WO2011152075A1 - Lighting device and display apparatus - Google Patents

Lighting device and display apparatus Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2011152075A1
WO2011152075A1 PCT/JP2011/050233 JP2011050233W WO2011152075A1 WO 2011152075 A1 WO2011152075 A1 WO 2011152075A1 JP 2011050233 W JP2011050233 W JP 2011050233W WO 2011152075 A1 WO2011152075 A1 WO 2011152075A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
light
light guide
incident
backlight unit
lighting device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/JP2011/050233
Other languages
French (fr)
Japanese (ja)
Inventor
岳志 増田
Original Assignee
シャープ株式会社
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by シャープ株式会社 filed Critical シャープ株式会社
Publication of WO2011152075A1 publication Critical patent/WO2011152075A1/en

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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0033—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide
    • G02B6/0035—Means for improving the coupling-out of light from the light guide provided on the surface of the light guide or in the bulk of it
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02B—OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS
    • G02B6/00—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings
    • G02B6/0001—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems
    • G02B6/0011—Light guides; Structural details of arrangements comprising light guides and other optical elements, e.g. couplings specially adapted for lighting devices or systems the light guides being planar or of plate-like form
    • G02B6/0075—Arrangements of multiple light guides
    • G02B6/0078—Side-by-side arrangements, e.g. for large area displays
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1335—Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors
    • G02F1/1336—Illuminating devices
    • G02F1/133602—Direct backlight
    • G02F1/133603—Direct backlight with LEDs
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G02—OPTICS
    • G02F—OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS
    • G02F1/00—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics
    • G02F1/01—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour 
    • G02F1/13—Devices or arrangements for the control of the intensity, colour, phase, polarisation or direction of light arriving from an independent light source, e.g. switching, gating or modulating; Non-linear optics for the control of the intensity, phase, polarisation or colour  based on liquid crystals, e.g. single liquid crystal display cells
    • G02F1/133—Constructional arrangements; Operation of liquid crystal cells; Circuit arrangements
    • G02F1/1333—Constructional arrangements; Manufacturing methods
    • G02F1/1335—Structural association of cells with optical devices, e.g. polarisers or reflectors
    • G02F1/1336—Illuminating devices
    • G02F1/133615—Edge-illuminating devices, i.e. illuminating from the side

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an illuminating device and a display device, and more particularly to an illuminating device equipped with a light guide for guiding light and a display device including the illuminating device.
  • a backlight unit for supplying light is usually mounted on the liquid crystal display panel.
  • the backlight unit is preferably configured to generate planar light that spreads over the entire area of the planar liquid crystal display panel. Therefore, the backlight unit mounted on the liquid crystal display device may include a light guide plate (light guide) for mixing the light of the built-in light source to a high degree.
  • an edge light (side light) type backlight unit As a backlight unit including a light guide plate, for example, an edge light (side light) type backlight unit is known. Conventionally, an edge light type backlight that can improve the display performance of a liquid crystal display panel is known. A light unit has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
  • Patent Document 1 describes a backlight unit including a light guide plate that is divided (optically divided) into a plurality of regions by a concave groove and a plurality of light sources.
  • the light guide plate is divided into multiple stages (four stages) in the vertical direction (short direction) of the backlight unit, and is divided into two parts in the horizontal direction (longitudinal direction) of the backlight unit.
  • the light guide plate is divided into a plurality of regions in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, so that a plurality of light guide portions corresponding to the divided regions are formed.
  • the plurality of light sources are arranged in two rows on both sides in the left-right direction of the backlight unit, and are provided for each of the plurality of light guides.
  • each light guide the illumination intensity of each divided region (each light guide) can be controlled according to the display image. For this reason, it is possible to achieve high contrast and low power consumption of the display image.
  • the moving image display performance can be improved by turning on the light source of each divided region in synchronization with the scanning of the liquid crystal display panel.
  • the conventional backlight unit has an inconvenience that light is emitted from an end portion (end surface) opposite to the end portion on the side where the light source is disposed in each divided region, and a bright line is generated. Specifically, a bright line in the vertical direction is generated at the center portion of the backlight unit (the groove portion divided into two in the left-right direction). For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain planar light (illumination light) with good uniformity.
  • the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to suppress the generation of bright lines or bright spots while improving display performance and reducing power consumption. Another object of the present invention is to provide an illumination device capable of obtaining planar light with good uniformity and a display device equipped with the illumination device.
  • an illumination device includes a plurality of light sources and a plurality of light guides that guide incident light, including a plurality of light sources and an incident end on which light from the light sources is incident. And a light guide having an optical part.
  • the light guide is provided with a reflecting structure for reflecting the light guided on the surface opposite to the incident end.
  • the reflection structure that reflects the guided light is provided on the surface (end surface) opposite to the incident end of the light guide so that the light source Since the light reaching the surface is reflected by the reflecting structure, it is possible to suppress the light from being emitted from the surface opposite to the incident end. Thereby, since generation
  • the light guide by configuring the light guide so as to have a plurality of light guides that guide incident light, a region of the light guide (each light guide) according to the display image. It is possible to control the illumination intensity. Then, by controlling the illumination intensity in this way, it is possible to increase the contrast of the display image. In addition, low power consumption can be achieved. Further, the moving image display performance can be improved by turning on a light source that makes light incident on each light guide unit in synchronization with scanning of the display panel.
  • a concavo-convex shape as a reflecting structure is formed on the surface of the light guide opposite to the incident end.
  • the uneven shape has a triangular cross section. Moreover, it is more preferable if the cross-sectional triangle shape is an apex angle of 90 degrees.
  • the uneven shape is preferably a linear prism shape or a pyramidal prism shape. If comprised in this way, since it can suppress that a light is radiate
  • the reflective structure has retroreflectivity that reflects incident light in the incident direction. If comprised in this way, when the light emitted from the light source will reach the surface on the opposite side to the incident end, it will be reflected by the reflecting structure and will again go to the light source. For this reason, the light emission from the surface opposite to the incident end can be more effectively suppressed. As a result, generation of bright lines can be more effectively suppressed.
  • the surface of the light guide opposite to the incident end can be covered with the reflector. If comprised in this way, the light emission from the surface on the opposite side to an incident end can be suppressed more reliably.
  • the reflector for example, a reflection sheet or a reflection cap formed of a white resin can be used.
  • the light guide may be constituted by a plurality of light guide members separated from each other. If comprised in this way, the high contrast of a display image can be achieved easily by controlling the illumination intensity of each light guide member according to a display image. In addition, low power consumption can be easily achieved. In addition, the moving image display performance can be easily improved by turning on a light source that makes light incident on each light guide member in synchronization with scanning of the display panel.
  • the light guide member is preferably formed in a rod shape. If comprised in this way, the weight reduction of an illuminating device can be achieved compared with a sheet-like light guide plate or a planar (plate-like) light guide member.
  • each of the light guide members includes a light propagation unit that propagates incident light by multiple reflection inside, and a propagation. It is preferable that the light emitting part is arranged on the rod-like tip side opposite to the incident end.
  • the light emission part is a prism-processed part for changing the internal light into an optical path suitable for external emission, and textured processing. It is preferable to include an optical path changing processing portion that is a portion that has been processed or a portion that has been dot-type printed. That is, the optical path changing process part is a part that emits light from the light emitting part toward the outside by changing the refraction angle of the light propagating through the light propagation part.
  • the light guide includes a single or a plurality of light guide member groups including a plurality of light guide members processed into a rod shape, and You can also In this case, in the light guide member group, the incident end arrangement line formed by connecting the positions of the incident ends and the light emission part arrangement line formed by connecting the positions of the light emission parts intersect each other. It is preferable.
  • a display device includes the illumination device according to the first aspect and a display panel that receives light from the illumination device. If comprised in this way, the display apparatus of the low power consumption excellent in display performance can be obtained easily.
  • an illumination device capable of obtaining planar light with good uniformity in which generation of bright lines or bright spots is suppressed while improving display performance and reducing power consumption, and illumination therefor
  • a display device equipped with the device can be easily obtained.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view (side view of A1 direction of FIG. 3) of the backlight unit by 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the backlight unit by a 1st embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3. It is the figure which expanded and showed a part of light guide of the backlight unit by 1st Embodiment of this invention, and is also an optical path figure which showed the optical path of the light in a light guide. It is a top view of the backlight unit by a 1st embodiment of the present invention. It is a side view of the A2 direction of FIG.
  • FIG. 7 is a side view in the A2 direction of FIG. 6 (a diagram illustrating another example).
  • FIG. 7 is a side view in the A2 direction of FIG. 6 (a diagram illustrating another example).
  • FIG. 7 is a side view in the A2 direction of FIG. 6 (a diagram illustrating another example).
  • It is the top view which abbreviate
  • FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 11. It is sectional drawing which expanded and showed a part of light guide by the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment, and is also an optical path figure which showed the optical path of the light in a light guide.
  • FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 14. It is the top view which abbreviate
  • FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. It is the top view which abbreviate
  • FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view of the liquid crystal display device by 4th Embodiment of this invention.
  • FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention (a view corresponding to a cross section taken along line FF in FIG. 24).
  • FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention (a view corresponding to a cross section taken along line GG in FIG. 24).
  • FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention (a view corresponding to a cross section taken along line HH in FIG. 24). It is the top view which abbreviate
  • FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view taken along line JJ of FIG. 41. It is the top view which showed the other example of 1st Embodiment. It is the top view which showed the other example of 2nd Embodiment.
  • FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 2 is a side view of the backlight unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 3 is a plan view of the backlight unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
  • 4 to 10 are views for explaining the backlight unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 and 3, a part of the backlight unit is omitted.
  • the liquid crystal display device 80 includes a liquid crystal display panel 10, a backlight unit 50 that supplies light to the liquid crystal display panel 10, and a pair opposed to each other with these interposed therebetween.
  • Housing 70 front housing 71, back housing 72.
  • the liquid crystal display device 80 is an example of the “display device” in the present invention
  • the liquid crystal display panel 10 is an example of the “display panel” in the present invention.
  • the backlight unit 50 is an example of the “lighting device” in the present invention.
  • an active matrix substrate 11 including a switching element such as a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) and an opposite substrate 12 facing the active matrix substrate 11 are bonded to each other with a sealing material (not shown). It is constituted by.
  • a liquid crystal (not shown) is injected into the gap between the substrates 11 and 12.
  • a polarizing film 13 is attached to each of the light receiving surface side of the active matrix substrate 11 and the light emitting surface side of the counter substrate 12.
  • the liquid crystal display panel 10 configured in this manner displays an image by using a change in transmittance caused by the tilt of liquid crystal molecules.
  • the backlight unit 50 is an edge light (side light) type backlight unit, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) module 20 and a light guide 30 that guides light from the LED module 20.
  • the backlight unit 50 is disposed directly below the liquid crystal display panel 10.
  • the LED module 20 constituting the backlight unit 50 is a module that emits light, and includes a mounting substrate 21 and an LED 22 as a light source mounted on the substrate surface of the mounting substrate 21.
  • the mounting substrate 21 is a plate-like and rectangular substrate, and a plurality of electrodes (not shown) are arranged on the mounting surface 21a. And said LED22 is attached on these electrodes.
  • the backlight unit 50 according to the first embodiment includes two mounting substrates 21, which are arranged with the mounting surfaces 21 a facing each other.
  • the LED 22 emits light upon being supplied with current by being mounted on an electrode (not shown) formed on the mounting surface of the mounting substrate 21. Moreover, it is preferable that a plurality of LEDs (light emitting elements, point light sources) 22 are mounted on the mounting substrate 21 in order to secure the light quantity. However, in the drawing, only a part of the LEDs 22 is shown for convenience.
  • the light guide 30 is made of a transparent resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate. 1, 3, and 4, the light guide 30 includes a plurality of plate-shaped light guide members 31 having a rectangular shape in plan view, and the plurality of light guide members 31. Are arranged side by side.
  • the light guide 30 is composed of a plurality of light guide members 31 separated from each other, so that the light emission surface (illumination region) of the backlight unit 50 (light guide 30) is divided into a plurality of regions. Has been.
  • the light guide 30 is divided into multiple stages (for example, five stages) in the vertical direction (short direction: Y direction) of the backlight unit 50, and the left-right direction ( (Longitudinal direction: X direction) is divided into two. And the light guide 30 is divided
  • the plurality of LEDs 22 (LED modules 20) described above are arranged in two rows on both sides in the left-right direction (X direction) of the backlight unit 50, and each of the plurality of light guide portions 31a (light guide). For each member 31). That is, the LED 22 (LED module 20) is disposed on two opposing sides of the illumination area (area corresponding to the display area of the liquid crystal display panel 10). Further, the LED 22 (light source) is not disposed in a region corresponding to the display region of the liquid crystal display panel 10, but is disposed near an end serving as a non-display region of the liquid crystal display panel 10 (see FIG. 1). .
  • the light guide 30 (each light guide member 31) has one end in the longitudinal direction (X direction) serving as an incident end 32 to which light from the LED 22 is incident.
  • the other end in the longitudinal direction (X direction) is a tip 33. That is, in the light guide 30 (light guide member 31), the side surface on one end side in the longitudinal direction is an incident surface 32a on which light from the LED 22 is incident, and the side surface opposite to the incident surface 32a ( A side surface (end surface) facing the incident surface 32a is a tip surface 33a.
  • the light incident from the incident surface 32a (incident end 32) of the light guide 30 (light guide member 31) guides the light guide 30 to the main surface of the light guide 30 (light guide member 31).
  • 30U is emitted as planar light. Further, a part of the light incident on the light guide 30 is guided (propagated) inside the light guide 30 and reaches the front end surface 33a.
  • an uneven portion (uneven shape) 35 is formed on the distal end surface 33 a (surface opposite to the incident end 32) of each light guide member 31.
  • the concave and convex portion 35 includes a triangular prism 35a having a triangular cross section, and has a function of reflecting light (see an arrow) that has reached the distal end surface 33a as shown in FIG.
  • the uneven portion 35 has retroreflectivity that reflects incident light in the incident direction.
  • the triangular prism 35a is more preferably a retroreflective prism.
  • the cross-sectional triangle shape has an apex angle of 90 degrees.
  • the triangular prism 35a may be formed as a horizontal linear prism extending in the width direction (Y direction) of the light guide member 31, as shown in FIG. 7 which is a side view in the A2 direction of FIG.
  • the light guide member 31 may be formed in a vertical line-shaped linear prism extending in the thickness direction (Z direction).
  • you may form in the diagonal prism-like linear prism.
  • the uneven portion 35 may be a pyramidal prism as shown in FIG. The number of the prisms may be plural or singular.
  • the concavo-convex portion 35 may have another retroreflective structure such as a cube-corner triangular pyramid prism.
  • the reflection sheet 41 included in the backlight unit 50 is a sheet covered with the bottom surface 30 ⁇ / b> B of the light guide 30, and the reflection surface 41 ⁇ / b> U of the sheet is on the bottom surface 30 ⁇ / b> B of the light guide 30. Face. If there is light leaking from the bottom surface 30 ⁇ / b> B of the light guide 30, the light is reflected back to the light guide 30 to prevent light loss.
  • the backlight chassis 42 is a box-shaped member, for example, and accommodates them by spreading the LED module 20 and the light guide 30 on the bottom surface 42B.
  • the diffusion plate 43 is an optical sheet that overlaps the light guide 30 and diffuses light emitted from the light guide 30. That is, the diffusion plate 43 diffuses the light from the light guide 30 and spreads the light over the entire area of the liquid crystal display panel 10.
  • the prism sheet 44 is an optical sheet that overlaps the diffusion plate 43.
  • triangular prisms extending in one direction are arranged in a direction intersecting with one direction in the sheet surface, and deflect the radiation characteristics of light from the diffusion plate 43.
  • the lens sheet 45 is an optical sheet that overlaps the prism sheet 44.
  • fine particles that refract and scatter light are dispersed in the lens sheet 45, and the light from the prism sheet 44 is not collected locally, and the difference in brightness (light intensity unevenness) is suppressed.
  • the backlight unit 50 converts the light from the LED module 20 into planar light by the light guide 30, and the planar light is transmitted to the plurality of optical members 43 to 45.
  • the liquid crystal is passed through and supplied to the liquid crystal display panel 10.
  • the non-light-emitting liquid crystal display panel 10 receives the light (backlight light) from the backlight unit 50 and improves the display function.
  • grooved part 35 which reflects the light guided by the front end surface 33a (surface on the opposite side to the incident end 32) of the light guide 30 (each light guide member 31). Since the light reaching this surface from the LED 22 is reflected by the concavo-convex portion 35, the light can be prevented from being emitted from the front end surface 33 a of the light guide member 31. Thereby, since generation
  • the light-projection surface of the light guide 30 can be divided
  • FIG. Specifically, the light emitting surface of the light guide 30 is divided into multiple stages (for example, five stages) in the vertical direction (short direction: Y direction), and in the horizontal direction (longitudinal direction: X direction). It can be divided into two. Thereby, according to the display image of the liquid crystal display panel 10, the illumination intensity of each area
  • each region (each light guide member 31 (each light guide portion 31a)) of the light guide 30 as described above, a high contrast of the display image can be achieved.
  • the power consumption can be reduced by controlling the illumination intensity according to the display image.
  • the moving image display performance can be improved by turning on the LEDs 22 that enter the light guide members 31 (each light guide portion 31a) in synchronization with the scanning of the liquid crystal display panel 10.
  • the generation of bright lines is effectively suppressed by forming a retroreflective structure having retroreflectivity (for example, a retroreflective prism) on the tip surface 33a of each light guide member 31.
  • a retroreflective structure having retroreflectivity for example, a retroreflective prism
  • Can do That is, if, for example, a retroreflective prism is formed on the distal end surface 33a of the light guide member 31, when the light emitted from the LED 22 reaches the distal end surface 33a (surface opposite to the incident end 32), retroreflection is performed. The light is reflected by the prism and travels toward the LED 22 again. For this reason, the light emission from the front end surface 33a is effectively suppressed, and the generation of bright lines is effectively suppressed.
  • retroreflective structure having retroreflectivity for example, a retroreflective prism
  • FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a backlight unit according to a first modification of the first embodiment with a part thereof omitted.
  • 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG.
  • FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of a light guide according to a first modification of the first embodiment.
  • a backlight unit according to a first modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.
  • symbol is attached
  • the backlight unit according to the first modification of the first embodiment is configured so that at least the front end surface 33 a of the light guide member 31 is covered by the reflector 36 in the configuration of the first embodiment. It has been broken.
  • the reflector 36 is made of, for example, a material obtained by pasting a reflection sheet or a white resin excellent in reflection characteristics (for example, one material constituting an LED package (reflection frame or the like)).
  • FIG. 14 is a plan view in which a backlight unit according to a second modification of the first embodiment is partially omitted.
  • FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. Next, a backlight unit according to a second modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.
  • a plurality of concave grooves 30a are formed in the light guide 30, and the light from the light guide 30 is formed by the concave grooves 30a.
  • the emission surface (illumination area) is divided into multiple stages (for example, 5 stages) in the vertical direction (short direction: Y direction).
  • the concave groove 30a is dug from the upper surface of the light guide 30 to a depth in the middle of the thickness direction, and is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the backlight unit.
  • the light emitting surface (illumination region) of the light guide 30 is optically separated into a plurality of regions by forming the concave grooves 30a.
  • the concave groove 30a is formed such that a plurality of divided regions are the same as those in the first embodiment. That is, it is formed to have the same light guide part 31a as in the first embodiment.
  • the concave groove 30 a may be formed on the lower surface side of the light guide 30.
