US5126882A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Plane light source unit
Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corp
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Filing: 1988-11-10
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Granted: 1992-06-30
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Expires: 2008-11-10
Abstract
Abstract A plane light source unit is provided which comprises a first element having a light incident face at least at one side end thereof and a first light emitting surface extending perpendicularly to the light incident face, the first element further having a reflecting layer provided on a surface thereof opposite to the first light emitting surface, and a second element having a light incident surface which receives the light emitted by the first element and a second light emitting surface through which light is emitted in a predetermined direction, the first light emitting surface and/or the opposite surface of the first element having a directive function to cause incident light through the light incident face to emit through the first light emitting surface in a direction oblique to the direction of the light, the second element having a large number of prism units formed on the light incident surface thereof. The plane light source unit is advantageously used as a backlighting means for a liquid crystal display device or the like.
Inventors
- 👤 Makoto Oe
- 👤 Ithussei Chiba
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 20:12
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02F; G02F1/00; G02F1/01; G02F1/13; G02F1/133; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/0001; G02B6/0011; G02B6/0033; G02B6/0035; G02B6/0038; G02B6/005; G02B6/0053; G02B6/0055; G02B6/0066; G02B6/0068; G09; G09F; G09F13/00; G09F13/18; G02B6/007; G02B6/0071; G02B6/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
A plane light source unit, comprising a first element having a light incident face at lest at one side end thereof and a first light emitting surface extending perpendicularly to said light incident face, said first element further having a reflecting layer provided on a surface thereof opposite to said first light emitting surface, and a second element having a light incident surface which receives the light emitted by said first element and a second light emitting surface through which light is emitted in a predetermined direction, at least one of said first light emitting surface and the opposite surface of said first element comprising means having a directive function to cause incident light through said light incident face to emit through said first light emitting surface in two preferential directions oblique to, and on opposite sides of, a normal line thereof, said second element having a large number of prism units formed on said light incident surface thereof, each prism unit having at least one surface positioned for effecting total reflection of the light received by said second element, wherein the direction of substantially all of the light emitting from said second element makes an angle ranging from 0 degrees to 20 degrees with respect to a normal line of said first light emitting surface of said first element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
A plane light source unit, comprising a first element having a light incident face at lest at one side end thereof and a first light emitting surface extending perpendicularly to said light incident face, said first element further having a reflecting layer provided on a surface thereof opposite to said first light emitting surface, and a second element having a light incident surface which receives the light emitted by said first element and a second light emitting surface through which light is emitted in a predetermined direction, at least one of said first light emitting surface and the opposite surface of said first element comprising means having a directive function to cause incident light through said light incident face to emit through said first light emitting surface in two preferential directions oblique to, and on opposite sides of, a normal line thereof, said second element having a large number of prism units formed on said light incident surface thereof, each prism unit having at least one surface positioned for effecting total reflection of the light received by said second element, wherein the direction of substantially all of the light emitting from said second element makes an angle ranging from 0 degrees to 20 degrees with respect to a normal line of said first light emitting surface of said first element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A plane light source unit according to claim 1, wherein either said first light emitting surface or the opposite surface of said first element has a large number of lens units formed thereon which contribute to the directive function.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A plane light source unit according to claim 2, wherein said large number of lens units are convex cylindrical lenticular lenses.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A plane light source unit according to claim 2, wherein said large number of lens units are concave cylindrical lenticular lenses.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A plane light source unit according to claim 2, wherein said large number of lens units are triangular pole-shaped lenticular lenses.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A plane light source unit according to claim 2, wherein said large number of lens units are polygonal pole-shaped lenticular lenses.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A plane light source unit according to claim 2, wherein said large number of lens units are anisotropic lenticular lenses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A plane light source unit according to claim 1, wherein said first light emitting surface and/or the opposite surface of said first element has a mat finished surface which extends substantially in parallel to a plane of said reflecting layer and contribute to the directive function.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
A plane light source unit according to claim 8, wherein a haze of said first element on which said mat finished surface is formed is equal to or greater than 30 percent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
A plane light source unit according to claim 1, wherein said first element has a pair of light incident surfaces at two opposing side ends thereof.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A plane light source unit according to claim 1, wherein said first element is made of an acrylic resin material.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
20 words
A plane light source unit according to claim 1, wherein said first element is made of a polycarbonate resin material.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
A plane light source unit according to claim 1, wherein said second element is made of an acrylic resin material.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A plane light source unit according to claim 1, wherein said second element is made of a polycarbonate resin material.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
50 words
A plane light source unit according to claim 1, wherein the direction of light emitting from said first element makes an angle equal to or greater than 45 degrees and smaller than 90 degrees with respect to a normal line of said first light emitting surface of said first element.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-06-30 | 1995-12-30 | 1996-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-30 | 1999-12-30 | 2000-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-30 | 2003-12-30 | 2004-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |