JP2002131555A - Light-scattering light guide body and light source device which scatters and guides light - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a light-scattering light guide body and a light source device having a simple structure from which bright uniform light can be obtained. SOLUTION: The exiting face of the scattered light of a light-scattering light guide body 1 has a rugged region 2 to control the intensity-angle characteristics of the exiting scattered light, and a rod-like light source element (fluorescent lamp) 5 is disposed in the side of the body. A reflection film 4 made of another material is disposed in the opposite side of the light-scattering light guide body to the exiting face of the scattered light. The light emitting from the rod-like light source 5 and entering the light-scattering light guide body 1 is guided while scattered inside. Most of the light propagating the reflection film 4 side is immediately reflected by the reflection film 4 to return to the light-scattering light guide body 1. The light used as the back light of a liquid crystal display device or the like is the light exiting from the exiting region of the scattered light. The directional characteristics of the intensity of the light are controlled by the rugged region 2. The distance d in the figure represents the pitch of the rugged pattern formed into lines. The light source element may be embedded in the light-scattering light guide body or may be housed in the recessed part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a light-scattering light guide capable of emitting scattered light to the surroundings while receiving and guiding light emitted from a light source element, and a light-scattering light guide and a light source element. The present invention relates to a combined light scattering and light guiding light source device.

More specifically, the present invention is particularly useful when applied to a backlight light source of a liquid crystal display device (LCD) and the like, and a light-scattering light guide and a light-scattering light having an adjusted angle characteristic of scattered emission light intensity. The present invention relates to a light-scattering light-guiding light source device capable of easily obtaining bright and uniform scattered emission light irrespective of the size of an extraction surface area by devising the arrangement relationship between a light guide and a light source element.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, various types of optical elements or devices for emitting light in a desired direction by utilizing a scattering phenomenon have been known, and are used for backlight sources of liquid crystal display devices. Used in

One type of these known optical elements or devices is that light is incident from the side of an extended plate-shaped transparent material, a reflecting element is arranged on one surface side, and light is emitted near the other surface. A planar light source having a light emitting surface with diffusivity is provided, and is used as a backlight light source of a liquid crystal display device.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 62-235905, 63-63083, and 2-139
No. 25 and JP-A-2-245787 correspond to this.

[0006] In the planar light source using these light-scattering light-guiding devices, light scattering is not generated volumetrically inside the transparent body, and irregular reflection or specular reflection near the surface of the transparent body or at a reflection element is used. However, there is only a spread in the light emitting direction, and there has been a fundamental difficulty in sufficiently increasing the ratio of scattered light that can be extracted from the light scattering light guide device.

Further, when light is incident from the side to obtain a planar light source having a uniform illuminance, as will be easily understood from the examples shown in the above-mentioned known documents, the reflection element It is necessary to have some gradient in the reflectivity etc.
The structure of the light-scattering light guide device part becomes complicated and large, and the manufacturing cost must be high.

Therefore, when this type of light-scattering light guide device is used for a backlight light source of a liquid crystal display device or the like, it is required to provide brightness, uniform illuminance as a planar light source, a thin structure, economical efficiency and the like. I had to sacrifice some of them.

Another type of a known optical element or device is one in which a light guide plate is formed by dispersing a particulate material having a different refractive index from that of an extended plate-shaped transparent material.

[0010] For example, JP-A-1-172801,
JP-A-1-236257, JP-A-1-26990
No. 1, JP-A-2-221925 and JP-A-4-221.
The one disclosed in JP-A-145485 belongs to this type.

[0011] In particular, in the above-mentioned JP-A-2-221925 and JP-A-4-145485, light is incident from the side of the light guide plate, a reflecting element is arranged on one side, and the other side is arranged. It is disclosed that a backlight light source or the like of a liquid crystal display device is configured as a light emitting surface.

In these light guide plates, light scattering occurs volumetrically due to non-uniform refractive index caused by particulate matter dispersed and mixed in the transparent body. In that sense, it can be said that the light diffusion efficiency can be improved as compared with the first type, but this type of light scatterer is incorporated as a light scatterer and light guide device. The following problems have conventionally arisen in the configuration of

That is, as can be seen from the above-mentioned known examples, an element having a light scattering ability by itself and having a function of guiding light while scattering light, that is, a light scattering light guide, and the light scattering light guide When a light scattering device is used in combination with a light source element that allows light to enter from the side of the body, the dispersion of the particulate matter dispersed in the light scattering device is intended to make the intensity of the emitted scattered light uniform. By giving a gradient to the concentration, or by using a light-diffusing ink or the like on the back side of the light-scattering light guide, a mesh-like or dot-like scattering reinforcing means is provided, and in some cases, the density of the mesh or the dot is increased. In order to avoid the inconvenience that the scattering reinforcing means can see through when observed from the side of the scattered light extraction surface, another light diffusion plate is provided on the scattered light extraction surface side. Was.

That is, conventionally, the scattering power is consciously reduced in a portion close to the light source, and the light scattering capability is maximized in a portion away from the light source, including a mesh-like or dot-like reinforcing layer on the back side. The idea and the idea of adding a reinforcing means such as a mesh-like or dot-like diffusion ink layer to the back surface region to maximize the light scattering ability have been adopted. In such a situation, when there is no scattering power gradient in the light scattering light guide, only the light scattering light guide near the light source edge looks bright, and in the center, the illuminance tends to decrease. This is considered to be due to the fact that it was believed that the brightness itself could not be ensured without reinforcing means for the back surface region.

Indeed, when only the primary scattering of light emitted from the light source is taken into consideration, a light scattering reinforcing means is formed on the back surface, and the distribution of particles imparting light scattering ability and the scattering on the reflection scattering reinforcing layer on the back surface are increased. Unless a gradient is given, it must be concluded that a uniform intensity of emitted light cannot be realized.Therefore, it is impossible to take the above-mentioned measures with knowledge of the disadvantages in the manufacturing process. I can say nothing.

In the prior art, there is no means for adjusting the angular characteristic of the intensity of the scattered and emitted light, so that it is determined by the particle size of the particulate material having a different refractive index and the difference in the refractive index from the matrix. The angle characteristics that would be lost were used as they were. Since the particle diameter and refractive index difference of the different refractive index particulate material are subject to restrictions on the selection of optical materials and restrictions on manufacturing technology, the scattered light intensity angle characteristics of the obtained product may not match the desired one. Often, a lot of light emitted in unnecessary directions is wasted. For example, when light is incident from the side of a light-scattering light guide in which a hetero-refractive-index particulate material having a relatively large particle size is distributed, a scattered light is generated. The light tends to scatter forward and
When viewed from the front of the liquid crystal display device, a situation has occurred where the display surface does not appear bright.

The technical idea of providing a means for adjusting the angle characteristic of the scattered light intensity in the light scattering light guide or device itself has already been proposed by the inventor of the present invention and has been filed with the Japan Patent Office (Heisei 4). The present invention provides an embodiment in which the technical idea is developed in a more specific manner.

[0018]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has various problems in the prior art described above, that is, (a) the manufacturing process is complicated due to the addition of a gradient of scattering power and the addition of reinforcing means such as a diffusion ink layer. And (b) the problem of the angular characteristic of the intensity of scattered emitted light.

