JP2011134650A - Light source device and liquid crystal display device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To achieve good optical performance, and to reduce the manufacturing man-hour and cost. <P>SOLUTION: Two or more light sources L11-L13 are arranged in the incident end portion 4 of a light guide plate 3. Each of light sources L11-L13, which emits light which is incident on a light guide plate body 5 through the incident end portion 4 and is propagated into a light guide plate body 5, is arranged at the angle for leading to the partial regions A11-A13 corresponding to an emission surface 7. The light led to each partial regions A11-A13 within the light guide plate body 5 is extracted by a thread row 8 as light extraction means, and emitted from the emission surface 7. The brightness in the partial regions A11-A13 can be independently and optionally changed and adjusted respectively by controlling the light emission of the light sources L11-L13. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a light source device for illuminating an object to be illuminated, and a liquid crystal display device including the light source device.

  In a liquid crystal display device, a technique called local dimming has been developed as a technique for improving effective contrast and moving image followability while reducing power consumption. In this local dimming, the brightness of the backlight is adjusted according to the brightness of the surroundings, or the brightness is dynamically changed by controlling the backlight locally and temporally according to the display image data.

  As a conventional technique related to such local dimming, a unit composed of a light guide plate and LEDs arranged on the side surfaces of the light guide plate is arranged for each partial region obtained by dividing the entire light emitting region into a plurality of regions. There has been proposed one in which the LED is turned on and off for each unit, or the amount of light emission is controlled (see, for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2).

  However, in the prior art, since the LED is arranged for each unit, the LED exists at the boundary portion between the unit and the adjacent unit, that is, the LED exists in the light emitting region. In order to suppress high optical performance, such as wiring for supplying power to the LED may prevent uniform illumination, or light leakage may occur from the boundary between units. There was a problem of requiring special devices. In addition, when the number of partial areas is increased, there is a problem that the number of processes and costs increase in terms of manufacturing.

  The present invention has been made in view of these points, and provides a light source device capable of reducing the number of manufacturing steps and costs and realizing good optical performance, and a liquid crystal display device including the same. Objective.

JP 2007-293339 A JP 2008-21420 A

  According to a first aspect of the present invention, a light source device comprising a plurality of light sources and a light guide that guides light from these light sources, the light guide being incident on which light from the light source is incident. And a light guide body that guides and emits light incident from the incident portion, and the light guide body includes a back surface that reflects light propagating through the light guide body, and the back surface. And a plurality of partial areas whose positions are different from each other, and the plurality of light sources correspond to the plurality of partial areas. The light incident on the light guide body from the light source through the incident portion is controlled so that the incident directions with respect to the thickness direction of the light guide are different from each other. Then, the light from the light sources constituting each group, the light corresponding to the group Incident direction control unit for guiding the divided regions, and further comprising a light source device with light extraction means for emitting the light guided to the partial region to the outside of the light guide body is provided.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, in the first direction orthogonal to the direction from the side closer to the incident portion to the side farther, the light incident from the plurality of light sources is the partial region corresponding to the light source. Diffusion suppression means for suppressing diffusion to different regions can be provided. Moreover, a condensing means can be provided between the plurality of light sources and the light guide or / and at an incident portion of the light guide.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, as the light extraction means, an irregular rough surface or a concavo-convex structure having a curved surface or / and a polygonal cross section, which is formed in a linear or dotted shape is used. be able to.

  1st viewpoint of this invention WHEREIN: The said incident direction control part is realizable by setting the direction of each chief ray of these light sources to a different angle for every said group.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, the incident direction control unit is provided in the incident unit, and has a plurality of different inclination angles that are sequentially arranged along a thickness direction of the light guide or a direction orthogonal thereto. This can be realized by an incident angle adjustment surface. In this case, the incident angle adjusting surface may be an incident surface on which light from the light source is incident. In addition, the incident portion has an incident surface that is substantially parallel to the exit surface on which light from the light source is incident, and the incident angle adjustment surface receives light from the light source incident from the incident surface. It can be a reflective surface that reflects and guides it to the light guide body.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, as the diffusion suppressing means, one comprising a concave or convex filament provided along a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction can be used. These filaments may be divided into a plurality of filaments in the longitudinal direction. Here, “substantially orthogonal” refers to a direction having an intersection angle of 30 degrees or less with respect to a direction orthogonal to the first direction. Further, as the light condensing means, it is possible to use a lens surface or a prism surface provided in the incident portion.

  In the first aspect of the present invention, an LED or a laser can be used as the plurality of light sources.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a liquid crystal display device comprising a liquid crystal panel and the light source device according to the first aspect of the present invention.

  In the light source device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the light from the plurality of light sources is guided to the corresponding partial region for each group by the incident direction control unit, and is emitted from the corresponding partial region by the light extraction unit. Is done. Thereby, if the emitted light quantity of a several light source is controlled for every group, the brightness | luminance about each partial area | region can be changed arbitrarily. Therefore, since it is possible to arbitrarily change the luminance for each of the plurality of partial areas using a single light guide, as compared to the conventional technique, each having a light guide plate for each partial area. Since the number of the light sources can be greatly reduced and the light source can be disposed at the end of the light guide, the number of manufacturing steps and costs can be reduced without causing a decrease in optical performance.

  Since the liquid crystal display device according to the second aspect of the present invention includes the light source device according to the first aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide a high-quality display and an inexpensive liquid crystal display device. Can do.

