GB2587005A - A thin LED surface light surface module - Google Patents

A thin LED surface light surface module Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2587005A
GB2587005A GB1913160.6A GB201913160A GB2587005A GB 2587005 A GB2587005 A GB 2587005A GB 201913160 A GB201913160 A GB 201913160A GB 2587005 A GB2587005 A GB 2587005A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
light
light guide
guide plate
source module
light source
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Pending
Application number
GB1913160.6A
Other versions
GB201913160D0 (en
Inventor
Hanbury Matthew
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lightly Tech Ltd
Original Assignee
Lightly Tech Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Lightly Tech Ltd filed Critical Lightly Tech Ltd
Priority to GB1913160.6A priority Critical patent/GB2587005A/en
Publication of GB201913160D0 publication Critical patent/GB201913160D0/en
Publication of GB2587005A publication Critical patent/GB2587005A/en
Pending legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0081—Mechanical or electrical aspects of the light guide and light source in the lighting device peculiar to the adaptation to planar light guides, e.g. concerning packaging
    • G02B6/0093—Means for protecting the light guide
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V13/00—Producing particular characteristics or distribution of the light emitted by means of a combination of elements specified in two or more of main groups F21V1/00 - F21V11/00
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V17/00—Fastening of component parts of lighting devices, e.g. shades, globes, refractors, reflectors, filters, screens, grids or protective cages
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V31/00—Gas-tight or water-tight arrangements
    • F21V31/005—Sealing arrangements therefor
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0033—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
    • G02B6/0058—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide varying in density, size, shape or depth along the light guide
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0066—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form characterised by the light source being coupled to the light guide
    • G02B6/0073—Light emitting diode [LED]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L23/00—Details of semiconductor or other solid state devices
    • H01L23/564—Details not otherwise provided for, e.g. protection against moisture
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L25/00—Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid state devices ; Multistep manufacturing processes thereof
    • H01L25/16—Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid state devices ; Multistep manufacturing processes thereof the devices being of types provided for in two or more different main groups of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/00, or in a single subclass of H10K, H10N, e.g. forming hybrid circuits
    • H01L25/162—Assemblies consisting of a plurality of individual semiconductor or other solid state devices ; Multistep manufacturing processes thereof the devices being of types provided for in two or more different main groups of groups H01L27/00 - H01L33/00, or in a single subclass of H10K, H10N, e.g. forming hybrid circuits the devices being mounted on two or more different substrates
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2103/00—Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes
    • F21Y2103/10—Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2115/00—Light-generating elements of semiconductor light sources
    • F21Y2115/10—Light-emitting diodes [LED]
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0033—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
    • G02B6/0035—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0033—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
    • G02B6/005—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide provided by one optical element, or plurality thereof, placed on the light output side of the light guide
    • G02B6/0051—Diffusing sheet or layer
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0033—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
    • G02B6/0058—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide varying in density, size, shape or depth along the light guide
    • G02B6/0061—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide varying in density, size, shape or depth along the light guide to provide homogeneous light output intensity
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0065—Manufacturing aspects; Material aspects
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0081—Mechanical or electrical aspects of the light guide and light source in the lighting device peculiar to the adaptation to planar light guides, e.g. concerning packaging
    • G02B6/0086—Positioning aspects

Abstract

A light source module comprises an assembly comprising a light guide plate 102 having one or more side edge surfaces and a plurality of micro light extraction features on a surface; a diffuser 105 attached to the top surface of the light guide plate; a reflector 106 attached to the bottom surface; a flexible printed circuit board 103 attached to at least one of the side surfaces and comprising at least one light emitting diode 104 abutted against the side edge surface of the light guide plate; and an active area film 107 binding the diffuser, reflector, light guide plate and the printed circuit board, where the active area film is opaque and partially encloses the periphery of the assembly, forming a well-defined aperture on the top surface and preventing light from leaking through the periphery. The module comprises a flexible water-resistant enclosure 101. The light extraction features prevent total internal reflections within the light guide plate to deliver a uniform output through the top surface of the light guide plate, and the density of features increases with distance from the LEDs.