[0019]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises an incident light receiving surface area, a scattered and emitted light extraction surface area for extracting scattered and emitted light originating from incident light from the incident light receiving surface area, and a light scattering. And a light scattering volume region in which the function is provided substantially uniformly, and at least a scattered emission light extraction surface region or a surface opposite to the scattered emission light extraction surface region (facing an external reflection element). A basic configuration that solves the above problems (a) and (b) by partially providing a concavo-convex area composed of a regular array of prismatic elements for adjusting the angular characteristics of the scattered emission light intensity is provided. (Claims 1 and 2).

Here, regarding the scattering characteristics of the light scattering volume region, practical conditions are particularly specified by using the effective scattering irradiation parameter E and the correlation distance a.

The main part of the shape of the light scattering volume region (the portion excluding the uneven region) is specified as a rectangular parallelepiped, and the scattered emission light of the present invention is particularly applied to a backlight light source device of a liquid crystal display device having a normal shape. The present invention provides a typical and basic configuration that solves the above problems (a) and (b) when a light scattering light guide with intensity angle characteristic adjusting means is incorporated. Item 4).

If the shape of the main part of the light scattering volume region is specified as a rectangular parallelepiped and the shape of the light source element is specified as a rod shape, the light source element of the present invention can be applied particularly to a backlight light source device of a liquid crystal display device having a normal shape. A typical configuration for solving the above problems (a) and (b) when employing the arrangement can be provided (claim 5).

With respect to the scattering characteristics of the light scattering volume region used in the light scattering light guide device, the same conditions as those in claims 1 and 2 are defined using the effective scattering irradiation parameter E and the correlation distance a. You.

As for the material forming the light scattering volume region in the light scattering light guide or light scattering light guide device of the present invention, any material can be selected as long as it has a substantially uniform scattering ability. The following types (1) to (3) are listed as typical examples of those materials.

(1) A particulate material having a different refractive index from that of the optical resin matrix (a particulate material having a different refractive index)
Dispersed material. (2) A resin material having a scattering ability provided by a non-uniform refractive index structure produced during the polymerization process. (3) A resin material manufactured by mixing and heating two or more types of polymer materials having different refractive indices and kneading them together with a molding step (injection molding step, extrusion step, etc.). Hereinafter, each type of material will be specifically described.

As for the material of the mold of (1), as described above, the material of the mold itself is disclosed in JP-A-1-172801, JP-A-1-236257, and JP-A-1-269.
These are known ones as disclosed in JP-A-901-901, JP-A-2-221925 and JP-A-4-145485.

Representative examples of the polymer matrix material include PM, which is also listed in Tables 1 and 2 below.
MA (polymethyl methacrylate), PSt (polystyrene), PC (polycarbonate) and the like.

Examples of the particulate matter include particles made of organic materials such as silicone resin, methacrylic resin and polystyrene resin, titanium oxide, calcium carbonate, and the like.
Particles made of an inorganic material such as silica can be used. Regarding the manufacturing method, various known methods as described in each of the above publications may be used, and a detailed description thereof will be omitted. As one of the unknown techniques, there is a method of applying the manufacturing method for the material of the type (3) according to the present inventor's invention. This will be described by way of an example in the section of the material of the type (3).

Material of type (2): This type of material is disclosed in the international application (PCT / JP92 / 01230) of the present inventor as a material for the light scattering light guide.

That is, a non-uniform refractive index structure that gives the light-scattering light guide a scattering power is generated during the polymerization process of the organic material. The principle of obtaining a light-scattering light guide by forming a non-uniform refractive index structure by a polymerization process of an organic material will be briefly described.

Generally, in the process of polymerizing an organic material,
A non-uniform structure is generated by various mechanisms, and a light-scattering light guide having a non-uniform refractive index structure can be obtained using the non-uniform structure. Some of the mechanisms are as follows.

(I) A small amount of a polymer (an oligomer may be used. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, the polymer includes an oligomer) is dissolved in a monomer as a first material. In this state, the individual molecules of the polymer are completely dissolved. Therefore, it is in the form of a transparent mixed solution uniformly mixed, and no light scattering property is generated. The polymerization reaction is started by means such as adding a polymerization initiator or the like to the mixed solution and heating. When the polymerization reaction proceeds and a high conversion rate is reached, the compatibility between the polymer of the first material and the polymer of the second material that has been produced up to that point is due to the compatibility between the polymer of the second material and the first material. If the compatibility with the monomer is small, the polymer of the second material gradually forms an aggregated structure. If organic materials are combined so that the refractive indices of the polymer of the first material and the polymer of the second material are substantially different,
A structure in which the refractive index fluctuates, that is, a non-uniform refractive index structure is generated.

In this case, unlike a conventional technique in which a particulate substance is mixed and dispersed in a monomer to carry out polymerization or a polymer is kneaded with particles under a high temperature condition, one polymer molecule is used before polymerization. A state of uniform melting at one level is realized, and a non-uniform structure is gradually formed starting from that state. Can be obtained.

(II) An appropriate amount of a monomer as a second material is mixed with a monomer as a first material to cause a polymerization reaction. At this time, for example, the reactivity ratio r1 of the monomer of the first material
And the reactivity ratio r2 between the monomer of the second material and r2>
If the materials are selected so that 1 and r2 <1, the monomers of the first material polymerize preferentially during the polymerization reaction, and the proportion of the monomers of the second material in the unreacted monomers gradually increases. I do. As the majority of the monomers of the first material polymerize, the rate of polymerization of the monomers of the second material then begins to increase, and in the final stage, only the polymer of the second material will be produced.

If the compatibility of the polymer of the first material and the polymer of the second material is relatively small, those having similar compositions, that is, the polymer of the first material and the polymer of the second material each form an aggregated structure. Will do. If the refractive indices of the two polymers are substantially different, a non-uniform refractive index structure having a fluctuating refractive index is generated. Also in this case, it is easy to uniformly mix the monomers before polymerization, so that a non-uniform refractive index structure is evenly formed.

(III) Even if only a monomer of a single material is polymerized, a non-uniform refractive index structure can be formed. That is, if the specific gravity of the monomer and the polymer are sufficiently different,
When the polymerization proceeds and the polymer becomes hard to some extent, the volume shrinkage portion when the residual monomer becomes a polymer becomes a so-called microvoid. An extremely large number of these microvoids are formed and function as light scattering centers uniformly distributed three-dimensionally in the polymer obtained as a result of the polymerization reaction. Thus, a light-scattering light guide having good characteristics can be obtained.

(IV) As a modification of the type (I), the second material has a low molecular weight and has good compatibility with the monomer of the first material, but has good compatibility with the polymer of the first material. It is also possible to select an inferior one. Also in this case, by the same mechanism as described in (I) above,
The second material (low molecular weight substance) aggregates to form a non-uniform structure. If a combination is used in which the refractive index of the second material is substantially different from that of the first material polymer, a light scattering light guide is manufactured.

There are many substances that can be used as such a low molecular weight material. Examples thereof include diphenyl phthalate, hexafluoroisopropyl terephthalate, biphenyl and phenyl benzoate. Although the details of the mechanism of creating a non-uniform refractive index structure vary widely, the present invention allows for the use of any material, regardless of the differences in such mechanisms.

