JP2024047138A - Light Emitting Module - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a light-emitting module capable of reducing unevenness in brightness of a light-emitting surface. [Solution] A light-emitting module comprising: a light-guiding member having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a first through hole penetrating from the first surface to the second surface, a light source unit disposed in the first through hole, a translucent member disposed in the first through hole and surrounding the light source unit in a top view, a light adjustment member located above the light source unit and the translucent member, and a gas portion surrounded by the translucent member in a top view, at least a portion of which is located between the light source unit and the light adjustment member. [Selected Figure] Figure 1

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a light-emitting module.

Light-emitting modules that combine a light-emitting element such as a light-emitting diode with a light-guiding member are widely used in planar light sources such as backlights for liquid crystal displays. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a light-emitting module that includes a light source unit and a light-guiding member that includes a hole in which the light source unit is disposed.

JP 2022-056369 A

There is a demand for light-emitting modules that further reduce the unevenness in brightness of the light-emitting surface. The object of the embodiment of the present invention is to provide a light-emitting module that can reduce the unevenness in brightness of the light-emitting surface.

According to one aspect of the present invention, the light-emitting module includes a light-guiding member having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a first through hole penetrating from the first surface to the second surface, a light source unit disposed in the first through hole, a translucent member disposed in the first through hole and surrounding the light source unit in a top view, a light adjustment member located above the light source unit and the translucent member, and a gas unit surrounded by the translucent member in a top view and at least a portion of which is located between the light source unit and the light adjustment member.

The light-emitting module of one embodiment of the present invention can reduce uneven brightness on the light-emitting surface.

FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a surface light source according to the embodiment. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light source unit according to the embodiment. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified example of the light source unit according to the embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a light adjusting member according to the present embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the surface light source according to the embodiment, in which a light adjusting member is omitted. FIG. 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a modified example of the surface light source according to the embodiment. 5A to 5C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for manufacturing the surface light source according to the embodiment. 5A to 5C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for manufacturing the surface light source according to the embodiment. 5A to 5C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for manufacturing the surface light source according to the embodiment. 5A to 5C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for manufacturing the surface light source according to the embodiment. 5A to 5C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for manufacturing the surface light source according to the embodiment. 5A to 5C are schematic cross-sectional views showing a method for manufacturing the surface light source according to the embodiment.

The following describes the embodiments with reference to the drawings. Since each drawing is a schematic representation of the embodiment, the scale, spacing, or positional relationship of each component may be exaggerated, or some components may not be shown. In this specification, the direction of the Z-axis arrow is defined as upward, and the direction opposite to the direction of the Z-axis arrow is defined as downward. Viewing an object from above is called a top view, which is synonymous with a plan view. In addition, as a cross-sectional view, an end view showing only the cut surface may be shown.

In the following description, components having substantially the same functions are indicated by common reference symbols, and descriptions may be omitted. In addition, terms indicating a specific direction or position (for example, "upper", "lower", and other terms including these terms) may be used. However, these terms are merely used for the purpose of making the relative direction or position in the referenced drawings easier to understand. As long as the relationship of the relative direction or position by terms such as "upper" and "lower" in the referenced drawings is the same, the arrangement in drawings other than this disclosure, in actual products, etc., may not be the same as that in the referenced drawings. In this specification, "parallel" includes not only cases where two straight lines, sides, surfaces, etc. do not intersect even when extended, but also cases where the angle between the two straight lines, sides, surfaces, etc. is within a range of 10°. In this specification, the positional relationship expressed as "upper" includes cases where they are in contact and cases where they are not in contact but are located above.

[Embodiment]
The light-emitting module 100 and the surface light source 300 of the embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 7F. Fig. 1 is a drawing of the surface light source 300 as viewed from the light-emitting surface side. As shown in Fig. 1, two directions parallel to the light-emitting surface of the surface light source 300 and perpendicular to each other are defined as the X direction and the Y direction. The direction perpendicular to the X direction and the Y direction is defined as the Z direction. In this specification, a plane parallel to the X direction and the Y direction may be referred to as the XY plane. In addition, a direction inclined from the X direction at an angle of 0° or more and less than 360° in the XY plane may be referred to as the horizontal direction, and the Z direction may be referred to as the vertical direction.

The surface light source 300 includes a light emitting module 100 and a support member 200. The light emitting module 100 is disposed on the support member 200. The light emitting module 100 includes a light guide member 20, a light source unit 10, a translucent member 30, a light adjustment member 40, and a gas part 33. As shown in FIG. 2, the light guide member 20 has a first surface 201, a second surface 202 opposite to the first surface 201, and a first through hole 20H penetrating from the first surface 201 to the second surface 202. The light source unit 10 is disposed in the first through hole 20H. The translucent member 30 is disposed in the first through hole 20H and surrounds the light source unit 10 in a top view. The light adjustment member 40 is located above the light source unit 10 and the translucent member 30. The gas part 33 is surrounded by the translucent member 30 in a top view. In addition, at least a portion of the gas section 33 is located between the light source section 10 and the light adjustment member 40.

By providing the gas section 33, the light-emitting module 100 can prevent the area directly above the light source section 10 from becoming too bright. This reduces uneven brightness of the light-emitting module 100.

The elements that make up the light-emitting module 100 and the surface light source 300 are described in detail below.

(Light source unit 10)
1, the light emitting module 100 includes a plurality of light source units 10 including a first light source 10A, a second light source 10B, a third light source 10C, and a fourth light source 10D. The number of light source units 10 included in the light emitting module 100 may be one.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the light source unit 10 includes a light emitting element 11. The light emitting element 11 includes a semiconductor laminate. The semiconductor laminate includes, for example, a substrate such as sapphire or gallium nitride, an n-type semiconductor layer disposed on the substrate, a p-type semiconductor layer, and a light emitting layer sandwiched between the n-type semiconductor layer and the p-type semiconductor layer. The light emitting element 11 also includes an n-side electrode electrically connected to the n-type semiconductor layer and a p-side electrode electrically connected to the p-type semiconductor layer. The n-side electrode and the p-side electrode constitute a part of the lower surface of the light emitting element 11. Furthermore, the light source unit 10 includes a pair of positive and negative electrodes 12. The pair of positive and negative electrodes 12 constitute a part of the lower surface of the light source unit 10. One of the pair of electrodes 12 is electrically connected to the p-side electrode, and the other is electrically connected to the n-side electrode. Note that the light source unit 10 may not include the electrode 12. When the light source unit 10 does not include a pair of positive and negative electrodes 12, the n-side electrode and the p-side electrode of the light emitting element 11 constitute a part of the lower surface of the light source unit 10. In addition, the light source unit 10 does not need to have a substrate such as sapphire or gallium nitride. This makes it easier to reduce the size of the light source unit 10 in the vertical direction.

The structure of the light emitting layer may be a structure having a single active layer such as a double heterostructure or a single quantum well structure (SQW), or a structure having a group of active layers such as a multiple quantum well structure (MQW). The light emitting layer can emit visible light or ultraviolet light. The light emitting layer can emit visible light from blue to red. An example of a semiconductor laminate including such a light emitting layer may include In _x Al _y Ga _1-x-y N (0≦x, 0≦y, x+y≦1). The semiconductor laminate may include at least one light emitting layer capable of emitting the above-mentioned light. For example, the semiconductor laminate may include one or more light emitting layers between an n-type semiconductor layer and a p-type semiconductor layer, or may include a structure in which a structure including an n-type semiconductor layer, a light emitting layer, and a p-type semiconductor layer in order is repeated multiple times. When the semiconductor laminate includes multiple light emitting layers, the semiconductor laminate may include light emitting layers having different emission peak wavelengths, or may include light emitting layers having the same emission peak wavelength. The same emission peak wavelength may have a variation of, for example, about several nm. Such a combination of light-emitting layers can be appropriately selected, and for example, when the semiconductor laminate includes two light-emitting layers, the light-emitting layers can be selected from combinations of blue light and blue light, green light and green light, red light and red light, ultraviolet light and ultraviolet light, blue light and green light, blue light and red light, green light and red light, etc. Furthermore, the light-emitting layer may include a plurality of active layers having different emission peak wavelengths, or may include a plurality of active layers having the same emission peak wavelength.