Description

A thin LED surface light source module
Field
The present invention relates to a thin surface light source module. More specifically, the present invention relates to a light emitting diode (LED) driven diffused planar light source module.
Background
There has been much research into the development of light sources which produce diffused white light from a surface, as compared to conventional point light sources, such as LED, incandescent and HID lamps (more commonly referred to as bulbs by consumers).
The prior art teaches that OLED technology can be used to manufacture thin, surface light sources. This technology has several limitations in both optical performance: low light output, low energy efficiency and relatively short lifetime, as well as having a significantly higher cost of manufacture compared to other light sources. For these reasons OLED lighting technology does not have strong commercial viability and an alternative approach to thin, surface light source modules is sought by the marketplace.
For larger scale, surface lighting in flat panel luminaires, a technique is used that was developed from the backlight component of TVs and PC monitors. These have the limitation of being larger sized luminaires, thick and heavy and not suitable as a light source to be built into luminaires. Also, these existing flat panel luminaires are not suitable for custom sizes and shapes, not flexible or bendable or resistant to water.
Thus, to fulfill the unresolved need for a thin, flexible, water-resistant light source module which can be easily manufactured for custom shapes and sizes the invention is provided. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a LED surface light source module which is thin, flexible, water-resistant and can be easily manufactured for custom shapes and sizes. Thereby, overcoming the above mentioned problems of the art.
Summary
The present invention relates to a light emitting diode (LED) driven light source module which is thin, flexible, water-resistant and which can be easily manufactured in custom shapes and sizes.
The light source module comprises a flexible water-resistant enclosure and a light guide assembly enclosed within said flexible water-resistant enclosure. The light guide assembly comprises: a light guide plate having one or more side edge surfaces; a flexible printed circuit board mounted along at least one of the side edge surfaces, wherein the flexible circuit board is flexible around an axis substantially perpendicular to the side edge surface; and at least one LED mounted on the flexible circuit board, wherein the light emitting surface of the LED is substantially parallel to and abutted against the side edge surface of the light guide plate.
In a preferred embodiment the flexible water-resistant enclosure comprises of a flexible transparent colourless material where the flexible transparent colourless material is one of plastic or silicone.
On at least one of the surfaces of the light guide plate comprises a plurality of micro light extraction features to prevent multiple total internal reflections within the light guide plate and to deliver a uniform output of light through the top surface of the light guide plate. Further, the density of said micro light extraction features increases with distance from the LEDs and the density of said micro light extraction features is maximum at those regions of greatest distance from the edges of the LEDs. In a preferred embodiment, said micro light extraction features have a diameter in the range of about 100-500 micrometers.
In an embodiment, the light guide assembly further comprises a diffuser film attached to the top surface of the light guide plate. Also, the flexible printed circuit board is mounted on the diffuser by adhesive means.
In another embodiment, the light guide assembly further comprises a reflector film attached to the bottom surface of the light guide plate by adhesive io means.
In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive means comprises an optically clear adhesive. In an alternate embodiment the adhesive means may be a ring tape (adhesive tape) which may be applied on the periphery to couple the two or more components of the light guide assembly together i.e. the light guide plate, reflector film and diffuser film.
In another embodiment, the light guide assembly further comprises an active area film binding the diffuser, the reflector, the light guide plate and the flexible printed circuit board, wherein the active area film is opaque and partially encloses the periphery of the light guide assembly and wherein said active area film forms a well-defined aperture on the top surface of the light guide assembly and prevents light from leaking through the periphery of the light guide assembly.
The light source module further comprises electrical wiring for electrically coupling said flexible printed circuit board to a power source.
In another embodiment, the light guide assembly further comprises a brightness enhancement film layer.
In another embodiment, the material for each of the light guide plate, the diffuser, the reflector and the brightness enhancement film layer comprises one or more of acrylic (PMMA), polycarbonate, polyester and polyethylene terephthalate or other suitable plastics.
The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof and also with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:-FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates exploded view of the light source module in I s accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a cross sectional view of the light source module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
The present invention relates to a LED driven, light source module which is thin, flexible, water-resistant and which may be easily manufactured in custom shapes and sizes.
