-uniform transparency arrangements of reflectors G09F13/14
• CPC Class Codes: G09F 2013/1813 provided with a coating showing a pattern of dots of variable density

Abstract

A surface light source device comprising a linear light source, a light transmitting member having an end surface of incidence located in the vicinity of the light source, a diffusing plate arranged on the front surface of the light transmitting member and a reflecting plate arranged on the rear surface of the light transmitting member; pattens formed as portions having diffusing functions being arranged on the rear surface of the light transmitting member, and the portions having the diffusing function being sparse in area in the vicinity of the center of the end surface of incidence and becoming denser as the portions are farther from the end surface of incidence. The surface light source device is adapted so as to uniformalize luminance on the diffusing plate.

Claims

1. A surface light source device comprising:

a linear light source,

a light transmitting member having an end surface of incidence located proximate said light source,

a diffusing plate disposed on a front surface of said light transmitting member, and

a reflecting plate,

wherein patterns formed as portions having diffusing functions are disposed on a rear surface of said light transmitting member, and

wherein said portions having diffusing functions are sparse in area at a portion proximate a center of the end surface of incidence and said portions become progressively denser in area as the portions are farther from the center of the end surface of incidence.

2. A surface light source device according to claim 1, wherein said patterns are formed as a plurality of portions having the diffusing function and having widths that vary from narrow to wide from a side where the end surface of incidence is disposed toward a second end surface located on a side opposite the end surface of incidence as well as portions having the diffusing function and wider toward both sides thereof in the vicinity of the end surface of incidence.

4. A surface light source device according to claim 1 wherein each of said patterns is formed as a circular portion having the diffusing function.

5. A surface light source device according to claim 1 wherein each of said patterns is formed as an elliptic portion having the diffusing function.

6. A surface light source device according to claim 1 wherein each of said patterns is formed as a rectangular portion having the diffusing function.

3. A surface light source device comprising:

a linear light source,

a light transmitting member composed of a transparent material and having an end surface of incidence located proximate said light source,

a diffusing plate disposed on a front surface of said light transmitting member,

a reflecting plate arranged on a rear surface of said light transmitting member, and

a second reflecting surface formed on a second end surface located on a side opposite the end surface of incidence of said light transmitting member,

wherein patterns formed as portions having diffusing functions are disposed on the rear surface of said light transmitting member,

wherein said patterns are formed as a multiple number of portions having diffusing functions and very small areas, and

wherein said portions are sparse in area proximate the end surface of incidence, become progressively denser in area toward the second end surface, and are denser in area on both sides than in a middle portion proximate the end surface of incidence.

7. A surface light source device comprising:

a linear light source,

a light transmitting member having an end surface of incidence located proximate said light source,

a diffusing plate arranged on a front surface of said light transmitting member, and

a reflecting plate arranged on a rear surface of said light transmitting member,

wherein patterns formed as portions having a diffusing function are arranged on the rear surface of said light transmitting member;

said patterns consisting of a plurality of linear portions arranged at a definite pitch, having non-predetermined widths and being parallel with said light source, and

wherein said linear portions are thin on a side of the end surface of incidence, become progressively thicker toward a second end surface located on a side opposite the end surface of incidence, and have ends thicker than middle portions thereof in proximate the end surface of incidence.