  • the light guide 30 is divided into two in the left-right direction (X direction) of the backlight unit. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the left-right direction (longitudinal direction: X direction) of the backlight unit. ) Is divided into two.
  • the light exit surface (illumination region) of the light guide 30 is multi-staged (for example, 5 directions) in the vertical direction (short direction: Y direction) by the concave groove 30a.
  • the light guide 30 is composed of two light guide members 31 by being divided (optically divided) into stages.
  • FIG. 16 is a plan view illustrating a backlight unit according to a third modification of the first embodiment with a part thereof omitted.
  • FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG.
  • a backlight unit according to a third modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.
  • the light guide 30 is constituted by a single light guide plate, and the light guide 30 is formed by forming the concave groove 30a.
  • the light exit surface (illumination region) is optically separated into a plurality of regions.
  • the concave groove 30a is formed such that a plurality of divided regions are the same as those in the first embodiment.
  • the first modification of the first embodiment is provided in the concave groove 30a (30b) for dividing the backlight unit into two in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction: X direction).
  • a reflector 36 similar to the example is provided.
  • the reflector 36 is provided so as to cover the inner side surface 33a (end surface 33a opposite to the incident end 32) of the concave groove 30b.
  • FIG. 18 is a plan view in which a backlight unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention is partially omitted.
  • 19 and 20 are enlarged views showing a part of the light guide according to the second embodiment.
  • a backlight unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
  • symbol is attached
  • the light guide 30 of the backlight unit is composed of a plurality of light guide members 131 formed in a bar shape.
  • These light guide members 131 are rod-shaped members made of a transparent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, for example, and receive light from the LED 22 and guide (guide light) the light inside.
  • the rod-shaped light guide member 131 has an incident end 32 (incident surface 32a) on which light from the LED 22 is incident at one end in the full length direction, and the other end in the full length direction, that is, the incident end 32.
  • One end on the opposite side is a tip 33.
  • the plurality of light guide members 131 are arranged so as to extend in the left-right direction (X direction) of the backlight unit, and in the left-right direction (X direction) of the backlight unit, the right side (X1 direction side) and the left side (X direction). X2 direction side) and two set groups.
  • the light guide members 131 belonging to each set group are arranged along the vertical direction (Y direction) of the backlight unit, and the light guide members 131 belonging to one set group and the light guide members belonging to the other set group. 131 is arranged such that the tip 33 thereof faces each other. And by being comprised in this way, the some light guide part 131a corresponding to the light guide member 131 is formed.
  • the light guide 30 is divided into multiple stages (for example, 6 stages) in the up-down direction (short direction: Y direction) of the backlight unit, and the left-right direction (longitudinal direction: X direction) of the backlight unit. ) Is divided into two.
  • the rod-shaped light guide member 131 may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a uniform cross-sectional area, for example, but becomes narrower toward the tip 33 (the cross-sectional area becomes smaller) as shown in FIG. ) It is preferably formed in a tapered shape. Thus, by forming the rod-shaped light guide member 131 in a tapered shape, light can be easily emitted from the light emission surface of the light guide member 131.
  • an uneven portion (uneven shape) 35 is formed on the tip 33 (surface opposite to the incident end 32) of the rod-shaped light guide member 131.
  • the uneven portion 35 is made of, for example, a prism 35a having a triangular cross section, and has a function of reflecting light (see an arrow) reaching the tip 33 (tip surface 33a) as shown in FIG.
  • the uneven portion 35 has retroreflectivity that reflects incident light in the incident direction.
  • the triangular prism 35a is more preferably a retroreflective prism.
  • the cross-sectional triangle has an apex angle of 90 degrees.
  • the prism 35a may have any of a horizontally oriented shape, a vertically oriented shape, a pyramid shape, and the like.
  • the number of prisms 35a (retroreflective prisms) may be singular or plural.
  • the tip 33 of the light guide member 131 may be a substantially hemispherical retroreflective structure 35b as shown in FIG.
  • the light guide 30 is composed of a plurality of light guide rods (rod-shaped light guide members 131), thereby providing a single light guide plate or a planar (plate-like) shape. Compared with the case where a light guide member is used, the backlight unit can be reduced in weight.
  • FIG. 21 is a plan view showing the backlight unit according to the third embodiment with a part thereof omitted.
  • FIG. 22 is an enlarged view showing a part of the light guide according to the third embodiment.
  • 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG.
  • a backlight unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 19 and FIGS.
  • symbol is attached
  • a light guide 30 is constituted by a plurality of light guide members 131 formed in a bar shape, as in the second embodiment.
  • the reflector 36 is provided so as to cover the tip surface 33 a of the light guide member 131, instead of forming the concave and convex portion 35 (see FIG. 19) at the tip 33 of the light guide member 131.
  • the reflector 36 is made of, for example, the same material as that of the reflector shown in the first modification of the first embodiment.
  • the reflector 36 is formed from the LED 22 (see FIG. 21). The light reaching this surface (see the arrows in FIGS. 22 and 23) is reflected again toward the LED 22 by the reflector 36. For this reason, the light emission from the front end surface 33a of the light guide member 131 is more reliably suppressed.
  • FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • 25 to 27 are cross-sectional views of the liquid crystal display device in FIG.
  • FIG. 28 is a plan view showing the backlight unit according to the fourth embodiment with a part thereof omitted.
  • 29 to 35 are views for explaining a backlight unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.
  • a backlight unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention and a liquid crystal display device including the backlight unit will be described.
  • symbol is attached
  • the configuration of the backlight unit 50 (particularly, the configuration of the light guide 30) is the same as that of the first to third embodiments described above. Is different.
  • the light guide 30 of the backlight unit 50 includes a light guide unit 230 including a plurality of light guide bars (light guide portions) 211 that are rod-shaped light guide members.
  • the plurality of LEDs 22 (LED modules 20) are arranged in two rows separately on both sides in the vertical direction (Y direction) of the backlight unit 50. That is, the LED 22 (LED module 20) is disposed on two opposite sides (two sides in the vertical direction) of the illumination area (area corresponding to the display area of the liquid crystal display panel 10). Further, the LED 22 is not disposed in a region corresponding to the display region of the liquid crystal display panel 10, but is disposed near an end serving as a non-display region of the liquid crystal display panel 10.
  • the light guide rod 211 is made of a rod-shaped member made of a transparent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, for example, and receives light from the LED 22 and guides the light inside (guides it).
  • the light guide rod 211 is made of, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped light guide material extending in the Y direction and arranged along the X direction orthogonal to the Y direction. To be dense.
  • a plurality of (for example, six) light guide bars 211 having different lengths are gathered to form a light guide bar group (light guide member group) 210.
  • the light guide bar group 210 may be formed by connecting the light guide bars 211 with the connecting material 220 interposed between the side surfaces of the light guide bars 211.
  • the manufacture of the light guide rod group 210 including the connecting material 220 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, integral molding (injection molding or the like) using a mold in which the shape of the connecting material 220 is engraved,
  • the connecting members 220 may be connected to the separate light guide bars 211 with an adhesive or the like.
  • the light guide bar 211 includes a light propagation part 212 for propagating light and a light emission part 212N for emitting the propagated light to the outside.
  • the light propagation unit 212 propagates light from the incident end 212R toward the distal end 212T by internally reflecting incident light (see arrow).
  • the light guide bar 211 is formed with a processing part (optical path changing processing part) 213 for changing the light propagating inside to an optical path suitable for external emission
  • the light emitting part 212N is the processing part 213. including.
  • the processing unit 213 included in the light emitting unit 212N changes the optical path so that the light can be emitted from the side surface 212S (including the top surface 212U and the bottom surface 212B) of the light guide bar 211 without being totally reflected.
  • the processed portion 213 is formed of a surface completed by arranging, for example, small triangular prisms 213P as shown in FIG. 30 in the Y direction on the tip 212T side of the light guide bar 211.
  • the processing unit 213 is not limited to the prism processing unit 213 in which the triangular prisms 213P are gathered.
  • the processing unit 213 may be a textured part or a dot-type printed part.
  • the prism processing unit 213 may be configured by processing, for example, a pyramidal prism other than the triangular prism 213P. That is, the processing unit 213 only needs to be configured to change the propagating light to an optical path suitable for external emission.
  • the light emitting unit 212N includes a part of the light propagation unit 212 that overlaps the processing unit 213. Further, the processed surface is formed in parallel to the arrangement surface direction (XY surface direction defined by the X direction and the Y direction) in which the plurality of light guide bars 211 are arranged.
  • the prism-processed part and the textured part change the light traveling direction by reflecting or refracting light so that total reflection does not occur on the side surface 212S of the light guide bar 211.
  • the light is emitted to the outside.
  • the dot-printed portion is formed of, for example, white paint (white ink), and changes the traveling direction of the light by diffusing or reflecting the light. By preventing reflection, light is emitted to the outside.
  • the processing unit 213 causes the incident light to be refracted at an emission angle different from the incident angle, so that one surface of the light guide bar 211 is formed.
  • the light is incident at an angle less than the critical angle and is emitted to the outside.
  • the processing unit 213 emits light to the outside by changing the refraction angle of the propagating light (see an arrow).
  • the critical angle is an intrinsic critical angle of the light guide material.
  • a plurality of light guide bar groups 210 that are a group of light guide bars 211 that guide light from the LEDs 22 are arranged in a plurality.
  • the light guide bar group 210 is arranged with light guide bars 211 having different overall lengths (for example, the length is gradually increased) from one side to the other side in the X direction,
  • the light guide bar group 210 is repeatedly arranged in the same direction along one mounting substrate 21 (LED module 20). Since the LEDs 22 are mounted along the X direction, which is the direction in which the mounting substrate 21 extends, in the light guide rod group 210, the incident ends 212R are also arranged along the X direction.
  • a line formed by connecting the positions of the incident ends 212R is referred to as an incident end arrangement line T or a T direction.
  • the group of light guide rod groups 210 arranged along one mounting substrate 21 and the light guide rod group 210 arranged along the other mounting substrate 21 are arranged in line symmetry. It has become.
  • the light guide unit 230 is configured by gathering the light guide bar group 210.
  • the number of the light guide rod groups 210 included in the light guide unit 230 is not limited to a plurality, and may be one.
  • the light guide rod group 210 included in the light guide unit 230 includes the light guide rods 211 having different overall length types, and as shown in FIG. Since the processing part 213 is formed on the side, the processing parts 213 are arranged not to line up along the X direction (the arrangement direction of the light guide bars 211 (R direction)) but to intersect the X direction. That is, in the light guide rod group 210, the position of the processing portion 213 (the light emitting portion arrangement line S formed by connecting the positions of the light emitting portions 212N including the processing portion 213) is the X direction (incident end arrangement line T). Cross against. In the fourth embodiment, the length in the X direction and the length in the Y direction are the same in all the processed parts 213.
  • an uneven portion (uneven shape) 35 is formed on the tip 212T (end surface opposite to the incident end 212R) of each light guide bar 211.
  • the uneven portion 35 is formed of, for example, a triangular prism 35a having a triangular cross section, and has a function of reflecting light (see an arrow) reaching the tip 212T as shown in FIG.
  • the uneven portion 35 has retroreflectivity that reflects incident light in the incident direction.
  • the triangular prism 35a is more preferably a retroreflective prism.
  • the cross-sectional triangle has an apex angle of 90 degrees.
  • the prism 35a may have any of a horizontally oriented shape, a vertically oriented shape, a pyramid shape, and the like.
  • the prism 35a may be singular or plural.
  • the tip 212T of the light guide member may be a hemispherical retroreflective structure 35b.
  • the uneven portion 35 that reflects the guided light is formed on the tip 212T of the light guide bar 211 (the surface opposite to the incident end 212R), whereby the LED 22 Since the light reaching this surface is reflected by the uneven portion 35, it is possible to suppress the light from being emitted from the tip 212T of the light guide bar 211. Thereby, since generation
  • a retroreflective structure having retroreflectivity is formed at the tip 212T of each light guide bar 211, thereby effectively generating bright lines (bright spots). Can be suppressed. That is, if, for example, a retroreflective prism is formed at the tip 212T of the light guide bar 211, the light emitted from the LED 22 reaches the tip 212T (the surface opposite to the incident end 212R) by the retroreflective prism. It is reflected and goes to LED22 again. For this reason, light emission from the tip 212T is effectively suppressed, and generation of bright lines is effectively suppressed.
  • a retroreflective structure having retroreflectivity for example, a retroreflective prism
  • the incident end 212R of the light guide unit 230 is the liquid crystal display panel 10 of the liquid crystal display device 80 by the structure as mentioned above, and a non-display part (for example, the periphery of the liquid crystal display panel 10).
  • the light emitting portion 212N that emits light is positioned inside the panel that is the display portion of the liquid crystal display panel 10 (for example, approaching the vicinity of the center of the display panel). And if it is such a light guide unit 230, the position of the light emission part 212N which radiate
  • the light guide unit 230 since the light guide unit 230 does not allow light to travel between the light guide bars 211, the light emission control can be performed for each light guide bar 211. Then, the incident end arrangement line T formed by connecting the positions of the incident ends 212R of the light guide rods 211 and the light emission section arrangement line S formed by connecting the positions of the light emission sections 212N intersect each other.
  • the illumination area of the light guide 30 (light guide unit 230) is divided into multiple stages both in the vertical direction (short direction: Y direction) and in the horizontal direction (longitudinal direction: X direction). be able to. As a result, by controlling the illumination intensity of each light guide bar 211 in accordance with the display image of the liquid crystal display panel 10, it is possible to increase the contrast of the display image and reduce the power consumption of the display device.
  • the horizontal division is divided into two, whereas in the fourth embodiment, the backlight unit 50 is multistage in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Since it is divided, it is possible to increase the contrast of the display image more effectively. That is, local dimming control (a technique for partially controlling the amount of planar backlight light) can be accurately performed.
  • the moving image display performance can be improved by turning on the LEDs 22 that enter the light guide bars 211 in synchronization with the scanning of the liquid crystal display panel 10.
  • the light guide unit 230 can be enlarged by further collecting the light guide bar group 210, which is an assembly of relatively small light guide bars 211, a large backlight unit is configured. However, the amount of light can be secured.
  • FIG. 36 is a plan view illustrating a backlight unit according to a first modification of the fourth embodiment with a part thereof omitted.
  • FIG. 37 is a plan view showing a group of light guide bars of a backlight unit according to a first modification of the fourth embodiment.
  • FIG. 38 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of FIG.
  • a backlight unit according to a first modification of the fourth embodiment will be described.
  • symbol is attached
  • the incident end arrangement line T formed by connecting the positions of the incident ends 212R is the light guide bar 211.
  • the light emitting portion arrangement line S that is formed by connecting the processed portions 213 and intersecting with the R direction that is the arrangement direction of the light emitting portions is configured to be substantially orthogonal.
  • the light guide bars 211 having different lengths are arranged so that the incident end 212R is along the X direction.
  • the light guide rod group 210 is repeatedly arranged in the same direction from one side in the X direction to the other side, and the light guide unit 230 is a point object. It is an arrangement.
  • the trajectory of the light connecting the processing unit 213 becomes a straight line as shown by a one-dot chain arrow in FIG. Therefore, the light of the backlight unit on which the light guide unit 230 is mounted (see the one-dot chain line arrow in FIG. 36) is not unevenly distributed.
  • the light is along the vertical direction (Y direction) of the liquid crystal display panel 10. Therefore, the user can easily see the liquid crystal display panel 10 in terms of visual characteristics.
  • the light from the backlight unit may be along the X direction, which is the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) of the liquid crystal display panel 10 (see FIG. 24).
  • FIG. 39 is an enlarged plan view showing a light guide bar group portion of a backlight unit according to a second modification of the fourth embodiment.
  • FIG. 40 is a side view of the light guide bar group of the backlight unit according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment.
  • a backlight unit according to a second modification of the fourth embodiment will be described.
  • symbol is attached
  • each light guide rod is replaced with an uneven portion (for example, a retroreflective prism) formed at the tip 212T of each light guide rod 211.
  • a reflector 36 is installed at the tip 212T of 211, and the tip 212T of the light guide bar 211 is covered by this reflector 36.
  • the reflector 36 can be formed in the same manner as the reflector shown in the third embodiment.
  • FIG. 41 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the light guide of the backlight unit according to the third modification of the fourth embodiment.
  • 42 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line JJ of FIG.
  • a backlight unit according to a second modification of the fourth embodiment will be described.
  • symbol is attached
  • the light guide body 30 of the backlight unit is composed of a plate-shaped light guide member 310. ing.
  • a concave groove 30a is formed in the plate-shaped light guide member 310, and the light guide member 310 is optically separated into a plurality of regions (light guide portions) 211a by the concave groove 30a.
  • the plurality of regions 211a are formed so as to correspond to the light guide rod 211 of the light guide unit 230 shown in the fourth embodiment (or the first modification of the fourth embodiment).
  • Each region 211a is provided with a light propagation part 212 and a light emission part 212N (processing part 213), similar to the light guide rod 211 (see FIGS. 29 and 34) shown in the fourth embodiment.
  • each of the divided areas 211a has an incident end 212R into which light from the LED 22 (see FIG. 24) is incident, and the opposite end to the incident end 212R is the tip 212T (the tip 212T of the light guide 211a). It has become. And the uneven
  • the light guide member 310 corresponding to the light guide bar group is referred to as a light guide unit group.
  • the same effect as that of the fourth embodiment can also be obtained by optically separating the plate-like light guide member 310 into the plurality of regions 211a by the concave grooves 30a.
  • the light guide 30 of the backlight unit may be configured by arranging a plurality of light guide members 310 having regions 211a optically separated by the concave grooves 30a (in combination), or a single light guide.
  • the light guide member 310 having a plurality of optically separated regions 211a may be formed by forming the concave groove 30a in the optical member 310, and the single light guide member 310 may be used. .
  • the light guide member (light guide portion, light guide rod) is provided with a concavo-convex portion (concave / convex shape) or reflector that reflects light at the tip thereof.
  • a concavo-convex portion concave / convex shape
  • reflector that reflects light at the tip thereof.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and any configuration other than the above may be used as long as it can suppress light emission from the tip that causes a bright line (bright spot).
  • the light emission from the tip may be suppressed by forming a reflection film that reflects light at the tip of the light guide member (light guide part, light guide rod).
  • the reflective film can be formed, for example, by applying a white paint (white ink or the like) or by painting the tip surface with black ink.
  • the said structure in order to suppress the light emission from a front-end
  • corrugated shape) shown by the said embodiment can employ
  • the type of LED is not particularly limited.
  • the LED may include a blue light emitting LED chip (light emitting chip) and a phosphor that receives light from the LED chip and fluoresces yellow light.
  • a blue light emitting LED chip light emitting chip
  • a phosphor that receives light from the LED chip and fluoresces yellow light.
  • Such an LED generates white light from light from a blue light emitting LED chip and light emitted from a fluorescent light.
  • the number of LED chips included in the LED is not particularly limited.
  • the phosphor incorporated in the LED is not limited to a phosphor that emits yellow light.
  • an LED includes a blue light emitting LED chip and a phosphor that emits green light and red light in response to light from the LED chip, and emits blue light and fluorescent light (green light) from the LED chip. , Red light) and white light can be used.
  • the LED chip built in the LED is not limited to the one emitting blue light.
  • the LED may include a red LED chip that emits red light, a blue LED chip that emits blue light, and a phosphor that emits green light by receiving light from the blue LED chip. With such an LED, white light can be generated by red light from the red LED chip, blue light from the blue LED chip, and green light that fluoresces.
