Light source element with lateral, oblique light infeed
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A light source element, comprising:
- a light waveguide, comprising;
a light exit face;
a surface lying opposite the light exit face;
a plurality of lateral surfaces, each of the plurality of lateral surfaces connecting the light exit face and the surface opposite the light exit face; and
more than two light entry faces, each one of the more than two light entry faces being separated and remote from the other light entry faces,wherein at least one member of a group consisting of each of the lateral surfaces and the surface opposite the light exit face is covered with reflectors that at least one of reflect and diffusely return light; and
wherein each light entry face is formed by a portion of at least one member of the group of surfaces and comprises an opening in a reflector that corresponds to a portion of an aperture region at the light waveguide, and each light entry face is positioned at an acute angle relative to one of the principal directions of extent of the waveguide; and
light infeed units positioned in front of more than one of the light entry faces, each light infeed unit comprising at least one light source, so that light radiation emitted during operation of the light source enters the light waveguide at an oblique angle relative to one of the principal directions of extent of the waveguide,wherein a projection of the light waveguide formed by a light entry face and at least some members of the group consisting of the lateral surfaces, the light exit face, and the surface opposite the light exit face, is present at every light infeed unit.
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Abstract
A light source element is employed back-lighting of liquid crystal displays and that comprises an obliquely placed light exit face and/or light entry face. At its surfaces, the light waveguide is surrounded by reflectors into which suitable aperture regions are potentially formed. A plurality of light sources and/or a more direct view is provided and, thus, a corresponding increase of the luminance results. A method is also provided for the manufacture of a light source element with an integrated reflector.
19 Citations
42 Claims
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1. A light source element, comprising:
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a light waveguide, comprising; a light exit face; a surface lying opposite the light exit face; a plurality of lateral surfaces, each of the plurality of lateral surfaces connecting the light exit face and the surface opposite the light exit face; and more than two light entry faces, each one of the more than two light entry faces being separated and remote from the other light entry faces, wherein at least one member of a group consisting of each of the lateral surfaces and the surface opposite the light exit face is covered with reflectors that at least one of reflect and diffusely return light; and wherein each light entry face is formed by a portion of at least one member of the group of surfaces and comprises an opening in a reflector that corresponds to a portion of an aperture region at the light waveguide, and each light entry face is positioned at an acute angle relative to one of the principal directions of extent of the waveguide; and light infeed units positioned in front of more than one of the light entry faces, each light infeed unit comprising at least one light source, so that light radiation emitted during operation of the light source enters the light waveguide at an oblique angle relative to one of the principal directions of extent of the waveguide, wherein a projection of the light waveguide formed by a light entry face and at least some members of the group consisting of the lateral surfaces, the light exit face, and the surface opposite the light exit face, is present at every light infeed unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A light source element, comprising:
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a light waveguide, comprising; a light exit face; a surface lying opposite the light exit face; a plurality of lateral surfaces, each of the plurality of lateral surfaces connecting the light exit face and the surface opposite the light exit face; and at least two light entry faces, wherein each of the at least two light entry faces is separated from the other light entry faces and formed by a portion of at least one member of a group consisting of each of the plurality of lateral surfaces and the surface opposite the light exit surface, and comprises an opening in a reflector that corresponds to a portion of an aperture region at the light waveguide; and wherein each of the at least two light entry faces is formed on a common side of the light waveguide and arranged at an acute angle relative to one of the principal directions of extent of the light waveguide; and light infeed units positioned in front of more than one of the light entry faces, each light infeed unit comprising at least one light source, so that light radiation emitted during operation of the light source enters the light waveguide at an oblique angle relative to one of the principal directions of extent of the wave guide, wherein at least one member of the group consisting of the lateral surfaces and the surface opposite the light exit face is covered with reflectors that at least one of reflect and diffusely return light; and wherein a projection of the light waveguide formed by a light entry face and at least some members of the group consisting of the lateral surfaces, the light exit face, and the surface opposite the light exit face, is present at every light infeed unit. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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30. A light source element, comprising:
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a light waveguide, comprising; a light exit face; a surface lying opposite the light exit face; a plurality of lateral surfaces, each of the plurality of lateral surfaces connecting the light exit face and the surface opposite the light exit face; and at least one aperture region comprising a first portion of a first surface selected from a group consisting of each of the plurality of lateral surfaces and the surface opposite the light exit face, the first portion being free of reflectors, and further comprising second and third portions of the first surface adjacent to the first portion and on opposite sides of the first portion, and covered by reflectors, wherein at least one member of the group of surfaces is covered with reflectors that at least one of reflect and diffusely return light; and wherein a light entry face is formed within said aperture region by the first portion, and the light entry face is positioned at an acute angle relative to one of the principal directions of extent of the waveguide; and light infeed units positioned in front of at least some of the light entry faces, each light infeed unit comprising at least one light source, so that light radiation emitted during operation of the light source enters the light waveguide at an oblique angle relative to one of the principal directions of extent of the waveguide, wherein a projection of the light waveguide formed by a light entry face and at least some members of the group consisting of the lateral surfaces, the light exit face, and the surface opposite the light exit face, is present at every light infeed unit. - View Dependent Claims (31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42)
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Specification