The light source unit 10 shown in FIG. 3A includes one light-emitting element 11. Each of the light source units 10 of the first light source 10A, the second light source 10B, the third light source 10C, and the fourth light source 10D may include multiple light-emitting elements 11. The emission peak wavelengths of the multiple light-emitting elements included in each light source unit 10 may be the same or different. For example, when each light source unit 10 includes two light-emitting elements, the emission peak wavelengths of the light-emitting elements can be selected from combinations such as blue light and green light, blue light and red light, ultraviolet light and blue light, ultraviolet light and green light, ultraviolet light and red light, or green light and red light. For example, when each light source unit 10 includes three light-emitting elements, the emission peak wavelengths of the light-emitting elements can be selected from combinations such as blue light and green light and red light, ultraviolet light and green light and red light, ultraviolet light and blue light and green light, ultraviolet light and blue light and red light, ultraviolet light and green light and red light.

As shown in FIG. 3A, the light source unit 10 can further include a translucent member (hereinafter referred to as the light source translucent member 13). The light source translucent member 13 covers the upper and side surfaces of the light emitting element 11. The light source translucent member 13 can protect the light emitting element 11. The light source translucent member 13 may be arranged so as to expose at least a portion of the upper surface of the light emitting element 11. This makes it easier to miniaturize the light source unit 10 in the vertical direction.

For example, the light source translucent member 13 has translucency to the light emitted by the light emitting element 11. The light source translucent member 13 includes a translucent resin and may further include a phosphor. As the translucent resin, for example, a silicone resin, an epoxy resin, or the like can be used. Examples of phosphors include yttrium aluminum garnet phosphors (e.g., (Y,Gd) ₃ (Al,Ga) _5O12 :Ce), lutetium aluminum garnet phosphors (e.g., _Lu3 (Al,Ga) _{5O12 :} Ce), terbium aluminum garnet phosphors (e.g., _Tb3 (Al,Ga _{)5O12:Ce), CCA phosphors (e.g., Ca10(PO4)6Cl2 : Eu ) , SAE} phosphors (e.g., _{Sr4Al14O25 :} Eu ₎ , chlorosilicate phosphors (e.g. _{, Ca8MgSi4O16Cl2 :} Eu ₎ , silicate phosphors (e.g. _, (Ba, _Sr ,Ca,Mg) _2SiO4 oxynitride phosphors such as β-sialon phosphors (e.g., (Si,Al) ₃ (O,N) ₄ :Eu) or α-sialon phosphors (e.g., Ca ₍ Si,Al) ₁₂ ( _O ,N) ₁₆ :Eu); _nitride phosphors such as LSN phosphors (e.g., (La,Y) _3Si6N11 :Ce), BSESN phosphors (e.g., ( _{Ba,Sr)2Si5N8 : Eu} ), SLA phosphors (e.g., _SrLiAl3N4 :Eu), CASN phosphors (e.g., _CaAlSiN3 :Eu) or SCASN phosphors (e.g., ( _Sr ,Ca) _AlSiN3 :Eu) _; Fluoride-based phosphors such as KSAF-based phosphors (e.g., _K2 ( _{Si1-xAlx )} F6 _-x :Mn, where x satisfies 0<x<1) or MGF-based phosphors (e.g., _{3.5MgO.0.5MgF2.GeO2} :Mn), quantum dots having a perovskite structure (e.g., (Cs,FA,MA)(Pb,Sn)(F,Cl,Br,I) ₃ , where FA and MA represent formamidinium and _{methylammonium} , respectively), II-VI quantum dots (e.g., CdSe), III-V quantum dots (e.g., InP), or quantum dots having a chalcopyrite structure (e.g., (Ag,Cu)(In,Ga)(S,Se) ₂ ), etc., can be used. The phosphor added to the light source transmissive member 13 may be one type of phosphor or a plurality of types of phosphors.

The wavelength conversion sheet containing the phosphor described above may be placed on the upper side of the planar light source 300. The wavelength conversion sheet can be a planar light source that absorbs a part of the blue light from the light source unit 10, emits yellow light, green light and/or red light, and emits white light. For example, white light can be obtained by combining the light source unit 10 capable of emitting blue light with a wavelength conversion sheet containing a phosphor capable of emitting yellow light. Alternatively, the light source unit 10 capable of emitting blue light may be combined with a wavelength conversion sheet containing a red phosphor and a green phosphor. The light source unit 10 capable of emitting blue light may be combined with multiple wavelength conversion sheets. As the multiple wavelength conversion sheets, for example, a wavelength conversion sheet containing a phosphor capable of emitting red light and a wavelength conversion sheet containing a phosphor capable of emitting green light can be selected. Also, a light source unit 10 having a light emitting element 11 capable of emitting blue light and a light source translucent member 13 containing a phosphor capable of emitting red light may be combined with a wavelength conversion sheet containing a phosphor capable of emitting green light.

As the phosphor capable of emitting yellow light used in the wavelength conversion sheet, for example, the above-mentioned yttrium aluminum garnet phosphor is preferably used. As the phosphor capable of emitting green light used in the wavelength conversion sheet, it is preferable to use quantum dots having a narrow half-width of the emission peak wavelength, for example, quantum dots having a perovskite structure, III-V group quantum dots, or quantum dots having a chalcopyrite structure, as the above-mentioned. As the phosphor capable of emitting red light used in the wavelength conversion sheet, it is preferable to use quantum dots having a narrow half-width of the emission peak wavelength, for example, the above-mentioned KSF phosphor, KSAF phosphor, III-V group quantum dots, or quantum dots having a chalcopyrite structure, as the same as the phosphor capable of emitting green light.

A bandpass filter that transmits light in a specific wavelength region and reflects light in other wavelength regions may be disposed between the wavelength conversion sheet and the light source unit 10. For example, a dichroic sheet is used as the bandpass filter. It is preferable that the bandpass filter transmits only blue light and reflects light of other colors (green light and red light). This allows only blue light from the light source unit 10 to be incident on the wavelength conversion sheet, so that the wavelength conversion sheet can easily emit white light by using it in combination with a wavelength conversion sheet that absorbs a portion of the blue light from the light source unit 10 and emits white light. In addition, it is possible to reduce the return of light other than blue light (e.g., green light, red light, etc.) that passes through the bandpass filter and is reflected by the wavelength conversion sheet to the light source unit 10 side. This reduces the luminance unevenness of the light emitting module 10.

A diffusion sheet may be disposed between the bandpass filter and the light source unit 10. The diffusion sheet transmits light from the light source unit 10 and can diffuse the transmitted light when it is emitted from the diffusion sheet to the bandpass filter side. This can reduce the luminance unevenness of the light-emitting module 100. The diffusion sheet faces the first surface 201 of the light-guiding member 20 and/or the upper surface of the light adjustment member 40. The diffusion sheet may be in contact with the first surface 201 of the light-guiding member 20 and/or the upper surface of the light adjustment member 40, or may be separated from them. The diffusion sheet is preferably made of a material that has low absorption of light emitted by the light-emitting element 11. Examples of the diffusion sheet include polycarbonate, polystyrene, acrylic, and polyethylene. The diffusion sheet may include minute irregularities on the emission surface, or may include an optical film having light diffusion properties. The diffusion sheet may be composed of a single layer, or may be composed of a laminate of multiple layers.

