Patent ID: 12237363

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments of the present disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative work shall fall within the protection scope of the present disclosure.

In the description herein, it should be understood that the terms, such as “central,” “longitudinal,” “lateral,” “length,” “width,” “thickness,” “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” “left,” “right,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “top,” “bottom,” “inner,” “outer,” “clockwise,” and “counterclockwise” indicating a directional or positional relationship, are based on orientation or positional relationship shown in the drawings. Also, the terms are only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to has a specific orientation and is constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, it cannot be understood as a limitation to the present disclosure.

In the description herein, it should be understood that the terms “first” and “second” are only used for descriptive purposes and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, the features defined with “first” and “second” may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of the present disclosure, “plurality” means two or more than two, unless specifically defined otherwise.

Many different embodiments or examples are provided herein to realize the different structures of the present disclosure. To simplify the disclosure of the present disclosure, the components and settings of specific examples are described below. Certainly, they are only examples, and the purpose is not to limit the present disclosure. In addition, the present disclosure may repeat reference numbers and/or reference letters in different examples, and this repetition is used for the purpose of simplification and clarity and does not indicate the relationship between the various embodiments and/or settings discussed. In addition, examples of various specific processes and materials are provided herein, but those ordinarily skilled in the art may be aware of the application of other processes and/or the use of other materials.

In a display device, a light source module can be designed based on single-layer-layout wiring technology, e.g., to realize the dual-column loading for a single data channel, in which a light source driving design does not require other peripheral auxiliary devices except light-emitting units and driving chips. Examples are described as follows but are not limited to the description here.

The embodiment of the present disclosure provides a light source module, which can be applied to a display device with various types of light-emitting diodes. For example, the light source module can be used in display devices using sub-millimeter light-emitting diodes (Mini LED) as backlight sources, such as liquid crystal display devices, but is not limited to the description here. The light source module can also be used in display devices using sub-millimeter light-emitting diodes as direct display light sources, such as Mini LED display screens. Further, in addition to the display device, the light source module can be applied to other products, such as lighting equipment. It should be understood that the light-emitting diode can generate a spectrum of a specific color, such as spectra of red, green, and blue.

As shown inFIG.1, in a first embodiment of the light source module, the light source module includes a substrate1. The substrate1can be provided with a plurality of light-emitting branches2, a plurality of driving chips3, and single-layer-layout wiring4. In the present example, in order to simplify the description, it is only exemplified that the light source module can be configured as a surface light source, such as a backlight source or a direct display light source, according to light-emitting requirements of display devices.

The following examples illustrate an implementation in which the light source module is applied as a backlight module, but is not limited to the description here.

For example, in an embodiment, as shown inFIG.1, the substrate1may be a glass substrate, a printed circuit board (PCB) substrate, or a BT resin substrate, but is not limited to the description here. For example, the substrate1can be configured to have a plurality of light-emitting regions M arranged in an array manner. Each of the light-emitting regions M is provided with two light-emitting groups G. Each of light-emitting groups G includes a plurality of light-emitting branches2arranged in parallel. For example, the light-emitting branches2are arranged side by side in a first direction (which is illustrated as a vertical direction from top to bottom inFIG.1). Here, only four light-emitting branches2are taken as an example, but are not be limited to the description here. In addition, each of the light-emitting branches2includes at least one sub-millimeter light-emitting diode21, e.g., a plurality of sub-millimeter light-emitting diodes21can be connected in series, in parallel, or in series and parallel, so that the light-emitting branch2can be a luminous form of one light, two lights, four lights, six lights, eight lights, ten lights, twelve lights, fourteen lights, or sixteen lights. Only luminous form of two lights is taken as an example, that is not limited to the description here. In addition, there are two driving chips3arranged in parallel between the two light-emitting groups G. For example, the two driving chips3are arranged side by side between the two light-emitting groups G in a longitudinal direction. For example, the size of the driving chip3is preferably less than 1500*1500 microns (μm) but is not limited to the description here.