It is a top view of the light source device of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the light source device of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the light source device of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the condensing degree of the light source of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the example of improvement of the light source device of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other example of improvement of the light source device of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows an example of the illuminating device using the light source device of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view which shows an example of the illuminating device using the light source device which improved a part of light source device of 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the light source device of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the light source device of 2nd Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the light source device of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the light source device of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view of the light source device of 3rd Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the principal part of the light source device of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is sectional drawing which shows the modification of the light source device of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a perspective view which shows the other modification of the light source device of 4th Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the light source device of 5th Embodiment of this invention. It is a side view which shows the light source device of 6th Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure (photograph) for verifying the effect of the light source device of 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the case where the light-guide plate of inclination | tilt angle (psi) 3 'of an incident end surface is used. It is a figure (photograph) for verifying the effect of the light source device of 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the case where the light-guide plate of inclination | tilt angle (psi) 2 'of an incident end surface is used. It is a figure (photograph) for verifying the effect of the light source device of 3rd Embodiment of this invention, and shows the case where the light-guide plate of inclination | tilt angle (psi) 1 'of an incident end surface is used. It is a figure (photograph) for verifying the effect of the light source device of 4th Embodiment of this invention, and the case where the light-guide plate which has a diffusion suppression means is used is shown. It is a figure (photograph) for verifying the effect of the light source device of 4th Embodiment of this invention, and has shown the case where the light-guide plate which does not have a diffusion suppression means is used.

  Hereinafter, a light source device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following, the thickness direction of a rectangular light guide plate in plan view, which will be described later, is the Z direction, and in the plane perpendicular to the Z direction, the direction along one side of the rectangular light guide plate is the X direction, and the X direction. A description will be given using an XYZ orthonormal coordinate system in which the direction perpendicular to the Y direction is the Y direction (first direction).

  This light source device is particularly suitable for use in a backlight that illuminates a liquid crystal panel of a liquid crystal display device as an object to be illuminated. However, the object to be illuminated is not limited to such a liquid crystal panel, and can also be used as illumination for a signboard arranged at a storefront or the like, illumination for a show window, or any other illumination. Below, the case where it uses as a backlight of a liquid crystal display device is demonstrated to an example.

(First embodiment)
First, reference will be made to FIGS. The light source device 1 of the first embodiment includes a plurality of light sources 2 (L11 to L13, L11 ′ to L13 ′, L21 to L23, L21 ′ to L23 ′, L31 to L33, L31 ′) arranged along the Y direction. ˜L33 ′) and a light guide plate 3 as a light guide for guiding the light from these light sources 2. In this embodiment, an LED (Light Emitting Diode) is used as the light source 2. As the LED, a blue-yellow pseudo white light emitting diode, a three-color (RGB) white light emitting diode, or the like is used. However, the light source 2 is not limited to such an LED, and any light source can be used as long as it can at least turn on / off and control the amount of emitted light with a desired response. For example, using a semiconductor laser or the like Also good.

  As the light source 2, it is preferable to use a light source that is small and has a high degree of light collection. In addition, the light collection degree in this embodiment is synonymous with the emission angle (irradiation angle) of the light from a light source. The light collection intensity of the light source 2 is preferably 30 ° or less and more preferably 20 ° or less at half value. In the present embodiment, a bullet-type LED is used as the light source 2, and the light collection degree is a half value of 15 °.

  The light guide plate 3 includes an incident end (incident surface) 4 as an incident portion where light from the light source 2 is incident, and a guide as a light guide body that guides and emits the light incident from the incident end 4 to the inside. An optical plate body 5 is provided. The light guide plate body 5 is a reflective surface that reflects light propagating in the light guide plate body 5 and a back surface 6 that faces the back surface 6 and is reflected or not reflected by the back surface 6. And an emission surface 7 for emitting the propagated light. In this embodiment, the back surface 6 and the exit surface 7 (the respective average surfaces when the back surface 6 and the exit surface 7 are uneven) are surfaces substantially parallel to the XY plane. As shown in FIG. 1, the light guide plate body 5 has end surfaces A and B that are surfaces substantially perpendicular to the incident end portion 4, the back surface 6, and the exit surface 7, and these are reflection surfaces. Yes.

  In the manufacture of the light guide (light guide plate 3), there is no particular limitation on the method of forming a prism row having a specific shape, which will be described later, on the surface thereof. For example, the prism row is formed on the surface of a flat light diffusing plate. Alternatively, the prism row can be formed simultaneously with the formation of the light guide. There is no particular limitation on the method of forming the prism row on the surface of the flat light guide, and for example, it can be performed by cutting using a tool capable of forming a linear prism having a desired shape, or photocured. Resin can be applied and cured in a state where a mold having a desired shape is transferred. When the light diffusion plate is produced by extrusion molding and simultaneously formed into a prism row, it can be extruded by using a deformed die having a desired prism row shape, or the prism row can be embossed after extrusion. Can also be formed. When the light diffusing plate is produced by casting and the prism rows are formed at the same time, a casting mold capable of forming a desired prism row shape can be used. When the light diffusing plate is produced by injection molding and the prism row is formed at the same time, a mold capable of forming a desired prism row shape can be used. Die shape transfer to photo-curing resin, extrusion process using odd-shaped die, embossing, casting, or injection molding, the mold used to form the prism row was a tool that can form the desired linear prism It can be obtained by cutting a metal member of a mold or electroforming on a member having a desired shape.

  The light guide plate 3 is made of glass or transparent resin. The transparent resin is not particularly limited, but propylene-ethylene copolymer, polystyrene, (meth) acrylic acid ester-aromatic vinyl compound copolymer, polyethylene terephthalate, terephthalic acid-ethylene glycol-cyclohexanedimethanol copolymer. , Polycarbonate, methacrylic resin, and resin having an alicyclic structure (for example, norbornene-based resin).

  Among these, a resin having an alicyclic structure, a methacrylic resin, and a (meth) acrylic acid ester-aromatic vinyl compound copolymer resin can be preferably used, and a resin having an alicyclic structure is particularly preferably used. Can be used. A resin having an alicyclic structure has good flowability of the molten resin, so it can fill the mold cavity with a low injection pressure, and has extremely low hygroscopicity, so it has excellent dimensional stability and warps the light guide plate. The specific gravity is small and the light guide can be reduced in weight. In addition, a resin having an alicyclic structure is unlikely to generate a weld line.