  • the LED may be an LED that does not contain any phosphor.
  • a red LED chip that emits red light, a green LED chip that emits green light, and a blue LED chip that emits blue light are configured to generate white light by mixing light from all LED chips. Also good.
  • the backlight unit is configured to include a diffusion plate, a prism sheet, and a lens sheet as an optical member (optical sheet).
  • optical member optical sheet
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and the optical member (optical sheet) can be appropriately changed (added or deleted) as necessary.
  • the LED modules are arranged in two rows on both sides in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) of the backlight unit.
  • this invention is not restricted to this, Light guide by changing arrangement
  • the body illumination area may be divided into two in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) of the backlight unit. For example, as shown in FIGS.
  • the LED modules 20 are divided into two sides in the vertical direction (short direction: Y direction) of the backlight unit and arranged in two rows, so that the light guide 30 You may comprise so that an illumination area
  • region may be divided into 2 to the up-down direction (longitudinal direction: X direction) of a backlight unit.
  • the number of rod-shaped light guide members can be changed as appropriate.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of light guide bars (light guide parts) constituting the light guide bar group (light guide part group) can be appropriately changed.
  • the plurality of light guide bars (light guide parts) constituting the light guide bar group (light guide part group) are configured to have different overall lengths.
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and the light guide rod group (light guide portion group) may include light guide rods (light guide portions) having the same full length. If at least two types of light guide rods (light guide portions) having a full length are included, the light guide rod group (light guide portion group) prevents light from being aligned in the direction in which the incident ends are aligned (not densely packed). be able to.
  • the incident ends of the light guide rods (light guide portions) are aligned in a row.
  • the positions where light is emitted from the light guide rod (light guide portion) to the outside can be scattered without being along the alignment direction of the incident ends. Therefore, as shown in the fourth embodiment, by configuring the plurality of light guide bars (light guide portions) to have different overall lengths, it is easy to cross the direction in which the incident ends are arranged. It is preferable because light can be guided to the surface.
  • the light quantity distribution in a liquid crystal display panel can also be easily changed by changing the length of a light guide bar (light guide part) appropriately.
  • the LED module (LED) showed the example arrange
  • the present invention is not limited to this, and the LED module (LED) may be disposed on at least one side of the illumination area.
  • the process part which changes the optical path of the light which propagates an inside was formed in the bottom face of the light guide rod, this invention is not limited to this.
  • the processed portion may be formed on at least one of the side surfaces of the light guide bar.
  • the side surface of the light guide bar includes the upper surface (top surface) and the bottom surface.
  • Liquid crystal display panel (display panel) 20 LED module 22 LED (light source) 30 Light guide 30a, 30b Groove 31, 31 Light guide member 31a, 131a, 311a Light guide 32, 212R Incident end 32a Incident surface 33, 212T Tip 33a Tip surface, inner surface 35 of concave groove (reflective structure) ) 35a Triangular prism (reflection structure) 36 Reflector (reflective structure) 41 Reflective sheet 43 Diffuser plate 44 Prism sheet 45 Lens sheet 50 Backlight unit (illumination device) 80 Liquid crystal display device (display device) 212 Light Propagation Unit 210 Light Guide Bar Group 211 Light Guide Bar 212N Light Output Unit 213 Processing Unit, Prism Processing Unit (Optical Path Change Processing Unit) 230 Light Guide Unit

Abstract

Provided is a lighting device capable of obtaining planar light with good uniformity in which the occurrence of a bright line or a bright point is suppressed while achieving improved display performance and reduced power consumption. Specifically disclosed is a backlight unit (lighting device) (50) provided with a plurality of LEDs (22), and a light guide (30) which includes an incident end (32) on which light from the LEDs (22) is incident and comprises a plurality of light guide portions (31a) for guiding the incident light. In the light guide (30), an uneven portion (35) for reflecting the guided light is formed in the leading end surface (33a) that is a surface on the reverse side of the incident end (32).

Description

照明装置および表示装置Illumination device and display device
　本発明は、照明装置および表示装置に関し、特に、光を導光させる導光体を搭載した照明装置およびその照明装置を備えた表示装置に関する。 The present invention relates to an illuminating device and a display device, and more particularly to an illuminating device equipped with a light guide for guiding light and a display device including the illuminating device.
　非発光型の液晶表示パネル（表示パネル）を搭載する液晶表示装置（表示装置）では、通常、その液晶表示パネルに対して、光を供給するバックライトユニット（照明装置）も搭載される。バックライトユニットは、面状の液晶表示パネル全域に対して行き渡るような面状光を生成するように構成されているのが好ましい。そのため、液晶表示装置に搭載されるバックライトユニットは、内蔵する光源の光を高い度合いで混ぜ合わせるための導光板（導光体）を含むことがある。 In a liquid crystal display device (display device) equipped with a non-light emitting liquid crystal display panel (display panel), a backlight unit (illumination device) for supplying light is usually mounted on the liquid crystal display panel. The backlight unit is preferably configured to generate planar light that spreads over the entire area of the planar liquid crystal display panel. Therefore, the backlight unit mounted on the liquid crystal display device may include a light guide plate (light guide) for mixing the light of the built-in light source to a high degree.
　導光板を含むバックライトユニットとしては、たとえば、エッジライト（サイドライト）型のバックライトユニットが知られており、従来、液晶表示パネルの表示性能を向上させることが可能な、エッジライト型のバックライトユニットが提案されている（たとえば、特許文献１参照）。 As a backlight unit including a light guide plate, for example, an edge light (side light) type backlight unit is known. Conventionally, an edge light type backlight that can improve the display performance of a liquid crystal display panel is known. A light unit has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
　上記特許文献１には、凹溝によって複数の領域に分割（光学的に分割）された導光板と、複数の光源とを備えたバックライトユニットが記載されている。上記導光板は、バックライトユニットの上下方向（短手方向）には多段（４段）で分割されており、バックライトユニットの左右方向（長手方向）には２分割されている。そして、導光板が上下方向および左右方向に複数の領域に分割されることによって、分割された領域に対応する複数の導光部が形成されている。また、複数の光源は、バックライトユニットの左右方向の両側に分かれて２列状に配置されているとともに、複数の導光部毎に設けられている。 Patent Document 1 describes a backlight unit including a light guide plate that is divided (optically divided) into a plurality of regions by a concave groove and a plurality of light sources. The light guide plate is divided into multiple stages (four stages) in the vertical direction (short direction) of the backlight unit, and is divided into two parts in the horizontal direction (longitudinal direction) of the backlight unit. The light guide plate is divided into a plurality of regions in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction, so that a plurality of light guide portions corresponding to the divided regions are formed. In addition, the plurality of light sources are arranged in two rows on both sides in the left-right direction of the backlight unit, and are provided for each of the plurality of light guides.
　上記のように構成された従来の一例によるバックライトユニットでは、表示画像に応じて各分割領域（各導光部）の照明強度を制御することが可能となる。このため、表示画像の高コントラスト化および低消費電力化を図ることが可能となる。また、液晶表示パネルの走査に同期して各分割領域の光源を点灯させることで動画表示性能の向上を図ることもできる。 In the conventional backlight unit configured as described above, the illumination intensity of each divided region (each light guide) can be controlled according to the display image. For this reason, it is possible to achieve high contrast and low power consumption of the display image. In addition, the moving image display performance can be improved by turning on the light source of each divided region in synchronization with the scanning of the liquid crystal display panel.
特開２００９－９０８０号公報（図１２参照）Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2009-9080 (see FIG. 12)
　しかしながら、従来の一例によるバックライトユニットでは、各分割領域において、光源が配置される側の端部とは反対側の端部（端面）から光が出射して輝線が発生するという不都合がある。具体的には、バックライトユニットの中央部分（左右方向に２分割された凹溝部分）に上下方向の輝線が発生する。このため、均一性の良好な面状光（照明光）を得ることが困難であるという問題点がある。 However, the conventional backlight unit has an inconvenience that light is emitted from an end portion (end surface) opposite to the end portion on the side where the light source is disposed in each divided region, and a bright line is generated. Specifically, a bright line in the vertical direction is generated at the center portion of the backlight unit (the groove portion divided into two in the left-right direction). For this reason, there is a problem that it is difficult to obtain planar light (illumination light) with good uniformity.
　この発明は、上記のような課題を解決するためになされたものであり、この発明の１つの目的は、表示性能の向上および低消費電力化を図りつつ、輝線もしくは輝点の発生が抑制された均一性の良好な面状光が得られる照明装置およびその照明装置を搭載した表示装置を提供することである。 The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and one object of the present invention is to suppress the generation of bright lines or bright spots while improving display performance and reducing power consumption. Another object of the present invention is to provide an illumination device capable of obtaining planar light with good uniformity and a display device equipped with the illumination device.
　上記目的を達成するために、この発明の第１の局面による照明装置は、複数の光源と、この光源からの光が入射される入射端を含み、入射された光を導光させる複数の導光部を有する導光体とを備えている。そして、上記導光体には、入射端とは反対側の面に、導光された光を反射させる反射構造が設けられている。 In order to achieve the above object, an illumination device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of light sources and a plurality of light guides that guide incident light, including a plurality of light sources and an incident end on which light from the light sources is incident. And a light guide having an optical part. The light guide is provided with a reflecting structure for reflecting the light guided on the surface opposite to the incident end.
　この第１の局面による照明装置では、上記のように、導光体における入射端とは反対側の面（端面）に、導光された光を反射させる反射構造を設けることによって、光源からこの面に達した光は反射構造により反射されるので、入射端とは反対側の面から光が出射するのを抑制することができる。これにより、輝線（もしくは輝点）の発生を抑制することができるので、均一性の良好な面状光（照明光）を得ることができる。 In the illumination device according to the first aspect, as described above, the reflection structure that reflects the guided light is provided on the surface (end surface) opposite to the incident end of the light guide so that the light source Since the light reaching the surface is reflected by the reflecting structure, it is possible to suppress the light from being emitted from the surface opposite to the incident end. Thereby, since generation | occurrence | production of a bright line (or bright spot) can be suppressed, planar light (illumination light) with favorable uniformity can be obtained.
　また、第１の局面では、入射された光を導光させる複数の導光部を有するように導光体を構成することによって、表示画像に応じて導光体の領域（各導光部）の照明強度を制御することが可能となる。そして、このように照明強度を制御することにより、表示画像の高コントラスト化を図ることができる。加えて、低消費電力化を図ることもできる。さらに、表示パネルの走査に同期して各導光部に光を入射する光源を点灯させることで動画表示性能の向上を図ることもできる。 In the first aspect, by configuring the light guide so as to have a plurality of light guides that guide incident light, a region of the light guide (each light guide) according to the display image. It is possible to control the illumination intensity. Then, by controlling the illumination intensity in this way, it is possible to increase the contrast of the display image. In addition, low power consumption can be achieved. Further, the moving image display performance can be improved by turning on a light source that makes light incident on each light guide unit in synchronization with scanning of the display panel.
　上記第１の局面による照明装置において、好ましくは、導光体における入射端とは反対側の面に、反射構造としての凹凸形状が形成されている。このように入射端とは反対側の面に凹凸形状を形成すれば、この凹凸形状によって入射された光を入射端側に反射することができるので、容易に、入射端とは反対側の面から光が出射するのを抑制することができる。 In the illuminating device according to the first aspect described above, preferably, a concavo-convex shape as a reflecting structure is formed on the surface of the light guide opposite to the incident end. By forming a concavo-convex shape on the surface opposite to the incident end in this way, the light incident on the concavo-convex shape can be reflected to the incident end side, so the surface opposite to the incident end can be easily obtained. It is possible to suppress the emission of light from.
　この場合において、上記凹凸形状は、断面三角形状であるのが好ましい。また、断面三角形状が頂角９０度であればより好ましい。 In this case, it is preferable that the uneven shape has a triangular cross section. Moreover, it is more preferable if the cross-sectional triangle shape is an apex angle of 90 degrees.
　また、上記導光体に凹凸形状が形成された構成において、上記凹凸形状は、線状プリズム形状またはピラミッド状プリズム形状であるのが好ましい。このように構成すれば、効果的に、入射端とは反対側の面から光が出射するのを抑制することができるので、輝線の発生を効果的に抑制することができる。 In the configuration in which the uneven shape is formed on the light guide, the uneven shape is preferably a linear prism shape or a pyramidal prism shape. If comprised in this way, since it can suppress that a light is radiate | emitted from the surface on the opposite side to an incident end effectively, generation | occurrence | production of a bright line can be suppressed effectively.
　上記第１の局面による照明装置において、より好ましくは、上記反射構造が、入射された光をその入射した方向に反射させる再帰反射性を有している。このように構成すれば、光源から発せられた光は、入射端とは反対側の面に達すると、反射構造によって反射されて再び光源に向かう。このため、入射端とは反対側の面からの光出射をより効果的に抑制することができる。その結果、輝線の発生をさらに効果的に抑制することができる。 In the illumination device according to the first aspect, more preferably, the reflective structure has retroreflectivity that reflects incident light in the incident direction. If comprised in this way, when the light emitted from the light source will reach the surface on the opposite side to the incident end, it will be reflected by the reflecting structure and will again go to the light source. For this reason, the light emission from the surface opposite to the incident end can be more effectively suppressed. As a result, generation of bright lines can be more effectively suppressed.
　また、上記第１の局面による照明装置において、導光体における入射端とは反対側の面を、反射体によって覆う構成とすることもできる。このように構成すれば、入射端とは反対側の面からの光出射をより確実に抑制することができる。なお、上記反射体には、たとえば、反射シートを貼り合わせたものや、白色樹脂で形成した反射キャップなどを用いることができる。 Further, in the lighting device according to the first aspect, the surface of the light guide opposite to the incident end can be covered with the reflector. If comprised in this way, the light emission from the surface on the opposite side to an incident end can be suppressed more reliably. As the reflector, for example, a reflection sheet or a reflection cap formed of a white resin can be used.
　上記第１の局面による照明装置において、導光体は、互いに分離された複数の導光部材から構成されていてもよい。このように構成すれば、表示画像に応じて各導光部材の照明強度を制御することにより、容易に、表示画像の高コントラスト化を図ることができる。加えて、容易に、低消費電力化を図ることができる。また、表示パネルの走査に同期して各導光部材に光を入射する光源を点灯させることで、容易に、動画表示性能の向上を図ることができる。 In the illumination device according to the first aspect, the light guide may be constituted by a plurality of light guide members separated from each other. If comprised in this way, the high contrast of a display image can be achieved easily by controlling the illumination intensity of each light guide member according to a display image. In addition, low power consumption can be easily achieved. In addition, the moving image display performance can be easily improved by turning on a light source that makes light incident on each light guide member in synchronization with scanning of the display panel.
　この場合において、上記導光部材は、棒状に形成されているのが好ましい。このように構成すれば、１枚状の導光板や面状（板状）の導光部材に比べて、照明装置の軽量化を図ることができる。 In this case, the light guide member is preferably formed in a rod shape. If comprised in this way, the weight reduction of an illuminating device can be achieved compared with a sheet-like light guide plate or a planar (plate-like) light guide member.
　上記棒状の導光部材を複数備えた構成において、導光部材の全長は複数種類有り、導光部材の各々は、入射された光を内部で多重反射させることで伝搬させる光伝搬部と、伝搬する光を外部に向けて出射させる光出射部とを有し、光出射部が、入射端に対して反対側となる棒状の先端側に配されているのが好ましい。 In the configuration including a plurality of the rod-shaped light guide members, there are a plurality of types of light guide members, and each of the light guide members includes a light propagation unit that propagates incident light by multiple reflection inside, and a propagation. It is preferable that the light emitting part is arranged on the rod-like tip side opposite to the incident end.
　上記光伝搬部と光出射部とを有する導光部材を備えた構成において、光出射部は、内部の光を、外部出射に適した光路に変更させるための、プリズム加工された部分、シボ加工された部分、またはドット型印刷加工された部分である光路変更加工部を含むと好ましい。すなわち、光路変更加工部は、光伝搬部を伝搬する光の屈折角を変えることで、光出射部から外部に向けて光を出射させる部分である。 In the configuration including the light guide member having the light propagation part and the light emission part, the light emission part is a prism-processed part for changing the internal light into an optical path suitable for external emission, and textured processing. It is preferable to include an optical path changing processing portion that is a portion that has been processed or a portion that has been dot-type printed. That is, the optical path changing process part is a part that emits light from the light emitting part toward the outside by changing the refraction angle of the light propagating through the light propagation part.
　上記光伝搬部と光出射部とを有する導光部材を備えた構成において、導光体は、棒状に加工された複数の導光部材を含む導光部材群を、単数または複数含んだ構成とすることもできる。この場合、導光部材群にて、入射端の位置を繋げて形成される入射端配置線と、光出射部の位置を繋げて形成される光出射部配置線とが交差するように構成されているのが好ましい。 In the configuration including the light guide member having the light propagation portion and the light output portion, the light guide includes a single or a plurality of light guide member groups including a plurality of light guide members processed into a rod shape, and You can also In this case, in the light guide member group, the incident end arrangement line formed by connecting the positions of the incident ends and the light emission part arrangement line formed by connecting the positions of the light emission parts intersect each other. It is preferable.
　この発明の第２の局面による表示装置は、上記第１の局面による照明装置と、この照明装置からの光を受ける表示パネルとを備えている。このように構成すれば、容易に、表示性能に優れた、低消費電力の表示装置を得ることができる。 A display device according to a second aspect of the present invention includes the illumination device according to the first aspect and a display panel that receives light from the illumination device. If comprised in this way, the display apparatus of the low power consumption excellent in display performance can be obtained easily.
　以上のように、本発明によれば、表示性能の向上および低消費電力化を図りつつ、輝線もしくは輝点の発生が抑制された均一性の良好な面状光が得られる照明装置およびその照明装置を搭載した表示装置を容易に得ることができる。 As described above, according to the present invention, an illumination device capable of obtaining planar light with good uniformity in which generation of bright lines or bright spots is suppressed while improving display performance and reducing power consumption, and illumination therefor A display device equipped with the device can be easily obtained.