The specific selection of the organic material, the polymerization conditions, and the like are described in detail in the above specification, so that the details are omitted here and only some examples will be given.

[Example of Method for Obtaining Light Scattering Light Guide Using Polymerization Process] [1] Trifluoroethyl methacrylate (3
FMA) was dissolved in 0.1 wt%, 0.2 wt% of t-butyl peroxyisopropyl carbonate was added as a radical polymerization initiator, and 0.2 wt% of n-butyl mercaptan was added as a chain transfer agent. After polymerization for a period of time, heat treatment is performed to obtain light-scattering light guides in various shapes such as a rod shape and a plate shape. [2] MMA and vinyl benzoate (VB) are copolymerized at a ratio of 4: 1. 0.2 wt% of tertiary butyl peroxide (DBPO) as a polymerization initiator
%, 0.2% of n-butyl mercaptan as a chain transfer agent
Polymerization is carried out at 130 ° C for 96 hours using wt%. The obtained light-scattering light guide exhibits substantially the same characteristics as those obtained in the above [1].

[3] Add 3FMA polymer to MMA.
A solution prepared by dissolving 15 wt% and a solution prepared by dissolving 0.1 wt% were prepared, each containing 0.2 wt% of t-butyl peroxyisopropyl carbonate as a radical polymerization initiator and 0.2 wt% of n-butyl mercaptan as a chain transfer agent.
%, Polymerized at 70 ° C. for 72 hours, and then heat-treated at 130 ° C. for 24 hours to produce a light-scattering light guide. [4] MMA and vinyl benzoate (VB) were copolymerized at a ratio of 4: 1. 0.2 wt% of tertiary butyl peroxide (DBPO) as a polymerization initiator
%, 0.2% of n-butyl mercaptan as a chain transfer agent
The light scattering light guide can be obtained by polymerizing at 70 ° C. for 96 hours using wt%. As a result of calculating the correlation distance a and the dielectric constant fluctuation root mean square τ using the Debye relational expression,
Correlation distance a = 720 angstroms, dielectric constant fluctuation 2
A value of root mean τ = 0.00000122 was obtained (for the meaning of a and τ, see the column of action description).

[5] A polystyrene polymer having a molecular weight of 47,500 was dissolved in MMA in an amount of 0.2 wt%, 0.2 wt% of t-butyl peroxyisopropyl carbonate was used as a radical polymerization initiator, and 0.1 wt% of n-butyl mercaptan was used as a chain transfer agent. By adding 2 wt% and polymerizing at 70 ° C. for 96 hours, a light-scattering light guide can be manufactured.

[6] Add 3FMA polymer to MMA.
1 wt% dissolved, 0.2 wt% of t-butyl peroxyisopropyl carbonate as a radical polymerization initiator, 0.2 wt% of n-butyl mercaptan as a chain transfer agent
%, Polymerized at 70 ° C. for 72 hours, and then heat-treated at 130 ° C. for 24 hours to produce a light-scattering light guide.

[7] MMA with 3FMA polymer
1 wt% dissolved, 0.2 wt% of t-butyl peroxyisopropyl carbonate as a radical polymerization initiator, 0.2 wt% of n-butyl mercaptan as a chain transfer agent
%, Polymerized at 70 ° C. for 72 hours, and then heat-treated at 130 ° C. for 24 hours to produce a light-scattering light guide. [8] In MMA, 0.2 wt% of t-butyl peroxyisopropyl carbonate as a radical polymerization initiator and 0.2 wt% of n-butyl mercaptan as a chain transfer agent
%, And the polymerization reaction was carried out at 60 ° C. (below the glass transition temperature) for 240 hours. The remaining monomer is trapped in the solidified PMMA matrix at the stage where the high conversion has been achieved, but this monomer is polymerized by prolonged heating. Here, the volume change (shrinkage) that occurs when changing from a monomer to a polymer generates innumerable microvoids, which function as a non-uniform refractive index structure that causes light scattering.

For the light-scattering light guide sample obtained by such a process, the angle dependency of the Vv scattering intensity was measured, and the correlation distance a was calculated based on the Debye's relational expression. As a result, a value of 850 Å was obtained. Obtained. The value of the mean square τ of the dielectric constant fluctuation is τ = 0.00
000011, the effective scattering irradiation parameter E is
= 0.17 [cm ^-1 ] (for the meaning of the effective scattering irradiation parameter E, refer to the column of action description).

Regarding the material of the type (3), this type of material is disclosed in Japanese Patent Application (Filing date;
27) is disclosed together with the means for correcting the scattered light emission direction. The kneading step of mixing and heating two or more types of polymer materials and kneading them is a process called a polymer blend, and the refractive index differs substantially depending on the combination of the kneaded polymer materials (typically, (A refractive index difference of 0.001 or more) is selected, and a known light-scattering light guide having a uniform scattering ability can be obtained by combining known molding steps such as injection molding and extrusion molding. It is a material manufactured based on.

That is, two or more types of polymer materials having different refractive indices mutually different (arbitrary shape may be used, and industrially, for example, pellets are considered), and heated and kneaded (kneading step). . Then, the kneaded liquid material is injected and injected into the mold of the injection molding machine at a high pressure, and the light-scattering light guide formed by cooling and solidifying is taken out of the mold to obtain a light having a shape corresponding to the shape of the mold. A scattering light guide can be obtained. Since the kneaded two or more kinds of polymers solidify without being completely mixed, unevenness (fluctuation) is generated in their local concentration and fixed. Therefore, if there is a substantial difference in refractive index between the polymers to be kneaded, a light-scattering light guide having a non-uniform refractive index structure is manufactured.

The kneaded material is poured into a cylinder of an extruder and extruded in a usual manner to obtain a desired molded product.

A wide variety of combinations and mixing ratios of these polymer blends and the molding step can be selected, and the refractive index difference, the strength and properties of the non-uniform refractive index structure generated in the molding process (effective scattering irradiation) It is described by a parameter E, a correlation distance a, and a dielectric constant fluctuation root mean square τ).
What is necessary is just to determine in consideration of the shape, size, etc. of a final product.

Representative polymer materials which can be used are listed in Tables 1 and 2. These materials are merely examples, and are not intended to limit the materials used in the light-scattering light guide of the present invention.

[0051]

[Table 1]

[0052]

[Table 2]

Some more specific examples of the method for producing a material by the polymer blend method are shown below.

Example 1 0.25% by weight of a silicon resin powder (Tospearl 103, manufactured by Toshiba Silicon) having a particle size of 0.3 μm was added to methacrylic resin pellets (Delvet 80N, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation) and mixed and dispersed by a mixer. After letting
Extruders were extruded into strands using an extruder, and pelletized with a pelletizer to prepare pellets in which silicon-based resin powder was uniformly dispersed.

The pellets are molded using an injection molding machine under the conditions of a cylinder temperature of 230 ° C. to 260 ° C. and a mold temperature of 50 ° C., and are 56 mm long, 75 mm wide and 4.7 m thick.
Thus, a plate-shaped light scattering light guide of m was obtained.

Example 2 0.3 wt% of a silicon resin powder (Tospearl 108, manufactured by Toshiba Silicon) having a particle size of 0.8 μm was added to methacrylic resin pellets (Delvet 80N, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation) and mixed and dispersed by a mixer. After that, the mixture was extruded into a strand with an extruder, and pelletized with a pelletizer to prepare a pellet in which silicon-based resin powder was uniformly dispersed.

