KR20110035645A - Optical assembly, backlight unit and display apparatus thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: An optical assembly, a backlight unit and a display apparatus thereof are provided to improve the image quality of a display. CONSTITUTION: An optical assembly comprises: a first layer(210); plural light sources(220) which are formed on the first layer and includes a light emitting plane emitting light and having an oriented angle; a second layer which is formed in an upper portion of the first layer and encloses the plural light sources; a pattern layer which is arranged in the upper portion of the second layer and includes plural patterns at a portion corresponding to the plural light sources.

Description

Optical assembly, backlight unit and display device having the same

The present invention relates to an optical assembly, a backlight unit having the same, and a display device.

As the information society develops, the demand for display devices is increasing in various forms, and in recent years, liquid crystal display devices (LCDs), plasma display panels (PDPs), electro luminescent displays (ELDs), and vacuum fluorescents (VFDs) have been developed. Various display devices such as displays have been studied and used.

Among them, the liquid crystal panel of the LCD includes a liquid crystal layer and a TFT substrate and a color filter substrate facing each other with the liquid crystal layer interposed therebetween, and have no self-luminous power to display an image using light provided from the backlight unit. can do.

An object of the present invention is to provide an optical assembly, a backlight unit having the same, and a display device capable of improving the image quality of a display image.

An optical assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention, the first layer; A plurality of light sources formed on the first layer and including a light emitting surface emitting light with a predetermined direction angle; A second layer disposed above the first layer and formed to surround the plurality of light sources; And a pattern layer disposed above the second layer, wherein the pattern layer includes a plurality of patterns formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of light sources.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, an optical assembly includes: a first layer; A plurality of light sources formed on the first layer and including a light emitting surface emitting light with a predetermined direction angle; And a second layer disposed above the first layer to surround the plurality of light sources, the second layer including a plurality of patterns, and the plurality of patterns formed at positions corresponding to the plurality of light sources. .

The backlight unit according to the embodiment of the present invention includes one or more optical assemblies.

A display device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the backlight unit having at least one optical assembly; And a display panel positioned above the backlight unit, wherein the backlight unit is divided into a plurality of blocks to drive the divided blocks.

According to the optical assembly and the backlight unit according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the thickness of the display device can be reduced, and the manufacturing process of the display device can be simplified while improving the appearance by closely attaching the backlight unit to the display panel.

In addition, by forming a reflective pattern on the upper side of the resin layer to correspond to the position of the light sources, it is possible to uniformly diffuse the light emitted from the light source upwards, so that hot spots in the area adjacent to the light source It can reduce what happens. Therefore, the backlight unit can provide light having a uniform brightness to the display panel, thereby improving the image quality of the display image.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings as follows. Hereinafter, the embodiments may be modified in various forms, and the technical scope of the embodiments is not limited to the embodiments described below. The examples are provided to more fully illustrate those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the shape and size of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for clarity.

1 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a configuration of a display device.

Referring to FIG. 1, the display apparatus 1 includes a display module 20, a front cover 30 and a back cover 40 surrounding the display module 20, and a display module 20 with the front cover 30. And / or a fixing member 50 for fixing to the back cover 40.

Meanwhile, the front cover 30 may include a front panel (not shown) of a transparent material that transmits light, and the front panel is included in the display module 20, more specifically, the display module at regular intervals. Is disposed on the front of the display panel (not shown), and protects the display module 20 from external impact, and transmits the light emitted from the display module 20 so that the image displayed on the display module 20 can be seen from the outside do.

One side of the fixing member 50 is fixed to the front cover 30 by, for example, a fastening member such as a screw, and then the other side supports the display module 20 with respect to the front cover 30 side. ) May be fixed to the display module 20.

In this embodiment, the fixing member 50 is described as being formed in a plate shape extending in one direction as an example, but the separate fixing member 50 is not provided, and the display module 20 by the fastening member. It is also possible to be configured to be fixed to the front cover 30 or the back cover 40.

2 illustrates a simplified configuration of a display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention in a cross-sectional view. The display module 20 included in the display device may include a display panel 100 and a backlight unit 200. have.

Referring to FIG. 2, the display panel 100 includes a color filter substrate 110 and a thin film transistor (TFT) substrate 120 bonded to face each other so that a uniform cell gap is maintained. A liquid crystal layer (not shown) may be formed between the 110 and 120.

The color filter substrate 110 includes a plurality of pixels including red (R), green (G), and blue (B) sub-pixels, and generates an image corresponding to the color of red, green, or blue when light is applied. You can.

The pixels may be composed of red, green, and blue subpixels, but the pixels are not necessarily limited to the red, green, blue, and white (W) subpixels, and the like. Can be.