本発明の第１実施形態による液晶表示装置の分解斜視図である。1 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 本発明の第１実施形態によるバックライトユニットの側面図（図３のＡ１方向の側面図）である。It is a side view (side view of A1 direction of FIG. 3) of the backlight unit by 1st Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第１実施形態によるバックライトユニットの平面図である。It is a top view of the backlight unit by a 1st embodiment of the present invention. 図３のＡ－Ａ線に沿った断面図である。FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 3. 本発明の第１実施形態によるバックライトユニットの導光体の一部を拡大して示した図で、導光体における光の光路を示した光路図でもある。It is the figure which expanded and showed a part of light guide of the backlight unit by 1st Embodiment of this invention, and is also an optical path figure which showed the optical path of the light in a light guide. 本発明の第１実施形態によるバックライトユニットの平面図である。It is a top view of the backlight unit by a 1st embodiment of the present invention. 図６のＡ２方向の側面図である。It is a side view of the A2 direction of FIG. 図６のＡ２方向の側面図（他の例を示した図）である。FIG. 7 is a side view in the A2 direction of FIG. 6 (a diagram illustrating another example). 図６のＡ２方向の側面図（他の例を示した図）である。FIG. 7 is a side view in the A2 direction of FIG. 6 (a diagram illustrating another example). 図６のＡ２方向の側面図（他の例を示した図）である。FIG. 7 is a side view in the A2 direction of FIG. 6 (a diagram illustrating another example). 第１実施形態の第１変形例によるバックライトユニットを一部省略して示した平面図である。It is the top view which abbreviate | omitted and showed the backlight unit by the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment. 図１１のＢ－Ｂ線に沿った断面図である。FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. 11. 第１実施形態の第１変形例による導光体の一部を拡大して示した断面図で、導光体における光の光路を示した光路図でもある。It is sectional drawing which expanded and showed a part of light guide by the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment, and is also an optical path figure which showed the optical path of the light in a light guide. 第１実施形態の第２変形例によるバックライトユニットを一部省略して示した平面図である。It is the top view which abbreviate | omitted and showed the backlight unit by the 2nd modification of 1st Embodiment. 図１４のＣ－Ｃ線に沿った断面図である。FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC in FIG. 14. 第１実施形態の第３変形例によるバックライトユニットを一部省略して示した平面図である。It is the top view which abbreviate | omitted and showed the backlight unit by the 3rd modification of 1st Embodiment. 図１６のＤ－Ｄ線に沿った断面図である。FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD of FIG. 本発明の第２実施形態によるバックライトユニットを一部省略して示した平面図である。It is the top view which abbreviate | omitted and showed the backlight unit by 2nd Embodiment of this invention. 第２実施形態の導光体の一部を拡大して示した拡大図で、導光体における光の光路を示した光路図でもある。It is the enlarged view which expanded and showed a part of light guide of 2nd Embodiment, and is also an optical path figure which showed the optical path of the light in a light guide. 第２実施形態の導光体の一部を拡大して示した拡大図（他の例を示した図）で、導光体における光の光路を示した光路図でもある。It is an enlarged view (figure which showed other examples) which expanded and showed a part of light guide of a 2nd embodiment, and is also an optical path figure showing an optical path of light in a light guide. 本発明の第３実施形態によるバックライトユニットを一部省略して示した平面図である。It is the top view which abbreviate | omitted and showed the backlight unit by 3rd Embodiment of this invention. 第３実施形態の導光体（導光部材）の一部を拡大して示した拡大図で、導光体（導光部材）における光の光路を示した光路図でもある。It is the enlarged view which expanded and showed a part of light guide (light guide member) of 3rd Embodiment, and is also an optical path figure which showed the optical path of the light in a light guide (light guide member). 図２２のＥ－Ｅ線に沿った断面図である。FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE of FIG. 本発明の第４実施形態による液晶表示装置の分解斜視図である。It is a disassembled perspective view of the liquid crystal display device by 4th Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第４実施形態による液晶表示装置の断面図（図２４のＦ－Ｆ線に沿った断面に対応する図）である。FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention (a view corresponding to a cross section taken along line FF in FIG. 24). 本発明の第４実施形態による液晶表示装置の断面図（図２４のＧ－Ｇ線に沿った断面に対応する図）である。FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention (a view corresponding to a cross section taken along line GG in FIG. 24). 本発明の第４実施形態による液晶表示装置の断面図（図２４のＨ－Ｈ線に沿った断面に対応する図）である。FIG. 25 is a cross-sectional view of a liquid crystal display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention (a view corresponding to a cross section taken along line HH in FIG. 24). 本発明の第４実施形態によるバックライトユニットを一部省略して示した平面図である。It is the top view which abbreviate | omitted and showed the backlight unit by 4th Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第４実施形態によるバックライトユニットを構成する導光ユニットの導光棒群の斜視図である。It is a perspective view of the light guide bar group of the light guide unit which comprises the backlight unit by 4th Embodiment of this invention. 本発明の第４実施形態による導光ユニットの導光棒の斜視図である。It is a perspective view of the light guide rod of the light guide unit by 4th Embodiment of this invention. 図２７の液晶表示装置の拡大図であり、導光棒における光の光路を示した光路図でもある。It is an enlarged view of the liquid crystal display device of FIG. 27, and is also an optical path diagram showing an optical path of light in the light guide rod. 図２６の液晶表示装置の拡大図であり、導光棒における光の光路を示した光路図でもある。It is an enlarged view of the liquid crystal display device of FIG. 26, and is also an optical path diagram showing an optical path of light in the light guide rod. 本発明の第４実施形態によるバックライトユニットを構成する導光ユニットの導光棒群の平面図である。It is a top view of the light guide rod group of the light guide unit which comprises the backlight unit by 4th Embodiment of this invention. 図３３の一部を拡大して示した平面図である。It is the top view which expanded and showed a part of FIG. 本発明の第４実施形態による導光ユニットの導光棒の先端部分を拡大して示した図で、導光棒における光の光路を示した光路図でもある。It is the figure which expanded and showed the front-end | tip part of the light guide bar of the light guide unit by 4th Embodiment of this invention, and is also an optical path figure which showed the optical path of the light in a light guide bar. 第４実施形態の第１変形例によるバックライトユニットを一部省略して示した平面図である。It is the top view which abbreviate | omitted and showed the backlight unit by the 1st modification of 4th Embodiment. 第４実施形態の第１変形例によるバックライトユニットの導光棒群を示した平面図である。It is the top view which showed the light guide bar group of the backlight unit by the 1st modification of 4th Embodiment. 図３７の一部を拡大して示した平面図である。It is the top view which expanded and showed a part of FIG. 第４実施形態の第２変形例によるバックライトユニットの導光棒群部分を拡大して示した平面図である。It is the top view which expanded and showed the light guide rod group part of the backlight unit by the 2nd modification of 4th Embodiment. 第４実施形態の第２変形例によるバックライトユニットの導光棒群の側面図である。It is a side view of the light guide bar group of the backlight unit by the 2nd modification of 4th Embodiment. 第４実施形態の第３変形例によるバックライトユニットの導光体の一部を拡大して示した平面図である。It is the top view which expanded and showed a part of light guide of the backlight unit by the 3rd modification of 4th Embodiment. 図４１のＪ－Ｊ線に沿った断面図である。FIG. 42 is a cross-sectional view taken along line JJ of FIG. 41. 第１実施形態の他の例を示した平面図である。It is the top view which showed the other example of 1st Embodiment. 第２実施形態の他の例を示した平面図である。It is the top view which showed the other example of 2nd Embodiment.
　以下、本発明を具体化した実施形態を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。 DETAILED DESCRIPTION Hereinafter, embodiments embodying the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
　（第１実施形態）
　図１は、本発明の第１実施形態による液晶表示装置の分解斜視図である。図２は、本発明の第１実施形態によるバックライトユニットの側面図である。図３は、本発明の第１実施形態によるバックライトユニットの平面図である。図４～図１０は、本発明の第１実施形態によるバックライトユニットを説明するための図である。なお、図２および図３では、バックライトユニットの一部を省略して示している。まず、図１～図１０を参照して、本発明の第１実施形態によるバックライトユニットおよびそのバックライトユニットを備えた液晶表示装置について説明する。 (First embodiment)
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view of the backlight unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the backlight unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 4 to 10 are views for explaining the backlight unit according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 2 and 3, a part of the backlight unit is omitted. First, a backlight unit according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a liquid crystal display device including the backlight unit will be described with reference to FIGS.
　第１実施形態による液晶表示装置８０は、図１に示すように、液晶表示パネル１０と、この液晶表示パネル１０に対して光を供給するバックライトユニット５０と、これらを挟んで互いに対向する一対のハウジング７０（表ハウジング７１、裏ハウジング７２）とを備えている。なお、液晶表示装置８０は、本発明の「表示装置」の一例であり、液晶表示パネル１０は、本発明の「表示パネル」の一例である。また、バックライトユニット５０は、本発明の「照明装置」の一例である。 As shown in FIG. 1, the liquid crystal display device 80 according to the first embodiment includes a liquid crystal display panel 10, a backlight unit 50 that supplies light to the liquid crystal display panel 10, and a pair opposed to each other with these interposed therebetween. Housing 70 (front housing 71, back housing 72). The liquid crystal display device 80 is an example of the “display device” in the present invention, and the liquid crystal display panel 10 is an example of the “display panel” in the present invention. The backlight unit 50 is an example of the “lighting device” in the present invention.
　液晶表示パネル１０は、たとえば、ＴＦＴ（Ｔｈｉｎ　Ｆｉｌｍ　Ｔｒａｎｓｉｓｔｏｒ）などのスイッチング素子を含むアクティブマトリックス基板１１と、このアクティブマトリックス基板１１に対向する対向基板１２とをシール材（図示せず）で貼り合わせることによって構成されている。また、両基板１１および１２の隙間には、液晶（図示せず）が注入されている。そして、アクティブマトリックス基板１１の受光面側および対向基板１２の出射面側には、それぞれ、偏光フィルム１３が取り付けられている。 In the liquid crystal display panel 10, for example, an active matrix substrate 11 including a switching element such as a TFT (Thin Film Transistor) and an opposite substrate 12 facing the active matrix substrate 11 are bonded to each other with a sealing material (not shown). It is constituted by. A liquid crystal (not shown) is injected into the gap between the substrates 11 and 12. A polarizing film 13 is attached to each of the light receiving surface side of the active matrix substrate 11 and the light emitting surface side of the counter substrate 12.
　このように構成された液晶表示パネル１０は、液晶分子の傾きに起因する透過率の変化を利用して、画像を表示する。 The liquid crystal display panel 10 configured in this manner displays an image by using a change in transmittance caused by the tilt of liquid crystal molecules.
　また、第１実施形態によるバックライトユニット５０は、エッジライト（サイドライト）型のバックライトユニットであり、ＬＥＤ（Ｌｉｇｈｔ　Ｅｍｉｔｔｉｎｇ　Ｄｉｏｄｅ）モジュール２０、ＬＥＤモジュール２０からの光を導光する導光体３０、反射シート（反射部材）４１、バックライトシャーシ４２、拡散板（拡散部材）４３、プリズムシート４４、および、レンズシート４５を有している。なお、上記バックライトユニット５０は、液晶表示パネル１０の直下に配置されている。 Further, the backlight unit 50 according to the first embodiment is an edge light (side light) type backlight unit, and an LED (Light Emitting Diode) module 20 and a light guide 30 that guides light from the LED module 20. A reflection sheet (reflection member) 41, a backlight chassis 42, a diffusion plate (diffusion member) 43, a prism sheet 44, and a lens sheet 45. The backlight unit 50 is disposed directly below the liquid crystal display panel 10.
　バックライトユニット５０を構成するＬＥＤモジュール２０は、光を発するモジュールであり、実装基板２１と、この実装基板２１の基板面上に実装される、光源としてのＬＥＤ２２とを含む。 The LED module 20 constituting the backlight unit 50 is a module that emits light, and includes a mounting substrate 21 and an LED 22 as a light source mounted on the substrate surface of the mounting substrate 21.
　実装基板２１は、板状かつ矩形状の基板であり、実装面２１ａ上に、複数の電極（図示せず）が配列されている。そして、これらの電極上に、上記ＬＥＤ２２が取り付けられている。なお、第１実施形態によるバックライトユニット５０では、実装基板２１が２本含まれており、それらは、実装面２１ａ同士を対向させて配置されている。 The mounting substrate 21 is a plate-like and rectangular substrate, and a plurality of electrodes (not shown) are arranged on the mounting surface 21a. And said LED22 is attached on these electrodes. Note that the backlight unit 50 according to the first embodiment includes two mounting substrates 21, which are arranged with the mounting surfaces 21 a facing each other.
　ＬＥＤ２２は、実装基板２１における実装面に形成された電極（図示せず）に実装されることで電流の供給を受けて光を発する。また、光量確保のために、複数のＬＥＤ（発光素子、点状光源）２２が実装基板２１に実装されていると好ましい。ただし、図面では便宜上、一部のＬＥＤ２２のみが示されているにすぎない。 The LED 22 emits light upon being supplied with current by being mounted on an electrode (not shown) formed on the mounting surface of the mounting substrate 21. Moreover, it is preferable that a plurality of LEDs (light emitting elements, point light sources) 22 are mounted on the mounting substrate 21 in order to secure the light quantity. However, in the drawing, only a part of the LEDs 22 is shown for convenience.
　導光体３０は、たとえば、アクリル、ポリカーボネートのような透明樹脂材料から構成されている。また、上記導光体３０は、図１、図３および図４に示すように、平面的に見て、長方形形状を有する板状の導光部材３１を複数含み、これら複数の導光部材３１が並置された構成を有している。そして、上記導光体３０が、互いに分離された複数の導光部材３１から構成されることにより、バックライトユニット５０（導光体３０）の光出射面（照明領域）が複数の領域に分割されている。 The light guide 30 is made of a transparent resin material such as acrylic or polycarbonate. 1, 3, and 4, the light guide 30 includes a plurality of plate-shaped light guide members 31 having a rectangular shape in plan view, and the plurality of light guide members 31. Are arranged side by side. The light guide 30 is composed of a plurality of light guide members 31 separated from each other, so that the light emission surface (illumination region) of the backlight unit 50 (light guide 30) is divided into a plurality of regions. Has been.
　具体的には、上記導光体３０は、バックライトユニット５０の上下方向（短手方向：Ｙ方向）には多段（たとえば、５段）で分割されており、バックライトユニット５０の左右方向（長手方向：Ｘ方向）には２分割されている。そして、導光体３０が上下方向（Ｙ方向）および左右方向（Ｘ方向）に複数の領域に分割されることによって、分割された領域（各導光部材３１）に対応する複数の導光部３１ａが形成されている。なお、図１、図３、図４および図６では、バックライトユニット５０の上下方向（短手方向：Ｙ方向）に５分割された例を示しているが、これに限定されるものではない。 Specifically, the light guide 30 is divided into multiple stages (for example, five stages) in the vertical direction (short direction: Y direction) of the backlight unit 50, and the left-right direction ( (Longitudinal direction: X direction) is divided into two. And the light guide 30 is divided | segmented into several area | region in the up-down direction (Y direction) and the left-right direction (X direction), and the some light guide part corresponding to the divided | segmented area | region (each light guide member 31). 31a is formed. 1, 3, 4, and 6 show an example in which the backlight unit 50 is divided into five in the vertical direction (short direction: Y direction), but is not limited thereto. .
　また、上記した複数のＬＥＤ２２（ＬＥＤモジュール２０）は、バックライトユニット５０の左右方向（Ｘ方向）の両側に分かれて２列状に配置されているとともに、複数の導光部３１ａ毎（導光部材３１毎）に設けられている。すなわち、上記ＬＥＤ２２（ＬＥＤモジュール２０）は、照明領域（液晶表示パネル１０の表示領域に対応する領域）の対向する２辺に配置されている。また、上記ＬＥＤ２２（光源）は、液晶表示パネル１０の表示領域に対応する領域には配置されておらず、液晶表示パネル１０（図１参照）の非表示領域となる端付近に配置されている。 Further, the plurality of LEDs 22 (LED modules 20) described above are arranged in two rows on both sides in the left-right direction (X direction) of the backlight unit 50, and each of the plurality of light guide portions 31a (light guide). For each member 31). That is, the LED 22 (LED module 20) is disposed on two opposing sides of the illumination area (area corresponding to the display area of the liquid crystal display panel 10). Further, the LED 22 (light source) is not disposed in a region corresponding to the display region of the liquid crystal display panel 10, but is disposed near an end serving as a non-display region of the liquid crystal display panel 10 (see FIG. 1). .
　また、図２および図３に示すように、導光体３０（各導光部材３１）は、その長手方向（Ｘ方向）の一端が、ＬＥＤ２２からの光が入射される入射端３２となっており、その長手方向（Ｘ方向）の他端が先端３３となっている。すなわち、上記導光体３０（導光部材３１）は、その長手方向における一端側の側面が、ＬＥＤ２２からの光が入射される入射面３２ａとなっており、入射面３２ａと反対側の側面（入射面３２ａと対向する側面（端面））が先端面３３ａとなっている。そして、導光体３０（導光部材３１）の入射面３２ａ（入射端３２）から入射された光は、導光体３０を導光して導光体３０（導光部材３１）の主面３０Ｕから面状光として出射される。また、導光体３０に入射された光の一部は、導光体３０の内部を導光（伝搬）して先端面３３ａに達する。 As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the light guide 30 (each light guide member 31) has one end in the longitudinal direction (X direction) serving as an incident end 32 to which light from the LED 22 is incident. The other end in the longitudinal direction (X direction) is a tip 33. That is, in the light guide 30 (light guide member 31), the side surface on one end side in the longitudinal direction is an incident surface 32a on which light from the LED 22 is incident, and the side surface opposite to the incident surface 32a ( A side surface (end surface) facing the incident surface 32a is a tip surface 33a. Then, the light incident from the incident surface 32a (incident end 32) of the light guide 30 (light guide member 31) guides the light guide 30 to the main surface of the light guide 30 (light guide member 31). 30U is emitted as planar light. Further, a part of the light incident on the light guide 30 is guided (propagated) inside the light guide 30 and reaches the front end surface 33a.
　ここで、第１実施形態では、図２および図６に示すように、各導光部材３１の先端面３３ａ（入射端３２とは反対側の面）に、凹凸部（凹凸形状）３５が形成されている。この凹凸部３５は、たとえば、断面三角形状を有する三角プリズム３５ａからなり、図５に示すように、先端面３３ａに達した光（矢印参照）を反射する機能を有している。 Here, in the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, an uneven portion (uneven shape) 35 is formed on the distal end surface 33 a (surface opposite to the incident end 32) of each light guide member 31. Has been. For example, the concave and convex portion 35 includes a triangular prism 35a having a triangular cross section, and has a function of reflecting light (see an arrow) that has reached the distal end surface 33a as shown in FIG.
　また、上記凹凸部３５は、入射された光をその入射した方向に反射させる再帰反射性を有していればより好ましい。そのため、上記三角プリズム３５ａは、再帰反射プリズムとなっているとより好ましい。また、この場合、断面三角形状が頂角９０度であればさらに好ましい。このように、導光部材３１の先端面３３ａに再帰反射プリズムを設ければ、先端面３３ａに達した光が外部に出射されずに、再びＬＥＤ２２（光源）に向かって反射される。このため、輝線の原因となっていた先端面３３ａからの光出射が効果的に抑制されて、輝線の発生が効果的に抑制される。 Further, it is more preferable that the uneven portion 35 has retroreflectivity that reflects incident light in the incident direction. For this reason, the triangular prism 35a is more preferably a retroreflective prism. In this case, it is more preferable that the cross-sectional triangle shape has an apex angle of 90 degrees. As described above, when the retroreflective prism is provided on the distal end surface 33a of the light guide member 31, the light reaching the distal end surface 33a is not emitted to the outside but is reflected again toward the LED 22 (light source). For this reason, the light emission from the front end surface 33a which has caused the bright line is effectively suppressed, and the generation of the bright line is effectively suppressed.
　なお、上記三角プリズム３５ａは、図６のＡ２方向の側面図である図７に示すように、導光部材３１の幅方向（Ｙ方向）に延びる横筋状の線状プリズムに形成されていてもよいし、図８に示すように、導光部材３１の厚み方向（Ｚ方向）に延びる縦筋状の線状プリズムに形成されていてもよい。また、図９に示すように、斜め筋状の線状プリズムに形成されていてもよい。さらに、上記凹凸部３５は、図１０に示すように、ピラミッド状のプリズムであってもよい。また、上記プリズムの数は、複数であってもよいし、単数であってもよい。 The triangular prism 35a may be formed as a horizontal linear prism extending in the width direction (Y direction) of the light guide member 31, as shown in FIG. 7 which is a side view in the A2 direction of FIG. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 8, the light guide member 31 may be formed in a vertical line-shaped linear prism extending in the thickness direction (Z direction). Moreover, as shown in FIG. 9, you may form in the diagonal prism-like linear prism. Furthermore, the uneven portion 35 may be a pyramidal prism as shown in FIG. The number of the prisms may be plural or singular.