A prism sheet may be disposed so as to face the surface of the wavelength conversion sheet opposite the light source unit 10. A plurality of prisms extending in one direction are arranged on the surface of the prism sheet. A single prism sheet may be used, or a plurality of prism sheets may be stacked. When a plurality of prism sheets are stacked, for example, one of the prism sheets may be a prism extending in the X direction and the other may be a prism extending in the Y direction. This allows the light emitted from the prism sheet to be aligned in a direction perpendicular to the exit surface of the prism sheet, thereby increasing the brightness of the light emitting module 100 when viewed from above.

The light source unit 10 may further include a covering member 14. The covering member 14 is disposed on the underside of the light emitting element 11. The covering member 14 is disposed so that the underside of the electrode 12 of the light source unit 10 is exposed from the covering member 14. The covering member 14 is also disposed on the underside of the light source translucent member 13 that covers the side surface of the light emitting element 11.

The covering member 14 has reflectivity to the light emitted by the light emitting element 11. For example, a resin member containing a gas such as nitrogen and/or oxygen, or a resin member containing light scattering particles can be used for the covering member 14. For example, a thermoplastic resin such as an acrylic resin, a polycarbonate resin, a cyclic polyolefin resin, a polyethylene terephthalate resin, or a polyester resin, or a thermosetting resin such as an epoxy resin or a silicone resin can be used for the resin member of the covering member 14. For example, particles of titania, silica, alumina, zinc oxide, magnesium oxide, zirconia, yttria, calcium fluoride, magnesium fluoride, niobium pentoxide, barium titanate, tantalum pentoxide, barium sulfate, or glass can be used for the light scattering particles of the covering member 14. The covering member 14 may contain both a gas and light scattering particles.

3A, the light source unit 10 may include a light adjustment member (hereinafter, referred to as the light source light adjustment member 15). The light source light adjustment member 15 constitutes at least a part of the upper surface of the light source unit 10. The light source light adjustment member 15 is disposed above the light emitting element 11. When viewed from above, the light source light adjustment member 15 and the light emitting element 11 overlap, and the light source light adjustment member 15 is located above the light emitting element 11 at the overlapping portion. The light source light adjustment member 15 is disposed above the light source translucent member 13 and adjusts the amount and/or emission direction of light emitted from the upper surface of the light source translucent member 13. The light source light adjustment member 15 has reflectivity and translucency with respect to the light emitted by the light emitting element 11. A part of the light emitted from the upper surface of the light source translucent member 13 is reflected by the light source light adjustment member 15, and the other part is transmitted through the light source light adjustment member 15. The transmittance of the light source light adjustment member 15 with respect to the peak wavelength of the light emitting element 11 is, for example, preferably 1% to 50%, more preferably 3% to 30%. By including the light source light adjustment member 15 in the light source unit 10, it is possible to prevent the area directly above the light source unit 10 from becoming too bright. This reduces uneven brightness in the light-emitting module 100.

The light source light adjustment member 15 can be made of, for example, a resin member containing light scattering particles. The resin member of the light source light adjustment member 15 can be made of the same material as the resin member of the covering member 14. The light scattering particles of the light source light adjustment member 15 can be made of the same material as the light scattering particles of the covering member 14. The light source light adjustment member 15 can also be made of, for example, a metal member such as aluminum or silver, or a dielectric multilayer film.

3B, the light source unit 10 may not include the light source light adjustment member 15. In this way, the light source unit 10 can be made smaller in the vertical direction than when the light source unit 10 includes the light source light adjustment member 15 arranged on the upper side of the light emitting element 11. In another embodiment of the light source unit 10, the light source unit 10 may not include the covering member 14. For example, the lower surface of the light source unit may be formed by the lower surface of the light emitting element, the lower surfaces of the pair of electrodes 12, and the lower surface of the light source translucent member. In another embodiment of the light source unit 10, the light source unit 10 may be only the light emitting element 11 alone. In another embodiment of the light source unit 10, the light source unit 10 may not include the covering member 14 and the light source translucent member 13, and the light source light adjustment member 15 may be arranged on the upper surface of the light emitting element 11. In another embodiment of the light source unit 10, the light source unit 10 may not include the light source translucent member 13, and the light source light adjustment member 15 may be arranged on the upper surface of the light emitting element 11, and the covering member 14 may be arranged on the lower surface of the light emitting element 11.

The shape of the light source unit 10 when viewed from above is not particularly limited. The shape of the light source unit 10 when viewed from above can be, for example, a circle, a triangle, a rectangle, a hexagon, or an octagon. When the shape of the light source unit 10 when viewed from above is a rectangle, a pair of outer edges of the light source unit 10 may be parallel to the X direction or may be inclined with respect to the X direction. In this embodiment, a pair of outer edges of the light source unit 10 are inclined at 45° with respect to the X direction.

The maximum length of the light source unit 10 in the vertical direction is preferably less than 100% of the maximum length of the light-guiding member 20 in the vertical direction, more preferably 80% or less, and even more preferably 60% or less. By making the maximum length of the light source unit 10 in the vertical direction less than the maximum length of the light-guiding member 20 in the vertical direction, it is easy to position the gas section 33 between the light source unit 10 and the light adjustment member 40.

(Light guiding member 20)
The light guide member 20 is a member having translucency for the light emitted by the light source unit 10. The transmittance of the light guide member 20 for the peak wavelength of the light source unit 10 is, for example, preferably 60% or more, more preferably 80% or more. As shown in FIG. 2, the light emitting module 100 has a first surface 201 which is a light emitting surface, and a second surface 202 located on the opposite side of the first surface 201. The light guide member 20 has a first through hole 20H penetrating from the first surface 201 to the second surface 202. As shown in FIG. 1, the light source unit 10 is disposed in the first through hole 20H of the light guide member 20. As a result, the light guide member 20 surrounds the light source unit 10 in a top view. The first through hole 20H in this embodiment is circular in a top view. The first through hole 20H may be an ellipse or a polygonal shape such as a triangle, a rectangle, a hexagon, or an octagon in a top view.

The number of light-guiding members 20 included in the light-emitting module 100 may be one or more. In this embodiment, the light-emitting module 100 includes a plurality of light-guiding members 20 including a first light-guiding section 20A, a second light-guiding section 20B, a third light-guiding section 20C, and a fourth light-guiding section 20D. As shown in FIG. 1, the first light-guiding section 20A and the second light-guiding section 20B are adjacent to each other in the X direction. The third light-guiding section 20C and the fourth light-guiding section 20D are adjacent to each other in the X direction. The first light-guiding section 20A and the third light-guiding section 20C are adjacent to each other in the Y direction. The second light-guiding section 20B and the fourth light-guiding section 20D are adjacent to each other in the Y direction. The first light source 10A is disposed in the first through-hole 20H of the first light-guiding section 20A. The second light source 10B is disposed in the first through-hole 20H of the second light-guiding section 20B. The third light source 10C is disposed in the first through hole 20H of the third light guiding section 20C. The fourth light source 10D is disposed in the first through hole 20H of the fourth light guiding section 20D.

The light guide member 20 is partitioned by partitioning grooves 20G. One area partitioned by the partitioning grooves 20G is the light emitting area 300A. In this embodiment, the first light guide section 20A, the second light guide section 20B, the third light guide section 20C, and the fourth light guide section 20D partitioned by the partitioning grooves 20G are different light emitting areas 300A. One light emitting area 300A can be a driving unit for local dimming. The number of light emitting areas 300A constituting the surface light source 300 is not particularly limited. For example, the surface light source 300 may have one light emitting area 300A, or the surface light source 300 may have multiple light emitting areas 300A. In addition, a surface light source device with a larger area may be formed by arranging multiple surface light sources 300. A member having reflectivity to the light emitted by the light source section 10 may be arranged in the partitioning groove 20G. This can improve the contrast between the light emitting area in the light emitting state and the light emitting area in the non-light emitting state. In addition, the light-emitting module does not need to have a member that is reflective to the light emitted by the light source unit 10 disposed within the partition groove 20G.

