Patent ID: 8556492

Claim:
A backlight unit comprising: a plurality of light sources configured to emit light in a first direction; a plurality of light guide plates having first sides spaced a predetermined distance in the first direction from each other and facing each other, the light guide plates at least partially overlapping each other, the light emitted from the light source being incident in the first direction to the first side and emitted in a second direction crossing the first direction; and a bottom cover receiving the light source and the light guide plate, wherein the plurality of light guide plates include a plurality of light incident parts protruding at the first side of the light guide plate and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in a third direction crossing the first direction and the second direction, a first side of the light incident part being provided with a light incident surface facing a light emitting surface of the light source, a plurality of shield parts each protruding between neighboring two of the light incident parts, and a light emitting part extending from a second side of the light incident part to the second side of the light guide plate and emitting light, spread from the light incident part, in the second direction, wherein the plurality of light incident parts of one of the plurality of the light guide plates are engaged with the plurality of light incident part of adjacent light guide plate, and the plurality of shield part of one of the plurality of the light guide plates are engaged with the plurality of shield parts of an adjacent light guide plate.