JP2009081096A - Surface lighting system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a surface lighting system capable of realizing thinning and enlargement without increasing the number of light sources while suppressing power consumption. <P>SOLUTION: The surface lighting system comprises light emitting surfaces, a pair of first light incident surfaces formed on both end sides of one of the light emitting surfaces, a pair of second light incident surfaces formed on both end sides of the other of the light emitting surfaces, a light guide plate formed at an opposite side of the light emitting surface and inclining toward the center of the light emitting surface from each of the first light incident surface so as to make thickness in the direction perpendicular to the light emitting surface thicken and having a back surface organized by a pair of inclined surfaces joined between first light incident surfaces, a pair of main light sources arranged to face to first and second light incident surfaces of the light guide plate, and a pair of sub-light sources. Main light sources and sub-light sources respectively have a plurality of LED chips, and an optical axis of each LED chip of the sub-light source is adjusted to face to the direction of the center axis as an joining section of the pair of inclined surfaces. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a planar illumination device that illuminates an interior or exterior having a light source and a light guide plate that receives light emitted from the light source and exits from a light exit surface, or a backlight that illuminates a liquid crystal panel of a liquid crystal display device, The present invention relates to a planar lighting device used as a backlight for advertising panels, advertising towers, billboards, and the like.

  In the liquid crystal display device, a backlight unit that irradiates light from the back side of the liquid crystal display panel and illuminates the liquid crystal display panel is used. The backlight unit is configured using a light guide plate that diffuses light emitted from a light source for illumination and irradiates the liquid crystal display panel, or an optical member such as a prism sheet or a diffusion sheet.

  At present, a backlight unit of a large-sized liquid crystal television is mainly a so-called direct type in which an optical member such as a diffusion plate is disposed immediately above a light source for illumination without a light guide plate. In this system, a plurality of cold-cathode tubes, which are light sources, are arranged on the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel, and a uniform light quantity distribution and necessary luminance are ensured with the inside as a white reflecting surface.

  However, in the direct type backlight unit, in order to make the light quantity distribution uniform, the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the liquid crystal display panel needs to be a predetermined thickness, for example, about 30 mm. In the future, a thinner backlight unit will be desired. However, it is difficult to realize a backlight unit having a thickness of, for example, 10 mm or less in the direct type from the viewpoint of unevenness in the amount of light.

Here, as a backlight unit that can be reduced in thickness, the light emitted from the light source for illumination is guided in a predetermined direction, and is emitted from a light emission surface that is different from the surface on which the light is incident. There is a backlight unit using a light guide plate.
As such a backlight unit using a light guide plate, a backlight unit using a light guide plate in which scattering particles for scattering light in a transparent resin are mixed has been proposed (for example, Patent Document 1). To 4).

  For example, Patent Document 1 includes a light-scattering light guide having at least one light incident region and at least one light extraction surface region, and light source means for performing light incidence from the light incident surface region. The light-scattering light-guide light source device is characterized in that the light-scattering light guide has a region that tends to decrease in thickness as the distance from the light incident surface increases.

  Patent Document 2 includes a light scattering light guide, a prism sheet disposed on the light extraction surface side of the light scattering light guide, and a reflector disposed on the back side of the light scattering light guide. A surface light source device is described. Further, Patent Document 3 discloses a liquid crystal including a light emission direction correcting element made of a plate-like optical material having a light incident surface having repetitive undulations in a prism array and a light emission surface provided with light diffusibility. A display is described, and Patent Document 4 describes a light source device that includes a light scattering light guide provided with scattering ability therein, and a light supply unit that supplies light from an end surface of the light scattering light guide. Has been.

In the planar illumination device including the light scatterer light guide plate mixed with the light scatterers described in Patent Documents 1 to 4, the light emitted from the light source and entering the light scatter light guide from the light incident surface In the process of propagating the light, it undergoes a single or multiple scattering action at a certain rate. In addition, a substantial part of the light reaching the both surfaces of the light scattering light guide or the surface of the reflector is reflected and returned to the light scattering light guide.
Through such a complex process, a light beam emitted with high efficiency from the light extraction surface is generated with directivity in the obliquely forward direction when viewed from the direction of the light source. That is, the light emitted from the light source is emitted from the light extraction surface of the light scattering light guide.
Thus, it is described that uniform light can be emitted with high emission efficiency by using a light guide plate mixed with scattering particles.

  As the light guide plate, besides the light guide plate having a shape having a tendency to reduce the thickness as the distance from the light incident surface increases, the thickness decreases as the distance from the light incident surface increases. There is described a planar illumination device having a light guide plate in a shape in which light guide plates having a shape having a tendency are attached.

JP 07-36037 A JP 08-248233 A Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 08-271739 JP-A-11-153963

However, in the planar illumination device using the light guide plate described in Patent Documents 1 to 4, it is necessary to increase the thickness of the light guide plate itself in order to make the light reach a position farther from the light source in order to increase the size. . That is, there is a problem that the planar lighting device cannot be reduced in thickness and weight.
In addition, the shape described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 that has a tendency to reduce the thickness as it moves away from the incident position of the light source, or the flat plate shape has a limit on the reach of light, so there is a limit to the increase in size. There is also a problem.

  In addition, by using a light source with a large light emitting surface and making more light incident on the light guide plate, light with higher luminance or higher illuminance can be emitted from the light exit surface, but depending on the shape of the light guide plate There is also a problem that there is a limit to the size of the light emitting surface of the light source that can be used. In addition, if a larger light source or a light source with a larger amount of light is used, there is a problem in that the cost for manufacturing the device increases and the power consumption when using the device also increases.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a planar lighting device that can solve the problems based on the above-described conventional technology, and can achieve a reduction in thickness and size without increasing the number of light sources and reducing power consumption. It is to provide.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a light emitting surface, a pair of first light incident surfaces formed on one end side of the light emitting surface, and the other ends of the light emitting surface, respectively. A pair of second light incident surfaces formed with respect to the sides and opposite to the light exit surface, respectively, are directed from each of the first light entrance surfaces toward the center of the light exit surface. And a light guide plate including a back surface formed of a pair of inclined surfaces that are inclined so that the thickness in a direction perpendicular to the light emitting surface is thick and joined between each of the first light incident surfaces;
A pair of main light sources disposed opposite to each of the first light incident surfaces of the light guide plate and respectively incident on the first light incident surfaces; and a second of the light guide plate A pair of sub-light sources that are respectively arranged to face each of the light incident surfaces, and respectively incident light on each of the second light incident surfaces,
Each of the main light source and each of the sub-light sources has a plurality of light sources and a support body in which the plurality of light sources are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of each of the first light incident surfaces. And
In each of the sub-light sources, each of the plurality of light sources is adjusted so that an optical axis of each of the plurality of light sources is directed toward a central axis serving as a joint portion of the pair of inclined surfaces. Is to provide.

  Here, in each of the sub-light sources, the optical axes of the plurality of light sources are respectively the end on the light emitting surface side in the longitudinal direction of the second light incident surface facing the other sub-light source and the central axis. It is preferable to adjust so that it may go to the position which crosses.

  Each of the plurality of light sources is arranged so that its arrangement density increases as it goes from the central portion in the longitudinal direction of each of the second light incident surfaces to both ends, or the amount of emitted light is It is preferable that the current value is controlled so as to increase.

  Each of the plurality of light sources is preferably an LED chip.

  According to the present invention, by adjusting the optical axis of each light source of the sub-light source, the illuminance distribution of light emitted from the light exit surface can be changed to a bell-shaped (medium-high distribution) illuminance distribution. Accordingly, a planar illumination device that can be suitably used for a liquid crystal display device such as a liquid crystal television can be provided, and can be adapted to an increase in size, particularly a large screen of a liquid crystal display device such as a liquid crystal television. .

  In addition to adjusting the optical axis of the light source, by adjusting the arrangement density of the light sources, or by controlling the current value so that the amount of light emitted from the light source is increased, the longitudinal direction of each light incident surface is adjusted. The density of light emitted from the light source can be made uniform from the center to both ends thereof.

  The planar illumination device according to the present invention will be described in detail below based on a preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings.

First, the first embodiment will be described.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an outline of a liquid crystal display device including a planar illumination device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II of the liquid crystal display device shown in FIG.
3A is a view taken along the line III-III of the planar illumination device (hereinafter also referred to as “backlight unit”) shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. It is a BB sectional view taken on the line.

  The liquid crystal display device 10 includes a backlight unit 20, a liquid crystal display panel 12 disposed on the light emission surface side of the backlight unit 20, and a drive unit 14 that drives the liquid crystal display panel 12. In FIG. 1, a part of the liquid crystal display panel 12 is not shown in order to show the configuration of the planar lighting device.

  The liquid crystal display panel 12 applies a partial electric field to liquid crystal molecules arranged in a specific direction in advance to change the arrangement of the molecules, and uses the change in the refractive index generated in the liquid crystal cell to make a liquid crystal display. Characters, figures, images, etc. are displayed on the surface of the display panel 12.

  The drive unit 14 applies a voltage to the transparent electrode in the liquid crystal display panel 12, changes the direction of the liquid crystal molecules, and controls the transmittance of light transmitted through the liquid crystal display panel 12.

  The backlight unit 20 is an illuminating device that irradiates light from the back surface of the liquid crystal display panel 12 to the entire surface of the liquid crystal display panel 12, and has a light emission surface that has substantially the same shape as the image display surface of the liquid crystal display panel 12.

  The backlight unit 20 in the first embodiment includes two main light sources 28, a light guide plate 30, and an optical member unit 32, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3A, and 3B. The lighting device main body 24 and a housing 26 having a lower housing 42, an upper housing 44, a folding member 46, and a supporting member 48 are configured. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, a power storage unit 49 that stores a plurality of power supplies for supplying power to the main light source 28 is attached to the back side of the lower housing 42 of the housing 26.

  Hereinafter, each component which comprises the backlight unit 20 is demonstrated.

  The illumination device main body 24 scatters or diffuses the main light source 28 that emits light, the light guide plate 30 that emits light emitted from the main light source 28 as planar light, and the light emitted from the light guide plate 30. And an optical member unit 32 for making the light more uniform.

First, the main light source 28 will be described.
4A is a schematic perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the main light source 28 of the planar illumination device 20 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and FIG. 4B is a main light source shown in FIG. FIG. 4C is a schematic perspective view showing only one LED chip of the main light source 28 shown in FIG. 4A in an enlarged manner.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the main light source 28 includes a plurality of light emitting diode chips (hereinafter referred to as “LED chips”) 50 and a light source support (a plurality of LED chips 50) that supports the plurality of LED chips 50. Are arranged in a row).

The LED chip 50 is a chip in which a fluorescent material is coated on the surface of a light emitting diode that emits blue light. The LED chip 50 has a light emitting surface 58 having a predetermined area, and emits white light from the light emitting surface 58.
That is, when the blue light emitted from the surface of the light emitting diode of the LED chip 50 passes through the fluorescent material, the fluorescent material fluoresces. Thereby, when the blue light emitted from the LED chip 50 is transmitted, white light is generated and emitted by the blue light emitted from the light emitting diode and the light emitted by the fluorescent substance being fluorescent.

  Here, the LED chip 50 is exemplified by a chip in which a YAG (yttrium / aluminum / garnet) fluorescent material is applied to the surface of a GaN-based light-emitting diode, InGaN-based light-emitting diode, or the like.

  As illustrated in FIG. 4B, the light source support portion 52 includes an array substrate 54 and a plurality of fins 56. The plurality of LED chips 50 described above are arranged on the array substrate 54 in a row at a predetermined interval according to the arranged positions. Specifically, the plurality of LED chips 50 constituting the main light source 28 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the first light incident surface 30d or the second light incident surface 30e of the light guide plate 30 described later, in other words, the first light. The light emitting surface 30a and the incident surface 30d or the second light incident surface 30e and the light exit surface 30a are arranged in an array and fixed on the array substrate 54 in parallel.

The array substrate 54 is a plate-like member having one surface opposed to the thinnest end surface of the light guide plate 30, and the first light incident surface 30 d and the second light incident surface 30 e which are side end surfaces of the light guide plate 30. Are arranged opposite to each other. The LED chip 50 is supported on the side surface of the array substrate 54 that is the surface facing the light incident surface 30 b of the light guide plate 30.
Here, the array substrate 54 of the present embodiment is formed of a metal having good thermal conductivity such as copper or aluminum, and also has a function as a heat sink that absorbs heat generated from the LED chip 50 and dissipates it to the outside. .

Each of the plurality of fins 56 is a plate-like member made of a metal having good thermal conductivity such as copper or aluminum, and is adjacent to the surface of the array substrate 54 opposite to the surface on which the LED chip 50 is disposed. The fins 56 are connected to each other at a predetermined distance.
By providing a plurality of fins 56 on the light source support 52, the surface area can be increased and the heat dissipation effect can be enhanced. Thereby, the cooling efficiency of LED chip 50 can be improved.
The heat sink is not limited to the air cooling method, and a water cooling method can also be used.

  In this embodiment, the array substrate 54 of the light source support 52 is used as a heat sink. However, when cooling of the LED chip is not necessary, a plate-like member that does not have a heat dissipation function is used as the array substrate instead of the heat sink. Also good.

  Here, as shown in FIG. 4C, the LED chip 50 of this embodiment has a rectangular shape in which the length in the direction orthogonal to the arrangement direction is shorter than the length of the LED chip 50 in the arrangement direction, that is, described later. The light guide plate 30 has a rectangular shape with a short side in the thickness direction (direction perpendicular to the light exit surface 30a). In other words, the LED chip 50 has a shape in which b> a when the length in the direction perpendicular to the light exit surface 30a of the light guide plate 30 is a and the length in the arrangement direction is b. Further, q> b, where q is the arrangement interval of the LED chips 50. Thus, the relationship between the length a in the direction perpendicular to the light exit surface 30a of the light guide plate 30 of the LED chip 50, the length b in the arrangement direction, and the arrangement interval q of the LED chips 50 satisfies q> b> a. It is preferable.

  By making the LED chip 50 into a rectangular shape, a thin light source can be obtained while maintaining a large light output. By reducing the thickness of the light source, the planar illumination device can be reduced in thickness. In addition, the number of LED chips can be reduced.

  In addition, since the LED chip 50 can make a light source thinner, it is preferable that the light guide plate 30 has a rectangular shape having a short side in the thickness direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a square shape, a circular shape, LED chips having various shapes such as a polygonal shape and an elliptical shape can be used.

  In this embodiment, the LED chips are arranged in a single row to form a single layer structure. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of LED arrays having a plurality of LED chips 50 arranged on an array support are provided. A multilayer LED array having a laminated structure can also be used as a light source. Even when LED arrays are stacked in this way, more LED arrays can be stacked by making the LED chip 50 rectangular and making the LED array 46 thin. In this manner, a larger amount of light can be output by stacking multiple LED arrays, that is, by increasing the filling rate of the LED array (LED chip). In addition, the LED chip of the LED array in the layer adjacent to the LED chip of the LED array preferably has the arrangement interval satisfying the above formula as described above. In other words, the LED array is preferably laminated with the LED chip and the LED chip of the LED array in the adjacent layer separated by a predetermined distance.

Moreover, in this invention, a suitable planar illuminating device can be implement | achieved by changing the arrangement density of LED chip in the arrangement direction of LED chip.
That is, in the present invention, the LED chips 50a and 50b of the main light source 28 are arranged in an array by changing the arrangement density according to the positions in the longitudinal direction of the opposing first light incident surface 30d and second light incident surface 30e. To do.

  In the LED chips 50a and 50b, the portions facing the central portions in the longitudinal direction of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e have the highest arrangement density and are separated from the central portion (away from the central portion to the peripheral portion). According to the arrangement, the arrangement density is lowered.

The arrangement density is preferably determined so that the illuminance distribution on the bisector α of the light guide plate 30 is a bell-shaped distribution (medium-high distribution). As a density distribution calculation method for obtaining such a desired illuminance distribution, for example, a calculation by a sequential iteration method or other known methods may be used.
Thereby, in the light guide plate 30, a bell-shaped illuminance distribution can be obtained in which the central portion (position where the horizontal axis is 0) has the highest illuminance, and the illuminance decreases with increasing distance from the periphery.

  In the present invention, in the main light source 28, the LED array 50 is arranged so that the arrangement density of the LED chips at the position facing the central portion of the light incident surface is higher than that of the peripheral portion. The illuminance distribution of the emitted light can be a bell-shaped, that is, an illuminance distribution in which the illuminance gradually increases toward the center. By making the illuminance distribution of the light emitted from the light exit surface into a bell shape and making the illuminance at the center of the light exit surface the highest, visually feel the difference in illuminance between the center and the periphery, and from the light exit surface It appears that uniform light is being emitted. Thereby, the light of the illumination intensity distribution which can be used suitably for a liquid crystal television etc. from a planar illuminating device can be inject | emitted. Therefore, since the light emission surface can be increased in size, the use of the planar illumination device of the present invention can increase the size of a screen of a liquid crystal television or the like.

  Further, in the main light source 28, the number of LED chips 50 arranged at positions away from the central portion can be reduced, so that the manufacturing cost can be reduced and the power consumption can be reduced. it can.

Next, the light guide plate 30 will be described.
FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing the shape of the light guide plate 30.
As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, the light guide plate 30 is formed to be substantially perpendicular to the flat light emission surface 30a having a substantially rectangular shape and one end of one side of the light emission surface 30a. , Two opposing (one pair) light incident surfaces (first light incident surface 30d and second light incident surface 30e) and the opposite side of the light exit surface 30a, that is, on the back side of the light guide plate 30, A bisector α (see FIGS. 1 and 3) that is parallel to the longitudinal edges of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e and bisects the light exit surface 30a is a central axis (coupled) Two inclined surfaces (first inclined surface 30b and second inclined surface 30c) that are symmetrical to each other and inclined at a predetermined angle with respect to the light emission surface 30a, and the other of the light emission surfaces 30a, that is, light emission. Both ends of the surface 30a on the side where the light incident surface is not formed (light emitting surface 30a and light incident surfaces 30d, 3 and two opposing side surfaces (first side surface 30f and second side surface 30g) formed substantially perpendicular to the two sides of the light exit surface 30a perpendicular to the line of intersection with e. .