FIG. 1 exemplarily illustrates an exploded view of the light source module 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The light source module 100 comprises a flexible water-resistant enclosure 101 and a light guide assembly enclosed within said flexible water-resistant enclosure. In a preferred embodiment the flexible water-resistant enclosure 101 comprises of a flexible transparent colourless material where the flexible transparent colourless material is one of plastic or silicone.
The light guide assembly comprises a light guide plate 102 having one or more side edge surfaces, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) 103 mounted along at least one of the side edge surfaces, wherein the flexible printed circuit board 103 is flexible around an axis substantially perpendicular to the side edge surface and at least one LED 104 mounted on the flexible printed circuit board 103, wherein the light emitting surface of the LED 104 is substantially parallel to and abutted against the side edge surface of the light guide plate 102. Further, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that a plurality of side emitting LEDs 104 may be arranged along the FPCB 103 in one or more rows for uniformity in lighting and also to uniformly spread the heat dissipated by the LEDs during operation. Further, a person skilled in the art would appreciate that the FPCB 103 with said mounted LEDs may be also mounted along a plurality of side edges of the light guide plate 102. The plurality of LEDs provide a high total light output. These LEDs are side emitting LEDs. The LEDs are soldered onto the FPCB 103 via surface mount technology (SMT) and are connected to be powered by a single power supply. In one embodiment of the invention, two or more rows of side emitting LEDs may be provided. This arrangement provides for very efficient light extraction. Via the exit wire 108, the FPCB 103 connects the LEDs 104 to an external power source that transforms the mains power supply to the optimal current and voltage required for the light source module 100. The external power supply may be a standard LED driver. The driving voltage and current from the LED driver are dependent on the number and type of LEDs, as well as the target light output desired from the luminaire. In one embodiment of the invention, the LEDs comprise side emitting warm white (2700K), neutral white (3000K) or cool white (4000K) LED chips.
On at least one of the surfaces of the light guide plate 102 comprises a plurality of micro light extraction features to prevent multiple total internal reflections within the light guide plate 102 and to deliver a uniform output of light through the top surface of the light guide plate. Further, the density of said micro light extraction features increases with distance from the LEDs and the density of said micro light extraction features is maximum at those regions of greatest distance from the edges of the LEDs, which in the embodiment shown in the figure corresponds to the center region of the light guide plate 102. In a preferred embodiment, said micro light extraction features have a diameter in the range of about 100-500 micrometers.
In an embodiment, the light guide assembly further comprises a diffuser 105 attached to the top surface of the light guide plate 102 and the FPCB 103 by adhesive means. In another embodiment, the light guide assembly further comprises a reflector 106 attached to the bottom surface of the light guide plate by adhesive means. In a preferred embodiment, the adhesive means comprises an optically clear adhesive. In an alternate embodiment the adhesive means may be a ring tape (adhesive tape) which may be applied on the periphery to couple the two or more components of the light guide assembly together i.e. the light guide plate, reflector film and diffuser film.
FIG. 1 also illustrates an active area film 107 before said active area film is installed. In reference to FIG. 2 a person skilled in the art would appreciate that the active area film 107 binds and further reinforces the diffuser 105, the reflector 106, the light guide plate 102 and the flexible printed circuit board 103, wherein the active area film 107 is opaque and partially encloses the periphery of the light guide assembly and wherein said active area film 107 forms a well defined aperture on the top surface of the light guide assembly and prevents light from leaking through the periphery/sides of the light guide assembly.
The light source module further comprises electrical wiring comprising internal wires 108a and corner exit wire 108b for electrically coupling said flexible printed circuit board to a power source or a LED driver circuitry.
In another embodiment, the light guide assembly further comprises a brightness enhancement film (BEF) layer. The BEF contains prism shaped features that refract light moving at a high angle to the normal of the light source module to bring it closer to the normal. This improves the photometric properties of the light source module, by increasing the directivity of the light while maintaining adequate diffusion. In the described embodiment of the invention, the BEF comprises a single optical film. However, it will be appreciated that in alternative embodiments of the invention, a plurality of BEF films could be used to emit a plurality of light beams of different angles.
In another embodiment, the material for each of light guide plate 102, the diffuser 105, the reflector 106 and the brightness enhancement film layer comprises one or more of acrylic (PMMA), Polycarbonate, polyester and polyethylene terephthalate.