The TFT substrate 120 may switch a pixel electrode (not shown) as a switching element. For example, the common electrode (not shown) and the pixel electrode may convert the arrangement of the molecules of the liquid crystal layer according to a predetermined voltage applied from the outside.

The liquid crystal layer is composed of a plurality of liquid crystal molecules, the liquid crystal molecules change the arrangement corresponding to the voltage difference generated between the pixel electrode and the common electrode, thereby, the light provided from the backlight unit 200 May be incident on the color filter substrate 110 in response to a change in the molecular arrangement of the liquid crystal layer.

In addition, upper and lower polarizers 130 and 140 may be disposed on upper and lower sides of the display panel 100, and more specifically, the upper polarizer 130 may be disposed on an upper surface of the color filter substrate 110. The lower flat tube plate 140 may be formed on the lower surface of the TFT substrate 120.

Meanwhile, a gate and a data driver (not shown) for generating a driving signal for driving the panel 100 may be provided on the side of the display panel 100.

The structure and configuration of the display panel 100 as described above is merely an example, and the embodiments may be changed, added, or deleted within the scope of the spirit of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the display device according to the exemplary embodiment of the present invention may be configured by closely placing the backlight unit 200 on the display panel 100.

For example, the backlight unit 200 may be adhered to and fixed to the lower surface of the display panel 100, and more particularly, the lower polarizer 140, and between the lower polarizer 140 and the backlight unit 200. An adhesive layer (not shown) may be formed on the substrate.

By forming the backlight unit 200 in close contact with the display panel 100 as described above, the overall thickness of the display device may be reduced to improve appearance, and the display device may be removed by removing a structure for fixing the backlight unit 200. Can simplify the structure and manufacturing process.

In addition, by eliminating the space between the backlight unit 200 and the display panel 100, it is possible to prevent the malfunction of the display device or the deterioration of the display image quality due to the insertion of foreign matters into the space.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the backlight unit 200 may be configured in a form of a plurality of functional layers stacked, and at least one of the plurality of functional layers may include a plurality of light sources (not shown). Can be.

In addition, in order to fix the backlight unit 200 to the lower surface of the display panel 100 as described above, the plurality of layers constituting the backlight unit 200, more specifically, the backlight unit 200 may be provided. It is preferable that each consists of a flexible material.

In addition, a bottom cover (not shown) on which the backlight unit 200 is seated may be provided below the backlight unit 200.

According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the display panel 100 may be divided into a plurality of areas, and the display panel 100 may be divided from areas of the backlight unit 200 corresponding to gray peak values or color coordinate signals of each of the divided areas. The brightness of the emitted light, that is, the brightness of the corresponding light source, may be adjusted to adjust the brightness of the display panel 100.

To this end, the backlight unit 200 may be divided into a plurality of divided driving regions corresponding to each of the divided regions of the display panel 100.

3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a backlight unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In the illustrated backlight unit 200, a first layer 210, a light source 220, a second layer 230, and The reflective layer 240 may be included.

Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of light sources 220 are formed on the first layer 210, and a second layer 230 is disposed on the first layer 210 so that the plurality of light sources 220 are disposed. It may be formed to surround.

The first layer 210 may be a substrate on which the plurality of light sources 220 are mounted, and an adapter (not shown) for supplying power and an electrode pattern (not shown) for connecting the light source 220 may be formed. Can be. For example, a carbon nanotube electrode pattern (not shown) for connecting the light source 220 and the adapter (not shown) may be formed on an upper surface of the substrate.

Meanwhile, the first layer 210 may be a PCB (Printed Circuit Board) substrate formed by using polyethylene terephthalate, glass, polycarbonate and silicon, and mounted with a plurality of light sources 220. Can be formed.

The light source 13 may emit light with a predetermined direction around the specific direction, and the specific direction may be a direction in which the light emitting surface of the light source 13 faces.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the light source 13 may be configured using a light emitting diode (LED), and may include a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs). For example, the light source 13 configured using the light emitting diode may emit light with a directivity angle of about 120 degrees with respect to the direction in which the light emitting surface is directed.

More specifically, the light source 220 may be one of a light emitting diode (LED) chip or a light emitting diode package having at least one light emitting diode chip. In this embodiment, a light emitting diode package is provided as the light source 220.

Meanwhile, the LED package constituting the light source 220 may be divided into a top view method and a side view method according to a direction in which the light emitting surface is directed, and the light source 220 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The silver may be configured using at least one of a top view LED package in which the light emitting surface is formed toward the upper side and a side view type LED package in which the light emitting surface is formed toward the side.