  The first inclined surface 30b and the second inclined surface 30c are arranged such that the distance from the light emitting surface 30a increases (becomes longer) as the distance from the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e increases. As it goes from the light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e to the central portion (bisector α) of the light guide plate 30, the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the light exit surface 30a of the light guide plate 30 is increased. ing.

  That is, the light guide plate 30 has the smallest thickness at both end portions, that is, the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e, and the central portion, that is, the first inclined surface 30b and the second inclined surface 30c intersect each other. The thickness is maximum at the position corresponding to the equipartition line α. In other words, the light guide plate 30 has a shape in which the thickness in the direction perpendicular to the light exit surface 30a of the light guide plate increases as the distance from the first light incident surface 30d or the second light incident surface 30e increases. In addition, the inclination angle of the 1st inclined surface 30b and the 2nd inclined surface 30c with respect to the light-projection surface 30a is not specifically limited.

  Here, the two main light sources 28 described above are arranged to face the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e of the light guide plate 30, respectively. Specifically, the main light source 28 composed of a plurality of LED chips 50a and a light source support portion 52a is arranged to face the first light incident surface 30d, and is composed of a plurality of LED chips 50b and a light source support portion 52b. The main light source 28 is disposed to face the second light incident surface 30e. Here, in the present embodiment, the length of the light emitting surface 58 of the LED chip 50 of the main light source 28 and the lengths of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e in the direction perpendicular to the light emitting surface 30a are substantially the same. Are the same length.

  As described above, in the planar illumination device 20, the two main light sources 28 are arranged so as to sandwich the light guide plate 30. That is, the light guide plate 30 is disposed between the two main light sources 28 that are disposed to face each other at a predetermined interval.

  In the light guide plate 30 shown in FIG. 2, light emitted from the main light source 28 and incident from the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e is a scatterer included in the light guide plate 30 (details will be described later). The light passes through the light guide plate 30 and is reflected by the first inclined surface 30b and / or the second inclined surface 30c, and then is emitted from the light exit surface 30a. At this time, some light may leak from the first inclined surface 30b and the second inclined surface 30c, but the leaked light is outside the first inclined surface 30b and the second inclined surface 30c of the light guide plate 30. The light is reflected by the reflecting plate 34 disposed on the light guide plate 30 and enters the light guide plate 30 again. The reflector 34 will be described in detail later.

  As described above, the light guide plate 30 faces the light exit surface 30a from the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e where the main light source 28 is disposed at the opposite position toward the center of the light guide plate 30. By adopting a shape that increases the thickness in the vertical direction, light incident from the light incident surface can be delivered to a position farther from the light incident surface, and the light exit surface 30a can be enlarged. Moreover, since the light incident from the light incident surfaces 30d and 30e can be suitably delivered to a far position, the light guide plate 30 can be thinned.

  The light guide plate 30 is formed by kneading and dispersing scattering particles for scattering light in a transparent resin. Examples of the transparent resin material used for the light guide plate 30 include PET (polyethylene terephthalate), PP (polypropylene), PC (polycarbonate), PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), benzyl methacrylate, MS resin, or COP (cycloolefin polymer). An optically transparent resin such as As scattering particles to be kneaded and dispersed in the light guide plate 30, Atsipearl, thin cone, silica, zirconia, dielectric polymer, or the like can be used. By including such scattering particles in the light guide plate 30, it is possible to emit illumination light that is uniform and has less luminance unevenness from the light exit surface. Such a light guide plate 30 can be manufactured using an extrusion molding method or an injection molding method.

Further, the scattering cross-sectional area of the scattering particles contained in the light guide plate 30 is Φ, the light incident direction (the direction parallel to the traveling direction of the light incident on the light guide plate, parallel to the light exit surface 30a, and the light exit surface 30a From the first light incident surface 30d or the second light incident surface 30e of the light guide plate 30 in the light incident surface (the direction perpendicular to the tangent to the first light incident surface 30d or the second light incident surface 30e) to the light emitting surface 30a. The length to the position where the thickness in the orthogonal direction is maximized, in this embodiment, the direction in which the light from the light guide plate is incident (in this embodiment, the direction perpendicular to the first light incident surface 30d of the light guide plate 30, hereinafter L _{G is} the half length (the length to the position of the bisector α), and the density of scattered particles contained in the light guide plate 30 (the number of particles per unit volume). N _p, in the case where the correction coefficient was _{K C,} the value of _{Φ · N p · L G ·} K C is 1. Or more, and is 8.2 or less, further, the value of the correction coefficient _{K C} is better to satisfy the relationship of 0.005 to 0.1. Since the light guide plate 30 includes scattering particles that satisfy such a relationship, it is possible to emit illumination light that is uniform and has less luminance unevenness from the light exit surface 30a.

In general, the transmittance T when a parallel light beam is incident on an isotropic medium is expressed by the following formula (1) according to the Lambert-Beer rule.
T = I / I ₀ = exp (−ρ · x) (1)
Here, x is a distance, I ₀ is incident light intensity, I is outgoing light intensity, and ρ is an attenuation constant.

The attenuation constant ρ is expressed by the following equation (2) using the scattering cross-sectional area Φ of particles and the number of particles N _p per unit volume contained in the medium.
ρ = Φ · N _p (2)

Therefore, the length from the incident surface of the light guide plate in the direction parallel to the traveling direction of the light incident on the light guide plate to the position where the thickness is the thickest, in this embodiment, the half length in the optical axis direction of the light guide plate is L _{Assuming G} , the light extraction efficiency E _out is given by the following equation (3).
E _out ∝exp (−Φ · N _p · L _G ) (3)
Here, half the length L _G of the optical axis of the light guide plate, the length from one of the light incident surface of the light guide plate 30 in a direction perpendicular to the light incident surface of the light guide plate 30 to the center of the light guide plate 30 .
Furthermore, the light extraction efficiency and are, with respect to the incident light, the fraction of light reaching the light incident surface 30d, from 30e in a position spaced the length L _G in the direction of the optical axis of the light guide plate 30, for example, shown in FIG. 2 In the case of the light guide plate 30, it is the ratio of light reaching the center of the light guide plate 30 (a position that is half the length of the light guide plate 30 in the optical axis direction) with respect to light incident from the light incident surfaces 30 d and 30 e.

Here the formula (3) applies to a space of limited size, to introduce a correction coefficient K _C for correcting the relationship between the expression (1). The compensation coefficient K _C is a dimensionless compensation coefficient empirically obtained where light optical medium of limited dimensions propagates. Then, the light extraction efficiency E _out is expressed by the following formula (4).
_{E out = exp (-Φ · N} p · L G · K C) ··· (4)

According to the equation (4), when the value of Φ · N _p · L _G · K _C is 3.5, the light extraction efficiency E _out is 3%, and Φ · N _p · L _G · K _C When the value of is 4.7, the light extraction efficiency E _out is 1%.
From this result, it can be seen that the light extraction efficiency E _out decreases as the value of Φ · N _p · L _G · K _C increases. Since light is scattered as it travels in the optical axis direction of the light guide plate 30, it is considered that the light extraction efficiency E _out decreases.

Therefore, it can be seen that the larger the value of Φ · N _p · L _G · K _C , the more preferable properties for the light guide plate 30. That is, by increasing the value of Φ · N _p · L _G · K _C , the light emitted from the surface facing the light incident surface is reduced, and the light emitted from the light emitting surface 30a is increased. Can do. That is, by increasing the value of _{Φ · N p · L G ·} K C, the ratio of light emitted through the light exit plane 30a to light incident on the incident surface (hereinafter referred to as "light use efficiency".) Can be high. Specifically, by setting 1.1 or the value of _{Φ · N p · L G ·} K C, the light use efficiency can be 50% or more.

Here, when the value of Φ · N _p · L _G · K _C is increased, the illuminance unevenness of the light emitted from the light exit surface 30a of the light guide plate 30 becomes significant, but Φ · N _p · L _G · K _C By making the value of 8.2 or less, the illuminance unevenness can be suppressed to a certain value (within an allowable range). Note that the illuminance and the luminance can be handled in substantially the same manner. Therefore, in the present invention, it is presumed that luminance and illuminance have the same tendency.

Thus, the value of _{Φ · N p · L G ·} K C of the light guide plate 30 of the present invention preferably satisfies the relationship of 1.1 or more and 8.2 or less, 2.0 or more and 8. More preferably, it is 0 or less. The value of _{Φ · N p · L G ·} K C is more preferably as long as 3.0 or more, most preferably, not less than 4.7.
The correction coefficient K _C is preferably 0.005 or more and 0.1 or less (0.005 ≦ K _C ≦ 0.1).