　また、上記凹凸部３５は、上記したプリズム形状以外に、たとえば、キューブコーナー型の三角錐状プリズムなどの他の再帰反射構造としてもよい。 In addition to the prism shape described above, the concavo-convex portion 35 may have another retroreflective structure such as a cube-corner triangular pyramid prism.
　また、図１に示すように、バックライトユニット５０に含まれる反射シート４１は、導光体３０における底面３０Ｂにて覆われるシートで、シートにおける反射面４１Ｕは、導光体３０の底面３０Ｂに面する。そして、導光体３０の底面３０Ｂから漏れだした光があれば、その光を導光体３０に戻すように反射させ、光の損失を防ぐ。 Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the reflection sheet 41 included in the backlight unit 50 is a sheet covered with the bottom surface 30 </ b> B of the light guide 30, and the reflection surface 41 </ b> U of the sheet is on the bottom surface 30 </ b> B of the light guide 30. Face. If there is light leaking from the bottom surface 30 </ b> B of the light guide 30, the light is reflected back to the light guide 30 to prevent light loss.
　バックライトシャーシ４２は、たとえば箱状の部材で、底面４２ＢにＬＥＤモジュール２０と導光体３０とを敷き詰めることで、それらを収容する。 The backlight chassis 42 is a box-shaped member, for example, and accommodates them by spreading the LED module 20 and the light guide 30 on the bottom surface 42B.
　拡散板４３は、導光体３０に重なる光学シートであり、導光体３０から発せられる光を拡散させる。すなわち、拡散板４３は、導光体３０からの光を拡散させて、液晶表示パネル１０の全域に光を行き渡らせる。 The diffusion plate 43 is an optical sheet that overlaps the light guide 30 and diffuses light emitted from the light guide 30. That is, the diffusion plate 43 diffuses the light from the light guide 30 and spreads the light over the entire area of the liquid crystal display panel 10.
　プリズムシート４４は、拡散板４３に重なる光学シートである。このプリズムシート４４は、一方向（線状）に延びるたとえば三角プリズムが、シート面内にて、一方向に交差する方向に並べられており、拡散板４３からの光の放射特性を偏向させる。 The prism sheet 44 is an optical sheet that overlaps the diffusion plate 43. In the prism sheet 44, for example, triangular prisms extending in one direction (linear shape) are arranged in a direction intersecting with one direction in the sheet surface, and deflect the radiation characteristics of light from the diffusion plate 43.
　レンズシート４５は、プリズムシート４４に重なる光学シートである。このレンズシート４５は、光を屈折散乱させる微粒子が内部に分散されており、プリズムシート４４からの光を、局所的に集光させることなく、明暗差（光量ムラ）を抑える。 The lens sheet 45 is an optical sheet that overlaps the prism sheet 44. In the lens sheet 45, fine particles that refract and scatter light are dispersed in the lens sheet 45, and the light from the prism sheet 44 is not collected locally, and the difference in brightness (light intensity unevenness) is suppressed.
　上記のように構成された第１実施形態によるバックライトユニット５０は、ＬＥＤモジュール２０からの光を導光体３０で面状光にし、その面状光を、複数枚の光学部材４３～４５に通過させて、液晶表示パネル１０に供給する。これにより、非発光型の液晶表示パネル１０は、バックライトユニット５０からの光（バックライト光）を受光して表示機能を向上させる。 The backlight unit 50 according to the first embodiment configured as described above converts the light from the LED module 20 into planar light by the light guide 30, and the planar light is transmitted to the plurality of optical members 43 to 45. The liquid crystal is passed through and supplied to the liquid crystal display panel 10. Thereby, the non-light-emitting liquid crystal display panel 10 receives the light (backlight light) from the backlight unit 50 and improves the display function.
　第１実施形態では、上記のように、導光体３０（各導光部材３１）の先端面３３ａ（入射端３２とは反対側の面）に、導光された光を反射させる凹凸部３５を形成することによって、ＬＥＤ２２からこの面に達した光は凹凸部３５により反射されるので、導光部材３１の先端面３３ａから光が出射するのを抑制することができる。これにより、輝線の発生を抑制することができるので、均一性の良好な面状光（照明光）を得ることができる。 In 1st Embodiment, as mentioned above, the uneven | corrugated | grooved part 35 which reflects the light guided by the front end surface 33a (surface on the opposite side to the incident end 32) of the light guide 30 (each light guide member 31). Since the light reaching this surface from the LED 22 is reflected by the concavo-convex portion 35, the light can be prevented from being emitted from the front end surface 33 a of the light guide member 31. Thereby, since generation | occurrence | production of a bright line can be suppressed, planar light (illumination light) with favorable uniformity can be obtained.
　また、第１実施形態では、導光体３０を複数の導光部材３１から構成することによって、導光体３０の光出射面を複数の領域（導光部３１ａ）に分割することができる。具体的には、導光体３０の光出射面を、その上下方向（短手方向：Ｙ方向）には多段（たとえば、５段）で分割し、左右方向（長手方向：Ｘ方向）には２分割することができる。これにより、液晶表示パネル１０の表示画像に応じて導光体３０の各領域（各導光部材３１の照明領域）の照明強度を制御することができる。そして、このように導光体３０の各領域（各導光部材３１（各導光部３１ａ））の照明強度を制御することにより、表示画像の高コントラスト化を図ることができる。また、表示画像に応じて照明強度を制御することにより、低消費電力化を図ることもできる。さらに、液晶表示パネル１０の走査に同期して各導光部材３１（各導光部３１ａ）に光を入射するＬＥＤ２２を点灯させることで動画表示性能の向上を図ることもできる。 Moreover, in 1st Embodiment, the light-projection surface of the light guide 30 can be divided | segmented into a some area | region (light guide part 31a) by comprising the light guide 30 from the several light guide member 31. FIG. Specifically, the light emitting surface of the light guide 30 is divided into multiple stages (for example, five stages) in the vertical direction (short direction: Y direction), and in the horizontal direction (longitudinal direction: X direction). It can be divided into two. Thereby, according to the display image of the liquid crystal display panel 10, the illumination intensity of each area | region (illumination area | region of each light guide member 31) of the light guide 30 is controllable. Further, by controlling the illumination intensity of each region (each light guide member 31 (each light guide portion 31a)) of the light guide 30 as described above, a high contrast of the display image can be achieved. In addition, the power consumption can be reduced by controlling the illumination intensity according to the display image. Further, the moving image display performance can be improved by turning on the LEDs 22 that enter the light guide members 31 (each light guide portion 31a) in synchronization with the scanning of the liquid crystal display panel 10.
　また、第１実施形態では、各導光部材３１の先端面３３ａに、再帰反射性を有する再帰反射構造（たとえば、再帰反射プリズム）を形成することにより、効果的に輝線の発生を抑制することができる。すなわち、導光部材３１の先端面３３ａに、たとえば、再帰反射プリズムを形成すれば、ＬＥＤ２２から発せられた光は、先端面３３ａ（入射端３２とは反対側の面）に達すると、再帰反射プリズムによって反射されて再びＬＥＤ２２に向かう。このため、先端面３３ａからの光出射が効果的に抑制されて、輝線の発生が効果的に抑制される。 In the first embodiment, the generation of bright lines is effectively suppressed by forming a retroreflective structure having retroreflectivity (for example, a retroreflective prism) on the tip surface 33a of each light guide member 31. Can do. That is, if, for example, a retroreflective prism is formed on the distal end surface 33a of the light guide member 31, when the light emitted from the LED 22 reaches the distal end surface 33a (surface opposite to the incident end 32), retroreflection is performed. The light is reflected by the prism and travels toward the LED 22 again. For this reason, the light emission from the front end surface 33a is effectively suppressed, and the generation of bright lines is effectively suppressed.
　（第１実施形態の第１変形例）
　図１１は、第１実施形態の第１変形例によるバックライトユニットを一部省略して示した平面図である。図１２は、図１１のＢ－Ｂ線に沿った断面図である。図１３は、第１実施形態の第１変形例による導光体の一部を拡大して示した断面図である。次に、図１１～図１３を参照して、第１実施形態の第１変形例によるバックライトユニットについて説明する。なお、各図において、対応する構成要素には同一の符号を付すことにより、重複する説明は省略する。 (First modification of the first embodiment)
FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a backlight unit according to a first modification of the first embodiment with a part thereof omitted. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. FIG. 13 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing a part of a light guide according to a first modification of the first embodiment. Next, a backlight unit according to a first modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to a corresponding component, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
　第１実施形態の第１変形例によるバックライトユニットは、図１１および図１２に示すように、上記第１実施形態の構成において、導光部材３１における少なくとも先端面３３ａが、反射体３６によって覆われている。この反射体３６は、たとえば、反射シートを貼り合わせたものや、反射特性に優れた白色樹脂（たとえば、ＬＥＤパッケージ（反射枠体等）を構成する一材料など）から構成されている。 As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the backlight unit according to the first modification of the first embodiment is configured so that at least the front end surface 33 a of the light guide member 31 is covered by the reflector 36 in the configuration of the first embodiment. It has been broken. The reflector 36 is made of, for example, a material obtained by pasting a reflection sheet or a white resin excellent in reflection characteristics (for example, one material constituting an LED package (reflection frame or the like)).
　このように、第１実施形態の第１変形例では、各導光部材３１の先端３３に反射体３６を設けることによって、図１３に示すように、ＬＥＤ２２（図１２参照）からこの面に達した光（図１３の矢印参照）は反射体３６によって再びＬＥＤ２２に向かって反射される。このため、導光部材３１（導光部３１ａ）の先端面３３ａからの光出射をより確実に抑制することができる。 Thus, in the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment, by providing the reflector 36 in the front-end | tip 33 of each light guide member 31, as shown in FIG. 13, this surface is reached from LED22 (refer FIG. 12). The reflected light (see the arrow in FIG. 13) is reflected again toward the LED 22 by the reflector 36. For this reason, the light emission from the front end surface 33a of the light guide member 31 (light guide portion 31a) can be more reliably suppressed.
　なお、第１実施形態の第１変形例においては、導光部材３１の先端面３３ａに、上記第１実施形態で示したような凹凸部（凹凸形状）が形成されていない構成とすることができるし、上記第１実施形態と同様の凹凸部（凹凸形状）が形成された構成とすることもできる。 In addition, in the 1st modification of 1st Embodiment, it is set as the structure by which the uneven | corrugated | grooved part (uneven | corrugated shape) as shown in the said 1st Embodiment is not formed in the front end surface 33a of the light guide member 31. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which the same uneven portion (uneven shape) as in the first embodiment is formed.
　第１実施形態の第１変形例によるバックライトユニットのその他の構成は、上記第１実施形態と同様である。 Other configurations of the backlight unit according to the first modification of the first embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.
　（第１実施形態の第２変形例）
　図１４は、第１実施形態の第２変形例によるバックライトユニットを一部省略して示した平面図である。図１５は、図１４のＣ－Ｃ線に沿った断面図である。次に、図１４および図１５を参照して、第１実施形態の第２変形例によるバックライトユニットについて説明する。 (Second modification of the first embodiment)
FIG. 14 is a plan view in which a backlight unit according to a second modification of the first embodiment is partially omitted. FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along the line CC of FIG. Next, a backlight unit according to a second modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 and 15.
　この第１実施形態の第２変形例では、図１４および図１５に示すように、導光体３０に複数の凹溝３０ａが形成されており、この凹溝３０ａによって、導光体３０の光出射面（照明領域）が、上下方向（短手方向：Ｙ方向）に多段（たとえば、５段）に分割されている。この凹溝３０ａは、導光体３０の上面から厚み方向の途中の深さまで掘られており、バックライトユニットの長手方向（Ｘ方向）に延びるように形成されている。そして、この凹溝３０ａの形成によって、導光体３０の光出射面（照明領域）が、複数の領域に光学的に分離されている。なお、上記凹溝３０ａは、分割された複数の領域が、上記第１実施形態と同様となるように形成されている。すなわち、第１実施形態と同様の導光部３１ａを有するように形成されている。また、上記凹溝３０ａは、導光体３０の下面側に形成されていてもよい。 In the second modification of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a plurality of concave grooves 30a are formed in the light guide 30, and the light from the light guide 30 is formed by the concave grooves 30a. The emission surface (illumination area) is divided into multiple stages (for example, 5 stages) in the vertical direction (short direction: Y direction). The concave groove 30a is dug from the upper surface of the light guide 30 to a depth in the middle of the thickness direction, and is formed to extend in the longitudinal direction (X direction) of the backlight unit. The light emitting surface (illumination region) of the light guide 30 is optically separated into a plurality of regions by forming the concave grooves 30a. The concave groove 30a is formed such that a plurality of divided regions are the same as those in the first embodiment. That is, it is formed to have the same light guide part 31a as in the first embodiment. The concave groove 30 a may be formed on the lower surface side of the light guide 30.
　また、上記導光体３０は、バックライトユニットの左右方向（Ｘ方向）に２つに分離されており、そのため、上記第１実施形態と同様、バックライトユニットの左右方向（長手方向：Ｘ方向）には２分割された状態となっている。 Further, the light guide 30 is divided into two in the left-right direction (X direction) of the backlight unit. Therefore, as in the first embodiment, the left-right direction (longitudinal direction: X direction) of the backlight unit. ) Is divided into two.
　このように、第１実施形態の第２変形例では、凹溝３０ａにより、導光体３０の光出射面（照明領域）が、上下方向（短手方向：Ｙ方向）に多段（たとえば、５段）に分割（光学的に分割）されることによって、導光体３０が、２つの導光部材３１から構成されている。 As described above, in the second modification of the first embodiment, the light exit surface (illumination region) of the light guide 30 is multi-staged (for example, 5 directions) in the vertical direction (short direction: Y direction) by the concave groove 30a. The light guide 30 is composed of two light guide members 31 by being divided (optically divided) into stages.
　第１実施形態の第２変形例によるバックライトユニットのその他の構成は、上記第１実施形態と同様である。また、第１実施形態の第２変形例の効果は、上記第１実施形態と同様である。 Other configurations of the backlight unit according to the second modification of the first embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment. The effect of the second modification of the first embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment.
　（第１実施形態の第３変形例）
　図１６は、第１実施形態の第３変形例によるバックライトユニットを一部省略して示した平面図である。図１７は、図１６のＤ－Ｄ線に沿った断面図である。次に、図１６および図１７を参照して、第１実施形態の第３変形例によるバックライトユニットについて説明する。 (Third Modification of First Embodiment)
FIG. 16 is a plan view illustrating a backlight unit according to a third modification of the first embodiment with a part thereof omitted. FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD in FIG. Next, a backlight unit according to a third modification of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 16 and 17.
　この第１実施形態の第３変形例では、図１６および図１７に示すように、導光体３０が１枚状の導光板から構成されており、凹溝３０ａの形成によって、導光体３０の光出射面（照明領域）が、複数の領域に光学的に分離されている。なお、上記凹溝３０ａは、分割された複数の領域が、上記第１実施形態と同様となるように形成されている。 In the third modification of the first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the light guide 30 is constituted by a single light guide plate, and the light guide 30 is formed by forming the concave groove 30a. The light exit surface (illumination region) is optically separated into a plurality of regions. The concave groove 30a is formed such that a plurality of divided regions are the same as those in the first embodiment.
　また、第１実施形態の第３変形例では、バックライトユニットの左右方向（長手方向：Ｘ方向）には２分割するための凹溝３０ａ（３０ｂ）に、上記第１実施形態の第１変形例と同様の反射体３６が設けられている。この反射体３６は、上記凹溝３０ｂの内側面３３ａ（入射端３２と反対側の端面３３ａ）を覆うように設けられている。 Further, in the third modification of the first embodiment, the first modification of the first embodiment is provided in the concave groove 30a (30b) for dividing the backlight unit into two in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction: X direction). A reflector 36 similar to the example is provided. The reflector 36 is provided so as to cover the inner side surface 33a (end surface 33a opposite to the incident end 32) of the concave groove 30b.
　第１実施形態の第３変形例によるバックライトユニットのその他の構成は、上記第１実施形態の第１変形例と同様である。また、第１実施形態の第３変形例の効果は、上記第１実施形態および第１実施形態の第１変形例と同様である。 Other configurations of the backlight unit according to the third modification of the first embodiment are the same as those of the first modification of the first embodiment. The effects of the third modification of the first embodiment are the same as those of the first modification and the first modification of the first embodiment.
　（第２実施形態）
　図１８は、本発明の第２実施形態によるバックライトユニットを一部省略して示した平面図である。図１９および図２０は、第２実施形態の導光体の一部を拡大して示した拡大図である。次に、図１８～図２０を参照して、本発明の第２実施形態によるバックライトユニットについて説明する。なお、各図において、対応する構成要素には同一の符号を付すことにより、重複する説明は省略する。 (Second Embodiment)
FIG. 18 is a plan view in which a backlight unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention is partially omitted. 19 and 20 are enlarged views showing a part of the light guide according to the second embodiment. Next, a backlight unit according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to a corresponding component, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
　この第２実施形態では、図１８に示すように、バックライトユニットの導光体３０が、棒状に形成された複数の導光部材１３１から構成されている。これらの導光部材１３１は、たとえば、アクリル、ポリカーボネートのような透明樹脂を材料とする棒状部材であり、ＬＥＤ２２からの光を受けて、その光を内部で導く（導光させる）。また、上記棒状の導光部材１３１は、全長方向における一端が、ＬＥＤ２２からの光が入射される入射端３２（入射面３２ａ）となっており、全長方向における他端、すなわち、入射端３２の反対側の一端が、先端３３となっている。 In the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the light guide 30 of the backlight unit is composed of a plurality of light guide members 131 formed in a bar shape. These light guide members 131 are rod-shaped members made of a transparent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, for example, and receive light from the LED 22 and guide (guide light) the light inside. In addition, the rod-shaped light guide member 131 has an incident end 32 (incident surface 32a) on which light from the LED 22 is incident at one end in the full length direction, and the other end in the full length direction, that is, the incident end 32. One end on the opposite side is a tip 33.
　さらに、複数の導光部材１３１は、バックライトユニットの左右方向（Ｘ方向）に延びるように配置されており、バックライトユニットの左右方向（Ｘ方向）において、右側（Ｘ１方向側）と左側（Ｘ２方向側）との２つの集合群に分かれている。各集合群に属する導光部材１３１は、バックライトユニットの上下方向（Ｙ方向）に沿うように配列されており、一方の集合群に属する導光部材１３１と他方の集合群に属する導光部材１３１とは、その先端３３が向き合うようにして配されている。そして、このように構成されることにより、導光部材１３１に対応する複数の導光部１３１ａが形成されている。 Further, the plurality of light guide members 131 are arranged so as to extend in the left-right direction (X direction) of the backlight unit, and in the left-right direction (X direction) of the backlight unit, the right side (X1 direction side) and the left side (X direction). X2 direction side) and two set groups. The light guide members 131 belonging to each set group are arranged along the vertical direction (Y direction) of the backlight unit, and the light guide members 131 belonging to one set group and the light guide members belonging to the other set group. 131 is arranged such that the tip 33 thereof faces each other. And by being comprised in this way, the some light guide part 131a corresponding to the light guide member 131 is formed.
　また、上記導光体３０は、バックライトユニットの上下方向（短手方向：Ｙ方向）には多段（たとえば、６段）で分割されており、バックライトユニットの左右方向（長手方向：Ｘ方向）には２分割されている。 The light guide 30 is divided into multiple stages (for example, 6 stages) in the up-down direction (short direction: Y direction) of the backlight unit, and the left-right direction (longitudinal direction: X direction) of the backlight unit. ) Is divided into two.