In this embodiment, the light guide member 20 has a lattice-shaped partition groove 20G consisting of a first partition groove 21G extending in the Y direction and a second partition groove 22G extending in the X direction. Between the first light guide section 20A and the second light guide section 20B, there is a first partition groove 21G extending in the Y direction. Between the first light guide section 20A and the third light guide section 20C, there is a second partition groove 22G extending in the X direction. It is preferable that the partition groove 20G penetrates from the first surface 201 to the second surface 202 of the light guide member 20. In this way, the light guide member 20 can be separated into multiple parts, so that, for example, warping of the support member 200 caused by the difference in thermal expansion coefficient between the light guide member 20 and the support member 200 can be reduced. This can reduce the occurrence of cracks in the conductive member 80 described later. Furthermore, the partitioning groove 20G may be a recess that is open only on the first surface 201 side of the light-guiding member 20, or may be a recess that is open only on the second surface 202 side of the light-guiding member 20. When the partitioning groove 20G is a recess, the partitioning groove 20G has a bottom surface formed by the light-guiding member 20.

The side surface of the partition groove 20G may be parallel to the Z-axis direction, or may be inclined relative to the Z-axis direction. When the side surface of the partition groove 20G is inclined relative to the Z-axis direction, the distance between opposing side surfaces in the partition groove 20G may become shorter or longer as it goes downward.

As shown in FIG. 2, the light guide member 20 preferably has a hole portion (hereinafter referred to as the first light guide hole portion 21) that opens on the first surface 201 and/or the second surface 202 of the light guide member 20. In a top view, the first light guide hole portion 21 is located between the first through hole 20H and the partition groove 20G. In a top view, the first light guide hole portion 21 does not overlap with the light adjustment member 40. In this embodiment, the first light guide hole portion 21 includes a recess that opens only on the first surface 201 side and a recess that opens only on the second surface 202 side. The first light guide hole portion 21 may penetrate from the first surface 201 to the second surface 202 of the light guide member 20. In addition, the first light guide hole portion 21 may be only a recess that opens only on the first surface 201, or may be only a recess that opens only on the second surface 202. By including the first light guiding hole 21 in the light guiding member 20, the surface area of the light guiding member 20 can be increased. In this way, the amount of light extracted from the surface of the light guiding member 20 to the outside of the light guiding member 20 can be increased. This makes it easier to adjust the brightness of the light emitting module 100, making it easier to reduce brightness unevenness of the light emitting module 100. The depth of the recess in the Z direction is, for example, 0.1 times or more the thickness of the light guiding member 20.

The shape of the first light guiding hole 21 when viewed from above is not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 1, the shape of the first light guiding hole 21 in this embodiment extends in one direction. The shape of the first light guiding hole 21 when viewed from above may be a V-shape or an L-shape extending in two directions. The shape of the first light guiding hole 21 when viewed from above may include a curved portion. In addition, the shape of the first light guiding hole 21 when viewed from above may be a circle, an ellipse, or a polygon such as a triangle, a rectangle, a hexagon, or an octagon.

In this specification, the point on the outer edge of the first light guiding section 20A located on the first surface 201 that is farthest from the center of the first light source 10A is referred to as the first point P1, and the point on the outer edge of the first light guiding section 20A located on the first surface 201 that is closest to the center of the first light source 10A is referred to as the second point P2. In this embodiment, the first point P1 is located at each corner of the first light guiding section 20A, and the second point P2 is located at the center of each side of the first light guiding section 20A. There may be one each of the first point P1 and the second point P2, or there may be multiple points.

As shown in FIG. 1, in a top view, it is preferable that at least one of the first light guide holes 21 is located on an imaginary straight line IL connecting the center of the first light source 10A and the first point P1. In this way, the brightness unevenness of the light emitting module 100 is reduced. The first point P1, which is far from the first light source 10A, tends to have a lower brightness than the second point P2, which is closer to the first light source 10A. However, by positioning the first light guide hole 21 on the imaginary straight line IL, it becomes easier to increase the amount of light extracted from the light guide member 20 to the outside in the vicinity of the first point P1. This reduces the difference between the brightness at the first point P1 and the brightness at the second point P2, thereby reducing the brightness unevenness of the light emitting module 100.

It is also preferable that a plurality of first light guide holes 21 are located on the imaginary straight line IL connecting the center of the first light source 10A and the first point P1. This makes it easier to adjust the brightness in the vicinity of the first point P1, making it easier to reduce the brightness unevenness of the light emitting module 100. It is preferable that the number of first light guide holes 21 located on the imaginary straight line IL connecting the center of the first light source 10A and the first point P1 is greater than the number of first light guide holes 21 located on the imaginary straight line IIL connecting the center of the first light source 10A and the second point P2. This makes it easier to reduce the difference between the brightness at the first point P1 and the brightness at the second point P2. It is not necessary to have the first light guide holes 21 located on the imaginary straight line IIL connecting the center of the first light source 10A and the second point P2.

When viewed from above, it is preferable that at least one of the first light guiding holes 21 extends from an end of the first light guiding hole 21 closest to the center of the first light source 10A at an angle in the X and Y directions away from the first light source 10A. In this way, a portion of the light from the first light source 10A can be guided in the direction in which the first light guiding hole 21 extends. This can reduce uneven brightness of the light emitting module 100.

The shape of the first light guide hole 21 provided in the first light guide section 20A and the shape of the first light guide hole 21 provided in the second light guide section 20B may be the same or different. In addition, the number of first light guide holes 21 provided in the first light guide section 20A and the number of first light guide holes 21 provided in the second light guide section 20B may be the same or different. For example, before forming the first light guide hole 21 in the light guide member 20, the luminance unevenness of the first light guide section 20A and the luminance unevenness of the second light guide section 20B are confirmed. After confirming the luminance unevenness of the first light guide section 20A and the luminance unevenness of the second light guide section 20B, the first light guide hole 21 suitable for each of the first light guide section 20A and the second light guide section 20B is formed in the light guide member 20. In this way, the luminance unevenness of the light emitting module 100 can be reduced. For example, if the luminance unevenness is suppressed to a desired range before forming the first light guiding hole 21 in the light guiding member 20, the first light guiding hole 21 does not need to be provided in the light guiding member 20. The luminance unevenness of the first light guiding section 20A and the luminance unevenness of the second light guiding section 20B can be confirmed, for example, by measuring the luminance with a two-dimensional color luminance meter (CA-2500 manufactured by Konica Minolta).

The light-guiding member 20 may include one or more first light-guiding holes 21. As shown in FIG. 1, it is preferable that the multiple first light-guiding holes 21 surround the light source unit 10 in a plan view. In this way, the multiple first light-guiding holes 21 make it easier to extract light traveling laterally from the light source unit 10 to the outside of the light-guiding member 20. Note that, in a top view, one first light-guiding hole 21 may surround the light source unit 10 without interruption.

The light-guiding member 20 may be made of the same material as the resin member of the covering member 14. The light-guiding member 20 may also be made of glass or the like. The light-guiding member 20 may contain phosphors and/or light-scattering particles.

The thickness of the light-guiding member 20 is preferably, for example, 150 μm or more and 800 μm or less. In this specification, unless otherwise specified, the thickness of each member is the value when the distance from the upper surface of each member to the lower surface of each member in the vertical direction is maximum. The light-guiding member 20 may be composed of a single layer in the vertical direction, or may be composed of a laminate of multiple layers. When the light-guiding member 20 is composed of a laminate, a translucent adhesive may be disposed between each layer. Each layer of the laminate may use a different type of main material.

The method for forming the first light guiding hole 21 in the light guiding member 20 is not particularly limited. For example, the first light guiding hole 21 can be formed in the light guiding member 20 by laser processing. The first light guiding hole 21 can be formed by heat generated by laser irradiation. Note that the light guiding member including the first light guiding hole 21 may be formed by a method such as injection molding, transfer molding, or compression molding using a mold or the like.