The pellets were molded using an injection molding machine under the conditions of a cylinder temperature of 230 ° C. to 260 ° C. and a mold temperature of 50 ° C., and were 56 mm long, 75 mm wide and 4.5 m thick.
Thus, a plate-shaped light scattering light guide of m was obtained.

<Example 3> A methacrylic resin pellet (Delvet 80N, manufactured by Asahi Kasei Corporation) was mixed with 0.3 μm of silicon resin powder (Tospearl 130, manufactured by Toshiba Silicon) having a particle size of 0.3 μm.
After adding 5 wt% and mixing and dispersing with a mixer, the mixture was extruded into a strand with an extruder, and pelletized with a pelletizer, thereby preparing pellets in which the silicon-based resin powder was uniformly dispersed.

The pellets are molded using an injection molding machine under the conditions of a cylinder temperature of 230 ° C. to 260 ° C. and a mold temperature of 50 ° C., and are 56 mm long, 75 mm wide and 4.6 m thick.
Thus, a plate-shaped light scattering light guide of m was obtained.

Example 4 2.2 g of benzoyl peroxide, 12 ml of chlordecane, 10 ml of dichloroethane and 0.25 g of Na-lauryl sulfate were emulsified in 80 ml of water using a homogenizer, and the diameter was 0.1 μm.
An emulsion of ０．２0.2 μm was prepared. This emulsion was added to 90 ml of monodispersed polystyrene seed latex having a particle size of 0.55 μm and a concentration of 8.5 wt%. Further, add 20 ml of water and 15 ml of acetone at 35 ° C.
After addition at ゜ 40 ° C. and stirring at 40 ° C. for 12 hours, acetone and dichloroethane were removed by vacuum distillation.

Next, after adding 1.2 g of Na-lauryl sulfate, the mixture was diluted with water to make a total of 1.2 liters. Then, 65 g of styrene, 171 g of methyl methacrylate, 45 g of butyl acrylate, and 9 g of trimethylolpropane triacrylate were added with stirring at 30 ° C., and the mixture was further stirred at 30 ° C. for 15 hours. Thereafter, the temperature was raised to 60 ° C. to start the polymerization reaction, and the reaction was continued for 25 hours to obtain an organic crosslinked particle material having an average particle size of 2.8 μm and a refractive index of 1.502.

To 1 kg of a copolymer of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and trifluoroethyl methacrylate (3FMA) having a composition ratio of 1 to 1 was added 0.5 wt% of the above-mentioned particle material, and the mixture was sufficiently kneaded with a mixer. Extruded from the nozzle. This was set to a length of 50 mm, and both ends were cut and polished to obtain a cylindrical light-scattering light guide.

With respect to the obtained light scattering light guide, Deby
When the correlation distance a and the mean square τ of the fluctuation of the permittivity were calculated using the relational expression of e, the result was obtained that the correlation distance a = 1.87 μm and the mean square τ of the fluctuation of the permittivity = 0.00000808. Further, the result of obtaining the value of the effective scattering irradiation parameter E using the above equation (10) is E = 44.03.
[Cm ^-1 ].

Example 5 After dispersing 32 g of styrene and 108 g of methyl methacrylate in 350 g of ion-exchanged water in which 3 g of sodium lauryl sulfate was dissolved, the mixture was stirred at 70 ° C. under a nitrogen stream. Raise the temperature to C,
Next, 25 g of ion-exchanged water in which 0.15 g of potassium persulfate was dissolved was added, and kept at 70 ° C. for 8 hours to obtain initial seed particles. The particle size of the seed particles is 0.04 μm
Met.

Next, after mixing 50 g of the obtained aqueous dispersion of the initial seed particles and 325 g of ion-exchanged water and raising the temperature to 70 ° C., 33 g of styrene and methyl methacrylate 8 were added.
2 g and 25 g of butyl acrylate were added and stirred for 1 hour. Then, 25 g of ion-exchanged water in which 0.15 g of potassium persulfate was dissolved was added.
An aqueous dispersion of 28 μm secondary seed particles was obtained.

Further, according to the above-described method, the secondary seed particles having a particle size of 0.128 μm are converted to a particle size of 0.312 μm.
m, and the process of forming quaternary seed particles having a particle size of 0.653 μm from the tertiary seed particles having a particle size of 0.312 μm was repeated.

To 100 g of the prepared solution containing the quaternary seed particles thus obtained, 1000 g of ion-exchanged water and 10 wt% aqueous solution of polyvinyl alcohol (saponification degree 88%) were added.
After adding 0 g and stirring uniformly, styrene 28 g,
70 g of methyl methacrylate and butyl acrylate 2
1 g, divinylbenzene 0.5 g, benzoyl peroxide 1
g, and 0.08 g of sodium lauryl sulfate were mixed with 1500 g of ion-exchanged water to obtain an emulsion by sonication, and the polymerization reaction was carried out for 9 hours under a nitrogen stream while stirring. An aqueous dispersion of low crosslinked fine particles was obtained. The particle size of the fine particles was 1.12 μm.

Next, 1500 g of ion-exchanged water and 15 g of the same aqueous polyvinyl alcohol solution as described above were added to 300 g of an aqueous dispersion containing 10% by weight of the low crosslinked fine particles, and the mixture was stirred uniformly, and trimethylolpropane triacrylate 50 g was added.
g, ion-exchanged water (1200 g), sodium lauryl sulfate (0.045 g) and acetone (300 g) were mixed, and the mixture was added as an emulsified solution by ultrasonication. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours to give trimethylolpropanetriene in the low-crosslinked fine particles. The acrylate was completely absorbed.

Next, acetone was removed using an evaporator, and styrene 58 was added to the resulting dispersion containing swollen particles.
g, 164 g of methyl methacrylate, 45 g of butyl acrylate, 25 g of divinylbenzene, and 5 g of benzoyl peroxide were dissolved, and 12 g of ion-exchanged water and 0.2 g of sodium lauryl sulfate were mixed to obtain an emulsion by ultrasonic treatment. While stirring and at a temperature of 60 ° C. for 2 hours under a nitrogen stream, and then raising the temperature to 80 ° C.
Polymerization was performed for a period of time to obtain a fine particle material having a uniform diameter. These fine particles have a refractive index of 1.502 and an average particle size of 2.61 μm.
m, the standard deviation of the particle size distribution was 0.26 μm.

The above-mentioned particle material was added to 1 kg of a copolymer of methyl methacrylate (MMA) and trifluoroethyl methacrylate (3FMA) having a composition ratio of 1: 1 by 0.5 wt%, and the mixture was sufficiently kneaded with a mixer. Extruded from the nozzle. This was set to a length of 50 mm, and both ends were cut and polished to obtain a cylindrical light-scattering light guide.

For the captured light scattering light guide, Deby
Calculation of the correlation distance a and the fluctuation mean square τ of the dielectric constant using the relational expression of e yielded the result that the correlation distance a = 1.75 μm and the fluctuation mean square τ of the dielectric constant = 0.00000808. Further, the result of obtaining the value of the effective scattering irradiation parameter E using the above equation (10) is E = 41.16.
[Cm ^-1 ].