Hereinafter, the light guide plate 30 will be described in more detail with specific examples.
First, the scattering cross section Φ, the particle density N _p , the length L _G of the light guide plate half in the optical axis direction, and the correction coefficient K _C are set to various values, and the values of Φ · N _p · L _G · K _C are different. About each light-guide plate, the light use efficiency was calculated | required by computer simulation, and also illumination intensity nonuniformity was evaluated. Here, the illuminance unevenness [%] is the maximum illuminance of light emitted through the light exit plane of the light guide plate and I _Max, a minimum illuminance and I _Min, Average illuminance when the I _Ave [(I _Max - I _Min ) / I _Ave ] × 100.
Table 1 shows the measurement results. The determination in Table 1 is indicated by ◯ when the light use efficiency is 50% or more and the illuminance unevenness is 150% or less, and when the light use efficiency is less than 50% or the illuminance unevenness is more than 150%.

Further, in FIG. 6, [Phi · (for light incident from the light incident surface, the light fraction of emitted through the light exit _{plane) N p · L G · K} C value and the light use efficiency measures the relationship between The results are shown.
As shown in Table 1 and FIG. 6, by making Φ · N _p · L _G · K _C be 1.1 or more, the light use efficiency is increased, specifically, the light use efficiency is 50% or more. It can be seen that by setting it to 8.2 or less, the illuminance unevenness can be reduced to 150% or less.
Moreover, it can be seen that the light use efficiency can be increased by setting Kc to 0.005 or more, and the illuminance unevenness of the light emitted from the light guide plate can be reduced by setting it to 0.1 or less. .

Then, the particle density N _p of the particles which kneaded or dispersed in the light guide plate creates various values of the light guide plate was measured illuminance distribution of light emitted from the respective positions of the light emitting surface of each light guide plate . In this exemplary embodiment, other conditions except for the particle density N _p, specifically, the scattering cross section [Phi, half the length of the optical axis direction of the light guide plate L _G, the correction coefficient K _C, the light guide plate The shape and the like were the same value. Accordingly, in the present _{embodiment, Φ · N p · L G} · K C changes in proportion to the particle density _{N p.}
FIG. 7 shows the results of measuring the illuminance distribution of the light emitted from the light exit surface of the light guide plates having various particle densities in this way. In FIG. 7, the vertical axis is illuminance [lx], and the horizontal axis is the distance (light guide length) [mm] from one light incident surface of the light guide plate.

Further, the uneven illuminance when the maximum illuminance of light emitted from the side wall of the light guide plate of the measured illuminance distribution is I _Max , the minimum illuminance is I _Min , and the average illuminance is I _Ave [(I _Max −I _Min ) / I _Ave ] × 100 [%] was calculated.
FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the calculated illuminance unevenness and the particle density. In FIG. 8, the vertical axis is illuminance unevenness [%], and the horizontal axis is particle density [pieces / m ³ ]. FIG. 8 also shows the relationship between light utilization efficiency and particle density, where the horizontal axis is the particle density and the vertical axis is the light utilization efficiency [%].

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the particle density is increased, that is, Φ · N _p · L _G · K _C is increased, the light utilization efficiency is increased, but the illuminance unevenness is also increased. Further, it can be seen that when the particle density is lowered, that is, Φ · N _p · L _G · K _C is reduced, the light use efficiency is reduced, but the illuminance unevenness is reduced.

Here, by the _{Φ · N p · L G ·} K C 1.1 or more 8.2 or less, the light use efficiency of 50% or more and illuminance unevenness of 150% or less. By setting the illuminance unevenness to 150% or less, the illuminance unevenness can be made inconspicuous.
_{That, Φ · N p · L G} · K C to be to less than 1.1 and not greater than 8.2 yields light use efficiency above a certain level, and illuminance unevenness also seen that it is possible to reduce.

Next, the optical member unit 32 will be described.
The optical member unit 32 converts the illumination light emitted from the light exit surface 30a of the light guide plate 30 into light with no uneven brightness, and emits the illumination light without uneven brightness from the light exit surface 24a of the illumination device body 24. As shown in FIG. 2, a diffusion sheet 32a that diffuses illumination light emitted from the light exit surface 30a of the light guide plate 30 to reduce unevenness of brightness, light incident surfaces 30d and 30e, and a light exit surface 30a A prism sheet 32b in which a microprism array parallel to the tangent line is formed, and a diffusion sheet 32c that diffuses illumination light emitted from the prism sheet 32b to reduce luminance unevenness.

  The diffusion sheets 32a and 32c and the prism sheet 32b are not particularly limited, and known diffusion sheets and prism sheets can be used. For example, paragraphs of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-23497 related to the application of the present applicant. Those disclosed in [0028] to [0033] can be applied.

  In this embodiment, the optical member unit is composed of the two diffusion sheets 32a and 32c and the prism sheet 32b disposed between the two diffusion sheets. However, the arrangement order and arrangement of the prism sheets and the diffusion sheets are not limited. The number is not particularly limited, and is also not particularly limited as a prism sheet or a diffusion sheet, as long as the luminance unevenness of the illumination light emitted from the light exit surface 30a of the light guide plate 30 can be further reduced, Various optical members can be used.

  For example, as the optical member, a transmittance adjusting member in which a large number of transmittance adjusting bodies made of a diffuse reflector are arranged in accordance with the luminance unevenness can be used in addition to or instead of the above-described diffusion sheet and prism sheet. Further, the optical member unit may have a two-layer configuration using one prism sheet and one diffusion sheet, or using only two diffusion sheets.

Next, the reflecting plate 34 of the lighting device main body will be described.
The reflection plate 34 is provided to reflect light leaking from the first inclined surface 30b and the second inclined surface 30c of the light guide plate 30 and to make it incident on the light guide plate 30 again, thereby improving the light use efficiency. be able to. The reflection plate 34 has a shape corresponding to the first inclined surface 30b and the second inclined surface 30c of the light guide plate 30 and is formed so as to cover the outer surfaces of the first inclined surface 30b and the second inclined surface 30c. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the first inclined surface 30b and the second inclined surface 30c of the light guide plate 30 are formed in a triangular shape, so that the reflecting plate 34 is also formed in a shape that complements this. Has been.

  The reflecting plate 34 may be formed of any material as long as it can reflect light leaking from the inclined surface of the light guide plate 30. For example, the reflecting plate 34 is stretched after kneading a filler in PET, PP (polypropylene), or the like. Resin sheet with increased reflectivity by forming voids, a sheet with a mirror surface formed by vapor deposition of aluminum on the surface of a transparent or white resin sheet, a resin sheet carrying a metal foil or metal foil such as aluminum, or sufficient on the surface It can be formed of a thin metal plate having excellent reflectivity.

  The upper guide reflection plate 36 is disposed between the light guide plate 30 and the diffusion sheet 32a, that is, on the light emission surface 30a side of the light guide plate 30, and the end portions of the main light source 28 and the light emission surface 30a of the light guide plate 30 (first light). An end portion on the incident surface 30d side and an end portion on the second light incident surface 30e side) are arranged so as to cover each other. In other words, the upper guide reflection plate 36 is disposed so as to cover a part of the light exit surface 30a of the light guide plate 30 to a part of the array substrate 54 of the main light source 28 in a direction parallel to the optical axis direction. . That is, the two upper guide reflectors 36 are disposed at both ends of the light guide plate 30, respectively.

As described above, by arranging the upper guide reflection plate 36, it is possible to prevent the light emitted from the main light source 28 from leaking to the light emitting surface 30 side without entering the light guide plate 30.
Thereby, the light emitted from the LED chip 50 of the main light source 28 can be efficiently incident on the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e of the light guide plate 30, and the light utilization efficiency can be improved. it can.

The lower guide reflection plate 38 is disposed on the side opposite to the light exit surface 30a side of the light guide plate 30, that is, on the first inclined surface 30b and the second inclined surface 30c side so as to cover a part of the main light source 28. Yes. The end of the lower guide reflector 38 on the center side of the light guide plate is connected to the reflector 34.
Here, as the upper guide reflector 36 and the lower guide reflector 38, various materials used for the reflector 34 described above can be used.

By providing the lower guide reflection plate 38, the light emitted from the main light source 28 is prevented from entering the light guide plate 30 and leaking to the first inclined surface 30b and the second inclined surface 30c side of the light guide plate 30. it can.
Thereby, the light emitted from the LED chip 50 of the main light source 28 can be efficiently incident on the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e of the light guide plate 30, and the light utilization efficiency can be improved. it can.

  In the present embodiment, the reflecting plate 34 and the lower guiding reflecting plate 38 are connected. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and each may be a separate member.

Here, the upper guide reflector 36 and the lower guide reflector 38 reflect the light emitted from the main light source 28 toward the first light incident surface 30d or the second light incident surface 30e, and are emitted from the main light source 28. The shape and width are not particularly limited as long as light can be incident on the first light incident surface 30d or the second light incident surface 30e and the light incident on the light guide plate 30 can be guided to the center of the light guide plate 30.
In the present embodiment, the upper guide reflector 36 is disposed between the light guide plate 30 and the diffusion sheet 32a. However, the position of the upper guide reflector 36 is not limited to this, and constitutes the optical member unit 32. You may arrange | position between sheet-like members, and may arrange | position between the optical member unit 32 and the upper housing | casing 44. FIG.

