Surface light source device

• US 5,971,559 A
• Filed: 05/26/1998
• Issued: 10/26/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Enplas Corporation
• Original Assignee: Enplas Corporation
• Inventors: Ishikawa, Tsuyoshi, Yokoyama, Kazuaki, Watai, Kayoko
• Primary Examiner(s): HUSAR, STEPHEN F
• Application Number:
  US09/084,008
• Time in Patent Office: 518 Days
• Field of Search: 362/26, 362/27, 362/31
• US Class Current: 362/625
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0025 Diffusing sheet or layer; Prismatic sheet or layer
• 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 6/0046 Tapered light guide, e.g. wedge-shaped light guide
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/0051 Diffusing sheet or layer
• 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

Abstract

A surface light source device using a light conducting member, in which a multiplicity of concave portions are formed on an opposite surface of a light emitting surface of the light conducting member and the concave portions are arranged to have specific shapes to obtain a bright surface light source with a uniform brightness. A light diffusing material is fulfilled within the concave portions of the light conducting member so that a more uniform brightness can be obtained in an easy manner.

Claims

1. A surface light source device comprising:

a light conducting member made of transparent material;

a linear light source disposed in the vicinity of at least one of edge surfaces of said light conducting member;

a diffusion plate disposed on a light emitting surface side of said light conducting member;

a reflective member disposed on an opposite side surface of said light emitting surface of said light conducting member; and

a light diffusing material being applied on the opposite side surface of the light conducting member so as to cover all over the opposite side surface, said light conducting member comprising a multiplicity of elements formed on said opposite side surface of said light conducting member, elements further away from the light source diffusing more light from the light source than elements closer to the light source.

2. A surface light source device according to claim 1, wherein said multiplicity of elements is a multiplicity of convex portions.

3. A surface light source device according to claim 2, wherein said convex portions are arranged such that the heights are the same but the diameters are smaller on a light source side and becomes larger as farther from the light source.

4. A surface light source device according to claim 2, wherein said convex portions are arranged such that the height and the diameter are smaller on a light source side and become larger as farther from the light source.

5. A surface light source device according to claim 2 wherein said convex portions are arranged to be semi-spherical and radius of curvatures of said convex portions are arranged to be smaller on a light source side and becomes larger as farther from the light source.

6. A surface light source device according to claim 2, wherein said convex portions are arranged to be cylindrical and heights and diameters of said convex portions are smaller on a light source side and becomes larger as farther from the light source.

7. A surface light source device according to claim 4, wherein top surfaces of said convex portions are curved.

8. A surface light source device comprising:

a light conducting member made of transparent material;

linear light sources disposed in the vicinity of two edge surfaces of said light conducting member which are opposite to each other;

a diffusion plate disposed on a light emitting surface side of said light conducting member; and

a reflective member disposed on an opposite side surface of a light emitting surface of said light conducting member, said light conducting member comprising a multiplicity of conical or polygonal pyramid-shaped concave portions formed on said opposite side surface of said light conducting member, and top portions of said concave portions being directed toward to a direction of a light source closer to the relevant concave portions, and a light diffusing material filling said concave portions.

9. A surface light source device according to claim 8, wherein said light diffusing material or said light scattering material is applied on all over the opposite side surface of the light conducting member.

10. A surface light source device according to claim 8, wherein said opposite side surface of the light conducting member is arranged to be concave surface.