  Examples of the resin having an alicyclic structure include polymer resins having an alicyclic structure in the main chain or side chain. A polymer resin having an alicyclic structure in the main chain can be particularly preferably used because it has good mechanical strength and heat resistance. The alicyclic structure is preferably a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon structure, and the carbon number thereof is preferably 4 to 30, more preferably 5 to 20, and further preferably 5 to 15. . The ratio of the repeating unit having an alicyclic structure in the polymer resin having an alicyclic structure is preferably 50% by weight or more, more preferably 70% by weight or more, and 90% by weight or more. More preferably. Examples of the resin having an alicyclic structure include a ring-opening polymer or a ring-opening copolymer of a norbornene monomer or a hydrogenated product thereof, an addition polymer or an addition copolymer of a norbornene monomer, or Those hydrogenated products, polymers of monocyclic olefin monomers or hydrogenated products thereof, polymers of cyclic conjugated diene monomers or hydrogenated products thereof, vinyl alicyclic hydrocarbon monomers Or a hydrogenated product thereof, a polymer of a vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon monomer, or a hydrogenated product of an unsaturated bond part containing an aromatic ring of the copolymer. Among these, hydrogenated products of norbornene-based monomer polymers and hydrogenated products of unsaturated bonds containing aromatic rings of vinyl aromatic hydrocarbon-based monomer polymers have mechanical strength and heat resistance. Since it is excellent in property, it can be used especially suitably.

  The methacrylic resin is excellent in transparency, tough and hardly cracked, so that it can be suitably used. Examples of the methacrylic resin include a methacrylic resin molding material containing 80% or more of a methyl methacrylate polymer defined in JIS K6717. Among the methacrylic resins specified in this standard, methacrylic resins having a specified classification code 100-120 having a Vicat softening point temperature of 96 to 100 ° C. and a melt flow rate of 8 to 16 have suitable fluidity and strength, and thus are suitable. Can be used.

  An antioxidant may be added to the molding material for the light guide plate 3 in order to prevent oxidative degradation and thermal degradation during molding. Moreover, in order to improve the light resistance etc. of a molded article, a light resistance stabilizer can be added.

  Examples of the antioxidant include a phenol-based antioxidant, a phosphorus-based antioxidant, and a sulfur-based antioxidant. These antioxidants can be used individually by 1 type, or can be used in combination of 2 or more type. Among these, phenolic antioxidants, particularly alkyl-substituted antioxidants can be suitably used. The addition amount of the antioxidant is preferably 0.01 to 2 parts by weight and more preferably 0.02 to 1 part by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of the resin component.

  Examples of the light resistance stabilizer include hindered amine light resistance stabilizer (HALS) and benzoate light resistance stabilizer. These light-resistant stabilizers can be used alone or in combination of two or more. Among these, hindered amine light resistance stabilizers can be particularly preferably used. The addition amount of the light-resistant stabilizer is preferably 0.01 to 2 parts by weight, more preferably 0.02 to 1 part by weight, with respect to 100 parts by weight of the resin component, and 0.05 to 0.5. More preferably, it is 5 parts by weight.

  If necessary, other additives can be added to the molding material. Other additives include, for example, stabilizers such as heat stabilizers, ultraviolet absorbers and near infrared absorbers; resin modifiers such as lubricants and plasticizers; colorants such as dyes and pigments; antistatic agents, light Examples include a diffusing agent.

  The light guide plate 3 is made of a rectangular plate-like body. In this embodiment, as an example, the light guide plate 3 is a square in which the dimension in the X direction is set to L = 240 mm and the dimension in the Y direction is set to 240 mm, and the dimension in the Z direction (thickness). ) Is t = 3.0 mm. The light guide plate 3 of this embodiment has a refractive index of about 1.533 and a critical angle of 40.7 degrees.

  In this embodiment, the incident end 4 is a uniform plane substantially perpendicular to the back surface 6 or the exit surface 7, and the light emitted from the light source 2 is incident thereon, and the light is guided to the light guide plate body 5. It is an incident surface that leads to the inside.

  The exit surface 7 of the light guide plate 3 includes a plurality of partial areas A11 to A13, A21 to A23, A31 to A33 corresponding to a plurality of types of light, and these partial areas A11 to A13, A21 to A23, A31 to A33 are This is an area as a unit for adjusting the luminance when performing local dimming. The partial regions A11 to A13 are arranged in the order of A11, A13, and A12 along the direction (X direction) from the side closer to the incident end 4 to the side farther from the side along the X direction. The same applies to the partial areas A21 to A23 and the partial areas A31 to A33.

  Each light source 2 is classified into a plurality of groups corresponding to a plurality of partial regions. In this embodiment, the light source L11 and the light source L11 ′ are classified into the same group corresponding to the partial area A11, the light source L12 and the light source L12 ′ are classified into the same group corresponding to the partial area A12, and the partial area A13. Corresponding to the light source L13 and the light source L13 ′ are classified into the same group. Further, the light source L21 and the light source L21 ′ are classified into the same group corresponding to the partial area A21, the light source L22 and the light source L22 ′ are classified into the same group corresponding to the partial area A22, and correspond to the partial area A23. The light sources L23 and L23 ′ are classified into the same group. Further, the light source L31 and the light source L31 ′ are classified into the same group corresponding to the partial area A31, the light source L32 and the light source L32 ′ are classified into the same group corresponding to the partial area A32, and correspond to the partial area A33. Thus, the light source L33 and the light source L33 ′ are classified into the same group.

  In the following, in order to simplify the description, the description will be made with respect to a portion (hereinafter sometimes referred to as a basic unit) constituted by the partial regions A11 to A13 and the light sources L11 to 13 and L11 ′ to L13 ′. About the part comprised by area | region A21-A23 and light source L21-L23, L21'-L23 ', and the part comprised by partial area | region A31-A33 and light source L31-L33, L31'-L33', this basic unit and The description is omitted because it is similar.

  Each light source 2 is supported in a predetermined posture by a housing (housing) (not shown) constituting the light source device 1 via a light source supporting means (not shown). This light source support means is incident on the surface (XY plane) perpendicular to the Z direction (thickness direction of the light guide plate 3) of light that enters the light guide plate body 5 from the light source 2 via the incident end portion 4. However, the light from the light sources L11 and L11 ′, the light sources L12 and L12 ′, and the light sources L13 and L13 ′ constituting each group is controlled by the respective support angles so as to be a plurality of different types of light. It is an incident direction control part led to partial areas A11 to A13 corresponding to the group.