In addition, the light source 220 may be a colored LED or a white LED emitting at least one of colors such as red, blue, and green. In addition, the colored LED may include at least one of a red LED, a blue LED, and a green LED, and the arrangement and emission light of the light emitting diode may be changed within the technical scope of the embodiment.

Meanwhile, the second layer 230 disposed above the first layer 210 to surround the plurality of light sources 220 transmits and diffuses the light emitted from the light source 220 and simultaneously diffuses the light source. Light emitted from the 220 may be uniformly provided to the display panel 100.

A reflective layer 240 may be formed between the first layer 210 and the second layer 230, more specifically, on the upper surface of the first layer 210 to reflect light emitted from the light source 220. The reflective layer 240 may reflect the light totally reflected from the boundary of the second layer 230 so that the light emitted from the light source 220 may be spread more widely.

The reflective layer 240 may be formed by dispersing a white pigment such as titanium oxide in a sheet made of a synthetic resin, laminating a metal deposition film on the surface, and dispersing bubbles in order to scatter light in a sheet made of a synthetic resin. In addition, silver (Ag) may be coated on the surface to increase the reflectance. Meanwhile, the reflective layer 240 may be formed by coating the upper surface of the first layer 210 as a substrate.

The second layer 230 may be made of a light transmissive material, for example, silicone or acrylic resin. However, the second layer 230 is not limited to the above materials and may be composed of various resins.

In addition, in order for the light emitted from the light source 220 to be diffused so that the backlight unit 200 has a uniform brightness, the second layer 230 may be formed of a resin having a refractive index of about 1.4 to 1.6.

For example, the second layer 230 may be formed of any one material selected from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene and polyepoxy, silicone, acrylic, and the like.

The second layer 230 may include a polymer resin having a predetermined adhesiveness so as to be in close contact with the light source 220 and the reflective layer 240. For example, the second layer 230 may comprise unsaturated polyester, methyl methacrylate, ethyl methacrylate, isobutyl methacrylate, normal butyl methacrylate, normal butyl methyl methacrylate, acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, Hydroxy ethyl methacrylate, hydroxy propyl methacrylate, hydroxy ethyl acrylate, acrylamide, metyrol acrylamide, glycidyl methacrylate, ethyl acrylate, isobutyl acrylate, normal butyl acrylate, 2 -Acryl-based, urethane-based, epoxy-based, melamine-based, and the like, such as ethyl hexyl acrylate polymer or copolymer or terpolymer.

The second layer 230 may be formed by applying a liquid or gel resin on the upper surface of the first layer 210 on which the plurality of light sources 220 and the reflective layer 240 are formed, and then curing the resin. Alternatively, it may be manufactured separately and bonded to the upper surface of the first layer 210.

On the other hand, as the thickness a of the second layer 230 increases, the light emitted from the light source 200 is spread more widely, so that light having uniform brightness is provided from the backlight unit 200 to the display panel 100. Can be. On the other hand, as the thickness a of the second layer 230 increases, the amount of light absorbed by the second layer 230 may increase, thereby providing the display panel 100 from the backlight unit 200. The brightness of the light may be reduced overall.

Therefore, the thickness a of the second layer 230 may be 0.1 to 4.5 mm in order to provide light of uniform brightness without greatly reducing the brightness of the light provided from the backlight unit 200 to the display panel 100. It is preferable.

Hereinafter, the first layer 210 included in the backlight unit 100 is a substrate on which the plurality of light sources 220 are formed, and the second layer 220 is a resin layer made of a specific resin. The configuration of the backlight unit 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a backlight unit according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and the same configuration as that described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 among the configurations of the backlight unit 200 illustrated in FIG. 4 is described. Will be omitted below.

Referring to FIG. 4, a plurality of light sources 220 may be mounted on the substrate 210, and the resin layer 230 may be disposed on the substrate 210. On the other hand, the reflective layer 240 may be formed between the substrate 210 and the resin layer 230, more specifically, the upper surface of the substrate 210.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the resin layer 230 may include a plurality of scattering particles 231, and the scattering particles 231 may scatter or refract incident light from the light source 220. The light emitted can be spread more widely.

The scattering particles 231 may be formed of a material having a refractive index different from that of the resin layer 230, and more specifically, the resin layer 230, to scatter or refract light emitted from the light source 220. It may be made of a material having a higher refractive index than silicone-based or acrylic resins.

For example, the scattering particles 231 may be polymethyl methacrylate / styrene copolymer (MS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polystyrene (PS), silicon, titanium dioxide (TiO2), silicon dioxide (SiO2). ), Or a combination of the above materials.