Example 6 Polymethyl methacrylate (PM
MA), 0.5 wt% of polystyrene (PSt) was added, and mixed for 10 minutes using a V-type tumbler and then for 5 minutes using a Henschel mixer. This is 30mm in diameter
Using a twin-screw extruder [manufactured by Nakatani Machinery Co., Ltd.]
The pellets were prepared by melting and mixing at a cylinder temperature of 220 ° C. to 250 ° C., a screw rotation speed of 75 rpm, and a discharge rate of 6 kg / hr.

Using an injection molding machine, the pellets were subjected to a cylinder temperature of 220 ° C. to 250 ° C., a mold temperature of 65 ° C., a medium injection speed, an injection pressure short shot pressure plus 10 k.
g / cm ² , molded 35 mm in width and 35 mm in thickness.
A 5 mm plate-like light scattering light guide was obtained.

The light-scattering light guide and the light-scattering light-guiding light source device of the present invention will be described in more detail, focusing on their functions. First, the operation of the configuration described in each claim will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show the case where the scattered / emitted light intensity / angle characteristic adjusting irregularities are formed on the side of the scattered / emitted light extraction surface and the case where the external reflection is opposite to the scattered / emission light extraction surface. This shows a typical arrangement in the case where a scattered emission light intensity angle characteristic adjustment uneven region facing an element is formed.

In the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, the scattered / emitted light extraction surface area of the light scattering / guiding member 1 forms an uneven area 2 for adjusting the angle characteristic of the scattered / emitted light intensity, and a rod-shaped light source element ( For example, a fluorescent lamp) 5 is placed. A reflection film 4 made of a material different from the light scattering light guide 1 is disposed on the opposite side of the light scattering light guide from the scattered light extraction surface.

Light incident on the light scattering guide 1 from the rod-shaped light source 5 is guided while being scattered inside the light scattering guide 1.
Most of the light emitted from the light scattering light guide 1 toward the reflection film 4 is immediately reflected by the reflection film 4 and returns to the light scattering light guide 1. The light used as the backlight light or the like of the liquid crystal display device is light emitted from the scattered emission light extraction region side, and the directional characteristic of the light intensity is adjusted by the uneven region 2. d represents the pitch of the unevenness formed in a row.

FIG. 4 exemplarily shows some light beams before and after emission from the uneven region 2 of the light scattering guide 1. FIG. The refractive index of the light-scattering light guide 1 is n, external (usually air)
Assuming that the refractive index of 3 is n0 (substantially equal to 1), n0 <
Since n holds, as shown in the figure, the emitted light is bent in a direction in which the light tends to approach the light-scattering light guide again (P1 → Q1).
, P2 → Q2) Depending on the location and angle, the light again enters the surface of the light scattering / guiding member 1 and is partially reflected (P3
→ Q3), a part returns to the inside of the light scattering guide 1 (P3 → Q3).
3´).

Further, the light emitted in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the uneven area 2 goes straight as it is (P4 → Q4).
). As described above, the direction correction of the scattered emission light can occur in various directions in a complicated manner, but the correction direction can be controlled by selecting the apex angle α and the remaining angles β and γ of the prismatic uneven element 2. I can do it. That is, extremely various angle characteristics can be obtained by variously selecting the values of α, β, and γ in consideration of the angle characteristics of the emitted light intensity when there is no uneven region. One obvious trend is that
If β and γ are set to almost the same value for a wide range of apex angles α, it is expected that an effect of upwardly correcting light that is going to be emitted at an angle lying left and right in the figure can be expected. .

For example, when the traveling direction of the light in the light-scattering light guide 1 is isotropic, α is set to about 80 °, and β = γ =
When the angle is set to about 50 °, an effect of increasing the brightness as viewed from directly above in the drawing can be expected (see the embodiment described later). Also,
When the distribution of the light in the light-scattering light guide 1 in the traveling direction is anisotropic, if that property is combined with the magnitude relationship between α, β, and γ, the magnitude of the refractive index n, etc. Selection with a large degree of freedom is possible. For example, a scattered light distribution slightly biased forward rather than frontward can be realized.

For each case, it is not realistic to determine specific numerical values of α, β, and γ only by a theoretical approach. For example, after investigating the scattering characteristics of the light scattering light guide used. It is considered preferable to select these values by mixing experimental methods.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 show the arrangement and the light distribution when the uneven region 2 for adjusting the angle characteristic of the scattered light intensity in the direction opposite to the scattered light extraction surface region of the light scattering light guide 1 is formed. It shows the state of progress. Light incident on the light-scattering light guide 1 from a rod-like light source element (for example, a fluorescent lamp) 5 placed on the side is guided while being scattered inside similarly to the case of FIGS. Light to be emitted to the reflection film 4 side of the light-scattering light guide 1 is reflected after being bent in a direction approaching the light-scattering light guide 1 by the action of the uneven region 2 formed therein. The light is reflected by the film 4. A part of the reflected light is re-reflected on the surface of the light-scattering light guide 1 and the rest is returned to the inside of the light-scattering light guide 1. The paths of the individual rays are more complicated than in FIG. 4 (P5 → Q5, P5 → Q5).
', P6 → Q6', P7 → Q7).

Accordingly, the final values of α, β and γ are the same as those in FIGS.
It is preferable to realize the desired angular distribution of the intensity of the scattered emitted light by selecting and determining after examining an experimental method in consideration of the refractive index and the like.

The pitch d of the unevenness is not particularly limited. However, when the pitch is as small as approaching the order of the wavelength of light, a coloring phenomenon caused by diffraction occurs. The whole body could not be compact and well-formed,
Further, since the function of correcting the directional characteristics becomes uneven, the practical range is considered to be several ten minutes to several mm to several mm.

Further, as to the shape of the unevenness, FIGS. 2 to 5 show the case of a row array having a triangular cross section. However, in view of the technical idea of the present invention, there is an action of correcting the direction of the scattered emitted light. It is perfectly acceptable to adopt other shapes.
For example, any shape such as a semi-cylindrical sectional array, a planar array of hemispherical projections, and a planar array of triangular pyramidal recesses may be formed in the light scattering / guiding member surface area. It goes without saying that a light-scattering light guide or a light-scattering light-guiding light source device that matches the technical idea can be configured.

Further, the entire shape of the light scattering / guiding member 1 does not necessarily have to be a rectangular parallelepiped or a plate. For example, the entire scattered light emitting surface can be made into a large-area scattered light guide light source by combining those having a shape that is gently curved inward, or the whole can be made into a dome shape, in combination with a light source embedded structure described later, It is conceivable to configure a light source device having desired directional characteristics. Further, if the light scattering light guide is elongated and a strong light emitting direction is biased, a linear scattered light source that looks bright when viewed from a specific direction can be obtained. Any of these shapes,
It is a light-scattering light guide applicable to a backlight light source such as a liquid crystal display device.

Next, the effective scattering irradiation parameter E and the correlation distance a used for limiting the scattering power of the light scattering light guide in the claims 1 to 4 will be described by Debye.
This will be described with reference to the theory of e.

When the light of intensity I0 passes through the medium in y (cm) and the intensity is attenuated to I by scattering during the period, the effective effective scattering irradiation parameter E is defined by the following equation (1) or (2). .