  That is, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the light sources L11 and L11 ′ have their chief rays directed at an angle ψ1 with respect to the XY plane, and the light sources L12 and L12 ′ have their principal directions. The light beam directing direction forms an angle ψ2 with respect to the XY plane, and the light sources L13 and L13 ′ are supported by the light source support means such that the principal light beam directing direction forms an angle ψ3 with respect to the XY plane. ing.

  These angles ψ1 to ψ3 are determined by the light from the light sources L11 to L13 and L11 ′ to L13 ′ constituting each group according to the refractive index of the light guide plate 3, the dimension in the X direction of the light guide plate 3, the thickness, and the like. The light is refracted according to an angle formed with the incident surface as the incident end 4 and introduced into the light guide plate main body 5 and propagated through the light guide plate main body 5 to be guided to the partial regions A11 to A13 corresponding to the group. The angle is set so as to be optimized. In the figure, as an example, ψ1 = 3.29 °, ψ2 = 1.98 °, and ψ3 = 3.29 ° are set.

  Thereby, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the light emitted from the light sources L <b> 11 and L <b> 11 ′ is incident on the incident end 4 and the angle formed with the incident end (incident surface) 4 and the light guide plate 3. The light is refracted in accordance with the refractive index of the light and guided into the light guide plate body 5, propagated as indicated by an arrow D <b> 1 in the drawing, and guided to the partial region A <b> 11. The light emitted from the light sources L12 and L12 ′ is incident on the incident end 4 and is refracted according to the angle formed with the incident end (incident surface) 4 and the refractive index of the light guide plate 3, and the light guide plate main body 5 And is reflected by the back surface 6 while being propagated as indicated by an arrow D2 in the drawing and guided to the partial region A12. Furthermore, the light emitted from the light sources L13 and L13 ′ is incident on the incident end 4 and is refracted according to the angle formed with the incident end (incident surface) 4 and the refractive index of the light guide plate 3, and the light guide plate main body 5 Then, the light is propagated as indicated by an arrow D3 in the drawing while being reflected by the back surface 6, and is guided to the partial region A13.

  The light thus propagated through the light guide plate body 5 and guided to the partial areas A11 to A13 corresponding to each group is not emitted from the emission surface 7 unless the angle is equal to or less than the critical angle. For this reason, a light extraction means is disposed on the emission surface 7. In this embodiment, a strip 8 as shown in FIG. 2 is integrally formed on the emission surface 7, and the longitudinal direction of the strip 8 is set along the Y direction. In addition, the cross section (cross section in the ZX plane) is a row (prism row) formed by arranging a plurality of triangular strips (wire strips) at a predetermined pitch in the X direction.

  Here, each strip has substantially the same shape, its apex angle (angle formed by the pair of slopes 8a and 8b) is θ1 = 85 °, and its cross section is an isosceles triangle (ie, a pair of slopes). 8a and 8b and the X-Y plane each having the same angle (47.5 °) are used. However, the apex angle is not limited to 85 °, and the angles formed by the pair of inclined surfaces 8a and 8b and the XY plane may be different from each other. Moreover, adjacent strips may not have the same shape, and the shape of the strip is not limited to a triangular cross section, and may be another polygonal shape or a curved shape such as a semicircular arc or an elliptical arc. . These may be mixed. Furthermore, the line is not limited to the line formed uniformly in the Y direction of the light guide plate 3, but may be divided in the middle thereof. Further, it may be slightly oblique with respect to the Y direction.

  The light extraction means is not limited to the line formed in such a line shape, and the light guided to the partial areas A11 to A13 in the light guide plate body 5 is emitted from the emission surface 7 to the outside. For example, it may be an irregular rough surface (a surface on which minute irregularities are randomly formed). Further, it may be formed in a dot shape, or may be formed by arranging a plurality of projections or depressions having the same or different shapes in an array or discretely. In this case, a spherical shape, a conical shape, a polygonal pyramid shape, or the like can be adopted as the shape of the protrusion or the depression.

  From the viewpoint of preventing the surface of the light guide plate body 5 from being scratched, the shape of these light extraction means is preferably a convex structure regardless of whether it is linear or dotted. In this case, the height of the protrusion is preferably 1 μm or more from the same viewpoint, and more preferably 5 μm or more.

  These light extraction means may be made of the same material as the light guide plate body 5 or a different material.

  Further, as the light extraction means, the partial areas A11 to A13 are different from each other, for example, the apex angle of the row and the inclination angle of the pair of slopes constituting the row with respect to the XY plane, the pitch of the row arrangement, Those having different heights may be used.

  In this embodiment, the back surface 6 of the light guide plate 3 is a reflecting surface composed of a uniform plane substantially parallel to the XY plane. The back surface 6 may be configured such that a reflective metal is deposited on the back surface of the resin plate constituting the light guide plate 3 or a white scattering plate (white reflection plate) is disposed. Here, the back surface 6 is a reflecting surface formed of a uniform plane. However, in order to reflect light from each group of the plurality of light sources 2 and guide it to a corresponding partial area with high efficiency, XY. A plurality of inclined surfaces oblique to the plane may be arranged. In this case, the inclination angle of each inclined surface with respect to the XY plane may be the same or different between the inclined surfaces. Each inclined surface in this case can be constituted by, for example, a row in which the longitudinal direction is set along the Y direction, and a plurality of triangular strips are arranged in the X direction.

  On the exit surface 7 side of the light guide plate 3, a light diffusion sheet is sandwiched between air layers so that the illumination light from the light source device 1 is uniform and uniform, and a prism sheet or the like is provided so that the brightness can be increased. It is preferable that the optical sheet is disposed. As an optical sheet, a transparent resin, a plate-like body in which a light diffusing agent or other additives are added to a transparent resin, or a plate-like body formed with a pattern such as a plurality of protrusions or rows on one or both surfaces, etc. Can be used.

