Patent Publication Number: US-2013235297-A1

Title: Backlight Module

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a backlight module, and more particularly to a backlight module and a liquid crystal display implemented with the backlight module. 
     DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART 
     The liquid crystal display is featured with its compact, slim, low-energy exhaustion, and radiation-free, it has been widely implemented in the notebook computer, mobile phone, digital camera, monitor, and screen of electronic devices. The liquid crystal does not emit light, and as a result, it has to be lit up by a so-called backlight module. A waveguide is an indispensible part for the backlight module, and which is used to guide and direct the light toward an intended direction so as to transform a light source, line or spot, into a surface light. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , a typical configuration of an existing backlight module is disclosed. In the existing configuration, the backlight module includes a frame  101 , and a waveguide  102 . The frame  101  is provided with a plurality of standoffs  1011  which stand onto the emitting surface of the waveguide  102 . Accordingly, the waveguide  102  is positioned. However, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , when the frame  101  is deformed, then gap or slit will be created between the standoff  1011  and the emitting surface of the waveguide  102 . Then the light from the light source will leak from those gap or slit. When the liquid crystal display is lit up, a so-called bright-line effect. 
     Accordingly, there is a need to provide a backlight module and a liquid crystal display incorporated with the backlight module such that the leakage of the light between the standoffs  1011  and the waveguide  102  resulted from the deformation of the frame  101  can be readily resolved. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The purpose of the present invention is to provide a backlight module and a liquid crystal module incorporated with a backlight module so as to preferably resolve a leakage of light between an exiting surface of a waveguide and a standoff of a frame resulted from deformation of the frame. 
     In order to resolve the problem encountered by the prior art, a backlight module is provided and it includes a waveguide having an incidence surface and an exiting surface adjacent to the incidence surface, a bottom surface, the exiting surface defined with a slot. A frame defines a space to receive the waveguide, and includes a first sidewall adjacent to the incidence surface. A first extension extends from the first sidewall toward the exiting surface, and a standoff extends from the first standoff toward the exiting surface. The standoff securely wedges into the slot, and presses against onto the exiting surface. 
     Wherein the slot is sized and dimensioned in a way such that the standoff wedges into the slot even when the frame deforms. 
     Wherein the backlight module further includes a light source arranged between the first sidewall and the incidence surface of the waveguide. 
     Wherein the backlight module further comprises a fixture supporting the light source. 
     Wherein the fixture includes a second sidewall supporting the light source, a second extension extending from the second sidewall toward the bottom surface, and a second standoff extending from the second extension toward the bottom surface which is supported by the second standoff. 
     Wherein backplate is provided for supporting the second extension. 
     In order to resolve the technological issues encountered by the prior art, a novel liquid crystal display is provided in which a backlight module as described above is included. 
     Wherein the slot is sized and dimensioned in a way such that the standoff wedges into the slot even when the frame deforms. 
     Wherein the liquid crystal display further includes a light source arranged between the first sidewall and the incidence surface of the waveguide. 
     Wherein the liquid crystal display further comprises a fixture supporting the light source. 
     Wherein the fixture includes a second sidewall supporting the light source, a second extension extending from the second sidewall toward the bottom surface, and a second standoff extending from the second extension toward the bottom surface which is supported by the second standoff. 
     Wherein the liquid crystal display is provided with a backplate to support the second extension. 
     In order to resolve the prior art problem, a backlight module is provided and it includes a waveguide and a frame. The frame includes a standoff pressing onto an exiting surface of the waveguide which includes slot receiving the standoff of the frame. 
     Wherein the slot is sized and dimensioned in a way such that the standoff wedges into the slot even when the frame deforms. 
     Wherein the liquid crystal display further includes a light source arranged between the first sidewall and the incidence surface of the waveguide. 
     Wherein the liquid crystal display further comprises a fixture supporting the light source. 
     In order to resolve the technological issues encountered by the prior art, a novel liquid crystal display is provided in which a backlight module as described above is included. 