　なお、棒状の導光部材１３１は、たとえば、断面積が一様である直方体状に形成されていてもよいが、図１８に示すように、先端３３に向かって細くなる（断面積が小さくなる）テーパ状に形成されているのが好ましい。このように、棒状の導光部材１３１をテーパ状に形成することにより、導光部材１３１の光出射面から光を出射し易くすることができる。 The rod-shaped light guide member 131 may be formed in a rectangular parallelepiped shape having a uniform cross-sectional area, for example, but becomes narrower toward the tip 33 (the cross-sectional area becomes smaller) as shown in FIG. ) It is preferably formed in a tapered shape. Thus, by forming the rod-shaped light guide member 131 in a tapered shape, light can be easily emitted from the light emission surface of the light guide member 131.
　ここで、第２実施形態では、棒状の導光部材１３１の先端３３（入射端３２とは反対側の面）に、凹凸部（凹凸形状）３５が形成されている。この凹凸部３５は、たとえば、断面三角形状を有するプリズム３５ａからなり、図１９に示すように、先端３３（先端面３３ａ）に達した光（矢印参照）を反射する機能を有している。 Here, in the second embodiment, an uneven portion (uneven shape) 35 is formed on the tip 33 (surface opposite to the incident end 32) of the rod-shaped light guide member 131. The uneven portion 35 is made of, for example, a prism 35a having a triangular cross section, and has a function of reflecting light (see an arrow) reaching the tip 33 (tip surface 33a) as shown in FIG.
　また、上記凹凸部３５は、入射された光をその入射した方向に反射させる再帰反射性を有していればより好ましい。そのため、上記三角プリズム３５ａは、再帰反射プリズムとなっているとより好ましい。この場合、断面三角形状が頂角９０度であればさらに好ましい。このように、導光部材１３１の先端面３３ａに再帰反射プリズムを設ければ、先端面３３ａに達した光が外部に出射されずに、再びＬＥＤ２２（光源）に向かって反射される。このため、輝線（輝点）の原因となっていた先端面３３ａからの光出射が効果的に抑制されて、輝線（輝点）の発生が効果的に抑制される。 Further, it is more preferable that the uneven portion 35 has retroreflectivity that reflects incident light in the incident direction. For this reason, the triangular prism 35a is more preferably a retroreflective prism. In this case, it is more preferable that the cross-sectional triangle has an apex angle of 90 degrees. As described above, when the retroreflective prism is provided on the distal end surface 33a of the light guide member 131, the light reaching the distal end surface 33a is not emitted to the outside but is reflected toward the LED 22 (light source) again. For this reason, the light emission from the front end surface 33a which has caused the bright line (bright spot) is effectively suppressed, and the generation of the bright line (bright spot) is effectively suppressed.
　なお、上記プリズム３５ａ（再帰反射プリズム）は、横向き状、縦向き状、ピラミッド状などのいずれであってもよい。また、プリズム３５ａ（再帰反射プリズム）の数は、単数であってもよいし、複数であってもよい。 Note that the prism 35a (retroreflective prism) may have any of a horizontally oriented shape, a vertically oriented shape, a pyramid shape, and the like. The number of prisms 35a (retroreflective prisms) may be singular or plural.
　また、上記導光部材１３１の先端３３は、図２０に示すように、略半球状の再帰反射構造３５ｂとすることもできる。 Further, the tip 33 of the light guide member 131 may be a substantially hemispherical retroreflective structure 35b as shown in FIG.
　第２実施形態では、上記のように、導光体３０を、複数の導光棒（棒状の導光部材１３１）から構成することによって、１枚状の導光板や面状（板状）の導光部材を用いる場合に比べて、バックライトユニットの軽量化を図ることができる。 In the second embodiment, as described above, the light guide 30 is composed of a plurality of light guide rods (rod-shaped light guide members 131), thereby providing a single light guide plate or a planar (plate-like) shape. Compared with the case where a light guide member is used, the backlight unit can be reduced in weight.
　第２実施形態のバックライトユニットのその他の構成および効果は、上記第１実施形態と同様である。 Other configurations and effects of the backlight unit of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.
　（第３実施形態）
　図２１は、本発明の第３実施形態によるバックライトユニットを一部省略して示した平面図である。図２２は、第３実施形態の導光体の一部を拡大して示した拡大図である。図２３は、図２２のＥ－Ｅ線に沿った断面図である。次に、図１９および図２１～図２３を参照して、本発明の第３実施形態によるバックライトユニットについて説明する。なお、各図において、対応する構成要素には同一の符号を付すことにより、重複する説明は省略する。 (Third embodiment)
FIG. 21 is a plan view showing the backlight unit according to the third embodiment with a part thereof omitted. FIG. 22 is an enlarged view showing a part of the light guide according to the third embodiment. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. Next, a backlight unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 19 and FIGS. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to a corresponding component, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
　この第３実施形態では、図２１に示すように、上記第２実施形態と同様、棒状に形成された複数の導光部材１３１から導光体３０が構成されている。また、第３実施形態では、導光部材１３１の先端３３に凹凸部３５（図１９参照）が形成されない変わりに、導光部材１３１の先端面３３ａを覆うように反射体３６が設けられている。この反射体３６は、たとえば、上記第１実施形態の第１変形例で示した反射体と同様の材料から構成されており、図２２および図２３に示すように、ＬＥＤ２２（図２１参照）からこの面に達した光（図２２および図２３の矢印参照）は反射体３６によって再びＬＥＤ２２に向かって反射される。このため、導光部材１３１の先端面３３ａからの光出射がより確実に抑制される。 In the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, a light guide 30 is constituted by a plurality of light guide members 131 formed in a bar shape, as in the second embodiment. In the third embodiment, the reflector 36 is provided so as to cover the tip surface 33 a of the light guide member 131, instead of forming the concave and convex portion 35 (see FIG. 19) at the tip 33 of the light guide member 131. . The reflector 36 is made of, for example, the same material as that of the reflector shown in the first modification of the first embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 22 and 23, the reflector 36 is formed from the LED 22 (see FIG. 21). The light reaching this surface (see the arrows in FIGS. 22 and 23) is reflected again toward the LED 22 by the reflector 36. For this reason, the light emission from the front end surface 33a of the light guide member 131 is more reliably suppressed.
　第３実施形態のバックライトユニットのその他の構成は、上記第２実施形態と同様である。 Other configurations of the backlight unit of the third embodiment are the same as those of the second embodiment.
　（第４実施形態）
　図２４は、本発明の第４実施形態による液晶表示装置の分解斜視図である。図２５～図２７は、図２４における液晶表示装置の断面図である。図２８は、本発明の第４実施形態によるバックライトユニットを一部省略して示した平面図である。図２９～図３５は、本発明の第４実施形態によるバックライトユニットを説明するための図である。次に、図２０および図２４～図３５を参照して、本発明の第４実施形態によるバックライトユニットおよびそのバックライトユニットを備えた液晶表示装置について説明する。なお、各図において、対応する構成要素には同一の符号を付すことにより、重複する説明は省略する。 (Fourth embodiment)
FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of a liquid crystal display device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. 25 to 27 are cross-sectional views of the liquid crystal display device in FIG. FIG. 28 is a plan view showing the backlight unit according to the fourth embodiment with a part thereof omitted. 29 to 35 are views for explaining a backlight unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. Next, with reference to FIG. 20 and FIGS. 24 to 35, a backlight unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention and a liquid crystal display device including the backlight unit will be described. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to a corresponding component, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
　この第４実施形態による液晶表示装置８０は、図２４～図２７に示すように、バックライトユニット５０の構成（特に、導光体３０の構成）が、上記した第１～第３実施形態とは異なる。 In the liquid crystal display device 80 according to the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 24 to 27, the configuration of the backlight unit 50 (particularly, the configuration of the light guide 30) is the same as that of the first to third embodiments described above. Is different.
　具体的には、第４実施形態では、バックライトユニット５０の導光体３０が、棒状の導光部材である導光棒（導光部）２１１を複数含んだ導光ユニット２３０から構成されている。また、複数のＬＥＤ２２（ＬＥＤモジュール２０）は、上記第１～第３実施形態とは異なり、バックライトユニット５０の上下方向（Ｙ方向）の両側に分かれて２列状に配置されている。すなわち、上記ＬＥＤ２２（ＬＥＤモジュール２０）は、照明領域（液晶表示パネル１０の表示領域に対応する領域）の対向する２辺（上下方向の２辺）に配置されている。さらに、上記ＬＥＤ２２は、液晶表示パネル１０の表示領域に対応する領域には配置されておらず、液晶表示パネル１０の非表示領域となる端付近に配置されている。 Specifically, in the fourth embodiment, the light guide 30 of the backlight unit 50 includes a light guide unit 230 including a plurality of light guide bars (light guide portions) 211 that are rod-shaped light guide members. Yes. Further, unlike the first to third embodiments, the plurality of LEDs 22 (LED modules 20) are arranged in two rows separately on both sides in the vertical direction (Y direction) of the backlight unit 50. That is, the LED 22 (LED module 20) is disposed on two opposite sides (two sides in the vertical direction) of the illumination area (area corresponding to the display area of the liquid crystal display panel 10). Further, the LED 22 is not disposed in a region corresponding to the display region of the liquid crystal display panel 10, but is disposed near an end serving as a non-display region of the liquid crystal display panel 10.
　導光棒２１１は、たとえば、アクリル、ポリカーボネートのような透明樹脂を材料とする棒状部材からなり、ＬＥＤ２２からの光を受けて、その光を内部で導く（導光させる）。具体的には、図２９および図３０に示すように、導光棒２１１は、たとえば、Ｙ方向に延びた直方体状の導光材料からなり、Ｙ方向と直交するＸ方向に沿って並ぶことで密集する。そして、図２９および図３３に示すように、全長を異にする複数本（たとえば６本）の導光棒２１１が集まることによって導光棒群（導光部材群）２１０が構成されている。 The light guide rod 211 is made of a rod-shaped member made of a transparent resin such as acrylic or polycarbonate, for example, and receives light from the LED 22 and guides the light inside (guides it). Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 29 and 30, the light guide rod 211 is made of, for example, a rectangular parallelepiped light guide material extending in the Y direction and arranged along the X direction orthogonal to the Y direction. To be dense. As shown in FIGS. 29 and 33, a plurality of (for example, six) light guide bars 211 having different lengths are gathered to form a light guide bar group (light guide member group) 210.
　なお、導光棒群２１０は、図３４に示すように、導光棒２１１の側面同士の間に連結材２２０が介在し、導光棒２１１が繋がって形成されていてもよい。連結材２２０を含む導光棒群２１０の製造は、特に限定されず、たとえば、連結材２２０の形を刻んだ金型を用いることでの一体成形（射出成形等）であってもよいし、別体の導光棒２１１同士に対して、連結材２２０を接着剤等で繋げて形成してもよい。 In addition, as shown in FIG. 34, the light guide bar group 210 may be formed by connecting the light guide bars 211 with the connecting material 220 interposed between the side surfaces of the light guide bars 211. The manufacture of the light guide rod group 210 including the connecting material 220 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, integral molding (injection molding or the like) using a mold in which the shape of the connecting material 220 is engraved, The connecting members 220 may be connected to the separate light guide bars 211 with an adhesive or the like.
　導光棒２１１は、全長方向における一端が、ＬＥＤ２２からの光が入射される入射端２１２Ｒとされており、全長方向における他端、すなわち、入射端２１２Ｒの反対側の一端が先端２１２Ｔとされている。また、導光棒２１１は、上記第１～第３実施形態とは異なり、光を伝搬させる光伝搬部２１２と、伝搬する光を外部に出射する光出射部２１２Ｎとを含む。 One end of the light guide rod 211 in the full length direction is an incident end 212R to which light from the LED 22 is incident, and the other end in the full length direction, that is, one end opposite to the incident end 212R is a tip 212T. Yes. Unlike the first to third embodiments, the light guide bar 211 includes a light propagation part 212 for propagating light and a light emission part 212N for emitting the propagated light to the outside.
　光伝搬部２１２は、図２７の拡大図である図３１に示すように、入射された光（矢印参照）を内部で多重反射させることで、入射端２１２Ｒから先端２１２Ｔに向かって光を伝搬させる。また、導光棒２１１には、内部を伝搬する光を、外部出射に適した光路に変更させる加工部（光路変更加工部）２１３が形成されており、上記光出射部２１２Ｎはこの加工部２１３を含む。そして、光出射部２１２Ｎに含まれる加工部２１３によって、導光棒２１１の側面２１２Ｓ（頂面２１２Ｕ、底面２１２Ｂを含む）から、全反射せずに出射できるように光路を変更させる。 As shown in FIG. 31 which is an enlarged view of FIG. 27, the light propagation unit 212 propagates light from the incident end 212R toward the distal end 212T by internally reflecting incident light (see arrow). . Further, the light guide bar 211 is formed with a processing part (optical path changing processing part) 213 for changing the light propagating inside to an optical path suitable for external emission, and the light emitting part 212N is the processing part 213. including. Then, the processing unit 213 included in the light emitting unit 212N changes the optical path so that the light can be emitted from the side surface 212S (including the top surface 212U and the bottom surface 212B) of the light guide bar 211 without being totally reflected.
　この加工部２１３は、導光棒２１１の先端２１２Ｔ側に、たとえば図３０に示すような微少な三角プリズム２１３ＰがＹ方向に並ぶことで完成した面からなる。ただし、加工部２１３は、三角プリズム２１３Ｐの集まったプリズム加工部２１３に限らず、たとえば、シボ加工された部分、またはドット型印刷加工が施された部分であってもよい。また、プリズム加工部２１３は、三角プリズム２１３Ｐ以外のたとえばピラミッド状プリズムが加工されることによって構成されていてもよい。すなわち、上記加工部２１３は、伝搬する光を外部出射に適した光路に変更させるように構成されていればよい。なお、光出射部２１２Ｎは、加工部２１３に重なり合う光伝搬部２１２の一部を含む。また、加工された面は、複数の導光棒２１１が並ぶ配置面方向（Ｘ方向とＹ方向とで規定されるＸＹ面方向）に対して平行に形成されている。 The processed portion 213 is formed of a surface completed by arranging, for example, small triangular prisms 213P as shown in FIG. 30 in the Y direction on the tip 212T side of the light guide bar 211. However, the processing unit 213 is not limited to the prism processing unit 213 in which the triangular prisms 213P are gathered. For example, the processing unit 213 may be a textured part or a dot-type printed part. The prism processing unit 213 may be configured by processing, for example, a pyramidal prism other than the triangular prism 213P. That is, the processing unit 213 only needs to be configured to change the propagating light to an optical path suitable for external emission. The light emitting unit 212N includes a part of the light propagation unit 212 that overlaps the processing unit 213. Further, the processed surface is formed in parallel to the arrangement surface direction (XY surface direction defined by the X direction and the Y direction) in which the plurality of light guide bars 211 are arranged.
　また、プリズム加工された部分およびシボ加工された部分は、光を反射または屈折透過させることで光の進行方向を変え、導光棒２１１の側面２１２Ｓにて全反射を起こさせないようにすることで、外部に光を出射させる。また、ドット型印刷加工された部分は、たとえば、白色塗料（白インク）で形成されており、光を拡散または反射させることで光の進行方向を変え、導光棒２１１の側面２１２Ｓにて全反射を起こさせないようにすることで、外部に光を出射させる。 In addition, the prism-processed part and the textured part change the light traveling direction by reflecting or refracting light so that total reflection does not occur on the side surface 212S of the light guide bar 211. The light is emitted to the outside. Further, the dot-printed portion is formed of, for example, white paint (white ink), and changes the traveling direction of the light by diffusing or reflecting the light. By preventing reflection, light is emitted to the outside.
　このように、加工部２１３は、図３１、図３２および図３４に示すように、入射された光を入射角とは異なる出射角で光を屈折進行させることで、導光棒２１１の一面に、光を臨界角未満の角度で入射させ、外部に出射させる。すなわち、上記加工部２１３は、伝搬する光の屈折角を変えることで（矢印参照）、光を外部に出射させる。これにより、複数の導光棒２１１から出射する光束が重なり合い、面状光が生成される。なお、上記臨界角は、導光材料が有する固有の臨界角である。 In this way, as shown in FIGS. 31, 32, and 34, the processing unit 213 causes the incident light to be refracted at an emission angle different from the incident angle, so that one surface of the light guide bar 211 is formed. The light is incident at an angle less than the critical angle and is emitted to the outside. In other words, the processing unit 213 emits light to the outside by changing the refraction angle of the propagating light (see an arrow). Thereby, the light beams emitted from the plurality of light guide bars 211 are overlapped to generate planar light. The critical angle is an intrinsic critical angle of the light guide material.
　また、図２８に示すように、ＬＥＤ２２からの光を導く導光棒２１１の集まりである導光棒群２１０は、複数で並ぶ。具体的には、導光棒群２１０は、Ｘ方向における一方側から他方側に向かって、全長を異ならせた（たとえば、徐々に全長を長くした）導光棒２１１を並べ、さらに、複数の導光棒群２１０は、１つの実装基板２１（ＬＥＤモジュール２０）に沿って、同じ向きで、繰り返し配置されている。また、実装基板２１の延び方向であるＸ方向に沿ってＬＥＤ２２が実装されていることから、導光棒群２１０では、入射端２１２ＲもＸ方向に沿って並ぶ。なお、入射端２１２Ｒの位置を繋げて形成される線を入射端配置線Ｔ、または、Ｔ方向と称する。 Further, as shown in FIG. 28, a plurality of light guide bar groups 210 that are a group of light guide bars 211 that guide light from the LEDs 22 are arranged in a plurality. Specifically, the light guide bar group 210 is arranged with light guide bars 211 having different overall lengths (for example, the length is gradually increased) from one side to the other side in the X direction, The light guide bar group 210 is repeatedly arranged in the same direction along one mounting substrate 21 (LED module 20). Since the LEDs 22 are mounted along the X direction, which is the direction in which the mounting substrate 21 extends, in the light guide rod group 210, the incident ends 212R are also arranged along the X direction. A line formed by connecting the positions of the incident ends 212R is referred to as an incident end arrangement line T or a T direction.
　また、第４実施形態では、一方の実装基板２１に沿って並んだ導光棒群２１０と、他方の実装基板２１に沿って並んだ導光棒群２１０との集合群は、線対称配置となっている。なお、導光棒群２１０が集まることによって上記した導光ユニット２３０が構成されている。ただし、導光ユニット２３０に含まれる導光棒群２１０の数は、複数とは限らず、単数の場合も有り得る。 In the fourth embodiment, the group of light guide rod groups 210 arranged along one mounting substrate 21 and the light guide rod group 210 arranged along the other mounting substrate 21 are arranged in line symmetry. It has become. The light guide unit 230 is configured by gathering the light guide bar group 210. However, the number of the light guide rod groups 210 included in the light guide unit 230 is not limited to a plurality, and may be one.