  According to the light source device 1 described above, when the current is supplied to the light sources L11 and L11 ′ and turned on, the partial area A11 becomes brighter, and when the current is supplied to the light sources L12 and L12 ′ and turned on, the partial area A12 becomes brighter. When the current is supplied to the light sources L13 and L13 ′ to light them, the partial area A13 becomes brighter. By adjusting the currents supplied to the light sources L11 and L11 ′, the light sources L12 and L12 ′, and the light sources L13 and L13 ′, the luminance of the corresponding partial areas A11, A12, and A13 can be arbitrarily changed and controlled. . The same applies to the parts constituted by the partial areas A21 to A23 and the light sources L21 to L23, L21 'to L23', and the parts constituted by the partial areas A31 to A33 and the light sources L31 to 33, L31 'to L33'. As described above, the luminance of each of the partial regions A11 to A13, A21 to A23, and A31 to A33 obtained by dividing the entire region into nine can be arbitrarily changed and controlled for one light guide plate 3.

  In the first embodiment described above, as the light sources constituting the group corresponding to each of the partial regions A11 to A13, two light sources L11 and L11 ′, light sources L12 and L12 ′, and light sources L13 and L13 ′ are respectively used. However, the number of light sources constituting each group may be one or three or more. An appropriate number of light sources constituting each group may be selected in relation to the dimension in the Y direction of the partial region, the maximum light emission amount of the light source, the degree of light collection, and the like.

  As each light source 2, the condensing degree of the light sources L13 and L13 ′ corresponding to the intermediate partial area A13 is made larger than the light sources L11 and L11 ′ corresponding to the partial area A11 close to the incident end 4 and further the intermediate partial area A13. It is preferable to increase the light condensing degree of the light sources L12, L12 ′ corresponding to the farthest partial area A12 than the light condensing degree of the light sources L13, L13 ′ corresponding to. This is because the illuminance reduction based on the diffusion due to the difference in the optical path length of each light is suppressed, and the illuminance is made uniform in each of the partial areas A11 to A13.

  The condensing degree of each of the light sources L11 to L13 and the light sources L11 ′ to L13 ′ may be adjusted by using light sources having different condensing degrees, or reflectors or lenses using the same specification (the same condensing degree). May be separately provided and adjusted. As shown in FIGS. 4 (a) to 4 (c), the light collection degree of each light source is set to the x direction as the principal ray direction, and in the plane orthogonal to the x direction, the direction along the Y direction is the y direction. The direction perpendicular to the y direction is taken as the z direction, the light collection in the z direction is the same between the light sources, and the light collection in the y direction may be sequentially reduced.

  In the first embodiment described above, the incident surface as the incident end 4 is a plane substantially perpendicular to the XY plane, but from the viewpoint of suppressing the occurrence of luminance unevenness, for example, FIG. As shown, the incident surface as the incident end 4 can be a lenticular surface formed by arranging a plurality of lenticular lenses 9a. The central axis of each lenticular lens 9a substantially coincides with the Z direction. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6, the incident surface as the incident end 4 has a predetermined pitch in the Y direction with a plurality of strips 9 b whose longitudinal direction is along the Z direction and whose cross section is triangular. It is good also as a prism row surface formed by arranging. Further, instead of these, an optical element such as a lens or a prism may be disposed between each light source and the incident end 4.

  In the first embodiment described above, the number of partial regions in the X direction is three, but may be two or four or more. In this case, the number of light sources corresponding to the number of groups corresponding to the number in the X direction of each partial region is provided. In the first embodiment described above, the number of partial regions in the Y direction is three, but may be one, two, or four or more.

  With the light source device 1 configured as described above, it is possible to configure an illuminating device that illuminates the entire area of the liquid crystal panel as the object to be illuminated. Moreover, the illuminating device which illuminates the whole area | region of the liquid crystal panel as a to-be-illuminated object can also be comprised by arranging the light source device 1 comprised as mentioned above as one unit, and arranging several units suitably. .

  FIG. 7 is a plan view showing an example in which an illuminating device that illuminates the entire liquid crystal panel by arranging two light source devices 1 symmetrically is configured. A part of the light source 2 is omitted. The illumination device 10 is configured such that two light source devices 1 are adjacent to each other in the X direction so as to be symmetrical with respect to the Y direction, with the light source 2 side on the outside and the opposite side to the light source 2 on the inside. Since it is possible to adjust the luminance of nine partial areas for one light source device 1, an illuminating device having a total of 18 partial areas can be realized with two light guide plates. Can be greatly reduced.

  Further, since the light source 2 is disposed outside the light guide plate and the light source does not have to be disposed within the effective illumination area as in the prior art, illumination unevenness or light leakage due to the light source itself or its wiring, etc. Generation | occurrence | production etc. can be suppressed and the special device for preventing these becomes unnecessary. Since the number of light guide plates is small, the number of manufacturing steps and costs can be reduced. Since the light source is a side-edge type with a light source on the side of the light guide plate, the overall thickness of the lighting device can be significantly reduced compared to a diffusing plate and a direct-type lighting device with a light source directly below it. When applied to a liquid crystal display device, the device can be reduced in size and thickness.

  Note that a plurality of a pair of light source devices 1 configured as shown in FIG. 7 may be arranged adjacent to each other in the Y direction to configure the illumination device. Further, as shown in FIG. 8, in the configuration of FIG. 7, the light guide plates of the pair of light source devices 1 may be integrally formed, and one unit may be configured by two light source devices. Except for the fact that there is no boundary between the pair of light guide plates, the configuration is substantially the same as that of FIG. By adopting such a configuration, it is possible to adjust the luminance of 18 partial areas with one unit, and it is possible to further reduce the number of light guide plates. A pair of light source devices 1 configured as shown in FIG. 8 are further arranged adjacent to each other in the Y direction, and portions corresponding to the respective light guide plates are integrally formed to form a single light guide plate. May be configured.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9 and FIG. In addition, about the component substantially the same as what was shown in FIGS. 1-3, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the second embodiment, the configuration of the incident end 41 is different from the incident end 4 of the first embodiment described above. That is, in the first embodiment described above, the incident surface as the incident end 4 is a uniform plane substantially perpendicular to the XY plane. In the second embodiment, the incident end 41 is used. Are incident surfaces 42a, 42b, 42c divided in the Y direction. The divided incident surfaces 42a, 42b, and 42c have different inclination angles with respect to the XY plane, and are substantially perpendicular to the principal ray (axis) directions of the light sources L11 to L13 corresponding thereto. Is set.