In an example, as shown inFIG.2, e.g., each driver chip3includes ten pins, such as a pin30being a serial output (shown as SO) pin, a pin31being a ground (shown as GND) pin, a pin32being a reserved (shown as NC) pin, a pin33being a power supply (shown as VDD) pin, a pin34being a serial input (shown as SI) pin, pins35,36,37, and38being four output (shown as 01, 02, 03, 04) pins, and a pin39being a data input (shown as DI) pin. For example, the pins30to34and the pins35to39are arranged on two opposite sides of the driver chip3but are not limited to the description here.

In this example, as shown inFIGS.1and2, each driver chip3includes a ground (shown as “GND”) pin31, a power supply (shown as “VDD”) pin33, a plurality of function (shown as “SO,” “SI,” and “DI”) pins30,34,39, and a plurality of output (shown as “01,” “02,” “03,” and “04”) pins35,36,37,38. The ground (shown as “GND”) pins31of the two driving chips3are close to each other, the output (shown as “01,” “02,” “03,” and “04”) pins35to38of one of the single driving chips3are close to the light-emitting branches2within one of the light-emitting groups G.

In this example, as shown inFIGS.1and2, the single-layer-layout wiring4can be configured to make each of the output (shown as “01,” “02,” “03,” and “04”) pins35,36,37, and38be coupled to one end of one of the light-emitting branches2within a same light-emitting region M, the other end of each of the light-emitting branches2within the light-emitting regions M be coupled to each other, the ground (shown as “GND”) pin31within the light-emitting regions M be coupled to each other, the power (shown as “VDD”) pin33within the light-emitting regions M be coupled to each other, and the same or corresponding function (shown as “SO,” “SI,” or “DI”) pins30,34, or39within the light-emitting regions M be respectively coupled.

For example, as shown inFIG.1, the single-layer-layout wiring4can also be configured to form a ground wire part GND′, wherein the ground wire part GND′ extends in the first direction (for example, as shown inFIG.1, the vertical direction from top to bottom) between the two driving chips3to be coupled to the ground (shown as “GND”) pins31of the driving chips3within the light-emitting regions M. For example, the ground wire part GND′ includes a first ground segment (such as a longitudinal segment shown in the figure) and a plurality of second ground segments (such as horizontal segments shown in the figure). The first ground segment extends in the first direction between the two driving chips3, the second ground segments extend in a second direction (e.g., as shown inFIG.1, the horizontal direction from left to right) between the two driving chips3to be coupled to the ground (shown as “GND”) pins31.

For example, as shown inFIG.1, the single-layer-layout wiring4can also be configured to form two light source wire parts VLED. Each light source wire part VLED extends in the first direction on one side of the light-emitting groups G away from the driving chips3to be coupled to the light-emitting branches2within the light-emitting regions M.

For example, as shown inFIG.1, the single-layer-layout wiring4can also be configured to form two power wire parts VDD′. Each of power wire parts VDD′ extends in the first direction between the ground wire part GND′ and one of the light source wire parts VLED to be coupled to the power (shown as VDD) pins33of the driving chips3within the light-emitting regions M.

For example, as shown inFIG.1, the single-layer-layout wiring4can also be configured to form a variety of function wire parts, and the variety of function wire parts extend in the first direction between the two light-emitting groups to be coupled to the same or corresponding function pins within the light-emitting regions M. For example, a data input function wire part DI′ is coupled to data input (shown as “DI”) pins39of all the driving chips3, wherein the data input function wire part DI′ can also extend through a projection region of the two driving chips3on the substrate1to reduce the overall wiring range; a serial function wire part SR is coupled to all of serial output (shown as “SO”) pins30and serial input (shown as “SI”) pins34of the driver chips3, so that the serial output (shown as “SO”) pins30and the serial input (shown as “SI”) pins34are connected in series. Thus, a set of data to drive two columns of driver chips can be realized.