(Light-transmitting member 30)
2, the light emitting module 100 includes a light-transmissive member 30. The light-transmissive member 30 is a member that is transmissive to the light emitted by the light source unit 10. At least a portion of the light-transmissive member 30 is disposed in the first through hole 20H. In a top view, the light-transmissive member 30 surrounds the light source unit 10.

The translucent member 30 has a first translucent section 31 and a second translucent section 32. In this embodiment, the first translucent section 31 and the second translucent section 32 are separate bodies. The first translucent section 31 and the second translucent section 32 may be integrally formed from the same material. The transmittance of each of the first translucent section 31 and the second translucent section 32 with respect to the peak wavelength of the light source section 10 is, for example, preferably 60% or more, and more preferably 80% or more.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first light-transmitting section 31 is preferably in contact with the side surface of the light source section 10. This allows light from the light source section 10 to easily enter the first light-transmitting section 31. The first light-transmitting section 31 is preferably in contact with the light-guiding member 20. This allows light from the light source section 10 to easily enter the light-guiding member 20.

The first light-transmitting section 31 may cover the entire upper surface of the light source section 10, or may cover a part of the light source section 10. By having the first light-transmitting section 31 cover the entire upper surface of the light source section 10, it becomes easier to adjust the brightness in the area directly above the light source section 10. For example, the brightness in the area directly above the light source section 10 can be adjusted by changing the thickness of the first light-transmitting section 31 in the part covering the upper surface of the light source section 10. This makes it easier to adjust the brightness, making it easier to reduce brightness unevenness in the light-emitting module 100. When the first light-transmitting section 31 covers the upper surface of the light source section 10, the second light-transmitting section 32 may or may not cover the upper surface of the light source section 10 via the first light-transmitting section 31.

The first light-transmitting section 31 may be composed of a single layer in the vertical direction, or may be composed of a laminate of multiple layers. The first light-transmitting section 31 may also contain phosphor and/or light-scattering particles. When the first light-transmitting section 31 is a laminate, each layer may or may not contain phosphor and/or light-scattering particles. For example, the first light-transmitting section 31 may be composed of a layer containing phosphor and a layer not containing phosphor. The material of the first light-transmitting section 31 may be, for example, the same material as the resin member of the covering member 14.

The second light transmitting section 32 is located above the light source section 10. The second light transmitting section 32 is located above the first light transmitting section 31. The second light transmitting section 32 is preferably in contact with the upper surface of the light source section 10 and/or the upper surface of the first light transmitting section 31. This makes it easier to miniaturize the light emitting module 100 in the vertical direction. In addition, the second light transmitting section 32 is preferably located between the light adjustment member 40 and the light guide member 20 outside the first through hole 20H in top view. This allows the light adjustment member 40 to be stably fixed, and makes it easier for light from the light guide member 20 to enter the light adjustment member 40. In addition, the second light transmitting section 32 does not have to be between the light guide member 20 and the light adjustment member 40 outside the first through hole 20H in the horizontal direction.

The second light-transmitting portion 32 may be made of, for example, the same material as the resin material of the covering member 14. The second light-transmitting portion 32 may be made of a sheet-shaped optically clear adhesive (OCA). The second light-transmitting portion 32 may contain phosphor and/or light-scattering particles.

(Light adjustment member 40)
The light adjustment member 40 has reflectivity and translucency for the light emitted by the light source unit 10. A part of the light emitted from the light source unit 10 is reflected by the light adjustment member 40, and the other part is transmitted through the light adjustment member 40. The transmittance of the light adjustment member 40 for the peak wavelength of the light source unit 10 is lower than the transmittance of the light guide member 20 for the peak wavelength of the light source unit 10. For example, the transmittance of the light adjustment member 40 for the peak wavelength of the light source unit 10 is preferably 1% or more and 50% or less, and more preferably 3% or more and 30% or less. The light adjustment member 40 may be composed of a single layer or may be composed of a laminate of multiple layers.

The light adjustment member 40 is disposed above the light source unit 10. When viewed from above, the light adjustment member 40 and the light source unit 10 overlap, and the light adjustment member 40 is located above the light source unit 10 at the overlapping portion. By positioning the light adjustment member 40 above the light source unit 10, it is possible to reduce the area directly above the light source unit 10 from becoming too bright.

The light adjustment member 40 is disposed above the first light-transmitting section 31. When viewed from above, the light adjustment member 40 and the first light-transmitting section 31 overlap, and the light adjustment member 40 is located above the first light-transmitting section 31 at the overlapping portion. By positioning the light adjustment member 40 above the first light-transmitting section 31, it is possible to reduce the area directly above the first light-transmitting section 31 from becoming too bright.

The light adjustment member 40 is disposed above the second light transmitting section 32. When viewed from above, the light adjustment member 40 and the second light transmitting section 32 overlap, and the light adjustment member 40 is located above the second light transmitting section 32 at the overlapping portion. By positioning the light adjustment member 40 above the second light transmitting section 32, it is possible to reduce the area directly above the second light transmitting section 32 from becoming too bright.

As shown in FIG. 1, in a top view, it is preferable that at least a part of the outer edge of the light adjustment member 40 is located outside the outer edge of the first through hole 20H. This can reduce the area near the outer edge of the first through hole 20H from becoming too bright. In a top view, it is preferable that the entire outer edge of the light adjustment member 40 is located outside the outer edge of the first through hole 20H. This can further reduce the area near the outer edge of the first through hole 20H from becoming too bright. In addition, in a top view, the entire outer edge of the light adjustment member 40 may be located inside the outer edge of the first through hole 20H. In this way, the area of the translucent member 30 exposed from the light adjustment member 40 in a top view is easily increased. This can increase the amount of light extracted from the translucent member 30 to the outside of the translucent member 30.

The light adjustment member 40 has a plurality of through holes (hereinafter referred to as second through holes 40A). By having the second through holes 40A, the light adjustment member 40 can easily adjust the brightness in the area directly above the light adjustment member 40. For example, by changing the size and position of the second through holes 40A, the light from the light source unit 10 that is blocked by the light adjustment member 40 can be adjusted. This makes it easier to adjust the brightness in the area directly above the light adjustment member 40, making it easier to reduce brightness unevenness in the light-emitting module 100. In a top view, the second through holes 40A are located away from the outer edge of the light adjustment member 40.

The second through hole 40A of the light adjustment member 40 is preferably located away from the light source unit 10 in top view. In this way, it is possible to reduce the area directly above the light source unit 10 from becoming too bright. When the light adjustment member 40 has multiple second through holes 40A, it is preferable that all of the multiple second through holes 40A are located away from the light source unit 10 in top view. In this way, it is possible to reduce the area directly above the light source unit 10 from becoming too bright. In addition, when the light adjustment member 40 has multiple second through holes 40A, at least one second through hole 40A of the light adjustment member 40 may overlap the light source unit 10 in top view. In addition, the light adjustment member 40 may have only one second through hole 40A. In this case, one second through hole 40A may or may not overlap the light source unit 10 in top view.

The shape of the second through hole 40A in top view is not particularly limited. As shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment, the shape of the second through hole 40A in top view is circular. The shape of the second through hole 40A in top view may be elliptical or polygonal, such as triangular, rectangular, hexagonal, or octagonal. The shape of the second through hole 40A in top view may include a linear portion. In this specification, linear also includes straight lines, curved lines, and bent lines. For example, the shape of the second through hole 40A in top view may include a V-shaped or L-shaped portion extending in two directions.

In top view, the second through hole 40A preferably surrounds the light source unit 10. This makes it easier to adjust the brightness of the light emitting module 100 in the X direction and/or Y direction. In this case, the light source unit 10 may be surrounded by one second through hole 40A extending in one direction, but it is preferable to surround the light source unit 10 by multiple second through holes 40A. This makes it easier for high brightness areas and low brightness areas to coexist in the vicinity of the second through hole 40A. This makes it possible to make the boundary between the brightness of the area located inside the outer edge of the second through hole 40A and the brightness of the area located outside the outer edge of the second through hole 40A less noticeable.