In addition, the material constituting the scattering particles 231 is not limited to the above materials, and may be formed using various polymer materials or inorganic particles.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the resin layer 230 is a first layer in which a plurality of light sources 220 and a reflective layer 240 are formed after mixing the scattering particles 231 in a liquid or a gel-like resin. It may be formed by applying to the upper surface of the 210 and then curing.

Referring to FIG. 4, an optical sheet 250 may be disposed above the resin layer 230, and for example, the optical sheet 250 may include a prism sheet 251 and a diffusion sheet 252. .

In this case, the plurality of sheets included in the optical sheet 250 may be provided in a state of being bonded or adhered to each other without being spaced apart from each other, thereby minimizing the thickness of the optical sheet 250 or the backlight unit 200.

Meanwhile, the lower surface of the optical sheet 250 may be in close contact with the resin layer 230, and the upper surface of the optical sheet 250 may be in close contact with the lower surface of the display panel 100, more specifically, the lower polarizer 140. Can be.

The diffusion sheet 252 diffuses the incident light to prevent the light emitted from the resin layer 230 from being partially concentrated, thereby making the brightness of the light uniform. In addition, the prism sheet 251 may collect light emitted from the diffusion sheet 252 to allow light to enter the display panel 100 vertically.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the optical sheet 250 as described above, for example, at least one of the prism sheet 251 and the diffusion sheet 252 may be removed, or the prism sheet 251 and In addition to the diffusion sheet 252 may be configured to further include a variety of functional layers.

Referring to FIG. 5, by the light emitted upward from the light source 220, the density of light may be concentrated in a region adjacent to the light source 220 to generate a hot spot having a higher luminance than the surroundings.

Due to the hot spot generated in the area adjacent to the light source 220 as described above, the luminance of the light provided from the backlight unit 200 to the display panel 100 may be uneven, and thus the image quality of the display image may be deteriorated. have.

In addition, as the thickness a of the resin layer 230 decreases, the possibility of occurrence of the hot spot phenomenon as described above may further increase. For example, as described above, the thickness a of the resin layer 230 may be increased. Is in the range of 0.1 to 4.5, the hot spot may occur in the region adjacent to the light source 220.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, by forming a reflective pattern on the upper side of the resin layer 230, it is possible to reflect and diffuse the light emitted from the light source 220 to the upper side, thereby uniform from the backlight unit 200 It is possible to emit light of luminance.

6A to 6C are cross-sectional views illustrating a configuration of a backlight unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the configuration of the backlight unit 200 illustrated in FIGS. 6A to 6C, FIGS. Description of the same as described will be omitted below.

Referring to FIG. 6A, a reflective pattern 232 may be formed on the upper side of the resin layer 230, and more specifically, a plurality of reflective patterns 232 may correspond to a position where the light source 220 is disposed. 230 may be formed on.

As shown in FIG. 6A, the reflective pattern 232 may be formed on the resin layer 230 to reduce the luminance of light emitted from the region adjacent to the light source 220, and thus may be uniform from the backlight unit 200. It is possible to emit light of luminance.

That is, the reflective pattern 232 is formed on the resin layer 230 to correspond to the position where the plurality of light sources 220 are disposed, and reflects the light emitted upward from the light source 220 to the light source 220. Luminance of light emitted from adjacent areas can be reduced, and the reflected light can diffuse in the lateral direction.

More specifically, the light emitted from the light source 220 in the upward direction is diffused in the lateral direction by the reflective pattern 232 and reflected downwardly, and the light reflected from the reflective pattern 232 is the reflective layer 240. By diffusing in the lateral direction again can be reflected in the upward direction.

Accordingly, the light emitted from the light source 220 may be diffused widely in the lateral direction without being concentrated upwards, and thus light of uniform brightness may be emitted from the backlight unit 200.

The reflective pattern 232 may include a reflective material such as a metal, and may include a metal having a reflectance of 90% or more, for example, aluminum, negative, or gold.

In this case, the reflective pattern 232 may be formed by depositing or coating the metal as described above. Alternatively, the reflective ink including the metal may be formed according to a predetermined pattern, for example, silver ink. The reflective pattern 232 may be formed by printing.

In addition, in order to improve the reflection effect of the reflective pattern 232, the color of the reflective pattern 232 may have a color having a high brightness, for example, a color close to white, more specifically, than the resin layer 230. The brightness may have a high color.

The reflective pattern 232 may include a metal oxide, for example, titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ). More specifically, the reflective ink including titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ) may be printed according to a predetermined pattern to form the reflective pattern 232.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6B, the center of the reflective pattern 232 and the center of the light source 220 may not coincide with each other.