It should be noted that, as shown inFIG.1, the two driving chips3of the first embodiment are vertically arranged in parallel between the two light-emitting groups G, and the two driving chips3are centrally symmetrically arranged. For example, one driving chip3is rotated 180 degrees relative to the other driving chip3, so that the same features of the two driving chips3are arranged side by side toward or away from each other, e.g., two marks (e.g., a solid triangle mark and a hollow triangle mark as shown inFIG.1) are opposite, so that the output (shown as “01,” “02,” “03,” and “04”) pins3538of one of the driving chips3are close to the light-emitting branches2of one of the light-emitting groups G, the ground (shown as “GND”) pins31of the two driving chips3are close to each other, so that the wiring (i.e., the ground wire part GND′) coupled to the ground pins can be concentrated between the two driving chips3, thereby reducing an area occupied by wiring.

In addition, as shown inFIG.3, in a second embodiment of the light source module, the light source module includes a substrate1′. The substrate1′ can be provided with a plurality of light-emitting branches2′ and a plurality of driving chips3′, and a single-layer-layout routing4′. In order to simplify the description, it is only exemplified that the light source module can be configured as a surface light source, such as a backlight source or a direct display light source, according to the light-emitting requirements of the display device. The implementation of the substrate1′ and the light-emitting branches2′ in the second embodiment is substantially the same as the implementation of the substrate1and the light-emitting branches2in the first embodiment. The substrate1′ can be configured to have a plurality of light-emitting regions M′ arranged in an array manner. Each light-emitting region M′ can be provided with two light-emitting groups G′. Each light-emitting group G′ includes a plurality of light-emitting branches2arranged in parallel. The implementation content please be referred to the above description, and will not be repeated here.

It should be noted that a difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that, as shown inFIG.3, the two driving chips3′ of the second embodiment are laterally arranged in parallel between the two light-emitting groups G′. The two driving chips3′ are centrally symmetrically arranged.

In an example, as shown inFIG.4, each driver chip3′ includes twelve pins, such as pins30′ and31′ being two output (shown as “01,” and “02”) pins, pins32′ and37′ being power (shown as “VDD”) pins, pins33′ and38′ being data input (shown as “DI”) pins, a pin34′ being a serial output (shown as “SO”) pin, pins35′ and36′ being two output (shown as “03,” and “04”) pins, a pin39′ being a serial input (shown as “SI”) pin, a pin3a′ being a reserved (shown as “NC”) pin, and a pin3b′ being ground (shown as “GND”) pin. For example, the pins30′ to34′ and pins35′ to39′ are arranged on both sides of the driver chip3′ (such as upper and lower sides), and the pin3a′ and the pin3b′ are located at two ends (such as left and right ends) of the driving chip3, but are not limited to the description here.

In this example, as shown inFIGS.3and4, each driver chip3′ includes a ground (shown as “GND”) pin3b′, two power (shown as “VDD”) pins32′,37′, a plurality of functions (shown as “DI,” “SO,” and “SI”) pins33′,34′,38′,39′, and a plurality of output (shown as “01,” “02,” “03,” and “04”) pins30′,31′,35′,36′. The ground (shown as “GND”) pins3b′ of the two driving chips3are close to each other, and the output (shown as “01,” “02,” “03,” and “04”) pins30′,31′,35′,36′ of one of the driving chips3are close to the light-emitting branches2′ of one of the light-emitting group G′.

Correspondingly, as shown inFIG.3, the single-layer-layout wiring4′ of the second embodiment is slightly different from the single-layer-layout wiring4of the first embodiment. For example, the single-layer-layout wiring4′ can also be configured to form a ground wire part GND″, two light source wire parts VLED′, two power wire parts VDD″, and a variety of function wire parts, such as a data input function wire part DI″ and a serial function wire part SR′, wherein their wiring layout form can be changed according to positions of pins of the driver chip3′.

For example, in this example, as shown inFIGS.3and4, the single-layer-layout wiring4′ can be configured to make each of the output (shown as “01,” “02,” “03,” “04”) pins31′,35′,36′ be coupled to one end of one of the light-emitting branch2′ within a same light-emitting region M′, and the other end of each of the light-emitting branches2′ within the light-emitting regions M′ be coupled to each other, the ground (shown as “GND”) pins3b′ within the light-emitting regions M′ be coupled to each other, the power (shown as “VDD”) pins32′ and37′ within the light-emitting regions M′ be coupled to each other, and the same or corresponding function (shown as “DI,” “SO,” and “SI”) pins33′,34′,38′,39′ within the light-emitting regions M′ be respectively coupled. Thus, it is possible to realize a set of data to drive two columns of driver chips.