  In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the split incident surface 42a corresponding to the light sources L11 and L11 ′ forms an angle ψ1 ′ with respect to the XY plane, and corresponds to the light sources L12 and L12 ′. The split incident surface 42b forms an angle ψ2 ′ with respect to the XY plane, and the split incident surface 42c corresponding to the light sources L13 and L13 ′ is set to form an angle ψ3 ′ with respect to the XY plane. .

  Here, these angles ψ1 ′ to ψ3 ′ are set to ψ1 ′ = 87.85 °, ψ2 ′ = 88.71 °, and ψ3 ′ = 87.85 °. The angles formed between the principal ray directions of the light sources L11 and L11 ′, L12 and L12 ′, L13 and L13 ′ and the XY plane corresponding to these are ψ1 = 2.15 ° and ψ2 = 1.29 °. , Ψ3 = 2.15 °. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above.

  In this way, each of the divided incident surfaces 42a, 42b, and 42c is set to be substantially perpendicular to the directions of the principal rays of the corresponding light sources L11 and L11 ′, L12 and L12 ′, L13 and L13 ′, respectively. Therefore, the light reflected from the incident end 41 among the light from the corresponding light sources L11 and L11 ′, L12 and L12 ′, L13 and L13 ′ is reduced, and the light guide plate 3 is efficiently incorporated. Can be introduced.

  Also in the second embodiment, similarly to the first embodiment described above, the incident end 41 can be the lenticular surface shown in FIG. 5 or the prism row surface shown in FIG. In these cases, the lenticular lenses 9a or the strips 9b are arranged so as to be inclined according to their inclination angles in the respective divided incident surfaces 42a, 42b, 42c.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, about the component substantially the same as what was shown in FIGS. 1-3, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the light guide plate 3 includes 12 partial regions A11 to A13, A21 to A23, A31 to A33, A41 to A43, and as the light source 2, Light sources L11 to L13 for partial areas A11 to A13, light sources L21 to L23 for partial areas A21 to A23, light sources L31 to L33 for partial areas A31 to A33, and partial areas A41 to A43 Light sources L41 to L43 are provided.

  In the following, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, the description will be made on a portion (hereinafter, also referred to as a basic unit) constituted by the partial areas A11 to A13 and the light sources L11 to L13, and the partial areas A21 to A23 and the light source. The part constituted by L21 to L23, the part constituted by the partial areas A31 to A33 and the light sources L31 to L33, and the part constituted by the partial areas A41 to A43 and the light sources L41 to L43 are the same as the basic unit. The description is omitted.

  In the third embodiment, the configuration of the incident end 43 is different from the configuration of the incident end 4 of the first embodiment described above. That is, in the first embodiment described above, the incident surface as the incident end 4 is a uniform plane substantially perpendicular to the XY plane, but in the third embodiment, the incident end 43 Are incident surfaces 44a, 44b, 44c divided into a plurality of portions in the Z direction. The divided incident surfaces 44a, 44b, and 44c have different inclination angles with respect to the XY plane, and are substantially perpendicular to the principal ray (axis) directions of the light sources L11 to L13 corresponding thereto. Is set. In this embodiment, the prism array 8 disposed on the exit surface 7 has an angle θ2 = 20 ° with respect to the XY plane of the inclined surface 8a, and an angle θ3 with respect to the XY plane of the inclined surface 8b is θ3. = 50 °, that is, the apex angle is 110 °, and the arrangement pitch of each strip is 100 μm.

  In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 13, the split incident surface 44a corresponding to the light source L11 forms an angle ψ1 ′ with respect to the XY plane, and the split incident surface 44b corresponding to the light source L12 is The angle ψ2 ′ is formed with respect to the XY plane, and the split incident surface 4c corresponding to the light source L13 is set to form an angle ψ3 ′ with respect to the XY plane.

  Assuming that the thickness of the light guide plate 3 of the third embodiment is t = 6 mm, these angles ψ1 ′ to ψ3 ′ are ψ1 ′ = 82.87 °, ψ2 ′ = 87.26 °, ψ3 ′ = It is set to 84.76 °. The angles formed by the principal ray directions of the corresponding light sources L11 to L13 and the XY plane are ψ1 = 7.13 °, ψ2 = 2.74 °, and ψ3 = 5.24 °. Other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment or the second embodiment described above.

  As described above, the divided incident surfaces 44a, 44b, and 44c are set so as to be substantially perpendicular to the principal ray directions of the corresponding light sources L11 to L13, respectively. Of the light from L13, the light reflected by the incident end 43 is reduced and can be introduced into the light guide plate 3 with high efficiency.

  FIG. 19 to FIG. 21 are diagrams showing verification results of the effect in this case, and are actually photographs taken from above the exit surface of the light guide plate with light incident on the end surface of the light guide plate. . Three light guide plates with a width of 80 mm were prepared, and inclined surfaces corresponding to the divided incident surfaces 44a, 44b, and 44c shown in FIG. 13 were formed on one of the side end surfaces in the longitudinal direction. 19 shows the case of a light guide plate with ψ3 ′ = 84.76 °, FIG. 20 shows the case of a light guide plate with ψ2 ′ = 87.26 °, and FIG. 21 shows the case of a light guide plate with ψ1 ′ = 82.87 °. Show. Light is emitted from a relatively white (bright) portion inside a portion indicated by a white dotted long circle in the figure, and in FIG. 21, light is emitted from the side close to the light source. In FIG. 20, it can be seen that light is emitted from the side far from the light source, and in FIG. 19, light is emitted from these intermediate portions.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the component substantially the same as what was shown in FIGS. 1-3, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted. In addition, this 4th Embodiment is applicable in addition to the structure of the 1st-3rd embodiment mentioned above.