Next, the housing 26 will be described.
As shown in FIG. 2, the housing 26 accommodates and supports the lighting device main body 24, and is sandwiched between the light emission surface 24a side and the first inclined surface 30b and second inclined surface 30c side of the light guide plate 30. The lower casing 42, the upper casing 44, the folding member 46, and the support member 48 are included.

  The lower housing 42 has a shape having an open top surface and a bottom surface portion and side surfaces provided on four sides of the bottom surface portion and perpendicular to the bottom surface portion. That is, it is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box shape with one surface open. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower housing 42 supports the illuminating device main body 24 housed from above with a bottom surface portion and a side surface portion, and a surface other than the light exit surface 24 a of the illuminating device main body 24, that is, the illuminating device main body. 24 covers the surface (back surface) and the side surface opposite to the light exit surface 24a.

The upper housing 44 has a rectangular parallelepiped box shape in which a rectangular opening smaller than the rectangular light emission surface 24a of the lighting device body 24 serving as an opening is formed on the upper surface, and the lower surface is opened.
As shown in FIG. 2, the upper housing 44 includes the lighting device main body 24 and the lower housing 42 in which the lighting device main body 24 and the lower housing 42 are housed from above the planar lighting device main body 24 and the lower housing 42. The other side surface portion 22b is also placed so as to cover it.

The folding member 46 has a concave (U-shaped) shape whose cross-sectional shape is always the same. That is, it is a rod-like member having a U-shaped cross section perpendicular to the extending direction.
As shown in FIG. 2, the folding member 46 is inserted between the side surface of the lower housing 42 and the side surface of the upper housing 44, and the outer surface of one U-shaped parallel part is the bottom surface of the lower housing 42. It is connected to the side surface portion 22 b and the outer side surface of the other parallel portion is connected to the side surface of the upper housing 44.

  Here, as a method for joining the lower housing 42 and the folding member 46, and a method for joining the folding member 46 and the upper housing 44, various known methods such as a method using bolts and nuts, a method using an adhesive, and the like. Can be used.

  Thus, by arranging the folding member 46 between the lower housing 42 and the upper housing 44, the rigidity of the housing 26 can be increased, and the light guide plate 30 can be prevented from warping. Thus, for example, light can be emitted efficiently with little or no luminance unevenness, but even when using a light guide plate that is likely to warp, the warp can be corrected more reliably, or the light guide plate can be warped. It is possible to more reliably prevent the occurrence of light, and to emit light from the light exit surface with no or reduced brightness unevenness.

In addition, various materials, such as a metal and resin, can be used for the upper housing | casing of a housing | casing, a lower housing | casing, and a folding member. In addition, as a material, it is preferable to use a lightweight and high-strength material.
In the present embodiment, the folding member is a separate member, but it may be formed integrally with the upper housing or the lower housing. Moreover, it is good also as a structure which does not provide a folding | turning member.

The support member 48 has a shape with the same cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction. That is, it is a rod-like member having the same cross-sectional shape perpendicular to the extending direction.
As shown in FIG. 2, the support member 48 is between the reflection plate 34 and the lower housing 42, more specifically, the end of the first inclined surface 30 b of the light guide plate 30 on the first light incident surface 30 d side. The light guide plate 30 and the reflection plate 34 are fixed to and supported by the lower housing 42.

  The light guide plate 30 and the reflection plate 34 can be brought into close contact with each other by supporting the reflection plate 34 with the support member 48. Further, the light guide plate 30 and the reflection plate 34 can be fixed at predetermined positions of the lower housing 42.

In the present embodiment, the support member 48 is provided as an independent member. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the support member 48 may be formed integrally with the lower housing 42 or the reflection plate 34. That is, even if a protrusion is formed on a part of the lower housing 42 and this protrusion is used as a support member, a protrusion is formed on a part of the reflector 34 and this protrusion is used as a support member. Good.
Further, the arrangement position is not particularly limited, and the arrangement position can be arranged at an arbitrary position between the reflection plate 34 and the lower housing 42, but in order to stably hold the light guide plate 30, the end of the light guide plate 30 is arranged. In the present embodiment, in other words, in the present embodiment, it is preferably disposed in the vicinity of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e.

  Further, the shape of the support member 48 is not particularly limited, and can be various shapes, and can be made of various materials. For example, a plurality of support members 48 may be provided and arranged at predetermined intervals.

  Further, the support member 48 has a shape that fills the entire space formed by the reflecting plate 34 and the lower housing 42, that is, the surface on the reflecting plate 34 side is shaped along the reflecting plate 34, and the lower housing 42 side This surface may be shaped along the lower housing 42. As described above, when the entire surface of the reflection plate 34 is supported by the support member 48, it is possible to reliably prevent the light guide plate 30 and the reflection plate 34 from separating, and uneven brightness is caused by the light reflected from the reflection plate 34. It can be prevented from occurring.

  Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In the planar illumination device of the second embodiment, a sub-light source 29 is further provided in addition to the configuration of the planar illumination device of the first embodiment. Further, in the first embodiment, the two surfaces which are the first side surface 30f and the second side surface 30g of the light guide plate 30 are provided with a first sub incident surface 30h for incident light from the sub light source 29 and A second sub-incident surface 30i is formed. With such a configuration, in the planar illumination device of this embodiment, light is incident from four directions of the light guide plate. Since the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, its detailed description is omitted.

  As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, the illuminating device main body 24 in the second embodiment is in addition to the configuration in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. And two auxiliary light sources 29.

The sub-light source 29 has basically the same configuration as the main light source 28 described above in the first embodiment except for the arrangement position with respect to the light guide plate 30 and the arrangement density of the LED chips.
The two sub light sources 29 are disposed to face the first sub incident surface 30h and the second sub incident surface 30i of the light guide plate 30, respectively. Specifically, the sub-light source 29 composed of the plurality of LED chips 50c and the light source support portion 52c is disposed to face the first sub-incident surface 30h, and is composed of the plurality of LED chips 50d and the light source support portion 52d. The sub light source 29 is disposed to face the second sub incident surface 30i.

  In the sub-light source 29, the arrangement density of the LED chips 50 is constant at any position.

  As described above, in the second embodiment, the sub light sources 29 are arranged at positions facing the first sub incident surface 30 h and the second sub incident surface 30 i of the light guide plate 30, respectively, from the side surface side of the light guide plate 30. In addition, by making light incident, light with higher luminance can be emitted from the light emission surface 30a, and the amount of light can be increased. For this reason, since a large amount of illumination light can be emitted from the light exit surface, the light exit surface can be enlarged, and a large screen can be realized in the liquid crystal display device.

  The planar lighting device 20 is basically configured as described above.

In the planar illumination device 20, light emitted from the main light sources 28 disposed at both ends of the light guide plate 30 is incident on the light incident surfaces (first light incident surface 30 d and second light incident surface 30 e) of the light guide plate 30. Furthermore, the light emitted from the sub-light sources 29 respectively disposed at the other ends of the light guide plate 30 enters the side surfaces (the first side surface 30f and the second side surface 30g). Light incident from each surface passes through the light guide plate 30 and is reflected by the first inclined surface 30b and / or the second inclined surface 30c while being scattered by the scatterers included in the light guide plate 30. After that, the light exits from the light exit surface 30a. At this time, part of the light leaking from the first inclined surface 30 b and the second inclined surface 30 c is reflected by the reflecting plate 34 and enters the light guide plate 30 again.
In this way, the light emitted from the light exit surface 30 a of the light guide plate 30 passes through the optical member 32 and is emitted from the light exit surface 24 a of the illumination device body 24 to illuminate the liquid crystal display panel 12.
The liquid crystal display panel 12 displays characters, figures, images, and the like on the surface of the liquid crystal display panel 12 by controlling the light transmittance according to the position by the drive unit 14.

The illuminance distribution of light emitted from the light exit surface was measured using the planar illumination device of the present invention.
In this embodiment, the length of the light guide plate 30 from the first side surface 30f to the second side surface 30g is 1000 mm, and is perpendicular to the light emitting surface 30a of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e. The length d in the direction is 580 mm, the length from the light exit surface 30a to the back surface at the bisector α, that is, the thickness D of the thickest part is 3.5 mm, and the first light incident surface 30d, or the distance L _G from the second light entrance plane 30e to the bisector α using the light guide plate having a shape with 290 mm.
Further, the ratio of the weight of the scattering particles mixed in the light guide plate 30 to the weight of the light guide plate 30 was set to 0.07 Wt%.

The graph shown in FIG. 10 shows the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident when the illuminance of light emitted from the light emitting surface 30a of the planar illumination device including the light guide plate 30 having such a shape is measured. The illuminance distribution at the center of the light guide plate 30 (that is, on the bisector α) in the direction parallel to the surface 30e is shown.
In FIG. 10, the vertical axis is the relative illuminance [lx], and the horizontal axis is the position [mm] in the longitudinal direction of the first light incident surface 30 d and the second light incident surface 30 e of the light guide plate 30. On the horizontal axis, the position of 0 is the center position of the light guide plate 30 in the longitudinal direction of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e, and the positions of −500 and 500 are the positions of the light guide plate 30. The both ends in the longitudinal direction of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e are shown.