The following examples illustrate some embodiments of the light source module, but are not limited to the description here.

An aspect of the present disclosure provides a light source module, which includes: a substrate configured to have a plurality of light-emitting regions arranged in an array manner, wherein each of the light-emitting regions is provided with two light-emitting groups, each of the light-emitting groups includes a plurality of light-emitting branches arranged in parallel, and two driving chips are disposed in parallel between the two light-emitting groups; and single-layer-layout wiring is arranged on the substrate, wherein the single-layer-layout wiring couples the driving chips within the light-emitting regions to each other and electrically connects each of the driving chips to the light-emitting branches within one of the light-emitting groups. Therefore, by arranging the single-layer-layout wiring on the substrate and disposing the two driving chips in parallel between the two light-emitting groups, so that each of the driving chips drives the light-emitting branches within one of the light-emitting groups, to realize the dual-column loading for a single data channel, in which a backlight driving design does not require other peripheral auxiliary devices except light-emitting units and driver chips, which can reduce the number of used components and a layout area, simplify the processing process, and help reduce costs and improve product yield.

Optionally, in an embodiment, each of the driving chips includes a ground pin, at least one power pin, a variety of function pins, and a plurality of output pins, wherein the ground pins of the two driving chips within each of the light-emitting regions are close to each other, and the output pins are close to the light-emitting branches within one of the light-emitting groups. Therefore, the wiring for the ground can be concentratedly arranged between the two driving chips, which is beneficial to reduce the area occupied by the wiring, can reduce the cost, and improve the product yield.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the single-layer-layout wiring is configured to make each of the output pins within each of the light-emitting regions be coupled to one end of one of the light-emitting branches within the same light-emitting region, the other end of each of the light-emitting branches within the light-emitting regions be coupled to each other, the ground pins within the light-emitting regions be coupled to each other, the power pins within the light-emitting regions be coupled to each other, and the same or corresponding function pins within the light-emitting regions be coupled to each other. Therefore, the area occupied by the layout of the single-layer wiring can be greatly simplified, which can avoid short-circuiting between different metal layers and high cost can be avoided.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the light-emitting branches are arranged side by side in a first direction, and the single-layer-layout wiring is further configured to form a ground wire part, wherein the ground wire part extends in the first direction between the two driving chips to be coupled to the ground pins within the light-emitting regions. Therefore, by a ground-wire centralized layout, it is beneficial to reduce the cost and improve the product yield.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the single-layer-layout wiring is further configured to form two light source wire parts, wherein each of the light source wire parts extends in the first direction on one side of the light-emitting groups away from the driving chips to be coupled to the light-emitting branches within the light-emitting regions. Therefore, by arranging the two light source wire parts on the outside of the light-emitting branches, it is possible to avoid the mutual interference of the wiring, which is beneficial to improve the product yield.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the single-layer-layout wiring is further configured to form two power wire parts, and each of the power wire parts extends in the first direction between the ground wire part and one of the light source wire parts to be coupled to the power pins within the light-emitting regions. Therefore, by arranging the two power wire parts on both sides of the ground wire part, it is possible to avoid the mutual interference of the wiring and power supply, which is beneficial to improve the product yield.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the single-layer-layout wiring is further configured to form a plurality of function wire parts, wherein the function wire parts are extended in the first direction between the two light-emitting groups to be coupled to the same or corresponding function pins within the light-emitting regions. Therefore, by arranging the function wire parts between the two light-emitting groups, the redundant space after the driving chips are provided can be effectively used for wiring layout, which is beneficial to reduce cost and improve product yield.

Optionally, in an embodiment, the two driving chips are centrally symmetrically arranged. Therefore, by the different placement of the two driving chips, the wiring for the ground can be laid out in a centralized manner, which is beneficial to reduce cost and improve product yield.

