KR100858498B1 - Optical member having the deformed prisms - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an optical member having a modified prism shape. An optical pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an optical writing film having a plurality of linear shapes on one surface having a shape in which the end of the prism is drawn into the curved surface; And a support pipe disposed outside the optical writing film and having a generally smooth outer surface. Prism sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention is a base film made of a resin that can transmit the light provided by the light source; And a plurality of linear shapes arranged in parallel with one another in one direction on one surface of the base film, wherein the linear shapes have a shape in which the ends of the prism are drawn in a curved surface. The optical member of the present invention has an advantage of improving the structure of the prism shape, and having the shape of the end of the prism drawn into the curved surface, so that light diffusion and condensation can be efficiently performed.

Light pipe, prism sheet

Description

Optical member having a deformed prism shape {OPTICAL MEMBER HAVING THE DEFORMED PRISMS}

1A is a cross-sectional view of a portion of an optical writing film to illustrate the transmission and reflection of light in a light pipe.

1B is a perspective view of a portion of an optical writing film to illustrate the transmission and reflection of light in the light pipe.

2A to 2D are diagrams for describing transmission and reflection of light in an optical member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

3 is a perspective view illustrating a light pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4A is a cross-sectional view taken along the line A-A of the light pipe shown in FIG. 3.

4B is a cross-sectional view of a light pipe according to another embodiment of the present invention.

5 is a view showing the back surface of the optical writing film according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6 is a perspective view showing a light pipe according to another embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a perspective view illustrating a prism sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The present invention relates to an optical member having a modified prism shape.

An optical member having a prism shape is a structure for transmitting or diffusing light, for example, a prism sheet and a light pipe.

Hereinafter, the light transmission and reflection principle of the light pipe having the prism-shaped structure described above will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings within the scope required for understanding the present invention.

FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view showing a portion of an optical lighting film to explain the transmission and reflection of light in the light pipe, and FIG. 1B shows a portion of the optical lighting film to illustrate the transmission and reflection of light in the light pipe. One perspective view. However, for ease of understanding, the structured outer surface is shown as the upper side and the structured outer surface is shown as the lower side.

First, referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, light from a light source (not shown) is incident and refracted by an unstructured inner surface of the optical writing film as an arrow (one point), and on both sides of the structured outer prism It is totally reflected (2 and 3 points), whereby the light directed outward is refracted at the inner surface (4 points) and input back into the interior. When the total reflection process is repeated, the light proceeds substantially along the longitudinal direction of the light pipe, and almost no loss of light occurs in the air inside the light pipe. Thus, light can be transmitted through the light pipe at almost short distance as well as at a short distance.

Such a conventional light pipe improves the transmission ability of light generated from the light source by utilizing the above-described optical lighting film, but there is a significant difference in illuminance between the distance from the light source and the near field, and the light utilization efficiency can be improved. There is a continuing need for optical members having an improved structure.

The present invention is to solve the above problems of the prior art, an object of the present invention to improve the structure of the prism shape, to provide an optical member that can perform the light diffusion and condensing more efficiently.

In order to achieve the above object, a light pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an optical lighting film having a plurality of linear shapes having one end of a prism drawn into a curved surface; And a support pipe disposed outside the optical writing film and having a generally smooth outer surface.

The light pipe according to another embodiment of the present invention, the inner surface extending in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the light pipe, structured in a plurality of linear shape arranged side by side; And a surface opposite to the inner surface, the outer surface being generally flat, wherein the linear shape has a shape in which the end of the prism is curved.

Prism sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention is a base film made of a resin that can transmit the light provided by the light source; And a plurality of linear shapes arranged in parallel with one another in one direction on one surface of the base film, wherein the linear shapes have a shape in which the ends of the prism are drawn in a curved surface.

The optical member of the present invention has an advantage of improving the structure of the prism shape, and having the shape of the end of the prism drawn into the curved surface, so that light diffusion and condensation can be efficiently performed.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

2A to 2D are diagrams for describing transmission and reflection of light in an optical member according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

2A to 2D, the optical member 200 of the present invention includes a plurality of linear shapes 210 having a shape in which one end of the prism is curved into a surface.

The linear shape 210 includes light transmitting surfaces 210a and 210b inclined at predetermined angles α and β with respect to the base surface of the linear shape 210 and a light exit surface 210c formed of a curved surface.

The inclination angles α and β of the respective light transmission surfaces 210a and 210b may be the same or different. In consideration of the luminance and the viewing angle of the light emitted through the optical member 200, the predetermined angle α And β) are selected.

Referring to FIG. 2A, light transmitted from the inside of the optical member 200 is incident on the first light transmitting surface 210a of the optical member 200, and the medium surrounding the optical member 200 and the optical member 200. If the angle of incidence is less than or equal to the predetermined critical angle by the ratio of the refractive indices, the light is reflected by the total reflection condition according to Snell's Law, which is well known in the art.