That is, when light is emitted from the light source 220 in the lateral direction instead of in the upward direction, the light emitting surface of the light source 220 is in the lateral direction. In contrast, the second region adjacent to the light emitting surface in a direction opposite to the direction of the light emitting surface may have a lower luminance than the first region. Therefore, the reflective pattern 232 may be formed by moving in a direction (indicated by an arrow) from which light is emitted from the light source 220.

Accordingly, the central portion of the reflective pattern 232 may be formed at a position slightly biased in the direction in which light is emitted (indicated by an arrow) than the central portion of the light source 220.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 6C, the reflective pattern 232 may be formed inside the resin layer 230.

Referring to FIG. 7, as another embodiment according to the present invention, the reflective pattern 232 as described above may be manufactured in a sheet form, in which case the pattern layer including the plurality of reflective patterns 232 is a resin layer. 230 may be formed on.

For example, after forming a plurality of reflective patterns 232 on one surface of the transparent film 260 through printing or the like to form a pattern layer, the pattern layer may be stacked on the resin layer 230. More specifically, the reflective pattern 232 may be formed by printing a plurality of dots on the transparent film.

On the other hand, as the ratio of the region where the reflective pattern 232 is formed in the resin layer 230 increases, the aperture ratio decreases, so that the overall luminance of light provided from the backlight unit 200 to the display panel 100 may decrease.

Therefore, in order to prevent the luminance of the light provided to the display panel 100 from being greatly reduced to reduce the quality of the display image, the aperture ratio of the layer on which the reflective pattern 232 is formed is preferably 70% or more. That is, the region in which the reflective pattern 232 is formed in the resin layer 230 is preferably 70% or more of the whole.

8 illustrates a plan view of an arrangement of the reflective pattern formed in the backlight unit. As described above, the reflective pattern 232 may be formed to correspond to the region where the light source 220 is formed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the reflective pattern 232 may be formed to have a circular or elliptical shape with respect to the position where the light source 220 is formed.

9 through 11 illustrate embodiments of the shape of the reflective pattern, and the reflective pattern 232 may include a plurality of dots each including a reflective material, for example, a metal or a metal oxide. have.

Referring to FIG. 9, the reflective pattern 232 may have a circular shape centering on the region where the light source 220 is formed, and the reflectance may decrease from the center to the outer portion. In addition, the reflective pattern 232 may increase the transmittance or aperture of the light from the center to the outside.

Accordingly, it is possible to have the highest reflectance and the lowest transmittance or aperture in the central portion corresponding to the position where the light source 220 is formed in the reflective pattern 232, whereby light is emitted in the region where the light source 220 is formed. The concentration of hot spots can be prevented more effectively.

For example, in order to prevent hot spots from occurring as described above, the aperture ratio of the central region overlapping the light source 220 in the reflective pattern 232 is preferably 5% or less.

On the other hand, the plurality of dots 233 constituting the reflective pattern 232 may increase the distance between the adjacent dots 233 from the center to the outer, so that the reflective pattern 232 as described above As the reflectance decreases from the center to the outside, the transmittance or the aperture ratio may be increased.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the reflective pattern 232 may have a quadrangular shape around the region where the light source 220 is formed, and the reflectance may decrease from the center to the outside, and the transmittance or aperture may increase. Can be.

Also in this case, in order to prevent the occurrence of hot spots as described above, it is preferable that the aperture ratio of the center region overlapping the light source 220 in the reflective pattern 232 is 5% or less.

10 and 11, the intervals between the adjacent dots 233 may increase from the center to the outside of the plurality of dots 233 constituting the reflective pattern 232.

12 to 14 illustrate embodiments of the distribution of light emitted from the backlight unit, and FIG. 12 illustrates a case in which the reflective pattern 232 having the shape shown in FIG. 9 is formed on the upper side of the resin layer 230. FIG. 13 illustrates a case in which the reflective pattern 232 having the shape illustrated in FIG. 10 is formed on the upper side of the resin layer 230, and FIG. 14 illustrates the reflective pattern 232 having the shape illustrated in FIG. 10. It is the result of measuring the light distribution in the case formed in the upper side of 230).

12 to 14, it can be seen that compared to the light distribution shown in FIG. 5, hot spots where the light density is concentrated in the portion adjacent to the light source 220 is reduced.

Meanwhile, in the above, the reflective pattern 232 includes a plurality of dots with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14, but the present invention is not limited thereto. It can be formed into various structures in which the transmittance or the aperture ratio is increased.

For example, the reflective pattern 232 may decrease the concentration of a reflective material, for example, a metal or a metal oxide, from the center to the outside, thereby decreasing the reflectance and increasing the transmittance or aperture of the light source. The concentration of light in the region adjacent to 220 can be reduced.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a backlight unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. A description of the same configuration as that described with reference to FIGS. Will be omitted below.