As shown in FIG. 1, in a top view, the light adjustment member 40 preferably has a plurality of recesses (hereinafter referred to as light adjustment recesses 40C) that are recessed in the horizontal direction. The light adjustment recesses 40C are provided on the outer edge of the light adjustment member 40. By the light adjustment member 40 having the light adjustment recesses 40C, it becomes easy to adjust the brightness around the light adjustment member 40. For example, by changing the size and/or position of the light adjustment recesses 40C, it is possible to adjust the light from the light source unit 10 that is blocked by the light adjustment member 40. This makes it easy to adjust the brightness around the light adjustment member 40, making it easier to reduce the brightness unevenness of the light-emitting module 100. In addition, by the light adjustment member 40 having a plurality of light adjustment recesses 40C, it becomes easy to mix a portion with high brightness and a portion with low brightness near the outer edge of the light adjustment member 40. As a result, in the vicinity of the outer edge of the light adjustment member 40, it is possible to make the boundary between the brightness of the portion located inside the outer edge of the light adjustment member 40 and the brightness of the portion located outside the outer edge of the light adjustment member 40 less noticeable. The size of the light adjustment recesses 40C is not particularly limited. The maximum length of the light adjustment recess 40C in the X direction may be shorter than the maximum length of the second through hole 40A in the X direction. The maximum length of the light adjustment recess 40C in the Y direction may be shorter than the maximum length of the second through hole 40A in the Y direction.

As shown in FIG. 4, the light adjustment member 40 can be composed of a resin member (hereinafter referred to as light adjustment resin member 41A) and a plurality of reflectors (hereinafter referred to as light adjustment reflectors 41B) contained in the light adjustment resin member 41A. The material of the light adjustment resin member 41A can be the same as that of the resin member of the covering member 14. The material of the light adjustment reflectors 41B can be the same as that of the light scattering particles of the covering member 14. Gases such as nitrogen and/or oxygen may be used as the light adjustment reflectors 41B. The light adjustment member 40 may also contain both light scattering particles and gas.

The refractive index of the light adjusting reflector 41B is preferably lower than that of the light adjusting resin member 41A. This makes it easier for a portion of the light from the light source unit 10 that is incident on the light adjusting resin member 41A to be totally reflected at the interface between the light adjusting resin member 41A and the light adjusting reflector 41B. This reduces the amount of light that escapes above the light source unit 10, thereby reducing the amount of the area directly above the light source unit 10 that becomes too bright. In this specification, the refractive index refers to the refractive index at the peak wavelength of the light source unit 10.

When the refractive index of the light adjusting reflector 41B is lower than that of the light adjusting resin member 41A, it is preferable that the refractive index of the light adjusting resin member 41A is higher than that of the base material of the light guide member 20. This makes it easier to increase the refractive index difference between the light adjusting resin member 41A and the light adjusting reflector 41B. This makes it easier for a portion of the light traveling from the light adjusting resin member 41A to the light adjusting reflector 41B to be totally reflected at the interface between the light adjusting resin member 41A and the light adjusting reflector 41B. This reduces the amount of light escaping above the light source unit 10, thereby reducing the amount of light that becomes too bright in the area directly above the light source unit 10.

As shown in FIG. 4, it is preferable that the maximum length L1 of the light adjustment reflector 41B in the horizontal direction is longer than the maximum length L2 in the vertical direction in a cross-sectional view. In this way, it is easier to make the surface of the light adjustment reflector 41B facing the light source unit 10 closer to a flat surface than when the light adjustment reflector 41B is spherical. As a result, when the light emitted from the light source unit 10 is reflected by a part of the light adjustment member 40 located around the light source unit 10 in a top view, it is easier to reflect in a direction away from the light source unit 10. In other words, it is possible to reduce the light emitted from the light source unit 10 being reflected by a part of the light adjustment member 40 and returning to the light source unit 10. As a result, it is possible to reduce the absorption of the light emitted from the light source unit 10 by the light source unit 10, thereby improving the light extraction efficiency of the light emitting module 100. For example, when the light source translucent member 13 of the light source unit 10 contains a phosphor, the light emitted from the light source unit 10 can be reduced from being reflected by the light adjustment member 40 and returning to the light source unit 10, thereby reducing the wavelength of the light from the light source unit 10 from being excessively converted by the phosphor contained in the light source translucent member 13. The maximum length L1 of the light adjustment reflector 41B in the horizontal direction is not particularly limited. For example, the maximum length L1 of the light adjustment reflector 41B in the horizontal direction is at least twice the maximum length L2 of the light adjustment reflector 41B in the vertical direction.

(Gas section 33)
The gas part 33 is surrounded by the light-transmitting member 30 in a top view. At least a part of the gas part 33 is located between the light source unit 10 and the light adjustment member 40. A part of the gas part 33 may be out of between the light source unit 10 and the light adjustment member 40. By positioning the interface between the gas part 33 and the light-transmitting member 30 between the light source unit 10 and the light adjustment member 40, a part of the light from the light source unit 10 is reflected at the interface, so that it is possible to reduce the region directly above the light source unit 10 from becoming too bright.

The gas section 33 is composed of a gas containing nitrogen and/or oxygen. For example, the gas section 33 may be composed of air. There may be one gas section 33 or multiple gas sections. When the light-emitting module has multiple gas sections, at least one of the multiple gas sections is located between the light source section 10 and the light adjustment member 40.

The light-emitting module may have a gas (hereinafter referred to as an outer gas part) outside the area between the light source unit 10 and the light adjustment member 40 when viewed from above. The outer gas part is surrounded by a light-transmitting member when viewed from above. The outer gas part is composed of a gas containing nitrogen and/or oxygen, etc. There may be one outer gas part, or there may be multiple outer gas parts. The light-emitting module having an outer gas part makes it easier to adjust the brightness of the light-emitting module. For example, the light from the light source unit 10 reflected by the outer gas part can be adjusted by changing the size or position of the outer gas part.

The shape of the gas section 33 in top view may be, for example, a circle, an ellipse, an oval, or the like. The center of gravity of the gas section 33 in top view preferably overlaps the light source section 10 in top view. The gas section 33 preferably covers 80% or more of the area of the light source section 10 in top view, more preferably covers 90% or more of the area of the light source section 10 in top view, and even more preferably covers the entire light source section 10 in top view. In this way, the light traveling upward from the light source section 10 can be easily adjusted by the gas section 33.

Figure 5 is a schematic plan view in which the light adjustment member of the planar light source is omitted to make it easier to understand the shape of the gas portion 33 located between the light source unit and the light adjustment member. In addition, the upper surface of the light-transmitting member 30 of this embodiment has a recess that is recessed downward outside the gas portion 33, but the recessed downward is omitted in Figure 5. In Figure 5, the upper surface of the light-transmitting member 30 that contacts the light adjustment member is shown by hatching with diagonal lines slanting upward to the left, and the upper surface of the light source unit 10 exposed from the light-transmitting member 30 is shown by hatching with diagonal lines slanting upward to the right. The gas portion 33 is located inside the portion shown by the hatching with diagonal lines slanting upward to the left.

As shown in FIG. 5, the maximum length L3 of the gas section 33 in top view is preferably longer than the maximum length L1 (see FIG. 4) of each light adjusting reflector 41B in top view, more preferably 10 times or more the maximum length L1, and even more preferably 20 times or more the maximum length L1. By doing so, the area of the gas section 33 in top view is increased, making it easier to adjust the light from the light source section 10 by the gas section 33.

The maximum length L3 of the gas section 33 in top view is preferably 5 times or more the maximum length of the gas section 33 in the vertical direction, more preferably 7 times or more the maximum length L3, and even more preferably 10 times or more the maximum length L3. This makes it easier for a portion of the light from the light source section 10 reflected on the interface of the gas section 33 to be reflected in a direction away from the light source section 10 in top view. This reduces the difference in brightness between the area directly above the light source section 10 and the area away from the light source section 10 in top view, thereby reducing brightness unevenness of the light-emitting module 100.