As a result, the light traveling toward the outside of the light pipe 200 is again confined to the inside of the light pipe 200 and is incident on the second light transmission surface 210b.

Similarly, light incident on the second light transmitting surface 210b causes total reflection, and the light travels inside the optical member 200.

Referring to FIG. 2B, when light transmitted from the inside of the optical member 200 is incident on the first light transmitting surface 210a at an angle greater than or equal to the critical angle, the light is emitted to the outside of the optical member 200.

Part of the light incident on the optical member 200 is emitted, and part of the light is restrained therein, and the light travels to a far distance.

Referring to FIG. 2C, light transmitted from the inside of the optical member 200 is incident on the light exit surface 210c, which is a curved surface, is scattered by the light exit surface 210c, and exits to the outside of the optical member 200. . The curvature of the light exit surface 210c may be variously selected in consideration of the size of the linear shape 210, the inclination angles α and β of the light transmission surfaces 210a and 210b, the brightness or the viewing angle of the emitted light, and the like. have.

Referring to FIG. 2D, light incident on the first light transmission surface 210a at an angle φ or more above the critical angle is constrained to the inside of the linear shape 210 and enters the light exit surface 210c, causing scattering. It is emitted to the outside of the optical member 200.

Compared with the conventional optical member having a prism shape, the optical member 200 of the present invention includes a light exit surface 210c formed of a curved surface, thereby inducing scattering to more efficiently perform light diffusion and condensing. Can be.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the light pipe and the prism sheet as the optical member 200 will be described in detail, and the above-described shape characteristics and optical characteristics are commonly applied.

3 is a perspective view showing a light pipe according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4a is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of the light pipe shown in Figure 3, Figure 4b according to another embodiment of the present invention Sectional view of the light pipe.

3, 4A, and 4B, the light pipes 300 and 400 of the present invention include optical writing films 310 and 410 and support pipes 320 and 420.

The support pipes 320 and 420 are hollow tubes having a circular cross-sectional shape, having generally smooth outer surfaces 322 and 422, and receiving the rolled optical writing films 310 and 410 on the inner surfaces 324 and 424. I support it.

The material of the support pipes 320 and 420 is preferably a thermoplastic resin material having good light transmittance and having a good balance of mechanical properties (particularly impact resistance), heat resistance and electrical properties. More preferably, the support pipes 320 and 420 consist of, but are not limited to, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC) or polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). .

Most preferably, the support pipes 320 and 420 consist of polymethyl methacrylate. Polymethyl methacrylate is high in strength and therefore not easily broken and easily deformed. In addition, the visible light transmittance is high, making it suitable as a light source material.

The optical writing films 310 and 410 are cut to have a size corresponding to the lengths of the support pipes 320 and 420, and are processed into rolls to be inserted into the support pipes 320 and 420. Hereinafter, the structures of the optical writing films 310 and 410 will be described in detail.

Optical writing films 310 and 410 according to an embodiment of the present invention is disposed on one surface of the base film 312 and 412 and the base film 312 and 412, the plurality of having a shape in which the end of the prism is drawn into the curved surface Linear shapes 314 and 414.

Base films 312 and 412 are fabricated in the form of sheets and have a good transmittance and a balance of mechanical properties (particularly impact resistance), heat resistance and electrical properties, such as, but not limited to, polymethyl methacrylate It is preferably composed of a material such as (Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) or Polycarbonate (PC).

The thickness of the base films 312 and 412 is not limited, and a person skilled in the art may select an appropriate range of values in consideration of the environment in which the optical writing films 310 and 410 are used.

On one surface of the base films 312 and 412 a plurality of linear shapes 314 and 414 are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the light pipes 300 and 400 at a fine pitch, whereby one surface of the optical writing films 310 and 410 Is structured. In contrast, the backside of the optical writing films 310 and 410 is an unstructured smooth surface without linear shapes 312 and 412.

In the case of the light pipe 300 of FIG. 4A, the surface on which the linear shape 314 of the optical writing film 310 is disposed is disposed toward the inside of the light pipe 300, and in the case of the light pipe 400 of FIG. 4B. The surface on which the linear shape 414 of the optical writing film 410 is disposed is disposed toward the outside of the light pipe 400.

The linear shapes 314 and 414 are polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polycarbonate (PC) mentioned as the constituent materials of the base films 312 and 412. It may be composed of a material such as.

The back side of the optical writing films 310 and 410, which is opposite the face on which the linear shapes 314 and 414 are formed, is an unstructured smooth surface.

5 is a view showing the back surface of the optical writing film according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, scattering patterns 512 are formed on the rear surface of the optical writing film 510. In this case, the scattering patterns 512 may be formed in a dot pattern having a predetermined shape and size to scatter light incident on the rear surface of the optical writing film 510.

These scattering patterns 512 scatter light so that light is emitted outside of the light pipes 300 and 400.

Preferably, the scattering pattern 512 is formed more densely from the region adjacent to the light source 100 toward the distant region. As a result, the overall luminance of light emitted through the light pipes 300 and 400 can be made uniform.