Referring to FIG. 15, the reflective pattern 232 may have a convex shape in the direction of the light source 220, for example, the reflective pattern 232 may have a shape similar to the hemisphere.

On the other hand, the cross-sectional shape of the reflective pattern 232 may have a semi-circular or oval shape that is convex toward the light source 220 as shown in FIG. 15.

The reflective pattern 232 having a convex shape as described above may reflect incident light at various angles, thereby diffusing the light emitted by the light source 220 in a wide range, and upwards from the resin layer 230. The luminance of the emitted light can be made more uniform.

As described above, the reflective pattern 232 may include a reflective material such as a metal or a metal oxide. For example, the reflective pattern 232 may be formed on the upper surface of the resin layer 230 at a negative angle. It may be formed by filling the intaglio pattern.

Alternatively, the reflective pattern 232 as shown in FIG. 15 by printing a reflective material or attaching beads or metal particles to a sheet in the form of a film and then compressing the film on the resin layer 230. Can be formed above the resin layer 230.

Meanwhile, the cross-sectional shape of the reflective pattern 232 may have various shapes that are convex toward the light source 220 in addition to the shape similar to the semicircle as shown in FIG. 15.

For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the cross-sectional shape of the reflective pattern 232 may have a triangular shape convex toward the light source 220, in which case the reflective pattern 232 may have a pyramid shape or a prism shape. Can be.

In addition, the reflective pattern 232 convex in the direction of the light source 220 as shown in FIG. 15 or 16 may be disposed to have a front shape as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11.

That is, the reflective pattern 232 may be arranged to have a circular or square shape with respect to the position where the light source 220 is formed, and the reflectance may be reduced from the center to the outside and the transmittance or aperture may be increased. Can be.

For example, the plurality of reflective patterns 232 convex in the direction of the light source 220 as shown in FIG. 15 or 16 may be arranged such that the distance between adjacent reflective patterns 232 increases from the center to the outer portion. As a result, light may be concentrated in an area adjacent to the light source 220, thereby reducing occurrence of a hot spot.

FIG. 17 illustrates a configuration of a display device according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The backlight unit 200 may include a plurality of resin layers 230 and 235.

Referring to FIG. 17, light emitted from the light source 220 may be diffused by the first resin layer 230 and emitted upward. In addition, the first resin layer 230 includes a plurality of scattering particles 231 as described above with reference to FIG. 4 to scatter or refract the light emitted upwards to more uniformly adjust the luminance of the light emitted upwards. can do.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second resin layer 235 may be disposed above the first resin layer 230. The second resin layer 235 may be made of the same or different material as that of the first resin layer 230, and diffuses light emitted from the first resin layer 230 in an upward direction of the backlight unit 200. The uniformity of optical brightness can be improved.

The second resin layer 235 may be made of a material having the same refractive index as the material constituting the first resin layer 230, or may be made of a material having a refractive index different from that.

For example, when the second resin layer 235 is made of a material having a refractive index higher than that of the first resin layer 230, the light emitted from the first resin layer 230 may be diffused more widely.

On the contrary, when the second resin layer 235 is made of a material having a refractive index lower than that of the first resin layer 230, the light emitted from the first resin layer 230 is reflected on the bottom surface of the second resin layer 235. The reflectance may be improved, and thus, light emitted from the light source 220 may be made to travel along the first resin layer 230 more easily.

Meanwhile, the second resin layer 235 may also include a plurality of scattering particles 236. In this case, the density of the scattering particles 236 included in the second resin layer 235 may be the first resin layer ( It may be higher than the density of the scattering particles 231 included in 230.

By including scattering particles at a higher density in the second resin layer 235 as described above, light emitted upward from the first resin layer 230 may be diffused more widely, and thus, from the backlight unit 200. The luminance of the emitted light can be made more uniform.

In addition, a reflective pattern 232 as described with reference to FIGS. 6A through 16 may be formed between the first resin layer 230 and the second resin layer 235.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the first layer 210 as described with reference to FIGS. 3 to 17, a plurality of light sources 220 formed on the first layer, the agent surrounding the plurality of light sources 220 The two layers 230 and the reflective layer 240 may be configured as one optical assembly, and the backlight unit 200 may be configured by arranging a plurality of the optical assemblies as described above.

On the other hand, the plurality of optical assemblies provided in the backlight unit 200 may be arranged in a matrix form of N and M (N, M is one or more natural numbers) in the x-axis, y-axis direction, respectively.

For example, the backlight unit 200 may have 21 optical assemblies arranged in a 7 × 3 array. However, since the above configuration is only an example for describing the backlight unit according to the present invention, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be changed according to the screen size of the display device.