In addition, it is preferable that the maximum length L3 of the gas section 33 when viewed from above is longer than the maximum length of the light source section 10 when viewed from above. This makes it easier for the gas section 33 to adjust the light traveling upward from the light source section 10. The maximum length of the light source section 10 when viewed from above means the maximum length of the distance between two points on the outer edge of the light source section 10 when viewed from above. When the shape of the light source section 10 when viewed from above is rectangular, the maximum length of the light source section 10 when viewed from above is the diagonal length. In addition, when the shape of the light source section 10 when viewed from above is circular, the maximum length of the light source section 10 when viewed from above is the diameter.

As shown in FIG. 2, it is preferable that the gas part 33 contacts the light adjustment member 40. In this specification, the gas part 33 contacting the target object means that the gas constituting the gas part 33 contacts the target object. The gas part 33 contacting the light adjustment member 40 makes it easier to miniaturize the light-emitting module 100 in the vertical direction. Note that the gas part 33 does not have to contact the light adjustment member 40. In this case, the second light-transmitting part 32 is located between the gas part 33 and the light adjustment member 40.

In addition, it is preferable that the gas part 33 contacts the light source part 10. This makes it easier to miniaturize the light emitting module 100 in the vertical direction. In this embodiment, the gas part 33 contacts a region including the center of gravity of the light source part 10 when viewed from above. The gas part 33 may contact the entire light source part 10 when viewed from above, or may contact a part of the light source part 10. When the gas part 33 and a part of the light source part 10 contact each other, the second light transmitting part 32 is located between the light source part 10 and the gas part 33 around the region where the gas part 33 and the light source part 10 contact each other. Note that the gas part 33 does not have to contact the light source part 10. In this case, the first light transmitting part 31 and/or the second light transmitting part 32 is located between the gas part 33 and the light source part 10.

The horizontal length and/or vertical length of the gas section 33 can be controlled by the second through hole 40A of the light adjustment member 40. In this specification, the horizontal length and/or vertical length of the gas section 33 may be referred to as the size of the gas section 33. By releasing the gas through the second through hole 40A, the gas section 33 may be formed to overlap with the second through hole 40A in top view as shown in FIG. 6. By releasing the gas through the second through hole 40A, it becomes easier to adjust the horizontal length and/or vertical length of the gas section 33.
Moreover, the lateral length and/or the vertical length of the gas section 33 may be adjusted by introducing gas through the second through hole 40A. In this way, the size of the gas section 33 can be controlled to a desired size. Furthermore, the lateral position of the gas section 33 relative to the light source section 10 can be controlled by the second through hole 40A of the light adjustment member 40. By supplying and discharging gas through the second through hole 40A, the lateral position of the gas section 33 relative to the light source section 10 can be changed.

Next, an example of a method for forming the gas section 33 will be described with reference to Figures 7A to 7L.

As shown in FIG. 7A, a light guide member 20 having a first through hole 20H is placed on a support member 200, and a light source unit 10 is placed on the support member 200. At this time, it is preferable that at least a part of the light source unit 10 is located at the center of the first through hole 20H when viewed from above. This makes it easier to place the light source unit 10 in the first through hole 20H. Note that the light guide member 20 may be placed on the support member 200 on which the light source unit 10 is placed.

As shown in FIG. 7B, the first light-transmitting portion 31 is placed in the space between the light source unit 10 and the inner surface that defines the first through-hole 20H. Then, as shown in FIG. 7C, the uncured second light-transmitting portion 32 is placed on the first light-transmitting portion 31 and the light source unit 10. At this time, it is preferable that the upper surface of the second light-transmitting portion 32 is located above the first surface 201 of the light-guiding member 20. Note that, when the first light-transmitting portion 31 and the second light-transmitting portion 32 are integral, it is preferable to place the light-transmitting member 30 in the first through-hole 20H until the upper surface of the light-transmitting member 30 rises higher than the first surface 201 of the light-guiding member 20.

As shown in FIG. 7D, the light adjustment member 40 is placed on the uncured second light-transmitting portion 32, and then, as shown in FIG. 7E, a part of the light adjustment member 40 located above the light source unit 10 and/or the second light-transmitting portion 32 is pressed downward. When the light adjustment member 40 is pressed downward, only a part of the light adjustment member 40 located directly above the light source unit 10 may be pressed, or the entire light adjustment member 40 located above the light source unit 10 and the second light-transmitting portion 32 may be pressed. When the light adjustment member 40 located above the light source unit 10 and/or the second light-transmitting portion 32 is pressed downward, the light adjustment member 40 is deformed so that the center side of the light adjustment member 40 in the lateral direction is positioned lower than the outside. At this time, the uncured second light-transmitting portion 32 extends to between the light guide member 20 and the light adjustment member 40.

After that, when the force applied to the light adjustment member 40 is removed, the light adjustment member 40 deforms to return to its original shape, as shown in FIG. 7F. When the light adjustment member 40 returns to its original shape, air enters through the second through hole 40A. If necessary, gas is introduced through the second through hole 40A to adjust the size of the gas portion 33. Then, the light-transmitting member 30 is heated and hardened to form the gas portion 33.

(Support member 200)
2 , the support member 200 is a member on which the light emitting module 100 is disposed. The light guide member 20 is disposed on the support member 200 with the second surface 202 facing the upper surface of the support member 200.

The support member 200 has a wiring board 50. The wiring board 50 has an insulating base material 51 and at least one wiring layer 52 arranged on at least one surface of the insulating base material 51. The insulating base material 51 may be a rigid board or a flexible board. In order to make the surface light source thinner, it is preferable that the insulating base material 51 is a flexible board. The insulating base material 51 may be composed of a single layer in the vertical direction, or may be composed of a laminate of multiple layers. For example, the insulating base material 51 may be composed of a single layer flexible board, or may be composed of a laminate of multiple rigid boards. For example, a resin such as polyimide can be used as the material of the insulating base material 51. The wiring layer 52 is a metal film, for example a copper film.

The support member 200 further includes a first adhesive layer 61 disposed on the wiring board 50, a reflective member 70 disposed on the first adhesive layer 61, and a second adhesive layer 62 disposed on the reflective member 70.

The first adhesive layer 61 is disposed between the wiring board 50 and the reflective member 70, and bonds the wiring board 50 and the reflective member 70. The first adhesive layer 61 can be made of, for example, a resin member containing light scattering particles. For example, the same material as the resin member of the covering member 14 can be used as the resin member of the first adhesive layer 61. For example, the same material as the light scattering particles of the covering member 14 can be used as the light scattering particles of the first adhesive layer 61. A sheet-shaped optical transparent adhesive can be used as the first adhesive layer 61.

The refractive index of the resin material of the first adhesive layer 61 is preferably lower than the refractive index of the resin material of the reflective member 70. By doing so, a portion of the light traveling from the reflective member 70 to the first adhesive layer 61 is more likely to be totally reflected at the interface between the reflective member 70 and the first adhesive layer 61. This reduces the amount of light that escapes downward from the light-emitting module 100, improving the light extraction efficiency of the light-emitting module 100.

The reflecting member 70 is disposed below the light guide member 20, below the light source unit 10, below the translucent member 30, and below the partition groove 20G. The reflecting member 70 is reflective to the light emitted by the light source unit 10. The reflecting member 70 can be composed of a resin member and a reflector contained in the resin member. For example, the same material as the resin member of the covering member 14 can be used as the resin member of the reflecting member 70. The same material as the light scattering particles of the covering member 14 can be used as the material of the reflector of the reflecting member 70. Gas such as nitrogen and/or oxygen may be used as the reflector of the reflecting member 70. The reflecting member 70 may also contain both light scattering particles and gas as the reflector.