6 is a perspective view showing a light pipe according to another embodiment of the present invention.

6, the light pipe 600 of the present invention has a structured inner surface 604 and a generally flat outer surface 602.

The inner surface 604 extends in the same direction as the longitudinal direction of the light pipe 600, is arranged side by side, and is structured into a plurality of linear shapes having the shape where the ends of the prism enter the curved surface.

The light pipe 600 of the present invention has a structured inner surface 604, as described above, which enables light diffusion and condensing.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the material of the light pipe 600 is selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, polypropylene, polystyrene and polyvinyl chloride The above polymeric material can be used.

The light pipe 600 shown in FIG. 6 is embodied by separate shaping and attachment by the optical writing films 310 and 410, such as the light pipes 300 and 400 shown in FIGS. 3-4B. Has the advantage that can be produced by extrusion through an extruded mold finely processed in the longitudinal direction from the beginning.

Diffusion particles 606 may be attached to at least a portion of the outer surface 602 of the light pipe 600 of the present invention. Attachment of the diffusing particles 606 is optional, and the diffusing particles 606 are attached for the purpose of scattering light.

The material of the diffusion particles 606 may be at least one polymeric material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate (PC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylic, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride.

In FIG. 6, the diffusion particles 606 are densely attached from one end of the light pipe 600 toward the other end.

As the distance from the light source 100 is closer to the diffusion particles 606, a relatively uniform luminance can be obtained through the entire light pipe 600 as described with reference to FIG. 5.

7 is a perspective view illustrating a prism sheet according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The prism sheet is a component of the backlight unit and is used for the purpose of compensating the brightness of light.

Referring to FIG. 7, the prism sheet 700 of the present invention includes a base film 710 and a plurality of linear shapes 720 arranged in parallel with one another in one direction on one surface of the base film 710. do.

The base film 710 supports the linear shape 720 disposed thereon and is made of a resin through which light provided from the light source 100 can pass.

The thickness of the base film 710 is not limited, and a person skilled in the art may select an appropriate range of values in consideration of the environment in which the prism sheet 700 is used. However, generally, the thickness of the base film 710 has a value between 30 μm and 60 μm. Preferably, the thickness of the base film 710 has a value between 45㎛ 55㎛.

On the other hand, the base film 710 is manufactured in the form of a sheet, a thermoplastic resin having a good transmittance, a balance of mechanical properties (particularly impact resistance), heat resistance and electrical properties, for example, without limitation polymethyl methacrylate It is preferable to use a material such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polycarbonate (PC).

A plurality of linear shapes 720 are arranged adjacent to each other and arranged in parallel in one direction on the base film 710, and a base portion 730 is positioned between the linear shapes 720 and the base film 710.

The base portion 730 is intended to facilitate the manufacture of the linear shape 720, and is provided for structural stability of the linear shape 720, it is also possible to configure the prism sheet 700 without the base portion 730, depending on the selection Do.

The linear shape 720 has a shape in which the end of the prism is drawn in a curved surface, and due to its structural characteristics, light may be diffused and collected.

The linear shape 720 may be composed of a thermoplastic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or polycarbonate (PC).

Preferred embodiments of the invention described above are disclosed for purposes of illustration, and those skilled in the art having ordinary knowledge of the present invention will be capable of various modifications, changes, additions within the spirit and scope of the present invention, such modifications, changes And additions should be considered to be within the scope of the following claims.

The optical member of the present invention has an advantage of improving the structure of the prism shape, and having the shape of the end of the prism drawn into the curved surface, so that light diffusion and condensation can be efficiently performed.

Claims (10)

An optical writing film having a plurality of linear shapes having a shape in which an end of the prism is drawn in a curved surface; And A support pipe disposed outside the optical writing film; Light pipe comprising a. The light pipe according to claim 1, wherein the optical writing film has a surface on which the linear shape is disposed is disposed outside of the light pipe. The light pipe according to claim 1, wherein the optical writing film has a surface on which the linear shape is disposed is disposed inside the light pipe. The light pipe of claim 1, wherein scattering patterns scattering light are formed on a rear surface of the optical writing film. The light pipe of claim 4, wherein the scattering patterns are densely formed from one end to the other end of the optical writing film. In the hollow light pipe, An inner surface extending in the longitudinal direction of the light pipe and structured in a plurality of linear shapes arranged side by side; And An outer surface opposite the inner surface; Including, The linear shape is a light pipe, characterized in that the end of the prism has a shape drawn into the curved surface. The light pipe according to claim 6, wherein the outer surface is attached with diffused particles for scattering light. 8. The light pipe of claim 7, wherein the diffusing particles are densely attached from one end of the light pipe to the other end. A base film made of a resin through which light provided by the light source can pass; And And linear shapes arranged side by side along the length direction of the base film. The linear shape is a prism sheet, characterized in that the end of the prism has a shape drawn into the curved surface. 10. The prism sheet of claim 9, further comprising a base disposed between the linear shape and the base film.

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