More specifically, in the case of a 47-inch display device, the backlight unit 200 may be configured by arranging 240 optical assemblies as described above in a 24 × 10 arrangement.

Each optical assembly can be fabricated as an independent assembly and can be placed in close proximity to form a modular backlight unit. Such a modular backlight unit may provide light to the display panel 100 as a backlight means.

As described above, the backlight unit 200 may be driven in a full driving manner or a partial driving scheme such as local dimming or impulsive. The driving method of the backlight unit 200 may be variously changed according to a circuit design, but is not limited thereto. As a result, the color contrast ratio is increased and the image of the bright and dark portions on the screen can be clearly expressed, thereby improving image quality.

That is, the backlight unit 200 is divided into a plurality of divided driving regions, and the luminance of the divided driving region is linked with the luminance of the image signal so that the black portion of the image decreases the brightness and the bright portion increases the brightness. , Improve the contrast and sharpness.

For example, only some of the plurality of optical assemblies as described above can be driven independently to emit light upwards, for which the light sources 220 included in each of the optical assemblies can be controlled independently of each other. have.

Meanwhile, an area of the display panel 110 corresponding to one optical assembly may be divided into two or more blocks, and the display panel 100 and the backlight unit 200 may be divided and driven in units of the blocks.

By assembling the plurality of optical assemblies 10 to form the backlight unit 200, it is possible to simplify the manufacturing process of the backlight unit 200, to minimize the loss (loss) that may occur in the manufacturing process Productivity can be improved. In addition, the backlight unit 200 has an effect that can be applied to a backlight unit of various sizes by standardizing the optical assembly to mass production.

Meanwhile, when a failure occurs in any one of the plurality of optical assemblies provided in the backlight unit 200, only a defective optical assembly needs to be replaced without replacing the entire backlight unit 200. The replacement cost is reduced.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a display apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A description of the same configuration as that described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 17 will be omitted.

Referring to FIG. 18, a display panel 100 and a substrate 210 including a color filter substrate 110, a TFT substrate 120, an upper polarizer 130, and a lower polarizer 140, and a plurality of light sources 220. ) And the backlight unit 200 including the resin layer 230 may be formed in close contact with each other.

For example, an adhesive layer 150 may be formed between the backlight unit 200 and the display panel 100 so that the backlight unit 200 may be adhered to and fixed to the lower surface of the display panel 100.

More specifically, the upper surface of the backlight unit 200 may be bonded to the lower surface of the lower polarizer 140 using the adhesive layer 150.

The backlight unit 200 may further include a diffusion sheet (not shown), and the diffusion sheet (not shown) may be in close contact with an upper surface of the resin layer 230. In this case, an adhesive layer 150 may be formed between the diffusion sheet (not shown) of the backlight unit 200 and the lower polarizer 140 of the display panel 100.

In addition, the bottom cover 270 may be disposed under the backlight unit 200, and for example, the bottom cover 270 may be formed to be in close contact with the bottom surface of the substrate 210 as illustrated in FIG. 18. have. The bottom cover 270 may be formed of a protective film for protecting the backlight unit 200.

The display device may include a power supply unit 300 for supplying a driving voltage to the display module 20, more particularly, the display panel 100 and the backlight unit 200. The plurality of light sources 220 provided in the 200 may be driven by using a voltage supplied from the power supply unit 300 to emit light.

As shown in FIG. 18, in order to stably support and fix the power supply unit 300, the power supply unit 300 may be disposed and fixed on the back cover 40 surrounding the rear surface of the display module 20. .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a first connector 310 may be formed on the substrate 210, and a hole for inserting the first connector 310 into the bottom cover 270 is formed thereon. It may be formed.

The first connector 310 electrically connects the light source 220 and the power supply unit 300 so that a driving voltage can be supplied from the power supply unit 300 to the light source 220.

For example, the first connector 310 is formed on the lower surface of the substrate 210, is connected to the power supply unit 300 using the first cable 320, and the power supply unit (eg, the first cable 320). The driving voltage supplied from 300 may be transferred to the light source 220.

An electrode pattern (not shown), for example, a carbon nanotube electrode pattern may be formed on an upper surface of the substrate 210. The electrode formed on the upper surface of the substrate 210 may be in contact with the electrode formed in the light source 212 to electrically connect the first connector 310 and the light source 220.

In addition, the display apparatus may include a controller 400 for controlling the driving of the display panel 100 and the backlight unit 200. For example, the controller 400 may be a timing controller.

The timing controller controls driving timing of the display panel 100, and more specifically, a data driver (not shown), a gamma voltage generator (not shown), and a gate driver (not shown) included in the display panel 100. May be generated and supplied to the display panel 100.