  In 1st Embodiment mentioned above, the back surface 6 of the light-guide plate 3 demonstrated as what was a uniform reflective surface fundamentally. On the other hand, in this 4th Embodiment, the diffusion suppression means is provided in the back surface 6. FIG. As the diffusion suppressing means, a row 61 in which a plurality of strips whose longitudinal direction is along the X direction and whose cross section is triangular is arranged at a predetermined pitch in the Y direction is used. In this embodiment, the vertical angle of each strip is 90 °, and strips having a width of 0.2 mm are arranged adjacent to each other.

  A pair of inclined surfaces constituting each strip becomes a reflecting surface, which is emitted from the light source 2, introduced into the light guide plate body 5 through the incident end portion 4, and reflected by the back surface 6. Spreading is suppressed by this row 61.

  FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 are diagrams showing verification results of the effects in this case, and are actually photographs taken from above the exit surface of the light guide plate with light incident on the end surface of the light guide plate. . FIG. 22 shows a case where a light guide plate in which the diffusion suppressing means composed of the above-described row 61 is arranged on the back surface thereof, and FIG. 23 shows a case where the diffusion suppression means as described above is not provided, that is, a light guide plate having a flat back surface. The case where is used is shown. In these figures, the light source is provided corresponding to the white (bright) part of the substantially central part of the lower side in the figure. In FIG. 22 provided with the diffusion suppressing means, it can be seen that the diffusion of light in the lateral direction in the figure is suppressed as indicated by a pair of substantially parallel white arrows in the figure. As shown by the dotted dotted long circle, it can be seen that the surface opposite to the incident surface becomes brighter, and light propagates without being diffused in the light guide plate. On the other hand, in FIG. 23 in which the diffusion suppressing means is not provided, it is diffused in the horizontal direction in the figure as shown by the white arrows arranged in a pair of inverted eight shapes in the figure. As can be seen, as indicated by the dotted dotted long circle, the surface opposite to the incident surface becomes dark and it is understood that light is not propagated. In addition, in this figure, since the light extraction means is not provided, the light on the way (light-emitting surface) is hardly visible.

  The row | line | column provided in the back surface 6 may be a thing of another structure, and may use what is shown to Fig.15 (a)-FIG.15 (c). In FIG. 15A, a row 62 in which a plurality of strips having a triangular cross section are arranged apart from each other by a predetermined interval is used. In FIG. 15B, a strip 63 is used in which convex strips having a semicircular cross section are arranged apart from each other by a predetermined distance. In FIG. 15 (c), a strip 64 is used in which concave strips having a semicircular cross section are spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 16, on the back surface 6 of the light guide plate 3, the boundary portion between the partial areas A11 (˜A13), A21 (˜A23), A31 (˜A33) adjacent in the Y direction You may arrange | position the row | line | column 65 formed by arrange | positioning the trapezoid whose cross section is trapezoid. Accordingly, diffusion in the Y direction is suppressed, and for example, light from a light source corresponding to the partial area A21 (to A23) diffuses into the adjacent partial area A11 (to A13) or the partial area A31 (to A33). Can be suppressed.

  In the present embodiment, the diffusion suppressing means is provided on the back surface 6 of the light guide plate body 5, but may be provided on the exit surface 7. Furthermore, it is preferable to provide both the back surface 6 and the output surface 7 from the viewpoint of enhancing the light diffusion suppressing effect.

  Moreover, although the shape of a diffusion suppression means may be convex or concave, it is preferable that it is a convex structure from a viewpoint of preventing the surface of the light-guide plate main body 5 from being damaged. In this case, the height of the protrusion is preferably 1 μm or more from the same viewpoint, more preferably 10 μm or more, and further preferably 30 μm or more.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the component substantially the same as what was shown in FIGS. 1-3, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  In the fifth embodiment, the configuration of the incident end 45 is different from the incident end 4 of the first embodiment described above, and the arrangement of the light sources 2 (L11 to L13) is different. In this embodiment, the partial areas A11 to A13 are arranged in this order from the side closer to the incident end 4 toward the side farther from this side, and this order is different from the first embodiment described above. Yes.

  That is, in the first embodiment described above, the incident end 4 is the incident surface, but in the fifth embodiment, the incident end 45 is a solid body integrally formed with the light guide plate body 5. In addition, a plurality of reflecting surfaces 46a, 46b, 46c are provided on the upper portion (outgoing surface 7 side). The reflecting surfaces 46a, 46b, and 46c have different positions in the X direction and have different inclination angles with respect to the XY plane. The lower portion of the incident end 4 is flush with the back surface 6 of the light guide plate body 5, and the light sources L11 to L13 correspond to the reflective surfaces 46a, 46b, and 46c below the light guide plate body 5, respectively. The chief rays (axes) are arranged along the Y direction so as to be directed in the + Z direction. The lower surface of the incident end 45 is an incident surface on which light from each of the light sources L11 to L13 is incident.

  The light from the light source L11 is incident from the lower surface of the incident end 45, propagates through the incident end 45, is reflected by the reflecting surface 46a, and is reflected on the light guide plate body 5 according to a predetermined inclination angle of the reflecting surface 46a. The light is incident at an angle, reflected by the back surface 6 of the light guide plate body 5, and guided to the partial region A11. The light from the light source L12 enters from the lower surface of the incident end 45, propagates through the incident end 45, is reflected by the reflecting surface 46b, and is reflected on the light guide plate body 5 according to a predetermined inclination angle of the reflecting surface 46b. It is incident at an angle, reflected by the back surface 6 of the light guide plate body 5, and guided to the partial area A12. Light from the light source L13 is incident from the lower surface of the incident end 45, propagates through the incident end 45, is reflected by the reflecting surface 46c, and is reflected on the light guide plate main body 5 according to a predetermined inclination angle of the reflecting surface 46c. Incident at an angle, reflected by the back surface 6 of the light guide plate body 5 and guided to the partial region A13.