     The advantages of the present invention is that with the compact and reliable engagement between the frame and the waveguide, conventional gap or slit between the frame and the waveguide can be successfully avoided, and the bright line effect is completely prevented. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustrational view of a prior art backlight module; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration view showing a tendency of deformation of a frame of the prior art backlight module; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustrational view of a backlight module made in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration view showing a deformed frame of the backlight module in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be given with the accompanied drawings. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , an illustrational and structural view of a backlight module in accordance with the present invention is given. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the backlight module made in accordance with the present invention includes a frame  301 , a waveguide  302 , a light source  303 , a light source fixture  304 , and a backplate  305 . The waveguide  302  includes an incidence surface  3021  and an exiting surface  3022  adjacent to the incidence surface  3021 , and a bottom surface  3023 . The exiting surface  3022  is provided with slots  3024 . The waveguide  302  is disposed within the frame  301 , and includes first sidewall  3011  adjacent to the incidence surface  3021 . A first extension  3012  extends from the first sidewall  3011  to the exiting surface  3022 , and a first standoff  3013  extends from the first extension  3012  to the exiting surface  3022 . The standoff  3013  wedges into the slot  3024  and presses against to the exiting surface  3022 . 
     The light source  303  is arranged between the first sidewall  3011  and the incidence surface  3021 . The light source can be selected from Cold Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (CCFL), or an LED. The fixture  304  is used to support the light source  303 . In this preferred embodiment, the fixture  304  includes a second sidewall  3041  used to support the light source  303 , and a second extension  3042  extending from the second sidewall  3041  to the bottom surface  3023 . A second standoff  3043  extends from the second extension  3042  to the bottom surface  3023 , which is further supported by the second standoff  3043 . The fixture  304  is made from preferable heat conductive material, such as aluminum, so as to dissipate the heat generated from the light source  303 . In other preferred embodiment, the fixture  304  can be implemented with other configuration or in some case, it can be omitted. 
     The second extension  3042  of the fixture  304  of the backlight defines a receiving space for the waveguide  302 , the light source  303 , and the fixture  304  jointly with the frame  301 . Reflective layer or reflective foil can be deployed over the surface adjacent to the bottom  3023  of the waveguide  302  and the backplate  305 . Accordingly, the leaked light from the bottom surface  3023  can be reflected back to the waveguide  302 . As a result, no energy losses, while the efficiency increases. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , in the present invention, the size and dimension of the slot  3024  are optimized in a way such that when the frame  301  deforms, the first standoff  3013  is still wedged within the slot  3024 . Frame  301  is flexible and deformable so as to absorb any external force, and it is used to support and position the internal parts of the backlight module. As a result, when the backlight module is suffered from vibration, impact, or even drop-off, the frame  301  can be readily deformed. With the provision of the above described configuration, even when the frame  301  is deformed, the standoff  3013  still securely wedges into the slot  3024  of the waveguide  302 . Accordingly, no gap or slit will be generated between the frame  301  and the waveguide  302  even when the frame  301  is deformed. Therefore, the bright line effect encountered by the prior art is successfully avoided. 
     Of course, with the revelation of the above description, any skilled in the art can embody additional and many implementations between the frame and the waveguide. For example, providing some sort of slots on the exiting surface of the waveguide, and have the frame press onto the exiting surface, and have the standoff wedges into the slot, then the purpose of the present invention is achieved. Again, the size and dimension of the slot can be embodied in a way such that the standoff wedges into the slot firmly even when the frame is deformed. 
     By the provision of the backlight module in accordance with the present invention, then a liquid crystal display can be readily embodied with this novel backlight module. 
     By the provision of the present invention, the leakage of light source between the frame and the waveguide can be readily avoided as even the frame is deformed, no gap or slit will be created between the frame and the waveguide. 
     The above described is merely preferred embodiment of the present invention, and it is merely for illustration while not for limitation. As a result, any alternation and modification or any equivalents based on the specification as well as the drawings will be covered by the attached claims even they are applied to other fields of technology directly or indirectly.