　さらに、導光ユニット２３０に含まれる導光棒群２１０は、上述したように、全長種類の異なる導光棒２１１を含んでおり、図２９に示すように、これらの導光棒２１１の先端２１２Ｔ側には加工部２１３が形成されているため、加工部２１３がＸ方向（導光棒２１１の並び方向（Ｒ方向））に沿って並ばずに、Ｘ方向に交差するように並ぶ。すなわち、導光棒群２１０において、加工部２１３の位置（加工部２１３を含む光出射部２１２Ｎの位置を繋げて形成される光出射部配置線Ｓ）は、Ｘ方向（入射端配置線Ｔ）に対して交差する。なお、第４実施形態では、全ての加工部２１３におけるＸ方向の長さおよびＹ方向の長さを同じにしている。 Furthermore, as described above, the light guide rod group 210 included in the light guide unit 230 includes the light guide rods 211 having different overall length types, and as shown in FIG. Since the processing part 213 is formed on the side, the processing parts 213 are arranged not to line up along the X direction (the arrangement direction of the light guide bars 211 (R direction)) but to intersect the X direction. That is, in the light guide rod group 210, the position of the processing portion 213 (the light emitting portion arrangement line S formed by connecting the positions of the light emitting portions 212N including the processing portion 213) is the X direction (incident end arrangement line T). Cross against. In the fourth embodiment, the length in the X direction and the length in the Y direction are the same in all the processed parts 213.
　ここで、第４実施形態では、上記第２実施形態と同様、各導光棒２１１の先端２１２Ｔ（入射端２１２Ｒとは反対側の端面）に、凹凸部（凹凸形状）３５が形成されている。この凹凸部３５は、たとえば、断面三角形状を有する三角プリズム３５ａからなり、図３５に示すように、先端２１２Ｔに達した光（矢印参照）を反射する機能を有している。 Here, in the fourth embodiment, as in the second embodiment, an uneven portion (uneven shape) 35 is formed on the tip 212T (end surface opposite to the incident end 212R) of each light guide bar 211. . The uneven portion 35 is formed of, for example, a triangular prism 35a having a triangular cross section, and has a function of reflecting light (see an arrow) reaching the tip 212T as shown in FIG.
　また、上記凹凸部３５は、入射された光をその入射した方向に反射させる再帰反射性を有していればより好ましい。そのため、上記三角プリズム３５ａは、再帰反射プリズムとなっているとより好ましい。この場合、断面三角形状が頂角９０度であればさらに好ましい。このように、導光棒２１１の先端２１２Ｔに再帰反射プリズムを設ければ、先端２１２Ｔに達した光が外部に出射されずに、再びＬＥＤ２２（光源）に向かって反射される。このため、輝線の原因となっていた先端２１２Ｔからの光出射が効果的に抑制されて、輝線の発生が効果的に抑制される。 Further, it is more preferable that the uneven portion 35 has retroreflectivity that reflects incident light in the incident direction. For this reason, the triangular prism 35a is more preferably a retroreflective prism. In this case, it is more preferable that the cross-sectional triangle has an apex angle of 90 degrees. As described above, when the retroreflective prism is provided at the tip 212T of the light guide bar 211, the light reaching the tip 212T is not emitted to the outside but is reflected toward the LED 22 (light source) again. For this reason, the light emission from the tip 212T that has caused the bright line is effectively suppressed, and the generation of the bright line is effectively suppressed.
　なお、上記プリズム３５ａ（再帰反射プリズム）は、横向き状、縦向き状、ピラミッド状などのいずれであってもよい。また、上記プリズム３５ａ（再帰反射プリズム）は、単数であってもよいし、複数であってもよい。 Note that the prism 35a (retroreflective prism) may have any of a horizontally oriented shape, a vertically oriented shape, a pyramid shape, and the like. The prism 35a (retroreflection prism) may be singular or plural.
　また、上記導光部材（導光棒２１１）の先端２１２Ｔは、図２０に示したように、半球状の再帰反射構造３５ｂとすることもできる。 Further, as shown in FIG. 20, the tip 212T of the light guide member (light guide rod 211) may be a hemispherical retroreflective structure 35b.
　第４実施形態では、上記のように、導光棒２１１の先端２１２Ｔ（入射端２１２Ｒとは反対側の面）に、導光された光を反射させる凹凸部３５を形成することによって、ＬＥＤ２２からこの面に達した光は凹凸部３５により反射されるので、導光棒２１１の先端２１２Ｔから光が出射するのを抑制することができる。これにより、輝線（輝点）の発生を抑制することができるので、均一性の良好な面状光（照明光）を得ることができる。 In the fourth embodiment, as described above, the uneven portion 35 that reflects the guided light is formed on the tip 212T of the light guide bar 211 (the surface opposite to the incident end 212R), whereby the LED 22 Since the light reaching this surface is reflected by the uneven portion 35, it is possible to suppress the light from being emitted from the tip 212T of the light guide bar 211. Thereby, since generation | occurrence | production of a bright line (bright spot) can be suppressed, planar light (illumination light) with favorable uniformity can be obtained.
　また、第４実施形態では、各導光棒２１１の先端２１２Ｔに、再帰反射性を有する再帰反射構造（たとえば、再帰反射プリズム）を形成することにより、効果的に輝線（輝点）の発生を抑制することができる。すなわち、導光棒２１１の先端２１２Ｔに、たとえば、再帰反射プリズムを形成すれば、ＬＥＤ２２から発せられた光は、先端２１２Ｔ（入射端２１２Ｒとは反対側の面）に達すると、再帰反射プリズムによって反射されて再びＬＥＤ２２に向かう。このため、先端２１２Ｔからの光出射が効果的に抑制されて、輝線の発生が効果的に抑制される。 In the fourth embodiment, a retroreflective structure having retroreflectivity (for example, a retroreflective prism) is formed at the tip 212T of each light guide bar 211, thereby effectively generating bright lines (bright spots). Can be suppressed. That is, if, for example, a retroreflective prism is formed at the tip 212T of the light guide bar 211, the light emitted from the LED 22 reaches the tip 212T (the surface opposite to the incident end 212R) by the retroreflective prism. It is reflected and goes to LED22 again. For this reason, light emission from the tip 212T is effectively suppressed, and generation of bright lines is effectively suppressed.
　また、第４実施形態では、上記のように構成することによって、導光ユニット２３０の入射端２１２Ｒが、液晶表示装置８０の液晶表示パネル１０で、非表示部分（たとえば、液晶表示パネル１０の周縁）となる端付近に配置されても、光を出射させる光出射部２１２Ｎは、液晶表示パネル１０の表示部分となるパネル内側（たとえば、表示パネルの中心付近へと近づいて）位置する。そして、このような導光ユニット２３０であれば、光を出射させる光出射部２１２Ｎの位置が密集せずに適切に散らばる。そのため、光出射部２１２Ｎからの光が、たとえば、局所的に集中しそれ以外の箇所に光が行き渡らずに光量ムラを含む面状光が生成されるという不都合が生じるのを抑制することができる。すなわち、導光棒２１１毎の光が乖離せずに重なり合って、広範囲の面状光が生成される。したがって、この導光ユニット２３０を搭載したバックライトユニット５０を用いれば、高品質なバックライト光（面状光）を液晶表示パネル１０に供給することができる。 Moreover, in 4th Embodiment, the incident end 212R of the light guide unit 230 is the liquid crystal display panel 10 of the liquid crystal display device 80 by the structure as mentioned above, and a non-display part (for example, the periphery of the liquid crystal display panel 10). The light emitting portion 212N that emits light is positioned inside the panel that is the display portion of the liquid crystal display panel 10 (for example, approaching the vicinity of the center of the display panel). And if it is such a light guide unit 230, the position of the light emission part 212N which radiate | emits light will be scattered appropriately without being concentrated. Therefore, it is possible to suppress the inconvenience that the light from the light emitting portion 212N is concentrated locally, for example, and planar light including unevenness in the amount of light is generated without the light reaching other places. . That is, the light for each light guide bar 211 overlaps without being separated, and a wide range of planar light is generated. Therefore, if the backlight unit 50 equipped with the light guide unit 230 is used, high-quality backlight light (planar light) can be supplied to the liquid crystal display panel 10.
　また、第４実施形態では、上記導光ユニット２３０は、導光棒２１１間で、光を行き来させないので、導光棒２１１毎に、光の出射制御を行うことができる。そして、これら導光棒２１１を、入射端２１２Ｒの位置を繋げて形成される入射端配置線Ｔと、光出射部２１２Ｎの位置を繋げて形成される光出射部配置線Ｓとが交差するように配置することによって、導光体３０（導光ユニット２３０）の照明領域を、その上下方向（短手方向：Ｙ方向）および左右方向（長手方向：Ｘ方向）のいずれにおいても多段に分割することができる。その結果、液晶表示パネル１０の表示画像に応じて各導光棒２１１の照明強度を制御することにより、表示画像の高コントラスト化、表示装置の低消費電力化を図ることができる。 In the fourth embodiment, since the light guide unit 230 does not allow light to travel between the light guide bars 211, the light emission control can be performed for each light guide bar 211. Then, the incident end arrangement line T formed by connecting the positions of the incident ends 212R of the light guide rods 211 and the light emission section arrangement line S formed by connecting the positions of the light emission sections 212N intersect each other. The illumination area of the light guide 30 (light guide unit 230) is divided into multiple stages both in the vertical direction (short direction: Y direction) and in the horizontal direction (longitudinal direction: X direction). be able to. As a result, by controlling the illumination intensity of each light guide bar 211 in accordance with the display image of the liquid crystal display panel 10, it is possible to increase the contrast of the display image and reduce the power consumption of the display device.
　なお、上記第１～第３実施形態では、左右方向の分割が２分割であったのに対して、この第４実施形態では、バックライトユニット５０の上下方向および左右方向のいずれにも多段で分割されるので、表示画像の高コントラスト化をより有効に図ることができる。すなわち、ローカルディミング制御（面状のバックライト光を部分的に光量制御する技術）を精度よく行うことができる。 In the first to third embodiments, the horizontal division is divided into two, whereas in the fourth embodiment, the backlight unit 50 is multistage in both the vertical and horizontal directions. Since it is divided, it is possible to increase the contrast of the display image more effectively. That is, local dimming control (a technique for partially controlling the amount of planar backlight light) can be accurately performed.
　また、第４実施形態では、液晶表示パネル１０の走査に同期して各導光棒２１１に光を入射するＬＥＤ２２を点灯させることで動画表示性能の向上を図ることもできる。 Further, in the fourth embodiment, the moving image display performance can be improved by turning on the LEDs 22 that enter the light guide bars 211 in synchronization with the scanning of the liquid crystal display panel 10.
　さらに、上記導光ユニット２３０は、比較的小型な導光棒２１１の集合体である導光棒群２１０を、さらに集めることで大型化することができるので、大型のバックライトユニットを構成する場合でも、光量を確保することができる。 Furthermore, since the light guide unit 230 can be enlarged by further collecting the light guide bar group 210, which is an assembly of relatively small light guide bars 211, a large backlight unit is configured. However, the amount of light can be secured.
　（第４実施形態の第１変形例）
　図３６は、第４実施形態の第１変形例によるバックライトユニットを一部省略して示した平面図である。図３７は、第４実施形態の第１変形例によるバックライトユニットの導光棒群を示した平面図である。図３８は、図３７の一部を拡大して示した平面図である。次に、図２４および図３６～図３８を参照して、第４実施形態の第１変形例によるバックライトユニットについて説明する。なお、各図において、対応する構成要素には同一の符号を付すことにより、重複する説明は省略する。 (First Modification of Fourth Embodiment)
FIG. 36 is a plan view illustrating a backlight unit according to a first modification of the fourth embodiment with a part thereof omitted. FIG. 37 is a plan view showing a group of light guide bars of a backlight unit according to a first modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 38 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of FIG. Next, with reference to FIG. 24 and FIGS. 36 to 38, a backlight unit according to a first modification of the fourth embodiment will be described. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to a corresponding component, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
　第４実施形態の第１変形例では、図３６～図３８に示すように、導光棒群２１０において、入射端２１２Ｒの位置を繋げて形成される入射端配置線Ｔが、導光棒２１１の並び方向であるＲ方向に対して交差し、かつ、加工部２１３を繋げて形成される光出射部配置線Ｓに対して略直交するように構成されている。 In the first modification of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 36 to 38, in the light guide bar group 210, the incident end arrangement line T formed by connecting the positions of the incident ends 212R is the light guide bar 211. The light emitting portion arrangement line S that is formed by connecting the processed portions 213 and intersecting with the R direction that is the arrangement direction of the light emitting portions is configured to be substantially orthogonal.
　具体的には、たとえば、全長を異ならせた導光棒２１１が、入射端２１２ＲをＸ方向に沿うようにして並んでいる。また、図３６に示すように、各実装基板２１にて、導光棒群２１０が、Ｘ方向の一方側から他方側に向かって同じ向きで繰り返し配置され、かつ、導光ユニット２３０が点対象配置となっている。 Specifically, for example, the light guide bars 211 having different lengths are arranged so that the incident end 212R is along the X direction. As shown in FIG. 36, in each mounting substrate 21, the light guide rod group 210 is repeatedly arranged in the same direction from one side in the X direction to the other side, and the light guide unit 230 is a point object. It is an arrangement.
　このようになっていると、加工部２１３（光出射部２１２Ｎ）からの光を繋げた光の軌跡は、図３６の一点鎖線矢印で示されるような直線状になる。そのため、この導光ユニット２３０を搭載するバックライトユニットの光（図３６の一点鎖線矢印参照）が偏在しないため、バックライト光に光量ムラが含まれにくくなる。加えて、バックライトユニットからの光が液晶表示パネル１０（図２４参照）に供給される場合、その光が液晶表示パネル１０の上下方向（Ｙ方向）に沿うことになる。そのため、視覚特性上、ユーザが液晶表示パネル１０を見やすくなる。なお、導光ユニット２３０の配置が変化することで、バックライトユニットからの光が、液晶表示パネル１０（図２４参照）の左右方向（長手方向）であるＸ方向に沿うことも有り得る。 In this case, the trajectory of the light connecting the processing unit 213 (light emitting unit 212N) becomes a straight line as shown by a one-dot chain arrow in FIG. Therefore, the light of the backlight unit on which the light guide unit 230 is mounted (see the one-dot chain line arrow in FIG. 36) is not unevenly distributed. In addition, when light from the backlight unit is supplied to the liquid crystal display panel 10 (see FIG. 24), the light is along the vertical direction (Y direction) of the liquid crystal display panel 10. Therefore, the user can easily see the liquid crystal display panel 10 in terms of visual characteristics. Note that, by changing the arrangement of the light guide unit 230, the light from the backlight unit may be along the X direction, which is the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) of the liquid crystal display panel 10 (see FIG. 24).
　第４実施形態の第１変形例のその他の効果は、上記第４実施形態と同様である。 Other effects of the first modification of the fourth embodiment are the same as those of the fourth embodiment.
　（第４実施形態の第２変形例）
　図３９は、第４実施形態の第２変形例によるバックライトユニットの導光棒群部分を拡大して示した平面図である。図４０は、第４実施形態の第２変形例によるバックライトユニットの導光棒群の側面図である。次に、図３９および図４０を参照して、第４実施形態の第２変形例によるバックライトユニットについて説明する。なお、各図において、対応する構成要素には同一の符号を付すことにより、重複する説明は省略する。 (Second Modification of Fourth Embodiment)
FIG. 39 is an enlarged plan view showing a light guide bar group portion of a backlight unit according to a second modification of the fourth embodiment. FIG. 40 is a side view of the light guide bar group of the backlight unit according to the second modification of the fourth embodiment. Next, with reference to FIGS. 39 and 40, a backlight unit according to a second modification of the fourth embodiment will be described. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to a corresponding component, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
　第４実施形態の第２変形例では、図３９および図４０に示すように、各導光棒２１１の先端２１２Ｔに凹凸部（たとえば、再帰反射プリズム）が形成される代わりに、各導光棒２１１の先端２１２Ｔに反射体３６が設置されており、この反射体３６によって導光棒２１１の先端２１２Ｔが覆われている。この反射体３６は、上記第３実施形態で示した反射体と同様に形成することができる。 In the second modification of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 39 and FIG. 40, each light guide rod is replaced with an uneven portion (for example, a retroreflective prism) formed at the tip 212T of each light guide rod 211. A reflector 36 is installed at the tip 212T of 211, and the tip 212T of the light guide bar 211 is covered by this reflector 36. The reflector 36 can be formed in the same manner as the reflector shown in the third embodiment.
　このように、導光棒２１１の先端２１２Ｔを反射体３６で覆うことによっても、上記第４実施形態と同様の効果を得ることができる。 Thus, by covering the tip 212T of the light guide bar 211 with the reflector 36, the same effect as in the fourth embodiment can be obtained.
　（第４実施形態の第３変形例）
　図４１は、第４実施形態の第３変形例によるバックライトユニットの導光体の一部を拡大して示した平面図である。図４２は、図４１のＪ－Ｊ線に沿った断面図である。次に、図２４、図２９、図３４、図３９および図４０を参照して、第４実施形態の第２変形例によるバックライトユニットについて説明する。なお、各図において、対応する構成要素には同一の符号を付すことにより、重複する説明は省略する。 (Third Modification of Fourth Embodiment)
FIG. 41 is an enlarged plan view showing a part of the light guide of the backlight unit according to the third modification of the fourth embodiment. 42 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line JJ of FIG. Next, with reference to FIGS. 24, 29, 34, 39, and 40, a backlight unit according to a second modification of the fourth embodiment will be described. In addition, in each figure, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected to a corresponding component, and the overlapping description is abbreviate | omitted.
　第４実施形態の第３変形例では、図４１および図４２に示すように、上記第４実施形態とは異なり、バックライトユニットの導光体３０は、板状の導光部材３１０から構成されている。この板状の導光部材３１０には、凹溝３０ａが形成されており、この凹溝３０ａによって、導光部材３１０が複数の領域（導光部）２１１ａに光学的に分離されている。また、上記複数の領域２１１ａは、第４実施形態（または第４実施形態の第１変形例）で示した導光ユニット２３０の導光棒２１１に対応するように形成されている。そして、各領域２１１ａには、第４実施形態で示した導光棒２１１（図２９および図３４参照）と同様、光伝搬部２１２および光出射部２１２Ｎ（加工部２１３）が設けられている。 In the third modification of the fourth embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 41 and 42, unlike the fourth embodiment, the light guide body 30 of the backlight unit is composed of a plate-shaped light guide member 310. ing. A concave groove 30a is formed in the plate-shaped light guide member 310, and the light guide member 310 is optically separated into a plurality of regions (light guide portions) 211a by the concave groove 30a. The plurality of regions 211a are formed so as to correspond to the light guide rod 211 of the light guide unit 230 shown in the fourth embodiment (or the first modification of the fourth embodiment). Each region 211a is provided with a light propagation part 212 and a light emission part 212N (processing part 213), similar to the light guide rod 211 (see FIGS. 29 and 34) shown in the fourth embodiment.
　さらに、分割された各領域２１１ａは、ＬＥＤ２２（図２４参照）からの光が入射される入射端２１２Ｒを有しており、入射端２１２Ｒとは反対側が先端２１２Ｔ（導光部２１１ａの先端２１２Ｔ）となっている。そして、この先端２１２Ｔ（先端面）に、上記第４実施形態と同様の凹凸部３５が形成されている。なお、導光棒群に対応する導光部材３１０を、導光部群と称する。 Further, each of the divided areas 211a has an incident end 212R into which light from the LED 22 (see FIG. 24) is incident, and the opposite end to the incident end 212R is the tip 212T (the tip 212T of the light guide 211a). It has become. And the uneven | corrugated | grooved part 35 similar to the said 4th Embodiment is formed in this front-end | tip 212T (front-end | tip surface). The light guide member 310 corresponding to the light guide bar group is referred to as a light guide unit group.