[0089]

(Equation 1)

Equations (1) and (2) are so-called integral and differential expressions, respectively, and their physical meanings are equivalent.
In addition, this E may be called turbidity.

On the other hand, the scattered light intensity in the case where light scattering occurs due to the non-uniform structure distributed in the medium is the normal case where most of the outgoing light is vertically polarized light with respect to vertically polarized incident light (VV
(Scattering) is represented by the following equation (3).

[0092]

(Equation 2)

It is known that when natural light is incident, the following equation in which the right side of equation (3) is multiplied by (1 + cos θ ² ) in consideration of Hh scattering may be considered.

[0094]

(Equation 3)

Here, λ 0 is the wavelength of the incident light, and ν = (2π
n) / λ0, s = 2sin (θ / 2), n is the refractive index of the medium, theta is the scattering angle, <eta ^2> is the dielectric constant fluctuation squares mean of the medium (hereinafter, the <η ^2> = τ , Τ are used as appropriate.), And γ (r) is called a correlation function.

According to Debye, when the non-uniform refractive index structure of the medium is divided into an A phase and a B phase with an interface and dispersed, the correlation function γ (r),
The correlation distance a, the dielectric constant fluctuation root mean square τ, and the like are represented by the following relational expressions.

[0097]

(Equation 4)

Assuming that the non-uniform structure is constituted by a spherical interface having a radius R, the correlation distance a is expressed by the following equation.

[0099]

(Equation 5)

Using the equation (6) for the correlation function γ (r) and calculating the effective scattering irradiation parameter E when natural light is incident on the medium based on the equation (5), the result is as follows.

[0101]

(Equation 6)

From the relationship described above, it is possible to control the scattered light intensity, the angle dependence of the scattered light intensity, and the effective scattered irradiation parameter E by changing the correlation distance a and the dielectric constant fluctuation mean square τ. It turns out there is. It goes without saying that the angle dependency of the scattered light intensity is a matter that can be considered when the light scattering guide of the present invention is applied to an actual lighting device or the like.

FIG. 1 shows the curves of the effective scattering irradiation parameter E with the correlation distance a on the horizontal axis and the root mean square τ of the dielectric constant fluctuation on the vertical axis, where E = 50 [cm ⁻¹ ] and E = 100 [cm ^{−]. 1} ].

In general, the larger E is, the larger the scattering power is,
If E is small, the scattering power is small, in other words, it is almost transparent. E = 0 corresponds to no scattering at all.

Therefore, when applying the light-scattering light guide of the present invention to a large-area surface light source, a long fiber-like or rod-like uniform illumination light source, etc., it is sufficient to select a small value of E.

As a rough guide, for example, E = 0.0
When it is about 01 [cm ^-1 ], a fiber-like light-scattering light guide having a size of several tens of meters can be uniformly illuminated. FIG.
Taking the degree of E = 100 [cm ^-1] shown in, it is suitable for intensive and uniform illumination of the range of a few mm.

In the case of E = 50 [cm ^-1 ] in FIG. 1, the intermediate size (for example, several cm to several tens c) is used.
It is generally suitable to make the light-scattering light guide of m) uniform.

However, the values of the effective scattering irradiation parameter E are only for reference, and the scattered light reinforcement or the scattered light depending on the use conditions of the specific application device, for example, the intensity of the primary light source, the optical element arranged in the periphery, etc. It is preferable to flexibly select in consideration of the attenuation factor and the like. When the angular characteristics of light scattering are special, a value of E = 1000 or more may be selected.

For the correlation distance a, once, 0.005 μm
Although it is considered that m to 50 μm is practical, it is preferable that each case is determined in consideration of required angle characteristics and the like.

By treating the scattering phenomenon as described above, the scattering characteristics of the light-scattering light guide can be determined by specifying the range of the effective scattering irradiation parameter E and the correlation distance a. The numerical limitations on the light scattering characteristics described in claims 1 to 4 specify a range in which the possibility of practical use is high based on such an idea.

[0111]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Some embodiments of the present invention will be described below. <Example 1> P3F on MMA (methyl methacrylate)
MA (polymer of trifluoroethyl methacrylate)
Was dissolved in 0.3 wt%, and 0.5 wt% of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) was used as a radical polymerization initiator, and the mixture was subjected to casting polymerization at 70 ° C. for 20 hours to obtain a 56 mm long, 75 mm wide and 4.8 mm thick. A plate-shaped (cuboid) light scattering light guide was obtained. One surface of the light scattering light guide was cut into a prism shape as shown in FIGS.
The apex angle α of the prism shape is 80 °, and the pitch d of the unevenness is d = 0.
The thickness was 2 mm and the depth was 0.1 mm.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 2 was constructed with the prismatic processing surface facing upward. Behind the light-scattering light guide, a reflective film separate from the light-scattering light guide is placed, and the light of a fluorescent lamp used in a normal backlight light source is made incident on both sides to emit scattered light. Was measured. (A scattering reinforcing means such as a dot pattern of light-diffusing ink is not provided on the lower surface of the light-scattering light guide.) When the prism processing is not performed, the brightness is about 4000 candela. On the other hand, when the prism processing was performed, a scattered light intensity of illuminance exceeding 6000 candela could be obtained in a portion near the fluorescent lamp.

Further, a separate film (hereinafter, simply referred to as a prism film) having a prism-shaped irregular surface of a prism having a vertex angle of about 110 ° is placed on the upper surface of the light-scattering light guide after the prism processing. When the intensity of the emitted scattered light was measured under the same conditions, a result of about 5253 candela was obtained. The illuminance ratio of the darkest part to the brightest part (hereinafter, simply referred to as light-dark ratio) was about 0.8.

Light diffusing printing is applied to the lower surface of a commercially available light guide plate made of methacrylic resin, and the light diffusing plate is placed on the upper surface side in a conventional arrangement. Was measured and a result of about 4052 candela was obtained.

That is, according to the light scattering / guiding member having the prism processing on the upper surface side, it was confirmed that the illuminance improvement of about 30% as compared with the conventional one was achieved only by additionally using the prism film. .

Example 2 0.3 wt% of P3FMA (a polymer of trifluoroethyl methacrylate) was dissolved in MMA (methyl methacrylate), and 0.5 w of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) was used as a radical polymerization initiator.
t%, and polymerized by casting at 70 ° C for 20 hours.
A plate-shaped (cuboid) light-scattering light guide having a size of 6 mm, a width of 75 mm and a thickness of 4.8 mm was obtained. One surface of the light scattering light guide was cut into a prism shape as shown in FIGS. The vertex angle α of the prism shape was 80 °, the pitch d of the unevenness was 0.2 mm, and the depth was 0.1 mm.

The arrangement shown in FIG. 3 was constructed with the prism-shaped processed surface facing downward. Behind the light-scattering light guide, a reflective film separate from the light-scattering light guide is placed, and the light of the fluorescent lamp used in a normal backlight light source is made incident on both sides to emit the scattered light intensity. Was measured. (A scattering reinforcing means such as a dot pattern of light-diffusing ink is not provided on the lower surface of the light-scattering light guide.) As a result, about 350 mm over the entire upper surface of the light-scattering light guide.
It was found that it had a brightness of 4 candela. The light-dark ratio was 0.76. When a prism film having an apex angle of about 110 ° was placed on the upper surface of the light-scattering light guide with the prism processing surface facing downward, and the emitted scattered light intensity was measured under the same conditions, the result was about 5546 candela. The result was obtained. The illuminance ratio (light-dark ratio) of the darkest part to the brightest part was about 0.75.

Light diffusing printing is applied to the lower surface of a commercially available light guide plate made of methacrylic resin, and the light diffusing plate is placed on the upper surface side in a conventional arrangement. Was measured and a result of about 4052 candela was obtained.

That is, according to the light-scattering light guide having the prism processing on the lower surface side, it can be confirmed that the illuminance improvement of about 37% as compared with the conventional one can be achieved only by additionally using the prism film. Was.

Example 3 0.2 wt% of polybenzyl methacrylate (PBzMA) having a weight average molecular weight Mw = 43.9 × 10 4 was dissolved in MMA (methyl methacrylate), and benzoyl peroxide (BPO) was used as a radical polymerization initiator. 0.5% by weight, 0.2% by weight of n-butyl mercaptan (n-BM) as a chain transfer agent,
Casting polymerization was performed at 70 ° C. for 20 hours to obtain a plate-shaped (rectangular parallelepiped) light-scattering light guide of 170 mm square and 10 mm thickness.
A cylindrical cutting process was performed from one side surface of the light-scattering light guide, and as shown in FIG. 6, a cylindrical cavity 16 was formed, and the fluorescent lamp 15 was accommodated therein. The number of the empty spaces 16 was three, and the size of the fluorescent lamp was 4 mm in diameter and 170 mm in length. The cover or shield 21 shown in FIG. 7 was provided directly above each fluorescent lamp. In addition, the aluminum deposition film 22
May be used.

The cover shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B
This is to prevent strong direct light from penetrating upward and prevent the scattered light extraction surface from shining strongly locally, and in some cases, it may be translucent or not used at all. . It is needless to say that it is preferable that the inside of the cover or the shield 21 be a reflection surface so as not to waste a little light.

A reflection film separate from the light-scattering light guide is placed behind the light-scattering light guide, and a prism film having an apex angle of about 110 ° is placed on the upper surface of the light-scattering light guide to scatter light. The intensity of the emitted light was measured. (A scattering reinforcing means such as a dot pattern of a light-diffusing ink is not provided on the lower surface of the light-scattering light guide.) As a result, the brightness of about 7500 candela is obtained over the entire upper surface of the light-scattering light guide. It was found to have.

Next, the apex angle α = 80 ° and the pitch d of the unevenness d = 0.
The scattered light intensity was measured for a prism processed with a prism processing surface of 2 mm and a depth of 0.1 mm, and the prism processing surface was directed upward and downward. About 750 over the entire top surface of the scattering light guide
Uniform brightness exceeding 0 candela was observed.

Example 4 0.35 wt% of a silicon-based resin powder having a particle size of 3 μm (manufactured by Toshiba Silicon; Tospearl 130) was added to MMA (methyl methacrylate) and uniformly dispersed, and then a radical polymerization initiator was added. 0.5 wt% of benzoyl peroxide (BPO) and 0.2 wt% of n-butyl mercaptan (n-BM) as a chain transfer agent
Is added and the mixture is cast-polymerized at 70 ° C. for 20 hours.
A plate-shaped (rectangular parallelepiped) light-scattering light guide having an m-square and a thickness of 10 mm was obtained. A cylindrical cutting process was performed from one side of the light scattering light guide, and the fluorescent lamp 15 was accommodated in a cylindrical space 16 as shown in FIG. The number of the empty spaces 16 was three, and the size of the fluorescent lamp 15 was 4 mm in diameter and 170 mm in length.
The cover 21 and the shield 22 shown in FIG. 7 were provided directly above each fluorescent lamp.

A reflection film separate from the light-scattering light guide is placed behind the light-scattering light guide, and a prism film having an apex angle of about 110 ° is placed on the upper surface of the light-scattering light guide, and the light source device is mounted. Configured. (A scattering reinforcing means such as a dot pattern of light-diffusing ink is not provided on the lower surface of the light-scattering light guide.) When the entire brightness is visually observed, the entire surface looks bright, and particularly the difference in brightness and darkness. Was not recognized. The measured value of the light-dark ratio was about 0.86. From this, even when a known scattering particle dispersion type light guide is used without scattering reinforcing means such as light diffusion layer printing, a uniform and bright light source device is obtained by adopting the arrangement in which the light source elements are embedded inside. It turned out to be obtained.

<Example 5> 0.3 wt% of a silicon resin powder (manufactured by Toshiba Silicon; Tospearl 108) having a particle size of 0.8 μm was added to MMA (methyl methacrylate), and the mixture was uniformly dispersed, followed by radical polymerization. Benzoyl peroxide (BPO) 0.5 wt% as initiator, n-butyl mercaptan (n-BM) 0.2 wt as chain transfer agent
% At 70 ° C. for 20 hours.
A plate-shaped (rectangular parallelepiped) light-scattering light guide having a square shape and a thickness of 10 mm was obtained. A cylindrical cutting process was performed from one side of the light scattering light guide, and the fluorescent lamp 15 was accommodated in a cylindrical space 16 as shown in FIG. The number of the empty spaces 16 was three, and the size of the fluorescent lamp 15 was 4 mm in diameter and 170 mm in length. The cover or shield 21 shown in FIG. 8 was provided directly above each fluorescent lamp. In addition, you may use the aluminum vapor deposition film 22.

A reflection film separate from the light-scattering light guide is placed behind the light-scattering light guide, and a prism film having an apex angle of about 110 ° is placed on the upper surface of the light-scattering light guide to mount the light source device. Configured. (A scattering reinforcing means such as a dot pattern of light-diffusing ink is not provided on the lower surface of the light-scattering light guide.) When the entire brightness is visually observed, the entire surface looks bright, and particularly the difference in brightness. Was not found.

Next, the apex angle α = 80 ° and the pitch d of the unevenness d = 0.
The scattered light intensity was measured for a prism processed with a prism processing surface of 2 mm and a depth of 0.1 mm, and the prism processing surface was directed upward and downward. Brighter scattered light was observed over the entire upper surface of the scattering light guide than before performing the prism processing.

[0129]

According to the present invention, a light-scattering light guide which is simple to manufacture and has a uniform and bright light emitting surface with an extremely simple structure, avoiding the complexity and size increase of the device which was inevitable in the prior art. An apparatus is provided. That is, according to the present invention, since it is not necessary to add a gradient means of scattering ability or to add reinforcing means such as a diffusion ink layer, it is possible to avoid a complicated manufacturing process and an increase in the size of the apparatus, and the light scattering guide surface Since the angular characteristics of the scattered light intensity can be adjusted by a simple and space-free means of providing irregularities on the surface, it is possible to improve the substantial brightness of the light-scattering light-guiding light source device without changing the size. Became.

Further, by adopting a configuration in which the light source element is accommodated in a space or a concave portion of the light-scattering light guide, problems associated with the conventional restrictions on the arrangement of the light source element (lack of light quantity and brightness uniformity, Problem of additional space for light source element arrangement)
Was solved at once.