Meanwhile, the timing controller backlights a signal for controlling the driving timing of the light sources 220 such that the backlight unit 200, and more particularly, the light sources 220 operate in synchronization with driving of the display panel 100. It may be supplied to the unit 200.

As shown in FIG. 18, in order to stably support and fix the controller 400, the controller 400 may be disposed and fixed on the back cover 40 surrounding the rear surface of the display module 20.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a second connector 410 may be formed on the substrate 210, and a hole for inserting the second connector 410 may be formed in the bottom cover 270. have.

The second connector 410 may electrically connect the substrate 210 and the controller 400 to supply the control signal output from the controller 400 to the substrate 210.

For example, the second connector 410 is formed on the lower surface of the substrate 210, is connected to the control unit 400 using the second cable 420, and the control unit 400 through the second cable 420. The control signal supplied from the control board may be transferred to the substrate 210.

Meanwhile, a light source driver (not shown) may be formed on the substrate 210, and the light source driver (not shown) may emit light sources using a control signal supplied from the controller 400 through the second connector 410. 220 may be driven.

The configuration of the display device shown in FIG. 18 is only an embodiment of the present invention, and accordingly, the power supply unit 300, the control unit 400, the first and second connectors 310 and 410, and the first and second cables The position or number of the 320 and 420 may be changed as necessary.

The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, which are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains do not depart from the essential characteristics of the present invention. It will be appreciated that various modifications and applications are not possible that are not illustrated above. For example, each component shown in detail in the embodiment of the present invention may be modified. And differences relating to such modifications and applications will have to be construed as being included in the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of a display device.

2 is a cross-sectional view showing a brief configuration of a display module.

3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a backlight unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a backlight unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hot spot generated in the backlight unit.

6A to 6C are cross-sectional views illustrating a configuration of a backlight unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a backlight unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

8 is a plan view illustrating an embodiment of an arrangement of a reflection pattern formed in the backlight unit.

9 to 11 illustrate embodiments of shapes of reflective patterns.

12 to 14 illustrate embodiments of distribution of light emitted from the backlight unit.

15 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a backlight unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

16 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a backlight unit according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

17 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a backlight unit according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

18 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (20)

First layer; A plurality of light sources formed on the first layer and including a light emitting surface emitting light with a predetermined direction angle; A second layer disposed above the first layer and formed to surround the plurality of light sources; And It includes a pattern layer disposed on the upper side of the second layer, The pattern layer includes a plurality of patterns formed in a position corresponding to the plurality of light sources. The method of claim 1, A pattern formed in the pattern layer reflects at least a portion of light emitted from the light source. The method of claim 1, wherein the pattern is An optical assembly formed on a transparent film in the form of a plurality of dots (dots). The method of claim 3, Wherein the spacing between two adjacent dots of the plurality of dots increases from the center to the outside. The method of claim 1, And the color of the pattern is higher in brightness than the color of the second layer. The method of claim 1, And the concentration of the material constituting the pattern decreases from the center to the outside. The method of claim 1, wherein the reflective pattern Optical assembly with reduced reflectance from center to outskirts. The method of claim 1, wherein the pattern is Optical assembly with increased transmittance from the center to the outside. The method of claim 1, The aperture ratio of the pattern layer is 70% or more. The method of claim 1, wherein the pattern is An optical assembly having a shape of any one of round, oval and square. The method of claim 1, The center of the pattern does not coincide with the center of the light source. The method of claim 1, wherein the pattern is At least one of a metal and a metal oxide. The method of claim 1, wherein the pattern is Optical assembly comprising titanium dioxide (TiO ₂ ). First layer; A plurality of light sources formed on the first layer and including a light emitting surface emitting light with a predetermined direction angle; And A second layer disposed on an upper side of the first layer to surround the plurality of light sources, the second layer including a plurality of patterns; The plurality of patterns are formed in a position corresponding to the plurality of light sources. The method of claim 14, And the plurality of patterns are formed on an upper surface of the second layer. The method of claim 14, And the plurality of patterns are formed inside of the second layer. The backlight unit provided with one or more optical assemblies as described in any one of Claims 1-16. A backlight unit having at least one optical assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 16; And A display panel positioned above the backlight unit; The backlight unit may be divided into a plurality of blocks and may be driven for each of the divided blocks. The method of claim 18, The display panel is divided into a plurality of areas, and the brightness of light emitted from the block of the backlight unit corresponding to the area is adjusted according to the gray level peak value or the color coordinate signal of each of the plurality of areas. The method of claim 18, The backlight unit is adhered to the lower polarizer of the display panel.

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