FIG. 2 exemplarily illustrates a cross sectional view of the light source module in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The light source module 100 comprises a flexible water-resistant enclosure 101 and a light guide assembly enclosed within said flexible water-resistant enclosure. In a L5 preferred embodiment the flexible water-resistant enclosure 101 comprises of a flexible transparent colourless material where the flexible transparent colourless material is one of plastic or silicone.
The light guide assembly comprises a light guide plate (LOP) 102 having one or more side edge surfaces, a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB) 103 mounted along at least one of the side edge surfaces, wherein the flexible printed circuit board 103 is flexible around an axis substantially perpendicular to the side edge surface and at least one LED 104 mounted on the flexible printed circuit board 103, wherein the light emitting surface of the LED 104 is substantially parallel to and abutted against the side edge surface of the light guide plate 102.
In an embodiment, the LOP may have curved edges and the FPCB follows the curved edge of the LOP in such cases.
On at least one of the surfaces of the light guide plate 102 comprises a plurality of micro light extraction features to prevent multiple total internal reflections within the light guide plate 102 and to deliver a uniform output of light through the top surface of the light guide plate. Further, the density of said micro light extraction features increases with distance from the LEDs and the density of said micro light extraction features is maximum at those regions of greatest distance from the edges of the LEDs, which in the embodiment shown in the figure corresponds to the center region of the light guide plate 102. In a preferred embodiment, said micro light extraction features have a diameter in the range of about 100-500 micrometers.
In other words, the light guide plate (LOP) 102 is a thin plastic plate that contains thousands of light extraction features in the form of tiny bumps and ridges formed by an injection molding or laser etching process or silkscreen printing. These features allow for light extraction from the plastic plate, and thus prevent the occurrence of total internal reflection. Thus, total internal reflection occurs within the LOP 102 until the light hits one of these features. The LOP 102 is also adapted to maximize the uniformity of the light extracted by the features.
Thus, the LOP 102 is designed so that there are fewer features near the LEDs, and an increasing number of features as the distance away from the LEDs increases. In one embodiment of the invention, the LOP 102 is fabricated from acrylic (poly methyl methacrylate). In another embodiment of the invention the LOP 102 is fabricated using Polycarbonate (PC). These materials provide a LOP of high optical performance.
In an embodiment, the light guide assembly further comprises a diffuser 105 attached to the top surface of the light guide plate 102 using a layer of optically clear adhesive 105a. Also, the FPCB 103 is attached to the diffuser 105 by a layer of optically clear adhesive 105a. In another embodiment, the light guide assembly further comprises a reflector 106 attached to the bottom surface of the light guide plate using a layer of optically clear adhesive 106a.
FIG. 2 also illustrates an active area film 107 which binds and further reinforces the diffuser 105, the reflector 106, the light guide plate 102 and the flexible printed circuit board 103, wherein the active area film 107 is opaque and partially encloses the periphery of the light guide assembly and wherein said active area film 107 forms a well-defined aperture on the top surface of the light guide assembly and prevents light from leaking through the periphery/sides of the light guide assembly.
The LEDs directly inject light into the light guide plate (LGP) 102. The LGP 102 is designed to totally internally reflect the light from the LEDs, the light escapes from the LGP 102 when it interacts with a light extraction feature. A significant proportion of the light is initially extracted in a downwards direction, at which point the light is reflected back towards the diffuser 105 by the reflector 106. Once the light is diffused through the diffuser 105, it is emitted out of the module through the aperture formed by the active area film 107 as a uniform surface of light (via the BEF layer in the embodiment where the module includes a BEF layer).
The aperture of the light emitting area of the light source module is defined by the active area film 107. This is positioned directly on top of the diffuser layer with a cut out centre for the light emission and with flaps at the sides which fold over the side edges of the LGP 102 onto the reflector on the back face of the LGP. This is used to secure the components of the light source module in place. The active area film is comprised of a white light shielding tape that prevents any light transmission and gives a sharp edge to the active area. This further prevents any light leakage from the edges or bottom of the modules as the flaps fold over to contain these components.
In one embodiment, the light guide plate is fabricated from one of: acrylic (poly methyl methacrylate), polycarbonate (PC) and the reflector film layer, and the diffuser layer are fabricated from one of: acrylic, polyester and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).
In the specification the terms "comprise, comprises, comprised and comprising" or any variation thereof and the terms "include, includes, included and including" or any variation thereof are considered to be totally interchangeable and they should all be afforded the widest possible interpretation and vice versa.
A person skilled in the art would appreciate that the above invention provides a robust and economical solution to the problems identified in the prior art.
The invention is not limited to the embodiments hereinbefore described but may be varied in both construction and detail.