As in the present embodiment, according to the liquid crystal display device 10 in which the main light source 28 and the sub light source 29 are arranged, the absolute value of the illuminance of light emitted from the light emission surface 30a can be improved. The amount of light can be improved overall.
Further, according to the light guide plate 30 used in the present embodiment, when the main light source 28 and the sub light source 29 are arranged on the light guide plate 30, the absolute value of the illuminance is approximately compared with the case where only the main light source 28 is arranged. It is known to improve by a factor of 1.5.
Thus, according to the structure which arrange | positions a light source in the shape surrounding the four sides of a light-guide plate, since large illuminating light can be inject | emitted from a light-projection surface, the enlargement of an apparatus is realizable.

  Here, in the present invention, preferably, the arrangement density of the LED chips 50a and 50b of the main light source 28 is changed according to the positions in the longitudinal direction of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e facing each other, Arrange in an array.

An example of the arrangement density of the LED chips 50 corresponding to the positions of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e is shown in FIG.
FIG. 11 is a distribution diagram of LED chips showing the arrangement density of the LED chips 50a and 50b in the longitudinal direction of the main light source 28 of the planar lighting device 10 of the present invention.
In FIG. 11, the horizontal axis indicates the position when the distance in the longitudinal direction of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e of the light guide plate 30 is divided by a predetermined length (4 mm in this embodiment). [Section], and the vertical axis is [number] of LED chips arranged in the section of the predetermined unit length. In the horizontal axis, the 0 section is a range of 4 mm including the center position in the longitudinal direction of the light incident surface 30d of the light guide plate 30, and the -12 and 12 sections are from both ends in the longitudinal direction of the light incident surface 30d. The range up to the center side of 4 mm is shown.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, two examples of I1 and X1 are used as an arrangement density pattern when the LED chips 50 are arranged.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, at the positions facing the central portions (positions where the horizontal axis is 0) of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e of the light guide plate 30, I1 and X1 In the pattern, the LED chips 50 are arranged at a rate of 14 pieces per section (4 mm range). As the distance from the center of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e increases, the array density of the LED chips 50 decreases. In the case of I1, the horizontal axis is a position at -11 and 11 In the case of X1, the number of LED chips 50 arranged per section at the positions where the horizontal axis is −12 and 12 (that is, the positions facing both ends of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e). Is 0.

  Further, in both the patterns of I1 and X1, the arrangement density at the central portion (the position where the horizontal axis is 0 in FIG. 11) of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e is the maximum. Assuming that the arrangement density is 1, the LED chips 50 are arranged so that the arrangement density D is 0 <D ≦ 1 at any other position.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show graphs of the illuminance distribution of the light guide plate 30 when the arrangement density of the LED chips shown in FIG. 11 is used.
FIG. 12 shows the first light incident surface 30d and the second light passing through the center of the light guide plate 30 when the LED chips 50 are arranged in the main light source 28 so as to have the arrangement density of the patterns I1 and X1 in FIG. The illuminance distribution of the light exit surface 30a in a direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the light incident surface 30e is shown. In FIG. 12, the vertical axis is relative illuminance [lx], and the horizontal axis is the position [mm] in the longitudinal direction of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e of the light guide plate 30.

  As shown in FIG. 12, in the case where the arrangement density of any pattern of I1 or X1 is used, the illuminance is highest at the center (position where the horizontal axis is 0), and the illuminance decreases as the distance from the periphery (both ends) increases. A bell-shaped illuminance distribution can be obtained.

FIG. 13 shows the illuminance distribution of the light exit surface 30a in the direction parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first side surface 30f and the second side surface 30g through the center of the light guide plate 30. In the present embodiment, in the sub-light source 29, the arrangement density of the LED chips 50 is constant at any position.
In FIG. 13, the vertical axis is the relative illuminance [lx], and the horizontal axis is the position [mm] in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface 30 f and the second side surface 30 g of the light guide plate 30.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the illuminance distribution in the longitudinal direction of the first side surface 30f and the second side surface 30g of the light guide plate 30 is almost equal to whether the arrangement density of the LED chips 50 of the main light source 28 is I1 or X1. Regardless, the illuminance is a bell-shaped illuminance distribution in which the illuminance is highest at the center (position where the horizontal axis is 0) and the illuminance decreases as the distance from the periphery increases.

  Accordingly, by arranging the arrangement density of the LED chips 50 in the main light source 28 as shown in FIG. 11, in the liquid crystal display device 10, the central portion of the light emitting surface 30a as shown in FIGS. It can be seen that a bell-shaped illuminance distribution (medium-high distribution) with high illuminance can be obtained.

  By the way, in the first and second embodiments described above, in order to make the illuminance distribution on the light exit surface into a bell-shaped distribution, the arrangement density of the LED chips is changed according to each part of the opposing light incident surface. Although the method is used, the present invention is not limited to this, and in the first or second embodiment described above, the arrangement density of the LED chips is kept constant at any position, and the light quantity of the light source is adjusted, Similar effects can be obtained. That is, the illuminance distribution as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 is realized by setting a different light quantity for each LED chip.

  In the present embodiment, the light amount of each LED chip 50 is set independently so that the light amount is the largest at the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the light incident surfaces 30d and 30e, and the light amount becomes smaller as the distance from the central portion to both ends. To do.

  At this time, the light quantity of each LED chip 50 is preferably set so that the illuminance distribution on the bisector α of the light guide plate 30 becomes a bell-shaped distribution (medium-high distribution). That is, assuming that the amount of light of the LED chip facing the central portions of the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e is 1, the light amount I is 0 <I ≦ 1 at any other position. The light quantity of each LED chip 50 is set.

Thus, by setting the light quantity of each LED chip 50 independently, the same effect as the case where the arrangement density of the LED chips 50 of the main light source 28 is set can be obtained. And a bell-shaped illumination distribution as shown in FIG. 13 can be obtained.
As described above, the light quantity of each LED chip 50 for obtaining the bell-shaped illuminance distribution may be calculated by the sequential iteration method or other known methods.

  Further, in the above-described second embodiment, it is preferable that the light quantity of each LED chip 50 of the sub light source 29 as well as the LED chip 50 of the main light source 28 is set independently. Thereby, different illumination intensity can be set for every predetermined area | region on the light-projection surface 30a. That is, the amount of light on the light exit surface 30a can be set two-dimensionally. Therefore, it is possible to perform area control for adjusting the luminance of the light exit surface for each region.

  Furthermore, in order to make the illuminance distribution on the light exit surface into a bell-shaped distribution, in the first or second embodiment described above, by adjusting the optical axis of each LED chip 50, FIG. 12 and FIG. Such illuminance distribution can also be realized.

  In the example shown in FIG. 14, in each of the left and right sub-light sources 29 in the figure, the optical axis of each LED chip 50 is in the direction of the central axis (bisector α) that becomes the joining portion of a pair of inclined surfaces. It is adjusted to head. As shown in the figure, the LED chip 50 from the central axis to the end on one side (the upper side in the figure) and the LED chip 50 from the central axis to the end on the other side (the lower side) In other words, the optical axis (that is, the arrangement position) of each LED chip is adjusted so that the optical axis of each LED chip 50 is directed toward the central axis at a predetermined angle.

  Here, in the example of FIG. 14, the central axis is the center positions of the light source support portions 52 of the left and right sub-light sources 29, that is, the longitudinal directions of the light incident surfaces 30 h and 30 i (LED chip arrangement direction). This is a line connecting the center positions of the edges on the light exit surface side. The central axis may not pass through the central position of the light source support 52. Also in this case, the optical axis of each LED chip 50 is adjusted so as to go in the direction of the central axis.

  In FIG. 14, the plurality of LED chips 50 from the central axis to the upper end and the plurality of LED chips 50 from the central line to the lower end are each directed in the direction of the central line at a predetermined constant angle. Have been adjusted so that. In this case, the angles of the upper half LED chip 50 and the lower half LED chip 50 are the same, although the polarities (directions) are opposite. However, it is not essential that the angles of the LED chips 50 are the same.

  Next, in the example shown in FIG. 15, in each of the left and right sub-light sources 29 in the figure, the optical axis of each LED chip 50 is the light emitting surface in the longitudinal direction of the light incident surface facing the other sub-light source 29. It is adjusted so as to go to a position where the side edge intersects the central axis. That is, the optical axis of each LED chip 50 of the left sub-light source 29 is at a position where the right light incident surface 30 i intersects the central axis, and the optical axis of each LED chip 50 of the right sub-light source 29. Is adjusted to a position where the left light incident surface 30h and the central axis cross each other.

  In the case of the example of FIG. 15, the angle of the optical axis of each LED chip 50 is different. That is, the angle of the optical axis of the LED chip 50 at the center is small, and the angle of the optical axis of the LED chip 50 gradually increases from the center toward both ends.