  Therefore, if the lighting of the light source L11 is controlled, the luminance of the partial area A11 can be controlled, if the lighting of the light source L12 is controlled, the luminance of the partial area A12 can be controlled, and if the lighting of the light source L13 is controlled. The brightness of the partial area A13 can be controlled.

  Others are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, and the improved example and the fourth embodiment described in the first embodiment can also be applied to the fifth embodiment. Here, the configuration in which the light sources L11 to L13 are disposed below the incident end 4 and the reflecting surfaces 46a, 46b, and 46c are disposed above the incident end 4 has been described. The light sources L11 to 13 may be arranged on the upper side of the incident end 4 and the reflecting surfaces 46a, 46b, and 46c may be arranged below the incident end 4.

(Sixth embodiment)
Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, about the component substantially the same as what was shown in FIGS. 1-3, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and the description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The sixth embodiment is a modification of the fifth embodiment described above. In the fifth embodiment described above, the reflecting surfaces 46a, 46b, 46c included in the incident end portion 45 are arranged side by side in the X direction, but each reflecting surface included in the incident end portion 47 of the sixth embodiment. 48a, 48b, and 48c are arranged side by side in the Y direction. Accordingly, the light sources L11 to L13 are also arranged along the Y direction.

  The light from the light source L11 enters from the lower surface of the incident end 47, propagates through the incident end 47, is reflected by the reflecting surface 48a, and is reflected on the light guide plate body 5 according to a predetermined angle according to the inclination angle of the reflecting surface 48a. The light is incident at an angle, reflected by the back surface 6 of the light guide plate body 5, and guided to the partial region A11. Light from the light source L12 is incident from the lower surface of the incident end portion 47, propagates through the incident end portion 47, is reflected by the reflecting surface 48b, and is reflected on the light guide plate body 5 according to a predetermined inclination angle of the reflecting surface 48b. It is incident at an angle, reflected by the back surface 6 of the light guide plate body 5, and guided to the partial area A12. The light from the light source L13 is incident from the lower surface of the incident end 45, propagates through the incident end 47, is reflected by the reflecting surface 48c, and is reflected on the light guide plate body 5 according to a predetermined inclination angle of the reflecting surface 48c. Incident at an angle, reflected by the back surface 6 of the light guide plate body 5 and guided to the partial region A13.

  Therefore, if the lighting of the light source L11 is controlled, the luminance of the partial area A11 can be controlled, if the lighting of the light source L12 is controlled, the luminance of the partial area A12 can be controlled, and if the lighting of the light source L13 is controlled. The brightness of the partial area A13 can be controlled.

  Others are the same as those in the first embodiment and the fifth embodiment described above, and the improvements and modifications described in the first embodiment and the fourth embodiment are also applicable to the sixth embodiment. . In addition, although the light source L11-13 was arrange | positioned below the incident end part 47 here, and the structure which has arrange | positioned the reflective surfaces 48a, 48b, 48c in the upper part of the incident end part 47 was demonstrated, conversely, The light sources L11 to L13 may be arranged on the upper side of the incident end portion 47, and the reflection surfaces 48a, 48b, and 48c may be arranged below the incident end portion 47.

  The embodiment described above is described for facilitating the understanding of the present invention, and is not described for limiting the present invention. Therefore, each element disclosed in the embodiment described above is intended to include all design changes and equivalents belonging to the technical scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Light source device 2 (L11-L13, L11'-L13 ', L21-L23, L21'-L23', L31-L33, L31'-L33 ') ... Light source 3 ... Light guide plate 4 ... Incident end 5 ... Optical plate body 6... Back surface 7... Exit surface 8.

Claims (12)

A light source device comprising a plurality of light sources and a light guide that guides light from these light sources,
The light guide includes an incident portion where light from the light source is incident, and a light guide body that guides and emits light incident from the incident portion.
The light guide body includes a back surface that reflects light propagating in the light guide body, and an exit surface that faces the back surface and emits light reflected by the back surface,
The emission surface includes a plurality of partial regions whose positions are different from each other,
The plurality of light sources are classified into a plurality of groups corresponding to the plurality of partial regions,
The light incident on the light guide body from the light source through the incident portion is controlled so that the incident directions with respect to the thickness direction of the light guide are different from each other. An incident direction control unit that guides light from the light source to the partial region corresponding to the group, and a light extraction unit that emits the light guided to the partial region to the outside of the light guide body. Light source device.   In the first direction orthogonal to the direction from the side closer to the incident part to the side farther, the light incident from the plurality of light sources is prevented from diffusing into a region different from the partial region corresponding to the light source. The light source device according to claim 1, further comprising diffusion suppression means.   The light source device according to claim 1, further comprising a light collecting unit between the plurality of light sources and the light guide or / and at an incident portion of the light guide.   The said light extraction means is an uneven | corrugated structure which a rough surface of an indefinite shape, or a cross section becomes a curved surface or / and a polygonal shape, and was formed in linear form or dot form as described in any one of Claims 1-3. Light source device.   5. The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the incident direction control unit sets the direction of each principal ray of the plurality of light sources at a different angle for each group.   2. The incident direction control unit includes a plurality of incident angle adjustment surfaces provided in the incident unit and arranged in order along a thickness direction of the light guide body or a direction orthogonal thereto, with different inclination angles. The light source device according to any one of?   The light source device according to claim 6, wherein the incident angle adjustment surface is an incident surface on which light from the light source is incident. The incident portion has an incident surface that is substantially parallel to the exit surface, on which light from the light source is incident,
The light source device according to claim 6, wherein the incident angle adjusting surface is a reflecting surface that reflects light from the light source incident from the incident surface and guides the light to the light guide body.   3. The light source device according to claim 2, wherein the diffusion suppressing unit includes a concave or convex line provided along a direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction.   The light source device according to claim 3, wherein the condensing unit includes a lens surface or a prism surface provided in the incident portion.   The light source device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of light sources are LEDs or lasers.   A liquid crystal display apparatus provided with a liquid crystal panel and the light source device as described in any one of Claims 1-11.

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