The refractive index of the reflector of the reflector member 70 is preferably lower than the refractive index of the resin member of the reflector member 70. In this way, a portion of the light from the light source unit 10 that is incident on the reflector member 70 is more likely to be totally reflected at the interface between the resin member of the reflector member 70 and the reflector of the reflector member 70. This reduces the amount of light that escapes downward from the reflector member 70, improving the light extraction efficiency of the light-emitting module 100.

When the refractive index of the reflector of the reflecting member 70 is lower than the refractive index of the resin member of the reflecting member 70, it is preferable that the refractive index of the resin member of the reflecting member 70 is higher than the refractive index of the base material of the light-guiding member 20. In this way, it becomes easier to increase the refractive index difference between the resin member of the reflecting member 70 and the reflector of the reflecting member 70. As a result, a part of the light from the light source unit 10 that is incident on the reflecting member 70 is more likely to be totally reflected at the interface between the resin member of the reflecting member 70 and the reflector of the reflecting member 70.

The second adhesive layer 62 is disposed between the reflecting member 70 and the second surface 202 of the light guide member 20, and bonds the reflecting member 70 and the light guide member 20. The light source unit 10 is disposed on the second adhesive layer 62 in the first through hole 20H of the light guide member 20. The second adhesive layer 62 can be formed, for example, of a resin member containing light scattering particles. For example, the same material as the resin member of the covering member 14 can be used as the resin member of the second adhesive layer 62. For example, the same material as the light scattering particles of the covering member 14 can be used as the light scattering particles of the second adhesive layer 62. A sheet-shaped optical transparent adhesive can be used as the second adhesive layer 62.

The refractive index of the resin member of the second adhesive layer 62 is preferably lower than the refractive index of the base material of the light guide member 20. In this way, a part of the light traveling from the light guide member 20 to the second adhesive layer 62 is more likely to be totally reflected at the interface between the light guide member 20 and the second adhesive layer 62. This makes it possible to reduce the light that escapes downward from the light emitting module 100, thereby improving the light extraction efficiency of the light emitting module 100. The refractive index of the resin member of the second adhesive layer 62 is preferably lower than the refractive index of the base material of the first translucent section 31. In this way, a part of the light traveling from the first translucent section 31 to the second adhesive layer 62 is more likely to be totally reflected at the interface between the first translucent section 31 and the second adhesive layer 62. This makes it possible to reduce the light that escapes downward from the light emitting module 100, thereby improving the light extraction efficiency of the light emitting module 100.

The support member 200 further includes a conductive member 80. The conductive member 80 includes, for example, a resin and metal particles contained in the resin. For example, an epoxy resin or a phenolic resin can be used as the resin of the conductive member 80. For example, copper or silver particles can be used as the metal particles.

The conductive member 80 has a connection portion 81 and a wiring portion 82. The connection portion 81 penetrates the second adhesive layer 62, the reflective member 70, the first adhesive layer 61, and the insulating base material 51 in the vertical direction. The wiring portion 82 is disposed on the surface of the wiring board 50 on which the wiring layer 52 is disposed, and is connected to the connection portion 81. The connection portion 81 and the wiring portion 82 can be integrally formed from the same material. A portion of the wiring portion 82 is connected to the wiring layer 52.

A pair of conductive members 80 are arranged apart from each other in correspondence with the pair of positive and negative electrodes 12 of the light source unit 10. The connection portion 81 of one conductive member 80 is connected to the positive electrode 12 below the light source unit 10, and the connection portion 81 of the other conductive member 80 is connected to the negative electrode 12 below the light source unit 10. The electrodes 12 of the light source unit 10 are electrically connected to the conductive members 80 and the wiring layer 52.

The support member 200 further includes an insulating layer 90. The insulating layer 90 is disposed on the lower surface of the wiring substrate 50 and covers the wiring layer 52. The insulating layer 90 may be made of, for example, epoxy resin, urethane resin, or acrylic resin.

This specification includes the following embodiments.
Clause 1. A light emitting module comprising: a light guiding member having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a first through hole penetrating from the first surface to the second surface, a light source unit disposed in the first through hole, a translucent member disposed in the first through hole and surrounding the light source unit in a top view, a light adjustment member located above the light source unit and the translucent member, and a gas unit surrounded by the translucent member in a top view and at least a portion of which is located between the light source unit and the light adjustment member.
Item 2. The light emitting module according to item 1, wherein the light adjustment member has a plurality of reflectors, and a maximum length of the gas portion in a top view is longer than a maximum length of each of the plurality of reflectors in a top view.
Item 3. The light-emitting module according to item 2, wherein the maximum length of the gas portion in top view is 10 times or more the maximum length of each of the plurality of reflectors in top view.
Item 4. The light-emitting module according to any one of items 1 to 3, wherein the maximum length of the gas section in a top view is 5 times or more the maximum length of the gas section in a vertical direction.
Item 5. The light emitting module according to any one of items 1 to 4, wherein a maximum length of the gas portion in a top view is longer than a maximum length of the light source portion in a top view.
Item 6. The light-emitting module according to any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the gas portion is in contact with the light adjustment member.
Item 7. The light-emitting module according to any one of items 1 to 6, wherein the gas section is in contact with the light source section.
Item 8. The light emitting module according to any one of items 1 to 7, wherein the light adjustment member has a second through hole.
Item 9. The light emitting module according to item 8, wherein the second through hole and the light source unit are positioned apart from each other in a top view.
Item 10. The light-emitting module according to item 9, wherein the gas portion and the second through hole overlap in a top view.
Item 11. The light emitting module according to any one of items 1 to 10, wherein a part of the light transmissive member is located between the light guiding member and the light adjustment member outside the first through hole in top view.

The above describes the embodiments of the present invention with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these specific examples. All forms that a person skilled in the art can implement by appropriately modifying the design based on the above-described embodiments of the present invention also fall within the scope of the present invention as long as they include the gist of the present invention. In addition, a person skilled in the art can come up with various modifications and alterations within the scope of the concept of the present invention, and these modifications and alterations also fall within the scope of the present invention.

10 Light source section 20 Light guide member 20H First through hole 30 Light-transmitting member 33 Gas section 40 Light adjustment member 40A Second through hole 41B Light adjustment reflector (reflector)
50 Wiring board 61 First adhesive layer 62 Second adhesive layer 70 Reflective member 80 Conductive member 100 Light emitting module 200 Support member 300 Planar light source

Claims (11)

a light guiding member having a first surface, a second surface opposite to the first surface, and a first through hole penetrating from the first surface to the second surface;
A light source unit disposed in the first through hole;
a light-transmitting member disposed in the first through hole and surrounding the light source unit in a top view;
a light adjusting member located above the light source unit and the light-transmitting member;
a gas portion that is surrounded by the light-transmitting member in a top view and at least a portion of which is located between the light source portion and the light adjustment member;
A light emitting module comprising: The light adjustment member has a plurality of reflectors,
The light-emitting module according to claim 1 , wherein a maximum length of the gas portion in a top view is longer than a maximum length of each of the plurality of reflectors in a top view. The light-emitting module according to claim 2, wherein the maximum length of the gas portion when viewed from above is 10 times or more the maximum length of each of the plurality of reflectors when viewed from above. The light-emitting module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the maximum length of the gas section when viewed from above is at least five times the maximum length of the gas section in the vertical direction. The light-emitting module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the maximum length of the gas portion when viewed from above is longer than the maximum length of the light source portion when viewed from above. The light-emitting module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gas portion is in contact with the light adjustment member. The light-emitting module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the gas portion is in contact with the light source portion. The light-emitting module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the light adjustment member has a second through hole. The light-emitting module according to claim 8, wherein the second through hole and the light source unit are positioned apart from each other when viewed from above. The light-emitting module according to claim 9, wherein the gas portion and the second through hole overlap when viewed from above. The light emitting module according to claim 1 , wherein a part of the light-transmissive member is located between the light guiding member and the light adjusting member outside the first through hole in a top view.

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