  In the case of this example, the emitted light density from the LED chip 50 decreases as it goes from the center to both ends. Therefore, the sub-light source is arranged so that the arrangement density of the LED chips 50 increases from the center of the light incident surfaces 30h and 30i in the longitudinal direction of the light source support 52 toward the both ends. It is desirable to adjust the placement of each of the 29 LED chips. Alternatively, the auxiliary light source may be configured such that the emitted light quantity of each of the LED chips 50 increases from the longitudinal center of each of the light incident surfaces 30h and 30i of the light source support 52 toward the both ends. It is desirable to control the current value of each of the 29 LED chips 50. By doing so, it is possible to adjust the outgoing light density to be uniform from the central portion in the longitudinal direction of each of the light incident surfaces 30h and 30i to both ends thereof.

  Here, in each of the sub-light sources 29, when the optical axis direction of each of the plurality of LED chips 50 is adjusted, the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate 30 (longitudinal direction of the main light source 28) and the short direction (of the sub-light source 29). A graph of the illuminance distribution in the longitudinal direction is shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, respectively.

  16 and 17, in each of the sub-light sources 29, the optical axis of each LED chip 50 is the end on the light emitting surface side in the longitudinal direction of the light incident surface facing the other sub-light source 29, and When it is adjusted to go to the position where it intersects with the central axis (in the case of FIG. 15) (face-to-face center direction), and when it is adjusted to go to the position of the central point of the above-mentioned central axis (screen center) Illuminance distribution in the longitudinal direction and the lateral direction of the light guide plate 30 in the direction).

  In the graphs of FIGS. 16 and 17, the vertical axis represents the normalized illuminance [%], and the horizontal axis represents the position (distance) [mm] from one of the light incident surfaces 30 h and 30 i of the light guide plate 30 toward the other. The solid line indicates that the optical axis direction of the LED chip is not changed (ref), the dotted line indicates that the optical axis direction of the LED chip is adjusted to face the center, and the solid line with a triangle indicates the optical axis direction of the LED chip. The illuminance distribution of the light guide plate 30 when adjusted toward the center of the screen is shown.

  In the present embodiment, in each of the sub-light sources 29, it is assumed that the arrangement density of the LED chips 50 and the amount of emitted light are constant at any position.

  As shown in FIG. 16, in the case where the optical axis direction of the LED chip is not adjusted, the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate 30 is the inverted bell-shaped illuminance distribution in which the illuminance at the center is lowest and the illuminance increases toward both ends. It is. On the other hand, when the optical axis direction of the LED chip is adjusted, it is possible to obtain a substantially uniform illuminance distribution over the entire area in the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate 30 regardless of whether it is adjusted toward the center of the face or the center of the screen. it can.

  Similarly, as shown in FIG. 17, when the optical axis direction of the LED chip is not adjusted, a substantially uniform illuminance distribution can be obtained over the entire region of the light guide plate 30 in the short direction. On the other hand, when the direction of the optical axis of the LED chip is adjusted, a bell-shaped illuminance distribution can be obtained both when adjusted toward the center of the face and when adjusted toward the center of the screen.

  Accordingly, by adjusting the optical axis direction of each of the plurality of LED chips 50 in each of the sub light sources 29, a substantially uniform illuminance distribution is obtained in the longitudinal direction of the light guide plate 30, and in the short direction, a bell-shaped. It can be seen that the illuminance distribution is obtained.

  In order to make the illuminance distribution on the light exit surface into a bell-shaped distribution, three methods of adjusting the arrangement density of the LED chips 50, adjusting the amount of light, and adjusting the optical axis have been exemplified and described. . In the present invention, these three types of methods may be applied individually, or two or more methods may be used in combination. The adjustment of the optical axis is basically applied to the LED chip of the sub-light source 29, but the adjustment of the arrangement density and the light amount can be applied to both the main light source and the sub-light source.

In the light guide plate of the present embodiment, the thickness of the light guide plate (light incident portion thickness) on the light incident surface is D1, and the light guide plate is at the maximum thickness, that is, in the bisector α in the present embodiment. The thickness (center thickness) of the light guide plate is D2, and the length of the light guide plate in the light incident direction (light guide length), that is, the length from the first incident surface to the second incident surface is L (in this embodiment, L = 2L _G ))
D1 <D2 and
27/100000 <(D2-D1) / (L / 2) <5/100 (A)
The ratio of the weight of the mixed scattering particles to the weight of the light guide plate: the range of Npa is 0.008 Wt% <Npa <0.25 Wt%
It is preferable to satisfy the relationship. By making the shape satisfying the above relationship, the emission efficiency of the main light source can be improved to 30% or more.

Or the light guide plate
D1 <D2 and
66/100000 <(D2-D1) / (L / 2) <26/1000 (B)
The ratio of the weight of the mixed scattering particles to the weight of the light guide plate: the range of Npa is 0.008 Wt% <Npa <0.25 Wt%
It is also preferable to improve so as to satisfy this relationship. By making the shape satisfying the above relationship, the emission efficiency of the main light source can be improved to 40% or more.

Furthermore, the light guide plate
D1 <D2 and
1/1000 <(D2-D1) / (L / 2) <26/1000 (C)
The ratio of the weight of the mixed scattering particles to the weight of the light guide plate: the range of Npa is 0.008 Wt% <Npa <0.25 Wt%
It is further preferable to improve so as to satisfy the relationship. By making the shape satisfying the above relationship, the emission efficiency of the main light source can be improved to 50% or more.

  FIG. 18 shows the results of measuring the light utilization efficiency for light guide plates having different inclination angles of the inclined surfaces, that is, light guide plates having various shapes with different (D2-D1) / (L / 2). Here, in this measurement example, the secondary light source has a flat shape in the direction in which light is incident, and the light use efficiency does not substantially change depending on the shape of the inclined surface. The light utilization efficiency was measured.

  In FIG. 18, the horizontal axis is (D2-D1) / (L / 2) of the light guide plate, and the vertical axis is the light utilization efficiency [%].

  From the measurement results shown in FIG. 18, the light utilization efficiency can be increased to 30% or more by setting the shape of the light guide plate to 27/100000 <(D2-D1) / (L / 2) <5/100. By using 66/100000 <(D2-D1) / (L / 2) <26/1000, the light use efficiency can be increased to 40% or more, and 1/1000 <(D2-D1) / ( It can be seen that the light utilization efficiency can be 50% or more by setting L / 2) <26/1000.

In addition, the light guide plate is not limited to the above shape, and may have various shapes as long as the thickness of the light guide plate increases as the distance from the light incident surface increases.
For example, prism rows may be formed on the first inclined surface 30b and the second inclined surface 30c in a direction parallel to the first light incident surface 30d and the second light incident surface 30e. Further, instead of such a prism array, an optical element similar to a prism can be regularly formed. For example, an optical element having a lens effect, such as a lenticular lens, a concave lens, a convex lens, or a pyramid type, can be formed on the inclined surface of the light guide plate.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since light with higher luminance can be efficiently emitted from the light exit surface, the side where the light incident surface 30a of the light guide plate 30 intersects the light incident surface is a long side, and the side which intersects the side surface However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the light emission surface may be a square shape, the light incident surface side may be a short side, and the side surface side may be a long side.
In addition, it is not essential that the light incident surfaces 30d and 30e and the side surfaces 30f and 30g or the light incident surfaces 30h and 30i of the light guide plate 30 are formed substantially perpendicular to the edge of the light emitting surface 30a.

  Here, in the light guide plate, it is preferable that a connection portion between the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface has an R shape. By connecting the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface to an R shape and smoothly connecting the two surfaces, uneven brightness such as bright lines occurs at the intersection of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface. This can be prevented.

  In the above embodiment, the cross section of the inclined surface of the light guide plate is a straight line, but the shape of the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface (that is, the back surface) is not particularly limited, and may be a curved surface. Each of the inclined surface and the second inclined surface may be composed of a plurality of inclined portions. That is, the inclined surface may have a shape with a different inclination angle depending on the position. Further, the inclined surface may be a convex shape on the light exit surface side, a concave shape, or a shape in which the concave and convex portions are combined.

It is preferable that the inclined surface has a shape in which the inclination angle of the inclined surface with respect to the light exit surface becomes gentler from the light incident surface toward the center of the light guide plate (or the position where the light guide plate is thickest). By gradually grading the inclination angle of the inclined surface, it is possible to emit light without uneven brightness from the light emitting surface.
Furthermore, it is more preferable that the inclined surface has an aspherical shape whose cross-sectional shape can be expressed by a tenth order polynomial. By setting the inclined surface to the above-described shape, it is possible to emit light with no uneven brightness regardless of the thickness of the light guide plate.

  In addition, the shape of the light guide plate is not limited to the shape of the present embodiment, and for example, the first inclined surface and the second inclined surface may have different inclinations. The distance from the first light incident surface to the position where the thickness of the light guide plate is maximized may be different from the distance from the second light incident surface to the position where the thickness of the light guide plate is maximized. That is, the length of the first inclined surface in the optical axis direction may be different from the length of the second inclined surface in the optical axis direction.

  Even if the light guide plate has such a shape, light can reach a position far from the light incident surface while maintaining a thin shape. As a result, the light guide plate can be thinned and the light exit surface can be enlarged.

Again, with the light guide plate having the above shape, the length of the direction of incidence of light from the light incident surface of the light guide plate to a position where the direction of thickness perpendicular to the light exit surface is maximum and L _G, above Φ · N _p · L _G · K _C preferably satisfies 1.1 or more and 8.2 or less and satisfies 0.005 ≦ K _C ≦ 0.1. By satisfying the above range, illuminance unevenness is reduced, and light with high light utilization efficiency can be emitted from the light exit surface.

Moreover, you may produce a light-guide plate by mixing a plasticizer in said transparent resin.
Thus, by producing a light guide plate with a material in which a transparent material and a plasticizer are mixed, the light guide plate can be made flexible, that is, a flexible light guide plate. It can be deformed into a shape. Therefore, the surface of the light guide plate can be formed into various curved surfaces.

  By making the light guide plate flexible in this way, for example, when using a light guide plate or a planar lighting device using the light guide plate as a display plate for illumination, the wall having a curvature is also used. It becomes possible to mount the light guide plate, and the light guide plate can be used for more types, a wider range of electric decoration, POP (POP advertisement), and the like.

Here, as the plasticizer, phthalate ester, specifically, dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DOP (DEHP)) ), Di-normal octyl phthalate (DnOP), diisononyl phthalate (DINP), dinonyl phthalate (DNP), diisodecyl phthalate (DIDP), phthalic acid mixed ester (C _{6 to} C ₁₁ ) (610P, 711P, etc.) And butylbenzyl phthalate (BBP). In addition to phthalate esters, dioctyl adipate (DOA), diisononyl adipate (DINA), di-normal alkyl adipate (C6, _{8, 10} ) (610A), dialkyl adipate (C7, ₉ ) ( 79A), dioctyl azelate (DOZ), dibutyl sebacate (DBS), dioctyl sebacate (DOS), tricresyl phosphate (TCP), tributyl acetylcitrate (ATBC), epoxidized soybean oil (ESBO), trimellitic acid Examples include trioctyl (TOTM), polyester, and chlorinated paraffin.

  The planar lighting device according to the present invention has been described in detail above. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various improvements and modifications are made without departing from the gist of the present invention. May be.

For example, as a light source LED chip, a YAG fluorescent material is applied to the light emitting surface of a blue LED. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a fluorescent material is arranged on the light emitting surface of another single color LED such as a red LED or a green LED. You may use the LED chip of the structure which carried out.
Moreover, as a light source, an LED unit having a configuration in which three types of LEDs, a red LED, a green LED, and a blue LED, are combined can be used. In this case, white light can be obtained by mixing the light emitted from the three types of LEDs.
Furthermore, as the light source, various light sources having the same action as the LED chip, such as an LD (semiconductor laser) chip, can be used instead of the LED chip.

Further, a confusion portion made of a material having a refractive index close to that of the light guide plate may be disposed between the light guide plate and the light source (main light source and / or sub light source). Further, a part of the light incident surface and / or side surface of the light guide plate may be formed of a material having a refractive index smaller than that of other portions.
By making the refractive index of the portion where the light emitted from the light source is incident smaller than the other portions, the light emitted from the light source can be made incident more efficiently, and the light utilization efficiency can be increased. it can.

  Further, for example, a plurality of light guide plates may be arranged in parallel at the positions where the side surfaces of the light guide plates face each other, and one light emission surface may be formed by the plurality of light guide plates. In this case, it is good also as a structure which arrange | positions a sublight source only to the side surface of the light-guide plate of both ends.

  In the present embodiment, the luminance of the light emitted from the light emitting surface can be further increased, and the luminance distributions in two orthogonal directions can each be a bell shape, so that the sub-light source is provided on the side surface of the light guide plate. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration may be employed in which only the main light source that causes light to enter the light incident surface is disposed without arranging the sub-light source.

It is a schematic perspective view which shows one Embodiment of the liquid crystal display device using the planar illuminating device which concerns on this invention. It is the II-II sectional view taken on the line of the liquid crystal display device shown in FIG. (A) is the III-III arrow directional view of an example of the planar illuminating device shown in FIG. 2, (B) is BB sectional drawing of (A). (A) is a perspective view which shows schematic structure of the light source of the planar illuminating device shown in FIG.1 and FIG.2, (B) is sectional drawing of the light source shown to (A), (C) is It is a schematic perspective view which expands and shows one LED of the light source shown to (A). It is a schematic perspective view which shows the shape of a light-guide plate. It is a diagram showing the results of measuring the relationship between _{Φ · N p · L G ·} K C and light use efficiency. It is a figure which shows the result of having measured the illumination intensity of the light inject | emitted from each light guide from which particle density differs, respectively. It is a figure which shows the relationship between light use efficiency, illumination intensity nonuniformity, and particle density. (A) is the III-III arrow directional view of other examples of the planar illuminating device shown in FIG. 2, (B) is BB sectional drawing of (A). It is a graph which shows the result of having measured the illuminance distribution in the direction parallel to a light-incidence surface through the center of a light-guide plate. It is a graph which shows the arrangement | sequence density of the LED chip in the direction which passes the center of a light-guide plate and is parallel to a light-incidence surface. It is a graph which shows the result of having measured the illuminance distribution in the direction parallel to a light-incidence surface through the center of a light-guide plate at the time of using the LED chip arranged by the arrangement | sequence density of FIG. It is a graph which shows the result of having measured the illumination intensity distribution in the direction parallel to a side surface through the center of a light-guide plate at the time of using the LED chip arranged by the arrangement | sequence density of FIG. It is the schematic of an example showing the direction of the optical axis of each LED chip of a sublight source of the planar illuminating device shown to FIG. 9 (A). It is the schematic of another example showing the direction of the optical axis of each LED chip of a sub-light source of the planar illuminating device shown to FIG. 9 (A). It is a graph showing the illuminance distribution of the longitudinal direction of a light-guide plate at the time of adjusting the optical axis direction of each of several LED chip in each of a sublight source. It is a graph showing the illuminance distribution of the transversal direction of a light-guide plate at the time of adjusting the optical axis direction of each of several LED chip in each sublight source. It is a graph which shows the result of having measured light utilization efficiency about the light guide plate of various different shapes, respectively.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Liquid crystal display device 12 Liquid crystal display panel 14 Drive unit 20 Planar illumination device 24 Illumination device main body 24a Light emission surface 26 Case 28 Main light source 29 Sub light source 30 Light guide plate 30a Light emission surface 30b 1st inclined surface 30c 2nd inclined surface 30d First light incident surface 30e Second light incident surface 30f First side surface 30g Second side surface 30h First sub incident surface 30i Second sub incident surface 32 Optical member unit 32a, 32c Diffusing sheet 32b Prism sheet 34 Reflecting plate 36 Upper guided reflection Plate 38 Lower guide reflector 42 Lower housing 44 Upper housing 46 Folding member 48 Support member 49 Power supply housing portion 50 LED chip 52 Light source support portion 54 Array substrate 56 Fin 58 Light emitting surface

Claims (5)

A light exit surface, a pair of first light incident surfaces formed on one end side of each of the light exit surfaces, and a pair of first light entrance surfaces formed on the other end sides of the light exit surface, respectively. Formed on the opposite side of the two light incident surfaces and from the first light incident surface toward the center of the light emission surface, and having a thickness in a direction perpendicular to the light emission surface. A light guide plate that includes a back surface that is inclined to be thick and includes a pair of inclined surfaces joined between each of the first light incident surfaces;
A pair of main light sources disposed opposite to each of the first light incident surfaces of the light guide plate and respectively incident on the first light incident surfaces; and a second of the light guide plate A pair of sub-light sources that are respectively arranged to face each of the light incident surfaces, and respectively incident light on each of the second light incident surfaces,
Each of the main light source and each of the sub-light sources has a plurality of light sources and a support body in which the plurality of light sources are arranged in a row along the longitudinal direction of each of the first light incident surfaces. And
In each of the sub-light sources, each of the plurality of light sources is adjusted so that an optical axis of each of the plurality of light sources is directed toward a central axis serving as a joint portion of the pair of inclined surfaces. .   In each of the sub-light sources, the optical axis of each of the plurality of light sources is such that the edge on the light exit surface side in the longitudinal direction of the second light incident surface facing the other sub-light source intersects the central axis. The planar illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the planar illumination device is adjusted so as to be directed toward the position where the illumination is performed.   3. Each of the plurality of light sources is arranged so that an arrangement density thereof increases from a central portion in a longitudinal direction of each of the second light incident surfaces toward both end portions. The surface illumination device described in 1.   Each of the plurality of light sources is controlled to have a current value so that the amount of emitted light increases from the longitudinal center of each of the second light incident surfaces toward both ends. The planar illumination device according to claim 2.   Each of these light sources is an LED chip, The planar illuminating device in any one of Claims 1-4 characterized by the above-mentioned.

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