It should also be noted that the present invention, when combined with some of the proposals according to the inventor described above, exhibits a remarkable synergistic effect. In particular, the light-emitting direction correcting element (for example, a prism film) disclosed in the specification of the Japanese Patent Application filed on November 27, 1992 mentioned above is applicable to any of the embodiments of the present invention (claims 1 to 3).
The combination according to claim 5) can be used in combination, and the combination has a large synergistic effect (see the use of the prism film in <Example 1> to <Example 5>).

Further, the light-scattering light-guiding material having various properties manufactured by the manufacturing method (method utilizing a polymerization process and method using a polymer blend) created by the present inventors is used as the light-scattering light-guiding material according to the present invention. By using the body material and applying means such as embossing and embedding of a light source, it is possible to streamline the manufacturing process of the entire light scattering and light guiding device, including the adjustment of the material, and to obtain the effect of greatly improving the performance of the device. Things.

The light-scattering light guide or light-scattering light-guiding light source device of the present invention has such advantages. Illumination light source devices of various shapes and dimensions in various illumination systems using sunlight or a normal illumination light source as a secondary light source, a light beam expansion device when a light source such as a laser or a light emitting diode is used as a primary light source, an optical signal The present invention exerts its usefulness in a wide range of optical fields through application to devices that intensively and strongly illuminate a narrow area in an optical branching device, a mixing device, a microscope, and the like in a transmission system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 shows a curve of an effective scattering irradiation parameter E with a correlation distance a on the horizontal axis and a root mean square τ = <η ² > on the vertical axis, where E = 50 [cm ⁻¹ ] and E = 100 [ cm ^-1 ].

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a typical arrangement of a light-scattering light-guiding light source device using a light-scattering light-guiding body in which an uneven area for adjusting the intensity of scattered light is formed on the side of the scattered light extraction surface according to the present invention. is there.

FIG. 3 shows a typical arrangement of a light-scattering light-guiding light source device using a light-scattering light-guiding body in which a concavo-convex region for adjusting the intensity of the scattered light is formed on the side opposite to the surface from which the scattered light is extracted according to the present invention. FIG.

FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplifying a ray trajectory in the light-scattering light guide shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a diagram exemplifying a ray trajectory in the light-scattering light guide shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram exemplifying an arrangement of a light-scattering light-guiding light source device in which a light source element is arranged in a space of a light-scattering light guide.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing one example (a) and another example (b) of a cover or a shield formed or arranged so as to cover a part of the periphery of the light source element.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1, 11 Light-scattering light guide 2 Uneven area 3 Outside (air) 4, 14 Reflective film 5, 15 Light source element (fluorescent lamp) 16 Void 21, 22 Cover or shield

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) G02B 5/08 G02B 5/08 A // G02F 1/13357 G02F 1/13357 F21Y 101: 02 F21Y 101: 02

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An incident light receiving surface region, a scattered and emitted light extraction surface region for extracting scattered and emitted light originating from incident light from the incident light receiving surface region, and a light scattering capability is substantially uniform. A light-scattering light guide having a light-scattering volume region given to the light-emitting device; The effective scattering irradiation parameter E [c in the light scattering volume region
m ^-1 ] is in the range of 0.001 ≦ E ≦ 1000, and the correlation function γ (r) of the non-uniform refractive index structure causing the scattering power in the light scattering volume region is approximated by γ (r ) = Exp
The range of the correlation distance a when expressed as [−r / a] (where r is the distance [μm] between two points in the light scattering light guide) is 0.00
The light-scattering light guide according to the present invention, wherein 5 μm ≦ a ≦ 50 μm. 2. An incident light receiving surface area, a scattered emission light extraction surface area for extracting scattered emission light originating from incident light from the incident light reception surface area, and a light scattering ability is substantially uniform. A light-scattering light guide having a light-scattering volume region given to at least a part of a surface on a side opposite to the scattered emission light extraction surface region, facing an external reflection element,
An array of prismatic concavo-convex elements for adjusting the angular characteristic of the scattered light intensity is regularly and repeatedly formed, and the effective scattering irradiation parameter E [c of the light scattering volume region is formed.
m ^-1 ] is in the range of 0.001 ≦ E ≦ 1000, and the correlation function γ (r) of the non-uniform refractive index structure causing the scattering power in the light scattering volume region is approximated by γ (r ) = Exp
The range of the correlation distance a when expressed as [−r / a] (where r is the distance [μm] between two points in the light scattering light guide) is 0.00
The light-scattering light guide according to the present invention, wherein 5 μm ≦ a ≦ 50 μm. 3. An incident light receiving surface area, a scattered and emitted light extraction surface area for extracting scattered and emitted light originating from the incident light from the incident light receiving surface area, and a light scattering ability is substantially uniform. And a light scattering volume region given to the scattered emission light extraction surface region, and at least part of the scattered emission light extraction surface region is regularly and repeatedly formed with prismatic concave and convex element arrays for adjusting the angular characteristics of the scattered emission light intensity. A light-scattering light-guiding device comprising: a light-scattering light guide; and a light source element for supplying light to the light-scattering light guide, wherein the light-scattering volume region has a rectangular parallelepiped shape with the prism-shaped unevenness element array portion. The light source element is disposed near a side surface portion of the rectangular parallelepiped shape, and an effective scattering irradiation parameter E [c of the light scattering volume region is included.
m ^-1 ] is in the range of 0.001 ≦ E ≦ 1000, and the correlation function γ (r) of the non-uniform refractive index structure causing the scattering power in the light scattering volume region is approximated by γ (r ) = Exp
The range of the correlation distance a when expressed as [−r / a] (where r is the distance [μm] between two points in the light scattering light guide) is 0.00
The light-scattering and light-guiding device according to claim 1, wherein 5 μm ≦ a ≦ 50 μm. 4. An incident light receiving surface area, a scattered and emitted light extraction surface area for extracting scattered and emitted light originating from incident light from the incident light receiving surface area, and a light scattering ability is substantially uniform. Having a rectangular parallelepiped light scattering volume region, and at least a part of a surface opposite to the scattered emission light extraction surface region faces an external reflection element, and has a scattered emission light intensity. A light-scattering and light-guiding device comprising: a light-scattering light-guiding body in which a prismatic concave-convex element array for adjusting the angular characteristics of the light-scattering light is regularly and repeatedly formed; and a light source element for supplying light to the light-scattering light-guiding body. At least: the light scattering volume region includes the prismatic concave and convex element array portion and a rectangular parallelepiped portion; the light source element is disposed near a side portion of the rectangular parallelepiped shape; Effective scattering irradiation parameter E [c
m ^-1 ] is in the range of 0.001 ≦ E ≦ 1000, and the correlation function γ (r) of the non-uniform refractive index structure causing the scattering power in the light scattering volume region is approximated by γ (r ) = Exp
The range of the correlation distance a when expressed as [−r / a] (where r is the distance [μm] between two points in the light scattering light guide) is 0.00
The light-scattering and light-guiding device according to claim 1, wherein 5 μm ≦ a ≦ 50 μm. Light scattering light guide light source device. 5. The light-scattering light guide according to claim 3, wherein the light source element has a rod-like shape and is arranged along a side portion of the rectangular parallelepiped. Light source device.