Patent ID: 7819543

Claim:
An optical unit for use in a backlight device of a liquid crystal display apparatus, comprising: a first light-collecting and -diffusing optical component having a surface provided on which are a plurality of microlenses each having a shape of a hemisphere- or semi-oval-like protrusion, having light collecting and diffusing functions; a light-collecting optical component having a surface provided on which are a plurality of prisms each having a saw-teeth like section, having a light collecting function; and a second light-collecting and -diffusing optical component having a surface provided on which are a plurality of microlenses each having a shape of a hemisphere- or semi-oval-like protrusion, having light collecting and diffusing functions, wherein the first light-collecting and -diffusing optical component, the light-collecting optical component, and the second light-collecting and -diffusing optical component are provided in this order on an optical path of light emitted from a light source of the backlight device, each surface being provided on a light-emitting side of the optical unit.