Optionally, in an embodiment, each of the light-emitting branches includes one sub-millimeter light-emitting diode; alternatively, each of the light-emitting branches includes at least two sub-millimeter light-emitting diodes, wherein the at least two sub-millimeter light-emitting diodes are connected in parallel or in series. Therefore, the sub-millimeter light-emitting diodes can be used as a backlight source of the display device, so that the display device has the advantages of long life and not easy to burn screen.

In addition, another aspect of the present disclosure provides a display device, such as a display device using sub-millimeter light-emitting diodes as a backlight source or a direct display light source. For example, the display device includes a display screen and the light source module as mentioned above, wherein the light source module is connected to the display screen. The implementation content and beneficial effects of the light source module are described above, and will not be repeated. For example, the display device may be a liquid crystal display device that uses the light source module as a backlight source; alternatively, the display device may also be a Mini LED display that uses the light source module as a direct display light source, but is not limited to the description here.

For example, in an application example, as shown inFIG.5, the display device includes a plurality of light source modules C and a controller (Bcon) B. In order to simplify the description, only two light source modules (such as the embodiment of the light source module shown inFIGS.1and2) are taken as an example for description but are not limited to the description here. In addition, the description can also be applied to the light source module shown inFIGS.3and4.

Optionally, as shown inFIGS.1,2, and5, each of the light source modules C includes a substrate1. The substrate1is configured to have a plurality of light-emitting regions M arranged in an array manner, wherein each of the light-emitting regions M is provided with two light-emitting groups G. Each of the light-emitting groups G includes a plurality of light-emitting branches2arranged in parallel, two driving chips3are disposed in parallel between the two light-emitting groups G, and single-layer-layout wiring4is arranged on the substrate1, to make the driving chips3in the light-emitting regions M be coupled to each other. In addition, each of the driving chips3drives the light-emitting branches2within one of the light-emitting groups G. Also, one of the driving chips3on the substrate1of each light source module C is coupled to the controller B.

For example, as shown inFIGS.1,2, and5, one of the driving chips3close to the controller B on the substrate1can be configured as a specific driving chip3to be coupled to the controller B, For example, two function (shown as “SO,” “DI”) pins30and39of the specific driver chip3are coupled to the two corresponding pins of the controller B via a part of the single-layer-layout wiring4. Thus, the controller B can control the driving chips3coupled to each other of the light source modules C. For example, the controller B performs data transmission (such as transmitting control commands) to the driving chips3, to facilitate various light source control tasks to meet display requirements of the display device.

In the light source module and the display device of the above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure, the substrate is configured to have a plurality of light-emitting regions arranged in an array manner, each of the light-emitting regions is provided with two light-emitting groups, and each of the light-emitting groups includes a plurality of light-emitting branches arranged side-by-side, and two driving chips are disposed in parallel between the two light-emitting groups; and single-layer layout wiring is arranged on the substrate, wherein the single-layer layout wiring couples the driving chips within the light-emitting regions to each other and electrically connect each of the driving chips to the light-emitting branches within one of the light-emitting groups.

Therefore, the above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure can be backlight products with sub-millimeter light-emitting diodes driven by chips based on the design of single-layer metal wiring. For example, the two driving chips are centrally symmetrically arranged, wherein the ground pins of the two driving chips are close to each other, and the output pins are close to the light-emitting branches within one of the light-emitting groups. Compared with the light source module based on two or more layers of metal wiring in the prior art, the above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure can avoid problems of circuits easily shorted between different metal layers and high cost. It can not only reflect product competitiveness but also reduce costs and improve product yield.

The embodiments of the present disclosure are described in detail above, and specific examples are used herein to illustrate the principles and implementation modes of the present disclosure. The descriptions of the above embodiments are only used to help understand the technical solutions and core ideas of the present disclosure; those ordinarily skilled in the field should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions recorded in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalently replace some of the technical features, and these modifications or replacements do not divorce the essence of the corresponding technical solutions from the scope of the technical solution of various embodiments of the present disclosure.