Claims (13)

  1. Claims: 1. A light source module, comprising: a light guide assembly comprising: a light guide plate having one or more side edge surfaces, said light guide plate comprising a plurality of micro light extraction features; a diffuser attached to the top surface of the light guide plate by adhesive means; io a reflector attached to the bottom surface of the light guide plate by adhesive means; a printed circuit board comprising at least one light emitting diode; an active area film binding the diffuser, the reflector, the light guide plate and the printed circuit board, wherein the active area film is opaque and partially encloses the periphery of the light guide assembly and wherein said active area film forms a well-defined aperture on the top surface of the light guide assembly and prevents light from leaking through the periphery of the light guide assembly.
  2. 2. The light source module of claim 1, wherein said printed circuit board is mounted along at least one of the side edge surfaces of the light guide plate, wherein the printed circuit board is substantially flexible around an axis substantially perpendicular to the side edge surface of the light guide plate; said printed circuit board attached to the diffuser by adhesive means; and said at least one light emitting diode mounted on the printed circuit board, wherein the light emitting surface of the light emitting diode is substantially parallel to and abutted against the side edge surface of the light guide plate.
  3. 3. The light source module of claim 1, wherein the light guide assembly is enclosed within a flexible water-resistant enclosure.
  4. 4. The light source module of claim 1 or 2, wherein the adhesive means comprises an optically clear adhesive.
  5. 5. The light source module of claim 1 or 2, wherein the adhesive means comprises a ring tape.
  6. 6. The light source module of claim 3, wherein the flexible enclosure comprises of a flexible transparent colourless material and wherein the flexible transparent colourless material is one of plastic or silicone.
  7. 7. The light source module of claim 1, further comprising electrical wiring for electrically coupling said printed circuit board to an external power source.
  8. 8. The light source module of claim 1, wherein the light guide assembly further comprising a brightness enhancement film layer.
  9. 9. The light source module of claim 1, wherein the plurality of micro light extraction features prevent total internal reflection within the light guide plate to deliver a uniform output of light through the top surface of the light guide plate.
  10. 10. The light source module of claim 9, wherein the density of said micro light extraction features increases with distance from the light emitting diode and the density of said micro light extraction features is maximum at the those regions of greatest distance from an edge of the light emitting diode and wherein, said micro light extraction features have a diameter in the range of about 100-500 micrometer.
  11. 11.The light source module of any of the preceding claims, wherein the material for each of light guide plate, the diffuser, the reflector and the brightness enhancement film layer comprises one or more of acrylic, polycarbonate, polyester and polyethylene terephthalate.
  12. 12.The light source module of any of the preceding claims, wherein said printed circuit board is a flexible printed circuit board (FPCB).
  13. 13.A method for manufacturing the light source module as claimed in any of the preceding claims.
GB1913160.6A 2019-09-12 2019-09-12 A thin LED surface light surface module Pending GB2587005A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1913160.6A GB2587005A (en) 2019-09-12 2019-09-12 A thin LED surface light surface module

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1913160.6A GB2587005A (en) 2019-09-12 2019-09-12 A thin LED surface light surface module

Publications (2)

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GB201913160D0 GB201913160D0 (en) 2019-10-30
GB2587005A true GB2587005A (en) 2021-03-17

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Citations (5)

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US20090154196A1 (en) * 2007-12-13 2009-06-18 Industrial Technology Research Institute Flexible light emitting device
JP2015060794A (en) * 2013-09-20 2015-03-30 大日本印刷株式会社 Light guide plate, surface light source device, and transmission display device
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