　このように、板状の導光部材３１０を凹溝３０ａにより複数の領域２１１ａに光学的に分離することによっても、上記第４実施形態と同様の効果を得ることができる。なお、バックライトユニットの導光体３０は、凹溝３０ａによって光学的に分離された領域２１１ａを有する導光部材３１０を複数並べて（複数組み合わせて）構成してもよいし、一枚状の導光部材３１０に凹溝３０ａを形成することによって、光学的に分離された複数の領域２１１ａを有する導光部材３１０を形成し、この一枚状の導光部材３１０を用いて構成してもよい。 As described above, the same effect as that of the fourth embodiment can also be obtained by optically separating the plate-like light guide member 310 into the plurality of regions 211a by the concave grooves 30a. Note that the light guide 30 of the backlight unit may be configured by arranging a plurality of light guide members 310 having regions 211a optically separated by the concave grooves 30a (in combination), or a single light guide. The light guide member 310 having a plurality of optically separated regions 211a may be formed by forming the concave groove 30a in the optical member 310, and the single light guide member 310 may be used. .
　なお、今回開示された実施形態は、すべての点で例示であって制限的なものではないと考えられるべきである。本発明の範囲は、上記した実施形態の説明ではなく特許請求の範囲によって示され、さらに特許請求の範囲と均等の意味および範囲内でのすべての変更が含まれる。 In addition, it should be thought that embodiment disclosed this time is an illustration and restrictive at no points. The scope of the present invention is shown not by the above description of the embodiments but by the scope of claims for patent, and further includes all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims for patent.
　たとえば、上記第１～第４実施形態（変形例を含む）では、導光部材（導光部、導光棒）の先端に、光を反射する凹凸部（凹凸形状）または反射体を設けた例を示したが、本発明はこれに限らず、輝線（輝点）の原因となる先端からの光出射を抑制可能な構成であれば、上記以外の構成であってもよい。たとえば、導光部材（導光部、導光棒）の先端に、光を反射する反射膜を形成することにより、先端からの光出射を抑制するようにしてもよい。なお、反射膜の形成は、たとえば、白色塗料（白色インクなど）を塗布したり、黒インクで先端面を塗りつぶしたりすることで形成することができる。また、先端からの光出射を抑制するために、上記構成を適宜組み合わせることもできる。さらに、上記実施形態で示した凹凸部（凹凸形状）は、上記で示したプリズム形状等に限らず、先端からの光出射を抑制することが可能な種々の形状を採用することができる。 For example, in the first to fourth embodiments (including modifications), the light guide member (light guide portion, light guide rod) is provided with a concavo-convex portion (concave / convex shape) or reflector that reflects light at the tip thereof. Although an example has been shown, the present invention is not limited to this, and any configuration other than the above may be used as long as it can suppress light emission from the tip that causes a bright line (bright spot). For example, the light emission from the tip may be suppressed by forming a reflection film that reflects light at the tip of the light guide member (light guide part, light guide rod). The reflective film can be formed, for example, by applying a white paint (white ink or the like) or by painting the tip surface with black ink. Moreover, in order to suppress the light emission from a front-end | tip, the said structure can also be combined suitably. Furthermore, the uneven | corrugated | grooved part (uneven | corrugated shape) shown by the said embodiment can employ | adopt not only the prism shape etc. which were shown above, but the various shapes which can suppress the light emission from a front-end | tip.
　また、上記した実施形態において、ＬＥＤの種類は特に限定されるものではない。たとえば、ＬＥＤは、青色発光のＬＥＤチップ（発光チップ）と、そのＬＥＤチップからの光を受けて、黄色光を蛍光発光する蛍光体とを含むものを用いることができる。このようなＬＥＤは、青色発光のＬＥＤチップからの光と蛍光発光する光とで白色光を生成する。なお、ＬＥＤに含まれるＬＥＤチップの個数は特に限定されない。 In the above-described embodiment, the type of LED is not particularly limited. For example, the LED may include a blue light emitting LED chip (light emitting chip) and a phosphor that receives light from the LED chip and fluoresces yellow light. Such an LED generates white light from light from a blue light emitting LED chip and light emitted from a fluorescent light. Note that the number of LED chips included in the LED is not particularly limited.
　また、ＬＥＤに内蔵される蛍光体は、黄色光を蛍光発光する蛍光体に限らない。たとえば、ＬＥＤは、青色発光のＬＥＤチップと、そのＬＥＤチップからの光を受けて緑色光および赤色光を蛍光発光する蛍光体とを含み、ＬＥＤチップからの青色光と蛍光発光する光（緑色光、赤色光）とで白色光を生成するものを用いることもできる。 Further, the phosphor incorporated in the LED is not limited to a phosphor that emits yellow light. For example, an LED includes a blue light emitting LED chip and a phosphor that emits green light and red light in response to light from the LED chip, and emits blue light and fluorescent light (green light) from the LED chip. , Red light) and white light can be used.
　また、ＬＥＤに内蔵されるＬＥＤチップは、青色発光のものに限られない。たとえば、ＬＥＤは、赤色発光の赤色ＬＥＤチップと、青色発光の青色ＬＥＤチップと、青色ＬＥＤチップからの光を受けて緑色光を蛍光発光する蛍光体とを含んでいてもよい。このようなＬＥＤであれば、赤色ＬＥＤチップからの赤色光と、青色ＬＥＤチップからの青色光と、蛍光発光する緑色光とで白色光を生成することができる。 In addition, the LED chip built in the LED is not limited to the one emitting blue light. For example, the LED may include a red LED chip that emits red light, a blue LED chip that emits blue light, and a phosphor that emits green light by receiving light from the blue LED chip. With such an LED, white light can be generated by red light from the red LED chip, blue light from the blue LED chip, and green light that fluoresces.
　さらに、上記ＬＥＤは、蛍光体を全く含まないＬＥＤであってもよい。たとえば、赤色発光の赤色ＬＥＤチップと、緑色発光の緑色ＬＥＤチップと、青色発光の青色ＬＥＤチップとを含み、全てのＬＥＤチップからの光を混色させて白色光を生成するように構成されていてもよい。 Furthermore, the LED may be an LED that does not contain any phosphor. For example, a red LED chip that emits red light, a green LED chip that emits green light, and a blue LED chip that emits blue light are configured to generate white light by mixing light from all LED chips. Also good.
　また、上記第１～第４実施形態（変形例を含む）では、バックライトユニットに、光学部材（光学シート）として、拡散板、プリズムシートおよびレンズシートを含むように構成した例を示したが、本発明はこれに限らず、上記光学部材（光学シート）は、必要に応じて適宜変更（追加、削除）することができる。 In the first to fourth embodiments (including modifications), the backlight unit is configured to include a diffusion plate, a prism sheet, and a lens sheet as an optical member (optical sheet). The present invention is not limited to this, and the optical member (optical sheet) can be appropriately changed (added or deleted) as necessary.
　また、上記第１～第３実施形態（変形例を含む）では、ＬＥＤモジュールを、バックライトユニットの左右方向（長手方向）の両側に分かれて２列状に配置することにより、導光体の照明領域を、バックライトユニットの左右方向（長手方向）に２分割した例を示したが、本発明はこれに限らず、導光体（導光部材）の配置を変化させることで、導光体の照明領域をバックライトユニットの左右方向（長手方向）に２分割してもよい。たとえば、図４３および図４４に示すように、ＬＥＤモジュール２０を、バックライトユニットの上下方向（短手方向：Ｙ方向）の両側に分かれて２列状に配置することにより、導光体３０の照明領域を、バックライトユニットの上下方向（長手方向：Ｘ方向）に２分割するように構成してもよい。 In the first to third embodiments (including modifications), the LED modules are arranged in two rows on both sides in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) of the backlight unit. Although the example which divided the illumination area | region into the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) of the backlight unit was shown, this invention is not restricted to this, Light guide by changing arrangement | positioning of a light guide (light guide member). The body illumination area may be divided into two in the left-right direction (longitudinal direction) of the backlight unit. For example, as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44, the LED modules 20 are divided into two sides in the vertical direction (short direction: Y direction) of the backlight unit and arranged in two rows, so that the light guide 30 You may comprise so that an illumination area | region may be divided into 2 to the up-down direction (longitudinal direction: X direction) of a backlight unit.
　また、上記第２および第３実施形態において、棒状の導光部材の数は、適宜変更することができる。 In the second and third embodiments, the number of rod-shaped light guide members can be changed as appropriate.
　また、上記第４実施形態（変形例を含む）では、導光ユニットの導光棒群（導光部群）を、全長種類が異なる６本の導光棒（導光部）から構成した例を示したが、本発明はこれに限らず、導光棒群（導光部群）を構成する導光棒（導光部）の数は適宜変更することができる。 Moreover, in the said 4th Embodiment (a modification is included), the example which comprised the light guide rod group (light guide part group) of the light guide unit from six light guide bars (light guide part) from which a full length kind differs. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the number of light guide bars (light guide parts) constituting the light guide bar group (light guide part group) can be appropriately changed.
　また、上記第４実施形態（変形例を含む）では、導光棒群（導光部群）を構成する複数の導光棒（導光部）は、互いに異なる全長となるように構成したが、本発明はこれに限らず、導光棒群（導光部群）には、同じ全長の導光棒（導光部）が含まれていてもよい。少なくとも２種類の全長の導光棒（導光部）が含まれていれば、導光棒群（導光部群）として、入射端の並び方向に光が揃わない（密集しない）ようにすることができる。 In the fourth embodiment (including the modification), the plurality of light guide bars (light guide parts) constituting the light guide bar group (light guide part group) are configured to have different overall lengths. The present invention is not limited to this, and the light guide rod group (light guide portion group) may include light guide rods (light guide portions) having the same full length. If at least two types of light guide rods (light guide portions) having a full length are included, the light guide rod group (light guide portion group) prevents light from being aligned in the direction in which the incident ends are aligned (not densely packed). be able to.
　ただし、導光棒群（導光部群）に含まれる全長を異ならせた導光棒（導光部）の種類が多いと、たとえば、導光棒（導光部）の入射端を一列に並べるだけで、導光棒（導光部）から外部に光を出射させる位置（加工部の位置）を、入射端の並び方向に沿うことなく散らばらせることができる。そのため、上記第４実施形態で示したように、複数の導光棒（導光部）を互いに異なる全長となるように構成することにより、入射端の並び方向に対して交差する方向に、容易に光を導くことができるため、好ましい。また、導光棒（導光部）の長さが適切に変えられることで、液晶表示パネルにおける光量分布を容易に変更することもできる。 However, if there are many types of light guide rods (light guide portions) with different overall lengths included in the light guide rod group (light guide portion group), for example, the incident ends of the light guide rods (light guide portions) are aligned in a row. By simply arranging the light guide rods (light guide portions), the positions where light is emitted from the light guide rod (light guide portion) to the outside (the positions of the processing portions) can be scattered without being along the alignment direction of the incident ends. Therefore, as shown in the fourth embodiment, by configuring the plurality of light guide bars (light guide portions) to have different overall lengths, it is easy to cross the direction in which the incident ends are arranged. It is preferable because light can be guided to the surface. Moreover, the light quantity distribution in a liquid crystal display panel can also be easily changed by changing the length of a light guide bar (light guide part) appropriately.
　また、上記第４実施形態（変形例を含む）では、ＬＥＤモジュール（ＬＥＤ）を、照明領域（液晶表示パネルの表示領域に対応する領域）の対向する２辺に配置した例を示したが、本発明はこれに限らず、ＬＥＤモジュール（ＬＥＤ）は、照明領域の少なくとも１辺に配置されていればよい。 Moreover, in the said 4th Embodiment (a modification is included), although the LED module (LED) showed the example arrange | positioned on 2 sides which oppose an illumination area | region (area | region corresponding to the display area of a liquid crystal display panel), The present invention is not limited to this, and the LED module (LED) may be disposed on at least one side of the illumination area.
　さらに、上記第４実施形態（変形例を含む）では、内部を伝搬する光の光路を変更する加工部を、導光棒の底面に形成した例を示したが、本発明はこれに限らず、上記加工部は、導光棒の側面の少なくとも１つに形成されていればよい。なお、導光棒の側面とは、上面（頂面）および底面を含む。 Furthermore, in the said 4th Embodiment (a modification is included), although the process part which changes the optical path of the light which propagates an inside was formed in the bottom face of the light guide rod, this invention is not limited to this. The processed portion may be formed on at least one of the side surfaces of the light guide bar. The side surface of the light guide bar includes the upper surface (top surface) and the bottom surface.
　なお、上記で開示された技術を適宜組み合わせて得られる実施形態についても本発明の技術的範囲に含まれる。 Note that embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the techniques disclosed above are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.
　１０　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　液晶表示パネル（表示パネル）
　２０　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ＬＥＤモジュール
　２２　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　ＬＥＤ（光源）
　３０　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　導光体
　３０ａ、３０ｂ　　　　　　　　　　　凹溝
　３１、１３１　　　　　　　　　　　　導光部材
　３１ａ、１３１ａ、３１１ａ　　　　　導光部
　３２、２１２Ｒ　　　　　　　　　　　入射端
　３２ａ　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　入射面
　３３、２１２Ｔ　　　　　　　　　　　先端
　３３ａ　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　先端面、凹溝の内側面
　３５　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　凹凸部（反射構造）
　３５ａ　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　三角プリズム（反射構造）
　３６　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　反射体（反射構造）
　４１　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　反射シート
　４３　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　拡散板
　４４　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　プリズムシート
　４５　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　レンズシート
　５０　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　バックライトユニット（照明装置
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　）
　８０　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　液晶表示装置（表示装置）
　２１２　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　光伝搬部
　２１０　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　導光棒群
　２１１　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　導光棒
　２１２Ｎ　　　　　　　　　　　　　　光出射部
　２１３　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　加工部、プリズム加工部（光路変
　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　更加工部）
　２３０　　　　　　　　　　　　　　　導光ユニット 10 Liquid crystal display panel (display panel)
20 LED module 22 LED (light source)
30 Light guide 30a, 30b Groove 31, 31 Light guide member 31a, 131a, 311a Light guide 32, 212R Incident end 32a Incident surface 33, 212T Tip 33a Tip surface, inner surface 35 of concave groove (reflective structure) )
35a Triangular prism (reflection structure)
36 Reflector (reflective structure)
41 Reflective sheet 43 Diffuser plate 44 Prism sheet 45 Lens sheet 50 Backlight unit (illumination device)
80 Liquid crystal display device (display device)
212 Light Propagation Unit 210 Light Guide Bar Group 211 Light Guide Bar 212N Light Output Unit 213 Processing Unit, Prism Processing Unit (Optical Path Change Processing Unit)
230 Light Guide Unit

Claims (12)

  1. 　複数の光源と、
    　前記光源からの光が入射される入射端を含み、入射された光を導光させる複数の導光部を有する導光体とを備え、
    　前記導光体には、前記入射端に対して反対側の面に、導光された光を反射させる反射構造が設けられていることを特徴とする、照明装置。     Multiple light sources;
    A light guide including an incident end on which light from the light source is incident, and having a plurality of light guides for guiding the incident light;
    The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein the light guide is provided with a reflection structure for reflecting the guided light on a surface opposite to the incident end.
  2. 　前記導光体における前記入射端とは反対側の面に、前記反射構造としての凹凸形状が形成されていることを特徴とする、請求項１に記載の照明装置。 The illumination device according to claim 1, wherein an uneven shape as the reflection structure is formed on a surface of the light guide opposite to the incident end.
  3. 　前記凹凸形状は、断面三角形状であることを特徴とする、請求項２に記載の照明装置。 The lighting device according to claim 2, wherein the uneven shape has a triangular cross section.
  4. 　前記凹凸形状は、線状プリズム形状またはピラミッド状プリズム形状であることを特徴とする、請求項２または３に記載の照明装置。 The illumination device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the uneven shape is a linear prism shape or a pyramidal prism shape.
  5. 　前記反射構造は、入射された光をその入射した方向に反射させる再帰反射性を有することを特徴とする、請求項１～４のいずれか１項に記載の照明装置。 The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reflecting structure has retroreflectivity that reflects incident light in the incident direction.
  6. 　前記導光体における前記入射端とは反対側の面は、反射体によって覆われていることを特徴とする、請求項１～５のいずれか１項に記載の照明装置。 The illumination device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a surface of the light guide opposite to the incident end is covered with a reflector.
  7. 　前記導光体は、互いに分離された複数の導光部材からなることを特徴とする、請求項１～６のいずれか１項に記載の照明装置。 The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the light guide body includes a plurality of light guide members separated from each other.
  8. 　前記導光部材は、棒状であることを特徴とする、請求項７に記載の照明装置。 The lighting device according to claim 7, wherein the light guide member has a rod shape.
  9. 　前記導光部材の全長は複数種類有り、
    　前記導光部材の各々は、入射された光を内部で多重反射させることで伝搬させる光伝搬部と、伝搬する光を外部に向けて出射させる光出射部とを有し、
    　前記光出射部が、前記入射端に対して反対側となる棒状の先端側に配されていることを特徴とする、請求項８に記載の照明装置。     There are multiple types of light guide members in total length,
    Each of the light guide members has a light propagation part that propagates the incident light by multiple reflection inside, and a light emission part that emits the propagated light toward the outside,
    The lighting device according to claim 8, wherein the light emitting portion is disposed on a rod-like tip side that is opposite to the incident end.
  10. 　前記光出射部は、内部の光を、外部出射に適した光路に変更させるための、プリズム加工された部分、シボ加工された部分、またはドット型印刷加工された部分である光路変更加工部を含むことを特徴とする、請求項９に記載の照明装置。 The light emitting portion includes an optical path changing processing portion that is a prism processed portion, a textured portion, or a dot type printed processing portion for changing the internal light to an optical path suitable for external emission. The lighting device according to claim 9, comprising:
  11. 　前記導光体は、棒状に加工された複数の前記導光部材を含む導光部材群を、単数または複数含んでおり、
    　前記導光部材群にて、前記入射端の位置を繋げて形成される入射端配置線と、前記光出射部の位置を繋げて形成される光出射部配置線とが交差することを特徴とする、請求項９または１０に記載の照明装置。     The light guide includes a single or a plurality of light guide member groups including a plurality of the light guide members processed into a rod shape,
    In the light guide member group, an incident end arrangement line formed by connecting the positions of the incident ends intersects with a light emitting section arrangement line formed by connecting the positions of the light emitting units. The lighting device according to claim 9 or 10.
  12. 　請求項１～１１のいずれか１項に記載の照明装置と、
    　前記照明装置からの光を受ける表示パネルとを備えることを特徴とする、表示装置。     The lighting device according to any one of claims 1 to 11,
    And a display panel that receives light from the illumination device.
PCT/JP2011/050233 2010-05-31 2011-01-11 Lighting device and display apparatus WO2011152075A1 (en)

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JP2001210122A (en) * 2000-01-28 2001-08-03 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Luminaire, video display device, method of driving video display device, liquid crystal display panel, method of manufacturing liquid crystal display panel, method of driving liquid crystal display panel, array substrate, display device, viewfinder and video camera
WO2004055429A1 (en) * 2002-12-18 2004-07-01 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Light guide plate, illuminating device using same, area light source and display

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPH11144514A (en) * 1997-11-07 1999-05-28 Sharp Corp Lighting system and liquid-crystal display device
JP2001210122A (en) * 2000-01-28 2001-08-03 Matsushita Electric Ind Co Ltd Luminaire, video display device, method of driving video display device, liquid crystal display panel, method of manufacturing liquid crystal display panel, method of driving liquid crystal display panel, array substrate, display device, viewfinder and video camera
WO2004055429A1 (en) * 2002-12-18 2004-07-01 Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha Light guide plate, illuminating device using same, area light source and display

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